KKD: Thanks to everyone sending in characters for the story, and I appreciate your support to expand this world and make it unique. I will point out one thing, there's not enough official females to go around, so if you have any female OCs to send and pair up with someone, that'd be even better. I'll put an updated list of who's free right here:
Girls: Sully, Miriel, Nowi, Tharja, Olivia, Tiki
Guys: Virion, Vaike, Kellam, Donnel, Lon'qu, Ricken, Gaius, Libra, Gregor, Henry
KKD: In any case, thanks for the corrections before from some of you who pointed it out; I was working late into the night when I posted the last chapter. Still, I suppose it's time to get going, and there's one character of one of you guys' who will cameo this time, but he won't get a proper appearance until next time. For now, let's proceed.
Disclaimers: KKD doesn't own anything in this story except for the original characters and concepts within. The rest belong to Nintendo, Intelligent Systems, and their respective owners/companies.
(Cue Opening Theme Song: Hero by Skillet)
KKD Studios Presents
*As the instrumental begins we see our lead, Logan, floating in darkness for a bit until he rose his hand and his Flame Style Wizard Ring appeared on it, and he appeared in the field with Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick helping him up*
I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
*The Shepherds are seen fighting against some brigands, Logan casting spells and slashing his sword with them as Lora stood by, getting people to safety.*
Losin' my faith today
(We're fallin' off the edge today)
*We make a quick cut to a later part where we see Emmeryn crying, our focus on the tear*
*Logan struggled to his feet as he glared up at the Phantoms coming his way, most in silhouette, as he recalled something from the past where he was in despair, purple cracks forming on his body*
I am just a man
Not superhuman
(I'm not superhuman)
Someone save me from the hate
*Logan then stared out at the armies against the Halidom of Ylisse, standing with Chrom, Lissa, Lora, and the Shepherds as they looked past the forces.*
It's just another war
Just another family torn
(We're falling from my faith today)
*We get a glance at the villains including Gangrel, Aversa, Validar, and a figure wearing a black, gold, and purple cloak floating behind them before we cut back to the heroes, as Logan flips his Wizardriver into position and flashes his Flame Style ring across it, transforming into Wizard.*
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live
*Suddenly, Wizard and Chrom were on the battlefield, fighting together with their blades, Wizard casting magic spells as Lissa healed them and Frederick attacked the brigands on his horse*
I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero (save me now)
*Wizard quickly transitioned between forms by passing through their magic circles, Water Style splashing one Phantom aside before leaping up, going Hurricane Style to kick another Brigand and then suddenly stomping down as Land Style, causing rocks to scatter and hit more foes*
I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me (just in time)
*Wizard turned to see a figure in blue wearing a mask as the figure faced off against Chrom, both clashing the Falchion at each other*
I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero (save me now)
*Wizard is then seen riding Wizardragon into battle, blasting more Phantoms aside before he's seen staring at Chrom and a woman holding a child as he turned to Lissa, smiling*
I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me (just in time)
*After several attacks at the screen, Wizard posed alongside Lissa, Lora, Frederick, and Chrom as the title "Fire Emblem: Awakening of Hope" appeared above and behind them.*
Fire Emblem: Awakening of Hope
It took us a while, but we soon reached the region bordering the northern kingdom of Regna Ferox. At this point, the region was rather cold, my eyes catching sight of several members of our troop shivering, most notably those with thinner clothes and exposed skin like Sully, Vaike, and especially Lisa. What confused me was how Chrom was so calm about this, considering the snow that blew in as well.
"Brrr! F-F-Frebberick! I'm f-f-freebing!" Lissa shuttered due to the cold, hands rubbing her arms that were wrapped around her own body.
"Stand beside my horse, milady. She'll shelter you from the wind," Frederick chuckled lightly, making me admire his loyalty to the royals as Lissa huddled close to Frederick's steed, my eyes soon drawn to the towering fort before us.
"So this is the fortress?" I checked with Chrom.
"Yes, the Longfort," he confirmed, "It stretches along the border of Ylisse and Regna Ferox."
"From what I heard, the khans that Ferox have grown wary of foreigners," Lora pointed out, munching on what looked like a fatty piece of pork we had cooked the night before.
"Still, don't mistake a lack of hospitality for hostility," Frederick interjected, "This simply calls for a bit of diplomacy."
"Negotiation's not my strongest suit, but I'll do my best," Chrom admitted before turning to our troops, "Remember, everyone: your actions here reflect back upon Ylisse."
From atop the Longfort, several troops were marching along the walls. Among them was a blonde woman in bulky knight's armor, staring out over the walls as a much taller male figure of athletic build joined her.
"Any sign of any of those fallen, Raimi?" the man asked the female knight.
"None so far, but with how they can disguise themselves as humans, you can't be too careful," she informed, but then she spotted a group in the distance, "And it appears we have more forces coming from Ylisse."
"We need to be careful, though. We don't know if they're friend or foe."
"Save it, Silver Sword. You may be Flavia's champion, but your khan has no jurisdiction right now," Raimi reminded before marching out, "Prepare the troops! We got incoming forces from the south!"
The man sighed as he looked over, not sure what to expect.
From outside the walls of the Longfort, I noticed Frederick start to get concerned.
"Trouble in the wind, milord: the Feroxi Guard are mobiling," he reported to Chrom, leaving Chrom shocked and confused.
"What?! Why?" he asked.
"Who can say? But they look ready to let fly at a moment's notice. We'd best prepare for combat, just to be safe. Perhaps we ought pool our supplies and select which Shepherds to deploy?" Frederick suggested before sighing, "Loath as I am to trust him, Logan might offer some valuable insight in this…"
"Indeed, he IS our tactician, after all," Chrom agreed, "So, Logan? What do you suggest?"
In the end, I kept Miriel back since I could provide magic as needed. Then I split the group up with Stahl joining me, Lissa, Frederick, and Chrom as we were to scout the left side of the fort while I had Lora lead Virion, Vaike, and Sully handle the right. But once we got into position…
"HALT! Who goes there!" we heard someone shout, making me look up above to see a blonde woman in knight's armor standing above the rest of us on the fort.
"In the name of House Ylisse, I seek audience with the khans!" Chrom called out to the knight in question.
"Not another step, my bold lad! I've lancers at the ready!"
"Hold, milady!" Frederick tried to intervene, "We are not your enemy! Exalt Emmeryn herself sent us to discuss matters of mutual interest."
"My only interest is keeping you out of Regna Ferox, brigand!"
"B-Brigand? Now see here-" Frederick started, nearly insulted when-
"You think you are the first 'Ylisseans' to try and cross our border?" the knight scoffed, "I have the authority to fell such imposters where they stand."
"How dare you! You are in the presence of Prince Chrom, the exalt's own blood!"
"Ha! Yes, indeed-and I'm the queen of Valm! You do realize impersonating royalty is capital offense, yes?" she noted before inspecting us from above, "Mmm… Then perhaps we should settle this the Feroxi way. You claim to be the prince of Ylisse? Then prove it on the battlefield!"
"Well, that went well," Lora muttered, preparing her rapier as Chrom grunted in annoyance.
"Emmeryn won't like this at all," he muttered before trying to call out to the knight, "Please, good lady! If you'd just listen-"
"I've heard quite enough!" she yelled, "ATTACK!"
We all gasped as the lancers from above launched off their weapons right at Chrom, who prepared to block the attacks as best he could, but I realized none of us could save him in time, not even if I could use my Defend Ring like I used in the premonition, I couldn't stop them that fast.
Suddenly, a white, silver, and blue blur zipped past and Chrom was suddenly gone, the lances piercing the ground where he once stood.
"What the-?!" Lora gawked before I looked above us.
"Up there!" I shouted, making the Shepherds look up to see Chrom carried off on a pegasus, and I could faintly see someone's brown hair.
Chrom gasped, looking at the pegasus' rider, recognizing her.
"Sumia…?" he gawked as Sumia herself looked determined, ready for anything.
"Better hold on tight, Captain," she suggested, "Could get bumpy."
"Uh… right," he nodded, his cheeks getting red, but he couldn't tell if it was a blush or if it was from the cold weather around them, but he was nervous until Sumia giggled, turning to face him.
"You'll be fine," she assured, making Chrom gawked in amazement, his senses returning when he heard armor clanging, making him turn to see the soldiers on top of the wall of the fort prepare another assault.
"Sumia!" he shouted, drawing Falchion to prepare for the attack.
"R-Right," she nodded, steering her steed around to rejoin the Shepherds.
The pegasus soon landed, and it was confirmed that the rider was Sumia, now having Chrom on the flying horse's back.
"Oh, Captain, I'm so relieved I made it in time," she smiled.
"That goes double for me, Sumia!" Chrom added, "And this-is this the same ornery pegasus we met on the road?!"
Hearing this, Lora and I gasped at the sight of the equine, with us realizing it was the same one we found on the way up to Regna Ferox, Sumia giggling after that.
"Oh, she's a sweetheart, isn't she?" she smiled, "...Once you really get to know her…"
"Well, many thanks to you both," Chrom smiled.
"I think the pegasus is blushing!" Lissa giggled as the horse was trying to hide its own face.
"And I think we had best focus on the situation at hand!" Frederick called out.
Suddenly, I sensed something I hadn't felt since the attack on the village when I first awoke back in the field, seeing the knight up above, roaring in a furious rage.
"THAT'S IT!" she snapped, as I noticed markings on her face, "By order of the khans, you shall be destroyed!"
With that, the knight suddenly transformed into a being similar to the Werewolf from before, but this one appeared to resemble a ghostly woman with snow forming around her, the same crest from the Werewolf Phantom being on her forehead.
"Lora! Is she…?" I gasped.
"A Phantom," she confirmed as I turned to Chrom.
"Chrom, they're coming! And their leader's a Phantom!"
"All right. I didn't anticipate them to have one of the Phantoms on their side, but the Feroxi way it is!" he nodded as we all got into position.
"Just so you know, Logan, Phila said pegasi can fly far afield, but they're highly vulnerable to arrows," Sumia told me before petting her steed, "Don't worry, girl. I'll watch out for archers for both our sakes!"
"Let's split up! Quick!" I shouted, making the nine of us split up.
As Chrom and I ran to the left, though, he suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong, Chrom?" I asked.
"Why do I feel like we're being watched… and not by the Phantom...?" he pondered when-
"Um, sir? ...Sir! Right here, sir!" a voice called out from out of nowhere, surprising us.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Chrom demanded as I quickly put on my Driver On Ring.
"I'm standing in plain sight, sir. Right he-" the voice answered, the two of us suddenly seeing the big armored knight of the Shepherds standing in the cold.
"BWAAAH!" we gasped, with me nearly jumping out of my pants (seriously, how can a big guy like him move so quietly?!)
"Oh! I-is that you, Kellam?" Chrom panted, calming down, "When did you arrive?"
"...The same time as you. I've been with you all along," he pointed out before getting a bit shy, "Er, I AM still a Shepherd, right? It's quite the honor, after all. I'd hate to lose it. Sometimes I-"
"Of course, Kellam. Forgive me. You're just so...quiet. I completely-"
"Quite all right, sir," Kellam chuckled, "Quite all right. I've been told I'm easy to miss."
"At least the Feroxi didn't find you."
"I've been calling to you and waving my arms for several minutes… I don't think they've so much as glanced this way."
"You almost sound disappointed."
"Well, I just… I'm glad you finally saw me! Just try to keep your eye out from now on?"
"We'll try."
"That's great, but we gotta move," I responded.
= DRIVER ON! PLEASE! =
Quickly pulling out my Flame Style ring to resist the cold, I rushed to the left of the fort, soon managing to flip the switches, and flashed my left hand across the Driver.
= FLAME! PLEASE! =
= HI! HI! HI HI HI! =
Quickly becoming Wizard, I kicked several of the guards, knocking them aside as the others followed me while we blocked the incoming attacks. Then I got an idea.
"Everyone! Pair up! We can overwhelm them with our numbers and counter defenses!" I called out, having recalled how Sumia saved Chrom.
"I see… I'd be a pincushion if not for Sumia," he admitted, as we all soon did so, Chrom pairing up with Sumia, me with Lissa, and since Kellam was with us, Frederick stood near him so he wouldn't be lost.
= CONNECT, PLEASE! =
Quickly pulling out my WizarSwordGun to defend Lisa however I could.
Looking over the ledge, the man who spoke to Raimi before gasped when he witnessed Logan transform.
"What's this?!" He gasped, soon becoming intrigued by the magician's actions, "This could be interesting… if he wins,maybe I could aid them."
"It already feels as though Logan has been a Shepherd forever," Chrom noted to himself, "It's funny how fighting alongside someone speeds friendships along… and the more we fight side by side, the more valuable those friendships become!"
As Vaike and Virion fought one of the guards, Lora noticed something in the snow. She picked up what appeared to be a stone device, which she gasped upon seeing.
'This is it. I'd better hang onto it until further notice,' she thought as she soon followed the others.
All the while, Frederick picked up a key to a nearby door from a knocked down guard and quickly unlocked the nearby door to the fort. Nearby, I saw Vaike and his part of the band enter from the other side, other guards knocked out.
"Your deception ends here, Phantom!" I snapped, ready to strike, "We will see the khans as we are truly from Ylisse!"
"Let our battle sound out the truth of your words!" this Yuki Onna Phantom called out, calling forth the ice around her to enhance her moves.
"Yuki Onna, huh?" I shrugged before pulling out the yellow ring and flipping my Driver once more.
= SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN! =
= LAND! PLEASE! =
DODODO DODODO, DON DODODON! =
"So, you can change elements, too?" the Phantom growled before sending a flurry of ice my way, not seeing me change rings on my right hand.
"You could say that," I shrugged, flipping my Driver and activating the ring.
= DEFEND! PLEASE! =
Suddenly, when I held my hand towards the ground, a stone wall emerged in front of me, blocking the ice from coming my way. When it stopped, indicating to me the Phantom was stunned by this, I kicked the wall, shattering it and sending boulders her way, knocking her down.
"Chrom! You're up!" I shouted as the Phantom tried to get up, but soon had Falchion next to her neck as if it would slice her head off, but Chrom didn't attack, sensing something about her.
"...You don't have any evil intentions, do you?" he asked, stunning me and Lora.
"...Not all Phantoms wish to bring people to despair… as I'm sure you magicians heard," the Phantom informed.
"...Then there's no reason for us to finish you," Chrom assured, pulling his sword back, the Phantom reverting to her female human knight form.
"Then your claims were… true…" she panted out of exhaustion as I reverted to normal.
"A thousand apologies, Prince Chrom," the knight, having introduced herself as Raimi, apologized, "I truly took you for brigand imposters. But no frauds could ever wage a battle as you just have! I will send word of your arrival to the capital and my comrade and I will escort you there personally."
"That would be most appreciated, thank you," Chrom replied as Raimi marched off.
"Amazing. Her whole demeanor changed… and not just from Phantom to human, but even just in battle," I noted, "Who knew there were good Phantoms out there."
"Not everything's black and white. There's always a gray area," Lora noted.
"Also, in Ferox, strength speaks louder than words," Frederick added, "I should have known better than to overestimate the value of diplomacy here…"
"So can we get going, Chrom?" Lissa inquired, still a bit chilly.
"Yes, it's not getting any warmer," he nodded as the rest of us followed Raimi.
As the group walked, Logan walked with Lora to discuss about the Phantoms with her as Lissa couldn't help but let off a large sigh.
"Well, that was a big one," Chrom noted, Lissa having forgotten for a moment he was there.
"Oh! Chrom!" she gasped, realizing her brother had walked back over to her after he was with Sumia for a bit.
"Something on your mind? Or are you just sighing for the sheer joy of it?"
"Well, it's just… Do I…" she started, not sure what to say at first before gathering her wits, "Do I seem like a princess to you?"
"Er, how's that?"
"I'm asking if I seem like a princess!"
"If you aren't, you owe us some rent for your room in the castle," Chrom pointed out with chuckle, Lissa looking less than amused.
"Oh, hardy har! That's not what I mean and you know it!" she snapped, "I'm asking if you think I live up to my station."
"What brought this on?" Chrom wondered as Lissa sighed, calming down a bit.
"When I compare myself to you and Emmeryn, I… I feel like dead weight."
"What a stupid thing to say."
"HEY!"
"Well? It's the truth. You're fine just how you are, Lissa. Give yourself a little credit. I'll see you later, I need to get ready for our meeting with the khans."
With that, Chrom started to walk off ahead, leaving Lissa behind.
"What? Hey! Don't give me a lazy answer and then run away! I hope you trip and break your nose, jerkface!" she shouted annoyed, before sighing when she realized what she said, "...Okay, that last bit may have not been the most princess-like."
Unbeknownst to the group, one of the figures in white that Lora met before was watching them from above. He was the one with red as he stood high in a tree, removing his hood to reveal the face of a Phantom, red like his cloak and having the appearance of a Phoenix to an extent.
"It would appear the ring-bearing wizard is regaining his knowledge of his powers fast… how long will it take until he remembers how he got this way and the source of his magic?" he wondered to himself, soon standing, "I'd best report this to Wiseman… Medusa will cut my head off and watch me regenerate while I'm tortured if I'm not back soon."
With that, he spread wings from his back before flying back off to Ylisse as the Shepherds trekked through the mountains to the capital.
(Cue Ending Theme Song: Human Nature by Michael Jackson)
*With the Wizard Rings floating around to the instrumentals and starting verse, we soon see Logan sitting on a hilltop, looking over the Halidom*
Looking Out
Across The Night-Time
The City Winks A Sleepless Eye
*We then see Chrom, Frederick, and Lissa planning something for an upcoming battle as Lissa looks away, sighing*
Hear Her Voice
Shake My Window
Sweet Seducing Sighs
*We see other members of the Shepherds interacting with each other, Emmeryn watching from above.*
Get Me Out
Into The Night-Time
Four Walls Won't Hold Me Tonight
*Logan and Lissa could be seen across the way, smiling a bit as they walking towards each other.*
If This Town
Is Just An Apple
Then Let Me Take A Bite
*Then, we see stills of the various Shepherds including Virion, Sully, Vaike, Stahl, and Miriel interacting with each other.*
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
*Chrom is then seen looking out a window with a girl in silhouette at that moment.*
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
*Logan sees a particular pair for a moment and smiled before he turns to see Lissa, both smiling.*
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
*Emmeryn watches all this from nearby before we pan towards the sky.*
If They Say -
Why, Why, Tell 'Em That Is Human Nature
Why, Why, Does He Do Me That Way
*We turn to see Wizard and the Shepherds amidst the stars.*
I like livin' this way
I like lovin' this way
KKD: Bet you never expected that, huh? Yea, while there are some obvious things here and there like the fantasy motif, not everything is as black and white as it seems. There's usually a moral question somewhere hidden in the games (at least in Awakening and Fates), and it's hidden pretty well unless you know what to do. And I know we haven't seen much of hope being tossed around and saving people from despair as much as Haruto does in the main show, but I want to save that for really important moments. And I know this was short, but I didn't have much in the way of support conversations. Should I include other non-romantic supports in this story just for the sake of filling these chapters out? Also, the call for OCs is still on. Like I said earlier, husbandos are still in surplus, but waifus are being picked up quick, so if you want your OC paired up with someone, then you better hurry and get them while they can, but see if you guys can send in some female OCs, okay? Anyway, for reference, here's who is available as of now:
Girls: Sully, Miriel, Nowi, Tharja, Olivia, Tiki
Guys: Virion, Vaike, Kellam, Donnel, Lon'qu, Ricken, Gaius, Libra, Gregor, Henry
KKD: If we don't have certain pairs figured out before chapters 11-14 (depending on how many paralogues I add in between main chapters) then I'll need to fill in the rest with my own characters. And again for reference, here are the formats for character creation, and now we even have Phantom romance preferences! I'll explain why in a later chapter, but for now, let's proceed.
Riders/Other OCs
Character Name:
Rider Name:
Gender:
Character Appearance:
Character Class (apart from Rider):
Inner Phantom/Motif:
Rider Appearance:
Rider Form(s):
Weapons:
Personality:
Preferred Spouse(s):
Phantoms
Human Name:
Phantom Name:
Motif/Basis: (Only if not the same in exact name as the Phantom Name)
Gender:
Human Appearance:
Phantom Appearance:
Powers:
Character Class:
Preferred Weapon:
Personality:
Preferred Side: (Ylisse, Plegia, Valm, Grima)
Preferred Spouse(s):
Children
Child Name:
Gender:
Child's Parents: (Your OC + their spouse)
Character Appearance:
Character Class:
Weapon(s):
Personality:
KKD: Hope you guys enjoyed. Just send your characters in a review with clarifications via PMs if you need to, and I'll see what I can do. Until then, I'm KKD Silver, the Crossover King, and I'll see you next time. *salutes* Jaa ne.