Me: FINALLY! After... how long was i gone? Oh right well over a year! I get this friggin thing up it so is not easy trying to remember specific points in time especially in video games. Plus let's face it I lazy, the only saving grace for this story is the fact that I adopted another person's fic. Anyway please welcome Norma Beatty and Moses Sandor aka 'Bubbles' and 'Red'

Norma: Wow you invited me back. Why?

Me: Why indeed... Where's Moses?

Moses: Right here, sorry got caught up in th' sight of this here tiny studio.

Me: yes yes I know it's small but you know what I don't give a fuck I'm exhausted another reason for the delay folks is that I finally got a job. I'm workin at Wendy's.

Norma: OOOH OOOOH can I have a burger.

Me: no sorry didn't bring any care for a pizza though.

Norma/Moses: sure (grabs slices)

Me: Don't ask folks just read, review, and do anything else you feel is necessary.

Chapter 17

A few days after the bandit incident Shadow had finally been released from his cabin, his first immediate thought being 'It doesn't take this long for my body to recover no matter how much they say otherwise.' The 14 year old swordsman had been busy keeping the soldiers in line while Tanith and Sigrun were away, but the only one who was making it extremely difficult for him was a blue armored knight named Gatrie. And by extremely difficult I mean the guy was constantly trying to flirt with at least one girl a day, and a different one each day. It was morning now, Shadow had just finished strapping on his armor and started covering it with his clothes when the empress opened the door. "Shadow, there seems to be a storm brewing close by, the ship's captain wants to know what you want him to do." Sanaki stated. Shadow stopped to think about all the possibilities the storm could bring. 'Hmm, the doesn't sound good. For one, we're on a ship that can easily break against rocks, and two we're in armor which weighs us down.' he thought for a little longer before walking towards the captain having decided that he should gain more information before making his dicision. It didn't take long for the boy to reach the ship's captain, "How far is the storm Captain?" Shadow asked. "Judging by the clouds I'd say at least a couple of hours it also seems that we can't avoid it." the captain said analytically. Shadow pondered for a moment the best course of action for the situation before saying "Alright we need all our supplies on the lower decks to prevent us from losing them in the storm then we should drop the anchor so that the ship doesn't move around much, the only thing we can't control at the moment is the ship capsizing during the storm, so we'll just have to pray that doesn't happen."

Hours later the storm had hit them with full force, the ship rocking to and fro on the waves. Inside the soldiers struggled to keep the supplies still while Shadow and the empress remained in one of the rooms. Even though they were indoors the two children could literally feel the ship lurching back and forth. While for the most part Shadow was okay Sanaki was not her face had turned green from the swaying and she was struggling to keep her lunch down. Finally the young empress could no longer keep her food from returning and proceeded to puke in a corner. "I take it you've never been on a boat before your eminence?" Shadow asked as he rubbed the poor girls back. "No I haven't Shadow...*blech*...Do you think I can have a bag or something to throw up in?" Sanaki threw up a little more. Shadow ran out the door and rushed to get a few bags for the empress. After several minutes of looking in one of the storage rooms, he finally found what he was looking for. "Alright time to go back, still I wonder why I haven't started vomiting yet." Shadow asked himself. 'If I had to guess i'd say it's because of me, see as a jinchuuriki you are essentially immune to poison and most illnesses, this is because my chakra as your teacher calls energy is constantly flowing through you in miniscule amounts.' Ami explained. 'Or maybe I'm just not capable of getting seasick, though I must say thank you for the immunity tidbit you provided, now I know that poisons have no effect on me.' Shadow said. 'Fine, go with that, anyway you might want to go back to the little girl she must be filling the room with puke by now.' Ami instructed.

Moments later Shadow enters the room he left the empress in only to be bombarded with the horrific odor that is her vomit. Quickly scanning the room Shadow found his charge lying in bed looking worse for wear. "Your eminence how are you feeling?" Shadow asked. "I feel like crap that's how I feel, and this room stinks." Sanaki responded. 'Tell me about it, but it's your own fault seeing as how you're the one who was creating the stink.' Shadow thought as he lifted the empress from her bed. It took a little time for Shadow to find another empty room, and by the time that he did the apostle had already filled three bags full of vomit. After setting Sanaki down Shadow proceeded to dispose of the now filled bags. "let's see now where should I put you, I guess I could toss you overboard but then I risk getting tossed myself. Oh well, you can't get anywhere in life without taking a few risks so its off the ship you go." Shadow said out loud.

After exiting the interior of the ship, Shadow carefully made his way over the starboard railing where he inteded to throw away the bags. However caution was no longer necessary as the ship and everyone in it was now away from the storm. "Huh...I wonder how long we've been stuck inside?" shadow asked himself. After Shadow threw the bags off the ship he returned to the soldiers to let them know that the storm had passed and that they should return to their original posts. Minutes passed afterward and the empress was free to heave over the side as much as she wanted though lucky for all of them it was no longer a problem. Sanaki's stomach had settled and she was resting in her quarters, unfortunately for a few soldiers they were required by the ship's captain to clean up the mess the empress had made. So here they were continuing their voyage with Shadow looking out towards the vast blue sea.

Night came sooner than expected for our young hero, not feeling the least bit tired Shadow continued to stare out into the ocean thinking about random topics to pass the time. 'Hey Ami, why did you choose me to be sealed into, wouldn't anyone else be better suited to your task?' Shadow asked. 'Under normal circumstances I wouldn't even be in this realm it's a law of the heavens that the gods and goddesses who govern the universe aren't allowed to intervene with the mortal realm unless it's absolutely nessecary. Though that didn't stop Ashera from trying to destroy my work on this particular world.' Ami said muttering the last part under her breath. 'Uh-huh anyway, that still doesn't answer my question.' Shadow stated. 'Let's just say that you're more important than you realize.' Ami said cryptically. Leaving the conversation at that Shadow gave a big yawn and decided now was as good a time as any to turn in for the night.

Morning came quicker than Shadow expected as the young swordsman got up, dressed, and headed out of his cabin towards the deck. As he made his way down the hall towards the stairs the Ship suddenly lurched to the side as if it was struck by something. Regaining his balance Shadow immediately rushed outside to see what was going on to find another ship next to their own with guys setting up boarding planks. "This isn't good, everyone prepare for battle!" Shadow shouted rallying the soldiers to defend the ship. "Shadow what's going on?" the empress asked. "Your eminence, I need you get below deck now, we're under attack." Shadow instructed. Nodding the Empress quickly fled below deck as told and found an empty room furthest from the stairs. Making sure that his charge was safe, Shadow turned in time to see the soldiers being pushed back by the unknown brigands who were trying to get on board. 'Damn, this is not something we need right now. And just when the rest of the Holy Guard are away too.' Shadow thought angrily as he brandished his sword and charged to the forefront.

The days seemed to fly by for the Greil Mercenaries and the young princess of Crimea as their ship sailed closer and closer to Begnion shores. Lethe in particular was eager to get this assignment over with, just so she can go home and clear her head of what she had dubbed "impure thoughts". I know what your thinking "but narrator that phrase has a different context." let me just say that that phrase is broader than you realize. You see these so called "impure thoughts" involved Shadow in some way, shape, or form. Everytime the cat laguz had these thoughts, she would immitate a tomato and try to hide from anyone and everyone. It wouldn't do to have a beorc/laguz relationship. That was what Lethe kept telling herself anyway, but deep down we all know the girl's real thoughts. At any rate, currently the orange cat was listening in on a conversation between Begnion's second in command, a woman named Tanith, and commander Ike and princess Elincia. That was when an unknown pegasus knight flew down and whispered something in Tanith's ear. "Say what now?" Tanith shouted furiously. "F-f-f-forgive me commander but the general and the other's have been busy keeping the ship's reinforcements from arriving." the smaller knight said fearfully. This seemed to calm Tanith down a bit before turning her attention to Ike and Elincia. "I'm truly sorry about all this but I'd like to ask a favor of you." Tanith stated. Elincia and Ike stared at the woman confusedly until Tanith filled them in on the situation. It seemed as if, according to what Lethe was hearing, beorc pirates were attempting to raid the Begnion Vessel not knowing that a small regiment of soldiers and one member of the Holy Guard were on the ship ready to defend the empress at all costs.

Without any hesitation the princess and mercenary commander both agreed to aid the Apostle, most likely to garner a favor or something equally as rediculous. Minutes passed before the Begnion Ship came into full view, and the sounds of battle echoed through the air. Clashing steel and screams of pain filled the ears of everyone within hearing range. 'Well it's not as if we can back down now.' Ike thought as he readied a steel sword recently forged personally for him. Lethe on the other hand was more focused on who her first victim would be in this battle. 'hmmm...I could "accidentally" kill one of those Begnion beorc, then again that might cause me an early grave, oh to hell with it pirates it is, after all they're the reason why me and Lyre became orphans.' she thought as the memory of her deceased mother appeared in her mind. "Alright everyone let's aid the Begnion soldiers... and try not to kill them by accident." Ike said as his hand picked mercenaries followed him into battle.

For a brief moment Shadow was starting to consider that maybe he had bad luck as a soldier reported another ship approaching the port side. Deciding to count how many were on the vessel himself Shadow turned and was surprised to find that the ship belonged to Elincia, Ike, and their entourage of mercenaries. Relief then washed over the boy like a large wave as Shadow told the rest of the soldiers that help had arrived and to push the enemy back. Ike was just as surprised as Shadow had been to find that the Holy Guard member was Shadow himself, but with this discovery came a question, "What was Shadow doing in Begnion anyway." Ike asked himself. The ranger couldn't think anymore on the subject as Shadow was fast approaching. "Ike, good to see you, we could certainly use the help." Shadow said gladly. The two swordsman talked about the brigand problem before a scream of pain alerted them that the defensive line was being broken.

At the same time

Lethe couldn't believe her eyes, Shadow, the boy who left so many months ago was right in front of her in a Swordmaster's garb. 'Just how strong are you?' Lethe thought as she stared at the boy as he and Ike talked before a scream filled the air. Turning sharply Lethe Looked on as the source of the scream fell, blood spurting from the slash to his neck. "Right we'll talk later, for now let's deal with these guys." Shadow said before he unsheathed his sword and charged into the battle.

Me: HA! Take that you bastards!

Norma: why did you say that?

Me: I think I finally lost my marbles or it could be that I mistook this paper plate for a pizza slice and tried eating it.

Moses: Ya sure that ya didn't go crazy or nuthin.

Me: hmmmmmmmm, yeah I'm sure anyway like I said before read, review, and do anything else that might be necessary.

All: BYE!