Here we are with the second chapter! I hope you enjoy what's here.

I don't own anything that's KH or FE:A related.

Chapter 2: Unwelcome Change

The sky slowly becomes a deep orange mixed with deep blue as the day draws to a close. The small group moves through the forest path towards Ylisstol, the sound of birds chirping giving way to the sound of crickets.

"You mentioned that you suffered from amnesia, Kairi. Do you mind sharing with us?" Chrom asks while leading the group as Frederick rides ahead to scout the path, again. Kairi looks at him before nodding.

"Of course, I don't mind." She sighs before glancing at the sky, its vivid colours dancing across the darkened trees. "I was only five years old at the time. I remember waking up on a sandy Island beach, with only my name to recall. I was alone and scared, unsure of what would happen. But then, just as my panack began to rise, I was found by a certain spiky-haired boy just after I began to wake up." She glances at Sora, who smiles bashfully.

"He was the first one to find me, to ask if I was all right. At my most vulnerable, Sora found me, bringing me to the mayor's office and constantly asking if I was okay. Even though I couldn't remember anything, I was accepted and became a part of the community. And since that day, both Sora and Riku have been by my side."

"I see. It sounds as though you were blessed. But what happened to your old home?" Chrom's question gives the two welders pause. How do they answer this without breaking the World Order?

"Well, I don't remember much. Those days are still hazy. I can't even remember how my old home fell to ruin…." Kairi replies half-truthfully. Chrom looks at her with a raised eyebrow before shrugging, turning his head to Sora. Just as he opens his mouth to speak, a grumpy Lissa interrupts.

"I told you it's getting dark already back in town! …Ech! And now the bugs are out!" she blanches are a fly buzzes past her before zooming towards a tree. Sora stares at her, puzzled.

"What's wrong with them? They mean us no harm. Sure they can be a bit annoying, but that's all they do."

"I'm sure the bugs on your island are like that, but not here! Noisy, disgusting bugs that buzz around and crawl all over and bite you when - Agh!" she places both hands other her mouth as her eyes bulge out. "Won goph in mah mouph!" she starts spitting and sticking her tongue out, trying to get the offending fly to leave her mouth. "Blech! Ptooey!" Robin shakes his head as Chrom chuckles to himself good-naturedly. Sora and Kairi giggle at her antics.

"That's what happens why you keep on talking when flies are buzzing around," Kairi says while holding a hand in front of her mouth, not willing to let karma fly into her mouth.

"Aw, come on now, Lissa. Hardships builds character. Want to help me gather firewood?" Chrom asks with a smirk while resting his left hand on his sword. Lissa continues to hack and cough until she stops with a disgusted look on her face.

"Tpht! Tpht! Yeeeeeuck! …I think I swallowed it…" she glares at her brother before point her pouting dance. "I'll pass on finding firewood, thanks. I think I've built QUITE enough character for one day!"

Robin glances around the group before placing a hand on his stomach, a low growl rumbling from its depths. "We should probably think about food. I don't know about you, but I'm starving after saving that village from Pledgian raiders as well as Sora and Kairi."

The couple shares a glance as their stomachs rumble in agreement; embarrassed smiles adorn their faces. "Yeah, we have been moving nonstop since that battle. Dinner sounds like a good idea." Sora scratches his cheek while Kairi nods while clasping her hands.

"Yes," Frederick replies as he rides up to the group, arms filled with rocks and sticks. Had he been clearing the road ahead of them again? "I should think a little hunting and gathering is in order. Now, who wants to clear a campsite?" he asks as he steps of his horse, carrying the rocks and sticks to the middle of the group.

Hours pass as the group settle in for the night, fresh meat brought over by Chrom and Frederick roasting over the fire as Frederick turns it over, making sure it is cooked evenly. Lissa glances over at the couple as they stare at the stars in the night sky. "So, what is your home like, Sora?" she asks with a genuine sense of curiosity in her voice.

"Well, for one, the weather is a lot hotter than here," Sora replies, eyes still on the stars. "But it's evened out by the ocean breeze that flows over. Also, it's split into two different sets of Islands, the Main Island where we all live and the Play Island, where children go to have fun and explore. Other than that, there isn't that much that's unique about it." he turns to look at Lissa. "By the way, what is Plegia? We heard Frederick mention them before." Lissa looks wide-eyed before shaking her head.

"Wow. Just how far away are your Islands that you haven't heard of them?" she asks. The couple chuckles nervously at the question. If only she knew. "Well, Plegia is our neighbour to the west. Those brigands you faced were sent over by them, trying to start up a war between us." The couple's eyes enlarge. "And it's always the poor townsfolk who suffer for it, even with us doing the rounds, we can be there all the time."

"Indeed. And today has been one of the busiest." Chrom remarks as he looks over his sword before returning it to its sheath. "That's not even taking into account the strange encounter we had before finding Robin." He shakes his head at the morning battle. "I swear, fighting invisible warthogs with a prince and his servants was one of the weirdest mornings I've had."

Sora and Kairi look at each other, baffled before looking at Robin, equally mystified. 'Invisible warthogs'? Before they could Chrom more, he reaches over the fire and picks some of the meat up. "Food is ready. Eat up, everyone."

Not waiting to be told twice, Sora, Kairi, and Robin reach for some meat and begin eating it. Surprisingly, neither Lissa nor Frederick goes for some. Finally, after several bites, Chrom sighs in satisfaction.

"Mmm… It's been too long since I last had bear meat. Delicious!" Chrom glances at Lissa, seeing the scowl on her face as she stares at the meat offered to her. "…What's wrong, Lissa? Dig in." she shakes her head with a growl.

"Pass! ...Gods, couldn't you spear us an animal normal people eat for once? I mean, come on! Who eats bear!? You're meddling with the food chain. Right guys? …Uh, guys?" she looks over at the three with a baffled expression. But, to her shock, the three are enjoying the meat! Robin, in particular, is eating like a wolf, while Sora and Kairi were discussing various dishes this could be cooked in, with Sora's eyes sparkling like stars. She shakes her head in resignation before heaving a sigh.

"I suppose a person would enjoy just about anything after not eating for days… Can't believe they are discussing possible DISHES it can go in, though." Chrom shakes his head at the comment before taking another bite. Then, after savouring the taste, he turns to her again.

"Just eat it, Lissa. Meat is meat."

"Since when does meat smell like old boots!? Wait, I take that back - boots smell better!" Lissa exclaims in anger before turning her gaze back to the fire. Frederick looks at her with an unamused expression.

"Every experience makes us stronger, milady. Even those we don't enjoy." He reminds her before chucking another piece of wood onto the fire. Lissa looks at him with a smirk in response.

"Really? Then why don't I see YOU eating, Frederick?"

The knight is briefly caught off guard by the question, his impassive face falling to shock before recompiling itself. "Me? Oh, well…I'm not hungry. I…I had a large lunch! Yes, quite." He smiles with his response before standing to take the watch and avoid the questioning glare for Lissa.

"Yeah right, Frederick!" she calls out to him as he moves to stand near a tree. She heaves a sign before lying on her back. "Anyway, I'm going to go to sleep. Goodnight." She says before turning onto her side.

"Lissa's right. It's time we all turn in. I'll take the second watch after Frederick." Chrom says before glancing at the said knight. Who nods in return.

All is quiet during the night, the sky clear—the fire smouldering like embers as the small group sleep. Chrom scans the area, sound them on watch, the sounds of crickets echoing around him. A small smile crosses his face as he looks over the sleeping party. Then, suddenly, a feeling creeps down his spine, like he is being watched himself.

"…Huh?" he asks, standing up to look behind him, his eyes scanning the darkened forest around him. His sudden movement wakens Lissa as she groggily stands up, rubbing away at the sleep in her eyes. She lets out a yawn before turning her eyes to Chrom.

"What's wrong, Big Brother?" she sleepily asks like she could fall back to the land of dreams at any moment. Chrom smiles sheepishly at waking his sister.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, but…" his face turns serious, glancing around the forest. "Something is amiss.." silent bird calls echo through the forest as the sounds of crickets die.

"Define 'something'" she asks, her drowsiness disappearing at the uncertainty in his voice. Chrom shakes his head as if trying to dispel a fog in his mind.

"I'm not sure… I think I'll have a look around." Lissa marches up to him while grabbing her staff next to her. She looks at him with steel in her eyes.

"Not alone, you won't! I'm coming too." Chrom chuckles at his sister before petting her head in a brotherly manner.

"Heh. Thanks Lissa." The two quietly leave the makeshift camp and venture out into the woods. Passing through the foliage, so far, all seemed clear and safe to the two. Until the birds stopped chirping, leaving only the sound of the wind to pass through the trees.

"It sure is dark. …And quiet. Where did the birds go?" Lissa asks as she tries to stare into the forest around them. Chrom looks back at her while walking. His figure is tense.

"Something is wrong here…" he looks around suspiciously. Are there more bandits near them? Then, suddenly, the ground violently shakes, startling the two as Chrom grabs onto Lissa to stop her from falling. They struggle to keep their balance until the sound of trees falling catches Chrom's attention. He glances to the left, seeing the falling trees zoom towards him.

"Lissa, run." He calmly tells her. She looks up at him, confused, before he pushes her forward. "I mean it! Go!" The two flee from the quake as the ground opens up where they once stood. Lava splashes out from the torn ground while balls of fire rain from above. After running a fair distance away from the carnage, the two pause to catch their breath and overlook the damage until something catcher Lissa's eye.

"Chrom, what IS that!?" she points ahead as a portal appears before them. It is shaped eerily like an eye, with runes around it like eyelashes while a black slit hovers in the centre of its pale glow. From its light, two bodies fall out of it before, landing hard on the ground. They rise, growling with a sickening reverberation as they stare at them, eyes glowing red and expertly made axes in their hands.

"Lissa, you'd better stand back." Chrom tells his sister as he draws his sword. Lissa nods and backs away, staff held in both hands. The creatures slouch towards them, skin grey and patched, black smoke leaving their mouth like condensed breath. Suddenly, one of them roars at Chrom and charges at him. He dodges and slices through the being in a single swing through the stomach. However, it spins its neck towards him, bones cracking, before swinging its axe at him again. Parrying the strike with difficulty, the being falls to the ground. Taking advantage, Chrom leaps into the air and brings his sword down upon it. It freezes before vanishing into black smoke.

Panting at the extortion and sweat already forming, Chrom turns his head in a panic at Lissa's scream. The other one was advancing towards her, axe raised. Desperate to save his sister, he rushes forward when a blue blur zooms past and settles between them. The being's axe hits not Lissa, but a sword as the clang of mettle echoes through the forest. The warrior turns to Chrom, asking for his help.

He nods and charges at the creature; his cry catches its attention. Then, as the warrior feels the person slacken on his sword, he spins around and slashes at it alongside Chrom, dissipating it into black smoke. Lissa, shaken from the attack, walks over to Chrom while the newcomer sheathes his sword.

"…Quite an entrance. What's your name?" Chrom asks the warrior as they turn to face him, a blue mask with black detail hiding his eyes. The sound of hooves hitting the ground diverts Chrom and Lissa's attention as the rest of the party emerge from the forest.

"Chrom, Lissa!" Sora cries to them as they group up. "Are you alright? We saw those fireballs coming down, and when we realised you weren't here, we got worried. Well, Frederick more than us." He motions to the said knight, who had a look of relief upon his face.

"We are alright, but I fear we have bigger worries to contend with," Chrom replies, as more of the being from before shamble before them. Some wielding swords, but the vast majority hold axes. Sora and Kairi glance at each other worryingly. Where these the minions of Grima Master Yen Sid talked about? A quick glanced showed non with the dreaded Heartless Emblem, but who knew how long that would last.

"Are such horrific creatures commonplace in these lands?" Robin voices the concern of the three as he brings his book out while drawing his sword, followed by the couple.

"They're not from Ylisse, I promise you that. Chrom remarks as the monsters shamble around. Frederick looks between the two and sighs again.

"No one is injured, then? Thank the gods…" Lissa looks at him with a smile before nodding.

"Thank the masked man who saved me!" she glances over to where he is standing. "If it wasn't for him, I'd be…" only to realise that he was gone. "Hey, where did he go?" Lissa begins to look for him, only for Frederick to place a gentled hand on her shoulder.

"Now is not the best time to go looking for him, Lissa. Save it for when we DON'T have an army of these…creatures…breathing down our necks!" Kairi scolds her before glaring back at the new foes. They begin to advance on them as they ready for battle. Entering a tactical mindset, Robin looks around as he judges their position. About twenty or so creatures stand before them on a dirt path, the vast lot of them wielding axes. More growls from behind indicate more are coming to help their brethren. He looks at the forest that surrounds them, preventing the creatures from quickly surrounding them but limiting their movement as well. A quick gaze into the woods on their left catches his eye. A stone wall with an open gate with dimly lit torches with two ruined towers on each side morphs out of the Darkness—a smirk forms on his face as a plan morphs in his mind.

"Chrom, there is an abandoned fort near us. We can use that to limit their numbers down." He points to his left to which Chrom follows his gaze. A smile forms on his lips.

"Alright, everybody into that fort now!" Chrom call as he starts running towards it, followed closely by the rest. The creatures shamble after them, surprisingly nimble despite their appearance. As they enter the ruined fort, Robin takes position behind them with Lissa, while the rest are in a line in the open gateway. The beings charge against them in small groups. One slashes at Sora only to be deflected from his shoulder shield before being sliced in two by Kairi. Frederick keeps them at bay with his spear before switching to his sword, his lance a lousy match up for the numerous axes. Chrom slices at two as Robin launches lightning balls at them from behind while Lissa heals wounds taken with her staff.

Deflecting another attack with her blade, Kairi opens up another being to a slash from Sora. They have managed to slay six creatures between them, but still, more emerge from the trees. Slashing down his seventh one, he glances at the others. Chrom ducks behind Frederick as a sword misses his head, only for the offending foe to be hit in the head by a ball of lightning. Lissa's staff glows blue and green before the same light engulfs Frederick, who is rubbing his shoulder after taking a blow from a large hammer. As he settles back into stance, an arrow appears from nowhere before slamming into one of the sword-wielding beings.

"Captain Chrom! Sorry that I'm late to the party!" a voice echoes behind them as the sound of hooves churns the ground. They look to their left and see a person charging at the beings on a brown horse, along with an uncomfortable-looking passenger.

The rider in questing is wearing a deep red metal breastplate with white lines around it, while a white neck cover reaches around her face, with red eyes and messy red hair. Her shoulders are bare, while her arms are covered in red metal gauntlets and elbow pads. A piece of white cloth stretches down from her chest while two red circle shields rest on her hips. Her legs are covered up to her thighs in red steel greaves. An iron sword is strapped to her left hip while an iron spear is held in her right hand.

Her passenger is a strange one. With short blue hair, which Sora swears reminds him of Sephiroth, and brown eyes, as well as a large brush on his cheek, he is dressed like a noble. A High neck collar on a blue shirt with a white crevasse on top of a white blouse, his left arm encased in silver archer armour with blue decal, a small shield on his left hip. His quiver of iron arrows is visible on his right while he holds his iron bow in his left. Black dress pants and long fancy brown boots would complement his figure if he did not look like he was ready to lose his dinner.

"I say! Slow down! I cannot aim like this!" the man cries as he tries to ready another arrow, but the woman scoffs at him.

"If this is all it takes to upset you, then you should have thought twice before agreeing to join!" she says as she strikes against one of the creatures with her spear, sending it to the ground.

"Sully! I am glad to see you here!" Chrom calls to them before slicing down another monster. Another makes to charge at him but is felled from another arrow. The remaining monsters move to strike at the cavalier, but she nimbly dodges between them, spinning her lance around her as she strikes down those closest to her, while her companion loses an arrow when he can. Chrom glances around the clearing, seeing the remaining foes to be countable on one hand alone. "Robin, there are but a few left!"

"Alright! Break cover and take them down! The fort has served its use!" Robin calls back while drawing his sword. The four fighters nod before charging at the remaining creatures, sending them back to wherever they came from. During the brawl, Robins sword breaks against one of the creatures axes. His eyes widen until the being falls forward, Sora standing behind it, sword grasped in both hands.

"You okay, Robin?" he asks before turning around to block another strike. Robin nods before bringing his book out and casting another bolt of thunder against a flanking foe.

"I am good. I just didn't think my sword would break during the fight!" Eventually, after what felt like hours, they eliminated the last of the creatures charging at them. Lissa raises her staff, healing any injuries they had taken before breathing sighs of relief. The group move to unite with the newest arrivals.

"You arrived at the best time possible, Sully. It's good to see you." Chrom says as he shakes her hand, a smirk on her face.

"You'd think I'd let a friend kick the bucket before me? And a childhood friend at that, then you're wrong. It's good to see the three of you are still kicking. But who's the plus three?" she casts a curious glance to the trio before Chrom nods his head.

"Right, these are some very dependable friends we encountered on our journey. Robin, Sora, and Kairi. Robin has a gift in tactics, while the other two are skilful fighters. They have been good company and are currently travelling with us to Ylisstol." Sully glances at them before smirking at them friendly.

"Huh, that so. Not every day someone gets Chrom's praise like that. And after seeing you handheld yourselves against those things, I'm inclined to agree with him. Nice to meet Cha." She extends her hand forward to them, who shakes it in reply.

"Likewise, Sully." Sora replies with his trademark grin. "Gotta say, those were some cool skills you displayed there."

"Sora's right. You were amazing out there. You managed to distract the monsters and gave us the opening we needed to break their assault. You wielded that spear like a pro." Kairi complements Sully's skill with the spear before a loud cough grabs their attention. The group turns their attention to the archer noble as he does a courteous bow to them, especially Kairi.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Virion. The man who puts the 'arch' in 'archer'." He walks up towards Kairi before taking one of her hands in his. Sora's eye twitches at this while Lissa shakes her head before Sully puts a hand on his shoulder.

"I know what he's doing, and he did it to me before we met up. So the only way to get him to shut up was to take him along. So let her deal with it." She pats his shoulder before walking over to her horse, a knowing smirk on her face, in a similar fashion to those who tried to woo her back home.

"What is your name, fair maiden?" Virion asks her while holding her hand. Kairi, visually uncomfortable at this, slowly backs away while retrieving her hand. As the dot finally click in her head, she realised what he was about to ask, having to contend with similar people at school. She smirks slyly before replying to him.

"My name is Kairi, but before you say anything, I just want to say something to you." Virion raises an eyebrow at this before she walks up to Sora, similarly with an eyebrow raised, nut one in recognition. It soon was joined with a smirk as Kairi wrapped her arms around him before kissing him on the cheek, causing him to smile lovingly at her. "I'm already taken."

Virion visibly recalls from the proclamation before falling, crestfallen. "Oh. Of course. Forgive me…" Virion mumbles before walking over to Sully, who was silently chuckling at the interaction. Sora looks at Kairi before wrapping his arms around her.

"Nice one, Kai. Good to see that method works here like it does back home." She beams at him before laying her head on his shoulder.

"You know you're the only one for me, Sora." She replies before kissing him on the lips. A rustling from the bushes catches the groups attention, as Frederick appears from it, followed by the mysterious warrior. When did he manage to sneak off? He nods in appreciation towards Sully before turning his attention to Chrom.

"It seems all the creatures are vanquished." He reports before turning to face the warrior. "This young man took care of the others." The warrior gazes at them, their intention unable to be seen behind the mask. They wear a dark blue jacket with blue shoulder guards, embroidered with gold decor, and dark blue fingerless gloves with large white cufflinks. Black pants stretch down into thigh-high blue boots with white folds at the top. A blue cape with a gold and red claps lays on her shoulder, with its inner lining a deep red. On their head is a gold circlet, while a deep brown belt is strapped over their shoulder, connecting it to a deep red and silver sheath behind them; the cape hides the hilt of the blade.

"Um, I never got to thank you…for before." Lissa says before bowing towards her rescuer. "So…thank you. You were fearless." The warrior shows no sign of moving, if not for a slight twitch on the lips. Chrom steps forward, a relieved smile on his face.

"You saved my sister's life. You have my eternal thanks. My name is Chrom. Might I ask yours?" The warrior glances at him before replying.

"You may call me Marth." He replies. Sora and Kairi look at each other. Someone named after the Hero King of Old shows up to help them? Chrom shares their surprise at the name of the warrior.

"Marth? After the heroic King of old? You certainly fight like a hero. Where did you learn your way with a sword?" despite the curiosity of his question, Marth frowns at it before turning around to look away. The group look at each other worryingly.

"I'm not here to talk about me." He replies, his voice calm and firm. "This world teeters at the brink of a horrible calamity. What you saw tonight was but a prelude. You have been warned." Marth walks away as they process what they have been told. Apart from Lissa.

"Huh? What's teetering where now?" she asks, but Marth continues to walk away. "Hey, wait!" she cries, but he doesn't stop, eventually disappearing into the woods.

"Not much for conversation, is he?" Robin asks, with the Shepherds agreeing with him. Sora and Kairi, however, ponder on what Marth said. Did he know about Grima's rise? If so, then why did he not say anymore? But, then again, are they any better, having to hold before the 'right moment' to tell? But there was something else about Marth that Sora found strange.

"I think there is something else Marth is keeping from us…" he whispers to Kairi.

"What do you mean, Sora?"

"It's probably nothing, but next time we see him, we should pay closer attention to his voice…."

Kairi could only tilt her head curiously at that. What had Sora picked up on? Before any more could be made, Frederick's pressing concern about the capital drags them back in. With him urging them to proceed, the group moved to leave the forest with many questions on their minds.

Bit of a hort chapter than last time, but it felt like a good place to stop here. One thing i want to mention about the depowering of the KH cast. It won't be permanent. There will come a point when those limitation will be removed to a degree. But i wont say anymore.

Speaking off, next chapter will have two more of the KH cast join, but i wont say who. Until then!