Paralogue 2: The Shepherds vs The Justice Cabal? Part 2

It would be a huge understatement to say the Shepherds were in complete chaos. Every single Shepherd has made it their mission to capture the children that dared crossed them. Shepherd after Shepherd searched high and low for the children, completely forgetting about their original goal to save their former Exalt; they were more worried about protecting their "secrets" than saving the former Exalt.

"Fie! Those kids sure did cause quite the ruckus." The Chon'sin princess commented as she looked on from the castle ruff and down to the battle that raged on within the Shepherd's camp. "It kinda looks fun, if I do say so myself. What do you think, Madam Emmeryn?" Say'ri asked the former Exalt standing next to her.

"It does look like fun." Emmeryn admitted. "I only wish I could join them."

"Indeed, but you are the "hostage". T'would be a shame if the Shepherds were to find you too quickly. I won't agree with the children's method in helping their parents relax, but seeing them down their gleefully playing with their children is actually quite relaxing. Makes me wish I had children of my own."

"Yes… It's still hard for me to believe I have children." Emmeryn replied with a blissful smile while placing a hand over her heart a closing her eyes. "It's even better knowing that I had children with Matt… It makes me look forward to the future."

Say'ri smiled and placed a hand on the former Exalt's shoulder. "My duties are over for today. How about joining me in a game of chess while we wait for the others?" Emmeryn nodded and both women proceeded toward the castle. Halfway there, Emmeryn could suddenly feel the strong urge to cough up whatever she ate in the morning. She immediately stopped and covered her mouth; trying hard to keep in breakfast. "Your Grace! Are you alright?!" Say'ri panicked and placed a hand on the cringing blonde's back.

"I-It's alright." Emmeryn reassured. "I-I just felt weird for a few moments. I'm fine now." Say'ri didn't look convinced, but dropped her worry when Emmeryn looked to her with a soothing smile.

"Okay, but promise me you will go to the infirmary when this is over. I don't think your husband would sleep at night if your condition was serious."

Emmeryn nodded. "I promise."

"Lissa, are you sure you saw them take Emmeryn this way?" Chrom asked as he looked around to the forest he currently walked through.

"Of course they went this why! I saw them when they took Emm!" Lissa stated in urgency and ran ahead of her brother.

"I think we should use caution, milord." The wary knight advised. "The enemy could be anywhere with this forest. It would not be wise to drop your guard just yet."

"I know, Frederick, but the rest of the Shepherds are already taking care of the children back at camp. While they are distracted, this would be the best opportunity to find Emm and end this game." That was partially the truth. Yes, he wanted to end the game as soon as possible by finding Emmeryn, but finding his sister would be the fastest why to get Cynthia to burn all evidences of "that drawing". Desperation was clearly the only thing driving the Exalt to end this game.

"I found her!" Those three words were music to Chrom's ears. The Exalt turned his attention back to his sister in the distance that pointed in front of her. In the distance was the blonde standing with her back turned to him and her robes dancing with the wind.

"Emm!" Chrom called to his sister and began a slow jog towards her. "Thank Naga you are oka-" Something was definitely wrong with this atmosphere. Frederick wasn't following close behind him like he usually would whenever Chrom strayed away from his side, Lissa was now looking at the pack of leaves her brother was about to step on, and the blonde in front of the blue head showed slight colors of brown in her hair. Before Chrom could piece together everything, he felt nothing but air underneath his foot and could only watch as the ground below him vanished and he fell into the deep, dark hole; lucky enough to turn to his back before he hit the ground. Chrom grunted and shook the leaves out of his hair. Confusion and betrayal clouded his mind as he looked to the top of the hole and at the three that looked down on him.

"Wow, brother. I honestly didn't think you would actually fall for this." Lissa said with a snarky tone. Chrom looked away from his little sister and to the other two individuals next to her; one obviously being his traitorous knight, Frederick, and his wife, that removed her wig, Sumia.

"…Am I to assume that you guys have joined forces with this Justice Cabal rebellion?" Chrom asked in a surprisingly calm voice.

"Forgive me, milord, but as a husband, it is my duty to follow my wife till the ends of the earth… Even if that means wavering my loyalty to you, milord…" Frederick said with a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Chrom looked away from his knight and to his wife that looked down on him with a slight smile. "…And your excuse, Sumia?"

"Sorry, Captian, but when Cynthia asked for my help, as a mother, I just couldn't turn her down!" Sumia confessed gingerly. "This idea was just too much fun to pass up!"

Chrom nodded and finally looked to his sister. "…I don't think I even want to know why you helped."

"If you think I was gonna pass the opportunity to pull off my best pranks ever in this game, then you obviously don't know me that well, brother." Chrom face-palmed himself for forgetting how childish his little sister actually was. "Now, do you have any last words?"

Chrom slid his hand down his face and looked back to his sister who showed him a bucket of water she now carried in his hands; Frederick and Sumia following suit. And he was almost dry too…

"I would like to ask you to also forgive me for this, milord." Frederick pleaded.

"…Just get this over with already." Chrom sighed and braced himself for the cold water and was about to meet his skin. The three traitors nodded at each other before pouring the gallons on water into the whole and on Chrom's blue head. Chrom cringed as the feeling of freezing water attacked his body once again, desperately waiting for it all to be over. This was really not his day. Not only was he the only one that was assaulted with water at the beginning of this "game", but he was now dirty, stuck at the bottom of a whole, betrayed by his two closest friend and knight, AND he was now soak and wet…again.

"Don't worry, brother. We will be back to get you if you can't climb out of there before 6 PM!" Lissa assured before ditching the hole along with Frederick and Sumia (most likely going back to their base and report to their forces). Meanwhile, Chrom was forced to sit and go over everything that just occurred.

"…There will sure be hell to pay when this is all over."

Throughout the entire chaos that was happening outside, there was actually a group of Shepherds that not only avoided being seem, but also found a clue to where their missing Exalt was being held (thanks to the help of Gerome who purposely eliminated himself and spilled hints to the them). Walking through the halls of the Valmese castle was now a team of Tharja, Panne, Maribelle, Nowi, Naomi and Lucina. Even though the two future children were currently in their group, every seemed to trust them; well, trust that they were not childish enough to join the other children.

"Tch, not this room either." Tharja tutted and closed the door to their now 13th room they've searched.

"Of course she would be in such an obvious place, dear." Maribelle commented. "I would guess that she would be somewhere at the top of the castle."

"What makes you say that, man-spawn?" The Taguel next to them questioned.

"Because no one would think of hiding something in such an unguarded and safe place. Plus, this is Matthew's daughter we are talking about. That girl must have thought up a place in the castle that is not hard to get to, but not too hard to find either."

"Wow, Maribelle! I didn't know you could make such an evaluation like that!" Nowi said with an acknowledging voice, but sounded more like an insult to the queen.

"Are you implying that I am an airhead that can't even think of the simplest of things?" Maribelle turned and snapped at the young manakete.

"I-I didn't mean for it to sound that way." Nowi shook her hands in front of her in denial, while the blonde queen huffed and strolled down the hallway ahead of the group. "Geez, I was just trying to complement her."

"Man-spawn really have short tempers."

"I know right?"

The rest of the group follow the queen down the hallway and up the stairs to the top floor of the castle. Once at the top, they searched ever door and did not leave any bed of table unturned, but still had no luck. The group finally stopped when they came across a door that had a piece of paper taped to the on it that read, "Emmeryn in here". The group stopped and just stared at the wooden door that was obviously suspicious for many reasons.

"…This is obviously a trap." Maribelle stated the obvious.

"Could be, but this is the only other door in the top floor that we haven't checked." The Taguel replied while crossing her arms. "If Emmeryn is not in here, then there is nowhere else up here that she could be."

"If that is the case, then you open the door." Tharja urged the Taguel.

"Let the Taguel go in first to preserve your own skin, man-spawn? You humans truly are something else."

"What, are you too scared to do it or something?" Tharja teased with a smirk creeping up on her face.

"I fear nothing but myself, man-spawn. If you are so confident, then why don't you open it yourself, man-spawn? Unless, you are urging me to go because you are a coward yourself, Tharja?"

The dark mage's smirk turned to a glare at the Taguel. "Who do you think you are calling a coward? You'd best watch your mouth before you regret it, woman."

Panne let out a soft "ha" before replying, "If you can make threats man-spawn, then I assure you I can do the same thing."

"Hey guys-"

"What? Threaten me with carrots and a purple rock? You will have to better than that, darling."

"And are you going to threaten me with a pot and book? What are you gonna do, man-spawn? Cook for me in your book of recipes?"

"Uh, guys? Will you stop for just one-"

"If it's recipes you want, I have one that will cook well with those reject ears of yours."

"I'm quite sure you are more use to rejection since than I am; especially when it comes to Matthew."

"What did you say to me?!"

"I didn't stutter, did I man-spawn-"

"QUIET!" Both women ceased their argument and looked to the now angry and annoyed expression of Ylisse's queen. "Dear Naga! We are here to find Emmeryn, not fight against each other!" both women glared at one another before clicking their teeth and looking away from each other. Maribelle sighed and said, "I'll open the door to end this debate, alright?" Neither Shepherd answered so the blonde turned to open the room, but stopped halfway and turned back around to evaluated her surroundings. "Hey guys, where did Nowi, Lucina and Naomi go?" The two women looked around them and was just as surprised to find the three missing.

"Don't know. We must have split from them on our way up here." Tharja replied while looking down the hallway. Her eyes stopped on three a silhouette at the end of the hallway. That area of the hallway seemed to have lost all sunlight, so it was quite hard to actually see who it was. Panne also noticed the figures and began sniffing the scent of whoever they were. Before she could completely finish she was immediately soaked from a balloon that struck her from behind in the back of the head. The Taguel and the other two mother's were completely defenseless as a rain of water balloons hit them over and over from both sides. When the rain of balloons finally stopped, the three when were completely drenched in water from head to toe.

The Taguel brushed the wet water out of her face and looked down the opposite hallway. She was bewildered to see the exact same thing she saw on the other side; no sun light, and three silhouettes. She definitely knew these scents. After all, how could she not know the scent of her own child?

"Yarne, I can smell you." Panne said in an intimidating voice that got a squeal out of her son in the distance.

"S-Sorry about this, mother," The young Taguel replied from the shadows. "B-But I would feel bad if my friends were to risk this opportunity and I didn't get to help them out even a little."

Panne nodded in understanding and looked to the other two shadows next to him. "What about you two, Noire and Kjelle?"

Noire squealed when she her heard name, while the purple armored knight laughed. "Noire and I feel the same way!" Kjelle yelled back with a vigorous attitude. "Our friends are dumb indeed, but we hold responsibility for our friends! If one of us rebels, then we all rebel!"

Maribelle looked to the other three at the opposite side of the hallway and said, "I'm guessing you two think the same way, right Naomi and Lucina?"

"Sorry, mother, but we do!" Lucina yelled back.

"…I don't even want to know, Nowi." Tharja growled at her so-called 'friend'.

"Hey, I wanted to be apart of the fun team!" Nowi shouted back gleefully. The mothers looked to there right as an all too familiar laugh was heard.

"I will give you props for your efforts," Cynthia laughed and clapped her hands with her side kick, Morgan, next to her. "But I don't believe I can allow you to search this castle any longer. It would be a hindrance if you were to find Emmeryn and end this fun game of ours. Guys! I think it's time we show them the door!" The three mothers could hear the children and manakete to their left and right preparing to shower them with water, which only made them smirk.

"Hey, Tharja? Panne? I think our children are underestimating us." Marebelle said with a smirk and looked to the dark mage who pulled out two wet blue tomes and handed one to her.

"I think it's time to teach them to respect their parents, heh heh heh." Tharja cackled and opened the book. Panne watched as ancient letters started surrounding the two women and began forming a sphere; their magic power increasing due to their anger.

"B-But we took away all of those!" The three women heard Morgan whimper in fear. The children and manakete didn't even have the will to run as they saw the huge tsunami that began to appear in front of them. Tharja and Maribelle gave a devil's smirk before releasing the spell at the bewildered children.

"Run!" Cynthia squealed and took off in the opposite direction. Everyone else followed suit and ran for their lives, but was unable to escape from the high speed water and was instant swept off their feet by the force. After being thrown around by the stream of water, the six began to cower in fear when they saw the mages charging yet another shot, but this time, chasing after them. Maribelle chased after Lucina's group, while Tharja chased after the other. Yarne tried to escape faster by transforming into his Taguel form, but was unaware of his mother following suit and chasing him down like a dog. They were definitely not getting out of this with a slap on the wrist.

Seconds later, then noted door slowly slid open and out came a bewildered blonde and Chon'sin princess. They were completely flabbergasted at the sight they were seeing in the hallway. "Fie! One can only imagine how long it would take to clean such a mess." Say'ri commented on the wet ground around her.

Gangrel sat with a bowl of oatmeal in his hands and watched the fools as they attacked each other with water balloons and spell books. Everyone everywhere was either running away, or chasing the other. Somehow, Ylisseaen soldiers, Resistance members and Valmese citizens joined the overwhelming chaos that was occurring. Even that Priam guy was gleefully chasing down friend and foe with buckets of water and balloons. If the trickster could go back in time and change his decision to join these lot, then he definitely would have.

The Mad King gulped down the rest of his meal before leaving the bowl on the box he was sitting on and heading toward the forest (since that seemed to be the only place no one seemed to head towards). Strategically going around through the areas of the chaos where there seemed to be less people, Gangrel found his way safely to the woods. The redhead found a safe and sound spot next to an extremely large tree and sat down comfortably against it; crossing his legs and putting his hands behind his head.

Now this, is peaceful. The redhead mumbled to himself as he slowly closed his eyelids shut. The sound of happy giggling and water splashing noises in the distance were starting to become more and more no existence the more head cleared his mind. Think of nothing and the noises will go away. Gangrel told himself as he began to drift comfortably into sleep-

His eyes instantly shot open and he reached for his Levin Sword when a loud thump was heard somewhere around him. The redhead looked 180 degrees around him and was surprised to see absolutely nothing. He waited for a few seconds to hear it again, but still nothing. He grumbled and relaxed once again. Must have been a squirrel or somethin'. Gangrel thought and assumed his previous position. Once again, he began to once again clear his mind of the unnecessary noises around hi-

There it was again! Gangrel knew that he definitely didn't image it that time. Something was around and it was messing with his sleep time. Whatever it was, they would feel his wrath! The Mad King stood to his feet and walked away from the tree. He waited a few seconds to hear the thumping again. Sure enough, a few seconds later, he heard it again. East. The Mad King put a hand on his sword and walked the direction. The thumping was definitely getting louder, followed by sound of a human males voice grunting and cursing. Gangrel lifted an eyebrow when he saw a large whole just yards ahead of him. Apparently, he wasn't as quite as he thought he was because the voice inside the whole called out to him.

"Hey! I-Is someone out there?" The voice called and immediately sent both a wave of confusion and joy through the Mad King's face.

There's no way. The Mad King told himself as he inched closer to the hole. Grace be to Naga. This was one of the most amusing sights he has seen since he joined this Gods forsaken army. "Having fun down there, Prince?" Gangrel smirked at the man who looked back to him as if he was absolutely the last person he wanted to see in this situation; and he many reason to think so. "You see quite…dirty, if I do say so myself." The Mad king pointed out at the mud all over the Exalts face and cloths and pointed to the field in the distance. "There's a huge shower happening in the camp right now. You just might make it if you hurry."

"Gangrel, I don't have time for games. I have to get out of here right now and end this game of theirs"

"*Gasp*, Chrom. Is that anyway to speak to the only man capable of pulling you out of your situation?" Gangrel said in an overly dramatic voice.

"…What do I have to do to get your help?" Chrom surrendered.

"Weeeeell," The mad king said while massaging his chin. "If you ask really, really nicely, then Uncle Gangrel will help out poor Chrom."

"Go to hell." Chrom shot back immediately.

"Geez, you kiss you mother with that mother, Princey?" Gangrel retorted with a snarky attitude. "It's very simple to get my help. All you hae to do is say, "will you please let me out of here O great Mad King of Plegia". Say that, and I'll gladly help yo-"

"Go. To. Hell."

"Then I hope you like the position you are in 'cause I'm not feeling like helping you-"

"Wait!" Chrom called out to the Mad King that prepared to walk away. "…Fine." Chrom said in a sigh of defeat. "…Will you please help me out of here O great Mad King of Plegia." Chrom recited in a monotone voice.

"Eh, I'm not really feeling your enthusiasm, Prince. Give me more vibrato!"

The blue head gritted his teeth at the Mad King's snarky attitude, but gave into his demands. "Will you please help me out of here O great Mad King of Plegia." Chrom said with slightly more life in his voice.

"What was that?" Gangrel teased while putting a hand to his ear as if he didn't hear what the Exalt said. "You want O great Mad King of Plegia to do what?"

"GET ME OUT OF HERE YOU SORRY EXCUSE OF A KING!" Chrom snapped, which earned his a maniac guffaw from the Mad King.

"Wow, Prince! Now THAT'S how you ask a favor from this mad man!" Said Gangrel whose smirk was no up to his ears. "But I will have to kindly decline your plea for help. Knowing that you are in this whole with no way out but the help of others is far too satisfying! It was fun seeing you though. Hope you find your way out of here!" Gangrel let out a mad laugh before walking away from the scene; leaving the Exalt to stand and yell and curse his name over and over again.

…

By the grace of Naga, Chrom was finally about to climb his way out of that hell he called a hole. "Finally." He mumbled and stood to his feet. He didn't even think about cleaning himself. His first order of business was to get back to the chaos he could hear in the distance and end it. This game will stop and people will take responsibility for their actions. Wet, dirty and irritated, the blue head Exalt walked out of the forest and into the chaos. What he saw truly changed everything within him. It was indeed chaos, but not the form of chaos he was thinking. Not only were the Ylissean soldiers joined into the fray, but now civilians, Rebellion members, and Feroxians were now apart of the massive war. In his mind, he thought that people were fueled by rage from trying to hide whatever secret that that devil Cynthia had planted in their pockets, but no one seemed to be angry or even concerned about the mission.

Even though everyone had completely turned on each other and had forget their mission, they were…smiling. Not a single soul showed any form of anger. Instead, parents and children were actually having a good time together. Miriel and Laurent joined forces to chase down the blonde, shirtless warrior, Lon'qu held his son's arms behind his back with an evil smirk as his pink haired wife aimed at her son with a water balloon in hand, Yarne ran away from his mother, who was transformed into her true Taguel form, and father, who rode on his wife's back holding a water tome, even Severa shared a group hug with her parents and showed the biggest smile Chrom had ever seen on her. Cynthia, Owain and Morgan were also being chased down by the combined forces of their own double agents Frederick, Lissa and Sumia, which actually made the Exalt lose all of his anger and betrayal he had for them.

"Maybe I've misjudged this little game of theirs. Was this their plan all along?" Chrom said and looked further into the camp to see his daughter and wife tag teaming against his defenseless son. The blue head smirked and walked over to his family. Of course, they all pointed and laughed at the completely filthy man, but regretted their teasing when the Exalt became serious and picked up the nears buck of water he could find and chucked it at them. If this wasn't a better time to spend with his family, then he didn't know what was. After all, it would be a shame to miss such an opportunity it break loose.

…

Meanwhile, in a certain medical tent, the tactician looked down to s squirrel who found its way on his lap and looked at the dazed tactician. "…Who sent you…?" The tactician said in his dazed state. "…Who are you working for…"

Well, that was the last Paralogue! Once I have an idea in my head, I just HAVE to use it, or it will eat at me for the rest of my days… On another note, after this chapter, things head into the "Vs Grima" part of the story, which is FINALLY here! This part takes us back into a more serious atmosphere than the previous chapters and will most likely stay that way till the end. I've had SO many ideas for those future chapters that writing them will be a breeze! There will be a chapter update Thursday, so look forward to it!

As always, thank you for the reviews, favs and follows and hope to see you guys next time!