Chapter 9: Heading to Hoshido
AN: Hey everyone. The reason it took me so long to publish this chapter is that I finished the chapter and I didn't like it. So I scrapped it and
rewrote it. Thanks for being patient and I hope you enjoy!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
Morning arrived and Samantha yawned and stretched before looking around. Everyone seemed to be fast asleep.
'Ok, this time I'll make them something special.' Samantha thought as she grinned.
"Samantha!" Felicia declared loudly. "Good morni-mmpf!" Samantha quickly covered Felicia's mouth and placed a finger against her own lips. Felicia nodded and the two quietly walked away from the group.
"What are we doing?" Felicia whispered once they were clear of the group.
"I want to make them some breakfast." Samantha told her.
"For all of them? But…But we have cooks who do that." Felicia said quietly.
"Please?" Samantha asked and Felicia shook her head.
"Breakfast has already been made." Samantha felt bad and a bit disappointed, but Felicia's face lit up. "But you can serve them if you want…I mean, if you want to." Samantha's smile returned.
"Yes. What do I need to do?" She asked.
"Freshen up first. Then we'll get to work." Felicia led the princess to her room and she entered her room and freshened up with a shower and Samantha changed into her regular clothes. She neatly folded her clothes and set them on the edge of her bed. She then exited the room and Felicia smiled as she waited for the princess to exit.
"Ready?" She asked and Samantha nodded in response.
Great! Follow me!" She cheerfully said as she walked towards the kitchen. "Flora might be surprised to see you helping, but any help is greatly appreciated. Jakob might not be too happy…but he's never happy." Felicia giggled. Samantha was happy to see Felicia was in a good mood.
"What's on the agenda?" Samantha asked.
"First, you're going to serve coffee to the royal families and then to everyone else." Felicia told the princess as they arrived in front of the kitchen just as the doors opened and Jakob came out holding a tray. On the tray was a container of sugar cubes and napkins.
"Do try not to spill a drop." Jakob handed the tray to Felicia.
"Oh. Samantha is going to serve the coffee." Felicia gestured to the princess before heading into the kitchen and coming back out with a second tray of teacups and plates. Jakob handed the tray to the princess.
"I will not repeat myself." He handed the tray to her. Samantha took the tray and he walked back inside. Samantha huffed and quickly left to serve coffee. Sitting at one end of the table was Xander and Ryoma; both still debating from last night.
"Ryoma, do you have any other ideas? I'm telling you this must be done."
"And I'm telling you there must be another option." Ryoma said. "We couldn't decide last night and then we put Samantha in an awkward position." Felicia set the table and set the teacups near the two kings. Samantha carefully poured coffee into one cup and then the other. Ryoma glanced over and his eyes grew in surprise to who was pouring the coffee.
"Samantha…may I ask what you are doing?" Ryoma asked and Xander glanced up. He was just as shocked to see Samantha working.
"Who put you up to this? I will see to it tha-"
"I insisted on helping out this morning." Samantha informed the two of them. Xander nodded and took three sugar cubes and a napkin. Samantha turned and carefully poured coffee into Ryoma's cup and he took a single sugar cube and a napkin.
"If I may…" Xander said as Ryoma set his cup down. "What other option is there?"
"I…I am not sure." Ryoma began as he sighed. "I just…I am not sure if I can kill my allies…" He closed his eyes while Samantha left to serve the other members of Hoshido and Nohr. She walked back towards the group and a few women were starting to wake up. Among those waking up were: Hinoka, Charlotte, Camilla, Azura, and Corrin.
"Good morning, Samantha." Azura smiled and stretched her arms.
"Coffee?" Samantha asked and set the tray down and poured coffee into a few cups for the royal members. Charlotte and Corrin took the first cup without any words. She added a bit of cream and a single sugar cube before taking a sip. Charlotte gave a contented sigh before rubbing one eye with her free hand. Corrin took a few cubes of sugar and poured a bit of milk into her coffee.
"Mmmmm…I hate mornings…" Charlotte lightly grumbled.
"It's not too bad, Charlotte." Corrin mumbled as she took another sip from her coffee. Samantha offered a cup to Azura and Hinoka, but the two politely refused.
"Camilla will probably want one, but she'll most likely get her own cup." Hinoka told the princess. "She's kind of a heavy sleeper." Samantha glanced over at Elise who had a teddy bear in her arms and quietly curled up in a ball. "Sakura and Elise don't drink coffee either."
"Ok…is there anyone else that-"
"You know, I think Nyx might want some. She should be in the dining hall with Lady Kagero." Hinoka told the princess. Samantha smiled and quickly made her way to the dining hall with Felicia following behind.
"How're you doing?" Samantha asked the maid. Felicia smiled and nodded as the two made their way towards the dining hall and sitting in some chairs facing the window were indeed Nyx and Kagero. Including the two women was another woman and two other men: Obero, Azama and Subaki; the wife of Takumi and the husbands of Sakura and Hinoka. Five cups were set out and the five of them glanced over at the cups. Samantha poured coffee in all five and presented them to each person. Nyx and Kagero nodded to show their appreciation towards the two women. Nyx added two cubes of sugar and a splash of cream into her cup. Kagero didn't add anything to her coffee. Obero added five cubes of sugar and a large amount of creamer to her cup. Subaki added just cream to his coffee and Azama added only sugar to his.
"If it were you, Lady Kagero…what would you do?" Nyx asked as she took a sip of her coffee.
"I…I will do whatever it is that my liege asks of me." Kagero said as she took a sip of her coffee.
"Kagero…surely you must have an opinion." Nyx said quietly.
"That's the problem. We are spouses of the Hoshidan royal family. But before that, we are the retainers to the Hoshidan royal family. To disagree with them…" Kagero looked at her coffee and sighed. "…I would rather accept death than disagree with my liege."
"And you all feel that way?" Nyx asked. The other three nodded in agreement.
"I'd feel awful if I were to upset Lady Sakura and Lady Hinoka." Subaki told the Nohrian princess.
"I would never see the light again if I were to cause my dear Takumi to frown." Obero said sadly. Samantha stood in silence and though she wanted to say something, she had nothing to add to the conversation.
"Samantha…may I ask why you're still here?" Nyx asked and that caused Samantha to blush red.
"I…I want to help…but-but I don't know…know what I can do to help you." Samantha asked.
"You have a good heart." Kagero smiled at the young woman. Samantha started walking away before she had a new thought.
"Hey…Kagero…can-can I ask you a question."
"It appears you already have." She took another sip from her coffee and the others lightly laughed.
"Oh come on, Kagero. Help the kid out." Obero said.
"She did pour us coffee." Azama pointed out.
"Relax, Azama. I am merely joking." Kagero said. "What is your question?"
"You…You know everything about ninjas, right?"
"I do. Mizuho scouts, Kilvas assassins, messengers from Phoenicis…" Kagero listed, but Samantha went on with her question.
"My question is regarding Clan Sheikah."
"Ah yes…Clan Sheikah. The most deadly and most well respected clan in all the lands." Kagero smiled. "I've studied them well."
"I've met someone who has claimed she is the last living member of-"
"WHAT?!" Kagero asked with a booming voice. Her coffee fell to the floor and shattered. "One is still alive?!" Kagero looked down and saw the mess she had created. "I…I'm sorry." She knelt down and began picking up the pieces.
"I can pick them up, your grace." Felicia left to pick up a dustpan and a small broom. Kagero placed all the pieces she did pick up and set them on the table.
"Kagero…" Subaki began. "I've never seen you so anxious."
"Yeah, it's like…are you ok?" Obero asked with a concerned expression.
"To find out that one member…a member of the greatest clan that ever existed…it's…it's unreal. I-I can't…" Kagero sat quietly and shook her head. "Her name. What is her name?"
"Sheik." Samantha told her.
"Now Kagero, let's think this through." Azama began. "This…Sheik woman…what do we know of her?" Azama asked.
"I…nothing. There's no stories, no history. Perhaps I've overlooked the name. If Samantha says she's met her. Then perhaps-"
"It might be a stretch." Subaki said. Samantha felt hurt by what Subaki was suggesting.
"Sheik is real! She's a member of Clan Sheikah!" Samantha blurted.
"I'm not doubting her existence, I'm merely suggesting that this individual could be pretending to be-"
"She. Is. Real." Samantha said slowly through her teeth as both Subaki and Samantha looked at Kagero for an answer. The woman fell silent like she was looking for an answer.
"It…is possible that her existence could have gotten lost with time." Kagero said quietly. Samantha shook her head and walked away with frustration. Azama began walking towards the door to try and calm the princess down. "Stop." Kagero told the man.
"But Lady Kagero-"
"She just…needs a little time." Kagero sighed in disappointment. "For what it is worth, I believe her."
"With no evidence?!" Orbero asked.
"It wasn't that long ago that none of us believed Corrin." Kagero reminded everyone; the entire room fell quiet. Samantha began walking towards the stables.
'Just go into town and cool down.' Samantha thought as she returned to her room to collect her wallet and then took a horse from the stable. 'Get something for Genny, too.' Samantha smiled as she climbed onto the horse.
"You know, you're not supposed to leave." A man said while standing at the exit. Samantha ran a hand through her hair.
"Oh come on, Siegbert. I just want to head into town and-"
"Father will be upset if I let you go."
"I'll be back before anyone knows I'm gone. Just…I don't know, cover me for a little bit. Please?" Siegbert thought for a moment before nodding.
"Get something small and return immediately!" Siegbert said sternly. "I do not want to suffer the wrath of father if he finds out you have left the castle." He stepped aside and Samantha rode into town. Once she arrived, it was busy like any other town. Samantha glanced at each of the stores and browsed at what they had.
'Maybe a comb? Ooh! No! What about a bracelet? Or a necklace?' Samantha then came across a doll that looked almost identical to Genny. Though the doll didn't have wings, it did have black hair, clothes made of a potato sack, two black buttons for eyes, and a warm smile.
"How much?" She asked.
"Four gold." The man said. Samantha handed the man four gold coins and took the doll.
'Perfect.' Samantha tightly hugged the doll and began walking back to her horse. Before she could get back on, she saw a young man running into a back alley with three older boys chasing after him. Curiosity got the better of Samantha and she tucked the doll in her pocket and followed the kids down the alley. She found the three older kids had finally cornered the young boy.
"C'mon Willie…give us your lunch money." One boy sneered.
"N-No! I…I need it!" The smaller child protested, but the older kids pushed him to the ground. The young boy rubbed his face and whimpered.
"You gonna cry, Willie?" Another boy laughed. "What, you gonna cry for your mommy?"
"If only someone would help me…" The third boy mockingly said in a dramatic tone.
"Let him go." Samantha warned as the boys turned around.
"Who are you?" One boy asked.
"I am Samantha. Firstborn of Hyrule. And I'm advising you to leave him alone."
"Or what?" The second boy asked as he cracked his knuckles. Samantha cracked her neck and waited for them to make the first move. Before any of them could move the young boy managed to sneak away from the three bullies and run towards Samantha. The guys called out for him to wait, but he instead hid behind Samantha.
"Hold this." Samantha handed the doll to the young boy. He held the doll tightly to ensure he wouldn't lose it. Samantha, now feeling more comfortable and confident, took a stance and was ready to fight. One boy ran towards her and she pushed him to the ground. The other two charged her and she ducked as one boy took a swing at her. She leaned back as the other boy took his first swing at her and he missed as well. Samantha punched one in the gut and kicked the other in the chest. The first guy got up and charged her once again. He threw a flurry of punches which Samantha blocked all of them before hitting him in the neck. He sputtered and coughed while the other two charged. Samantha picked up the first boy by the back of his shirt and threw him at the other two knocking them over.
What…What the hell?" The one guy said.
"How? How can you-"
"Leave him alone." Samantha warned again. The third boy didn't get the message and he charged her once more. Samantha punched him hard in the face; knocking him unconscious.
"You said you're from Hyrule?" The first boy said as he grabbed his knocked out friend.
"I am." Samantha said as she glared at the trio.
"Shit man, we gotta get outta here. We'll get you next time, Willie." The other boy said as he helped his friend and they left quickly. Samantha walked back towards the young boy who was hiding behind the doll.
"Hey there…" Samantha said quietly as she knelt down in front of the young boy. He peaked at her with his hand and knees shaking.
"A-A-Are you…do you…want…m-my lunch money?"
"No. I just don't like bullies." Samantha smiled. "I'll take my doll back though." The boy quickly handed Samantha her doll and looked at her with big, bright eyes.
"P-Please don't h-h-hurt me…" The boy begged.
"It's…Willie, right?" The boy nodded. "I won't hurt you…where were you heading?"
"Home." Willie told her. "It's…It's just over there." He pointed to the end of the alley. There was a road with a single light in front of a house.
"Get home safely. Don't talk to anyone and be careful." Samantha instructed the young man.
"Thank you!" He said happily and he quickly ran home. Samantha smiled and returned to her horse. She rode back to the castle and returned the horse to the stable. She quickly walked back into the castle and began looking around for Genny. Eventually she saw Genny sitting at a table with Azura.
"I'm glad you're back." Siegbert told her. "Did anything bad happen?"
"Of course not. I got Genny a gift and that's it." She pulled out the doll and Siegbert show a small smile.
"I'm sure she'll love it." He nodded.
"Siegbert!" Xander called out. Siegbert turned towards the sound of his father's voice and then back at Samantha.
"Go on…I'll be fine." Samantha smiled. Siegbert left Samantha alone and she walked towards Genny and Azura. Genny looked up and waved.
"Hi, Sam!" She waved and tried to cover her picture. "Don't look!" She said.
"Where did you run off to?" Azura asked.
"I went to get Genny a surprise."
"A surprise?" Genny asked.
"I don't know…do you reeeallly want it?"
"Yes! Yes! Please? Please? Pleeeeease?" Genny begged.
"Oh…alright. But you must close your eyes." Genny nodded and covered her eyes. She tried peaking through her hands and Samantha covered both her eyes with one hand.
"Hey!" Genny protested, but followed that with giggling. Samantha pulled the doll from behind her back and held it in front of her.
"Ta-da." Samantha removed her hand and Genny uncovered her eyes. "See? It's a doll. And it looks just like you." Genny held the doll with no expression. "Do…Do you like it?" Samantha asked, hoping for some kind of reaction. Genny smiled and hugged the doll.
"I love it!" Genny squealed with joy.
"It's beautiful." Azura said. "Where did you find it?"
"I saw it when I was in town. I just knew I had to get it."
"You're so thoughtful." Azura smiled as Samantha yawned.
"I…" She yawned again. "I'm gonna go lay down for a bit." Samantha shook her head and rubbed her eyes.
"Go get some sleep. I can watch over Genny."
"Alright. I'll be back in an hour or so." Samantha turned and hugged Genny before she left. Genny continued playing with her brand new doll. Azura picked up the little girl and started walking down the hallway.
"She's pretty." Genny said while pretending that her doll was dancing in her arms.
"She is pretty. Just like you." Azura smiled and coming around the corner was Corrin.
"Hey you." Corrin kissed Azura's cheek and she smiled. "How's it going out here?"
"We're doing fine. Samantha is taking a nap. Did you want to switch?" Azura asked.
"No, I just needed to stretch my legs. I think they're wrapping up anyway." Corrin knelt down. "That's a cute doll."
""Samantha got it for her."
"Do you want to stay tonight? Or do you want to go back to Hoshido?" Corrin asked her wife.
"I'm sure Shigure and Hana are missing us. I know I miss them." Azura smiled. Corrin pressed her lips against Azura's and walked back towards the main hall where both families were still discussing on what action to take.
"…look, in any case, we can continue discussions tomorrow. It's apparent that we aren't getting anywhere today." Xander sighed. "Will you and your family be staying, Ryoma?"
"I think we'll head back home." Ryoma stood up. "Hinoka, can you-"
"On it." She quickly left to find her retainers and have them ready to leave.
"Corrin, will you and Azura be staying in Nohr?"
"Azura wishes to see Shigure and Hana again. I think we'll head back to Hoshido tonight." As Corrin finished her sentence, Hinoka came back with a troubled look on her face.
"Hinoka, is something wrong?" Camilla asked.
"We're ready to go, but …there's…" Hinoka cleared her throat. "There's a problem."
"What's the problem?" Leo asked.
"Those…purple things are closing in." Hinoka informed the Nohrian royal family.
"How close?" Xander asked.
"They are within…I don't know. A hundred? Two hundred yards from the castle." Hinoka told him. "You know, we could stay if you-"
"We'll be fine. Peri!" Xander called out. Peri quickly ran into the room and saluted her king.
"Yes sir?" She asked.
"Get everyone ready. We're going to fight." Xander said as he rose.
"But you can't kill them." Hinoka reminded him.
"My kingdom. My rules. I'll accept any punishment Ryoma wishes to serve me with, but I will protect my people by any means necessary." Xander told her. "Peri, go." The woman nodded and ran out of the room to gather the troops. "Corrin, go find Azura and ask Samantha if she's willing to fighting on behalf of Nohr."
"Of course." Corrin ran out of the room to find Azura.
"Azura, we've got trouble." Corrin told her.
"What's wrong?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"Those purple people things…they're on the horizon. I'll get Sam and-"
"No. Get ready. I'll go ask Samantha if she wants to fight." Azura said before glancing down at Genny. "Oh dear…"
"What?" Corrin asked as Sakura and Elise rushed towards Corrin and Azura.
"Corrin! We've got to go!" Sakura said as she tugged Corrin's arm.
"Let's go, let's go, let's goooooo!" Elise said while jumping up and down.
"What about her?" Azura asked. "We can't just leave her."
"Oh yeah…um…" Elise began thinking of a solution.
"I think Genny should go with us." Sakura said to Elise. "I don't want Genny to be around if things…if things go bad."
"Yeah! Great idea!" Elise said to the Hoshidan princess before kneeling down in front of the young girl. "Genny, do you wanna go on a little trip?"
"Where's Sam?" She asked with a worried tone.
"Sam…is…" Elise said trying to look for a plausible excuse for the child.
"Sam is…getting you another surprise." Azura said as she knelt down in front of the child.
"Another surprise for me?" Genny asked before clapping her hands with excitement.
"But it's a surprise. So Sam needs to be alone now, ok? Why don't you go to Hoshido? I'll make sure Sam brings your surprise later, ok?"
"Ok!" Genny smiled and Sakura held the little girl as Sakura, Elise, and Genny returned to the main room.
"Stay with them, I'll go get Samantha." Azura said and the two split up. Azura returned to Samantha's room and standing outside her room was a single guard.
"Who…Who are-"
"I was sent by Lord Xander." The man said with a deep voice. He sounded familiar, but Azura couldn't put her finger on it.
"I…O…Ok…I guess…" Azura said. "Is Samantha in there?"
"She is, but she has recently fallen ill." The guard told her.
"I see. I'll return with some medicine soon."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate that." The guard nodded. Azura turned to leave and return to the rest of the group.
"Here." Corrin held out an iron lance for Azura to wield. She grabbed the lance and began getting ready. "Where's Samantha?"
"She is sick." Azura told her.
"What a shame. She's going to miss a great ass kicking." Corrin swung her sword and smirked.
"I suppose." Azura sighed before Xander walked up to the group.
"Ready, ladies?" Xander asked and both women nodded before following him out towards the front door. Everyone who had previously fought for Nohr in their last big war were in armor and ready for a fight.
"Atten-tion! King Xander has arrived!" Peri declared and stepped to the side and both Corrin and Azura took their place in line with the others.
"Brothers and sisters…" Xander began. "What I'm about to ask…is a bit much."
"You can't expect us to kill our allies." Camilla said with concern. Xander sighed and quickly made a decision.
"Only kill those you don't recognize. If you do recognize them…just defend yourselves. Only kill them if it's the last resort." He sighed and Camilla smiled to show her approval. Everyone else cheered and marched out to meet the enemy outside. It was a small group marching towards the castle.
"Looks like…fifty? A hundred?" Leo said as he watched them march ahead.
"It could be a thousand for all I care." Keaton said with his tail wagging. "I'm ready for a fight!"
"All troops! Charge!" Xander declared and the Nohrian army charged with fire in their eyes and passion in their hearts. They met their enemies and quickly began defending their homeland. One after another, the enemy went down one after another; not a single ally among them.
"This is too easy!" Nina said as she pulled three arrows, lined up the shots and took down three separate enemies.
"Yeah…" Ignatius said quietly as he stabbed one and then swung his lance at another. "Something doesn't feel right…" Nyx took down two more with a spell as Charlotte swung her axe and killed one while defending Elise.
"If these things were capable…of destroying Ylisstol…how are we…" Charlotte groaned as she blocked an attack and took down another one.
"How can we cut them down so easily?" Baruka asked while she flew down on her dragon and killed a dozen as her dragon landed and two more while swinging her axe. The fighting continued and Xander delivered the last blow to the last enemy.
"Where is Samantha?" Xander asked.
"The guard told me she's sick." Azura said while catching her breath. Xander paused and slowly turned to face Azura.
"What guard?" He asked.
"The one you sent to her room." Azura said with less confidence than before.
"Azura, I didn't send anyone…" He stopped mid-sentence and he saw the color drain from her face. "Goddamn it…" He threw his sword down and yelled in anger. "Camilla, take Elise and get the escort ready to leave. Arthur, Effie, Beruka…go with them."
"We're supposed to wait-" Elise began.
"There's no time!" Xander yelled. "The rest of you, with me." Xander grabbed his sword and sprinted back towards the castle. The first two back were Azura and Xander.
"Which way? Which room?!" Xander asked and Aura quickly ran towards the room. The guards were no longer there and when Azura opened the door, Samantha was nowhere to be seen.
"No…oh no….this…this can't be happening." Azura said in disbelief and fear. Leo, Corrin, and Jakob were the next to arrive.
"Where is she?" Jakob asked.
"She's gone…and it's all my fault." Azura hung her head in shame.
"Now, now Azura. Let's think this through." Leo began to reassure her, but Elise finally caught up with the group.
"Elise? I gave you explicit orders to-"
"He's outside." Elise said while shaking.
"Who's outside?" Xander asked.
"Um…I…I don't remember his name…big, mean…Zelda hates him. Like really hates him."
"Someone Zelda hates?" Corrin asked. "I can't think of anyone who Zelda would-"
"There's Gannon, but I don't-" He paused as Xander and Leo looked at each other and realized who took her. The group ran outside and standing alone was indeed Gannondorf.
"Gannon!" Xander called out. "What have you done to her?"
"Nothing yet. But that changes if my demands are not met."
"I'll kill you where you stand." Xander said with his fists clenched.
"You can try." He smirked. "But then poor Samantha will be left hanging." He chuckled.
"What are you-" Elise asked with a firm, yet scared tone.
"He's planning on hanging her." Leo declared.
"Smart boy." Gannon nodded his head.
"All of Nohr will not stop until you are dead." Corrin called out.
"You know, Zelda has made the same threats…and yet, here I stand."
"What do you want?" Xander asked.
"Nohr." Gannondorf said casually.
"Out of the question." Xander said sternly.
"Well, how about this?" Gannondorf snapped his fingers and a much larger army came over the horizon.
"Holy…" Corrin said as her jaw dropped.
"That's…that's a lot of bad guys." Charlotte said quietly.
"Of course, I'm not unreasonable." Gannondorf said with a smirk. "You have until the sun sets to surrender. If you choose to stay, Samantha will swing and I will overrun this country anyway."
"You can try, but we'll stop you!" Azura said before looking at the others. "Did…did that sound brave? I was going for brave."
"I'll see you at sundown…or not. I'll wait for your answer." Gannondorf walked away and Nyx took a step, but Leo stopped her.
"Don't." Leo warned. "He's given us everything we need. We only have a couple hours."
"So, what are we supposed to do until then?" Charlotte asked.
"The logical decision is to wait. We could recharge with some food, keep our weapons and armor close by, and Leo will figure something out." Nyx said quietly. Azura knelt down to the ground; her head in her hands, quietly sobbing.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid." She shook her head and tried to fight back tears and failing.
"Lady Azura…you are not to blame." Jakob knelt next to the blue haired woman. "You just…messed everything up."
"Jakob!" Corrin slapped the back of his head and knelt down on the other side of Azura. "Sweetie, this…you didn't know. Any one of us could've made the same assumption. It's not your fault."
"Samus is going to kill-"
"Me." Xander said. "Samus is going to kill me."
"But-"
"Azura, I will not let you carry this burden. I will speak to her…maybe she will listen to me. We…have a history."
"Zelda, right? She was…your wife? Was that it?" Charlotte recalled.
"Girlfriend." Xander corrected with a smile. "Rhajat caused us a lot of trouble…" He sighed. "In any case, I think our best bet is to return to the castle and plan." The group walked back inside and sat down at the dining table.
"Lunch will be ready in a minute." Percy said as Jakob, Felicia, and Flora stepped towards him.
"Thank you, Percy, but I believe I shall take it from here."Jakob said sternly as he, Felicity, and Flora all entered the kitchen.
"Hey, I'm still the cook!" Percy said and followed them into the kitchen. The group began lightly laughing and chuckling at Percy's protest and despite his superhero appearance, Percy was actually a good cook. Corrin glanced towards the door and Azura quietly walked away from the group.
"Corrin? What are you looking at?" Camilla asked.
"It's Azura. I…hang on a second." She stood up and followed Azura outside the dining hall.
"Azura?" She asked and she sat on the steps with her eyes closed and her hands on her head.
"Leave me alone." She said quietly.
"If this is about what happened-"
"You wouldn't have made that mistake! Camilla wouldn't have made that mistake! Xander wouldn't have made that mistake! I did!" She blurted out. "Samantha is gone…Gannondorf took Samantha. If it were Hana…or Shigure…who would you blame? Be honest." The two women sat in silence for a few moments.
"W-Well…" Corrin stammered.
"This is not your fault, Azura." Xander said as he took a seat next to her.
"Xander…" Corrin began.
"I saw you leave. Please tell me, you're not blaming yourself for all this." He insisted.
"I…I just…this…all of this…" Azura sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "If she dies…"
"She won't." Xander told her.
"But-"
"Azura…" Xander knelt down in front of her. "We'll save her. I give you my word." Xander smiled as Azura rubbed her eyes once more and gave him a smile back. "For now, let's get something to eat and wait. Leo will come up with something. He always does. Until then, worrying won't help anything. Come…let's get some food." Xander helped her up and the three of them made their way back to the dining hall.
"Did they take Genny as well?" Xander asked before they entered.
"No." Azura sniffed again. "She went with Sakura to Hoshido." Xander sighed with relief. Everyone had taken a seat waiting for Percy to finish cooking a meal for everyone. Jakob, Flora, and Felicia began serving each person a small bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The three sat down and were immediately served by each of the servants.
"Lord Xander…um…" Peri rubbed the back of her neck and didn't look the king in the eye.
"What's wrong?" Xander asked.
"Well…um…"
"Peri, you can tell me anything." Xander reassured the woman.
"It's…Lord Geoffrey."
"What about him?"
"He's…here."
"Here?" Charlotte asked. "No, he's dead."
"That's what I mean. One of those purple things out there…Benny says that Lord Geoffrey is standing with them." Silence filled the room.
"Geoffrey? As in Lady Elincia's husband?" Niles asked and the group murmured to one another before Xander slammed his hand on the table.
"If Geoffrey is one of them, I will deal with him myself. Our mission remains the same, but we'll need to act quickly."
"Our priority is the kingdom of Nohr." Flora told the group.
"No! Samantha is in danger." Felicia protested.
"She is not our concern at the moment." Flora took another sip of her soup and Felicia slapped her sister's cheek.
"Felicia!" Flora scolded her sister and slapped her back.
"Ow!" Felicia placed a hand on her cheek and the two sisters got into a slapping fight.
"ENOUGH!" Xander yelled and both girls stopped fighting. Felicia slapped her sister one last time and Flora glared at her younger sister. "Leo, tell me you've got something."
"I'm thinking!" Leo yelled at his brother. Leo sat in silence and it was like everyone could see the gears turning in his head. "Ok. Here's what I'm thinking…" Leo said before explaining the plan in great detail to everyone at the table.
"What do you think?" Leo asked after he finished.
"It sounds risky." Camilla shook her head.
"It's our best shot." Niles said with a smile. "I like it."
"There's no way it will work…" Azura said with a bit of shame.
"It's our best shot. I trust Leo to make the call." Benny said casually. After they finished eating, they moved out to rescue the princess and then deal with the oncoming forces after ensuring the safety of the Hylian princess. They found where Samantha was and they went forward with the plan Leo came up with. Niles and Nina quietly crept up a tree that was twenty yards out from where Samantha was standing. She had some kind of black bag over her head, and her hands and feet were tied together. Geoffrey slipped a noose around Samantha's neck and pulled the bag off her. She had a blindfold over her eyes and was still unaware of her location.
"Xander!" Gannondorf called out. "Your time is up! Surrender or watch her swing! I care not what you choose, but I suggest you decide quickly."
"Bastard." Nina said through gritted teeth. "One shot is all I'll-" She started aiming her bow at the man, but her father put a hand on her bow.
"Nina, stop." He said in a hushed, but serious tone. "Take a shot and we'll lose her forever." Nina slightly gasped and took aim at the rope.
"What do you think, Xander? Should this bastard child live?" He asked with a hearty laugh.
"Poor girl…" Niles shook his head. "Damn him." He cursed under his breath. "Nina, you remember the plan?" Niles asked.
"Oh yeah…I…um…" Nina looked uneasy for a moment.
"You don't remember, do you?"
"No." Nina admitted as her cheeks turned rosy pink.
"Xander and Leo are going to go along with Gannon's request. When he's ready, Xander will rub the back of his neck. You will aim for the rope and cut Samantha down. Peri will ride in and take Samantha to the corrals where Corrin, Azura, Elise, Jakob, Felicia, and Flora are waiting. They'll ride to Nohr while the rest of us fend them off."
"What if…what if we can't? What if something goes wrong or we fail or-"
"Nina…" Niles said with a smile. "We won't fail. Lord Leo's plan is sound." Nina hesitated.
"But…what…"
"What's the matter?"
""Dad, I'm scared." Nina looked down in shame. Niles tipped her head up.
"Nina, you're the best straight shot this side of Nohr. Even better than that spoiled brat, Takumi but you didn't hear that from me." He winked and his daughter smiled. "There's that pretty smile." Nina's smile quickly faded and as she lined up the shot, her hand started shaking.
"Now what's wrong?" Niles asked.
""What if…What if I miss? What if I hit her? Dad, I don't know if-"
"Give me the arrow." Shamefully, Nina handed the arrow to her father. "Nina…" He began as she looked at him while he aimed. "I still love you. I'm proud of you, sweetheart." She smiled and rubbed her eyes. "Keep a lookout. Tell me when you see the cue." Nina kept a close eye while Niles quickly lined up the shot. During the discussion, she noticed Xander's right hand move towards his neck and she knew that had to be the sign.
"Go." She quietly said as Niles inhaled and held his breath before letting the arrow fly. Gannondorf finally pushed Samantha off the rock and for a split second, she swung while struggling to breathe.
"No!" Charlotte screamed as Gannondorf turned to see Charlotte on a horse with Peri quickly riding towards them. The arrow cut the rope and Samantha hit the ground hard.
"All units! Destroy the city! Burn this country down!" He called out and a full army of purple monsters came over the horizon.
"This…is a problem." Xander said as he stared in disbelief.
"Oh…shit." Niles said with his jaw dropping. Nina then looked and saw the army that marched towards them.
"No way…" Nina said quietly.
"Peri, get Sam out of here."
"But-"
"NOW!" Charlotte yelled and ran towards her husband to fend off the oncoming army. Peri quickly made her way to Samantha before placing her on the back of the horse laying down.
"Peri? What's going on?" Samantha asked as she began riding.
"There's no time to explain, but the short version is that we have a bit of a problem."
"Let me see!"
"Kinda busy over here."
"Peri, I order you to-"
"It's a damn shame I don't give a fuck what you want." Peri continued riding. "I have my orders and I'm following them. We're almost there so, with all due respect, please…shut the fuck up and let me do my job." Samantha didn't say a word for the remainder of the ride. She eventually felt the horse slow down and heard Peri get off the horse.
"Peri, what's going on? Why are you-"
"Get her out of here." Peri said and she carefully picked Samantha up and stood her up.
"But what-"
"Corrin, I really can't explain right now." She pulled off the hood and carefully removed the blindfold; the light was immediately blinding, but after a few seconds, her vision came back to her.
"I demand and explanation!" Corrin said. "Where's Xander? Where's Leo? What's going on? Why-"
"Ugh, fine!" Peri complained. "There's a fucking army coming over the hills. I…I don't think we can hold them back, and I'm afraid we might lose."
"Lose?!" Azura asked. "We can't lose Nohr! I'll call Ryoma and-"
"He'll be too late. Look, get her out of here. We'll hold them off as long as we can."
"We can fight!" Felicia said with determination. "Flora and I can assist with-"
"Your job is to keep Corrin safe. Jakob, keep everyone safe."
"I shall keep Lady Corrin safe. I make no guarentees about the others." He said with a posh tone.
"Don't fucking do this, butler." Peri warned as she got back on the horse. "All of them." She glared at him like she insisted that he do it or she'll kill him. Jakob gulped and nodded before she rode back.
"I wanna help." Elise said.
"Elise, please. We need to go." Flora told the young woman.
"But-"
"It would be foolish to stay. Samantha, can you still ride?" Flora asked. Samantha didn't respond, as she just worried about what was happening.
"An army…what have I done?" She whispered to herself.
"Samantha!" Flora said sternly.
"Huh?"
"Can you-"
"Forget it, Flora. Felicity, assist Elise onto her horse. Azura, grab one for yourself. Lady Corrin, I shall help you and Flora, select on for yourself. Samantha will ride with you towards Hoshido. Move!" Jakob said as he quickly ran to grab a horse for Corrin. Everyone scrambled to get ready while Samantha just stood there in shock and fear.
"Samantha!" Jakob yelled. "Unless you'd rather die, I suggest you find Flora." Jakob helped Corrin onto her horse and quickly found one for himself. Once everyone was on their horses, they left the corrals and saw that the majority of Nohr was either burning or fighting.
"Oh gods…" Azura said with disbelief.
"Azura! Let's go!" Corrin called out. Before Azura could snap the reins, a spark hit the ground in front of the horse and the horse bucked her off.
"Azura!" Corrin called out before noticing Gannondorf walking towards them.
"Leaving so soon?" He asked with a dark chuckle. All Samantha could do was watch in horror as Corrin took a stance like she was preparing to fight him.
"Corrin, no!" Samantha called out, but before either one of them could strike, a flash of light struck the ground between both of them. As they looked around to see where it had come from, Samantha also looked around and saw an army charging towards Nohr.
'The one leading…are…are those green clothes? Who-'
"Frederick! Faster!" The woman yelled and cast another spell.
"Frederick." Samantha quietly said. "That means it's Ylisstol." Samantha smiled.
"Chrom!" She called out and as Sumia flew towards the ground, she pulled the reigns just above the ground. Chrom hopped off and immediately charged Gannondorf.
"What?!" He asked in surprise and blocked the attack. Chrom continued the offensive attack while his older sister began casting spells to give separation from him and Azura. Azura quickly got up and retrieved the horse while the Ylissean army poured in and quickly rode into town to fight off the fending army and what a sight to behold. Thousands upon thousands of Ylissean soliders marched over the horizon while the royal family led the fight into Nohr with the mission to fend off the enemy.
"Samantha!" Corrin ran towards her and grabbed her wrist. "We're leaving! Now!" Corrin said and before they returned to their horses.
"What about Chrom? Does he know where to find us?"
"If we aren't in Nohr, it's safe to assume we'd be in Hoshido." Azura said and snapped her reins again. They all left Nohr behind with Hoshido as their destination. Samantha's eyes started watering and she rubbed her eyes. As they approached the camp, they were halted by the brothers Saizo and Kaze.
"Corrin? What is the meaning of this? It's late." Kaze informed her.
"I know, but Nohr is under attack. We've received help from Ylisstol, but our mission was to ensure Samantha arrives safely." Corrin said and Kaze quickly left to inform Ryoma or Kagero while Saizo waited with them. Corrin led the group to the stable and put the horses inside. Just as she finished, Ryoma, Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakura ran outside to meet with Corrin.
"What happened?" Ryoma asked.
"I…I don't know. One minute we were fighting off a small army, the next…I screwed up. I really screwed up…" Azura said while shamefully looking down at the ground; tears fell down her face while Sakura hugged her sister.
"You screwed up? What do you mean?" Ryoma asked.
"I left Samantha alone…with Gannon."
"Gannon?! He's in Nohr right now?" Hinoka exclaimed with shock and a hint of worry.
"Perhaps he was right…" Ryoma said. "Maybe we should retaliate with force."
"Ryoma, you can't be serious." Takumi protested.
"If Gannon has attacked Nohr, it's safe to assume his next plan is to attack Hoshido. Saizo!" He called out. The ninja seemed to appear out of nowhere and knelt down in front of Ryoma.
"You called?" He asked.
"Secure the perimeter. We're going to aid Nohr in their battle."
"Shall I retrieve Lady Kagero and Lady Obero?"
"No, let them be. They are attending to the child." Hinoka, Takumi, and Sakrua quickly left to gather their weapons. "Corrin, Azura…" He paused for a moment. "Stay here. I'd rather you stay within the castle."
"Thank you." Corrin smiled. "Azura, calm down, let's get a cup of tea and just breathe." She said as she led the blue haired woman to the family room. Ryoma turned back and Hinoka tossed his sword to her older brother. He caught it with one hand climbed on the horse.
"Samantha, wait!" Sakura said as she handed her a small box. It was a small black box with a light blue ribbon tied around it.
"What is it?" She asked as she pulled the ribbon and carefully undid the bow.
"We had to cover for you while you were in town and Azura said you were getting a gift for Genny s-s-so….I…" Sakura's voice faded while Samantha opened it and it was a small gold necklace with a light blue gem at the end.
"Oh my god, it's beautiful!" Samantha gushed. "How much did it cost?"
"I don't want you to pay me back."
"But still…this…this is too much. I cannot accept this as a gift."
"But she'll love it. I looked for the most unique gift I could find. I'm sure she'll love it." Sakura smiled at the princess. Samantha hugged the princess and smiled from ear to ear.
"You're the best, Sakura. I'll find some way to repay you, I promise." Samantha told her.
"Sakura!" Ryoma called out.
"Coming!" She called back. "We'll catch up later, I promise that-"
"Medic!" A man's voice called out as a few more people rode into Hoshido. Peri quickly rode in with what looked like an unconscious Camilla leaning against her. On another horse was Xander's son Seigbert and Niles riding behind him.
"What happened?" Hinoka asked.
"CAMILLA!" Elise screamed and she rushed to her sister with eyes watering. "Hey, c'mon wake up. Please! Wake up! Camilla!" Elise continued trying to wake her sister up, but eventually, Seigbert had to hold her back.
"Aunt Elise, she needs a little space."
"No, get off me! Camilla!" Elise struggled to fight her nephew, while also fighting tears falling down her face.
"Later. Where's Azama? Or Sakura?" Peri asked as she hopped off the horse and, with the help of Niles, carefully removed Camilla from the back of the horse. Samantha watched with fear at what was unfolding.
"Xan…Xander…Leo…no…" Camilla quietly said while trying to struggle against Peri and Niles; unaware of her current surroundings.
"Lady Camilla, please! You're not fighting anymore. You're in Hoshido now. You're safe. Where the fuck is the goddamn medic?"
"I'm here." Sakura said quietly. "Let's bring her to a room. Ryoma-"
"We're leaving. Sakura, the kingdom is yours for now." Ryoma, Hinoka, and Takumi all took off towards Nohr and Sakura assisted Peri and Niles with bringing Camilla to a room. Samantha began wandering in the castle; looking for the small laguz child that she had been in charge of caring for. Finally, they heard a feint giggle and Samantha's head turned.
'It's Genny.' She thought to herself as she walked towards the sound and every so often, she'd hear a child's attempt at a roar followed by a giggle. She finally made it to the family room where Obero was laying on the ground playing with blocks and every time Obero stacked two or three towers, Genny would knock them down.
"Oh no!" Obero said with fake worry in her voice. "A monster!"
"Raaaawwwwrrrr!" Genny yelled and then giggled as she sat down.
"Another town destroyed by the monster!" She tickled Genny and she giggled even louder. Obero looked up and smiled. "Hey Genny, look who's here."
"Sam!" Genny flapped her wings and clapped her hands.
"Hey there, Genny. Oof…you're heavy. Have you gotten taller since I last saw you?" Samantha asked as she began acting like Genny weighed much more than she actually did. Genny laughed and nodded her head.
"How is Nohr doing?" Obero asked. Samantha's smile quickly faded and she bit her bottom lip.
"What…What if you had to, I don't know, come up with a worst case scenario? What would that look like?"
"Well…if we're talking a hypothetical situation…I would say that the entire Nohrian family is dead, the country's in shambles, and it's burning to the ground…" Obero chuckled. "But that's not the case, right?" Samantha was looking at the ground. "Sam…that's not the case…tell me that's not the case." Obero's expression was serious and Genny stared at Samantha and then Obero.
"Uh oh…" Genny said quietly.
"Two…Two out of three isn't bad…" Samantha said as look at the ground and there was silence.
"They're…all of them?" Obero's voice quietly cracked and her eyes grew big and a few tears ran down her face.
I don't know. Elise is…emotionally hurt…Camilla looks like she's…really hurt…and Leo and Xander…I'm not sure. The…The country's kind of…wrecked. The Ylissean army is currently fighting them off with the help of Ryoma, Hinoka, and Takumi…but…" Samantha closed her eyes and started crying. "I'm…I…it's my fault. I can't…everywhere I go…" Genny flapped her wings and moved closer to Samantha.
"Don't cry, Sam…" Genny hugged the woman. "It's ok…a smile is good for you." Genny said.
"And I'm getting advice from a child on how to act like an adult." Samantha sniffed and took a few quick breaths. "I can't do this anymore."
"You're not the only one, you know! Do you even know about what's going on in Tellius?" Obero asked while rubbing one eye.
"N-N-No…" Samantha used her free hand and wiped her nose. Genny began flapping her wings and flying around the room.
"Daein and Crimea were attacked. Micaiah and Sothe have gone underground. Elincia abandoned her home with her son, Lucia, Bastian, and their two kids. Geoffrey is dead as well."
"He tried to hang me." Samantha said quietly.
Geoffrey…he…" She asked before shaking her head. "Look, the point is, whatever is happening…it's not just you. I'm sure it feels like it, but everyone is affected. Whatever this thing is, I don't know what they want, but I want you to listen to me." Obero placed both hands on the side of Samantha's head. "This. Is. Not. Your. Fault."
"Thank you." Samantha sniffled. "I needed that."
"I'm not that good at the motivational speeches, but I have my moments." Obero said before lightly laughing and glancing at a small box in her hand. "What's this?"
"Oh it's just a little gift…" Samantha said as she opened the box to reveal the necklace.
"Samantha! It's beautiful." Obero smiled and glanced at Genny and then back to Samantha.
"Genny…" Samantha called out with anticipated excitement. "I got you a pretty necklace." She held it up for the girl to see. Genny flew back towards Samantha, but stopped in front of her. She turned around and Samantha put the necklace on the young girl. "What do you think?" She placed her arms around the girl and walked towards the nearest mirror. Genny looked at herself and smiled.
"Ooh! Thank you! Thank you!" She smiled and clapped her hands.
"You're very welcome, Genny." Samantha smiled and the child gave hug a big hug.
"You're so nice." Genny complimented her. "My mommies are my favorite, but-but you're next."
"Mommies?" Samantha asked.
"Uh huh. I have two mommies!" Genny smiled and held up two fingers.
'Genny has two moms…although it's not uncommon for two members of the same sex to be married and adopt in Gallia, Kilvas, Phoenicis, or Goldoa. But it's a start.' Samantha thought. Azura quietly walked into the room and took a seat by the fireplace; holding a saucer with a cup of tea while her hands were still shaking from before.
"Azura? You alright?" Obero asked, but Peri stormed into the room wand walked directly towards Azura.
"Peri, I know you're-" Corrin tried to cut Peri off, but she shoved the princess to the ground.
"Hey!" Obero yelled, but Peri had no interest in her.
"What did you do?" She asked quietly.
"I'm sorry!" Azura said with tears running down her face.
"What…did you do?"
"It was an accident!"
"Bullshit!" Peri knocked the cup out of her hands and it shattered on the ground. "Lord Xander said to tell you that it wasn't your fault. What did you do?" Azura was cowering beneath the pink and blue haired woman, but before Azura could respond, Obero pulled the woman by the hair away from Azura.
"Leave her alone!" She said with anger in her voice.
"This doesn't corner you."
"My castle. My rules. You can kindly leave if you don't like it."
"Fucking Hoshidans think you're sooo high and mighty-"
"You came to us for help. We didn't need to help you."
"We're your allies."
"So start by respecting us!" Obero and Peri were at each other's throats when others came into the room.
"STOP!" Another woman's voice boomed over both of them. Obero and Peri turned to see Kagero walking into the room and kneeling next to Azura.
"Azura, are you hurt?" Kagero helped the woman to her feet.
"I'm fine, thank you." She said as she stood behind Kagero while looking at Peri with fear.
"We're not done." Peri said as she began walking towards Azura.
"Peri, leave her alone." Corrin protested, but her words fell on deaf ears.
"Peri, have a seat." Kagero instructed the Nohrian knight.
"I don't listen to your suggestions."
"That wasn't a suggestion." Kagero said with a more stern tone. Peri stopped and sighed before sitting on a portion of the couch and Kagero helped Azura sit opposite of Peri. "Everyone else, please sit." Corrin sat next to Azura, Obero sat in a chair close to Azura and Corrin, and Samantha in a chair while Genny started flapping her wings again began flying around the room once more. Finally, Kagero took a seat by Peri.
"Now then, Azura. Let's answer Peri's question…what did you do?"
"I'm sorry, ok?"
"Not good enough." Peri scowled.
"Peri, please." Kagero interjected firmly as she glanced from Azura to Peri. "Could you be more specific?"
"I…I allowed Gannondorf to kidnap Lady Samantha and she almost died because of me." Azura looked down in shame while Corrin held her hand.
"But Samantha is safe now, so Peri…why are you still angry?"
"Lord Xander and Lord Leo have turned! The last thing Lord Xander told me was to tell Azura it wasn't her fault."
"He…turned?" Kagero asked.
"One of those creepy purple things." Her voice now sounded worried instead of anger. "Without Lord Xander, what can I do? What am I going to do?" She actually sounded scared.
"So you lashed out at Azura out of fear." Without a word, Peri nodded. Obero rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Weak." She muttered under her breath.
"And I suppose you wouldn't mind if it were Lord Takumi?" Kargo asked with restrained anger. Obero didn't respond and Kagero turned back to Peri.
"On behalf of Hoshido, I offer my sincerest apologies to you, Peri. But before we present a solution, I suggest you apologize to Azura." Samantha expected Peri to lash out and start throwing insults to the Queen of Hoshido, but instead, she nodded her head and glanced at the blue haired princess.
"Azura, I…sorry. I lost my temper and…well…I don't want to murder you." Peri quietly stated.
"I accept your apology." Azura said while squeezing Corrin's hand; like she was afraid that Peri would still attack her.
"Now then, is Lady Charlotte still alive?" Kagero asked.
"Yes." Peri responded.
"And Seigbert is alive as well?"
"Yes."
"Then might I suggest you devote your life to protecting them. I'm sure it's what Xander would have wanted." Peri nodded and stood up.
"I'm gonna…you know…go take a walk. Kill something to eat for breakfast or something." Peri quietly left the room. Genny came back down and landed on the ground gently. She walked towards the fire and held her hands out towards the flame.
"You like the fire?" Obero asked with a smile before Genny turned her head and nodded.
"You know, when Ginny and I were kids, we used to see who could sit the longest with our backs to the fire." Samantha recollected. "When we were too hot, we'd lay down on the carpet and wiggle around to scratch our back." Samantha smiled. "I miss her."
"I am sure Virginia is safe from all of this." Kagero reassured to Hylian princess. "For now, I would ask that you and…what was her name?" Kagero asked.
"Genny. Technically, it's Genevieve, but Genny is her nickname."
"Genny." Kagero said to confirm her name. "Why don't you and Genny go find a room and get some rest? If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you for your kindness. All of you." Samantha curtseyed for each of the remaining women before scooping Genny up and leaving the room.
"Bye!" Genny waved at the women and they all waved back. Samantha carried the girl to the nearest bedroom which was just as large as the rooms in Nohr. She gave Genny a bath and washed herself before climbing into bed and cuddling up with the young laguz girl.
'Genny has got two moms, Tellius is in shambles, Nohr has been destroyed…mom…I wish you were here.' Samantha sighed with frustration as she closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.