The Shepherds lined up in the Feroxi Arena. Robin was wondering how exactly they had ended up in this scenario. Then Chrom stepped up to the front and he remembered. A diplomat, their fearless leader was not. He was new to this group, but the rest seemed used to this kind of behavior. Robin fell into a ready stance himself. It seemed he would just have to adjust too.
"Everyone ready?" Chrom asked the assembled Shepherds. Lissa cheered with her staff held high, Frederick gave a calm confirmation, Stahl gave a nod from atop his horse, and Sumia gave an uneasy confirmation which got an easy smile from the captain before he was back to business.
"So, Robin, what do you think?"
"I think we should have at least asked the West Khan first."
"I meant about the battle," Chrom rolled his eyes.
"Fairly standard fare. Frederick and I can handle the knights, you and Sumia can take care of the cavalry while Lissa stays back and tends to any wounds. Though, I can't get a good look at their leader. I don't know what to expect from that one."
"Hmm," Chrom rubbed his chin looking at the shadowy figure, "No matter. I'll deal with them when the time comes." Before Robin could recommend caution, Chrom strode out further and brandished his blade. Robin, meanwhile, sighed. It was amazing he had not gotten himself killed before now. Something he largely accredited to Frederick. Perhaps his over protectiveness was more understandable than he initially thought.
As Chrom approached, the other leader did the same, stepping into the light in the process. Lissa gasped, "Chrom! That's..."
"I see," Chrom narrowed his eyes, "You! You saved my sister, and for that, you have my gratitude, but I have a lot on the line here." There was no response, "So, that's how it is? Very well, our swords shall do the talking."
At those words, the mysterious figure from the forest brandished their sword as well, but Chrom seemed taken aback by it, "That sword. Where did you get that? There's no way…" Robin looked a bit confused. Yes, the stranger's sword did look a lot like Chrom's with the exception of a blue gem in the hilt where Chrom's held but air. The odd part being, Robin had been told the sword was one of a kind. Perhaps it was a forgery and that explained the addition of the gem?
Chrom, however, darted off headlong to challenge the stranger. Robin resisted the urge to face palm at that moment. One of these days, his recklessness might end up getting someone hurt.
Still, the prince held his own rather well. The two seemed evenly matched as the duel suddenly stopped when the stranger returned behind enemy lines. This left Chrom to fall back as well.
"Back with us?" Robin asked though the prince was a bit preoccupied, "Uh, Chrom?"
"Huh? Oh, right. Yes, I'm with you."
"Good," Robin replied, "Because they're coming for us."
Just as Robin had said, the other team was advancing. Fortunately, Robin's strategy, as simple as it was, was enough to take them down with little trouble. Soon, all that remained was the mysterious stranger.
"Everyone stand back," Chrom stepped forward again, "I'll handle this."
"Milord," Frederick eyed the stranger suspiciously from atop his armored steed, "That may not be advisable."
"I got to go with him on this one," Robin agreed. He could not be entirely certain, but it seemed like that person was holding back previously.
His concerns fell on deaf ears though, as Chrom charged forward without a second thought into a duel that was just as heated as the one beforehand. This masked stranger could match him almost move for move. It was astounding in all honesty. However, Robin noticed that this person lacked Chrom's raw strength. They would tremble slightly when blocking a strong blow. That, combined with their slimmer build, had Robin surmise that a swifter style would suite them better, but given how good they were using a style ill-suited to them, he marveled at what they could do if using a proper style.
However, the duel came to an abrupt end when Chrom managed to land a light blow on her left arm. It was clearly superficial, but the stranger went down grasping the cut in what looked to be agony.
"Woah, are you alright?" Chrom immediately stopped and Robin briefly considered that it might be trap. One look at Frederick's expression said that he was thinking the same thing, but no trap came.
"I-I yield," The stranger said through gritted teeth. Before anyone could try to help, they quickly grabbed their sword and left still clutching the cut.
"That…was weird," Lissa walked up to her brother.
"I'll say."
"Perhaps this 'Marth' has a really low pain tolerance?" Lissa offered.
"Maybe," Chrom said slowly before his attention was stolen by a very loud and very happy East Khan. However, Robin eyed the retreating figure for a bit longer, not quite buying Lissa's potential explanation.
Lucina leaned against a tree and flung off her mask once she deemed herself to be a safe distance from the arena. The mask was uncomfortable in the best of circumstances, but at that moment, she did not want to deal with it.
She removed the pressure from her cut. Still bleeding. Of course. She pulled out a vulnerary and applied it carefully to the cut. As bleeding finally stopped, she slid down the tree slowly until she was sitting in the snow. Her mind flashed back to when she was young and had accidentally cut herself with Falchion.
"You must be careful around this blade," Her mother spoke tenderly while tending to the cut, "For while it can be a mighty tool, it is also quite dangerous to us."
Lucina sniffled and wiped her tears, "I'm sorry, mommy."
Her mother lifted her chin up, "There is no reason to apologize. You simply made a mistake," Her mother picked up the blade and handed it back to her daughter, "You walk an interesting line between worlds, but I have faith that you will succeed in whatever you set your mind to."
"I will succeed, mother," Lucina whispered. She quickly fixed her hair back and re-donned the mask. She then adjusted her hair to make sure her pointed ears were covered before setting back out on her path.
A/N: Okay, so this is mostly the same as the one shot, but it is the starting off point. This is the main divergence point from normality for the story, so here it begins. Hopefully you'll enjoy this weird story and dragon Lucina.