Happy Thanksgiving, my readers! It is time for my attempt at a Thanksgiving Special! And for some progress! But…first!

Nothing.

TO THE GUEST THAT KNEW WHAT THE SHOW REFERENCED WAS: You. Are. Awesome. Like so awesome that awesome can't compare to how awesome you are. Love that show with a burning passion and it definitely has a place in my heart.

I'd like to thank Tumer (owner of Dylan and author of Coexistence) again for the help with making this possible. I have no imagination. Laugh. Laugh. It was a joke!

Anyway! With any further ado, the chapter!

Chapter 11: This Is Why Ricken Doesn't Have Some Form Of Power…

Erin's PoV (In the barracks)

"So…."

"So…."

"Sooo….."

"It's Thanksgiving…Now tell me more about yourself," I chirped, having gotten over what happened the other day.

"Well…" Dylan started, "Thanksgiving always reminds me of that one Twilight Zone episode…"

"…Please elaborate. I never watch those types of shows. I'm more of an anime or comedy person," I replied, "Actually, don't try to explain it. I need to see it in order to understand it."

"So you're that person. No imagination?"

"Oh, I have a big imagination. Right now I'm imagining many different ways to…." I blinked, "I was about to say "to drive your head into the ground", but that would be mean. I'm a nice person."

"Nice is one word for it…I'd say conceited."

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood…."

"Never thought of Thanksgiving as a "good mood holiday"."

I gasped, "Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday! Second only to Christmas and my birthday!—"

"Your birthday isn't—"

"—It may as well be! We give thanks to our friends and…" I stopped abruptly, looking down, "family….I-I'm gonna…gonna…go now…" I turned and retreated to my room.

I passed various crates and paintings on the way. Despite it being a fort, it was decorated just as much as the palace. I never knew the Shepherds were held in such high regard. I guess it makes sense though. They're friggin badass. Especially—Gods, I really am conceited.

As I reached my door, my thoughts drifted back to my family. I had distracted myself enough on thy way here. It is now time to let it—go—er…out. Let it out. I slowly turned the doorknob—we're too cool for fancy handles—and entered the room. Trudging across the floor, I threw myself onto the comfy—that's right. Comfy—bed and waited to be overloaded with feels.

They didn't come.

Wait!

Okay, they came. For a minute I thought I was schizoid or blunted.

I reached my arm over to the nightstand and fished for my phone. I needed some tunes to drown out my sadness. Actually, scratch that. I need a good cry…How about…"I Miss You". The Boyz 2 Men version.

I wish…I could go back…Maybe…just maybe...Before I become attached….


"…Wish you say? Maybe I could make some fun out of this…" A redhead smirked, "Nothing that, Ate, the goddess of mischief can't handle…"

She pulled a box from who knows where and made it go 'poof'! It then landed at Erin's door…and at the feet of an unsuspecting boy.

"Hyaggh!" Ricken cried as he tripped over the box and landed hard on the floor, "Stupid oversized feet…Huh? What's that?" He looked over at the small box, "So that's what I tripped over? I wonder what's in it…" He picked it up and stood before tripping again, "Gods! I wish my stupid body was proportional to my feet! Tall people have big feet, right?"

RUDE!

"Who was that?"

.

"Must've been my imagination…" He continued to walk down the hall but stopped abruptly when his hat touch the ceiling….His hat touched the ceiling. In fact, it was almost flat up against the ceiling. He reached up and pulled it off before panicking and trying to find a mirror.

He ran down the hall and found his room, stepping inside. Turning to the mirror, he gasped at the drastic change in his size. Thankfully, his clothes seemed to have grown with him.

"D-did I—What's with my voice?!" Ricken noticed his voice as a bit deeper as well. His features were sharper and his baby fat was gone.

His first thoughts after seeing this?

"Where's Maribelle?"

With that the short-not-short boy-man ran out of his room and—

"Oof!"


"Oof!" I was immediately knocked onto the floor, "Hey! Watch where ya goin', bub!"

Did I just…Damn you, New York roots!

"S-sorry!" A new voice whimpered.

It was kind of cute…NO! Stahp it! Nao!

"I-it's fine…Have met before?" I asked as he offered me a hand, which I took of course, and helped me up.

"Eh…Yes, Erin."

I peered closer at the guy, "Holy fuck…Ricken?" I gave him a quick onceover before circling him once, "You hit that growth spurt hard…Yeah…You don't look too bad either."

"Er…Ah…Th-thanks, I guess…" He stuttered.

"…As much as I'm enjoying this…We have a problem. You are big. It has been two weeks. It isn't humanly possible to grow this much in that much time," I looked down the hall cautiously, "To Miriel!"

I dragged him down the hall to Miriel's room. Fortunately, her room was only a few doors away from Ricken. Correction: rooms. She had four whopping rooms for all of her sciencey stuffs. Crrraaaaaazy!

"N-no! I can't go back there!" Ricken protested, struggling against my iron grip.

"Aren't you her apprentice or something?"

"Yes, but she…she starting running tests on my shortness the other day…"

"That's terrifying," I said as I pushed open the door, "Miriel? Take Ricken and figure out how the cute shortay became so tall and...This," I shoved Ricken into the room, slammed the door and ran. I did not want to get caught up in that mess.

"Then what will I—"

"What's going on here?" Chrom—who came out of freaking nowhere—asked, "I heard screaming."

"Yeah!" Lissa ran up from behind with Sumia and Vaike.

"Just point in the direction and the Vaike will handle it," Vaike then flexed…

"What Vaike means to say is; we'd like to know what happened," Sumia explained.

"Something happened? Ha…ha…N-nope! N-nothing at all guys!" I laughed awkwardly before leading them in another direction, "Just carry on with your ordinary lives…I'm…uh…gonna go clean the stables now!"

You are a horrible liar…You're worse than Lissa.

And where were you before?!

Coffee break.

Zodiacs don't get coffee breaks! By the way, I happen to be a great liar!

"Oh, do you want help?" Sumia asked.

HA! I'd like to see you get out of this!

"N-nope! I can handle it!"

"You sure?" Chrom asked.

"Positive!"

"Really and truly?" Lissa asked.

"I just need to organize stuff…I got it covered…"

"You might need some of the Vaike's muscle!" Vaike bellowed.

"GYAAAGH!" I screamed in frustration, "I. Can. Handle. It! Work is the best way I…"

Chrom rose a brow, "Best way you what?"

"N-nothing! Bye!" I ran down the hall.


"All right! All done!" I pumped my fist as I looked around the spotless and tidy stables that would be dirty again by tomorrow at dawn, "What else could I do…Let's see there's…FFFH…No. Not going through that hell again. Go on an adventure on horseback through the Ylissean countryside? Nah. Too cliché."

"Hey! Neri!" I heard Rei call my nickname as she ran in, "The Shepherds are getting the food ready for the Thanksgiving feast."

"Okay! I needed more work to distract me!" I walked out with Rei as she looked at me curiously.

"Hey…What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Rei."

She pouted, "Nope. Something's wrong. Your shoulders are lower than usual. Gaze is fixated forwards. And you aren't doing your infamous speed-walk."

"You know me best…I miss my family. Thanksgiving was always our biggest holiday after Christmas. Everyone would bring horrible homemade dishes. We would puke at how gross everything was, laugh at Uncle Bernie and play our traditional game of hide-n-seek even though we were way too old for it. The little kids would always hide in the closets and then Mom would yell at them…Then Uncle Bill would get drunk off his ass and my aunt would panic and call the cops on him…"

"Yeah…I miss everyone too…but it can't be helped. We're here now and that's what matters. Protecting Ylisse."

"It's funny, isn't it?" I asked, "A bunch of videogame nerds are now protecting a medieval country from desolation. Ha! Even the thought of the both of us! Two dorky schoolgirls that are charged with taking part in saving the world by becoming part of the famous Shepherds!"

"The world has a funny way of working doesn't it?" Rei smiled, "Well! Enough moping around! Come on! Let's go!"

I nodded and she pulled me through the military district and to the garrison so we could help keep Sully from burning the turkey.


Ricken cowered in a corner, clutching the box, as Miriel stepped closer, syringe in hand. He raised the box defensively as she advanced again.

"N-no! Miriel! No!" Ricken cried, "I wish you weren't a mad scientist! Just plain mad!"

Miriel dropped the syringe and donned a very, very creepy grin. She threw off her glasses and reached for…a knife.

"Shall we dissect you instead?" She asked creepily before cackling.

Before she could move any closer he pulled out his Elwind tome and blasted her before running.


Thanksgiving with the Shepherds was different, but still the same in a way. Emmeryn apparently invited them for a feast every year. I, of course, had no objections. Palace cooks make yummy food. Fortunately, we stopped Sully from trying to help.

We had finally finished preparing—apparently they eat at four—and began to give thanks. Each Shepherd at a time until they finally reached me.

"What am I thankful for?" I asked as everyone turned to me, "Well…I've never been good at saying thanks. So…um…I guess my friends and—"

"Your Grace!" Phila interrupted, running into the dining room, "Forgive me, but I have dire news!"

Emmeryn immediately stood, "Phila, be calm. What has transpired?"

"Plegians. They're inside our southwest border. They razed a village in Themis and captured the duke's daughter."

Rei groaned audibly, "Worst possible timing…"

I kicked her under the table, "Rei, be respectful. Maribelle's been captured and will probably be put to death unless Gangrel is paid ransom. He'll probably also claim that she invaded Plegia."

"B-but he wouldn't do that, right?" Lissa said hopefully, tears forming.

"Lissa, this is the Mad King we're talking about," Chrom said, "He wouldn't be that merciful," He looked to Emmeryn, "The Shepherds will march to Themis immediately. We'll put a sword in that bastard's gut and be done with it."

The Shepherds murmured to each other before Emmeryn interrupted.

"No. We must keep our wits about us, Chrom. We cannot risk starting a war. I will offer parley."

Brandon winced, deciding to play along obviously, "Milady, please forgive me, but we can't do this. Yes, another war would be pretty bad…but would you trust him in an act of good faith? He is mad after all. He hates Ylisse with a burning passion. If you were to offer parley it would most likely be a trap."

Phila nodded, "I agree with the Shepherd. We have to show them that we aren't peace-loving fools. They need to know that their actions have consequences. Please reconsider!"

Emmeryn's face gained a small frown that was very out of place, "You remember the events of the first war just as clearly as I do, Phila. Sons and daughters died. We almost lost a whole generation. Ylisseans were left homeless. You've heard the saying, right? "In peace, sons bury their fathers, but in war fathers bury their sons". That's what will happen if we take part in another war."

…Um…Everyone's silent…Now to use the skill that always gets me in trouble. Rebelling teen is a go.

"But wouldn't that still happen if didn't defend ourselves against Plegia?" I began, "Peace does not last forever, Your Grace. There cannot be peace without a war first and vice versa. It's merely the eye of the storm when you think about it. Plegia would eventually take control of the forts along the border and slowly work their way in. Maybe they'll even corrupt a few Ylissean soldiers, yeah? For a fine bit of coin some men would do anything."

"Don't you see? War can't be avoided. And in turn, peace can't be either."

Emmeryn closed her eyes and thought on this before responding, "So we either choose to march to war or leave Lady Maribelle to die?"

? I could've sworn that she said more after that…Point; Erin!

"No. I will not accept that."

Never mind.

Phila bowed her head, "Forgive me, Your Grace. I spoke out of turn. I know you will always stand by your own principles. Pray, allow the pegasus knights to accompany you, though."

"I'm going too. Someone has to save your from your good intentions," Chrom said without hesitation.

"Yeah!" Lissa said, "I wanna be there for you and Mari!"

"Hey! Don't forget about the Vaike!" Vaike said, "…And the other Shepherds, of course. We'll keep you safe!"

Chrom gave a small smile, "All right, everyone! Get packed! We leave for the border in an hour!"

"YES SIR!" We all said with fist salutes. Who knew Sunshine was a trendsetter?

Emmeryn laughed softly and looked to Frederick who was seated next to Chrom, "Those are some fine soldiers you've trained."

"Th-thank you, milady. I make it my duty to lead them in daily warmups—"

"HELLS!" Someone yelled.

"—and watch over their wellbeing."

Emmeryn smiled, "I'm glad that Chrom and Lissa's safety is in your hands."

Frederick became very deep red and excused himself.

AWE! SHIPPED!


Earlier with Maribelle…

"Father?" I asked, having heard a loud bang as we sat at the dining table in our villa, "What was that sound?"

He was already standing, running a hand through his blonde hair, "It seems as if the outer walls have been breached…Plegia is making its move."

"P-Plegia? How dare those brutes strike here, of all places?"

For once, Father was without an answer. He was never without an answer, nor did he ever have poor judgment, but that bit is irrelevant.

"I have a theory," He replied after a moment, "…Maribelle, get your horse and leave."

"W-what?" I stuttered, "Why must I? My place is next to you, Father!"

"Maribelle, listen to me. You must leave here. Your place is in Ylisstol. In safety. My place is protecting the citizens."

"But—"

"Now, Maribelle."

"Y-yes, Father," With that I turned and fled from the room, running down the stairs, out the door and into the stables to get to my horse.

I quickly saddled her up, grabbed a staff, tome for protection and fled…

Towards that border.

I may not seem like it, but I deeply care for every one of the people that live in our large dukedom. I was going to defend them at all costs or I'm no Shepherd. We defend the weak and aid the strong.

Soon I was at the edge of the flames that were spreading through the large city. It wouldn't take long to reach the villages that bordered the outer walls and Plegia.

I kicked my horse's sides and urged her into a gallop. I mustn't dally any longer. People's lives depended on it.

As I said before, I was heading to a village that bordered the outer walls and Plegia. Themis is grand city that is made up of smaller villages. Most of our villages, unfortunately, lay very close to the border that Ylisse shares with Plegia, making them targets of those heathens. And the fact that my house is known as the most influential noble house in Ylisse is all the more reason for Plegia to attack Themis.

I pulled my horse to a stop at the border. A little ways away was a man with vulgar armor that consisted of a bull's skull helmet, leather vest and a bear skin cape. How barbaric.

"…Oh? What 'ave we got 'ere?" The man turned, stepping forward, "Now lass, why don't you come with me?"

"As if I'd even think of a plebeian like you. Stand back or I'll be forced to maim you," I said, raising a thunder tome. Every healer must have a form of defense.

"Ha, ha! You're quite the ballsy one, aren'tcha? You'll fetch some fine bit of gold in the markets!" He continued to move forward as I pulled my horse back.

"Do you even know who I am? You'll be lucky to have a merciful death if you take me hostage."

"Aye, I know your snooty noble type. Doesn't matter to me. Merchandise is merchandise."

"Hmph! I think you should check where you stand, troglodyte!"

He chuckled darkly as a maniacal voice sounded behind me, "No, bird, I think you should check where you stand or you might just become caged~!"

I whipped my head around and saw the ugly mug of the Mad King. Before I could even move, the dastard cackled.

"Get her, boys!"

Boys?

"Tie her up. It seems as if we have leverage…."

Mages showed themselves and surrounded me with tomes raised. Thankfully, they only had wind tomes from what I could see.

After a moment I yelled, "Thun—" but was interrupted by lightning striking the book and knocking out of my hand.

Wh-what?! That's…That's a rare Levin Sword. How'd madman get his hands on one?!

"Goodnight~!" Thunder struck again, this time hitting me and knocking me off my horse.


Erin's PoV

"March, march, marchity, march. Lalalala," I murmured, riding on Amph, ready to bash my head against the mountain. This was so boring. Think of walking through the city, how boring, crowded and dangerous it feels and triple it.

"Hey, Neri," Rei whispered, "Do you think Ricken will succeed?"

"Of course he will," I whispered back, "Enough of that…What's that in your hand?"

"Oh," She returned to normal volume, "Just a little thing Stahl found when I helped him look for herbs before. It's a leaf that's coated with dried sap. Amber, right?" I nodded, though I didn't really remember that fact, I just wanted her to keep talking, "Isn't it neat?"

"Shipped~" I hummed.

"HEY! Quiet you!" She pouted before smiling evilly and looking around, "I ship you with…" She frowned again, "You don't have any sort of bond with any of the dreamboats in the arm yet, do you?"

"Hmph! I'll have you know; there's only one dreamboat in this army!"

Rei's eyes widened, "And who's that?"

"I haven't met him yet."

Rei sweatdropped and ran off towards Miya. Support or friendship, maybe?

OH! RIGHT!

I didn't exactly explain the scenario yet, huh. Well, basically, Emm was on her way to parley with Gangrel. Pegasus knights flanked us, soared above us, followed us miles back and flew miles ahead of us to make sure all sides were guarded from a possible Plegian ambush. As the story dictates, that didn't happen yet.

Robin had moved to the front and looked like he was really worried about Maribelle as he talked with Emmeryn, Chrom, Lissa and Frederick. Dylan stood a ways behind me, talking with Lon'qu (my gay best friend. I am never letting that go) and Gonzy. To my left, as said before, Rei was conversing with Miya. Sumia was flying above us with a pegasus knight that I didn't recognize. Oh, she just landed next to Frederick. Let's see what she's about.

"Commander Frederick, Captain Phila, there's wyvern riders approaching from the north. What do you suggest? I don't think that they're simply the Mad King's honor guard," She said with a surprisingly strong voice despite her dainty flower-like appearance.

"That is a problem," Frederick grumbled, "Thank you, Violeta."

"A pleasure, sir!" She saluted before turning her pegasus around and taking off again.

I only caught a small glimpse of her, but I could tell that she had purple eyes and light brown hair that was half up, tied by a light blue and white bow. She wore a white scarf and light blue pegasus knight training armor. She looked a lot like my sister, but I knew it wasn't her, unfortunately, since my sister was a tree like me. This Violeta girl was average at best.


"UGH!" Lissa groaned/moaned/something as I gravitated towards the front of the group with Rei, "I've got blisters the size of eggs!"

Robin nodded, "I don't know how you do it, Chrom…"

"You're just out of shape, Robin~!" I sang, "No more books for you!"

Robin replied, "You're riding a hor—"

Rei smirked, "Then our tactician would be useless and we'd have to feed him to those fire breathing scorpions that we keep in the basement of the Shepherds' HQ."

"…." Lissa joined in, "Rei! You weren't supposed to tell him about that unimportant detail!"

Robin seemed to shrink, "F-fire breathing scorpions?

I nodded, "And there's some Risen that can ride wolves locked in Miriel's supply closet."

"R-Risen rising wolves?!"

"And roaches from hell in Lissa's secret prank supply stash."

"H-Hey!" Lissa cried, "You weren't supposed to mention that!"

Chrom sighed, "What did I say about bothering Robin?"

"What did you say?" I wisecracked.

He remained silent, but really looked like he had something to say.

Phila glared at us. I wonder why…

Oh! Gangrel, okay!

So Gangrel has shown himself. Maribelle should be…

"…Oh yes, that little blonde brat," Gangrel said.

That whole conversation happened while I was talking?

Gangrel looked to Maribelle as she struggled against her bonds, "Ugh! Unhand me!" The Plegian behind her strengthened his grip, "You…you gutter-born troglodyte! Unhand me!"

"MARIBELLE!" Lissa yelled, running towards her friend before being stopped by Chrom.

"Lissa, don't. We need to handle this matter carefully," He said as she pouted.

Aversa continued her speech or whatever. I was barely paying attention to it, "This girl crossed the Plegian border without our consent. And what's more... She wounded the brave Plegian soldiers who sought only to escort her safely home."

Maribelle shook her vigorously and shouted, "LIES! You speak nothing but lies, hag! Did they not teach the meaning of the word "truth" in wretched-crone school?!"

"Point one: Maribelle…" I muttered, earning a laugh from Rei.

"...You see? No manners at all. Such a nasty little bird simply had to be caged," Aversa said.

Gee…I really wish that they'd deviate from the script.

Blah, blah, blah…More script?! Game! Why you do this?!

That is one bloody brigand. Is he o—No he's dead. Point: Chrom!

And there's Ricken! He just snuck around and—WHAT?! He failed. He friggin failed. Mari's fucked….

"Oh? Who's this?" Aversa sneered at Ricken who was now flat on his back, "Your little boyfriend?"

"R-Ricken…What…" Maribelle looked him over, still tied up, "are you doing here?! And what happened to you?!"

"I…just wanted to save you, Maribelle. I just wanted to bring you back to Ylisse. And then all this happened…I just wish that everything was back to normal and that the exalt, pegasus knights and Shepherds were back in Ylisse."

HMPH…I'll make an exception this once midget…Maybe I'll even rid the land of the Plegian soldiers as well…

"…?"


"WHAT?!" All the Shepherds yelled in shock after Ricken told them of his wonderful adventure.

"So…you became all grown up?" Stahl asked.

"He looked like quite the keeper," I added, "Too bad…"

Ricken became very red. AWE!

"And it was thanks to you that we all escaped unharmed?" Maribelle asked, "You have my thanks."

Ricken rubbed his sheepishly and looked to Robin, "Actually, Robin was the one who told me of your capture. If he hadn't planned that sneak attack or even told me of the expedition, you guys may have been stuck there for a long while."

"…Oh…I-I apologize for the other day…I was simply…" Maribelle said, "Look at me…Composing myself in front of you…What I mean to say is; you have my humble thanks! Thank you, Robin."

Robin smiled, "Anytime Maribelle. I can't let my friends get hurt, can I?"

"You think of me as a friend?" Maribelle asked, looking a bit red, "I suppose that we're a bit intimate…"

I continued to listen in on their conversation like a creep as I sat at a table in the barracks with the Zodiac Crew. Love that name…No. Brady Bunch. Let's do it. Nah…They'd probably all kill me.

"Remember what I said about that Twilight Zone episode?" Dylan asked after a moment.

"Yeah?"

"This place has some crazy logic. That's almost the events exactly. The premise I mean. Person gets three wishes blah, blah, blah."

"Hmm…Well, this is Thanksgiving after all…Though, I'm a little disappointed that we couldn't beat up those Plegians. They deserved it for capturing Mari…"

"Violence isn't everything…"

"I swear; if you give me that lecture, I will murder you."

"It was just a statement."

"Sure it was…"

And so everything returned to normal. Ricken was small and Miriel wasn't mad anymore...WELL. She's still pretty mad, but...


AND DONE! I am so sorry that his is out two days late! I was trying to catch all the Pokemon in the Hoenn region that could be found with the DexNav in Alpha Sapphire. Lovin' it. So obviously; this is how delays happen…I know the end is a bit half-assed too, but….but ORAS! And RWBY…And Legend of Korra. I needed to get back to watching those masterpieces.

If you can, please leave review. It's kind of discouraging when you post a chapter and you don't get a constructive review. I know this is sounding needed and blah, blah, but see it from my perspective...It doesn't have to be sugar blossoms and fairies, it could be pointing out everything wrong or just calling it crap. I just want to know what the people reading it are thinking and if I'm doing this right. How can I know that if I don't get feedback?

Anyway, toodles! I was going to say something else, but I forgot what it was! I'll probably replace these sentences later! I think it was a bonus...UGH TIRED. It'll be in the next chapter...maybe.