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.

Irene: A citizen of Renais and a mage-in-training. She's driving Innes crazy.

Dirk Lionheart: A young celebrity/pop-singer. He also appears in Disney/Nintendo/SquareSoft cross fic "Kingdom Blessings" written by El Xian as one of the main characters.

Author's Note: I think I'm running out of ideas and having cases of writer's block, and so I've created a forum specifically for your ideas and comments on this story. Please post if you have anything in mind. (For the sake of confidentiality, your ideas will be credited.) Thanks


Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life


The One with the Celebrity—

-Castle Frelia-

"FATHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"

The scream of Innes echoed through the rooms and hallways of Castle Frelia. The prince ran towards Hayden's Study Chamber in panic. The startled Hayden dropped his feather pen and the ink bottle on the floor, making a big stain on his manuscript and his royal garment. Hayden huffed angrily at his son.

"What in blazes in going on here?" Hayden snapped, "Can't you ever knock? I was writing an important letter to my friend Fado!"

"Now's not a good time for chastisement father."

"Oh, it's perfectly the perfect time."

"Look here!" Innes began, "I demand to know what is…"

"Hello." A familiar head sneaked in from outside the chamber, causing Innes to jump and scream in agony.

"THAT'S IT! RIGHT THERE!" Innes pointed at the geeky person, "WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE? IN CASTLE FRELIA? IN MY ROOM!"

Hayden rose up and smiled at the person, "Well, if it isn't Irene."

Irene entered the chamber, still in her sage-look outfit, "I bid you morning, Your Majesty." She bowed gracefully at Hayden, "Innelicious and I are going down the Renvall River to fish. BURPS!"

Hayden grinned as he flapped his hand near his nose, "Gee, how nice of you. Well, since you're going to Renais anyway, could you two do me a favor?"

"Us two?" Innes pointed to himself.

Hayden ignored the prince, and examined the ink stain at the bottom of his manuscript, "My manuscript looks ruined but Fado won't mind. I would like you to send this to him pronto."

Irene took the manuscript from Hayden's hand. Hayden continued, "He is to receive a special guest celebrity this afternoon. He's a ten-time nominee and winner for his acting in the Daytime Soap 'Serenity Harmony' and just got a Magvel Grammy award for his album with its hit song, 'Desperate Love.' "

"Ohm gosh! Ohm gosh! Ohm gosh!" Irene flapped her hands, "Are you telling me that…"

"Yes." Hayden nodded, "Dirk Lionheart is coming to Magvel."

"Who's Dirk Lionheart?" Innes scratched his head.

"Wow, Your Majesty, thanks for this task." Irene complimented, "but it looks like you wrote almost all of them down here."

"I know." Hayden said, "I just don't want to rewrite them down again."


-Castle Renais, Eirika's room-

"Ohm gosh! Ohm gosh! Ohm gosh!" Eirika squealed as she penetrated her room, "Guys! You are not going to believe this!" she told her gathered friends Tana, Nicole, Ephraim and Lyon. The girls all sat on a bed while Ephraim and Lyon were at the lounging area.

Tana and Nicole leaned towards, desperate to hear this. Eirika joined their circle and took a deep breath, "Dirk Lionheart is coming to town."

Tana and Nicole's eyes were twice their sizes. They looked at each other in disbelief and let out a strident squeal while flapping their hands, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Ephraim and Lyon plugged their ears and their eyes went shut tightly. They glared at the three friends.

"Girls, please! Lower the volume!" Ephraim shed tears.

Lyon joined in their conversation, "Are you talking about Dirk Lionheart, that singer who sang 'Desperate Love'?"

"Yeah, and he's that handsome but dark-sided guy on 'Serenity Harmony'" Tana added.

Lyon gasped, "Felix?"

The girls shook their heads, "Too old."

"Craig?"

"Too middle-age."

"Bernard?"

"Too rich."

Lyon gasped, thinking he got it, "…Bo?"

"YES!"

More squealing rang across the room. Ephraim shut his ears again and the squealing caused him to weep even more, "GIRLS! STOP THAT PLEASE…You're bleeding my eardrums."

"Oh I'm sorry Ephraim." Eirika said, "But it just so exciting to have a celebrity at our house."

"What's so special about him anyway?" Ephraim shrugged.

"Wait a minute." Nicole began, "I want one in my house. Why do you get one?"

"Yeah." Tana crossed her arms, "Come to think of it, Innes is right. The Renais twins get everything."

Eirika blinked in confusion. Tana continued, "If he's your guest then he's my honey."

"Nuh-uh." Nicole pointed at Tana, "You stay away from him. He's my honey."

"Girls, girls! Before we start arguing, let just make one thing clear." Eirika fixed her wavy hair and smiled, "he's my honey."

"Oh come on!" The girls began to complain when the door swung open, "Girls." Seth popped his head in, "You won't believe who's here?"

The girls looked at each other and ran out the door like a buffalo stampede, slamming Seth to the ground. Ephraim and Lyon rushed to help Seth up, "Are you okay?" Ephraim asked.

"Stars…" Seth gurgled, "Pretty stars…"

Ephraim and Lyon stared at each other and Seth once again fell on the ground.


-Castle Renais Main Hall-

The castle was surrounded by crazed fans. Posters were seen in displays, like "Marry me, Dirk" "We 'heart symbol' Dirk", "Call me!" with random numbers on the side and even "The lion has a heart for me" with a smiley face next to it. The royal court could hear their endless screaming like a radio boosted up to high volume across the street.

"Can those girls ever be removed?" Fado complained, "I should be expecting that Dirk Lionheart any minute now."

One girl is seen jumping among the crowd waving her bra and screaming, "I LOVE YOU DIRK LIONHEART! SIGN MY BRA!" For the sake of censorship, she's wearing a shirt. Fado's eyes went wide.

"Well Your Majesty," Orson said, "Dirk happens to be a very handsome celebrity, with a bad boy side on him. And you know how much girls dig bad boys."

"I find you a bad boy." Monica smiled at her husband and ran her finger across his bearded chin. Orson smiled but Fado frowned at this view, "Ugh, that's sick. Please, not in my throne room."

Adrion ran inside the throne room, "He's coming, Your Majesty."

"Send him in!" Fado rose up, "And make sure no unknown girls is seen inside the castle."

The guards opened the door narrowly, allowing a dark-haired young man at his twenties to enter the castle. He was handsome and had great physique. He wore a black jacket over his white T-shirt, tucked in his baggy pants. His hair was short and spiky and he wore sunglasses. The young man was followed by two heavy tugs in tux, wearing sunglasses as well. The soldiers quickly closed the door and the fans in attempt to enter inside slammed face front at the door's translucent windows.

"What's wrong with them?" Dirk pointed at the girls. The soldiers shrugged, "Looks like they digging you."

Dirk spread a grin across his face, "Really?" and snapped his finger, "Comb." One of the sunglasses-wearing tugs pulled a small comb from his tux and handed to him.

Fado entered the hall, while been followed by Adrion, Orson and Monica, and opened his arms, "Welcome to Castle Renais, fellow Lionheart. Or should I say…Yo dude!"

"…call me Dirk." He began combing his hair.

"Yes, yes, Dirk." Fado said nervously, "Erm… it's an honor to have you here at my castle…erm…or should I say…my posse es su posse…dude."

"Are you nervous or something, King Fado?" Dirk narrowed his eyes.

"Nervous?" Fado snorted, "No! Why would I be nervous? I'm terribly un-nervous. I'm firm. I'm fiiine. Or should I say…I'm cool!"

Dirk raised an eyebrow. The tugs looked at each other and the soldiers slapped their faces in embarrassment. Fado cleared his throat, "Please, let my men take you to your guest suite."

"Uh, correction, my men will take me to the guest suite. Thank you very much." Dirk snapped his fingers and walked down the hall. The tugs followed.

Fado leaned toward Orson and Monica, "You were right. He is a bad boy." Orson and Monica nodded but the king wasn't finished as he held his back, "And that bad boy stuff is hard on the back."

"My, my." Dirk adjusted his sunglasses at the sight of Eirika, "Look what the chick heavens just dropped off."

Eirika walked towards Dirk, her eyes transfixed on him. Tana, Nicole, Ephraim, Lyon and Seth followed, "You must be Dirk Lionheart…" Eirika began drooling.

"And you must be Princess Gorgeous." Dirk smiled and removed his sunglasses, "That's what I call 'looking fine'."

Eirika leaned toward her excited friends, all were urging to squeal, "He called me fine."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Dirk squinted then rubbed the side of his ears. Ephraim stepped in, "And you must be Senior Flirtatious. Whatever you do, and no matter who you are, stay away from my twin sister."

"Ephraim!" Eirika dragged him away from Dirk, "Do you know who you're speaking with? My future husband."

Tana and Nicole looked at each other in disbelief, even Lyon. "I thought I was your future husband." The imperial prince said.

"Twin heh?" Dirk rested his hand on a wall, "well to tell you the truth, you don't look like one."

Ephraim felt offended at Dirk's remark. Dirk began walking away then turned around, pointed at Eirika, and gesture a phone call, "Call me anytime babe."

Eirika squealed, "He called me babe!"

"And we call it 'Duh!'" Tana and Nicole faked a smile.


-Castle Frelia-

"I'm telling you. I don't like that Dirk guy. He may be a celebrity, but he's a pompous jerk." Ephraim was inside Innes's bedchamber at the lounging area, "Do you know what he said about me?"

"What?" Innes reclined on the chesterfield as he shoved a handful of graham cookies and not caring for the world.

"He said that I'm not Eirika's twin! Can you believe that?" Ephraim cried, "Why I oughta—"

Innes sat down, "Well, does he know you or Eirika?"

"No."

Innes shoved him the empty graham cookies box, "Well, there you go." He then pulled another unopened box from under the couch. Ephraim frowned at this view, "Erm Innes. I understand you're stressed about this whole Irene thing, but can't you think that this whole thing was entirely your fault?"

"Thank you for making me realized that." Innes said unemotionally, "You're a true friend."

"No, no. This ain't a joking matter." Ephraim leaned towards Innes, "You must leave her. You must avoid her, just like I'm going to do to both Eirika and Dirk. I'll have Eirika running from her."

"Running from him," Innes corrected.

"Yeah thanks."

"What are your plans?"

"I have no idea."

Irene popped her head out, scaring Innes off the couch, "Hi Innes! Wanna read me a poem?"

"No."

"Go out to dinner?"

"No."

"Flirt nonstop?"

"NO!" Innes rose up, "NO MEANS NO, LADY! And don't make me." he pointed at her and ran away. Irene followed after him, "Come on Innelicious!"


-Castle Renais-

Days flew by since Dirk came in Renais. Eirika sat on her bed next to the celebrity and dreamily stared at his stern but handsome eyes. Her room was decked with Dirk's posters, articles with photos, and all accessories of him a girl could find.

Dirk held a guitar and ran his pick through it once. "This song is my number one hit." He said, "It's call…"

"'Desperate Love.' Eirika replied, "Yeah…"

"Oh so you know huh?"

"It's my all time favorite." Eirika pointed towards her television, "Got it on my Tivo."

"Well, dump your Tivo, 'cause you'll be hearing it live."

Eirika giggled flirtatiously. Dirk began playing his guitar and using his rich-singing voice, sang the song. (The song is an alternate version of 'Start of Something New' from the High School Musical Movie Soundtrack)

This could be the start of Desperate Love,

Why do I feel, always feel this way yeah,

Oh girl, staring in your eyes,

I know that all riiiiight, to have desperate—

The door swung open and in came Tana and Nicole. Tana had on her red dress a Pegasus knight suit and was carrying a Javelin. Nicole was still in her cleric costume.

"Eirika, we need to talk." Nicole exclaimed.

"Hey!" Eirika jumped off her bed, "What's the big idea? Ever heard of privacy?"

"Calm down Eirika." Tana said, "It's not like we walked on you exchanging kisses with Dirk." She paused for a moment then gasped at the sight of Dirk, "Oh my gosh! You were spending time with him and not with us?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Are you singing 'Desperate Love'?" Nicole glared dreamily at Dirk, who responded with a smile and a nod. Tana bumped her shoulders, bringing her to her senses.

"Of course it's a problem." Tana said.

"Yeah!" Nicole said, "It's been two days since the Rausten bake sale and I asked for your help but you didn't come."

"And I asked for your presence at Frelia 'cause I was to pass my Peg Knight Training Test."

"Oh so you passed it?"

"No, I failed it!" Tana hissed, "And why, because you rather spend time with Dirk Linkhat than with us!"

"Uh, correction, it's Dirk Lionheart."

Tana pointed at him, "You be quiet."

"Guys!" Eirika muttered, "He's a celebrity."

"And we're celebrating our adieus to you." Nicole did a military salutation and left the room, "I'm out of here."

Tana followed, "Don't call us anymore!"

"FINE!" Eirika shrieked, "Who needs you when I have the cutest guy in the world?" Her eyes blinked dreamily at Dirk.

--- --- ---

-Castle Frelia-

Innes ran down the castle lounge, desperately looking for a place to hide. He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder and squealed, his head jerked up. "What are you doing?" Tana's voice simultaneously sounded.

Innes gnashed his teeth at the presence of his sister. "What are you doing?" Innes hissed at her, "You were supposed to be at Eirika's."

"None of your business." Tana replied dully then looked on Innes, "Are you hiding from Irene again?"

"As I'm quoting you: none of your business."

Tana scoffed, "Oh I'm sorry! When was 'invading my private room and sneaking a peek on my journal' my business?"

Innes sighed, "Okay, it's none of my business, again. And just to add, it's a pain in the derriere making you out of my sight. Now go."

"Okay fine." Tana rolled her eyes and left. Innes suddenly ran toward her and held her Javelin, preventing her from going further. He went down on both knees and begged, "Please don't go! Please, you gotta find me a place to hide! If Irene finds me I'm toast!"

"Toast?"

"Yeah! She's like…an Innes hunter!" he squealed.

Tana crossed her arms, a malicious grin across her face, "Are you being a little chicken? Cause Irene being on the same roof with you is like seeing the sky actually falling in your vision."

"It's Chicken Little."

"I stand corrected."

Tana attempted to leave, but Innes blocked her road, "But seriously please, have a little compassion and find me a place to hide!"

Tana pondered for a second then looked over her brother, "Okay. I'll find you a place to hide." Innes pumped his fist in the air, "Thanks sis!"

"Yeah whatever." Tana dragged Innes to a closet, shut its door and locked it. "All done." She yelled through.

"Thanks sis!" Innes's voice sounded muffled on the other side.

"You just say that."

"I know!"

Tana walked away and over to Irene. Irene looked worried, "Hey Tana, have you seen Innes?"

She pointed over the closet and walked away in silence. Irene grinned, headed for the closet and opened it. Innes' eyes met Irene in horror.

"There you are honey! Hey, let's spend some time together in here, what do you say?"

Innes shook his head.

"Good." She entered the closet and shut it.


-Castle Renais Family Room-

Adam entered the family room and found Adrion, Ephraim, and Lyon sitting in group. He held in his hand a chuck load of money. "You're not going to believe what I just got: 500G for Dirk Lionheart's used undershirt."

"WOW!" The guys breathed in astonishment.

"I know!" he said, "His horrifying armpit stench made me rich in a snap!"

Adrion rose up, "Let's make us some money!"

"Yeah!" The brothers rushed inside the guest room. Ephraim and Lyon followed. They entered the empty adorned guest room and went through his personal belongings and closet.

"I can't believe you guys." Lyon exclaimed, "Why would you sell something that Dirk would use for money? Ain't that a felony?"

"Maybe for you, but not for us." Adam commented, "You'll change your mind if you hear how much his freshly fresh spit cost?"

Adrion, Ephraim, and Lyon leaned towards Adam to hear this, "A thousand Gs."

"WOW!" they all gasped.

"That's sweet deal!"

"Well put me on." Ephraim proposed. Adrion and Adam looked at each other then back at Ephraim, "Why?"

"Hate to tell you this Prince Ephraim but," Adam whispered to him, "You're a prince. Do the math."

Ephraim smiled, "It's not about greed. It's about so-weet vengeance! If I sell Dirk's stuffs to the streets, Eirika won't find him attractive anymore."

"Are you still upset about that twin thing?" Lyon crossed his arms.

"He wounded my feelings. And my pride!" Ephraim shouted.


"It's so great to have a family." Dirk began chomping on the Renais foods at the dining table. Eirika sat next to him, her eyes not so dreamy anymore but disgusted. Fado sat from across the table, and the rest of the crew, soldiers and security, stood still and all lined up.

"Since when have you become a family?" Fado raised an eyebrow.

"Since I moved in."

Eirika gasped, "You're moving in?"

Fado shook his head, "No, no, no. You're a guest."

Dirk burped and Eirika flapped her hand near her face attempting to be rid of the odor. Dirk reached for another buffalo wing and chomped some more. He snapped his finger, looked on Eirika, and pointed at a nearby juice jug, "Be a doll and pass me the cranberry juice, wouldn't ya?"

"Erm, I'm sorry Dirk. You may be cute, but I ain't your maid." Eirika said.

"Aw, that's too bad cause I can't reach it… but you can." Dirk smiled.

Eirika sighed and handed over the juice to Dirk. He poured a full glass and drank it in a gulp. Fado stared questionably at Eirika as if he wants something from her, but he only got a shrug as a reply, "Sorry father," Eirika said, "I like him. You can't throw him away."

"Last time you said that, it costs you your friendships to Tana and Nicole." Fado said.

Eirika vibrated her lips, "Who needs them? They know nothing about popstar love."

Dirk smiled at Eirika, "why thank you Eirika."

"You're welcome."

"Now pass me the chips."


-Castle Frelia-

Tana and Nicole walked towards Hayden's Study Chamber talking amongst themselves. Hayden exited his chamber and finds them there.

"You know Tana," Nicole told her friend, "I'm starting to feel bad for ditching Eirika with Dirk Lionheart."

"Yeah you're right." Tana said, "She may have ditched us but Dirk Lionheart is still Dirk Lionheart. The worst part is: we didn't get his autograph."

"Are you girls all right?" Hayden asked with concern, "you look gloomy."

"It's Eirika." Tana replied, "Ever since that last visit, we haven't talk for a long time."

"Yeah!" Nicole said, "I can't eat, I can't sleep, I can't scream…" she then pointed at both Tana and Hayden who were about to speak, "Don't go there."

A soldier suddenly emerged to the hallway in panic, "Your Highness!" he said, "There's a huge emergency at Castle Renais! It's Dirk Lionheart!"

"What?" Hayden exclaimed, "Take us there. Fast!"

Hayden, Tana, and Nicole followed the soldier on their way. Emerging from the other side of the room were Irene and Innes. Irene was on top of the prince, messing with his silver hair.

"Oh Innes, you're so cute I can just play with you all day!"

"That's enough! That's enough! That's ENOUGH!"

An unknown girl came rushing down the hall and towards Innes and Irene. She carried on her hand a glass bottle containing Dirk Lionheart's used toothbrush, "Come to Castle Renais! There's a huge sale happening on Dirk's used items!"

"Really?" Innes dropped Irene on the ground.


-Castle Renais, Guest Room-

Lyon approached Adam, Adrion, and Ephraim who took the guise of a hot blonde woman. "Okay, our plan is set in motion."

"Why do I have to be dressed up as a woman?" Ephraim complained as he tried to fit in the dress and scratched the blonde wig uncontrollably.

"Prince Ephraim." Adam smiled, "You have the striking resemblance of your sister. And so you do have a feminine side."

"Not by appearance!"

"Wait a minute." Adrion said, "Weren't you complaining earlier that Dirk called you a no-twin?"

Ephraim bit his lips, "Fine! I look like Eirika! Happy?" The trio began laughing and an offended Ephraim stomped his feet, "AND IT'S NOT FUNNY!"

"I'm going to take a quick shower." The voice of Dirk came up, "I'll be back for the soufflé"

"Quick! Everyone hide!" Lyon told the guys and all took refuge at their hiding place. Adam went into Dirk's wardrobe, Adrion slipped under the bed and Lyon sheltered behind the curtains. Ephraim attempted to hide with them but was pushed away.

"What about my hiding place?" he squealed.

Dirk entered his room and saw Ephraim. To the prince's surprise, he didn't recognize him. "What the—who are you?"

Lyon whispered, "Now's your chance."

Ephraim stared at Lyon then back at Dirk, his eyes wide and transfixed. He cleared his throat and spoke a high-pitching voice while pointing at Dirk, "You! I thought you were coming for me!"

Dirk cocked his head on one side, "Huh?"

"I thought you were going to call me! How dare you, How dare you!" Ephraim exclaimed, ran towards Dirk's drawers and pulled out his underwear.

"Who are you and what are you doing?"

Ephraim shot a glare at Dirk, "I'm taking your clothes and selling it to the streets. A punishment of what you have done to your precious Penelope Zephraiman Bobolicious!"

"Huh?"

"What?" Lyon squinted and Adam and Adrion almost blew their covers by bursting into laughter.


-Castle Renais-

Tana and Nicole rushed towards Eirika and Hayden rushed to Fado.

"I came as soon as I heard." Hayden gasped.

"Heard what?" Fado brought in a puzzling expression.

"Eirika, are you okay?" Tana exclaimed.

"Am I okay?" Eirika felt confused too.

"I heard that Dirk is cheating on you."

"He ain't cheating on me." Eirika snorted, "You guys are just jealous because I'm spending more time with him."

Nicole gasped then shook her finger at her, "Oh don't rub that into our face again girl."

A soldier and a security guy ran downstairs yelling, "King Fado sir!" he exclaimed.

"We're hearing screams!" the security guy exclaimed, "Inside Dirk's guest room."

"I knew something was up." Hayden muttered.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Fado exclaimed, "Go! Vamoose!"

Everyone rushed upstairs.


-Outside Castle Renais-

An overwhelming herd of Dirk's fans swarmed the castle's garden and streets, waiting for something extraordinary. Innes and Irene rushed there.

"What's going on?" Innes asked.

"Didn't you hear?" One of Dirk's fans said, "Dirk Lionheart's clothes are sold to all fans!"

"And guess what? They're been sold by, reports said, his ex-girlfriend he abandoned and never called a week ago."

Innes and Irene gasped, "NOOO."

Another one of the Dirk's fans pointed up and yelled, "It's coming!"

A shower of clothes fell from the guest's room window and the fans began screaming of joy.


-Guest Room-

The door swung open and Fado, Hayden, Eirika, Tana, and Nicole penetrated inside with the soldier and security guy. They saw the disguised Ephraim throwing Dirk's clothes into the crowded streets.

"What are you doing?" Dirk yelled.

"You left me!" he replied, "Alone and in that cold and dusty tavern just to—" he spotted Eirika and hesitated. He cleared his throat and continued, pointing at Eirika "…just to be with that immature airhead princess?"

Eirika gasped then shook her finger at Ephraim, "Oh no you didn't."

Ephraim scoffed and gestured his body arrogantly in reply, "Oh yes I did it."

"Ooh, this looks juicy." Hayden makes himself a little room as he watched the scene addictively.

Dirk looked around in panic then back at Ephraim (or Penelope), "Look Penelope, or whoever you are…"

"Oh so now my name is whoever you are huh?" Ephraim squealed.

Dirk sighed, "Could you please stop selling my clothes to the streets? I love you and I've always loved you. That girl is nothing to me."

Eirika gasped, "I'm nothing to you?"

"Where are the popcorns when we need em?" Hayden whispered. Fado bumped his shoulder, keeping him quiet.

Dirk looked back at Eirika, "Actually, you're something to me. You're my heart."

Ephraim gasped, "You're her heart?"

Dirk turned back to the disguised Ephraim, and nervously giggled, "Not really."

"All right girls. Enough." Fado interrupted, "Dirk Lionheart has his girl problems sometimes. We shouldn't blame him for his fault."

Dirk snorted then approached Fado, "Err, actually King Fado. I never have a problem with girls. One girl a day suffices for me."

Everyone held their breaths in response to Dirk's words and Lyon, Adam, and Adrion immediately emerged from their hiding places. Fado's eyes burned with anger, Ephraim stood still, his eyes on Eirika who began shedding tears.

"One girl…a day?" she said.

Dirk hesitated and Eirika immediately left the room, pushing everyone out of her way. Tana and Nicole followed, "Eirika!" they said.

Dirk was about to follow the girls but Fado blocked his way, "Halt! You're not going anywhere Mr. Popularity."

The soldiers behind Fado took formation as well.


Eirika sat on her bed as she watched silently the daylight. Tana and Nicole entered the suite and approached their friend.

"Are you okay Eirika?" Tana asked.

"I can't believe I've been this stupid." Eirika screamed, "Falling in love with a pompous jerk. He is a bad boy y'know?"

Tana and Nicole looked at each other and admitting defeat, they nodded. Eirika continued, "And my most romantic moment is when he sat up next to me here in this bed and sang 'Desperate Love.' That was no 'Desperate Love' that was…" she shuddered in disgust, "'Used Love.'"

"I'm sorry Eirika…" Tana said, "I'm sorry we ditched you that day and…"

"We were the pompous jerks…" Nicole paused for a moment, "…well besides him."

Eirika smiled and held her friends' hands, "Oh no girls." she whimpered, "I'm the one who should be sorry. I wasn't there for you guys on the bake sale and the Pegasus test."

"It doesn't matter now." Tana smiled, "What matters is that we remain best friends for better or for worst…"

"…in sickness…" Nicole continued.

"…and in health." Eirika began weeping and all three girls joined in, giving a group hug, "Oh you guys! You remembered our motto."

Ephraim peeked in the suite, still as his alter ego, "Can I come in?" He still spoke his high-pitching voice.

Tana, Nicole, and Eirika glanced at him. Ephraim continued, "I would like to speak to Eirika."

"Oh sure! Go ahead." Tana and Nicole responded enthusiastically and left the room. Ephraim approached Eirika and sat next to her. "Err…are you o—" he cleared his throat and spoke normally, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'll be f—" Eirika stopped abruptly then stared back at her brother, "Ephraim?"

Ephraim removed the wig and the makeup, "Yeah, it's… me."

Eirika jumped off her bed, "I can't believe you! My own brother! How could you?"

"Hey! I only did it for revenge!" Ephraim jumped off the bed as well, "That guy called me a no-twin, y'know?"

"So let me get this straight." Eirika continued, "You impersonated his 'ex-girlfriend' just to make me hurt and miserable for life?"

Ephraim gulped, "Y…yeah."

"I don't know what to say." She paused for a moment, "Wait a second, I do knowwhat to say to you."

Ephraim sighed, "Go ahead and say it."

There was a slight silence before Eirika spoke, "…thank you."

Ephraim was stunned to Eirika's statement, "My pleasure."

"Now, as a token of my gratitude… a big kiss." Eirika approached a recoiling Ephraim, but then she stopped short and glanced strangely at him, "You are going to change are you?"

Ephraim looked at his feminine costume and grinned embarrassingly.


-Castle Renais-

"I'm sorry things didn't work out with your daughter, King Fado." Dirk told Fado as he and his security guys were escorted to the main hall, "She's cute but she's not my type."

"Oh that's all right Dirk." Fado gnashed his teeth, "You're a celebrity, so we know what's wrong with you." He turned around and clapped his hands, "Seth?" he called Seth and left the room. Seth now escorted Dirk and his company to the front portal.

"I heard what happen. Believe me; you haven't hurt anyone, not even Princess Eirika. She's fine with it now." Seth smiled.

"That's a relief." Dirk sighed.

"Oh what happened was a relief. But now…" He opened the front portal and immediately closed it as Dirk's roaring fan girls made an attempt to break in. "…you gotta go." He finished.

"What?" Dirk spoke in horror, "You mean…I gotta get in there?" I can't get there! I'll die out there!" he whispered to Seth, "They're crazy."

Seth forged a surprised look, "Oh really? And I thought you were crazy, and unfortunately for you, these are Princess Eirika's private orders. So, obey before complain."

Seth opened the portal, the soldiers threw Dirk into the ocean of screaming fans, and the paladin closed back the portal. The castle could hear Dirk's scream fading away.

"Now that's what I call ditching." Seth clasped his hands.


END OF CHAPTER