AN: Was everyone that shocked?! Remember another time that happened to Grim? Way back in Chapter 4. So if anyone realized it good for you! Those that didn't...don't worry I won't kill off my own SI genderbend version of me!
Anyways I guess we should celebrate for hitting 100 reviews? Nah I guess it's a milestone for this fic. I didn't really expected to get as many reviews as some other SI Fire Emblems fics here. Some really excellent ones, in my OPINION, went for the realism and some characters dying. Well I'll tell you guys something my expectations were not really high nor really low it was in between. Trust me don't put your expectations really high despite the hype, it could disappoint you.
Enough of my rant.
Now enjoy!
Chapter 34: Last Stand
Why do I feel like I'm being carried?
"...charge!"
"...o...ercy!"
So much shouting.
"got ...your...ack...Gerome!"
"No quarter!"
So much screaming.
I felt whoever was carrying me dropped me down gently.
"Thanks Inigo!"
"No problem Marc,"
Inigo? Marc? Last time I saw them they were...
crushed.
Am I in the afterlife with them?
"Mother you scared the crap outta all of us!" I heard Marc's shaken voice, "You started to scream and cry right in the middle of the battle. Everything went fine thankfully, since Morgan and I quickly took over your position."
Stirring up my eyes I saw a blonde haired mercenary and blue haired tactician. Inigo let out a big sigh while Marc hugged me.
"I'm not dead am I?" I wondered,
"Mother c'mon you're better than that," Marc patted my head,
"Honestly Aunt Grim that sight was scary and worrisome," Inigo smile, "Still good to know you're perfectly fine,"
"It's your psyche we're worried about," frowned Marc,
They have a point. Physically I am fit, though mentally that is another answer all together. Why did I have another strange vision like that again? Everything felt so real but yet here I am, still alive.
"Marc, Inigo get back to your positions I'll take care of Grim," Robin approached us,
Seeing my son and his friend leave, I stared at Robin looking for answers.
"You know I've been in this cycle for so damn long," he sighed,
That's right Robin pretty much lived these events so many times, he could easily predict what's about to happen.
"That's why I've been brought here right? To break it?" I asked him,
"It's a twofold benefit between us," he explained, "I get to break my cursed cycle and you get to escape your boring and unsatisfying life. Well that's what Naga told me."
That was my motive years ago. In my eyes these guys were video game characters just that. They had personalities, emotions, and lives but we could never interact directly. However I'm here now and it's all so real. These guys, everyone in this world, is real.
"Now I have a family to love," I smiled,
"You've changed Grim," Robin patted my head,
I've changed for the better. Maybe that change was subtle since it wasn't so much. However I felt it. Becoming a mother I realized my strong family love. It doesn't matter if people are blood related or not I see the Shepherds as one big dysfunctional family. I used to not give a damn about anything, believing I would be happy. That's not true, caring about people and being cared in return is what makes me happy. I found people that really love me for just being me. No more mask, no more farces, no more fake smiles.
"Yeah I did," I agreed,
"Still you are still too careless," Robin warned me,
That's just part of my nature.
"C'mon bro let's end this battle for everyone's sake!" I grinned,
"I couldn't agree more," he smirked,
His smirk suddenly turned into a smile.
"By the way Donny and Nowi were the ones that made Walhart retreat to his castle," he explained,
What no way! That is awesome!
...
...
...
So the castle breaching just begun and our combined forces were decimating all the remaining defenders. It did helped that Yen'fay and his army knows the place from left to right. No seriously the way they saved us from an ambush was ambushing their ambush via secret passages and tunnels. I saw Say'ri and Yen'fay approaching us.
"Thanks Yen'fay," Robin smiled,
"It is no problem," Yen'fay nodded, "My men know the secret corridors and passages so most the castle should be clear."
"Indeed," Say'ri agreed then frowned, "However there is a slight issue of the throne room being barricaded."
Looks like that's where Walhart ad the last of his forces were making their final stand. We have them cut off from his main army. There were a few way we could end this long battle.
"So Yen'fay any of the passages led to the throne room?" I asked,
"Nay, Walhart is well aware of the risk of such maneuverability," he replied,
Well played you big red lobster. Well played.
"We could always starve them," smirked Robin,
All of us looked at my brother with shocked eyes. Even though I believe in doing whatever it takes regardless of right and wrong that is just going far in my standards.
"What?!" a baffled Robin asked,
"Robin I refuse to starve my enemies to death!" I yelled,
"Apparently burning, bleeding and even drowning is fine to her but starving?" Say'ri asked in confusion,
"It appears our tactician has limits and standards even for her strategies," Yen'fay chuckled,
"It's a suggestion not an option," groaned Robin,
"Well your suggestion sucks!" I whined, "Besides we finally outnumber them!"
Muahahah the tables have been turned!
All the Shepherds assembled by the large doors that would lead to the throne room.
"Hey brother how about we team up?" I asked,
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he smirked then turned to the crowd, "Yen'fay stick with Say'ri!"
"Lucina, Marc stay by your dad's side ok?" I smiled,
We were setting up who's going to fight who. Robin and I decided we're going to force drag queen Excellus and mustache obsessed Cervantes to team up against Robin, Say'ri, Yen'day and me. Say'ri and Yen'fay have obvious reasons for going against Excellus but Robin's reason may seem a little too silly.
"He calls himself a tactician?" his eye twitched, "He's not even a tactician! He's a sage! A sage!"
We all chuckled at the reason.
"Chrom you stay stick with the kids and Frederick," I smiled, "You'll handle Walhart himself."
"The rest of you secure this route!" Robin ordered, "According to Yen'fay this is the only exit from the throne room!"
When I heard everybody started to cheer I felt pumped for some reason. I stared at those huge doors where an important battle will take place.
"Let's go everyone!" I encouraged them,
I decided to kick the doors op-
"Owww!" I hopped and held my foot,
I could feel everyone's looks right at me. I thought it would be cool if I opened the doors by kicking them!
"Oh Grim," Chrom chuckled,
...
When Chrom and Yen'fay opened the doors I saw whatever was left of Walhart's army. It was just him, his generals and Aversa. Wait Aversa?!
"You honestly believe we will go down without a fight?" Cervantes rubbed his facial hair,
"Damn them all for ruining my plans!" Excellus snarled,
What's his issue?
"Walhart called him out for trying to betray him. Instead of punishing him he forced him to the front lines. Oh plus Walhart called him his own personal jester."
Talk about humiliation till the end.
"Aversa I know of your intentions as well," Walhart started,
"Ok good then I don't have to explain anything," she smiled,
The next thing that happened shouldn't had surprised me but it did for the rest of the Shepherds.
"Oh Robin I can finally show my true colors!" Aversa told us,
She ran up to us and gave us a hug! When I meant us I meant Robin and I.
"Big sister is here for you two," told Aversa,
"Bis sister?!" Chrom and Walhart gasped at the same time,
"I knew you would betray us eventually but out of siblings love I would have never guessed that," Walhart noddd,
"All this time she's your sister?!" Chrom pointed,
"Half-sister but a sister nonetheless!" Aversa puffed her assets,
I am not jealous at all!
"Enough of this!" Excellus raged,
He quickly took out a fire tome and a huge fireball was approaching us.
"Grim!" Robin shouted,
"Right!" I nodded,
To counter a fireball the two of us blasted a bigger fireball! Our fireball didn't consume Excellus' but totally annihilated it. However it got smaller but it was fast. Excellus was consumed with fear. It looked like he never was a fighter at all.
"Honestly Excellus you shall need my power against them!" Cerventes blocked the fire with his huge shield,
Why would he do that? Excellus could have taken it more than the general.
"When I look at you Shepherds you remind me of myself," the general began, "Despite your strange antics you are all capable soldiers and leaders."
"Why the hell did you do that?!" the only enemy sage demanded,
"Perhaps if I wasn't a loyal soldier to Walhart perhaps I would've joined the Shepherds and actually fit in." Cervantes smiled, "Alas this will be my final battle and I will give it my all!"
"Then we shall be your opponents!" Yen'fay stepped in,
Yen'fay and Say'ri were pointing their swords right at the armored man. They looked pretty cool having their backs touch each other and pointing their swords.
"Ah yes Yen'fay!' Cerventas smiled again, "I have always wanted to face you in true combat! Your sister owes me a rematch as well!"
"I could say the same,' Yen'fay replied, "Get ready Say'ri!"
The two Chon'sin siblings charged in. Which means Robin and I were left with Excellus, the stupid drag queen.
"All you Plegian are filth!" he taunted,
Blasting another fireball it was quickly diminished by a dark sphere.
"Don't forget I'm in this fight as well," Aversa smirked,
Well three on one is really unfair. Seeing Robin's cocky smirk, he gave a nod towards Aversa. Judging by his look I guess we're gonna toy with him.
"Until he starts to beg for his life let's mess with him."
We have to make it quick. I'm worried about Chrom and the others.
"Have some faith."
I do have plenty of faith but I can't help it. I'm his wife and I worry about him all the time.
"Aversa let's mix it up!" Robin grinned,
"Right little brother!" she replied,
It was like a light show. It sucks to be Excellus since all he had was an advance fire tome. Meanwhile Robin has a tome just like him. As in every kind of spell is in that tome. Aversa had her dark tome but that was all she needed.
"Fire and darkness!" the two yelled out,
With their combined magic, the two formed a purple fireball. It made short work of not only the pathetic opposing fireball but also the tome itself.
"You are fools just like your mother!" he mocked,
Did he just say what he I think he did?
"It was thanks to me I took her from her home!" he snarled, "Thanks to me I brought my own death!"
"You!" Robin's eyes turned red,
"Robin calm down!" Aversa panicked, "Grim do something!"
"Though it was thanks to him we existed," I muttered and I looked on with determination, "It doesn't escape the fact you did so many terrible things to the people of Chon'sin!"
"Checkmate!" Robin and I shouted,
We felt it. Mother's presence swirling around us. We saw many cheery petals falling and fire forming around our hands. We both knew what we wanted. We wanted to see Excellus dead on that floor.
"True Ignis!"
Blasting our true power, the man didn't stand a chance. He couldn't react fast enough because the flames bursted from within himself. He was screaming and begging. I'm not surprised he was on fire.
"End it brother!" I cheered on,
"This is for mother and all the people you messed with!" Robin shouted,
In a flash Robin took out his tome and many bolts of lightning came forth and struck the man. I didn't feel bad in any way. That was the end of Excellus.
"Damn!" Robin collapsed, "Used too much!"
"Grim don't worry I'll take care of Robin you help the rest,' Aversa caught him,
I nodded at the instructions and ran towards Say'ri and Yen'fay. Though they didn't need my help at all. Cervantes was surrounded and battered by the faster two siblings. It seemed like the general had a smile on his face. He made peace with himself.
"Now!" Say'ri signaled,
"Begone!" Yen'fay shouted,
In quick and fluid motion, the two Chon'sin siblings slashed their sword at the man many times. It was like a dance around an imaginary circle. The two of them were in perfect sync.
"Astra!" they both yelled at the final blow,
"You two have beaten me. Not even my mustache could save me from this one." were Cervantes' final words,
The two formed a quick prayer out of respect for the man. Cervantes was just doing his job as a soldier. Then I realized we didn't really went on with our role with the plan. I blame Excellus he made it personal for me and Robin.
Now the only one remaining was the conqueror himself. The three of us approached the battle and saw the how much damage each side took. Walhart's horse has fallen so they should have the advantage. Too bad for Frederick, Walhart is a man in his own level. Alone we're no match but together we stood a chance.
"Your last breath approaches!" Frederick charged on his steed,
"Time to even the odds!" Marc blasted thunder,
Even without his mount, Walhart is fast for his age and armor.
"You shall fall to the wayside!"
He nonchalantly dodged all the precised thunderbolts and quickly forced Frederick to dismount his horse. As in he scared the horse. Frederick was practically a knight without his mount. Am I only one of the few people here who thought the knight class should be someone on a horse?
"Uncle Frederick!" Marc screamed,
"I am fine!" he called,
Chrom and Lucina went up front. It was their turn.
It was a challenge for the both of them. Like Say'ri and Yen'fay my husband and daughter were in perfect sync with their strikes. Meanwhile Marc was trying to throw Walhart off with various spells.
"Mmph pathetic you would need assistance Chrom," Walhart shook his head,
He quickly grabbed Lucina's blade and threw it aside. The next thing I knew he grabbed her head and threw her across the room, Marc getting caught by his projectile of a sister. I heard the hard thuds when they made contact with the wall.
"Why you!" raged Chrom,
I gritted my teeth but I was still tired from using Ignis. It took a heavy toll on my body.
"Dammit!" I punched the floor,
Frederick seemed injured. He was limping towards me and offered his hand.
"Stand milady your husband needs you!" he told me,
He's right. This was where Chrom needs me the most. Using all of my willpower I accepted his hand and was brought up to my feet. We both nodded to each other.
"I can still do this," I encouraged myself,
There is that saying; you are at your strongest when protecting the ones you love.
The two of them were in a deadlock and Chrom was the one losing. I gotta help!
"True Ignis!" I shouted,
Flames burst forth from Walhart and he wavered for a quick seconss. Chrom took this chance to overwhelm him with Falchion.
"Aether!" he dealt a deadly blow,
Walhart was actually pushed back. I noticed Chrom has gotten his second wind. However it wasn't over yet.
"Impressive you actually struck a hurtful blow towards me," Walhart complimented,
There was a chuck of his armor cracked.
"However that will be the only time you would hurt me Exalt." Walhart announced,
The hate I felt when Walhart hurt my children was still strong. I wanted to make that old conqueror know his place! I snarled and glared with full on intent to kill. Nobody hurts my children and gets away with it!
"Grim calm down, you're feeding Tenebris!"
I can't calm till this bastard is gone!
"Damn looks like I got no choice!"
What are you gonna do?
"Grim catch!" Robin shouted,
He threw a stone towards me and I caught it easily. I looked at it and it seemed so familiar.
"It's a dragonstone," he limped his way towards me,
"If Tenebris can use maybe you can use it as well."
The memory of it crushing a dragonstone was still fresh within my mind. I realized what I am capable of.
"Walhart the Conqueror!" I shouted, "For the attempted invasion of Ylisee you shall pay dearly with it."
"Grim!" Chrom shouted in total wonder,
"So the queen decides to face me head on like a true warrior," the conqueror scoffed, "Very well come with your full might!"
Crushing the dragonstone within my hands. I felt my body suddenly changing. It was strange at first but a bud surrounded me was the first thing I expected. I've seen this happen to Nowi, Nah and Tiki plenty of times. My arms and legs have been replaced by wings while my body started to change into a certain familiar dark dragon.
Darkness and light are different from good and evil. It's not the power, it's the one who's using it. I'm using my power to protect the ones I love!
"Roooaarrrr!" I screamed,
The bud dispersed showing my dreadful form. Those who've read the legends should know what kind of dragon I formed into.
"Is that who I think it is?" gasped Chrom,
When I opened my eyes I felt I was a flying. I saw my wings flapping instinctively and looked around the battlefield.
"What?" my voice echoed,
Comparing myself to Chrom I grew a little taller. I think in my dragon form I as tall as him! Hold up does that mean I'm a little manakete?!
"A minature Grima amusing," Walhart held his head high,
He was right. I felt like a chibi compared to the real Grima.
There was a problem.
"G-Grim?!" Chrom gasped,
I can't control my body! Right now I snuggling Chrom.
Everyone looked at us with baffled looks, even Walhart.
"Chrom I can't control myself, sorry!" I apologized,
Then I started to growl at Walhart. I started to circle around the man and he was very alert. I roared and I felt power forming within my mouth. Looks like I was doing a dragonblast or something.
"Grim that's too much power!" Robin shouted,
"I can't control it!" I yelled back,
The blast flew down and my mind blanked out.
...
...
...
My head felt like it got ran over and over again. I woke up on a fancy looking bed and I noticed Marc and Lucina sleeping on either side of mine.
"I see you are awake now," Chrom sighed,
Why does that line sound familiar?
He was sitting on a chair nearby and he had a smile.
"Mother!" both my children shouted and hugged me,
I felt their arms surrounded me. I couldn't help but hug them back.
"What happened?" I asked,
"Well mom you've been asleep for a few days," Marc smiled and grinned, "So can we turn into a dragon too?"
"Marc!" Lucina reprimanded him, "Well after you did your dragonbreath Walhart wasn't able to take it and you obliterated his body. There was no trace of his remains."
Woah I was so strong, I made him nonexistent!
"Then you went wild!" Marc beamed up, "First you grabbed father and started to nuzzle and hug him!"
"Yes then you woke us up and you were nuzzling us as well," Lucina chuckled, "Honestly mother you were like a dog or something,"
I am a dog person.
Then I realized the war was finally over. The first thing in my mind was my baby Lucina.
"The ships have been ready and we were waiting for our tactician to wake up," Chrom ruffled our heads,
I couldn't help but smile. I couldn't help but say it.
"Let's go home!"
END AN: Woohooo! Valm is done!
Yes I gave Grim the power to become a manakete. So as a tactician gamewise, she CAN turn into any class she wants (besides specific ones)
This is the story I want to continue and now I have a challenge.
Updating two stories will be an interesting challenge. I don't normally advertise my other stories but when I do, it's about something I love. It's story for A Certain Magical Indez/Scientific Railgun franchise. Check it out. It's not a SI but it is still in a 1st person perspective of a original character I made. If you know what kind of anime and the story check it out! If you don't like it, no hard feelings, but if you guys do like it, good for you!
Well...
Enjoy your day!