A/N: PG: Hey my lovely readers! I only have Cloud with me tonight.

Cloud: *gives a small wave* Hello, everyone. Good to be here again.

PG: Hyde is with Zack. Thought it would it be a good idea to keep my Puppy distracted with another Puppy.

Cloud: *raises an eyebrow* What made you think of that?

PG: *shrugs* Simple logic?

Cloud: *facepalms and shakes his head* Oy Vey! *looks up to the readers* PG17 DOES NOT own Fire Emblem: Awakening, it's Plot, characters or any of us Final Fantasy Characters. She only owns her OC's Erica, Gilbert, Riku, Beth and Ike.

PG: Any Questions, Comments or Reviews can be PMed to me personally or placed in the Review Box below. I'll try to reply to any questions you all have if your confused about something.

Cloud: A bucket of water has been placed to the side for all the Flamers out there and I will personally kick you out. I have First Tsurugi here with me. *grips the handle of his fusion sword*

PG: And thank you Antrax-The Legendary Zoroark and AquaticSilver for your reviews. Also I will be posting the next part of this story, a side story, once this one is up. AquaticSilver, I gave you a Sneak Peek of the next post so you know which one it is and the sad thing that happened to Chrom and Anna's fourth child in Future Lucina and Ike's time is in this part as well. Personally, I can't believe I wrote such a sad thing to happen to him but I also can't wait to see everyone's reaction to Side Story 7!

Cloud: Then go and get it ready since you're so eager!

*PG nods before running off*

Cloud: *standing* I better check on Zack and Hyde to make sure they haven't burned down the apartment yet. *bows to readers* Enjoy this chaper! *walks out of the room*


Chapter 14: Flames on the Blue

~Anna's POV~

I breathed in the fresh sea air, and smiled as I leaned on the railing of the ship we were on. "Ah, Breathtaking... isn't it? I've never been this far out at sea before, even in the other world. Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here."

"Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them...' Chrom said, leaning on the railing to my left. I looked over at him as he sighed. 'I should be grateful the Plegians delivered us this fleet, as promised.' He looked at me and gave me a smile. 'It seems their loyalty to Emm and you are stronger than their loyalty to Validar."

I nodded smiling before placing my lips to his ear and whispering. "Well to tell you the truth, I got a few Plegian friends who helped us out during the incident with the Mad King. I've told them of mine and my brothers' heritage, who's children we are. The elders and priests did a heritage test and found both me and Robin more worthy to the Throne then Validar. They wouldn't tell me what it was that gave us that right, but it's been placed in stone that Robin, being the eldest, will be King of Plegia when Validar is dead.' I smiled and pulled away. 'Which, if the timeline from the 'Fire Emblem: Awakening' game is accurate, will be soon, but not too soon.' I smirked. 'Just don't tell him he's a Prince. He's got a big head already."

Chrom laughed. We stood together in silence for a while, acknowledging our daughter and sons, Lucina, Ike, Mori, my brother Robin and Lissa when they came to stand next to us. "It's my first time on a vessel and my legs... I never fancied myself a sea captain."

Lucina nodded. "This is my first voyage as well. In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports."

Chrom bit his lip and turned her. "Lucina... Something I've been meaning to ask... After you stopped Emm's assassination... Why didn't you and Ike stay with us?"

Ike shook his head. "We felt we had no other choice. We could not risk altering history any more than necessary. We sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return."

"Hey, so wait-' Lissa said curiously. 'What about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if you didn't save him?"

Lucina turned to Lissa with a sad look and said, "He would have been gravely wounded. And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come."

Lissa's eyes widened. "Whoa! Good thing you changed things, huh?"

Lucina shook her head. "If indeed they have changed... The river of time always favors its original course. Take the Exalt's death... I stalled it, yes, but in the end I was not able to prevent it."

Chrom came over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "...You did what you could."

Lucina hung her head sadly. Ike placed his hand on her free shoulder and said, "We were so certain it was over. That we'd saved the world.' He shook his head and looked between Chrom and me. 'But time simply found another way back to its course.' His hand squeezed Lucina's shoulder. He closed his eyes and tried to hold back tears. 'Perhaps the task is simply too great... Perhaps if we'd done something differently? We replay events in our heads, over and over..."

I walked to him and placed my hand over his mouth. "Don't.' I removed my hand and placed it on his cheek while placing my other hand on Lucina's cheek. 'You both did your best. And you saved your father, after all."

Lucina shook her head with tears in her eyes. "You're kind, Mother. But nothing is certain... Another could take your life. Time could find a way..."

Chrom looked thoughtful. "...Do you know how your mother and I died?" I quietly sucked in a breath. I remembered this part of the game, Chrom being told how he died, but now perhaps I can learn why I was not with my children and why all the Children from the Future felt my death so painful.

Lucina looked between us biting her lip. "For you father, only rumors... we were told you fell in a great battle, fighting to sway your destiny.' She looked him in the eye. '...And that you were murdered—betrayed by someone dear to you."

Robin suddenly clutched head in pain and doubled over. Chrom, Lucina, Ike, Mori and I rushed over to him and helped him stand.

"Robin? What is it?" Chrom asked.

Robin winced, trembling all over. "M-my head... I don't...' His trembling slowly stopped and he straitened. 'F-forgive me. I'm fine."

Lucina continued looking at me. "Mother...' she paused, looking away before turning back to me. 'You had become ill a bit before the war began and hadn't really recovered. When you heard of Father's murder, you threw yourself into battle with no care about your health. Days later, Mori, Ike and I learned that you had been stabbed. When we got to the medical tent..." Tears went down her face and Ike held her, even when she fell onto her knees.

Ike looked up at me. "You were lying on the old cot lifeless, dead eyes, blood on your hands and running down your hips. But that's not all. The healer was holding a bloody bundle in her arms a-a-and... and it was crying." My eyes widened a bit and Chroms' arms wrapped around me as I almost fell to the deck floor in shock. Robin's eyes were wide, Mori's jaw dropped and Lissa was gasping in shock with a hand over her mouth. "I... died in childbirth?" I asked wide-eyed and trembling.

Chrom's arms squeezed me as Ike nodded. "Apparently, you had unknowingly been eight months pregnant. When you were stabbed, it put you into an early labor. You died bringing him into the world. The healer said you used your last breath to name him 'Chrom Robin' in honor of father and Uncle Robin, who was said to have disintegrated from a blast of extremely dark magic."

Tears were now in his eyes as well as he looked at Chrom. "He... he looked just like you Father. He had your eyes, your hair, and your smile, even his brand was in the same place yours was. He lived for only two weeks before he died. We buried him in the courtyard of the Palace where we buried you and Mother. We both almost lost ourselves. To lose your parents at a young age is one thing, but to lose your sibling who is only a few days old..."

Silent tears were running down my face and I buried my face into Chroms' chest at the thought of losing a child so young, heck losing a child at all. Chrom also seemed upset at this news as tears were streaming down his face as well. He held me as we silently cried and Lucina, Ike and Mori also cried. Robin had bowed his head and held a fisted hand over his heart while the other was clutched so hard that his nails pierced his palm making it bleed. Lissa was trembling and silent tears ran down her face.

We stood in silent mourning for the child for a few minutes. Lucina shakily stood with Ike's help and Chrom wiped away my tears. After a few deep breaths, Lucina continued her story.

"... After your murder father, the death of both mother and our youngest brother and Grima's return, I took the name Marth and fought back. I prayed to the Hero-King for a small part of the strength he used to save the world. But I need this subterfuge no longer. I choose to fight as Lucina now. The name that reminds me of the strength in the man and woman who chose it."

Chrom and I looked at each other before we both hugged our daughter, Ike and Mori joining our hug. Chrom kissed his daughter's forehead and whispered. "A strength shared by the woman who bears it."

~Time Skip~Chrom's POV~

Hours later, we were in the middle of the ocean and Anna and I were in the Captain's cabin. I was holding my wife tight in my arms. The fact that she died in childbirth in Lucina and Ike's time... it was a shock. Now that the two of us were alone, she just crashed.

"C-Chrom... he... he w-was just-t a f-few w-w-weeks old!" "I know, Anna, I know." I rocked her in my arms til she fell asleep. I placed her on the bed and tucked her in. Kissing her forehead and brushing a piece of hair out of her eyes, I walked out, closing the door behind me. I ran my hands over my eyes to rid myself of my tears before I cleared my throat and walked up to the helm where I found Frederick looking through a telescope with Flavia, Basilio and Robin by his side.

Frederick lowered the telescope and turned to me. "The Pegasus knights report the Valmese fleet matches ours, ship for ship."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your tone tells me this is not good news."

Frederick nodded. "Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers."

I placed my chin in my hand. "If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered."

Flavia shook her head. "We've little choice but to try anyway. Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with other supplies...including oil. Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that."

I glanced at Robin and saw his 'I-have-a-possibly-dangerous-idea-that-will-live-up-to-my-nickname-of-'Dare Devil'!' look. "Hmm... Perhaps he could."

Flavia thought for a minute. "If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to. We could—"

"You could roast us all like hams! Are you truly so eager to die, woman?!" Basilio shouted.

Flavia turned to him. "Do you have a better idea, oaf?! ...The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm... How to get the lit oil on their decks without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?" Then the two started a shouting match at each other. Frederick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose and I rolled my eyes.

"Unless... we WANT our ships caught in the blaze..."

We all turned to Robin in shock. "Why in the gods' names would...' Basilio paused before turning to me. 'Well, I know better than to question Robin. Especially not when he has that look in her eyes. Gods save us from what he's cooked up this time—let's just hope it's not us!

Robin gave me that smile I had come to not only be scared of but also thought fondly of. "Chrom, I have an idea."

I smirked. "Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Robin."

He returned my smirk. "But for my plan to work we'll need to disrupt their chain of command... Our strongest team would need to board their lead ship and kill their general. As our best captain I'd have you head the squad, but you ARE the King, so..."

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I AM the King, so no one can order me NOT to go. I will lead the assault!"

Robin's smirk widened. "Then this plan truly stands a chance."

I shook my head. "So much has changed since we found you that day, lying in the open field... Hard to believe you determine the fate of our entire army now...our entire people. Destiny has a strange way."

Robin's face suddenly became serious. "...No, Chrom. Not destiny."

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"We're not pawns of some scripted fate. I believe we're more. Much more."

I raised an eyebrow. "How do you mean?"

"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together... Like...invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength...' He looked me in the eye. 'WE forged these ties. WE strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be by our choices, not some "destiny"..."

I blinked. "...Robin...' I doubled over laughing. 'I think this salty air might have gone to your head, hah!"

Robin snickered. "All right, all right—perhaps enough philosophy for one day... There are still details to discuss."

I nodded finally getting my breath back. "Indeed there are! And preparations to be made! Oh, and, Robin... If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you."

Robin smiled.

I turned to our crew and shouted, "Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!" I then motioned for Robin to follow me to my cabin so we could wake my wife and inform her of our plan.

It wasn't long before the Valmese fleet came up and surrounded our three ships.

Their captain smirked. "One ship against three of ours? They're either very brave or very stupid... Either way, their bodies will float on the long sea before the day is done."

The lead ship came up to our side and another came up to our other, we were surrounded.

"Prepare to be boarded!" Was the yell from the enemy ship when planks landed on both sides of the ship. The Valmese came aboard. We began our attack, Ike and I fought together while, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Anna fighting side by side with Lucina. The four of us soon found ourselves in front of Ignatius, the General of the Armada.

"Arrogant pups! The seas are my home, and they will be your grave!" He snarled. The four of us looked at each other before getting into positions, me and Lucina in defense and Ike and Anna in offence. We fought four against one. Not a fair fight but all others on Ignatius' side were dead. Finally, Ike stabbed him in the gut.

Ignatius grunted as he doubled over. Glaring at us, he snarled. "Strike me down, and ten will take my place... You...have...lost!" With that he collapsed dead.

"Robin!' I called out. Said man looked at me. 'Their general has fallen! I'm giving the signal! All appointed ships, change course! Head right at them! Ramming speed!"

The men indeed headed to their places and Robin took the helm. All our ships turned and started towards the enemy ships. The wind was in the East, fully on our side!

"...Gods and thunder! And second now!" Yelled out the first mate.

"Steady...' I said. 'Steaaaady..."

All men on deck ran to the rails of the sip with any valuables that they had.

"We're right on top of them!"

"NOW! JUUUMP!"

I took a deep breath, held it, grabbed my Wife's hand and together we jumped into the freezing saltwater of the sea. Hitting the water, I immediately felt the shock and sting of the saltwater. I opened my eyes making them sting before looking around. I could see all the crew and my family floating around, mostly looking at me for what to do now. There was a dull 'BOOM!' was heard above our heads and bright light was seen. I looked at Anna and she looked back at me.

She pointed up and a bit to our left. I looked to see a bunch of rock formations that reached up to the surface. I looked back at her and nodded. I motioned for the others to follow and we all swam to the surface. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I wrapped my arms around Anna when she breached the surface, both of us treading water.

"The sea itself is on fire!" I heard Lissa yell. I turned my head towards her and yelled to everyone, "Everybody, head to those rocks!" We all swam towards them and climbed up high enough so the waves wouldn't push us back in. Panting a bit, I laid down on a flat part of the rock and closed my eyes. I tried catch my breath and get rid of the extra adrenaline from the fight and the swim to the surface. I opened them when I felt a something laying on my chest. I looked down to see Anna wrapping her arms around my torso and laying her head under my chin.

"Chrom, can I tell you something?"

"Of course Anna."

"You look sexy in wet clothes."

I laughed before kissing the woman who always knows how to make me feel like I was the only person in the world.

"It worked! It worked!" I heard Frederick cheer.

Flavia turned to Robin and said, "Only you could hatch such a brilliant scheme, Robin. Who else would desert half our vessels and turn them into flaming cannonballs? And there was still enough room on the remaining ships for all our troops. It was so simple, and yet the Valmese never saw it coming. They never considered anyone might be willing to sacrifice half a fleet..."

Anna pulled away and allowed me to sit up. "We may have won the day, but the war still looms. We must continue on and seize control of their main harbor."

"Aye, boy!' Basilio said. 'I've had enough of the smoke and smell here for one lifetime, besides."

I stood up, nodding. Two ships came near us, close enough where we can easily climb aboard but far enough where they don't run aground on the rocks. I jumped back into the water and climbed up the rope to the first ship. Reaching the deck, I ruffled my hair before saying. "Alright, Full speed for Valm!"

I froze when laughter echoed around me. Looking up, I came face to face with pirates. "Clap 'im in irons, men!" Realizing I had got on the wrong ship, I tried to jump back out to the sea. Before I could, I was grabbed, gagged and tied up.

"Well, now boys. We have a Royal aboard.' He roughly grabbed me by my chin. 'You King Chrom will sell wonderfully in the market.' He roughly pushed me to some of his crew. 'Take him to the Brig and place him with the other 'products'. Welcome aboard the 'Hispaniola', 'Your Highness'!" He gave a mocking bow.

I struggled to get out of the grip of these men, especially when I heard cannon fire. "Blast! Bosun, take us by the wind. Don't let them get in range!"

I struggled harder, but I suddenly felt a large blow to my head and I had one last thought in my mind as my world turned black.

"Anastasia, please help me."