Chapter 6: Troubling News
Dizzy is walking down the hallway, wearing an elegant, long black dress that hangs off of the shoulders while still letting her wings hang out, and even allowing her tail to be seen.
Standing in front of the doors at the end is Frederick, wearing a uniform akin to that of an officer with medals instead of his armor, as he says as Dizzy nears, "Lady Dizzy, I'm glad you could make it. And it seems you were able to come up with an appropriate outfit."
"I wore this dress when I was living in the forest, though I would change to another one for battle." says Dizzy. "Anyway, are these... 'Khans' close to being here?"
"They're arriving shortly." says Frederick. "Please, Exalt Chrom and Lady Robin are waiting to see you."
Without saying another word, Frederick opens the doors and lets Dizzy into the throne room.
Upon seeing her, Chrom says, "Ah, glad you could make it, Dizzy."
Dizzy smiled when she saw Chrom and Robin, but was slightly taken surprise by their new outfits.
Chrom's outfit shows true regality with the long, blue robe with gold trim, white undershirt and blue, fluffy cloak that touched the floor like it melted into it all topped with a gold circlet. And Robin's dress is white while adorned with red flower decorations that matched the dress's trim, which went well with her normally long hair that was now done up to make her look like a Grand Dame.
"Greetings, you highnesses." says Dizzy with a bow. "I know we've only met for a short time, but your change in attire just surprised me."
"Well, dosen't seem what it should." says Robin. "I mean, I suppose I can understand a little since Chrom and I haven't been very regal types, but doesn't your husband dress similarly?"
"Not as often as I remember." says Dizzy. "In fact, he's never been much for regality himself. In fact, he was only pushed into being king by the United Nations."
"So, he wasn't born a noble?" asks Chrom.
"No." says Dizzy. "I'll tell you all more later."
Chrom says, "Right. The Khans will be here in any moment."
Just then, the other Shepherds come in, but instead of wearing their usual outfits, they are wearing uniforms like that of Frederick (the females versions obviously looking made more for the appropriate gender), each one decorated with medals to show their accomplishments.
The only exceptions to them are Lissa and Emmeryn as they each wear cream-colored dresses, Morgan with his more regal outfit of white with blue cape, and Lucina with a light blue dress.
Seeing them, Chrom says, "Seems like everyone is here and accounted for. All right, everyone! Assemble yourselves! We're about to have company!"
Saying nothing, the other Shepherds align themselves in double rows.
"Lissa, Emm, Morgan, Lucina, you'll be with us." says Chrom. "Same with you, Dizzy. The Khans said they would much like to meet you personally."
"Right." says Dizzy with a small bow.
As Chrom and Robin head to their respective thrones while Morgan stands on the right side and both Lucina and Dizzy stand on the left.
As if timing couldn't be more perfect, a messenger comes in and says, "Milord Exalt and Queen, the Khans of Regna Ferox are here."
"Please see them in." says Chrom.
As the messenger leaves, a bald, black man with armor similar to what Vaike was wearing and a black eyepatch, and a dark-skinned woman with blonde hair and outfit similar to the girl with silver pigtails appear.
Chrom smiles and says, "Ah, Khan Basilio. Khan Flavia. It's been too long. Welcome, both of you."
"Good to see you're doing well, Chrom." says the woman Khan. "But why did you all get gussied up so nicely? You know how we are in Regna Ferox. Fancy customs don't apply to us."
"Maybe so, but I believe if she were still Exalt, Emmeryn would have done the same as any of us here." says Chrom.
"Of course, why would I expect any less?" says the woman Khan jovially. "And Robin, I knew death would't keep you away from us forever. Welcome back."
"Thank you, Flavia." says Robin. "I'm glad to be back."
"You sure took one hell of a burden on your shoulders back then." says Basilio. "At any rate, glad you could be back with us. No telling what mess you'll need to be there to get us out of in the future."
"That's what I do best, Khan Basilio." says Robin.
"And I assume that the cute girl with wings is your newest Shepherd, right?" asks Basilio.
"Yes." says Chrom. "Her name is Dizzy. She apparently came to us from another world."
"From what the reports told us, her power goes beyond your understanding." says Flavia.
"It does, but Dizzy would have to tell you more." says Chrom.
"So, Dizzy, what can you tell us about yourself?" asks Basilio.
"Well..." says Dizzy. "...to be clear, I am half-Human. However, my other half is known as a Gear. Not a piece of machinery, but a being gentically enhanced through magical means. Being a type of Gear known as a Commander Gear, I have many lantent abilities, and many of them I have done through my wings, Necro and Undine. Say hello, both of you."
Necro and Undine transform, almost throwing Basilio and Flavia for a loop.
"Nice to meet you." says Undine. "I am Undine, the one that works to protect Dizzy from harm through more defensive means."
"And I am Necro." says Necro. "I protect Dizzy through sheer combative force against the enemy. Short version, Undine guards Dizzy and I hurt the bad guys."
"Seems you make one dynamic duo." says Basilio. "And I guess she has to keep you both in line."
"Well, we are a part of her, so... more or less." says Undine.
"At any rate, I bet she makes a fine addition to your team, Chrom." says Flavia.
"More than you can realize." says Chrom. "If you see her fight one day, you'll know just what she's capable of."
"Yeah, and from what she tells us, what those of us who were there to witness her fight haven't seen anything yet." says Robin.
"I believe I was the one who said that." says Necro. "And even then, there's still more to her than you're ready for."
"She did tell me about that 'Gamma Ray' thing she's capable of by herself and through you." replies Robin.
"Funny thing: Dizzy may be more capable of other abilities besides that." says Necro. "She hasn't shown it yet, but Undine is far more powerful than even I am. Or at least it's possible, as much as I hate to admit it."
"Aw, no need to feel inferior to one who's already morally superior." says Undine as she pats Necro on the head.
"Don't touch me." Necro grumbles.
"Well, you must have one interesting relationship, all three of you." says Basilio.
"It's a living." says Undine with a giggle.
"Necro, Undine, if you don't mind, rest for now." says Dizzy. "Let me talk to the Khans alone. And Necro, no threatening their lives beforehand."
"Aww, where's the fun in that?" asks Necro.
"Necroooooo..." says Dizzy getting perturbed.
"Right, right." says Necro. "Let me know when you need me."
After Necro goes back into wing form, Undine says, "We'll always be in touch."
After Undine goes back into wing form, Dizzy says, "Well, that's my wings for you, though really, they're my 'systems'. Don't ask me to explain that. I just developed them when I was maturing, so they've been with me ever since then."
"Don't worry." says Basilio. "At least it's better than having a monkey on your back!"
As Basilio laughs jovially at his own joke, Flavia just rolls her eyes with annoyance.
"In any case..." says Basilio regaining his composure. "...it's great to meet you Dizzy and your 'colorful' wings, or systems. However, we brought our own guest here. And I'm sure Lon'qu and Olivia are going to like him." Turning around, Basilio shouts, "You can come in now!"
Just then, a man wearing barbarian garb walks in, his muddy brown hair almost reaching his neck as if it looks like it hasn't been washed, and his dark green eyes looking like unpolished jade. However, his most notable feature is his face, especially his long nose with a little hair on the end and his two front teeth sticking out from the top. His large chin only adds to the weirdness.
Upon seeing the man, Lon'qu puts on a pleased smile while Olivia happily says, "RIZZO!"
"Hey you two, narf narf!" says the man answering to the name of Rizzo. "Been too long, hasn't it? Nurf!"
Olivia runs up and gives Rizzo a big hug while Lon'qu approaches and says, "What have you been up to, Rat?"
"Oh, just dealing with the occassional ne'er-do-well the Feroxi way, nrf!" says Rizzo. "Especially the ones that hurt or try to hurt the good-natured cuties, nerf! Speaking of which, Olivia, narrf! You've gotten a lot cuter than I remember, nrrf! No guys trying to take advantage of you that deserve a good hacking from my axe, have ya? Nurf!"
"Maybe a few here and there." says Olivia. "But I fought a few off while my friends did the majority of the work."
"Ah, good to hear, narf!" says Rizzo. "I would've been there to help, but I've been busy on my own end, nff! And I'm afraid I have some bad news for the Exalt, naarf!"
"What bad news do you speak of?" asks Chrom.
"Ah yes, nerrf!" says a Rizzo. "Before that, narf! Allow me to introduce myself, nurf nerf! My name is Rizzo, nerf! Some call me 'Ratface Rizzo' while those like Lon'qu just call me 'The Rat', nerff!"
"How awful!" says Dizzy. "They shouldn't besmirch you just by your appearance!"
"Gee, why wouldn't they?" asks Inigo under his breath before being belted in the gut by Kjelle.
"Don't worry about it, young lady, narf!" says Rizzo. "The ladies may not find me handsome, but at least I can always warm their hearts with my actions, especially if they're not the kind to judge me based on looks first, naf! And I overheard your conversation with the Khans, nerf! You sound like the kind of girl I've always dreamed of being a true bodyguard to, nurf!"
"Well, funny enough, eventhough I'm hardly in need of one due to my powers, I have enough bodyguards to do me for a while." says Dizzy. "Still, I would be happy to have you fight for me. Not just because I'm a queen myself, but also because I love good-hearted people."
"See? Nurf! You're just about perfect, nerrf!" says Rizzo.
"Thank you, Sir Rizzo." says Dizzy.
Rizzo just rubs the back of his head while blushing.
"Anyway, what's this bad news you have for us, Sir Rizzo?" asks Robin.
"Oh yes, narf!" says Rizzo looking serious. "The reason I've been gone for so long is because I've been tracking a particular band of mercenaries in every corner of this world, nurf! It was said they originated here in Ylisse, and have been going around trying their hardest to find any job that pays well, nurf! So far, reports say they've been getting paid a little TOO well, narf!"
"Band of mercenaries?" asks Chrom. "Why should that be a problem?"
"Because of HOW they're doing business, nerrf!" says Rizzo. "They offer their services to simple villages and towns for unfair prices and demands, nurrf! And if they can't get you to agree even when you're most desperate, they give you an ultimatum, narf!"
"If they originated here in Ylisse, why haven't we heard about them?" asks Chrom.
"Two reasons, nrf! One, it was back when you and your Shepherds were just starting out, nerf!" says Rizzo. "And two, believe it or not, they like to avoid the authorities, narf! If they alert those in power, they're usually ready to bolt, or so I've heard, nurf!"
"So, they're those types." says Chrom.
"Yes, and from what I've heard, they fear the Shepherds more than anything right now, narf!" says Rizzo. "In fact, they're so afraid of higher authorities, they left this continent during the Ylisse-Plegia war, narf! You know, the one Regna Ferox helped all of you with, nurf!"
"Sounds contradictory." says Robin. "Why didn't they stay? They could have taken advantage of any villages they wanted."
"That's the thing, nrrf!" says Rizzo. "They don't consider themselves brigands, narf! In fact, they deal with brigands as a way to earn payment, nurrf! It's just what their payment is, how much of it they want, and what they're willing to do if they don't get it, nerf!"
"So, since you're now here, I suppose they've returned to Ylisse." says Chrom.
"You're catching on, my Exalt, nirf!" says Rizzo.
"But why at this point?" asks Chrom.
"Shouldn't it be obvious? Narf!" says Rizzo. "I already made my point they fear the Shepherds above all else these days, nerf! And since you've all been rather lax these days, they see it as the perfect opportunity to fleece more people, narf! So if they hear word that you're in their neck of the woods, they're out of there, nurff!"
"I take it you know where they've struck." says Chrom.
"Indeed, I do, narf!" says Rizzo. "Right now, I got word they're doing their 'business' in the town of Treehaven, nurf!"
"Treehaven." says Frederick. "That's about a mile from the corner of Ylisse near Plegia and east Ferox."
"And if you intend to drive them out, you better assemble a strong force, narf!" says Rizzo. "Naturally, since I know more about the situation, I volunteer to go, nurf!"
"You mean that?" asks Robin.
Rizzo smiles wide and says, "Absolutely, narf! Especially if any cute female members of the Shepherds need protecting, nerf!"
"And Khan Basilio, you approve of this?" asks Chrom.
"Absolutely!" says Basilio. "In fact, he says he wishes to join the Shepherds. He may not be what you expect, but I can assure he's as good of a warrior as he is an informant."
"In that case..." says Chrom. "...tomorrow, we'll build a small contingent to send to Treehaven to camp on the outskirts. Now we just need to think of an envoy to represent us."
Just then, the same messenger comes in and says, "Exalt Chrom, your majesty!"
"Yes, what is it?" asks Chrom.
"A man is here to see Lady Dizzy." says the messenger. "He claims to be her 'husband'."
Dizzy gasps.
"Send him in." says Chrom. "But we'll keep an eye on him."
"Right away, milord." says the messenger as he bows before leaving.
Just then, Ky walks in.
Upon seeing him, Dizzy shouts, "Ky!"
Hearing and seeing her, he shouts, "Dizzy, it's you! It's really you!"
Ky then runs to Dizzy, who rapidly floats in his direction. Eventually, the two embrace in a big hug.
"Ky, I missed you so much!" says Dizzy.
"I missed you, too!" says Ky.
After they back away from each other, Ky looks a little hurt as he continues with, "But how could you leave like that without telling me or anyone?"
"I wanted to, Ky." says Dizzy. "I really, truly did. But Naga said there wasn't enough time."
"A likely story." says Ky. "At any rate, I'm just glad you're safe!"
And after that, he and Dizzy go in for a kiss.
As they get done, Dizzy says, "You have no idea how long I've waited to feel your lips again."
"The feeling is mutual." says Ky.
"So..." says Chrom. "...this is your husband, Dizzy?"
Seeing Chrom and Robin walking towards them, Dizzy says, "Yes, this is Ky Kiske."
"Indeed, I am." says Ky with a bow. "I am Ky Kiske, High King of Illyria!"
"Chrom, Exalt of Ylisse and Captain of the Shepherds." says Chrom. "The woman next to me is my Queen-To-Be and tactician of the Shepherds, Robin."
"Seems we have much to talk about." says Robin.
"Indeed we do." says Ky. "Where do we start?"
To Be Continued in Chapter 7.
I know it's shorter than my other chapters, but I think this turning point and end are good places to stop it and continue on in another chapter, especially since my last ones have been rather long. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed reading.