第１外伝:オイラはWEAKLINGいる
Paralogue 1: I am a WEAKLING/Sickle to Sword
Upon actually arriving in Ferox, the Shepherds were disappointed to hear that it would take several days for the khan to arrive, which left them with several days to themselves.
John was training as had become usual, he was working to improve his accuracy. "6 out of 10 at 400 meters, I still need to improve," he berated himself, he still wasn't good enough.
"Are you sure? That seems just fine with your up-close and personal approach to ranged combat." John turned around to find Virion with a large bandage over his torso and his bow in his hand.
"Hey, are you sure you should be moving around?" John asked as he tried to help Virion stand.
"I assure you, despite appearances, I am perfectly fit." He insisted as he pushed John off. His attempts at provado were hindered by an obvious limp.
"Ya'know that if you push yourself to hard you'll just get hurt." John commented as he returned to his target practice.
"Hah!, one such as myself knows their limits perfectly." he proclaimed while trying, and failing to draw back on his bow. Every time he tried, he would flinch because of his wounds. "Though it would appear to be difficult to even reach my limits today." he sighed as he lifted his bow to try again.
"Hey, man, there's no shame in taking a day to rest." John encouraged as he continued to practice with his magnum.
"No, I mustn't let anyone call Virion of Rosanne, a coward!" he snapped back as he actually managed to let loose a shot which hit its target dead on.
"Whatever man; just know that I'm definitely not calling you a coward." John said, having given up on getting Virion to take easy. They spent the rest of the day training and comparing notes on how John could improve.
While James enjoyed browsing through the Feroxi library, today he was there for something else. As he searched through the library, he found Sumia looking through her things for something.
"Looking for this?" Sumia turned around to find James holding up the book that she had left behind in Ylisstol. "You left it behind last time we talked and this is the first good time I've had to return it." In truth there had been a couple other moments but he had his reasons for waiting.
"Oh thank you, I was really enjoying that one." She said as she took the book back and quickly checked that her bookmark was still in the right place.
"I'll be honest though, I did decide to read it for myself, it's better than I expected." The man admitted as he took a seat. "I'll admit, romance isn't really my thing and the pacing could use some work, I mean, come on, just tell him already, but I still enjoyed it."
"That's good, I really enjoy being able to discuss books with others." The pegasus knight admitted as she pulled out a different book from her bag. "I've just finished reading Ribald Tales of the Faith War."
"Huh, never heard of it, I assume it's a novel." He inferred from looking at the book's cover.
"Yes. It's roughly based on historical events, but all the characters are made up. And there's lots of... Well, ribald parts. But I suppose that's obvious." She explained as James simply nodded, not wanting to point out that he didn't know what 'ribald' meant.
"Of course." he replied completely straight faced.
"Do you like novels, James? Or are you more of a nonfiction type?" she asked the tactician as she put her books back in her bag.
"I prefer novels, but since I joined the Shepherds, I've been reading a lot of history."
"Oh, I just LOVE a good novel! I get so caught up in them I sometimes forget my own sad little life. I can pretend to be a knight in shiny armor! ...Or maybe an evil mage!" her ramblings were than followed up by a bout of maniacal laughter.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. On top of that, I always feel a bit sad when I finish a good book." he admitted as he reminisced about the Harry Potter books and how he cried when there was nothing left to read.
"Oh, I know. Then it's back to reality for Sumia! Back to sad, sad reality…" she started looking down with a distraught face, before James could say anything, she suddenly snapped back up. "Er, but then I think about the next story and get excited all over again!" At this point, James was just a little unnerved by her sudden shift in expressions.
"So, uh what are you reading now?" he asked nervously.
"Mad Tales of a Bloodthirsty Falcon Knight"! ...Volume one. Of thirty-seven."
"Oh, well… I hope you enjoy it." he said before quickly making his exit.
As the days rolled by waiting for the kahn to arrive, Yume was training as usual. Today she was receiving instruction from Frederick.
Yume tried to strike Frederick in the head with her wooden training sword, only to have it snap in half before it could even reach him. She was shocked when she noticed Frederick was picking the remains of her sword off the ground.
"H-How did you do that?"
"Years of practice." he replied simply as he retrieved a new training sword.
"I see, that's very impressive" she said in a mix of amazement and intimidation.
"Not at all, I must stay in top condition at all times if I am to be of use to lord Chrom." He said dismissively as they resumed sparing.
"That's amazing, I hope that I can be more like you someday." She responded quietly before diving back into their sparring match with a renewed determination.
A few days later, Chrom was patrolling south of the Feroxi border with Vaike, John, and Kellam. They had decided that rather than sit on their hands all day waiting for the khan, that they would do what they could to help the people of Ylisse.
As the marched, they saw a young man running towards them. He was wearing blue clothes with a pot on his head.
"Halp!" he called out as he ran towards the shepherds. He dropped to his knees "You gots to help us! I'm beggin' you, milords!" he begged as John's attention turned towards a much larger man running towards them.
Gashacon Magnum!
Despite the weapon's loud activation sound, no-one seemed to notice, maybe it wasn't really as loud as it seemed. John shrugged off the question as he eyed the approaching man.
"Slow down. What happened?" Chrom questioned as John saw the approaching man ready an axe.
"Oy! There's the wee piglet!" The man shouted as he reached them.
"…Great. Bandits." Chrom groaned, more annoyed than anything.
"What's this? A little lording come to watch over his chattel? Haw ha—Aw, damn me! Sh-Shep—" he was cut off by John shooting in the head, killing him instantly.
"So, kid, mind telling us what happened?" John asked the young man who for a moment merely stared at John's weapon.
"Y-yes, milord! Right away, milord! …Er, if it please Your Graciousness." he stuttered, bowing to John.
"Hey, he's the lord here, not me." John pointed at Chrom. "All I did was kill… a bandit." he explained, notably flinching when he mentioned the bandit's fate. "Anyway, what's your name?" he asked in an attempt to change to subject.
"Donny. Er, that is, Donnel. …Your Majestyful." he was bowed to Chrom this time. "I live in the village just beyond, sir." he pointed to a nearby hill, presumably the village was behind it.
"I guess that'll do. Now, what happened?" Chrom continued to press.
" That rotten-toothed, pig-stinkin' bandit you just took care of attacked us! Er, pardon my language, You Lordliness." John had to cover his mouth to keep himself from laughing at Donnel's idea of harsh language. "I'm the only one what got away, and even then just barely. They were roundin' up others to haul 'em off to a bandit camp… Please, sir! You gots to save them folks! My ma's one of 'em, and… She's all I got in this world! Please, Your Royal Highness!" Donnel fell to his knees as he begged.
John got down on his knees and put a hand on Donny's shoulder. "It's okay, we're gonna get everyone back, you hear me?" the young farmer nodded.
"Aw, thank you,thank you!" The farm boy cried.
John stood and turned to his companions "Let's go."
Meanwhile a scout was returning to the bandit's hideout. "…And you're sure a'this?" the bandit leader, a large man named Roddick, asked his scout.
"On the grave of my sainted mother, I swear it. It was Chrom and his Shepherds, and no mistake! They even killed Kenneth." the scout cried as his boss sat down for a meal.
"Heh heh heh. A fancy lord'll fetch a high ransom from noble folk. We'll have the little man squealin' for mercy in no time!" he laughed, completely ignoring the idea of the Shepherds being a threat.
As he was laughing to himself, his men brought in a middle-aged woman who was the village's de facto leader. "We got nothin' left to take, sirs! Please, let our children go!" she begged on her knees.
"Quit yer bleatin'!" the bandit leader shot back before returning to his dinner.
"Oy, Roddick! I think this cow's the mum of the brat what ran away." One of the guards noticed, this prompted Roddick to actually look up.
"…Say, I know this one." he noted as he rose from his seat, towering over everyone around him. "You're the wife of the man what broke my rib last time we were 'ere." he stood over the woman as he face was a mix of rage and delight.
"And you killed him for it, monster! I wish he'd done for you first…" She rose up, her fear forgotten for but a moment.
Roddick laughed at her bravery. "Small wonder the brat's got more brass than brains if you're his mum. Guess we'll see for ourselves when we catch him, eh? Maybe we'll even make ya watch as we gut him!" Roddick's laughter grew as he gave his grim declaration.
"N-no! Please, he's just a boy!" She shrunk back again as she was filled with fear for her son's life.
Not much later, just after sunset, Donnel brought the shepherds to an abandoned castle. "This here's where they've taken up camp, Your Lordshipness." He pointed the castle.
"Er…right. Thanks, Donny. Stay close, now." Chrom instructed as he and the rest of the Shepherds prepared their weapons.
"Beg pardon, milord? You don't mean…? I…I can't fight, sir! I ain't never even stuck a pig before!" Donnel stumbled back in surprise.
"It's ok, if you don't want to fight, than you've all we need from you." John put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "You can just find somewhere safe to hide and wait for us."
"I wish I was strong as you sirs! Kick that scum out single handed, I would!" the farmer proclaimed with stars in his eyes.
"If you want to protect everyone, than fight and get stronger." John said simply, folding his arms in an attempt to look impressive.
"But I ain't—" Donny tried to protest before being cut off.
"A warrior?" John gave a questioning look. "Me neither, until a month ago, I was a dairy farmer." he couldn't help but grin at Donny's shocked expression. "Besides, these bandits ain't much more than vermin who steal crops and destroy our livelihoods. That's why I don't treat them any better than rats."
Ngh… *sniff* A-all right." Donnel struggled to pull himself together. "As you say, I'm no warrior. But these're my people. I gots to do what I can!" he declared with a fire burning bright in his soul.
"Everyone in place?" Chrom asked his men.
"R-ready! *ulp*" Donnel declared as the moved into position.
Bang Bang Shooting!
"Henshin, level 2" he declared as he inserted his gashat and opened the driver right away.
Gashatto! Gachan! Level Up! Ba-Ba-Bang! Bang-Ba-Bang! (Yow!) Bang Bang Shooting!
He tapped his icon like normal and it passed over him at the same time as the projection for his level 2 form.
Before Donnel could express his surprise at the transformation, lightning arced across his body.
"Raghhhh!" he cried as he felled to his knees, his rider gauge drained by nearly sixty percent. "Okay, gotta tell the others, don't go straight to level 2, not yet." he struggled for a moment to stand. Once he was back on his feet, he turned to Donny…
Gashacon Magnum!
… and handed him his gun. "Ok, kid, the first thing you need to know is that you point that at the bandit and pull the trigger." Snipe then proceeded to give Donny a through safety walkthrough of the magnum.
Gashacon Bugvisor!
He mounted the purple weapon on his arm, the chainsaw pointing inward. He turned to his fellow Shepherds, "I'll keep an eye on Donny and we'll find the boss while you guys find the captured villagers."
Snipe and Donnel moved towards the fortress, coming across a pair of bandits. Snipe raised his bugvisor and killed one of them in a single shot, whereas it took a couple shots for Donny to take down his target.
They continued to move down the halls, cutting down any bandits who try to stop them. Until they came to what appeared to be a throne room, in which was a tall, broad man with a psycotic smile on his face. "Time them castle whelps learned what us wild-born men can do!" he called out to his band of bandits as he readyed his axe
Vaike was admiring a key he swiped from a thief they ran into on the way. As they made their way through the western wing of the castle were met by more and more guards, until eventually they came to a room with a large cage containing the captured villagers. There was a single guard who charged the moment he saw the shepherds.
The bandit swung his sword done at Vaike, who blocked with his axe. The bandit pushed down, allowing his sword to sink into Vaike's shoulder as the warrior tried desperately to fight back. Just as Vaike neared his breaking point, the pressure from the sword lightened. Vaike looked to see why and was greeted with Chrom's Falchion protruding from the guard's stomach.
After Chrom removed his sword and allowed the bandit's body to drop to the ground, Vaike got to work rounding up the stolen goods while Chrom went up to the cage. It had a highly intricate lock, the key to which was probably with the bandit leader. Chrom smashed the lock with the handle of his sword.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked the captive as the made their way out of the cage.
"We're fine your lordship." a woman answered in the same accent as Donnel. "I'm just worried 'bout my boy, Donny." Chrom eyes snapped open when he heard the name.
The moment the bandit leader called out, Donnel froze. He froze because he recognized this monster, he was the one who killed his father. This brief pause was enough to give Roddick the chance to throw his axe his way. Donnel's story would have ended here, had Snipe not jumped in the way. The green rider was knocked back to a nearby wall, the axe even breaking of a chunk of his chestplate.
When Snipe was sent flying, the magnum was knocked out of Donnel's hand. As Roddick retrieved his axe from Snipe's chest via a cable on the handle.
"Raaagh!" Snipe cried as the axe was ripped from his chest, bringing a fair amount of blood with it, causing the rider gauge to lower to its lowest point, causing it produce a rather annoying beeping.
Seeing the seemingly invincible Rider be beaten like that filled Donnel with fear. Fear gave way to anger, and anger gave way to hate. Donnel raised a makeshift spear that he had brought to fight the bandit's in the first place and charged Roddick.
"Gaaah!" Roddick screamed as Donnel jabbed he lance into the bandit's side, be he did not fall. "Damn you, you little pest!" Roddick roared as he swung his axe at Donnel's head, only for it to stop short.
"Hey, Donny, in a situation like this, you've really got to stay level headed." Kellam advised, shocking the both Donnel and Roddick as he seemed to come from nowhere.
"Kellam, Donny, MOVE!" Snipe hollered as he slotted Bang Bang Shooting into the bugvisor. It's blaster ends glowed green as he took aim. "Bang Bang Dark Burst!" he fired a rapid fire barrage of high power energy blasts. Just afterwards, Snipe's armor disappeared, causing him to pass out from blood loss.
"Gahaugh! Nngh...This ain't...where…" Roddick groaned as the light left his eyes and he fell like a great oak.
Acting fast, Kellam gave him the last of a Vulnerary he was carrying. Shortly after ingesting the magical medicine, John stopped bleeding and regained consciousness. "Y'know I think I should get my own suit of armor." he mused as his allies helped him to his feet.
After the Shepherds had retrieved and returned all the stolen goods, save for a few old weapons that the villagers weren't going to use and Roddick was dead, they headed to meet with the villagers.
"We did it! We're rid of them bandits for good and all!" Donnel cheered as the walked.
"Yeah, you did pretty good kid, considering it was your first fight," John congratulated the younger man.
As the walked, someone caught Donny's eye, "Ma! Ma, it's me!" he ran into his mother's open arms.
" Oh, Donny! Thank goodness you're safe! I was worried near to death, boy!" She both rejoiced and chided. They than both turned to the Shepherds, "I can't thank you enough for savin' my son and our village, milord." she said as she bowed, before turning her head to Donnel. "Donny! Where are your manners?! Take a knee and thank His Lordness!" Startled, the young man did so.
" Er, I can't begin to repay all what you done for us, sir! Th-thank you!" he rejoiced before John waved his hand dismissively.
"Hey, you did more work than I did, all I did was give a proper weapon and take a hit for you." he replied with a big smile. "I mean, the way you speared that dastard without a second thought, I think that, if you keep getting stronger, your village will be just fine." He and the other Shepherds turned to leave.
"W-wait! Please!" Donny called out to the Shepherds, prompting them to turn back.
"Something Wrong?" Chrom asked while John couldn't help but smile as he knew what was going on.
"I has a request, sir. If it please Your Graceliness… Take me with you, milord! Lemme be a Shepherd like you! I'm good with livestock, I am! Please, sir!" Donnel pleaded, down on all fours.
"Hush now, you fool boy!" His mother snapped at him the moment he made a request.
"I want to get stronger. I want to keep this place safe! I never thought I was good for nothin' more than shovelin' dirt… But y'all showed me there's more I can do. More I needs to be doing!" he rose to his feet, a fire burning in his heart.
"You needs be knowin' your place, boy! A farmhand's no fit for a royal—" She started to shout at him.
"Hey, he'd be great. I mean, we're always looking for good people to join and Donnel is a great person." he interrupted with a joyful expression.
"Y-you're very kind to say as much, Your Lordshipness, but…" she tried to argue before giving a loud sigh upon realizing something important. "Well, you're a man grown now, Donny. I s'pose you can make up your own mind." she conceded, fighting back tears.
"Aw, Ma." was all Donny was could say as tears began to form in his eyes.
Donnel's mother remained quiet for several seconds before she could bring herself to speak. "You just come home safe, love. I'll see that the village is still standin' when you return a hero." she tried to sound firm, but her voice wavered more and more with each word. Well?! Off with you, then! Glory's waiting', boy!" She yelled as tears streamed down her eyes.
"I ain't fightin' for glory, Ma. I'm fightin' for you! But if I do find some glory, I'll be sure to bring it home for you!" He declared with a big wide smile.
"Just come home alive, Donny." she whispered as the Shepherds, Donny in tow went off to rejoin the rest at the Longfort.
"He will, I'll make sure of it." John whispered back as they walked away, determined to ensure that he wasn't just leading a young man to the Reaper's open arms.
Aw man, I thought I would have this done a week ago! I am sorry for how long this took. I had to rewrite this entire chapter more than once to ensure quality. Either way, here we have a John-centric chapter, and don't worry, him being beaten within an inch of his life is not meant to be a recurring thing. And before anyone asks, the only reason Roddick did as much damage as he was that it was a Critical Hit on a weakened enemy. Also, I'm going to take a break from this story and start a secondary project to work on just so I don't lose my mind, I'll post that story, hopefully by this time next week. So, until then, this is Time-Space lord Eon saying SEE YOU NEXT GAME!