My Sword. My Shield
FxA
By: Niño F. aka F00l3Al2
A/N: Ok, on the couples' part I'm going to make some official and others just as hints. You can suggest other couples and I'll see if I can work with them. I'm already doing Vanessa/Forde, and Neimi/Colm, so don't suggest anything about them.
BTW
"Conscious"
"Thoughts"
"Normal"
Disclaimer: You know the deal.
Chapter 4
"What a beautiful day to be off-duty today. To bad the fish aren't biting today." Were the thoughts going through a certain green knight, as he relaxed on the riverside enjoying his favorite hobby. "Nothing can ruin this day for me."
"You spoke to soon kid." Said his conscience, when they saw Forde running up to them with a canvas in hand. "Anything that has to do with your brother can't be good thing. And the worse part is he's smiling like an idiot."
"You'll never believe what I just finished brother! It's the best portrait I have ever made, second to my portrait on mother." Said the excited Forde.
"Yes, your portrait of mom was beautiful. It almost seemed that she was right there in front of me, still wanting to give me hug." Replied a sadden Franz. Forde caught this and wanted to reassure his younger brother.
"Don't worry bro, she's up in heaven, with dad now. They are watching us everyday, and I bet mom doesn't want to see you with that face on."
"Yeah, I guess your right." Said Franz in his normal tone. "By the way brother, what is this new portrait of yours?"
"It's about the most beautiful girl I have ever seen! It is a shame not to paint such beauty! And here it is! You will get lost in this painting bro!" He then unveiled his masterpiece, revealing moonlight shining on a green haired beauty, in an elegant dark green gown. She just stood there looking at straight on at anyone who sees her.
"Forde, this is definitely one of your best works! But who is this girl?" Asked the puzzled Franz.
"Why it's the lovely Vanessa! So, you think this will help me score with her?" Nudging his brother a bit while he asked this. Franz just sweats dropped and slowly nodded. "Alright! I put my heart and soul into this; I hope she accepts it!" Said the hopeful Forde "Oh! And before I forget here's something for you as well." He took out a piece of paper out his pockets and handed it to him. "I know you will just love this!" He said this with a devilish grin on his face. He then left Franz alone as he searched around for Vanessa.
"I wonder what my brother gave me? Well only one way to find out." The puzzled knight soon changed into embarrassed one. Forde has given him a hand drawn picture of Amelia-a very smutty picture of Amelia. In red lingerie, striking a sexy and suggestive pose that was just asking for something from Franz. This picture overwhelmed his mind and he started to have nosebleed1 until he fainted from the loss of blood.
"Hey Frannie! You ok? And this is why I was trying to get you horny last time, so it wouldn't be this overwhelming. Oh well, gotta take advantage of this situation, hey guys! Be sure to save that image in his mind, I want to see it in detail later."
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An hour later, Franz woke up drenched in his own blood. "Dang, what happened?"
"You fainted from a smutty picture of Amelia." Said his consciences. Franz turned crimson red when he heard this. He first washed of the blood in the river and then he looked over the picture again. "Man! You must really like it."
"It's not what you think!" Replied the flushed Franz. "I was checking out my brother's work. You know seeing the detail, and what-not."
"Denial is not just a river in Egypt, you know."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"I don't know? I just say things. By the way, you should hide that picture I think I heard someone coming."
Franz just tensed up when he heard him say that. He quickly hides the picture in his pocket, and took his rod and pretended to be fishing.
"Ah! Franz I finally found you!" Exclaimed a feminine voice. Franz turned around and saw Amelia there. He had to hold himself back and try not to imagine her in that sexy red lingerie. "God! This going to be so awkward."
"Hey Amelia! What brings you here?" Said Franz "Must not get perverted thoughts. Must fight those thoughts."
"Your losing, you know kid." His conscience said bluntly
"Is something the matter Franz? You look weird." Asked Amelia, with a puzzled look on her face.
"Nothing Amelia. Just woken up from my little nap while I was fishing." Replied Franz.
"Oh, ok. Anyways I just learned my mother is alive!" Amelia said with excitement in her voice. "I thought she was taken away from me forever when those bandits raided us, but General Duessel, just told me he saved my mother before they did anything bad to her! He said he'll take me to her after the war!"
"That's great Amelia! Now you aren't alone anymore, but I wished that could be the same for my mother. I saw her die on her deathbed, so I can't be as lucky as you." Said the depressed Franz.
"Don't worry, as long as she died happy, then it's ok, right?" Amelia said with worry in her voice.
"Thanks for your comforting words, Amelia." Said the now assured Franz.
"I think we have to go soon. I saw Lord Ephraim packing up his things, and started to put on his armour."
"Well then go ahead and pack your things as well! I'll catch up."
"Ok, see you later!"
"You just wanted send her away so you can look at that picture again, right?" The only answer he got from Franz was him blushing bad, and another nosebleed. Luckily he didn't faint this time.
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Ephraim Exorcists traveled were once again on the road heading for Rausten Court. On their way, they pass through an interesting village. The village was celebrating for their good harvest this year. Lord Ephraim decried that one more stop couldn't hurt, even with the protest from Innes, the group joined in on the festival. One of the main events was a ballroom dancing competition, which will be held inside the village lord's mansion ballroom. The main even was going to happen in three hours and a certain knight, was busy "preparing".
"AH! So is it left-right-left-right-tip-spin-quarter turn-repeat?" Said a stumbling figure, tripping over on his two feet and landing face first on the ground. "I never knew dancing was so hard. I got to learn the moves so I don't embarrass Amelia at the competition."
"Maybe you should ask someone for help on this? Cause you need all the help you can get. And get some Advil, the blow to head is affecting me as well."
"Yeah, but who to ask? Tethys is great dancer, but she said she was busy with something." Wondered Franz.
"Hey you need help on your dancing?" Said a mysterious masculine voice. Franz turned around to see a figure close to him, right up to his face, which frightened him quite a bit.
"Ah! Rennac don't scare me like that!" Yelled the frightened Franz.
"Do you need help or not?" Rennac said with annoyance in his voice.
"Yes I do! I need to learn the tango and waltz in three hours!" Shouted the stressed out Franz.
"Three hours to learn the tango and waltz, eh? I might not be a miracle worker, but I think I can help you learn it by then." Said Rennac. "But, you owe me for helping you out, remember that."
"I won't forget! You're a life saver, you know." Said the thankful Franz.
"Ok let's get started, first you gotta do…"
Two hours have passed, and remarkably, with the help Franz was getting, He might actually be able to win the dancing competition. The only bad thing was that Franz was holding Rennac like a girl, which felt awkward. "At least no one is watching." And Franz was going to eat those words.
"Hey Franz you her-OH MY GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING FRANZ?" Yelled Forde as he entered Franz's room.
"Me and my big mouth." Said Franz with mental crying.
"DON'T TELL ME YOUR GAY! I DON'T WANT A GAY BROTHER FRANZ!"
"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK! I JUST ASKED HIM FOR HELP ON MY DANCING." Replied the screaming Franz.
"Ok Franz, I'll believe what you say for now, but if I see French between you two, I get to kill Rennac." Said the suspicious Forde. "The reason why I came here is to remind you that the competition is in an hour, so I'll see you there." As he was leaving he gave the look of "I got my eye on you" to Rennac.
"You have weird brother you know," Said the confused Rennac as he was analyzing the scene.
"I know, but you get used to it." Replied Franz. "Now let's review before the dancing starts!"
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"Why did I have to get this suit, Neimi? It feels kinda tight." Complained the brash rouge.
"Please don't complain, Colm, your gonna make me cry." Said the sniffling archer. "I picked out that blue suit just for you."
"Oh, don't cry Neimi. I love the suit, it just feels a little small for some reason." Replied Colm. "And I would like to say you look extravagant in that violet gown, Neimi."
"Thank you Colm. That means a lot to me. And Colm, your suit shows of your muscles more, so don't complain." She was red as tomato as she said this to him.
"Wow! Your not as shy anymore are you Neimi" Said a grinning Colm. "Hope you're like that on our honeymoon."
"WAH!" Cried the archer.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings Neimi. Can you please stop crying?" Said Colm with the mix of annoyance and worry in his voice.
"Sniff…I'm not crying because you hurt my feelings. I'm crying happy tears because you would want to marry me! Sniff."
"Hush now, we're going to be dancing next. Come on let's win this thing to get the prize money to pay for our wedding." Colm replied softly to her.
"Is that a proposal?" Wondered Neimi.
"Well, if you want me to be more direct; Neimi, will you marry me?"
"WAH!" Neimi's cry startled the blue rogue a bit but then was relaxed to hear her say, "I do, I will accept you as my husband."
"Now presenting Sir Colm and Lady Neimi of Ide! 2" Yelled the host of the dance competition.
"Well that's our cue. Shall we go my tearful wife?"
"Let's go, my good-natured husband3"
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Neimi and Colm danced gracefully at the ballroom, but they did have competition as well. Most notably Thetys and Gerik, they were just gliding through air. Forde and Vanessa's moves seemed perverted yet beautiful. Rennac and L'Arachel , their dancing was one of the best, and if a person observed closely, it would like they were dancing to see who was the better one. Soon it was Franz and Amelia's turn, he was nervous, but he controlled it and was mentally getting prepared.
"Amelia, remember how I taught you how to dance, and use it with Franz's style, ok?" Asked the fiery dancer. "Don't panic and let him lead, and if you see him doing something wrong, you lead him for a bit to get the flow right, got it?"
"I understand Thetys." Answered the grateful knight. "I hope Franz and I can win this."
"If you guys don't win at least you got to dance in his arms." Replied the giddy dancer. Amelia just blushed when she said that to her.
"Yes, that's a good enough prize for me."
"Now presenting Sir Franz of Renais and Lady Amelia of Grado!" Yelled the host.
"Go on, just trust what Franz will do." Amelia nodded at her mentor and quickly made her way to meet with Franz at the middle of the ballroom.
Franz thought it would be wise to mix the tango and waltz to make the most unique dance steps. Which of course was a good idea, but he had troubles at some parts. Luckily for him, Thethys trained Amelia, so she quickly recovered the dance and the judges wouldn't be the wiser. At their finale, Franz made a bold move. As he was bringing her up from her dip, he brought her close to her face and gave her a kiss. This surprised Amelia, but she didn't mind at all, and just accepted it. The whole ballroom was gave them cheers of support for their dance routine. The couple took their bows and left and waited for everyone else to finish. Amelia or Franz couldn't stop thinking of the kiss the whole time they waited for the winners to be announced.
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"I would like to say, that this was to most successful Harvest Festival that we have ever thrown!" Stated the Lord of the town. "I can only hope we can have this kind of excitement next year as well! Without further ado, I would like to announce this year's ballroom dancer extraordinaire!" The crowd cheered in reply to his statement. "Starting from third place, Sir Colm and Lady Neimi of Ide! You will receive your 5000 gold pieces later." More cheers came from the crowd.
"Darn! At least it's a start to paying for our wedding, right Neimi?" She just nodded in response to his question as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Second place, Lady Thetys and Sir Gerik! Your prize is 7500 gold pieces and this lovely silver gem!" Once again the crowd responded with a cheer.
"Who can be better than me? My profession is a dancer! We should have won Gerik!" Complained the fiery red head. Gerik just shrugged, because he was confused as her on why they didn't win.
"And now presenting this year's winners…Lady Amelia of Grado and Sir Franz of Renais!" The crowd went into an uproar and started clapping and cheering for the couple. "I would like you to come up now and receive your 10,000 gold prize and this special prize for you two." The lord then called in his servant as they brought in a bright, glowing pink ball. "This is called Angel's Seal, the best way to describe is that it's a mystery. No one could use it in our village maybe you guys could though." They took their prizes and went back into the crowd. "And that concludes this years dance competition! May you all have pleasant dreams tonight!"
"Hey Franz, nice move with the kiss."
"Thank you for the compliant bro."
"But if you practiced that part with Rennac, I will kill you!" Threatened Forde. Fortunately for Franz, Vanessa came in and took Forde by the ear and was going to teach him about manners.
"He is so weird."
"Couldn't agree with you more."
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"Franz do you want to try out the orb?" Amelia asked Franz. He then took it out of his pocket. And looked at Amelia with a interested look.
"Sure, but how do you work this? It just glowing there."
"Maybe we have to introduce ourselves to it?" Franz thought that Amelia idea might be stupid enough to work.
"What the heck, we got nothing to lose." Said Franz as he turned to the glowing sphere. "Hello there, my name is Franz and this is Amelia, we won you, so were wondering if you still work?" Silence came afterwards; nothing was making a sound. Then the sound of thunder clapping echoed through the skies.
"Franz, maybe we should go inside. I think it's going to rain." Said an alarmed Amelia.
"That's impossible, there's not a cloud up there tonight." Answered Franz. Lightning then struck on the two blinding them with a luminous light. A little while after the strike, Franz wakes up in a place that was solid white all around. He sees Amelia lying on the floor of the mysterious place. He goes over to make sure she's ok, and after awhile she too wakes up.
"I wonder, where are we?" Asked a confused Amelia
"Your guess is good as mine." Replied franz.
"Hello there young ones." A mysterious voice echoed through the room. "My name is Amor and I have brought you two here to give you something, but you must prove your worth for it." Five demons suddenly appeared, three Manthe Dogs and two Cyclops. "You two must fight to survive, you may only use these weapons that I assign to you." The voice then made a sword appear in Franz hands while a spear in Amelia's hand. "Now, FIGHT!"
The demons wasted no time on going first, the Manthe Dogs surrounding the duo while the Cyclops just stood at the back, axe ready at hand. The first ones to make their strike were the Manthe Dogs as they aimed for Franz. "Crap! I can't fight all three at the same time." He easily took down the ones that were taking him from the front, but he didn't see the third one sneak in an attack from his backside. He would have been a goner, but luckily Amelia was there to assist him as she blocked and parry the demon.
"Thanks Amelia" Said Franz gratefully.
"It's ok Franz, I'll be your shield, protecting and assisting you." Replied Amelia. When the Cyclops saw that their allies have fallen they rushed into the fray axes raised high. The two struck Amelia, but since she had a smaller stature, she easily dodged their attacks. She countered with a stab but it didn't seem to affect them at all. It looked like they felt a mosquito bite and didn't mind at all. That's when Franz stepped in and took a strong slash through the beast's neck, beheading it and killing it instantly.
"Then let me be your sword to help you on your attack." Countered Franz. The two stared at the last brute, it glare's back at two with it's massive one eye. The stand off was broken when the monster foolhardily moved to strike them. Franz retaliated with a stab to the stomach, which winded the one eyed monster. This gave Amelia enough time to pierce its eye, killing it as it punctured its brain as well. The two were exhausted after the little skirmish, and both were happy that they lived through that.
"I can't thank you enough back there Franz, you really are a great sword." Said Amelia between puffs for fresh air.
"No, it's you I should be thanking you. You protected me like a great shield." Replied a tired Franz.
"Congratulations you two," said Amor. " You have passed my test and now I give you my gift." The white room started flash rapidly, making Franz and Amelia cover their eyes from going blind from the flashes. "Let your strength grow, let it flourish, let it come out and become part of you! Amor's Blessing!" The room started to shake as well, knocking both to the floor, and all of it finished the voice started talking again. "What you wish for is now true! Franz, you are now worthy of being called a paladin! Your strength with sword has tripled because of that! And you Amelia, you have desrve the title of great knight! You have the power to make a shield appear as big as you want and wield it with ease. Now I must go, goodbye my friends." Another bright flash happened in the room and when the two refocused they found themselves back outside the town. The Angel's seal, in Franz hands, shattered into a million pieces.
"Whoa! That was unreal!" Exclaimed Franz. "I wonder if what she said was true?" He looks down to examine himself and sees he was dressed in the attire of a paladin. He then looked over at Amelia and saw the same thing, her in a new suit of armour as well.
"Yes, it was." Answered Amelia. "I guess us getting stronger was true as well, judging by our new stuff."
"I was wondering Amelia," Asked a curios Franz, "What are you going to be doing after this war?"
"Well I was planning on going with General Duessel to see my mother, that way I won't feel as lonely as before."
"But will you still feel as lonely?" Wondered Franz.
"I might still feel lonely, knowing that I didn't complete my other dream of finding someone special for me." Replied Amelia.
"Well then, let me go with you. I'm going to make sure you don't feel lonely anymore." Responded the green knight.
"Franz…?"
"It's ok if you don't want me to come."
"No Franz, I'm happy that you want to come along with me." Squealed Amelia.
"I hope with me being there you won't have to worry about your other dream." Replied Franz.
"You mean? You want to?" Asked a perplexed Amelia.
"Yes! I want to be with you forever Amelia, because I love you!" Said Franz.
"Oh Franz!" She ran foreword into his arms and shared a passionate kiss under the moonlight with him, both never wanting to let go of the other.
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"Good job brother you finally got a girl." The man behind the bush just smiled at scene that was playing in front of him.
"Forde! What are you doing?" A female's voice silently screamed. "What are you doing here?"
"Nothing Nesse, just checking on my brother to see if he got a girlfriend yet." Replied the older brother.
"Did he?" Vanessa asked.
"Well just see for yourself" Responded Forde. He pointed her to where they were and she was amazed at the sight.
"Aww! They're cuddling and sleeping on each other's shoulders." Cooed Vanessa, as she looked on at the scene. " Can we cuddle too Forde?"
"I don't see why not." Replied Forde. He took her head and let it rest on his body and he wrapped his arms around her giving her warmth and comfort.
"I love moments like these Forde." Said the happy pegueses rider.
"Yeah." Responded Forde. He looks over at his brother again, cuddling his love one. "And I bet he does too."
A/N: I'm sorry if my writing style seems boring, but I'm trying to improve on it. Details are kinda hard for me to explain without making it sound boring, so try to leave advice on that. 1 more chapter to go! Hint: it's going to be based on their ending support.
1When a man has perverted thoughts he gets a nosebleed. Hehehe, Franz first perverted thought, ain't it cute?
2I forgot if those two were from Ide or Gordon. I'm thinking Ide, but it could be somewhere else.
3They're called the tearful archer and the good-natured thief in their ending support.
F.C.: Jeez, he should look at woman more, why couldn't Franz handle seeing one smutty photo of a woman?
Well keep him away from Playboy or he'll bleed to death.
F.C.: Dammit! Guess I gotta stick with that picture of Amelia for now.
Didn't need to know that much information.
F.C.: Well now you do! Now you can't sleep, because I'm hinting that I do that when I'm bored.
EWWW! Really didn't need to know that!
F.C.: Next time give me more parts then!
