<Athena> So, uh, guys, how's everyone doing?
<Xerneas> Athena! <3
<Skyleaf> Big sister, it's so good to see you!
<Robin> It really has been quite some time since you've shown your face around here. You even missed my birthday! D:
<Athena> I'm sorry, I just had some legal matter to attend to. :<
<Jabber> Does this mean you're finally ready for us to move on into Nohr now?
<Athena> Yep, we should be good.
<Everyone> \o/
<Palutena> Hurray! Let's go kill us some Nohrian scum. >:3
<Athena> So, does anyone feel like reminding me where we left off?
<PMJ> We were trying to figure out a way deeper into Nohr, and we ended up taking the path through Mount Garou.
<Celever> And there were a bunch of mean wolves there, so we bravely fought them off! Bow! Bam!
<BB> At the end of the battle, you were targeted by some kind of explosive device, but I managed to rescue you.
<Jesi> And then we came back here, and a bunch of us got these sweet new promotions!
<Vom> Additionally, some of us found love. <3
<Aura> And we've been hanging around here ever since, for the most part.
<TGK> It's been... pretty boring since then. ._.;
<Athena> Alright, well, before we do anything else, I'm going to steal a Seal and pop into an bow-wielding class so I can put to use all that training that I've been doing with Xerneas.
Athena reclassed into Outlaw!
<Xerneas> \o/!
<Jabber> My sister is an Outlaw? I mean, I understand wanting to use a bow, but... o_o;
<Athena> It'll make me more sneaky. >:3
<Jabber> .... right. Well, shall we get going then?
<Athena> Yes, please!
We teleported back to where we left Nohr and headed in the direction of the nearest city, a place known as Macareth.
<Athena> You know, for being a city, this place looks... pretty deserted and boring.
<Jabber> Well, the town is mostly known for performances and gambling, but I bet war isn't really good for that kind of business.
<PMJ> Perhaps we should stick to the outskirts... even with things being pretty quiet, we don't want to attract too much attention.
<Xerneas> Yeah, let's... *cough* go around... *cough cough*
<Athena> You okay, hun? o.o;
<Xerneas> Don't worry about me, I'm *cough* I'm fine... *collapse*
<Athena> Xerneas! D:
<Skyleaf> Here, let me take a look at him.
<Robin> I'll help!
<Jabber> Do you know what's wrong? Is he sick?
<Skyleaf> These spots on his throat... ohnoes.
<Athena> What is it? ;~;
<Robin> I'm afraid Xerneas has contracted athe rare and local disease called Plotdeviceitis.
<Skyleaf> Ohshi- If he isn't treated soon, he could die!
<Xerneas> Nah, this'll probably go away on its own, don't worry about me. x__x;;
<Skyleaf> There's a special herb that could sure him instantly, if only we had some of it.
<PMJ> There should be an apothecary at the Macareth Palace. Do you think the herb would be there, especially if this illness is a local malady?
<Vom> So we just storm a castle full of Nohrians? I thought we were trying to be sneaky!
<Jesi> If the castle is as deserted as the rest of this city, hopefully it won't be too bad.
<Jabber> *nods* The palace belongs to King Keeper, after all, and we know he's busy with the war effort, so he's probably just left a skeleton staff to care for the place in his absence.
<Palutena> Besides, it's not like we can just let the prince of Hoshido die because we're scared of a few Nohrians! >_<
<Athena> It's settled. We head for the palace.
As a group, we walked carefully in the direction of the palace and hopped the fence to enter the courtyard. The area did seem to be mostly deserted, and we were able to make a break for a hallway and scout around. There were no signs of any guards, not even a token force, but we tensed up when we heard footsteps approaching. I grabbed my bow and stood shoulder to shoulder with Jabber as the approaching enemy rounded the corner...
<Athena> Wait, Flora? My old maid? What are you doing here? o_o;
<Flora> Lady Athena?! What are YOU doing here?? o____o;;
<Athena> Well, I, uh...
<Flora> Oh, this is silly, come with me, let's talk in secret.
Flora led us deeper into the castle into an abandoned storeroom where we could talk safely.
<Flora> Oh, it's so good to see you my lady! <3
<Athena> It's good to see you too. :3 So, mind filling us in on what's going on?
<Flora> Well, Keeper closed off the Northern Fortress after you left, so we've all been sent to different posts. I was reassigned here. It's not a very exciting job, but there you have it. I'm afraid it's not a very interesting story, but I'll admit I'm pretty happy to be kept far away from Keeper.
<Athena> I don't blame you!
<Flora> So, what brings you all here anyway? This is quite the party you've formed up.
<Jabber> Well, the tl;dr is that my brother here is sick and needs some medicine. Do you have anything here to cure Plotdeviceitis?
<Flora> It just so happens I do! You guys stay here. I'll sneak out to get you the medicine, then show you where to sneak back out so you won't get seen.
<Iago> *teleports in* Awww, isn't that cute, the little traitor girl wants to help her little traitor friends. :3
<Athena> Iago! I bet you were the one who set up that attack in Cheve, weren't you?
<Iago> Me? Oh, no. As much as I'd love to take credit for that, I'm afraid it belongs to one of your little friends.
<Athena> Huh? o_o;
<Flora> Iago, no one wants to listen to your bullshit, so just get out of here, would you?
<Iago> *fireball*
<Flora> Oooh, ouch, that was totally uncalled for. :<
<Iago> Was it now? *more fireballs*
<Flora> Lady Athena... run... x_x;;
<Athena> Flora! D:
<Iago> Oh, don't worry about her, she's just... taking a little nap. Now, shall we get onto the battle? I'd hate to disappoint the soldiers lying in wait all around here.
<Athena> Fine, whatever, let's kill your lackeys.
<Iago> Excellent! :3 *teleports to boss location*
We armed ourselves and prepared for battle. Everyone but Xerneas, that is; despite his protests, he was too weak to fight, and I had him sit out. Enemies began pouring out of the woodwork and even attacking us over walls. I couldn't help but spy a bunch of thieves as well, so I has us charge forward quickly to stop them before they could loot the palace. After all, that was OUR loot.
I'd hardly shot more than a couple enemies with my new bow before I realized I'd level capped, so I dug into my convoy-of-holding and pulled out a Master Seal.
Athena promoted into Bow Knight! The leveling also helped me in other ways, namely magically teaching me how to pick locks, so I was able to help the ninjas open doors and pilfer chests as we worked our way through.
Our aggressive strategy left us injured rather frequently, so Skyleaf and Robin were forced to spend most of their time healing instead of using their newfound weapons, though I let them get a couple kills. Similarly, Palutena was having a blast with her newfound magical abilities, blasting enemies left and right with her Bolt Nagi.
We kept pushing onward as fast as possible, though I quickly left my comrades in the dust as I raced onward, shooting down all of the thieves. Everyone else followed be from behind, a bit slower, cleaning up my messes, though there were plenty of kills and exp to go around. Iago charged forward when he saw how badly we were decimating his army, but Aura took him without a scratch (grabbing a very nice level for herself in the process as well).
TGK and Skyleaf finished up the last few enemies while I looted the last room of chests and we were done with the level. I stuffed the treasures in my bag, dusted my hands off, and went to the throne room were Iago was being held.
<Athena> So, Iago...
<Iago> So, Athena... :3
<Athena> If you tell how how you learned we were here, I'd let you leave here alive.
<Iago> You think I need your permission to leave? You hold no true power over me. But I will answer your question because it amuses me. You've been betrayed! Bwahahahahaha!! It was the traitor in your midst that betrayed your friends in Cheve, and they betrayed you again here as well. But who could it be? Is there anyone in your party that you can fully trust? Enjoy sleeping tonight, little princess! *teleports away*
<Athena> A traitor, huh? Just what we need, more problems. *sigh*
<Xerneas> Don't believe him, Athena, he's just trying to get into your head. He knows that trusting people is your greatest strength so he's trying to take you down in your mind. *cough*
<Flora> *groans*
<Athena> Oh, that's right, I almost forgot Flora!
<Flora> Man that is one nasty headache... anyway, let me get you that medicine now.
Flora got the medicine and brought us to a room where we could rest. The medicine worked wonders, and soon Xerneas was sleeping soundly.
<Flora> Once he gets a good night's sleep he should be fine. You can stay here for now; he shouldn't move much anyway.
<Xerneas> Zzzzz...
<Athena> Thank you! I'll take you up on that offer, and then we'll continue our mission toward the capital in the morning.
<Flora> About that... I was hoping I might ask you to come with me to my village first.
<Athena> Visit the Ice Tribe?
<Flora> It would give you some time to rest and recuperate before you press onward. Our village is full of strong warriors, so you'd be safe. Plus, I... I've always wanted to show you my home.
<Xerneas> No, please... look behind the curtain... Zzzz...
<Athena> Xerneas, everything okay? o.o;
<Flora> I'm sure he's just talking in his sleep. Come, let's get some rest ourselves before we continue our journey.
