They had done it.

They had defeated the evil mage, Validar and prevented the fell dragon's return. Validar's body fell to the ground quite ungracefully, and appearing to disintegrate into purple energy much like the Risen the Shepherds had previously encountered.

Chrom looked over to his new friend Robin, a relieved grin permeating his face. "This isn't over!" A shrill voice proclaimed. "Damn you BOTH!" The voice said, revealing itself as Validar's. The mage pulled himself up and released a beam of dark magic in a last-ditch attempt to kill the exalted prince. At the last second, Robin shoved Chrom away, taking the blow. He fell to the ground as Chrom ran toward him.

"Are you all right?" Chrom asked, pulling Robin up. "That's the end of him." He said, looking at Validar's body, which had fully disappeared. "Thanks to you, we carried the day." Chrom looked at Robin with a glad look Robin hadn't seen since Lucina was born. "We can rest easy now. At long last..."

But something wasn't right. When Chrom finished speaking, Robin began convulsing, his eyes starting to glow a deep red, his entire form twitching and shuddering. He had trouble controlling his own nervous system as he rose to his feet and opened his Thoron tome. "What's wrong?" Chrom asked, growing worried.

No...must...resist... Robin thought as he prepared his lightning magic. He knew quite well what was to come; he had seen these events before, in a dream. Augh...can't...hurt him...

Robin knew he couldn't prevent himself from hurting Chrom, so he did the only thing he could. He used all his strength, all his might to weaken his magic.

His efforts were not in vain. The lightning magic pierced Chrom in the stomach, and Chrom staggered back, wincing in pain. Robin looked at his gloved hand, still sparking with electricity as control of his body returned to him.

"This is not your...your fault," Chrom assured Robin, voice shaky. "Promise me...you'll escape from this place. Please...go..." Chrom struggled to say as he fell over and passed out. Validar's sinister snickering was the only thing Robin was able to hear.


Robin played the events of that battle over and over again that night. He couldn't sleep, as worry of hurting him or Lucina prevented him from relaxing.

Lucina passed by Robin's tent and noticed that Robin was still awake. "Are you all right?" She asked as she walked to Robin's cot.

"No...I can't sleep. What happened at the Dragon's Table today...has gotten me worried about hurting you or Chrom." Robin explained to his friend's daughter.

"But Validar has been killed. He can't possess you anymore. You needn't worry anymore." Lucina argued.

"But I'm Grima...you saw it today. Validar's assistant was me from your time. He awakened the fell dragon's power..."

"Robin, we'll be fine! Chrom is going to perform the Awakening on Mount Prism tomorrow. Naga will give us the strength to kill Grima! There's no doubt in my mind that we will avert my horrible future." Lucina assured Robin. "Now please get some sleep; we need our amazing tactician for future battles." She gave Robin a warm smile.

"As you wish, Lucina."

Robin slept soundly that night, praying to Naga that his friends would be safe from the fell dragon's might-and from him.


And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this little story. Reviews are appreciated; there's always room for improvement!