We all know the story. A man with no memories, lost in a world that teethers at the brink of destruction. The warrior prince of a nation, forced to take up the mantle of leader after the loss of his sister. And a chance encounter in a field that would bind them forever, forging a bond stronger than anyone could ever imagine. The story of Fire Emblem Awakening is one of joy, sadness, friendship, love, loss, and eventually a happy ending. The story of a group of people who can find comfort in each other even in the bleakest of situations, forging friendships (and sometimes more) built on trust, respect, and honesty.

But sometimes things don't always turn out that way; for there are an infinite number of possible ways a story can go. Every character makes a decision, whether to go left or right, which in turn affects everyone—nay everything—around them. Every action counts, every dialogue counts, every thought counts. Sometimes all it takes is for one thing to be different; one event that was more vital than people realize, leading to a chain of events that sets the story in motion.

Sometimes that's all it takes: one small change, and a whole new story unravels.

At the Outskirts of Plegia

The woman was running as fast as she could, making sure every now and then that she wasn't being followed. She looked down at the bundle she was carrying with her, holding it tight against her chest.

"We're almost there. Soon Plegia will be naught but an afterthought," she pushed away her snow white hair that had fallen over her eyes, "you'll be safe from all of this. You'll be able to live a normal life, one of your own choosing. I promise you that they won't harm you."

"Why would we want to harm him?"

She froze, that voice sending a chill down her spine as her whole body filled with dread. She turned around to see a tall, lean man with spikey brown hair sauntering over her. His wore an open ceremonial robe, showing his tanned skin and purple markings running through his body. His had a goatee and a scar over his left eye, which were cold and narrow. Despite being unarmed he dispelled an dark, terrifying aura of power that threatened to consume her.

"Validar," she whispered in fear.

"Elvira, what are you doing?" He asked her, his voice hard and unfeeling.

"How did you find me?"

"You're carrying the future of this nation—of this entire world—in your hands. Did you honestly think I wouldn't have thought about placing protective incarnations around it should it be lost? I knew where you were the moment you stepped out of the temple; I was simply hoping that you would come to your senses and return once you realized your mistake. Clearly I was wrong; but I'm not without mercy, so I'll let you slither into the night and allow you to live the rest of your days in misery and regret. Now," he outstretched his hand, "hand it over."

"Stop calling him "it". He is a child, he is our child," the woman responded, slowly reaching for the knife strapped on her back.

"No, he is a vessel. The final piece for the resurrection of Lord Grima, and the salvation of this rotten world. Once the time is ready, he will rise with our savior and purge the filth within this world and start anew."

"By being a sacrificial lamb!" Elvira yelled, "you would take the life of your own child for the sake of Grima?! Is he really nothing more than a token for you to prepare up and then present to the alter? What about what he wants?"

"You are failing to see the bigger picture," the sorcerer said, his tone getting angrier and angrier, "what is the life of one compared to the glory of Grima? Do you know how many others would literally die to be given the chance of being the vessel for the dark one? I was not deemed worthy, nor was my father or his father before him. Generations of grimleal deemed unworthy to carry his blood and his will; but not anymore. We have finally produced a vessel that Lord Grima has found to be worthy, one that will be strong enough to be the gateway for him to enter this realm. You're asking me about what he wants? He will want this once he learns the truth; once he knows what his purpose in life is, what other choice will he have but to want it?"

"No. He is not you. Not yet. He can be more than just a vessel, more that just grimleal. He can be whatever he wants."

"He can be free."

With that last statement she pulled out her knife and threw it at Validar. The sorcerer didn't move, making no preparation to dodge the oncoming projectile. The knife went closer, closer...and then passed right through him, eventually falling on the ground with a soft clank.

"What?!"

Before Elvira could process what had happened, "Validar" began to fade away until he was completely gone, leaving her alone in the dark. She frantically looked around, knowing that he could still be around. She didn't have much time, she had to—

"HURK!"

She felt a sharp pain shooting through her chest; she looked down and saw a spike of black magic protruding out of her, pulsating as it spread within her. She tried to move, but found that she couldn't as an indescribable pain spread through her whole body.

She heard footsteps coming closer; when she looked up she saw Validar standing before her, looking down with a cold look of disgust on his face.

"This is what freedom brings you," he said coldly. He reached down and took the bundle from her, Elvira powerless to do anything but watch, "Elvira, you had so much potential. You could have been a part of Grima's second coming, molding his vessel and then being rewarded by standing with us and watching this miserable world burn. But you've made your choice."

He snapped his fingers and the spike burst within her, shredding her chest and her insides in the process. She fell to the ground, her chest open and bleeding profusely. With the last of her strength she looked up at the bundle Validar was holding, tears forming in her eyes.

"I'm sorry...Ro...bin..."

With those final words her head dropped down and she passed.

"Hmph weak," Validar pointed his finger at her body and released a fire spell that began burning it, "still, I am grateful for what you have done Elvira. After all, it is thanks to you that we finally have a proper vessel for Grima. For that, I will honor your last wish," he moved his hand up and removed the cover over the bundle. Under it was a small child, only a few days old, sleeping peacefully without even having noticed what had happened around it; a boy with tanned skin, white hair, and a mark on his left hand that was glowing brightly.

"You will do great things...Robin," Validar said as they disappeared into the night.

Author's Note: helloooo! It's me again! Wow less than 24 hours and we have a new chapter? Oh wait, this isn't "To Change the Past, To Save the Future." Then what is this?

Like I said in my previous author note, I have several other Awakening fanfics that I wanted to get out of my head. This is one of them: a multi chapter fanfic that follows the Awakening story in a world where Robin's mother failed to get him away from Validar after he was born. How will that change the story? Just wait and see.

The good news is that, as you may have noticed, this chapter isn't very long. I'm hoping to make these chapters—in also the story as a whole—only a fraction of the length as the one in my other fic. This story won't be very long, but also not very short.

Anyway I just need to publish one more fic (a one shot) and then it's back to the main story. Leave comments and critiques below, and see you next time.