Chapter 4: Regna Ferox

Upon their arrival at Longfort, they are shocked to see winter season there.

"Brr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing!" Lissa complains.

"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind." Frederick offers.

"So this is the fortress?" Robin asks.

"It's so long!" Reina exclaims.

"Yes, the Longfort. It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox." Chrom explains.

"The khans that rule Ferox have grown quite wary of foreigners." Frederick notices. "Still, don't mistake a lake of hospitality for open hostility. This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy."

"Negotiation's not my strong suit, but I'll do my best. Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse."

Éclair looks up at the fortress and notices something off about what is going on up there. "Pikachu!"

"What's wrong, Éclair?" Reina asks and looks up at her Pokémon's direction. "Umm, should the guards be mobilizing?"

The question surprises Chrom. "What?!" He looks up and sees the questions to be true.

"They look ready to let fly at a moment's notice." Frederick points out. "We'd best prepare for combat just to be safe."

"Just then a female voice is heard. "Halt! Who goes there?!" The Shepherds all look up and see a heavily armored woman at the top of the fortress' entrance.

"In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the khans!" Chrom answers.

"Not another step, my bold lad! I've lancers at the ready!"

"Hold, milady! We're not your enemy!" Frederick assures. "Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest."

"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand!"

"B-brigand? No see here-"

"You think you're the first 'Ylisseans' to try and cross our border I have the authority to fell such imposters where they stand."

Hearing this anger the Great Knight. "How dare you! You're in the presence of Prince Chrom, the exalt's own blood!"

"Ha! Yes, indeed―and I'm the queen of Valm! You do realize impersonating royalty is a capital offense, yes?"

"How do we prove ourselves to you?" Reina asks.

"Proof? Mmm… Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way. You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"

"Rgh… Emmeryn won't like this at all…" Chrom mutters. "Please, good lady! If you'd just listen-"

"I've heard quite enough! Attack!"

Raimi gives the order to her soldiers to let loose their spears right towards Chrom. Right when he was about to be skewered, a pegasus swoops down towards him and its rider grabs him before the spears made contact.

As Chrom cringes at what could have happened below, he realizes who his savior is.

"Sumia…"

"Better hold on tight Captain. Could get bumpy." Sumia says with a serious and calm face as if she's ready to fight.

"Uh… right." Chrom says surprised at how different Sumia seems.

"You'll be fine." Sumia says, giggling behind her.

Chrom impressed by Sumia's bravery and notice the Feroxi guard getting ready to attack again.

"Sumia!"

"Right!" She replies turning her pegasus around to make a landing where the others wait for them.

"Sumia! Glad you're back!" Robin says.

"Oh, I'm glad to see you guys again and got here in time to save Captain." Sumia says relieve that Chrom is not hurt.

"That goes double for me! And this–is the same ornery pegasus we met on the road?!" Chrom exclaims, bewilder that it was the pegasus that had given him a bad first impression.

"Oh, she's a sweetheart, isn't she? …Once you really get to know her…" Sumia confirms.

"Well, many thanks to you both."

"I think the pegasus is blushing!" Lissa says.

"And I think we had all best focus on the situation at hand!" Frederick reminds.

"Chrom, they're coming!" Robin warns as the Feroxi soldiers make their way out of the fortress doors.

"All right. The Feroxi way it is!" Chrom announces so the Shepherds can engage in combat.

Robin gives out the plan on how to approach since the Feroxi split their forces, they should too and once they see an opening, head straight for the Commander. They are also giving the order to incapacitate but not kill.

"Reina, can any of your Pokémon help as well." Robin asks the trainer.

"Of course." Reina replies with Éclair gives a firm nod and takes out three Pokéballs. "Flamma, Mizu, Cait, help us out!" She tosses the three Pokéball in the air to release her three Pokémon. "Flamma and Cait, I need you help out the Shepherds who are going east while the rest of us head west. Slow them down as much as you can, got it?"

Flamma and Cait nod at the command and goes with the half of the Shepherds go towards the west gate as Reina, Éclair, Robin, and the other half go towards the east gate as the Feroxi troops start to pour out of the gate.

Chrom cuts down another guard but feels a shiver down his spine. "Why do I feel like I'm being watched…?"

"Sir? Um, sir! Right here!" a familiar voice says.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Chrom demands startled at the sudden call.

"I'm standing in plain sight, sir. Right he-"

"BWAH!" Chrom yells. "Oh! I-Is that you, Kellam? When did you arrived?"

"…The same time as you. I've been with you all along. Er, I AM still a Shepherd, right?" Kellam wonders. "It's quite the honor, after all. I'd hate to lose it. Sometimes I-"

"Of course, Kellam. Forgive me. You're just so… quiet, I completely-"

"Quite all right, sir, quite all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss."

"At least the Feroxi didn't find you."

"I've been calling to you and waving my arms for several minutes… I didn't think they've so much as glancing this way." Kellam sighs.

"You almost sound disappointed."

"Well, I just… I'm glad you finally saw me! Just try to keep an eye from now on?"

The battle rage forth fairy quickly from both sides as the Feroxi aren't expected such an organized troop and the Pokémon are unknown factor. The Feroxi have seen the Pokémon themselves but never did they think the Magical Creatures would work well with people.

Flamma goes through the troops as his legs blaze and kicks the troops, disarming at the same time immobilizing them. Cait also helps by blasting the Feroxi troops with what looks like multiple spheres of dark magic (Shadow Ball) and then a light blue ball forms in front of Cait's mouth and light blue beams are release from the ball, freezing the troops' feet where they stand (Ice Beam).

Meanwhile on the other side as Robin give commands, she is impress with how Reina commands her Pokémon. Éclair using Quick attack to distract the Feroxi to give someone an opening while Mizu keeps other soldiers away using Aqua Tail.

They manage to keep the Feroxi enough for Sumia to get Chrom and Luke up to the leader of the Feroxi soldiers, Raimi.

"Let our battle sound out the truth in your words!" Raimi proclaims as she raises her Javelin and charges for Chrom. However, she finds her attack blocked by Luke with his right blade arm glowing green (Leaf Blade).

Then Chrom comes charging towards her with Luke occupying Raimi. The two of them parried for a bit with Sumia and Like occasionally stepping. Raimi puts up a good fight against all three of them, but she is ultimately defeated.

"Then your claims were… true…"

~Afterward~

The battle has decided, both sides take a rest for the moment and Reina returns Flamma, Mizu, and Cait back into their Pokéballs as Raimi with Chrom alongside Robin, Lissa, Frederick, Reina, Éclair, and Luke.

"A thousand apologies, Prince Chrom. I truly took you for brigand imposters." She bows in remorse. "But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you have! I will send world of your arrival to the capital and escort you personally."

"That would be most appreciated, thank you." Chrom replies.

Raimi walks away to informs the others of the prince and princess' arrival to Regna Ferox.

"Amazing! Her whole demeanor changed." Robin comments on Raimi as she leaves.

"In Ferox, strength speaks louder than words." Frederick explains. "I should have known better than to overestimate the value of diplomacy here…"

"So can we get going, Chrom?" Lissa asks.

"Yeah, at this rate I won't feel my fingers!" Reina adds as the cold starting to get her and Éclair agrees with her trainer.

"Yes, it's not getting any warmer." Chrom agrees.

With that, the Shepherds takes off ready to continue what they are here for.

~Later~

They have all finally reach where they had yet to meet the Khan of Regna Ferox to negotiate with in being allices against the brigands and Risen that's starting to show up more often.

"Prince Chrom, please wait here while I summon the khan." Raimi says.

"Of course." Chrom replies and Raimi walks away to get the Khan.

"The khan is away?" Robin asks.

"Out training I'd wager." Chrom starts. "The khans of Ferox prefer to battle to politics. Or rather, battle IS their politics."

"A warrior ruler, eh? I can picture him now… A giant man with unparalleled thew, a big broad chest covered in hair, heheh…" Robin says as she imagines of what an image the khan might be.

"Am I now? …Please do go on!" A female voice comes.

"Huh?"

"A tanned skin woman, wearing dark, red and white armor, and a short and spikey, blonde ponytail, walks towards the Shepherds.

"You're the-?! Er, that is the say… The khan, I presume?" Chrom asks.

"Looks like you're wrong about the khan, Robin." Reina tells the tactician.

"HA! I like this kid. But yes, one of them–the East-khan. My name is Flavia." She introduces. "I apologize for the troubles at the border, Prince Chrom. You are welcome in Regna Ferox."

"Thank you, but I'm confident we can put that misunderstanding behind us. Is it true bandits posing as Ylisseans have been ransacking your border villages?"

"Yes. Those Plegian dogs! We found documents proving as much on the corpses of one of their captains. Plegia must see some benefit in raising tensions between your kingdom and ours."

"Damn them!" Chrom curses and soon realizes his mistake, e quickly corrects himself. "I… Forgive me, Your Grace. That was… indelicately put."

"Ha! Damn them and damn delicacy!" Flavia supports. "Here in Ferox, we appreciate plain speech."

"In that case, you should have a word with your damn border guards…"

"…Ha ha! Now that's Feroxi diplomacy! Yes, I like you already." Flavia says before she gets serious. "I know why you have come, Prince. But regrettably, I cannot provide any Feroxi troops for Ylisse."

"What?! Why not?!" Lissa asks.

"I lack the authority."

"Forgive me, but I don't understand. Aren't you the khan?" Chrom asks.

"As I said, I am ONE of the khans. In Ferox, the khans of east and west hold a tournament every few years. The victor acquires total sovereignty over both kingdoms. And that means they have the final say when it comes to forging alliance. The West-Khan won the last tournament, you see, and so…"

"So we are to receive no aid at all?"

"Not if you always give up so easily!" Flavia suddenly smiles. "The next tournament is nigh, you see, and I am in need of champions."

"What does that have to do with us?" Chrom asks as a brow raises.

"The captain of my border guard informs be your Shepherds are quite capable. Perhaps you would consider representing the East in the upcoming tournament? If you win and I become ruling khan, I will grant your alliance."

"I would have assumed Ylisseans had no place in such Feroxi traditions."

"Ha! On the contrary. The khan themselves do not fight-they choose champions to represent them. Otherwise our land would be rife with blood feuds and dead khans! We don't involve comrades or kin for the same reason. Over time, it was decided the tournament should be fought by outsiders. Although the outsiders have never included foreign royalty… That I know of! Ha! Regardless, it is your choice to make."

"There is no choice, East-Khan. My people are desperate. We face only Plegia's constant attacks, but now the added threat of the Risen. If fighting for you is the quickest way to an alliance, then we will take up our steel."

"Haha! Oh, I like you Prince Chrom. I do hope you survive the tournament! Come I'll show you the arena where the tournament is held. But be wary! I hear an equally able swordsman champions the West-Khan."

"He shall be defeated by Ylisse's necessity."

Flavia smiles at his confidence. "Well spoken again–I look forward to seeing if you're equally skilled with a blade! And what Magical Creatures can do as allies!"

"If you want, I can tell you about those Magical Creatures that you call." Reina offers.

"That would be much appreciated."

As they make their way to the stadium where the tournament will be held, Reina explains what Pokémon is and asks, "So you've been having Pokémon sightings around Ferox?"

"That's right. At first, because they were unknown to us, we assumed they were hostile." Flavia answers. "But since they never actually attacked us, we left the alone. Then one day we found an injured Pokémon, one that looks like a small black and blue dragon."

Hearing this surprise the other Shepherds.

"How did it get injured?" Sumia asks.

"Few days before, there was an avalanche near hear and it ended up near the gates. We manage to heal the Pokémon but when it woke up, it went into hiding and figured that Pokémon is timid."

"Where's that Pokémon now?" Robin asks.

"Might as well show you where it is. After all, it's in a room near the stadium."

In true to her word, Flavia shows the Shepherds where the Pokémon is and opens the door to find a plate of cut fruits is placed on the ground as a small black and blue dragon is hiding under the table.

"Monozu." Reina says and gets her Zukan.

"Monozu, the Irate Pokémon. It tends to bite everything. It eats everything that is edible. Approaching it carelessly is dangerous."

"It looks like it didn't eat again." Flavia sighs.

"Again?" Reina repeats.

"Yes. We tried to feed the little guy, but it refused to eat. I worried for its health."

"Reina." Robin calls as she turns to the trainer. "Is there a way to tell Monozu that the food is safe?"

"Well, Dragon-types are delicate making them hard to raise… The only way I could think is that we show it that the food is delicious." Reina replies.

"All right." Robin says and carefully approaches to the Irate Pokémon and crouches in front of it. "Hello there." Monozu lifts its head to look at the tactician. "Everyone here is worried about you."

"Mozu…?"

"Even though this is the first time meeting each other, I want to get to know you. After all, I don't have any memories meeting Chrom and the others."

"Mozu…"

"Everyone has been kind to me and Reina when we joined the Shepherd." Robin says as Monozu stands up. "I heard that you've been stay away with the people here and not eating anything." Then Monozu slowly steps out of the table making everyone in the room to be amaze.

"Mozu."

Robin then kneels in front of it and grabs a piece of fruit and shows it to Monozu.

"Come here, don't be scared." She says and eats it as Monozu watches her. "This taste really good." Robin grabs another piece and shows it. "This is delicious. Have some too."

Monozu looks at the piece and takes a few steps forward before looking at Robin again who has a smile on her face and carefully eats it. "Mozu!" It exclaims as it rears its hind legs relieving the Shepherds and Flavia.

"See? Isn't it delicious? Have some more." Robin says presenting more pieces to it and Monozu then eats it. She then places her other hand on Monozu's head causing the Pokémon to look up. "Don't worry. You're not alone anymore."

"Zu…"

"Since that settles, let's go to the stadium." Flavia says, and Robin faces her.

"Of course." She replies and looks back at Monozu. "Make sure you finish eating all of the food."

Robin stands up and she and the Shepherds follows Flavia to the stadium as Reina notices Monozu watches them leave especially at Robin.

Monozu – Deino