So I did promise a sequel to Summer Fun and here it is, well, a prologue of sorts to the next chapter. I wanted to try out the Harvest Scramble for October and November, but due to balancing life, studies, and video games, I'm afraid I won't be able to complete it within the time given. However, I'll continue working on the next chapter, the Secret Spa Scramble, which will definitely include the children and their respective parents. Unfortunately, it may not be released until after Christmas since I'll be focusing on finishing up school.
It has been a while since I've worked on anything Fire Emblem so if there are things that may seem out of place, pardon the mistakes.
As always, thank you for support, follows and reviews.
- Disclaimer: Fire Emblem characters do not belong to me.
- Notice: May contain spoilers. Storyline may deviate from original video game. Contains fantasy violence, mild language, and suggested themes.
The morning sky was bright blue as clouds decorated the landscape, floating aimlessly across Ylisse. The townspeople had never looked livelier while markets bustled with fresh new produce to sell, others walking along the street to take a look at what the vendors have to offer.
Among the Ylisseans was Chrom, with his close companion, Stahl. They approached several vendors, exchanging friendly greetings for a free apple or two and continued down the bricked path. It was early into the day as they stopped in their tracks and sat on a bench by the plaza.
"I see Lucina's grown quite a bit over the short course of two years." Stahl held the ruby red apple in his right hand, taking in the sweet scent that accompanied the fresh fruit before taking a bite.
"Yes, she has." Chrom smiled and looked up at the brown haired man, glad that he had the day off for them to take a leisurely stroll. "It's amazing how fast she's growing up."
"It seems like it were only yesterday when you'd met her from the future." Stahl grinned and watched several children within view, playing around with a small ball.
"Hmm" Chrom closed his eyes, remembering when they were finally reunited amidst the battle against Grima. His thoughts drifted to Robin, his most trusted tactician who had sacrificed his life for the world's safety. Slowly, his smile slipped into a frown, distraught at the thought of losing such an ally.
"Come to think of it, Robin's been gone for about nearly three years now."
"And yet, we haven't been able to find a single trace on him." Chrom looked disappointed and gripped the red apple firmly in his hand.
"Is he really dead?" Stahl asked bluntly, earning a worried look from his Lord.
"He's not dead, I'm sure of it." Chrom shifted his eyesight to the skies. "I'm sure of it."
Stahl finished munching on his apple. He only hoped that Chrom was right.
Lucina walked along the castle grounds, taking in the crimson carpet on the floor and grey stoned walls as she paced the expansive halls with her mother, Sumia. It was quiet, serene as they walked down the marble steps, making their way to the garden.
It was early Spring when flowers of all sorts surrounded the garden. Colors ranged from yellow to pink as the two frolicked around the grassy path and sat down in the middle of it all. Sumia bent down to meet Lucina at eye level and pulled her into a hearty embrace. She had her hair in its usual manner, curled around her sides with the vacancy of her Pegasus knight clips.
Smiling just as bright as they sun was Lucina who closed her eyes and returned her mother's embrace to the best of her ability. She loved being outside, more so when she was with her family. "Can we make flower crowns mother?"
"Hmm..." Sumia seemed to give it some thought, looking down at small Lucina who anticipated her answer with her bright blues. "Okay, but we'll need a few flowers first."
"Of course!" She bolted up from her seat and headed for the coral colored dahlia's behind Sumia.
"Just be careful with their thorns Lucina." She turned back to watch her daughter cautiously plucking the flowers she desired with a happy grin on her face. With the war over, it was so much better, so peaceful and calming. Lucina could finally grown up with both of her parents at her side, no longer alone with the responsibility that once weighed over her shoulders.
"If only you were here..." Sumia spoke aloud unknowingly.
"If only who were here?" A voice came from behind Sumia, a shadow looming over her head as she straightened her white dress to greet her unexpected visitor.
"Oh, umm...it was no one." Sumia felt her cheeks grow hot and brushed the matter aside. "Khan Basilio, what brings you here? I wasn't expecting you to visit us on such short notice."
The burly man let out a loud laugh, attracting Lucina's attention. She immediately rushed to Sumia's side, flowers held tightly in one hand and eyes fixed on the man who was twice as tall as her mother. "Can't the Feroxi Khan visit his Ylissean allies?"
Lucina tugged lightly on Sumia's white dress. "Mother who's this man?"
"Well he's-"
"Ah! Young Lucina," Basilo bent down on one knee and greeted Ylisse's future ruler with a smile on his face. "I am Khan Basilio, ruler of Ferox, ally of your father Chrom, and the greatest warrior who has set foot on this Earth." He boasted proudly.
The smaller girl frowned, brows furrowed and lips shifted into a pout. "That's not true, my father Chrom is the best warrior of all the lands."
Basilio widened his eyes and grinned happily. "She's just as lively as her father!" He laughed once more , then motioned her to come closer with his hands, as if to whisper something very important.
"Yes?" She boldly took a step forward, ears perked as she listened to his words.
"There was once a man who was much greater than me and your father combined." Basilio looked up at Sumia, who returned a nod of approval. "His mind was brilliant, his hands gifted with magical abilities that rivaled those of the greatest sorcerers. He could've used more practice with that of a sword, but he was the greatest tactician Lord Chrom and I have ever encountered."
"And what was his name?" Lucina's eyes sparkled in the daylight, excited and eager to know this man's name.
"His name was Robin." Basilio's eyes softened at the girl, then to Sumia.
"Robin?" She raised an eyebrow, unfamiliar with the sound of his name.
"Yes. Robin was the brave tactician, son of the Grimleal leader Validar, vessel of the mighty dragon Grima, and savior of the world we now live in." Basilio's was saddened to have lost him nearly three years ago. Time flew by so fast.
"Don't look so sad." Lucina stepped forward and offered a pink dahlia to Basilio wih eyes that shared a hint of pity for the grown man.
He looked at the young girl with a happy smile, masking the saddened look on his face effectively. "You are right young Lucina. Now is not the time to be sad, especially when I've yet to meet with your father and his friends."
"Then we should head back into the castle. I'm sure Cordelia and the others will be more than happy to know you're in town Khan Basilio." Sumia held Lucina's hand. "We can continue making the crowns later, when your Godmother, Cordelia arrives." She smiled gently as if to appease her daughter.
"Yay!" Lucina held out her hand filled with dahlia's into the air. She released her hold from her mother and sprinted forward, eager for their other visitors to arrive.
Basilio and Sumia watched her run along, happily skipping as she opened the doors and left the two far behind.
Several of the Shepherds gathered around the elongated wooden table, women and men busily conversing with each other when Stahl and Chrom entered the dining area.
"And so comes forth our great Exalt!" Basilio roared aloud, stood from his seat and pulled the Ylissean King into manly embrace.
"Khan Basilio, what a pleasant surprise." He pulled away shortly, a smile on his lips as he took note of several familiar faces as well. "I see the whole gang is here as well."
"I have summoned them for some important matters." Basilio set his hand atop Chrom's shoulder.
"Important matters? Surely, there doesn't seem to be a war involving Ferox, is there?"
Stahl took the seat beside Chrom as Cordelia sat beside her best friend, Sumia. Lucina rested on her mother's lap as Cordelia finished braiding a crown and placed it atop the girl's head. They both smiled at each other happily as Lucina jumped down and twirled around for her mother to see.
Libra and Stahl smiled happily as Lucina made her way to Gaius who snuck out a lollipop for her to take under the table. "Don't show your mother I gave you this." He whispered lightly and grinned mischievously.
She returned with a nod and snuck it into her dress's pocket. Sully grabbed her hand and pulled her into a lock, rummaging Lucina's short, blue hair with her knuckles roughly. "I see you've grown quite a bit since I last saw you!" She chuckled and released the girl who smiled and continued walking along the dining hall.
Nowi played with her dragon stone on the wooden surface and noticed Lucina's blue eyes focused on the emerald gem. Ricken sat beside the manakete, nudged her shoulder and called the little girl to his side. "Bet you wish you could turn into a dragon as well."
She shook her head, disagreeing. "I like myself the way I am, but the gem is really pretty."
"You know what's better than a silly gem?" Henry shifted his head to meet Lucina's eyes. "Blo-"
"I think that's quite enough." Libra pressed his hand around Henry's mouth, silencing the dark mage before he could finish his words.
Confused and a little startled, Lucina stepped back, hitting a tin of orange and white armor that remained unusually still. Was anyone even in there? She crawled underneath the table and made her way across, skipping over the Shepherd's feet until she reached Basilio, Stahl and her father Chrom.
"So there is no war?" Stahl renounced for clarification.
"No war my friend." Basilio patted him roughly on the back for reassurance.
Chrom sighed in relief and felt Stahl's hand on his other shoulder. Lucina tugged at his pantaloons and he picked her up with ease, setting her on his lap. "War?" She asked curiously.
"No need to fear young one." Basilio took the cup of water into his hand. "As I've assured your father there's no war, just a friendly match with my ever-so-stubborn rival, Flavia."
"So it's that time of the year again " Stahl pinched Lucina's cheek experimentally, who giggled and turned away shyly.
"Yes, it seems so. And it looks like Flavia intends to take my title back as soon as the opportunity presents itself." Basilio smirked as the others around him continued conversing. "I know it's all too sudden, but would you mind lending me a hand this time around? I'm sure Flavia's already taken the best swordsmen she could find and I'm in need of my own."
"Hmm..." Chrom looked down on Lucina who played around with the crown of flowers on her head. He hadn't fought much as of late seeing as to how the number of brigands had dwindled over time. "I suppose I could-"
"Perfect!" Basilio pounded a fist onto the table, startling the Shepherds who all turned to Chrom's direction. "Then we leave for Ferox in three days."
It was decided then, that the Shepherds would join the friendly annual scrimmage that took place at Ferox.
- Meanwhile at Feroxi borders -
Lissa stopped in her tracks while Fredrick, Maribelle, Tharja, Anna, Miriel and Gregor walked onwards. While Chrom was at Ylisse, governing his people, she thought it best to explore the lands with a few comrades in search of Robin. It was incredible how they still had the will to search the lands every so often for the single tactician.
"Is something wrong Milady?" Fredrick retraced his steps and stood before Lissa who looked very distracted, void of her usual cheery optimism.
"It's nothing." She brushed it aside and rushed up to Maribelle who returned the same concerned expression Fredrick wore.
"Something's on your mind my dear." Maribelle stated blandly. As her best friend, she could tell there was something weighing heavily on Lissa's train of thought.
"It's just..." Her heart felt like sinking as Lissa tightened the grip on her staff. "We've been searching for Robin for months and we haven't found a single trace on him." She took in a breath and swallowed hard. "What if...if he's gone?"
"My, my. Are you saying what I think I'm hearing?" Maribelle smirked and steadied her horse, jumping down with one swift motion.
Lissa didn't know how to respond. Maybe she really was losing hope.
"I'm sure he's out there, somewhere. Remember what Naga told us before the mission? There could be a slim chance he survived." Maribelle placed a hand on Lissa and brought her close into an embrace. "We can't know for sure if he's dead until we've found a corpse. So don't lose hope."
Fredrick stood from afar as Tharja joined his side. One of the soldiers bordering the fort took note of their presence. A blonde haired woman with red armor stepped forward and grinned. "Well, well, I'm quite sure this cannot be a coincidence." She yelled from atop, receiving the party's undivided attention. "Open the gates!" The soldiers did as they were told, turning the gates open as Flavia made her way to the Ylissean party.
"It's great to see you Khan Flavia." Fredrick started out as Lissa stepped forward.
"Same to you as well."
Lissa forced a smile, a gentle one as Flavia studied their small group.
"Looks like you've all been doing the usual rounds in search of Robin." Flavia could tell by their sullen faces. "It would warm my Feroxi heart if you could keep me company for some time." She grinned and placed a hand on Lissa's shoulder, causing the Ylissean princess to smile genuinely. She nodded and followed Flavia into Regna Ferox's domain.
After briefing Lissa's group with Khan Flavia's situation, she turned to Fredrick who was giving it some thought.
"I am quite certain Khan Basilio has asked Chrom's party to aid him with the annual battle." She placed her hand on her chin and leaned back. "I can only assume your Ylissean King has agreed to it and therefore, I am in need of my own team." She glanced at Tharja and Gregor who looked disinterested in her affairs.
"I see." Fredrick place his hands on the wooden table with a stern look.
"Under different circumstances, I'm sure we would opt to aid you Khan Flavia." Miriel spoke up beside Gregor.
"But it seems our priorities are to find any clues on Robin's whereabouts." Fredrick finished boldly.
"I understand." Khan Flavia closed her eyes. "Then it would seem that as I had expected, you would need some incentive." She smirked and stood from her seat.
The group raised an eyebrow or two, intrigued by what Khan Flavia would say next.
"If you manage to win the duel against Basilio's party, then I will give you valuable information that will lead to Robin."
Tharja, once disinterested, now turned to face Flavia, eyes ablaze as she understood the Khan's proposition. It had the same effect on the whole group, affecting Lissa just as much as the dark mage.
"If there is truth in your words, then I will not hesitate to aid your cause." Tharja spoke up, resolve in her words strengthened as the others followed suit.
Khan Flavia leaned on her side with a very content smile. "Great, because the duel is in a few days."
- The day of the duel -
"You will be my ace in this fight.
" Basilio spoke to Chrom as they stood across from each other. "As I had expected, Flavia took the liberty of recruiting Lissa's group as well. My guess is that Fredrick would be your opponent this time around."
Chrom fastened his belt and held out Falchion, examining its blade very carefully.
"This fight is as good as ours with your blade." Basilio boasted confidently and checked on how the others were doing.
Little Lucina ran up to Chrom, pulling lightly atthe hem of his pants. "I want to fight too!"
"What? Lucina?" He bent down and picked her up. "This is not where you should be, where's your mother? I thought I told you to stay with her at all times."
"Yes, but where would be the fun in that?" Sumia donned her Pegasus knight armor, which was polished to give it a nice shine in the light.
"But-"
"Relax, I'm not that rusty." She marched up to Chrom, who was carrying Lucina in his arms.
He raised his eyebrow in response, there was no doubt she was great three years ago, but now..."What do you think Lucina, should your mother fight alongside me?"
"Yes!" Sumia and Chrom smiled at each other, it looks like even little Lucina would enjoy the sight of her parents fighting alongside each other.
"I don't feel too good about this." Lissa held her staff and looked out at the arena. She could hear the roars from the crowd as her heart began to race. It had been a while since she'd been in a duel.
"Basilio may have Chrom, but I've got my own handpicked soldiers as well." Khan Flavia marched up to Lissa, luckily, she didn't manage to hear what the the Ylissean princess was mumbling about. "I'm confident that this battle is ours to take." She finished with a grin.
Tharja glanced around the small party that consisted of the Ylissean guard and a few Feroxi warriors. They looked strong, but if she calculated correctly, they were lacking one person. She decided to brush the thought aside, thinking that perhaps this was all a part of Khan Flavia's plan.
"We are lacking one soldier." Miriel pointed out, adjusting her hat while addressing the matter.
"Ah, yes. About that, I have decided to give Khan Basilio a small handicap." Several soldiers raised their eyebrows, but attended to teor leader who paced before them with a content smirk.
"But why?" One of the warriors asked curiously.
She simply dropped the subject as the metal gates began to rise. "Now go forth and win this match so that I may reclaim the throne as Khan of the east and west!" They rallied together and marched out into the dome.
Silver swords met axes as both parties fought with all their might. Spells were cast and riders flew around the sky, narrowly dodging the arrows that flew in their direction. It was a simple duel as Chrom brought down every foe with ease, swinging Falchion to parry a few blows.
As expected, Fredrick charged at him with his steed, lance poised to attack the Ylissean King. Chrom rolled to his side as Fredrick's attack missed. "It's been a while since we've fought this hard." He rallied his horse as it whinnied in place.
"I already know how this is going to end." Chrom raised a hand and pivoted to his side as if to taunt the man. "Give me your best shot."
Fredrick knew he had to win this match to obtain the information they desperately needed. His horse bucked once and charged at Chrom once more. As he had predicted, his King had rolled to his side once more and Fredrick to this opportunity to throw the lance at his direction. It was only a graze, but it injured Chrom's side as he staggered back.
Ricken popped out to cover Chrom, but his spell was deflected by a hooded warrior. It was clear that the soldier was on Flavia's side, as a spell was sent at Ricken's direction, knocking the boy out cold.
Fredrick dropped from his horse and decided to fight on the ground as Libra aimed his axe at him. Tharja cast a spell to halt Libra's advances, but was open to attack as Gaius grinned and shot an arrow at her. The same hooded figure rushed to the dark mage's side, unsheathing his silver sword at just the right time.
"Who is that?" Chrom pressed his hand to his side as he watched the cloaked figure turn to his direction. Whoever it was, there was no doubt he was highly skilled.
Battles ensued as Sumia fended off a few wyvern riders, taking note when Chrom was doing battle with a hooded warrior. He seemed to be having a hard time as both clashed at the center of the dome, mettle piercing against each others blades with equal ferocity and determination. "Chrom!" Sumia rushed down on her Pegasus, ready to help him with his battle.
It was no use because his opponent released a gust of wind from the palm of his hand, warning her to stay back.
"Who are you?" Chrom asked once more. Falchion danced with his opponent's blade in the heat of battle. It wasn't the sword that made the cloaked stranger a skilled fighter and the Ylissean King knew that much. With Chrom growing tired, he decided they would end it with one final blow.
The two parted each on opposite ends. There was a faint understanding between them before both spun their respective swords and posed. The other Shepherds were far too busy to pay heed to their heated duel. Now poised for attack, Chrom dashed forward in unison with his opponent, blades crashing as they exchanged one final strike.
He was sure he had struck, but surprisingly, Chrom fell first, knees bending to break his fall.
His opponent removed his cloak, blonde hair shining in the musty light within the dome.
No words came from Ylisse's King while his mind clearly recognized the familiarity of his head, blonde hair glimmering meters away from him.
"You've certainly lost your touch over these past few years." The blonde haired boy mused and sheathed his sword, turning around to address Chrom.
It was to good to be true. Was it truly, genuinely him?
When he turned and faced the Ylissean King void of his usual hooded cloak, Chrom's eyes widened. There was no doubt in his mind that it was him. "Robin"
...To be continued
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