Basilio led Chrom and his army towards a mire. "Hurry! There should be carriages waiting just through the ravine!"
Chrom hesitated and looked back in the direction they ran from.
"Chrom, please!" Sumia begged.
"Rrgh...I'm...I'm coming."
"Quickly! We're almost... Huh? Damn!" Suddenly a wagon approached them and halted in their track. "That ain't one of ours! Must be Plegians! I knew it couldn't be that easy..." Basilio growled. "They're right in our way! We must fight!"
"Wait!" Robin jumped out of the front of the wagon and pulled down his cowl. He was wearing his ordinary hood so Tharja wouldn't recognize the one he wore when he saved her.
"Roy! Is that you?" Lissa asked.
"Yeah."
"Roy. So, you're our mysterious informant, huh?" Flavia asked.
"Yes…No time for discussion though. I came here to help. But I need you to promise me something."
"You chose bad times for bargaining boy." Basilio groaned.
Robin ignored the comment and turned to the wagon. "You can come out now."
A woman with long bluish dyed hair stepped out of the wagon. Behind her was a young boy with the same colored hair.
"This is Rika and her son, Raim. They are the wife and child of a friend of mine."
"A pleasure to meet you, sire." The woman said with a bow.
"Why did you bring them here?" Chrom asked.
"I need you to take them with you back to your country."
"Why?"
"They aren't safe here. The king is threatening to kill them if my friend doesn't do as they say."
"So this friend will be free if we take them somewhere safe? Fine, I'll take them back with me to Ylisse." Chrom said.
"I'm counting on you."
"I'm that is all we best me on our way." Fredrick said. "Those Plegians are right on our tails, no doubt!"
"That's another thing I need to tell you." Robin said. "A Plegian army is just up ahead."
"What?! You told us in your message that they had no camps stationed here!" The knight yelled.
"They put this one up without telling me." Robin said. "You'll have to fight through this one."
"Fine, let's just go for the love of the gods!" Basilio replied. "Flavia and I will try to sneak ahead of the enemy and to the transports with these two while you lot keep them busy."
"I'll go with you. Hurry on ahead, I just need to mention something to Chrom."
"Oh, and I can't know?"
"Just hurry!"
"Alright, alright. This way you two." The two Khan hurried on ahead with the woman and her child.
"What is it you want to say?" Chrom asked.
"Look…the man commanding the army is named Mustafa…he's here against his will…"
"And?"
"If it's possible…try not to hurt him…"
"Even though he will undoubtedly will want to kill us?"
"I just…I just don't want to lose a friend…"
"I didn't want to lose my sister, did that stop your king?!" Chrom snapped.
Robin got on his hands and knees. "Please." His clothes were starting to get soaked in the mud but he didn't care. Nothing mattered more then, showing how important his request was.
The gesture caught Chrom and the others completely off guard. He expected Robin to retort with the previous Exalt`s campaign like he did the night they met. But instead all he did was beg. "I…I can't promise you anything…but I'll do what I can…"
With that Chrom and his army went on ahead to confront the enemy.
Frederick looked at Robin as he passed him.
"I can tell that you are well trained as a strategist but you are still green when it comes down to war. Lives will be lost. Including the ones of those you care about…you helped us before and in turn I will try to help this Mustafa…but it would be best if you prayed for the soul of your friend."
After everyone passed him Robin clenched his fists in the mud.
"Mother…what is it I lack? How are you able to carry out your plans so flawlessly…"
Chrom and the others hurried on ahead. Soon they came face to face with the Plegian army.
Mustafa stood in the front ready to confront them.
"Ylisseans! I offer you mercy! Surrender to me now and live!"
"Surrender? Ha! As if!" Vaike scoffed.
"Emmeryn would not have wished for this to come to bloodshed."
Chrom clenched his fists. "Don't speak her name!"
"Your rage is justified, Prince Chrom. But the meaning of your sister's final sacrifice was not lost on me. I suspect many Plegians who heard her final words would say the same. If you lay down your weapons, I vow to protect you as best I can."
"How can we trust you after what your barbarous king has done? I think we shall take our chance with weapons in hand!" Frederick declared.
"I suspected you would say as much." The general sighed. "So be it, Prince Chrom. I shall endeavor to grant you a swift and dignified end. Attack!"
The army charged forward.
"Shepherds, charge!"
As Chrom and his men approached one of the solders turned to Mustafa. "Forgive me, sir, but I...I no longer see the justice in hunting these people down. I accept any punishment you see fit, but after all that's happened...I just can't."
"How dare you question the general's orders! You know full well the punishment for insubordination is death!" a Wyvern Rider yelled.
"B-but, sir! These people are—
"These questions are not ours to ponder, lad. The soldier does not judge. The soldier delivers judgment." Mustafa replied.
"Sir, I... I cannot raise my lance against them. Even if... Even if it means death." The solider replied shaking.
"...You were there when Emmeryn spoke, weren't you? So be it! Those of you unwilling to fight are dismissed!"
"But I don't wish to abandon you, sir!"
"I cannot defy the king, lad. I know him well. He would murder my wife and child to set an example. I will accept the blame for your actions today. Now go!"
"W-wait, General! I see a cause worth fighting for, one I believe in: loyalty to my general."
Mustafa gave a small smile. "...Aye. That's a good lad."
Chrom and his men were soon tearing through the enemy ranks.
Mustafa winced at the sight of him men being slaughtered. "Boys, listen to me. If I fall here I want you to run."With that he hurried on ahead to confront Chrom. "I am General Mustafa of Plegia. If you wish to keep your lives, then you must win them!"
Chrom stepped forward. "You're Mustafa? I know you are here against your will."
"Who told you that?"
"I don't want to fight either. Just let us pass."
"I cannot do that Prince. Not with what is riding on this battle."
"I'll be perfectly blunt for the first time in my life. I was asked to to fight you and frankly I don't feel like fighting you. Just let us pass."
"Then what if I gave you a reason to fight me?"
Chrom gave the general a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"It was me."
"What are you-
"The one who attacked your capital…and captured your sister…that was me."
Everyone was shocked into silence. But that silence did not last long.
"YOU DASTARD!" Chrom wasted no time charging at the general.
As they locked weapons the Shepards charged at the Plegian solders.
Chrom swung down on Mustafa axe. The general pushed him off and sound horizontal as Chrom jumped back. He charged again and trusted his sword. Mustafa sidestepped the attack. He swung his axe down on Chrom. He narrowly dodged the attack. Mustafa saw Chrom ready his sword. He tried to lift his axe but it was stuck. Looking down he could see his weapon traded in the mud.
"No…!"
Chrom thruster Falchion right into Mustafa side. The general stumbled back letting go of his weapon before collapsing. "Well done, Prince Chrom...Hrrggh! Please...spare my men..."
Chrom slowly walked towards the fallen general. "This is the end."
Mustafa looked up to see Chrom raise his sword. "Rika…Raim…Robin…I'm sorry…"
"STOP!" Sumia ran up and huged Chrom. "Please stop Chrom! This isn't you! You don't have to do this!"
"…It's his fault! Because of him Emm is…!"
"No, it's not! Remember what Roy said? He was forced into this! Besides we owe it to him to spare him! Think of what your sister would say!"
"Milord with all due respect it is not like you to be ruled by your anger." Fredrick said. "Please consider whether or not what you are about to do is truly the right thing."
Chrom hesitated for a moment. Then he sheathed his sword. "Fine. Live your miserable life. And thank your gods you still have it. The rest of you better run before I change my mind."
With that the rest of the Plegians ran off in fear.
After Chrom stepped away Sumia turned to Lissa. "Can you heal him?"
"Sure."
Just then more foot steps approached.
"Mustafa!"
"Dad!"
Mustafa opened his eyes. He knew those voices. "Rika? Raim?"
The woman and child rushed to his side. "Oh, gods! Mustafa!"
"What are you two doing here?" the general asked siting up.
"Wait!" Robin quickly caught up to them.
"Robin? You too?"
"Roy? What are you doing here?" Lissa asked while healing Mustafa.
"While the Khans were getting the transports these two ran off here."
"We heard one of your men say you were here." Rika said.
"Why are you here In the first place! This area is dangerous! Robin, what is the meaning of this!?"
"I asked the prince to take them to Ylisse. Gangrel will never find them there."
"What?"
"What is going on here?" Chrom asked.
"These two…are Mustafa's wife and child."
"What?"
"Robin…you did this for my sake?"
"Mustafa, think about it. I know that losing family hurts. Why put the pain you're desperately trying to avoid onto them?"
"But I…"
As Lissa seeped back Rika and Raim came closer.
"Mustafa, please! I love you! Don't push me away like this!"
"Dad you promised you would train me someday! I want to be a strong warrior like you!"
"Rika…Raim…"
"Mustafa…if leaving the country is the only way to keep you safe I will do that…but I will never accept you dying for me!"
Mustafa stared at the two as Robin turned to Chrom. "Chrom, I'm...I'm so sorry. My plan just wasn't enough.
"You did your best, Robin. ...You have my thanks. It's my own failures that haunt me now. Gods, I was just so powerless!"
"It's not your fault either, Chrom."
"...She did it for me, Robin. So, that I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of either choice, she chose for me. She sacrificed herself rather than give up what could one day save her people..."
"Chrom... Listen to me. Look at me."
"In hindsight I am powerless too. But do you think I came this far on my own? I had people who supported me."
"What are you trying to say?" Chrom asked.
"Chrom. Look at them. Look at your comrades."
Chrom turned his head to look at the Shepherds. All of them showed signs of concern.
"My…My mother once told me we are who we are because of our friends. That no matter what happens the ties we forge will never break no matter how far apart we are."
"Our ties…"
"And…after I saw how you all worked together on the battlefield I had no doubt that this is what my mother meant. Your ties have stayed strong even after what happened just now. You can power through this. I know you can."
"Robin…"
"You are not alone Chrom. These people share your feelings. They wouldn't be here if they didn't. They can help you if you let them."
"He's right Chrom! You did so much for our sake! I'm done being useless!" Lissa yelled. "It's time I took action!"
"Hear hear, darling! Our people have suffered enough." Maribelle added.
"Gladly would I fight and die for House Ylisse!" Stahl declared.
"Gladly would I fight and KILL those dastards for House Ylisse!" Sully smirked.
"Our hearts echo yours, sire." Libra declared.
"I will be the unbreakable shield by your side!" Sumia said.
"I'm with you, too! You know. Just in case anyone...Hello?" Kellam said.
"Teach is here and class is in session!" Vaike smirked.
"How much you pay Gregor? Hee, hee, haw! Gregor make joke! ...Why you look at Gregor like that?"
"Your sister earned my respect. The last taguel shall champion her." Panne said.
"You have grown strong, milord. I may have set a poor example as a knight..." Frederick bowed. "But I swear to you, I shall die before any more exalted blood is spilled!"
"That's right. I wouldn't even be here if not for you." Nowi laughed.
"You gave me your trust, and now you have mine...For the time being." Tharja shrugged.
"Were you unworthy, I would have left long ago." Lon'qu said.
"It took great courage and charisma to unite all of us...I knew I possessed such talents, but clearly you do as well!" Virion said.
"Yeah. We all look up to you! You're like a hero to us." Ricken smiled.
"Everyone…"
"See Chrom? You are not alone. So why suffer alone? You have so many people you can turn to."
"You're right…thank you Robin. Thank you everyone."
Just then a group of wagons approached. In the lead wagon was a girl with pink hair. Basilio sat next to her. "Chrom! I'm sorry we kept you waiting." Basilio smirked. "Meet Olivia. She'll be smuggling us out of here."
"Only if we hurry! Doubtless more of the Mad King's men are on their way."
"Right. Pile in, you lot! And bid farewell to this Plegian hellhole."
Everyone boarded the wagons.
"Mustafa, go with them." Robin said.
"What about you?"
"I'm going to find a way to stop Gangrel. This madness has gone on long enough!"
"…Than I am staying to help."
"What?"
"Mustafa?"
The general turned to his wife. "I'm sorry Rika. I cannot abandoned Robin after all he has done. I owe it to him to make his dream come true."
"I…I understand."
The two shared a brief embrace. "I'll miss you my love."
"Me too…" Rika said. "Please don't die…"
"I won't."
He then turned to his son. "Raim…be strong. Take good care of your mother for me."
"O-okay dad…" the child sniffed. "S-someday I'll become a true warrior like you…"
"I know you will. Grow strong son."
Robin then approached. "I look forward to seeing you as a solider one day. Remember what we promised we would do when we both fulfill our dreams?"
"That's we would fight together someday! Side by side!" Raim smiled.
"Right. And I plain to honor it. You were like a little brother to me Raim. Don't forget that."
"Okay. Goodbye Robin…goodbye dad…"
Robin then turned to Rika. "Take care. And thank you for everything.
"I should be thanking you Robin. I don't know when we will meet again. But I hope when we do your dream will be a reality. I know your mother is proud and will continue watching you."
"Thanks."
"We should go now." Basilio said.
"Ready?" Olivia asked. "Hold on tight!"
With that the wagons left. Robin and Mustafa watched as they faded into the distance.
"We should leave too." Robin said.
"Aye. And Robin?"
"Yes?"
"I will repay this debt. I swear it."
Yes, Rika and Raim are based off of previous characters. You're probably thinking "Who the hell were Akir and Miar?" I sort have changed things up a bit. I took the "Ei" from the front of Eirika and the "Eph" out of "Ephraim"