Chapter 3: To Regna Ferox

The next day, the Shepherds gathered in a grassy field. After Chrom finished roll call, they are ready to head to Regna Ferox.

"Is everyone ready? We've a long march ahead." Chrom says.

They are about to leave until a voice frantically calls out for them. "W-Wait for me!"

Everyone turns to see a man with messy brown hair and green armor heading towards them.

"Stahl!" Chrom calls as Stahl tries to catch his breath.

"Why am I the last to hear about this expedition to Ferox?"

"Huh? But Vaike was supposed to…" Lissa's face turns into a scowl as she turns to Vaike. "Vaike! Did you forget to tell Stahl about our mission?!"

"The Vaike never forgets! …I just don't always remember, is all…"

"That's the exact definition of forget." Reina points out with Éclair on her shoulder.

"Ugh… I swear you'd forget your own name if you weren't constantly saying it yourself! Speaking of which, are you sure you remember your axe this time?"

"Hey! That was one time! …Okay, twice, but training sessions don't count! Anyway, I got it right here. Teach is leaded and ready for action! Glad to have you along, Stahl old buddy!"

"That makes one of us. I was such in a hurry, I had to miss breakfast! There were muffins and cakes and… Well, I'll tell you all about it when we march…" Stahl whines a bit.

"You are Stahl, right?" Robin asks deciding to change the subject.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Robin, Reina. This is Stahl, one of our finest." Chrom introduces.

"Nice to meet you two. Miriel told me we were getting two new Shepherds. Er, Miriel's one of our mages, she should catch up soon."

~Later~

The Shepherds proceed on their march to Regna Ferox. The trip was fairy uneventful with Reina and Éclair hitch a ride on the convoy carriage where the Shepherds keep their extra supplies for the road. They then reach a bridge near a village when they see the undead waiting for them.

Chrom's eyes furrow as he sees what is going on. "Gods, have the Risen spread this far?"

"'Risen'?" Robin repeats.

"We needed a name for this new threat, so the council gave them one." Frederick explains.

"Everyone! Remember what we're up against!" Chrom announces to the rest of the group.

"They'll remember ME once I drive my axe into their…" Vaike boasts until he grabs thin air instead of his axe. "Wait, my axe! Where's my axe?! I had it a second ago!"

"Vaike, this is no time for jokes…" Chrom groans.

"I'm serious! I just had my axe!"

"Keep to the rear, then! The battle is nigh!"

With Vaike moved to the rear, everyone gets ready to take on battle stances.

"All right, listen up …Especially those of you who BROUGHT weapons! All weapons have their own strengths and weaknesses to bear in mind. Lances have advantage over swords, for example while swords best axes. We'll want to work this in our strategy whenever possible." Frederick says.

"Reminds me of the Pokémon type match ups…" Reina thought and looks at the battlefield.

"From the looks of it…" She takes out a Pokéball. "Let's go, Flamma!" Reina tosses it in the air and out comes her Bursyamo.

"Bursya!" He cries out.

"We'll weaken them and give you all a chance to take them down!" Reina informs as Flamma and Éclair head straight into the battle as Reina fires arrows. With Flamma and Éclair using their moves to weaken their opponent by attacking their weapon arm as Reina fires arrows, this gives their the Shepherds a chance to finish the Risen and easily avoid their attacks.

Behind them a female mage came. "It seems I've caught up. Now to extirpate these brutes." She says and then looks down to see what seems to be a weapon. "Hmm? Is that an axe? Why yes it is… Perhaps someone mislaid it? I'd not thought such dereliction permissible among the Shepherds. Still, I'd be remiss to not return this implement to its owner. Perhaps along with a stern world or two of disapprobation!" She continues on to the battlefield with the axe in hand.

Vaike looks around for his weapon, looking up and sees the mage holding a familiar weapon. "Whoa! My axe!"

"I wonder what manner of ignoramus would mislay their weapon. Now I know." The mage sighs.

"Thanks, Miriel! …Er, for the axe, anyway." Vaike thanks ignoring the insult.

"Perhaps next time I should use a spell to fasten it to your hands… permanently."

The Shepherds continue to fight off the monstrosities as it wasn't too hard to defeat the Risen, but there are some cuts and bruises, but Lissa heals them with her Heal staff.

"What next, Robin? Guide our swords." Chrom says.

"Might I advise patience, milord? Robin is a fine tactician, but we have been working her mercilessly. Even the best of us needs rest." Frederick says, reminding Chrom that she too is human and has limits.

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry."

"Perhaps Robin would prefer that we choose our own actions at times."

"But how will we know?"

"We could use simple command that lets us fight on our own. So long as Robin realizes such a strategy does not guarantee victory. Acting as we see fit may not always lead to the best course of action."

Just then, as Reina shoots down a Risen swordsman, an explosion is heard from the bridge.

"Did someone go ahead of us?" She asks.

"No. We're all back here." Robin answers.

"Then what-?"

A figure jumps out of the smoke. The figure is a white and green humanoid creature with rounded hips and strong legs. Red horns are sticking out of its chest and back. On its elbows are extended blades. Its head is somewhat like a gladiator's helmet.

"That's an Erllade!" Reina shouts and takes out her Zukan.

"Erllade, the Blade Pokémon. Erllade extends its elbow as if they were swords, and when protecting someone, it fights fiercely."

"Looks like it could use our help. Everyone, remember your position! Chrom, you go help that Erllade!" Robin calls out as Chrom nods in agreement.

"If it's okay Robin, let me join Chrom. It might see we're not the enemy if it sees another trainer." Reina suggests.

Robin gives it some thought. "All right. But be careful."

Reina give a stern nod and looks at Flamma and Éclair. "Flamma! Éclair! Let's go!"

"Busya!"

"Pika!"

"Everyone! To battle!" Chrom leads the charge with Reina by his side as they make it to Erllade.

The Erllade goes down to his knees as a Risen about to swing down its sword when Chrom gets in front of the Pokémon and blocks the swing. Using this chance, Reina fires an arrow on the chest and Chrom swings horizontally, turning the Risen into smoke.

Chrom then turns to the weakened Pokémon. "Are you okay?" He nods at the question. "Good. My good friends and I are here to help. You can rest easy."

Erllade suddenly rushes over to Chrom as if to attack him, much to his shock. However, when Erllade went past him and slashes at the Risen behind him, its sword raised and ready to kill Chrom, had the Blade Pokémon not took action.

"I suppose I spoke too soon." Chrom says.

"Lade." Erllade nods.

"Pikachu!" Éclair shouts as a warning. A pair of Risen soldiers suddenly appear, ready to strike for the kill. Quickly notices the warning, Reina fires an arrow and hits one straight on the head and Flamma charges at the group. At the end of his legs blazes in flames and kicks his targets, taking it down and out.

"Thank goodness." Reina breathes out in relief.

The fight goes on and they finally down to the last one as Chrom and Erllade fights it. When Chrom blocks an attack from it, Erllade jumps over him and strikes the Risen away. Same when Erllade brings up a force field to block another attack from their enemy.

"Shall we end this?" Chrom asks his newly ally, who nods at the question. "Then together!" Both swordsmen charge at the axe wielding Risen and strike it hard, turning it to smoke.

"Finally, and good riddance!" The Prince says in relief. "But if they're appearing this far up the Northroad…"

"Then no path is safe. We'll need to stay wary." Frederick says.

Many Shepherds collapse on the grass, relieve that the fight is over. Reina takes out some berries from her bag and gives them to the Pokémon.

"Say Reina, what are those fruits?" Robin asks, drinking some Vulnerary.

"Berries from my world. They come in different sizes and shapes with different effects. The one I gave to Éclair, Flamma, and Erllade have healing properties." Reina explains.

"Wow!" Lissa says and Reina approaches Erllade.

"Erllade." She calls. "Do you have a trainer?" The Blade Pokémon shakes his head. "Then you happened to found a Shiny Stone and evolved?"

"Eru." He nods

"What do you mean?" Chrom asks as he walks up to them and Reina turns.

"Most of the Pokémon start in small forms but if they gain enough growth, they evolve. Not only that, they can also evolve with enough happiness, gender, affection, and special stone. Those stones are called, Fire Stone, Water Stone, Thunder Stone, Leaf Stone, Moon Stone, Sun Stone, Shiny Stone, Dusk Stone, Dawn Stone, and Ice Stone."

"To an assumption, this Erllade had evolved from one of those stones?" Miriel asks.

"Yes, but not only that. In order for Erllade to evolve a male Kirlia has to be exposed to a Dawn Stone."

"But why did this guy evolve?" Lissa wonders.

"I'm guessing that after Erllade evolved, he wanted to protect the defenseless Pokémon from the hunters."

"Eru." Erllade nods in confirmation.

Chrom then approaches the Blade Pokémon and places a hand on his shoulder. "You did a noble deed. If it was any other Pokémon, they wouldn't do what you did."

"Erllade."

"If you wish, come with us." Chrom offers much to Erllade's shock. "You're in an unfamiliar land, and you have so much experience in battling. We'd love to have you join us. But I must warn you, there will be blood spilled by our hands. Should you accept?"

Erllade stares at Chrom for the moment and he stands up.

"Eru." He nods.

"Looks like we have a new member in our group." Reina says and returns Flamma into his Pokéball.

They all continue to march with the additional member, Erllade which Chrom nicknamed Luke, but stop their tracks when they hear a loud neighing. The Shepherds are looking around to see where the sound is coming from and found a stray pegasus out on a field.

"Well, what do we have here?" Robin says.

"Hey, is that what I think it is?" Lissa asks.

Chrom and Robin walk closer towards the pegasus. It was wearing blue cloth and armor.

"It's a pegasus, all right. I think it's hurt. Let's just have a look here…" As he was about to check its injuries, the winged horse reared its hind legs and neighs. "WHOA! Down, girl, Easy there!"

"Captain! One moment!" Sumia says rushing over before tripping over.

"Sumia! Are you all right?" Chrom asks.

"Is it those boots of yours?" Reina asks as she helps Sumia stand up.

"No! I mean, yes! I mean… *sigh*"

"Well, come no closer. This beast is crazed!" Chrom warns.

"It's okay, Captain. I can handle this…" Sumia says calmly and walks towards the pegasus. "Shh… easy now, girl. I won't hurt you." The pegasus didn't react this time and let Sumia rub her armored head. Many other Shepherds are amaze at the sight. "Shhh…"

"How did she calm it so quickly?" Robin asks.

"That's incredible, Sumia!" Lissa complements.

"I've never seen anything like it." Chrom admits.

"Yeah…" Reina agrees.

"Pika…" Éclair also agrees.

"Oh, it's… it's nothing. Really. I just have a way with animals, I guess." Sumia says.

"I should say so!" Chrom agrees.

"You all go on ahead. I'll dress her wound and catch up as soon as we're able."

"We can make time to wait for you."

"Sumia shakes her head. "Thank you, Captain. But I can manage. Every moment is precious when all of Ylisse is in danger."

"Right then. Be safe, Sumia."

"As you command, sir."

"Make sure to catch up with us." Reina tells Sumia before the Shepherds leave Sumia to tend the injured pegasus.

Erllade – Gallade