Chapter 2: Meeting

After Sully and Virion retired to the Shepherds barracks outside of Ylisstol, the rest of the group made their way towards the castle. Reina was in awe of the grandeur the throne room then she notices Exalt Emmeryn, smiling warmly. Standing by her side was another woman in bronze plate armor with her pale blue hair tied in a bun.

"Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fare you all?" Emmeryn asks.

"Well, we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while." Chrom answers.

Emmeryn smiles at the answer. "Wonderful. And our people?"

"Safe as can be, Emm, but we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over form Plegia."

Then the armored woman speaks up. "Forgive me, milord. My pegasus knights should have intercepted them."

"No, Philia. Your duty is here with the exalt." Chrom assures.

"And besides, we had plenty of help!" Lissa adds.

"Ah, you speak of your new companions here?" Emmeryn questions as she looks towards Robin and Reina.

"This is Robin. She fought bravely with us against the Plegians. And Reina here helped us out in the woods list night when we encounter some… trouble. I've decided to make both of them Shepherds." Chrom gestures to the two of them.

"It sounds as though Ylisse owes you two a debt of gratitude." Emmeryn says gratefully.

"Not at all milady!" Robin says nervously.

"Th-Thank you. But I had help with my Pokémon…" Reina trails off.

"Pokémon?" Emmeryn repeats with confusion before glancing at the Pikachu jumping from her perch on Reina's shoulder.

"Éclair!" Reina calls but she's already at Emmeryn's feet.

Philia slightly startle by the yellow mouse but Emmeryn didn't seem to mind as she got on her knees and starts to pet Éclair behind the ears.

"Cha~" Éclair responds happily.

"I-I'm sorry! Éclair can get too friendly with new people." Reina apologizes as he lowers her head in embarrassment.

The Exalt giggles at both the creature and her owner's shyness. "There is no need to be sorry. I assume this little mouse is a 'Pokémon', correct?"

Reina lifts her head to look at Emmeryn. "Yes… Éclair is a type of Pokémon called Pikachu. Where I'm from they're many different kinds of Pokémon."

"Interesting. Care to explain?"

Reina then gives Emmeryn a brief explanation on Pokémon, her home and how she ended up here. However, she is nervous talking to a ruler, afraid she wouldn't believe her story.

"Hmm… So these animals with magical powers, Pokémon are creatures from a faraway land? Much like yourself?" Emmeryn summarizes from Reina's explanation who nods in response. "I see. From what you told me on how you came to the halidom, this must be quite a scare for you…"

Chrom then decides to jump in. "Since Pokémon are starting to appear in Ylisse, I've made Reina out Pokémon expert to the best of her ability. To learn how to deal with them; at least until she finds her way back home."

"I-I hope I'll be enough help!" Reina stutters.

"Forgive me. Your Grace, but I must speak." Frederick speaks up sternly. "While Reina has a vast knowledge of these Pokémon she could very be the reason they are here in the first place."

"I told you there's no reason I would do that!" Reina cuts in but Frederick continues.

"And Robin claims to have lost her memory but it is only that: a claim. We cannot rule out the possibilities that they are brigands themselves or even Plegian spies."

"Frederick!" Chrom whispers indignantly at the knight as Reina glares at him with Éclair.

"Yet you allowed them into the castle, Chrom. Do they have you're trust?" Emmeryn asks her brother calmly.

"Yes. They risked their lives for our people. That's good enough for me."

Emmeryn then turns to the two of them. "Well then, Robin, Reina… it seems you two have earned Chrom's faith and as such you have earned mine as well."

"Milady…" Robin silently thanks as Reina bows at her.

"But thank you, Frederick, for your prudence as always. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have so tireless a guardian. I do hope they remember that they mention that time to time."

"They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace." Frederick sighs before turning to Philia. "Philia, I assume you've heard about the deathly creatures we encountered, yes?"

Philia nods in response. "Yes, milord. They've been sighted all across Ylisse. But unlike these… Pokémon as you call them, they clearly hostile."

"Chrom, we are about to hold council. I was hoping you could join us." Emmeryn said.

"Of course." Chrom responds.

"I think that's our cue girls! C'mon lemme show you the barracks." Lissa chimes in as she drags the two by their wrist to the outside with Éclair scurrying behind them.

~Later~

Arriving in the outskirts of Ylisstol, they arrived at the Shepherds' barracks, which consists of various wooden and stone buildings and horse stables. When they enter the building, they meet up with a burly man with spikey, blond hair with some armor on his arms and legs and a woman with pale brown hair with pink body armor, a hair pin shaped like wings in her hair and a marron boots.

"Here we are! The Shepherds' garrison. Go on, make yourselves at home." Lissa says gesturing around her to the two newcomers.

"Lissa, my treasure! Are you all right? A woman with blond hair, similar to Lissa's, came to rush her with a worried look on her face. She has two white ribbons on her head, she wears what seems to be something only a wealthy person would wear, and holding a parasol. "I've been on pins and needles!"

"Oh, hey Maribelle!" Lissa says nonchalantly.

"'Oh hey' yourself! I've sprouted fourteen gray hairs fretting over you!"

"Aw, you worried too much! I can handle a battle or two!" Lissa stops for a moment before saying. "…Although I could do without the bugs and bear meat…"

"Hey squirt! Where's Chrom?" The man says walking up to them. "I bet he had a rough tome there without ol' Teach and his trusty axe!"

"Oh so you're 'Teach' now, Vaike, is it? And here I thought people were just born lacking wits. It can be taught?" Lissa jokes.

"Ha! Never doubt the Vaike! …Wait, was that an insult?" Vaike questions only realized Lissa was insulting him.

"Beg pardon, but when might we see the captain?" The brown-haired woman asks.

"Poor Sumia. She's been beside herself with concern… Her eyes were scanning the horizon all day during training. She might have earned a few bruises fighting blindfolded." Maribelle comments.

"Aw, Sumia, that's so sweet of you to worry about Chrom." Lissa says.

"Worry? Well, I… He's our captain and our prince–of course I'd worry!" Sumia says with a blush.

"So, who are the two strangers?" Vaike asks looking at them.

"No one's stranger than you Vaike… But allow be to introduce Robin and Reina! They just joined the Shepherds. Chrom's made Robin our new tactician and you know these funny looking animals that have been showing up lately? Well Reina's out new expert on them. You should see all the tricks they got on their sleeve!" Lissa introduces cheerfully.

"Oh yeah? Can any of them do this?" Vaike burps aloud.

"Ugh. I don't think that's the greatest first impression to give to a girl or anyone in general. Anyways, I'm Reina. Hope we'll work well together." Reina says as Éclair looks at him with disgust.

"Pikachu…"

"I'm sure I have much to learn in the belching arts, 'Teach'. In any case, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintances." Robin says not bother by Vaike's action.

"Ugh Vaike, that was abhorrent! Must you baseborn oafs pollute even the air with your buffoonery? Robin, don't encourage him! I'd hope you were cut form finer cloth. Hmph! At least Reina knows what a disgust that was…" At that, Maribelle storms out of the garrison leaving them alone.

"Don't take it to heard, Robin. Maribelle warms up to people slowly." Sumia says trying to comfort Robin.

"Or burns too quickly! Hee hee! But yeah, give her some time." Lissa replies.

"What's with the rodent?" Vaike points out.

"Oh that's one of those creatures that Reina owns, Éclair!" Lissa says.

"It's very cute." Sumia says.

"You think?" Vaike says as he roughly picks her up to look at her closely.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Reina says.

"Why's that?" Vaike asks as electric sparks around her.

Before Reina could answer, Éclair uses Thunderbolt and he screams. She then stops and got out only to have Vaike fall backwards covering in soot as he coughs up smoke.

"Éclair doesn't like to pick up roughly or else you'll get electrocuted by her Thunderbolt."

"Why didn't you say so…" Vaike mutters as his foot twitches.

Right then, Chrom and Frederick enters the room.

"Ah! Captain! You've returned! I was- I mean, we were so-" Sumia calls out before she trips and falls on her face.

"Are you okay?!" Reina asks as she and Chrom helps Sumia on her feet.

"…Those boots of yours again?" Chrom asks.

"No! I mean yes! I mean… *sigh*"

"All right, listen everyone! In the morning we'll be marching to Regina Ferox." Chrom announces.

"Regna Ferox?" Robin asks.

"A unified kingdom to Ylisse's north. Inhabited by barbarians, or it's said." Sumia answers.

"Warriors are what they are, and we'll need their strength to quell this new menace. Typically, the exalt would request such aid in person. But given recent events… well, the people might worry should my sister suddenly leave the capital, so the task has been passed to us." Chrom says. "Now this mission is strictly voluntary so if anyone-"

"I volunteer!" Lissa interrupts.

"Me too! You'll need Teach to help you on such a delicate mission!" Vaike boasts after he quickly stands up.

"I'll go as well." A man with bulky armor says, spooking everyone around him except Reina and Éclair. "…What? I've been here the whole time!"

Then the Pokémon trainer walks up to him. "Hey, what's your name?"

"It's Kellam and did you notice me?" Kellam asks somewhat incredulous and Reina nods.

"I… I, um…" Sumia flusters.

"Yes, Sumia?" Chrom asks.

"Well, it's just that… I'm not quite ready yet for a proper mission. I know I'd get in the way."

"Well, you could stay behind the main group, and if a battle is met, just watch and learn? You're choice, of course. But some lessons can only be learned on the battlefield."

"W-well, if you think it wise, Captain."

"Just stay by me and you'll be fine."

"Oh, yes! I mean- Yes sir, I'll do that!"

"Hey Robin! We'll be needing you too with your great tactics and all. You should join us too, Reina!" Lissa says enthusiastically.

"Are you sure?" Reina asks.

"Yeah! You'd be a big help if we see more Pokémon!"

"I guess… I hope I don't get in the way."

"Um excuse me…" Sumia speaks up. "I know Lissa said that they are these new animals but… what exactly are 'Pokémon'?"

"Reina said that she came from a land where all creatures can use magic and called Pokémon." Robin summarizes her explanation.

"Really?" Maribelle asks in surprise as she walks back in with Sully and Virion. Those who didn't know from before are also shock from an explanation.

"Yeah. The magic part is what we call are 'types'. A Pokémon can either of one or two types, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. They're 18 types in all: Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Rock, Ground, Bug, Poison, Flying, Fighting, Ice, Psychic, Ghost, Dark, Steel, and Fairy."

"Eighteen?! Here they're only four types of magic!" Sumia exclaims in awe as she starts to pet Éclair. "So what type is Éclair?"

"She's an Electric type. Meaning she can be strong against Water and Flying Pokémon but weak against Ground types. Pokémon trainers like myself should know this when Pokémon engage in battling, which is a popular sport where I'm from." Ryo explains further.

"Battle?" Frederick says shocked at what she said.

Sumia is the same way. Being an animal lover, she was worried about a cute little mouse forced to fight.

"…Don't they get hurt with this sport?" Chrom asks.

"Well… yes…" Reina answers as she rubs the back of her head. "I'm not going to lie, there are people who take it too far but Pokémon are incredibly intelligent. If you're not a competent enough trainer, they'll stop listening to you or worse, turn on you. They don't mind battling anyway, even wild Pokémon do it, but it's all about mutual trust if you're training one."

"I see… It is like a horse and its rider." Frederick compares with Éclair nodding at the explanation. The Shepherds in turn with amaze at how smart Pokémon can be, at the point of understanding human speech. "Do you engage battles often?"

"That's right! One can never resist of having a taste of Pokémon battles, but most of the time I find Pokémon that I haven't seen yet. Which reminds me…" She answers as she takes out a red rectangular from her bag.

"What's that thing?" Vaike asks looking at the unfamiliar object.

"It's a Pokémon Zukan. It's like an encyclopedia that have brief information on the Pokémon I've encountered. All trainers have these. Let me show you how it works." As She says this, Éclair jumps off from Reina's shoulder and lands in front of her.

"Pikachu, the Mouse Pokémon. It can generate electric attacks from the electric pouches located in both of its cheeks."

All those who weren't there for Reina's first explanation, jump at the talking box. Proving the Pokémon Zukan, Éclair letting out electric from her cheeks.

"So that move earlier with Vaike was one of the Electric moves?" Lissa asks.

"Yep. By the way, do you want to see the rest of my Pokémon?" Reina asks.

"You have more of them with you?" Sumia asks with her eyes light up.

"Yeah. Trainers can have lots of Pokémon under their ownership but and carry up to six."

"How many do you have?" Sully decides to ask.

"Six. But let's go outside to introduce you to them. Two of them are pretty big.

Everyone goes out to the fields where the Shepherds train and Reina takes out her five Pokéballs from her belt.

"Come on out!" She calls out as she throws them in the air and the balls open up to reveal blobs of light, revealing Kuro and four new Pokémon. There is a chicken standing tall, a large sparrow, a long large serpent, and a purple feline.

After giving a brief explanation of Pokéballs she introduces the rest of her team. "Shepherds. This is Kuro…"

"Sol."

"Flamma…"

"Bursya."

"Fuko…"

"Oh!"

"Mizu…"

"Ryuu!"

"And Cait."

"Nya."

Chrom steps in front of the group and bows politely to them. "A pleasure to meet all of you."

Reina then takes out her Pokémon Zukan again and points them at her Pokémon for them to learn what they are. Starting with Kuro.

"Absol, the Disaster Pokémon. When disasters are detected with its horn, Absol comes down from the mountains to warn people."

"Bursyamo, the Blaze Pokémon. Bursyamo leaves its opponents charred with its fiery punches."

"Ohsubame, the Swallow Pokémon. Ohsubame uses its impressive dive-bomber speed and its large talons to capture its prey.

"Hakuryu, the Dragon Pokémon. Hakuryu has the ability to manipulate the elements as it wishes."

"Enekoro, The Prim Pokémon. Enekoro lives its lives at its own pace, happy most of the time and rarely confronting other Pokémon. Even when disturbed, Enekoro will move to another spot rather than fight."

The Shepherds all gathered around certain Pokémon to get a better look at them.

"My, my, you sure do have a lovely blend of beauty and grace." Virion complements Cait.

"Nya~"

"Yeah! You're so pretty!" Lissa says.

Sumia who is petting Mizu when she looked anxious with amount of new people.

"It's okay… You can calm down… We won't hurt you." Sumia cooed the Hakuryu softly as she was starting to calm down.

"I'm surprised. Mizu is extremely sensitive with other people except me. How do you do it?"

"Oh… I guess I'm just good with animals is all…"

"You have quite the vigor." Chrom says as he looks at Flamma.

"Bursya." Flamma nods.

"One of these days you should spar with the Vaike!" Vaike says.

"I say, you look like you could fit for a noble." Maribelle as she examines Fuko.

"Bame!" Fuko shouts as she spreads her wings.

Reina then looks around the field to see these people interact with her Pokémon, even though they found them new and strange.

"Pika." She hears her Pikachu calling and turns her head to Éclair.

"Say Éclair, what do you think of these Shepherd folks?"

"Pikachu pika."

"Yeah… Chrom was kind enough to let us stick with them, so let's help anyway we can."

For those who got used to the English version, here's the name for the Pokémon's names from Japanese to English:

Bursyamo – Blaziken

Ohsubame – Swellow

Hakuryu – Dragonair

Enekoro – Delcatty