Gods, this is SO LONG. (Longest chapter to date, I think, for any story of mine. 3,652 words in this chapter XD *the entire fic so far, which is just the prologue and two chapters to far, is already 7,020 words XD*) I promise, I won't make them this long all the time. I didn't realize it was going to be THIS long when I started. I'll have to think of a way to split chapters... If I can. Looks like I have lots of cliffhangers ahead of me XD Also, multiple view points this chapter! First we have Len (my nickname for Lenna), then Chrom and finally Kor (my nickname for Korru.)

I also just realized that I have NO IDEA what pairings I should do past like four. SO! I ask that you guys give suggestions as to which pairings I should do.

Characters taken: Two of my OC's, MU, Lon'qu, Owain and Tiki.

So please, ANSWER THIS! I need help!

Review Replies:

GoldenLombaxGirl: (1st review) Glad your excited ^^ (2nd Review) Haha, yeah I love Lon'qu too. Lon'qu and Owain, my two all time favorite characters from Awakening. And Lon'qu's story IS tragic. I'm definitely going to be revealing it in this fic, since I'm making my own supports with him and his future wife.

One more thing: Expect me to include as many quotes in this fic from the game as I possibly can. I'll at least get close to them. I'm currently playing Korru's world (I know, I know. I created an Avatar when I didn't even play his world X3) so I should remember a lot. (Provided I don't have to restart again. *growl* It's really hard to marry Chrom to Oliva, my gods...)

Okay, before I go on a rant, here's the chapter ^^

Chapter 2

"I told you!" Lissa complained as they all stopped for the night. "I told you it was getting dark!" She batted in front of her face. "And now the bugs are out. Oh, why couldn't we have stayed in—AGH! Won goph in mah mouph! Blech! Ptooey!"

Chrom gave her an amused look. "Oh come on, Lissa! Hardship builds character! Do you want to help me gather fire wood?"

Lissa coughed. "Ugh, I think I swallowed it..." She glared at Chrom. "No thank you! I think I've built quite enough character today!"

Korru chuckled. "I bet swallowing a bug would build character."

Lissa glared at him and he gave a nervous chuckle. She finally sighed and helped Lenna set up the bed rolls around the campfire as the others split off. Frederick and Korru went to hunt while Chrom went to gather firewood. Chrom returned first, and about ten minutes later, Frederick and Korru returned, lugging a small bear with them. Lissa made a face and sighed, Lenna's mouth was watering slightly and the others ignored it. Frederick started the fire, the Great Knight obviously skilled in fire starting. He then bustled about, readying the meat. Finally, it was done cooking and everyone sat down to eat.

"Ah…." Chrom sighed contentedly. "It's been too long since I last had bear meat. Delicious!"

"Ughhh…" Lissa moaned. She turned and gave Frederick a glare. "Couldn't you have speared as an animal normal people it for once? I mean who eats bear?! It's meddling with the food chain!"

"Meat is meat, Lissa." Chrom pointed out, grinning.

"Since when does meat smell like old boots?! Wait I take that back—BOOTS SMELL BETTER!" Lissa half shouted. She turned to Korru. "Right, Korru?"

The ginger haired tactician was too busy eating to answer her. Lissa groaned. "I guess anyone would be hungry after not eating for days."

Lenna was only half listening, chomping on her portion hungrily. She dimly remembered that she'd only had an apple as her breakfast the day she lost her memory. That was the only thing she remembered. Of course it would about food. She was a wolf after all!

"How come I don't see you eating, Frederick." Lissa commented slyly.

"Oh I—I had a large lunch. Yes, quite." The Great Knight responded.

"Yeah right, Frederick!" Lissa frowned.

Lenna looked up, ears perked. She was gnawing on a bone. "I'll eat it."

Everyone burst out laughing. She frowned. "What?"

After that, they shared funny stories. Or rather, the Shepard's shared funny stories while the two new members of the group listened contentedly. Finally, Chrom looked at both of them. "I've been thinking, as we were walking." He began. "Lenna, with your speed and skill, and Korru, with your tactics… would you like to join the Shepard's?"

They both started in surprise. As they stared at the blue haired Lord in shock, Frederick cut in. "Milord, are you certain? We don't know that we can trust these two!"

Chrom smiled. "They fought for Ylisse. My heart says that's enough."

"And your head? Will you not listen to it as well?" Frederick frowned.

"We could use another fighter like Lenna, and we need a tactician." Chrom pointed out. "Would you really lose that?"

Frederick sighed and submitted. Korru smiled. "I'd love to join, Chrom."

Lenna nodded, flicking an ear. "So would I."

"Then it's settled. We'll make it official in Ylisstol."

Chrom

"Chrom, are you sure we should be out this far?" Lissa asked her brother, looking around. "If Frederick and the others wake up, they'll be worried."

Chrom frowned. "Yeah, I know. But I still feel like something is wrong, and I want to get to the bottom of it."

Suddenly the ground rumbled and large cracks spread quickly through the ground. Lissa shrieked in terror and Chrom stumbled across the quaking ground to shield her. He could almost sense the ground rising. "Lissa. Run."

"Huh?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Go!" He half shoved her away.

Lissa ran and, after a moment's hesitation, Chrom followed. Just as he was clear, the earth rose up and lava gushed out. Flaming fire balls shot out of the sky. Chrom pelted after her, overtaking her and leading her to a safer place. The finally halted in a clearing and looked back at the flaming forest where they had once stood. They were both panting, Lissa more so. He she was bent over, hands on her thighs.

She suddenly straightened and pointed, fear etched in her voice as she cried, "Chrom, what is that?!"

Chrom turned quickly in time to see this weird eye shape form in the sky. Out of it fell two shapes—fighters, by their looks. They fell to the forest floor, in a direct line from the two sibling. "Lissa, you'd better stand back." Chrom growled, drawing his sword.

"Right…" Lissa nodded, voice quavering. Her staff was in her hands.

The two shapes had gotten to their feet. They were moaning and when they looked up, their eyes were red. They lurched forward and the one closest to Chrom and Lissa let out a shrieking roar. Something black and smoke like drifted from its mouth and he charged the Lord. Chrom stopped his ax and quickly darted forward, slashing his sword, Falchion, through it.

But it wasn't enough.

Realizing the creature hadn't died, Chrom whirled around and blocked the blow. He knocked off balance and it fell over. Chrom leaped up and plunged his sword into the area he assumed its heart would be—if it even had a heart. The creature died, disintegrating into purplish black smoke. Chrom remained in the position, panting and trying to figure out what the hell these things were. A sudden shrill scream split the air and all thoughts vanished to panic. "Lissa!"

The other fighter was slowly and menacingly stalking up to a trapped Lissa. She held her staff in front of her and backed up till her back was against a boulder. The fight raised its ax, obviously enjoying the terror in Lissa. No, no, no! Chrom thought, charging closer. He barely registered someone thumping down onto the ground. Deep down, Chrom knew he wasn't going to get to his sister in time.

And suddenly, a young man with blue hair the same shade as Chrom's darted forward and blocked the blow. Chrom halted in shock. The man was facing Lissa with his sword behind him. His face was covered by a mask. He was grunting with the strain of holding the sword and he glanced up at Chrom. "Help!" He called.

"…Right!" Chrom darted forward, bringing his sword up to slash. The fighter drew back and looked at him and the masked man used that to his advantage. The two blue-haired swordfighters slashed their swords through the creature and it dissolved into that strange purple black smoke.

The man sheathed his sword, his back hiding it from view. Chrom, after checking on Lissa and with Falchion still in hand, walked a little closer. "Quite an entrance. What's your name?"

He didn't answer, and then the sound of horse hooves made the siblings spin around.

Korru

One minute he's having a peaceful dream, the next he's trying to scramble to he's feet as the earth shook beneath him. Lenna was grunting a fittingly wolf-like grunt as she tried to get to her feet, Frederick's war horse was squealing and Frederick himself was crying out as he tried to get to his feet.

The earth stopped shaking after what felt like hours and the three of them realized Chrom and Lissa were missing. Lenna instantly started sniffing the air while Frederick and Korru gazed in horror at the suddenly burning forest.

"They went that way!" Lenna cried, pointing towards the fire.

Frederick wasted no time. He vaulted onto his war horses saddle and offered his hand to Lenna. When Lenna offered her hand to Korru, the soft-spoken tactician hesitated. "He can carry us all?" He asked, motioning to the horse.

"Yes, now come on!" Frederick demanded impatiently.

Korru grabbed Lenna's hand and, once they were safely on the war horse, Frederick urged him into a sprint. Lenna guided them towards their missing friends. Finally, Frederick raced up to see Chrom and Lissa running towards them. Korru jumped off the horse, Lenna following. He looked towards the forest as Fredrick checked on Chrom and Lissa. Korru grunted as he saw the creatures. "Are those horrific things common in this place?!" He asked.

"They aren't from Ylisse, I promise you that." Chrom replied. "We have to destroy them, and quickly!"

"Aye!" Everyone chorused.

Korru and Chrom raced down together while Lenna and Frederick protected Lissa. Chrom looked at Korru. "Alright, Korru. What's our plan of attack?"

Before he could speak, a new voice floated to his ears. "Captain Chrom! I'm going! Ah, I knew I shouldn'ta left 'em…"

He turned to see a cavalier. She was dressed in red and silver armor and her hair was red. Her horse was silver. As he watched, an archer with pale blue hair ran up to her. "Wait!"

"Muh?"

"You a creature of undying beauty! Please, allow me to share my name. I am the archest of archers, Vi-"

"Sorry, Ruffles! No time for this!" She cut him off, turning away.

"Virion! My name is Virion!" He was definitely a flirt.

Virion asked for her name and she gave it to him. "I'm Sully."

"Oh, what a charming name!" Virion cried. "Will you marry me, dearest Sully?"

Korru barely held back his laugh. Sully blinked at Virion is amazement. "The hell are you… Oh I get it. This is a joke. And when I put my boot through your face—that's the punch line."

"Oh no, no! I am sincere in my—OOF!"

Sully has kicked him square in his cheek. Virion went flying and slowly sat up. "My, those shapely legs can kick, can't they?"

As Sully tried to run off again, Virion called her back. His cheek was already showing a bruise. He requested to go with her and she accepted, more out of getting him to shut up than anything else. At that point, Chrom shouted for them to fall back to Lenna, Frederick and Lissa, who were sheltering in one of the abandoned forts in the respite. Sully was obviously shocked to see the new members. "Who the hell are these two?" She demanded, looking between Lenna and Korru.

"Sully, meet our newest members, Lenna and our new tactician, Korru." Chrom introduced. "Lenna, Korru, this is Sully, one of our finest."

Sully brightened, smiling widely. "We have a dog for a warrior? Hot damn!" She looked closer. "A dog with two tails! Sweet!"

"I'm not a dog!" Lenna protested, ears flattening slightly.

Ignoring her, Sully looked at her hair. "Do you normal wear your hair like that?"

"Like what?" Lenna asked, hand flashing up to her red hair. It was loose and flowing, and rather ruffled. Her hair was also rather long. "Erm… No, don't usually wear it that way… I don't remember how I wore it, but it wasn't like this. I suppose I didn't notice…"

"You don't have a memory?" Sully asked.

"Lost it somehow." The other red-head responded. "Korru too."

"Well damn." Sully said sympathetically. She turned to Korru next. "And you are one hell of a handsome man!"

"You're not too bad on the eyes either." Korru chuckled, grinning at her.

She grinned back and then rolled her eyes as Virion bowed to Lenna. "Dear wolf! You are the most—"

"Save it, Pretty Boy." Lenna flicked an ear.

"Ooo! Pretty boy! Nice one!" Sully laughed.

Lenna just grinned a wolfish grin in return. Frederick broke the rather comical meeting with a tense growl of, "I fear the respite is over."

Chrom turned to Korru. "You didn't get a chance to form a plan last time. Now you can."

Korru studied his surroundings and then darted outside, everyone following. He sized up the approaching creatures and grunted. "Use the trees any time you can." He advised. He looked around again. "Virion! Get on top of that fort and give us ranged support! Lenna, you can do that too."

"Eh. I feel like you need more support down here." She shrugged. Putting one hand on the side of her face, she whispered to him, "If Virion is as good as he says, he should be able to handle it.

Korru snorted in amusement and turned to the others. "Frederick, stay back to protect Lissa. Lenna, Sully, split of in that direction to flank them. Chrom and I will go from this side."

Everyone nodded and split off.

The battle was over quickly, having the support of Sully and Virion. When they were finished, the stood in the clearing while Lissa ran around healing everyone. It was then that a young man with blue hair the same shade as Chrom's came up. A mask was covering his eyes.

"Hey, I didn't get a chance to thank you before, so… Thanks." Lissa murmured.

"What's your name?" Chrom asked.

The man hesitated. "You may call me Marth."

"Marth? After the Hero King of old?" Chrom replied, shocked.

"I'm not here to talk about me." Marth shook his head. "You sit on the brink of a great calamity, and it's just beginning."

He turned and walked away. Lissa cried after him, "Wait, what? Come back!"

He didn't turn or wish them good-bye. He simply vanished into the trees. Lenna flicked a tail. "Well, he's mysterious."

"Mysterious or not, we must hasten to the capital." Frederick replied. "I fear to think that the earthquake and these creatures has caused Ylisstol any harm…"

"Frederick's right. Let's go." Chrom nodded.

"Wow!" Korru cried. "I've never seen so many people!"

"And it looks peaceful too. No signs of anything that happened to us last night." Frederick sighed in relief.

The group of seven had traveled all night, reaching Ylisstol somewhere around nine in the morning. Lenna and Korru were looking around in amazement.

Frederick suddenly coughed, gaining Lenna's attention. "You may want to hide your ears and tails, Lenna. No need to scar people."

She arched a brow at him but complied none the less. They then headed into the city, where a crowd was gathering. "Look, the Exalt has come to see us!" One older man cried.

"The Exalt…?" Korru wondered. "Isn't she your leader?"

"Yes." Fredrick nodded. "Her name is Emmeryn."

"Is it safe for her to be walking around like that?" Lenna asked, flicking an ear. It was just noticeable under the hood.

"Ylisse values peace above all else." Frederick explained. "When the people were terrified, Emmeryn is what kept them together. She is a symbol of peace."

"Huh." Lenna cocked her head a bit.

"She's also the best big sister you could every wish for!" Lissa giggled.

"I'm sure she is—wait what?!" Korru spluttered, thankful he hadn't just taken a drink of something. "She's your sister?! But that makes you and Chrom…!"

"The prince and princess of the realm, yes." Frederick chuckled.

Matching expressions of horror crossed both Lenna's and Korru's faces. "Chrom! I-I mean, Prince! I'm so sorry please, forgive my terrible manners!" Lenna cried.

Chrom laughed. "Just Chrom is fine. Never been one for formalities."

"So wait, you're the Prince and you lead a band of militia?" Korru questioned.

"Emmeryn is a great ruler with a long life ahead of her. I find places to help elsewhere." Chrom shrugged. He looked up. "Oh, looks like Emm is heading back to the castle. Would you like to meet her?"

The two amnesiacs looked at each other, looked back at Chrom and nodded. Chrom lead them through the market place, waving at any citizen who happened to recognize him, Lissa doing the same. As they neared the castle, Frederick and Sully broke from the group and went on ahead to settle their horses. Lenna was looking around curiously and Korru was doing the same. He suddenly halted, staring at a mark on a banner. It was the same one that was on Chrom's shoulder. He leaped to catch up to him. "Hey, Chrom! That mark on your shoulder, what is it? I've seen it on banners around town."

Lenna's head shot up and she moved closer, ears obviously perked.

"It's the Brand of the Exalt." Chrom explained. "Descendants of the first Exalt carry it, and it's become the symbol of Ylisse."

Was that a flash of worry in Lissa's eyes? Korru brushed it off, deciding to ask her later. "So it's like a royal mark?"

"I suppose you could put it that way."

The ginger haired tactician looked down at his right hand. "I wonder if this mark is the same as yours…"

"I noticed that." Chrom nodded. "Honestly, I don't even know what that mark is." He turned to Lenna. "And I noticed that your hand is bandaged."

Lenna gave him a shocked look and glanced down at her right hand. "Well what do you know! I didn't even notice." She bushed the sleeve of her cloak up and her eyes winded. "Whoa. That's a big scar, and an odd mark." She quickly unwrapped her hand, reveling the end of the mark and the scar.

Chrom, Lissa and Korru stopped to study it while Virion went on ahead. The mark was in the shape of a spiraling dragon. The tail was in her palm and it wrapped up to the top of her hand and then around her arm before the head stopped just below the inside of her elbow. In the dragon's mouth was a laurel branch design. The scar didn't start at her palm, but wound from her palm to the top of her hand and then meandered up her arm to vanish into the shoulder pads of her armor. As he looked, Korru noticed that the scar began at her neck. He pointed it out and she gently brushed it with her fingertips. "Do you remember how you got the scar?" Lissa asked.

"Nope." Lenna shrugged. "I do remember that I was born with the mark. I wonder if it's a royal mark too…"

"I imagine you wrapped your hand to keep from irritating the scar." Chrom noted. "That's probably why you don't wear much on that arm either."

"Now I understand why my shoulder is always a little sore… It's from the armor rubbing on the scar." Lenna mused. "I'll definitely have to study my armor, see what I tried to do to keep that at a minimum."

"Something might come back to you too." Korru smiled.

"Aye!" Lenna grinned.

They headed on to the castle, entering with no problems. In the throne room stood the Exalt, and a Falcon Knight who was obviously part of the Exalts private guard. "Welcome home, Chrom, Lissa! It's good to see you two safe." The Exalt smiled, looking relieved. "Oh, and hello, Frederick."

"We won't have any bandit problems for a while." Chrom shrugged. "Some brigands crossed over from Plegia and tried to destroy Southtown."

"Forgive me, milord. My Pegasus Knights should have been there to stop them." The Falcon Knight apologized.

"No, Phila. Your place was here, with Emm." Chrom shook his head.

"Plus, we had tons of help!" Lissa giggled, looked over at Korru and Lenna.

"Oh, you mean your two friends here?" Emmeryn asked.

"Yes. This is Korru," Chrom started, motioning to the green-eyed tactician, "and Lenna." He finished, motioning to the red-head. "I've decided to make them Shepherds."

"It's an honor to meet you, milady." Korru bowed.

Lenna lowed her hood, her tails appearing from her cloak, and also bowed. "Aye, 'tis a pleasure."

"Oh!" Emmeryn gasped. "A taguel! I thought your race had died out."

"Taguel? What's that?" Lenna asked in confusion.

"You don't know your own specie?"

"I'm afraid I don't know a lot of things." Lenna hunched her shoulders briefly. "I lost my memory."

"As have I." Korru chimed, sighing.

"How unfortunate…" Emm murmured sympathetically. "But you Lenna… you're unlike any taguel I've ever read about… Two tails and mismatched eyes, one green and one orange… I wonder if that holds any significance…"

Lenna shrugged. "I also have this mark. No idea what it means." She showed the ruler the mark on her arm."

"How curious…" Emm muttered. "I feel like I should know what that means…"

Finally, as the room fell silent, Frederick spoke. "Forgive me, Your Grace, but I must speak. Lenna and Korru claim they have lost their memory, but that is just it: a claim. I fear we cannot trust them."

"And yet you brought them into the castle, Chrom. Do these two have your trust?"

"Yes." Chrom nodded. "They fought to save Southtown, and they helped save us against those creatures. That's enough for me."

"Then I trust you." Emm smiled, dipping her head.

"Thank you, milady." Lenna replied, bowing. Korru simply bowed.

She's really pretty. Korru thought. Really pretty. Oh, gods, what is wrong with me?!

Korru missed what was said next, only snapping out when Lissa said enthusiastically, "Well, that's our cue! Korru, Lenna, c'mon! There's someplace I want to show you!" She grabbed their arms and practically dragged them after her. Chrom called for Sully and Virion to go with them, obviously guessing where Lissa was going from the note of amusement in his tone.

Korru glanced at Lenna as they raced along. "I missed part of the conversation. Why is Lissa dragging her after us?"

"Chrom and Frederick are in a council with Emm." She explained, flicking a tail.

"Oh."

They raced on after Lissa, sometimes getting pulled after her. Virion and Sully caught up a bit later, following Lissa through streets and out onto a road. Where the hell is she taking us?! Korru thought, hoping it wasn't too far.

So long, my gods... I'll try not to make it as long in the next few chapters. Hopefully. Maybe.

QotD: Hmm... Besides the obvious one? Okay, two QoTD today. First: Help me with pairings XD

2ndQotD: What are your favorite pairings for Awakening?

AotD: Favorite pairings... Hmm... I'll just go with pairings I've done. Definitly Lon'quxLissa. I love those two together. (So much so that I literally can't see Owain without black hair and without Lon'qu as his dad XD) I really like Lon'quxRobin, OwainxRobin and ChromxRobin and HenryxRobin is awesome. MorganxLucina is also great, as is MorganxCynthia (Those two make one hell of a team if Morgan is a Grandmaster and if Cynthia is a Dark Flier. Especially if Gauis is her father, since she gets that neat skill that lets her phase through enemies from him.). HenryxSumia is awesome and GauisxSumia is sweet. StahlxLissa is sweet too (the only time I've married her to someone OTHER than Lon'qu... that's changing in Korru's world XD). StahlxPanne and StahlxMaribelle are also really sweet. Oh, and StahlxSully. FrederickxSully was awesome, and FrederickxSumia is really sweet.

Heh, I'd better stop. I can go on for ages just rambling about this and that in Awakening XD *I love Awakening so much. I'm hoping I'll love Fates too.*