Pre-Chapter Review Answer Corner GO!

Fiphanote - Tori:While I'll admit the idea is very interesting, we've more or less got an outline for how the entire is going to go – it was actually something we did first and foremost. I'll keep the idea in mind for any later ponderings, though …
Mags: Translation: She's going to destroy peoples emotions with something like that later.

Pureshadow013 - Tori: I dunno, I've always been more of an Altaria person myself. Never been fond of dragonite.
Mags: Felix is a Mega Charizard X.

Overlord Duelist - Mags & Tori:She did that in the game too!

And now, ON WITH THE CHAPTER!

"Quite the impressive arena... The Vaike is ready to put on a show!" proclaimed the blonde axeman as the group, lead by Khan Flavia, approached the site where the Khan's Tournament would be held.

"Arenas are common here, but this is the largest in all of Ferox." stated the Khan, a grin on her face. "And right in the middle, too. No better place for the Khans to decide who shall rule."

Chrom hummed as they reached the entrance, the large doors opening the moment the guards caught sight of Flavia. "At least it means the battlefield won't be lacking in capacity..."

"I'd be shocked if they were, truth be told." commented Felix as they entered the arena. "The 'Feroxi way' doesn't seem like it would make a half-hearted effort on anything."

"Haha, well put!"

Frederick rolled his shoulder as he slid off his warhorse and lead it inside. "Do you know anything particular about the 'Champions' the East Khan is sending to represent him?"

"Unless something has changed, it should still be the same man who won him the last tournament." replied Flavia. "I don't recall his name, but I've seldom seen anyone with his talent in swordsmanship."

"How long ago was that?"

"Five years." she stated, pausing in step as someone approached her. "What is it?"

"Khan Flavia, it appears as thought the East Khan has a new champion!" reported the soldier. "I inquired about them and found little – even the guards on the East side of the Arena were shocked to see this masked swordsman."

Virion quizzically arched an eyebrow. "A masked swordsman? How... uninspired."

"And who among us claims to be the 'Archest of Archers'?" quipped Sully. "I don't think you're in a position to judge, Ruffles."

"Is that all?" asked Flavia.

"Aye." answered the guard. "There is little I could glean without breaking rules of the tournament, and I shall not bring such shame upon you, Khan Flavia."

She hummed. "Good. Go back to your post, and keep your eyes open for funny business just in case."

With a sharp nod, the guard hurried off as Flavia let out a heavy sigh.

"I just had to run my mouth about changes, didn't I?"

"At least it's only a masked swordsman and not a dragon." Solna offered.

Flavia chuckled. "I don't know, I think I'd prefer the dragon."

The Shepherds followed Flavia to the ready area, eventually being left to their own devices as they awaited the tournament's official start.

"Oh, this should be fun~! A good chance to stretch my legs, too~!"

Lissa gave Solna a concerned look. "I think you're a bit too excited for this..."

"It's just how she is sometimes." Felix stated, tending to his Levin Sword. "She learned to run before she could walk..."

"...The nature of your amnesia continues to baffle me." said Miriel, having taken to keeping notes in a small journal while the group waited. "And yet it's most fascinating none the less..."

"The world works in mysterious ways, I guess..." Stahl commented as he munched on a piece of bread.

The mage nodded, her eyes still affixed to her notes. "Indeed it does. Perhaps the unraveling of this particular mystery will be but the first step in even greater discoveries."

"...How does helping two people remember stuff make it so you can figure out something else?"

"If not for our limited timeframe, I would gladly explain it do you, Sully."

The red knight laughed. "I'll pass anyways. I like to keep my life simple. Safe the complex stuff for the people who're good at it, y'know?"

"I just hope we get started soon." said Sumia as she stroked the head of her Pegasus. "I don't think the poor girl likes these small corridors..."

As if to answer her prayer, the large doors to the corridor to arena proper opened and a Feroxi soldier stepped through.

"It's time." he said, motioning for the group to follow him.

"...So it begins." sighed Chrom as he stood, turning towards his companions. "Everyone ready?"

The response amounted to a resounding 'yes'.

"Alright. Shepherds, move out!"

The group slowly advanced through the large tunnel, watching a heavy gate open at the far end as the sound of cheering echoed.

"Sounds like quite the crowd." noted Kellam.

"The crowd doesn't matter as much as our opponents do." Felix said. "So keep your eyes peeled for any tricks they might attempt to spring on us."

The knight nodded in response. "Will do."

"Heh... Ol' Teach hasn't schooled some chumps infront of an audience in a long time." Vaike grinned. "Hope they're ready for today's lesson."

"What sort of lesson do you have for them?" quipped Miriel. "One on music, perhaps? I do believe an opus to chaos and pain would be an excellent score to instruct them upon."

The axeman stroked his chin in contemplation. "...What's an 'opus'?"

"A masterpiece." Solna answered. "Like a smith stating a particular lance is their finest work."

Another grin spread across Vaike's face. "Heheh... I like the sound of that."

"I'll admit, so do I." chuckled Felix, glancing at his sister. "How's the balance on that?"

Solna moved the axe she'd taken from the supplied weapons off her shoulder and held it in front of her. "Good enough that it won't throw me off."

"Y'know, I didn't really peg you for the type to use an axe." commented Sully as she adjusted her grip on her lance. "Seemed more the lancer type to me... well, aside from the magic-y stuff you were doin' with that tome."

"I was of similar thought." Frederick added.

A giggle escaped the lavender-haired tactician. "I enjoy womanly things from time to time. Light reading, puppies, bear meat, lace, battle axes, lacy battle axes... the usual sort."

"...Hey Felix, do you know how to make a lacy battle axe?"

"Lissa..."

The princess stuck out her tongue at her brother. "I'm kidding!"

"No, you're not. I know that tone."

Lissa huffed, crossing her arms as the Shepherds crossed the threshold into the battlefield proper, the crowd cheering as they emerged from the tunnel. Her discontentment didn't last for very long, however.

"Chrom, look!" she exclaimed, pointing at the person standing closer to the center of the arena.

The Ylissian prince bristled, hand gripping the handle of Falchion as he caught sight of the 'masked swordsman' that was the champion of the East Khan. It was none other than the so-called 'Marth' they had met in the forest shortly after finding the twins.

"I see him..." Chrom answered, striding forward ahead of the group. "Marth! May I ask of you one question before we begin?"

Marth said nothing, reaching to grasp the handle of their own blade.

The sapphire-haired swordsman scowled. "...Fine, then. Our swords can speak for us!"

Falchion was unsheathed, a determined glare from its wielder piercing the air between himself and his opponent. The younger swordsman drew his sword in turn, taking his stance as the sword entered into a clear light. Several gasps went out between the members of the Shepherds, as none of them could mistake what they were seeing; This Masked Man claiming the Hero King's name held a Falchion of his own.

"Where did you get that?"

Once again, Marth did not respond.

"There's no way..." Chrom muttered, rushing forward a moment later. With a mighty leap, he shot into the air and came down with a spinning slash. Marth parried the attack, and two began to exchange blows in a manner that greatly agitated the blacksmith standing a ways away; clanking their swords against each other like children swinging wooden toys.

"Tell me-" began the Ylissiean prince between breaths. "Who taught you how to fight like that?"

Shoving each other away, the swordsmen swung their blades about in excessive flourish, their every motion mirrored, even down to their surge forward that let them pass by their opponent's sword arm with a loud ring of steel. Upon whirling back around after the lunge, Chrom was able to catch sight of his opponent leaping into the air, descending with an attack identical to the one had used mere minutes before.

"My father!" exclaimed Marth, striking the ground as Chrom darted out of the way to escape the blow before getting back on his feet and pointing his blade at the Ylissiean Prince.

"That's not how-!"

Felix's angry shout of annoyance at the swordplay he was seeing was interrupted by his sister slapping her hand over his mouth and cutting him off with a shout of her own.

"LET THERE BE BRAWL!"

"Yeah, what Solna said!" added Lissa. "Smash 'em, bro!"

Frederick merely sighed as Felix pulled his sister's hand away.

"Questionable display of swordsmanship aside, Marth is still quite gifted with that weapon of theirs." he said, a noticeable edge to his voice. "The men the West-Khan has supplied likewise seem capable..."

"Best mind our distance, then?" asked Solna.

"Aye."

Vaike scoffed, hefting his war hammer. "This'll be no problem. Just leave the guys in the heavy armor to Ol' Teach!"

"You won't get close enough to strike them without support. Miriel, keep an eye on him; those Mages might be a problem."

"Very well." she answered, adjusting her glasses. "I shall endeavor to safeguard him."

"And what of me?" inquired Virion. "Surely you would not advise an archer to stand in the midst of a battlefield alone..."

Solna hummed, looking between the others before smiling. "How good is your aim from horseback?"

"Am I on Ruffles escort duty again?" asked Sully. "Because that I can handle."

"Well, far be it for me to argue wi- HRK!"

The red cavalier had silenced the archer by yanking him up onto the back of her horse. "Just don't fall off, Ruffles."

"I don't know how well I'll be able to do in this battle..." said Sumia. "I can't fly very high in this arena."

"You can still cross the battlefield more quickly than the rest of us." Felix noted. "So it might be best if you kept your focus on keeping Chrom out of trouble... the lack of archers amongst the enemy will make that fairly simple, I wager."

"A-alright!"

Frederick turned his head, offering a hand to Lissa. "I believe it would be wise for you to ride with me in this battle."

The blonde nodded, accepting the assistance in climbing onto the back of Frederick's mount.

"Kellam, you cover Stahl." Solna ordered. "Felix, I think we should stick together on this one."

The blue haired man smiled. "Wind and Fire?"

She smiled back. "Of course."

Stahl and Kellam exchanged concerned looks as Felix slipped his sword into its sheath, pulling a tome of fire magic out in its place.

"Let's begin!"

Within moments, the Arena screamed to life with the roar of the crowd and the sounds of battle. Thunderous gallops rang out as the three Ylissean cavaliers rode around the perimeter of the Arena, arrows flying from Virion's bow to keep the mages off balance as Stahl and Frederick alternated surging across the center of the battlefield, sword and lance swinging in violent arcs to. One of the knights had taken to fighting Vaike, though to his own misfortune as the war hammer smashed the shield out of his hands.

Kellam found himself ambushing another knight as the armored soldier braced herself against one of Stahl's charges, leaving a thick gash across her lance arm and forcing her to retreat as her weapon clattered to the ground. A spell from Miriel disoriented one of the axemen attempting to surprise Vaike, leaving them open a charge and Sully's lance. Chrom disarmed and knocked aside a different fighter, as a Javelin from Sumia pierced the tome of one of the Mages.

The twins, meanwhile, rushed past another knight and fighter, a burst of flame from Felix keeping them at a distance as the two approached Marth. The masked swordsman scowled, readying their blade as the tacticians approached.

"Let us fight with honor. May the best soldier win!" they exclaimed, rushing to meet the duo head on.

Solna's axe swung straight for Marth's shoulder, forcing the man to dodge as best they could due to the sheer speed of the attack.

-Too close...!- he silently cursed as he lashed out in retaliation. -But it explains where he got it...-

The lavender-haired woman managed to parry the attack with the shaft of her axe, but the weapon practically screamed in protest of the blow, causing her eyes to widen. Felix took the chance to use another fire spell that forced Marth to back off for a moment's time. The swordsman's eyes narrowed behind their mask an instant before they rushed at the blue-haired man, who barely avoided a terrible gash to his shoulder, but the strike left Marth open for a hit straight to the chest from the flat of Solna's axe, sending the man sprawling across the ground and knocking off their mask once they landed.

A quick hand reclaimed the mask and replaced it upon the swordsman's face before he once more turned to face Solna and Felix, now surprised to see the later rushing towards them, Levin Sword in hand. A furious shout accompanied by a crackle of lightning along the blade's edge preceded a flurry of slashes – some more unpracticed than others, but clearly displaying that the man knew his way around a sword better than most. Most were dodged, a few parried at price from the arcing lightning magic, and two struck true; both along Marth's left arm. When the sapphire-haired masked man swung in a wide arc, it gave him a moment's respite by forcing Felix back before the sound of rushing air caught their attention. Solna had taken up a tome of wind and now stood behind her brother casting spells.

"Time to face the music!" exclaimed the lavender-haired tactician, arcane glyphs appearing around her before a surging blast of wind magic tore through the air and slammed into Marth.

He did his best to brace himself with his sword, managing to keep his balance. It proved to be for their benefit, as it allowed them to dodge the follow up attack from Felix and trip him, leaving Solna wide open to a charge.

"You will not stop me!" Marth shouted, an ethereal glow emanating from his blade as he slashed at the woman before him. Despite her best effort, Solna was struck by the blade along her back as she attempted to evade it. She cried out in pain and slammed harshly to the ground.

"SOLNA!"

The masked man quickly stepped aside, intent on avoiding an anger-fueled retaliation from Felix that never came; the blue-haired tactician was more concerned about his sister.

"Face ME!"

Marth barely had the time to spin around and catch Chrom's attack, the prince glaring daggers at his opponent.

"Who is your father?" He asked, his expression unchanging.

"I've said enough for one day."

Chrom scowled, pressing his attack harder only for Marth to push the blade to the side, allowing him to slip past and put the prince between himself and the twins.

"Hmph. Is that how it is?" he asked. "Lissa owes you her life, and for that you have my gratitude, but within these walls, I represent the East-Khan and the interests of Ylisse. I can't promise to stay my blade, but I vow not to shame you."

"Heh, never expected such youthful arrogance..." Marth said under their breath, raising his voice to a shout a moment later. "We shall see who shames who!"

The resounding echos of a furious clash of blades followed, leaving the crowd and the other combatants on the field entranced by the display. The Shepherds, most having disarmed their opponents by now, were in awe of this masked stranger trading blows with their leader... save Lissa, who had rushed to help Felix tend to Solna.

"...Hey, Sully... I'm not the only one seeing this, right?" asked Stahl.

"Nah, I've got a good view myself..." replied the redhead. "Who is that guy?"

Virion hummed. "If I am not mistaken, is that not the man who protected the fair Princess Lissa?"

"What, back at the forest when those Risen things first popped up?"

"Indeed."

Sully frowned, crossing her arms as she thought. "...If I'm remembering what Captain Chrom said on the march after that, yeah it is..."

"Didn't they appear out of nowhere?"

"That's what Felix told me." reported Kellam. "But why're they in Ferox?"

"Hells if I know." griped one of the West-Khan's Mages, frowning at her destroyed Tome. "Lad turned up one day and knocked Khan Basilio's champion flat on his arse!"

Sully looked at the odd brunette mage who'd seated herself beside Kellam. "What, he didn't ask?"

"Khan Basilio's got his quirks. Easily enamored with skilled fighters being one of them." sighed the Mage. "Mask boy barely said a word the whole time he's been here aside from when he spoke with the Khan! In fact..." She pointed up at one part of the crowd. "...The ol' champion up there by the Khan talks more than the lad does!"

A few sets of eyes turned to where the mage had pointed, seeing a tanned skin man cheering loudly while another, lighter skinned man with dark hair stood nearby.

"Is the one cheering is the West-Khan?"

"Aye."

"...Seems like a lively boss you got there." chuckled Sully before she scanned the battlefield.

Marth was the only one of the West-Khan's men still standing with a usable weapon now; the rest had been either knocked unconscious by the Shepherds or had their weapons smashed to pieces... although it seemed one fighter was not dismayed and was now trying to fight Vaike bare handed. Felix and Lissa had gotten Solna on her feet enough to get her away from the clashing blades, leaving the only real action left as Chrom's duel with Marth.

The two swordsmen continued their clash, matching each other blow for blow till the once more locked blades and glared at each other. The fight was not to stay that way for long, however, as the sound of heavy footfalls came from behind the Ylissean prince.

"THAT IS NOT HOW YOU USE A SWORD!" Felix bellowed, lashing out with his Levin Sword as he approached, forcing Marth back to avoid the electrified blade.

It proved to be all the opening Chrom needed to strike a decisive blow at the masked man, sending them slamming to the ground, sword slipping from their grip.

"Impressive..." Marth gasped, trying to catch their breath. "If not surprising..."

The crowd roared to life once more as an official declared that the West-Khan's forces had been defeated, meaning Khan Flavia was now the Ruling Khan of Feroxi... at least, that's what a few people on the battlefield heard. The rest?

"Who taught you to fight like that?!" Felix demanded, shaking Chrom. "That's a disgrace to swordsmanship around the world, and an insult to a blade like Falchion! What is wrong with you?!"

"Whoa, take it easy over there!" Stahl called out, hopping off his horse and trotting over to the prince and the tactician. "Save it for later, Felix!"

"Yes! Please!" agreed Chrom, still swaying back and forth. "And stop shaking me! I'm going to be sick if you don't!"

With a sigh, Felix let go, causing Chrom to stagger in place as the blue-haired blacksmith grumbled under his breath and walked back over to where Lissa and Kellam were helping Solna stand up.

"We should report to Khan Flavia with all due haste, milord." Frederick advised, glancing warily at the twins. "Best to speed along out return to Ylisse."

"Aye... urgh... and tend to any injuries." said the prince, half-staggering towards the Arena's exit. "Gods, he's got a strong grip..."

"Haha! Well fought!" Flavia laughed as the Shepherds entered the audience chamber of the Arena. "You have my respect, Prince Chrom. And, perhaps more to the point, you have your alliance. I will provide Ylisse with the troops she needs."

The prince's eyes lit up in an instant. "Truly? Thank you, East-Khan."

"I should thank you!" She countered with another hearty laugh. "It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!"

The dark skinned woman cackled as she strode out of the room, a veritable spring in her step while a larger man walked in, shaking his head, and followed by a dark-haired man with an unusual sword at his belt.

"Bah! Any excuse for a party and Flavia jumps on it..." he sighed, stopping a few paces away from the Shepherds. "So, you lot were her champions this time 'round, huh?"

"I'm sorry, have we met?" asked Chrom.

"I'm the West-Khan you so rudely removed from power!" The man answered. "Name's Basilio, and I'll be damned before I deny you're handy with a sword, boy. I thought fore sure I'd picked the stronger man."

Frederick shifted his posture. "What do you know of our mutual masked associate?"

"You mean that 'Marth'? Bah, just some sellsword with delusions of grandeur." stated Basilio before he gestured to the man beside him. "He turned up one eve and knocked my old champion here flat! It was love at first sight, and I'm generally too old for such things!" A laugh escaped the muscular man. "He's long gone now, though. Must've headed straight for the exit once he scraped his sorry ass up off the arena floor."

A wistful sigh came from Lissa. "He's so dark and mysterious..."

"Sounds like this 'Marth' has himself at least one fan..." Felix quipped. "I'm more liable to hit him with a soup ladle."

"Well, I mean, c'mon... He IS sort of dreamy..." She turned her head. "Isn't he, Solna?"

The lavender haired woman grumbled, fussing with the hasty applied bandages she had around her lower chest and back. "He cut me across my scars, so I don't think he's my type, Lissa..."

"And I think YOU'RE sort of dreaming!" added Chrom.

"Yowch! Lighten up, Big Brother." said Lissa. "I was just kidding."

"Hey Chrom, we stickin' around for that party?" asked Stahl. "I could use a bite to eat about now..."

The prince turned straight towards the Knight who stood beside him.

"...Though I would advise haste in returning to Yisstol, we did leave our effects at the East-Khan's palace." admitted Frederick. "And it would be rude to deny the Khan if she requested our presence. A bountiful meal and a night's rest would not cause due harm."

"There's your answer, Stahl." Chrom chuckled. "We'd best take our leave to return to the East-Khan's palace."

Basilio held up a hand. "Before you go, boy, I have something of a gift for you."

The man standing beside the Khan stepped forward.

"This is Lon'qu, my former champion." began Basilio. "Not much for talking, mind you, but peerless with a sword. Good as Marth in my mind. To be honest, I can't quite figure out how Marth bested him so quickly..."

"So he's the guy who lost?" Lissa asked, stepping towards the former champion. "But he looks really strong..."

Lon'qu slid back a step, a grimace on his face. "Away, woman!"

"Hey! Wh-what did I say?!" exclaimed the princess, jumping back slightly with a start.

"Ba ha ha! Let's just say that ladies tend to put him on edge." Basilio stated. "That aside, he's more than capable on the battlefield. Might even have the makings of a Khan! Consider him part of West Ferox's contribution to the war effort; He's to report to you and anyone else you deem necessary be giving him orders."

Chrom was somewhat taken aback by that. "You're certain about this?"

"Yes, yes. He's your man now."

"And Lon'qu?" asked Chrom, turning towards the swordsman. "You have no objections?"

He shrugged. "He gives orders. I stab people. I think our roles are clear."

"...Alright then. Welcome aboard."

"In which case, I have a question for you."

Lon'qu turned his head to face Felix, a single eyebrow arching inquisitively.

"What make of sword do you prefer?" asked the tactician, having produced a quill and notepad from his coat. "And how sharp?"

A grin tugged at the corners of the swordsman's lips.

"I think I'll enjoy this assignment, Khan Basilio."

"Mmmrgh..."

"That's not an 'I hate the cold' grumble." noted Felix as the Shepherds marched back to the West Ferox Palace, Flavia leading the group with a merry tune upon her lips. "Are you feeling well, Solna?"

The lavender-haired woman grumbled again from her seat on the back of Sully's horse. "My ears and my back hurt..."

"Why do your ears hurt?" Virion inquired. "I wasn't aware you had been struck there..."

"I dunno... but they do..." she wined. "The cold isn't helping, either..."

Lissa frowned, looking at Felix. "Do you have any ideas?"

"None." He admitted, sounding worried. "After you have some food in you, it'd be best if you went straight to bed, Solna."

"Food... food and bed..." hummed Solna. "Yeah... yeah, sounds good..."

Vaike yawned. "Ol' Teach is thinkin' the same thing... that one Feroxi guy kept thinkin' he could out arm-wrestle me and if Chrom hadn't schooled that showoff with the mask when he did, he just might've."

"A feat for the ages, I'm sure..." quipped Miriel.

"I think we-" Felix was cut off with a loud yelp as he slipped, falling face-first into the snow. It took him a moment to stand up, shaking the powder from his cobalt hair and coughing. "What did I step on?!"

Carefully turning around, a faint green marking on the ground caught his attention. Kneeling down, he dug through the snow and discovered something locked in the ice. With a hum, and heedless of the convoy around him stopping, he withdrew his tome of fire from his coat and with a quickly muttered word, melted some of the ice away.

"What's going on?" asked Chrom, striding over to where the tactician was hunched over.

"Felix tripped on something, and I guess he's checking out what it was..." reported Kellam.

Lon'qu scoffed. "Just ice. If the path is traveled enough, it can prove a hazard to the unwary."

"More than ice." Felix stated, standing up with something in his hand. "Well, mostly. I found this under the surface of it..."

He turned around and held out his hand for the others to see.

"...Who drops a jewel in Ferox?" asked Lissa. "Much less loses it long enough for it to get iced over?"

"No fool I've ever heard of." said Flavia, having moved from the front of the group to see what had happened. An inquisitive look came over her face as she saw the gem in Felix's hand. "...Doesn't look like any jewel I've ever seen. Seems like it might've been broken off something larger, too..." She shrugged. "But I suppose it's yours now. No telling who may have lost their bauble..."

Felix hummed, then tucked it into his pocket. "True enough... sorry for the delay. My curiosity gets the better of me at times."

"Ha! No harm done." laughed the Khan. "Let us resume our journey then, friends! The celebration won't wait all night for us!"

The feast and celebration upon the return to the West Ferox Palace were certainly not lacking, much to the delight of Stahl's appetite and Solna's weary disposition. Merriment was had, tavern songs were sung, and Flavia drank Vaike under the table, much to Miriel and Lissa's amusement. As it all wound down, minor preparations for the morning's march were made by those not having drained more than two pints of ale while a certain lavender-haired woman had a fairly restful night's sleep. The next morning, however... was something of another matter entirely.

Her ear-splitting shriek of confusion upon waking up was just the start of it all.

Author Notes - [The sound of both Mags and Tori cackling manically can be heard in the distance...]