Howl to the Future
by Airship Canon

Warning: Reader Discretion is Advised!
The following contains themes of Anyone Can Die. Proceed with caution. This is probably the biggest case of "Gameplay writes the story" ever. Except Thracia, but I don't want to talk about that. The list of Tropes will probably expand. Oh, BTW: PME-TMN is the truth of Fire Emblem. Also this disclaimer is as follows: I Claim Dis. Because Disclaimers are pointless.

Prelude: A wind of Change

The Dragon's Table

"You fool!" A wicked sounding man's voice called out. A blast of magic tore across the cathedral like hall- and another man, one with somewhat unkempt and spiky white hair centered his vision on his blue haired friend as he brought himself up to his feet. It was a fight, and a fierce one at that- but one that'd close soon.

The man threw a blast of lightning, saying some archaic phrase towards a blast of magic, triggering an explosion, and the perpetrator, a sorcerer, teleported away.

"This is it," The man's friend said, "our final battle." He held two swords, a Silver blade, and the Holy Falchion: this man was of Royal Blood, and he knew it. "You're one of us, Robin, and no 'destiny' can change that." The prince said, acknowledging the friendship shared between the two. "Now let's kill this dastard and be done with it!"

Robin nodded in compliance, and motioned for his friend, to move closer. They both ran in unison towards the sorcerer.

"Hahaha!" The equally wicked looking and sounding sorcerer laughed insidiously, "Why do you resist?"

"Good…he's almost within striking distance!" the prince said, drawing the Silver sword from its sheath.

"Gyaha! You cannot unwrite what has already been written!" The sorcerer laughed and opened his tome, which was inscribed by six eyes.

"Think again!" the Prince said, slashing at the sorcerer, spilling his blood on the cathedral floor. The sorcerer quickly responded with a blast of magic that flew past the prince and Robin, blowing apart a column, but doing no real harm. The prince seized the opportunity immediately, and plunged the Silver Sword into the sorcerer's chest.

"What have you—"; the Sorcerer's eyes fell cleanly on Robin's as he fell to his knees. "THIS ISN'T OVER! DAMN YOU BOTH!" he yelled, flinging one final blast of magic at the Prince, but Robin shoved the man out of the way, and took the hit himself. Pain filled his body, but he suppressed it, and with the Prince's help, he was soon on his feet.

"Are you alright?" The prince asked, look at Robin, who nodded in compliance. "That's the end of him." He said, as the Sorcerer's body came into Robin's view, engulfed in a purple flame. "Thanks to you we carried the day… We can rest easy now… At long last." The prince said with a smile. It was then that Robin felt this throbbing sensation, something overcoming every bit of his being. His vision blurred, and his eyes started to glow an eerie magical red. "Hey- hang on!" the prince exclaimed as he looked at Robin.

The next thing Robin knew he had fired a blast of magic thru the Prince's chest. He looked at his former friend- and saw a terrible look on his face- pain, sorrow, and above all, shock. It was absolutely horrifying, yet, Robin felt nothing as he watched his friend begin to collapse; his magic had burned a hole thru the prince's body: it was a mortal wound.

"This… is not… your fault." The prince said, trying to console Robin in his final moments. "Promise me you'll escape from this place… please… go." He choked out one final sentence before collapsing to the ground, dead.

Robin felt his pulse race as something over came him, and all he could do was loose a terrible laugh that was not unlike that of the sorcerer's.

Mid Morning
A field Near Southtown, Ylisse

"Big Brother! We have to do something…!" a young girl's voice filled Robin's ears, her voice slightly slurred. He struggled to open his eyes. Was what just happened a dream? He couldn't tell, but he knew things were changing.

"What do you propose we do..?" a man's voice asked. Robin recognized that voice, it was that of the prince who he had murdered mere moments ago, and managed to place a name to the voice, "Chrom".

"I dunno…" the girl responded, but as she did, Robin managed to open his eyes. In front of him were three people- a man with blue hair, and regal clothing and light armor, at his side hung a sword with a rounded hilt. He assumed this was "Chrom". Another was a girl in a yellow and white dress. Her hair was done up in two messy pigtails. The third was a man standing behind them by a horse: a knight by the looks of him- covered in full, ornate armor.

"I see you're awake now". Chrom said.

"Hey there!" The girl quickly added.

"There are better places to take a nap than the ground you know." Chrom said, reaching out his hand, "Give me your hand." Robin extended his right hand, to accept Chrom's aid in getting to his feet. On the back of his hand was an eerie mark- it stuck out: six eyes and six wings in a slight "v" shaped position.

"You alright?" Chrom asked.

"Y-yes… Thank you, Chrom." Robin replied.

"Ah, then you already know who I am?"

"No, actually, I… it's strange, your name it just came to me…" Robin replied, unsure of why he managed to place the name "Chrom" to this man.

"…Hm… how curious. Tell me, what's your name? What brings you here?" Chrom asked.

"My name is… it's…" Robin fiddled with his thoughts for a few moments, but wasn't even capable of knowing his own name. "Hmm…" he muttered.

"…You don't even know your own name?" Chrom asked, surprised at Robin.

"Hey, I've heard of this! It's called amnesia!" the girl, Chrom's sister, said, almost excited to know Robin's condition.

The knight shook his head and spoke up, "It's called a load of Pegasus dung." He turned a stern look on Robin, "We're to believe you remember milord's name, but not your own?" The knight waved his hand, and Chrom promptly turned to speak to the knight.

"But- It's the truth." Robin stammered out, looking at the knight's stern face.

"What if it IS true, Frederick?" Chrom said, "We can't just leave him here alone and confused. What kind of Shepherds would we be then?"

"Just the same, milord, I would emphasize caution." Frederick said, just as sternly as ever. "'Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock."

Chrom nodded in seeming agreement, which kind of surprised Robin, but what was he to expect. "Right then— we'll take him back to town and sort this out there."

Robin staggered back, away from Chrom. "Wait a minute. Do I have a say in this?"

Chrom smiled, "Peace friend— I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town." He said, pointing into the distance. Robin made a quick note, the field in which he was lie near the ocean, and behind him, he could make out an island, with what appeared to be a temple of sorts built on it. There wasn't exactly a settlement in front of him, but that may be due to the fact that a rolling hill blocking a good deal of his view. "Now come," Chrom said, taking a hold of Robin's hand and walking forward towards the hill.

Robin walked along, and put his head down, following the group, "What will you do with me? Am I to be your prisoner?" He asked a tad of worry and sorrow in his voice- what a day it would be to be thrown into a dungeon without a clue as to who he even was.

"Ha!" Chrom laughed, attempting to show his good intentions, "You'll be free to go once we establish you're no enemy of Ylisse."

"Is that where we are? Ylisse?" Robin rolled his eyes up, a puzzled look on his face, not knowing of the country to which Chrom spoke of.

"You've never heard of the halidom?" Frederick asked rhetorically, "Someone pay this actor! He plays quite the fool!" Robin didn't exactly appreciate the sarcasm, especially from someone who clearly thought he was a spy of sorts, but didn't respond. "The furrowed brow is especially convincing..." Frederick continued.

"Frederick, please." Chrom butted in, "This land is known as the Halidom of Ylisse. Our ruler, Emmeryn, is called the exalt. I suppose proper introductions are in order..." He explained."My name is Chrom—but then, you already knew that." he then turned towards his sister, "The delicate one here is my little sister, Lissa."

"I am NOT delicate!" Lissa exclaimed, raising both of her arms into the air in a manner that amused Robin slightly. "…Humph! Ignore my brother, please. He can be a bit thick sometimes." She huffed. "But you're lucky the Shepherds found you. Brigands would've been a rude awakening!"

"Shepherds? You tend sheep?" Robin asked, "In full armor?" He noted Frederick's attire.

"Heh, it's a dangerous job. Just as Frederick the Wary here." Chrom replied, a bit of snide sarcasm aimed at Frederick in that comment.

"A title I shall wear with pride. Gods forbid one of us keeps an appropriate level of caution." Frederick replied to Chrom's remark and turned his focus onto Robin, "I have every wish to trust you, stranger, but my station mandates otherwise."

Robin sighed, realizing it wasn't outright hostility from Frederick, but strict concern. "I understand, sir. I would do no less myself." Robin replied, but as he did, something clicked- he remembered something. It was strange, but he knew, he had met these people before, somehow.

"Robin! I'll cover Lissa and Lon'qu! We've got these dastards! Cover Chrom!" Frederick called out.
"Don't fail us, Frederick!" Robin quickly responded. "Gods… will this battle end?"

"My name's Robin." Robin said, which got some quick puzzled looks out of the others. "…I just remembered that. How odd." Robin tilted his head to the side, and smiled. "I suppose that's one mystery solved."

"Robin? Is that foreign? ...Ah, well. We can discuss it later. We're almost to town." Chrom said as the group kept walking— they had come quite a ways, and were almost atop the hill. "Once we—"

Chrom was interrupted by Lissa's shrieking.

"CHROM! LOOK! THE TOWN!" She screamed pointing forward over the top of the hill. Robin and the others ran to the crest of the hill and looked into the town. Buildings burned as smoke climbed high into the sky. Robin couldn't make out much, but from what he could see, the town was centered around a market that sat on a river that poured out into the ocean near the town.

"Damn it! The town is ablaze! Those blasted brigands, no doubt... Frederick, Lissa! Quickly!" Chrom exclaimed, placing his hand on his sword.

"What about him?" Frederick asked, throwing a glare at Robin.

"Unless he's on fire as well, it can wait!" Chrom responded, anger filling his voice.

"Aptly put, milord." Frederick responded, untying a covered, ornate, bladed lance from his armored steed.

"Let's go already!" Lissa cried, at the other two 'Shepherds'.

The trio darted off, leaving Robin behind. "But what about… hmm..." Robin shook his head when he noticed the tome attached to his coat. Sure, it may have been a simple book, but he recognized immediately that it was more- no, it wasn't a simple book, and it was a weapon- magically charged ink wrought from blood wrote repeating patterns on its pages. Robin looked at the tome and remembered exactly what it was and how to use it. "Tonitrua…" He muttered, yes that was it- he could feel the energy of the spell build up in his hands. He wasn't exactly helpless. He also noted he wore a blade, a simple, rusted sword made of Bronze. He made up his mind- he'd help these Shepherds, and made his way toward the town.

He ran into the town, smoke filled his lungs, which made him cough, but he was driven. He managed to plan his way thru the town, even though he was not familiar with the location- it was a talent he had, he supposed. He then heard a woman scream, followed by a man yelling something he couldn't exactly understand. He then heard another woman cry out- an agonizing cry. He didn't want to think what happened to her- he just knew he had to stop these villains.

"Chrom! We have to stop them!" Robin heard Lissa from ahead- he had caught up to the Shepherds.

"Don't worry—after today, these bandits won't be bothering anyone ever again..." Chrom replied to Lissa, the sternness of his voice made it clear, he was ready to kill.

"Wait!" Robin called out- the last thing he wanted was Chrom to confuse him for the enemy.

"Robin!? You followed us?! Why?" Chrom asked.

"I'm not sure myself… But I am armed, and I know my way around a fight, if you'll have me." Robin said.

"Of course, strength in numbers. Just stay close!" Chrom commanded.

"I will," Robin replied. "Now let's clear out these brigands."

"Remember, Robin, we face practiced thieves and murderers. They will grant us no quarter. It's kill or be killed." Frederick said, keeping his horse under control, and turn turning to aid Chrom.

"I'll keep that in mind." Robin replied. "Chrom! There's an enemy with a sword on the other side of that stall there!" He shouted with as he spotted the brigand.

"Right… Frederick!" Chrom said, holding Falchion high, and slashing at the enemy. Robin ran up to join Chrom and Frederick with Lissa right behind him.

"Tonitrua…!" Robin exclaimed, opening his tome. A blast of energy formed in his hand and he threw it at the wounded brigand. The man cried out in agony as the blast of energy ripped his body apart. "One down..."

"Wait… you know magic?" Chrom asked, eyeing Robin.

"I guess so..." Robin replied.

"Perhaps I should keep a few steps behind you then…"

"No, I can control it, I'm sure." Robin replied.

"Look out!" Lissa exclaimed, as she spotted two brigands approaching. Chrom quickly intercepted one, deftly blocking his axe strike, and countering, slashing at the man's chest. Robin on the other hand found himself slightly outdone by his foe: the bandit planted his axe into Robin's chest, and while he took a swift counter attack from Robin's magic, the bloody wound was still apparent.

Robin cringed as he got back up on his feet, and quickly fired another blast from his thunder tome at the Brigand who had attacked Chrom, killing him. "Chrom… enemy mage! I… I can survive." Robin exclaimed, "But that… Mage..!"

"Right!" Chrom exclaimed, and ran past Robin, and stabbed at the enemy, who threw a blast of magically charged wind back at Chrom, who was blown off his feet and through the stall of fruits.

The axe-wielding barbarian again hacked at Robin, cutting a gaping bloody gouge in Robin's side. Tears rolled down Robin's face: the attack hurt, but he had to keep his wits about him. He threw another blast of magic at the brigand, and ducked underneath a stall with Lissa. He then heard Chrom yell in agony as the Mage bombarded him with another spell. What is Frederick doing— never matter—I've got a plan… Robin thought. "Chrom, get the guy who's been harassing me! I'll get that Mage!"

"A target swap?! Why?" Chrom asked.

"They've got friends, and we need to give Lissa a chance to use her staff without her head winding up off her shoulders— if you and Frederick can handle the moron with the axe, I can cut down the mage and we'll be in the clear to take out that group on the bridge… after a bit of healing." Robin explained, clutching his side. "Ready?"

"When you are, Robin!" Chrom responded.

"Now!" They both darted out from their positions and drew their respective swords- Chrom swiftly dismembering the axe-wielding brigand, and Robin driving his blade thru the stomach of the mage, before severing his arm. He cringed as he heard the brigand cry in agony. The screams of their enemies were not pleasant sounds, and the blood and bile that lay on the streets wasn't a pretty sight, but his plan worked.

"Damn, it's the Shepherds!" Robin thought he heard the bandits' leader say. Things were starting to make sense, the Shepherds weren't literal shepherds, no they were a militia. That'd explain why they were so armed.

"Hold still, brother!" Lissa said, holding out her staff, which emitted a green light, and Chrom's wounds started to disappear. Robin knew that Chrom had to come first- they only had one staff user, and Chrom's injuries were much worse than his own were. He hadn't seen it, but that mage had done a number on Chrom- anymore and Chrom would be nothing more than worm bait.

"Who'd have thought a random traveler like you would be so deft a fighter- and tactician." Chrom said, looking at Robin.

"…It's strange. When I'm on the battlefield, I can…see things I guess. I must have studied this somewhere before." Robin replied, still clutching his side.

"Really?" Chrom asked, intrigued.

"Yeah- I can size up an enemy at a glance." Robin replied. "And I can tell the limits of our own too…"

"Well that explains why you're so good at tactics." Chrom said, with a slight smile. "Hey, we'll take on the next set of foes together, right?"

"Yes." Robin replied.

"Good- and we've got to hurry- the faster we're done, the faster the townsfolk can get back to their lives. Lissa'll have you patched up real quick too." Chrom said.

"Well, I'll take point." Robin replied, "There's another mage in that group, and that's not good at all."

"I see your point there." Chrom said, "It's strange, I hardly know you at all, but something tells me I can trust you."

"Well, that's surprisingly good to hear." Robin chuckled as he felt a soothing, tingling sensation as Lissa used her healing magic-, which sealed the axe wounds he had received. He turned and nodded at Lissa and thanked her as he steeled himself.

"Here they come…!" Chrom said, as he spotted the enemy running at them. Robin braced himself, as the sword-wielding bandit leapt over a crate from the toppled market stall and swung his sword, leaving sharp cut on Robin's left arm. Robin immediately fired a blast of lightning at the myrmidon, which exploded with enough magical force to knock him backwards over the crate he had leapt over. Chrom followed up the chance, and planted his sword firmly in the bandit's chest.

"Nicely done…" Robin said, as he watched Chrom pull his sword from the bandit's chest. It was brutal but necessary- left alone, that man would've killed others. That realization didn't exactly make the exchange any more pleasant, however.

"Tonitrua…!" Robin heard the enemy mage cast a thunder spell, which hit him directly, but he shrugged it off, and returned twice over. The enemy mage muttered an insult at Robin, but he couldn't quite make it out.

"Robin, I'm going to finish that guy off…" Chrom said, and Robin nodded in compliance. Chrom charged at the mage, but the mage managed to evade Chrom's strike by tossing one of the crates towards him before nailing Chrom with his thunder spell. Chrom cringed in pain. "Damn… I missed."

Robin shook his head. "Between that mage and the remaining Myrmidon, you're a dead man, Chrom..! Lissa!"

"No- Lissa's too delicate for this- if she uses her staff now…" Chrom grunted.

"It might hurt, but she can take a hit, she won't be in much danger, besides she's got Frederick looking out for her— you on the other hand, won't survive much more of that." Robin explained, waving his hand at Lissa and Frederick.

Chrom closed his eyes and shook his head. He didn't particularly want to admit it, but Robin was right- he wouldn't survive another blast of magic from that mage if he has to deal with a sword wound at the same time in his current state. Lissa was already fairly adept at warding off magic, and with Frederick acting her shield, that Myrmidon wouldn't be able to harm her. "Frederick, make sure you don't let the enemy even scratch Lissa!"

"I'll do my best, milord." Frederick responded as watched over Lissa as she kneeled to heal Chrom's wounds-, which were apparent- he was bleeding quite bad, burns had escalated to open wounds that covered his back and his sides. Robin was right- much more from that mage and Chrom would be a very dead man. However, it wasn't but moments later that Chrom found himself blown back, another blast from that mage, and with that, he was too out of position- he couldn't do anything but watch as the myrmidon made his way to Lissa. Frederick quickly bashed away the Myrmidon, but couldn't save Lissa entirely- his blade slicing down her arm. She cringed in agony.

"Dammit!" Chrom exclaimed. "Robin—!"

"We need to kill that mage." Robin replied, "Your sister will be fine." he turned quickly, and stabbed the mage with his sword, much like the last one, but as he did, he quickly noted he left an opening for the Myrmidon to strike at Lissa again. "Chrom!"

"Right...!" Chrom grunted as he slashed at the Myrmidon, who managed to evade a lethal blow from Chrom, and quickly stabbed back. "Slippery dastard..! Lissa! Behind me!" Chrom said, hoping to create a safe spot, but while she quickly got behind Chrom and put her staff to work, the Myrmidon cut around the defensive line, and while he wasn't in a position to stab her, managed to bash Lissa over the head with the pommel of his blade. "You damn-!" Chrom exclaimed, making a snap turn and leaping past Lissa as she lay on the ground, and swiftly beheading the bandit.

"Lissa!? Are you alright?" Robin asked, as he looked at the girl, her dress stained in blood.

"I'll be… fine. I told you… I'm not delicate." Lissa said, slightly shaken, but she was, as she said, mostly fine.

"…I've got to be careful to avoid that one..." an Orange haired man said, slipping a sucker into his mouth. "I'm not with these guys- and I don't feel like having my life cut short… but those cinnamon rolls were just too…"

"Hey! That thief! He's not one of ours!" One of the bandits by the group's leader shouted. "What should we do, Garrick?"

"Kill him. I'll take care of the Shepherds." The bandit's leader responded, holding up his curved hand axe.

The orange haired thief shifted his eyes towards the bandits. "Well, I've overstayed my welcome. Time to make a sweet escape..!" He said, making a run from his current position. "Wait… damn! My candies!" the thief noted he had dropped a bag from his coat. "My life or my sweets… what a choice?" He muttered as he ran. "Guess I'll have to do without those ones!"

"Hey, there's a commotion on the bridge…" Robin said. "Looks like those barbarians are chasing someone— he looks armed though."

"…I wish whoever they're chasing luck. Any enemy of these brigands is an ally of ours." Chrom said, "Now let's take out their leader and be done with it!"

"Right!" Robin replied, as the group moved up to the bridge. There weren't any brigands on the bridge any longer- the first group were dead, and the others were chasing that man. Robin noted that someone had left a bag of sweets on the ground, and given there were also a few pieces of gold with them, he figured it was probably dropped by the man who the brigands were chasing, and decided to hang on to it. Considering his unvoiced opinion of the man was that he was probably a thief, taking advantage of the situation to rob the townsfolk blind; that may be for the best, he thought. In addition, though the bag was mostly candies, it still might prove useful if they bump into the man again. Or at the very least, it was something to eat.

"So… it's the damnable Shepherds." The brigand's leader said, staring at Chrom and Robin. "Here sheepy, sheepy..! Come to the Slaughter!" He taunted.

"Stay back Chrom… this is a trap." Robin said, "Make him attack us— I'll counter with magic, then when he's weak, we'll take him out before he can spring whatever trap he has in store."

"Well, you haven't gone wrong yet." Chrom replied. "Just be ready— he's coming..!"

Garrick threw one of his throwing axes at Robin who managed to dodge out of the way, his thunder spell already charged, and ready to be released- and release it he did, although the accuracy was off- the blast of magic exploded harmlessly on the steps of a great cathedral behind Garrick. Garrick quickly responded, throwing another axe, which smashed into Robin's chest, but not before Robin threw another blast of magic, which Garrick appeared to shrug off.

"Lissa!" Chrom shouted, "Can you still use your staff?"

"I'm not that bad off Chrom!" Lissa replied, holding out her staff.

"Good. Take care of Robin." Chrom commanded, noting Garrick fumbling around. Surely, he was getting another axe, and that meant they had to act quickly. Lissa's staff works fast, but if Robin dies from repeated wounds, it meant nothing.

"I'm fine, Chrom… Thanks, Lissa." Robin gritted his teeth as he saw Garrick brandish another axe, "Lissa… Move!" Robin said, as Garrick threw his axe, which flew past Robin, narrowly missing everyone. "You dastard..! Tonitrua!" Robin threw another bolt of magic at Garrick, which hit him in the face, and sent the barbarian to the ground. He and Chrom both quickly ran towards Garrick, and simultaneously stabbed the Bandit's leader.

"Bwaaargh!" Garrick's death came swift, as both Chrom and Robin pulled their swords from Garrick's chest, and swung them swiftly to get the blood off their blades.

"That's the end of him." Chrom said, "Thank you, Robin."

Robin took in a deep breath. It was over, at least as far as he could tell— it seemed the other bandits had chased the thief- and the three of them had fled into the countryside. Of course, the process of rebuilding lies in front of the townsfolk. "Well, that's the end of that." He said.

"Luckily for the town, we were close by." Lissa said, with the sound of relief in her voice. "But holy wow, Robin! You were incredible. Swords, sorcery, AND tactics? Is there anything you can't do?"

"You're certainly no helpless victim, that much is for sure." Chrom added.

"Indeed. Perhaps you might even be capable of an explanation for how you came here?" Frederick quickly reiterated his suspicions of Robin.

Robin shook his head, "I understand your skepticism, Sir Frederick. And I cannot explain why only some knowledge has returned to me. But please, believe me. I have shared all that I know." He said firmly.

"You fought to save Ylisse lives. My heart says that's enough." Chrom said, placing his hand on Robin's shoulder.

"And your mind, milord? Will you not heed its counsel as well?" Frederick asked, ever cautiously.

"Frederick, the Shepherds could use someone with Robin's talents. We've brigands and unruly neighbors, all looking to bloody our soil. Would you really have us lose such an able tactician? Besides, I believe his story, odd as it might be." Chrom answered swiftly- his intent to bring Robin into their group clear.

"Th-thank you, Chrom." Robin replied- it certainly was a generous motion. He knew he'd be swift friends with this group, even if Frederick didn't particularly like him.

"So how about it? Will you join us, Robin?" Chrom asked.

It was almost a done deal. Robin knew he didn't have much to go on- his past eluded him, and he didn't really have a life planned out, but what he knew was that here was this small band of warriors, ready to help folks in need, and a man offering him his friendship. "I'd be honored."

Chrom smiled and shook Robin's hand. "Well then..!" They turned back, and started walking towards the center of town. The damage wasn't that bad- the majority of the town was unscathed. Frederick however stopped, as people started coming out of hiding.

"Did you notice, milord? The brigands spoke with a Plegian accent." Frederick made a quick note as his eyes surveyed the situation.

"Plegian? What's that?" Robin asked, unsure of what Frederick had meant- as far as Robin could tell, the Brigands were just that, barbarous brigands who had come to kill, steal and do damage for little reason other than their own personal gain- of course, they didn't gain much from this venture, considering, besides the two that chased the thief, they were dead.

"Plegia is Ylisse's westerly neighbor. They send small bands into our territory, hoping to instigate a war." Chrom said, shaking his head.

Lissa panned her head from side to side as well. "And it's the poor townsfolk who suffer! Totally innocent, and totally helpless..." Her voice trailed off, becoming a near whisper towards the end.

"They do have us, milady: Shepherds to protect the sheep. Do not be swept up in your anger. It will cloud your judgment." Frederick said, reassuring Lissa.

"Well it's exactly as I thought. This group is indeed a militia." Robin thought to himself. "Not that bad of a profession… especially considering my talents."

"I know, I know... Don't worry. I'll get used to all this." Lissa responded with a sigh.

A man, an innkeeper by the looks of him, ran up to the group, he had a smile on his face, although Robin could tell, moments ago, he was terrified. "Milord, please! You must stay the night! We are simple folk of simple means, but we would gladly toast your valor with a feast!" He said, directing his offer to Chrom.

However, Frederick quickly intervened and answered on Chrom's behalf. "A most generous offer, sir, and no doubt your hospitality would be grand... But I'm afraid we must hurry back to Ylisstol." Frederick smiled as he spoke, which came off as extremely odd.

"Dark meat only for me, medium well, and no salt in the soup. I simply— " Lissa had started to speak before Frederick, but was cut off. "Wait, what?! We're not staying?! But, Frederick, it's nearly dark!"

"When night falls, we'll camp. Eat off the land, make our bed of twigs and the like... I believe you mentioned you would be "getting used to this"?" Frederick responded.

"Frederick? Sometimes I hate you." Lissa exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

Robin laughed at the sight, "You've quite the stern lieutenant there." He commented.

"Yeah, well, "stern" is one name for it. I can think of a few others!" Lissa responded, her face red with irritation.

"Frederick only smiles when he's about to bring down the axe." Chrom added.

"Duly noted." Robin said with a slight chuckle.

"You do realize I AM still present?" Frederick coughed, his face returning to his normal serious look.

"Oh, we realize." Chrom said, rolling his eyes at the knight.

Robin smiled and laughed.

"Milord remains as amusing as ever. Now then, shall we be going?" Frederick said, shaking his head, clearly not amused by Chrom's gesture.

"All right, all right. Ready to go, Robin? The capital isn't far." Chrom sighed and returned to a more serious tone.

"As I can be, Chrom." Robin responded. "Well, this is off to a nice start." He thought as the group started making their way to the edge of town.

Ylisstol

"I-Is it ready yet, Laurent?" A man with long floppy ears stuttered as he spoke.

"I'll need about another minute. Once we're done, I'll go first." The mage responded. "Just be calm, Yarne."

"I-it's not g-going to turn me into goo or anything? R-right?" Yarne responded.

"It shouldn't. This ritual may still be untested, but it was crafted first by Naga. It may not be the most accurate spell, but by all means it should be… mostly harmless. More dangerous would be you undoing your own existence once thru— do try to stay away from events that lead to your conception, Yarne, or you might wind up erasing yourself, or giving yourself extra toes or what not."

"Th-that sounds sc-cary… I don't want to wind up with Extra toes… or worse…" Yarne stammered.

"Either way, the time gate is almost ready… do be brave and go gather Lucina and the others!"

"A-alright." Yarne said.

"…I've never been one for faith, but in times like these…" Laurent said, nodding at the Ylissean sage, releasing a blast of magic into the center of an ornate spell circle. A brilliant light formed from the middle of it, and the mage stepped into it. "Time to test this hypothesis."

"Keep fighting! We need to buy Laurent more— Yarne!? What are you doing?" A woman said, looking at the bunny-eared man. She wore a tiara, and had long blue hair.

"Laurent said to get you guys…" Yarne said, ducking underneath a blast from a spell.

"Then the Gate must be open! Heroes to the gate!" A man in yellow responded. "We'll save the world yet!"

"We shouldn't be doing this…" A man atop a wyvern said, bringing an axe down upon a zombie-like creature. "We have no purpose meddling with fate's designs."

"Gods, Gerome!" A woman with black hair responded "Can you be more cynical?!" She quickly threw one of the creatures aside and ran it through with her sword.

The blue haired woman shook her head. "We've got to save the world- and we cannot stop Grima here...! I refuse to accept our defeat like this..! Everyone…! Fall back to the portal!" She commanded. "I'll be the last through! Now go!"

Author's Note: Here goes nothing. This is gonna be crazy... Playlog + Fanfic at the same time? Holy wow. Reads/Reviews are appreciated. And yes, anyone can die, but death is far from a certainty. (Kinda worried about Lissa TBH (even with SoC expecting me to kill off Gerome), but...) (PS. You -can- get a heads up on this over on Serenes Forest Forums, in my playlog topic.)