With our latest battle behind us, we popped back over to our castle for some most rest and relaxation. Man, I can't even imagine trying to fight a war without your own personal pocket dimension available for shopping and treehouse fun. While showing TGK around, he got really excited at our expanded inventory and asked very nicely if he could use a spare Fell Brand to reclass, so I gave him to him.
TGK has reclassed into Grandmaster!
While that was going on, PMJ was wandering about, checking out the buildings, when she began to have the strange feeling that she was being watched...
<PMJ> ...
<PMJ> ...
<PMJ> ... ... ...
<PMJ> *sigh* Vom, will you stop stalking me from behind that tree and come over here.
<Vom> Very well. I guess I might as well come out and say it.
<PMJ> Say what?
<Vom> I don't trust you.
<PMJ> Oh, is that all? I already knew that.
<Vom> Really? And you never said anything?
<PMJ> *shrugs* I'm aware of my unique situation. You aren't the only one who mistrusts me, I'm sure.
<Vom> Very well. Be warned that I am watching you, and if you ever step out of line...
<PMJ> Yes, I understand.
PMJ and Vom attained support level C!
<Vom> Wait, how is that a support? I don't want to be supporting some chick I can't even trust. >:|
<PMJ> *shrugs*
Finally, after what felt like a very long time, we began to prepare to move on. I was able to build a Smithy to forge some weapons for our group, including Shuriken for Aura and Vom, Naginata for PMJ and me, and a fancy scroll for TGK. Then, we were off, deftly teleporting back to the edge of the Wind Tribe territory and working our way closer to Izumo, the city where Jabber and Xerneas had been heading.
<PMJ> And here we are, Izumo.
<Athena> Wow, that was fast. This is a pretty beautiful land.
<Aura> So, um, what's this Izumo place, anyway?
<TGK> Izumo is another country in the realm of Fateslandia, just like Hoshido. It is sometimes called the Kingdom of the Gods, and is mostly famous for being eternally neutral in all conflicts.
<BorderGuard> Ohhey, it's Hoshidans, 'sup?
<PMJ> We're looking for some companions of ours who may have come through. May we enter?
<BorderGuard> Of course, Lady PMJ, you are always welcome here. I will notify the palace of your arrival.
<PMJ> Thank you kindly.
<Vom> Have you seen or heard any word of Lords Jabber or Xerneas? They were involved in a battle near your border recently.
<BorderGuard> A battle near here? No, I think not. We've been neutral for centuries; no fighting would have taken place near or on our territory.
<Athena> Oh, that's... odd.
<Vom> ... ... ...
<BorderGuard> Please, come with me.
<Athena> >_>
<PMJ> <_<
Despite my strange, foreboding feelings about the situation, we had little choice but to follow the guard. He led us to the castle and left us to wait in a receiving room where we were eventually greeted by....
<Izana> I am Izana. yes, THE Izana!
<Everyone> ... ... ... o_o;
<Izana> Archduke Izana at your service. *bows* Voted best hair in Izumo five years running!
<Athena> He's, uh, not exactly what I expected...
<Izana> Come, grab some slippers and join me in back for a delicious feast, would you? :3
<PMJ> Um, before that... do you know anything of a recent battle in the vicinity?
<Izana> Battle? Of course there have been no battles here! Though, I do see you all look a little worse for the wear. Perhaps a spa visit would be in order before the meal?
<Skyleaf> Oh, that sounds heavenly...
<Vom> ... ... ...
<Athena> I suppose we could use some relaxing...
<Izana> I have the most prefect deep relaxation spa for you and Lady Skyleaf. Please, follow me!
Skyleaf and I look at each other, shrugged, then followed the man with the long, flowing hair deeper into the castle and towards his "deep relaxation spa", a strangely dark room with... spears and swords on the wall?
<Skyleaf> Ummm... are you sure this is the spa?
<Izana> Well, maybe that's not exactly what it's called, but I assure you that you will be able to relax forever... WHEN YOU'RE DEAD! Bwahahahahahaha!!
<Skyleaf> Eeek! *hides behind Athena*
<Athena> Wait a minute... what's going on here?
<Zola> Oh, and I'm not actually Izana either. *poof* I'm Garon's illusionist, Zora, heehee!
<Athena> What have you done with Izana?
<Zola> Why should you care? Guy is a weirdo. Besides, you're going to die here anyway, so...
A contingent of Nohrian soldiers materialized behind Zora. They began to close in, but then suddenly.... some of them started attacking the other ones?
<Zola> What are you fools doing? >_<
<Vom> *pops out of Nohrian costume* No fools here, just ninja.
<Mozu> *waves* You guys doing alright?
<Zola> Grrrr, how did you know I wasn't Izana?
<PMJ> Come on, you don't expect us to believe that the real Archduke would act like that.
<Zola> But but... oh, these fools. Men, take them out!
More soldiers began to emerge from the surrounding area and battle was upon us. We broke out of the "spa" room and began to battle soldiers down the left and right hallways, trying to work our way up to Zola. It wasn't long, however, before I heard the sounds of some other coming from behind us...
<Palutena> What's going on here? Fighting? I thought Izumo was neutral?
<Hinata> *shrugs* You see Lord Xerneas anywhere?
<Palatuna> Sadly, no. *sigh* I wish you were the one missing so I could be along with Lord Xerneas...
<Hinata> Unlucky for you, I suppose. At least it looks like we get to beat down a few Nohrians!
<Palutena> Die Nohrian Scum! *stab!*
<Athena> *block!* Hold up there, I'm with Hoshido! >_<
<Palutena> Oh? Who are you?
<Athena> It's a long story, but my name is Athena. Who are you?
<Palutena> I'm Palutena, one of Lord Xernea's retainers. The other one is that guy pickign his nose over there, Hinata.
<Athena> Do you know where Xerneas is?
<Palutena> Nope, we came here hoping to find him. You don't know where he is either?
<Athena> We're working on finding him now. Want to come help us out?
<Palutena> Sure! Hey Hinata, we're fighting with these guys now!
<Hinata> lolkay.
Meanwhile, the others were steadily working their way forward. TGK took the lead, trying to earn up as much exp as possible by running forward to take out the most guys. He happened to spot an Outlaw heading towards a chest and ended up even further ahead trying to head him off. Elsewhere, Aura and Vom were working to clean up the other soldiers left behind, including a row on heavily armoured knights. Vom happened to spot another thief and caught up to him, taking his life as well as the goods he pilfered.
Palutena and I hurried to catch up and ended up getting caught in a mess of reinforcements. We took care of them, and soon Robin and Skyleaf were nearby to heal us up. More reinforcements continued to pour in and Aura and PMJ came back to help us out while Vom and TGK took care of the north.
Eventually we had cleaned most of the enemies up except for Zola sittign smugly on his boss throne. Vom and TGK went together to take him out,
and TGK took a crit in the face and we had to restart and they successfully KOed him and the chapter was done and we all sang and danced and ate cupcakes.
<Athena> So, now that we've tortured you by eating these delicious cupcakes in front of you, tell us where the real Archduke Izana is!
<Zola> Never! *smokescreen*
<DoS> *rides in on his horse like a badass* You trying that same old smokescreen diversion, Zola?
<Zola> Oh, Master DoS, so pleasant to see you, milord... *grovels*
<DoS> Not only have you failed in your mission, but you're a terrible human being. >:|
<Zola> :<
<Athena> DoS! What are you going to do to him?
<DoS> Kill him, obvs.
<Athena> You can't do that!
<DoS> Who are you to tell me what I can and can't do, traitor? But if you value his life so much, you can have it. I'm done with this popsicle stand. *rides off into the sunset*
<Athena> DoS! D:
<Vom> Wow, what a &*%#.
<Athena> He's changed. :\
Regardless, we were able to find Izana in the Izumo dungeons and free him.
<Izana> Yay, thank you for saving me! Let's have a feast to celebrate! No, even better, let's have an all-night party with cute pajamas and bonbons!
<PMJ> I... I guess Zola's impression of him was pretty good after all. o_o;
<Athena> So, um, Archduke Izana, are you aware of any recent battles in the vicinity?
<Izana> Oh, yes, those stupid Nohrians are such a bunch of party poopers. I invited them in for a celebration, and next thing you know I'm being kidnapped in my silk pajamas!
<Aura> Oh dear, that's awful. :<
<Skyleaf> Ummm... have you heard anything about my brothers?
<Izana> Jabber and Xerneas, yes? I've heard OF them, of course, but I haven't seen them around at all recently. Perhaps some fortune telling would help?
<Athena> It can't hurt at least.
<Izana> Excellent! *grabs crystal ball*
<Izana> Oh Ancient Gods... 'sup?
<Everyone> *facepalm*
<Izana>
In the white light, a hand reaches through... A double edged blade cuts your heart in two... waking dreams fade away... Embrace the brand-new day...
<PMJ> Can it be? :O
<Athena> >_>?
<Izumo> Ope, I guess that's it, they're gone now.
<Skyleaf> That... wasn't very helpful. ._.;
<Izana> *shrugs* I don't make the fortunes, I just tell them. But I do think your brothers are doing just fine right now.
<Everyone> Hurray! \o/
<Izana> Now, about that all-night party.... :3
<Vom> We really should be going...
<Athena> Nope, it's party time!
<Izana> Hurray! \o/
And so we had an excellent awesome party with Izana and he got nice pajamas for everyone and there was tonnes of food (especially bonbons) and everyone had fun except for Vom who was mostly pissed that we were hanging out and partying instead of saving Jabber and Xerneas. But I didn't really care what he thinks because I know they're PCs so they'll be just fine.
Later that night, I had a hard time sleeping, so I went wandering around the castle grounds for a bit and I met up with PMJ.
<Athena> Hey PMJ, 'sup? Can't sleep?
<PMJ> I keep thinking about Izana's fortune...
<Athena> What about it?
<PMJ> Those words... they're from a song that my mother used to sing to me when I was a child. It's an ancient song.
<Athena> So, he probably just knows the same song as your mom, right?
<PMJ> Well, if it were another song, I'd say it's just a coincidence, but the lyrics almost seem to be talking directly to you.
<Athena> Me? o_o;
<PMJ> Well, you ARE the main character. Anyway, let's get some sleep.
<Athena> Alright then...