Title: Frozen Ambush
Description: Snow can be fun, but it can be difficult to do so when no one wants to join you. But what if the others have a good reason for wanting to stay in doors?
Notes: Take place six years following the events of Fire Emblem Awakening and four years following A Future Disowned.
"Come on and join me, Lucina. Why stay cooped up inside all day when we could have fun out here?" Robin called up to the where his wife's head was peeking out through an open window. All around him snowflakes drifted gracefully in the breeze to join the blanket of white that covered the palace grounds and beyond.
The snow had started some time late into the previous evening, some time after the two have them had arrived with the two little-ones to take part in the winter solstice festivle with the rest of the royal family. The snow hadn't come at a better time too, the celebration was only two days away now, and heavy snow was a rarity this far south.
"I'd rather stay here where it's warm, I'm afraid," Lucina replied, shaking her head. "The fire is nice and hot chocolate has been prepared in the kitchens."
"Where's the fun in that? Out here we could make snow angels or build a snowman, or... oooh, a big snow fort. I've always wanted to do that," Robin said. "Do you know the last time Ylisstol had this much snow? Eight years ago, and I can't remember that far back, if I was even in the country when it happened… still not quite sure where I spend most of my life…" He shook himself before his attention could shift any further afield. Right, convince Lucina to play in the snow. Much more important.
"Robin, I'm not too sure that's the best idea. You'll catch a cold unless you put on something warmer than your coat. Not to mentioned I heard that-" Lucina started to argue.
"Oh come on, please?" He he asked, interrupting her.. Throwing up his hands he spun around, gesturing to the endless expanse of snow that blanketed the capital. "Gods, since when has everyone gotten so boring as to not want to enjoy a day like this."
"I think that's the problem, some of us seem to be enjoying it far too much," Lucina half said, half muttered, her voice only just loud enough for Robin to make out.
Robin cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you see-"
"Now!"
Something hard and cold struck Robin in the back of the head, staggering him with the sudden impact. He had not so much as an instant to react before another of the frigid projectile smashed into his shoulder, showering him in white powder as it disintegrated. It wasn't until the third or fourth that he recognised the weapons as snowballs. Which could only mean…
"Morgan!" Robin bellowed, wincing under the continued stream of snowy missiles. Shielding himself with his arms he whirled around in search of his daughter. For an instant he glimpsed the unmistakable flash of azure hair and tactician's coat darting out from behind a tree before a snowball managed to slip between his arms to struck him in the face.
Frantically brushing the powdered snow from his eyes, Robin staggered back under the constant barrage. There was no way only Morgan was responsible, the rate of the incoming attacks made that much obvious. Not to mention, you know, the fact that they were coming in from multiple directions. Hidden amongst the snow covered foliage he spied Morgan's allies in the ambush, consisting of Marc, Cynthia, and Lucina's younger self
"Ow. Ow! Dammit, you four, when I get my hands on you I'll-"
"Operation: Snow Gremlins, now!" Morgan shouted.
Snow erupted from the ground as what had appeared to be three odd lumps were revealed to be Morgan's, Marc's, and Cynthia's younger selves as the three little ones sprung to their feat. They must have buried themselves to remain hidden until he'd been forced back to this point. Credit where credit is due, Morgan executed her strategy flawlessly.
With high pitched warcries that must have sounded more impressive to them than in reality, the three toddlers threw themselves into the already off balance tactician. Arms flailing he toppled over, stunned despite the rather soft landing the snow provided. At once the little demons were on him, pinning him to the ground, shoving handfuls of snow down his collar or into his sleeves.
"Now scatter! Marc, Operation: Avalanche!" Morgan bellowed from somewhere fall off. With surprising efficiency the three little-ones scrambled off of him, giggling as they scurried away.
"Elwind!" Marc's voice cried out.
A sudden burst of wind rushed over Robin's head, striking the branches of a tree directly above him… the branches of a tree that had been packed with as much snow as they could bare.
Oh, that's clever.
With a roar the snow slipped through the branches like an oncoming tide, a sudden weight crashing down onto his chest. A cloud of powdered snow billowed everywhere, obscuring the world in a haze of glittering white.
Cold. Everything was so cold.
Blinking open his eyes as the dust settled, Robin found himself buried under a mound of snow. Only his head, a foot, and a forearm remained visible above ground, the rest of him entombed in an icy prison.
"Retreat!" Morgan ordered, the crunching footsteps of she and her allies fading into the distance as they scattered out of sight.
For a long while Robin stared up as the sky, stunned by what just occurred. I just wanted to enjoy the damn snow… was that too much to ask? Was it?"
"Robin?" Lucina asked, speaking up at last from where she'd remained at her open window.
"Yes?" Robin groaned, raising his head as upright as was possible whilst still mostly buried.
"I tried to warn you… apparently my father got ambushed the same way earlier today. A couple of the servants too," Lucina explained. From her tone he was sure his wife was forcing herself from bursting into laughter.
"Yeah… I figured that now…" He slumped back down.
"So, hot chocolate now?" Lucina asked, this time unable to keep her voice free of giggles.
"Sounds lovely. I'll be there in a minute… just going to lay her for a bit… and rethink my life choices."
Yeah, teach your psychotic daughter to be a tactician. What could have possibly gone wrong with that. Dammit future me.
Author's Note: Sorry about the delay on this one, I have been really busy lately. I plan to have another short one up some time by the weekend to make up for it.
I felt this chapter would be a nice break from the constant fluff and instead focus on something a bit more humorous. And what better example of this could be better than Robin becoming the victim of his psychotic daughter's antics?