Chapter 3: Engage the Enemy

Meta Knight awoke feeling dizzy. There was a thin linen blanket covering him, darkening the world around him absolutely. Through it, he could still smell burnt wood. Meta Knight threw off the blanket to find that his surroundings were no brighter. He tried to stand, only to fall over immediately with a grunt as an intense pain took his footing from him. He sat up and looked down to find his left leg twisted at an awkward angle, broken. He looked around, rubbing his foot as well as the part of his body that would count as his leg.

He found he had awakened inside of a primitive wooden cabin. After months of never leaving the Halberd, he guessed he was just used to more machines. The only light to enter was the dim light of the moon under the door. A fire pit with a fireproof border and similarly fireproof chimney sat in the middle, burnt out. Beside the used firewood was the sleeping form of King Dedede.

So... He survived the crash, then. That was good at least. Meta Knight scanned the room, but could not find his sword. If that was missing... Meta Knight out a hand on his face and was relieved to feel his mask was still unmoved. There was a deep scratch that ran across his eye slit, but there was no other damage to the mask. His shoulder pads had several small scratches and he found a tear in his cape, but these could be mended.

He was not able to walk, his sword missing, and his ship... What state was the Halberd in now? He was tempted to wake up Dedede, but he knew better. The King slept through his attempt to stand, and he would sleep through anything else he could do. Wait, if Dedede was here, there had to be Waddle Dees around, and if there were Waddle Dees around, one of them had to have heard him. Sure enough, the door inside shot open, three of the Dreamland servants rushing inside.

"We heard a thud, are you okay, your Greatness?!" One of them asked breathlessly as the door was thrown ajar. Meta Knight could practically hear their brains at work as they stood at the door confused. When Dedede snored, their dark silhouettes nearly bolted before Meta Knight could speak up.

"Wait," he ordered. They stopped and looked around, trying to find him in the dark. The lead one somehow spotted him and rushed over as quickly yet quietly as he could.

"Meta Knight? You're awake!" He whispered with hushed excitement, before adding, "Wait, did you fall?"

"Yes... It pains me to admit it, but I tried to move before I realized that my leg was broken." Meta Knight stated without inflection. He was kind of hoping that some of his shame would be buried under his normal stoicism.

"That's no good. Do you need help?" The same Waddle Dee asked. The other two had moved closer as well.

"Yes. It's cold. Could you help me back under the sheets?" The Dees nodded. The two that hadn't talked each took an arm.

"We're going to stand you up now, okay?" The swordsman nodded. When the Dees started to hoist him up, he pushed his functioning foot against the ground for support. The other foot screamed in protest, causing him to twitch. One of the Dees nearly lost their grip from the twitching, but caught him before he could fall. Now standing, he could see the last Dee collecting the haphazardly tossed-aside blanket. As they moved closer to the sheets, his supports warned him of every step they took. As simple as he often thought the Waddle Dees were, he couldn't deny that they were great to have around.

Eventually, they got him under the covers again, though this time they only covered him to just under the slit for his eyes. They offered to take his mask off for him if it was uncomfortable, but he declined. He was tempted to ask after the Halberd, but he was already exhausted by the excitement. He resolved to ask Dedede when they both woke back up. Within minutes, he drifted back to sleep.

Meta Knight stepped out the door, leaning on a wooden crutch. As soon as they had left, the Waddle Dees had started to fashion a crutch as best they could. It was rough around the edges, but he could move. He'd found it beside his bed with a note, explaining what they had done. He knew it probably wouldn't be very helpful to put his leg under any stress, but he was starting to feel claustrophobic trapped inside the cabin. Dedede was somehow still asleep as he left. He had been getting used to the crutch pretty quickly, not that it was a comfort. He couldn't fight if he was crippled.

His yellow beads squinted as the sun's light hit them. Noon already then. That was unfortunate. Around him, he found their camp. It could easily be called a village or town as well, with the wooden cabins made up of the same style as the King's and his. None of the other cabins were as large as the one he just exited, though. He figured they were scared Dedede would be offended if they had any cabins bigger than his.

The smell of the sea was soothing to him as he took his first step out. Several Waddle Dees around him, cooking various stews or moving around equipment, stopped to stare at him as he made his way out. He navigated around the side of the cabin, following the sound of the waves. The Waddle Dees would go back to work on their own.

The shore crept into view, becoming more visible with each agonizing step. He found what remained of his ship, battered and sprawled out into the horizon. That wasn't going to fly anytime soon, but at least it was still there.

"You're awake!" King Dedede appeared behind him, his beak a wide grin. "Good, we were worried about ya for a while there."

"Dedede. What happened? How long have I been out?" Meta Knight asked, turning his entire body to face the penguin king of Dreamland. There was no way he was awake for even five minutes, yet he was already more awake than Meta Knight judging from how he had been bouncing.

"Oh... Well..." The King trailed off, obviously thinking of a way to explain. This could take a while, Meta Knight thought grimly. "We crashed three... Or was it four? Two?" Dedede noticed Meta Knight's cold stare and shook off his digression. "Anyway, we crashed onto the shore with very few major injuries besides your own. The Dees built the cabins in the first week, and as plain as they are, I'm afraid they'll have to do for the time being."

"I was out for weeks?" Meta Knight said, shock evident in his voice.

"Your... It was worse than a broken leg." Dedede said. "We found a healer. She wasn't good enough to fix your leg but... Well, I guess you're alive."

"I see..." Meta Knight trailed off, returning his gaze to the shore. "Where is this healer now? I owe her my life, and would like to thank her."

The crippled knight scowled when Dedede answered with a nervous laugh. He didn't need to hear anymore to know that the penguin king screwed up again.

Chrom gestured to Virion behind him. The noble archer gave a quick, yet still grandiose nod and drew an arrow from his quiver. He pulled the feather back on his bowstring, its sound drowned out by the bandit's revelry and drunken stupor. With a twang the arrow flew past Chrom and was shortly followed by a pained grunt.

"Shepherds, charge!" Chrom ran out from behind his hiding spot and ran at Virion's mark. The bandit didn't have the time to raise his axe before Chrom ran him through. A second bandit was about to swing his axe, but was stopped when Frederick's lance pierced his heart. "Form up!"

The rest of the Shepherds emerged from the trees to charge at the gate. They formed a line, the horse riders covering each flank. Five bandits stood on guard in the gate facing them, bloodthirsty grins on their faces. A sixth bandit behind the first five reached into his cloak's pocket and pulled out a book.

The man chanted a quick phrase, and a ball of fire formed in his hand. He threw this ball over the other bandits straight towards Chrom's head. The prince ducked under the spell, ordering another charge. Virion's arrow once again started the charge, planting itself square in another bandit's chest. Miriel's own fireball struck this man next, and he was thrown dead to the ground.

Chrom ran past the bandit's front line over the body, ducking under the swing of an axe, and swung at the mage in the back line. Caught off guard, the Mage succumbed to the attack and fell. Chrom turned around to see the Shepherds had already dealt with the other bandits.

"Milord, the gate is secure," Frederick announced. The knight took out a handkerchief and began cleaning the blood from his lance. With the bandits dead, Chrom took a moment to look around the gate. The guards to Bathoneo's gate were dead. Axes and wounds stuck out of them and civilians alike.

"We need to keep moving. They can't be allowed to continue this slaughter."

"Milord, we should send word to the capital. If they could lay waste to the whole city, we may not be able to handle them alone." Frederick advised, still cleaning his lance.

"You're right... We'll be confined to the alleys and side streets. I know you can handle that, Frederick, but I'm not sure that Sully or Stahl could. I'm sending both of you back, then. Bring the Knights back with you, if you can,"

"Piss to that, Chrom! I can fight!" Sully insisted, her horse braying alongside her.

"I know, that's why Stahl needs you on the road. If they have an ambush set, I don't want either of you alone." Chrom answered. "We can't waste any more time, just go Sully."

"Ugh. Dammit. Fine." She swore. With a flick of the wrist, she turned her horse away from the city and set off. Shaken by his companions brusque departure, Stahl gave a hasty bow and set off after Sully. Chrom watched them leave for a moment before turning back around. If he had waited just a moment longer, he would have seen another figure enter the city.

It was lucky that it was a friend, then.

"Chrom!" A voice yelled out. Surprised, Chrom and the remaining Shepherds turned around with weapons drawn to find Robin just beyond the ends of their blades. "Okay... Not the welcome I was hoping for."

"Robin? Gods, you scared me. What are you doing here?" Chrom questioned, sheathing Falchion. As the other Shepherds mostly followed suit, he noticed the mouse once again calming down just by Robin's foot.

"I want to help. I... Apparently know how to swing a sword. I can also vaguely recall an old adage about strength in numbers," the man said, his confidence taken by the reaction his arrival garnered.

"Fine, but we can't babysit you out here." Chrom answered brusquely. "We have no idea how many of the raiders are still in this place. Could be hundreds or even thousands."

"Oh? How do you know that?" Robin asked curiously, his eyebrow furrowed.

"They broke through the gates before the city guard could close it, and the cities burning two days after we left it." Chrom answered matter-of-factly. "Looking at the bodies it's almost all guards and soldiers. There is no way could have overwhelmed them so fast."

Robin nodded, looking down at the guardsmen's bodies. Carefully, he flipped one over, to the disgust of a number of the Shepherds.

"Chrom, I don't think they came in from the outside. Not here, anyway. Is there another way into the city?" Robin asked.

"There's only this gate. Why do you ask?"

"Milord, we need to move. A checkup patrol could arrive at any second," Frederick warned, his eyes darting to the end of the gate's short tunnel.

"You're right. Let's find somewhere safe that we can talk."

"Yo har ho!" A voice sang.

"Yo ho har!" A sea of voices echoed.

"Scalawags of the sea are we!" A muscular man in tattered bloodied clothing sang. A tuft purple hair hung from his chin, the same color as the raggedy mess of his head. He brandished a large axe made of steel, which was coated in scratches and blood, and a torch.

"We flight like beasts an' men do flee!" Around the man a horde of similarly brutish and raggedy men cheerfully sang. Their weapons were tied on their backs as they carried barrels of wine out of the misshapen remains of a building. A charred wooden sign hung over the door, with the letters '-yous Retre-t' still legible. The rest of the sign was lost in a flame. As the last man exited the building, the purple-haired man threw the torch through the open doorway. He sang on to the cheers of the men surrounding him.

"We earn our gold with axes bold an'-"

"Would you shut up!" A muscular tan-skinned man dressed in furs angrily interrupted. Red war paint meshed with blood on his face and exposed stomach. "We're supposed to be looting gold, not wine you useless swine!"

"Yo ho ho, Garrick! Nedata an' his hearties pillage an' plunder as we please!" The singing pirate laughed. "Our job be done! We got ye and ye crew inta the city! Now we do as we always do after a pillagin'!" His proclamation was met by the 'yar har's of the men still looting around him.

"Bah. Fine. You better be ready to get us out of here in the morning. I'm not up for a stake out against the Ylissean Knights," Garrick said before turning and leaving Nedata and his pirates to their fill. As he walked, the whole hearted and obnoxiously carefree singing behind him, he started mumbling to himself angrily. "My men will keep all of the riches we find then. The rest of this city, we'll torch." He returned to a pack of furred men wearing skull helmets. They were surrounding a screaming women, begging for her life. Garrick never knew his men to be good listeners, and so he wasn't surprised when one of the men stopped the screaming with the swing of an axe.

"The smith house is clear, milord." Frederick announced, emerging from the building in question. It hadn't been ransacked yet, so Chrom was comfortable holing up in it for the sake of preparations.

The smith itself was connected to another house. It was surprisingly clean considering the owner's occupation, but that was more a statement about Bathoneo as a city than about the smith who occupied it. At least, who used to occupy it. Virion was admiring a decorative sword hung on one of the walls when Chrom entered.

"Ah, Chrom. It's a beaut, is it not?" The nobleman asked.

"I wouldn't trust it in a fight, so no. That guard is flimsy, and the blade looks unnecessarily heavy. I don't think it is worth the metal that forged it," the captain of the Shepherds retorted.

"Tsk. It is art, captain," the archer said. When he turned to face Chrom's glower, he quickly backtracked. "But then, I guess you are much too practical for such things. Art has never saved a single soul the cold embrace of death."

Chrom shook his head at the man's 'art appreciation' as the rest of the Shepherds, now with Robin in tow, filed in. The door was shut as Miriel was the last to enter. He thought he heard it open and shut again, but that was probably his imagination.

"So, Frederick. You wanted us to step aside. Do you have a plan?" Chrom asked, facing the knight in question.

"A straight assault is suicide. We don't know their numbers nor where the bulk of them are holed up. We aren't even sure how they got into the city, milord, nor how they could get out." Frederick answered.

"Well, we can't let them run rampant either, Frederick," Chrom answered.

"So, then I think it's obvious what we have to do," Robin spoke up. "We need information. We need to capture an isolated group and question them."

Huh. That was an easy plan. Too easy, even, Chrom thought.

"That's all well and good, Robin," Virion chimed in, "but we can't very well move together. We will get spotted with such a large group."

"Then-"

"We split up, then." Robin suggested, cutting off Frederick. "We've got... Eight? No, nine people. Sorry... Kellam, was it?"

A sigh manifested from behind Chrom, and the Captain of the Shepherds nearly jumped out of his skin. He forgot about Kellam even being here!

"It's fine... I'm used to it," the heavily armored man lamented.

"Two groups with four each," Frederick suggested, hoping to get the conversation back on track. His annoyance vanished as he went on, "Two support, two front line. One group will have an extra member."

"Lissa uses healing magic right? She should go with the larger group so neither group is at a disadvantage. What kind of healing..."

The groups had been set, and the objective was clear. Chrom was pretty impressed with how quickly Robin and Frederick had come up with a plan. It was a simple plan, for the most part, but even the contingencies were pretty straightforward. Both groups would meet back up at dawn in the same building and share whatever information they had gathered. Chrom's group was the larger of the two and consisted of himself, Sumia, Lissa, Virion, and Robin. Frederick had been hesitant to leave the amnesiac alone with his lord, but he resigned himself to taking the chance when Chrom himself ordered it. Robin had a sword, so he counted as the other front liner in the group, leaving Virion, Lissa, and Sumia as the back line. Pikachu was also in the back, though he clung to Robin's side like an extra limb.

They had been slipping between alleys for an hour, hoping to pass a small patrol. They hadn't found any small groups yet, but they did see a large group arguing. They had been in the courtyard of some merchant's overly luxurious home. Some good all that money did the owner now...

With any luck, Chrom hoped that Lissa and Sumia would never even be near the any of the looters until they were subdued. He knew Virion was a good shot, and Chrom himself was skilled, but Robin was untested. The sword he had out was a shoddy bronze sword that anyone could afford. In hindsight, they should have taken a new sword for him from the smith.

Chrom heard voices from around a street corner. Rambunctious laughter that was underscored by desperate feminine pleas, followed by a pained scream. Chrom was about to rush ahead.

"Wait." Robin said, grabbing Chrom by the shoulder. "We can't rush out there." The amnesiac took point, peeking around the corner before darting his head back. "There's three of them. Two axes and a Mage."

"Then what do we do?" Sumia asked

"We kill the Mage and disarm the others if we can. We'll need to be quick."

"Alright. On my mark, Virion will take out the Mage. Once you shoot, Robin and I will go in. If we can capture even one, Sumia will take their weapons while we hold them down," Chrom ordered. Virion edged closer to the corner, surprisingly quietly. Chrom gave a nod, and the archer jumped out from cover and let an arrow fly. Chrom, Robin, and the mouse were already running out to confront the bandits. Another arrow flew past as the bandits scrambled to put up some kind of defense. This one struck true, catching the Mage in the chest where the other one missed entirely.

Chrom punched his opponent and drove Falchion's pommel into his stomach. The man staggered, but still drew his axe back to swing. Chrom parried the blow, and drove his face into the man's skull. The man stumbled back paralyzed once more. Lightning shot past Chrom into the man, shocking him long enough for Chrom to put him down with a strike of the flat end of Ylisse's exalted sword. His opponent incapacitated, he turned to Robin, who straddled his foe and held the bronze sword against the brigand's neck. Virion walked by and pulled out another arrow. The Mage was moaning and rolling on the ground bleeding until Virion let loose his bowstring. The cries sharply ceased.

"We've got them," Chrom announced. Lissa and Sumia stepped out onto the street to meet them. Sumia kicked the axes and the spell book aside.

"Get off me, ya sodding landlubber!" The man Robin was straddling demanded, though he quieted as Robin pressed the sword harder against his neck.

"Sumia, keep your spear trained on the other man. He's still alive, Virion, Lissa, keep an eye out." Robin barely registered their affirmatives before he turned to the conscious raider. The man emitted a toothy growl, his rotting yellow teeth sticking out and stinking the whole street. Instead of the furs most of the bandits that Chrom had been seeing, this man was wearing a raggedy outfit that barely fit him and smelled of salt water. "Who are you?"

"Piss off, I'll be telling ye nothing," the man spat. Chrom couldn't even tell if the spitting was on purpose or just a part of his strange accent. "The cap'n would 'ave me 'ead if I told ye damned government floozies a damned thing."

"Is that so?" Chrom stated. "Then I guess we don't need you alive then. The other man will talk then." He gave Robin a nod, raising his sword high before the man interjected.

"W-wait! On second thought, This job ain't worth me life!" He cried, stopping Robin mid swing, "I ain't one of th' bandits! Me Cap'n Nedata and 'is 'earty crew, including I, we was 'ired to smuggle the bandits in!"

"The dock... Damn you." Chrom cursed. "What else?"

"Their leader, a black'earted coward named Garrick, 'e insisted we get to burning th' city! I just wanted to drink meself to a stupor! Please, let me live!"

"Where are they?" Chrom growled, stabbing Falchion into the ground next to him.

"I don't know! They been moving around!" The pirate whimpered. "Th' cap'n won't return to the ship until tonight! That's when we was gonna leave, we'd ditch Garrick and collect our pay! Leave 'em to th' knights!"

"I see." Chrom answered, suddenly calm. He looked at Robin, who awaited any kind of instruction. The man threw his arm out in a rabid scream, punching the amnesiac across the face. Chrom was already ready to swing Falchion when a spear stopped the man first. Chrom turned to see Sumia had done it.

"Sumia..." He said, hoping it would provide some comfort. The girl was starting to shake.

"I'm fine... I'm fine Chrom." Sumia managed to get out. "I... I just haven't... Not before..." Chrom let out a weary sigh.

"It doesn't get easier, not really. It never should." Chrom said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Robin got up from the floor, Pikachu hopping onto his shoulder as soon as he did. The mouse stared hard at the man on the ground, it's cheeks sparking violently.

"Pika." It... Growled? Growled sounded like the right word.

"Wait," Chrom spoke up in realization, "where did that lightning come from?"

"Pikachu did it," Robin answered with a tired smile. "He just missed this guy. His thunder was how I pinned him so fast."

"It's true, Chrom. I saw it myself" Lissa said, barely believing it. Pikachu glanced up and started to abashedly rub it's head.

Chrom nodded skeptically. He looked down at the still unconscious bandit. Just how hard did he hit him? He also noticed the body of the woman they had heard screaming. He caught Lissa and Sumia staring too.

"Chrom, we should move," Robin said suddenly. "We've been here too long, and we don't know who could've heard us."

Chrom gave a nod, and with Robin's help, he picked up the bandit and they began their perilous trek back through the ransacked city.

By some miracle, which Chrom could only attribute to Naga's own intervention, they didn't run into any trouble on the way back. The bandits in that mansion's courtyard had dispersed by the time they passed it, and the closest call they had Virion had dealt with silently. The nobleman hadn't been with the Shepherds for longer than a few months, but he was certainly proving his worth over the past few days.

They had dodged and weaved through the alleyways, all the while keeping the bandit they brought back incapacitated. With any luck at all, this man would spill something... Anything.

Sumia had remembered one part of the city from their last visit before their investigation on the coast. Maybe that had been part of why they got back so fast, although he can't say it made him feel better. They had passed the markets on the way. Lissa had to usher Sumia onward when she stopped at one stall in particular; a dead leg stuck out from under the collapsed canopy. Pages were ripped and torn around it without any care nor remorse.

They entered the smith in poor spirits, tossing the unconscious bandit into a corner away from the door.

"Never fear, dear ladies, your noble bodyguard has brought you back to safety!" Virion announced dramatically, receiving a few half hearted chuckles in response. Robin shut the door behind them, Pikachu being the last of them to run inside. Gods, Chrom was thinking of the mouse as one of them.

The other team hadn't returned yet, so they were forced to wait. Sumia and Robin watched the prisoner, and they were also waiting for him to wake back up. At one point, Robin asked to leave for a moment's privacy, and Chrom allowed it. Robin wasn't exactly being subtle what it was for. Chrom did notice how even Pikachu seemed to know, both of it's ears pining.

Of course, whilst Robin was gone the man woke up. Sumia jumped when the man started to stir, and Chrom was on the man in an instant.

"How many of you are there," Chrom demanded. The man's face went wide instantaneously, all dizziness gone.

"Go to hell, you Ylissean pig," the bandit said, spitting in Chrom's face. Chrom punched the man across the face.

"Answer me, you damn-" the bandit head butted the prince, drawing a gasp from Lissa, and pulled out a curved dagger that was hidden in his furs.

"Chrom!" Sumia yelled.

Chrom, still disoriented, grabbed the man's weapon hand in an attempt to stop the blade. It tore at his shirt, and he realized that no one could be close enough to stop it. He was fighting, as hard as he could, but the dagger cut into his skin. Just as he was losing hope, he heard someone cry out nearby, and there was a blur. The man was thrown off of him. When Chrom turned to face the bandit, he saw how Pikachu slammed into the man with almost blinding speed. By that time, Sumia had gotten close enough to pin the man down with a stab of her spear, and Robin appeared to end the man's struggle.

"Damn it," Chrom groaned, slamming his fist into the stone floor. Ultimately, dragging the man across the city was a wasted effort. Chrom cursed before giving a quick thanks to Robin and Sumia for the save.

"There are better places to sleep than the ground you know. Here, give me your hand," Robin offered, attempting to mimic Chrom as best as he could, even down to how he extended his hand. He didn't do it very well, as his voice was just a little lighter in tone. Chrom couldn't help but chuckle all the same, accented by the giggles from the girls in the room. Virion quirked his brow curiously, but shook the curiosity out of his head when no one immediately explained.

"We've known this man for but one day, yet you all already leave me out to dry."

"Sorry, you'd have to have been there," Robin apologized with a smile. From the scowl still on the nobleman's face, he wasn't forgiven.

"After all of that effort, all that we have is that they got in from the docks," Chrom soberly complained, his mirth gone already.

"Chrom," Sumia spoke up softly, "the other group will find something more." Chrom looked up into her eyes, and their sincerity calmed him down quickly.

"Your right, Sumia. Gods, I hope your right. An entire city..." Chrom trailed off wistfully. He turned to face Robin. "We slept in this city's walls only two days ago."

"I understand... I think." Robin said empathetically. He leaned lazily against the wall, before raising an eyebrow curiously. "Although, I can't say I agree with everything that you said. We got a lot more than just how they got into the city out of the pirate. We've got their supply line, their escape plan, and their leaders' names. We also learned that they aren't all that friendly with each other."

"We... We should wait for Frederick and the others before discussing tactics." Chrom said. Robin nodded with a sigh, and grabbed the body by the arms. He dragged it out of the quarters to hide it in the smith, and returned to the house part of the building trying rubto the stench off his hands and onto his coat.

"So what do we do while we wait?" Robin asked. Chrom cocked his brow, before putting his hand to his chin in thought. That's when his stomach let out a long, drawn out growl.

"We left the cart by the road outside of the city. Since we're going to be here a while, we should grab some rations." Chrom suggested.

"That's not too far, and we'd be back fairly quickly. All the same, some of us should stay here in case the other team comes back," Robin advised.

"Sounds good," Chrom said. The Captain of the Shepherds was encouraged by the suggestion, and decided to push the amnesiac a little further. "Who do you think should go?"

After a brief discussion, it was decided that only Robin, Pikachu and Virion would go out and the rest would stay. Lissa practically begged to go too, but neither Chrom nor Robin would allow it. And just like that, the men and mouse departed, leaving Chrom alone with just Sumia and Lissa. He watched both of the men leave, once again satisfied with the man's reasoning. Once the men disappeared into the waning daylight, he backed away from the window and say against the wall.

"Chrom, are we really just going to sit here and wait?" Lissa asked, sounding almost as if she knew the answer.

"Yes, I'm afraid we are," he answered calmly. "We can't afford to get caught out now. As much as I hate it, we need to be patient here." He uncorked the skin at his waist and took a sip of water. Sumia did the same whilst Lissa groaned in boredom.

"So... Captain. What do we do next?" Sumia asked, still a bit shaky. He could understand why. This was pretty large of a scale for her first mission.

"We stop them, one at a time if we have to. Frederick and Robin will think of something when they get back," he answered with what he hoped was a comforting smile. Sumia nodded, sitting down herself. She kept her spear propped up beside her, though just barely. Chrom saw how she was sagging, and how obviously drained she was. After a moment of hesitation, he asked her, "Are... Are you okay?"

"What? Oh... Of course I am,"

"No you're not, Sumia. You look exhausted," Lissa protested. His sister was also looking worse for wear already. Dammit, Chrom thought, neither of them were ready for this long of a deployment. It was only looking to get longer too.

"You don't look so good yourself, Lissa. You do know that I was joking when I called you delicate earlier, don't you?" he teased, hoping to mask his worry. He laughed when his sister responded by blowing a raspberry at him. Yeah, she'd be fine.

Getting out of the city was pretty easy, surprisingly. The raiders definitely didn't seem very organized, having only a way out and the bare bones precautions in place. Once they got into the city, Robin didn't think that the raiders had much of a plan. Robin couldn't be sure, though. He mentally cursed the lack of perspective that amnesia left him with.

"So... Do you remember where we left the cart?" Robin asked. Virion turned on his heels to face him.

"Oh, do you not, sir Robin? It is fortunate that I escorted you, then, lest our provisions and our new ally be lost," Virion said in what Robin could only guess was a teasing tone. When Robin didn't respond with anything but a confused squint, Virion sighed and pointed up the path. "Our provisions lie at the crest of this hill."

"Pika Pi?" Pikachu questioned, one of his pointed ears lowered alongside a curious gaze at the archer. Virion began the uphill hike as Robin answered the mouse with a shrug. What a world he must live in where an animal was easier to talk than another person. His involuntary laughter at the thought caused both Pikachu and the archer to turn to him in their confusion.

It was a very confusing venture all around.

Then again, Robin wouldn't dare try to call his day odd. He only had one other day to compare it to, and he only spent it asleep and then as the Shepherds glorified prisoner. Not that he could blame their concern. A strange man wakes up with amnesia, knowing nothing but one of their names? He'd be concerned too. Probably. Would he? Well, from how paranoid he'd been for the past few hours in a city ransacked by bandits, who were still there, he could at least conclude that he remembered something about self preservation. From there, and from his innate ability to swing a sword and even when he helped Frederick with planning... He still remembered how to be whoever he was.

But then there was the mouse on his shoulder that was lazily watching Virion trekking just ahead of him. Was this mouse his? Was it always his? How old was it? How did he train it? Actually, did he train it? It seemed to be an intelligent creature, capable of telling friend from foe at a human level. Then again, couldn't one also do that with a dog? Probably, but most dogs couldn't shoot lightning out of their face. At least, probably not. He couldn't actually remember what a dog looked like, but it certainly sounded right. Another strange half-memory. Gods, context for any of his knowledge would be wonderful.

"Sir Robin, you seem distressed. Perhaps I could assuage whatever troubles you?" Virion offered, rousing Robin from his inner rambling with an amiable smile on his face.

"Um... I'm sorry, but could you repeat that in simpler terms? Whatever I was, refined was not it." Robin offered with a half laugh. The archer frowned, but gave in with a sigh.

"Very well. I was offering to lend you my ear if you wished to talk."

"Oh. Of course. Definitely would've gotten that." From Virion's agitated expression, Robin guessed he wasn't doing a good job making friends yet. No, that wouldn't do. He needed this man's trust, at least until this city was safe and he could go. "Sorry. It's been a long two days. I appreciate the offer, if you're certain you want to listen."

"For what reason would I be nothing but earnest? T'would not do to deceive the only friendly face for miles, beyond the other Shepherds. I am at your service." Virion accented his offer by stopping momentarily to bow.

"Hey, I actually understood that," Robin teased.

"Tsk. I offer aid and you rebut me as such?"

"Sorry, I'm just stalling. I'm trying to sort out the past two days in my head. As far as I can remember, they are my entire life."

"Ah, of course. Is it not obvious what ails you? This is a rather gargantuan task to throw yourself into so soon after you've lost your memories, no?"

"Yeah, there's that. I'm also sure you noticed how much I seem to know, but... I don't know how I know any of it," Robin complained. His legs were getting sore from the incline. He could have sworn it hadn't taken nearly so long to get down, even with gravity in his favor.

"Well, for how sudden you claim it to be, you've superbly adapted to this unfortunate situation. You've even melted away enough of our most wary knight's wariness to have been left alone with both Chrom and Lissa. That is no small feat for one afternoon," Virion complimented.

"I guess I haven't been doing awfully. Honestly, part of the reason I went into the city was because I have no where else to go right now. My friend here sure isn't telling me much," Robin quipped, pointing to the passenger on his shoulder. Pikachu's eyes narrowed dangerously at him, and Robin jumped when a spark of electricity danced across his cheek.

Virion chortled in an ungentlemanly fashion, and his smile turned into a mischievous grin. Robin was rubbing his cheek when the wagon came into view. Virion followed the amnesiac's gaze and sighed, giving up on whatever he had planned. When he spoke, it was with an obviously feigned sadness, even through the archer's normally colorful vocabulary. "It appears that our carriage is just up ahead. Let us retrieve our provisions and return to the safety of the smith."

Robin nodded, running up to the wagon with his sore legs already forgotten. Nothing looked like it was missing, but Robin didn't really remember. The only time he had even looked inside was when he had thrown his sack into the back early on.

Virion walked to the open back and reached for a set of bags. He passed another one to Robin and started filling his own with wrapped up loaves of bread and food, and Robin started to do the same. Their previous conversation was dropped as they discussed necessities, and just enough to last until the Ylissean Knights arrived.

Once his bag was nearly full, he gave the carriage a cursory glance. He grabbed one last piece of bread and gave it to the mouse on his shoulder. Pikachu's eyes widened and his paws grabbed at the treat gratefully before stuffing the entire piece in his mouth.

Robin brushed off the stray crumbs off of his coat as best he could, and was about to step away when he noticed the satchel he left behind. After a moment's hesitation grabbed it before stepping away from the carriage. Virion suggested they hide the carriage in the foliage, lest some passerby takes it. Once it was done, Robin fastened his satchel around his free shoulder so that it wouldn't fall, and he hugged the food bag against his chest. They started the trek down the hill towards the city.

"Might I ask what's in your personal pouch, Sir Robin?" Virion asked as they walked, only half facing him.

"Well... I don't know, I haven't opened it since the other Shepherds found me. I just wanted to bring it," Robin admitted, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand. Virion tsk'ed his disapproval.

"Well, you should probably figure it out. Neither of us want this to have been a wasted effort, and I have no doubt Frederick would disapprove of he found you spent the extra effort for naught," Virion quipped, laughing at his own... Robin wasn't sure it could actually be called a joke.

"He'd disapprove of this trip anyway just because I suggested it," Robin jabbed without hesitation. It came out a little colder than he'd meant for it to, but Virion chuckled all the same. Sure it was a bit of an awkward chuckle, but that still had to count for something. The noble archer turned to respond, but was interrupted before he could speak.

The leaves of a nearby thicket rustled, And Robin and Virion both dropped their bags and drew their weapons. Pikachu also jumped off Robin, landing between the archer and the thicket, and braced himself for an attack. Nothing came. Confused, he carefully stepped toward the bush. He screamed when a squirrel ran out of the bush, and darted past him. Virion lost all of his composure, doubling over with such mirth that his laughter became cough as he ran out of breath.

"Are you done?" Robin asked in annoyance. This did nothing to calm the archer as his laughter redoubled, and all the composure that Robin expected of the man faded. Robin stared at the laughing man, before realizing something was missing. "Wait, where are the bags?"

Virion's laughter stopped suddenly, and as one they looked down the hill where the bags were rolling, leaving a scattered trail of still rolling bread and apples behind. All the mirth died as they both broke into sprints after the bags.

"Finally! I was told to expect you two 'soon' after I got back. It has been two hours since then. Regardless of the state of the city, we need to be fast here," Frederick chastised. That was the greeting that Virion and Robin received after finally getting back to the smith. Robin incoherently grumbled as he and Virion passed bread around to the not-as tired Shepherds.

"We... Lost the first batch of food we grabbed, and had to go back for more." Virion explained irritably, his weariness taking away any of his usually finesse.

"Define lost," Chrom requested with a mix of confusion and curiousity.

Robin looked to Virion, hoping he'd explain. When he saw the archer, and everyone else in the room, including Frederick's group, was staring at him, he sighed. He couldn't think of anything clever.

"We dropped the first batch's bags because we thought we heard something in the woods around us as we walked down the hill. We walked away fine, it was only a squirrel... But apparently, I forgot that round things roll." As Robin finished and handed a loaf to Vaike, the room burst into a mix of laughter and groans.

Robin began to grumble as he took a bite of a loaf all his own. A finger tapped on his shoulder and he nearly jumped out of his skin. He turned to face Kellam who had nothing to eat. Robin apologized quickly and passed another piece of bread to him. It did nothing to quiet the room.

Eventually the room did quiet enough for them to eat dinner. Frederick kept a wary eye on the window, now covered by curtains. It was getting dark outside little by little.

"Why all the bread?" Vaike bemoaned once he was finished eating. "Teach can't keep up this muscle on bread!"

"Because we wouldn't be able to safely cook meat," Robin answered, brushing the last crumbs off his face.

"Alright, we're done eating, milord." Frederick announced, "and we're all accounted for. We need to all be caught up on what each group has found out."

"Alright." Chrom agreed with a nod. He stood from his place against the wall and began to speak. It was all things Robin already knew, of course. He did appreciate how Chrom seemed to take his encouragement to heart as the Sheperd's leader explained exactly what they had found. The raiders' escape plan, their leaders, and the unrest amongst them.

"Hmph. That is quite a bit," Frederick said, before continuing onto his own report. "We also found a bit of this, but we didn't run into any of these pirates. One of the bandits did spill where they are keeping the city's council, and countless bystanders. The merchant's palace in the center of town. They likely intended to take them onto the ships and sell them or ransom them, the dastards. We need to move fast to free them, milord."

Chrom promptly agreed. He made a move for the door when Robin stood up.

"Wait, we shouldn't act too quickly," Robin intervened, blocking the door. "If we scare them, they may kill their hostages or escape with them as leverage."

"Well, what do you suggest, then?" Chrom snapped, though Robin could still see a hint of curiosity on his face.

After a moment, Robin answered him.

"We don't let them escape."

Nedata was drinking merrily in an inn that they hadn't burned down near the center of town, surrounded by his hearty crew. He didn't know most of their names, having picked them up recently just for this job. Still, they knew how to drink their fill. He wanted to have his fill before he and his men left town. Damn Garrick and damn his money. He'd make more than enough selling these wines and the trinkets they did find back at home. Sure, it was a long way back, but he could stop in Valm on the way.

"Cap'n! Cap'n!" A sober shout came in through the singing pirates. "Cap'n! It's burning!"

"Yo ho har!" Captain Nedata greeted by merrily throwing out his arms. There was an outburst of laughter as another crewmen was drenched in the drink. Nedata spoke on obliviously. "Of course it be burning! We burned plenty o' it!"

"Not th' city, th' ships! Th' Singing Scourge is on fire! So is th' Sub'uman 'Unter!" The singing and merriment in the inn died instantaneously. No one even laughed when someone fell off the bar counter in their stupor.

"How?" The Captain's normally singsong voice had sunk into a low, guttural snarl.

"I don't know. Th' skeleton crew was dead, and the gits what did it fled back inta th' city!" The pirate shrunk away as he finished his report. Nedata grunted, his breaths became irregular and heavy alcohol scented pants, and finally he snapped. He lifted up his axe and drove it into the nearest table. It split cleanly in two.

"The party's over, lads! If it costs our lives, we've got some scaly wags to kill." Nedata's angry, tuneless shouting had the effect he hoped for. The roar that rose up in the inn was not the hearty cheer he had grown used to but a collective defiant shout against the loss of the one place so many of them called home.

Chrom had awoken early the next morning to the faint, distant sound of laughter. His eyes slowly took in the room he was in, the unfamiliar walls, the cheap wooden furniture, and the uncomfortable bed underneath him. He darted upright and grabbed his sword off the ground as he remembered where he was. The Shepherds had struck out from their relatively safe shelter last night. On Robin's suggestion they had snuck through the city to the docks. Just as they had guessed, the pirate ships were practically unguarded.

After they had taken the ships, they immediately torched them. In normal circumstances, Chrom would've left the ships standing, but there were Ylissean lives at stake if they got away. They would strike again, kill again, and sell more innocent men, women, and children. At least this way, Chrom knew that not one of them was getting away. Not with the Knights incoming. After they slipped away, they returned to the smith once again. They took shifts sleeping, with Chrom being given the single bedroom for his downtime.

Three staccato knocks broke the silence, and Frederick's ever stoic voice entered the room.

"Milord, we need to move soon. Are you awake?"

Chrom rubbed his eyes before standing. He strapped Falchion and its sheath to his belt and stepped to the door.

"Yes Frederick, I am up," Chrom answered plainly, opening the door to his icy knight. Frederick bowed as Chrom stepped out his room with his hands respectfully behind his back. "Couldn't you wait on someone else?"

"Of course I could milord, but gods forbid that you oversleep. Imagine the catastrophe if we didn't have our valiant leader with us today! We're outnumbered as it is, we need you to hold us together, milord," Frederick said with a straight face.

"Was... Frederick, was that sarcasm?" Chrom asked, quirking his eyebrow.

"I think not, milord."

Chrom sighed in hopes of dropping it.

"We should eat before we leave. It wouldn't do to fight with empty stomachs," he suggested. The rumble that followed from beneath his shirt only furthered his point.

"Of course, milord. I will split up the rations immediately," Frederick promised, turning on his heels and returning to the open room the rest of the Shepherds were holing up in.

Deathly quiet. That's what the city had become. Chrom hadn't even noticed the constant noise the day before, between the screams of death and the disgustingly joyful shouting of various looters. Now that it was gone, he couldn't help but feel nervous. It smelled like a trap. Robin had hoped that the bandits and pirates would turn on each other after their escapade the night before, but it seemed that nothing had come of it.

They sidled through the alleyways brazenly themselves. Well, most of them anyway. Frederick had taken Robin, Virion, and Miriel to do their part while the rest of them were a distraction. Of course, Frederick had Pikachu too, which was almost a shame. The mouse had saved his life twice the day before, and he was starting to feel comfortable with it around. Of course the mouse would join his master's team, though. Even having just met the duo he could guess that mouse wasn't leaving Robin's side. Maybe he could get one of his own?

He didn't particularly like being called a distraction, but he had eventually agreed to the plan. He took a quick glance behind him to his sister and Sumia who both nervously brought up the rear. If the Divine Dragon was willing, he wouldn't let any of the looters near either of them.

Marching next to him with a cocky grin on his face was Vaike. Even under his brash front, Chrom could see the axe fighter's eyes darting around, waiting for the anything to pop out. He eventually also spotted Kellam, creeping in the shadows. It was impressive that he managed to stay practically invisible in the heavy armor he wore. It was also a nuisance when he needed the man, but the point was moot.

The last alleyway they left deposited them onto the paved main road towards the center of the city. His tightened his grip on Falchion as the lone blue and white tower of the merchant palace came into view around the corner, and with it the crowd of looters.

Robin watched from the rooftop as Chrom and the other Shepherds emerged from the alley and stared down the raiders. Robin had only counted about twenty bandits around the central forum, so as long as they were quick they could box the whole crowd of them in they would be trapped. He looked down from his vantage point to see Frederick and his horse ready to charge. Robin had forgotten he even had the horse, he barely saw the thing since they entered the city. Whatever Frederick had done to hide his horse by the smith had worked wonders.

On the stone shingles beside him was Pikachu. From the mouse's low stance, narrowed eyes, and high tail, he looked ready to pounce. Robin felt the same. The sooner this was done, the sooner Robin could... Well, restart his life.

"I am Chrom, captain of the Shepherds," the man in question announced, drawing all the bandit's eyes to him. Taking his cue, Robin opened up his sack and pulled out a yellow book, "and we have come to deliver justice unto those who would threaten my country and its people. I will give you all one chance to peacefully surrender. Accept, and you will be treated with mercy. Resist, and we will cut you down where you stand."

After a moment of silence, the raiders burst out into laughter. That would be a no, then. He looked down at his book, and looked over the open page as quickly as he could. The Shepherds on the ground formed up, with Chrom, Vaike, and Kellam in the front line and Lissa and Sumia behind them. Robin took in a breath, flicked his free palm open, and began to chant, his words unintelligible to the average man. As he finished, out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Pikachu's cheeks sparking.

The sadistic laughter died down, and a large man covered in furs and red paint stepped out from the crowd.

"I count five of you, little sheep. I don't need to count my men to know you're at a disadvantage. Why don't you put down your pretty little sword, and come quietly yourself. I promise that I will only hurt you so much if you do." He finished by spitting before Chrom's feet. That must have been Garrick, then. Squinting at the crowd, he noticed something missing. There wasn't a single pirate in the square.

"That's not going to happen, Garrick," Chrom declared. Robin could see the bandit leader's face twist into a frown, even from where we was. He didn't dwell on it as he was otherwise preoccupied, both with the Lightning that was starting to tickle his hand and by trying the spot any sign at all of the pirates. Were they hidden around the alleys as well?

Chrom took up a neutral stance, Falchion pointed diagonally towards the bandits. Well, might as well start now. He finally let the thunder loose, like a bolt it shot into a bandit's flank. Another lightning bolt, which struck a man's skull, flew out next to him. Just as the bandits were starting to panic it was followed by a fireball and an arrow. Chrom's unit charged at Garrick. The bandit simply laughed as he raised his axe.

A few of the bandits made for the alley below Robin, hoping to stop the flanking maneuver. The two who weren't stopped by an arrow or magic were cut down by Frederick emerged from the shadow. Despite being outnumbered, they were starting to even things out. There was still no sign of the pirates, though.

From his position, he saw Chrom dueling Garrick, dancing around the bandit's weapon as it fell in a vertical swing. Vaike and Kellam both kept the rest of the bandits away, with Sumia poking clumsily at the one bandit who got by. The bandit leader threw out another horizontal swing towards the Shepherd Captain. This one Chrom blocked. He kicked at the bandit's stomach and thrust forward. The dizzy bandit didn't have a chance to react. Seconds later, Chrom was removing his sword from the body which limply fell where it stood.

Seeing their leader defeated, the few remaining bandits tried to run for the palace. Before Robin could act, Pikachu had jumped from the rooftop onto Frederick's horse as the knight charged towards the retreating bandits. Before Frederick could swing at any of the runners, the mouse had hopped off and practically disappeared it moved so fast. Pikachu reappeared in front of one bandit, stopping him in his tracks to take a desperate swing. His tail glowing a bright white, Pikachu ran up the panicked bandit's arm and spun his tail to slam into the man's face. The man fell to the ground, though Robin was to busy gawking to really explain how. What the hell was his pet?!

Fredrick and Pikachu managed to stop all but one bandit, who scurried through the merchant palace's doors.

Robin hopped down from his rooftop, and walked towards the center of the square.

"So, it worked," Chrom said simply. From how heavy the man's breathing was, he had to be tired.

"Not yet, milord. There was no one that resembled the pirates." Frederick stated atop his horse. The man didn't seem at all winded.

"He's right," Robin agreed, though he wasn't very happy about it. "There wasn't a single one in that crowd. They have to be waiting for us inside."

"Damn. You're both probably right," Chrom conceded. "We should press on then. I want these raiders gone and be on the road by tomorrow."

The amnesiac glanced around. Pikachu had returned to his side at some point, but he couldn't say when. The only one of them that took any bad hits was Vaike, and Lissa was already healing his wounds. He'd probably be better with a shirt on at least, but that wasn't important at the moment. Having gotten a feel for their situation, Robin nodded, an action that Frederick mimicked shortly afterward. Chrom led the Shepherds to the large doors. This would end.

"Yo ho har! Welcome to me palace Shepherds!" Nedata yelled out with mocking disrespect as the doors opened. He stood at the top of a tall stairwell, looking down at the towering double doors. "Do forgive me, the place is a bit of a mess."

It really was, too. Nedata's men had turned the once beautiful, garish palace into a dump no better than the rankest ports the pirate had ever stepped in. The two day old bodies around the room certainly didn't do anything to help with the image, either. He was also pretty sure the walls used to be white and blue, like the rest of the city.

A man with blue hair at the center of the Shepherds took two careful paces away from his group towards the steps with his sword drawn.

"I assume you are Nedata?" The man asked, already standing ready for an attack. The lad seemed to be bright. Not bright enough, if they all funneled in the front doors.

"Yo ho! So, you've heard o' me then? I'm 'onored, yer lordship. Clearly me fame pr... Prec... Urm... Ah, to the deeps with this fancy nobleman speak," Nedata spat, hoping all traces of that word would leave with his spit.

"I will give you one chance to surrender," the Shepherd said calmly. "If you do, you and your men will not be harmed, and you will be put on trial with all the rights of an Ylissean citizen. Resist, and you will suffer the same fate as your friends outside."

"Aye, I know what happened to Garrick. Saw it from th' window. I also saw what happened to those who ran. Well, most of them," Nedata said with a grin. He looked to a balcony, hanging just above the door where he had three men and the runaway standing. One of his pirates grinned back and nodded. The pirate pushed the surviving runner off the balcony. The man didn't even have a chance to scream before he landed in front of the Shepherds who jumped back. "You missed one. Yer welcome."

"I'll take that as a challenge, then. Make your peace, 'Cap'n' Nedata," the Shepherd leader said, mocking the pirate's accent. For a noble, it wasn't even that badly done, and the pirate couldn't help but laugh

The sound of his laughter served as a signal pyre, drawing his crew like moths into the grand hall. They came from above him, they came from below the stairs, and from the side corridors. Except for a few of Garrick's men who wanted to live more than they liked their old boss.

"Shepherds, form up!" Nedata heard the man shout. They were already surrounded, except for the way out. If things went as he had planned, that way would close to them too.

"You burned th' Singing Scourge! You burned me pride an' joy, Shepherd, and me way home. Your shiny Knights will come fer us, but all they'll find is yer corpses buried under this accursed city's ashes!" The only responses that Nedata received was the clashing of steel against steel and a hearty cheer from his closest men. Watching the battle unfold, his victory practically assured, Nedata began to hum an old shanty he wrote.

This wasn't a good idea. The thought kept bouncing around in his head, distracting him as he tried to move. The noise from the battle certainly wasn't making thinking easier. From his point in the tower, he kept his eye solely on the leader. Nedata, if he heard the blue haired man correctly earlier. Chrom! That was his name.

He watched, even as the battle raged desperately on. The humans below him, the ones that his king scared away two days earlier, were despererately fighting. He couldn't actually see them from his perch, but he could hear it. As the last pirate descended the steps, Bandana Dee decided it was time to move. He had picked up a spear outside, and cut off a bit of the bottom so he could actually carry it. It used to be way taller then him, and that would've been just awkward.

He hopped down onto the balcony below him. He knew he only had one shot doing this right. Dedede had said so, and Meta Knight had insisted so before then. Something about being grateful, the swordsman said. Bandanna Dee wasn't about to upset Meta Knight, let alone his king. He figures this must just be a way of saying sorry for the other day whatever happened the other day.

"Chrom, look out!" A girly voice yelled. Bandanna Dee heard a really loud clink just after that one. He was scared he was already too slow, so he quickened to the side steps that connected the first steps to the ground. He looked and could still see Chrom standing, so he slowed a bit again. Not too late yet. He looked back at the bad men they were fighting. None of them had noticed him. Okay, so maybe this wasn't a bad idea yet. He looked at the big doors behind the big bad guy. His objective. All he needed to do was open them, and he'd be a hero.

As he snuck onto the last stretch of the steps, he took a deep breath. He raised his spear and charged at the big man. The man turned to him with a look of confusion just in time for the spear to go through his stomach. Bandanna Dee let go of the spear and ran to the doors. He jumped up, grabbed one of the locks, and turned it. He grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Through the door, Waddle Dees and Humans alike ran through it with weapons in hand, and at the front of them was the king himself.

"Charge!" Dedede cried, and they all did. The bad guys, the bandits and the pirates, never saw the attack coming.

Bandanna Dee jumped up to one of the higher steps, and watched the confusion from Chrom and his friends as the entire city was led by the Great King Dedede.

After two chapters of meet and greet, I needed to break up the conversation a bit. While the normal prologue fight in Awakening serves its purpose, it wouldn't serve mine. So, I made things bigger. Southtown was spared its raid, at the cost of the city I created, Bathoneo.

Edit - August 2016: Used to have a note about a schedule. This has been removed, as consistency has become more difficult. Fixed a bunch of grammar errors that were littered about. No other major updates were made, as I was pretty happy with this chapter to begin with.