Game Spoilers in the following set of chapters:
Mia and Rhys support conversations (I'm only referring to them, however).
How to recruit Shinon (After Chapter 18 of the game)
Chapter 19 of the game (Though, I am adding my own twist to it)

EDITING PROCESS:

Sep 24, 2006, 01:19 PM - Chapters 18-22 Finished. Not much changed, really. Developing more in the Mia x Trigger relationship, is all.

Next is the battle scene. Ugh. I'm going to hate having to read over the craziness that I wrote that only made sense in my head, but not in writing.

Hooray! Climax FTW. (cries)

Chapter 18:

Trigger walked out of his tent and found it to be almost high noon. The dream had taken so much time. The dream that had haunted him the whole night. He slept in Muarim's arms for the rest of the night, but even the comfort of his brother's arms weren't enough to keep the dream from replaying.

« Will that really happen? Will… will people die around me and I won't be able to do something? No. Now that I know, I'm going to prevent it all. » Trigger thought. He had stopped just outside of his tent, and Muarim bumped into him walking out.

"Whoa! Trigger, why did you just stop there? Something the matter?" Muarim asked. Trigger turned around. He looked at Muarim with sadness; and Muarim wondered what was wrong. He was sure that Trigger had calmed down from last night; but he never found out what happened. Trigger didn't wish to divulge his dream's contents, and Muarim decided that it was best that Trigger didn't relive those memories.

"Next fight, promise me that you stay close." Trigger said. Muarim looked around then looked back at Trigger. Was he hinting at the dream?

"Trigger? Is everything okay?" Muarim asked. His brother looked so worried.

"Please, just trust me. Stay close." Trigger said. Muarim nodded; he didn't have to understand. Something worried the little one, and he hoped that Trigger knew what he was doing.

"Muarim! Muarim!" Someone called. The two looked over and saw a small boy in orange running over. The boy's face was familiar, and Trigger strained himself to think of where he had seen him before. Thoughts raced through his mind, and then all of a sudden the boy's face appeared in the darkness of the night. He was surrounded by trees. Of course! He was the child who ran through the trees that night long ago in the Serenes. « What was his name… Tormod or something? » Trigger thought.

"Something wrong, Tormod?" Muarim asked. Tormod panted and looked up.

"Would you mind helping me with something?" Tormod asked. Muarim looked at Trigger who nodded. Tormod was confused; wondering why Muarim was intent with the other child.

"I've gotta talk to a few people anyway, catch you later big bro!" Trigger said, running off. Muarim waved goodbye, and Tormod simply looked at Muarim with a questioning look.

"Big bro? Muarim, who is that?" Tormod asked. Muarim chuckled, and placed a hand on Tormod's shoulder. Tormod showed obvious signs of jealousy.

"You know, it's a long story, really. I'll tell you while I help you. Now, what was it that you needed?" Muarim asked. Tormod's face instantly changed, as if he had totally forgotten that he'd asked for help. The two walked inside the tent, Tormod quickly rushing through his request.

---

Trigger headed towards one of the girls' tents, when Rhys came darting out from behind one of the tents. He was quickly followed by Mia.

"Come on, Rhys! It's easy!" Mia said, holding a sword out at the priest. Rhys cringed.

"Mia, we've already tried this! I'm not a fighter!" Rhys said, pushing the sword back at Mia.

"Uh… guys? What's happening?" Trigger said. Mia looked blankly at him, and Rhys bowed, and then he ran away. Mia started to chase after him, but soon the priest had gained too much of a lead. She skidded to a halt, and Trigger merely stood dumbfounded.

"Rhys! Oooh… He got away!" Mia said, stomping the ground. She then turned to Trigger, and blushed. He was still there; still standing with the dumbfounded expression "So… what's up?" She asked. Trigger looked in the direction that Rhys had gone in, and Mia looked back as well. "Oh, well, you see…" She said, starting to blush.

"Come on, let's talk inside." She said, opening a tent flap. She walked in, and left Trigger outside; wondering what had just happened. "Well?" She said, poking her head out. "You wanna know or what?" Trigger nodded and followed her inside. He could still see Rhys running for his life, as other people poked their heads out of their tents to see what was going on.

Chapter 19:

"Wow, so you want to fight him just because some fortune teller said your rival would be dressed in white?" Trigger said. Mia nodded. "And so, you pick on the first guy in white?" Trigger said. He stifled a laugh

"Hey, don't blame me! It's all that fortune teller's fault!" Mia said in retort. Trigger laughed now, unable to hide it much longer; she was quite gullible. Though, when it came down to the nitty-gritty things, he'd rather her on his side.

"Hey Mia…" Trigger said, his face losing its happiness all of a sudden. Mia knew what was coming. She'd been changing the subject for the past hour that they talked, but now she sat silent."Yesterday… with Soren… I just want to say thanks." Trigger said. Mia blushed. Trigger blushed too.

"Thanks? I don't need any; and he deserved it anyway. That kid is just plain rude." Mia said, placing her hands on her hips. This drew a small smile from Trigger. It quickly faded, as he went back to his sombreness.

"He did have a point though. I wasn't ready to face actual war." Trigger said. Mia looked at him sadly, and then smiled. She took his hand softly, and the feeling made Trigger tingle; and blush even more. He stared at the ground, avoiding her eyes.

"I was like that too, before I met the Mercenaries of course. In fact, I never really got used to it. I doubt even Soren enjoys what he's doing. But you have to tell yourself, that these people made a choice like you. They're only following it to the end; and you would too." Mia said. Trigger looked at her with surprise. "What? Hey, don't you remember me being kind of scared when we had to fight the wyverns? We did though. But I was still scared. Do you get my point?" She said. Trigger sat blankly, and opened his mouth.

"Wow…" Trigger said slowly, in response, still looking at Mia with the same expression. Mia looked at him oddly; she'd never gotten a "Wow" before from anyone in the mercenaries.

"What? Tell me already!" She said, excitedly. She fidgeted in her seat, wondering why the young boy was so amazed by her. Trigger smiled.

"You're stronger than you really let off, you know that?" Trigger said. Mia punched him, hard. He rubbed his arm as it ached with numbing pain.

"What's that supposed to mean?" She said, somewhat angrily. Trigger could tell that she was just joking, and playing along. Though, the punch did hurt, and the dullness ran through it as if he'd been punched full force.

"I thought you were always full of a confident exuberance; always full of energy. Then I realise that you are; along with other things. You're not just that girl who loves to fight and wants to prove herself. You're more." Trigger said. As he said this, he got closer and closer to her. Mia started to blush, and he took her hands. He smiled at her.

"Trigger! Wait, uh… what are you doing?" She said, blushing further. Trigger leaned in, eyes closed, and Mia leaned in as well; but her eyes fluttered. They closed shut, and Trigger heard her take a deep breath.

"Psyche!" Trigger said in her face, making Mia fall back with a yelp. He sat, laughing away, as Mia got up.

"Oh yeah?" She said, taking a pillow nearby, and brought it up to hit the backside of Trigger's head with it.

---

Rhys walked outside as if to wonder if Mia was still around. He stood outside the tent; only hearing the thumps of pillows and laughter.

"At least it's not on me anymore." He said jokingly, and walked away casually.

---

Trigger always had fun with Mia. She was always so vibrant, and so nice; and there was always that side of her that was competitive. He had to visit her again; she gave him a good beating with pillows and he'd have to repay her. He walked over to the tent that Muarim slept in, when he heard voices coming from it.

Chapter 20:

"Tormod wait! Listen to me!" Muarim said.

"So he's more important to you than I am? Some kid that just walks in here?" Tormod said angrily. People began to walk by the tent, staring at the flaps, then continuing on. Trigger stood just outside it.

"It's not that. He's family, but so are you. I'm not replacing you; I want you two to get along." Muarim said. He wasn't angry; instead he had a tone of understanding. "Nothing is going to take me away from you, alright? We've gone through so many hardships, that Trigger isn't going to make a dent in our relationship." Muarim said. Then silence. Trigger guessed that Muarim had calmed Tormod down.

"It… it's just…" Tormod started.

"Listen. You're more important to me than anything else in this world. You're like a son to me." Muarim said. Trigger had had enough. He started to walk away from the tent angry, but then Muarim spoke again. He felt compelled to keep on listening. "Trigger isn't going to make our lives any different. I care for you more than I do him-" Muarim said. Trigger looked at the tent in horror, and then ran. He didn't wait for the last part of the sentence.

Only because I haven't shared anything with him. I only hope that I can have both of you by my side, forever. Can you understand this Tormod? I want to be there for both of you, and that's why I need you to get along with him. Please, try and talk it out with him.

---

Trigger entered his tent angrily, and looked around furiously. He threw clothes, and pillows everywhere; and he eventually found the unique straps that went around his shoulders and midsection to put his daggers on his back.

« I live, in total solitude, with my brother in my mind. I confide in him, and yet he still doesn't love me? I understand that they've been together for so long, but… why am I angry? I understand… right? Right? » Trigger thought. He strapped his daggers on and sighed. This anger didn't feel right. There had to be something that he could do to get his mind off of things.

"I mean, it's only understandable he cares for him more than he does for me. And here I am, all angry." Trigger said. He looked down to his arms, and they started to pulsate. It had nearly happened again...

Trigger shook his head. There must be something else to do. He decided to go see if Rolf was still training, and maybe bug him a little. He brought his hands back to take his daggers off.

"Come outside." A voice said. It was low, and raspy, and made Trigger feel uncomfortable. Someone knew he was here, and that someone called for him. He decided to leave his daggers on.

"Who are you?" Trigger called out. He could see a shadow on his tent as it walked outside. The shadow then stopped near the flap of his tent. The flap was pulled open from the outside, and the cool night air entered the tent. Trigger breathed in, and he then walked outside.

Chapter 21:

Trigger stepped out, his hands on his hilts already. No one was outside his tent, and he couldn't see anyone in the immediate area. Who then, opened his flap, and called him out? It better not have been Rolf, playing tricks on him again.

"Alright Rolf… this ain't funny anymore. Come on out!" Trigger said. Nothing responded but the shrill call of a crow above him. He turned around and walked directly into a body; tall and lithe, and it quickly placed a bag over him. The figure swooped the bag from underneath, and tied a secure knot. Trapped upside down, Trigger let out a hard cry. His arms were bound behind his back; which was painful, and it didn't let him pull his daggers out to cut himself free.

"Let me go!!" Trigger yelled. "Help!! Muarim!! Ike!! Anyone!!" He continued. Then, a blow was sent through the bag and it hit him in the stomach. Countless others rained on; so quickly, until one hit him square in the head. He blacked out almost instantaneously.

---

Muarim ran out of the tent as he heard Trigger's call. He went to his brother's tent, but no one was there. Rolf wasn't there either. He looked around frantically, and soon fear swept over him. His brother wouldn't call a fake signal; what had happened to him? Soon, Ike walked by accompanied by a sniper, and noticed that Muarim looked distressed.

"What's wrong with him?" The sniper asked. Muarim looked at them both, and was about to ask them if they had seen Trigger. Then, he noticed the newcomer; and that came to mind first.

"Who's this?" Muarim asked. Ike motioned the sniper forward and the sniper looked away in disgust.

"This is Shinon. He's an ex-member of the Mercenaries who just joined again. He was on the battlefield yesterday; and it took a good talking AND a good beating to convince him to come back." Ike joked. "Shinon, this is Muarim. He's the laguz that we found in the desert holding up against us." At the sound of the word "found", Muarim remembered what he had wanted to ask at first.

"Have you seen Trigger?" Muarim asked. Ike shook his head, and Shinon shrugged.

"What's the matter?" Ike asked. Muarim looked around once more, as if he were expecting someone to leap out behind him, and shook his head.

"I thought I heard him scream, and I came to check up on him. But he's not here anymore. There's no trace of anyone even taking him." Muarim said. Ike looked around on the ground as if looking for footprints, but Shinon sneered.

"Maybe you've been drinking too much." Shinon said snidely. Muarim glared at the sniper; this wasn't the time for jokes. Shinon put his hands up and shrugged again, and then something fell in his hands. It was a single black feather.

---

Trigger felt something hit his side, and it woke him up. The bag didn't help him much; he'd been in the positiong for a long time and his arms were extremely sore and hurting. He struggled to moved, and found himself on the ground. At least this let him get to his knees; but then a kick sent to his stomach sent him down again.

"This is him?" A voice said.

"Yes, sir." Another one replied. This one was much closer to the bag; perhaps his abductor? It was probably the person who had kicked him, at least. He made a mental note to break free of the bag and stab that person first.

"You think they'll actually surrender to us if we show them this?" The first voice said.

"I don't know; but it's going to be something good to use. They're not going to risk one of their own." The second voice replied.

« What in the world are they talking about? » Trigger wondered. He was going to find out, and the bag started to open; revealing the moonlight in the dark, stuffy bag. His arms were now loose, but they hung sorely to his sides; any hope of fighting his way out was gone.

Chapter 22:

Ike had received a letter early in the morning. He had read it, and hurried out to Muarim's tent. He let the laguz read it, whose face only grew more and more pale each line he read.

"Abducted?" Muarim asked. Ike nodded. Who would do this? The Daein seal was on the paper, but for some reason he didn't trust it. Would they really have done this act? To Trigger of all people? And how would they have known where he was, at what time, and why?

It didn't make sense. If Daein knew where their camp was, why not make a surprise attack at night? Thought their seal was on it, reason ruled them out of being the ones who had abducted Trigger.

"And so they want us to stop advancing." Ike added, as Muarim didn't glance at the paper. "If we stop and turn back, they'll give him back." The lord said. His face was full of consternation. He knew Muarim wanted to turn back deep inside to get his brother back; but he also knew that the laguz knew that turning back was not an option.

"We can't turn back. Not now." Muarim said, reluctantly. He clenched a fist, and threw the crumpled paper to the ground. Ike looked at him sadly. "Though, I'm not completely giving up." Muarim added after a small pause.

"What's your plan?" Ike asked.

---

Trigger found himself waking up from something. He couldn't even remember being hit. He looked around and tried to move, but found his hands and legs bound to something. His arms hurt even more than before, and a sense of dizziness assaulted his head. He then noticed that he was up high; he could see over trees easily. Immediately full of fear, he began to wriggle in a futile attempt in bringing himself down.

"Now, now… we can't have you falling and dying on us." A voice said beside him. He looked to the left, and saw a crow laguz flying beside him. He couldn't even turn his head all the way; it was blocked by some sort of wood.Trigger then realised he was tied to an extremely tall pole. The laguz was dressed in common attire; he wasn't anyone of importance. Nothing more than a pawn.

"What do you want with me?" Trigger said, trying to make an attempt at moving towards the laguz. The laguz smiled; a smile that struck dread into Trigger. He wouldn't let the laguz see this, and he just continued to grumble, while trying to wriggle free.

"It's not what I want, really. The Daein see you Mercenaries as a threat; so we're going to force them out of their lands with you as bait." The laguz said. He patted Trigger's head, and flew away behind him. Trigger couldn't turn his head that far back, though he didn't have to. Soon, the laguz returned with another; and this was a face that seemed extremely important.

"So, you're awake." The second laguz said. He wore black clothes, and his hair and wings matched this dark colour. He stuck out in the broad daylight like a sore thumb; though Trigger knew this laguz could have been a prime suspect of kidnapping him the night before. It would be extremely hard to see him at night. "So full of energy… yet you're on the wrong side. What a waste."

"So what, the Mercenaries are going to come here, and take me, then we leave?" Trigger said, ignoring the remark the laguz made. "Not to kill your fun, but once they get me, they're probably going to regroup, and come back even stronger." Trigger added. He was simply trying to get the crow angry; but it wasn't working.

"Oh, you don't seem to understand. See, the Mercenaries are going to leave whether they like it or not. If they don't surrender; you die. And we kill off whoever came. If they surrender, you all die while leaving. It's all the same to us; we still get paid." The laguz said. Trigger spat in his face; and this brought a quick backhand from the laguz across his face. His cheek stung like wild fire, and he felt something warm trickle down his face.

"You say we, you say this as if you're allied with the Daein!" Trigger said. The laguz smirked. "What kind of despicable laguz are you? You don't deserve to live!" Trigger blurted. The crow took Trigger by the neck. Tightly. Air was leaving his lungs, and he choked.

"As a matter of fact… Oh look who's here!" The laguz said, sighting Ike and the Mercenaries arriving. He let Trigger's throat go, and he started to cough and spit. "Now, either you die and they watch, or they die and you watch; and then you join them as well." The laguz said mockingly. He began to fly off into position. Trigger could see Ike motion at where he was. He couldn't hear the beorc; and he could only hope they knew what they were getting into.