Disclaimer: Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones is a belonging to his respective corporation and creator: Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The following characters belong to the author.

Adrion: A recruit from Renais in training to become just like Seth.

Adam: A journeyman from Frelia in training to become Frelia's first hero.

Nicole: A young maiden from Rausten. The uptight best friend of L'Arachel.

Mimi and Nana: Two maidens serving Rausten Court. They are the best of friends and respect L'Arachel a lot.

Celeste: A Valkyrie from Rausten. She's L'Arachel's lady-in-waiting.

Author's Note: The following chapter will include an actual Support conversation between Innes and Joshua (from C through A). A belonging to the game.

To Demonslayer14: Did she saw the story? (Just out of curiosity). Speaking of Valter, SpOiLeR: He is scheduled to debut at Chapter 10, with six of his wyvern posse. (He's still in jail though)

To Legendary Double-edged sword: You're right. All bubble gum has some sugary goodness on it. My favorite bubble gum: Original Bubble Tape. YUM!

To raedyn-l: I wish I were Lyon. I'm hungry --

To lilylisa31: Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

To Northernsword: Well, this is only the beginning. Ephraim and Eirika are in for the surprises of their lives. -

Back to the story:


Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life
The One with the Rausten Slumber Party—

"We have Frelia and Grado on our list…that's it."

Ephraim scrolled through a piece of parchment paper inside his royal suite with his twin sister.

Ephraim's suite was similar to Eirika. However, instead of the rosy-red velvet color on the furniture and bedspread, it was mint-green, and the set-up in the room was a mirror version of Eirika's—the bed was on the left while the furniture, the fireplace and the something-extra room was on the right. Ephraim's extra room was a mini-arena, for Ephraim to hone his lance skills.

"That's it?" Eirika muttered.

"Well, apparently we kept visiting Lyon, Tana, and Innes." Ephraim threw the piece of paper on the floor. Eirika glared at him. The prince quickly got the message, picked up the paper and threw it in a disposable bin, "What do you think we're missing?"

Eirika got up from the chesterfield and examined the Magvel map hanged on the wall above Ephraim's bed. She first counted the countries visited so far then went to the remaining. "We have the countries of Jehanna, Rausten, and Carcino."

"Jehanna is home of the White Dunes, yet…" Ephraim pondered for a second then shook his head, "nah! We'll be burning of heat if we go there, and it's about twenty miles from Grado."

"Well, the weather may be hot, but according to the latest 'Tourist Scroll' issue, sand-bathing is quite relaxing."

Ephraim nodded interestingly, "We also have Rausten," he frowned after saying the name "Rausten".

Eirika sighed in frustration seeing him, "Brother, just because your meeting with her princess was not as it seem, doesn't mean you want to deny your visit there altogether."

"Have you seen her?" Ephraim said, "She's evil!"

"I think princesses are saints."

Ephraim snorted, "Not all of them. Some are a real pain when it comes to bringing a hairless animal and bossing people a—" Ephraim stopped, glanced at Eirika who stared coldly at him. "I love you so much sis." Ephraim countered.


-Border Mulan Castle Lounge-

"And that Felix guy!" Tana told Innes, "He's sooo cruel to the people in the small town, especially his own daughter Shelly. I mean can you believe he actually told her there was a modeling job in the west town, where it is nothing but an alley filled of all that is wrong with this world? And yes, ah yes! The love between Sarah and Graig is sooo strong even though she's married to the rich man Bernard, whom by the way…"

"…fought for his country and lost his spine?" Innes finished.

Tana was shocked, hearing her brother, "So you do watch 'Serenity Harmony'?"

"No. I just say that, randomly speaking, so that you could shut it." Innes stared at his sister all smile. Tana did not smile back.

A man penetrated inside the lounge and came towards Innes and Tana. The man wore a maroon bandana over his head and a chocolate peanut ensemble with blue trimming and attached magenta boots. His eyes were slanted and had a gloomy expression. The guard apparently allowed him inside the castle.

The man spoke, "Are you by any chance Prince Innes of Frelia?"

Innes sternly looked at him, "are you a paparazzi?"

"No."

"Petrifier?"

"No."

"The IRS?"

"N…the IRS?"

"International Rogue Society." Tana explained, "the best in the stealing and picking business, by Magvel Power and Associates."

The man thought, "I should sign up." Then he said, "no, actually I'm a messenger from the Theocracy."

As soon as Innes heard this, he got up his feet, his eyes twice their sizes and a little frightened, "You're from Rausten?"

The man nodded.

"Look. Can you tell Nicole just…drop this discussion? For crying out loud, it was an honest mistake."

The man cocked his head one side, "Okay first of all, I have no clue of what you're talking about, a second, I'm simply here to hand this to you."

The man handed Innes an envelope of right parchment, engraved with the national symbol of Rausten: An angelic staff (the Latona) and a Light Tome situated behind (the Ivaldi). The envelope itself had a perfumed scent of mixed jasmine and vanilla.

Before Innes could open the letter, the man continued, "It's an invitation to Rausten Court Slumber Party of Justice…" he paused in disgust at that saying, "To Frelia…from Rausten's own princess that I cannot reveal. And she's inviting Renais and Grado as well."

"Cannot reveal heh." Innes rolled his eyes, "believe me all right. I know who she is."

The man's face beamed, "Really?" his hand reached towards Innes and gave him a handshake, "I'm Rennac," he said, "and I want you to listen carefully and answer to my question truthfully."

Innes and Tana both leaned towards Rennac, urged to hear his question.

"The princess. She's crazy right? Please, please tell me she's crazy." Rennac asked desperately, and desperate he was indeed.

"Oh heck yeah! She's nuts!" Innes smiled.

"Finally! Someone who understands me!" both individuals screamed, then looked at each other, content to their relationships.

"We'll talk more. See you at Rausten," Rennac bowed and pranced towards the exit.

Innes was still smiling. Tana kept staring at him. He sneaked a look at his sister, "What?"

"What's going on?" Tana asked, but Innes responded with a smile.


-Castle Renais-

"Are you serious?" Ephraim gasped, the invitation flipping in his hands.

"Struck-by-the-Nidhogg serious." Innes confirmed, "That guy Rennac must hate Nicole like the Demon King himself."

All four friends were inside the family room, discussing the Rausten Slumber Party. Only Tana and Eirika were not much into the princes' monkey businesses.

Tana leaned towards Eirika, a little self-conscious, "what's wrong with them?"

Eirika shrugged, "the question is… what's wrong with men?"

"Girls," Innes came into their conversation, "you weren't there when it happened," he then stared into space and gestured as if he was witnessing the stars, "the most awful thing that had struck Magvel since the ages of the bullies."

Tana looked up the ceiling and raised an eyebrow. She turned her attention to her brother and Ephraim, "are you having a crush on Nicole?" she said.

Like a sudden smash in the face, Innes and Ephraim burst out laughing, "Us?" Ephraim pointed his finger on himself, "Give me a break. What Innes, myself and Nicole have in common is one thing…" there was a slight pause before Ephraim finished his sentence, "Vendetta."

Eirika raised an eyebrow as well, "Vendetta?"

"That's right, Vendetta." Innes said.

Eirika and Tana stared at each other. Ephraim added, "That's why we must go to the slumber party. It is our privilege. Our once in a lifetime."

"You want to go to a slumber party just because you want revenge on Nicole?" Eirika inquired.

Innes and Ephraim nodded simultaneously, their arms crossed and their eyes closed.

It was the girls' turn to burst out a laugh.

"What? What's so funny?" Innes asked feeling a little offended.

"You guys exposed your identity to her in the first place and now you want to punish her for a crime she didn't commit? Why not forgiving her for that?" Tana wiped her tears.

"Somebody gets me a tissue!" Eirika goosed a guffaw.

"Hey? She committed a crime too! She exposed her identity to us!" Innes pointed the finger, "Besides it was all Ephraim's fault! He forced me!"

Ephraim stood still, his body temperature decreased in a quick second then got back up, "How is that my fault and how did I forced you."

Innes was the next one to freeze, "well, I dunno exactly, but I know you forced me!"

"Well, nevertheless, we still must go to Rausten," Ephraim proposed, "Besides, going to Rausten will mean another record on our traveling list."

"Traveling list?" Tana asked, clueless.

"Ephraim and I are planning to visit all kingdoms in Magvel," Eirika explained, "Just to get to know our continent."

"Continent traveling heh?" Innes smiled, "well count us in."

"Us?" Tana looked at her brother, lost.

"Well, it could be fun," Innes said, "besides; I need to find some challenges for my bow skills."


-Rausten Court-

Ephraim, Eirika, Tana, and Innes rode the Frelian carriage transported by Gilliam and Adam. They were all dressed in PJs and nightgowns their unique color. Ephraim and Innes wore identical PJs of green grass while Eirika and Tana wore ruby red nightgowns going to the ankle. They also wore comfortable slippers. The girls were rabbits and the boys were simply clouds.

The carriage stopped right in front of a large celestial temple of a Greek architecture and English texture. The Frelian carriage wasn't the only ride at parking. Other carriages belonging to other kingdoms and realms were parked as well.

The Theocracy of Rausten is home of the St. Latona, instrumental in the defeat of the Demon King ages ago. As explained in earlier chapters, the people in the Rausten Court were considering St. Latona's elite angels while the civilization was simply angels and saints. Pontifex Mansel rules Rausten. The pope was absent at this time for he had to attend a seminar with the Council of Elders at Carcino.

The foursome friends exited the carriage and glanced at the Rausten Court in awe.

"I always knew Rausten was beautiful," Tana exclaimed, "but I never expected this beauty. It's beyond belief."

"It's like Heaven on Earth." Eirika replied.

"Thanks for the ride Gilliam." Innes told the armor knight.

"No thanks necessary Your Highness. It is my duty." Gilliam said, "However my duty is not finished yet. I am to watch after both you and Princess Tana. It is King Hayden's command."

Innes gritted his teeth, but Tana could only muster a smile.

"Wha—Gill—AUGH! Can't Father mind his own business?" he yelped.

"Actually Gilliam, I would love for you to come and watch over us." Tana gloated, "especially Innes, since he has some princess issues."

"I should come too," Adam volunteered, "I never been to a royal slumber party before."

"Yes you did Adam," Tana said, "my slumber party, a year ago."

"Oh, that was no slumber party, Princess Tana" Adam protested, "That was a rock party. An actual rock party. Too much rocks!"


The hallway, looking while of crystals and diamond trim was filled with about fifty people from the entire continent, invited to the slumber party. The crowd was mainly composed of girls and maidens from the country of Rausten itself. Innes and Ephraim pierced through the crowd and their sisters followed. Gilliam and Adam came through the crowd as well. Everyone faced a closed door made of ivory and golden edges. Standing by that door was a stocky man in a red spiky-shoulders armor and grass green mustache and pointy hair resembling horns. His eyes seemed large and vertical like a snake. He was scary to see and even more scarier with the Battle Axe he carried around.

The man let out a belly laugh, "Welcome girls, girls, and happy girls!"

"Girls?" Innes muttered.

"Slumber parties are girls' parties, duh!" Tana snickered.

"Welcome to the Rausten first ever royal Slumber Party of Justice!" the man paused to laugh even harder at that saying, "As soon as you walk through this door, the party begins."

"Who's that man?" Eirika asked, "he looks like he's not from around here."

"That is Dozla, an adviser and a right-hand man to Pontifex Mansel," Adam said, "he's also a good friend to Rausten's princess."

"We'll first begin with an introduction of our own dear princess of Rausten," Dozla continued, "then we'll have show-n-tell of honor, a talent show of wisdom, and we'll end the night with Heaven Blast!"

After hearing "Heaven Blast", everyone went wild. Tana jumped up and down, squealing of joy.

"HEAVEN BLAST! Yeah!"

"What's Heaven Blast?" Eirika asked, "It's sounds fun."

"Fun? It is the best family fun game ever." Tana squealed, "It's pillow-fighting and mattress-surfing at the same time."

Innes rubbed his hands while spreading an insolent smile, "Excellent. Heaven Blast will be the perfect opportunity to have our vendetta."

"You're kidding? Heaven Blast doesn't sound too promising." Ephraim said.

"Really?" Tana was surprised of Ephraim's comments, "You should try playing it. It will change your mind."

"Are you ready? Swing that door Rennac!" Dozla yelled at Rennac, who alone pushed the door open. The throne room in front of the crowd was large. Even larger than Grado's throne room, the setting was as if walking into a theater. The ceramic floor were warm for all barefoot to support. Most of the room was enclosed with barriers of wooden pillars. Behind the barriers were snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy. There were also chairs—comfortable chairs that could flip into beds. The podium, where the throne sits usually was immense. And pinned at its walls of many colors and stones resembling an aquarium, was a picture of a celestial lady with light-green hair attached in many ponytails. She wore in the picture a all green and lime trim ball costume and carried a staff.

"What beautiful shade of lime," Ephraim stared at the picture.

"She looks like St. Latona," Tana opinioned, "only younger."

"Who is she? Is that Nicole?" Eirika asked, figuring the picture is based on the princess of Rausten.

"Actually that's me." A spiffy yet dramatic voice came from behind the foursome. They turned around looking directly at the same green-haired girl, even more beautiful in her floor-length lemon color nightgown.

"You're the one who's hosting this party?" Eirika asked.

"Of course. You must be from Renais and Frelia. I'm—"

"Sorry to interrupt Madam," Innes exclaimed, "we're looking for Her Highness."

Rennac and Dozla came at the scene. Rennac approached Innes and instead of a proper bow, shook his hand, "good to see you again Prince Innes. At least somebody thinks of the princess as too much." Rennac glared at L'Arachel all smile.

Innes thought, as he looked around for Nicole, "well that's what I think, except that I can't find her."

L'Arachel snorted, "Oh Rennac. You and your zingers. I see you've met him, our messenger." She said, her attention on the stocky grass-green haired berserker, "and this is Dozla, our good advisor to the Theocracy. I'm telling you, this party is gonna be off the hook in the name of Justice!"

Rennac mouthed L'Arachel's punch line in the background.

"Thanks for inviting us again," Eirika said, "And your name is…"

"L'Arachel. I'm Rausten's very own—"

Before L'Arachel could finish, Nicole walked in the scene causing Ephraim and Innes to yell, "there she is!" and running towards the cleric. Nicole wore the exact gown as L'Arachel, except the color was sky-blue. Tana and Eirika followed but Adam and Gilliam did not.

Nicole sighed an "Oy!" at the sight of the two princes coming towards her.

"Hello! Remember us?" Innes gloated.

"What do you want?" Nicole muttered.

Ephraim swallowed hard, "We just want to apologize for what had happened at Ide weeks ago and…"

"We aren't apologizing Ephraim," Innes told him, then turned to Nicole and pointed his finger at her, "we got a bone to pick on you Your Highness."

"Your Highness?" L'Arachel. Dozla, Rennac, Adam, and Gilliam all yelled out in shock.

Tana, Eirika, Innes and Ephraim blinked, "Is there a problem?" Ephraim asked.

"I dunno what you boys are mumbling about," Nicole said, "but speaking of bone picking, we do serve bony chicken wings and we also have meat on string cheese and bite size lobsters." She then stared into space, "yet seafood do not have bones."

Both Innes and Ephraim glanced at each other.

"Forgot to give you your Rausten slumber welcome." Nicole pulled out her staff and landed a blow on each heads.

OW!

She then walked away, all smiles.

--- --- ---

"Nicole! What are you thinking?" L'Arachel exclaimed.

"I'm thinking let's get lunch." She grinned.

"It's ten o'clock at night." Rennac sighed.

"You impersonated me, just to grind up our guests from Frelia and Renais?" L'Arachel complained.

"That was not impersonating L'Ara," Nicole nicknamed her friend, "that was using your title for fun."

L'Arachel sighed in frustration. Nicole laid her hand on her shoulder, "relax honey! Hey, remember the time you always wanted to fool people by telling them you were not an actual heir to the court? And then when something happens, you reveal yourself to them in a nasty way? We were five at that time."

"Say, isn't that what you did?" L'Arachel said, curiously. Nicole nodded.

"Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Dozla snorted, "What shall we do Lady L'Arachel?"

L'Arachel smiled at Dozla, thinking what Nicole was thinking, "I'm thinking let's have fun! Fooling fun!"

"That's my girl!" Nicole high-fived L'Arachel and Dozla. Rennac withdrew from the group and groaned, "not again! Can't you gals stop not showing yourself and actually show yourself already?"

"Rennac, stop being a whiny with zingers," L'Arachel said, "Do you know how fun it is to be of royalty and actually fooling people by not exposing yourself until the last minute?"

"The message to Frelia was a one-time thing! In fact, Nicole calling herself princess in front of Princes Ephraim and Innes was a two-timing thing!" Rennac groaned.

"We'll do it again." Nicole nodded.

L'Arachel squealed, "I can't believe you told them you're the princess! Now this is going to be a party."

"Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! But what about your picture by the podium, Lady L'Arachel?" Dozla asked.

"Leave it to me." L'Arachel squealed as she ran towards the podium and used her staff as a microphone, "people! My fellow saints of Justice."

"Ow." Rennac rolled his eyes. L'Arachel continued, "For those who doesn't know me, I am L'Arachel, royal best friend and Lady-in-waiting of our dear Rausten heir Nicole. The picture at the wall shows my popularity and prowess to the Theocracy. Now, a royal intro to Her Highness."

Cheers, applaud, and whistling occurred as Nicole stepped in the podium.

"Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Aren't they cute, switching personalities?" Dozla wept.

"Cute?" Rennac glared at Dozla in disgust, "What cute about it is that I'm puking."

Good morning slumbers. Now it is time for our schedule du jour!" Nicole greeted.

Among the assembly of people and bedspread, a red-haired man, wearing a square black and red-stripped hat and pajamas came behind Innes and poked his shoulder. Innes turned towards him, yet his expression seemed distant from the man's appearance.

"You're Prince Innes aren't you?" the man smiled, "I'm Joshua, nice to meet you."

"I'm sure." Innes said, his attention still not on the man.

"Well now that we know each other," Joshua pulled a gold coin from his pocket and twirled it with his fingers, "what say we play a quick game of chance, hm?"

Joshua's suggestion caught Innes's attention, "What are you planning on doing with that coin?"

"A little wager, what else?"

"It's time for show-n-tell" L'Arachel squealed. Everyone applauded in roar. "But first, I'll start… by showing my ball picture. AH!"

"Didn't she just show that picture to us five minutes ago?" Eirika leaned towards Tana.

"That L'Arachel either has a lot to cover or she's a show-off." Tana replied.

"Well, you can't argue," Ephraim said, "She's Nicole's best friend and feels royal as well."

Eirika looked around and figured something was missing in the group, "Where's Innes?" she asked.


"You may rely on luck, but I prefer raw skill," Innes formed both fists at Joshua, "However, we might as well. Put your money where your mouth is."

"Now you're talking!" Joshua smiled, "Right, here we go! Heads or tails? What's your call?" Joshua flipped the coin in the air.

"Tails." Innes called. The coin fell flat on the floor, without any slowing down movement.

"Let's see what we've got..."

Joshua and Innes glanced at the coin. Joshua smiled from ear to ear, but Innes raised an eyebrow in disbelief, "Oh, well, it's heads. Too bad, Your Highness. You lost."

"What?" Innes gasped, "That's impossible. I saw—"

Joshua shrugged, "C'est la vie," then pointed at the coin for Innes to see, "Look closely. See? It's heads."

Innes saw the head face up. Admitting defeat, he pulled his bag of gold and handed to Joshua, "That's strange… my eyes never fail me, but I could have sworn—" the prince stopped short to think, "There seems to be more to betting than meets the eye."

"Figure that out already?" Joshua said, "You're a quick study."

"Yeah. Let's try that again," Innes pulled his sleeves up his shoulders, "I'll get it this time…"


"Hi! I'm Natasha and I'm from Grado." A blonde cleric wearing a white garment sheepishly said.

An overwhelming "Hi!" came from the audience.

Ephraim came towards Eirika and Tana, with a tray of cream coated pretzels and chips, "She's from Grado?"

"Well, she's a cleric," Eirika said, "maybe she's a civilian… what do you have there?"

Ephraim gobbled on the snacks, "foods." He spoke his mouth full.

"Anyway, I doubt Lyon knows Natasha." Tana said, "If he does, then we haven't met her yet."

"She might be the girl with the mood swing." Ephraim grinned then suddenly stopped, realizing Eirika and Tana was giving him a cold stare.

"I am going to show you," Natasha said, "the wonders of my brand-new staff our Father McGregor gave to us."

Natasha raised her staff above her head. The blue crystal ball on top began smoldering a majestic glow. There was an overwhelming awe among the crowd.

"What magnificent sight." Eirika was daunted.

"Yeah. Wait a minute! Did she say, Father McGregor?" Ephraim gasped.

"My turn!" Eirika yelled and ran up the podium.

"We got a special appearance from Noble Eirika of Renais!" L'Arachel presented as she saw the princess prancing towards the podium.

Eirika pulled out of her pocket a stick of Elfire X-Plosive Bubble Gum, chewed it and blew a bubble.

"Isn't she supposed to do that?" Tana told Ephraim. A huge explosion occurred. The entire throne room was covered in original pink bubble glue.

"Tada!" Eirika bowed, ending the show-n-tell.

"I think she's allowed." Ephraim responded.


It was talent show time and few invited girls were performing a Cancan and a circus. Backstage (well not exactly back the stage), L'Arachel, Nicole, and Dozla were conversing with Gilliam, Adam and two maidens of the court. The maidens wore identical beige nightgown and their hair were both L'Arachel's style of blonde and brunette color. Gilliam and Adam both wore an identical tuxedo ensemble and a cane each.

"I don't know! We were planning to perform the waltz on ice rink not bubble gum." The blonde maiden whined.

"Plus, calling you "Lady" instead of "Princess" seems awkward." The brunette maiden complained.

"Come on Mimi, Nana. Do it for us!" L'Arachel grinned, "the show must go on. Plus, calling me Lady suits my beauty quite well." She then admired herself at a nearby mirror hanged on a wall.

"Yeah!" Nicole said, "and my appearance as the 'princess' of Rausten will flew right in the many mouth of nobility."

"Plus, the bubble gum setup was all noble Eirika's doing." Dozla snickered, his attention on the princess. Eirika glanced at the chatting links and faced her brother and best friend, "Did I do something wrong?" she muttered.

"You know," Adam said, "we've volunteered to do the waltz too Princess L'A—"

"Shh!" Nicole hissed, "Adam! Have you gone deaf? I'm the princess now."

"It's pain to have you called a princess in your lousy cleric outfit." Adam muttered.

"Yes," Gilliam smiled, "the top and skirt, I gotta tell you, there a little too much."

"Do you see me wearing it?" Nicole gestured at her nightgown.

Applaud aroused among the crowd, announcing the end of the Cancan performance.

"Let's go now!" L'Arachel said, "It's time!"

Gilliam escorted Mimi, the blonde maiden while Adam followed with the brunette Nana. They positioned in a waltz dance pose and froze for a moment, allowing Dozla to come to the stage and to present.

As usual, he roared with laughter, "Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! This is our last show for tonight's Slumber Party of Justice."

"Ugh!" Rennac bleated.

Dozla continued, "and then, we will have Heaven Blast!"

HEAVEN BLAST! Tana's high-pitched squeal, following a roar of cheer caught the crowd's attention. Once done, she remained quiet.

"This is our big chance for our Vendetta." Ephraim rubbed his hands and grinned wickedly.

Eirika sighed, "You're still in that nonsense again?"

"Of course! Have you seen that lump Nicole gave me when she gave us that Rausten welcome?" he pointed at his top head, "Besides, where's Innes?"


"Tails." Innes called. The coin fell on the ground flat face again. There was a quick silence between the two comrades.

Joshua smiled at the sight of the coin face and spoke, "Heads again. That's ten losses in a row."

"I don't care." Innes snapped, "Double or nothing. Tails."

Joshua cocked his head one side, "shouldn't you stop soon?" he said, "Maybe you've got the cash back home, but… you're on the road. And I'm willing to bet you're not carrying much on you."

"No. Keep going." Innes hissed, his eyes showing red streams, as if he hasn't slept in days, "I don't feel like quitting on a bad streak."

"Fine, fine… but then can we call it quits?" Joshua said, "You've let me win enough and I don't want to bleed you dry."

"No. I won't let you leave." Innes anxiously said, "Not while you're still ahead. Hurry up. We don't have the luxury of time here."

"What's that saying?" Joshua said, "The cooler the head, he hotter the bets? Something like that. And you seem pretty cool most of the time." Joshua lay firmly on his bedspread, on his back, looking at the ceiling, "I guess the old saying is true."

"Come on Innes!" Tana yelped in the background, "Heaven Blast's about to start!"

Innes rose from the floor and glared at Joshua, "when I come back, we'll pick up where we left off."

"All righty then Your Highness," Joshua smiled, still lying on his back as he juggled his ten bags of gold.


"So Ephraim," Nicole gloated at the Renais prince, her entire posse behind her. "Are you up for the challenge?"

Ephraim knew that he and Innes had a mission to fulfill, yet when he was about to deal with Nicole boldly, he changed tune, "Actually Nicole, I would like to… you know, apologize for what had happened at Ide the other day." He stammered, "Remember?"

Nicole pondered for a second. "No." she replied.

Ephraim's eyes took size, "wait! You don't remember?"

"I remember this." Nicole looked up the ceiling and blew a raspberry. Her tongue showing offended Ephraim and Innes, who was coming at the same moment. L'Arachel and Dozla gasped at Nicole's discourtesy, Eirika and Tana watched their brothers getting humiliated in horror, and Adam and Gilliam simply stood there shaking their heads with disbelief.

"Nicole!" L'Arachel gasped, "I thought being a princess meant being courteous, not sloppy!"

"If you want advice, I think both of you are even sloppier than sloppy joes." Rennac smiled.

"Rennac," Dozla grunted, "now is not the time for your zingers."

"So, I'm apologizing and what do you do? You gloat?" Ephraim snapped. Eirika knew that once Ephraim gets angry, he erupts in fury and there is no recovery. She took out the tray of cream coated pretzels and chips and ran around the room, "snacks! Anyone wants snacks! Anyone?" she grinned.

"I don't want your apology." Nicole admitted, "All I want is some royal battle challenges, not some royal wimpy pleas for forgiveness on a crime I sooo didn't commit. But it was nice of you to offer it up though."

"WHAT?" Ephraim and Innes could not believe their ears.

Tana leaned towards the two princes and muttered, "Told you."

A lady dressed in a ruby and orange Valkyrie uniform, and her hair enflamed with intense red color and curls came towards L'Arachel, "Princess L'Arachel. How's the par—what's going on?"

L'Arachel sighed with relief, "Oh Celeste," she said, "thank goodness you're here!"

Innes abruptly glared at Ephraim, "Why did you apologize to her?"

"She forced me." Ephraim snarled under his breath.

"Oh-Oh!" Innes grinned maliciously, "You know what Nicky? You're on! You and me, Heaven Blast! Right here, right no— in fact, it's your posse versus my posse."

"You're on." Nicole smiled.

"And because of your insolence, let us do this, Sky-High STYLE! Winner…gets…every ounce of apologies they have never received before."

The audience let a huge Ooh! Tana honked, SKYHIGH HEAVEN BLAST! and the crowd looked at her again.

"S-Sky-High?" Eirika trembled at that sound. She knew this was trouble.

"Heaven Blast comes in two versions." Adam explained, "Normal and Sky High, which is even more fun!"

"The Sky-High version of Heaven Blast requires the presence of a powerful Valkyrie, hence Celeste." Gilliam added, "A valkyrie who can use the Ivaldi power to transform a normal battle into a high-speed sky battle. And since it's high-speed, it requires the presence of paramedics."

Eirika's eyes were twice their sizes now. She turned to Tana and saw her best friend's eerie expression as if she was possessed.

"Let's do it." Tana thought.

"Tana!" Eirika spoke to her reluctantly, "Are you sure? I mean…"

"DO IT NOW!" Tana roared. Eirika backed away. The Valkyrie—Celeste—sighed, went by the Throne room and took the Ivaldi tome. She raised it up in the air and all of the sudden; the book burned a majestic divine light, transforming the entire throne room into the skies, splattered in clouds and daylight.

Everyone stood on firm mattresses, floating at about ten-thousand feet high above ground. Their hands clenched on heavy pillows. Tana drooled at the sight of what could be the best night of her life.

"Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Dozla chortled, "Are you ready for the blast of the righteousness?"

Everyone cheered in confirmation. Innes, Ephraim, and Nicole glared at each other, a grin on their faces.

"Ready…set…Blast!"

After hearing "Blast," everyone dashed towards each other at full-speed while riding on their mattresses and began smashing each other. A majority fell off their mattresses either because they lost balance while riding or they were nailed in a great, sudden blow. Tana pursued the Cancan clerics while Eirika tried to hide from a pair of sisters. Innes and Ephraim set their vendetta in action on Nicole.

Adam fought off the maidens Mimi and Nana. Nana popped behind Adam and with a pillow swing bashed Adam's face. The journeyman managed to block but the counter pushed him with a recoil at the edge of his mattress. Adam tried to climb back up Mimi began stomping on his hands, forcing him to release and fall down the abyss. Gilliam saved the day with an elbow flying right onto her back. She fell off the mattress and down. Nana growled, pulled her pillow, and tried her best to finish Gilliam with a combo. Gilliam didn't responded to the series of attack thanks to his armor. The knight grabbed her like a bag of beans and tossed her off her mattress and down. Adam and Gilliam clasped their hands, forming a high-five.

Eirika was losing her breath since she was been pursued by an angry mob of girls. She hid behind a large cloud and watched the mob disappeared She heard Tana nearby and flew towards her. The Frelian princess wore a belt of baby pillows across her chest, a helmet, and armor. Eirika gasped for air as she desperately tried to talk to her friend, "Wh…w…wee…E…Ep…Eph…Wheeze…"

"What? I can't hear you!" Tana yelled her attention on her next pillow-less victim she had trapped. A heavy baby pillow suddenly nailed Eirika on her face, and at a great distance, she fell off her mattress. Tana looked around and saw L'Arachel, Dozla, and Rennac behind Tana's victim. Apparently, they came to protect her from the cheery yet dangerous Frelian princess. Tana smiled, holding two baby pillows on both hands, "Showtime!" The foursome began chucking and fudging pillows at each other.

Nicole felt watched and pursued at the same time. As she rode her mattress towards a cloud, she saw Ephraim's head popping through it. "Boo." He laughed. She shrieked and threw double pillows at him. He blocked them and followed with a combo counter. Nicole rode off and in a surprising turn was smashed twice. The weak cleric saw Ephraim mocking her freely. She growled under her breath and tried nailing him with more baby pillows, but at many attempt he would block with ease. Nicole was losing, yet she refused to give.

"You may be the princess of Rausten," Ephraim spread a malicious smile, "but you SUCK at Heaven Blast. You ain't fit to be an elite angel to St. Latona."

"Oh believe me," she gasped, "I'm fit to be your master."

Ephraim scoffed, "you make me laugh." He turned away, facing the clouds and called, "Innes! Now's your chance!"

Innes stuffed a multitude of heavy baby pillows, their weight of bowling balls, all on a pillow cloth. He grunted, "Why did I lose over a thousand gold?"

He targeted the cleric.

"Ready…Aim…"

Innes switched target and now pointed his fluffy cannon towards Joshua. "GIVE MY MONEY BACK!" he fired. Joshua, seeing the pillows coming towards him, grabbed an empty mattress and twirled it like a fan. The pillows ricocheted and nailed everyone on their faces with a great blow.

A loose pillow pinned Joshua on his head, causing him to lose his shielded mattress. The mattress fell high-speed towards ground and ran on top of Celeste, knocking her out cold.

Everything became normal and all players lay on the floor out cold, thus ended the magnificent slumber war.

Ephraim regained consciousness, saw his lifeless sister, and ran towards her concerned for her well-being, "Eirika! Are you all right?"

Eirika regained consciousness as well and so does everyone in the room. "Oh, Ephraim" she groaned in pain, "what happened?"

Ephraim saw Innes waking up and began verbalizing him, "what were you thinking?"

Innes simply shrugged.

"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!" A furious Rennac rose up and snapped at the entire party, "all that dangerous way of play simply because Nicole's the princess? By the Stones, why not give her a tiara, let her succeed the throne, and be done with it!"

Rennac's comments caught everyone suspicious. Eirika cocked her head one side and approached them, "Wait a minute. Let her succeed the throne?"

Tana pointed her finger at Nicole, "Are you… You're not the princess of Rausten?"

Nicole and L'Arachel froze as everyone began gossiping. They knew they were busted and cannot think of anything to keep the lie alive. "Thanks a lot Rennac," Nicole sneered at the rogue.

"Wait a minute!" Ephraim exclaimed, "so the entire time I felt sorry for myself, prayed to St. Latona for forgiveness, fasted, and apologize to you, I was living a LIE?"

"At least what you've done was good, right?" Tana added.

Innes, Eirika, Tana, and Ephraim approached Nicole, L'Arachel, and Dozla. The crowd behind was approaching them as well, anxious for some answers, "If I understand clearly," Innes said, "Nicole ain't the princess, but the real princess is in this room as well. And I assume that princess is you, L'Arachel."

Celeste thought, "I think it's time for the truth if you ask me."

"Tell us the truth Nicole," Ephraim added, "Are you or are you not the divine princess of Rausten?"

There was an uneasy silence in the throne room. Nicole finally spilled the beans, "Allright! I'm not the princess! See! I am not the princess of Rausten! The real princess of Rausten is L'Arachel!

Gasp sprouted from the crowd. "That's right!" Nicole said, "It's the truth! The whole truth!" she glared at Rennac, "Are you happy now Rennac?"

Rennac smiled, "Ecstatic."

Eirika turned towards L'Arachel curious yet baffled, "L'Arachel? Is it true?"

It took a minute for L'Arachel to make her announcement, "No." she said, "I'm not the princess of Rausten."

The crowd went wild at that response. Who was the princess of Rausten? Was she here at the party? Was she not?

"You're not…the princess of Rausten?" Tana gasped.

"Nope. I'm not the princess." L'Arachel said, "I know Pontifex Mansel, but Nicole and I are not princesses."

"Then who invited us to this party." Eirika asked desperately.

"Gwa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Dozla guffawed, "the princess of course. She couldn't attend the party because she had to leave for Carcino with Pontifex Mansel as well. She was excited to meet all of you nobles until this last delay. In fact, she travels a lot!"

Dozla gave a stare at L'Arachel which seem to say, "play along"

"Yeah!" L'Arachel continued, getting Dozla's message, "so, she sent us a messenger, telling us to take over the slumber party and getting to know you guys."

"Let me guess? Best friends?" Ephraim asked.

Both L'Arachel and Nicole nodded. They sneaked a look at each other and blinked. Dozla smiled and Rennac sulked.

Eirika let out a sigh of relief, "At least the truth is out and the pressure's off."

"You know what this means? More Heaven Blasting!"

Everyone groaned at Tana's suggestion. After tonight's incident, it appeared that everyone was pooped and felt like having a lie-down.

"What?" the princess asked, "No more fun?"


Ephraim, Eirika, and Tana rode the carriage back home quite early the next morning. Their fathers, Fado and Hayden were expecting them back at Renais and Frelia before dawn. The young heirs still felt sleepy but that did not stop them from discussing the chaotic slumber party.

"You guys, you have no idea how happy I am this whole thing is over." Eirika sighed.

"Why? You didn't enjoy the party?" Ephraim muttered.

"Oh, I enjoyed it all right, but you know, with Nicole's issues…"

"Speaking of Nicole," Tana said, "she might not be such a bad person after all."

"What do you mean?" Ephraim asked Tana, curiously.

"I'm a girl, and I can tell who's nice and who's not." Tana giggled.

"Hey Tana! When we met, did you think of me as a bad person?" Eirika asked.

"You?" Tana snorted, "No girl! I became fond of you the first time I met you."

"And all that time we thought Nicole was the princess of Rausten and then L'Arachel…" Ephraim exclaimed.

"Yeah. I guess we won't be able to meet the real princess of Rausten after all." Eirika said, "But on the bright side, we have two more places to visit."

"Yeah! Man! That was some crazy night huh, Innes?" Ephraim turned by his side and saw no one. He looked around and glanced at Eirika and Tana questionably, "Hey girls! Have you seen Innes?"

Tana and Eirika looked around as well, seeing Innes was missing.

Outside Rausten Court, a lethargic Joshua dawdled towards Innes, covered in quilts and sheets, and sitting by an oak tree. The red below Joshua's eyes dripped in fatigue and his face showed an awfully ripened feature. Innes smiled at the sight of the gambler: "Thanks for waiting. Let's get started."

"You can't be serious. You want to keep going?" he moaned.

"Just flip the coin."

"…Oh, brother."


END OF CHAPTER