Update: Matt Cyr and Pokemon Tactician, thank you for pointing that out. That was a terrible mistake on my part. I made a near last-minute change swapped out every single "Marth" with "Lucina" due do some inconsistencies. I thought I changed the ones that I need to change, but I must've missed a few in my grogginess. Many apologies, and many thanks to the both of you. I went and read through this again, and hopefully I got the rest of it.
That being said, if anyone else notices anything similar to this (typos, grammatical errors, or anything of the sort), please do not hesitate to tell me. I wish to give you readers the best that I can, and a story with the least amount of errors possible.
"That's interesting. But what if we extract heat instead of trying to force the cold in?"
"Like a reverse Fire tome…that might work! But now all we have to do is figure out to reverse it."
"Why not just say the incantation backwards?"
Miriel, Robin, and Reina were all inside Miriel's magic workshop just next to the training grounds. Robin's idea was to recreate ice magic based off of old manuscripts found in the library. The magic was lost many years ago, and Robin figured it could prove useful in the battles to come.
"Say the incantation backwards…hmm…" Robin muttered, pulling out a Fire tome.
"Robin, wait! I was joking about - " Reina quickly panicked, trying to stop Robin.
She was, however, unable to finish what she wanted to say when the Fire tome in Robin's hand exploded. The explosion sent flasks, test tubes, and the three magic users flying in opposite directions. Miriel, who was the furthest away from the tome, simply landed on her rear. Reina was sent tumbling over a table, and as for Robin, who was holding the tome in his hand, was sent crashing through the wall of the workshop, and right between a sparring session between Chrom and Lon'qu.
"Damn it, Robin," Reina groaned, standing up. Her ears ringing, she walked over to check on Miriel, who seemed to be perfectly okay. The red haired mage looked up at the female tactician excitedly, and started mouthing words at Reina.
"What?! Sorry, Miriel, but I can't hear a word you're saying!" Reina apologized. "My ears are still ringing from Robin's stupid move!"
Miriel frowned. Then she nodded before pointing out the hole in the wall made by Robin.
"You want me to check up on Robin?" Reina guessed.
Miriel nodded once more.
"Gotcha!" Reina said, giving her a thumbs up.
Ducking her head to go through the hole, Reina put a hand over her eyes. The outside light was nearly blinding compared to the dimly lit workshop. After a couple seconds, Reina's eyes adjusted, and her ears stopped ringing. An unconscious Robin was sprawled down on his back on the training floor with the Lon'qu and Chrom standing on either side of him. Lon'qu had a slightest hint of a smile on his face while Chrom was doubled over from laughter.
"Hey, what happened to Robin?" Reina asked, walking forward.
Lon'qu's face paled upon seeing Reina, taking more than a couple steps back.
"Robin – suddenly flew – Lon'qu and I – sparring – got between us - " Chrom attempted to explain in between fits of laughter.
Reina shook her head. "Chrom, I don't understand a thing you're saying." She looked over to Lon'qu, hoping for an answer better than Chrom's.
"Chrom and I were in the midst of sparring, when Robin suddenly flew by us," Lon'qu said. Sweat was profusely pouring down his face. "He was unlucky enough to get caught in between both of our swings with his face."
Reina looked down at Robin. There were two nasty looking welts on both of his cheeks.
"So that's what knocked him out. I thought it was his stupid explosion that caused it." Reina mused.
"Wait, explosion?" Chrom managed to control his laughter and breathing. "That's what it was?"
"Yup. Your brilliant friend here thought it wise to try and cast a fire tome in reverse, which caused said tome to self-destruct," Reina sighed, shaking her head. "Even beginner mages know not to tamper with tomes."
"Oohh, so that explains why the both of you are covered in soot and scorch marks." Chrom pointed out.
Reina looked down at her clothes. The front of her shirt and pants were charred black, with bits of it burned off. Thankfully she wasn't wearing her usual cloak, so that was untouched.
"And I just got this shirt the other day, too," Reina grumbled. She lightly pulled down on her shirt, straightening it out.
A guttural noise of discomfort sounded from Lon'qu.
"Uhh…Reina?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Reina looked up at Chrom, whose face was bright red.
"Your…umm…your shirt…holes…skin…" Chrom sheepishly said, deliberately looking anywhere but at Reina.
"Hm? What's wrong with my – " Reina looked down again. Her pulling on her shirt caused the holes caused by the explosion to stretch, revealing a little more than she expected underneath. Reina's face flushed a deep red. "HYAAAA!" Reina shrieked, quickly turning around.
A light chuckle came from the ground.
"And here I didn't think Lon'qu could turn any paler than he already was," Robin weakly laughed, sitting upright, taking his cloak. "Reina, cover yourself with my coat."
Robin tossed his cloak over to Reina, who gratefully took it. "Thank you," she meekly said, donning Robin's cloak. Strangely, his cloak didn't seem the least bit damaged from the explosion despite the fact that he was closest to it.
"How're your cheeks?" Chrom asked, desperate to change the subject.
"As if they were hit simultaneously by two swordsmen that attacked with all their strength – oh wait, that did happen," Robin sassed.
"And who's fault is it that you happened to be between us as we were sparring?" Chrom replied, crossing his arms.
"…mine…" Robin quietly muttered.
"Saying a tome in reverse? Even I know not to do that, and I don't even use magic!" Chrom chuckled.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," Robin said.
Chrom laughed and helped Robin to his feet. "Come on, that's enough testing for today," he said, clapping Robin's shoulder. "Get some rest. You'll need it for later tonight."
The mood darkened instantly upon Chrom's words. Emmeryn's assassination was tonight, and there was only a few hours left until nightfall.
Robin let out a yawn. Walking out into courtyard in the moonless night, he stretched his arms high into the air. A brisk wind breezed through the area, swaying the grass around him and rustling his disheveled hair. Normally the night wind would send a shiver through his body, but the breeze felt oddly warm after Ferox's punishing weather.
Looking around him, a sad smile formed on Robin's face. This was the exact area where Robin had snuck into the castle back in his world. Just to his left was the maple grove, hiding the small cleft in the wall. And just behind that wall was the area where he sank between worlds, ending up in the one he was currently residing in.
A familiar set of footsteps sounded from behind him. Robin turned around.
"Evening, Chrom," Robin greeted the prince. "What're you doing out so late?"
"Robin?" Chrom seemed a little surprised to see Robin. "I could ask the same of you."
Robin shrugged. "Thought I'd get some fresh air. It's a pleasant night."
"Indeed it is," Chrom agreed before letting out a sigh. "I just talked with Emm."
"Oh? About what?"
"About the upcoming war with Plegia. Ylisse has nowhere enough soldiers to fight another war, so tomorrow we leave for Regna Ferox to request for additional soldiers," Chrom explained.
"How's Emmeryn doing?" Robin asked. "She's been wanting to avoid war for so long, and yet it was brought to her doorstep."
Chrom let out another sigh. "I can't say. She's my sister for gods' sake, and I still can't read her after all these years."
The two stood in silence for a while.
"She's strong, you know," Chrom said. "I don't mean physically, but rather her sense of will and her mentality."
"How so?" Robin asked.
Chrom hesitated before speaking again. "Not everything Gangrel said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence… it was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death fifteen years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his people." Chrom shook his head. "As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon, there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times, and I know how they affected Emmeryn."
Robin couldn't find any words to say. He had never heard of this before, and the right words of comfort failed to come to his mind.
"When my father died before Emm's tenth year, he left her quite the legacy," Chrom continued. "Plegia's desire for vengeance and our own people's unbridled rage; my sister became a target for blame on all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults, and some stones. She still bears the scar from one…but she never lets them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."
"It must've been so hard on her," Robin managed to say.
"I cannot claim to know how she does it," Chrom sighed, staring up at the sky. "I know that I could not greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she did the unthinkable; she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirit was mended and the people "forgave" her? …She never resented them for it. She represents the best part of the halidom – the part most worth protecting. Emmeryn strives for peace, and from that, has become the personification of peace. But some men would take advantage of that. Men like Gangrel."
Chrom's hands curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. Robin would've been taken aback at Chrom's rage had he not seen it before. The prince almost never held such rage, and Robin could count the number of times he had seen Chrom this angry on one hand back from his world.
"The day he understands peace," Chrom said vehemently, "will be the day death gives it to him. So…so perhaps I must be Death's agent. Emmeryn was would never order him killed nor do I want her to."
"Well spoken, sir," a new voice said from the direction of the maple grove.
Both Robin and Chrom turned to see a slim, blue armored figure in a mask step out from the darkness.
"Lu – "
"Marth…" Chrom said.
Thank the gods Chrom cut me off, else I would've given away Lucina's identity, Robin thought to himself, dodging an arrow.
Lucina looked at Robin for a second. Even through the mask, Robin could've sworn that she was glaring daggers at him.
"Good evening to you both," Lucina said, looking over to Chrom.
"How did you get in here?" Chrom asked.
Lucina pointed a thumb over her shoulder, pointing at a few trees. "The cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove," she explained.
Chrom groaned. "There? But how would you…ugh…"
"Heh, I guess your secret isn't much of a secret anymore, Chrom," Robin chuckled, causing Chrom to cover his face with his hands.
"Don't worry, your…secret…is safe with me. Rather, us," Lucina continued. "I'm here only to warn you."
Chrom looked up from behind his hands. "Warn us? About what?"
"…I take it that Sir Robin has already spoken to you of the Exalt's assassination?" Lucina questioned.
"Yeah, he did. Only the Shepherds and Phila, Emmeryn's personal guard, know of it, and they're guarding halls leading to Emmeryn's room," Chrom said.
"I see, that makes things much simpler," Lucina said, slowly drawing her sword.
Chrom immediately lowered his stance, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword narrowing his eyes.
"You who's hiding in the bushes, come out," Lucina looked behind her at a nearby bush. "I know you're there. Show yourself!"
What is she talking about – WOAH!
From the bushes, a man with a sword came bursting out. From his worn down clothing concealing his face, this was no doubt an assassin.
Lucina tossed her sword up in the air before jumping up after it herself. Catching her sword, Lucina descended, bring her blade down across the assassin's back, instantly killing him.
Flicking the blood off her blade, Lucina slowly stood up. Just then, a second assassin came jumping out of a tree.
There's another?! Robin raised his hand, shooting off a quick bolt of lightning.
The lightning hit the assassin on the shoulder, wounding, but not killing. Lucina took a step to retreat, but then slipped on the sword of the first assassin, throwing her off balance. The second assassin's sword came down on Lucina's head.
Pulling her head back just in time, the very tip of the sword missed her, but not before cutting her ornate mask cleanly in two. Chrom dashed forward with a roar and swung his sword through the assassin's midsection. Blood spewed out from the assassin's side and he fell to the ground, now lifeless. Lucina straightened herself. With her mask gone, her hair spilled out past her shoulders.
"Wait you…you were a woman all along?" Chrom slowly asked.
"Uh oh…" Robin quietly said to himself.
And there's the grand reveal of her identity!
No, not yet. Chrom is ridiculously oblivious, so as long as he doesn't focus on her left eye, it should be fine.
And there's the grand reveal of almost all of her identity! Alternis corrected himself.
Lucina looked over at Chrom. "And quite the actress, too. Honestly, I'm surprised that you didn't figure it out until just now," she sassed, a faint smile on her lips.
"Pfft..!" Robin snickered. He was not expecting Lucina to reply in such a manner.
A loud explosion suddenly shook the ground. The three quickly looked at one another, before running inside, heading towards Emmeryn's room.
"I guess the two outside were the only assassins," Robin muttered.
"What makes you say that? That explosion means that there's more," Chrom replied.
"Since when do assassins use explosions?" Robin asked.
"Since now," Chrom said.
"It was a rhetorical question."
"And I gave you a rhetorical answer."
Robin stared at Chrom, running down the halls in silence. "Alright, I'll give you that one," he finally said.
"Yes!" Chrom pumped his fist in the air, obviously happy with his rare victory over Robin.
The three turned one final corner before arriving and Emmeryn's door. The Shepherds were already gathered by the door.
"Milord! Are you unharmed?" Frederick called out, spotting Chrom immediately.
"I'm fine, Frederick," Chrom replied. "How are the rest of you?"
"The only one that's harmed would be our noble archer, who took the brunt of the explosive," Frederick replied.
Robin looked past Frederick to see Virion on the floor, his side a bloody mess. Maribelle and Lissa were frantically working to heal him.
"Ah, sir Robin!" Virion chirped, seeing the tactician's worry. "Do not fear, for it'll take more than just this to take down the archest of archers! Besides, with two angels such as these working so hard to heal me, I can't afford let them down now, can I?"
"Save your breath!" Maribelle scorned him. "You're using up precious energy that you can't afford to spare by chatting away!" She looked up at Chrom. "He's out of any danger at the moment, but he won't be able to do much for the next few days."
Chrom let out a sigh of relief, nodding. "Virion, stay inside Emmeryn's room. You'll be much safe in there with Phila than out here in the halls." Virion opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself immediately.
"As you wish, milord," Virion replied, bowing his head.
Chrom nodded before looking over at his friend. "Robin, plan?"
Robin paused, thinking. There were three hallways leading towards Emmeryn's room. Two of them were large open hallways leading in from either side while there was one narrow one in the center. The currently gathered Shepherds consisted of him, Reina, Chrom, Lissa, Frederick, Cordelia, Sumia, Lon'qu, Stahl, and Maribelle, along with Marth/Lucina. Sully and Vaike were still incapacitated from their previous skirmish, Virion was harmed from the initial explosion, and Miriel had an experiment go wrong, so she was out of the fight. Snapping his fingers, he formed his plan.
"Chrom, Cordelia, Sumia, and Lissa, you guys take the left side," Robin pointed down in the direction they came from. "Reina, Lon'qu, Frederick, Stahl, and Maribelle, you guys take the right. Use the narrow parts of the hall to your advantage. Stay defensive and don't push forward. Doing so will only cut you off from the others."
"What about you?" Chrom asked, noticing that Robin hadn't included himself in either parts of the plan.
"I'll be guarding this middle passage," Robin answered, pointing at the very narrow hall beside him. "Marth, you're with me, but stay close to Emmeryn's door. This hallway can barely fit one of us, much less the both of us, and there isn't nearly enough room to swing your sword easily."
Robin clicked his tongue in slight annoyance. He would've preferred to have a ranged attacker such as Virion or Miriel to go on the left and right passageways, but he had no such luck right now, so this'll have to do.
"Sounds good," Chrom said before slightly raising his voice. "Cut down anyone who wishes to bring harm to the Exalt!" Chrom ordered. "The assassins will be using the darkness to their advantage, so stay alert. Disperse!"
The Shepherds all gave their prince a crisp salute before dispersing. Soon enough, it was just Robin and Lucina alone in the hall.
Robin glanced over at Lucina with a grin.
"What?" Lucina asked, tilting her head.
"All that trouble of keeping your identity a secret and all of it was blown by a mere assassin," Robin teased.
"I did not think that there would be a second assassin waiting in ambush," Lucina admitted bashfully.
Robin let out a laugh. "Don't think too hard on it," he comforted her. "Look on the bright side; it'll be easier to reveal yourself to Chrom later in the future now that he knows that you're not a man."
"There is truth to your words," Lucina smiled. "Thank you."
"There's always truth to my words," Robin playfully bragged. "Now then, a couple assassins just triggered one of my traps that I set not even ten seconds ago, so I should get going."
The moment Robin finished speaking, a bright flash followed by a low rumble came from down the hallway he was to be watching.
"A quick and painless death," Robin muttered under his breath as he walked down the hall. He paused, turning back and pointing at her hip. "Your Falchion…is it supposed to be glowing?"
"Hm?" Lucina looked down, unsheathing Falchion. A soft blue light was emanating from the tear shaped hole in its guard.
"I suppose you don't know either," Robin shrugged, turning back towards the hall. "I'll be back soon; this won't take more than a few minutes." Rolling his sleeves up, Robin flicked his hands down his side, cladding his hands in lightning, just as an assassin jumped at him from the shadows. Robin stepped forward to greet the assassin.
Even from Emmeryn's door, Lucina was able to see Robin fight. She realized that this was the first time that she saw him fight since she was preoccupied with fighting her father back in Arena Ferox. Robin's style was completely unorthodox.
Unarmed combat would be a last resort in a fight with weapons, and here was Robin, who was literally punching his way through the enemies. If anyone was out of his reach, Robin would send a quick cast of lightning from his hand which would quickly and easily solve that problem. The strangest thing, however, was that his fists looked to be deadlier than any weapon.
Robin's hands were crackling with lightning, acting both as armor and a weapon. He'd reach up and grab the enemy weapons, either disarming them or shattering them as if they were made of glass. His fists would tear through armor and cloth alike while his robe seemed to be stronger than steel. It was a completely one-side battle.
Lucina looked down the hall on her left, where the majority of the Shepherds were. Frederick and Stahl –
Where and how did Frederick get a horse?!
Lucina quickly discarded the thought. Frederick and Stahl were up in the front, using their thick armor as a wall. Lon'qu and Reina would lunge forward and cut down any opposition that would get too close or posed a large threat to the armored fighters. Maribelle was right behind them, just out of enemy reach, healing the four as they would get small nicks and cuts. Reina would shout an occasional order to change up their formation slightly, but otherwise, it stayed the same.
To her right was her father, Cordelia, who was her mother from her time, Sumia, and her aunt Lissa. Her father was at the corner of the hall, and seemed to be…talking with one of the assassins. After Sumia and Cordelia had their weapons leveled down the corner, which Lucina assumed to be clear of enemies if Chrom and the now-familiar looking assassin were talking.
That's Gaius! Lucina realized, recognizing the orange colored hair and a lollipop sticking out of his shirt pocket.
Both her father and Gaius suddenly wheeled around, looking towards the side of Emmeryn's room. In both of their gazes stood a lone figure, with what looked to be long rabbit ears hanging down from where her ears would normally be.
Chrom took out his Falchion, pointing it at the new arrival.
"Hold! Panne is not your enemy!" Lucina cried out, warning Chrom.
Chrom hesitated. Both Chrom, and the new arrival, Panne, glance back and forth at one another. For a second, Lucina was unsure as to whether or not Chrom would listen. Finally, Chrom looked back at Lucina, lowering his sword.
"Panne is not your enemy; she's an ally," Lucina repeated slowly.
"Alright then," Chrom decided. "We'll leave her be for now."
"Captain?" Sumia questioned.
"Marth has earned out trust," Chrom explained. "She enjoys her secrets, I know…like her gender for one."
Lucina looked down, slightly embarrassed.
"But she's also saved our lives," Chrom continued. "Twice. And that's good enough for me."
Hearing his words, Lucina couldn't help but feel elated. "Thank you…father." Lucina added in that last part under her breath so that no one else would be able to hear.
"Now, to the matter at hand: driving these scoundrels from our castle!" Chrom swiped his sword through the air, clearly bolstering the morale of Sumia and Cordelia, readied their weapons once again at a new wave of assassins.
Lucina looked back down the middle hallway where Robin was fighting off enemies alone. Two heavily armored knights placed their tower shields in front of them, making wall of metal. Behind them, three mages chanted a spell in unison, forming a single large fireball above them.
To the bluenette's shock, Robin casually crossed his arms and stood in place. He adopted a curious expression as he watched the fireball grow larger and brighter with each second. Lucina couldn't understand what was going through Robin's head. Surely even he wouldn't come out unscathed if he took a direct hit, and yet he stood there, anticipating the attack.
At once, the mages finished their chant, sending the ball of fire at Robin. It was nearly as wide as the hallway, which to be fair, wasn't that wide in the first place. The fireball sailed over the heads of the knights and towards Robin who calmly raised a single hand, a smirk now on his face.
Suddenly, a freezing wind blew through the area, and the fireball vanished instantly.
Lucina was dumbfounded. "What just…"
"DAMMIT!" Robin cursed. Despite his angry demeanor, the tactician was smiling. "That was such a perfect opportunity too!"
A 'perfect opportunity'? Lucina wondered.
"Tch, I'll work on that later…" Robin said to apparently no one. "…after I finish up here," he added, staring at the very confused looking knights and mages in front of him.
Letting out a cry, both knights charged at Robin at the same time, only to stumble over one another in the narrow passage.
"You two should really learn to coordinate with each other like the mages," Robin said, taunting the knights.
One of them threw his spear, which Robin easily sidestepped, grabbed, and threw back at the knights. The spear soared and impaled itself through its owner's head. The second knight looked absolutely terrified as he hid behind his tower shield.
Grinning manically, Robin slowly walked up, only to have a bolt of lightning hit him directly in the face.
"ROBIN!" Lucina cried out.
One of the mages in the back pumped his fist triumphantly, confident in his kill. His confidence dropped immediately as the smoke cleared and Robin stood there, unharmed.
"Well, that was quite a shock. Heh, get it? Shock? Lightning? I'm hilarious." Robin laughed at his own joke, brushing a bit of soot off of his shoulder.
The assassin's were unsure whether to laugh or not, so they remained silent.
"Unfortunately for you, I've grown quite accustomed to getting zapped by lightning magic over the years, so much so that I'm practically immune to it now." Pulling out a tome for the first time in a while, he asked, "Would you like me to give you display on what magic can really do?"
Lightning danced from the pages of Robin's tome and onto his hand. He then proceeded to weave it through his fingers as he grinned maniacally at the mages. Terrified, the three mages turned tail and ran away.
"Hm…did they think I was going to attack them?" Robin frowned, stowing his tome. "I was merely going to give them a display and was willing to teach them a few pointers if they wished." He looked at the knight who was still standing next to him. "So, what are you going to do?"
The knight raised his spear with a trembling hand.
Robin sighed. "If you wish to run, I will not stop you. But know this, once you swing your spear, that will be the start of our fight," he warned.
The knight assumed a stance. Shield in front of him, eyes poking out from above, and his spear resting on top of his shield. Even through the visor, Lucina was able to see that his eyes were determined.
"Very well," Robin moved backwards, creating some distance between the two. "But, before we start, may I ask your name?" It wasn't everyday that one would show such determination and conviction in the face of certain death.
"…Darvan, knight of Plegia, loyal to my commander, Mustafa," the knight replied, taking off his helmet and letting it drop to the floor. He had black hair, cropped short, with skin the color of copper. He looked to be a little older than Robin; around his late twenties, maybe early thirties.
Robin raised a surprised eyebrow. "Mustafa?" Robin remembered the man. Unlike most, Mustafa was a kind Plegian, only he was a general when they had fought. He most likely got a promotion not long from now.
"You know of my commander?" Darvan asked.
"…only the tales," Robin solemnly replied. "They say that he is a great man with a heart to match."
The knight's eyes softened. "Aye, that he is. I wish to be a part of no other army than his. We are a family."
"Well said!" Robin exclaimed. "I am Robin, tactician of the Shepherds, and I too, am lucky enough to be part large family forged by our bonds."
The two fighters readied themselves, eyeing each other before starting. Their fight lasted only an instant. Robin rushed in, ducked underneath Darvan's spear, and placed his hand on Darvan's shield before shooting of a bolt of lightning, piercing through both the shield and owner.
Darvan coughed, blood pouring out of his mouth. "Tell…tell my commander…that it was an honor…" he said before collapsing.
Robin straightened up, not saying a word, looking down at the knight. Lucina stared at Robin's back as he stood there, not moving a muscle.
"Robin?" she called out, slightly worried.
Robin turned around, a smile on his face. "Told you it wouldn't take more than a few minutes."
Lucina stayed silent. She could tell that his smile was forced. "He was a good man," she said.
His smile quickly vanished. "Saw through me instantly, huh," Robin said quietly, looking down."I wish I didn't have to kill him."
"Robin…"
"Sorry, I brought the mood down, didn't I?" Robin gave her another smile. "Come on, let's take out the stragglers."
Lucina looked behind her and at Emmeryn's door. She couldn't possibly leave Emmeryn unattended.
"Alright, fine, we'll stay at the door," Robin sighed, noticing her concern. "Sheesh, you worry too much," he said, walking next to her.
"My apologies," Lucina said, lightly bowing her head.
"Hahaha, don't worry about it." Robin reached up and rustled her hair.
The two stood in silence, or as silent as it could get since there was fighting going on all around them, but for their portion of the halls, it was silent. Lucina took a look over to Robin. His eyebrows scrunched together, eyes staring at nothing.
"What is it?" Lucina asked.
"Hm?" Robin blinked, looking at her.
"You're obviously worried about something," Lucina said.
"Heh, am I really that easy to read?" Robin smiled.
"Well, it's not as if I didn't spend most of my adolescence with you, even if it was from different times." Lucina shrugged. "Your furrowed brow doesn't help much, either."
"You snarky little…" Robin laughed. "I'm not thinking of much. Honestly."
Lucina's eyes narrowed. Deciding not to press the issue any further, she sighed.
"Your mother and father seem to be doing well, by the way," Robin suddenly said.
"What do you mean?" Lucina perked up.
Robin smirked, obviously thinking of a devious memory. "Did your father ever tell you how he met your mother?"
Lucina blinked, not sure what that had to do with anything. "My father told me that they'd seen each other around for a long time before she joined the Shepherds. And from there, they started chatting and eventually developed feelings for one another."
"Ha! That's one way to put it," Robin grinned.
"Oh, so there's a different view to it?" Lucina asked. "Please, do tell."
"Your mother, in both my world and this world, and most undoubtedly in your world too, was and has always been smitten with your father," Robin explained. "It's just that your father is one of the most dense and oblivious people that I know."
"Surely you jest!" Lucina exclaimed.
"I guarantee what I say is true. There was this one time in my world when we went on a small vacation to a beach," Robin recalled. "After clearing the place out of some bandits, I left Cordelia alone so that she can collect seashells. Not long after I left comes your father. And since Cordelia was absolutely smitten with your father, she got very, VERY flustered, and due to her getting flustered, her face went completely red and she started tripping over her words. She even said some of her thoughts out loud, most of them being a direct confession of her feelings towards Chrom.
"But, of course, your oblivious father thought she was suffering from a heat-stroke or something, and extended his arm to help her to the rest area. Cordelia does her best to…what were her words? ...'place her hands on his muscular forearm'? It was something along those lines. Then she faints."
Lucina couldn't help but laugh, clutching her stomach.
"But wait, it gets even better!" Robin continued, a wide smile on his face. "Soon after Chrom dropped Cordelia off at the rest area, she regains consciousness and walks off. And I, being me, sent Chrom after her to watch over her in case she gets a case of 'heat-stroke' again. Chrom walks up to her and starts talking. In the process, he sort of indirectly mentioned that he carried her to safety, and Cordelia, with her wild and vivid imagination, pictures Chrom sweeping her off of her feet as he carried her in his 'manly arms'. After that, she hobbles away.
And when I went to talk to Chrom about what happened, he didn't have the slightest clue that Cordelia had feelings for him. He was worried that he made her nervous about her duty as a pegasus knight and that the heat was getting to her."
"I was told a completely different story of that event!" Lucina laughed. "Father and Mother must've changed the story to make it seem much less embarrassing."
"They most likely did," Robin agreed. "And the best part is, something similar to the summer event happened just yesterday, after we returned from the Ylisse-Plegia grey zone. I was on my way to meet Chrom when I saw him literally bump into Cordelia, and once again, Cordelia being Cordelia, absolutely freaks out when she notices that she bumped into Chrom. She goes red in the face as usual, and Chrom, being dimwitted as usual, praises her on her decision to rally the nearby border guard that came to our rescue. He then extends his hand for a handshake, which Cordelia returns after an eternity of hesitation. Then I guess the realization that she's holding hands with the one that she's head over heels for catches up to her, and she faints, which then leads to Chrom princess-carrying her up to the infirmary."
Lucina laughed again. Then she suddenly stopped, clasping her hands over her mouth as she stared over Robin's shoulder.
"Oohh? You seem to be having fun relishing in a little moment I had, Robin," a dangerously calm, yet familiar voice said from behind him.
"Ahaha…ahaa…haa…ey there, Chrom," Robin weakly said, not looking behind him. His laughter changed to a terrified voice instantly.
Chrom had an icy smile on his face as he slammed a hand down onto the tactician's shoulder. Robin mouthed the word 'help' to Lucina before Chrom whirled him around.
"Heeeyy, buddy!" Robin said with a shaky voice. "How much of that did you hear? From your part? The summer beach part?" Robin was worried more of the latter since he openly stated that Lucina's parents were Cordelia and Chrom.
"Beach part?" Chrom asked, puzzled.
"Oh, thank Naga," Robin sighed, before Chrom tightened his grip on his shoulder.
"Naga won't be able to help you here, Robin," Chrom vowed.
"Ow ow ow Chromyou'rehurtingmyshoulderthatreallyhurtspleasestopI'msorryMarthpleasehelp."
Lucina smiled. "Apologies, Robin, but I'm afraid that I cannot involve myself in your little affair."
"Thank you, Marth," Chrom said, giving Lucina a small nod of appreciation.
"Marth, you evil, evil – ow ow ow ow ow! Don't you have some assassin's to be getting rid of?" Robin complained.
"Oh, they're taken care of," Chrom stated.
As if on cue, Cordelia, Sumia, and Lissa walked into view along with the taguel, Panne, and the ex-assassin, Gaius.
"Captain, you're hurting Robin," Cordelia said.
Chrom looked to think something over for a second. Then he loosened his grip by just a margin.
"Oh? Got a soft spot for our beautiful red-haired pegasus – OW OW OW I'MSORRYI'MSORRYI'MSORRY!"
Chrom retightened his grip on Robin's shoulder just as fast as he loosened it. A light blush could be seen on his face.
"Captain!" Cordelia's face was red as well.
"Robin, what in the world did you do this time?" a new voice said.
"Ah, Reina, have you finished up on your side?" Chrom asked, looking over Robin's shoulder.
"Yes, we did, and we're all alive and well. Stahl took a hit to the shoulder, but it wasn't anything that Maribelle couldn't easily mend," Reina said. Just behind her, Maribelle puffed up her chest with pride.
"As expected of one such as myself," Maribelle said proudly.
Lucina couldn't help but be taken aback. In front of her were her father and some of the heroes of her time, laughing and joking around, and a critical battle had just been won. Things of this sort would have never crossed her mind in the future.
"Good work, all of you," Chrom praised. "The assassins have either been defeated or fled, and the Exalt's life is – "
A voice cackled from the down the hall, interrupting Chrom.
"Well now, color me impressed. I didn't think that my plan would've been foiled," the voice said, as the figure stepped into the light. He was tall, dark skinned, and a narrow face. His sunken cheekbones were very visible, and he wore dark robes with the same color scheme as Robin and Reina's; black with streaks of gold and a purple-red inside. "Emmeryn was supposed to be an easy target," the man continued. "You will pay for interfering with my plans!"
Robin and Reina visibly tensed.
"Chrom, let go of my shoulder, right now," Robin said. His voice was an unusual low tone, with none of his normal joy and sass behind it.
Confused, Chrom released Robin, who immediately stepped forward, his eyes unmoving from the strange man.
"Oh, you…" the man sneered. "Oh, I know you…submit to me, and perhaps I might honor you with the truth!"
"Robin? What is he – Robin?" Chrom looked over at Robin, barely recognizing his friend.
The tactician's eyes were cold and almost lifeless. Bloodlust emanated from every inch of his body, something that Chrom had never seen before. Just by standing near him, Chrom felt a chill down his spine, and he wasn't the focus of Robin's bloodlust.
"No one interfere," Robin venomously said. "He's mine."
"Wrong, he's ours." Reina stepped up, standing right next to Robin. Just like her counterpart, Reina's had the same expression as Robin.
The man's eyes widened upon seeing Reina before he quickly regained his composure.
"Oh ho! And to think I'd also – ?"
The man didn't have time to finish his line as he found himself flying backwards and into a wall. The man fell to the ground, growling as he looked up. In less than a second, Robin closed the distance between them, which was at least a good ten meters, and threw him as if he was nothing.
"You would dare - " the man hissed, before a sharp pain exploded throughout his chest, and he was pinned to the wall. He looked down to see the hilt of a silver sword protruding from his ribs.
"It's been a while," Reina said as she and Robin approached the man.
"Wait! I can tell you everything! Your past, your identity, your - " the man pleaded.
"Oh, trust us," Robin interrupted him. "We already know everything, father."
The man's face paled. "H-how do you know?"
"Surely we wouldn't forget the face of father dearest?" Reina growled, ripping her sword out of his chest.
The man screamed in pain as he fell to his knees. He was then quickly grabbed by the neck and held aloft by a single arm from Robin.
"All hail Validar, leader of the Grimleal, descendant of the Fell Blood, and father of Grima's heart," Robin spat.
"You-you know?" Validar wheezed. "Then why?"
Robin tightened his grip on Validar's throat, crushing his air pipes. "You're going to have to be a little more specific than that," he snarled.
"Why…do you reject…your…purpose?" Validar choked.
"I would, will, and am, throwing away my purpose and my fate of godhood for my family," Robin hissed.
"I…I am your family! I am your FATHER!" Validar spat, raising an arm. Dark energy started gathering around his hand.
In a flash, Reina swung her sword, and Validar's hand fell to the floor, causing the dark mage to cry out in pain.
Robin placed his free hand on Validar's chest, channeling mana. "You may be my blood father, but you are NOT family," Robin calmly said. Then, he cast his magic.
Millions of volts of electricity coursed through Validar's body, frying his internal organs. Robin then sent a powerful bolt of lightning through Validar's heart.
Validar's body twitched a couple times before coming to a stop. Robin let go of his neck, and coldly watched as the lifeless body collapsed onto the floor, smoke rising off the body and charred clothing.
"Tch," Reina clicked her tongue. "I wish you would've let me kill him."
"It wasn't as satisfying as you'd think," Robin replied.
The two tacticians stood there, staring at Validar's body. They had without a doubt, changed the future. With Validar dead, neither of them would be able to be controlled, and the Fire Emblem wouldn't be stolen. Grima would never rise, and the world would know peace.
And yet, why did Robin feel so uneasy? There was no joy in his heart after killing his blood father. He felt hollow, if anything. He looked over at Reina, and he could tell that she felt the same way.
"Robin, Reina? Are you two alright?"
Chrom's voice brought him back to his senses. Turning around, Robin saw fear in most of the Shepherds' eyes as they silently stood a few steps away. Only Chrom and Lucina's eyes were void of said fear.
"Yeah," Reina quietly said. "Yeah, we're fine."
Chrom looked down at Validar's corpse. "Who…who is…was…he?"
"That…is Validar; the man that was the main reason why you died in the future, Chrom," Robin explained.
Surprised, Chrom took a step back, looking back and forth between the corpse and the tacticians.
"Let's check up on the Exalt, shall we?" Robin suggested.
Chrom slowly nodded, turning around to look at his group. "Shepherds, you've all done better job than I could have hoped for. You have my gratitude. Now, go get some well-deserved rest."
The Shepherds gave a stood straight and raised their right arm to their chest in a salute before leaving.
"Night, Captain." "G'night!" "I'll see you in the morning."
Only Robin, Reina, Lucina, and Chrom stayed behind. As they walked towards Emmeryn's door, Lucina looked at Robin's back. To be honest, seeing him so cold and ruthless scared her. Even if the man he just killed was the one that caused her father's death, it didn't feel right.
Chrom knocked on Emmeryn's door. "Emm, it's safe now," he said.
The door slowly opened. Phila stood aside, gesturing Chrom and the others to enter. Virion and Emmeryn were sitting down opposite of each other on the seats in the room.
"Thank the gods, you're safe," Chrom let out a sigh of relief, seeing his sister.
Emmeryn smiled at her brother. "It is you I have to thank, Chrom."
"Not just me, Emm," Chrom said, looking back towards his companions.
"Yes, indeed," Emmeryn lightly bowed to the remaining Shepherds behind Chrom.
"Emm, I'd like you to meet – huh?" Chrom looked behind him, looking for Lucina. "Where's Marth?"
Robin raised an eyebrow. "She's right here – she's not here…she was here a moment ago..."
Lucina, who was walking with them not even a minute ago, was now nowhere to be seen.
"Damn it, not again!" Chrom cursed, running out the door.
. . .
Lucina was out in the courtyard, walking back towards the maple grove. She had done her part; the assassination had failed and Emmeryn's life was saved. She looked behind her at the castle.
A large part of Lucina desperately wished that she could stay with her father but she knew she couldn't. The more time she spent around her parents, the higher chance of her identity being deduced. She would only be able to keep the Brand in her eye a secret for so long, even with Robin's help. She smiled wistfully, knowing that she would have to wait a couple of years until the Lucina of this time would be born, then she would be able to join her father and the rest of the Shepherds.
Turning around, she started walking once more towards the cleft in the wall.
"Going somewhere?" a voice said from the shadows. The figure stepped out to reveal her father under the dim lighting. "You have a bad habit of leaving without saying goodbye, you know," Chrom said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, I'm afraid I have a few bad habits," Lucina replied, avoid her father's gaze.
Chrom smiled. "But you also have good ones – you saved my life, as well as both of my sisters. Is there some way I can repay you? Some favor I can grant?"
"Hearing you offer is more than enough," Lucina said, returning the smile.
"But there must be something…"
"I already have what I came here for; the future has been rewritten," Lucina explained.
"The one with Grima's resurrection and my death?" Chrom assumed.
Lucina nodded, biting her lip. Something still didn't feel right. Her mother told her that Chrom was betrayed by his closest friend, yet minutes ago, Robin said that the man from earlier, Validar, was the main reason why Chrom was killed. It didn't add up.
"Marth? Is something the matter?" Chrom asked.
"It's…nothing," Lucina lied.
Chrom stared at her for a moment, trying to get a read of her. "You seem to be holding in a lot of secrets."
Lucina averted her gaze.
"If you wish not to tell anyone, I understand. But just know that I'm willing to hear anything that you wish to say," Chrom offered.
"Thank you, that means more to me than you know," Lucina said. There were many things that she wished to say at this moment, but she held her tongue.
"Someday, I hope to repay your favors," Chrom said.
Thinking back on what Robin told her before leaving for Regna Ferox, Lucina smiled. Her grin caused a bit of confusion in the prince, however.
"A wise man once told me," Lucina recalled, "that 'hoping for something means to leave it out of your hands and in destiny's', and that it's something that we should fight against; to take matters into our own hands."
"Heh, that sounds like something a certain tactician that I know would say," Chrom chuckled. "Very well, how's this then: I will repay your favors someday."
Lucina smiled, gave her father a light bow, and turned around to leave. Climbing up the wall and into the hole, she looked back once more. Her father was standing there, and waved his hand in farewell. Lucina returned the gesture.
"Farewell, father," Lucina muttered under her breath. Then she jumped through the hole, landing on the other side. She stood up and gazed upon the peaceful view of Ylisstol. The streets were nearly empty. A few people could be seen walking around, and a couple shops looked to be open.
"Aww, you called me wise! I'm flattered!" a voice suddenly said from her right.
"EEK!" Lucina shrieked in surprise, drawing Falchion and pointing it at the source of the voice. A white haired man was sitting down against the castle wall, grinning up at her. "Robin?"
"That was quite the scream you just made," the tactician teased, standing up.
Lucina's face flushed in embarrassment. "Why are you here?" she asked in an attempt to change the subject, sheathing her sword.
"That's my line," Robin smirked. "I was just peacefully enjoying the night air when a princess decided to jump down next to me and startle me." To show his point, he stretched his arms wide. "How rude of you, disturbing my nap."
Lucina playfully shoved him. "You were not napping. You were just up in the castle not five minutes ago," she countered.
"Who said I didn't jump down from that height, slow my fall with wind magic, then fall asleep on this very comfortable area?" Robin grinned.
"Knowing you, you might have actually done that," Lucina sighed. "You didn't…did you?"
Robin gave her one of those smiles that neither denied nor confirmed the truth. "Besides, I can't let you waltz on out without seeing you. It's sort of become a thing now."
It was true. Both events that she partook in, the night of the Risen attack and the duel at Ferox, ended with her and Robin talking before she departed.
"Very well, what do you wish to talk about?" Lucina asked.
Robin stared at her blankly. "Uhh..."
"I can't believe it," Lucina gasped. "The great Robin didn't plan this far ahead?"
"This was all on a whim," Robin admitted, slightly blushing. "Getting to this point was me thinking a couple steps ahead, and I was hoping that I would either think of something to talk about or it would come up."
Lucina laughed. "Well, the night is still young, and I do believe there's a couple places to eat still open at this hour," she replied, glancing over at the city.
"To be asked by a lovely princess such as yourself to join her for dinner would be my honor," Robin said, gracefully bowing.
"Oh my," Lucina giggled, her cheeks turning a slight pink in color. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were courting me."
Grinning widely, Robin extended his arm. "Allow me to escort you, my princess."
"Why, thank you, master tactician," Lucina replied, taking his arm.
The two time travelers walked down the road, unaware that up from one of the castle balconies, they were being spied on.
"Careful, Robin, you wouldn't want to let Chrom find out that you're taking his daughter out to dinner without him knowing or his consent," a white haired woman giggled. "I'm not too sure how he'd react to his daughter being swept off of her feet."
"Reina, what're you doing out here?" a playful voice chirped.
"Oh, Lissa!" Reina turned around. "I was just…enjoying the scenery."
"The town is beautiful, isn't it?" Lissa sighed.
"Yes, it is," Reina replied, though the town wasn't the focus of her attention.
"I'm headed off to bed now. Are you coming?" Lissa asked.
"I'll head back in a couple minutes," Reina said, smiling at the young princess.
"Okay, but don't stay out too late! Wouldn't want to catch a cold," Lissa quipped, skipping down the hall.
Smiling, the female tactician peered over the balcony once more, capturing the image in her head before heading inside the castle.
Hey all! Sorry that it took an entire week for this chapter. Things came up. Anyways, this one's done, and I can cross [Chapter 6: Foreseer] off.
Some of you may be wondering why Lucina seems so off character; why is she not serious, or Lucina-doesn't-understand-the-concept-of-jokes-and-humor-so-why-is-she-making-so-many-jokes. The answer to that is from an earlier chapter. Since Lucina spent so much time around Robin growing up, she slowly picked up on a few things, giving her the sassy-ness and playfulness that she has in this story. Not the greatest reason, but oh well.
Anyways, I'm freaking tired (it's a few minutes from 6 in the morning). Spent the night finishing this chapter, reading over, editing, and revising just to get this out. I'm losing sleep cause of you readers. (jk, love you all).
And with that, I will end this here. I'll see you lovelies in the next one!
Also, on a side note, what do you guys think on this pacing? Too slow, too fast, going at a good pace? I personally feel like it's a little rushed despite my efforts to slow it down a little. Thoughts?