End of Loving Peace

A couple days have gone by and, since the last battle against the Grimleal, Reflet's long lost twin sister, Robin, was starting to adapt to being part of the Shepherds. After suddenly being told that he has a sister, Reflet struggled a bit to get used to having a sibling around, but, thankfully, the struggle would usually disappear when the two talk about strategies and tactics. Reflet was surprised to see his sister's perspective and the idea of the terrain as she was accustom to it more than he was and knew some of the advantages. Every time they talked about tactics with Leo or Takumi, Chrom would come in and join them in their talk. The Ylissean prince have begun personally training Sakura's older brother after saying that he may have talent and wanted to train him to help protect his younger sister when they can't be there for her during the battles, which would also benefit the militia with a well trained warrior. During that time, Toya has also begun to grow wary of the Nohrian prince and his son being around his younger sister so often. It was the third day since then. The scouts that were sent out only returned with news of the usual bandits and very few Feroxi soldiers. With the Shepherds having two tacticians now along with some help from Leo and Takumi, things were going really smoothly and the Shepherds they sent out to deal against these problems all came back in one piece. Reflet was walking through the campgrounds that night in his new coat and armor plates as he only recently became a Grandmaster. He wanted to check on the plan once more with Takumi and Leo, so he was heading to the training grounds where the two were usually at. His younger sister had told the him that she would be there soon not too long ago after he insisted that she get some rest. He was only a couple tents away from the destination when a large trees sprouted out of nowhere at a fast pace. Surprised, Reflet rushed over to the training ground and saw Lissa on her knees in exhaustion in front of the large tree. Leo let out an annoyed sigh as his son frowned in disappointment. Not too far from them was Miriel watching them with interest. Reflet quickly walked over as the tree began to flower before changing into red apples, "Uh... I take it that you messed up again?"

The princess let out a tired sigh, "Yeah... Far too much magic this time..."

Leo nodded, "I was hoping that she can make branches like mine, but I guess she still needs practice controlling her magic before she can cast it. Still, why are they all trees?"

"Well, at least it's not a complete loss."

They looked up to see the younger archer, Kiragi, picking a nearby apple, then waved over to Miriel, "Miss. Miriel! Do you think we can eat this?!"

The female mage shook and said, "Kiragi! You need to let me examine it before I can give you an answer... Though I think it should be fine if Frederick has been using the sticks for our campfire..."

"Okay!", said the young archer before taking a bite of the apple, "Hey, it's pretty good."

They heard a sigh and turned to the direction to see the young archer's father coming up with his retainers behind him and Virion next to him, "Kiragi! Come down here right now and you shouldn't try consuming anything that you're unsure of! God, if only Mozu was here..."

"Dad! Look up!"

As soon as he heard that, the archer looked up to see his son shoot an apple hanging from its branch. The arrow hit it square in the center and it fell only for it to land in Takumi's open palm. The boy jumped down and ran over to him with a large smile on his face. Takumi sighed but patted the boy on the head anyway with a smile. He looked at the apple with suspicions.

"It should be fine.", Leo said with a nod, "We've already had some before back in Ferox, remember? You were asking where we acquired such fruits."

The archer's eyes widen in surprise, "So, that's where they came from..."

He looked at it, then pulled the arrow out and took a bite. He nodded, "Well, that solves one mystery."

Kiragi smiled, "It's good, right? Do you think we can pick them before it gets burnt down again?"

Annoyed, Forrest sighed as he left and returned with a large basket, "Well, that's what we plan to do when Miss. Lissa does this."

Leo nods in agreement, "Lissa, let's call it a day. You used too much magic this time. It'll be dangerous for you to continue casting magic. We'll take care of things here."

Lissa nods her head and carried her tome as she walked off in the opposite direction of the tents.

"Where is she going?", Reflet asked in confusion.

"Most likely to where Lon'qu and Syaoran are.", the dark knight said.

"Huh, I was wondering where he was.", Reflet said.

Leo sighed and said, "Well, if he's not here with her, he's most likely training that child. If not, it's with either Vaike or my brother."

Takumi nodded, "It's a surprise to see how he's still afraid of other women, except for Lissa. She's the only exception."

"That's quite a mystery...", the tactician says with a frown.

Leo and Takumi looked at each other in shock before looking back at the man.

Takumi shook his head and said, "You say that, but you're not that different from what they're going through."

Reflet looked at them in confusion, "What do you mean? How am I not that different from him? I don't think I have any fears..."

Virion shook his head with a chuckle as the children left the adult to pick the apples, "No, no. They're not referring to fear, Ro- Reflet. It's Miss. Cordelia. We've already noticed how often the two of you been together not long after she joined this militia. You two already got a couple of the Shepherds pretty jealous, I must say."

"Really?", Reflet thought for a bit before his eyes widen in shock, "H-hold on! It's not like that! I was just trying to apologize to her those times, but she kept refusing to talk to me."

Takumi thought for a bit, "Well, that'd explain why she'd always storm off. You must've got her really upset if she's going to hold a grudge like that. Just, what did you do?"

"Well..."

Reflet hesitated for a while before the Nohrian prince sighed and said, "Let's change the topic. What brings you here, Reflet? I'm sure it's not from seeing Lissa's result from her training."

The dark knight rubbed his temple with two fingers as he frowned upon looking at the tree. Robin nodded and said with a stern look, "Actually, I'd like the two of you to come and help me look over the plan once more. Is that alright?"

Leo and Takumi looked over to the children and Lissa's aftermath. Seeing this, Kiragi smiled and shouted, "Don't worry! We'll be fine!"

Takumi nodded and shouted, "All right, but you two be careful, got that?!"

"Okay!", the young archer responded before returning to picking the apples.

Virion smiled and said, "It'll be fine. Lady Miriel here and I will keep watch over them. Though this may be my first time watching over kids, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Leo hesitated while Takumi just nodded and said, "I appreciate it, Virion. However, we have an important day tomorrow, so you need to rest as well. I'll ask my retainers to watch over them. I'm just worried about possible attacks from Plegians."

The man shrugged and said, "Well, if you say so, then I'll be taking my leave."

The man walks away as Takumi asks Oboro to watch over them with Miriel, who would be staying around till she finishes erasing the evidence that they were there.


It wasn't long before they left when they saw Chrom running through the campground with Robin not far behind.

"Isn't that your sister, Reflet?", Takumi said with a curious look.

"Y-yeah...", Reflet answered with a confused look before it turned into shock, "Is that a rock she's holding in her hand?! I need to stop her!"

"Oh, I think it'll be fine."

They turned around to see the wary knight give out a disappointed sigh.

"This is a surprise...", Leo said, "I thought you'd always be worried about your lord."

"Me too."

A figure walked up to them not far from Frederick. It was the Nohrian king approaching the small group, "It doesn't look like she's really going to hit him with it though. I take it there's a reason for this foolishness?"

Frederick nodded, "Milord have a bit of a problem when talking to women. It's not like he fears them, but, rather, he doesn't have the right manner when talking with them. I can only assume what may have occurred to anger your sister, Reflet."

The three shuddered as Takumi muttered, "I'll have to make sure not to anger her then..."

The Nohrian prince and the tactician nodded in agreement as the tactician muttered, "I can't believe that my sister is so violent though..."

"I'm what now?"

The tactician jumped in shock and turned to see Robin standing there with her hands on her hip and a frown on her face.

"U-uh...I-it's nothing! I-I'm just thinking about... uh... s-some strategies! Yeah..."

Robin stared at her brother with narrowed eyes before letting out a sigh and said, "Well, alright, then. I'll be in the tent in a bit after I put some stuff back. I'll see you guys in a bit!"

As soon as she walked away, Reflet let out a sigh of relief, "Gods, that was scary..."

"Well, glad to see that she's fitting well with the Shepherds though.", Leo said.

Takumi nodded, then grimaced and said, "Y-yeah, but that was..."

They nodded silently in agreement of what Takumi was referring to before parting with Xander and Frederick to their destination, where Chrom already was catching his breath.


Last night, they've received word from a scout that the execution would take place this morning. Sakura and the children were forced to stay inside the cart unless otherwise to avoid the Mad King's eyes. The Shepherds all snuck to the side of the field where the execution would take place. In agreement to avoid catching the eye of the Plegian king, Xander and Takumi had to swap out their weapons for normal ones while Leo was allowed to join in the fight this time with Lissa finally allowed to bring the tome with her, but was only allowed to use it in case of being cornered and must continue to use her staff. As they snuck to the side of what would be the battlefield, They could hear the Mad King give out his speech with the exalt and her executioner right behind her with the ax. The mad man's awful voice rang throughout the field, "Good people! Warriors of Plegia! Welcome! Welcome, one and all! Your anticipation electrifies the air! We all remember the crimes of Ylisse... Would you have their witch-queen answer for them? Here? Today? Now? Yeees! Finally, we will have justice!"

He turned to the executioner and shouted, "Executioner! If you would be so kind..."

Reflet immediately shouted, "Flavia!"

The East-Khan with a large ax in her hand shouted, "I've got him!"

She threw the ax high into the air as it hit the brigand executioner in the chest and toppled to the ground far below the exalt surprising the ruler! Reflet immediately gave the signal and the Shepherds began to charge into the execution ground as the captain shouted, "Take out all the soldiers first! We'll deal with the Mad King later!"

The king just remained a calm composure, "Oh will you now?"

The mand man laughed, "We've been expecting you, Little Prince. Men! Kill him. Kill his sister. Kill his troops and his friends and anyone else you find! However, if you find a little girl with a pink staff, bring her to me! And the tome his sister holds! Otherwise, KILL THEM AAALL!"

The Shepherds were shocked from the king's words.

"Wha-?!", Chrom said stunned, "How did he find out about Sakura?!"

Robin frowned and said with a grimace, "I think it has to do with that woman by his side! I've seen her talking to a Grimleal when we were children. I'd never have thought that she'd be affiliated with that madman!"

Reflet nodded, "Anyway, we have to save the exalt first! That's the main priority of this battle!"


The Shepherds began charging against the Plegian soldiers as the battle began. Leo rushed over to the cart and said, "Sakura! Syaoran! You four must remain, got it?"

Sakura nodded her head with a determined look on her face as did the young boy. The dark knight quickly turned to his son, "You heard all that, right?"

The newly promoted strategist nodded with a frown, "Yes, Father. I'll stay here with them. Ophelia and Nina will be with me as well, so we'll be all right."

Leo nodded, "All right! Still be careful, got it?"

Forrest nodded and Leo rode back out to the Shepherds.


As Chrom cut down another Plegian soldier, he turned to see a pale blonde woman with an ax taking out another soldier all on her own.

"You there! Who are you? Why do you fight alone?", the captain shouted over to the female fighter.

The fighter turned around as her eyes widen in shock, "Good heavens! You're Prince Chrom, brother to Her Grace the Exalt!"

Hinoka rushed over in curiosity, "You know Chrom?"

The ax woman smiled and said, "Know him? Of course! All Ylissean clergy do. I must thank the god for uniting us! Oh, dearest and most heavenly fa-"

Chrom interrupted her, "With all respect, now is not the time for prayer- it's action that's called for."

The fighter frowned upon remembering where she was, "Ah, too true! We hurried here to help as soon as word came of the execution."

"We?", Hinoka said in surprise, "Then there are more of you?"

the woman frowned, "Alas, there were. I lost many brave comrades along the way. In truth, I was starting to doubt the purpose of my struggle..."

"I-I see.", Hinoka said with an apologetic look.

The fighter smiled once more and continued, "But no longer! Pray, sire, let my ax serve you and your party!"

Chrom nodded with a smile, "Your love for my sister is clear. I would be honored to be joined by such a formidable woman of the cloth."

There was silence before the fighter corrected the prince, "...Man, sire. Man of the cloth."

A surprise came over the man, "You're a... You're not a woman?"

The war monk shook his head and said calmly, "No, sire. Women are clerics. I'm a priest. Well, technically a war monk, if you care to split hairs..."

"Oh.", the prince grimaced in embarrassment upon his mistake, "Yes, well, I'm... I didn't mean to imply... Well, this is rather awkward."

He looked over to the pegasus knight, who shook her head, "I didn't know this time. He's not like Marth. She's much easier to read at times. Like you, I'm quite surprised myself."

The war monk smiled and said, "Oh, it's all right, sire. You realized your mistake quickly enough. It could have become much more awkward. ...Much more..."

Chrom grimaced a frown, "Right! Let's stop there."


With that, the war monk joined among their ranks and introduced himself as Libra. The group then continued onto the fight as Chrom and Xander met a dark looking Plegian mage, who didn't cast a single spell against neither the Plegians nor the Ylisseans and Feroxi soldiers. Xander shouted, "You there! Are you with the Plegians?"

"You seem reluctant to fight.", the Ylissean prince added.

The woman just muttered enough for them to hear, "Death comes for all of us eventually. Why invite it early, fighting for a cause I don't believe in?"

Confused, the Ylissean prince said, "So... I should take that as a no, or..."

The dark mage looked off into a distance behind the two, "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 afraid. A...dark side."

Xander hesitated before his eyes widen, "Rhajat?!"

"What are you saying?", the mage said in annoyance.

Xander thought for a bit, "N-Never mind. I apologize. I got the wrong person."

"It's fine.", Chrom said before turning back to the mage, "Then perhaps you would rebel now and fight for our cause?"

His words surprised both of them as the mage said, "...You would trust me? What if this is all just a ply to plunge a dagger into your back?"

Chrom shook his head and said, "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."

The woman looked to the prince with confusion, "Well, that's odd... Usually, when I bring up the backstabbing bit the discussion is over."

She smiled darkly and said, "All right, then- consider me your new ally... For now."

As Chrom left to go against the next Plegian, Xander watched the prince walk off, "Learn from her, was it? Chrom, you're already starting to act a lot like her... Like a ruler, like Kamui."


The battle waged on. Sakura and Syaoran would occasionally see the enemy and help Forrest and the two girls distract or disarm the soldiers. Quite often, Sakura used her staff to heal the injuries of any nearby Shepherds. the fighting went on till the sun was in the sky. The noise died down as Syaoran looks off into the distance, "Looks like it's finally over."

Forrest nods, "Looks like it. You guys should get back into the wagon before something unexpected happens. ...Sakura?"

The girl was tugging on his sleeve as he looked down to see her with a troubling look. She as looking around with fear in her eyes, "Something feels off. I don't know what it is, but I can feel it in the air..."

The strategist and his friends have heard of her abilities as the possible reason for her to be a target and, although they were skeptical, he didn't want to risk going against her thoughts after the incident with his aunt and Cordelia's arrival. He nodded and quickly got the two into the cart as he looked around with Nina only to see that the coast was clear, but, like the card mage said, something didn't felt right. Due to this, they were a bit on the edge as well while they got into the cart. They could feel that something big was going to happen.

Something really big.


After Chrom was finally able to take out the commander, the prince quickly notified his tactician, "Robin! Their wyvern riders have fallen! The skies are clear! I'm giving the signal!"

As soon as he did, Phila came soaring through the skies on her pegasus with her other knights, "Your Grace!"

The exalt was relieved to see her bodyguard once more, "Phila! I'm so glad to see you're safe! But how-"

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

The pegasus knights flew over in the direction of the Exalt.

"That damned Ylissean tactician does not play fair!", the Mad King said with frustration on his face.

Aversa on the other hand smirked and said, "Yes, well... Neither do I."

Suddenly, an army of living Plegian corpses rose up around the small group of pegasus knights.

"Wha!", Phila said in shock.

The tactician grimaced and shouted, "Oh, gods! Risen?! Chrom! There are Risen everywhere!"

Chrom frowned and said, "Damn! Not now!"

Gangrel laughed hysterically at the sight of the shocked looks on the Shepherds' face, "Oh, did an army of living corpses just appear out of the blue?! Truly, the heavens smile upon mighty King Gangrel this day!"

As he laughed, the undead archers began to shoot arrows annihilating the pegasus knights that were unable to properly defend themselves from the incoming arrows as they all fell dead to the ground one by one with their pegasi much to their horror.

"Phila!", the exalt shouted in shock as she watched her bodyguard fall dead to the ground with arrows sticking out of her dead body.

"No no no...", Reflet said in shock with his sister looked just as stunned as him in despair.

Chrom grimaced as he muttered, "We've lost..."

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

"Chrom! Don't!", Takumi shouted.

The Ylissean prince nodded in reassurance to the archer and turned to the Plegian king, then scowled, "I'd give up my life before I'd beg for it from you."

The madman laughed and sneered, "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-"

The Mad King immediately shouted, "ARCHERS! If this Ylissean pup so much as twitches, let fly your arrows!"

"I... I'll kill you!", the prince shouted back at the king.

Gangrel smirked, "Go ahead! I welcome it. Just know you were responsible for Big Sister's bloody demise!"

"You... You monster!", Hinoka shouted, "Using a family member as a hostage."

"And what of the rest of you? Eh?", the man said, "Who wants the honor of killing the exalt?"

Everyone remained silent and held their ground as they were being pushed into a corner. Seeing this, Gangrel frowned, "...No one? Bah! Your merry band isn't quite so headstrong anymore, is it? Pathetic!"

Chrom grimaced a frown, "Damn you!"

Gangrel smirked upon seeing the frustrated Ylissean prince, "Now, now, my boy... no one needs to die today. Not you. Not the exalt. Not your friends. Just lay down your sword, and give me the Fire Emblem."

The prince hesitated as everyone looked at him.

"Chrom! You can't trust him!", Robin shouted in hopes that he would listen to her.

He frowned and replied, "Of course I can't trust him! I'm not an idiot!"

Chrom looked back to the madman, "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!"

As the Prince pondered, Ophelia could see the exalt just outside the cart with her best friend, Soliel.

"That's the exalt?", Ophelia whispered, "W-why are they using her life like this?"

Soliel shook her head slightly, "I don't know, but... we need to save her somehow..."

"Don't move!", Leo's retainer whispered to them, "Remember, our objective is to save their ruler."

"I-I know...", Soliel said with a frown, "But..."

"Just stay where you are, you two.", Leo whispered, "Also, the last thing we need is for them to find out about you, Soliel. We don't need for them to have a misunderstanding."

The girl remained silent as Beruka remained next to her child.

Finally, Chrom looked back to his friends with a resolved expression, "No, I'm not going to hand over the Fire Emblem!"

Robin nodded in relief, "That's right. Don't give up! There has to be a way..."

Chrom grimaced, "If there is, I can't see it... Ah, gods!"

With his patience growing near, the mad king announced, "I will count to three! Throw down your weapons, or your exalt becomes the world's largest quiver. One! Two! Thr-"

"Gangrel, hold!", the prince finally said with a frown, "...You win. Everyone, lay down yo-"

"No, wait!"

They all turned to see the voice that shouted came from none other than the exalt herself. Gangrel sneered in anger, "SILENCE!"

The prince turned to his sister, "Em..."

The exalt ignored the Plegian King's order and said within a calm composure without fear, "King Gangrel, is there no hope you will listen to reason?"

The king shouted in anger, "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!"

The exalt remain silent as her brother shouted, "ALL RIGHT! All right..."

The prince turned to the Exalt, "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."

"Chrom...", the exalt said quietly before she smiled happily without care or burden, "Th-thank you. I know now what I must do..."

The prince looked in confusion, "Em, what are you-"

She then announced loudly to everyone in the area, "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."

As the exalt smiled, Leo's eyes widen in shock upon the sudden realization, "...No... No! Chrom, she's going to-"

"See now that one selfless act has the power to change the world!", she continued despite the dark knight's warning.

Upon hearing this, Chrom and the Ylissean and Feroxi militia's eye widen in shock upon realizing what the Nohrian prince was trying to warn them of as her brother muttered, "Em, no! No!"

As he did, he rushed over to below the edge as fast as he legs could go regardless of the Plegian king's warning, and the tiredness and pain creeping up the prince. As the Ylissean prince dashing across the pathway, many held on to hope in their hearts that he would be able to catch their ruler, who slowly watched her brother running as fast as he could to her. The exalt then looked up to the sky and examined the skies for any signs or changes across the Plegian lands filled with people. After seeing none, the Exalt thought of her brother, who would become the next in line to be Exalt as she whispered with a confident smile, "So be it..."

Much to everyone's horror, the exalt slowly stepped up to the sharp edge calmly, then gracefully fell over it. What were seconds felt like minutes as they watched their exalt fall and hit the ground in front of her brother a few feet away dead without a single arrow to her dead body? As the prince crumbled to the ground with tears streaming down his cheeks as he punched the stone tiles, Lissa was sobbing and screaming with her hands over her face and Robin covered her mouth with one hand as her eyes widen in shock. Reflet was stunned as the words slowly fell through his lips, "Oh gods..."

The prince got up and what was sadness became anger, "DAMN YOU, GANGREL!"

His sister screamed in sadness and shock. However, despite everyone's remorse and anger towards him, the made king laughed, "Well now! ... How disgustingly noble. 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 falls."

The madman sighs, "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!"

He laughed out once more angering the prince as he scowled, "Gangrel! You die today!"

The west and east khan quickly rushed over to the Ylissean prince, "No, boy! I secured an escape route! We have to flee!"

"B-but... her body... I have to..."

Basilio shouted, "You have to RUN! Now do it! Reflet! Robin! Don't let him do anything stupid!"

Before Chrom could do anything, both tactician quickly grabbed the man by the wrists and pulled him Lon'qu quickly grabbed the princess as Hinoka rushed over and pulled her stunned brother onto her pegasus as they rushed off with the militia.


Off in the distance in the desert, a cerulean blue hair woman stopped in her tracks as she catches her breath, "No! No... I'm too late... Our bleak future is written once more... And darkness awaits us all"

A silver hair man and a woman with long blue hair quickly rushed over to her and each grabbed her wrist as the man shouted, "Not yet! Marth! I know this is not what you hoped for, but now's not the time to get depressed over this! We must flee immediately before his men catch us!"

They quickly pulled her along as the woman with light blue hair nodded, "I understand your pain of losing someone. We lost someone close to us too, but, if we stay now, you'll be losing more than a life!"

As the three began to dash out, Marth slowly began to regain herself as she started to run along them without their help as the fled the area before anyone could see them.


YueTian: ...And...I'm here by myself...Well, it's not like they must come over with so much going on. Sorry, guys. Nobody's in the mood. ...Well, anyway, I'll be getting the next chapter written and I'm sad to say that I've been making very little progress on my other story. However, I have started writing in it once more with small ideas trickling down. If you haven't read it (which I'm sure isn't quite possible as these two are the only crossovers for Cardcaptor Sakura and Fire Emblem at the moment), I suggest you try it out. Anyway, I'll get back to writing for now. I haven't gotten a title for this chapter at this moment before I post it.