Robin and Azura - Great Minds Manipulate Alike

Takumi clutched his bleeding shoulder, unable to raise Fuujin Yumi long enough to draw back another shot at the seemingly unharmed spellsword that waited oh so patiently in front of him. Snarling at Robin's mocking composure, Takumi made a last-ditch attempt to will an arrow into his hand, but the wind god bow remained string-less, finally dropping out of his hand and clattering unceremoniously onto the dirt below.

"D-damn it..." the Hoshidan prince gasped, falling to one knee as the burning and throbbing in his shoulder became more and more overwhelming. "Where is Ryoma?! Where is anyone!?" Turning pathetically to the adopted sister next to him, Takumi truly felt regret for being unkind to her the whole time she lived in Hoshido. Was that why she wasn't helping? As prideful as he was, tears fell from Takumi's eyes...

Which, to Robin's personal intrigue, were as red as Corrin's. Usually, they were a light brown like Hana's or Hinata's, but now they were as crimson as blood, and just as scary.

"A-azura... please..."

Azura, for some reason or another, remained in place. Her face, void of any sort of sympathy or condescension was as it always was: blank, masked, and neutral. Her spear lay strapped against her back, but she made no effort to hold it. The Faceless seemed to ignore the three for the time being, and even if they did make an attempt to close in, Azura wouldn't budge. Robin took note of this but kept his eyes on Takumi.

"Come now, Takumi," Robin spat, his adrenaline from Felicia's murder far gone by now. It had to be clever acting from here on out.

Keep goading him on. Perhaps we can find out what caused him to suddenly react like this.

I've seen Takumi's eyes turn red during combat before. But when the royal family uses their dragon vein abilities, nothing changes biologically. Whatever is making his eyes change from brown to red is not only unique to him, but afflicting him in the real world.

It can't be due to Nohrian influence though. He's been working alongside Nohrian soldiers for the last year. This has to be something internal. Something... outside of his control.

Alright. I'll see if I can't get him any more riled up than he is. It was unpredictable enough that he killed Felicia... but I don't know what else Takumi in this state is capable of doing.

Relax. He's relatively harmless in this state. The main threat is still Azura. What is she even doing?

We can figure that out later, after I figure out Takumi's goal.

"I'm sure Ryoma would put up a fight," Robin continued, still guarding Felicia's corpse with his own presence. "Hinoka would certainly put up a fight. Even Sakura has the courage and willpower to fight in the face of adversity."

Simple. Just toy with his inferiority complex. Let his mind do all the work, if it is still in control...

"But here you are, finally about to prove yourself against a Nohrian scum, who, by the way, is not even Nohrian, and the only way you could draw blood was by shooting one of us in the back! It's a shame that bow chose you to wield its power. Sakura or Hinoka deserve it way more." At these words, Takumi was taken aback, but did not say anything aside from his growling snarl.

I can fight this... What does that Nohrian shit presume about my family? I'll prove him wrong and kill him!

Takumi screamed at himself, Robin's words helping to chip at the walls of cowardice in his mind. All this anger building up... all it amounted to was sheer determination to prove that bastard wrong!

Staggering to both feet, the Hoshidan prince felt an arrow manifest itself between his fingers. Whatever pain that came from raising Fuujin Yumi only helped to fuel his will. His breathing was still ragged but at least now it was steady and convicted. Robin placed his hands on his hips, impressed.

I think you're about to die...

No. I trust him. Even if this is another Takumi, this is the same one... right?

If you die here, you might not wake up in the real world.

You didn't tell me this-

Behind him, he barely noticed Azura holding her pendant, whispering her song while she glowed a dull blue.

You are the ocean's gray waves...

"Y-you want a fight? How... about... t-this!" With the fluidity only a skilled archer could achieve, a bolt of pure energy let fly. Both archer and dancer stumbled in pain but the latter remained stoic while Takumi embraced the burning feeling, Fuujin Yumi humming from the release. The air around him glowed a gentle teal, and looking deep into Takumi's eyes, the tactician could see his iris change from a bloody red to his natural hazel.

You saw that too? Was that Azura's doing?

Guess our presumptions were right. Combining this with what I know of Azura... I'm not too sure what she just did, though.

But whatever she did... it worked.

Robin didn't even flinch as the arrow whistled past his ear, embedding itself deep within the skull of the Faceless that was inches away from lunging at him. The beast fell to the ground, dead before it could even realize the superfluous hole in its head.

"Heh," the tactician chuckled nervously, not even turning to regard the Faceless that Takumi had slain, saving his life. "And here I was thinking you were trying not to hit me. I thought you missed on purpose."

"W-what?" Takumi stuttered, his brown eyes now tightly closed. Pain and agony etched his face, and Azura all the while did not say as much as a word.

"Looks like your little phase has passed. What in the world just happened?"

Quite suddenly, Takumi fell over again, clutching his head. It was clear at this point that he was much weaker than before, so Robin glanced at Azura quickly before walking towards the writhing Hoshidan. She was reacting as if she had nothing to do with Takumi regaining himself.

"I... I didn't kill her!" the prince cried out, causing Robin to believe he was in some sort of denial with his actions just a few minutes ago.

W-why did I shoot her? That woman... she was his wife. And Ryoma and Mother saw that he wasn't Nohrian... What came over me? What have I done?

"I'm afraid you still killed Princess Felicia," Robin announced sadly, "and whether it was under a curse or not, you are currently looking at her husband. Now... you will tell me what you know, and you will tell me everything. Are you under some sort of spell?" Takumi shied underneath his gaze but did not otherwise relent.

If he is, you dumbass, do you think he's going to admit it?

Er... no.

Yikes. To think we share the same mind. Good heavens... I don't recall being this green before.

"I... I don't know," Takumi groaned, clutching his head with the hand that could be raised that high. Robin raised an eyebrow in question before walking over to the archer and inspecting the handiwork he had engraved upon his shoulder.

A clean cut at least. Little shit deserves something a little sloppier. Cut his ponytail or something. Engrave 'I secretly want Nohrian bitches' on his back.

I know Takumi well enough. His hatred for Nohrians must still be seething at this point in time, especially since Kamui never returned. But... he is honor bound by Hoshidan conduct. He wouldn't shoot Felicia in the back like that.

Which brings us to the first hypothesis before you went off on your blind-rage-rampage and slaughtered the poor boy. Some mind-control heebie-jeebies or perhaps a rigorous brainwashing. Something that creates an uncontrollable anger at the presence of a stimulus. Which happened to be your presence. Whatever just happened with Felicia... may have been the result of Takumi's infliction.

Well, it's bad enough that Dream-Felicia is dead. But I'll see her again once this dream-state is through and I know what I need to know.

Well, aren't you the easygoing husband. One moment, your maid, childhood friend, and notional wife gets killed right in front of your eyes, and the next moment, you dismiss her death and pardon her murderer.

Takumi isn't my enemy. I just attacked him because he killed Felicia... and I'm still kinda angry, is all.

Ah, is the dragon inside you waking?

What?

How did it feel? Was your few seconds of revenge sweet? Is Robin the tactician finally embracing his Plegian birthright?

I thought you were against all this Grima-stuff. And no, it was certainly not sweet. If anything, it was scary and nerve-racking. Are you mad that I didn't kill him outright?

Of course not. But it is still inevitable that you indulge in our draconic... desires.

I'm pretty sure revenge and anger are very base human emotions.

Well... yeah. But dragons seem to love them even more.

I can't say I felt anything too euphoric. I mean, Felicia is dead and I still have no idea how to isolate Azura.

Incapacitate Takumi.

W-what?

C'mon, you just sliced his shoulder up. He just killed your hot maid!

I can't just leave him surrounded by Faceless. Not only that, but do you expect me to just waltz around with all of Hoshido on me for killing their prince? It's bad enough that I killed some of their soldiers!

Very well. We'll go about doing things your way... human. Save Takumi, but take his bow.

And what will Azura do?

The same thing she's been doing ever since she joined your band of merry men: nothing.

She has done something... on the way to Valm, she manipulated the sea and obliterated the Valmese flagship. Something... about her song. And you just saw her cleanse Takumi of whatever was messing with his head... But you are right. Other than that, she hasn't really spoken up much about anything, really.

That's because she has her secrets. Now come on. Put Takumi to sleep, take his bow, kill all the Faceless and run away with your little blue songstress.

Robin sighed, pretending to kneel to inspect Takumi's shoulder.

"N-ngh," the prince groaned, still fighting the conflicting voices in his head. "I-I'm sorry... I don't know... what c-came over me-"

"Shh," Robin whispered, driving his palm up Takumi's nose sharply, knocking the archer out in a heartbeat. "Perhaps a nap might help."

Okay, that felt good. Ooh, that felt really good. Aha, sorry.

Pff, I won't lie, I'm grinning from ear to ear at this. Anyway, mind on the mission. Take his sacred wind stick and let's bug out of here.

Azura watched passively as Robin took Fuujin Yumi, strapping it along the inner seams of his cloak so it remained hidden as long as he stood straight. Even as Robin tied Takumi by the legs to his horse, cradling Felicia in his arms, she silently followed the tactician as they headed for Ryoma and Hinoka.

"Well, looks like you're stuck with me for the time being, Princess Azura. There's room for one more on here." The blue-haired princess didn't react, but kept walking without even regarding the faceless that bothered to follow them.

"You claim not to be a Nohrian, which could be plausible. But what are you planning to achieve with the Fuujin Yumi?"

Ah, so she finally speaks. Sorry Robin, I'm taking the helm for a few moments.

Be my guest.

Ahem. Right.

Robin felt himself lose control over his motor functions, but could still see himself through his own eyes, just like every time before.

"So that's what this little twig is called," Grima chuckled. "And I'm assuming Ryoma's precious bug zapper is just as sacred. Y'know, as a Prince of Nohr, my brothers have in their possession the Book of Life: Brynhildr, and the Blade of Dusk: Siegfried. How convenient, right?"

Azura remained silent, but both Robin and Grima could see the growing suspicion in her eyes.

"So, let's skip ahead in my plan a few weeks, and here I am, with all four sacred weapons in my midst. With a little more convincing, and perhaps some changes of power... some offers of allegiance in return for their precious weapons back, boom. Here we are, Hoshido and Nohr at peace, for now at least. I wonder... just what kind of... things, could a force this powerful... slay?"

Grima spoke every word deliberately, pausing dramatically for his dialogue to hold the maximum amount of confidence.

"What do you think, Miss Azura?" The princess held her ground, chin held high but her eyes were darting between Robin and Felicia's corpse.

"I don't know what you are playing at, but I assure you I have no clue."

"Well, do you know what I think we could do?" Grima asked, baiting the princess for her inevitable answer. Still, she did not trust him enough to say it, so Grima had to go all in.

"..."

"Well, my beautiful princess of neither Hoshido nor Nohr, I think we could take on something big! A... dragon, perhaps? And I dunno, bring about lasting peace between two warring countries as a result? Seems a bit far-fetched, but who knows what's out there in the great beyond? I bet we could do all sorts of things! Even... bring about a country to its former glory?"

Needless to say, Azura's growing smile, despite all her efforts to hide it, was very apparent by now. Releasing his control back to Robin, the tactician mirrored it on his own lips.

Remember those words I told you to tell Azura a while ago?

Not the line of passionate sex... ah, the one about the dragon of silence?

Frankly, at this point considering Azura's mood, either one would result in a very huge win for you. Take your pick.

Sorry Grima. I've already got a lovely dragon princess waiting for me on the other side of this epiphany.

Suit yourself. Just saying, Azura's one of the hottest-

"And say that there was a dragon that we could slay," Robin continued where Grima left off. "A dragon of... silence, perhaps. I think we could silence it forevermore, don't you think?"

"Okay, stranger," Azura smirked, a sight that surprised and slightly pleased both Robin and Grima. "I think I know a dragon that fits the description where I'm from. But... you have to follow me. Leave Takumi and your wife somewhere safe, and we'll run off to the Bottomless Chasm. We can't talk about it here."

Just how much does this girl know? She may even know more about An- that dragon than I do!

Should I follow her?

Carefully. But if you must, now's your time to take care of Felicia and Takumi. A proper disappearing act and some explanation why Fuujin Yumi is 'missing' ought to do the trick.

Alright. Here we go.

"But Takumi is your brother by bond, is he not? We can't just leave him here. And besides, Ryoma and the others will look for us."

Needless to say, Azura's sails were robbed of all their wind, and her annoyance was quite clear to see. Robin laughed internally at Azura's impatience, but he supposed eagerness was something rare to see in the blue-haired dancer and he decided to keep at it to incite that same enthusiasm.

"I... I guess," Azura sighed, disappointed that the only one even knowing of her struggle had other agendas to settle first. Robin was amazed at this side of Azura. From the usual melancholic and blank-faced singer in his army to the giddy and excited princess that was just itching to tell her share of secrets... This was a pleasant turn of events. Even if... Felicia was still dead.

About that... Here. Just to remind you that I'm on your side. Even if this is just a dream... I still have my powers. You're welcome.

Felicia sputtered to life, coughing and screaming all at once, but upon seeing that she was being cradled in Robin's arms, calmed down somewhat.

"W-what?!" Robin gasped, almost dropping his maid off the horse on sight, before recollecting himself and smiling in pleasant surprise.

"I... I'm alive?!" she whispered, before feeling her back where the arrow had long since disappeared. No wound, no blood.

I pulled a similar stunt when Lon'qu died in the real world. His Hohsidan girlfriend, while it goes without saying, was very much pleased.

Have you... been following us?

Ever since you sailed for Valm. That's when I cut myself from Grima... And left Naga all alone to fend for herself up there. But she'll be fine, and so will we. Mainly because I'm on your side.

Thank you, I guess.

It's nothing, really. I need to ensure victory for you as much as I can. It's the only way we both win. Trust me: if I had a better way of doing things aside from tagging along with your little boy band on the sidelines, I would be doing it. But for now, try not to get yourselves killed out there when I come back. And NOT A WORD to your soldiers. If they find out, then the spies find out, and then Grima will find out, somehow. I... can't let that happen.

Now then... let's get on with our plans.


"R-robin?! Oh." Marth turned around to see Corrin barely suppressing a grin, before she joined her on the railing outside the Shepherd barracks. "You mimic his voice quite well."

"I imitate a lot of voices well," Corrin laughed, now contorting her voice to sound like Chrom. Marth scowled slightly, seeing what Corrin was trying to do.

"So it seems," she replied motionlessly.

"Having trouble sleeping, Lucina?" At first, Marth said nothing. It was still too bizarre that a complete stranger, one she had no recollection of in the past timeline or in this one, would know her every move. But she decided to trust her, since it seemed Corrin was looking out for Chrom just as much as she was.

"It is unbelievable to think I made it just in time," she admitted. Corrin nodded, whistling Azura's melody to herself before sitting down and squeezing her legs between the gaps in the railing, dangling her bare feet over the edge.

"Y'know, in my timeline, Robin wrote down that you saved Lissa in the woods by Southtown. But you never revealed yourself until Valm, nearly two years later. What were you planning to do?" Marth was at a loss what to say. True, her original plan was to ensure Chrom's victory at Ferox, save him a few days later at Ylisstol, and then save Emmeryn... but now? She had to go along with things, no matter whether it was for better or worse.

"Do you know Lon'qu?"

"The Chon'sin samurai? Yeah. He's a phenomenal swordsman! I kicked my own butt sparring him a few times. Then again, I am a woman..."

"And he has a crippling fear of women," Marth contemplated. "I think the odds are in your favor when we get to Ferox. I know for a fact my father may have a fair chance, but it is not a healthy one."

"I see. Well, according to Robin's journal, you were the one they fought in the trial by combat. Robin zapped you after your dance with your father. So anticlimactic." At that, Marth smiled, before adjusting her mask and, after a glance behind them, took it off. Corrin stared at her eyes, noting the brand and how faintly it glimmered in her iris. She couldn't help but see the faint outline of tears that were starting to fall.

"Things have been hard on you, haven't they?" Corrin asked softly, gesturing for Lucina to sit down next to her. She did, sighing quietly as she too dangled her feet off the ledge.

"I... I am so glad to have made it here and see my Father again... But my work is never done until Grima is dead. Then... I can rest assured that the world is saved." Corrin nodded, letting a silent yawn escape her lips as she stared into the darkness past their fire-lit building.

"You know... saving the world is a wonderful thing," she began, turning Lucina's head to face her. "But you can let yourself be selfish too. Your father is right here, sleeping under your safety. You can let yourself be happy for that..."

Slowly but surely, the tears fell, and Lucina's whimpers were muffled as she buried her head into her arms.

"You're a young girl, Lucina. It's okay to act like one when no one is looking," Corrin whispered, wrapping her arm around the younger princess as her sobs grew in intensity. "You will fight when you need to, bleed and sweat when you force yourself to... but moments like these serve to remind us...you should cry when you have to. You're just a child, no matter what we all say. And no child deserves to live a life of pain."

"...I have to do this..." Lucina assured herself. Corrin agreed, still keeping her arm wrapped around the blue-haired princess.

"And I'll be by your side every step of the way. Okay?" Lucina smiled weakly, before putting her mask back on, emboldened.

"I'd be honored to see you by my side, Princess Corrin."

First Chrom, then Sumia, and now even Lucina likes you this early. Robin had like two friends before he got into the groove of things. What makes you so special?

Oh, shut it Grima. Robin has his own appeals, but... I guess I'm more open and kind than he was?

Perhaps. I'll leave you to that. Do you think you can take down Lon'qu?

I've only beaten him once... and that's with his handicap.

Just kick his nuts and kiss him or something. Or... say a couple words. Sure, those certain words may cause him to hate you and question you for all of eternity, but we're in a dream right?

You want me to tell him... something about Ke'ri? That was her name, right? Hana told me about her before she and Lon'qu... got together.

Just whisper it. Make him second guess himself and then kick him in the nuts again.

I don't think I can do that. I'll have to beat him fair and square.

So honorable. Surely you are the true bringer of peace.

Go away.

You know, I know a couple times where Robin chose Lucina as his significant other. So cliche... yet Morgan was just as zany. Think about that?

I'd rather not. Now shoo, you.

The sounds of the door behind them opening were heard, and footsteps followed by a chuckle followed suit.

"Eloping on the rooftop now, are we?" Corrin turned to see Chrom, who raised his eyebrows in question. Marth blushed heavily behind her mask but Corrin just scowled.

"Isn't it past your bedtime, Prince Chrom?" she mocked, rising to meet the taller swordsman.

"But I want a story," Chrom retorted, the flirting causing both princesses to cringe. "Can you read me one and tuck me in?"

Father please, Marth begged quietly in her head.

Oh gods, make it stop.

Er... how do I react to this?

I don't know! You started it!

Without thinking, Corrin brought her leg back but stopped it just in time. Chrom instinctively covered his crotch, before getting the message and frowning at himself.

"S-sorry... I got the wrong message there..."

"You're about to get a personal message," Corrin warned, stretching her ankle for the impending kick. "What do you need?" Chrom laughed nervously and backed away, before continuing with his original purpose.

"I heard voices. You and Marth were talking, so I figured I would... err... interrupt you. You really should get to bed."

"What did you hear?" Marth gasped, before Chrom shrugged.

"Nothing worth noting, aside from the fact that Ferox isn't going to be an easy trip. But Corrin will handle that, right? I'll just... swing my sword... at bad guys."

"You should go to bed," Corrin hissed, not too pleased with Chrom at the moment. "I'll handle what I need to handle."

"Fine," Chrom sighed, realizing that he wasn't getting anywhere. "And by the way... when you find your father, Marth," Chrom began, which made Marth jolt in shock.

"Y-yes?"

"I'm sure he would be proud to see his son grown up." The princess in disguise barely hid her smile, and could only shiver as a result.

"T-thank you, milord..." Marth whispered, not letting her tears show. Chrom left, and Marth slumped her shoulders as she let out the rest of her tears.

"Such a nutcase, that prince..." Corrin fumed, before turning to her companion. "C'mon. Let's get you to bed."

"F-father..." Marth whimpered, before nodding passionately and following the white-haired princess downstairs.

I see that you and Robin differ quite differently when placed in the same role. I'd daresay you are doing a better job as a friend than he was...

Well, I'm sure in my defense, Robin did not know the turnout of events. He didn't know Lucina.

I can tell you right now... Robin may have been the cunning tactician that he was. But he was not as good a sister to each Shepherd than you were. Perhaps you'll win this war through other means. Granted, you still have your cunning and your wits. But at least you'll be surrounded by people that will trust you more than they would trust an amnesiac tactician.

Thanks, I guess.

I mean, you still have a ways to go before you're Robin's equal-

Aaand, the moment is gone.


"Damn, is he alright?" Ryoma gasped, looking at the slumped Takumi, who rested against Robin's horse. Felicia was riding it, unsure of what to do. They found them surrounded by countless corpses of Faceless, but found no sign of Robin or Azura.

"We gotta find Azura!" Hinoka cried, not too thrilled at the fact that her brother was injured and sister missing with some stranger she had yet to meet.

"R-robin chased after some Faceless," Felicia blurted out, reciting the lines Robin had told her to say after her sudden return to the living. "The beasts took Takumi's bow, or something like that. Azura followed him."

"Why?" Ryoma wondered. Mother did say Azura had something to do with Robin's plans. Is this all part of some bigger scheme? Is Mikoto planning something behind my back?

"We'll head back to Hoshido," Ryoma decided swiftly, before sheathing Raijintou and whistling for his own horse. "Takumi is fine, other than his shoulder, it looks like."

"But, how about A-azura? And Fuujin Yumi?" Sakura asked, her voice piping in fear. Ryoma sighed and watched Kaze and Rinkah bring their horse around to their position.

"Mother seemed to anticipate these events, so we'll have to trust her until the answer reveals itself more clearly," Ryoma guessed. "Robin is honorable, so I suspect nothing ill. Azura is strong too, and she can handle herself. But for now, we need to take care of Takumi. As important as his bow is, his life is more important. Come."

"And what of me?" Felicia wondered, not knowing why Robin had suddenly abandoned her after she got shot through the gut. After all, her murderer was in her midst, unconscious right behind her on Robin's horse! Ryoma stopped, before sighing.

"You'll come with us to Hoshido. I'm sure it's not to your liking, but Robin is going to return with Azura eventually. It's a failproof plan-"

"You're taking me hostage?" Felicia wondered, not seeing any other reason that the Hoshidans would want her. "As ransom for Azura's return?"

"You'll be a guest," the crown prince assured. "We'll take care of you until your husband returns."

Great, Felicia fumed. Robin had told her he wasn't coming back for a while. Not until he got Brynhildr and Siegfried as well.

"Very well..."

With that, Ryoma mounted his horse and set back for Hoshido. Kaze and Rinkah followed on their own horse, while Felicia held onto the limp Takumi with a less than gentle grip, having half a mind to let him drag from a rope and scrape his pineapple head on the ground. Hinoka and Sakura followed above them atop the former's tenma, both nervous at their blue-haired sister's fate.

"Robin/Azura, I hope you know what you're doing..." they all whispered to themselves.


"Azura, what exactly are we doing?" Robin panted, out of breath from following the brisk pace of the lightly equipped singer.

"Come on! We're almost there!" Azura exclaimed, her excitement clearly out of character for the usually domestic princess.

Coming to the Bottomless Chasm, Robin gaped at the impressive expanse, which was where his whole adventure had started.

Well, change of plans.

What's happening?

I'm going to lay low for a while. You're on your own!

Wait, what?

Grima?

Great.

"Were you always this energetic?" Robin wondered, to which Azura shook her head. Her smile was as radiant as her beautiful eyes, and equally as hopeful.

"You have no idea how long I've been holding this in..." Teetering dangerously close to the edge, Azura dangled her leg over the edge before nodding in self-assurance. "Follow me!"

"W-wait... Azura!" Not bothering to respond to Robin's complaints, Azura leaped off the cliff and dove straight into the ravine, disappearing from sight after a few seconds.

"Guess I'll have to trust her from here on out," the tactician gulped. Feeling Fuujin Yumi hum quietly against his hip, he swallowed his fear and walked off into the infinite black. His stomach plunged into his throat and he was...

Falling.

Falling.

Falling...

Not falling?

Were his eyes always closed?


Robin found himself in a dark room, dimly lit aside from the torches on the wall. He seemed to be in some sort of chamber, one that was the culmination of a very, very long hallway. One way in, one way out... which meant...

Why was he walking away from it? Suddenly, a figure grabbed him from the side, pulling him against the wall where they happened to hide through the use of silhouettes and outcroppings.

"R-robin, you are unharmed... It looks like you escaped! Just when we found you, too."

"Huh?"

The tactician didn't exactly recall the voice, but on adjusting to the light, Lucina's gentle gaze brought him back to reality.

"I'm... back? Lucina, is that you?"

"Thank goodness," Lucina replied, sheathing Falchion with a metallic click. Aside from the steel cuff that had broken chains around his wrists and ankles, Robin had a free range of movement. "We searched this whole castle for you. We ran into some trouble, but it was nothing we could not handle. I'm surprised you broke yourself loose, just as we found you!"

"We?" Robin turned to see Kana clutching him in a tight hug, face buried in his cloak. "Kana..."

"Papa, it's so good to see you alive and safe! Are you fit to walk?" Robin clutched his head in pain, before brushing his bare head. Not liking the feel of his hair ruffled about, he quickly put his hood up.

"Yeah. Where are we? How long was I... gone?" Lucina looked at him in question before Kana answered his inquiry.

"We're in some Valmese castle not too far away from where we set camp. It's been only two days since you disappeared, so we probably didn't miss anything much!"

"Two days?" Robin contemplated. What was happening... before that? "That's it?"

"Come, Robin, Kana," Lucina interrupted. "They are going to find us if we linger. We have to get back to the camp before anyone detects us." Kana nodded briskly and dragged his father along with him as they hugged the walls and followed the princess out of the Valmese camp.

"Is it... over?" Robin wondered to himself, not remembering much. Except...

"I'm going to lay low... for a while. You'll be... on your own," Robin muttered, pushing away the hair that felt past his hood. Did he say that?

"What was that?" Lucina asked, but Robin shook his head and adjusted his hood once more.

Yes... Yes I did say that.