Eleven woke up with a startle. He was laying face-down on the dirt. In the background he could hear the sound of cheers and steel clashing. Where am I... ? Soon recalling his last interaction with the diminutive scientist before falling asleep, he knew what he had to do.
Getting up, the first thing he saw was a crowd gathered around a ring in the middle of (what he could guess was) the town square. It was the middle of the afternoon and the day was clear and hot. A few feet to his left he spotted a familiar shape rising up like him: Erdrick, his teammate who'd been transported here with him.
"Uuuugh." groaned Erdrick, clutching his head. "I don't know what I expected from that small man's machine."
"So, we must be somewhere familiar to Roy, I take it." said Erdrick, glancing at the noisy horde. "Any idea of where that could be?"
"Not sure." said Eleven. "I was never too familiar with him. All I know is that he's the son of a noble. He also led an army towards victory when his homeland was invaded."
He glanced towards Erdrick, and he saw that he was fixated on the crowd. "Is something wrong?"
"Yeah. I think I saw something..." he said, taking off towards the source of the noise.
Making his way through the crowd, Erdrick could feel their excitement and thrill. They were cheering left and right. It was when he finally made it to the other side that he understood why.
A ring had been made somewhat hastily by wood and rope and showed clear signs of wear and tear. It all looked like it was going to fall apart any minute. What caught him most off-guard, however, was what was going on the inside. Two sweaty shirtless men were on a stand-off, each with a wooden sword in hand. They were both bruised and battered, meaning this fight had been going on for some time. The one on the left had a good build, green hair and was covered in scars, most likely a veteran or even a mercenary. He had a look of amused defeat on his face, letting the audience know he wasn't the one prevailing on that fight, but wasn't a rare occurence for him. The one on the right was leaner and shorter and with a mop of fiery red hair, but had a more victorious grin on his face.
"Come on, Dieck! Is that the best you can do?" Roy's voice rang out from over the clamor of the people. "You told me you've trained and improved!"
"Tch." said Dieck, and began to laugh. "I see that your attitude hasn't changed one bit, milord" he proceeded to charge at his opponent.
Roy simply dodged the charge and ran hit his opponent in the back with his wooden sword, which caused him to tumble a bit before standing back up. Not backing down, he swung his sword several times, clashing with Roy's with an spectacular fashion that left the crowd amazed and Roy grinning.
Using Roy's bout of overconfidence against him, Dieck used a feint to stab him in the gut, causing him to reel. "Not bad, Dieck. Keep it up!" he said, to his opponent's chagrin. The crowd laughed heartily.
After that, the fight went on, back and forth, with ups and downs, but it was clear that Roy held the advantage most of the time.
Erdrick was both baffled and impressed. It's fake. They're doing it for the crowd. How can this be acceptable for their future ruler?
"I thought that Roy was better than this, but thinking about it, it makes sense for him to act this way" said a voice next to him. Looking towards its source, he saw Eleven with a hint of a smile. He'd managed to sneak next to him without him noticing due to the audience's ruckus.
Looking amongst the commoners in the audience, Erdrick spotted several that stood out. Instead of the normal clothing that the everyday man wore, these were draped in armor and held magnificent swords. Security in case should anything happen. It was clear that several were eyeing him warily, considering him a possible threat. Erdrick knew if he acted any more suspicious, they would be all over him, so he went back to watching the match with the most no-chalant expression he could manage.
Erdrick said nothing and went back to observing the match. Even if the matchwas fake, it could give them a clue as to how to convince the Young Lion that what he living wasn't real. They needed to see what kind of person he was. Understanding this, Eleven did the same.
A few minutes later Dieck finally dropped to the ground and a winner was declared with Roy pumping his fist up in celebration. The crowd cheered louder than ever, happy for the result.
Roy extended his hand towards the defeated Dieck, who was breathing hard but had just as big a smile on his face as his opponent. Taking it, he got back up and he shook it heartily, marking an honorable end to the fight and signaling that the event was over.
With this, the crowd dispersed, leaving only the the two combatants, the two heroes and the knights. Some of them were congratulating the victor while patting the loser in the back.
Seizing the opportunity, the Erdrick approached Roy (with Eleven following behind), but was stopped by one of the knights, who'd drawn his sword and threatened the Hero with it. "Halt! What is your business here?"
The man in question had red hair and an armor of similar color. He sported a serious expression and carried himself in a way that gave off a sense of experience and authority.
"We just want to talk with Roy." answered Erdrick non-chalantly.
The knight frowned. "Who are you that you talk about the heir of the Pheraean throne so casually?
Erdrick paled.
Eleven knew he had to act quickly, or the knights would never allow them to speak with Roy. "Don't mind him. He's had trouble being respectful. We're just uh... emissaries from a neighboring land."
"Yes. We have important matters to discuss with your marquess. The reason why I spoke so casually is because we've uh... met before, that's all." said Erdrick, trying his best to keep up the act. I wish Eight were here...
The red knight raised an eyebrow, glaring at them. "I don't recognize your clothing from any of the surrounding kingdoms. Where exactly are you from?"
The two heroes grew nervous as the knight's suspicion could make their quest even harder. However, before they could say anything else, they heard a voice behind the knight. "Ah, you must be the envoys from Bern!"
Roy once again stepped into view, now fully clothed and somewhat freshened up. "Guinivere told me you'd be coming."
The knight objected. "But, Master Roy, they don't look like any Bernians I've ever met. Their appearance and clothing don't match. They could be con men."
"How many Bernians have you met, Alan? Beyond some nobles and the top brass of the military?" said Roy.
Alan was left deep in thought.
"Trust me, Alan. They don't mean to trick me." said the crimson-haired lord.
"Very well. I trust your judgement, master Roy."
"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with them privately." said Roy.
"Understood. However, please stay in sight so the rest of the knights and I can watch and stand ready. If that's what you desire."
"I would expect no less." replied Roy with a firm tone and a reassuring smile. "Come, my friends." he said, gesturing Erdrick and Eleven to follow him.
"So" began Roy once they were out of earshot "who are you and what do you want to talk about? I know you're neither emissaries from Bern nor con men."
Eleven and Erdrick just stared at each other.
"Do you really not remember us? We met and fought against you in the Smash fighting tournament! I'm Erdrick and he" pointing at his companion "is Eleven." replied Erdrick, confused.
Roy just looked at them like they were crazy. "I've never heard of such a thing. Despite what you saw today, I don't usually compete for leisure. It would be irresponsible for me to do so. You must have me mistaken for someone else."
Eleven and Erdrick were at a loss. Eleven looked down, not knowing what to do at that moment. However, instead of feeling defeated, Erdrick's mind was racing, searching for options.
"If that's all you wanted to speak about, then I'm afraid I must be leaving" said Roy with an apologetic smile. "I hope you find who you're looking for"
As the heir of the Pheraean throne turned around and motioned to rejoin his knights, Erdrick spoke up.
"Why did you agree to speak with us, then?"
Roy stopped.
Eleven lit up, realizing what his companion meant.
"We all know you're smart enough not to get assassinated by a couple of strangers in broad daylight. We even have our weapons in plain sight. And yet, you were the one to request we speak in private."
Roy looked like he wanted to say something, but hesitated.
Eleven continued where Erdrick left off.
"I know why that is. It's because subconsciously you knew you could trust us. Because we're not strangers."
Roy faced them once more, with a look of bewilderment upon his face.
"Let's say all of that were true. What was so urgent that you came all the way to my territory to tell me?" he asked.
"That is exactly the issue at hand. This may be hard to accept, but I'll need you to bear with me." said Erdrick.
Roy said nothing, so Erdrick took this to be a sign to continue.
"What you see all around you, the people, the land, the sky, it's all fake."
Roy looked skeptical. "I don't understand. You mean to tell me that I'm in some sort of... illusion?"
Eleven nodded. "It is all inside your head."
Roy went quiet. He paced back and forth a few times with an unreadable expression on his face. He then faced them once more. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Erdrick nodded. "As we speak, your body is being controlled by our enemy, while your mind is here."
"Our enemy is an unknown creature, whose body is an orb of light with several several wings. We'd tell you more, but we're in the dark."
Roy went quiet again. After a few moments, he shook his head. "I admire the attempt, but you can't expect me to believe such a tale. That I abandoned my home for a fighting tournament? That all that I know and love is false? That we got attacked by an enemy you know nothing about? Do you take me for a fool?"
Erdrick and Eleven were taken aback. The former, however, was quick to respond. "Of course not! You're Roy of Pherae! An accomplished leader and well-respected amongst the fighters back at the tournament! We'd never try to deceive you like this!"
"It isn't that everything is false. It's that what you're seeing right now is." followed up Eleven.
"Exactly! We wouldn't lie to you!" said Erdrick.
However, Roy wasn't listening. His patience had run thin. "Alan was right. You're clearly just con men trying to get me to distrust those closest to me! I refuse to fall for your schemes." he said, once again turning to leave.
"W-wait!" exclaimed Erdrick, trying to stop him. If he leaves now, who knows when we'll get a chance to talk to him again?
In the meantime, Eleven was scrambling for any ways to salvage the current situation.
"NO! I've had enough of your lies! If you had a shred of decency, you'd turn around and stop wasting my time or show me one speck of proof that anything you've said has a basis in reality!"
"I... I" stuttered Erdrick, running out of options.
"A fight." said Eleven.
"Pardon?" said Roy, still fuming.
"We mentioned that this all started as a fighting tournament, didn't we? Then let us prove it by having my fight you." said Eleven analitically.
"How would-" said Roy, evaluating the proposal and lowering his temper. "You mean that if such a competition existed, you'd not only have to be skilled enough to participate, but if we faced each other, then you'd know my techniques?"
"Precisely." said Eleven.
The Pherae's prince temper calmed down even more, but made no comments. "I accept. We'll fight in the same ring I faced Dieck in earlier. Which one of you will be up for the challenge?" he said, as a grin rose on his face.
"Me." said Erdrick, giving Eleven his shield and motioning to remove his cape.
Roy stopped him. "You don't need to do that. We'll fight however you feel most comfortable. I intend to teach why they consider me one of the strongest fighters in all of Elibe."
Erdrick was taken aback by his pride. That boast is most likely not unfounded. I need every advantage I can get. "Is my magic allowed?"
"It won't do unless it's at your very best." said Roy, staring at the Hero down.
Meanwhile, Eleven was beginning to regret his choice. He was too willing to accept the challenge! It's clear he wanted this!
As Roy and his challenger stood face to face in the middle of the ring, the tension was palpable.
On the Heroes' side, Eleven didn't know if Erdrick would be strong enough to defeat someone in their fantasy. What if it powers him up in some unknown way? Given how much he values his own strength, it's not out of the question! The feeling of lacking the necessary knowledge was wearing on him, making him feel like he was only making things worse for them.
On Roy's side, his entourage was cheering him on. After he'd explained the situation to Alan, he'd spread the word around to his fellow knights. Now every one of them wanted to see these foreign con men get their due, especially after trying to deceive someone as cunning as their beloved leader.
"Ready?" said Roy, as he raised his sword, the Binding Blade.
"Ready." said Erdrick, raising his own to meet it.
"Fight!" said Alan, acting as referee.
Wary of Roy's speed, Erdrick immediately shot out a Zap spell. However, his opponent had already run back to put some distance between the two, making the spell miss.
Seizing the opportunity, the hero cast Psyche Up. By the time it was over, Roy was already on top of him, forcing him to block with his shield, narrowly avoiding a frontal slice.
After pushing Roy off his shield, Erdrick went on the offensive. Using the extra energy from Psyche Up, the Hero charged Roy and struck him as hard as he could. The red haired youth was thrown back quite a ways by the attack, but quickly got back up.
Roy then set his Fire Emblem of a sword alight and prepared to land a powerful attack. In response to this, Erdrick activated Kaclang, turning his entire body into metal. As a result, while Roy's attack landed, it did nothing to the Hero.
However, it wasn't long before Erdrick returned to flesh and blood. The instant he did, Roy grabbed him and tossed his opponent behind himself. Roy then brought his sword down on his fallen opponent, only for Erdrick to roll out of the way at the last second and get back on his feet.
Roy set the Binding Blaze aflame again as he reared back for a powerful sword strike. As he did, Erdrick prepared a strike of his own. He prepared to use a Flame Slash attack on the Young Lion. Both flaming swords connected with each other, resulting in a large flaming blast that knocked both combatants back.
Erdrick and Roy slowly got back to their feet and pointed their swords at each other, ready to continue their battle, neither one showing any signs of backing down.
Both men stared each other down, waiting for the other to make a move. Ultimately, Roy was the one who made that move. He charged at Erdrick, blade at the ready. The Hero raised his own sword and shield, ready to block the blow.
The blades clashed once again, both sides trying to push back against the other. Erdrick was about to perform a Hatchet Man attack to push Roy off of him.
But before he could, Roy reared back his fist and punched Erdrick straight in the face. While he was reeling back, Roy took to opportunity to swing the Binding Blade at his opponent's feet, sending him falling to the ground.
That was a cheap move, Roy.
This is what Erdrick was about to say to Roy, but held his tongue when he looked right at Roy.
Roy's eyes had turned from blue to a very bright white. Erdrick felt he might go blind if he stared too long. Roy's demeanor had changed into one of pure anger. The red haired warrior raised his weapon and prepared to bring it down.
"I will not allow you to undo my glorious plans. This world will come to order. No matter how many of you I must kill or enslave." Roy said in a voice that was clearly not his own.
The Young Lion brought his blade down, but it was blocked by Eleven, who ran forward with a burst of Accelerate.
"That's not Roy!" Eleven exclaimed. "Whatever it is that created this illusion and brainwashed Roy must have strengthened its control over him!"
Erdrick got to his feet as he and Eleven prepared to fight the possessed Roy.
Some of the knights stepped forward to stop the fight given Eleven's intrusion, but were barred by Alan. "You heard him. Something's possessed our dear prince, but we must let the fight continue. He'd disapprove of our interruption."
Eleven and Erdrick stared at their opponent, waiting for him to make the next move. Roy charged forward and swung the Binding Blade at them. Both Heroes held up their shields to block. They both pushed back against Roy together, knocking the redhead back.
Eleven charged forward to attack. He used the Zoom attack to jump in the air. He prepared to bring his sword down on the heir of Pherae. But as Eleven was falling, Roy charged up his Flare Blade attack. Just as Eleven was about to land, Roy unleashed his attack.
Eleven was thrown back a considerable distance, flying past Erdrick, who had not moved. When the latter turned back, he saw the former get back on his feet. After that, he looked at Eleven with a gaze that said: 'follow my lead.'
Erdrick ran toward Roy and clashed blades with him numerous times. Then without warning, the hero activated the Kaclang ability once again. Roy tried in vain to attack Erdrick while his opponent was motionless. While Roy was doing this, Eleven ran forward to attack Roy while his attention was on Erdrick.
Eleven decided to try a more unorthodox approach: casting Psyche Up, he charged forward with his shield up, tackling Roy with all the strength he could muster, catching the Young Lion on the side and thrown back, but still landed on his feet. Not missing a beat, the Hero immediately cast a Sizzle spell, which caught him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him. He may be stronger and faster, but his defenses haven't changed. We need to keep on the offensive if we are to stand a chance!
To that end, Eleven kept up the pressure. He activated Metal Slash and clashed with Roy. The latter was thrown back as his sword was thrown from his hands. Had the Binding Blade not been imbued with the magic of the Fire Emblem, it surely would have shattered like glass.
Erdrick, who's Kaclang effect had worn off, rejoined the fight. He cast a Kaboom attack, aimed at Roy. The Pherae heir managed to dodge before the blast actually went off while he and Eleven watched.
Erdrick used Roy's distraction to his advantage. The hero ran forward and slashed his sword at Roy. The redhead was only just able to hold up his own weapon for defense before the attack landed. Roy stumbled back as a result of the attack.
Eleven then came in and swung his shield at Roy, further disorienting him. A joint sword swing from both Erdrick and Eleven sent Roy falling to the ground. As Roy scrambled back to his feet, the two Heroes noticed that their opponent was very near the edge of the ring they were fighting in. Roy noticed this too, and his expression instantly became a mix or anger and fear.
"NO!"
Roy performed another Flare Blade attack, forcing Erdrick and Eleven back. While they were busy picking themselves up, Roy ran back toward the center of the ring. This, along with his panicked yell when he was at the edge of the ring, did not go unnoticed by Eleven. The wheels in his head began turning, and he then leaned toward Erdrick.
"I think whatever is possessing Roy fears getting knocked out of the ring." Eleven whispered. "I cannot say for certain, but I believe if we were to knock him from the ring, Roy's illusion of being the best fighter would be broken. And with it, his mind control."
With this new information, Erdrick devised a quick plan of attack.
"I'll rush him with everything I've got. You swing at him with every opening I give you and push him back. Don't give him a second to realize he's about to be knocked from the ring."
After a quick nod from Eleven, the pair charged forward and prepared to take Roy down.
Erdrick blocked a blow from Roy with his shield. Eleven took the opportunity to cast Sizzle. the attack hit Roy in the side, causing him to clutch the burn wound in pain. Erdirck then pushed Roy off his shield and swung his sword, forcing the redhead to step back in order to dodge.
Erdrick continued his assault and swiftly locked blades with Roy once again. Sparks flew as their blades clashed again and again. However, Roy managed to parry one of Erdirck's strikes, sending the Hero back in a blaze. Eleven quickly activated Accelerate and quickly took Erdrick's place.
With his enhanced speed, Eleven swiped and jabbed his weapon at Roy at a near blinding speed. Despite how skilled Roy was with a blade, he wasn't fast enough to block every single one of Eleven's assaults. He was cut numerous times and was forced to step backwards under the weight of Eleven's relentless attacks.
Erdrick rejoined the fray by casting Oomph on himself. With the added status effects, Erdirck clashed with Roy and pushed him back with all his might. Eleven took the opportunity to cast Psyche Up. With these two combined, the pair unleashed powerful sword swings against Roy. This blow was enough to finally knock the red haired swordsman from the ring.
"Roy has been defeated!" Alan announced, somewhat shocked.
The instant Alan made his declaration, the ground began shaking. The Heroes looked around for what could be causing this, only to notice that the world around them was beginning to fade. The still possessed Roy looked directly at Erdrick and Eleven.
"Enjoy this victory while you can. I will still ensure that this world is brought to proper order. Take this pathetic excuse for a fighter. I shall empower those I still control. You will get no further in your pursuits."
After giving his dramatic little speech, Roy promptly fell unconcious. The two Heroes ran over to him to make sure he was still alive. Fortunately, he was.
"I think it's time we got out of here." Eleven noted.
"Agreed. Professor? Can you pull us out?" Erdrick called.
Back in the lab, E. Gadd noticed that Roy's mental state had changed. He was seeing the smae readings Pyra was giving when her illusion had finally been shattered. The quirky professor assumed that the same was happening to Roy, so he brought the red haired swordsman, as well as the two who went into his mind to help him, back to the real world.
All three of them slowly sat up and disconnected themselves from the machine they were strapped into.
"Where am I?" Roy weakly asked.
"Well, it's about time you guys decided to wake up. We've been waiting forever for you to finish up in there." Solo snapped.
"Truly? How long have you guys been done with Pyra?" Eleven asked.
"Five minutes." Eight answered.