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.

Baby Trek: Seth's baby nephew.


Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life

The One with the Baby King—

-Castle Frelia-

Innes plunged into his comfortable firm sofa inside his bedchamber with a bag of popcorn on one hand and a remote on the other. He sighed, "Nothing beats Friday night like a bag of kettle popcorn and my 'Action Impossible' series marathon."

He flicked his desired channel and saw the opening theme song of the show playing, followed by a series of actions, violence, the big guns, explosions, speed, and the honeys: every man's favorite. He smiled while shoving kettle popcorn down his throat.

The channel suddenly switched to a soap opera. He blinked, "What the—?"

He reached by his side to grab the remote but was unable to locate it.

"INNELICIOUS!" The cry of Irene sent chills down the prince's spine. He turned around and saw her coming towards him. He glared lividly at her, "I didn't know you were staying here on Friday night." Irene smiled.

She plunged on the sofa right next to him, "I watch 'Serenity Harmony' everyday at this time." She explained, "It is like… my favorite soap since it premiered!"

"You're kidding." Innes gnashed his teeth.

"Did you know Sarah was married?" Irene said, "And not just to her lover Craig, but to National Guard Bernard!"

"Huh, do tell!" Innes replied dramatically.

Irene continued, "And you wanna know something? She's pregnant! And the baby's DNA matches that of Craig. And here's the best part again: both Craig and Bernard doesn't know! Get it?"

Innes' eyes were angrily narrowed. Irene laid her feet on the couch, "I gotta watch this episode. Words out that Shelly will know of Sarah's secret and will be planning to expose her bum to both her lovers! How cruel of her. No wonder she has her own problems."

"You know who has her own problems? You."

"Tee-hee!" Irene snorted.

Innes rose from his seat and faced Irene up-close, "Irene. Have you ever heard of breaking up?"

"No, what is it?" Irene began munching on Innes's kettle popcorn. Innes watched her in disgust, "Yeah. We're at that stage."

Irene looked around dumbfounded as if searching for something. She looked back at Innes confused, "We're in a stage?"

Innes slapped his face. Irene continued, "Then where are the cameras and the crowd then?"

"Irene, FOCUS!" Innes angrily faced Irene up close. Irene let out a belch. Innes backed away, scowling in disgust.

"What do you want Innes?" Irene spoke frustratingly as she tried to look at the TV screen, "I'm trying to watch my s—" she stopped short as her eyes met Innes's once again. A naughty smile appeared on her lips. Innes shook his head, "Oh for the love of bows… Irene, no!"

Irene jumped off her seat and approached the recoiling prince, "That's what you want huh? A kiss?" Irene grinned evilly, "Boy! You men have the thirst!"

Innes shook his head. Irene stopped, "But, alas. We can't. It's too soon."

Innes sighed, but Irene wasn't finished, "Not until my soap is done." She jumped back on her seat, turned up the volume, and began shoving popcorn in her mouth. Innes felt sick.


-Castle Renais-

"Hey Tana! What's going on?" Eirika greeted her friend who entered the family room. Ephraim, Lyon, and Innes were also there relaxing and talking amongst themselves.

Tana sighed, "Not much." She sunk on a chair, "It's the Pegasus Knight Training class. They're not allowing us to use the Pegasi to fly farther off the kingdom."

"Why?" Innes asked, "Is it because you're still trainee?"

The friends, except Lyon and Eirika broke into a hysterical laugh. Tana stared at them coldly.

"Guys, that's not nice." Lyon exclaimed then faced Tana, "Even thought the guys are cruel sometimes, they do make a point."

"It's not about that! It's some Pegasus Knight Policy." She replied, "No one is allowed to use their Pegasus outside of Frelia unless we're either at war or at a governmental situation or something."

"Wow, tough luck." Ephraim exclaimed, "And since Magvel is such a peaceful continent, there's absolutely zero chance of you using your peg."

"Speaking of chance," Innes grunted, "I have like a hundred percent of it destined and doomed to be committed to Irene."

"I don't get you Innes." Eirika said, "First you ask her out for dinner, now you want to dump her like last year's shoes?"

"Are you still wearing those?" Ephraim noticed Eirika's last year shoes. Eirika placed her feet a little behind, "They're my favorites." She said.

"First of all, you forced me to ask her out. And second of all, she's messy!" Innes complained, "I wanted to watch my show last night when she switched to that mushy harmony stuff, and the worst part is: she has no manners of excusing herself when she burps in people's FACES!"

"Mushy?" Eirika and Tana exclaimed.

"'Serenity Harmony' happened to be the greatest soap opera in the history of soap operas mister." Tana pointed the finger at Innes.

"So don't even think about calling it mushy." Eirika finished.

Seth entered the family room, carrying on his arm a beautiful blond baby boy. "Hey guys."

The baby's appearance caused great awe among the friends. They gathered to see the little tyke. "Who's this guy?" Lyon asked.

"That's Trek," he said, "He's my nephew."

"Aw, he's adorable!" Tana smiled.

"Nephew?" Ephraim exclaimed.

"My oldest sister gave birth to him six months ago and asked me to watch for him while she's on business." Seth said, "But unfortunately I have to leave."

"Leave?" Eirika cocked her head on one side, "Leave where?"

"Oh yeah, I'm going to Caer Pelyn to see my grandparents." Seth said, "It's their anniversary today and I was invited so… would you mind?"

"But Seth…" Eirika exclaimed.

"We know nothing about babysitting." Ephraim added.

"Yeah! And it's not polite to order those who order you." Eirika pointed.

"Please, Prince Ephraim! Princess Eirika! He's just a baby." Seth smiled, his puppy dogs eyes showing, "He's harmless."

The baby fussed, a cascade of saliva streamed down his round chin. Eirika and Ephraim looked freaked out. Eirika slowly took Baby Trek from Seth and held him carefully, "All right. We'll babysit."

"Thanks. And just so we're clear, do not leave him near that snake of yours." He left.

"It's Chichi!" an offended Eirika cried, "And she's a cat!"

"Wait a minute, that thing is back?" Innes blinked. Suddenly, a hairless cat jumped inside the room from the window and hissed harshly. A startled Innes jumped onto Tana's arms, his teeth rattled and his eyes about to come off, "Oh yeah it's back…"


-Castle Frelia-

Tana peeked from her chamber and looked around the hallway. Seeing that the coast was clear, she tiptoed to the castle's courtyard.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tana froze in response to a familiar voice behind her. She turned around and saw Adam approaching her. She sighed, "Adam. Don't scare me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Tana, you're young." Adam replied, "This anxiety won't come around until you're sixty."

"Forty"

"Whatever."

Tana continued on her way. Adam stopped her again, "Wait a minute! Just because I just caught you, doesn't mean you won't care."

Tana stopped to turn around, "Your point is?"

Adam approached her, "Look Princess, you can't leave this castle to ride outside the country on your Pegasus. Remember the policy?"

"Oh, so you're forbidding me to ride my Pegasus?" Tana exclaimed, "I'm a princess and I demand the right to…" she paused for a second, "…see it."

Adam tilted his head down a little, his eyes still staring on Tana, "See it?"

"Yeah!"

Adam sighed, "I'm sorry Princess. But I can't trust you." He moved a little to the right and pointed the other way.

Tana, admitting defeat, grunted and followed Adam's order, "Fine!" she said, "But this ain't over! If my Pegasus gets abducted or dies alone with no friends, it's your fault!"

"No friend heh?" Adam looked outside and saw Tana's Pegasus hanging out with the rest of the pegasi. Tana's Pegasus neighed: (And then he said: that's not my carrot, that's my wife). The pegasi neighed uproariously to its joke.

Adam looked back at Tana and smiled. Tana changed tune, "By friends, I mean human friends."


-Castle Renais-

Fado was prancing worryingly back and forth inside the castle's hall as the twins came from their family room. Ephraim was carrying Baby Trek and Eirika was in charge of carrying the baby's bags and stuffs.

"Oh hey kids." Fado greeted in a low tune.

"What's wrong father?" Eirika asked.

Fado sighed, "I'm all stressed out."

"It's Tax Day, father." Ephraim said, "You don't have to worry about that."

Fado looked at Ephraim, "Have you even been in it?"

"What's wrong with that?" Eirika shrugged.

"Every year, the citizen of Renais fills out their taxes and must hand them over the Renais government." Fado explained, "My knights help me out in the process and so are the judges in the Parliament and the CBO, the IRS…"

"International Rogue Society?"

"No, the Interval Revenue Service…" Fado corrected, "Of the Kingdom of Renais."

"So why all the fuss?" Ephraim asked.

"Well…" Fado said, "Tax payments have recently been increased by 10 and because I'm mostly in charge of the scrutiny and the protest like seeing whether or not citizens are actually paying their taxes and listening to their criticism on tax increases and such, I haven't heard any reports based upon their views and hearsays."

Ephraim and Eirika stared at each other in confusion then back at Fado, "Huh?" they exclaimed.

Fado looked annoyed, "Okay, why are you here?"

"Ah yes." Eirika said, "Because Seth is absent and we were giving custody of Little Trek here, could you take care of Chi-Chi?"

Chi-Chi popped its head off the baby's bag while sucking on the baby bottle of lukewarm milk. Trek, seeing that, began crying and Fado backed away a little, "What? You want me to care for this hideous—"

"Just say yes!" Eirika responded rather quickly and annoyed, yet she still put on a smile.

Just at that same moment, a bishop, looking rather dark and disturbing, entered Castle Renais uninvited. Adrion stopped him, "Halt!" he said, "State your name and your purpose here stranger?"

"Oh…" the bishop smiled, "come on now young'un. You wouldn't hurt a bishop as you wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Believe me; I've hurt plenty of flies." Adrion said, "So meeting with you ain't a picnic."

"Oh-Oh! Aren't you a tough nut? Name's Riev of Rausten." The bishop pushed Adrion out of his way and walked inside, "Fado asked for my assistance."

"King Fado never mentioned meeting with anyone from Rausten."

"That's because I've lied, and so will you." Riev immediately pulled out his Sleep staff and cast the spell on Adrion. Adrion fell on the floor and without delay went to profound slumber. Riev clasped his hands and went on his way, "Now for my next homework…"


-Lyon's Imperial Suite-

A knock was heard at Lyon's Imperial Suite of Grado Keep. The prince went to answer it and saw Innes standing there.

"Innes?" Lyon exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

"Look, I know it's awkward for me to come and see you but…" Innes entered the suite and Lyon closed the door.

"It is awkward." Lyon exclaimed, "I never get a visit from the prince of Frelia."

"Just listen." Innes said, "I need you to flirt with Irene."

"Flirt?"

"Yeah."

"Innes, the last time you asked me to flirt with another girl was…never." Lyon said, "come on, can't you ask Ephraim to do this for you?"

The door swung opened and Irene stood there dressed rather sultrily. She had on a black starlight sage dress, exposing only her left leg. A scarf made of peacock feathers wrapped her neck. She had on classy gloves that reached to her elbows and high-heels onyx shoes.

"Oh come on, Innelicious." Irene sounded painfully coy, "You don't want to make your spouse waiting."

Lyon's jaws dropped. Innes was about to cry. Irene approached the boys, "We've made early reservations and Broadway shows are like… an once-in-a-lifetime moment."

"Spouse?" Lyon blinked.

"Yeah…" Irene said, "We're on our honeymoon."

Lyon immediately rolled on the floor and broke out into a hysterical laugh. Irene felt offended, "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing…" Lyon wiped his tears, "Nothing in particular that is funny, except that I'm your husband and you're cheating on me right in my face!"

Irene was now the one to have her jaws dropped, "What? I'm not your wife! I don't even know you!"

Lyon paused for a minute, "Oh you're good."


-Castle Renais-

"I can't believe Father. I was just asking a favor and he put me down to take care of this hideousness?" Eirika moped while holding on to the struggling shaved cat. Ephraim still carried Baby Trek including the baby stuffs.

"So you're finally admitting that Chou-Chou or what its name is hideous?" Ephraim stated. The cat hissed stridently at him, making the baby cry even more.

"I was talking about the baby." Eirika replied.

"What's hideous about a baby?" Ephraim raised Baby Trek up and gave him a winsome glance, "He's cute!"

Baby Trek peed on Ephraim's chest. Ephraim turned around to see if Eirika was going to laugh hysterically, but she didn't.

"That."

"Excuse me." Riev's voice came from behind the twins. They turned around and saw him face-to-face.

"Oh hello." Eirika greeted and Ephraim simply brought a polite smile. Chi-Chi hissed harshly at Riev and attempted to jump and slash him. Eirika held on to the struggling cat, "I am terribly sorry for all of this." Eirika said, "Are you here to see King Fado?"

"Why yes, I definitely came to see King Fado." Riev replied, "We're supposed to be having a meeting or something."

"And who are you exactly?" Ephraim crossed his arms, "Fado mentioned something about taxes but he never mentioned having a guest."

"Oh he didn't." Riev smiled and passed through the twins. They looked at each other and shrugged.


-Castle Frelia-

"Hey Innes!" Irene approached the Frelian prince who was about to have his midday snack, consisting of pizza taquitos dipped in chilis. Irene, while passing by Innes punched him on the shoulder hard, sat across the table and took his snacks from him.

Innes whimpered while holding on his sore shoulder, "Why did you do that for?"

"It's my green chick to you." Irene chewed.

"Greeting." Innes corrected, "and stop talking with your mouth full. It's disgusting." Innes reached to grab one of his taquitos and took a bite.

"Hey! Guess what Innelicious," Irene exclaimed, "I've made us reservations for two at the Rausten Gondola ride and they gave us a free suite to stay-in with those relaxation baths and 'Do not Disturb' signs."

Innes chocked on his taquito.


-Castle Renais-

Fado entered his suite and collapsed on one of his regal couches. Monica just happened to be in the room.

"This is really a pain this tax thing." Fado said, "That's the first time in years I've been getting complaints."

"Really? What happened?" Monica asked with concern.

"Ever since tax payments have been increased, many citizens refused to pay. I get complaints from them demanding that these payments need to be reduced. They can't eat, they can't sleep, they can't make a decent living with all that hullabaloo of taxes and taxes and more taxes!"

At the last "taxes", Fado was about to rip his hair out in frustration. Monica approached Fado, "That's no good King Fado." she replied strangely.

Fado sighed, "I wish I was a kid again, when I would play in the sands or with my toys. Those were simpler, un-stressful times."

"A kid wish heh?" Monica immediately morphed into Riev. The sly bishop took his staff and raised it right above an unmindful King Fado. "I know just the spell." he whispered and a goldenrod aura surrounded both men.

Meanwhile, Lyon entered Castle Renais, noticing Adrion on the floor, sleeping. He tilted his head west and saw the twins. This time Eirika was in charge of carrying Baby Trek.

"Ephraim! Eirika!" he ran towards them.

"What's up?" Ephraim asked.

"You noticed Adrion right?" Lyon pointed towards the sleepy recruit. Eirika handed Trek to Lyon and rushed to Adrion, "Adrion! Are you all right?"

Adrion mumbled and snorted in his sleep, "No mom, five more minutes."

"He's in a profound sleep." Lyon pointed out.

"How can that be?" Ephraim said, "It's three-thirty in the afternoon."

"A nap perhaps?" Lyon said.

Eirika's eyes widen as she began to figure something out, "Wait a minute, that bishop!"

The twins rushed to Fado's Suite and barged inside, hoping to catch the suspicious bishop on time, but they were too late. They saw Fado's clothes lying on the floor and unpicked.

"Father!" The twins rushed toward the remains of King Fado. They abruptly stopped short when a baby head popped from under the garments. The baby had a single strand of green hair and huge and cuddly chibi-eyes.

"What the—Trek?" Eirika picked up the baby. Ephraim examined him closely, "Wait a minute, that's not Trek?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Cause you gave Baby Trek to me." Lyon waved to her, and so does the baby. Eirika and Ephraim glared at each other speechless. The other baby was none other than King Fado.

--- --- ---

Eirika, Ephraim and Lyon all sat on King Fado's bed, staring at the king's baby version they found. King Fado cooed.

"Oh my gosh! What happened?" Eirika gasped, "Father… is a baby!"

"Did you guys notice anything?" Lyon asked.

Ephraim pondered, "Well, there was that creepy bishop guy claiming that he was coming to meet with Father, and then there was this weird staff he wielded and Adrion taking a nap in the midst of day, that's call for higher security and him getting the boot."

"EPHRAIM FOCUS!" Eirika yelled, "That darn bishop turned our father into a baby! What are we going to do?"

Ephraim shrugged, "Take him to daycare?"

Eirika narrowed her eyes and glared straight on her brother. She looked as if she was about to slap his head hard. A knock was heard at the door and a Renais soldier came inside carrying a sack of letters.

"Delivery for King Fado." A mailman replied and began looking around for the king. The twins didn't know whether or not they should accept the letters. Lyon went to take the sack from the mailman.

"King Fado is not here right now." Lyon said, "But I can accept these on his behalf."

"Ah Prince Lyon." the mailman said "If I were you, I wouldn't say on his behalf."

"What's going on?" Eirika asked.

"Complain letters." The mailman said, "They're all coming from the Renais populace, asking for that darn tax payment rate to drop off completely... including mother."

The mailman left in haste, sniffing as if he was about to cry. The twins and Lyon began skimming through the letters. "Well this is new." Ephraim said, "Father gets real letters and I get what? Pre-approved credit cards letters from cheap companies?"

Eirika picked up a red envelope, "Look!" she said, "It's from the Renais' Magistrate."

"What's it say?" Lyon asked as Eirika ripped the envelope open and pulled out a manuscript letter. She read: "'Private meeting with King Fado regarding the tax issues. Today at 4pm at the Central Town in Serafew.' It's a meeting letter."

"We already know what it is Eirika, just tell us what it's say." Ephraim said.

Eirika gnashed her teeth, "I've already done it. Now how are we supposed to pull this off? We gotta get Father's figure back to normal."

"Got it." Ephraim said.

"No Ephraim, not another of your lame comments." Eirika whined.

"No." Ephraim replied, "I was thinking: what if Lyon and I track down that bishop and we'll persuade him to turn father back, while you take care of all of that taxes stuff by yourself?"

"What?" Eirika yelped, "Why do you want me to do all the hard stuffs?"

"Because you're the smart one."

"So who will take care of Baby Trek then?" Lyon asked. Ephraim pondered.

Few hours later, Baby Trek was playing next to a sleeping Adrion. The baby approached the recruit and begins pulling his nose in an attempt to climb up his head. Adrion moved slightly and muttered, "No mom, stop stroking my hair. I'm a big boy now…snorts."


-Castle Frelia-

Tana poked her head outside her bedroom, looking back and forth. The Frelian princess tiptoed toward the courtyard and hid once more behind the pillars. She looked back and forth again and continued on her way to the courtyard. She arrived there and approached her Pegasus.

"Why hello there Peg!" Tana smiled and petted it, "I've missed you so much!"

("Yeah, and I missed you barely.")

"Aw, that's so sweet." Tana wiped a tear off her eyes. She pulled up a huge blanket, placed it on the pegasus' back and hopped on it.

("OW! Be gentle!")

"It's time to take off my friend!" Tana commanded, "We're heading for the adventure of a lifetime. Heehaw!"

The Pegasus neighed and took flight.


-Castle Renais-

Seth opened the front entrance, slamming Adrion's back. "OW!" Adrion screamed

Seth saw Adrion holding his wounded back and running circles, and Baby Trek clapped his hands enjoying this. "Adrion? What's going on and what is Baby Trek doing here?"

"You're the one who slammed my back!" Adrion hissed.

Baby Trek laughed. Adrion and Seth stared at the baby then at each other. "What is Baby Trek doing here?" Adrion asked.

"I asked you that question already!" Seth panicked as he picked up his baby nephew, "And where's prince Ephraim and princess Eirika? I specifically told them not to let the baby out of sight."

"I don't know." Adrion exclaimed, "The last thing I remembered was talking to some old stranger."

"A stranger?" Seth exclaimed.


-Fado's Suite-

"I'm not so sure about meeting at Serafew today at 4pm, Sir Magistrate." Eirika scribbled on a script, "But I rather change the meeting location to Castle Renais Conference Chamber if that's fine for you."

Eirika rolled the manuscript, attached it with a ribbon and handed it to a pigeon. The pigeon took flight with the letter. Eirika picked up Baby Fado who sat on the bed, "I hope that'll work father."

Baby Fado simply blinked at her. It only took a minute for the pigeon to come back with a different manuscript. Eirika opened the letter and read: "Don't count on it." She lowered her head admitting defeat. Baby Fado clasped his hands together and giggled.

"You seem to be enjoying this aren't you?" Eirika muttered at the baby.

Seth and Adrion burst in the room. Seth looked angry, "What in the name of knights is going…" Seth and Adrion stared at Baby Fado, "What is it?" Seth asked.

"That 'what' you're pointing at happens to be Your Majesty in his baby form." Eirika said, "So may I suggest that you treat him with respect."

Adrion and Seth held their breaths, "King Fado?"

"What happened?"

"That bishop happened!" Eirika complained, "And now, I have to take care of father's problem!"

Baby Fado began to cry. Eirika picked him up and immediately frowned, "Oh gosh, make that two problems."


-Rausten-

"So you live here?" Lyon said. Ephraim and Lyon were inside Rausten Court Chamber, after cornering Riev. Nicole was with Ephraim and Lyon as well.

Riev sneered at the two princes. "How did you two nitwits find me? I knew I should have hid in the volcano."

"Whatever, listen" Ephraim said, "We need you to turn our father back to normal."

"And may I ask why I should do that?"

"Because you're going to lose a lot more than your job here as Rausten's bishops." Nicole said.

"You can't fire me." Riev giggled, "You're not even the prince—"

Nicole placed her hands on Riev's mouth before he could finish his sentence, "Okay! Are we going to have on that discussion again, hmm?"

"Look Nicole. Could you please do something about that guy's wrinkles," Ephraim cracked his knuckles, "or I'll take care of it myself."

"All right!" Riev muffled. Nicole let go of him. Riev brushed himself off and continued, "The only reason I turned King Fado into a baby is because he wanted to."

"Wanted to?" Lyon said.

"Yes…" Riev sneered, "He asked for a kid wish and he got one. One way to reverse this spell is if he wishes to be an adult again."

"To be an adult again?" Ephraim yelled, "How can he wish to be an adult again if he doesn't even know the alphabets?"

"Make him. And that's all I can say."

Ephraim jumped on Riev, but the bishop disappeared before he could catch him. Riev's laugh was heard in distance.

"That darn bishop—" Ephraim clenched his fist then faced Nicole, "I gotta tell you Nicole, he doesn't deserve to praise St Latona."

Nicole brought a devious grin on her face. Ephraim and Lyon stared at her, "Why are you smiling like that Nicole?" Lyon asked.

"Is something wrong with your teeth?" Ephraim muttered.

"No you stupid." Nicole pulled up a glass flask of clear liquid, "I have the antidote right here."

Lyon and Ephraim were in awe, "What? How did you get it?" Ephraim asked.

"I knew this bishop wasn't trusted, so in case he wouldn't help out, I went to his secret cabinet and stole the antidote." Nicole said, "Aren't I a genius?"

"Indeed." Lyon picked it up, "It looks like Pure Water, but it's not."

"Are you sure that's the antidote?" Ephraim examined the flask, "Cause it looks oily and unsafe."

"Of course it's the antidote, and it's totally safe." Nicole said, "Except that it contains minor side effects."

"Which is?"

"Rashes, infinite hurling, and the ability to be bendy."

"EW!"

"But no sweat." Nicole said, "That only happens to those who aren't under the spell."

Ephraim rubbed his chin, "I know just the person who needs this."


-Castle Frelia-

"Ah my beautiful love," Innes approached Irene as he carried a bottle of sparkling cider and two glasses.

"Innes?" Irene asked curiously, "What's the occasion?"

"I know we were supposed to attend the Broadway show and get into the Rausten gondola ride and have a 'Do not Disturb' moment between us couple, and I turned you down, so I would like to do something special for you."

Irene remained silent. Innes placed the cider and the glasses on the table with the unlit candles in the middle. Innes suddenly jerked his head up and looked around in panic. "Oh snap! I forgot to get us ice cubes."

"I'm on it Innelicious!" Irene ran to get the ice cubes. "Thank you honey!" Innes yelled out as he poured up the cider on both glasses. He then pulled the antidote from his pocket, "And thank you Riev." He snickered, poured a spoonful on a cider glass, and placed the glass in front of Irene's seat. He left the unaffected glass in front of his seat and slipped the antidote back into his pocket.

Irene came back with no ice cubes bucket. "I couldn't find them. I think they're done."

"Oh do not fret honey." Innes smiled, "This is romantic enough." Innes lit the candles and went to put on the shades. Irene licked her fingers, stared at her cider then at Innes'. Seeing that Innes's cider was well filled up than hers, she switched the glasses. Innes went to his seat and raise up the glass. Irene raised the glass as well.

"A toast to our lovely relationship…" Innes said.

"…and a happily ever after." Irene added.

"Happily indeed."

The couple clink their glasses and drank their ciders. Innes drank his full but Irene reached half of it. Innes burped.

"Wow!" Irene was impressed, "No wonder we are meant to be…but I don't think you were supposed to drink all of that."

"Yeah whatever," Innes said, "So how about that cider of yours? Are you feeling bendy yet?"

Irene shook her head, "No."

"Cause if you are, I could pack you up to the doctor…who lives in Bermuda by the way."

"No I'm feeling fine. However…"

"Yeah?"

"You seem to be producing red pimples around your body and scratching them excessively." Irene strangely looked at Innes who began scratching himself.

"Really?" Innes said, "You're not sensing like you're… woozy yet?"

"No but…"

Innes threw up on the floor before Irene finished her sentence, "…you are."


-Somewhere in the Sky-

"Heehaw!" Tana yelled, "This is the life! Flying and enjoying this!"

Suddenly a strong wind began pulling Tana and her pegasus backwards. The Pegasus neighed in panic as it struggled to move forward.

"What's going on?" Tana cried, "We can't move an inch!"


-Serafew-

Citizens of Renais gathered and roared against Fado's tax policy. Many of them were carrying different panels and banners supporting this protest. Eirika approached the podium carrying Baby Fado. The citizen stopped.

"Where's King Fado?" An old man yelled out.

"He's…" Eirika looked at Seth and Adrion who gave her thumbs up. Eirika sighed and continued, "…not at this moment right now. But I am her daughter, Princess Eirika and I would like to speak of this issue on his behalf."

"I told you not to say behalf!" The yell of the mailman sounded from among the citizenry. Eirika continued, "Well, I don't really understand this whole tax problem but I am willing to help each and everyone of you in this matter."

"If you don't know about this matter, why are you standing on the podium anyway?" A woman among the people yelled.

"Let her speak." The old man said then faced Eirika, "Princess Eirika, if you must know, the Renais Government did a number on us. Why do we have to pay 10 tax increase if we can't even afford our own foods?"

"And our own clothes." A bare-chested homeless man complained.

"And our own homes!"

"And my own sacred stone collection." One man blurted out. Everyone, even Eirika, stared at him. The man scratched his head and showed a stone made of rich mahogany, "Well, they're all antique-made from the museum down the block."

The citizen complained once more. Eirika tries to silence them, "People, people…"

Ephraim and Lyon came in the scene at the same time. Lyon signaled Ephraim to go to his sister. Ephraim approached Eirika and handed her the baby bottle, "Have Father drink this milk," he whispered to her, "It'll cure him."

Eirika looked hopeful, "really?"

"Yeah. We found the cure."

"Thanks Ephraim." Eirika faced the citizen, "Well people, I have good news: King Fado has arrived…" King Fado took the baby bottle from Eirika and began playing with it. Eirika struggled to grab it from him, "…and he'll be discussing the issues."

"Then where is he?" Another citizen complained, "We only see a baby!"

"Father, stop!" Eirika muttered but Baby Fado didn't listen. He kept playing with the baby bottle. She faced the citizen.


"HEEELP!" Tana screamed in agony as she and her Pegasus struggled in the air, "We can't end like this! Is this our punishment?"

("You mean your punishment") The pegasus neighed angrily and admitting defeat stopped flying. Tana and the pegasus fell, screaming.


"Are you lying to us now Princess Eirika?" the old man yelled, "Or are you coward to admit you know nothing about politics?"

"I didn't say I know nothing about politics!" Eirika screamed, "I told you King Fado will handle this!"

"THEN WHERE IS HE?"

Tana's scream was heard in distance. The citizen looked up and ran out of the way. Tana and the Pegasus slammed hard on the ground. An ecstatic Baby Fado cooed and pointed the baby bottle at Tana's Pegasus.

"NOOOOOO!" Ephraim and Lyon ran to stop Baby Fado but it was too late. Baby Fado shot the milk from the bottle and into Tana's Pegasus's mouth. The Pegasus swallowed then immediately felt boiled up.

"RUN AWAY!" Ephraim and Lyon screamed and everyone ducked and fled as the Pegasus retched excessively like the ocean. Most of the vomit drenched everyone in sight, including the thrilled Baby King.

It took an hour for the Pegasus to cease the vomiting. The citizens stared censoriously at each other's disgusted wardrobe. Ephraim, Seth, Adrion, Lyon, and Baby Trek stood immobile and Eirika and Tana looked as if they were about to panic any minute.

"EW! EW! EW! EW! EWWWWWWWWWW!" A familiar voice boomed from out of nowhere. Eirika and Ephraim turned around and saw King Fado no longer in his baby form, "What in the name of nastiness is this nastiness, ya nasty!" he screamed.

"Father?" Eirika approached the king and touched him to see if she wasn't dreaming. Fado was not happy to see his daughter, "Eirika! I demand an explanation right now!"

Eirika hugged Fado, literally pulling him off his feet, "Yes! Father you're back!"

"Okay…could you put me down now?" Fado fretfully asked. Eirika put him down and remained calm. Ephraim, Lyon, Seth and Adrion approached Fado, "Father! It's good to have you back." Ephraim said, "I thought we lost you."

"Oh he'll be lost all right, if he doesn't solve this problem!" The old man exclaimed. Fado looked around and noticed the angry citizens. "Oh, Magistrate." Fado addressed the old man then faced his children. Ephraim and Eirika winked at him, "You can do this father." Eirika whispered.

Fado faced the citizens again and gulped, "I dunno what's going on or how did I get here, but I'm going to settle this once and for all."

The crowd stood silence. Fado took a deep breath and spoke, "how does 10 decrease on all taxes year-round?"

The crowd murmured. "And we won't be having this discussion anymore?" The Magistrate asked.

"We won't be having this discussion anymore."

The crowd went wild of excitement, but Fado wasn't finished, "This will be confirm only if you clean this place up."

The crowd went dead silence. Fado smiled, "I was just kidding."

The crowd resumed their cheers.

The baby king event soon came to an end. No one, except Tana and Innes had an unfortunate ending. Tana, due to her neglect, was grounded and forbidden to see or fly her Pegasus for a month. The princess took it rather well, since it kept disgusting her with his endless retching, and annoyed her with its impossible bending and nonstop itching. The mysterious Riev never returned to Renais after his successful scheme worked for a short period, and Innes never even came to Renais after his successful scheme backfired.


-Castle Frelia-

"Are you okay Innes?" Irene asked a bendy prince worryingly. Innes's arms and feet were attached at the top of his head like a wrapped basket. "I'm fine. Can't you see?"

"Really fine?"

Innes paused, "No…as I am currently speaking, I am feeling a little woozy again."

Irene sighed. She reached down to pick up a bucket and placed it in front of Innes. Innes hurled once more.

"See, I told you not to drink that cider all at once." Irene said.


END OF CHAPTER