Chapter Text
Chapter One: Twilight of Tides
Shouting filled the air as Corrin and her group approached a village she had heard was in trouble. Raucous laughter filled the area as the bandits charged towards the village. Though this time the attack wasn’t by the Faceless but by bandits. Which sometimes was a lot harder for Corrin to deal with, since she didn’t like killing other humans. Yet it had to be done. ‘Good thing I have Kaze and Niles here for support.’ she thought as she picked them out, she hadn’t expected the bandits to be there already.
“What’s going on?” Laslow asked as he peered out. “Bandits? Haaah, not the good kind either.”
“There’s a good kind?” Corrin asked in return and Laslow shrugged his shoulders.
“A tale for another time my lady!” Laslow told her as he prepared his blade. Keaton and Kaden looked ready as well. Corrin signaled for them to head on in, Sakura was their front line healer. When they got there a swirl of fabric as a young woman around eighteen held her arms up. A shinobi and a mercenary sliced through some of the bandits. It was apparent that the bandits were already facing a small group.
“Let’s go!” Corrin called out loudly as she sliced through the first bandit. Her movements slowing as she processed her next move. Then the young woman with the blonde and vibrant orange hair up in twin tails spun around. Her energy and exuberance began to fill Corrin.
“You can do it!” she shouted and Corrin caught a second wind as she spun and launched two more attacks taking down the bandit. “Hurray! Though jeez, so much for a party, these guys suuuuure love to cause trouble.”
“Wow… thank you!” Corrin said as the young woman giggled, the stars at the bottom of her skirt jingled. “I’m Corrin.”
“Uwaaa! Nice to meet you!” the girl said as she took Corrin by the hands and shook them with so much energy that Corrin was shaking. “Alola! I’m Kowarenai Yoroi! Nice to meet you Corrin-chan!”
The way she was speaking reminded Corrin of Hoshido, but there was something different. The peachy skin, the light blue eyes that seemed to sparkle, and her bare feet with the anklet on her right ankle. It wasn’t the typical garb of someone from Hoshido.
“Yoroi!” a green haired young man said, his wavy hair was two tones of emerald green and spring green, with gold eyes, and tan skin. “Don’t distract her.”
“Ehhhh?! I’m sorry! David-kun!” Yoroi said before moving away. “Ganbare! Corrin-chan!”
“Sorry, sorry, I’m David King, hopefully we can be of help.” the young man said before moving away to take care of more bandits. Corrin just blinked wondering what had just happened. “Wait do you know these guys?”
“What? No silly! These aren’t the old guys that used to hang around.” Yoroi called out as she spun around. “These ones just want to invade, seriously no fun at all. I miss Rogers! He was fun!”
Corrin was still lost. Then she spotted the shinobi who was leaping back and using senbon needles to take down the enemy. She was about to go for him but a bandit blocked her path. Huge axe and all.
“Seriously?! You guys are annoying!” Corrin snapped as Kaze nailed the bandit before running past him. The other shinobi turned around before jumping back. His long black hair flowing around him as he readied his senbon. Kaze had to check because the appearance was a little feminine, but the way he moved was a dead give away. The shinobi landed on the ground, his dark brown eyes narrowing, his sanjaku tenugui covering the lower half of his face. A silent conversation between the two before a bandit got in between them and both decided to attack the bandit for interrupting their stand off.
Sakura stayed moved around the battlefield trying to heal as many people as possible when she heard a shout. “Look at what we have here! Such a pretty little thing!”
Sakura turned, seeing a bandit reaching for her his ax and eyes gleaming only for an arrow to fly through the air hitting him in the shoulder. A female voice speaking out from behind Sakura. “Don’t you have better things to do rather than attacking villages and harassing young women?”
“What do you think you’re doing?!” the bandit roared and Sakura turned around seeing a young woman with short dark blue hair and red eyes that seemed closed off to Sakura. Another arrow was released and the bandit went down shouting. “Traitor!”
“It isn’t a betrayal when I never joined you in the first place,” the young woman said before looking at Sakura. “Oi! Where is your back up?”
“Uh, um…” Sakura stuttered before looking away, she had forgotten about Subaki and Hana glancing around for them on the battlefield. “They’re… somewhere.”
The young woman sighed as she shook her head. That was when Sakura got an idea. “C-can you help me? Just until the battle is over?”
“Mmmm,” the young woman glanced off to the side in thought before sighing as she shrugged her shoulders. “Sure, why not.”
Sakura smiled happily. “I’m Sakura.”
“...Hitomi,” the young woman replied with a slight bow. “So who am I working with right now? Hoshido? Nohr?”
“A combination of both,” Sakura said and Hitomi just stared at her. “It’s a long and complicated story.”
“That is not new to me,” Hitomi said as she followed Sakura who made her way through the battlefield. “And yet this is still not as frustrating as living in Hisui.”
Kaze and the shinobi stood back to back as they were surrounded by bandits. Both readied their weapons as they decided for now a team up was the best possible solution for the problem.
“Normally I work better alone.” the shinobi said as they both kicked bandits before releasing their throwing weapons nailing the bandits.
“Right now that is the most dangerous,” Kaze replied offering a friendly smile and the shinobi turned their head to look at him holding up some senbon needles. “Which clan are you from?”
The shinobi didn’t reply to the question, instead saying. “I will help for now, but after this battle we will depart from each other.”
Kaze nodded his head, information gathering was off the table for now. But he knew Corrin, she would figure out a way to recruit them. One way or another and at that point he would get the information he sought out.
“Momochi-sensei!” a voice shouted out, as two young man ran forward with large swords. One with spiky black hair and sky blue eyes that had a bit of a glow to them. The other had spiky blonde hair with similar eyes but a bit of aqua glow to them. The shinobi stumbled before looking at the two who bowed in apology. The blonde having a more exuberant personality, while the black haired one was hard to read looking like he absolutely did not want to be in his company. Both were carrying unusually large swords. They were both wearing black pants with several pockets and pouches and sleeveless shirts.
“Kyōsaku, what have I said?” the shinobi asked as the two newcomers stood up straight.
“Not to refer to you by name in battle!” the blonde called out loudly.
“I told you that it was a bad idea, Aki.” the black haired one said, and he was shoved by Aki’s shoulder.
“You didn’t say that, Riku!” Aki said the two stared at each other before cutting the bandits in sync with each other.
“Momochi?” Kaze asked, not having heard of that clan before.
“My family name, and the clan.” the shinobi sighed before flipping over a bandit and nailing him with senbon needles before landing on his back. “I am Momochi Haku.”
Yoroi was dancing in the background and giving others encouragement before she noticed Haku actually engaging in conversation. Then she saw Riku and Aki and understood why Haku was talking. Aki probably said something he wasn’t supposed to, like Haku’s family or given name. ‘Haaah, Haku moved to Alola after Seisui, Tethys, and I, and got to deal with those Ultra events with me. If I remember he’s from Kantō, Fuschia City? Right! His parents were shinobi gym trainers and actual shinobi themselves. So cool. Aki-kun and Riku-kun are from Pallet Town. Haaah, I miss Sinnoh… Kalos and Unova were fine but… I really miss Sinnoh.’ Yoroi thought as she pulled out her sword and blocked a strike as she tapped her foot to a beat.
“I shall save you my lady!” Laslow called out as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Yoroi noticed his foot pattern and moved with him into the turn as he blocked a bandit strike. Yoroi’s foot slid forward as she bent down. Her foot lifting off the ground as she hit the man in the head.
“Thanks!” she said with a grin before bringing her leg down as she stood up straight and spun them around blocking a strike. “But you are dealing with a professional dancer! Also I did want to be a pirate! Then fun kind!”
Laslow let out a gasp. “There is such a thing?!”
Yoroi gave him a large grin as they both nailed bandits and he spun around seeing her holding up a ton of picture books with a young man in a straw hat on the cover.
“There is.” she said and both of them kicked bandits as Laslow grabbed a book and began to read as they fought.
Once the battle was over Kaze moved to regroup with Corrin, Haku headed in the same direction but only because Yoroi was talking with Corrin and Laslow.
“Lady Corrin, who are these?” Jackob asked as he looked at the group. Sakura was trying to just get everything settled down.
“Allies during the battle,” Corrin replied, glancing towards the small group as Sakura walked up with a young woman behind her. “Sakura?”
“She helped me out,” Sakura answered, looking back at the young woman whose head was now turned away. “She was willing to help out during the fight.”
Then Kaze saw a look in Corrin’s eyes, a look that he knew so well. She turned to address the group of four. “How would you like to join us to stop the fighting between Hoshido and Nohr?”
The young woman and the shinobi started to back away when the young woman with the dual colored hair wrapped her arms around them squealing. “Of course we’ll join! Right Hitomi? Right Haku?”
“Let me go Yoroi!” Hitomi shouted trying to get away, the shinobi not moving an inch before saying in a low voice. “We will not have a choice, Shiraori-san. We had the chance to leave but we chose to help.”
“She didn’t have anyone protecting her!” Hitomi snapped, pointing a finger towards Sakura. “What is your excuse?!”
Kaze watched as the masked shinobi turn his head towards him briefly before stating. “I did not want to answer a question.”
“You chose to help because you didn’t want to answer a… was this question seemingly asking for private information?” Hitomi asked and didn’t get a response. “You chose to help out because you didn’t want to talk?!”
“The bandits were annoying as well,” Haku answered before taking off the mask, revealing a very beautiful feminine face. Dark brown eyes glanced towards Yoroi who just laughed saying. “Oh this is going to be soooo much fun! I know….”
“Don’t say it,” Hitomi growled and David told her with a chuckle. “You’re not going to stop her with just threats.”
“Let’s party!” Yoroi shouted as she thrusted her fist into the air as she jumped.
Cheers filled the air as the villagers celebrated in the street. David was on the lute playing a tune with some other villagers as Yoroi danced in the streets joining in the traditional dance. Haku was leaning against a wall, seemingly exhausted from being around so many people. Aki was dancing with a group of guys and a tankard in hand while Riku watched them. Hitomi was already trying to leave to get some peace and quiet. However, she was talking to Corrin at the moment.
“You want us to join you?” Hitomi asked and Corrin nodded her head. Hitomi sighed as she thought about it.
“We can pay you… of course.” Corrin offered and Hitomi rubbed her eyes. “Or not?”
“Eh, it’s not that.” Hitomi muttered as she took a swig from her tankard. “I don’t mind, I’m sure Kowarenai-san wouldn’t mind. Kyōsaku-san and Seirō-san… Aki and Riku probably would join, Momochi-san would follow them, King-san might. But it isn’t up to me. You would have to ask them.”
“Then what’s the issue?” Corrin asked and Hitomi gave her a look before resting her jaw on her hand.
“I have to check my to-do list first.” Hitomi answered, Corrin looked confused. Hitomi weighed telling her the truth or having it found out later. “Look, my group and I aren’t from this world. We’re from one filled with dangerous creatures known as Pokémon, some of us have been here for years, I arrived here two years ago. But basically we’ve been here up until the point we turned eighteen.”
Hitomi set down a list. “Our benefactor and the person who brought us here is called H-san. Apparently we have issues we still need to work out. So he pays us, provides us housing until we turned eighteen, and gives us to-do lists for points that we can spend on stuff. It’s kind of what kept us in the area since a lot of it had to do with the village.”
“Oh… are you….”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Hitomi said, glancing at Corrin. “Some of the others, maybe, and good luck trying to get anything out of Haku. Looks like making new friends is on the list and I’m guessing that it’s you guys. So sure. I’m in.”
Haku was leaning against the building as he felt a subtle presence appear. ‘This must be that shinobi’s brother… Saizo.’ he thought as he pulled down the mask, though this one was just bandages, the sanjaku tenugui had covered these before, but this was what he casually wore. Underneath the bandages were jagged teeth. He bit into the peach and before chewing spat the pit into his hand and then pocketed it. Corrin seemed to have finished talking and dragged Kaze to dance with her. Saizo watching his younger brother look absolutely happy to dance with Corrin.
“You’re quite skilled for a newcomer. There are not many who can move through the battlefield with such grace.” Saizo spoke, his voice calm on the surface but Haku knew it was just a temperament.
“I’m surprised that someone with your temperament didn’t approach me first,” Haku stated, his sharp teeth biting through the pit of the peach. He spat the seed into his hand before pocketing it. “Instead it was your brother… the green haired one.”
The shinobi’s eyes narrowed as Haku continued to eat, both were fishing for information about the other. The true game was, who was going to crack first. The redhead shinobi glanced Haku up and down before stating. “Your appearance… it is unconventional for a male shinobi.”
“Really?” Haku stated, trying to keep the sarcasm from infiltrating his voice. “I couldn’t tell.”
“Your teeth,” Saizo said and Haku blinked in surprise, this man had seen right through the beautiful face and went straight for a unique feature that was hidden from his sight. “Regardless, they are useful. It is not everyday that I find someone of your skill on the battlefield. It is my job to make sure you are not a threat.”
“Everyone is a threat,” Haku told him, his dark brown eyes glinting with a little bit of mischief. “Saizo-san.”
Saizo’s crimson eyes narrowed, as if addressing that Haku had already begun gathering information about them. There was a flare in his temper from what Haku could tell. How he didn’t react just yet instead he acknowledged Haku’s words. “Indeed, vigilance is key in these times.”
Haku finished off the peach. “I’m surprised you noticed my teeth, most people take one look at this face and think I’m harmless.”
“Observation is a fundamental skill for any shinobi,” Saizo replied and Haku gave him a sideways glance, his eyes flickering towards Saizo’s scar. “I trust you understand.”
“Oh, I understand,” Haku said as he began to walk away. “You should keep a better eye on me, Saizo-san.”
Saizo watched as Haku vanished into the crowd.
Yoroi laughed as she spun around before she saw Laslow join in with the beat. His short silver hair reflecting the fire, his warm brown eyes meeting her soft blue as he spoke. “You dance.”
“Yup!” Yoroi laughed as she spun around. “Think you can keep up?”
“Try not to fall behind,” Laslow chuckled as he sped up his movements. Yoroi matching it easily as she moved around him. Their eyes never breaking contact as she said. “You’re challenging a professional.”
“Ha!” Laslow had a smile on his face but Yoroi could tell, his eyes were not happy. “I may not be a professional, but I’ve done a fair share of dancing in my time.”
She lifted her arms up to the sky remembering the dances she learned in Alola. The dances she used to practice with the locals. Her hips moving from side to side as she remembered the oceans, her arms moving like the waves as she brought them back up. Her mind went to Kalos, to the flowers swaying in the wind, the land that she called home. Sinnoh, which she had been born and only saw a few times, where the Pokemon of Time and Space fought. She spun around feeling her heart call for home. A hand slid around her waist and her eyes opened as she looked at the man. His smile was more genuine, it reached his eyes. He brought her up as they began to dance in harmony, the bonfire reaching greater heights.
David was now playing songs on a lyre as he watched Yoroi and others dance around. He couldn’t help but think of the parties his family used to throw back in Galar. He missed home, he missed his Pokemon, but they had a job to do here. One that was given to them by their mysterious benefactor, H-san. David had a letter that explained everything, that they were part of a whole universe of stories, that everything done is just a story to another who lives, reads, and creates, but they are just humans. So David was placed here with the others, to complete tasks and live through this new story. ‘If I remember correctly, H-san called this story, Fire Emblem Fates: Revelations.’ David thought as his fingers continued to play the strings.
He heard a sigh nearby as a young woman with pink hair sat next to him watching everyone dance. David giving her a smile as he asked. “Not going to dance?”
“I’m too clumsy,” the woman spoke before burying her face into her dress. “I’ll just mess everything up.”
David placed down the lyre, the music continuing without him. He stood up and held out his hand saying. “Here, dance with me.”
The young woman hesitated, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment, before she took his hand. David pulled her to his feet before bringing her over to the bonfire as they began to dance. She stumbled around but David didn’t mind, he laughed saying. “Don’t focus on your feet, just enjoy the music.”
Her ice blue eyes met David’s warm gold as he danced with her. She looked away as she muttered. “Thank you.”
“Your welcome,” David told her as he spun her around making sure to lead just so he could keep her upright. “I’m David.”
“F-Felicia,” the young woman spoke as he managed to keep her steady. “Do you always dance?”
“I like music more but Yoroi taught me,” David replied as he held onto her. “Dancing and playing music, it is always about listening to the rhythm and moving accordingly. It’s not about what you know, but your heart.”
Felicia seemed to consider these words as David felt her body relax. Her movements become more smooth and graceful. David smiled. “See, I knew you could do it.”
They continued the dance as the party waned on.
Hitomi munched on a dumpling as she watched the party. Her red eyes looked elsewhere besides those who were having fun. She didn’t need to be a part of the party, all she had to do was get through whatever job that was going to happen and find a way back home. ‘To Johto, not Hisui.’ she huffed before remembering that her Pokemon were back in Hisui causing her to sigh. ‘I can’t leave Dark behind, she will Supersonic everyone until she finds me.’ Hitomi glanced around at the people who was going to be her new companions.Various people from Nohr and Hoshido, talking to each other and laughing. It was as if all the fighting Hitomi had witnessed during her two years in this world was just gone. She heard boyish laughter nearby and glanced over. It was a Wolfskin and Kitsune chatting and having fun. Sighing, Hitomi pushed herself off the wall and began to walk away. ‘I don’t belong here, maybe I should just leave before everyone realizes that I don’t belong and sends me away.’
Before she had the chance to get far from the group, arms wrapped around her shoulders as a cheerful voice barked. “Hey there! Noticed you were all by yourself over here!”
Hitomi’s eyes flew over seeing the Wolfskin on her right as a voice spoke to her left being a bit more refined than the Wolfskin. “Not having fun?”
Hitomi opened her mouth to respond but she didn’t know how to respond. Then she shook her head as she made up her mind. “Crowds aren’t my thing, I’ve never been the type to get along with people other than my family.”
It wasn’t a lie, no matter where or when she was if it wasn’t her parents or her younger brother she wasn’t accepted. Her shoulders slumped as she managed to get out from under their arms before the Wolfskin spoke up. “Hey, you know, it’s okay to take a step back if the crowd gets too much.”
Hitomi turned around and saw concerned looks on their faces as they stared at her. The Wolfskin tail wagged, giving him a slightly more friendly appearance as he continued. “I get it, sometimes I prefer the quiet forest over all this… noise.”
The Kitsune nodded his head as he added charmingly. “And there is nothing wrong with enjoying the party from the sidelines. The important thing is that you are here with us.”
Hitomi was taken aback, she didn’t know what to say anymore, all her life she had taken the crap from the Main Family due to her mother, she had been rejected by the people of Jubilife Village, even villagers from here often stared at her with suspicion and always kept her at arm's length. Yet here these two were being friendly and helpful. ‘They could just be acting. Keeping an eye on me.’ she thought but deep inside her heart she knew that wasn’t the case either. A hand was placed on her shoulder as the Wolfskin said. “Hey… Hitomi right?”
Hitomi nodded her head as she glanced off to the side before looking into the brown eyes of the Wolfskin. “You know, not everyone at the party has to be the life of the party. There’s a quiet spot just over there.”
Hitomi glanced over to the spot that he pointed to, it was a less crowded area near a small river. Hitomi smiled a bit as the Wolfskin said. “Kaden and I were going to check it out, want to come with?”
Hitomi glanced towards the Kitsune, whom she guessed was Kaden as he added. “It’s still good to feel a part of the party, but without the hustle and bustle. Plus, I heard there might be some interesting bugs around there!”
‘Bugs?’ Hitomi thought before hiding her laughter, but the smile crossed her face. This seemed to make the two happy as their tails started wagging faster. “Alright, but first you two have to introduce yourself. I’m Shiraori Hitomi.”
“Right! I’m Keaton,” the Wolfskin said as he rubbed the back of his head. “And this is Kaden.”
As they walked over to it Keaton looked at the sky saying. “You know, I used to feel out of place too.”
Hitomi caught his eyes as he smiled at her continuing. “It took me a while to find my pack. Sometimes, you just need to find the right group to howl with.”
Hitomi glanced downwards as she thought about it. She had never given anyone the chance here, just so she wouldn’t get hurt again. Kaden nodded his head in agreement, his ear twitching as he listened to the sound of the party going on in the distance. “Exactly! And it’s okay if you’re more of a lone wolf at times. Everyone has their own way of enjoying things.”
When they finally found a good spot, close enough to enjoy the music but far enough to have their own space, Kaden began to hunt around. Hitomi sat on the grass as she stared up in the night sky. Her red eyes finding the moon as she thought of her little brother, Wataru. Hair like hers a dark blue, but his eyes had been forever changed. They used to be red like rubies but now it was like there was a ruby and a bright sapphire. “White weaver, white weaver, spinning at night. One showing you work with the sun so bright. Black mountain, black mountain covering the moon, snow covered tips will shine soon. Dreaming stars, dreaming stars, like diamonds in the night. Follow them home and enjoy their light.”
Hitomi heard the grass shift as Keaton sat next to her staring up at the moon.
“You know, the moon always looks bigger the farther you get from the party,” Keaton spoke, Hitomi feeling his tail moving against the grass. Hitomi looked at him as she smiled. “It is beautiful, it reminds me a lot of the moon back home.”
Keaton was about to ask, but Kaden’s voice caught their attention, his voice filled with excitement. “I found something here!”
There was a rustle as fireflies flew out lighting up the area as Keaton got to his feet and held out his hand. He noticed Hitomi hesitate and told her. “Come on, it’s just a little bit of exploration.”
Hitomi took his hand and was pulled to her feet, both moving over to see what Kaden had found. It was a bug, glowing but yet looked like a gem. ‘A small star.’ Hitomi thought as she felt better than she ever had before. ‘Perhaps I should give this place a chance.’