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.


Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life

The One with the R-Rated Movie—

Seth marched down the hallway of Castle Renais and suspiciously glanced inside Fado's suite. "You called me my king?" he called.

"Yes. Do come in Seth." Fado's voice came from inside the bedroom, across the suite. Seth entered and saw Fado in a lime-green turtleneck chemise and brown casual pants.

Seth snorted, "Your Majesty, what's with the getup?"

"What? Is it too much?" Fado blinked.

"Unless it's snowing, it's too much."

Fado sighed, "Vigarde, Hayden, and I have decided to spend the day at Serafew. We're trying to take a break from all that is monarchial and political."

"That's a great idea Your Majesty, yet…"

"Yet I can't find the perfect outfit that will make me look like a citizen."

Fado showed Seth two ensembles on hangers. One was a turquoise armor with a red cape and a pair of white pants. Behind the armor was a blue-green puffy shirt. The other ensemble was a beige robe fastened to a lavender velvet scarf across the neck. "What do you think of those?"

"To be honest Your Majesty," Seth grinned unsurely, "They're too royal."

Suddenly both Eirika and Tana, all giggly and joyful, ran inside the suite without any permission whatsoever. Fado grunted: "Didn't I tell you girls to ever knock?"

"Oh father!" Eirika hesitated, "we came to ask you something?"

"Yeah. It's not like a big favor or anything." Tana wiggled her fingers together.

Seth turned to Fado, "should I be excused?"

Fado nodded and Seth left. Fado crossed his arms together, "Okay, what is it you girls want to ask?"

Eirika and Tana both took a deep breath and stood silence for five seconds. Eirika, abruptly pushed Tana forwards, "you tell him."

Tana jerked, "Hey! Why should I? You're his daughter."

"But Tana," Eirika leaned towards her friend, and whispered, "he's nice to you."

"Why thank you Eirika for the compliment." Fado was listening to their conversation. Eirika and Tana both jerked up, and laughed nervously as their foreheads began to sweat nonstop.

"Now, what is it you want to ask?" Fado was getting impatient, "I don't have all day you know?"

"Well like I said, it's just a minor question and it's not like a big deal to us or anything if you refuse…" Eirika grinned as Tana nodded affirmably.

Fado smiled, "why would I refuse? Anything you ask for or what to do, that's fine by me."

"Great! So can I see the new 'Lords of the Imps' movie with Tana?"

Fado's eyes were about to pop out of its sockets, "WHAT?" Fado's booming almost caused the girls to lose their balances.

"It's a good movie and everyone saw it, even Innes saw it!" Tana explained, "Plus it's showing at the new Imperial Theater!"

"The fact that Innes saw it or whoever else is none of my affairs!" Fado bellowed, "But there is NO WAY I'm letting you girls see this movie!"

"Father!" Eirika cried, "What about when you said that anything I asked for what fine by you?"

"Oh I meant everything… except that!" Fado said, "I mean come on, this is an R-Rated movie and you're not old enough to handle the best, yet the most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest and horrific horror movie…ever."

In cue of the phrase "best", Eirika saw in Fado that something was wrong. She squint her eyes as she approached her father, "Wait a minute. Did you saw 'Lords of the Imps' father?"

Fado hesitated. Tana approached Fado as well, "and what's up with your costume?" she commented his attire, "Are you trying to call the snowmen?"

Fado hesitated even more, shook his head and cried for Seth in the hallway, "Seth! Let's go!" then faced the girls, "I'm leaving. But remember what I say—No 'Lords of the Imps' Got it?"

"Got it." Eirika and Tana spoke in unison, their heads lowered.


-Jehanna Arena-

"Welcome to our 800th Annual Jehanna clash contest!" An announcer yelled, "Welcome back returning Swordmaster and welcome aboard newly grasshoppers! This year promises to be the best year ever to clash!"

There was a swarm of skilled swordmasters and myrmidons filling Jehanna Arena. Fireworks boomed and spread radiant lights behind the announcer and at the same moment the royal orchestra played the national anthem in the background. Among the contestant stood Ephraim, his hand placed on his heart on cue to the music, and his Javelin resting at his right shoulder.

Five minutes came to pass and the national anthem was over. Every contestant, sorted alphabetically by the name of their respective countries, was to pick their numbers placed randomly inside a silver box. That number was to determine whom they would fight. The rules of the clash were similar to the rule of a gladiator tournament, but the contestants were to fight with honor and not to the death. In addition, the contestants were taught not to be ashamed when throwing down the towel. And last but not least, everyone should only wield the sword. Ephraim was not aware of this rule and so later on, he may be forced to switch his javelin. Whoever wins to tournament gets the estimate prize money of 100,000g and will also be famed: "The Crimson Flash." Marisa, a young myrmidon, who has been practicing the sword since her childhood has been this famed champion five years running. The former champion before her was a known mysterious swordmaster who left Magvel to hone his sword skills. To congratulate Marisa for her winning that year, he presented her the Shamsir, a powerful sword she had been using since.

The opening ceremony was over, and Ephraim was heading down the Arena's food court as he traversed the main lobby. There, he saw Duessel, awaiting him. He spread a smile and ran towards him, "Duessel! Can you believe it? I've signed up. I've signed up!"

Duessel did not smile. His expression seemed worrisome, "Prince Ephraim! Are you sure about this?"

Ephraim rose an eyebrow, "Sure about what?"

"That tournament," Duessel said, "Last week when I told you that you were ready to fight anyone, I didn't mean everyone. These swordmasters are skilled! They will scythe you like an apple in seconds."

Ephraim scoffed, "please Duessel. My lance can take them out like the speed of light."

An associate of the tournament approached the duo, "Excuse me sir," he spoke to the prince, "are you going to duel with that?"

The associate pointed at Ephraim's javelin. The prince glanced at it and nodded, "Of course. Why? What's the problem?"

"I'm sorry to inform you that any weapons but theswords are prohibited. Tournament official rules."

"WHAT?" Ephraim boomed, "B—But I've been training with the lance for a time now. I'm comfortable with it."

"I'm sorry sir, but like I said, that is the tournament rules." The associate told him, "either you obtain a sword or you'll have to leave."

Ephraim bit his lips. The prince has never wielded a sword before, and it will be very difficult for him to duel the contestants with it. Ephraim sighed, faced Duessel and handed him the Javelin, "Could you keep this Duessel, if you don't mind."

"Sure Prince Ephraim." Duessel said, "but what are you going to do?"

Ephraim faced the associate, "I'll take a sword. Do you have any in store?"

Duessel's eyes jerked up, "WHAT? You're still going to fight?"

Ephraim faced Duessel, "of course I am. I'm not going to give up my dream to duel that easily. Besides, you can teach me the sword. If not, Father will."

Duessel rubbed his chin, "well, it's been a long time since I've wielded the sword." It took Duessel five seconds to come with a conclusion, "All right Prince Ephraim. I'll teach you to wield a sword before the tournament starts."

Ephraim smiled, "thanks Duessel."


-Imperial Theater Entrance-

The Imperial Theater was located in the heart of Serafew, a prosperous town located between Renais and Grado. This is where the movie Eirika and Tana desperately want to watch—Lords of the Imps—was showing. Of course, sneaking to a movie a parent despicably forbid their children to go to, would not be easy as it seems, since there will be some obstacles standing in their street (and I mean some obstacles.)

"I had no idea the Imperial Theater was such a magnificent dome." Tana admired the theater's architecture—a glass hand-fan shape dome with the entrance painted in red ruby.

"I know." Eirika awed, "And the line is long!" she faced her friend, "do you think they're here for the 'Lord of the Imps' premiere?"

"I suppose." Tana shrugged, gazing at various movie posters, "either that or they're watching something else."

"Hello girls." A deep voice jolted a chill down the princesses' spines. They slowly turned around and saw Innes, leaning by the front entrance, his arms crossed, "doing something illegal aren't you?"

"INNES!" Tana yelped.

"Stop scaring us like that!" Eirika whispered harshly.

Innes blinked; examining their tones, "why are you whispering?" he smiled again, "trying to sneak into 'Lord of the Imps'? That best, yet the most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest and horrific horror movie ever, sister?

The girls blinked. Innes continued, "Even though Father told you not to go?"

Eirika questionably faced Tana, "King Hayden too?"

"What did you think?" she replied, "that king Fado was the only 'honest' king?"

"Tsk-Tsk! I wouldn't do that if I were you." Innes shook his finger.

"And why not?" Tana placed a hand on one hip.

"Cause you'll be busted, whether I stay silent…" he exhaled on his fingernail, "…or not."

Tana as now smiling, "Didn't you saw 'Lord of the Imps' too? Without Father's approval?"

Innes sharply inhaled, his Hayden-fearing expression was all over his face. He crossed his arms, "this isn't about me."

"Oh, it'll be about you all right," Tana countered, "if you bust us out!"

Innes bit his lips. Admitting defeat, he huffed and retreated from his post, "go ahead. You can watch the movie."

Tana and Eirika jumped of joy, but Innes hasn't finished speaking, "But don't come crying to me or to Father if you watched it…or barely."

The prince left the theater with a trail of laughter. Tana fumed, "Oh yeah? Well guess what? We girls aren't afraid of ANYTHING!"

Tana turned around and at her biggest surprise saw Eirika trembling at the sight of the "Lord of the Imps" movie poster, portraying a strange man with his eyes clashing red and white. Behind him, in the background, was a horde of horrific scrawny creature with horns on foreheads and hands resembling frogs legs. Their eyes weighted the size of tennis balls, and their heads looks fragile enough to crack like eggs. They also looked like they haven't bathed for decades. Wrapping around the movie title was an unusual snake, perhaps a python with hands similar to the tyrannosaurus rex. One sharp tooth, that could shred a mountain in second was all that the snake had in its mouth.

Eirika faced her friend whose ashen expression was showing at the fullest, "I'm sca-ared!" Eirika wept quietly.

Tana grabbed her friend and slapped her in both cheeks, "Snap out of it Eirika. Don't tell me you're afraid of what is the best yet the most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest and horrific horror…movie…ever." Tana began slowing down after the word "horrific" while glaring at the poster as well. She let go of Eirika.

"You're the one who's scared. I'm not." Eirika countered, looking tough.

"But the point is," Tana continued, "We're going to show Innes that we ain't scared of that!"

"Wait a minute." Eirika said, "I thought we were to see the movie cause we wanted to."

"And that's, my friend," Tana brought two jumbo size popcorns and sizzling elixirs, "is what we're going to do. Let's go!"


"So, did you get it?" Duessel asked Ephraim. The duo was outside the Jehanna Arena at the city and Ephraim wielded his newly weapon—an iron sword—like a lance resting on his shoulder.

"Of course." Ephraim nodded and began counting his fingers, "You swing upward, downward, forward and back, as well as crescendo, and that opposite -cendo thing."

"Decrescendo." Duessel corrected him.

"…Yes, that." Ephraim said, "all that by simply holding the sword's handle, its plate face-forwards."

"Its blade face forwards." Duessel corrected again.

"Okay I get it!" Ephraim shouted.

"You don't get it Prince Ephraim." Duessel said, "if you neglect at your training, you will never make it to the finals."

"Nuh-Uh!"

"Yeah-Uh!"

Ephraim scoffed, "Please Duessel, I totally get it. You're even crankier than the first time to taught me the lance."

"That's because I'm worried."

"Will Teheran please come to the front corner of the stadium!" A voice echoes from inside, "Will Teheran please come to the front corner of the stadium!"

Ephraim and Duessel looked up listening to the announcement. Duessel snorted, "Teheran? Who has that kind of name?"

"Well, I'm off!" Ephraim left towards the arena. Duessel's eyes jerked up. He couldn't believe who Teheran was.

Moments later, a large crowd roared inside the arena. Duessel sat among the screaming fans, his hands placed on his cheeks. "Oyo." He moaned.

"Having a bad day?" A voice came from behind Duessel. The Obsidian turned around and saw Joshua. He quickly recognized him, "Say, aren't you one of Ephraim's friends?"

"What did you think?" Joshua sat besides him, "You're Duessel the Obsidian of the Imperial Three right?"

Duessel nodded. Joshua continued, "Ephraim told me so much about you. How you trained him with the lance."

"Yeah, and now I'm training him with the sword."

Joshua breathed, "really? For how long?"

"About a minute ago."

Joshua blinked, "that's it? He needs more practice. The way of the sword is not all fun and games. It isn't easy as it seem."

"Well, if we had more time to spare, but unfortunately he's competing for the Jehanna Clash."

"WHAT?" Joshua gasped, "He barely wielded a sword and he's going out there? He's going to get creamed in there."

"I know." Duessel sighed, "it'll take a miracle for him to succeed Round 1 and 2."

"In this corner, we have Crash," he pointed left to a skinny one-toothed and uncombed myrmidon wearing nothing but a pair of brown karate pants.

"And in this corner, we have a new arrival from Renais, Tikira!" The announcer pointed right to Ephraim, who entered the ring and showing peace signs to the crowd. The Iron sword rested unbalanced at his hip.

He approached the announcer and whispered, "Uh, excuse me? It's Teheran. Sword Champion Teheran."

"Yeah, so, whatever." The announcer muttered and faced the crowd, "Now! Let those two opponents greet each other…"

Ephraim shook his head and faced his opponent. Both bowed and both made a stance.

"You're going to be creamed tonight Pinhead." Crash honked, "that money is mine!"

"Yeah," Ephraim scoffed, admiring Crash's outfit, "and I was at an abandoned shelter with your cousins last night."

Crash felt offended, "Take that back!"

"I will if you defeat me." Ephraim smiled. Crash fumed, "You'll pay for that kind of talk!"

"…and Clash!" The announcer yelled and, in cue, Crash ran towards Ephraim. The prince dodged and smacked Crash's head with the blade's plate face. Crash fell off the ring unconscious. Everyone gasped at this sight. The ones who were really shocked were Duessel and Joshua. They both looked at each other, "Well there's your miracle." Joshua said.

"…The winner, Tikira!"

"Teheran." Ephraim corrected him.

"Whatever."

Ephraim faced his defeated opponent and smiled, "well, this seems easy."

Behind a large red portal at the southern west of the ring sneaked in a mysterious person. Her pink hair tied in a ponytail and her expression showing gravely as she glanced at Ephraim, "hmm…there's something weird about that guy. It's not normal."


Everyone sat at their seat inside the showing room of the theater. The seats were formed like stairs and the majority of people, watching the movie were mostly of adult ages.

"I cannot believe we're actually going to see 'Lord of the Imps'" Eirika smiled, "this is so cool."

Both friends sat five rows to the front, their treats in their hands, "Yeah!" Tana said, "and we won't be scared to the horror right?"

"Right."

"I mean it's about a young man, controlling creature to destroy mankind." Tana nodded, "it's unordinary."

"Of course. And what could go wrong?"

At the same time, Fado, Hayden, and Vigarde entered the theater as well and sat five rows from Eirika and Tana's seats. Their treats were also at their grasp.

"I can't believe we're actually going to see 'Lord of the Imps.'…Again" Fado said as he took a bite out of his sugar ball.

"I know!" Hayden said, "and that's like the eleventh time we'll watch it and yet it's still good."

"And scary." Vigarde added.

Eirika lowered her head at the sights of the monarchs. Tana looked around then looked at her friend, "Eirika, what's wrong?"

"Our father's here, with Emperor Vigarde." She whispered.

Tana looked behind and immediately saw the monarchs. She quickly lowered her head as well, "Eek! What are they doing here?" she hissed under her breath.

"I don't know."

--- --- ---

"I cannot believe they're here!" Eirika groaned. The girls were still hiding away from the monarchs at the Imperial Theater and still the movie wasn't showing yet. She finally rose from her seat admitting defeat, "You know what, let's just get out of here."

Tana raised her legs to block Eirika's path, "We can't leave." She whispered.

"Why not?" Eirika asked, "Either way we'll get caught."

"Unless we keep each other on the down low we won't." she said, "besides, they're way too far from us and the crowd here will provide us a veil."

Eirika looked around and saw what Tana meant. The crowd was so large; it wasn't easy to catch a glimpse of the monarchs. Eirika went back to her seat and smiled at her friend, "You're right. I mean what could go wrong? They're not going to see us."

Vigarde dropped a sugar ball while trying to fling it in the air and let it fall in his mouth. It was then that he saw the princesses. He looked at his two friends, who were drinking each a jumbo-size sodas, and pointed, "Say, isn't that Eirika and Tana?"

Fado and Hayden spewed, showering a man sitting in front.

"HEY?" The man, soaked in a mixture of juice and saliva growled at them, "WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA? THAT'S MY FAVORITE SHIRT!"

"I-I-I'm sorry. It's m—my fault. I d-di-didn't." Hayden stammered, but Fado didn't, since he was too busy building up rage on what he was seeing. The man rushed out of the room, leaving leaks behind.

"In the name of all that is sacred in Magvel! What are they doing here?" Fado hissed.

"Aren't they supposed to not watch this movie?" Vigarde asked.

"Of course they aren't supposed to!" Hayden said, "Especially Tana! I told her not to watch this movie!"

Fado glanced at Hayden, "You told Tana?" Hayden nodded. "She came to me too!"

"WHAT? YOU TOO? Why I oughta—"

Vigarde sighed, watching his two friends expressing their anger, "Wow, they're in for a big surprise." He bleakly said.

"You know what? Let's go down there." Fado proposed and both kings rose from their seat. Vigarde raised his leg to block their path, "Wait a minute, I don't think this is such a good idea."

"What?" Hayden gasped.

"Why?" Fado asked.

"Well, don't you think it wise to let them face their punishment without our meddling?"

Fado and Hayden blinked, "What do you mean?" Hayden asked.

"Hello! They're watching 'Lord of the Imps'. The best, yet the most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest and horrific horror movie ever."

It took a moment for Fado and Hayden to get what Vigarde was saying. "Oh yeah." They hooted, no longer enraged fathers but scheming menaces.

"Now do you see where I'm going with it?" Vigarde smiled.

"Oh we get you all right." Fado snickered, sitting back down, "You're cold!" Vigarde smiled proudly from ear to ear.

"This is the best punishment ever!" Hayden sat back down, feeling ecstatic.


"Welcome back to our 2nd Round of our Jehanna clash contest!" the announcer yelled, following a roar of applause.

"In this corner, we have Sir Bone-Breaker," he pointed left to a heavy individual wearing many kimonos of ice and deep blue color, and holding a slim sword at his grasp. His hairdo was the shape of a rice cake equipped with chopsticks on a plate.

"And in this corner, we have the sensational sword rookie from Renais, Peterman!" The announcer pointed right to Ephraim, the Iron Blade attached at his hip. The prince huffed, "it's Teheran."

"Whatever." The announcer said, "Now! Let those two opponents greet each other…"

Ephraim and his opponent--Sir Bone-Breaker—bowed and both made a stance.

"Well, well, well," Bone-Breaker chuckled, "you're quite small for your size."

"Thanks." Ephraim said, "And you're quite big for your size."

The swordmaster huffed.

"…and Clash!" The announcer yelled.

The heavy swordmaster dashed towards Ephraim. The prince dodged and slammed him on the back. The swordmaster stopped at his track, turned around and growled.

Duessel and Joshua watched the event in awe, "for how long has he learned to wield a sword?" Joshua breathed.

Duessel was surprised as well, "He's a fast learner. It took him twenty-eight days to master the lance and here he is handling the sword well."

Duessel realized he spoke too soon. Ephraim took the sword and like a lance began twirling it. He eventually cut his finger and dropped the sword. The crowd gasped and booed. "Okay. Maybe he needs more training."


-Imperial Theater-

Clashing, mauling, and strident screaming were heard on the screen of "Lord of the Imps". A scene showed the hand-snake, showed earlier on the poster, flying up the sky and feasting on innocent Pegasus knights and aerial animals. Other sort of infamous imps, showed in a different scene, rose from below the oceans and run them red of human blood. Another scene showed the character with the clashing eye color chuckling grimly.

Eirika and Tana froze ice cold in fear. Almost half of the audience were gone because of the violence in the movie. The monarchs watched the girls in silence.

"It's been over an hour and they haven't budged a toe." Hayden sounded worried.

"I guess our plan has no give." Fado sighed.

"Your daughters are strong." Vigarde said, "yet again, can they survive two and a half more hours?"

"It j-j-just a m-m-movie." Eirika stammered, "t-there n-n-nothing t-to be af-f-fraid of."

A zombielike roar echoed through the screen.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The girls screamed and Tana finally broke in tears as she rose from her seat. "I CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE!"

"TANA! WHERE'RE YOU GOING? DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" Eirika pleaded.

"I'm sorry sister!" Tana wept, "You're on your own!"

"TANAAAA!"

The three monarch watched Tana leaving the theater. Vigarde crossed his arms, "One down, one to go."

Hayden lowered his head. The king felt a little pity for Tana as he began having second thought that he rather punished her from disobeying him than seeing this torture. "You know what guys? I'm not feeling like being part of this."

"Why not?" Fado asked.

"It's not my thing. I'm going to go see my daughter." He left to find her in the hallway bench, crying in silent. He approached her and laid a hand on her shoulder. She screamed in cue. Hayden startled. Both looked at each other and screamed again.

"Father! Don't scare me like that!" Tana cried.

Hayden bit his lips in avoidance to laugh, "Boy, that movie really scared the soul out of you. At least you're still alive."

Tana was now stammering. She feared her father will give her a long lecture and will punish her. Yet, she felt ready for it, "Father, about sneaking in, am I going to be punished?"

"Punished?" Hayden chortled, "Your punishment was long gone when you left the theater."

Tana's expression changed into shock, "wait a minute, the entire time I disobeyed you, you left me suffer?"

"I know! Isn't that wild?" Hayden chortled yet Tana did not find this sick joke amusing.


Sir Bone-Breaker let out a battle cry as he jumped on the weaponless Ephraim. The prince quickly picked up his blade and blocked the swordmaster's crescent swing. The swordmaster put in more weight than Ephraim and eventually caused the prince to let go. The swordmaster, in cue, let his sword crashing on the floor. Ephraim took that opportunity to smack him in the back with the sword's plate side. The swordmaster fell off the ring.

"Out of the ring!" the announcer yelled, "the winner once again…Sephiroth!"

"It's Teheran! Te-he-ran!" Ephraim corrected again.

"Whatever."

Hours flew by and Ephraim was prevailing every round. Using the sword's plate face, he managed to smack about seven powerful swordmasters and myrmidons out of ring and finally made it to the finals.

Things went wild at the main lobby as an entire swarm of screaming fans rushed towards Ephraim. The prince endlessly wrote them autographs and gave them his portraits. Various questions such as, "How did you learn to fight?" or "You handle the blade weirdly. What's your secret?" or "Do you have a girlfriend?" arouse from the fans.

"People! People! One question at a time."

The fans became silence. Ephraim cleared his throat, "Now, you'll be meeting me at lunch today so that I could…disclose my full-blown mystery."

The fans groaned in despair and left their ways. Duessel and Joshua approached the prince. "Hey Duessel! Joshua! Didn't see you there!" he greeted them warmly.

Joshua crossed his arms, "Obviously."

"Prince Ephraim…"

"I know, I know." Ephraim stopped Duessel before he could say another word, "Remember your words? 'If you neglect at your training, you will never make it to the finals.'"

"Yeah?"

"Well, it seems our training has paid off."

"A minute."

"Don't be negative."

"Well according to Lady Luck," Joshua picked his shiny coin he just flipped on the floor, "I predict your loss at the finals."

Ephraim snorted, "Oh yeah?"

"I like that prediction."

Ephraim turned around to see the female pony-tailed, pink haired myrmidon. She was dressed in ninja attire and boots. An unusual sword rested at her grasp. Immediately, everyone gathered up and begun whispering.

"Who are you?" Ephraim asked.

The girl smiled, "Guess you haven't heard of me." She began her speech, "Although I don't care for the money, I care for the challenge. And you got spunk." She unsheathed her sword and pointed directly at Ephraim. The prince quickly recognized her, "Wait a minute! You're Jehanna Clash Champion 'the Crimson Flash!'"

"True." She answered, "I like to be called Marisa."

Ephraim glanced at her from head to toe, "gee, you don't look more than what I expected."

"Then don't look anymore." Marisa took leave, her fans fluttering behind her like hatchling. Marisa stopped and turned around; "I'm looking forward to meet you Teheran…if that's your real name."

Marisa left. Ephraim stammered, "S-S-She knows me!"

"That can't happen! How can she know you?" Duessel questioned this.

"Well somebody has a loose li—" before Ephraim could finish, he turned facing Joshua. Duessel turned around as well. Joshua blinked at the staring of the prince and the imperial general.

"What are you looking at?"

Moments passed and the finals were underway. "In this corner," the announcer pointed left, "we have our beginner sensational blade man of Renais, Tikiman!"

"It's Teheran!" Ephraim sighed.

"Will you let me do my job?" the announcer harshly hissed.

Ephraim rolled his eyes. The announcer proceeded, "and in this corner, we have our beautiful, yet dangerously wielder of the powerful Shamsir, our returning champion…Marinas, the Crimson Flash!"

"It's Marisa." Marisa corrected him. Immediately, the announcer gesticulated in fear, "I--I'm sorry, M-Marisa. This should be no problem."

Ephraim muttered at this sight. Among the crowd, Duessel and Joshua watched. Joshua seemed to have second thoughts.

"You look anxious." Duessel told the myrmidon.

"Well, I'm not sure about this whole winning-losing thing." Joshua said, "I think Lady Luck is trying to make me think."

Duessel went at the edge of his seat, "wait! So you think Prince Ephraim will win this?"

Joshua shrugged.

"Now! Let those two opponents greet each other…" the announcer yelled.

Ephraim and Marisa bowed and both made a stance yet again.

"Good luck Marisa." Ephraim told her.

"Good luck to you too Ephraim." Marisa told him. Ephraim, at the calling of his name froze.

"…and Clash!" The announcer yelled.

Marisa back-flipped and unleashed a fury of slash and bash on Ephraim. It didn't lasted five seconds and the Renais prince fell off the ring, his outfit torn out. Marisa smiled at him.

The crowd went wild at the Crimson Flash's victory as they rose from their seat. Vigarde and Joshua glanced at each other in awe. A girl actually beat Ephraim. How embarrassing for the prince.

"Well, what do you know?" Joshua smiled at his shiny coin, "Lady Luck loves me."

"And our champion, five years running, Marisa!" the announcer yelled through the crowd. Ephraim growled under his breath.


It has been weeks since Tana and Eirika watched the movie at the Imperial Theater and back at Castle Renais, Eirika hasn't spoken a word of it, neither does Fado. Everything was as if it was all a thing in the past, until one fallen night…

…Eirika slipped in her covers, looking around her suite, mostly her glass door leading to the balcony. The full moon was showing. The wind howled in distance. The room felt a little cold. Eirika slowly popped her head out, "is anybody here?"

The balcony door swung opened and there stood the character with the clashing colored eyes hiding in the shadows. About a dozen of his imps trailed behind him like hatchlings. Eirika gasped at his sight. The character pointed at Eirika and there the Imps jumped on her bed, following the flying, two-handed snake. Eirika screamed in horror.

"Eirika!" a zombielike voice sounded from the character. Eirika felt someone shaking her continuously.

"Eirika!" the zombielike voice slowly altered to be a deep familiar voice, "Eirika wake up!" The voice became more and more recognizable. Eirika awoke in sweat and saw Fado next to her. At his sight, she broke down in tears, "Father I'm sorry!"

"What?" Fado blinked as he hugged her.

"I disobeyed your orders! I went to see 'Lord of the Imps' and it was really, really scary and I thought I could handle it and here I am crying!"

"Sweetheart! You've been having nightmares for weeks?" Fado asked.

"Yes!"

"And it's regarding 'Lord of the Imps?' The most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest and horrific horror movie ever?"

"YES!" Eirika wept loudly, "And I'm sorry!"

Fado sighed, "I'm the one who should be sorry."

Eirika sniffled, "what do you m-mean?"

"Well, I saw you at the Imperial Theater and…"

Eirika jerked her head at that hearing. Fado continued in haste, "before we stepped into the wrong foot here, Hayden, Vigarde, and I wanted to get you two out of the theater, but we've decided to let you alone instead and see if you can handle…the violence."

In cue of "handle", Eirika fumed, "Father! You knew that all along and you let me bear this ghoulish experience on purpose? I HAVEN'T HAD A DECENT GOOD NIGHT SLEEP FOR WEEKS!"

Fado grinned, "Punishment?"

Eirika sneered and got off her bed, "I cannot believe this. Every night I had to look at the balcony to see if those imps and its heartless master are going to feast on me again and have you seen its flying snake and the thing it can do to you, especially to innocent Pegasus knights?"

"Hold on!" Fado stopped Eirika, "I may have been cruel to you in this area, but for crying out loud, I'm the one who should be mad! You sneaked into a movie I specifically told you NOT to go."

Eirika, no longer an angry being, but a shameful person, hanged her head down, "oh yeah. I…I'm sorry about that Father."

Fado smiled, "I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I should've done that to you. But after what I have seen," he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "I'm beginning to think you're going to be a valiant warrior someday."

Eirika returned the smile. Fado sighed, "Okay let's talk punishment!"

"What?" Eirika cried, "I thought I was punished enough already!"

"Well, that was then and this is now. Besides, it's no torture like what you had."

"I hope so."

Fado and Eirika left the room together.


The nightmare of "Lord of the Imps" was over in Renais. Eirika was given dusting duty of her suite as an extra punishment of not listening to Fado. It was a fair punishment given by the king himself to make up from all the torture he let her endured all week. Ephraim returned from Jehanna and was warmly welcomed back to his home. He was happy to be back in Renais, yet memories of him wielding a sword for the first time not only taught him a lot about lances, but also rested deep within his heart.

The night has fallen in Eirika's suite and everyone was already in bed but the twins. Eirika laid on her bed, in her red and gold nightgown while Ephraim sat on it, in his green and gold pajamas.

"A girl beat you?" Eirika gasped, "An actual girl beat you up?"

"It's not funny Eirika." Ephraim said.

"This is huge!" Eirika proposed, "This should be in every tabloids in Renais. The entire city should hear this 'Prince Ephraim of Renais got royally flushed by a—'"

"Yeah I know, a girl." Ephraim said, "how about you, I heard about your scheme."

Eirika stopped smiling, "Oh, 'Lord of the Imps'. Yeah."

"Father didn't tell me everything cause I wanted to hear this from you." Ephraim came closer to his twin sister, "did you watch that movie?"

Eirika's silence unsettled Ephraim, "Oh no. Please don't tell me you disobeyed Father and went to watch that movie anyway. It's demonic! It's diabolical! And it's like the most blood-gushing, head-scything, brain-splitting, ghastliest—"

"Okay I get your point, thanks." Eirika stopped him.

"Oh Eirika." Ephraim stroke his sister's green locks, "I should've been here while you were suffering."

"Oh I suffered enough." Eirika said, "but at least I'm still alive see? But did you watched that movie?"

"No." he answered sincerely and Eirika was surprised of his reply, "I've heard from one of the monks serving the Temple that it's a demonic movie that gives you endless nightmares for weeks." He explained, "That, and the fact that it was rated two-thumbs down from my favorite critics 'Gerber and Ritter'."

Eirika blinked and recalled all those nightmares she had. "Oh now I see everything so clearly now."

"So everyone saw it except me?"

Eirika nodded.

"Even Innes."

"Yeah. Tana was pretty mad about it." Eirika said, "But why the worries about Innes? Do you think something is happening to him?"

Ephraim smiled, "As we speak."

Back at Frelia, Innes was in his bedchamber. An eerie music played in the background and slowly but surely, the volume began increasing at every two seconds. As soon as Innes rose from his bed in sweat, the music stopped.

He sighed, "It was just a dream." The prince went to open his window and popping out from outside was a shadowy figure in a skeletal form. Thunder roared in the background as Innes screamed, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

He ran to hide in his bed only to find two pythons lying peacefully and gazing towards him.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Innes screamed again, fell on the floor and crawled backwards muttering, "Imps! Imps everywhere!"

His back bumped into, what seem, two legs. He slowly looked up and turned white at the sight of a shadowy figure with clashing colored eyes.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" He shrieked again then began pleading, tears rushing down his cheeks, "Please don't hurt me! I beg you…please!" The figure turned towards the desk lamp and switched it on. The room illuminates and there stood Tana instead. She spread out a smile. Innes was appalled.

"Oh my goodness!" the princess wiped her tears of laughter, "That's the fifth time this week and this is not getting old."

Tana showed Innes the looking alike pythons to be large ropes, and the skinny looking shadow to be a childish jack-in-the-box. Innes fumed as the princess left the room with a trail of laughter. He pointed:

"You……………YOU…………YOU BLASTED WITCH!"


Author's Note:
I know this is off-topic, but with the US release of approaching at full speed, the planned 11th chapter of this fic, featuring a random character from that game, had now been moved to…next chapter! Please post in the review boards the following FE: PoR character you would like to see appearing in that chapter. (I need a choice of at least three characters, as I will do a random drawing.) My personal choices are Shinon, Greil, and Caineghis. Among those three and your personal choices, one of them will take part of our next chapter. You may also choose the same character as well, for this will increase his/her chance to appear.

I will also like to thank all of you readers and writers who are still enjoying this story and posting me reviews. Writing this story has been my favorite hobby since the first chapter. :)

To Frodo007: That music does fit to the chapter. Nice combination and thanks. :)

To Northernsword: What does OOC means? I'm sorry but I'm not good at acronyms.

To Northernsword (Chapter 6): Still trying to keep up with my imaginations.

See y'all next chapter.


END OF CHAPTER