The chapter titles are now named after each Fire Emblem Fates music track.
The OST is amazing!
Meanwhile, Enjoy. :D
Sunlight filtered through the rear side windows of the Touran as Robin's head snuggled on the comfy neck pillow he found three days ago.
Almond eyes snapped open in surprise as he felt wet drool across his cheek.
Wiping it off with the sleeve of his tactician robe, he lobbed it aside with a sigh.
It's been a day since Robin was stuck in Thurnen, trying a way to reply to the last message that Lucina left him before they escaped AJRA. But since there was no cellular network in Thurnen, he decided to let go of it and re-route to where Donnel lived.
Near Wangen Bei Olten.
Sitting up with difficulty, he knocked the morning wind out in relief before getting a headstart on jumping into the driver's seat to resume his path towards Donnel's house.
Before he could attempt to leap from folded seat to driver's seat, his legs oddly felt a hard object layed hidden flat underneath his tactician coat.
Puzzled at the thought of how it would even appear there, he slowly lifted his coat to reveal...
A light gray laptop?
Blinking in confusion, Robin knew this was not any ordinary laptop but his Lenovo Thinkpad T520 in mint condition, the shelled lid showing no signs of scratches or wear/tear.
Glancing around nervously, he decided to take a peek by opening the display and lightly powering on the device.
If he found his laptop bizarrely that popped out of nowhere, where could the charger cable be?
In no way he was gonna spend another 1000 or lucky change found in the fountain for that.
And besides, no internet access throughout the outskirts of Thurnen.
After a good 3 minutes of booting up (because his SSD was that fast), his fingers tapped against the touchpad as he faced the desktop, icons of endless essays that he had to write up and submit for school.
One glance at the lower tool bar and the battery was charged full.
Bingo.
He could live for another day without a charger unlike that phone charger fiasco at Euro Airport Ylisse.
No, the laptop was a distraction.
He had to skidaddle from Thurnen now.
With his ears catching the sound of cars passing by on a narrow road, Robin was about to shut it off when a PDF icon caught his interest.
It was a manual on the Hydroplane Skytech technology that Shulk sent him a few years ago before the 2016 Williamsburg Fury EDM event began in Virginia Beach.
Double clicking on the icon, it brought up the connections legend and instructions on how to make your car a Hydroplane:
WING CONNECTIONS:
A1 Wing (Left and Right)
A2 Slats (Left and Right)
A3 Spoiler (Left and Right)
A4 Vertical Stabilizer/Rudder
B3 Flaps/Ailreon (Left and Right)
C7 Turbine Engine (Left and Right)
D1 Horizontal Stabilizer/Elevator (Left and Right)
How to make your car a Hydroplane:
-Purchase hydroplane wings
-Remove tires, rims, and configure the axles into a shorter length, giving room for the wheels to stay locked horizontally in the vehicle after take-off.
- Remove steering wheel and the whole dashboard interface and replace it with the HP dashboard. Make sure the car can respond to both modes (land and air)
-Install "Take off/landing" sensors to help you direct when to take off or land.
- When attaching or removing wings, always make sure the connections are attached or removed.
Before taking off:
-Check if all flaps to the wings are in good working order.
- Make sure LAND mode is switched ON before tilting the steering wheel and taking off.
-While take off, switch to AIR mode.
-Fly between elevation distances 1,000-3,000 ft.
-WARNING: DO NOT FLY OVER 5,000 ft!This will cause the turbine engines to the Hydroplane wings to suddenly dissipate in flames! FLY WITH CARE! If dissipated in flames, grab parachute for easy reach and have fun sky diving! :D
Hydroplane tools.
He just only owned the wings.
No drills, no sensors, no axle shortners.
It was only Shulk who owned those tools and was extremely skilled at turning an ordinary car to a flying wonder.
Biting his lip in a quiver, and worried at the thought of the AweSomE cast probably forgetting about him, Robin decided to set his laptop to sleep and really get things done by arriving at Donnel's house by evening.
Pushing the tube to the Electrolux vacuum aside while climbing in the driver's seat with comfort, he started up the Touran and left signaled while joining the flow on the narrow road known as Hauptstrasse.
Trees of various shades of green and orange dominated both sides as Robin sighed while focusing on the road ahead.
A deer Xing sign was passed by in a flash, perhaps a few deers might cross the road with out a fresh kill.
Buckten, Lauflingen, Haustien-Ifenthal later...
Crossing the Aare River, he finally reaches the city of Olten.
Loads of people, cars, stores and trains infiltrate his sights as he calms down and just enjoys the normal typical day in the city of timberwood and bridges.
After touring through the city (on what seemed like forever), the road slowly narrowed down his view of the disappearing city life as he carefully turned left into Mittelgaustrasse and continued his path, green fields and wooden farm sheds dotted both left and right.
One glance towards the fuel tank meter and the needle almost collapsed after the letter E.
He seriously had to re-fuel the Touran if he wanted to completely escape Ylisse or die getting caught by the police.
Spotting a nice wooden shed attached to a cream colored farmhouse, window panes colored green along with flower pots getting a tan out in the front, Robin gasped excitedly as he parked the Touran next to an old 1995 Ford 150 truck, wondering how Donnel even got this Aquilan vehicle from some auction perhaps.
Cutting the engine off while stepping out, he prepared to step towards the front door before halting himself and biting his lip with worry.
Should he really reveal his situation to the country bumpkin who is part of the shepherds of Ylisse?
Even in the Old Generation Ylisse, Robin knew him as a kid and trusted him that he won't tell anyone if there was a secret present.
No, Donnel was the only friend he knew that was trustworthy and helpful.
Opening the passenger door, Robin glanced at the red duffel bag resting on the floor when he decided to grab the heavy load of cash and swing it behind his back, closing the door in the process.
Ignoring the musty wet hay and manure smell lingering from the wooden shed, he approached the front steps, fists ready to knock the door when he pulled back to realize he should have rung the doorbell first.
Right.
Clicking the buzzer, Robin patiently waited on the steps, setting down the bag from getting a sore shoulder ache, his ears catching the sound of a grown man's voice of "I'll get it." through the door.
Relax. The duffelbag's for the night's stay. It's really nothing personally special.
Gripping the handle to the bag, he exhaled to prepare himself to greet Donnel the correct way.
Placing the bag behind his legs, Robin almost jumped out of his skin in shock to see the door opened, revealing a young man dressed in a soggy plain shirt and blue overalls, strands of hay poking out of his brown hair as if the feed were part of his hairstyle.
He then stared at the tactician and immediately recognized him in seconds, "Robin?"
Sighing, he was about to blurt out his situation when Donnel halted him, taking a step back, "Buddy, have you been plowin through the pig pen lately? Pee-yew! You smell more than a dying horse for hay I say! Been so off schedule lately with yer showering? Seriously."
Biting his lip in embarrassment, Robin held up a hand for him to calm down, "Um, not exactly but you could say more than a pig pen. Listen, do you mind if I stay here for the night?"
Donnel scratched his head in confusion, "I thought you lived with that king in Ylisse. What happened about that bunch?"
"The shepherds are out of the picture. Do you mind if I come inside?" he pleaded, rubbing his hands as if the winter already covered Solothurn already.
"Since I helped you out in the old age, I guess I can do it again buddy." Donnel nodded in glee before taking a peek at the tactician's Touran parked next to his truck. "The white car over there, is that yers?"
"Um, temporarily speaking, yes."
Donnel whistled in amazement, "Costs a fortune in the city, huh?"
"Yup."
Donnel moved aside for his friend to enter in, "Well? I don't want the sun assualtin yer backside if you wanna break a sweat. Come right in, buddy!"
"You're a miracle Donnel. I have to say that." taking off his shoes, Robin walked into the dusty old living room, setting the duffel bag aside the old gray couch before crashing onto it with comfort.
It was pretty much nothing special. Just an ordinary 80's style living room to his surprise.
An old CRT TV stood to the front of the wall, it's antennas almost poking the low structured ceiling while a grandfather clock quietly clicked from the corner of the room, the vines on the wallpaper almost growing in crooked angles.
Donnel came in with two glasses of water and sat opposite from his friend, "Tell me something Rob. Don't tell me you lost yer home or somethin cuz I have a feeling the king's good natured to everyone includin you."
Robin almost wanted to belly laugh at that one. Taking a quick sip, he carefully set the glass back on the wooden table before replying, "Actually, I don't work with Chrom at the City Hall anymore. He started seeing me as a slave and I really didn't want to fall under his feet for his unfair favours. Besides, not only he's currently the ruler of Ylisse but I heard he does own his steel company located in Wikon, Hoshido."
Donnel almost splashed a drop of water on the table, "Steel company? Damn, he makes a fortune out of two jobs. That guy's so lucky to be ruling Ylisse right now."
"Well, although Lucina complains he doesn't do anything for most of the times except for coming up with useless laws that control the Kanton and it's citizens." shrugging, Robin finished his water with a refreshing exhale before facing Donnel with a smile, "I was dying of thirst ever since I came here."
"Should I bring some more?" Donnel prepared to grab the empty glasses when a hand caught his arm, "Actually, I have something really important to say."
"Go ahead buddy. I'm all horse." Donnel sat back down, carefully listening in.
"You know my friends right? Shulk, Lucina, Pit, Marth, Ike, Reflet, and Pittoo?"
Donnel warily shook his flat hand, unsure of whether he recognized these names or not, "Not much but the princess should more than enough."
"Alright. They made their strong decision to leave Future Europe and head back to Virginia Beach, Aquila and never come back."
"Hold on. Yer makin a farmer of Ylisse all shuckled up into confusion, boy. It's like putting the goat with a pig. Why did they leave you behind?"
"I strictly had an important duty to complete before I prepared to leave. My freind Douche and my wife Cia left me behind before I got a chance to escape but the thought of reviving another vehicle I got before the Touran got me into facing the most troubled situation of my life."
Donnel tilted his head like a confused chicken, "Wait. You got married? Since when?"
"About five years ago when I was part of the Hot Topic Krew until I disbanded the team and we three decided to live alone in an apartment in Ylisse-Stadt. Then the Smash Wars came, a challenge created by Master Hand in order for the 4 Smash teams to plant out team flags all across Akenia to see who gets to rule over Future Europe. Of course, I didn't participate until Douche and Cia persuaded me to jump in and help the HTK for the last 40 minutes on the clock. We took our cars into the fray, shooting down raining Risens and Oktagons that overflooded the skies of AJRA. It was then that one of the valves that was connected to the circuit board broke off and my silver Prius went spiraling down like a dead hawk until it came down with a satisfying crash, my feet touching the ground before struggling to get the parachute covers off of me, I quickly ran towards the crash site to find my Prius still intact."
"Lucky car. Best of all, did you guys win the game?" Donnel sweeped up some dust off of the table with his fingers and flicked it off.
"In the end, nobody won the challenge. It was then that both of the leaders of the MMMB and HTK, Shulk and Dark Pit, they almost went crazy for searching their real beloved mall stores hidden underground with some special key. Then years later we had to save Aquila from the Subspace attack that infiltrated the Land of the Free, along with Team Aquila helping us. They were really a strong team made up presidential candidates who were up to ruling Aquila together."
"I see." Donnel nodded after taking in so much of his story.
Robin paused to take a breath then continued, "Then, Future Europe became annoying to us-at least to Lucina. The king's daughter and princess of Ylisse really couldn't handle her father because of-..."
"I heard he got rid of Naga and created that new religion thing. With the fish I think." Donnel helpfully added.
"Whatever it is, it just sounds so silly." Chuckling, he continued, "After my friends left, I was extremely tempted to revive my Prius. After I completed Matura school, I was forced to work in two low-waged jobs because the school and everybody else hated me on being the genius kid I am. Aside from mopping the school floor as a janitor, I also have to sit my aching butt at the register, scanning groceries 5 hours a day and getting a wage of only 3 franks an hour unlike the normal payrate which is like 15 per hour."
"Who in tarnation would do that?" Donnel questioned.
"My pain in the ass of a manager who always watches me like a strict devil mom." Robin growled with hint of anger, "Who simply has no shame that he's assaulting one of his employees to work at a lower level than the others. What a fartbag."
Donnel sat back, shaking his head, "Geez, Rob. If there was anyway I could help-."
"No, I already did it. My temptation possessed my whole body based on my name." Grabbing the duffel bag, Robin zipped it quick enough for it to break and toppled over the red sack, tons of 1000 franks spilling over the squeaky wooden table.
Donnel gasped in surprise while feeling the 1000 in his hands, "Holy cow. Why did you do this all for your car?"
With his hands buried between his arms, tears leaked out as Robin muffled back a sob, "I-I-I don't know what I was doing! It was just all so sudden! Now I came all the way over here from Ylisse to stay the night with you, escaping from the police in process!" Gripping his shirt, he almost burst into a intense wail as if depression kicked into the poor tactician again. Donnel carefully leaned away and wrapped an arm to comfort him.
"Listen buddy. Tell you what. I'll keep it a secret. I won't tell my Pa but he must be cookin some dinner. After that, hit up some fresh water cuz you have been seriously into that pig pen. Alright?"
He nodded with sincerity before wiping away his tears with the edge of his sleeve, both of them standing up to lead him towards the kitchen where three pots were steaming on the heated mat, plates equal in number to the pans were circled around the small table covered with a tattered cloth.
"Donnel. Who's yer new friend?" an older voice asked as an elderly man came in to sit down, a smile on his lips.
"Mornin Pa. Yuh remember this guy, right?" Donnel whirled the tactician before him, the older man coughing while standing up with difficulty, a cane supporting his slow steps towards the boy.
"My-My. I know you from the Old generation, boy." Pa squinted his eyes as if he knew him for a long time. "Darn the times of the new ages. It's been so long that we worked off our backs for years, we only have a little to save and eat up."
He held up a cookie jar which only had 1/4th of 10-20 frank coins, the silver slowly aging into a darker color.
White eyebrow raised in confusion, Robin questioned in disbelief, "But I thought you guys owned a farm! You must have lots of food grown for you guys! I mean it's summer right?"
"Doesn't work like that, boy. Whatever we grow, have to send it away to grocery stores. They make the penny, we don't even earn the dime." heaving a heavy sigh, he placed the jar back on the wooden aged counter and sat down, setting the cane beside him.
But they are farmers all along! Shouldn't they be having food for themselves?
An idea then popped in his head as Robin acknowledged Donnel that he'll come back in the kitchen for a minute.
Robin later came back with a roll of 1000 frank bills in his hand, and set it before Pa on the table.
"Is this really for us?" his eyes widened in surprise as if he never saw money for the first time in his life, caressing the paper as if it was a heavenly item.
The tactician nodded while smiling.
"May the gods bless you, boy for doing such a kind thing." Pa was about to hug him with joy when Donnel intervened and split them apart, "Pa? Don't go too far, I think he's caught a cold or somethin."
"He smells quite odd."
Donnel sat down at the table, catching Pa and Robin's attention. "We don't want the food to get cold or nothin. Dig right in!"
Pasta, sausage, and brocolli.
Robin had no idea where to start.
Once Donnel and Pa were almost to finishing off their plates, their eyes widened in surprise to see how an extremely fast eater Robin was, emitting a tiny burp while knocking his chest before blushing red faced.
"My, you're faster than Mordecai." Pa practically said in amazement as Donnel shook his head in disbelief, "Damn Rob. You better hit up the pie eating contest cuz here's dessert!"
Almond brown eyes almost watered in joy as he licked his lips addictively towards a plate of a steaming pie freshly baked from the oven.
"Bean pie. Hope...you...don't...mind." Donnel faltered yet again to see an empty plate. "You really deserve the trophy my friend."
Robin then howled with discomfort, "Oooooh, so full." after another burp interrupted his aching belly.
"I didn't know the pie maniac was such a fast eater." Donnel got up and started making Peppermint tea for him. "Hold on Rob. I'll make you feel better."
"You were saying." he started while Elwind loudly interrupted his question with relief, "Who's Mordecai?"
Donnel placed the tea on low heat before dropping the tea bag into the boiling pan, "He's our 100 pound little diggah. So quiet and friendly to everyone. Oinks in response when you greet him."
Nodding in discomfort, he gripped his hands around the cup and blew on the surface before Donnel sat down again, Pa glancing in concern, "I would like to meet him in the morning after I leave."
"Where yuh off too, boy?" Pa asked with concern.
"Don't bother Pa. He's on vacation to..." Donnel halted and stared at Robin for an answer.
"Plegia."
"The fell-dragon's kanton? You're not Grimleal." Pa repeated in surprise.
"Actually." He struggled to find the words when a tiny squeak was heard, catching his breath in relief. "Hope you guys don't mind."
"Don't worry about that Rob. Everyone here does it including Mordecai." Donnel laughed and gestured him to continue. "You were sayin?"
"Just exploring the whole perimeter of AJRA." he wildly guessed, trying his best to control himself from passing Elwind.
"I used to do travelin a lot boy. I wanted to see the whole world for myself. That was my goal. Maybe we step up on the same level too?" Pa smiled as he patted the tactician's back, making him smile.
Donnel clapped his hands, "Well Pa, I think you might wanna go back to picking the harvest while I go feed Mordecai." He then turned to him. "Buddy, you're dismissed for a shower. I'll give you some fresh pair of clothes for ya sleep, oh and a spare toothbrush and paste, how does that sound?"
"Yes, please!"
"Alright. Tell me if you need anythin else Rob. Hope your belly's feelin better after that pie." Donnel winked before he left the kitchen, whistling towards the wooden shed.
Nodding to show he understood with concern, Robin entered the bathroom, a small sink bowl set before him with a line cracked mirror to see his body progress.
Wow, he must have gained a few pounds ever since waking up mysteriously in Bionis. His snow white hair grew darker, dust and grime marked his strands and cheeks, slight wrinkles faded off under his eyes, teeth stained yellow and white due to lack of calcium.
He was really living like a homeless criminal now.
Sighing, he slowly shed his clothing, however, he was all but scared half to death for a second time that evening as the same voice caught him in the midst of stripping. Requesting Robin leave his clothing to be washed, on top of meandering in while he was half nude, it was a surprise the white haired boy didn't slip on the slick tile and die a pathetic death.
Upon glancing at the door, he found neither Donnel or Pa at the doorway until a knock made him jump out of his skin in surprise.
"Donnel? Is that you?"
No response.
Shrugging, he entered in the tub, leaning back in comfort while exhaling in a relaxed way, the hot bubbles probably cooperating with the rest of his bloated issue.
He didn't think anything could be better but the shower did it. Almond eyes swore the water going down the drain for the first two minutes was black. He then carefully washed his hair with shampoo. Shampoo! It was longer than it was when he woke up. It fell almost to his lips on his face, before it raced past his eyes when it was wet.
A knock on the door came as he was rinsing the conditioner from his snow white hair, the dirt and grime disappearing down the drain.
"You alright in there?" Donnel's voice came through the wood.
"Yeah!" he said energetically, swearing that he heard Pa laugh.
He finished up quickly and dried off. The towel was big and fluffy and soft. He could live in that towel.
After being fully dressed in a plain cream colored tee and navy blue sleepers, he grabbed the brush that was awaiting him on the sink and applied the paste, brushing his teeth for ten minutes until he saw a lot of yellow swirling down the drain. It felt amazing. After the last spit, he cleared out the sink and curiously felt his freshly brushed teeth with his tongue. Not to mention the morning breath disappeared and was replaced with fresh mint.
Opening the door while picking his teeth with a toothpick, Robin grabbed his old clothes and stuffed them in the red duffel bag, the zipping of the bag caught Donnel to arrive in the living room with a gasp, "All set?"
"Yup. Where do I sleep?" Robin asked curiously, following Donnel around like a lost puppy.
"Good question Rob. Where do you sleep?" Donnel hummed in thought as he snapped his fingers in realization, "I know! We have a spare room upstairs. We almost never use that except for guest services."
Flicking on the light, it was simple.
A bed. Night dresser. Closet. Window. Bookshelf with lots and lots of aged books dated back 1775 AG- Including an Atlas which had all of the FE continents (Akenia, Barensia, Jugdral, Elibe, Magvel, Telluis, Ylisse, Fates.), Victorian style wooden desk and chair.
So Old Generation right here. The way I like it.
"Comfy?" Donnel asked as Robin jumped in with comfort, "Very."
"Night. Rob. Mornin's gonna be family farewell." Donnel whispered as he closed the door, listening in to the soft snores from our cute tactician.
Morning alarms were not supposed to be nature.
The morning alarm he grew up with was a man made object, not a living creature.
And that's how he used his pillow to block out the rooster's annoying crows, not very pleased with the farm bird.
"I did wanna warn you that we had a rooster all along." Donnel chuckled as Robin struggled to sit up, rubbing his eyes from the early morning wake up fiasco.
He was a late sleeper.
"It's fine. Not used to country life anyway." Robin yawned as he took out his clothes and politely asked Donnel to step out so that he could change. "Do mind if I?"
"Sure, buddy. No problem." Donnel gladly accepted the normal morning duty and closed the door, waiting for him with a whistle until Robin stepped out, wearing his tactician robe.
"You said you wanna meet Mordecai, right?" Donnel stared at him, waiting for a immediate reply.
"Yes! I wanna say hello to him!" he excitedly followed the bumpkin into the wooden shed, where a pig pen was layed out, the only blob of pink layed out peacefully in the hay.
"Aw! He's so cute!" Robin whispered as both of them stepped into the pen, Donnel whistled towards the pink blob.
Ears flapped to the other side as the heavy young swine trotted up to them, Robin gladly getting sniffs and licks on the cheeks out of joy.
Laughing, Robin, in return, scratched Mordecai's belly like a happy dog, his hands covered in hay.
"Darn, he likes you so much." Donnel shook his head as he watched the tactician lay down on his side and place his hand against Mordecai's hoof, the pig oinking in happiness.
"He reminds me of Cia- but please don't tell her I said that." Robin laughed as he got up, Mordecai tugging on his tactician robe to urge him to resume playing. Kneeling down, he smiled at the confused pig, "Sorry buddy. Another time."
Stepping out the pen while dusting off the hay clinging to his robe, Robin followed Donnel to the Touran, the bumpkin whistling in surprise.
"He's a beauty." circling around the vehicle, came back to face the tactician again, "You're lucky to have this polar bear here with you. Without this, you'd be starving on foot like a dead camel."
"One more request, I almost forgot." Robin proceeded to open the fuel cap to the minivan, "You don't mind if I re-fuel my Touran?"
Donnel cocked his head in confusion, "I don't see why you need to do that, buddy but sure I can help you out. Lots of tanks to pump that bear up but if you personally want to use my fuel for Pa's tractor that's fine."
Kicking up the red container, Donnel whistled while pouring in the oil into the vehicle.
Robin joined by his side, carefully watching him in a pleased way, "Make sure it's diesel."
"No worries on this one, boy." Donnel finished pouring in the empty tank, "Need help or somethin, stop by my place, buddy."
"Donnel, you're a true miracle. Listen, I can't thank you so much for-"
"Rob, let me thank you with somethin else." Donnel later came back with two bottles of fresh milk, three boxes of blueberry pies and a card with Mordecai's hoof print. "Wishin good luck on your journey, buddy. Drive safe."
Robin then got the courage to hug him tightly, "I'll never forget you Donny. Out of all the shepherds of Naga, you're the one who's a true friend of mine."
After a few minutes of dragging the red duffel bag along with the going away presents given from Donnel, the country bumpkin along with Pa waved in farewell towards the Touran, window slid down while he horned two times before hollering "Be sure to visit me in Virginia Beach, Aquila!"
"We will!" they both yelled in happiness as they both stared at the Touran disappearing down the street.
"Let's go, Don. My legs are being a bugger." Pa turned around to walk back to the house, leaving his son behind.
Naga, keep him safe.Donnel thought to himself before re-entering the house.
Brown eyes focused down Mittelgaustrasse as Robin glanced towards the rear-view mirror to find...
an 04 Skoda Octavia Police car following him!
With the flashback of the grinning police guy waiting for him in Pratteln, he warded out the nightmarific image and turned around in alarm to find a light blue Opel Vectra following him.
Whew...
At least the blueberry pies were there to help his anxiety out.
Finally done!
So happy that Robin got to visit and stay at Donnel's house for a night!
I might do the same thing as Robbie did.
The tactician is so cute when he's so embarrassed.
I love that so much. x3
Other than that, next chappie back to Virginia Beach! :D
Falco276 out! :D