Corrin and his allies were heading for a nearby fortress named Fort Jinya. The march was three days so far. Corrin's hand still felt a bit numb from the battle with Robin. But he tried his best not to let it bother him.
The tactician himself was keeping a close eye on Lucina. The princesses' leg healed for the most part. She no longer needed her makeshift crutch, but her leg still felt a bit weird. Her husband was letting her lean on him, insisting that it still needed time to heal.
"Robin."
The tactician slowed down as Marth approached. "Sire. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Not really, I just wanted to make sure you and Lucina were alright. And please just call me Marth. My position means little in a distant world like this one."
"I'm fine Marth. My injury wasn't serious to begin with."
"I'll be fine as well." Lucina added. "My leg feels a bit funny, but I can move it now."
"That is good to know, but I meant emotionally."
"What do you mean?"
"I know you are both worried about your daughter. I'm sure she will be alright."
"I…hope you're right Marth…"
"I'm also worried about how it is affecting you, Robin."
The tactician gave Marth a confused look. "Me? How so?"
"It just seems as if you've grown more…aggressive. I got all the details of your battle with Corrin and…It just seems as if you were a bit more…forceful than you usually are. Normally you would take your time with a battle to calmly analyze your opponent and exploit weaknesses carefully. Granted from what Corrin told me, you did that to a certain degree, but you were also more determined to hurt him, rather than win the battle."
Lucina turned to Robin in surprise. "Is…is that true?"
Robin just looked away. "I'll admit…it was wrong to attack him. But I was certain that I could use him to save Morgan."
"And make Garon pay for what he did, I assume." Marth added.
"He killed defenceless villagers! All the pain we endure to save them from Grima, and Garon destroyed part of what he suffered for! Are we to let him get away with such crimes?! I could never forgive him!"
"Your anger is justified. But you must not let it blind you."
"Marth's right." The trio then noticed Chrom catching up. "This isn't like you Robin…it's almost as if…the Robin we once knew is slowly fading away."
The tactician went silent for another minute.
"I understand if you don't want to forgive Nohr. I don't think I can. But don't let that distract you from what you need to do. Or who you are."
"I'll…try not to."
"That's all I ask. And remember: We're all here for you. I remember when I lost myself due to hatred for Plegia. But you kept me from taking the wrong path. This time, I want to be the one to help you."
Henry listened in on the conversation and looked at Robin with concern.
"Do you think this has anything to do with what Queen Ozma told us?"
Henry looked at Dorothy who was whispering to him. "I honestly don't know."
John spoke next. "Speaking of that…when are we gonna tell him?"
"I want to speak to Chrom privately about it first, so we can break it to him more easily. Who knows how he'll react once he finds out."
"I hear ya."
Meanwhile, Alm and Celica were walking side by side. "Hard to believe all this is happening, huh?" the heir to Regal asked. "Being in another world, supported by warriors form the future…and even King Marth himself!"
"I know…but I'm a bit worried about how we'll get home."
"We'll find a way. We always do. But that reminds me…when we do get home, do me a favor and remind me to declare a royal decree."
Celica looked at Alm in shock. "A decree? Whatever for?"
"So that whoever succeeds me is forbidden from renaming the country."
Seeing the embarrassed expression on her love's face prompted a laugh from Celica. "What's wrong with Valm? I think it's a lovely name. Besides if that's what is mean to happen then who are we to change the course of history?"
"I know but…"
Gunter then turned to face everyone. "Listen carefully: Fort Jinya is just ahead. The fort is sure to be well defended by Hoshidan soldiers."
"What's the plain, Corrin?" Henry asked.
"Let's try to reach out to them."
"Milord, didn't you say that you'd been branded as a traitor?" Gunter asked. "These soldiers likely have been ordered to attack you on sight."
"Also, you must not forget about the curse. You can't tell anyone what you've learned." Azura added.
"I know. Just the same, we have to try and talk to them. No one wants this war to continue forever. Surely some of them will listen."
"Corrin, must I repeat myself?" Robin asked. "There's being optimistic and then there's being a fool. Do you really think words alone will make their grudge subside?"
"Tell you what. Let me talk to them first. And if that doesn't work, do as you please. All right, here goes nothing. If I speak from the heart, I'm certain that everyone in Hoshido will understand."
Robin then leaned into Lucina's ear. "I can tell you right now this is going to lead into a fight. Are you up for it?"
Lucina let go of Robin and started walking on her own. "Yes. I'm ready."
"Heh. Good thing you're better at forming a plain then Corrin is." Chrom smirked.
Corrin and his friends soon reached the Hoshidan fortress. "So, this is Fort Jinya... Have the Hoshidan forces abandoned it? It's so quiet here..."
Just then a man with green hair and glasses stepped out.
"Ah! Yukimura..."
"You know this guy?" Alm asked.
"You have some nerve showing your face around here, Lord Traitor."
"Sheash. Hello to you to, old man!" John mumbled.
"And the same goes for you, Lady Azura. You were raised like any other princess of Hoshido and yet...You seem to have had no trouble turning your back to us when it suited you. I suppose you never truly thought of this kingdom as your home..."
"Y-you're wrong, Yukimura! We haven't betrayed Hoshido at all! I'm not the enemy, and neither is Nohr!" Corrin insisted. "Please, if you would only listen..."
"Silence! I won't let you try and justify your betrayal."
"Please, Yukimura..."
Robin rolled his eyes.
"Told you this was going to happen."
"We did not expect this to be too easy. It's unfortunate, but we should prepare ourselves for a battle." Gunter said.
"Yukimura...Just hear me out!"
"I do not have time to listen to your poisonous words. You abandoned your friends and your family. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd helped the Nohrians capture Lord Takumi! And on top of everything else, Lord Ryoma has gone missing..."
"It can't be... My brothers are—
"Your brothers?! You dare think of yourself as a member of the royal family? Thanks to you, ill has befallen Hoshido's best and bravest."
"I... I'm sorry. I never meant for—
"I don't want your apologies. I want you to atone for your crimes. Guards! Capture the traitors!"
John then turned to Henry as Hoshidian soldiers rushed out. "Captain, mind if I punch this guy's face in? Please? He's starting to get on my nerves."
"First capture the fort. Then we'll see if they're in the mood to listen once they're in a corner. And if he still doesn't improve his attitude, then go right ahead."
Corrin desperately continued trying to convince them. "Will you not listen to me? Our real enemy is elsewhere..."
WHACK
Ike gave him a good slap at the back of the head.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
"Enough with your whining, it's not helping anyone! Our enemies right now are whoever are trying to kill us. Focus on the fight if you wish to live!"
"Ike's right!" Alm added. "The time for negotiations is past! We need to take action!"
"But these people don't deserve to die!"
Ike smirked as he brought out Ragnel. "Who said anyone was going to die? I do sparing matches with my team all the time. I know how to hold back."
He raised the weapon into the air and swung down, bringing a large shock wave that knocked over the first man. Alm rushed up to the next. He blocked the samurai's blade and stepped to the side, making him stumble forward. Once Alm was behind him he knocked him out with the hilt of his sword.
"See? They'll be fine."
"Let's go!" Henry ordered. The team rushed inside the fort. The enemy forces formed a wall inside, waiting for them.
"I don't see Yukimura." Corrin said.
"The cowards must be hiding deeper in." Ike said.
"I'll go after him!"
"Corrin, wait! Don't-
The prince ignored his friend's warning and sprouted his dragon wings. He flew over the enemy forces and ran down the halls. One of the guard in the back turned around. "He's getting away!"
Another samurai stopped him before he could pursue. "Let Yukimura and the others deal with him! We should take the others!"
"Oh, for the love of-If that fool is just going to take another stab at talking to him, he'll be cut down, instantly!" Ike growled.
"Guys."
Everyone brought their attention to Robin. "Can you make us an opening? It just needs to be big enough for me, Lucina and Chrom. Wouldn't hurt to bring Marth along with us."
Corrin proceeded down the halls and into the back room. It did not take long for him to find the strategist, siting on top of his beast like contraption.
"You should never have come here."
"Yukimura, just listen to me."
Suddenly a ghostly image of a rat came at him from the right. He jumped away and barley heard an iron shuriken coming at him in time to deflect it with Yato.
Then he saw two figures step out from the shadows. A woman with purple hair and a man with a mask and scarf.
"I am Orochi, retainer to Lady Mikoto, the late Queen of Hoshido. I can never forgive what you have done. I will avenge Lady Mikoto! Submit to my magic!"
"I am Saizo, retainer to Lord Ryoma. I am certain that you are to blame for my lord's disappearance. I will not—I cannot—forgive your betrayal. You don't honestly think you can stand against me, do you?"
Yukimura pulled the strings on his wooden steed and it started to move.
"Lady Mikoto... I hope you understand what I must do, wherever you are... I will deal with those who would harm Hoshido..."
"It doesn't have to be this way." Corrin said.
"I say it does. You should have stayed with Hoshido when you had the chance."
Saizo brought out another shuriken.
"Enough talk! Die!"
Corrin deflected the attack. Yukimura's contraption shot a steel shuriken that Corrin sidestepped the shot.
"Stop this! There is no point in fighting!"
Orochi fired a rat spirit that got a good hit on Corrin's shoulder and made him drop his sword. Saizo's next attack hit just where her's did making Corrin gasp in pain.
"Why?! Why won't you listen?!"
"I have nothing to say to you traitor." "Yukimura said coldly. "I am doing what I must for my country's sake."
"Your country's sake? Or your own?"
Corrin turned behind him to see Chrom step forward. Robin, Marth and Lucina followed close behind.
Saizo brought out another weapon. "Who are you?"
"I am Chrom. Exalt of Ylisse."
"Ylisse? Is that the country Corrin has defected to?" Yukimura.
"We came on our own. To end this war."
"And you would trust a traitor to do that?"
"Is he any more of a traitor than the three of you?"
"Excuse me? Are you accusing us of betraying Hoshido?!" Orochi asked.
"You've already betrayed your queen by attacking Corrin. You might as well have betrayed Hoshido."
"How dare you!" Yukimura glared. "We are doing what the Lady Mikoto would have wanted!"
That's when Marth intervened. "What she would have wanted? Or what you want? Do you, honesty think you're doing a pacifist a favor by killing her son in cold blood without giving him a chance to speak? Or are you doing this solely for revenge?"
Yukimura opened his mouth to reply but had no response to those words.
"You allowed your rage to blind you. And as such have lost sight of your queen's ideals."
"Hmph. You lot are no loyal servants." Chrom scoffed. "Just a bunch of mad dogs that lost their leash."
Saizo glared daggers and readied his weapon. "I will not have you say another word!"
Chrom turned to Marth. "Can you patch up Corrin? The three of us will handle this."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
The ninja was the first to charge. Before Chrom could react, Robin rushed ahead and intercepted Saizo with his Levin Sword. Orochi was next. She shot another Rat spirit in Chrom's direction only for Lucina to slash the spiritual animal in half with her sword. She then rushed at the magic wielder and Yukimura along with her father. Robin blocked another swipe from Saizo and pushed the weapon aside. The ninja jumped back and threw the shuriken at him, but Robin deflected the attack and whipped out a tome.
"Thunder!"
Saizo sidestepped the attack but leapt right into a bolt of lighting, fired from Robin's Levin sword. He flipped into the air and landed on his feet, but while distracted by the pain, Robin charged at him and kicked him over. He had a foot on his chest with his sword pointed at his neck. "Yield."
The ninja only glared back. "I will never surrender to the likes of you. Kill me."
Robin stared into his foe's eyes, seeing just how serious he was. He then looked over to Marth, who was healing Corrin with Falchion. He then smirked. "If that's what you want…then you're out of luck."
"What?!"
"If you told me to yesterday I would immediately comply…I was blinded by my anger too…but that's not who I am. I lost sight of my own ideals." Robin turned to Marth who had finished healing Corrin. The king nodded with a smile. Robin smiled back before turning to Saizo. "If you let your anger cloud your judgment, then you are not fit to serve your country."
"You dare mock a member of the Saizo, bloodline?! I swear to the gods I'll-
Robin then griped the ninja by his collar and knocked him out with the hilt of his sword.
"You made the right choice, Robin." The tactician saw Chrom and Lucina approach. Yukimura's contraption was smashed to pieces and he along with Orochi were unconscious.
Henry and the rest of the party soon came in.
"What did we miss?" John asked.
"Not much." Chrom shrugged. "What about the other soldiers?"
"Gunter and Alm are putting them all in the dungeon so we can talk to Yukimura with no interruptions." Henry explained.
"Corrin, are you alright?" Azura asked.
"Yeah…I'm sorry I ran off like that."
"Just stay with the group next time." Ike sighed. "First battle with you and I already feel like you'll be needing a very short leash."
"We understand how you feel Corrin. But you need to understand that words won't solve all our problems." Henry said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we needed to handle everything using a bit of force. You can't be afraid to do that, or it will cost you your life."
"I know…"
"That being said it is important to show mercy to your opponent." Marth smiled, turning to Robin. "I'm glad you remember that."
"Chrom…Marth…thank you." Robin smiled. "You were right. I'm no better than Garon if I take my anger out on people who have nothing to do with my problems. And I need to keep my head cool if I'm going to save Morgan."
"There's the tactician we know and count on." Henry smirked. "And don't worry Robin. I swear to you, we will find your daughter and bring her home."
"So, what now?" Dorothy asked.
Robin turned to their defeated opponents. "Anyone got any rope?"
Yukimura, Orochi and Saizo were leaning against the wall, tied so they would not attack. Corrin and his team were in front of them.
"I don't understand...We're defeated...Why don't you kill us?"
"Because we don't need to continue this senseless violence. I know how to end it! However, I need your help in order to do it."
"Ugh... Helping you means turning against Hoshido. And you say I must do this to help Hoshido? I don't believe you. How can I trust someone who has turned against everything I love?"
"Y-yeah! We'll only trust you if you can bring back all the lives you've taken!" Orochi added. "Return Lady Mikoto, and maybe we'll listen!"
John punched into an open palm. "Hey Henry, can I knock some sense into these guys now? They're really getting on my nerves."
Yukimura and Orochi backed up against the wall as much as they could.
Saizo simply growled. "There is no other way... I must sacrifice my life to rid our land of these Nohrian fiends..."
Robin's eyes widened as he noticed the dagger behind the ninja's back "Look out!"
Saizo burst free as everyone grabbed their weapons. The ninja made some sort of sign with his hands. "I'll show you what true dedication and loyalty mean! Gaaaaaaah!"
Gunter's eye's widened as flames circled the man's body. "Get back! He intends to sacrifice himself in attacking us!"
Corrin reached a hand towards him. "Saizo, stop!"
"I believe in Hoshido...Even if I must give my life, I will stop you! Raaaaww!"
Ike pointed his sword at him. "I'd think twice about that if I were you…You shouldn't do something we both know you might regret."
"Ha. You think you can move faster than a ninja?"
The warrior raised Ragnell over his head. "We're about to find out."
"No, Brother! You're wrong!"
"Stop, please! Saizo, d-don't hurt my brother!"
Corrin turned around to see two familiar faces rush in. "Kaze! Sakura!"
"Why are you interfering?" Saizo asked. "These people deserve their fate. They've turned against Hoshido!"
Kaze grabbed his brother's arm. "Brother, you mustn't be so rash! Lord Corrin is trustworthy! When I was a prisoner in Nohr, it was Corrin who let me escape! He saved me—an enemy—without worrying about what would happen for doing so."
Sakura stepped forward. "Corrin is...a very kind person. Look! Even d-during this battle, he didn't kill a single defender! Why would he do that if he had truly betrayed Hoshido?! There must be a reason! Please, just listen to him!"
"Grrrr..." Slowly the flames died down and Saizo dropped his arms.
Kaze sighed in relief. "Thank you, Brother..."
"Hmph. This doesn't mean I trust him, but I listen to what he has to say."
Corrin sighed in relief and took a deep breath. "Our real enemy is not in Nohr or hidden in Hoshido. It lies somewhere else... The explosion in Hoshido, the death of my mother... These events weren't set in motion by King Garon. Somewhere else, a powerful and ambitious force is manipulating us all."
"So that's it? An enemy we haven't heard of is the reason for this conflict? Sounds like the work of an active imagination. Nothing more. Educate us then—who is this mystery enemy?"
Everyone looked at Corrin waiting for his answer. The prince himself seemed unsure on what to say. "I'm sorry... I can't say much. Only that... A day will come when the skies above Nohr and Hoshido switch colors. If you need proof that what I say is true, meet me at Bottomless Canyon."
"Do you think us fools?"
"No, I don't think that at all. I just... I'm sorry, but I can't say more."
Yukimura did not even look at him. "Well then... It seems this was a waste of our time. I've heard enough. Away with you."
"Oh, ho! Ain't you sassy!" John growled, grabbing the man by the collar and lifting him against the wall. "Maybe I oughta beat some of that outa ya!"
The glare Yukimura received was enough to make him shudder. "Er, please? Pretty please?"
"Much better."
"Drop the idiot John, we'll have to look somewhere else." Henry said as he and the others turned around to leave.
"Good idea." The man said as he let Yukimura drop to the floor. "Maybe we can find someone who doesn't have his head jammed up his-
"Wait, Brother! Please!"
Sakura ran up to Corrin. "Sakura?"
"Um... Please...t-take me with you! I'm not very good at fighting, but I'm sure I can find a way to help!"
Yukimura stared at the princess in disbelief. "Lady Sakura, why are you—?!"
"I'm sorry, Yukimura, but I believe that Corrin is telling the truth. We haven't spent much time together, but I can tell... I can tell by the look in his eyes...He isn't trying to trick us."
"Lady Sakura... I didn't expect this. I don't know what to say right now..." The man sighed and finally gave a smile. "I've been by your side since you were born. I can tell that your mind is made up. I won't try to stop you. Just...promise me that you'll be careful."
"Th-thank you, Yukimura."
Kaze then turned to Saizo. "Brother, I would ask for your understanding. I would like to accompany Lord Corrin on his mission."
"If you are set on that course, you may do as you wish."
"I am."
Corrin smiled. "Thank you, Sakura, Kaze. Thank you for believing in me. Let's head to our next destination..."
With that Corrin and his friends left the fort as Saizo turned to Yukimura. "I'm going to meet up with Reina and see if she found out anything."
"I'll go with you." Orochi said standing up.
"I can do this alone."
"Oh, don't give me that. I have nothing to do here anyway."
"Hmph. Fine."
Yukimura looked up as Saizo put a hand on Orochi's shoulder. "Before you go can you quickly-
In a flash, the two of them disappeared.
"…Untie…me…? Hello…?"
Corrin and his friends continued their journey. As they were walking by a lake Corrin stopped to look into the distance.
"This lake..."
Sakura as the fist to notice. "Is something the matter?"
"This lake is where I first met Azura. So much happened in the short time since then..."
"Huh. Sounds…romantic."
Corrin glared at Henry with a blush, who was giving the flustered prince a knowing smirk.
"Corrin..." The prince brought his attention back to his sister.
"I'm sorry, Sakura. There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't. Not here..."
"It's all right, Corrin. I b-believe in you. I can tell that you're carrying a very heavy burden. If I can even do the smallest things to h-help you, then I..." Sakura hesitated. "Uh...thank you for letting me join you." she said with a bow "I, uh, missed you." Everyone stared at the princess as she tired to look away from their gazes. "I hope I can help."
"Shy one, ain't she?" John whispered to Henry.
"Yeah. Hope she'll be alright."
Lucina then heard a noise. "Wait...Dose anyone else hear something? It sounds like something is coming towards us…"
Ike then noticed something in the sky. "Up there. Is that a pegasus?"
Alm grabbed his sword. "Look out! It's heading straight at us!"
"What?!" Sakura looked up at it then ducked. "Ahhh!"
"Henry, wait!" John said. "Look on top of it? Isn't that…?"
As the Pegasus came clearer into view Henry saw three people riding on it. A man with red hair a girl in pink gear and another woman he recognized right away.
"Is that…Tiger Lilly?!"
The Pegasus landed and the ridders jumped off.
"Whew... We finally caught up with you, milady!" the redhead laughed.
Sakura looked up. "S-Subaki?"
"Oh, Lady Sakura... Did you even realize that you'd left us behind? How could you!"
"Hana! Why are the two of you—?"
"Captain!" Tiger Lily saluted.
"Good to see ya in one piece, Tiger Lilly!"
"So, this is your leader, Tiger Lilly?" Hana asked.
The solider then noticed some familiar faces. "You found Robin and the others? Good. I was worried we wound up in the wrong place."
"Actually, we did." Dorothy replied. "Our friends here just happen to have been conveniently brought here too."
"I don't think "conveniently" is the word I would choose." Alm sighed.
Tigger Lilly brought her attention to the young heir. "And you are?"
"This is Alm." Marth said. "He is the ruler of Valentia from my time."
"Is this lady a member of your team, Captain Henry?" Gunter asked.
"That's right. This is Tiger Lilly. One of our best medics."
"I can vouch for that!" Subaki smiled. "We ran into her while wondering in the woods. My Pegasus was injured, and she immediately helped nurse it to heath. We were going to take her to Yukimura to see if he knew anything of her friends when he told us that you left with Lord Corrin."
Sakura giggled. "Ahhh. Yukimura knew that I would need you two..."
Hana giggled herself. "Heehee... Even if Yukimura hadn't told us...we would have searched day and night to figure out where you were and caught up!"
"Indeed. It is our duty to protect you, milady, and nothing will stop us. If you are headed somewhere, then it's only natural that we would go too. We will always support you."
"Thank you very much!"
"Um... Sakura, who are these people?" Corrin asked.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Corrin. These are my retainers, Subaki and Hana. They're both very strong and kind; they've p-protected me for years. And recently they got married."
"L-lady, Sakura! You don't need to tell them that!" Hana said with a blush.
Sakura giggled before she continued. "They'll fight on our side. It'll be helpful to have such reliable friends."
"Frankly we need all the help we can get." Ike smirked. "Good to have you three with us."
"Of course. We'll carry out any mission flawlessly." Subaki said.
"To be honest, Lady Sakura will be my top priority." Hana confessed. "But I'll do my best to help! …By the way, why was Yukimura tied up when we found him?"
"Oh yeah. We did kind of leave them there…" Chrom muttered.
"Uh…long story short…self defence." John muttered.
"Uh, huh…Well, don't worry Subaki untied him before we left."
The Pegasus knight gave her a worried expression. "I thought you did."
Everyone stared at the retainers.
"Oh…um…heh, heh…Well…I'm sure one of the guards will find him."
Alm looked away twiddling his fingers. "I uh…wouldn't count on that."
"Why?"
"Well, you see…Yukimura, attacked us without hesitation…and we miiiiiiight have had to lock up all his men in the dungeon so we could talk to him."
"Worry not." Gunter said. "I asked Felicia to release them before we left."
The maid giggled nervously. "Whops! Heh…I thought I forgot something…"
Henry facepalmed. "Oh, great."
"Should we go back for them?" Celica asked.
"I'm afraid there is no time." Azura replied. "Someone will notice they went missing and free them."
"No time?" Tiger Lilly asked. "Is something wrong?"
Henry rubbed his chin. "Unfortunately, I can't give you all the details…A curse would make me disappear…I'm afraid I'll have to give you the abridged version. Hey, Corrin. Mind getting your friend Lilith to take us to the Astral plain?"
"Good idea. Lilith!"
A bright light surrounded the team.
"Whoa! What's this?!" Dorothy asked.
In a flash, they were all brought to Corrin's castle where they were greeted by the Astral dragon. "Hello everyone."
"Um…who…and what are you?" John asked.
"A lot must have happened in my absence." Tiger Lilly said.
"Where do we start?" John asked.
Henry sighed. "From the top."
Does anyone else think certain characters are more obnoxious in some routs more than others? Honestly you would think Yukimaru would be worse in Conquest than Revelations, yet this it the route that made me want to shove those dumb glasses up his...never mind. Anyway, as I should have explained sooner, in this Story, Henry will fight like a Hero class, John like a blacksmith, Dorothy like a Maid and Tigger Lilly like a Priestess.
