KKD: After some consideration, I have two ideas for pairs after the timeskip, but I want your opinion. Do you want me to include the Spotpass characters as possible pairing options? Let me know. For the record, here is the current list of available guys and girls you still have a chance to pair with.
Girls: Sully, Miriel, Nowi, Tharja
Guys: Vaike, Donnel, Lon'qu, Ricken, Libra, Henry
KKD: And while we're at it, here's the current rankings for pairings as of now.
Support Rankings
Lora & Frederick: B
Logan & Chrom: C
Chrom & Lissa: C
Logan & Lora: C
Chrom & Sumia: B
Logan & Lissa: C
Frederick & Sully: C
Frederick & Miriel: C
Logan & Bruford: C
Stahl & Sully: C
KKD: And for those of you sending your thoughts on when to introduce WizarDragon, thanks. Also, you might be surprised to see what will happen, and I guarantee you won't see it coming. Now let's get to today's tale and see what happens to Maribelle.
Disclaimers: KKD doesn't own anything in this story except for the original characters and concepts he created within. Bruford/Kamen Rider Sage belongs to RedRat8. 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, Frederick attacked the brigands on his horse, and Lora, now as Beast, fought with her Dice Saber and shifting mantles*
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 alongside Beast on BeastChimera, 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, Beast, Frederick, and Chrom as the title "Fire Emblem: Awakening of Hope" appeared above and behind them.*
Fire Emblem: Awakening of Hope
As the morning drew near, Frederick was cleaning the camp outside, Bruford offering his hand in doing so. After the two parted, Frederick turned to see Virion walking by, a sword at his side.
"That's quite the handsome blade you carry, Virion," Frederick noted of the noble archer, getting his attention.
"Ah, you've a discerning eye, Frederick," Virion smiled, unsheathing said blade, "Yes, it is rather nice, isn't it? Elegant… Sophisticated… A perfect match for its owner! Why, it's almost-"
"The hilt bears the sigil of House Claive," the Great Knight interrupted, making Virion sigh.
"Yes, but you interrupted me."
"Apologies. ...But it's been troubling me for some time now. Just how is it you came to hold a dagger from one of Ylisse's high noble houses?"
"I enjoyed a brief but fruitful collaboration with the Claives once upon a time," Virion started to explain proudly, "Well, specifically with one young and VERY beautiful Claive… She gave me this blade as a token of our everlasting...friendship."
"I see. And when exactly did you find the time to foster such a bond?"
"Ah, my dear naive Frederick. Not all bonds take equal time to form, you know! Some are forged in a lifetime, while others spring to life in a moment. ...Others still take but one very good night."
Frederick just gave a rather discerning look at Virion, making the bluenette sweat a bit.
"Oh, please! Spare me the pious air…" he responded, wiping the sweat from his brow before noticing something in Frederick's gaze, "But...is that yet a hint of...envy I see as well? Ha! Well, permit me to explain… It is my avocation to grant noble ladies a brief respite from their dreary lives. And I know of no better way to do so than by romance's sweet perfume. But I always acted the gentleman! No harm befell their honor or reputation."
"Oh, that was never my concern," Frederick assured, "Ylisse's noble houses are built of sturdier stuff than one's dandy escapades can shake."
"Tell me, sir… Do you always smile so as you twist the blade in a fellow's gut?" Virion asked, sighing a bit, "Yes, well. You wondered at the history of my blade, and now curiosity is slaked. If that's quite all, this dandy shall leave you to savor your unshakable honor."
Virion scoffed as he sheathed the blade and left, Frederick look at him as he left.
"...Avocation, he says. Heh. Quite the hobby," he noted, "Yet I bet he has made many other powerful allies through such trysts. Dandy or no, the man is sly. Methinks he merits watching…"
Once things were finished up, our entire group, also having included the Exalt herself (her allowing us to help Donnel and recruit him with Yui and Vanille), walked into what looked to be a canyon of sorts where we soon spotted two new figures. The first was a woman with dark skin that had purple markings, platinum blonde hair, and a black outfit that exposed a bit of skin as well as having black feathers around her neck and some pronged crown. Next to her was a red-headed man of similar skin tone, wearing an outfit of black, whites, yellows and golds with this odd neck frill, black fur around his neck, and a long yellow cape.
"What's this, then? The exalt herself, in all her radiance?" the man scoffed, looking at Emmeryn, my senses tingling about the man in question, "I fear I must shield my eyes!"
He then laughed maniacally, making me notice the vibes were identical to the Phantoms. However, Emmeryn just calmly stepped forward.
"King Gangel," she started, "I've come for the truth of this unfortunate incident between us."
"The truth?" the woman with the man, Gangrel, responded, "I can give you the truth."
"Perhaps milady might first share her name?"
"You may call me Aversa."
Unlike Gangrel, I didn't get the Phantom vibes from her, but I made sure to stay with Lora, hands on my rings just to be safe.
"What's up?" Lora whispered to me.
"I think Gangrel's a Phantom," I whispered back, Lora just nodding in response.
"Very well, Aversa," Emmeryn spoke up, "Is Maribelle unharmed?"
"Who?" Gangrel inquired sarcastically before grinning widely, "Oh yes, the little blonde brat."
He pointed down below below him as we all saw Maribelle in the custody of one of Gangrel's troops, who looked like a berserker to me.
"Unhand me, you gutter-born troglodyte!" Maribelle snapped.
"Maribelle!" Lissa gasped as I finally stepped forward.
"Let her go, Gangrel!" I snapped as he and I stared at each other for a bit, Maribelle gasping upon seeing Lissa.
"Lissa? Darling, is that you?" she responded.
"This girl crossed the Plegian border without our consent," Aversa informed, "And what's more… she wounded the brave Plegian soldiers who sought only to escort her safely home."
"LIES! You speak nothing but lies, hag! Did they not teach the meaning of the word "truth" in wretched-crone school?!"
"...You see? No manners at all. Such a nasty little bird simply had to be caged."
"A very likely story, Aversa. I know Troubadours, and trust me, Maribelle wouldn't hurt a fly," Lora responded.
"And yet even a kitten with such a demeanor could suddenly snap at a moment's notice."
"Such a violent temper speaks to her guilt," Gangrel responded, looking disgusted, "This will call for a weighty punishment. And if she were to later confess to being an Ylissean spy? My goodness!"
Gangrel then suddenly laughed again, making me grab my Driver On Ring.
"It would take an act of CONSIDERABLE good faith to repair our relations." he finished.
"I have done nothing wrong!" Maribelle insisted, "It is they who should confess! They are the ones who invaded Ylisse. They razed an entire village! When I attempted to intervene, they took me and dragged me across the border, not to mention Gangrel himself is a Phantom! Let the plundered shops, charred homes, and despairing survivors of that village serve as my proof!"
"I knew it!" I growled, slipping on my Driver On ring as Gangrel sighed.
"Not all Phantoms are evil, my dear," he reminded, green markings appearing on his face before he transformed into a Phantom that had black legs, a green upper body with silver armor and a yellow spot on his chest while maintaining Gangrel's yellow cape, and his overall appearance somehow reminded me of a gremlin, "Besides, it would only prove that Ylisse has a bandit problem and an issue of local Phantoms going rogue-both something I hear oft of late."
My gaze continued to be fixated on this Phantom as he appeared to give off a solemn expression, head towards the ground.
"But indeed, tonight I shall weep salty tears into my pillow for your dead villagers," the Gremlin Phantom that was Gangrel assured as many of us looked uneasy, especially me, Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, and most of the Shepherds seeing that aside from Raimi as the Yuki-Onna Phantom, these mystic-based monsters were all enemies of ours… though strangely Lora didn't appear to be fazed much.
"Your Grace, please!" Maribelle pleaded, the Exalt having her head down.
"Peace, Maribelle. I believe you," she assured, looking up at the Gremlin Phantom, "King Gangrel, Phantom or not, I request that you release this woman at once. Surely you and I can sort out these affairs without the need for hostages."
"Without so much an apology?" Gangrel tsked, "Why should I even bother with parley? I'm within my rights to have her head this instant and be home in time for supper."
"You black-hearted devil!" Chrom shouted.
"Yea! You WILL release her!" I added, flashing my ring across my buckle.
= DRIVER ON! PLEASE! =
"Or so the gods help me, I will feed you to Lora's BeastChimera right now!" I added to my response, the Phantom merely sighing as he reverted to his human form.
"Really, that's it? Control your dog and ill-tempered wyvern, my dear Exalt," Gangrel replied, "Before they get someone hurt."
Chrom and I just growled in response.
"Now then, your Graceliness," Gangrel started again, "Perhaps we can arrange a trade? You give me the Fire Emblem, and I return Mari Contrary here in one piece."
"I knew there was a catch," Lora growled, fist clenched tightly
"Wait… the Fire Emblem?" I gawked, confused, Lora having describe it as a shield of sorts with five indents for five different gemstones.
"You would ask for Ylisse's royal treasure? But why?" Emmeryn questioned.
"Because I know the legend! The Fire Emblem is the key to having all one's wishes realized. I have desired it for years. YEARS!" Gangrel shouted, "...Yet my birthday comes and goes each year and nothing from Ylisse."
He chuckled, but it was here Emmeryn seemed to lose a bit of patience.
"The Emblem's power is meant for a single purpose, King Gangrel: to save the world and its people at their hour of most desperate need… to prevent global despair. Would you claim a more noble wish?" she called out.
"I want what every Plegian-a grisly end for every last Ylissean! What could be more noble than that?" he cackled, turning into his Phantom form again, "Plus, think of all the Phantoms that could be born out of such a wish being granted!"
"What?"
"Surely you have not forgotten what the last exalt did to my people, both human and Phantom?" he sighed, reverting to human form again, "Your father named us heathens! That's why no Phantom could roam Ylissean streets freely! His 'crusade' across Plegia and against Phantom-kind butchered countless of my subjects and my kin! In fact my host, the very man I have taken over for, fell into despair from what has become of his homeland because of your father! Now I carry on in his name, and I shall make a world perfect for all Plegians and Phantoms!"
I couldn't believe this. The previous exalt did that to Phantoms? I mean, I knew there were Phantoms that were bad, but he treated them all the same. I just couldn't believe it.
"...I have never denied Ylisse's past wrongdoings," Emmeryn told Gangrel, snapping me out of my thoughts, "But I have sworn to never repeat those mistakes. Ours is now a realm of peace."
"Yours is now a haven of hypocrisy!" Gangrel countered, "Now give me the Fire Emblem!"
"No, Your Grace!" Maribelle shouted, "I'd sooner die than act as a bargaining chip for this filthy reprobate!"
"No, Maribelle…" Emmeryn muttered as Gangrel sighed.
"Ugh… Taaaaaalk talk-talk-talk-talk. It's time to speak louder than words!" he shouted, "This negotiation is over, Your Luminosity! I shall have the Emblem if I have to pry it from your shiny dead hands!"
More forces came to attack Emmeryn, but then Chrom and Bruford rushed in, attacking the Brigands with their blades. It didn't take long for them to stop two random axe-wielders.
"Stay back!" Chrom shouted, Bruford nodding, "Or you'll all suffer the same fate!"
"Now that's a declaration of war if I've ever heard one…" Gangrel pointed out, "A big messy war that will bleed you Ylisseans dry!"
He laughed loudly in response as Aversa approached Maribelle, Lora seeming to leave our group.
"Poor, stupid girl," Aversa sighed to herself, "Are you really worth fighting a war over? Years from now, you'll be remembered only as she who destroyed House Ylisse."
"No… that's not…" Maribelle gawked in disbelief before muttering, "Oh, Lissa… Please no…"
I started to panic, not seeing Lora grin as I rushed over to help Maribelle, and suddenly…
= EXPLOSION! *bell ring* NOW! =
The Ruffian was suddenly blown up, forced to the ground as I stopped in shock to examine what happened. Then, Ricken, who had seemingly been missing the whole time, rushed up to Maribelle, making Aversa gawk as the tome-wielder stood between the women.
"Maribelle! Go! You're free!" Ricken shouted.
"RICKEN?! What are you doing here? And what was that just now?" Maribelle gasped in shock.
"Just run! We can talk about it later!" he responded, Maribelle about to run when Aversa interrupted.
"Oh, is this your little boyfriend?" Aversa grinned, "Isn't he just precious."
"Don't talk down to me, witch!" he snapped, his voice suddenly sounding like two wa much deeper voice overlapped with his own, showing off a change ring with an orange gem on his left hand and a ring similar to my Driver On ring, but with a ring border for the hand. He then made movements similar to mine, pre-transformation.
= DRIVER ON! *Bell ring* NOW! =
"What the?" I gawked as Ricken now had a similar belt to my own except while it had some silver, it was mostly black compared to mine which was mostly silver, the hand author having a red trim with the tips having claws instead of being trimmed in gold.
Then, Ricken flipped his Driver and prepared the silver and orange Style ring as a deeper voice called out from said driver.
= SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN! SHABADOOBIE TOUCH TO HENSHIN! =
"Henshin!" Ricken declared, flashing the ring on his left hand over his buckle.
= CHANGE! *bell ring* NOW! =
With a light golden magic circle forming before him, Ricken's usual smirk turned into a scowl as the circle engulfed him, forming an armored mage in all white with gold trim, silver ring chains on his chest, black gloves, cuffs, and anklets with gold trim, and a hood over his orange mask that looked like a roughly cut gem with silver edges to form the mask.
"Wait, what?!" Aversa gawked as Gangrel noticed this, too.
"So you're the White Wizard every Phantom in Plegia's spread rumors about!" he shouted, Ricken/White Wizard not saying a word this time as he slipped on a silver ring with the green gem depicting a dragon forming a tornado with its wings before the mage flipped his Driver again, flashing said ring over his buckle.
= TORNADO! *bell ring* NOW! =
As he held out his hand, a green magic circle appeared between him and Aversa before he shouted, causing a burst of wind magic to launch out, making Aversa gasp and be forced back by the blast with a grunt.
"W-wind magic?" she gawked.
"Come on, Maribelle! We fight together!" the white armored mage told the troubadour, who snapped out of her shock.
"R-Right!" she nodded, readying her staff, the White Wizard keeping up the tornado for a bit to allow him and Maribelle to slip by.
"You little wretched whelp. I should…" Aversa growled before calming down, "No. Even with the White Wizard, our soldiers have them outnumbered. The brats will be dead long before they can reach their comrades."
"...I don't know how I heard or saw all that, but I am even more confused right now," I admitted.
"Best not stall, Logan," Lora responded, pulling out her rapier, "Not transforming right away considering Gangrel's not taking the field. Save your magic energy for when one of the Plegian Phantoms does appear."
"Uh… r-right," I nodded, preparing my bronze sword as the rest of us got into position for combat.
Seeing everyone ready for battle, Gangrel laughed with insane joy.
"I have my war!" he cheered, turning to a wyvern Rider, "Captain Orton! Remain here, and take down as many Ylisseans as you can. You can expect reinforcements from the forts as well, human and Ghouls. Now, do your best-at doing your worst!"
He laughed again as he fled the scene.
"Damn! He got away!" Sully growled.
"We'll get him next time," Stahl assured.
"Perhaps it would be wise to eliminate the brigands within the vicinity to secure the Exalt's safety," Miriel suggested.
"Good call," I agreed, "Move out and eliminate all enemies!"
"You heard our tactician, take them out!" Chrom shouted as we all rushed in, taking out the troops.
With that, all the Shepherds and mages split up to take out the various troops. The battle appeared to take forever as troops came out of not just the forts, but even the shadows, making me suspect something was up. Then I sensed another Phantom nearby, Bruford slashing the Ghouls in half before a large red-skinned and horned Phantom with an axe riding a wyvern appeared.
"Bruford! Abanai!" I shouted, making the taller man turn to block the axe with his sword.
"I, Orton, by order of King Gangrel, will not rest until you are dead!" he shouted, slashing away as I pulled out my Hurricane Ring, but then he tossed something at me, making me paralyzed.
"Logan!" everyone gasped as I simply fell to the ground, able to see and hear, but nothing else.
"I won't ask your name, you dragon. Only your life," he chuckled, making my eyes widen… dragon… where have I heard that before?
I somehow flashed back to a far off memory that I didn't recall. It was blurry for the most part, as I bore witness to something unexpected. Myself with many others alone under a solar eclipse. I heard a familiar laugh as the area around me suddenly began to emanate a purple light. Thankfully, it was just in the flashback as said flashback was frayed out. However, I could see people suddenly gaining purple cracks all over their bodies as they fell to their knees. Cracks spread as the people screamed in despair, the cries echoing in my ears. It was troublesome for me, but then I saw my flashback self looking horrified. It was one thing to hear how Phantoms were created and released, but I realized that's what happened in my flashback as humans were forced into despair, the purple glows changing as they died, their human shells exploding off as the Phantoms were released. Even as humans died around both me and my flashback self, the cries of despair rang even louder. Then I saw cracks on my past self form as his eyes flashed purple.
"Wait… does this mean I…?" I gasped in disbelief as my past self fell to the ground as dragon wings burst out of his cracks, the cracks continuing to spread.
"You did indeed fall into despair," a new deep voice told me as the flashback slowed and I turned to see a mirror duplicate of myself walk towards me, in full color, but I could sense an energy from him that was like mine, but also like a much more powerful Phantom, "I was hoping to see you again."
"...I vaguely remember… the cries of despair…" I muttered, "People begging for relief… for the end… it was terrifying."
"And you may not remember, but you sympathized with them… recalling your own dark past…"
I fell to my knees as this Phantom copy of myself walked around me.
"I couldn't take the pain… it was too much… I wanted it to end," I recalled.
"And I began to take form, making you aware of the potential you held…" my double continued before transforming into a silver and golden dragon with black markings and red gem-like features, hovering around me, "And yet, despite your past that you no longer recall much of, despite your losses, despite not being able to help…"
We both then looked to my flashback self and I gasped. I didn't have the face of despair, wanting to die and be spared the pain… I saw renewed determination. A new vigor for life.
"No… I won't die here…" he panted despite the pain and despair, slowly looking skyward, "I CAN'T! ...This world is without it… but mom was right! I can help… I WILL help! ...If my Phantom will aid me…"
As Logan was paralyzed, he seemed frozen when…
= BARRIER! *bell ring* NOW! =
Orton the Oni Phantom swung his axe down only to be stopped by the White Wizard's magic circle as said mags rushed over, wielding a lance of sorts before slashing the Phantom off.
"Please Logan… we need you…" he muttered as Lora, Frederick, Chrom, and Lissa rushed over.
"LOGAN! GET UP!" Lissa screamed.
I suddenly heard Lissa's voice, recalling that without my memories, they gave me purpose. Then I remembered what I felt back then when I first met the Phantom I then remembered was mine.
"Ore ga… Ore ga…!" my flashback self shouted, reaching for the sun, now determined, but something was muted out even though I could read his lips, "Please become my new strength that'll form as I awaken new friendships and memories… and allow me to spread what I am… koi… DRAGON!"
I saw past me clench his fist as his purple glow suddenly turned gold, the glow itself engulfing the area as I turned to my inner Phantom.
"Dragon?" I realized.
"Yes. Now that you remember me, I will be willing to not only lend you my power in combat, but also contact with you as needed, and you can summon me as needed," Dragon told me.
"...I see… then help me pull through… and lend me your strength… DRAGON!" I shouted, Dragon just nodding as the light engulfed us.
"ENOUGH!" Orton shouted as he slash White Wizard away before trying to slash Logan again, when suddenly…
= DEFEND! PLEASE! =
"What?!" Orton gawked, but he was too late as a wall of fire forced him back, the fire blinding everyone, blocking Logan from their line of sight, but then…
= FLAME! PLEASE! =
= HI! HI! HI HI HI! =
The fire then got absorbed into another magic circle, revealing Wizard.
"Sorry for the shock, guys," I called out.
"Logan!" the others gasped as I pulled out a new magic ring, surprising the White Wizard that was Ricken as well as Lora before I flipped my Driver.
= LUPATCH MAGIC! TOUCH GO! LUPATCH MAGIC! TOUCH GO! =
"Time to show you my inner Phantom," I smirked, slipping on the silver and orange ring that depicted my Phantom, WizarDragon.
"Eh?! He knows?" Lora whispered under her breath.
"Let's do it… DRAGON!" I shouted, flashing the new ring over my buckle.
= DRAGORISE~! PLEASE! =
With a new sound, I held up my hand, forming a magic circle above me, causing Dragon himself to emerge from it with a loud roar.
"N-No way! That's the…?!" the Phantom gawked, but we wasted no time as I simply aimed my hand at the Oni, Dragon screeching a roar before crashing into the Phantom and his wyvern.
"...Well don't just stand down here! Get on his back! If you don't, he'll go out of control outside your Underworld!" Lora shouted as I gave her a thumbs up before leaping up.
= CONNECT! PLEASE! =
Pulling out my WizarSwordGun, I landed on Dragon's back and rode him like the wyvern riders did, dragon clawing at the Phantom and his wyvern, before I slashed multiple times on passing.
"Impressive work," White Wizard admitted as Lora looked stunned while I tossed my WizarSwordGun away, pulling out my Kick Strike ring.
"Finale da," I declared as WizarDragon took to the air and I flipped my Hand Author.
= LUPATCH MAGIC! TOUCH GO! =
= CHOU NE! KICK STRIKE! SAIKOU~! =
Sudden, as I lifted into the air, Dragon roared as he shifted to appear like a foot, a new platform forming from his back and wings for me as I kicked it, causing us both to dive down. Everyone gasped as they saw me and Dragon fly down, an aura of my Wizard armor emitting from Dragon to show he acted like a giant foot. Orton the Oni Phantom panicked as we approached before I kicked him.
"This matters not, ring-bearing magician," he growled, "Soon war will be upon… your soil…"
He chuckled as he and his wyvern fell, the Phantom exploding in defeat as Dragon landed on the ground while I was launched off, flipping midair before landing myself, catching my breath.
"Phew!" I sighed with relief, Dragon reverting to normal as Lora approached me with him.
"Hey… sorry about hiding that from you… I didn't know how you'd react, an-" Lora started as I held up my hand.
"Don't worry. It's all good," I assured, "Dragon here is just as much an ally as Raimi and Chimera, as well as whatever Phantom lies within Bruford."
"Valkyrie no doubt. My senses of other Phantoms is so strong you can sense who is a Phantom in disguise and who isn't," Dragon pointed out.
"That would explain a lot," Lora admitted.
"...Still, I'm glad we're on equal terms," I smiled at Dragon.
"If you need me, you know how to summon me," Dragon replied as he flew at me, turning into magic before my body absorbed him.
"...Whoa… that was weird."
Lora just nodded as Maribelle joined us with Lissa running up to her.
"Maribelle!" she shouted, running over to her friend, the two hugging it out for a moment, "Are you hurt?!"
"Nothing I didn't return twofold, darling," she assured with a smile.
"Well, I'm glad you're safe," I replied in response.
"Who…? Oh, it's you."
"Yes, I know you're not especially fond of me, but it's a relief just the same."
"Oh, it's not a question of fondness. I am simply protective of Lissa. My treasure is very sensitive, and… Wait. Am I really justifying myself to a commoner? Gods…"
Lora couldn't help but giggle in response as Maribelle cleared her throat.
"Yes, well, I do...apologize for being curt. And… And… And you have my thanks for your part in my rescue. There, I said it!"
She simply gave a curtsy to me in response, and out of respect I bowed back to her.
After a bit, Lora, Bruford and I approached Ricken.
"Ok, it's time for an explanation, huh?" the younger mage sighed.
"You can tell us later… but I wanted to say thank you, Ricken," I smiled, "Not only have you helped out in saving Maribelle, you helped me realize why I'm still around…"
"And why's that?"
"...I'm here to bring hope to others. In this time of war, hope is the most important thing we could use… to assure the people that things will be alright."
"...Glad you can see that. Now let's get back with Chrom."
I nodded as we rejoined Chrom and Frederick, who were looking at the Exalt herself.
"Forgive me, Emm," Chrom sighed, "I acted rashly."
"It's all right, Chrom," she assured, "King Gangrel is the one at fault here. You were only protecting me."
"The Mad King will be rallying his forces, if they have not mobilized already," Frederick pointed out, "I suggest we make haste back to Ylisstol and discuss our strategy."
"Of course, Frederick," Emmeryn nodded, "It seems war is upon us. We must protect the Ylissean people at all costs."
After getting back to Ylisstol, the group stopped by to set up camp once more. Lora left early to prepare something as several of the troops formed up for a round of training, Chrom and Vaike being present.
"All right, everyone! Let's pair off and try some one-on-one sparring," Chrom told the troops, Vaike smirking as he walked up, axe in hand.
"Oh-hoh! You ready to take on Teach, Chrom?" he chuckled, making Chrom sigh.
"Vaike, maybe we should find new partners. Just to keep things fresh."
"Pshaw! We're rivals," Vaike scoffed, "We have to fight! Ya can't turn your back on fate! ...Plus, I was really close to beatin' ya last time. Really, REALLY close."
"Er, right. If you say so. But still, I think we should-"
"No, it's fine. I know what you're doing. You're trying to psych me out!"
"Oh, come on! If we don't mix it up, we'll never keep ourselves sharp."
"Oh, I see. Not enough suspense for ya, is that it? Then let's spice it up with a little wager! Everything we own-winner takes all!"
Chrom just gave the determined Vaike a disapproving look.
"...Vaike? We're training for war. I can't very well gamble with the royal treasury," he pointed out.
"Fine, fine! No gold. But how about this…" Vaike started with a new wager, "The loser has to sneak up behind Frederick and pull down his pantaloons!"
"...Are you mad? Frederick would chop you up like firewood! And then make a fire!"
"What's this now? Is someone...chicken?" Vaike mocked, soon clucking like a chicken, ticking off the prince.
"Oh, ALL RIGHT!" Chrom snapped, "I'll spar with you! ...Just stop that ridiculous clucking."
"Har har! Yes! Now Chrom's got a full head of steam! Show ol' Teach what ya got!"
While the crew were in the midst of training, Donnel was walking around, exploring the city for the first time before coming across Miriel.
"Say, Miriel? Do ya have a minute?" he asked, only to get silence as she was looking in a book of hers, "Er, Miriel?"
Still no response, but now she was just looking.
"Hey! Miriel!" Donnel shouted, making her gasp and scream.
"What is it? Why are you shouting?"
"I tried gettin' yer attention, but you was off in yer own world."
"Yes. When I read, I often immerse myself in it to the exclusion of all else," Miriel informed.
"Seems like yer always readin', Miriel," Donnel pointed out.
"I strive to utilize my time efficaciously. What free time I have, I spend reading."
"I reckon ya must'a studied a whole bunch by now, huh?"
"I cannot say whether my breadth of my scholarship constitutes 'a bunch'," she pointed out, "But I have studied more than the average person, that much is incontrovertible."
"In that case, I got a favor I wanna ask ya for… Miriel, will ya teach me?"
"Teach you what?" she inquired.
"Er, I dunno. Math and science and that kinda stuff, I guess."
"Why?"
"If I learn my subjects now, I'll be able to help my village when the war's done. We got no school back home, so there ain't no one what knows about book learnin'."
"Fascinating. I can instruct you in the basic theories of the usual courses," Miriel replied, "You may, however, find none of it to be off immediate practical use."
"Well, so long as I know the theory, I can always think up ways to use it."
"Are you literate?" she inquired.
"Ol' Goatkeep Gran knew her letters. She taught me how to read all right," Donnel assured.
"I cannot instruct you beyond the bounds of my own kin, but I will attempt the basics."
"Well, much obliged then, Miriel!"
"Be forewarned-I am not easy on my pupils."
"I wouldn't want ya to be!"
Back with the sparring, Chrom and Vaike agreed to a stalemate. Sully and Stahl on the other hand…
"...Enough! I yield!" Stahl shouted, having dropped to the ground with her sparring partner's lance near his neck, making Sully groan as she pulled it away.
"Oh, come on. You're better than this! Now you're just letting me win," Sully exclaimed.
"No one LETS you win anything, Sully. You take victories by force."
"Pfft. That's your excuse?"
"Hey, you know what I'm like."
"You lack confidence because you don't know yourself well enough. Here, shake my hand," Sully responded, holding out her hand, Stahl looking confused, "...Go on! Shake the damn thing!"
"Er, all right," Stahl nodded, shaking Sully's hand.
"Well? What do you feel? Tell me how my hand and yours are different."
"Well, yours is smaller than I would have thought," Stahl admitted, "...And really soft! It's kind of nice, actually."
"You're getting distracted. Focus on the first thing you said," Sully retorted, "You're bigger than me, and you've got more muscle. Also, you're a better rider. So explain how it is that I keep kicking your arse all over the battlefield."
"I don't know!" he protested, now having let go of Sully's hand, "I guess you just project this...aura. Like you're going to eat me for breakfast, you know?"
"All in your head! Change your attitude, and you'll be a better fighter overnight."
"You really think so? Hmm… Wait! Now you're pushing me around in a different way."
"Except that I'm right. And if you're smart, you'll listen to me. So what do you say? Another round?" Sully offered.
"You're on. And I'm standing my ground this time!"
Lora and Sumia were both in the kitchen, doing a few things. Sumia looked over and noticed Lora setting up a platter of meats as she baked her pies.
"Hello, Lora. What're you making?" Sumia asked.
"Oh, hi Sumia. Just getting some meats prepared for one of the boys," Lora informed.
"It's for Frederick, isn't it?"
"Yea?"
"That's nice. You seemed really close to him, and now you're helping him overcome his fears, right?"
"How'd you guess?"
"Luck, I suppose. Still, it must be nice to be so close to one of the men. I'm just a bit clumsy most of the time."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short, Sumia. You actually seem to be very close to Chrom. Must closer than anyone I've ever seen, even in comparison to Logan, and he's the tactician."
"R-Really? Oh… well… I guess so."
"You just need confidence in yourself and you'll be fine. But you don't need me when you got those pies of yours. Heard you got him to eat rhubarb; that's a first."
"Like I told Chrom, anything can taste great if you know how to season it properly."
"Just the kind of mindset I came in with when curing meats for Freddy Bear," Lora added, the two giggling a bit, "Well… maybe we can exchange words of advice for when we cook next time?"
"It's a deal," Sumia smiled, taking out her pie, "Well, I'd better bring this to Chrom."
"Yea. And I need to bring this over to Frederick, too. See ya."
Chrom was cleaning Falchion after his spar with Vaike as Frederick marched over.
"I've completed my patrol of the encampment, milord," he informed Chrom, "All appears to be in order. I found no sign of the enemy nearby. I believe we are safe here for the night."
"Good to hear. Thank you, Frederick," Chrom nodded.
"While on my rounds, I took it upon myself to inspect our weaponry as well. I've placed any items that showed exceptional wear outside your pavilion," Frederick added, showing a pile of weapons outside Chrom's tent in the encampment, "Be your choice to sell or repair them, sire, I recommend swift action."
"...Oh. Well, you HAVE been busy," Chrom noted, seeing the large pile, "Your work ethic always impresses, Frederick. I almost feel lazy by comparison."
"Nonsense. I've done nothing more than my duty as a knight of Ylisse. Oh, and beg pardon, milord, but I noticed you often cause a ruckus when training. With that in mind, I reinforced the tents near any open areas you're like to use."
"Er, yes. I see," Chrom noted, looking a bit ashamed, "Sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble at all, milord," Frederick assured, "Happy to help. ...Also, with the nights growing colder, I procured blankets from a nearby village."
Chrom looked shocked when Frederick showed a cart he brought with several blankets.
"I've readied a variety of colors so you might pick that which best suits you," Frederick continued, picking up both a peach colored blanket and a blue one, "If I may be so bold, sire, peach would seem to best flatter your complexion. But perhaps blue. Just to be safe?"
Chrom just hesitantly nodded in response to the latter color.
"Yes, that's best. Blue it is!" Frederick declared, handing Chrom the blue blanket, and giving him two more blankets like it, "Here you are, milord. And two sets of spares, just in case."
"Frederick, do you never tire?" Chrom asked.
"Of course not, milord. I am here to serve. Ah, and one final thing: I've taken measures to raise troop numbers and morale. I had an artisan create posters emblazoned with your noble image. It's milord in a bold pose-naked, save for a scale in one hand and a sword in the other. And at your feet, I scrawled our new recruiting motto: 'Chrom Wants You!' I had them pinned inside each and every tent. Surely the troops will be thrilled to rally behind their common leader, milord."
Chrom's jaw dropped at the description of the image in question, unintentionally dropping the blankets when Frederick finished with a smile.
"...Wait. You did what?!" Chrom gawked, "In whose… You hung this pict… in EVERYONE'S tent?!"
"No need for thanks, milord," Frederick assured, "Merely doing my duty. And that concludes my report. Rest well, sire!"
"F-Frederick! Wait! We really need to… talk," Chrom responded, but Frederick had left before he could finish, leaving Chrom in a panic about the posters, "...Oh, gods. I've got to tear those posters down before anyone sees them!"
And so, Chrom dashed out of the room to find the posters Frederick commissioned.
As Chrom rushed between tents to get rid of the pictures, Frederick walked towards his quarters, only to see Lora walk over with a cart that held trays of various meats.
"Hey there, Freddy Bear!" Lora smiled, "I've got some new cured meat for you to try..."
"I'll thank you not to refer me by that ridiculous name," Frederick replied, a scowl on his face, "And I'm not so gullible as to fall for your bear-jerky trick twice."
"Oh? I thought you were serious about getting over this, Frederick," the mage pointed out as Frederick just gave a suspicious gaze at her, "Look, I'm not a monster. I prepared a whole series of meats in order of gaminess. We can take it slow."
Frederick examined the meats, and, indeed, they were all rather different looking, not just bear. He sighed before regaining composure.
"...Well, I suppose I did ask for this," he replied.
"All right, then," Lora smiled, using her own fork and knife to cut up pieces of some of the meats, handing Frederick his own fork to try them, "We'll start with chicken, then pork, and then beef."
Frederick just nodded, sampling the meats in the order Lora listed, and since they were the more common meats, he took them down easily with a smile, enjoying the tastes.
"...Hmm. Excellent so far," Frederick nodded.
"Next is mutton. It starts to get a little tricky here," she pointed out, Frederick taking down the piece of meat, having a tiny look of uncertainty as he tasted the mutton, but he swallowed it nonetheless.
"Hmm… this is… manageable."
"You're doing great! Ok, this one's venison," Lora continued, Frederick taking the meat into his mouth as he started to chew, but Lora couldn't help but crack a tiny smile, "By which I mean bear."
Shock taking over, Frederick spat out the meat and gagged, dropping the fork as he got to his knees, hand over his throat as if to cough up what was left.
"Augh! By the gods! I'm dy-I'm dying! Dying!" he panicked, acting like he was fading, "Ah… it's s-so dark… T-tell Chrom… that…"
Frederick just gagged again, face towards the ground as Lora groaned a bit.
"Oh, stop exaggerating! Otherwise you might die here-you won't last long on the battle...field?" Lora responded, suddenly realizing something as she brought her hand to her head, "Whoa. I just had some intense deja vu."
"I said the same to you once upon a training session, and I was right. If I succumb to this, I can't well protect everyone on the front lines…" Frederick pointed out and admitted, standing up, having recovered before taking another piece of the venison, now more prepared and looking more stalwart than before, "My body is ready, Lora. The next sample, if you please!"
"You talked yourself back into it? Impressive. And perhaps a little disturbing… Ah, well. Whatever works," Lora shrugged, using her own utensils to pick up the next piece for Frederick, "Let's finish this, Frederick! Open wide!"
(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, Miriel, Donnel, Maribelle, Ricken (who had the ghostly image of White Wizard/Wiseman behind him), Bruford, Yui, Vanille, and Mitsuji 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: Did you see that twist coming? Especially so early into the story? Bet you didn't. Now let me clarify… White Wizard is not a villain here. As you can see, Ricken is the White Wizard, and yet he's the same Ricken we've seen in the game. But his origins for how he became the White Wizard will be explained later. And now Logan knows of Dragon's existence, and they're already on good terms. Plus, this shows how Awakening of Hope Phantoms are different from the typical kind seen on the show. So with that in mind, I hope you enjoyed, here are the available pairs for new characters
Girls: Sully, Miriel, Nowi, Tharja
Guys: Vaike, Donnel, Lon'qu, Ricken, Libra, Henry
KKD: Remember, if I should include Spotpass characters as well, let me know And as usual, here are the character formats.
Rider and Normal Characters
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: Finally, we have character supports as of right now.
Support Rankings
Lora & Frederick: A
Logan & Chrom: C
Chrom & Lissa: C
Logan & Lora: B
Chrom & Sumia: B
Logan & Lissa: C
Frederick & Sully: C
Frederick & Miriel: C
Logan & Bruford: C
Stahl & Sully: B
Frederick & Virion: C
Chrom & Vaike: C
Lora & Sumia: C
Chrom & Frederick: C
KKD: If you have any questions, don't hesitate to put them in the reviews and I'll get to them as soon as I can. And until next time, this is KKD Silver signing out. *salutes* Jaa ne.