MERP! I admit this is so much for fun to write than FE:FA! Because it isn't linear! Three chaps in and we haven't even advanced much!

Anyway! What exactly are these hosts? The Zodiac? (I may or may not have been watching my brother who was watching reruns of Beyblade: Metal …Something…Fusion? I feel like a nerd now…Okay. I did collect those…When they were cool.) Lalalala. Who're the rest of the company? Why are five of the members of the Zodiac council dim? Find out…sometime….IN THE FUTURE.

(Disclaimer! I don't own Fire Emblem! All credit for everything besides my OCs goes to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems! [I wish I did…I would've made ChromXFeMU canon…And not shove his pairing with one of my favorite clumsy characters down our throats! Like in the gardens when-Never mind. This is dragging on longer than it has to…])

Rei: *sigh* Stop rambling!

Erin: Rambling is rambling…Why must we ramble…?

Brandon: Now you're rambling!

Rei: Anyway! Favorite and Review if you enjoy! I mean you don't have to…but yeah! FREE COUNTRY!

Without any further ado…


Chapter 4: Who Gave Rei a Fire Tome?!

? PoV

It was dark. Oh so freaking dark. And now this bugger's voice is in my head.

"This 'bugger' is more important than you think…" Mr. Bugger muttered.

Uh huh. Yes. And?

Anyway, Mr. Bugger here keeps invading my sleepy time with these messed up dreams. That isn't cool.

Any minute now a dream on crack will appear. I mean it's messed up. Not what you all are probably thinking. Yeah.

OH! And so it begins!

That's different. It's a guy. With red crab-like armor. Hmmm. I dub thee Mr. Bugger Krabs.

…New scene? Okay?

A council…Some weird people…Damn! Is that a dragon? A six-winged, six eyed dragon of doom? That looks familiar…Where have I….Was it in RP on Skype with Erin and Rei? …No, it's from a game. I know this!

Nope. I'm drawing a blank.

"This world is in danger…" Bugger Krabs said, "IT will DIE!"

And now I'm in the dragon's maw…I hope I taste horrible, you beast! Wait…Or good…I hope I taste good…I have horrible self-esteem sometimes…


"AHHH!" I awoke in my room, sweating and screaming for no reason. Damn nightmare clichés…

It's still dark?

I looked at the clock. It read 10pm…That was five minutes?!

Yeah. Sleep's hopeless. Let's see if Rei or Erin are on Skype…

I opened my computer and clicked on the Skype icon. It made the familiar noise and…

None of them are online…I do have that test on the human brain tomorrow in school…

I can't believe boredom and apparent insomnia has led to me studying

"Sod it," I muttered as I typed 'brain' and didn't open the textbook on the floor…somewhere, like the lazy ass I am. Wikipedia it is…These are really bad studying habits…

Wait…What's that?

Something in the corner of the Google search result screen caught my eye.

"Three teenagers comatose without reason?"

That looks interes-

WAIT.

Is that Rei?! And Erin?!

"Experts say that the three teenagers hadn't been showing any signs of ill health and had simply gone into a state of temporary coma or a sort of 'hibernation.' What happened is certainly a mystery and doctors are getting to the bottom of it as we speak. The three have been moved to a local hospital and have been hooked up to machines to give them oxygen and nourishment."

"…This can't be…"

"The three; Rei Feuer, Brandon Gonzales and Erin Fedelta are students at…."

"That means…" I slowly stood, "We'll ne'er speak again?" I looked at the door of my room, "Erin…Rei…I need tae see ye guys…just tae ken that you'll awauken."

I ran towards the d-URPHH

Well, I found my textbook–Oh hello desk!

Goodbye desk!

And then my consciousness slipped away…


Erin's PoV

Wow! This is just…beautiful!

Outside the entrance of the palace was a giant fountain with a statue of Naga–the one from that cutscene? The palace was in the distance wasn't it?–back to back with the Hero-King, Marth, in the center, spouting water from the tip of a raised Falchion 1.0.

Surrounding the fountain were neatly trimmed hedges and well-kept gardens.

"Wow…" Robin muttered, "And I thought the markets were nice…"

"What do you expect, doofus?" I asked, earning a giggle from Lissa, "If the city is amazing, would this be amazing? The gardens are beautiful and the architecture is glorious" I looked at it again, "Annabeth Chase can't hold a candle to it."

"Who?" Chrom asked.

…Me and my big mouth…

"Oh, just an architect who lived nearby. She was really amazing." I think? Didn't she head the reconstruction of Mount Olympus in the PJ books?

"You never told us much about yourself. What's your story? Where do you hail from?" Chrom asked as Frederick let out a snort. Is it uncommon that Chrom uses fancy vocab or something?

Wait…Damn it.

"W-well…." I hesitated, "I am…kind of…lost. No joke. I guess I sort of set out to pursue some dream of mine and forgot which direction home was in."

Frederick snorted again, "You expect us to believe that? The amnesiac was crazy enough, but you expect us to just buy that without–"

Chrom facepalmed at the same topic Frederick had been bringing up for the whole trip.

"Frederick…Please. We trust them," He sighed, walking past the guards at the inner gate. There were two gates, "This way."

We swiftly moved up the steps and into the heeeeuuuuge palace. This puts…Buckingham Palace to shame! Actually, I've never been there. Never mind.

In the center of the room, standing in front of a throne and surrounded by her honor guard was Emmeryn. Her arms were at her sides and she had a wide smile on her face.

"Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, welcome home!" She turned to Phila, who was at her side, and gave her a signal. Phila turned to the present pegasus knights and apparently told them to leave, because they saluted and left the room, "I hope that your patrol to rid the border of those bandits Phila's knights reported was successful."

"We stopped the first attack and when returned, we barely stopped a second," Chrom nodded, "Though we shouldn't have problems from them for a while."

They knew about that already? Oh! Right! That was in the comics!

"That's certainly a relief, but what of the people inhabiting the border villages?"

"The mayor of Southtown said that those border villages haven't been attacked in a while and that the bandits have been aiming at the heart of Ylisse. Southtown being part of it. We still need to watch our borders though. Those brigands were Plegian."

Phila bowed respectively, "Forgive me, milord. I should have sent the pegasus knights to intercept the second attack."

"There wasn't need, Phila. Your duty was here, protecting Emmeryn."

Lissa nodded, "Those brigands were running for the hills after we finished them off. Thanks to Erin and Robin, of course!"

Emmeryn moved her gaze to Robin and me at the back of the group, "You speak of the two who accompany you?"

"Yes, they both fought valiantly," Chrom said, "I've decided to make both Erin and Robin Shepherds. The latter becoming our new tactician."

Robin slightly bowed awkwardly as I gave a cheerful, but sheepish finger-wiggly-wave. I hope that didn't get me a death sentence...

Emmeryn's smile widened, "It seems that Ylisse owes you a debt, Erin and Robin."

"Not at all, milady!" Robin said as I let out a small laugh.

"What do you mean, Robin? You were amazing out there, Mr. Tactician!" I made him blush in embarrassment! Awe!

"Forgive me, Your Grace…I must speak!" Frederick said as Robin and I facepalmed, "Robin claims to have lost his memory and Erin claims to have lost her way…We cannot get rid of the possibility of them both being brigands or Plegian spies."

Oh! Can't resist like Owain's twitching sword hand!

"Forgive me, Sir Frederick, but I must speak…" I said slowly, "While that could be true, it could also be false as well. True, you shouldn't trust someone you've just met, nor can you judge them at a first glance. Being wary is a good trait, but judging someone before you see their actions isn't. And you've seen my actions thus far. That may very well be poor judgement."

I might have put myself into some serious shit, but going all author mode on him was worth it!

Yup. From Freddy's glare, I can tell that my head will be on his lance before next week. On the other hand, Chrom, Emmeryn and Robin looked slightly amused while Lissa giggled silently. Hell, Phila is even smiling slightly.

"Very well," Emmeryn started, "It seems as though you have both earned Chrom's trust. And with it, you have earned mine as well."

How do you like them apples?! Huh, Frederick?!

"Thank you, Your Grace," I said as Robin said;

"Milady."

She nodded and smiled at Frederick, who looked like a mix between embarrassed and wanting to strangle someone. I have that effect on people…

"Thank you, Frederick. You never fail to look after us. My brother and sister are blessed to have such a tireless guardian. I hope they acknowledge that fact from time to time."

Frederick nodded, "Yes. They sometimes express something akin to gratitude…" He looked toward Phila, "Phila, I assume you've heard of the deathly creatures we had encountered?"

"Yes, milord," Phila said, "There have been sightings all across Ylisse. I've sent out a few pegasus knights to dispatch them."

"Chrom," Emmeryn turned back to Chrom, "We are about to hold council and we'll need your knowledge on this threat in order to come to a decision. I was hoping you could join us."

"O-of course, Emm," Chrom said, clearly not wanting this.

Hey, I warned you, Princey. Should've listened!

Lissa giggled as Chrom and Frederick slowly followed Emmeryn and Phila into the council room.

"Looks like that's our cue!" She grabbed both my hand and Robin's, "I've got some peeps I want you to meet!"


Rei's PoV

Meanwhile…

Damn. I'm so hungry!

Currently, I was walking through the garrison, trying to find some yum-yums for my tum-tum. I had just gotten my room and now I can't fine my way back to it or to the mess hall in this two story, labyrinthine fort.

Wait. Hold up.

I smell something good…Cookies!

Doing what anyone would do in that situation, I ran through the place, following the scent until I reached my destination.

Gonzy! Hey! I claimed those mentally! No fa–

Oh! There's more!

I wonder who made them….

"Hey, you're Rei, aren't you?" A familiar cavalier said.

"Yeppers!" I said, "And who might you be?"

I already knew who it was, but ya know…I don't really know him.

"I'm Stahl. Nice to meet you!"

"Likewise," I eyed a dish of cookies in the corner, "Did you make those beauties?"

"Oh you mean the cookies? Yeah. You can have some if–"

I immediately grabbed the dish and sat at one of the many wooden-school-cafeteria-style tables. Taking a cookie, I bit into it and the deliciousness washed over my tonguey-tongue.

"Dese are dewicous!" I said around the cookie, "What are they, chocolate chip? They sure taste like it!"

Stahl shook his head in amusement, "Nope. They're oatmeal raisin cookies."

Oh shoooooot.

"Wait a minute. Those cookies aren't chocolate chip…I'm allergic to raisins! Shit!" I jumped up and began running around the room like a headless chicken. That is the Rei way. Hey! That rhymes!

"Those...are...raisins. WHYYYYYY-HY-HYYYYY?! SHAWTY, DESTROY ALL THE FOOD DISPENSERS! WIPE THE RAISIN ABOMINATIONS OFF THE MAP!" I pointed at Gonzy, "I JUST WANTED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?"

Stahl looked at Gonzy awkwardly, "Um….Will she live?"

He just nodded, "This is an everyday occurrence. Meet Rei. She just gets a bad cold."

"Another question…What's a food dispenser?"

Gonzy looked from the cookies to Stahl, "Well…It dispenses food? I dunno. Rei has one overactive imagination."

I let out a loud sneeze before turning to them, "Stop tawking abouf meh!" Great! Now my nose is clogged!


Erin's PoV

Lissa had just introduced us to everyone and all that. There really isn't much to note there. We talked and Sumia fell on her face when Chrom returned. So yeah. We're heading to Ferox in the next week or so.

Joy…

Me? I decided to explore. I need some form of instrument to play or I fear I will die. No joke. I need something…I can't risk anyone seeing my other worldly stuff, so this is my best bet. To keep my sanity of course.

Where will I search, though? Meh. Maribelle has bound to have some type of instrument in the garrison…

Hell, I think I hear one now…

I've lost it.

…Wait. It's coming from down the hall.

I made a left in the labyrinthine garrison and found an open door. With Maribelle. And a piano. SCORE!

I slowly entered and waited for her to finish playing before applauding. Maribelle jumped in surprise and then quickly 'composed' herself. Oh, damn me and my music puns.

"Hmph," She stood, "I didn't know that the lowborn had an appreciation for music."

…Author mode. Initiate.

"I'm going to ignore the lowborn part, Lady Maribelle," I said, "But, sure, us 'lowborns' have a huge appreciation for music. In fact, I play a few instruments myself."

"Really?" She asked, "I didn't know that you baseborn brutes had such talent. If you want to call it that. Please. Entertain me."

I scanned the room, sending up a prayer for a–

FLUTE!

Ha ha! Bene!

"As you wish, Maribelle. Could I call you that? It seems that's the…level ground between us. Seeing as I'm not looking down my nose…" I walked over to the instrument. It was actually metal! No wood flutes for moi!

One teensy problem…No music…Okay. Let's see what I remember…What did I have to memorize for marching band? Oh! Notre Dame Victory March! Let's do that.

I quickly went through the song. Hopefully there weren't any mistakes…I think there were a lot.

Maribelle looks genuinely surprised.

"It's seems that your gloating wasn't baseless. You have my sincerest apologies."

I let out a small laugh. A sincere one, "Thanks, Maribelle. I'm just a simple soldier, writer and musician. Nothing noble about it."

"Oh, on the contrary! …Erin, was it?" I nodded as she spoke, "That is a noble pursuit. Music is a glorious thing! Not many know how to read it. Or play it, no less!"

"Eh…I suppose," I muttered. That song was filled with mistakes…but I guess since it was foreign, she didn't notice…?

"Well, farewell to you. It is time that I've met Lissa for our daily tea."

"Oh…uh…See you later, Mari!"

And then I was left in a room with an instrument.

What the hell am I doing in here? Alone? With an instrument?!

I'm just…going to take this, its case and flee from the scene! I want to find a weapon and beat up some dummies!


Rei's PoV

"ACHOO!" I sneezed as I clutched the fire tome I had 'borrowed' from Miriel, "Stubid code!"

I know it isn't Stahl's fault, but I still want to strangle him! Well, anyone will do! Hm. And I have this Fire tome. I could light some people…Er…dummies up!

"ACHOO!" I rubbed my nose as I walked over to a dummy that was being brutally murdered by my bestie.

"Hyah!" Erin punched the dummy in the face before turning to me, "Oh, hey Rei! What's up?"

"The sky…."

"What's wrong?"

"Stubid Stahl mabe stubid raisin cookies!" I sniffled, "Abd they looked like chocobate cookies!"

"…I hope you aren't planning revenge with that tome…" She looked down at the Fire tome.

"No, bub I wanb to try it oub!" I focused on my hands as I opened to a random page, "Now how does bis work?"

"I dunno! Why are you asking me?"

"You're the one that has bear nose in a book when you aren't blaying vibeo gabes!"

"You know that's not true! Did you forget that I do karate, volleyball and swim team?"

"…"

"Hey are you even listening?!"

I looked down at the tome as a small fire formed in my hand.

Erin's eyes widened, "Wow. You did it!"

"Yeah…." I looked down at the tome, "FIRE!"

"AHHHHH!" Erin jumped back as the spell hit her sleeve, "REI! YOU IDIOT!" and proceeded to run around, waving her arms over her head, which made the fire worse.

I did what any person would do in this situation. Roll on the floor laughing.

"REI! THAT'S WHAT YOU DO IF YOUR CLOTHES ARE ON FIRE! GET HELP, YOU IDIOT!"

What I didn't notice was the small mage running over to her. When he was in range he launched a spell.

"ELWIND!"

Erin was flung across the ground and into a training dummy.

"He heh! Thanks, kid!" I said to the mage.

"I-I'm not a kid!"

"Sure, shortstob! My name's Rei, by the bay." I smiled down at the kid. Yes, down! I'm taller than someone!

"…"

"…"

"What's with your voice?"

"Allerbies. Stahl mabe raisin cookies…"

"You're allergic to raisins?"

"Yeb!"

"….Oh! I'm Ricken by the way!"

"Hello R-"

"REI!" I heard Erin yell.

"Holb that thought!" I turned on my tail and ran towards the entrance to the palace.


Erin's PoV

Oh! When I find Rei, I'll kill her!

I ran through the palace halls, not paying attention where I was going or where Rei was. I think I might be lost. Yeah. Let's just keep running around blindly…Yeah!

La la la la lal lal lalaalalallalalalalala! RUNNING. RUNNING IN THE HALLS! AND NO ONE CAN STOP MEH!

.

Yeah, I need ther–

OOOOPH!

"What in the–"

"OWWW!"

Oh? Did I just run into Princey?

"...Hey…Um…Sorry about that…."

…Why's he apologizing?

Oh…Okay. Outstretched hand. Reach…and I'm on my feet again. Okay!

"Why are you apologizing? I was the one chasing after Rei. After she set me on fire…" I blinked and looked at the big portrait on the wall next to where I crashed into him…HEY?! WHERE'S 'MY' FLUTE?!

There it is! Let's just pick it up. Okay. Looking at the portrait again.

"Is that…" I started, "the Hero-King Marth?"

Chrom nodded, "Yes. I often come here to gather my thoughts before a long march."

"Really? …What does that say?" I looked at the words engraved in the golden frame, ""The world will never be perfect. That doesn't mean it's romantic or naïve to try and change it for the better…""

…Isn't that a deviation of a Steven Pinker quote? I feel like I've seen that before…

"That's a saying passed down from my too-many-greats-to-count-grandfather."

"Naturally…" I murmured, "Marth did live a few centuries ago. I find it fascinating…That such power to put a…uh…god to rest, could exist…"

"It truly is fascinating, isn't it…?"

I let out laugh, "We need to stop talking in circles. Yes, Marth is a badass with a badass sword who helped a badass god slay another pretty almost badass god." I smiled, "Now…This is really awkward. May I suggest breaking the ice?"

"…Hasn't it already been broken?"

"You aren't one for conversations, are you, Chrom? How about twenty-one questions? You're my boss and I barely know anything about you. You go first. Ask me any question you'd like, but for a twist you'll have to answer that question as well. Be careful what you ask."

"Any question?" He asked as I nodded, "That looks like an instrument case. What instrument do you play?" He says pointing at the flute case. Um uh….

"You're going to waste a question on that? Okay, I play the flute. Quite the lively instrument. Mostly has the melody. Loud and annoying sometimes and then beautiful and serene the next. Sort of like….I dunno," I was going to say myself, but then I'd be calling myself serene (which is not true) and I'm not bold enough to say the former.

"I don't play any instruments. I won't say I haven't tried. Maribelle practically forced a few upon me. Including Lissa's and my nanny of sorts. ...We don't speak of the poor things' fates."

"You broke them all out of frustration didn't you?" I smirked, "You aren't alone. I chucked my flute at a wall once and broke this really expensive dish…My mother was so mad…Er…Um….A question for you…I was going to ask favorite color…but I can already see that it is blue…How about…" What is a question you'd just ask a normal person? "Favorite food?"

"That has to be…Honestly…Bear meat. It just…I don't know. Gives me a sense of adventure outside of these walls…I mean I've been out of the city, but…I've never left Ylisse."

"Really?" I asked, "Hm…Understandable…"


? PoV

Umm…..

Darkness. Okay. Darkness. Yeah. And oh wait.

DARKNESS.

"Umm….Sir? Sir!" I heard a very familiar voice yell, "Are you all right?"

Well…The ground is hard. Like wood. I'm moving too.

I opened my eyes open and saw a pink-haired woman in….dancer clothes?

That dragon…Yes! That was Grima, wasn't it?!

So, why am I here?

"Y-you're awake!" She cried happily, "I'm sorry for moving you from where you were….but you were in the middle of the road and when I tried to rouse you…I….Um…"

I blinked a few times and looked at my hands. Gauntlets. Silver ones…Like the ones that are part of my Zacharias Barnham cosply….Really, world?! What are you gonna do now? Give me a British accent and make me a 'manly man?!'

"It's fine, miss," OH THANK GOD….I am so sorry, "Just where are we?"

"In…my caravan heading…to Regna Ferox…" She said shyly, "…Oh! My name's Olivia…by the way…"

"My name's Lucas. Nice to meet you Olivia," I held out my hand for a handshake. When she didn't move I pulled my hand back sheepishly.

"…Hm…Your voice is different from before…."

"From before?"

"…It had an accent…You were mumbling something in your sleep."

"Oh…That's only when….I'm stressed…"

And that's how my journey with Olivia began. We soon headed to West Ferox to meet up with Khan Basilio and I became part of Olivia's dance. I showed them the modern moves of our times of course. It might've been a mistake, but it was all worth it for all the great times I had there and on the road with Olivia.

…Then I discovered the 3DS….


Third Person Aquarius PoV

"It seems that four of our eight heroes have arrived…." Aquarius murmured, "Ate!"

"Yes, Aquarius?" The goddess of mischief appeared at the leader of the Zodiac's side.

"Begin your changes on this newcomer. It seems Cancer was trying to bend some rules…"

"Yes, ma'am!" The small red-haired goddess left the 'room.'

"…It has begun…The world has begun to collapse…I put my faith in you my host….as I put my faith in the rest of the hosts…."


Oooh! Who's Aquarius's host? Who's this Cancer dude? …Never mind. We know him. I just forgot him in the last chapter…Who are the rest of the Zodiac Hosts?! Find out next *gunshot*

I really like how this story is sturning out so far. Oh! So many possibilities! If anyone wants to request a sidequest, then I'm all ears! There will be a few of these in here and I cannot wait! Now I was going to put a rant down there...About Religion interrupting stuff (more importantly how much of this story I get done) *gunshot* And down there is my other excuse for absence...vvvvv

...

...

...

...

THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE STORY. EXCUSE OF ABSENCE. MAY ALSO CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR vvvv

Okay. I am on the verge of tears right now. So I'm on the end of the second trial in Professor Layton VS. Phoenix Wright and….

*Runs at random character in story and hugs them.*

Erin – Oh no! Chrom, you take this one!

Chrom – *sighs* Fine.

SHE'S GONE! AND SHE AIN'T NEVER COMING BACK!

Chrom – Who's gone?

MAYA FEY!

*jumps to chapter….6?*

SHE'S BACK! YAY!

Chrom – Do you really think they'd kill a main character?

They killed you…

Chrom – WHAT?!

Nothing….

Lucina – If Father's life is in–

LUCINA, NO!

Lucina – ….

THANK YOU!

Lucas – I'm barely in this chapter for five minutes and shit is messed up…

Brandon – Welcome to our world.

Rei – You are trapped here. FOREVER!

Erin – And EVER!

Lucas – NOOOOOO!

Ahem…

SAY WHAT YOU WANT.

I have no regrets….