"Burning Sandstorm"...I hate sand...
( Incursion + The Grimleal )
BGM: GUNDAM IRON BLOODED ORPHANS - Daily Life of Tekkadan (That should be close to the song title...)
After a long day of touring around the city, seeing the sights, and performing royal activities (like meeting with the people or signing documents, you know those sorts of things), the family of the tactician and the dancer had at last made it to the castle. With a quick tour of the building and then a nice long dinner, the group finally had a chance to slow down and enjoy their time together as a family. After dinner they had gathered at one of the lobbies near a the sleeping quarters, where Robin went to search for a chair to sit in so he could continue on with the story. As the tactician listened to his children and grandchildren discus the day's events he couldn't help but smile, knowing that even in place like this with such a dark history, people could still be happy here.
"So before we get started," the storyteller interrupted as he finally sat down, "What do you guys think of the place?"
"This place is great grandpa!" Soleil perked up, "I wasn't sure about all of the creepy architecture and spooky decorations at first but I really like it here."
"Yeah, you've done a lot of work with the place dad." Marc smiled, "The last time we were here it was definitely less...hospitable."
"And much colder." Cynthia added.
"And there were people trying to kill us." Morgan mentioned.
"It's also missing the traps." Owain noted.
"Well, we were fighting for our lives you guys..." Lucina scratched her head. "It's not like we had time to enjoy the scenery..."
"She's right..." Inigo nodded, "But I will say the place does feel more like a proper castle and less like an evil lair."
"Oh yes, an evil lair of darkness! When do we get to that part? Or the part where you all save the world?" Ophelia began to question rapidly with excitement.
"We'll get there eventually, but not at this rate..." Olivia replied with a smile. "Let's save those questions for later and allow your grandfather get started."
"Yeah, let daddy start." the present children agreed.
"Thank you kids." Robin grinned back at his children, "So what happened next was..."
...
BGM: WHITE KNIGHT CHRONICLES - Down Town Greed (Spelled Greid in the official ost)
After the attack on the capital the night prior, the Houses of Ylisse were called together in order to discuss the war and their next course of action. During the meeting only the noble born Shepherds like Chrom, Lissa, Maribelle and Ricken (who apparently was also from a small noble house) were allowed to attend, leaving the others without say in the matter. Despite Chrom insisting that Robin serve as his advisor, a majority of the other houses refused on letting a stranger in. The blue prince had little choice but to attend the meeting on his own and really on his (not so great) verbal negotiation skills. As the meeting dragged on the noble/royal Shepherds reasoned with the other lords and ladies regarding the Exalt's safety during these times as she was an important symbol to the people. They mentioned the plan to move Emmeryn to the eastern palace and to their surprise, many of the houses had the same sentiment eventually leading to an agreement on this matter among the rest of the nobles. With that issue settled, the Shepherds spent the rest of the day making preparations for the march the following morning.
Leaving Ylisstol at sunrise, Emmeryn along with her escorts consisting of Chrom's Shepherds, Phila's Pegasus knights, and Emeryn's personal advisor, they began their long march to the east hoping to reach the palace before nightfall. By midday they finally reached the halfway point at Breakneck Pass to the pleasure of some and the dismay of others. The blue prince seemed pleased with this as the group was making good time, the same could not be said about his sister however...
BGM: DARK CLOUD 2 - Premonition of Something About to Happen
Lissa: "Ugh, my poor feet. I've got blisters the size of eggs!"
Chrom: "Oh, it's not so bad, Lissa. Just a healthy little stroll! How are you holding up, Robin?"
Robin: "My legs feel like pudding... Your endurance astounds me, Chrom."
Chrom: "Hah! Should I carry you?"
Lissa: "You can carry me! ...No, seriously. I would really be okay with you carrying me."
As the group continued bantering, the old nobleman who served as Emmeryn's advisor, seemed a bit uneasy as he looked around the pass.
"Is something troubling you, Hierarch?" Frederick noticed, "You keep glancing up at the peaks."
"Hmm? Oh, I'm just a b-bit nervous I'm afraid." He nervously replied, "Gh-ghastly times, these!"
Robin looked over at the older man and whispered to Chrom, "Hey, who is that?"
"The hierarch?" the blue prince quietly responded, "He's been a friend of House Ylisse for many years. He guided Emmeryn during the early years of her rule."
Chrom paused, "Why do you ask?"
Robin shook his head, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but something feels…"
The tactician was interrupted as a group of brigands appeared out from behind the rocks ahead of the group.
BGM: G-GUNDAM - The Arrival of Those Who Approach
"Grah ha hah! Time to die, princey!" One of the men hollered as he unsheathed his blade and raised it in the air toward the Shepherds.
"Plegian soldiers? Damn! How did they know we were here?" the blue swordsman cursed as drew Falchion, "Everyone! Prepare for battle!"
Chrom glanced back at Emmeryn's cart as the rest of the Shepherds began moving infront. "Phila take Emmeryn to the rear of the column. We'll fend off these blackguards!"
"Understood, come your grace this way." the pegasus captain confirmed as she escorted the Exalt's carriage to safety.
While the Exalt's cart was being moved back, Robin reached into his pouch pulling out an odd looking gem and began speaking into it. "Okay everyone, take out your crystals and use them just like I showed you."
"Right!" They responded, each of them pulling out similar looking crystals from their bags and placing them on their ears like little headsets.
The night prior to their march, Robin talked to Gaius about the item he had seen him communicating with during the attack on the palace. The thief informed the tactician that they were some kind of communication crystals given to him by his employer in order for them to coordinate their attack that night. After a bit more discussion and an apology between the two, Robin spent the rest of the night studying and replicating the gems for the Shepherds to use in battle. The morning of the march he gave one crystal to each member and briefed them on how to use them.
Talking to all of the Shepherds through the crystal, Robin began directing them on where to form up. Much to the tactician's delight, the new equipment was being implemented perfectly, with each member able to clearly receive orders.
BGM: ROUGE GALAXY - The Crisis
As the group filed into their defensive formation however, the nervous Hierarch quickly ran out past the groups defenses and over toward the Pelgians.
"Hmm?...Chrom! The Hierarch just ran out in front! It looks like he's bailing on us!" Robin called out as he noticed the nobleman running off.
"What?!...It can't be..." Chrom looked and realized what was going on. "...Was he the one who leaked our plans to the Plegians?...But why?..."
Over on the other side of the pass the Plegian leader, a spindly wyvern rider by the name of Vasto, was watching with content as the fleeing old man drew closer. With a powerful whiff of the air the commander let out a satisfied sigh. "Smell that, men? The winds of fortune are blowing our way!"
"Hold, sir!" the Hierarch huffed with short breath as he reached Vasto. "I am the man King Gangrel told you about! Did you not receive orders to take me into your protection?"
"I've orders to protect a man, true..." the wyvern rider replied as he examined his axe, running his finger tip down the edge. "...But I see no man here! ...Only a pig! A rasher of traitorous bacon that sold out his own sovereign!"
With an malicious grin Vasto glared down at the old man from the back his wyvern. "And what do we do with little piggies, mmm?"
The Hierarch began to quiver, "Well, you... I mean, perhaps... You let them go free?"
"Oh, are you a chicken now? Bawk bawk!" the commander mocked, "We've a whole barnyard in our midst! Well, it don't matter what you are. The axe will fall just the same!"
The Hierarch let out a pathetic cry as he turned to see an axmen come up from behind and strike him down with a single swing to the back.
"Let this be a preview of what's to come. I'll splatter you all across the canyon floor!" Vasto boasted toward the Shepherds knowing full well they saw what just happened.
With a wave from his hand the Plegian commander signaled in for his troops to move in, pressing the attack. With wyverns flying in from the cliff and the mountain sides while ground troops advanced down the path, the Shepherds braced themselves in an arch to defend from the three pronged assault. With the melee troops making up the outside of the arch, the ranged attackers/healers staying in the middle, and the pegasus knights hovering above, the group steeled themselves as the battle began.
BGM: ROGUE GALAXY - Exploder 2
As the wyvern riders swooped in they were blasted by arrows and wind magic, those who survived the attack were struck down by the flyers as they circled above the group. Towards the front, the Plegian ground troops began clashing with the Shepherds close quarters combatants sending blows back and forth in an intense skirmish. While the group of Ylisseans had fewer numbers they proved to have greater strength thanks to their team work and cooperation. They paired up against the Plegian soldiers, defending one another from attacks and striking at foes while they were exposed. The healers were also able to play two roles, by tending to the wounds of the others and serving as decoys for enemy troops. When the Plegians approached the seemingly helpless pair, the freshly healed unit could intercept them or others would lend support and strike them from another angle.
BGM: DARK CLOUD 2 - Paznos Launch!
As the battle drew on, a set of frantic wings beats could be heard as a red haired maiden atop an armored pegasus approached the Shepherds from behind. "No! Plegians here as well?!" The red haired woman panted, "Prince Chrom! Captain Phila! Beware! Enemy reinforcements to the rear! They'll be upon us soon!"
Captain Phila noticed the voice and looked to see who it was, "Is that... Gods, Cordelia?!
As Robin fired off two more bursts of magic at an enemy swordsman, he contacted Phila over the communication gem, "Captain Phila, what is it? Who is that back there?"
"That's Cordelia. "She radioed back, "She's one of my knights. Young yet, but quite gifted...But she was stationed on the border... Why...? Oh, gods! Could it mean...?"
"We don't have time to think about that now." Chrom tuned in, "Phila tell Cordelia to help us out."
"Of course your grace." She replied.
After adding Cordelia to the group's formation and a bit more fighting, the Shepherds were able to press on the offensive and move towards Commander Vasto. As they progressed forward the wyvern rider took flight and headed up to intercept them. Chrom took noticed and moved out in front to confront Vasto himself.
BGM: VICTORY GUNDAM - A Spring Feast in Summer
"Right! Now for the main event!" The commander boasted, "By moon's end, they'll be erecting statues of me in the capital!" As he flew in closer, Vasto took notice of Chrom standing out in front. "Ho there! Ylisseans! Give me the Fire Emblem and your wench of a ruler, and spare yourselves a gory end!"
"That's not going to happen!" the blue prince shouted back. "You people want nothing more than war...WHY CAN'T YOU LET US LIVE IN PEACE!?" Chrom yelled as he began running forward with Falchion draw behind him.
The two commanders charged forward at one another from across the pass, each one determined to finish this battle in one strike. Atop his wyvern, Vasto swooped down with a powerful horizontal strike while Chrom continued running forward only to lean under at the last second to avoid the attack. As he ducked under the axe he moved Falcion out beside him causing Vasto to slice open his gut on Chrom's blade as the two continued past one another. The Plegian commander let out a cry of pain as he fell off of his mount and onto the ground below, his wyvern continuing toward the others without him.
Having won their duel, Chrom turned around and approached the fallen commander while the other Shepherds went ahead and finished off the wyvern/remaining troops. As the blue swordsman came closer, he saw Vasto lying face down in a pool of blood, his body convulsing ever so slightly. The defeated Plegian turned his head and looked up at Chrom and began to speak through a bloody smile.
"You doves think...killing me will change anything? Heh..." Vasto lurched as more blood came out of his mouth, "Even now, my brothers storm across your precious border... Go on, dear exalted coward!"
The bloodied commander began to laugh. "Run! Flee while they slaughter your subjects! Save yourself... Let their faith in you... bleed away...with the rest..." As Vasto fell silent Chrom clenched his fist at the thought.
BGM: ROUGE GALAXY - A Childhood Memory
Having successfully repelled the ambush, the Shepherds all regrouped around Emmeryn's cart which had been moved away from the combat zone.
"Well, They're gone..." Chrom sighed, looking back at the battlefield as Vasto's words still echoed in his head. Another war was upon his people and the memories of the previous conflict were still fresh in his mind and the minds of the citizens... He didn't want anyone to have to see it again so soon...
As Chrom continued staring at the pass, Phila had Cordelia explain what she was doing here and what was going on at the border. As the pegasus knight explained that the Plegian's had taken the border she began to tear up and regret her forced retreat from the battle. As some of the female Shepherds tried to comfort the grieving Cordelia, Emmeryn looked around the group and then spoke up getting everyone's attention.
Emmeryn decided it would be best for her to stay close to the people and insisted on heading back to the capital. As her siblings began to argue with her, Emmeryn ordered them to let her return to the capital and not to come back with her, instead she wanted them to take the Fire Emblem to Ferox for safe keeping. The two younger siblings were against this plan as were Frederick and Phila who had joined in on the argument. Emmeryn eventually agreed to let Phila and her Pegasus Knights escort her back and leaving Frederick to look after Chrom and Lissa.
Before they departed, Captain Phila ordered Sumia and Cordelia to stay behind and help the Shepherds as they would be in need of their abilities to which the two accepted. With that matter settled the group split ways and the Shepherds headed north, back up to Regna Ferox. As the two groups marched off toward their respective destinations, back in Ylisse a third unknown group was preparing a march of their own.
...
BGM: DARK CLOUD 2 - Moon Flower Palace
In a mysterious castle somewhere off to the east of Ylisstol, the five members of a very powerful noble family had gathered around a table for a secret meeting. At the head of the table was a man by the name of Degwin Sodo Zabi, the father and leader of the noble house known as Zeon. Degwin was an plump, bald, and elderly man who wore dark green tinted glasses, giving him an intelligent but concealing presence. Sitting next to him was his eldest son Gihren Zabi, an average built, somewhat middle aged looking man with sleek dark grey hair and a foreboding aura about him, as if he were always scheming.
Over beside Gihren was his younger brother Dozle Zabi, an absolutely massive person in terms of both height and bulk, with a scarred face and dark grey hair, his intimidating appearance was contrasted by an honest and more likeable presence. Next to him was the family's only sister Kycilia Zabi, who on the other hand, was much more like her father and eldest brother before her. She was a stern looking woman with red-orange hair and threatening air emanating from around her. In the last seat there was Garma Zabi, the youngest son, he was a young man with light purple hair and a build/age somewhere close to Chrom or Robin. Unlike his siblings and father who had more hostile appearances, he wore a less threatening one and produced an aura of confidence/prestige rather than intimidation.
As the Zabis sat down at the table Degwin began to speak, "So the Hierarch was killed at the pass and the Exalt is on her way back?" He questioned rather calmly.
"That is correct father." Dozle replied, "Those Plegians are too unreliable, first they fail to kill the Exalt in the Palace, now they fail again at the pass. We should talk with that King Gangrel about getting better troops and trying again.
"There's no need for that Dozle." Gihren interrupted, "Father's plan has done its job perfectly. The Exalt will be dealt with soon enough."
"I-It has?...She will?" the large Zabi puzzled.
"It's a good thing you're not the one in charge of our planning, you're much too slow for this kind of work." Kycilia criticized her brother.
"Aww come on Kycilia, you don't have to be mean." the large man seemed hurt by his sister's words.
"The reason we are here is because the plan was still successful, the Exalt is on her way back to the capital and so is Gangrel's army." Degwin explained. "You see the plan has three contingencies that lead to the same result, the death of the Exalt.
BGM: GUNDAM IRON BLOODED ORPHANS - The Lord
If the assassination were to fail, the incident would stir up concern for the safety of the Exalt amongst the other nobles. We were to suggest sending her away from the palace and moving her somewhere else, but luckily for us those foolish Shepherds had a similar idea and we simply had to use it to our advantage. By persuading the other houses into letting her go, we could send her out into the open and set up an ambush. The Hierarch was to leak the information to the Plegians and then be killed at the pass while they make another attempt on the Exalt's life.
Although they have failed again it doesn't matter, the third and final contingency of the plan is now under way and it is impossible for it to fail. King Gangrel's forces have broken through the boarder and are currently invading the country on a war path to the capital. Just as I predicted, that soft hearted Emmeryn must have discovered this news and is now returning to Ylisstol for the sake of her people. This is the part where we come into play.
We have left the capital under the guise of gathering our forces stationed here and bringing additional troops for defense, but we shall not make it in time before the Plegians arrive. Without our additional troops, Ylisstol will not be able to hold back the Plegian forces and they will be able to capture or kill Exalt. Once that is done we will return and use our army to protect and rebuild the city, increasing our influence over the people and the other houses. When this war ends, no matter the victor, we will be on the winning side and make the final preparations for Operation Meteor."
BGM: ROUGE GALAXY - The Lost Gene
"Oh, that makes sense..." Dozel scratched the back of his head.
"Of course it does, when have father's plans ever gone wrong?" Garma calmly stated as he improperly sat in his chair, twirling a part of his hair with his finger. "With the explanations over with, shouldn't we be getting ready?"
Degwin looked at his youngest son and nodded, "Yes, now is the time my son."
"So we're finished here then? We all know what needs to be done?" Kycillia spoke as she stood up from her chair.
"Indeed." Gihren agreed as he, Dozel, and Garma stood up as well.
"Then go forth my children and prepare the troops, we have a long march to the capital." Degwin rose from his chair and held his arm up in front of him in a pointed a salute. "For our bright and glorious future, SEIG ZEON!"
"SEIG ZEON!" The Zabi children saluted in return...
Elsewhere deep inside the castle, an ancient weapon was being rebuilt, its great and terrible power waiting to be unleashed upon the world again...
...
BGM: DARK CLOUD - Demon Shaft (No it's not what it sounds like, get your head out of the gutters...)
Back in Regna Ferox the yellow princess Lissa paced back and forth in the main hall as she worried about Emmeryn.
Lissa: "B-but she's safe inside the castle, right? Phila and the others will protect her! And Khan Flavia is assembling her best troops as we speak. We'll make it back home in time. I know we will!"
Chrom: ...
Lissa: "Chrom? Say something! Say, 'Yes, of course we will!' "
Chrom: "...I'm sorry, Lissa. What?"
Lissa: "Ugh, fine! Never mind! Let me know when you get out of your own head for a second!"
Chrom: "..."
As the blue swordsman remained silent, the pegasus rider Sumia walked up to him.
"Snap out of it, Captain!" She yelled, sucker punching him across the face just as Khan Flavia entered the room.
"OW! ...What the hell was that for?!" Chrom questioned as he rubbed the side of his face.
"Oh no! ...Did I do it wrong?" She apologized, "Captain Phila said sometimes a good slap will break someone out of their doldrums."
Lissa gave an irritated groan, "Sumia, when you slap someone, you do it with an open palm. You just punched Chrom in the face!"
"Um... It's the thought that counts?" Sumia gave an apologetic smile.
"Gods, that seriously hurt…" Chrom complained as he kept touching the side of his reddened cheek.
"Ha ha! What's wrong, my dear prince?" Flavia laughed as she moved over toward the trio, "Sometimes love hurts! You're lucky to have strong women like these, and not just dainty flowers about."
She continued with a confident smile, "In any case, I bring good news. The Feroxi army has finally mobilized. Every last man is itching to fight. I must say, I'm looking forward to savoring a skirmish or two myself."
"Wait. You're coming along?" Chrom wondered.
"Of course! A khan must have her fun. I'm even bringing my insignificant other...where ever he is." Flavia began looking around.
"Your who?" Robin asked as he entered the room.
"Basilio." she answered, "The oaf isn't good for much, but he might stop a few stray arrows...Well I'd better go find that old lump." Just as Flavia was about to leave however, came Basilio running into the hall.
"Chrom! Good gods, I've been looking for you everywhere!" He spoke with a rather urgent tone.
"Is something wrong?" The blue prince questioned.
Basilio gave a defeated sigh, "Our scouts have reported back. Dark news, I'm afraid... Ylisstol...has fallen."
BGM: GUNDAM 00 - Fire Light
Chrom's face widened with alarm, "What?!"
Basilio continued, "The Plegians captured your exalt and retreated back across their lines. Gangrel has declared she's to be publicly executed within the moon."
"E-executed?!" Chrom stuttered.
"Ooooh…" Lissa muttered as she become dazed.
Robin noticed the yellow princess begin to wobble, "Lissa? Are you okay?" He asked.
Just as he did however the yellow princess lost balance and fainted "Lissa!" Robin cried as he managed catch her before she fell.
Sumia made her way over towards the two, "Oh no! Is she alright?"
"I think so, she's just passed out from shock." The tactician deuced. "Can you take her somewhere she can lay down?" Robin picked Lissa up and handed her to Sumia.
"Of couse" the pegasus rider agreed, then carrying her off.
Robin turned around and rejoined the conversation with the Khans and Chrom.
"The dastard's not even trying to be subtle anymore." Flavia shook her head.
The tactician nodded, "I agree. It's an obvious trap."
"The Mad King knew our scouts would relay this information back. It's clearly a provocation—a hot brand to the buttocks!" Basilio spoke "We should consider our options carefully before jumping to any..."
Chrom swiftly interrupted, "Shepherds! We march to Plegia!"
"Ahem" the West Khan cleared his throat, "Well, that would be ONE option, yes... But perhaps we've seen enough royalty waltzing into traps for one war already, eh?"
"I don't care if it's a trap, Basilio. He's going to murder my sister!" The angered blue prince stated.
"Peace, Chrom. Breathe a moment." the East Khan put a hand on his shoulder, "No one's suggesting we don't act. We're simply saying we should act WISELY. We'll need guts AND wits in equal measure if we're to save your sister."
"The Khans are right. I'll think of something, Chrom. I promise." Robin assured his friend.
Chrom gave a heavy sigh "...All right, Robin. I leave it to you to formulate our strategy."
"Are you certain you're up to the task, Robin?" The head Khan questioned, "It won't be easy. You hold the exalt's life in one hand, and all of ours in the other."
"A responsibility I do not take lightly..." The tactician paused, taking a deep breath. "But I am equal to the challenge!" Robin declared.
"Ha ha! You've got stones, at least. I like that!" Flavia declared.
Basilio shook his head in agreement, "No hesitation, no mincing words... He's either a genius or a fool! I suppose we'll find out once we march. Hold on to your tassets, Ylisseans. We've an exalt to save!"
BGM: MOBLIE SUIT GUNDAM - Amuro's Journey
While the Shepherds spent the rest of the evening preparing for the march to Plegia, their tactician was busy reading over some of the books he had borrowed from the Library last time they were there. As Robin finished going through the last of his books, he reached into his bag and pulled out the scroll he had taken from the attack a few nights ago. He read a small portion of it that evening but hadn't had a chance to look at it since and decided now might be a good time. There was still something that felt familiar about the scroll, but the tactician couldn't be sure...
Come sunrise, the joint group of the Shepherds and Khans departed from Regna Ferox to the Plegian boarder to begin the operation to rescue Emmeryn. As the Shepherds traveled onward the cold environment and snow covered lands of Ferox changed to a much cooler, more temperate one as they drew ever nearer to the edge of Ferox. Eventually climate shifted to a much hotter and more arid one as the heroes made it into Plegia, strangely, without any problems. While suspicious of the unguarded boarder, the group continued onward into the desert, determined to save the Exalt.
While the march continued, many of the Shepherds found the need to take breaks from the extreme heat and rest in the backs of the supply carts. Oddly enough it was the magic users with their heavy and lengthy cloaks/capes who had the easiest time navigating the desert. This had one thief rather confused so he decided to ask his magically oriented friend walking beside him as he rested the back of one of the carts.
BGM: ROUGE GALAXY - Timeless Town
Gaius: "Hey bubbles, how is it you mage folk can manage this heat in those long duds of yours."
Robin: "I told you yesterday not to call me bubbles...And if you have to know, it's probably because we're wearing mage-cloth. It's a magically imbued fabric built to resist weather and magic."
Gaius: "Oh that must be nice... Not feeling like an over done cookie stuck in the oven."
Robin: "Well be sure to write a complaint if it bothers you that much."
Gaius: "Wait, we can do that?"
Robin: "I don't know. If we can, I'll be sure to complain about your nicknames."
Gaius: "Well I'll be sure to complain about the lack of dessert in our rations."
Stahl: "I second that."
Gaius: "Oh hey Stahl are you driving this cart?"
Stahl: "Yeah, with all of this sand the regular work horses just aren't enough so the cavalry have to use our horses sometimes to help pull the carts. The pegasi could damage their wings with ground work like this and we can't bring more horses along, so it looks like I'm stuck here for now."
Gaius: "I don't care about that, I was gonna say drive smoother. I've got some honey I'm trying to pour back here.
The cart shook as it went over a divot in the sand.
Gaius: "Dammit you did that one purpose!"
Stahl: "Then don't eat desert without saving some for me..."
The green cavalier's stomach gave a rather loud grumble.
Stahl: "...Man I could go for some food right now..."
Robin: "Alright I'll leave you guys to your food problems, I've gotta go see how the front is doing."
Stahl: "Alright, see ya Robin."
Gaius: "Later bubbles."
Robin just sighed and began walking past the cart and up to the front of the march.
Gaius: "You can't escape the nicknames bubbles, no one can!... Stahl, you wanna help me write a formal complaint about the lack of dessert in our rations?"
BGM: WHITE KNIGHT CHRONICLES - Don Phibianacci
Robin made his way to the front of the march where an anxious Chrom was still marching. As the tactician approached his friend, the blue prince took notice. "Hey Robin." he greeted.
"Hey Chrom, how are things going up here?" The tactician asked.
"I'd like to believe it's our cunning that got us this far without being spotted..." The prince glanced around at the horizon, "But we've seen far too little of the Plegian Guard. Where are they? Whatever trap Gangrel has planned, he is in no hurry to spring it."
Just then Frederick came riding in from farther up ahead.
"Milord, our scouts report some manner of engagement downfield." He explained
"Understood. Get everyone ready to move." Chrom ordered.
Frederick saluted with his arm across his chest and trotted a few paces back before turning around, "These desert sands are certain to bog down our units, milord. Only mages and fliers will likely be able to proceed unhindered."
"Good point." the prince acknowledged, "I'll keep it in mind. Robin, let's discuss strategy."
"Right." The tactician agreed and the two began to look over a drawn map of the area.
After a quick briefing to the rest of the Shepherds on the plan, the group entered the area of conflict that was reported. Up ahead of them was an oddly dressed girl with bright green hair being chased by a larger man with short red hair with a heavy voice. The group's 'exquisite archer' was the first to see the two running up ahead.
"I spy trouble." Virion noted as the group moved over a sand dune. "Prince Chrom, ahead of us there appears to be a young damsel in distress. She is being chased by an unruly looking brute."
"What? Is that what's going on up ahead?" He replied. "Then we have to hurry."
Some of the Shepherds struggled to make it through the sandy terrain as the units with heavy gear were bogged down by the soft ground that gave way as they or their mounts tried to move through it.
As the group kept trudging through the sand Chrom shouted at the two individuals ahead. "You there! Fiend! Keep your hands off that maiden!"
The two stopped running to see who was yelling and saw the Shepherds approaching from a ways off behind them.
BGM: WHITE KNIGHT CHRONCICLES - Verucca (Yvonne in Japanese)
"Who is fiend? ...You mean Gregor? No, friend! You have idea wrong!" The large man replied.
"Yeah, right! ...Creep!" Lissa yelled back.
"Did you people come to save me from these weirdoes?" The green haired girl asked.
"This day has been nothing but insults and punches to groin." the red haired man scratched his head, "And all for doing good deed! ...Listen, friend! Gregor only want to..."
Another voice interrupted Gregor, "Gotcha, you slippery scamp! Prepare for a dose of Grima's wrath." An elderly man in a strange robe called out.
Gregor rubbed the temples on the side of his head with irritation, "Oy, this is most terrible! Do you see now? They make with the catching of us!"
"Why are you all after the girl?" Chrom demanded as he and his allies drew closer.
"All? What is this 'all?' Gregor is not one of 'all!' Look close! Maybe you not see from so far?" The man raised up his hand and poked at his cheek, "See? Gregor have innocent-baby face!"
"Hmm…" The blue prince strained as he held his hand over the top of his eyes to see better.
"Well…" Lissa wondered as she too tried to shade her face with her hand.
"Yeah... Not sure 'innocent baby' is how I'd describe it…" A now hooded Robin added.
"Gah! Never be minding! Gregor is not enemy! You must believe!" He pleaded.
Chrom still strained against the heat and sunlight, "This is making my head hurt. We'll sort him out later. Right now, we need to protect the girl."
"So you are going to help me?" The strange girl called back.
"We'll do everything in our power to keep you safe." Chrom declared, pulling out Falchion, "Just hold on until we can reach you, and we'll drive them off!"
Everyone else drew their weapons for battle and took formation as Robin began giving orders over the crystals again.
The blue prince radioed in to the group "I can see settlements up ahead, We need to warn these villages of the danger."
"Send one of the pegasus riders." The tactician signaled back. "They don't have to worry about the sand, and I haven't detected any enemy archers or wind mages with the search eye." Robin paused a moment to think. "They'll still need support though...who to send with them..."
"Well...I could go with Lord Chrom..." Cordelia sheepishly spoke up. "If that's alright..."
"Hmm... No. Chrom, go with Sumia she is closer to you." Robin tuned back in.
"I'll say..." Cordelia sighed under her breath.
The tactician continued, "Gaius go with Cordelia, one of the villages is just to the left of you two."
"Sure, I hope they can give me some sweets as payment." The theif calmly replied.
"Understood..." The red pegasus knight sighed again.
"As for the rest of you..." While Robin was assigning the rest of the group into pairs, Gaius made his way over to Cordelia.
"Hey what's with all of the sighing? You tired or something?" he asked, hopping on the back of the pegasus.
"Oh it's nothing...wait are you covered in crumbs and honey?!" Cordelia noticed as the thief got on. She then paused and took a whiff of the air, "Urgh... and you smell like the floor of tavern. When was the last time you changed your clothes...or combed your hair for that matter?"
The two could be heard arguing as they flew off towards the town.
Gaius: "Alright 'MOTHER' I'll be sure to get some new clothes."
Cordelia: "Don't forget actually take care of those ones...and one more thing..."
Robin: "...I hope that's not a really bad sign..."
BGM: GUNDAM SEED - Chijousen (Ground Battle...I think?... You'll find it if you use the Japanese name.)
The Shepherds (and Khans) battled their way through the sandy, bone ridden landscape, clashing with a variety of foes and visiting settlements as they headed towards the two strangers. After discovering that the 'girl' Nowi could transform into a dragon and that 'the mighty Gregor' was very good at smashing his foes with brute strength, it was apparent that they may not have to worry about them too much. The fighting continued until the group finally confronted the old man who was yelling from earlier, a Grimleal priest named Chalard.
The crazed old sorcerer began ranting about the Ylisseans defiance of the god of annihilation and started shooting clouds of dark energy from his nosferatu tome. The Shepherds had to take cover behind some nearby rocks or other structures as Chalard continued to cackle on and fire more blasts of energy at them. The Shepherds couldn't return fire as he would continuously shoot clouds of energy in order to keep them suppressed. Anytime someone would move he would focus his fire on them, forcing them to stay down.
This continued for awhile until many of the Shepherds began to get fed up with the sorcerer's constant attacks and ranting, in addition the unrelenting heat still beating down on them. Using the communication gems they coordinated a simultaneous attack, all rising up from their cover at the same time and hurling whatever projectile weapons they had at the old sorcerer. Chalard was unable to keep track of all the Shepherds attacking at the same time and in his hesitation was struck by several weapons at once, killing him instantly. As his body twirled and then (rather humorously) fell off of the rock he was yelling from, the group gave a unison sigh of relief knowing that the battle was over and they could finally get some rest from the heat.
BGM: WHITE KNIGHT CHRONICLES - Baccea (Bakkeiya on the official ost)
Everyone regrouped at a nearby oasis and began either setting up camp for the evening or going to get water from the spring. While the other Shepherds tended to camp and themselves, Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, and Robin went to go look for the two strangers they rescued earlier, Nowi and Gregor. They all talked for a bit and eventually Gregor decided to offer his skills as a mercenary to the group, for a price of course. Chrom accepted and welcomed him to the team just as Frederick mentioned the importance of keeping Nowi, a manakete, out of the Grimleal's hands. (Manaketes are humans that can transform into a dragon with a magic stone)
"Beg pardon." Robin politely interrupted, "But who are the Grimleal? That sorcerer Chalard kept yelling something about them earlier. What are they exactly?"
"Followers of the fell dragon, Grima." The knight explained, "The selfsame dragon the first exalt defeated a thousand years ago. Even today there are some who yearn for the fiend's return."
"I...see." The white haired mage acknowledged.
"Yeah, they're a bunch of weirdoes, so thanks for saving me from them." Nowi piped in. "And thanks for letting me stay with you guys too. If you'll excuse me I'm gonna go find something fun to do!" Despite apparently being 1000 years old, the dragon-kin scampered off like a child leaving the others behind.
"Very well then, Gregor will be taking leave too." Gregor stated, "I am needing to quench thirst after warm day and must now find refreshment. Be seeing you." The thickly accented man walked off, waving bye to his new employers as he left.
"Alright you do that." Robin and the others waved back.
After a quick glance around the area the tactician, the royal siblings, and Frederick formed a circle and began to whisper.
Robin: "Okay you guys I know it's been a long day, but what the heck was with that girl Nowi's clothes? I don't care if she is a 1000 year old dragon, someone who looks like...THAT, should not be wearing...THAT."
Lissa: "Right? She might be older than all of us put together but she still looks younger than me for crying out loud!"
Frederick: "Yes...We really must see if we can do something about...THAT... I would rather not ruin the good image of the Shepherds."
Chrom: "If we can't convince her to put on something less...illegal... we might just be forced to get used to...THAT... God's I hope that doesn't happen..."
Lissa: "Well if worst comes to worst, let's all agree to ignore it and move on."
Frederick: "It will be no easy task milady, but we shall try."
Robin: "Definitely not going to be easy..."
BGM: FIRE EMBLEM AWAKENING - The Vaike never forgets! I just don't always remember
The group dismissed from their meeting and made their way to the mess tent where they ran into Khan Flavia. "You lot seem tired, shall we get something to eat? We're almost to the Plegian capital so we should eat up while we can. We'll need all our strength, soon enough."
"Sounds good." Chrom agreed then noticing Cordelia walking by. "Oh right, that reminds me. Cordelia! Hey Cordelia!" He called out.
"Milord?!" The redhead quickly responded.
The blue prince spoke up again, "Cordelia I just remembered, would you like to sit down and have some tea?"
"Wha-what? With me?! ...Y-YES!..." The now reddening pegasus knight blurted. "Um...Wh-what is the occasion milord?" she hesitantly questioned.
"A woman by the name of Selena wanted me to give you a message from her over a cup of tea...and I could go for something to eat or drink right now. I just figured now was a good time to ask." Chrom blankly stated, shattering Cordelia's personal hopes about the offer.
As the now stone faced pegasus knight and the oblivious prince walked off to the mess tent, Chrom continued talking. "Yeah, Frederick, Lissa, and I met her before we found Robin in the field. She mentioned something about surpassing you someday?..."
"What was that about?" the Khan questioned.
"Oh who knows." Lissa happily replied, "But I do know that I'm starving. Let's go get food!"
With that, the group of friends went after awkward duo and joined them to get a bite to eat.
BGM: ROGUE GALAXY - Shadow of the Sun
Over time the mess hall was filled by many of the other hungry and fatigued Shepherds as they began to eat food and chat with one another. As the night went on the large group of friends seemed rather lively despite the exhausting day and continued to be so throughout the evening. The reason for such activity was more than likely an attempt to hide the grim thoughts they all secretly shared about the coming day, and the reality that they may not be able to do this again with each other...
...
Back in the present time...
BGM: DARK CLOUD 2 - Heim Rada ( Radda Radda Radda...)
"...And with that I think it's time for us to get ready for tomorrow too." The story telling mage declared, then rising up and out of the chair. "Alright you kids know the drill, off to bed now."
"No waaaaaaay!" Junior, Marcy, Little M. playfully shouted as they quickly got up and ran out of the room into the hallways.
"Oh dear..." Olivia giggled, "...There they go again. Well Robin, we'd better go get them before they fall asleep where ever they're hiding."
"You're probably right." The tactician smiled back at his wife, then looking over at the other 'children' still in the room, "We'll pick this up next time if you kids decide to stick around."
"Of course." The future children (and grandchildren) happily replied.
"Glad to hear it." Robin waved, "Well, good night everyone."
BGM: GUNDAM AGE - The Hero Within You (Kimi no Naka no Eiyuu) (Just let this play out)
Author's Note: Yeah sorry if this one took awhile, I had to study for finals and then I had to start with my first job so this wound up taking a bit longer than I expected. I think I focused more on developing character relationships and establishing other stuff than the fighting in this one, so that was a bit of a change of pace for me. Another thing was that I am not really too fond writing for some non-plot heavy levels so things kind of turn out as meh... Sorry about that. The next chapter I have planned out will be much better (and more depressing) so just wait for that, it's gonna be a good one. Also in case you haven't noticed by the conversation at the end about Nowi, I'm not a fan of Lolis at all. It's just...why?...Why japan?...Why do you do this?... It's creepy, awkward, and uncomfortable so stop it. For the record though, I am okay with Nowi character wise...just not her design. (Just skip the skimp Japan...) On the subject of characters, yes the noble family of Zeon/the Zabis are a direct reference (pull) from the original Gundam series and will become a major part of the story after the war (the two years leading up to Valm campaign). I'll post a picture reference of them on my Deviant Art page and if you want to know what the Zabi's sound like (as I don't have usable audio for them) just find a clip from the Mobile Suit Gundam TV dub. (Don't listen to the movie dub or the origin dub, they have different voice actors for those.)(Also Gihren's VA in the origin dub is Inigo so we can't have that...)
Until next time...
"Ze Docter, is operating!"