AN: I do not own Touhou Project or Fire Emblem.
So recently I managed to get the Dolphin emulator working on my computer and have picked up ROMS for Radiant Dawn and Path of Radiance, meaning I can officially claim to have played them now. Still have to finish them but so far I've been having fun with Path of Radiance, while I haven't started Dawn yet, I want those save state bonuses! Enough about me, if you like the chapter, please leave a review… at this point I honestly couldn't care if it's like 10 words or 200 I just want to know that people are liking, or hating my story!
But without further ado!
Let the Conquest begin!
Years Past: Xander
Training
BGM: A Battle and a Beginning - Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
"ARRAGH!" Xander yelled as he swung his practice sword at Celsius, who casually stepped out of the way of the ten year old Xander's he missed Xander stumbled, only to get nailed in the back by Celsius' trainer sword and sent tumbling into the snow face first.
"Alright Xander, enough games, get up." Celsius said sternly. The normally kind purple haired woman acting like a stern teacher to her pupil. "Yes auntie." Xander mumbled as he got up slowly, only for Celsius go "hmmm?"
"I mean, yes Celsius." Xander said, wanting to avoid the last time he had called Celsius 'auntie' during training. Strong and kind she may be; she was like a completely different person during their training. "Good, not get ready, this time I want you to show me everything you've got." Celsius said as Xander positioned himself a few feet away from Celsius, holding his wooden sword in two hands as Celsius held her wooden sword in one.
"Alright Xander, just to make it a little bit easier on you, I'll use and axe." Celsius said as Xander looked at her confused. "Don't tell me you forgot about the weapons triangle again." Celsius said as Xander stared at her. "I didn't forget, it's a simple pattern. Swords beat axes, axes beat lances and lances beat swords." Xander said as Celsius nodded. "Good mind Xander, but that isn't the only part of the triangle you should be aware of… then again we haven't gone over that one yet." Celsius said as she hefted a blunt wooden axe in one hand.
"I'm guessing I won't be told until after we duel?" Xander asked as he gripped his sword tighter. "Right… now bring it on!" Celsius said with a smile as she spun the axe in her hand before setting in on her shoulder.
Xander then ran at Celsius, swinging his wooden sword in a horizontal slash, slamming the sword into Celsius' side. Celsius didn't even flinch as she took her axe off her shoulder before swinging it at Xander, who backed out of the way before taking another swing at Celsius, who casually sidestepped his swing. "Sloppy Xander." Celsius said as she took her turn, swinging her axe at Xander's side, slamming the wooden weapon into his side, bruising it as Xander winced before retaliating.
Gripping his sword with both hands he tried taking a stab at Celsius' chest, landing a blow that Celsius didn't even react to before he quickly took a second swing, slamming his sword into her side, Celsius not even reacting as Xander backed off again.
"I can't do it… I can't win, even with you holding back." Xander said with a wince as he held his bruised side. "So you can tell?" Celsius asked as Xander looked up at her. "I'm not stupid, you intentionally put yourself at a disadvantage on the triangle, you are letting me attack you twice before taking your own strike, and I know that you've faced much stronger than me." Xander said as he held the trainer sword by his side as Cirno huffed. "Nice deduction Xander… how about I get you someone a little more on your level?" Celsius asked as Xander looked up. "Who would you get?" Xander asked as Celsius smirked.
"HEY ORSON! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE!" Celsius called, knowing the Orson could probably hear her. "I'M COMING!" Orson called back, followed by the sounds of clanking armor as Celsius tapped her foot waiting, Xander confused as Orson ran across the battlements above their courtyard, climbing over and jumping down into the snow. "You called general?" Orson asked, saluting as Celsius nodded. "Yeah, Xander needs a sparring partner that isn't me." Celsius said as Orson looked at her like she was crazy.
"And you thought I was a good candidate why?" Orson asked as Celsius smiled. "Because out of everyone I could have called, most of them prefer the lance to the sword. That and Tirado would wipe the floor with him." Celsius said as Orson sighed. "Fine, I'll do it." Orson said as he griped his steel sword, only for Celsius to throw the trainer sword to him. "Use that." She said, pointing at him as he nodded.
BGM: The First Fight - Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Orson stood with the trainer on his shoulder as Xander held his with both hands. "Alright Xander, show me what you got!" Celsius called with a smile as Xander nodded. "I'll do my best Celsius." Xander said, raising his trainer sword as Orson smiled. "Bring it prince Xander." Orson said as Xander nodded.
Xander ran through the snow at Orson, ready to swing his wooden blade, Orson pulling his off his shoulder to block Xander's wooden sword. The wooden swords slammed against each other with a resounding crack, tiny chips of wood flying as Xander struggled to push back against Orson, but the older man wasn't even trying as he held firm against Xander's assault.
This continued for a few minutes until Orson frowned, Xander on his knees panting as Celsius sighed. "He needs someone his own age to fight." Orson said as Xander slowly got up. "No! I can beat you sir Orson." Xander said, being stubborn as he held his trainer up again.
"If he wants to fight someone he can fight me!" Someone called, Xander turning around as Orson looked past him and Celsius turned her head towards the voice. A young girl with dark purple hair and a red shirt was standing behind Xander, a trainer sword at her side. "Who are you?" Xander asked as the girl smiled and put her fist against her chest. "Name's Mia, I'm sir Gunter's daughter." Mia said with a smile as Celsius smirked. "I like your spunk kid, if you want to spar with the prince, be my guest." Celsius said as Mia nodded. "Wait! I wanted to beat Sir Orson!" Xander said, still being stubborn about wanting to win against Orson. "Prince Xander, I think it's a good idea for you to spar with someone your own age." Orson said, raising his hands up peacefully as Xander frowned.
"What, do you think I'm too weak for you to fight?" Mia asked, putting her hands on her hips and tapping her foot in the snow as Xander looked at her. "No, but I wouldn't want to hurt a girl, and I want to beat Orson." Xander said, but about halfway through his sentence Mia's eyes had gone blank and she had stopped tapping her foot. "What did you say…" Mia said dangerously, Xander not picking up on her dangerous tone as Celsius smirked. "Xander I think you should…" Orson started, only for Celsius to raise her hand to stop him. "He needs to learn." She said with a smirk.
"What? I only said I didn't want to hurt you and I want to beat sir Orson." Xander said as Mia's right eye twitched. "You think you'll hurt me huh…" Mia said as she lowered her head, her hand on her trainer as Xander raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about!" Xander said, getting startled as Mia quickly pulled her trainer off her hip and swung it at Xander, the prince rolling out of the way and holding his trainer sword in both hands. "What are you doing!" Xander yelled as Mia looked up. "I'LL SHOW YOU WHO CAN HURT WHO!" Mia shouted as Xander's eyes went wide.
BGM: Battle Of Pride - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
As Xander blocked Mia's wooden blade chips of wood were sent flying. "Wait! I didn't want to fight you!" Xander shouted at Mia as she just pushed back harder. "SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME COWARD!" Mia shouted back at Xander as he glared at her. "I'M NOT A COWARD!" Xander shouted as he pushed back against Mia's sword even harder, the two children struggling for dominance.
After a few seconds the two pulled away, their swords in a rest position before they ran at each other again. Mia and Xander slamming their swords before quickly going into a short battle of swinging and parrying, knocking the other's sword out of the way. Eventually the two went back into a blade lock.
"Give up!" Mia shouted at Xander as he grunted, trying to push back against Mia's blade. "Never! I swear it in the name of my father!" Xander shouted at Mia as the two broker their lock before both of them took a swing at the other's head.
The resound crack as the wooden swords slammed into the side of the other's head was loud, Orson wince and seething as Celsius sighed. "That had to hurt…" Orson muttered as Celsius nodded.
Both Mia and Xander were laying on their backs in the snow, large bumps on their heads from where they had hit each other with their swords. "That hurt…" Xander complained as Mia huffed. "Wimp…" Mia said before wincing in pain as Xander sat up. "Yeah right, you okay?" Xander said as he stood up and walked over to Mia, lowing his hand for her to grab. "I don't need your help." Mia said slapping Xander's hand away as she slowly got up, only to fall face first into the snow.
"Looks like you do Mia." Xander said, helping her roll over before lowering his hand again for her to grasp. This time Mia grabbed it and Xander helped pull her up. "That was a nice fight." Xander said as Mia smirked. "You weren't so bad yourself prince." Mia replied as she threw her arm around Xander's shoulder and smiled. "What do you say we do this again sometime." Mia said with a smile as Xander huffed. "I'll take you up on that one." Xander said as he winced in pain from the bump on his head. "I suggest you two find my sister and get those wounds healed. Before they get any worse." Celsius suggested. "Yes auntie." Xander called as he and Mia slowly walked back inside, Mia's arm still around Xander's shoulder as Orson stood next to Celsius and smiled. "Ahh young love." Orson said with a smile as Celsius raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked confused as Orson chuckled. "It's nothing." Orson replied as Celsius just shrugged.
Siegfried
BGM: Like Father, Like Son - Fire Emblem Path of Radiance
Celsius watched as Xander and Mia spared, the two eleven year oldsswinging their training swords in what would have been a deadly dance had anyone else been using them that way. The two had long since become accustomed to sparing with each other, knowing each other's styles inside and out.
"Alright you two, that's time!" Celsius called, the two stopping as they looked at Celsius. "Nice spar Xander, see you later?" Mia said with a smile holding her hand out for Xander to grasp. "Yes Mia, I'll see you later." Xander said, grasping Mia's hand and shaking it as the two nodded.
"Actually Mia, you might want to stick around for this." Celsius said as Mia smiled. "Really? What's the occasion?" Mia asked as Xander looked at Celsius. "I think Xander knows what I'm talking about." Celsius said as she fingered one of the swords on her back. Xander's eyes went wide for a moment as he looked at the sword in the sheath. "Siegfried…" Xander muttered as Mia looked confused.
"Siegfried? What's that?" Mia asked as Celsius spoke up. "Siegfried is one of the two sacred weapons of Nohr." Celsius said as she pulled both the sword and the sheath off her back. "The sword of holy darkness, the blade of black flames." Celsius started as she held the sheathed sword in front of her before slowly pulling Siegfried out of the sheath, Xander and Mia watching as the blade ignited itself with a purple glow as it left its scabbard. Celsius simply held Siegfried as her side as she threw the scabbard into the snow. "This, is Siegfried." Celsius finished.
"But I can't be ready for it Celsius! I still have much to learn." Xander protested as he looked at the large sword that Celsius held in a single hand. The thing was almost as large as he was, and she was holding it like it was a knife! "On the contrary Xander, you are ready." Celsius said as she spun Siegfried in her hand before slamming it into the ground, a wave of dark energy nearly knocking Mia and Xander over as the snow was sent flying.
Up on the battlements, Forde was snoring away, while standing up. Kyle was sitting next to him shaking his head in annoyance. "One of these days… I don't know when, you are going to get hit while you are sleeping." Kyle complained as he felt a small shockwave pass under him. Slowly turning around he gulped as a pile of snow came flying at him and Forde. "Me and my big…" Was all Kyle had to say before he and Forde were sent flying off the battlements into the snow below. "Oww…" Forde complained as he poked his head of the snow, Kyle following him with a pissed off look on his face.
Back in the courtyard, Xander and Mia stood in shock as Celsius backed away from Siegfried, which was still indented in the ground. "Go ahead Xander, try and pull it out." Celsius said as she picked up the scabbard.
Xander walked closer to the sword that was indented in the ground, the snow still falling all around it as he placed his hand on the hilt. Looking up at Celsius he decided to place both hands on the hilt before pulling as hard as he could.
The sword barely moved, Siegfried stuck in the ground thanks to Celsius' strength, and now Xander couldn't get it out. Celsius however was smiling. Xander kept trying to pull Siegfried out, Mia watching as the young prince tried and failed to pull the large blade out of the ground. "I'm not ready for this…" Xander muttered as he let go of Siegfried, looking at the sacred blade forlornly.
"You can't stand on your own Xander; a king needs his retainers." Celsius said bluntly as Xander raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about, I don't have any retainers." Xander said, confused as Mia put her hand on Xander shoulder. "I know what she means." Mia said as Xander turned his head to face her. "Put your hands on the hilt again." Mia said, going over to the other side of Siegfried as Xander put his hands on Siegfried.
Neither of them spoke as they both started pulling, trying to pull the sword out of the ground as snow fell around them. Slowly the sword started to budge as Celsius watched on, smiling as the prince and girl managed to pull the sword out of the ground together.
And together they raised the Siegfried high into the air, the purple flames of the blade burning brightly as Mia slowly let go of the sword's hilt. "No one has to stand alone Xander, just remember that you always have friends by your side." Mia said with a smile as Xander lowered Siegfried to his side, holding the heavy blade with two hands and raising it up to his shoulder, letting the burning blade lean on it without harming himself.
"Thanks Mia…" Xander said quietly as Celsius threw something at Xander, the prince looking down at the scabbard for the sacred weapon. "Time for your final test Xander." Celsius said as Xander looked at her, watching her pull Alondite out of its sheath and holding it with a single gloved hand, pointing the blade at him. "You and Mia versus me." Celsius said as she flipped Alondite in her hand.
"But…" Xander started as he spared a glance at Mia. "She's my sparring partner, and that would put you at a disadvantage." Xander said as Mia huffed. Celsius just laughed. "Remember the last time we fought Xander." Celsius said with a grin as Xander winced. "Mia… back me up." Xander said, his tone shifting completely as he griped Siegfried with both hands and held it in front of him. "I'm right behind you Xander." Mia said quietly as Celsius smirked. "Show me what you've learned Xander!" Celsius shouted as they began.
BGM: Time Of Action - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
Xander opened the fight as he swung Siegfried at Celsius, who raised Alondite with one hand to block the sacred blade with tempered steel. "Try a little harder Xander." Celsius taunted as Xander smirked. "That's why I'm here!" Mia shouted as she tried to stab her sword into Celsius.
Celsius was quick to break her lock with Xander, switching to block Mia's strike before Xander tried to follow up on Mia's attack. Xander tried to strike from below as Mia broke the lock with Celsius, rolling away before jumping back up and trying to strike her over the head.
Unable to block both attacks with on blade Celsius grabbed her personal blade from behind her, using it to block Siegfried and using Alondite to block Mia's sword. Both Xander and Mia visibly struggled to push against Celsius' strength as she pushed them both away.
Mia skidded to a halt as Xander stuck Siegfried in the ground to stop himself from skidding away. "Good on you two, you got me to use both swords." Celsius said as Xander looked up and Mia readied her blade again. "Now let's see if you two warrant me to continue doing so." Celsius taunted as Xander pulled Siegfried out of the ground with a little difficulty.
Mia and Xander shared a look and a nod before running at Celsius again, Celsius ready to block their attacks as they were about to strike. Only for Xander and Mia to swap positions, Xander swinging high as Mia swung low. Celsius was surprised by the swap, but not by much. "Nice try you two." Celsius said as she flipped away from the twin strikes as Celsius sheathed her sword. "But not good enough." Celsius said as Xander stood back up as Mia stood next to him.
"It's no use, even after years of training she's still so far ahead of me." Xander muttered. "Did you think she neglected her training? She's been training just as hard as we have, and that's just to keep in shape." Mia shot back at Xander as Celsius smirked. "Give up?" Celsius asked as Xander slowly stuck Siegfried in its sheath.
"Normally I would say never, but I know that we can't beat you. You are my father's general for a very good reason." Xander said as Celsius smirked as sheathed Alondite. "Asskicking equals authority Xander, learn it quick." Celsius joked to the young boy as Mia sheathed her own sword. "So did he pass?" Mia asked as Celsius nodded. "You two did well enough, but I expect you to get better." Celsius said with a smile as Mia and Xander nodded. "We will… and one day I will best you Celsius." Xander said as he held his hand out. "I expect you to Xander." Celsius said as she shook his hand.
Three Retainers: The Rising Sun
BGM: Uncharted Fates - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
"So who's left?" Minerva asked as she looked at Garon as Elise sat in her lap, Xander standing beside her. "Shrino… and guess what no last name. This seems to be a running theme with this trio." Garon said as Xander looked down in the ring as the men set up again. "Can we please get a raise after this!" One of the soldiers complained as Minerva and Garon looked between each other a shrugged. "Later." Garon called as Shiro entered the arena.
And suddenly all the soldiers just straight up dropped their weapons in shock. The knight looked like wanted to take off his helmet to make sure what he was seeing was right, and the fighter had just started grinning maniacally at what he saw.
The man named Shiro was wearing a soldier's armor, a metal buckler on his right arm and a lance in his left. The color of the armor was a simple red, all in all he looked like a normal soldier, except for the fact he wasn't wearing a helmet and his hair was an orange unkempt mess under his helmet. "A soldier?" Xander asked as Garon and Minerva shrugged. "I wouldn't write him off so quickly, he's apparently the 'leader' of the trio that has been fighting here." Minerva said as Celsius was down in the arena smiling. "Come on then! Let the battle begin!" Celsius yelled, throwing her arms out as the soldiers all picked their weapons back up for the fight.
"Very well then." Shiro muttered as he raised his buckler shield and held his lance in his hand, ready to battle. "I hope this doesn't end like last time…" a scared soldier muttered. "Shut up Rex." another soldier told him. "You first Ace." Rex complained as another soldier looked at them. "Both of you shut it!" he shouted. "Sorry Cid." They said as Cid grunted. "Are you three done?" Celsius asked as Shiro sweat dropped and lowered his lance and shield slightly. "Just f*king start the fight already!" Cid shouted as all the fighters in the arena raised their weapons, except Celsius. "Language Cid! There are children here!" Minerva shouted into the arena, before she started coughing up a fit as Elise looked up at her mother in worry.
BGM: Stalwarts Unite - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
"Follow me Kamura!" a soldier yelled as he ran at Shiro. "I'm on it Kotaff." Kamura, a fellow soldier said as he ran with Kamura, who had his lance at the ready to stab Shiro. Shiro however raised his buckler, ready to block the spear.
Kotaff tried to stab low, but Shiro lowered his buckler to block it with ease, before retaliating, taking a stab at Kotaff as Kamura blocked Shiro's lance with his own. At that moment Kotaff tried to attack again, taking a stab at Shiro's chest. Shiro pulled his lance away and managed to avoid getting stabbed in the chest, but he was quickly on the defensive again as both Kotaff and Kamura tried to stab him at together.
Shiro grunted as he raised his shield to block, their lances slamming into the metal buckler and sending sparks flying as Shiro pushed them back. "Two on one is hardly a far fight." Shiro complained as the soldiers looked between each other. "We've been having our asses kicked all day, I think being a little cheap is warranted." Kotaff complained as he took another stab at Shiro.
This time Shiro deflected the lance with his shield before getting in Kotaff's face and slamming his shield into Kotaff, disorienting him as Shiro struck Kamura with his lance to knock him down before putting his lance to Kotaff's face. "Stand down." Shiro said, glaring at Kotaff as he dropped his lance and growled before sitting in the dirt.
"I really don't like this…" The last soldier complained as his partners, the knight and the fighter looked at him, the knight managing to be deadpan under his helmet. "Quit whining Arnold." The knight said as Arnold glared at the knight. "Drake, you and Marco don't have it as bad as us soldiers do." Arnold complained as Shiro slowly walked towards them. "Quit your trap Arnold, we have a man to fight." Marco said as he ran towards Shiro with his axe, Drake following him as Arnold growled and ran with them towards Shiro.
Marco yelled as he swung his axe at Shiro, Shiro ducking out of the way before stabbing at Marco's chest. "I'm here for you." Drake called as he stuck his spear in front of Marco, blocking Shiro's spear as Marco took another swing with his axe, Arnold stabbing as Marco swung.
Shiro growled as he raised his buckler to block the axe as he used his own spear to block Arnold's spear. However, Drake took advantage of his distraction and tried to stab him with his own spear, leaving Shiro to jump out of the way before growling. "Alright… that's enough games." Shiro complained as he spun his spear in his hand. "Astra!" Shiro shouted as he rushed towards the trio.
"Astra!" Arnold panicked, fearing the skill as Drake placed himself between Marco, Arnold and Shiro. "I'll protect you both." Drake said as he raised his heavy shield, Shiro already in stabbing range.
Five powerful stabs slammed against Drake's shield cracking it with each one before a sixth stab broke straight through the shield. "Dammit!" Drake yelled as Marco jumped over him with his axe already swinging. "TAKE THIS!" Marco shouted as he swung his axe down at Shiro who took a moment to look up with wide eyes before stabbing his lance upward quickly, the lance seeming to split in five from the speed of the jabs.
The end result was Marco laying on the ground in pain from the jabs and clutching his stomach. "That hurt… I think you punctured a kidney." Marco moaned as Drake and Arnold looked at Shiro, who's lance was still glowing a light blue from Astra's power. "Who the hell is this guy?" Arnold asked as Drake raised his lance with one hand. "I don't know, but I'm not going to fall that easily to him." Drake said as he pointed his lance at Shiro.
BGM: Alight (Storm) - Fire Emblem Fates
"We're here for you Drake, we ain't going down like cannon fodder." Cid said as he, Ace and Rex walked up next to Arnold and Drake. "You think you all can beat me?" Shiro asked as all of them passed a look between each other. "We dam sure think so." Cid said as Marco slowly got up and picked up his axe. "I ain't down for the count yet." Marco said as he picked up his axe and stumbled next to Drake.
"So I have to fight six of you at once? Great." Shiro said, seeming both unimpressed and annoyed. "There is a difference between camaraderie and ganging up on someone." Someone said behind Shiro as he turned around, seeing Kotaff and Kamura behind him, wielding their lance again.
"How devoted you all are to each other." Shiro muttered as Celsius looked to step in and break it up, only for Garon to signal her from above. "Let this play out." Garon said quietly as Celsius nodded and stood back and watched.
"Marco, Drake, keep him distracted, Kotaff, Kamura, take him from behind, Arnold, Rex, Ace, you're with me, Dragoon maneuver!" Cid shouted, taking command as Shiro quickly found himself under assault from all sides. Marco swinging his axe in tandem with Drake as he tried to stab at Shiro with his lance, at the same time Kotaff and Kamura struck from behind together.
Shiro reacted quickly, shoving his lance into the ground and using it to launch himself out of the kill zone and over Drake, jumping off the knight's back as he ran towards Cid, Ace, Rex and Arnold.
Cid was standing atop the shields of Rex, Ace and Arnold, who were quick to jump up in tandem with Cid, sending the soldier flying as Shiro ran up to them and punched Arnold in the face, knocking him down as he grabbed Arnold's spear and began to fight with Rex and Ace, who fought in tandem as the others came in to back them up.
In the air Cid had aimed is lance downwards and was angled towards Shiro with a grin as Gravity overtook his momentum, ready to bring him back down. "Death from above you prick!" Cid shouted as Shiro quickly looked up in shock and raised his buckler shield to block the attack from above.
Cid and his lance lanced on Shiro's buckler, the force of Cid's attack shattering the buckler and leaving Shiro without a shield as Cid jumped off Shiro's arm and landed in front of Ace and Rex. "You all are good… I'll give you that." Shiro said as he breathed heavily as the group surrounded him. "We're tired of being punching bags, might as well show what we can do as a team." Cid said as he pointed his lance at Shiro who grinned and smirked. "Well then… looks like I've got my work cut out for me." Shiro said as he spun the lance he had taken in his hands.
"Give it up. Even Astra won't save you from all of us." Drake said as Shiro smirked. "Who said I was using Astra again." Shiro taunted as he took a seemingly random stab at Kotaff. Kotaff was quick to block the strike as Shiro dropped the lance and grabbed a small bomb from his belt and threw it down, covering the entire group in a cloud of smoke.
BGM: March of The Lion King - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
As everyone was coughing Shiro disappeared into the smoke, the group all going back to back as they waited for Shiro to reappear. A deep growl came from the right of Marco as he looked to the right, only for a large orange cat to jump out at him. "BY THE DARK DRAGON!" Marco shouted in terror as the Cat knocked him over, sending him sprawling as it disappeared back into the smoke. "What the?" Cid muttered as Kotaff screamed and was quickly knocked to the ground in the smoke.
"Stand together, watch all sides!" Cid commanded as he gripped his lance tighter. "Another one of these beast men? What are the dam odd?" Cid swore as Drake's lance was ripped away from him by Shiro who then pounced on Drake before going back into the smoke. "Captain… I think we might be screwed." Ace said as he went back to back to back with Cid and Rex. "Not going to argue… but we'll do our dam best to win." Cid said as Kamura hit the ground, leaving the three solders alone in the smoke as it started to clear, removing Shiro's advantage as the trio of soldiers finally got a good look at the transformed teen.
His cat form was bright orange like his hair, his eyes the same blue as in his human form as his helmet lay on the ground a little ways away from the group, which he had been using to hide the ears on his head. "How the heck did he hide his tail? He isn't a kitsune." Ace asked as Cid growled. "He probably shoved it in his dam pants Ace, now focus!" Cid yelled at Ace as the car that was Shiro seemed to give a sly grin as it quickly pounced on the trio.
Cid was quick to react as he knocked Shiro away with his lance, the large cat skidding to a stop before pouncing again, this time at Rex, and managing to knock the scared man onto the ground before whacking Ace with his tail before turning to Cid, the last man standing. "I'm not going to give up, but at the very least! FIGHT ME! LIKE! A! MAN!" Cid shouted at Shiro as the cat stared him down.
Cid watched as the cat stood up, the fur melting away into skin as the cat shifted back into Shiro, who bent down and picked up Ace's lance and buckler shield, his tail now freed from his pants and his ears visible within his mop of orange hair. "Fine then soldier, I'll give you your fight." Shiro said as he and Cid squared off with each other as Celsius watched.
The two soldiers ran at each other, their lances meeting each other's shields as they struggled against each other's strength, the currently human Shiro slightly weaker in his human form. The two going at it with all they had as the broke away before they struck with their lances again, the two smacking the wooden parts of their lances against each other before breaking away. "Astra!" Shiro shouted as he prepared to stab Cid with his lance. "I'll show you what I can do!" Cid shouted as he stabbed his lance into the ground and launched himself up, nowhere near as high as when he had help from Ace, Rex and Arnold, but it was enough as their attacks were about to collide.
Lance hit lance as the two collided, only for Cid's attack to break through due to Astra halving the power of a single strike to grant four more, Shiro's lance snapped in half and was sent flying as he stumbled backwards, Cid pulling his lance out of the ground and pointing it at Shiro with a grin. "Looks like your all out of luck kid." Cid taunted as Shiro smirked. "Am I?" Shiro asked as pulled his gloves off, showing his clawed hands as he growled at Cid. "Still got fight in ya kitty? Well guess I shouldn't be surprised." Cid said with a smirk as he readied his lance again as the two circled each other.
Up in the stands Xander was watching the match with a smirk. He already knew he wanted his man as one of his retainers. It was what the match was for anyway. "Call the match off father. He's proved himself." Xander said as Garon looked at him and then at Minerva, who still had Elise's ears covered to keep her safe from Cid's foul mouth. "Fine. But I wanted to see him go against Celsius…" Garon said as he stood up. "That's enough! Both of you!" Garon shouted as Cid and Shiro looked up, neither dropping their guard as they stared at Garon.
"Congratulations Shiro, you've passed. My son, Xander, wants you as his retainer. Grab your stuff and meet him downstairs, Cid, make sure everyone is ok." Garon said as Shiro nodded. "Finally." Shiro complained as he walked over to his helmet and picked it up, putting it back on and hiding his ears as he put his hands behind his head, his long cat tail swishing behind him lazily as he walked into the locker room to meet Xander. "Great… and I wanted to win that fight…" Cid complained, having wanted to continue fighting Shiro.
BGM: Neutiquam Erro - Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
In the locker room, Xander was already there with Mia standing next to him, the purple haired girl having come down from the Norhtern Fortress to see Xander for the week, and to preform her part time duties as his sole retainer at the moment.
"So… you are Shiro." Xander said as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, that's me." Shiro said with a grin as Xander nodded. "I honestly didn't expect a beast kin under all that armor." Xander said as Shiro sighed. "Laguz sir. People always mess that up when they are talking about the wolfskin and kitsune." Shiro said as Xander raised an eyebrow. "What's the difference?" he asked as Shiro sighed.
"Wolfskin and kitsune can breed with humans just fine, and the baby would be able to turn into a Wolfskin or kistune… but a laguz and a human would normally produce a human with slight beast traits." Shiro said as Mia raised her own eyebrow. "Was one of your parents human?" Mia asked as Shiro's face went from lazy to a glare in a second. "My father was… I'm just thankful he had a certain… attribute that allow me to be more beast than man." Shiro said with a growl as Xander blinked. "I'm guessing you don't get along with him?" Xander asked as Shiro huffed.
"I always did take after mom more. And I'm thankful for that… father was a dick…" Shiro said with a growl as Mia gasped. "Are you not… um… legal?" Mia said, trying to avoid saying anything hurtful, but still managed to. "It matters not, my mother cared for me and took me away from my asshole of a father… I'll remember her fondly." Shiro said as he closed his eyes and put his clawed hands into fists. "I'm sorry for your loss Shiro… I lost my mother too." Xander said as Shiro looked up at him. "You have that Minerva lady to take care you. I lost my mother at a young age, and I never had anyone but myself take care of me." Shiro said with a growl as his tail flicked behind him rapidly.
"I thought beastmen… I mean Laguz, were just fairy tales from the Tellius sagas?" Mia asked as Shiro looked down. "My mother… wasn't exactly from this world." Shiro said as he rubbed the back of his head as Xander stared him. "What…" He stated bluntly as Shiro shrugged.
"She never told me how she got here… just that one day I might be able to go to her old world… and frankly I would like to, but I have no idea how." Shiro said as Xander nodded. "What was her name?" Xander asked as Shiro closed his eyes. "Lyre." Shiro said, quietly and quickly as Xander nodded and put his hand on Shiro's shoulder.
"I'm sorry to burden you with my troubles lord Xander." Shiro said as Xander shook his head. "It doesn't matter. But for now you serve me. And when that's over, if you want my help to find your way to your mother's world, I'll help Shiro." Xander said as Mia stood behind him. "Thank you, Xander." Shiro said with a small smile.
The Arena: Inigo
BGM: Fire Emblem 8 Remastered - 32 Tethys
Xander was the last teen up in the private box as Garon and Minerva sat in their chairs waiting for the final arrival to the arena. "Please tell me the next person isn't going to give me a migraine?" Minerva asked in pure annoyance from having watched Morgan, Owain and Cynthia already. "Be thankful, at least this guy seems saner." Garon said as Minerva groaned in happiness from it. "Inigo… claims to be a friend of the 'cabal' and a dancer." Garon said as Minerva groaned again. "Can we never get anyone normal?" Minerva asked, annoyed as Garon chuckled. "Normal is boring Minerva." Garon said with a smirk as Inigo entered the arena.
Inigo had his sword at his side and was ready for action as he watched the normal group in the arena. Cid, Ace and Rex near the back, Marco and Drake next to each other as usual, Arnold was off to the side nervously and Kotaff and Kamura were at the front, ready to fight. But near the back Shiro and Mia were standing ready with their third retainer partner, a rather… odd girl named Peri, who was on a horse. Xander had brought Peri home from a competition for some reason, and had used his status to get her as one of his retainers. Rex was extremely unnerved by her, given she acted a lot like the girl who had given him his scars.
"I'm screwed aren't I?" Inigo muttered under his breath, knowing that what few skills he had probably weren't going to be enough. This lot had fought against several one person armies, and here he was, just a normal guy who knew how to dance… well he had years of experience in fighting but that was about it besides his ace in the hole, which was just a little bit of dark magic training from his father. "Let the battle begin!" Garon called, starting the fight.
BGM: Blinded By Light - Final Fantasy XIII
Inigo pulled his sword from its sheath as Kotaff and Kamura charged at him. Inigo grit his teeth as he quickly spun his sword in his hand, flipping it around to the same style his mother used during battle, with the battle behind him to focus on dodging. Kotaff and Kamura were quick to fall into their pattern, one attacking first while the other got ready to block.
Inigo was quick to dodge the spear that was jabbed at him before rolling under the long range weapon and springing up from the ground quickly to surprise Kotaff, knocking him off balance before putting his blade to Kotaff's throated and pushing him down before getting off him and attacking Kamura.
Kotaff was quick to get back up and try to stab Inigo in the back as he knocked Kamura over, only to use the blade he was keeping behind him to block Kotaff's attack. "Nice try, but don't you know it's dishonorable to attack someone from behind?" Inigo asked as he pushed back against Kotaff's lance as he spun around, twisting his arm so that he could continue to block Kotaff's lance. "Shut up!" Kotaff growled as Inigo slowly moved his foot next to Kotaff's. "You fall first." Inigo said with a smirk as he kicked Kotaff's foot out from under him.
Kotaff quickly fell to the ground as Inigo tapped him on the forehead with his blade. "Stay down, it will be better for you." Inigo said as he started to walk off, Kotaff growling as he got up, Kamura getting up behind him as well. "Shall we?" Kamura asked as he raised his lance again. "Yeah… we ain't no punching bags." Kotaff said as he picked up his own lance.
Inigo however was already fighting Arnold as Marco and Drake closed in on him, Kotaff and Kamura coming from behind. Just as Inigo knocks Arnold down he turned around and sulked for a moment upon seeing the four fighters coming for him. "When can I ever catch a break…" Inigo murmured under his breath as he raised his sword to get ready.
"This seems unfair." Marco said as Drake nodded under his helmet. "Shut up, remember the last bunch we fought, two of them could turn into animals, that girl was a fricken psycho, that Owain guy was insanely strong, and his sister wasn't any better, and then there was his cousin! What's to say this guy doesn't have something up his sleeve!" Kotaff shouted, pointing his lance at Inigo. "Sorry to burst your bubble… but all I can do is dance and use a sword…" Inigo said with a cringe as he put his hand behind his back. "I doubt that." Drake said, knowing where this was going as Inigo sighed.
"Right… well, guess I'll have to cheat a little bit." Inigo said as he pulled his hand from behind his back, a small orb of dark magic in his palm, which the four in front of him recognized instantly. "Crap…" was all Marco had to say before Inigo slammed his palm into the ground, releasing a shockwave of dark magic that staggered the four in front of him as he rushed Kotaff again, kicking him down before slamming his fist into Kamura's face to knock him out. Marco tried to swing his axe at Inigo, who just parried the axe with his sword before knocking Marco down and slamming an orb of dark magic into Drake, making the knight convulse under his armor before falling over as Inigo breathed heavily.
"How the heck does father use that stuff so often…" Inigo complained as he shook his arm and hand to get rid of the crackles of dark magic on it as Minerva stared down into the arena. "He has dark magic, that's not good." Minerva said as Garon looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Dark mages are normal in our army." Garon said as Minerva glared at him. "Does he have a tome on him?" Minerva asked, Garon taking a moment before going "O…" realizing that no, Inigo did not have a tome on him.
Xander however wasn't paying attention to his aunt or his father's argument and was focusing on the arena. He was very interested in Inigo, and he wanted to see how well he would fare against Cid, or his retainers.
BGM: Final Destination Ver. 2 - Super Smash Bros
Cid smiled as Rex and Ace backed him up. "You two know what to do." Cid said as Ace and Rex got down, putting their shields over their heads as Cid quickly got on as Inigo ran at them. Quickly timing the jump Cid was launched into the air as Ace and Rex picked their weapons back up, ready to fight Inigo as Cid got ready to drop from above on him.
Rex and Ace split up, trying to attack Inigo from two sides as Inigo swung at Ace, missing him by inches as the two soldiers stabbed from two sides, Inigo twisting to avoid their stabs just barely as Cid dropped from above, right above Inigo. "AHH!" Inigo shouted as he dived out of the way of Cid's dragoon drop, Cid quickly pulling his lance out from under him as Inigo got up, Rex and Ace already launching Cid for another dragoon drop.
Inigo ran at Ace and Rex, rolling under their spears before spinning around between them, slashing both across the chest with his sword in a spin slash as Cid as was about to drop from above. Cid dropped from the sky right on top of Inigo, who Cid missed by inches as Inigo tried to punch the soldier in the face.
Cid caught Inigo's punch with his hand as he pulled his lance out of the ground. "Dam, I missed again, guess that means I'll have to fight a little harder." Cid said as he smirked, backing away from Inigo as he raised his sword in one hand in front of him. "You know… I brought something special for this." Cid said as Inigo raised an eyebrow. Cid chuckled as he pulled a small emblem from his pocket and raised it above his head. "I brought a dam Knight's Crest!" Cid shouted as he threw it above him as Garon and Minerva watched.
"That has to be cheating…" Minerva said as Garon chuckled. "I can't believe he actually got one of those… good on him, that makes things much more interesting." Garon said with a chuckle as Xander looked at Minerva and Garon. "What's a Knight's Crest?" Xander asked as Minerva spoke up.
"It's a magical item that a soldier can use on the battle field if they are strong enough. It has the power to change their armament, clothing, even weapons and abilities, but they are extremely rare. Hence why most soldiers that get promoted just get next armor and weapons rather than anything special." Minerva said as Xander nodded.
Down in the arena Inigo watched as Cid grinned, his armor changing to a golden hue as he took his helmet off and threw it away, revealing his blonde hair to the world as his normal buckler shield grew three times larger and became pure metal. "Watch out kiddo! Cid is here and he's new and Dragon Dammed improved!" Cid shouted as he spun his lance in his hand, the previously wood and metal spear now completely metal.
"Crap…" Inigo muttered as Cid smirked at him. "Come at me kiddo." Cid taunted at he pointed his spear at Inigo. Inigo responded by running at Cid, gripping his sword with both hands as Cid ran at him, shield at his side, not even slowing him down as he got ready to swing his now pure metal lance at Inigo.
Cid and Inigo stuck and the same time, Inigo's sword and Cid's lance struggling against each other as Inigo struggled against Cid, who was easily stronger then him. 'No choice then. And no chances.' Inigo thought as he quickly pulled away from Cid as a dark ball of magic formed in his open hand. "TAKE THIS!" Inigo shouted as Cid raised his shield to block the dark magic.
The dark magic exploded across Cid's shield Inigo struggling to keep it up as Cid tried to weather the storm, sparks of dark magic flicking off his armor as Inigo moved his sword behind Cid's shield as he was focused on defending against the magic. "You lose." Inigo said as Cid looked down slightly at the sword right under his throat. "Dammit…" he swore as Inigo cut off the dark magic before backing off, Cid walking away before shooting off one last thing. "I wasn't your last opponent kid. Those three are." Cid said as Inigo looked at the trio and groaned.
Mia already had her sword as Shiro cracked his knuckles, Peri on the other hand just had a wicked grin that strangely didn't unsettle Inigo that much… then again his father had a nightmare fetish that he had passed down a little bit to him… "Well… I'm right screwed aren't I." Inigo stated bluntly as Shiro smirked. "O please, go all out, the only one of us holding back is Peri here. And that's because Xander doesn't want to much blood." Shiro said as he smirked, his ears twitching as Inigo sighed, holding his sword in one hand and forming a ball of dark magic in the other. 'Father don't let your hexes fail me now.' Inigo said to himself in his head.
BGM: A Dark Fall (Fire)- Fire Emblem Fates
Peri rode towards Inigo with her spear at the ready to stab him. Inigo rolling out of the way as Mia ran towards him, already swinging her sword as Shiro circled around him. Inigo blocked Mia's sword before slamming his dark magic into her chest, knocking her back as dark magic crackled over her form for a moment.
Inigo only had a second to react as Peri charged at him again, Inigo raising her sword over his head to deflect her lance as she rode past him again, circling around for another run. Seconds later Inigo heard a roar off to the side and ducked just in time to avoid a large orange cat going over his head, Shiro having transformed and tried to pounce him while he was dealing with Peri.
Peri, Shiro and Mia all circled Inigo as he tried to keep his eyes on them, spinning around in place as he held his sword in one hand and a ball of dark magic in the other. 'Okay Inigo think, what would get you out of this one… body swap hex? No, not powerful enough for that one yet… Risen? Yeah, nope… Ok then… how about this one!' Inigo thought as he slammed his orb of dark magic into the ground.
From the ground a circle of dark magic formed around Inigo, making dead trees sprout up around him as crows made of dark magic formed on the branches. "Okay… what the heck?" Mia said bluntly as Peri smirked at all the crows, thinking she could kill them for their blood as Shiro licked his lips.
The crows all shot from the trees, the wings of darkness and their loud caws masking Inigo's movements as he ran for Mia, running behind her as she tried to swat the crows around her with her sword. Getting behind her Inigo wrapped his arms arm her neck and held her, keeping her from making a noise as she passed out, Inigo laying her down as she went for Peri next.
Peri was having much more success batting away the crows as they fell into dark puddles on the ground from her stabbing them, Inigo however had snuck up behind her and grabbed her off her horse.
Shiro only had a moment to hear her faint yelp amongst the murder of crows as he growled, looking for Inigo among the darkness as he slowly snuck up behind Shiro before jumping on the large cat and holding his sword to his neck. "Change back… you've lost." Inigo said, Shiro slowly changing back into a human in front of him as he kept his sword to Shiro's neck.
Once Shiro was in front of him with his hands in the air the crows all disappeared, fading away as Inigo canceled the spell, panting from how much energy it had taken to maintain it for the short amount of time he had done so. "Impressive spell, why aren't you a mage instead of a merc." Shiro asked as Xander, Garon and Minerva looked down into the arena.
"I chose my own path, and it wasn't like I had a teacher to help me learn, just the notes from my father." Inigo said as Shiro winced. "What the heck happened!" Minerva cried out as she looked at the arena. Peri and Mia were unconscious and Inigo had Shiro and sword point. "Yeah, he's mine." Xander said with a smile as Minerva glared at Inigo. "Calm down Minerva, I'm sure he knows what he's doing." Garon said, trying to calm his retainer's nerves and her fears about dark magic. "I hope you're right Garon… I hope you are." Minerva said as Xander left to go meet his retainers, leaving Minerva and Garon alone in the private box.
(Stage Clear)
AN: FINALLY IT IS DONE! The last of the Nohr Royal siblings is done! And it's Xander! I know people probably wanted to see Peri's recruitment, but this has gone on long enough. I want to finish up Takumi's and the final Years Past chapters and start the great thieves arc ASAP!. But yeah, Shiro has daddy issues, very bad daddy issues, his mom is from another universe, and he's managed to not be a branded, guess how that happened, hint Dragon's Blood. Xander actually has four retainers, which is awesome. And Inigo's dad is pretty dam obvious!
Also the gang of mooks that have spent the last four chapters getting beat up got names. Rex and Ace are a reference to The Last Promise Rom hack, Drake and Marco are from Fire Emblem Requiem, another Rom hack, Kotaff and Kamura are bosses from Path of Radiance, and Cid is just a barrel of references.
He's based off Cid from FF7 specifically, and mixed with Cid the Gold Halberdier from the Last Promise. But yeah, leave a review and I'll see you next time.