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Liberté, égalité, mélodie The King of Midenhall reacted with perfect, almost bored poise. "No need to fear, my good man. This has happened before, and we have dealt with it satisfactorily then. What is this new threat? Some new power-mad sorcerer like Hargon? A horde of monsters? Dragons to War and possibly Quest at?" "Ah, er, no, your exalted lordship. It seems the peasants didn't react well to the tax increase of a year ago, and have, uh, revolted. A charismatic priest named Marcello stirred the commoners up, and some traitor named Wiegraf who used to serve in the army has given their ragtag army some discipline. They've also hired the Greil Mercenaries with the wealth from their conquered castles, led by some fellow named Ike. They're tending to the expansionist as well- they may well strike your country next!" "This will not stand! We shall support our noble brethren against these would-be regicides ... except I'm getting a bit old, and this is a job for fresh-faced, princely heroes. Son!" The Prince of Midenhall stepped forward. "Yes, my lord Father?" "It is my experience that these peasant insurrections only happen when a rare man with a backbone comes along to lead them. Remove the ringleaders, and they'll collapse into the rabble they are, squabbling amongst themselves. After all, the citizenry are hopelessly unfit to govern themselves. In any case, it is clear what you must do — form an elite royal squad and defeat these fiends in single combat, earning glory and honor while ending the war in a single strike!" "Of course, my honored father. But it seems that the Princess of Moonbrooke has been captured again, and the Prince of Cannock is still in Rhone. Who shall accompany me?" he said, lightly kicking the still heavily-breathing Lackey #65 to get his attention. "Agh! I've heard that Renais's princess Eirika is making her way here shortly, and that Prince Ephraim is still in the field defending his God-given right to rule." The king was pleased. "Well then. They shall do, but we may need more. Counselor, draw up letters to the ambassadors of the other monarchies. Falena has a fine and loyal Prince; Guardia and Adelhyde's princesses always seemed a little too independent for my tastes, but blood will tell in the end. I'm sure their gentlefolk will be eager to offer support in this clearly noble crusade." Lackey #65 quietly hobbled away toward the doctor's quarters amidst the rousing shouts of "Long live the King." --- In the shadow of the Murond Holy Site, however, another force was gathering, plotting. When the two sides had exhausted their energy against each other, a third power would unexpectedly rise up and dramatically end things, seizing power in the aftermath. Gathered near the blood altar were High Priest Funeral, Pope Zera, Maester Mika, and Habaruku... ...all sleeping soundly as Elena pulled them into the dungeon, with the eerie melody of the first Fonon echoing throughout the halls. "Good work, Sergeant Grants." A twisted smile broke across the man once known as Edward's face, only barely visible beneath the jet black helmet that came with the new set of imposing dark armor. "Not so spoony now, eh? Holy fools. Meanwhile, the nobles continue to underestimate us. Look at this ridiculous letter sent to Damcyan - as if they didn't know I had renounced my claim to those ruins." With the captives secured, Tear stopped singing. "Indeed. Let the populace laugh at us, as well. It'll make spying and information gathering all the easier for when it comes time to strike." Songstress Elena chimed in. "Both Granas and Valmar were weak and powerless, as Zera has proved. I have dedicated my life to the most powerful force in the universe, song! I'm sure others shall, too. And if they don't, well, they'll just have to be... convinced. After the revolution." "Oh, they'll pay for their mocking. They'll pay. No one will ever disrespect the bard faction again and live." |
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UltraDude And so, the armies aligned themselves. One on side, the nobles. Led by the prince of Midenhall, it was a formidable force. The mighty blades and magic of all the princes and princesses, as well as all the support they, in their noble-hero ways, could muster. Disciplined. Trained. Determined. It was their destiny to stamp out this weak rebellion On the other side, the ragtag band of rebels. Despite their only being peasants and mercenaries, the military experience of Wiegraf had formed the mightiest peasant army ever seen. With his strategy and Marcello's deviousness, there was no worry for tactics, and the Greil mercenaries had matched the Renais twins in recruitment. Also, the rebels always win. Didn't you watch Star Wars? Anyways, the two armies, at the signals of their leaders, moved forward. The front lines lurched forward - heavily armored warriors poised to clash mightily. However, as they met, a different sound drifted across the battlefield... the sound of music. The hills were alive with it. At it's siren's call, the soldiers, one by one, fell into a deep slumber. Having an army of Wigglytuffs concealed along with enough speakers to flatten a castle can have that effect. Even those who were immune to such effects mysteriously found themselves succumbing to the mighty power of song. As the song died down, only the prince of Midenhall remained standing, shocked beyond belief at the turn of events, clueless as to what his next move could possibly be. As he pondered his decision, a small group approached him. A dark armored and masked man, a beautiful woman on either side of him, flanked by four scowling Wigglytuffs. He stopped as he reached the prince, gesturing to his entourage to do the same. "So, my friend, it seems that the true victors have been determined. What say you to this?" he said with a chuckled. "You... who are you?" the prince responded, dumbfounded. The figure turned his head slightly. "You don't recognize me? I'm hurt, my friend, truly. Someone whom you and the others have mocked so..." Dawning overtook the prince, alighting on his face. "You... you traitor! How dare you Edward! We're your kind!" he raged. "Not Edward, dear Prince," the dark figure responded. "Music Emperor Edward!" he yelled out manically, and laughed maniacally. To be continued... Nobles: 22 Rebels: 10 Bards: 39 DjinnandTonic
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