As promised, the second chapter that I had stowed away within the deep dark abyss that is my documents folder. Anyway, enjoy and again Happy Holidays!

PS This is also a very uhh...rough rough draft so I apologize for the errors.

"It looks like we are heavily outnumbered…but we've been in worse situations…we wait till they head back this way and ambush them…the man in the heavy armor seems like their leader…take out the first to leave…Brady stay back and heal." The red head nodded and pulled back. "Yarne, you're my backup, okay?" The group had spun around and begun retreating. Most were surrounding a woman with her tear-stained face held high. Kjelle counted down with her fingers. She readied her lance and sprang out, tackling a pink haired woman. She reared back the weapon, ready to stab.

"Kjelle?" She froze mid pierce.

"Lucina?" She looked up at her flabbergasted friend.

"Not to interrupt your timely reunion…but could you please get off me, you're kind of heavy." Nia puffed as the armor set upon her body. The knight scrambled away, pulling Lucina into a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Lucina, where have you guys been? Yarne, Brady, and I have been looking for you guys everywhere after we got separated!" The knight looked exasperated with her blue hair matted to her face.

"Most of us were in groups that met up with Father and Mother." She gestured to the others. "We were just waiting for you to just show up like the rest."

"I see and-"Before she spoke another word, Sully stormed up offering a hand to Nia. "Mother?" Sully just stared like the rest.

"The hell? I guess it was bound to be me sooner or later, kid. Is my husband still as annoying and stupid as he is in the future?"

"From what you've said in the future, he's worse."

"Great…"

It had been a few days since they had heard from Basilio. Nia tapped a beat with her fingers trying to pass the time as the newly acquired children got acquainted with their parents. The only one disappointed seemed to be Maribelle and her son Brady with his ungentlemanly like demeanor.

"Milord!" A lone soldier bypassed the few standing leisurely by the entrance. "Khan Basilio he…he has been killed in battle!" Shock was the only thing Nia could think of. So far, the future that Lucina had foresaw still had its gears in full effect. Flavia limped in behind the soldier grasping her side.

"It's true…I was there…I saw him fall…he's gone." Her tongue clicked with her disproval. "That big, bald oaf! Damn me for outliving that one-eyed clod!" Her cries were gut-wrenching. Two major deaths in three days. It was a huge setback for their group. "I'll kill him myself, I swear it to the gods!"Nia blocked out the rest of the discussion, her body enveloped with pain as it began spreading to the left side of her body. It wasn't until Gules was handed over that she was brought back to the present. The bug inside her body was telling her to seize it.

"Walhart has retreated to the imperial city. We're in the clear for now." Say'ri burst in, not reading the atmosphere. The moment she did, her eyes flickered back and forth, trying to gauge what was going on. Whatever she was saying, it didn't matter much to the tactician who just set her sights on the tiles, counting each crevice.

"We have Basilio's sacrifice to thank….it made it all possible…because of me…we lost a great man…" She got smacked upside the head.

"Stop thinking like that, Basilio would have hit you harder if he heard you talking like that. Clear the doubts in your head, we still happen to need it you know. Our entire future rides on your shoulders."

"Oh that's it is it? Well that's not so bad I guess…just thousands of lives needing my help."

"We head for the capitol now! The "Conqueror's" reign ends there!" Chrom made all of them jump and sprang people into motion like scattering bugs.

"Not to point out the obvious but…where the heck is his army?" Their small group sidestepped hands ready on weapon hilts.

"Not here? A trap then?" The stone castle was abnormally silent excluding the lone cricket singing within the bushes. "They're waiting for us aren't they? What's the plan?" The garbles of questions were justifiable but Nia wasn't in the mood as the thing inside her squirmed in with frenzy.

Nia didn't wait for confirmation, flipping her tome open; ready to strike any that dared cross their paths. Morgan inched up closer, riding on her heels while searching around frantically.

From above, Sumia's voice rang out. "Over there!" Walhart sat motionless, surrounded completely by his men who commanded almost all the space given. He spoke but Nia had already blocked him out by counting the men at his beckon.

"Well!" She turned to her comrades who were looking for her to have all the answers. "Good luck and don't get killed!" She smiled while giving them a thumbs-up. To say they were shocked would be an understatement.

Minerva chirped before plucking a man off the ground and dropping him from the top of the castle. The sun bore down with increased intensity as wave after wave of soldiers converged upon their position. Sumia swooped in between the men that were drug from the ground by both Minerva's claws and took out the next in line. Nia dodged the first swing of the soldier by darting backwards before taking one step to the left. Falchion ended the man's remaining attempts with one swing.

With one after the other, the only tactic she could do was dodge swords and arrows. Each new step led to another tip of a sword. The bombardment of javelins from above, friend and foe alike didn't help the situation. "Gods they just keep coming!" Chrom skidded backwards from a rebound as his breathing became heavier. Little by little, they were being pushed back to the entrance of the castle.

A ball of electricity fizzed by his head, catching the soldier attempting a sneak attack. It was literally just repeated motions. Attack and dodge, attack and dodge. By the time they hit the last line, Walhart merely smirked at them and their effort. Chrom didn't wait for the others to get ready and rushed forward, Nia closing in on the distance. The man deftly parried his blow, throwing him into Nia and toppling them both.

"Resistance is futile, little Prince. Give up; this cause is lost for you. Your men have been slain by the absolutism of my power, do not claim that this is a just cause. You are merely filled with secondhand thoughts of your late sister and your gods. You are just a mindless puppet. I reject being a slave; I will have true freedom, damn their fates and destinies!" He pounded the ground with the hilt of his sword, involuntarily showing the difference in stature. Even the horse seemed massive in comparison to the others. It snorted, ready to charge at a moment's notice.

"Your power has no justification and neither does your philosophy! Raise your sword, we end this now!" The clash of metal rang out like a music note, halting all other attacks from around. Chrom struck first, dinging the dense metal surrounding the Conqueror's body. He had little time to react as the sword struck down on him and even little less time to bring up Falchion to block the attack. Nia's attempt to help only nicked his armor before Chrom blocked her vision with his arm.

"Deal with the others, I will defeat him." She couldn't see his face but she quickly turned, ordering the others to resume their attack. Morgan stood next to her, the pages of his tome flipping rapidly while Lucina readied her Falchion. The army dispersed around as the fighting continued between their commanders. Blood dripped down Chrom's face while blood stains were splattered on Walhart's armor. The question of whose blood was one Nia didn't want the answer to.

Each movement caught the air in her throat as her fingers twined together and remained fixated at her heart. There was a final strike for both of them and Chrom fell to one knee, holding his side while Walhart slumped over in his saddle. The horse, sensing something wrong, trotted back into the safety of the castle doors before the job could be finished. Nia knelt in front of Chrom, checking his wounds carefully.

"Chrom! Are you okay?!" Lissa was the next to check over him, healing his wounds as much as possible.

"I'm fine…where is he?" He followed the pointing of the fingers and pushed upwards, mind set. "The deed must be finished." The stampede of feet behind them set them on edge."Damn! Why now of all times?" Say'ri held out her hand, stopping him from rushing them and pointed.

The leader at the moment knelt, bowing his head lower than one would expect while the others held the banners of the southern Dynasts proudly. "Ahh." Nia tapped her palm with her fist. The others waited for confirmation. "That would mean they were under your brother's command correct?" When Say'ri nodded, it only affirmed her suspicions more. "I understand now." When she didn't offer any explanation, the others groaned, trying to figure it out themselves.

The doors creaked open and the first sight made Morgan jump and clap. "Moustache man! You're back! Bigs lips too!" The general raised an eyebrow but merely took two steps to avoid the fireball that followed after the young tactician's words and heartily laughed as it collided with Excellus. He didn't have time to react to the next and toppled over.

"And there's Walhart…hmm…he's taunting us…" Nia narrowed her eyes at the man sitting upon his throne while the remainder of his army inched closer to their group. It was a simple endeavor. Walhart had already made known his refusal to surrender and within moments, his last remaining men dwindled. He arose, his face flushing to the color of his armor.

The man wasn't ready to give up just yet and he parried blow after blow. Even the strongest members were being pushed back. "You and I both want to unite the world by different means…join us to fight against this!" Walhart merely ignored Chrom, grabbing Donnel by his shirt before launching him into Stahl. "Fear does not unite people!" The man scoffed before slamming his axe down into the ground.

"Pah! You think you or your sister did anything about this? No! She threw herself off a cliff spouting nonsense!" This time, it was Nia's turn to hold Chrom back. She inserted herself between the two, hoping to diffuse the tension momentarily.

"Emmeryn was a better ruler than you could ever be." She snarled and the Conqueror scoffed again.

He lifted the axe up again, his horse pawing the ground before lowering its head. "Come and die for your so called 'peace'!" Lightning struck down from multiple tomes, swords pierced the man's armor, and arrows pelted his armor plate openings. The man toppled from the horse, snarling at his foes. Falchion penetrated his chest, the Conqueror's eyes widening as the blade slid between skin. He flopped to the ground, his last bits of air escaping.

There was scuffle as the few remaining men outside the main foyer lurked in, hands extended upwards as a sign of surrender. Even with pressure from Frederick, Chrom refused to move. Understanding slightly, he took over, rallying the troops back. Chrom stared at Walhart's motionless body.

Nia took his hands in hers, smiling gently. "The war is won now…" He only nodded, letting silence take over. It didn't last long.

"Sir Chrom!" Say'ri's enthusiasm was hard to ignore as a small green gen rested in her hands. "Valm cannot repay what you have done for us. The only thing I can offer you is the once stolen treasure of Chon'sin, Vert. The fell dragon will soon threaten us all and we will need you to defeat it." The uncomfortable feeling inside of Nia shifted at the fell dragon.

That feeling remained even as they readied to go home. She still didn't pay attention even as she was helped on to the saddle. Everything felt surreal, even as they arrived back in Ylisstol. It wasn't until Chrom sighed that she even realized she was back in the barracks, her child giggling in her arms.

She poked his forehead. "Oh I definitely know that look…the look of 'I am having issues.' Yup Yup." He shook his head though the smile was clearly defined on his face. "You know…" She began catching his attention. "When Lissa first brought me here, I was determined to escape within the first few minutes of being alone…then I was forced to associate with all of the Shepherds…when I first met Vaike and Sumia…" She shuddered before grinning. "Truthfully, I'm glad you guys brought me back here…in a way that was my first memory…"

It was strange to see him laugh so little. "I wish the rest of your memories since then could have been joyful."

"You know, I wouldn't-"Lucina cooed in her arms and she cuddled the child. "We wouldn't have been able to make it without you." The child reached out to her father, wanting him to be closer. He complied so easily. Nia lifted her up, the child's hands patting her father's face.

He gently raised her above his head, smiling at her giggles. "Funny, I was going to say that." He turned serious, handing Lucina back, despite the child's struggles. "Frederick is searching for Sable." He turned away. "I've…I've looked into the Awakening Ritual…whoever attempts it must brave Naga's fire…if I don't succeed." He looked back, searching Nia's face. "The candidate…dies."

Two blue haired children latched on before he could say more. "Must you really do this, Father?" Lucina spoke first, wary of her brother who had quickly detached and held a piece of candy in front of the child Lucina. When she reached out for it, he pulled it back, throwing it in his mouth. The child screeched, tugging on Nia's pink locks. The future Lucina didn't hesitate to drop her fist upon her younger brother's head.

"Seems as if our whole family is made up of eavesdroppers, wouldn't you agree Chrom?" Chrom turned to Lucina with slight disapproval. The same disapproved face that he gave Nia when she wanted to tag along.

She looked down, shifting her weight while her feet dug into the ground. "I'm sorry Father…Mother…" She glanced between the two before looking down again. "I didn't mean…I just wanted to speak with you but I didn't want to interrupt…" She snuck a peak at Nia who was busy scolding Morgan.

"Don't worry." He patted her head. "I'll withstand it. Have more faith in your father." She perked up at that and at the return of Frederick. At his arrival, Nia handed Lucina off to the nurse who had been standing off in the room by herself.

"I have found it…King Validar." He scrunched his face at the name and Nia stiffened slightly but enough to be noticed by the others. The feeling inside shifted at the name…in joy? "Has extended an invitation with the words that Plegia has defended Sable and now wishes to return it to you." It seemed like a trap. "He insists that you visit him in person so that he may…formally present it. I don't like this, milord." Nia felt her chest tighten more with the new details. All Chrom had to do was refuse and she could feel safe again.

"Neither do I, Frederick the Wary. It's no better than a political maneuver on his part but the Risen from that last encounter…" Nia bit her lip, if he agreed, she would go but all he had to do was decline the invitation. "Send word that we will meet him." The substance inside bounded like a child with a toy. The entire situation was revolting.

"Are you…are you sure that's wise…?" Nia clenched on her hand in a failed attempt to diffuse the anxiety building up. Chrom shook his head. This wasn't good, something was going to happen. Something that would change the events in the future. She met her daughter's glance which was as equally terrified.

"But do not worry…everyone will be armed to the max this time around."

Frederick didn't seem convinced. "Leave the Fire Emblem then, he will surely try to take it." Yet again another shake of the king's head.

"But if that's what he expects and he tries to take it while we are all meeting him…" He didn't finish that statement. He was right as bad as it was. Nia clicked her tongue, exiting the conversation much to the surprise of the others. Methodically she packed tome after tome followed by maps, various quills and ink. Without another word she left, waiting by the horses till everyone arrived.

The skull was the first sight that Nia didn't want to remember. A blurred Emmeryn stood atop one of the horns, her hands clasped. Nia fell closer to Chrom, wanting the guilt and disgusted feeling to leave her.

"That skull…it reminds me of him." Lucina looked uncomfortable if not more than Nia. The prodding questions came next and she brushed them away. "Yes, Grima the fell dragon." The children all fell in line with her, Inigo squeezing her hand as he walked next to her. "We cannot allow him to come back to life…we just can't." She returned the pressure to Inigo who gave his typical playful smile.

Being inside the castle did not give reassurance to Nia. The pressure was building inside, almost reaching a tipping point. When she reached her max, her world would go to hell. She held her arms, terribly afraid. She searched around, completely on guard. The soldiers around began mobilizing upon their entrance and soon lined the entirety of the walls. She only took one look at Chrom who had already realized the same thing.

Aversa was the first to approach, followed by Validar who kept his eyes on Nia the entire time. The bug inside pushed against all her barriers and her eye throbbed with more pain than ever. Chrom didn't hesitate to ask immediately for the gift. Validar merely chuckled, stroking his beard.

"Oh? You do know that the Fire emblem and its gems are quite dangerous…we here at Plegia and of Grimeal know quite well of its terrible feats."

"You would speak ill of the first exalt that used it against the fell dragon?!" Lucina pulled as close to the man as her father would allow.

"Of course, 'intruder.'" The entire Ylissean group tensed at the word. "You, intruder…" He looked around. "Intruders I should say should…should all be destroyed." Nia blocked the man's eyesight to her daughter. "Give me the Fire Emblem…give it to me!" He strode closer and Chrom immediately went for Falchion. Nia froze, her eyes fading quickly. Two hands on her shoulder tugged her from the scene and she spun quickly, her tome open.

Her mouth popped open slightly, it was herself. Was this a mirror? She reached out and the figure sighed, crossing her arms. She watched the figures moving in the distance and it was an even bigger shock. It was another, rather a third, far away from the dark room Nia and her double was stationed. This one however, held two bright red eyes and stood next to Chrom. Nia had figured it out. She leapt forward, colliding with an invisible wall. Her palms pressed against the wall in disbelief.

"There is nothing you can do. I have been stranded here even since you woke up in that field. You just had to give in didn't you! Now that thing has our body!" The second Nia held her up by the scuff of her clothes, pressing her against the wall. "I have been fighting that thing for months and you just give up when you hear a command? How dare you!" She pressed harder before dropping her to the ground.

"Who…who are you?" Nia coughed staring at the reflection.

"I am the Nia of Elibe but I no longer wish to be associated with that name. I shall go by Ann. Now watch, as that thing destroys everything you hold dear." Nia turned back to the scene, falling to the ground as she saw the sadistic grin growing on the third's face.

"That is…" She didn't look at Ann who knelt next to her, watching as intently as Nia was.

"Our father's creation." Nia nodded, she had felt its presence for weeks now. The figure grabbed Chrom, pointing towards a way out. He didn't suspect anything, how could he? That creature knew everything about her and how she acted…She dug her nails into her skin, trying to wake up. She could see it as her companions rammed down enemy after enemy. The air around her group was distorting and following after them. They stood only a few steps away before the magic condensed as a portal appeared and Validar casually walking out.

Black balls of magic manifested, slamming directly into Chrom's chest. "You can't escape fate." Validar held his hand up, creating yet another ball. "The Fire Emblem." He extended his free hand, fingers uncurling from the palm one by one. Chrom lurched up, still fighting. Nia rammed the barrier, hoping this was all a bad dream.

Validar met the his puppet's eyes and chuckled. "Nia."

"No!" Nia collided with more and more force till her shoulders went numb. The one in reality stumbled forward, complying with her father.

He returned to Chrom. "Bring me the Emblem." Electricity coursed through her palms and everything seemed to move more slow. Her hand rose into the sky, striking down upon the man she loved. Nia and Ann remained mortified from the distance as the third knelt, the Fire Emblem extended towards Validar. Before he received it, he fitted Sable in the last spot.

Nia grabbed Ann's shoulders shaking her roughly. "We need to stop this! We can't…we can't just sit here and allow this to happen! You must know a way." Ann didn't return her glance and remained fixated upon the scene. It was almost too baffling for her to accept.

Validar picked up the artifact, marveling at it. "Finally the Fire Emblem is mine." He spoke quieter, backing away from the fallen king. Chrom still held his side as he reached out one last time. Nia forced herself to watch at what she had just caused. The glass shattered and Nia took her chance. She charged forward, her only thought to get her body back.

She blinked her eyes that were in a trance by her shaking hands. Sparks transferred from her fingers and she stumbled backwards. "I…I…w-what…?" She clasped her hands, frightened of her powers. Unlike her, Chrom didn't hesitate, finding his strength and pulling her along by her hands. No. She didn't even realize her legs were moving. Her eyes only remained on the blood of those she had just condemned by her actions. "I'm so sorry…I just…I don't…" She couldn't speak, only blubber her apologies repeatedly.

He didn't stop running and continued to tug her along behind. "I know but we need to make sure we get out of here, come on!"

She didn't pull away but after this, she needed to get away. Nothing would get better with her in the group. She silently bobbed her head. They had all crammed into a side room, breaths held as soldiers charged past, calling out for any sight. Noire whimpered, hiding behind Gerome's giant body while Kellam was barely able to keep Tharja from cursing everyone.

Nia stepped away, tears raining down her face. "What I did…this is my fault…" The others converged on her position.

"Enough…don't beat yourself up, save it for Validar." Nia refused almost immediately.

"No! Leave me behind, he…if he uses me again, it's all because of this cursed blood!" She shuddered and her thought went to Ann who inhabited her mind with that puppet.

"I know you can fight against that! He doesn't have full control and that could be what he least expects, you not obeying!" Chrom was formulating a plan all by himself. The group grew quiet as feet approached again.

"Are you an idiot?!" She lashed out, ignoring the looks from the others. He couldn't be this stupid! Didn't he realize yet that she was going to be the cause of his death? There weren't any cookie cuts about it now.

Olivia and Lissa both slammed into her, tightening their holds around her body. "You can do this; we all have faith in you." The gazes of her companions seemed more penetrating than one of compassion. She smacked away the two women, backing into the corner.

"Don't you all understand?! I cannot be trusted right now!"

This time, Chrom took the initiative. "It's over but there is still time to try and rectify this! It's not too late." Nia wasn't convinced but remained silent. It didn't surprise her that her daughter was equally silent.

The end the end, we are getting so close to the end! The last chapter that I already had written will probably be after Christmas so fair warning. Hope you guys are enjoying this story and I love all the reviews I am getting, thank you all so much :)!

Also I think I've gotten all the children (am I missing any?) and I really could not think of a name to distinguish the two Nia's thus the second name. I was thinking of just writing Nia backwards but Ain would have been weird for a name :P

-Author