Before we start, I like to answer a point made by a guest about the Second and Master Seals. I can understand from a point of view they can be viewed as a 'game mechanic' but to me, i see it as a natural way to advance their skills. Promotions are a common occurrence in Fire Emblem, like with Ike in Path of Radiance, so cutting out that would feel, odd. That's why I've put them in. Hope you understand. Anyway, enough of that.
On with the plot!
Chapter 6: The Exalt and the King
The journey back to the capital was an eventful one. After seeing the power of Sonic Blade from Sora and Kairi, the Shepherds were eager (so more so than others) to learn how to pull off the skill. But, it turns out, not all could do it. The cavaliers, in particular, could not due to being on horseback, while Donnel said he would instead learn how to swing a sword first. Robin, to his chagrin, could not do it while Chrom had no problem initiating the skills, probably due to the nature of Falchion. The ones who had no problem at all were Sumia, Lon'qu and, surprising all, Kellam. Seeing the hulking mass of armour dash across the field left all stunned at the sight while Miriel racks her brain in figuring out HOW he does it. Sumia, however, flowed through the air with a gentle grace when performing the move, while Lon'qu, as with his nature, showed precise and deadly precision, hitting all targets directly in the centre.
All in all, Sora and Kairi could not help but smile at the outcome, even though Kairi worried if what they had done could be considered breaking the World Order until Sora mentioned it was Cloud who taught him how to do Sonic Blade. At the same time, Ars Arcanum was something he picked up by watching him fight in a rematch.
By the time they had returned to Ylisse, everyone was ready to sit down and relax for a few days. But unfortunately, such thoughts were dashed when Philia and Emmeryn emerged from the city with several guards, all wearing grim expressions and tragic news.
"What do you mean a village has been burned down!?" Chrom says in anger as the Shepherds look on, shocked at the news from Philia. She glances at her feet in shame at Chrom's outburst.
"It is as I said, milord. Plegian soldiers had been sighted inside our southwest border. They attached the nearby village in Themis and abducted the Duke's daughter." Lissa stares at Philia as her eyes widen before panicking in a fit. Maribelle was her friend, and now she was at the mercy of Plegia. "I am afraid there is more, Lady Lissa. King Gangrel of Plegia himself claims Lady Maribelle invaded HIS country. He is demanding we repay reparation for this 'insult'."
"It sounds to me like this Gangrel has had enough playing around and is trying another way of goading you into war," Roxas says while crossing his arms. He couldn't be helped but think back on the old Organisation. Some of its former members could easily do something like this with ease. Sora looks over at Roxas, guessing what he was thinking before looking at Kairi and Naminé. They two were giving Lissa looks of sympathy, knowing what it's like to be captured and used against your will against those you love.
"But is that not what he want's?" Sora asks those around him. Everyone looks at him curiously, waiting for him to continue. "Does he not want us to act in anger, allowing him to justify whatever cause he wants to start a war and have us dance to whatever tune he wants?"
"You are correct, Sora," Emmeryn says before looking at her brother. "If we give him what he wants and senselessly attack him, we will lose, no matter what the outcome. Our last conflict nearly ruined the Halidom. It left Ylisseans homeless and starving." Chrom looks down as his gaze saddens along with Lissa. Sora and the other look at them with wide eyes. Ylisse and Plegia had been at war not that long ago? Is that why Plegia has been so aggressive? What happened? Before they could ask any more questions, Emmeryn made her intent clear. She was to go and negotiate with the Mad King.
Immediately Lissa and Phila try and talk Emmeryn out of it, saying that he can not be trusted, but their arguments are silenced when Emmeryn asks if they should instead march to war or leave Maribelle to die. A choice she would not accept. Phila asks for forgiveness before stating that her Pegasus Knight would accompany her for protection, same with Chrom, Lissa and the Shepherds. Emmeryn looks to them all with gratitude before turning back to the palace, readying herself for the confrontation. Chrom, in turns, orders the Shepherds to be ready while telling Donnel to swap his iron sword for one of steel, to which he readily agrees as Stahl leads him to the barracks. As the Shepherds prepare themselves, the guardians step away to a quiet location to talk amongst themselves.
"Do you think this is a good idea?" Naminé asks the others after seeing they were alone. "I understand that Master Yen Sid sent us here to prevent the rise of Grima, but should we still take part in this war?" The others look to each other before an uneasy silence falls between them.
"Well, it's not like we have much of a choice…." Kairi says while rubbing her arm. "It is either we join the war against Plegia and save Ylisse, a place where the light is most potent. Or we leave and try to find clues on Grima but leave Ylisse to a war they may not win. Especially with the Risen and Heartless on the prowl. Who's to say Gangrel doesn't even control Heartless of his own? What if he DOSE?"
"We're in a catch Twenty-Two," Roxas says, shaking his head. "We stay and help and keep the light strong but lose any currently leads on Grima. We leave to find leads on Grima, and we risk losing the light." Sora glances around before looking at the palace.
"It's not just that, though…" the other three look at him. "I'm sure Kairi has sensed it, but I am positive that Emmeryn is also one of the New Princess of Heart. If she were to die…" Sora leaves the trail of thought unfinished as the three glances between them. No one wanted a repeat of what Maleficent did three years ago. "That's why my heart is telling me to stay and fight. Sure we may not be getting close to Grima, but this is more important. We are Keyblade Wielders," he glances to Naminé, giving him a raised eyebrow. "And soon to be Keyblade Weidler." Naminé shakes her head fondly while Kairi and Roxas chuckle at the comment. "We are guardians of the light. If we abandon the light like this to search for a hidden Darkness, could we call ourselves the Wielders of the Keyblade?" The three look to each other with wide eyes before narrowing them in determination.
"You're right, Sora," Kairi replies, taking a step forward. "This is what we do, protecting innocents and the light. Of course, our mission is important, but that is our long term goal. Protecting those around us will forever be our primary goal!"
"Even during my days in the Organization, I always found myself helping people one way or another. That's what made me, me. And like hell, if I'm going to just suddenly turn away from that." Roxas tightens his grip around the handle of Oblivi. Naminé looks around the three, each giving her assuring smile. She smiles softly before grasping her hands together.
"You are right. Sorry if I was weird; I just had to ask it before it started influencing my decisions." She narrows her eyes before taking a step forward. "We have already seen too many people suffering because of one person's mad ambitions. I won't let that happen anymore."
"It's okay, Naminé," Kairi replies while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We all have thoughts like that now and then. But we have made our decision." She turns to look at Sora, who nods at her before taking her hand. Naminé does the same with Roxas as they both slightly blush. Then, as one, they turn and leave for the barracks, the impending war fresh on their minds.
All is quiet in the morning as the Shepherds leave the capital with Emmeryn towards the meeting point with Plegia. A young mage around Kairi's height is watching from a lone hill with a humongous blue hat like Miriels. He is dressed similarly, but blue as the primary instead of black, with the exact white details. He is also wearing an ankle-length padded skirt of light and dark beige. He is holding a green wind tome in his hands while looking down angrily at the passing Shepherds.
"Be good, he says, what am I, four?" He says angrily. Even though his skills are on par with Miriel, he has been told to stay due to his height. Well, not anymore. "I'll show them how good I can be. Now then, all I need to do is follow them. No doubt Gangrel will drag Maribelle and boast in front of them. I just need to sneak through and rescue her. That should prove my skills." He mumbles to himself until he starts feeling the gaze of two eyes behind him. He turns around, eyes narrow as two warriors move up to him, both mounted.
One is a young man slightly taller than Sora, not counting the pitch-black horse he sits on with silver armour and purple details. The man's armour in question was similar to Stahl's but dark violet with silver details and a bitch black undersuit. In his right hand is a spear, with a shaft of dark blue, while the tip looked to be a combination of a red demon wing with a small white angel wing alongside it, while a sword with a dark blue handguard on his hip, similar in design to Sora's, resting in a black sheath. His sea-green eyes shine past his silver hair as he gazes at the mage.
The other is a young woman who looked almost identical to Kairi, but with black hair instead and riding on a Pegasus with black armour. Her armour is the same as Sumia's, but with black armour and white clothes, while her boots were pure black. She wields a spear that has a mix of white and black, with the spearhead having two small spears protruding from it, one white and one black.
"Who are you two?" the mage asks them, a wind spell ready to be cast. The cavalier looks at him before giving him a calm smile.
"Don't worry. We're not here to harm you." The mage looked hesitant to trust him, but gradually he lowered his book. "We heard what you were complaining about, and it sounds important. Think you can share what's going on?" The mage looks between the two before slowly nodding. Suddenly, his rescue mission became more straightforward, and he had no idea about it.
The trip to the valley was tense, to say the least. Constant vigilance for ambushes had even the most veteran people on edge. Not helped by the fact they are going to see the MAD king. Fortunately, or unfortunately, it was not long until they found him, standing upon a rock formation along the valley wall. With slicked-back dark red hair and a matching goatee, he is wearing a crocked crown with five sharp, slim prongs along its front. A black next warmer encompasses his neck while a yellow collar guard raises around it like a leaf, while six strips of cloth spread around it like petals. A long yellow cap flows to his ankles while he is wearing a black undershirt and pants. His shoes are pointed and brown, while silver metal greaves protect his lower legs up to his knees. Golden vambraces covered his arms while his nails were long and sharp. A brown belt with a silver buckle wraps around his waist as a column of white goes up against his chest, flanked by two strips of red with a golden string going down it in a zig-zag pattern.
Standing next to him is a woman who was dressed more, risqué than needed. Wearing a black skin-tight top that reached her waist, it exposed her stomach up to her neck, while she wore a very short black skirt. A black waist cloth hangs from her back and dangles behind her, while black leggings with soft patterns race up her legs up to her thighs, while small black shoes adorn her feet. On her shoulders and hips are black pieces of armour, which looked more like claws, while a black necktie of feathers adorns her back. On her head is what looked to be a black crow in a similar style as Gangrel's but backward, resin tong a skin-tight black hood while her silverly pink hair flows down to her impressive chest. While Gangrel gazes a glare between menacing and deranged, she is giving a sultry gaze at the males of the team, making several feel uncomfortable from her presence, Sora and Lon'qu especially.
"I really don't like the woman standing next to him…." Sora hears Kairi mumbling to herself. He gives her a half hugged squeeze to comfort her. She gives him a thankful gaze before they stop walking forward along with the rest, a short stone throw from the King. His eyes continue unabated until falling upon Emmeryn, turning into one of wickedness.
"What's this, then?" He asks, seemingly unamused at her presence. "The exalt herself, in all her radiance? I fear I must shield my eyes!" he says, mocking her before bursting into a fit of laughter. Everyone present restrains their anger from shown at the Mad King's taunts, the guardians especially. They could feel the Darkness radiating off him like the sun on Destiny Islands. How he had not succumbed to Darkness, they would never know, and not WANT to ether. Emmeryn remains impassive, saying she had come here for the truth. This, in turn, draws the attention of the woman standing next to Gangrel, calling herself Aversa. She snaps her fingers as a brigand drags Maribelle towards the ledge roughly. Lissa cries out for her before the brigand places a muffle around her mouth.
"This girl crossed the Plegian border without our consent." She continues, ignoring the interruption. "And what's more… She wounded the brave Plegian soldiers who sought only to escort her safely home." Maribelle shakes her head, denying the accusation, but she could not speak with the rag covering her mouth. "You see? No manners at all. Such a nasty little bird simply had to be caged." She snaps her hands, and the brigand drags her away, much to Lissa's pleas.
"Such a violent temper spoke of her guilt. This will call for a serious punishment. And if she were to later confess to being a Ylissean spy?" Gangrel's grin grew even more monstrous before continuing. "My Goodness! It would take an act of CONSIDERABLE good faith to repair our relations." Chrom growls and attempts to move forward, only for Sumia to grab his hand and shake her head. Reluctantly, he takes a step backwards as Emmeryn steps forward.
"King Gangrel, I request that you release this woman at once. Surely you and I can sort out these affairs without the need of hostages?" Gangrel looks at her in disgust before spitting on the ground, wondering why he even bothered to parley. He could easily have Maribelle executed and be home for dinner. Sora takes a step forward, almost tapping into Flowmotion before Kairi and Naimné pull him back, shaking their heads, even though it is clear they were barely holding themselves back from lashing out at him. Gangrel glances at the guardians before his eyes widen slightly, before a more demonic smile forms on his face.
"Now then, Your Graceliness. Perhaps we can arrange a trade? So you give me the Fire Emblem and that red coloured mercenary, and I return Mari Contrary here in one piece." Emmeryn's eyes widened in shock as she took a small step back while Sora instinctively placed a hand on his sword. Did he somehow know about what he was carrying? Emmeryn asks why he would want the Fire Emblem, whose power is to save the world in its most desperate hour. Gangrel, in turn, proclaims that his wish, and that of every Plegian, is a grisly end to all Ylisseans. The Shepherds all immediately go into a defensive stance, weapons at the ready, while the guardians could sense Gangrel's Darkness grow even more. "Urgh… I have had enough of this chattering. If you won't give me the Fire Emblem or mercenary brat, I'll have to take both from your dead corpse!" He snaps his fingers as an army of Heartless suddenly appear along with several Plegian warriors. Instantly the guardians draw their weapons and stand protectively in front of Emmeryn. "Let the war commence! A big, messy war that will bleed you dry!"
"So you're the one controlling the Heartless!" Sora yells at the Mad King in anger as they advance upon them. "Don't you know how much danger you're putting yourself into by siding with them!" Gangrel seems to ponder curiously before bursting into laughter.
"So that is what these things are called. I'll have to thank him later for giving me this power. As for you two…" he points a finger directly at Sora and Kairi, completely ignoring Sora's question. "Stay alive for a bit longer. I require you, and it's better that you live than be dead. Or I could just take your Hearts and be done with it. Have at them!" With that one command, Gangrel's forces charge at them. Immediately Frederick and Kellam move to the front as Sully and Stahl move to the sides. Robin, Miriel, Lissa, Naminé, Virion and Roxas stay near the middle for protection as Chrom, Sora, Kairi, Lon'qu, Donnel, and Vaike move forward as well, filling the gaps between the cavaliers and knight.
Sumia took to the sky herself and processed to hit and run the enemies on the ground until the screeching of wyverns caught her attention. Three wyvern rides were bearing down on her. Well, until one of them took a glowing arrow to the chest while the wyvern took a steel arrow to the head. Sumia glances to the ground and passes a thankful nod to Virion and Roxas, who return their attention to the fight on the ground battle while she charges forward against the wyverns. It was not going to be easy.
Aversa slowly walks away, sultry from the ridge towards the captured Maribelle, hanging her head down in shame. She smirks evilly at the captured noble, while next to her is her horse, a brown stallion with two blue shields on its back legs, and her mend staff. "Poor stupid girl…" Aversa begins to walk around her, enticing her guards with each step. "Are you really worth fighting a war over?" she brushes a hand against her hair, making her flinch from the touch. "Years from now, you'll be remembered only as she who destroyed House Ylisse." Maribelle begins to leak tears from her eyes as Aversa chuckles menacingly.
Suddenly, a large gust of wind erupts from under the guards holding Maribelle hostage, blowing away the rag covering her face at the same time. Aversa looks around for the culprit, only to hear the sound of hooves impacting the ground rushing towards her. She turns around only to see a silver-haired warrior charging at her with a spear pointing directly at her. Hastily, she erects a barrier of darkness, its pattern resembling that of dragon scales before the spear could hit her. Still, the impact sent her reeling backwards. "What-?" she tries speaking only for another spear to punch her in the back, knocking her to the ground. Her assailant is a Pegasus rider carrying the mage with her. The mage looks over to Maribelle with a smile on his face.
"Maribelle! Get on your horse! You're free!" he cries to her. She looks at him in shock before rushing to her horse and mounting it.
"RICKEN!? What are you doing here?"
"Saving you, of course. With a little help. Now come on! We need to help Chrom and Lady Emmeryn!" Maribelle nods to him before the cavalier moves over to Ricken.
"Ricken, jump on Maribelle's horse; I'll get us down there while Xion helps out the other Pegasus Knight." He looks towards the Pegasus Knight, Xion, who nods at him with a hint of worry before gesturing Ricken to get off. As he does, she turns her gaze back to him.
"Are you sure, Riku? There are a lot of foes down there." Xion says before casting a glance at the number of foes down there, while there were not that many Plegian warriors, the number of Heartless was easily triple the number of Shepherds down in the valley. Riku shakes his head dismissively as Ricken gets on Maribelle's horse.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Just stay safe yourself, alright?" Riku asks with a gentleness in his voice, with Xion giving him a confident nod before flying into the sky. He turns to face Maribelle, moving her horse near him. "Stay near me; we are going to break through the hard way." He turns to face the force before him as he focuses energy into his spear as he and his mount glow in a dark violet aura.
Down in the valley, the fighting was getting desperate. Virion was running low on arrows while Kellam had taken a nasty hit meant for Sully. Lissa was busy tending to Frederick and Stahl while Lon'qu and Vaike fought to keep the Plegians away. Meanwhile, the Heartless primarily focused on Chrom, Sora and Kairi, their hunger drawn to the light radiating from their weapons.
"Chrom! We can't keep this up forever! We have to fall back!" Robin calls from the rear, casting another ball of thunder as he and Miriel fight to keep Emmeryn safe, her Pegasus guards distracted by the wyvern flyers from above.
"I know, Robin! But it's not like we have any opportunities here!" Chrom replies after parrying his latest foes strike, watching them fade to darkness after taking a blow from Falchion to the shoulder. He casts a worrying glance at Sumia as she fights with the Plegian commander in the sky, desperation in her attacks as the command outmanoeuvres her again. Suddenly, a second Pegasus knight charges into the fray, slamming her spear against the wyvern knight, startling him and forcing him back. He blinked his eyes a few times, confused at seeing a second Kairi fighting in the sky, before turning to the red-head in question. "Hey, do you know that Pegasus knight? She looks like you."
Kairi glances at him, confused until she glances upward, and immediately her face lightens up before turning to her boyfriend. "Sora! Xion is here!" Sora looks up as well, his face lighting considerably at seeing his sister flying through the skies. "And if Xion is here then-" her sentence is caught off by the sudden glow of a purple aura behind the enemy forces. The ones at the back turn around in confusion, only to see a very angry Riku charging at them, engulfed in a dark aura.
"Dark Aura!" he cries before he AND his horse charge forward at blinding speed, easily matching Sora, and Kairi's Sonic Blade as he cleaves through the Plegian forces. As he clears a path, Maribelle and Ricken charge through the opening left by Riku; Ricken tosses out wind spells with abandon as they reach the surprised Shepherds; they came to save her, but here she is saving them!
"Want some!" Riku cries as his horse leaps into the air before landing down on the ground, erupting several pillars of light-infused Darkness, disorienting the Plegian forces even more. The Plegian commander in the sky, distracted by Riku's assault on the ground, fails to notice Sumia charging from below while Xion dives from above. They both strike him at the same time, sending him spiralling down to the ground. Seeing their command has fallen, the remaining Plegian warriors retreat into the valley, leaving the Shepherds victorious.
Riku breathes a heavy sigh before dismounting from his horse. It had been a long time since he last used Dark Aura, but he was glad he could still use it. The flapping of wings brings his attention to Xion as she guides her Pegasus down next to him, herself looking equally exhausted from the sky battle. Both only smile slightly at each other before turning their gaze to some very relived friends. "Hey, you guys. What's going on?" he says in a smug attitude to Sora as he and the others walk up to him.
"Oh, nothing much. Slaying Heartless and fighting to keep the light safe. You?" Sora replies with equal smugness before they both break down in laughter and grasp each other in a hard handshake. "It's great to see you here, Riku. How long had you been following us?" Riku looks over to the mage Ricken as he stands in front of a bewildered Chrom. "Just as you lot left the capital. We didn't know what you were doing, but after a brief talk with Ricken, we were brought up to speed." His eyes narrow before glancing at the cliff wall where Gangrel stood. "Things are more complicated here than Master Yen Sid said they were…."
"Either way, we are so glad to have finally found you!" Xion says with a cheerful tone before wrapping Sora and Roxas in a big hug. "I get to fight alongside my brothers again!" The two boys chuckle at her before patting her back as Chrom walks up to the Shepherds with Robin in tow again. He turns to look at the newest arrivals before smiling softly.
"More friends of Sora's, I presume?" The two in question nod at Chrom's question instantly. "I had a feeling that was the case. It is always a pleasure to meet more allies. My name is Chrom, Prince of Ylisse. And please, no need to be formal with me."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chrom. My name is Riku." He steps forward to shake Chrom's hand. "I'm sort of the older brother to those two lovebirds." He says while pointing a thumb at Sora and Kairi, who glare playfully at him. Chrom chuckles at the comment before turning towards Xion, before blinking twice again. She looked almost exactly like Kairi apart from the hair colour.
"My name is Xion. I'm Sora's sister." She holds her hand out to Chrom, who shakes it while giving her a look. Xion rolls her eyes, knowing what it is that Chrom is thinking. "No, I'm not related to Kairi, even if I do look like her." Chrom blanches at the statement while the guardians chuckle to themselves as Riku puts an arm around her. Chrom shakes his head a few times as Robin walks up to Riku.
"That move you used, was that Sonic Blade perchance?" Riku looks at him with wide eyes before turning a questioning gaze to Sora and Kairi, who meekly shrugged at him. He shakes his head before turning his gaze back to Robin. "No, it was called Dark Aura. It looks similar, but it is something only I can use. But why do you ask?"
"Well, we had been wondering if we could use similar skills, and so far, only Kellam Sumia and Lon'qu can use it. We ruled out our cavaliers due to being on horseback, but after seeing you, do you think you could teach Sully, Stahl, and Frederick how? It could help our chances on the battlefield."
Riku looks over the Shepherds in question, an analytical gaze flowing over them before nodding to himself. He says that he can teach them how to use Sonic Blade since, on principle, the storing of energy would technically be the same. But any more talks of tactics ends when Emmeryn walks up to the group.
"Um, who is that?" Xion asks Naminé innocently as Emmeryn approaches. Naminé, in turn, almost slaps herself in the face for forgetting to tell her about Emmeryn.
"Xion, Riku, that is Emmeryn. The Exalt, and current rule, of Ylisse, and Chrom and Lissa's older sister." She then leans in to whisper to them. "She is also one of the New Princesses of Heart." The two guardians eyes widen slightly before bowing to Emmeryn as she nears. She smiles softly at the two before motioning them to rise. She looks at Robin, thinking to herself before steeling her nerves. He has proven himself, and as a tactician, he needs to know. Chrom sees the resolve in her eyes and nods at her, following her choice.
"It pleases me to see more Wielders of the Key join our ranks." Riku and Xion are taken aback by Emmeryns proclamation while Robin looks on confused. Sora and the other look at Emmeryn, wondering why she brings that up with Robin next to them. "I can understand your questions, but I have deemed it necessary that Robin knows the truth of our History." She takes out a roll of paper and hands it to Robin. "This will give you the basic overview of the truth; if you need more, talk to Chrom or Sora and his friends, but only in places where you cannot be overheard." Robin gingerly takes it before nodding at Emmeryn nervously. She smiles softly at her before she returns her gaze to the guardians.
"I would like to discuss more with all of you, but not here. When we return to Ylisstol, please come to my chambers, provided we have time. I need to talk with all of you. Chrom, bring Lissa with you. She needs to hear this too." The group nod at her before she turns to leave, re-joining Phila and her squadron as the Shepherds prepare to head home. Today would be the last time any of them knew peace for a long while.
And now Riku and Xion have joined! A quick side not about Riku and Dark Aura. I've given him that as his version of Sonic Blade, since not matter what, his attacks will always have that darkness edge to them, so to me, Dark Aura is his Sonic Blade. It is also shows to the other Cavaliers that even though they are on horses and can't fly like Sumia, they can also use Sonic Blade as well. Anyway, next one is the Unit Stats for Riku and Xion!