Chapter 1: Reappearance

"Milord, todays rounds show that all is well within the capital. There has been sightings of the Outrealm portal appearing in many places as of late, but no sign of any Outrealm inhabitants roaming about. The shepherd's have given an exam to new recruits and most have passed and are ready to emit into the army. Also, your letter sent to Lady Emmeryn has been sent this morning, just as it is every week. Alas, still no sign of where Mikel may be. It's been five long years, Milord, yet I know you will not give up the search."

"What would Ylisse do without you, Frederick?" Smiled a blue-haired man sitting on the throne.

The knight called Frederick smiled in response. "Milord, I haven't even finish my daily report and yet you give me such phrase? Something has you in a good mood."

The young man chuckled in response. "I just have a good feeling about today."

"Milord, you aren't thinking of-"

"Peace, Frederick. I'm not running off to search or anything."

Frederick sighed in relief. "Good. I am sorry Milord, but you still have your exalt duties to-"

"You're coming with me."

"Yes right, of course. As a knight I swore to defend-wait, pardon Milord?" Frederick looked up at his lord with confusion.

The man suddenly became serious. "I said I wasn't running off to search for him. You and I are going to do it together."

"Milord, we can't leave the capital unattended! Have you forgotten what happened when the last exalt left unattended?"

"I never forgot, no. But when she came back they took here while the Shepherd's were away. So I think I have a plan just as great as one he would come up with. What if we post our strongest units around the city while those units who don't volunteer to guard the capital will accompany in my search. This way the capital can be spared any attacks and we can search for our tactician at the same time." A smile appeared on the man's face.

"Milord?" Frederick said, sounding more serious than normal. "Have you been reading the roster?"

"No, I just remember a few strategies that lead us to victory." The man chuckled.

"Milord, I must ask you to reconsider this plan. Such an idea could lead to disaster." Frederick warned.

"Frederick, I order you to not interfere with my decision. That's a direct order from the exalt." The man sternly stared down his personal guard.

"But Milord-"

"You can either go with me or guard the capital. The choice is yours."

"..."

"Your choice?"

"Milord, I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to go through with this!"

"And why not? Are you denying the people you swore to protect freedom?"

"If it means keeping them safe, yes!"

"Hmph. Then there's only one way to settle this."

"Training session, Milord?"

"You read my mind Frederick." The man pulled out his sword and pointed it to the man. "First man to yield will decide weather the plan or not fails."

"Wait, Milord! We should head to the training grounds before we start this...remember the last time you trained in here?"

A furious blush appeared across the man's face. "Right...shall we then?"

At that moment the doors that lead to the throne room opened. Standing in the doorway were two girls. One girl wore a yellow dress with a white apron design on the front. She had light blond hair and held a staff by her side. The other girl wore a tactician's outfit. She also had light blond hair and carried a book by her side. One girl didn't seem happy as she walked up to Chrom, while the other girl seemed too happy.

"What's with all the noise down here? I can hear you both down the hallway!" The girl with the staff explained. "Many of the soldiers are debating weather or not to check on you two! Honestly, what could be so important that you two don't realize you're yelling?"

"..." The other girl just stood there, smiling.

"Er...uh...Sorry Lissa. I didn't realize we were speaking so loudly."

"What's this I hear about training? You know we can't afford you to smash the palace again Chrom!"

"Must everyone bring that back up?!" Chrom was flustered.

"Heey, sorry for checking!" Lissa pouted"

"My apologies, Milady. We were about to settle a dispute." Frederick told her.

"Oh is this about the search plan?" Lissa asked with a smile. "Or did you two argue over something else?"

"Wait, you knew about the plan Milady?" Frederick asked.

"Of course, hee hee! You think I'm not going to look for Mikel when he's my HUSBAND?" Lissa giggled.

"..." Frederick only sighed in response.

"Anyways, Morgan has something to ask of you Chrom." Lissa smiled. She then turned to the girl. "All right sweetie, just wear a smile and remember what I taught you!"

"Lissa what are you talking about?" Chrom asked. Lissa said nothing and grinned in response.

"Uncle Chrom, may I please borrow the Roster from you? Just for a day? I know you have it on you and I just want a peek at father's notes...I want to know all his secrets to becoming a great tactician so pleeeeease let me borrow it." Morgan suddenly asked, speaking faster than Chrom could answer.

"What? How did you know I had it on me?" Chrom questioned. "And even so, why should I let you borrow it?"

"Mother told me that some mad man or something found it and gave it to you before running off to die. She told me you keep it close to you every day, so I KNOW you have it right now!" Morgan smiled brightened as she spoke. "Besides, Father never wrote a will, so nothing says you can keep it!"

"Yet it took you 5 years to just realize it?" Chrom questioned.

"Hey I have my own set of memories to get back! I've only gotten a few...but I want them all back!" Morgan seemed saddened by this for a brief moment.

"Gods...fine, as long as you don't let anything happen to it." Chrom reached into his uniform and pulled out a black book. This book seemed to be bland at first glance. Without hesitation, Morgan took the book from Chrom and held it high above her head.

"I got Father's Roster!" She happily smiled.

"Morgan, have you been talking to Owain?" Lissa sighed.

"Actually, I talked to him AND Cynthia! They taught me that I needed a heroic pose for when I get something special."

The room suddenly filled with sighs as Morgan laughed.

"Shall we go to the training grounds, Frederick the Wary?" Chrom asked.

"Yes, let's." Frederick walked off with Chrom and Lissa and Morgan behind him.

Meanwhile...in a place far from Ylisse..

"Good morrow, class. Ready for the Chon'sin promotion test?" Princess Say'ri asked a group of soldiers.

"Yes, Ms. Say'ri!" The soldiers saluted.

"Now, as you each know, the promotion test is no simple slice of pie. Only those who prove their worth shall continue from Myrmidon to Swordmasters. However the test is a series of trials that test mind and wit. There is no shame in failing this test, as you can always take it again." She giggled and smiled at her soldiers. "It has been an honor to teach you all I know about the blade."

"It has been an honor to learn from yourself firsthand, princess." One solider said.

"Of course, without your guidance, we would never have learned the skills to defend those we love." Another said.

"Aye, those whom you love must also be trusted no matter what. Never turn your back -or blade- on them. I do not wish for any of you to feel that pain." Say'ri closed her eyes for a moment. "Now, your first task is to find a specific target. One must bring proof of the encounter with said target."

"Princess Say'ri! It is an emergency!" Came a cry from afar. Say'ri turned to see a knight running up to her.

"Aye, what is the trouble?"

"There's an intruder in the castle courtyard!" The knight seemed to panic.

"Fie, calm yourself. All are welcomed into my home. Why does this person count as an enemy?"

"This person...he attacked the guards. One by one they fell. This person never even seemed to try. All the guards did was deny him entry for wearing a hood. He refused to take it off...and when the guards tried to escort him out, he attacked."

"Worry not! I've faced worst foes than one can imagine. I shall handle this." Say'ri turned to her students. "For now, the promotion test shall be postponed. When I return, it shall commence."

"Wait, master Say'ri! Let us capture this intruder for you!" One solider asked.

"Yes, let this be our target! As proof of our encounter, we could each bring a part of his equipment." Another suggested.

"heh, it is rare I meet such people ready to serve someone who is not worthy of their strength." A smiled beamed on the princess' face. "What did this person dress like? Was he dressed in Chon'sin garb? Or perhaps they are an outsider?"

"Definitely an outsider, milady." The knight responded. "Although his face was hidden, he wore an outfit similar to the tactician in the stories you've told."

"Fie! That cannot be! There are only two men whom I have know to dress like that, and both were taken for the better of the world. Could it be..." Say'ri was silent for a moment. "If I may ask, but was there anything else unusual about this man? Mayhap the way he spoke or the way of attack."

"Only his movement, milady." The knight responded. "Although he attacked with magic, his movement showed that he may have learned from Plegia."

"A Plegian using magic wearing a tactician's garb..." Say'ri suddenly seemed disturbed. "Then I have a good feeling this is an enemy. Everyone, be wary of this foe. I fear he may be too tough to handle alone."

"Yes milady!" The soldiers responded. Each then headed off in a different direction. Leaving Say'ri alone.

("It doesn't make sense...if he survived, why would he be here? I have to find him, I made a promise to keep Chon'sin safe.") Say'ri then rushed off in search of the mysterious enemy.

In the castle courtyard, there wandered the mysterious enemy, dressing in a tactician's robe. He wore a hood over his head, and was reading a book intensely. He walked around a fountain endlessly, turning each page within the book.

"hmm...this book has so many certain spots marked in it...Chon'sin is one of these spots, but other than that, I don't know where or why. This castle doesn't seem very fond of me, nor willing to help me decode this. Many of the pages are blank, certain places on a continent are marked...it doesn't make any sense." By the sound of his voice, he seemed very confused.

At that moment ten soldiers approached the man, surrounding him in a circle. The man didn't even look up from his book, as he was too busy trying to figure it out.

"Halt, by the orders of the princess of Chon'sin, we are here to take you in for questioning!" A solider yelled.

Without looking up from his book, the man took a step forward. "I'd gladly talk to your princess. Maybe she could help me. However, you'll have to excuse me as I go to find her."

"Not happening, sir! We have to take you into custody first."

"Right, which is why I shall not stand by and be taken prisoner so easily."

With a wave of his hand, the man fired fire magic at the soldiers. The soldiers moved out of the way and hid behind bushes for safety. Although he seemed to miss, he started a fire along the grass. The fire spread quickly, surrounding the whole courtyard in flames. Soon the man was surrounded by flames, blocking the soldiers out of range.

"No! He's created himself a barrier." A solider exclaimed.

"Not only is he harming the castle, but he is also protecting himself in the process...clever." Another remarked.

"We have to find a attack, but how?" One questioned. "We can't get close with those rising flames in the way."

The man laughed a bit, sounding a bit surprised. "Whoa, who knew I could create a barrier? I must be some sort of genius."

"Then allow me the pleasure of taking that brain of yours for examining!"

Say'ri had appeared behind her fellow soldiers as they watched the smoke rise. "I know a few talented people who would love to investigate a brain...I shall be honored to bring them one!"

"Lady, with all respect, I-"

"I shall not listen to another word you say! You have invaded my home and attacked my friends, and for that I must personally defeat you!" Say'ri then drew out her blade. It was a sharp sword with three points on each side, making it have seven edges.

"(Yen'fay, I ask that you guide me once more.)" Say'ri whispered something to herself before rushing into the fire. She jumped up high, managing to get over the flames. She landed right in front of the man and without hesitation, she lunged for him with a forward attack. The man jumped out of the way however.

"Just who are you and why have you come to Chon'sin?" Say'ri asked, attacking with a downward slash.

"I wish I knew for myself." The man said avoiding the attack. "All I know is that this book I have is-"

"Enough! I won't be deceived!" Say'ri once again charged at him again.

"Is everyone quick to violence around here?" The man sighed as he avoided once more.

"That is extremely ironic of you to say..." Say'ri managed to land a hit on the man, causing him to stumble back and let his hood fall. "Validar!-"

"What?!"

The man had dark black hair, black eyes, and pale white skin. He has a small, pointed nose and the eyes of a regular villager.

"Mikel?!"

"Are you referring to the author of this book?" Mikel asked.

Out of all the end quotes, Say'ri's touched me the most. Thus, she is the first to find me.

This story will not have music, as you guys probably don't listen to it anyway. But instead, it will have ROSTER-LIKE BIOS! xD Each time a "new" character is seen, a Bio will be down here showing what they have been up to since the war ended. ^m^

Chrom: The exalt of Ylisse and descendant of the Hero-King. Since Grima's defeat, He has tried his best to become a great leader like his elder sister and runs Ylisse the way he treats his shepherds, yet he misses his closest friend, Mikel, greatly and keeps roster as a memento. He goes out and searches for him whenever he can.

STILL the most likely to break things.

Frederick: Chrom's right hand man and an excellent Ylissean knight. Since the war ended, Frederick has juggled many jobs between the shepherds and Chrom's well-being. Secretly, he goes off on his own during certain times of the week, although the reason is unknown. Although he always comes back empty handed.

The one who eats bear meat the slowest.

Lissa: Chrom's younger sister, and somewhat of a tomboy. The Princess of Ylisse, Lissa is always ready with a smile to greet others. Since Grima's defeat, she helps the shepherds restore order to Ylisse by mending those injured by war. She's shown more signs of maturity since Mikel's Sacrifice. She is also the apple of his left eye.

The one most likely to play pranks.

Morgan: Mikel's daughter from the future, and the apple of his right eye. Like her father, she arrived with no memory, although she's more determined to get them back. After Grima fell, Morgan has built many supports with others like her father, yet hasn't taken a significant other. Mentioning her father around her may cause her to break down into tears.

Still the most shamelessly self-driven.

Say'ri: The princess of Chon'sin and dignified for the task. With Grima gone, she has been open to all, bot native and non-native. Say'ri teaches a class to those wishing how to use the blade, and those who graduate become Chon'sin swordmasters. With Mikel gone, Say'ri chooses to not think about it often, yet she may mention it after visiting Yen'fey's grave.

The most proud of her home.