LUCINA'S POV

Well, here I was at high noon in a dank back ally of Ylisse (Home to the infamous Dozla's Armory- Buy our weapons today or tomorrow ye'll pay!) and the auction was just beginning. The leader, a short stuffy man named 'Daz' was calling the crows to attention. "ALRIGHT NOW FOLKS I KNOW YOU ALL'VE COME HERE TODAY TO SEE A GREAT AUCTION FOR EVEN BETTER PRIZES AND I'M NOT GONNA LET YA'LL DOWN!" he boomed, and the crowd cheered. From the hastily erected stage, Daz flourished his hand.

"NOW LET'S SEE THIS AMAZIN' MANAKETE!" the crowd cheered again as Joshua was brought to the stage. His smile was long since gone, replaced by a weary frown that was very unlike him. His normally vibrant green hair had lost its luster and now sat dully on his head. His eyes, which normally had a twinkle of kindness, were dull and glassy. Then, a few chunks of cobble fell from a rooftop connecting to the ally. Daz looked up for a split second, and then shook his head. "ALRIGHT! WE'RE STARTING OFF A 100,000 GOLD! 100,100! 100,600! 110,150! 1,00- AGH!" Daz fell to his knees and then keeled over off the stage.

"THAT'S FOR TRYING TO MUZZLE CORMAG!" A voice boomed from the rooftop. "I know that voice!" I said aloud, looking up in wonder. A Wyvern rider swooped down and landed on the stage, grinning like a madman. "Sean!" I said incredulously. He saw me in the crowd and laughed. "Wanna mop these auctioneers up?" He said, chuckling.

I gripped Falchion. "I thought you'd never ask." The auctioneers had formed a tight knot against the defenseless Joshua, weapons raised. One held his sword to Joshua's throat. "Put the weapons down, real slow-like, or the Manakete gets it!" he said with a snarl. "Sean…" I said nervously. "Ok good sir, I'd be delighted to put my weapons down!" Sean said, and threw his sword sideways. "What the-?" the guy said, then gasped in amazement as the sword snapped a rope, causing a raised platform to tip over. "What was the point of that?" I realized the answer to my question as a crimson dragonstone fell to the ground with a thud.

"What does that fool think he'll do? Turn into a dragon?" The auctioneer sneered. "No, but he can! Joshua, catch!" The men's eyes widened. "He can't possibly-" Sean reared up and kicked the dragonstone. Everyone gasped in amazement as it sailed over everyone's head.

Joshua kicked the man behind him and leapt off the stage and caught the dragonstone in his left hand. "POWER UP! JOSHUA TRANSFORM TO…!" I laughed. "Some things never change." Joshua swelled to immense proportions and began incinerating the auctioneers left and right with his searing breath. I must admit, it was an impressive sight.

Once all the Auctioneers were done (as in burnt) Sean, Joshua and I caught up. (Joshua was back in human form) "Yeah, I've been roaming the continent looking for you guys." Sean said, blowing a strand of loose hair out of his face. "Saw a flyer for this auction and I came." I nodded. "Same with me. I met up with Thomas but… we've parted ways." They both looked at me inquisitively but I said nothing further.

"Well, I had the rotten luck to be caught as soon as I entered the past. I literally fell into a slaver's camp and tried to fight my way out. Needless to say I failed." He held up his hands. "Oh well, it happens to the best of us." We all laughed a bit too hard at that. I think we were all just a little bit relieved.

Jack's Corner

Yes, OCs two and three come into play. Next few chapters will be interesting!