Here we are folks. FYI a majority of you want to see the romance during the two year wait so, I'm going with that. The more I think about it the more it makes sense anyway otherwise that's a pretty slow relationship. But anyway here's my biggest chapter yet for the story! Hope you all like it!


Emmeryn stood outside on the edge of a cliff staring into the sky. Close behind her was a man with a axe in hand.

The people below watched as their king came out of the castle. "Good people! Warriors of Plegia! Welcome! Welcome, one and all! Your anticipation electrifies the air!" Gangrel laughed.

Hiding against the castle wall bellow Robin watched dawning the same cloak he wore on the night of the attempted assassination. He thought about what he said to Lucina before he left.


"You're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately, they plan to kill the exalt in a different palace…I need to make sure everything works out. Besides…there's someone I have to save."

"Besides the exalt? Who?"

"A friend of mine."


"We ALL remember the crimes of Ylisse... Would you have their witch-queen answer for them? Here? Today? NOW? YEEEEEEEEEEEES! Finally, we will have JUSTICE!"

Robin stared up at the exalt. "Gods, damn it Chrom! What the hell is taking so long?!"

"EXECUTIONER! If you would be so kind..."

The exalt closed her eyes as the man with the axe approached behind her.

"Flavia!"

"I've got him!"

Suddenly an axe flew toward and hits the brigand behind Emmeryn. The man screamed in pain as he fell off the cliff.

"EVERYONE: NOW!"

Emmeryn looked down and gasped in shock as she saw a small army approach.

"Chrom?"

Down below Robin smiled. "Yes! Just in time!"

"That's the prince?"

Robin looked back to the small child and woman behind him.

"Yes. You both will be going with him later."

He took a quick look out in the open. "I need to take care of something real quick. Stay here and don't make a sound until I come back."

"Take out all the soldiers first!" Chrom ordered. "We'll deal with the Mad King later!"

Gangrel laughed as he heard Chrom shout. "Oh, will you now? Bwa ha! We've been expecting you, Little Prince. Men: Kill him. Kill his sister. Kill his troops and his friends and anyone else you find! KILL THEM AAAAAAAAALL!"


"The same respect a solider of your rank would" indeed."

Inside the palace Tharja stood handcuffed with the blasted collar that robed her of her magic around her neck. She was surrounded by other dark mages.

Aversa unstrapped the collar before giving it to the man next to her. She then took off the handcuffs and gave Tharja a tome to use. "Now remember. These men are yours to command. All you have to do is kill as many Ylisseans as possible. But just in case I gave each of them one of our special collars to put on you if you try anything funny. If that happens they will pull you back here and I'll give you the punishment naughty girls deserve."

"Fine."

"Then have fun." Aversa smirked walking off.

Tharja scowled as she left. "So we're to kill or die here, simply because the king commands it? Pfft. What do I care of these Ylisseans? We're given no reasons to fight, only orders. What's the point? Besides, I've always been quite good at choosing who to hate on my own..."

"That's the signal!" a mage said looking outside. "What are your orders?"

Tharja pushed ahead of the group.

"Let's get this over with."


Soon they were charging into the desert sands.

"I see them coming!" One of the mages said. "What do we do?!"

"Do whatever you want." Tharja scowled.

"What?! You don't even have a damn plan?!"

"Why bother? I don't care who dies here."

"Don't get sassy with us wench!" Another man barked. "We may have been told to follow your orders but we can just tell lady Aversa that you stabbed us in the back!"

"Here, here! So, I suggest you start caring! Or else!" Another man said rolling one of the collars they were given around his finger.

Tharja wasn't part of the team for even a minute and she already detested them. She made up her mind. Whatever perks her new job might have, are not worth it. She wiped out her tome and wasted no time casting a spell. "Nosferatu!"

"Ahhh!" The man that threatened her with the collar was engulfed in purple smoke. When it faded, his lifeless body laid on the ground. Skin pale.

"Wha-what are you doing?!"

"She's gone mad! Get her!"


"Hey Chrom, look!" Lissa yelled pointing to the mages they spotted. "Someone is already fighting those guys!"

Chrom squinted to get a better look.

"Is it one of your friends Libra? Maybe they survived."

"I'm afraid not, Prince Chrom." The war monk replied. "I saw them fall myself. Even if any of them did somehow survive they wouldn't have made it here so fast."

Chrom got a better look at who they were fighting.

"It looks like they're using dark magic sir." Ricken said.

"A dark mage with black hair…Is it the one Roy mentioned in the plan?" Sumia asked.

"Only one way to find out. Come on! Let's move!" Chrom ordered.


Tharja had picked off good chunk of the mages on her own one by one. A blast of dark magic and the last one fell over.

"W-Wait! P-please spare me!" The man begged trying to back away.

"I don't think so." Tharja smirked. "I'm not some dog for you to pull by the leash into battle. You will all pay for this humiliation."

She slowly approached. The sand crunched under her feet. She raised a hand preparing the final blow.

Suddenly she felt someone tackle her from behind, wrapping their arms around her legs and bring her into the sandy ground. "Ack!" Tharja dropped the tome she was using as she stumbled into the sand. A mage that she though she killed grabbed her wrists.

"Someone get a collar on her!"

Tharja looked around frantically as most of the mages around her got up and rushed to her. "How can this be! You should all be dead!" She yelled shaking her head as they tried to put a collar on her neck.

"Why did you think lady Aversa pit you with us? We dark mages wear robes that are resistant to magic."

D-damn it!"

Soon one of them held her head still as the collar was put in place. She could feel her power draining away.

"Whew. That's that."

"Now what?"

"Hmmm…Anyone got any rope?"

"Wait! I got a better idea! Pin her wrists together behind her back!"

"What are you doing?!" Tharja yelled as the men did just that. Her wrists clasped over each other and her elbows bend in a 90-degree angle. "I'll kill you-Mmmphh!"

One of them pressed her face into the sand to stop her from talking.

The mage than put his plan in action. He took the collar he was given and wrapped it around her wrists immobilizing her arms. Her rage rose to even further heights as she heard them laugh.

"You're a genius!" one of them chuckled.

"Let's put them all on her to be on the safe side."

Tharja could do nothing as she felt another collar bind her ankles together. Then her shins. Then they wrapped two collars tightly around each of her thighs. They passed each one through the band adjacent to it effectively binding her upper legs together.

Then they fastened three on each of her upper arms as tightly as possible. Another was placed around her neck and finally they lifted her head out of the sand. She spat some grinds out of her mouth thinking they were done but was soon proven wrong.

One last collar was shoved into her mouth. She heard them grunt as they forcefully stretched it around her head before fastening it off. Now she could only make inaudible mumbling sounds. The man laughed at the result of their work as Tharja flopped about in the sand like a fish out of water, strapped down with collars. Each one pressed painfully against her skin making them slightly sink into it where they were placed. They didn't cut her but they did hurt.

"Not a dog, eh? Looks like you got plenty of collars that would prove otherwise, pup!" One of them slipped the tip of his foot under her. "Let's teach you some tricks. Roll over!" He lifted his foot up pulling her up from under her making her roll onto her back. The dark mage's laughter wounded her dignity even harder.

"Hate to break up the fun guys, but they're almost here!"

"You there! Go secure this wench in the remains of that fort over there! We'll let lady Aversa deal with her later!"

"Right! You boys have fun!" The mage picked up Tharja in his arms and ran off.

As soon as they arrived the man climbed over the damaged wall and dumped her roughly on the ground. Tharja grunted as she rolled onto her back. The mage that carried her was peeking into a hole in the wall. She growled in annoyance. Being bond like this was utterly humiliating and she felt sand in her mouth and clothes. Now that she turned on the Plegians Aversa was bound to punish her harshly. And the Ylisseans would surly kill her if they found her. No one was going to free her. She had to escape on her own.

Now would be the best time seeing how the mage was distracted. She tried to slightly strain against the band's holding her to see if their were any weaknesses but she could tell right away that they were too strong and tight to rip off no matter how hard she tried. She looked for something sharp she could cut them off with but there was nothing around other than damaged chunks of old brick.

"Oh, god's! They're tearing right through them!" her guard panicked. "They're coming this way!" He got up and turned to Tharja. "This is all your fault you witch! Forget this! I'm out of here! Those crazy Ylisseans can kill you or let you rot in their dungeon for all I care!" Tharja didn't even give him any of her attention. She just sat their trying to find a way out of her makeshift bindings. "I can't take this! I-Aaaagh!"

Just as he turned around to leave he unknowingly ran right into a man's steel sword. Tharja looked up to see a man with a plain robe pull his weapon out of the mage who dropped to the ground. He slowly approached her. Tharja tried to squirm back. She had no idea who this man was but she doubted he was going to help her.

The man sheathed his weapon and pulled a dagger from his coat. When her reached her he grabbed her shoulder and rolled her on to her front. This was it. She was going to die here alone and be left a fleeting memory.

But to her surprise instead of feeling the steel in her back she felt it tug on the band holding her wrists. After a few seconds she heard it snap. She hesitated as he left her on the ground before moving her arms. She then rolled onto her back to see the man turn around. He tossed the knife on the ground before running away.

Tharja stared at the dagger. The man clearly left it to free her. He must have only freed her arms so she wouldn't follow him. She used her arms to crawl her way over to the dagger. It was a bit difficult due to the sand. But eventually she reached the dagger. Now she could finally be rid of these infuriating collars.

She sat up and cut off the one gagging her first. Once it was out of her mouth she gasped. "Gah! The nerve of those idiots! I hope the Ylisseans ended their miserable lives slowly and in pain!" She cut off the collars around her neck, next. Once they came apart.

Once the last of the annoying bands were removed she stood up. She felt her powers start to return but she needed a weapon. She hurried to the mage the hooded man killed and searched his robes. She then found a Elthunder tome for her to use. She then walked out of the damaged fort.

"You there!"

She turned to her right to see Chrom. They must have killed all the mage like she hoped. But now she would have to deal with him. "Oh well. Almost got away. Though I suppose it doesn't make much of a difference."

"Are you with the Plegians? You seem reluctant to fight."

Tharja was surprised to hear that. It wasn't wrong but it seemed odd for a enemy to care. "Death comes for all of us eventually. Why invite it early, fighting for a cause I don't believe in?"

Chrom didn't know how to process this. "This, is the person Robin thought would help us?" "So...I should take that as a no, or..."

"Let's just say I'm keeping my options open. I mean, long live the king and all, but I'd like to keep living as well. And I have a bit of a rebellious streak, I'm afraid. A...dark side."

"Then perhaps you would rebel now and fight for our cause?"

Now Tharja was really surprised. The question was should she go for it? "...You would trust me? What if this is just a ploy to plunge a dagger in your back?"

"My sister, the exalt—I think she would trust you. And I'm trying to learn from her. Besides, I already need to watch my back, whether you're with us or not."

"Well, that's odd... Usually when I bring up the backstabbing bit the discussion is over." Tharja thought for a moment. This could be a trap to capture her and interrogate her for information. Then again they could easily so that by force. And something about this man seemed…truthful. "All right, then—consider me your new ally. ...For now."

In the distance behind a rock, Robin smiled as Tharja was welcomed aboard. She may have been obsessive over him to the point of being annoying but she was still his friend. "Goodbye, Tharja. And good luck."

He then hurried back to the two he left waiting.


Back in the palace Aversa scowled.

"So our dog got lose and ran away. Damn. If only master Validar were here. His magic could have made her a eternal servant...Just as he did with our other pet."


"Urgh... Killing me will only...feed Plegia's rage..." With his dying words Campari, the commander of the Plegian force fell.

"Elwind!" Ricken shot down one last wyvern out of the sky before turning to Chrom. "Their wyvern riders have fallen! The skies are clear!"

"Alright! Meril, give out the signal!"

"Dying Blaze!" Another bright fire ball flew into the air. Shortly after the it exploded like a fire cracker.

"What is that?!" Gangrel asked.

Suddenly the flapping of wings approached. Three Pegasus knights rushed in and approached the cliff where Emmeryn stood. It didn't take long for her to recognize them.

"Your Grace!"

"Phila! I'm so glad to see you're safe! But how—"

Khan Basilio's men freed me. Come, we must hurry!"

Robin watched from in the shadows. "Yes! They did it!"

"What? Pegasus knights? How did they... Those damned Ylisseans do NOT play fair!" Gangrel yelled.

Aversa smirked as she snapped her fingers. "Heh heh heh... Yes, well. Neither do I."

Suddenly back smoke erupted from the earth. Monsters resembling men rose with bows and red eyes. They appeared right under the pegasus knights.

"Wha-what the hell are those things?!" Robin asked himself from behind the wall he was using to hid. "How did they…?!"

Chrom looked around in horror. "...Risen?! Oh gods, no! Not now!"

"Risen? Aren't those the monsters that Lucina said served Grima in her future? What are they doing here?!"

"Bwa ha ha! Oh, did an army of living corpses just APPEAR out of the blue?! Truly, the heavens smile upon mighty King Gangrel this day! Bwa ha, ha, ha!"

The first one fired a arrow. It pierced the wing of Philadelphia pegasus and they both fell to their deaths.

"Captain Phila!" Cordelia screamed.

"Risen... How... Y-Your Grace, I... Forgive me... Uhh..."

"Phila!"

"Exeunt one pegasus knight! Bwa ha ha! Watch how they fall, one by one!"

Everyone watched as the last two knights were skewered with a hail of arrows. They bother fell to the ground as Phila did.

Robin stared in shock. "No, no, no..."

"We've lost..." Chrom growled.

"I believe this is what they call a reversal of fortunes. Now...grovel before me. Plead! Beg for your worthless lives!" Gangrel laughed.

"I'd give up my life before I'd beg for it from you."

"Oh, now THAT is a good line. A fitting epitaph for your tombstone, perhaps? But it's not just your life in the balance. The exalt still stands upon the block. And I have a dozen bows trained on her. All it would take is one word from me..."

"Emm! Hold on, I'm—

"ARCHERS! If this Ylissean pup so much as twitches, let fly your arrows!"

Chrom froze in his tracks. "I... I'll kill you!"

"Go ahead! I welcome it. Just know you were responsible for Big Sister's bloody demise! ...And what of the rest of you? Eh? Who wants the honor of killing the exalt? ...No one? Bah! Your merry band isn't quite so headstrong anymore, is it? Pathetic!"

"Damn you!"

"Now, now, my boy—no one needs die today. Not you. Not the exalt. Not your friends. Just lay down your sword, and give me the Fire Emblem."

"...I..."

"Chrom, wait! You can't trust him!" Lissa yelled.

"Of COURSE I can't trust him! I'm not an idiot! But if I just say no, he'll kill her! The gods are cruel, damn them! My sister or my duty...A problem with no right answer, yet I must choose!"

"I will count to three! Throw down your weapons, or your exalt becomes the world's largest quiver. One! Two! Thr—

"Gangrel, hold! ...You win. Everyone, lay down yo—

"No, wait!" Everyone turned to the cliff to see Emmeryn.

"SILENCE!" Gangrel ordered.

"Emm..."

"What is she doing?" the woman behind Robin asked.

"I…I don't know."

"King Gangrel, is there no hope you will listen to reason?"

"You mean listen to more of your sanctimonious babble?! I think not. No, all I want to hear now is the THUNK of arrows, and a SPLAT as you hit the ground. Take one, long, last look from your perch. You do so enjoy looking down on people...Then prepare to meet the ground, and your maker! That is, unless someone were to give me the Emblem...NOW!"

"ALL RIGHT!" Chrom yelled. "All right...Emm, I know you won't approve, but this is my final decision. MAYBE someday we'll face a crisis where MAYBE the Emblem would've helped...But I know for a fact that Ylisse needs you, today! The people need their exalt...And we need our sister. If those dark days should come, we'll face them together."

Emmeryn smiled. "Chrom... Th-thank you. I know now what I must do..."

"Emm, what are you—

The exalt looked down to the crowd beneath her. "Plegians! I ask that you hear the truth of my words! War will win you nothing but sadness and pain, both inside your borders and out. Free yourselves from this hatred! From this cycle of pain and vengeance. Do what you must...As I will do. See now that one selfless act has the power to change the world!"

"Emm, no! No!" Chrom darted towards the cliff.

Emmeryn looked down to him then into the distance. "No reaction...Was I wrong, then? Chrom...This is some torch I'm passing you..." She saw a eagle flying by. Then smiled and looked to the ground. "So be it."

She slowly walked to the edge of the cliff. Chrom reached a hand out to her as he ran. Emmeryn smilled as she tipped herself off the cliff. "Chrom…Lissa...And all my people..."

Chrom nearly screamed as she fell.

Lissa cried and covered her eyes.

Robin let tears fall as he fell to his knees.

The woman with him held her child close so he wouldn't see.

"...Know that I loved you."

When it was all over everyone was shocked into silence.

Chrom stared at the body in front of him and fell to his knees. "Emm..."

Robin let more tears fall.

"My son…as a tactician you must guide your men through many wars…but remember that war will win you nothing. It will only fuel the cycle of hatred. If you want to change the world you must forgive. I believe in you, Robin."

"Mother…"

"DAMN YOU, GANGREL!" Chrom yelled.

"NOOOOOO!" Lissa cried.

"Bwa ha ha haa! Well now! ...How disgustingly noble." The king laughed. "And so lovely a fall! Here I thought death to be an ugly thing. I've never seen one fall so gracefully, in fact…and I've seen many fall. Ah...So ends Emmeryn, Ylisse's most exalted! But how can we ensure everyone remembers this beautiful moment of her sacrifice? Perhaps we should gather up her body and put it on display! Bwa ha ha..."

Chrom got up and prepared to charge. "Gangrel! You die today!"

"No, boy! I secured the escape route! We have to flee!"

Chrom turned to see Basilio and Flavia rush in. Then to his sister's body. "B-but...her body... I have to..."

"You have to RUN! Now do it!" Basilio yelled before turning to the other Shepherds. "You lot! Don't let him do anything stupid!"

Before Chrom could argue further Fredrick graded him by the arm and hurried away as fast as he could.

Back in the shadows Robin was still on his knees as he punched the ground. "DAMN IT! All that…for nothing…Lucina…I'm sorry…I failed."

The child cried in his mother's arms. "Now what do we do?" the woman asked.

Robin looked up. "Oh, gods, they're on their way to the mire!"

He wiped his tears and hurried into a nearby wagon. "Get in! Hurry!" As soon as the mother and her child were on board Robin cracked the reins and the wagon hurried off. "Let's hope this shortcut can get us there in time!" Robin said still leaking tears.


Go ahead and say erasing Tharja's memory was unnecessary but I felt that with her addiction to Robin and the fact that he is with the Plegians I had to eliminate that as a reason for her not to join Chrom and his friends. Also I have the first chapter of the Sun and Moon story written up. I plan to post it sometime this weekend. I think you all know what comes next. Will I give Mustafa a different fate? Or will he die in the mire as usual? I already planed out the next chapter, all that's left is formatting. Find out next week everyone!