A/N: I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY THIS IS SO LATE! I had a touch of writer's block for this, and University is getting hectic again. But Thank You, everyone who has Followed and Favourited this story. This is now the second most popular story for this pairing. Granted not much of an achievement for a rarepair but still. Thank you for stickign with me for that brief hiatus. Now Reviews:
Zero Kami No Mu: I liked last chapter, but I felt as though I was a bit...too lengthy in some of my talking. But I see where you're coming from. I find it easier to look and analyse the M!Robin pairing's. With F!Robin, its either Chrom or...well its Chrom.
Draen: That was a mistake by me, posted it without any of the editing changes I like to do. A more human Robin is what I'm aiming for, in my Awakening run's I have him in every chapter, but he's usually just there for a pair up boost, I'm trying to show that he's not going to be OP, but rather as strong or weak as the other Shepherds.
Matt Cyr: OP Children for the win. I got my copy back off of my friend yesterday, I forgot just how powerful some of them were...whoops. I was only on chapter 14 and I hadn't gotten all of the children yet. Cynthia had all but magic maxed, Morgan had 55 speed (+9 Inheritance) and Kjelle is broken with Aptitude. I'm pretty certain I haven't had another story up, I've only done three. And I'm glad I've been able to make you convert to this pairing, this is criminally underrated.
Guest: Sev is my baby girl, I would generally agree with all Cordelia things involving Robin, purely because of how much they flow together, Fates not helping my stance on this. Cordelia was who I married in my first run, so that pairing holds a special place to me, and why I hate Caeldori but love her S rank confession, nearly as good as Tiki's. But I feel as though some others a slightly stronger, like Lissa. Maribelle I find just as strong if not stronger as the supports flow just as well and just seem to...well...happen.
Now I prefer shipping logically, seeing how the parings flow and how well they mesh together. Believably and and the children's personality's fit as well. Some of the stronger one's to me, as previously mentioned, are Lissa, Cordelia and Maribelle. Olivia and Nowi are the others I find are strong supports and mesh together, but I feel as though Inigo and Nah don't fit as well with Robin's personality, Nah moreso than Inigo.
Now the recommendation for this week is only single one, I've been running out here jumping between three stories with these. Today is The Lost Chilren: Ananias by OkayDokey33. This is just a nice quirky AU story which is just supports for a 'bland' character. It's nice and you can get lost in it.
Phew, made it through that. Now there will not be a QOTD this week, but rather I want your opinions on an crossover idea, I asked the same thing in SSTOG, which blew up...let me tell ya that surprised me. Now the idea will be at the bottom of this chapter. Now on with the chapter!
Chapter 8- A Darker Turn
"It's all done, as long as you don't aggravate it, we'll be able to take out the stitches tomorrow." Lissa told the tactician.
The whole carriage ride had been uncomfortable for Robin, while he felt no pain from the anaesthetic, the needle had left him feeling nervous, Maribelle had been able to calm him down by keeping him distracted, but it only worked for so long before the strategist's attention was brought back to the cleric's actions. It didn't help that he also felt exposed underneath their gazes.
"Thank you, Lissa, that was not my favourite experience to deal with." Robin replied, pulling down his shirt, the piece of clothing had an obvious hole from where the axe had impacted him and was bloodstained. He was going to need to find a replacement when he back or hoped that a tailor would be able to fix it, luckily the Plegian commander had missed his precious cloak.
"It was no problem Robin, after everything you've done for us, it was the least I could do." The cleric smiled, putting away the medical supplies.
"I must congratulate both of you darlings, I've never seen anyone have a fear of needles so you did well fighting through your nerves Robin. And you Lissa, I know you don't have much experience with hands on medical routines, so you performed extremely well." Maribelle applauded, though without the clapping.
"Wait, how many times had Lissa had to stitch someone up?" The tactician asked.
"Only about two or three times, working the bigger thread is much harder than with the normal stuff for sewing." Lissa answered.
While Robin was a little unnerved that someone so inexperienced in the action had been working on him, he couldn't really say anything about it, the princess had done a good job he wouldn't deny her that, the tactician trusted her with his life, he did that every time they entered a battle, but now the noble that was with them shared that trust.
"There was no need to worry Robin, had Lissa done something that was too dangerous or too out of form, I would have stepped in." The noble added, reassuring the tactician.
The suturing of Robin's wound had taken quite a bit of time, they were nearing Ylisstol and Robin was preparing himself for his talk with Chrom. Though his growling stomach halted his thoughts.
"Guess that talk with Chrom is going to have to wait, I haven't eaten since breakfast." The tactician explained, embarrassed by his stomachs betrayal.
"Well, I guess it can't be help-" Maribelle tried to say, but her own stomach betrayed her. "Pardon me, prisoner's rations are quite poor for sustenance." The noble added, her cheeks heating up from the slip.
"Hehehe, you guys are so posh sometimes." Lissa giggled.
The convoy entered through the gates of Ylisstol, so it wouldn't be long before they could get some food into them. While it wasn't dark yet, the sun was starting to set, and the and the few citizens that were still outside were making their own way home to a warm meal and a seat by the fire.
For Robin, the sight of the calmer streets was a great change of pace for the man, while he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the midday marketplace, the barren streets mixed with the atmosphere of the sunset was a sight that the tactician would enjoy forever.
"I don't know what it is, but the sight of the sunset is such a calming view." The tactician thought aloud, staring out of the carriage window.
"While I personally prefer the sunrise, I won't deny the beauty of the sunset darling." Maribelle replied. The noble was gazing out of the opposite window, with Lissa just looking between the two and smiling, neither knew what was going through the princess's head.
Dinner in the castle was a morose affair, the war announcement had the Shepherds in a dower mood. But the need to keep Ylisse safe prevented the men and woman from being down for long. Robin had to admit, Vaike may have been an idiot, but he was just as good as Chrom and Lissa when it came to bringing people's moods up.
Once they had finished eating, Chrom motioned for the tactician to follow him, after a quick reprimand from his medics about not straining himself, he followed the prince through the castle to the training courtyard. The only reason why Robin even knew that it was the training yard, even though he had never been there, were the damaged straw dummies and targets that littered the place.
"Tell me Robin, what do you want to know?" Chrom asked the amnesiac.
"Is it true? What the Plegian commander said? Your father…did he truly engage on a religious crusade against Plegia?" Robin questioned, it just seemed so unbelievable with how peaceful Emmeryn's rule was.
"Yes." Chrom answered without hesitation, Robin stared at him wide eyed. "My father, he believed that he had a divine right as Naga's chosen to crusade against the Grimleal."
"Grimleal?" The tactician asked, still in shock at the truth.
"A religious cult. Similar to how Ylisse worships the Divine Dragon, Naga, there are those in Plegia who worship the Fell Dragon, Grima." The prince explained, Robin felt a shiver down his spine at the name. "Nearly one thousand years ago, the Hero King, Marth, defeated the Fell Dragon, with a blade forged from Naga's Tooth, the Falchion." Chrom continued drawing the blade. "The last Exalt believed that by being able to wield the blade, he had Naga's blessing to 'finish' what his ancestor started, and declared he would exterminate the Grimleal."
"And in a religious war, you can't tell who supports it and who doesn't." Ronin added, knowing where this was going.
"He allowed pillaging and had entire villages burned to the ground, Ylisse was not much better, farmers and workers conscripted into the military, there ended up being a famine during the war and my father was already losing the people's trust, he put taxes and rations in place while our family suffered through nothing of it. I was young at the time and didn't really understand what was happening, but I knew what he was doing was wrong. It was around that time that Lissa was born, she was barely strong enough to wail that the midwives and servants feared the worst, they gave her the night. I remember Emmeryn and I praying that nothing happened to my baby sister, and by some miracle she survived…but my mother, she didn't make it." The prince continued, sheathing his blade and wiping away some tears. Robin put his hand on his friend's shoulder, but urged him to continue.
"Thank you my friend. My father fell to illness not soon after, leaving the throne to Emm. But the people, they had lost all faith in our family. Even after she withdrew the troops, and she dismantled the army. They still hated her, they threw words and rocks, she still bares the scar from one of them. But her ideology did not waver, she wanted peace for everyone, after the hell everyone had to suffer through. I can't remember when, but they finally accepted her, they look at her as if she were peace itself." Chrom finished.
"That's because she pretty much is peace incarnate. I understand now, Gangrel wants revenge for an event that he was clearly a part of, but the one who he wanted for that vengeance is gone. So, now, he has set his sights on the younger generation." The tactician said. "I vow, here and now, to make sure that no harm should come to Ylisse or her people."
"You really are one of a kind my friend, though it should go without saying, I will make that vow as well, let us help Emmeryn maintain peace together!" Chrom agreed, holding out his hand, which Robin met with, before the men brought each other into a friendly hug, separating not long after.
"Well said, the both of you." A voice sounded away from the two. The owner of the voice, revealed themselves, and to both Robin's and Chrom's surprise it was the man they had met two times prior.
"Marth, how did you get in here?" The prince asked, reaching for his sword.
"Stay your sword, sir. There is a whole in the wall behind me." Marth explained.
"Oh." Chrom said, feeling a tad embarrassed, remembering exactly what whole it was. "Then why are you here?"
"I come bearing ill tidings, there is a plot to assassinate the Exalt…tonight." The other Falchion wielder spoke.
"How, she is guarded at all times?" Chrom retaliated.
"What if I told you, that I knew of the future." Marth explained.
"You say you are a soothsayer? What proof do you have of this?" Robin asked, struggling to believe it, but a familiar ringing in his head distracted him. 'I'm sorry Ch**m, we couldn't have known they were here. Our only solace is that none of the ********* were killed, I'm sorry I couldn't uphold that ***.' Robin shook his head, that one felt much different from the others.
Marth unsheathed his blade, and pointed it at Chrom, the prince drew his own blade as Robin readied his tome. But the enigma had other ideas.
"I'm about to save your life…from him." Marth spoke, looking behind him. As if on cue, a hooded man ran out from a bush, a dagger pointed straight at Chrom's heart. Marth slew the man by jumping over the charging man's head, and cutting him down. "I trust this will suffice."
"Y-yeah." Chrom stuttered. But then a second assassin jumped out of the tree, one that Marth seemingly had forgotten about by his own surprised reaction. Trying to turn around the masked man tripped on the slain man's dagger, through some form of luck, the assassin was only able to catch his mask, before Chrom cut him down. But what surprised Robin, was the length of Marth's hair.
"Wait, you're…a woman?" Chrom asked, just as surprised as Robin.
"And quite the actress too it seems, honestly I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner." Marth answered.
"At least you don't have to worry about Lissa now, Chrom." Robin chuckled, trying to add some humour to the tense situation, Marth just tilted her head confused, while Chrom rolled his eyes with a smile on his face. "Alright no standing around, we need to gather the Shepherds and defend the Exalt." The tactician commanded, as he and his companions rushed inside.
Luckily, most of the Shepherds were still in the mess hall, those that weren't there were sent for by some guards.
"Where's Emm?" Chrom asked.
"She's gone to her room, why what's going on?!" Lissa answered, getting worried.
"Assassin's, we need to protect her at all costs." Robin explained. Lissa drew a sharp intake of breath and looked as though she was about to burst into tears. "It's alright, we'll be able to stop them." The tactician added, trying to calm her down.
"While I agree that they must be stopped, Robin you must refrain from overstraining yourself, that injury isn't fully healed yet, and I won't be as kind as Lissa is when closing that wound. To make sure of that I will be joining you again." Maribelle spoke, also trying to soothe her friend.
"It'll work into my plan so that we have a healer either side of the Exalt's quarter's, I just fear that the middle may be exposed." Robin explained.
"I will handle them, I should not need reinforcements." Marth voiced, much to everyone's surprise.
"Ummm, who are you?" Lissa asked, not recognising the enigma.
"My name is Marth, lady Lissa." The woman answered, not noticing Lissa's face blanche.
"Bu-but you were a man." The blonde cleric sputtered.
"She had a good disguise, but we need to get back on track we need to hurry." Chrom reminded everyone, as he motioned for them to go to the Exalt's quarters.
To their surprise, to guards were waiting for them, holding an orange haired man between their arms.
"Milord, we caught this one trying to break into the Exalt's quarter's." The first guard said.
Chrom marched up to them accusingly as Robin started to get everyone into position. "Are you with the assassin's?" The prince asked the red head.
"Was. No one told me about killing the Exalt, all I was told that it was a heist to break into the palace's vault. Besides, I like the Exalt she's a sweet old lady." The thief explained.
"Do you think we could persuade you to switch sides, we could use your intel, we could pay you gold for your services." Chrom inquired.
"Maybe, if you sweeten the deal." The thief smirked.
"What more could you possibly wa-" The prince started, before a bag fell from his hip, spewing out its contents.
"What are those?" The orange haired man asked.
"Sweets for my sister." Chrom answered.
"DONE!" The thief grinned.
"What?" Chrom stared confused.
"I did say sweeten the deal, I'll still take the gold, just chuck those in with it." He answered.
"I guess that's one way to win a man over, alright here. Guards release him, now mind telling us your name." Chrom commanded, as he picked up the fallen candy. He handed them over to the thief.
"Gaius is the name, and stealing and sweets are my game." The man rhymed, sticking one of the sweets in his mouth.
"Right, go talk to Robin, he's the one in the long coat, he'll tell you what to do." The prince explained.
"Sure thing, Blue." Gaius smirked, before taking off towards the tactician, leaving a confused Chrom in his wake at the nickname.
"Oaf, I want you and Kellam, wherever he is to assist Marth, I don't care what she says, she'll need back up to defend the Exalt's chamber. Ricken, stay with Lissa, she'll need the support, everyone else pair up with who you think would be best and then go to either the left or the right." Robin instructed, before feeling a tap on his shoulder.
"Your name Robin?" Gaius asked.
"Yes, and you're that thief that was captured, I'm guessing Chrom convinced you to join us?" The tactician inquired.
"Sure did, name's Gaius by the way, anyway Blue said you'll know what to do with me?" The thief explained.
"'Blue'? As in Chrom?" Robin blinked.
"Yup." Gaius smirked.
"Well, I could use one more on the left here, you'll be helping me defend lady Maribelle." Robin informed.
"Sure thing Bubb-…wait…Maribelle? As in Duke of Themis' daughter Maribelle?" The thief asked with a look of fear in his eyes.
"Yes, that won't be a problem, would it?" The white haired man answered.
"Err, might be best to put with some-" Gaius started, before a female voice shrieked behind the pair.
"YOU!" Maribelle cried, stomping up to the thief and strategist. "What are you doing here you rat?"
"Princey, 'hired', my services Twinkles, I'm not here to rob anyone." Gaius half lied, holding up his hands.
"Why should I believe anything you say after what you did?" The noble glared threateningly.
"Because there is a murder plot going on and your gonna need every hand you can get." The thief retaliated.
"Just don't cause any trouble during this. Come Robin we must be ready." Maribelle huffed, dragging the tactician with her. Gaius following the pair, looking at Robin with a teasing grin.
"Whpssh!" The thief grinned, flicking his wrist forward.
The defence was going smoothly, most off the enemies seemed to be untrained and fell to the combined might of the Shepherds. Although Maribelle was reluctant to let Gaius help defend her, she conceded that his speed was beneficial for dodging blows and helping Robin finish off foes he didn't defeat by himself. The appearance of a giant rabbit had startled a few, but once Marth explained that she was on their side, they were able to calm down. After making sure the left was secure, Robin guided his contingent over to Chrom's.
"All safe on the left, the centre was safe too." Robin informed.
"The right is secure as well, but I haven't seen the leader, do you think he fled?" Chrom asked.
"I don't think so, something like this is far too game changing to not risk seeing through." The tactician explained.
"Well, well, well, someone in Ylisse has some intelligence." The deep voice sounded.
In front of them was a skinny man with purple robes, his hair was standing tall and his fingernails were sharp enough that they could be their own weapons. But the man's eyes, they were a deep red, and Robin couldn't help but feel like he'd seen them somewhere before.
"You must be the leader I take it?" Chrom glared at the sorcerer.
"Hmmm, these fools where so easily strung along, their own need for vengeance led them blindly. I'm surprised you have been able to withstand them." The man glowered, this wasn't what was foretold.
"We had some help, now it's time for you to fall." Robin shouted, charging up his magic.
"Oh, but what a wonderful find this is." The sorcerer grinned, staring at Robin.
"You…you know me?" The tactician shrunk back, his concentration broken.
"Elfire!"
"Gah!" Robin cried out, the assassin had distracted him and left him open, he could fell the wound on his hip opening up, moving a hand to his side,
"Foolish boy, going into battle so soon after being injured. First, I'll finish these so called Shepherds, then I'll finish off the Exalt. Then I'll tell you everyth-GAHHH!" The man cried, as the Falchion was impaled in him.
"Th-this…not possible…h-how…could you have known…the plan." The man struggled out as his life drained out of him.
"Robin!" Chrom cried, as he withdrew his sword from the dying man, rushing over to his fallen friend.
"I'm fine Chrom, but, I think Maribelle will have a few choice words with me." Robin explained, showing the blood that was on his hand. "That blow reopened the wound, it needs to be closed again. We'll talk about the situation tomorrow, I'm certain you want Emmeryn to be moved to a safe location after this."
"You read my mind." The prince smiled.
"Hey Bubbles, need any help?" Gaius asked.
"Yes, get Maribelle, and get me some ice after that." Robin explained.
"Twinkles I understand, but why some ice?" The thief questioned.
"For my head." The tactician answered.
As if understanding what he meant, the Gaius didn't question the order after that, quickly finding the troubadour noble, he moved off to get some ice. A loud thwack in the distance gave him a chuckle as he grabbed some from the cooler.
"Whpshhh!"
"Honestly, Robin, I told you to be careful." Maribelle reprimanded, applying the anaesthetic to his wound.
"He was able to distract me." Robin explained.
"What could he have done to do that?" The noble asked.
"He…he acted as if he knew me." The tactician admitted, his voice low.
"Robin, listen to me." Maribelle started. "That man was trying to get under your skin, just like that commander from earlier did, he just somehow knew which buttons to press. You are in no way affiliated with that man." She explained soothingly, trying to calm the man down.
"But what if-" Robin tried to argue.
"No buts, you are a Shepherd and a noble, so start acting like it." Maribelle interrupted.
"You're right, I'm sorry." The tactician sighed.
"No need to apologise, darling. It happens to the best of us. Now let's get this over with, less needles the better, right." The noble explained.
Once again, Robin settled into the torture that was having to deal with a needle in his side.
The rest of the Shepherds had settled in. Emmeryn had taken to thanking and having an audience with the unexpected ally they had encountered. Chrom hadn't known about Tanguel, but when he the woman known as Panne explained how they had been hunted to near extinction he was disturbed that humans could act like that. When she had explained that she was the last of her kind, a feeling of retribution surged through him. He welcomed her with open arms.
He had wanted to talk with Marth, but the mysterious woman had disappeared as soon as the conflict had ended. The way she had known what was going to happen had left him worried, he would get Robin's help in persuading his sister to relocate the next day, and hopefully be on their way by midday.
Meanwhile
Validar walked through the cold darkness. Death's embrace had claimed him, but he refused to let it defeat him. How…HOW COULD THEY HAVE KNOWN?! Destiny was a set path, that pathetic Exalt was meant to die that night. He would find a way to return. But a hooded figure stopped his path.
"Who dares interrupt me?" The dead man threatened.
"Come Validar, is that anyway to speak to me?" The hooded man asked.
"Just…who are you?" The sorcerer asked.
The man pulled down his hood and Validar cackled.
A/N Holy exposition Batman! And Yes Gaius is here, he will be a troll and glorious. I'm tempted to chuck in a Bazinga here and there. Now I wanted to make this chapter also include in game Chapter 7, but I wanted to focus more on that chapter since of how important it is to the plot of everything.
Now the cross over idea is for Final Fantasy XIII. Where Robin, after the end of Awakening. Ends up in the Pulse Vestige with Vanille and Fang, the mark of Grima on his hand not disappearing but being Crystalised, similar to Fang's brand. So it will be basically FFXIII with Robin being Robin and the enemies also trying to influence him. Also...Grima as an Eidolon...yay or nay...your thoughts. Should I do it?
