Fire Emblem: Waking in a New World
Chapter Three
With the last of the risen slain, Chrom and Dan made their way to the ponies on top of the hill. Maribelle had ensured their safety but they still needed to contact them. The clouds of dead risen were clearing but they still left a haze on the battlefield. Dan counted six ponies huddled behind Maribelle. He was hoping they were friendly, especially considering their situation. They seemed so... unprepared for the risen, it was as if this land had not seen the likes of them before. He supossed that was very possible. He turned his head to Chrom who was keeping pace beside him.
"Chrom, those... ponies... didn't seem like they had the slightest clue how to defend themselves against the risen. No sentries, no soldiers, nothing. In fact... I think they were camping out here." Dan pointed out.
"Meaning... this was probably a first encounter?" Chrom responded.
"Yes, I think so. My only question is why Grima would send them here. Maybe that ancient evil Hubba mentioned?"
"Perhaps they were rogue, it's not unheard off."
"No, those risen were organized. Combat ready. Every instance we fought rogue factions of risen, they either showed immense cowardice or immense brutality. Both easy to counter. These were attacking in pattern."
"Yes, I noticed. So you think Grima sent them here for something."
"I would be willing to bet on it, but for now we have our hosts to greet."
The two humans peaked the hill and joined Maribelle and the six ponies. Chrom stepped forward and observed them. He recognized the purple one as the one blasting risen down the hill. The light from her magic illuminated her and the orange one kicking. He tried to spot the flying one who got shot but both pegasi in the group of six were well. None with noticeable wounds. Maribelle must have taken care of that. Chrom spoke.
"Are you all ok? I'm sorry you had to experience such a battle." He said in his calm soothing voice. Dan had heard it on occasion, usually when he was consoling young ones he found in the ruins of a village.
"Y-yes... Your friend protected us from the monsters very effectively" the purple pony answered.
"Good" Chrom noticed the yellow pegasus curled up, and he heard the sobs. A blue pegasus was comforting her, but she wasn't showing improvement. Chrom took it upon himself to kneel down to their level and placed a hand on the pegasus's shoulder.
"Hey there, everything is ok now. The bad guys are gone. You're safe." The yellow pegasus looked up from the ground and stared into Chrom's eyes, then nodded. Tears still spilling from her eyes, she managed to stand up with the rest of her friends.
"T-thank you..." She whispered softly. Chrom smiled.
"You don't need to thank me, Shepards protect the sheep from the wolves. It's what we do."
"Excuse me, I don't mean to sound ungrateful but how did you get here? And in time to save our lives? And above that, who are you?" the purple one asked.
"Ah yes, I am Chrom of Ylisstol. Not that that means anything here. This is Dan, my tactician for this small army. As for how we got here in time to save you, I'm afraid that can only be explained by fate or luck. Either way, we are here. Now what may I call you and your friends?"
"Well, I'm Twilight."
"And I am Rarity, a pleasure to meet such well mannered creatures."
"A'm Applejack, and yeah, pleasure to meet ya."
"I'm Rainbow, and this is Fluttershy."
"And I'm Pinkie Pie! Oh my gosh girls I TOTALLY CALLE -Grrk-" Her statement was interrupted by the orange pony's hoof shoved in her mouth.
"A'h appologize, she gets rather... excited 'round strangers."
"Trust me... I know the feeling..." Chrom sighed. "Well, I see you all are safe, do you need an escort to watch over as you head home or do you feel confident to go it alone?"
"Well, we know the way back to Ponyville but what of you? Surely you don't intend to camp out here after a fight like that." Twilight asked.
"It wouldn't be the first time. We will be fine."
"UN-Acceptable! You heros saved our lives and I will not allow such a noble act to go unrewarded. Come along with us to Ponyville." Rarity demanded.
"No really, It's fi..." Chrom was interrupted this time by a hand over his mouth.
"We would be glad to accept you're accommodations. At the very least we could camp outside your town to give it added security." Maribelle insisted, then turning to Chrom. "You never turn down an offer from a lady, I don't care what species she is. It's is unethical and just rude."
Chrom stared into Maribelles fiery eye's and finally had to look away. He hated when she got that way, but alas... she always wins.
"Alright alright, you proved your point. Dan, gather everyone. We are headed out."
The six ponies trotted ahead, followed by the crowd of humans behind them. The six whispered with each other, trying to figure out the new comers. Almost all of them wielded weapons of war, those that didn't either held books or nothing at all. The little girl with them especially. Twilight could have sworn she saw her shape shift into a dragon at one time.
"So... what do y'all think of these guys?" Applejack asked.
"Well, I find them rather inviting. After all they did save our lives." Rarity answered.
"I don't know Rarity, yeah we would be done for sure without them. It is just strange how they just appeared right as the monsters came. And how quickly they dispatched them, these guys know how to fight." Twilight added.
"Uh duh, I thought that was why we were bringing them? to protect Ponyville?" Rainbow scoffed.
"Yes, they would be suitable defenders but for how long? Surely they would have greater concerns than protecting us." Twilight spoke again.
"I-I like them... The one with blue hair... He was so nice." Fluttershy spoke up. Twilight looked at Fluttershy who held her face to the ground blushing. She glanced at the rest of her friends who all had mixed faces. Finally she sighed.
"We will see. I want to get a feel for them before jumping to conclusions." Twilight continued. "Ugh... I just wanted a nice camping trip..."
The other five ponies were in agreement to keep an eye on the new comers, they also agreed it could wait until tomorrow. Late tomorrow. Twilight still kept an eye on the humans behind her.
"They are muttering about us." Chrom began, eyeing the ponies in front of them.
"Yes, but what would you do? Better yet, what did you do when you found me?" Dan responded, head deep in one of his magic tomes.
"Good point, maybe these ponies will be as open as I was after we warm up to them. We will need their help to find out why Grima is interested in this world." Chrom stretched his arms and yawned. "I hope it's soon..."
"Yeah, I'm trying to think. Maybe I know what it is... considering..." Dan's countenance was low at the thought.
"You are not him, just because he says it doesn't make it true." Chrom placed a hand on his best friends shoulder to comfort him.
"I am him Chrom, if it were me who took the sacrifice on the alter then Grima would still have been reborn. It's in my blood..." Dan sighed. "I'm sorry, I know you mean well... but this is still affecting me. I will be fine after some time."
Chrom and Dan led the army towards the town in the distance. The night was long and everyone was tired from the battle. The sooner they got to this town, the sooner they could set up camp. In the mean time, Chrom admired the view of the land. For once he could look out over the land and not see smoke from a nearby village, or brigands attacking a family. He wanted this peace for Ylisstol, he wanted it for everywhere, but for now he was glad to see it here.