Ok, today we charge Ylisstol!

Lucina: Are we going to talk about the last chapter?

Severa: Yeah, that's a big decision.

7: We'll see what the chapter holds, no? After all, we're still some time off from getting to that point in the story.

Lucina: …True, I guess.

Severa: Can we just go and get that bitch yet? I demand that I take out Catherine myself!

7: Again, let's see what we have. Ready everyone?

*Casts draws their weapons*

To battle!

Return of the Rightful

Five days after Sumia had been taken to Ylisstol, she met the head of the rebels face to face.

The day had been… boring, to put it lightly. Sumia did not speak unless spoken to and her responses were clipped and cold enough to freeze blood. Beneath the mask, she sneered in annoyance at being confined to a guest room in the palace. Beneath the sneer and under the ice placed on her heart, Sumia prayed for Chrom's safety.

When the door opened for the first time that day, Sumia stared as a woman in golden armor and with a face that resembled Frederick's came in. Shortly thereafter, a woman with an aura of entitlement and jealousy entered as well, a staff in hand.

She was short, but her dress did its best to accentuate the curves that she had doubtlessly fostered to incur the envy of her peers. Aside from that, the white and gold dress only drew the eye to the woman's auburn hair and deep brown eyes set into a pretty face.

"Marquise Meredith I assume?" Sumia observed. "What brings you to my room today?"

The woman put on a smile Sumia knew was fake. "I'm here to see the future Exalt. Your big day is tomorrow after all."

Sumia internally grimaced, wondering how anyone could fall for such sickly-sweet words. "Then you are here to create the brand?"

Meredith's face morphed into a sneer and a hand snapped out to grip Sumia's hair. "I'll do that after I make you squeal a bit."

Sumia had enough time to wince before she was wrenched from her seat and slapped, hard. She barely had enough time to process the pain before her hair was pulled again and her head was forced up.

It was slapped again.

Raise… slap.

Raise… slap.

Raise… slap.

Sumia could taste blood, both pooling in her mouth and rising from bruises. The hand tightened its grip and Sumia was pulled up to find Meredith glaring at her, insanity sparkling in her muddy eyes. "I do not see why a prince would choose something like you. He had every reason to choose me, from my looks to my experience, and he spurned me for you!"

She threw Sumia's head to the table, a crack rending the air. "You'll be a puppet though, serving the worthy. It's all a girl from Clarissa could ever ask for, especially since your father bumbled his way to the grave."

Sumia turned her head up and snarled at Meredith, rage burning its way through the ice in her breast. "You bi-!"

An armored fist met her head, Meredith smirking as Sumia tried to recover from the other woman's strike. "Let that serve as a lesson. I need your face in order for tomorrow though, so I'll deign to fix you up a bit."

The staff in her hand glowed, but a malicious spark danced across her eyes. "I hope you don't mind a scar, I'm not exactly experienced with this."

Sumia stewed in humiliation, her teeth grinding together as she tried to keep her head.

"Oh, and Catherine's going to do you one last favor."

Sumia felt her hair yanked again. "You don't need this hair, puppets should only wear the wigs their masters choose."

Fingers snapped and steel rasped, Sumia finally tearing up.

Naga… please let them come soon…

-Chrom-

"We'll arrive tomorrow."

Chrom stared at Robin as they sat in the prince's tent. They'd finished their meeting with both Lord Dunwall and Lady Miranda barely an hour ago, both explaining their forces to the prince and what their spies had told them.

"Don't give me that look." Robin sighed. "The moment we knew Frederick wasn't going to die on us we were on the road. Taking the positions of Lord Dunwall's army and Lady Miranda's army into account, the fact we'll be at Ylisstol by noon tomorrow is impressive enough."

Chrom scratched his cheek. "Robin, do you think I should just go ahead and do it?"

"What 'it' are we talking about?" Robin asked. "Do you mean going to see Libra about that mole on your ass?"

Chrom glowered at his cheeky friend." No, and how do you even know about it? What I mean is, should I ask for Sumia's hand when we get her back?"

He kept talking, warding off Robin's surprised grunt. "Look, I know I can't go and ask her father for his permission and I can't do the things normal guys do when they're getting ready to ask. But, this worry I've had ever since I learned she was taken has only solidified my feelings."

Robin tilted his head. "You have to ask her father for permission to marry her? How does that make sense?"

"Right," Chrom groaned. "You only recently figured out Cordelia was romantically inclined towards you, hell you recently found out what romantically inclined meant."

He waved off Robin's glare. "Go ask Maribelle about the etiquette, I'm not the best at explaining things like that. Anyway, what do you think?"

Robin cooled his glare and held his chin. "Well… from what Lissa told me, she'd been trying to get some kind of 'plan' going so you guys would get together. Pretty sure it went up in flames when Maribelle got captured, but most everyone I've asked talked like you'd been dating for a while."

Chrom's face slackened with every word, but Robin kept going. "There's more than a few bets that you'd propose by next month, but all this has understandably captured everyone's attention."

"Why am I not surprised?" Chrom groaned. "When all this is over, we're going to have a big talk about everyone's compulsive gambling."

Robin smirked and stood. "Well, I need to go over our lines with Katarina. I'll see you later tonight."

Chrom waved and remained where he was, contemplating what would come after tomorrow.

We have the forces to surround Ylisstol completely and there's reason to believe that only the soldiers in the palace are loyal to the rebel leaders. I still don't know what possessed them to do this, least of all Lady Serena, but we'll have answers before necks.

Biting his lip, Chrom knocked on the arm of his chair. "Alright, whoever it is, come in."

Two people entered the tent, Vaike and Cynthia smiling at him as they approached.

Chrom didn't like those grins. "Alright, what is it this time Vaike? I don't have time to duel you."

"It ain't nothin' like that!" Vaike protested. "I just came to ask if you think I should ask Cherche to dinner when we get back from Plegia."

Chrom's brow shot up. "Thinking that far ahead? Last I saw, you were passed out in a wagon drooling while Cherche tried to keep Minerva from snuggling with you. That doesn't scream, 'prepared for battle'... or dating for that matter."

Vaike snorted. "I plan to clean up for that, and I haven't lost Armads since I got a hold of it. Ya need to have more faith in your pal!"

"I do," Chrom countered. "I just have precedent that you don't plan for things. You've always flown by the seat of your pants, so why should I expect it to change?"

Vaike grew sheepish. "Got me there… but the past don't matter. Look, I want to see if I can take some time off from the Shepherds, if Cherche agrees to go with me. After everything's over with, she's going to need someone to help her settle in and I want to be that person."

Chrom stared at his old friend for a long time, neither breaking eye contact. "…You really love her. I don't think you've ever given me such a selfless reason for vacation time."

Vaike picked at his cheek. "Yeah… never wanted to make someone smile so much, not even Lissa when she got sad."

"Well then," Chrom said, slapping his knees and standing. "You have my permission. First things first though, you actually have to get her to say yes."

Vaike smirked and held out his hand, Chrom gripping his forearm in turn. They shook and Vaike went on his way, Cynthia stepped forward. "That was fun to watch."

Chrom shook his head. "What business do you have for me today?"

"Nothing too big." Cynthia answered. "Katarina and Miriel wanted me to tell you they've come up with a plan for the infiltrators."

A breath exploded from Chrom's mouth. "Did they tell you this plan or do I have to go meet them?"

Cynthia shook her head and reached into a bag at her side. "No, they explained it to me. Here, I have the map they marked and everything."

She took out the parchment and laid it on the table, Chrom walking beside her and leaning on the wood. "So, the first point is in the western wall?"

"Yep, right in the merchant district." Cynthia said. "After that, they'll work their way through the back alleys until they arrive next to the outermost gardens."

She dragged her finger along the line of charcoal before stopping at a portion of the palace's outer wall. "Marth used a hole that you bashed into the wall in order to meet with you and Mr. Robin on the night the Exalt was attacked. "Considering only you and she know about it, it should still be there."

Chrom had the decency to look contrite. "Right… that thing. Really need to get it fixed. Well, if my blunder can make this plan work, I'll live with it. What happens next?"

"Well, hopefully very little." Cynthia shrugged. "If what we've been told is true, the troops not in the palace may very well open the gates for us. If that happens, the infiltration team can just go in, capture the rebel leaders and rescue Ms. Sumia, and then it's clean up time."

Chrom sighed through his nose. "Well, that's the best case scenario. Who's leading the infiltrators again, someone named 'Shade' or something?"

Cynthia rolled up the map and put it away. "That's the one. Lord Dunwall's paid for their services and supposedly they're an Ylisstol native. Mr. Gaius may not need the help, but Mr. Lon'qu and Ms. Olivia will need the extra know-how."

"Alright, thank you for bringing this to me." Chrom said. "We'll need to coordinate with them from beyond the walls, so tell Gaius we'll be using fire signals."

Cynthia saluted. "Yes sir! Oh, 'fore I forget, Princess Lissa wanted me to ask if you'd like to join her, Mr. Donnel, and Marth for dinner."

Chrom frowned, feeling like there was more to the question. "…I don't see why not. Most of my friends are going to be with their lovers and damn if Robin and Cordelia aren't going to be filling the air with sap tonight."

Cynthia smiled wanly before dropping her salute. "Sounds good. I'll take my leave, sir."

Chrom waved and sat again when she was gone. Taking out Falchion, Chrom gazed at the blade before looking to the corner of his tent. "I wonder if they'll come to the gate and grandstand?"

Gradivus's blade gleamed, as if answering Chrom's question.

"Well, if they do…" Chrom growled. "You're going into Catherine's black heart. I don't care for whatever reasons she may have, Frederick's her brother and she nearly allowed him to die. I will not let such a thing stand."

Snorting, he sheathed Falchion and left. He needed to see if anyone would spar with him, lest he go mad from the wait.

-Robin-

"Alright Ricken, I know you haven't used fire all that much, but let's try again."

The young man nodded and held up both hands. In one was a simple Fire tome while the other held the great Forseti. "Ok, ready."

Robin nodded and looked to Miriel. "You ready Miriel?"

The woman nodded and held out her hand, magic script flaring to life. The target of choice was a cliff that Sully had spotted on the march, Robin decided to use their downtime to test an idea he'd had.

"Alright, fire!"

Ricken ignored the pun and channeled Foresti, the vortex born with a fraction of its normal power. Once it was stable, Ricken shot a simple ball of fire into the vortex.

As it flew through the vortex, the flame ate at the wind around it and the ball grew into a self-contained inferno almost touching the edges of the vortex. When it reached the end, it slammed into the cliff and Miriel snapped her fingers.

Heat bloomed and rock shattered, a massive explosion rocking the ground and sending everyone flying. When his ears stopped ringing and the world steadied, Robin blinked at the cloud of dust reaching into the sky. "…Whoa."

"Whoa indeed." Miriel stated. "I never expected such a collision would obliterate the cliff side."

Ricken coughed from where he'd slammed against a tree. "Well, I didn't make the vortex that powerful. Any slower and the fire wouldn't have fed and any faster would have snuffed it out."

Robin staggered to his feet. "That still doesn't explain the explosion. Miriel, can you examine the rocks the cliff was made from? I have to go and reassure everyone we're not under attack."

He didn't wait for an answer and set out for the city of tents that made up the so-called Loyalist army. Someone probably heard the blast and the cloud reached high into the sky by now. He wouldn't be surprised if Chrom was waiting for him with a frown able to kill a lesser man.

When he got to the border of the tents, there was someone waiting for him. Rather than blue though, they were red and hopping onto a Pegasus.

"Cordelia, it's ok!" Robin shouted. "We were testing an idea and the cliff decided to explode. No one's hurt and I came to inform everyone."

Cordelia had her reins raised, but lowered them with a sigh at Robin's shout. "So that's what it was. You just about gave everyone a heart attack."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Robin apologized. "I came over as soon as I could."

Cordelia dismounted and walked up to him. After regarding Robin for a moment, she punched his arm. "No more experiments when we're on the march. The last thing any of us need is you getting hurt."

Her eyes softened. "It'd devastate me if anything happened to you while I wasn't there."

Robin rubbed his arm. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be worrying you with the attack tomorrow. It's just so… maddening to wait."

"I understand." Cordelia said. "Sumia's in their clutches and they had the audacity to hurt our friends. I will bring their mad delusions to an end, personally if need be."

"Get in line." Chrom growled as he walked up, fixing a sheepish Robin with a withering glare. "I assume that blast had something to do with you?"

Robin nodded and repeated his explanation, making those that had gathered behind the prince leave and Chrom groan. "Great, now I have to go and talk Lady Miranda off the cliff. Then I'll have to convince Dunwall he doesn't need to put sixty men around Maribelle at all times."

The prince threw up his hands and stalked away, Cordelia watching him go at Robin's side. "I don't think you'll be getting that bonus."

"Had to bring that up, didn't you?" Robin accused. "It's not my fault Sully sent me the bill for all those urns she broke, and I didn't have any emergency funds after Minerva kept eating those boars!"

Cordelia patted his shoulder, musing on her boyfriend's lack of a spine at times. "Well, why don't we go get something to eat? I was so caught up in inventory this morning and trying to see if you were ok I forgot breakfast."

Robin nodded and they set off, hand in hand. "Say… do you want to head back to The Melting Pot when we're done in Ylisstol and Plegia?"

"Sounds good to me." Cordelia agreed, pecking his cheek. "Our first date should be where we first became friends."

She smiled at him. "Also, I don't mind if you call me your girlfriend."

Robin laughed, scratching his head as he tried to ignore the envious whispers around them. "Well, I want to take you on a proper night out first. Call me stubborn, but that's what I believe."

Cordelia rolled her eyes and they lost themselves in harmless chatter. They would have to be all business tomorrow, but for now they allowed themselves to relax.

-Severa-

"Sweet Naga, what was that?!"

Severa looked around furiously as the sound of a blast washed over her. Whatever it was, it came from the direction she'd seen Miriel walk off to a couple hours ago.

Deciding the soldiers close by could handle whatever it was, Severa turned back to the parchment in front of her. "Ok… where was I?"

Unknown to basically everyone, with only Morgan playing the exception, Severa had a hobby she'd yet to indulge in for some time.

Composition.

She wasn't sure what making little marks on a page and calling it sheet music did for her, but it was relaxing nonetheless. It had started shortly after Severa had discovered an old book in the family library, the faded pages describing notes and how to write them on paper.

For the daughter of two musically inclined parents who enjoyed listening more than playing, it was an interesting find.

From there, she'd read and written her own music in secret, at one point creating a score by herself in two weeks.

Severa and Morgan had been waiting in the family room, both eager to show their parents the pile of parchment Severa had created. Then Sumia had walked in instead, weeping.

Severa groaned and stowed the parchment. She wouldn't get any work done if all she did was reminisce and make her back hurt. "Geez, why do I have to stay so positive?"

"It's because of your mark." Someone answered, making Severa fall out of her chair in panic. "Don't be so surprised girl, I mean no harm… today."

If that wasn't Tharja's voice then her name wasn't Severa Prisma Volk! "…Ms. Tharja?"

The dour woman scowled at Severa, hugging a black bound book close to her. "Yes, but drop the 'Ms.' Anyway, to answer your question, it is the mark you bear that forces you to be so… understanding."

She took a step forward. "If you'd like, I can examine it for you. Maybe even figure out a way to stop the pain."

"No," Severa refused. "I don't even understand how you know I have a mark, but I refuse to let you leer at me!"

Memories of being the accidental target of a sniffling curse and her parents' subsequent wrath made it hard to trust the dark mage, especially her younger, less mellow self.

Tharja's scowl deepened. "I will not 'leer' at you. I happen to be the only person in the country that can help you get over the pain."

She took another step forward. "You do well hiding it, but during the meetings in Ferox I saw you wince whenever you scowled or raised your voice. Each time you would reach for your back as if to massage it but you stopped yourself."

Severa gulped and scrambled back from the dark mage. "Just, mind your own business! Go stalk the priest or something!"

"Oh, I'll do that later." Tharja promised. "What I want to do now is get a look at that mark. I plan to help, so what's stopping you from taking the offer?"

Severa growled, hand going to Mercurius. "I don't trust people who just barge into my tent. Besides, what could you do? How do I know you're not going to curse me into doing whatever you want?"

Tharja sighed and her hands welled with purple miasma. "I will swear an oath if that makes you feel better. If I break it, I'll turn into a newt for the rest of my days."

Severa continued to glare at Tharja before she let go of Mercurius. "Alright, swear you won't say anything to anyone else about this unless I say so. No curses or hexes to force compliance either, we stop when I say so."

Tharja smirked. "Very well, but watch what you say next time. A more innocent girl might get the wrong message."

She cackled at Severa's blushing face before placing the miasma against her chest. A moment later it seeped through her skin and Tharja sighed. "It is done. Now, the mark please."

Severa breathed deeply before turning and taking a seat on the floor. She took off her coat carefully before grabbing the hem of her shirt and pulling it off. "Happy?"

Tharja hummed in response, cold fingers tracing the mark and making Severa shiver. "I recognize this mark… you're of Grimleal blood, like Robin."

"What of it?" Severa snapped.

She yelped a moment later when she felt Tharja's fingers began to trace beyond the mark. "The hell are you doing!?"

"Tracing your magic lines." Tharja growled. "To answer any questions, they're what let you use magic in the first place. Most aren't born with them, but it's rare for anyone to have lines as wide and long as yours. Based on this, I'd say you have three magic pools."

Severa tilted her head and Tharja continued. "Most magic users have two pools, areas where their magic lines converge and extend from. They're usually formed around the brain and heart, but you have lines extending down into your legs. As for the pool they come from…"

She tapped Severa's back, right in the center of the mark. "It's right here. The pool's a dark magic though, something I've never seen before. It'll take me some time to find a counter hex, but I don't believe you'll be with us long enough for me to find it."

Severa pulled her shirt back on and enveloped herself in the familiar warmth of her coat. "What makes you think that?"

"Just your group's behavior," Tharja said, "It's not unnoticed how you all hesitate around the Shepherds – it's no secret you want little do with us outside of business."

Her eyes narrowed. "Sully mentioned you appeared devastated when Nowi and Frederick were brought back to Ferox. It's almost as if you know them quite well…"

Severa gulped, ready to charge and take on Tharja if need be, but the dark mage shrugged. "It's none of my business. If you do decide to leave, you may want to go look for a specific guy in Plegia. So long as he's not dead, he'll be able to find a way to break that pain curse."

She left without another word, Severa slumped over in relief.

Lucy, we can't stay. If they've noticed this much stuff just from us being careful, staying any longer than defeating Gangrel risks exposing us.

Severa sighed and went off to find her friend. It was unfortunate that they couldn't stay.

All that work Cynthia and Morgan had put into trying to find an apartment in Ylisstol would be for naught.

-Chrom, Next Morning-

"So, you're Evelyn."

Chrom stared at the woman across from him, silently musing she could have been Robin's sister as well. The Feldian general was dressed in her normal gear of silver scale-mail with matching greaves and gauntlets. A yellow tabard bearing the symbol of Felds flapped in the breeze.

"That's me, Your Highness." The silver haired woman answered. "I apologize again for all the trouble my forces got your soldiers into. Hard to counteract orders when the guy just talks over you all the time."

Chrom shook his head. "It's in the past. I'm just glad you came to your senses and joined us."

Evelyn scratched her head, looking to the other people around her. "Well, call it a feeling, but I can't exactly stand here with the prince, Duke Dunwall, and Duchess Miranda and still feel the rebels are in the right."

The duchess pushed her brown hair out of her eyes, the chips of green glinting. "I'd say so. Personally, I wish I wouldn't have had to meet His Highness in such straights. Especially since I was only able to say goodbye to the Exalt just yesterday."

"Agreed." Dunwall muttered, his blonde curls ruffling with the breeze. "I simply wish us to march and end this. My daughter is greatly distraught over Lady Sumia's condition and I do not wish Ylisstol to be held by those unworthy any longer."

Evelyn gulped audibly before looking back to Chrom. "In any case, we're ready when you are. I'll march in from the east after you've begun the siege, finding out I've turned on them may very well break the defenders will to fight."

"That's if they fight in the first place." Miranda sniffed. "I believe that these rebels greatly underestimated how much they'd need Carlan's old network. Agents loyal to us could infiltrate Ylisstol easily, some even being helped by the guards from Clarissa and Felds. Only the ones from Draconis followed the rebels' orders to the letter."

Chrom sighed. "Then we shall have a hard fight at the palace. Draconis is known for making the most loyal troops in the halidom, as well as the most fanatic. It wouldn't surprise me if they believed every drop of drivel the rebel clergy vomited."

"It'll be fun trying to clean out those bastards." Dunwall spat. "Then there's the matter of Grevis."

Miranda held up a letter. "I received a missive from Duchess Catarnia. She's decided that Grevis should side with Prince Chrom."

"Took her long enough." Chrom snorted. "Though I suppose Cordelia will be happy to hear her homeland and family are still with us. Is there anything else?"

When no one spoke, Chrom dismissed the meeting and went to find his sister. After fruitless searches of the medical tents and storage areas, Chrom finally found Lissa in his tent, staring at the Fire Emblem. "How'd you find it?"

Lissa shrugged, absently tracing the contours of the metal. "I know where you like to hide things is all. I'm just… not looking forward to spilling blood in our home. Again."

Chrom laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "We'll do all we can to prevent it. I won't answer with steel unless they give us no choice."

Lissa gripped his hand, trembles belying her steady voice. "I know you will. Um, when we get settled, I need to talk to you ok?"

"Of course," Chrom answered. "But first things first. Are you ready?"

Lissa took a breath and turned to meet his gaze. "Absolutely. Let's go take back our home!"

They bumped fists and Lissa scrambled out of the tent, Chrom smiling at her back.

"I'm glad you're so strong Lissa." He whispered. "It soothes my soul to see you can take care of yourself."

Nodding, he strode to the corner of his tent and grabbed Gradivus. "Now then…"

"Let's march."

-Sumia-

How hilarious it must have been to the marquise to see her like this.

A hood over her head, a simple dress that wouldn't have appeared out of place in any remote village, and no shoes.

Sumia silently glanced around the dark room, noting her mother staring directly ahead while the one she'd heard called Count Theodore grumbled madly in the corner. If the distasteful glares Selena was giving the man meant anything, this was not a perfect hegemony.

Meredith stood by the door, cackling and leering at Sumia while Catherine stood beyond the door in preparation for the call to come.

A moment later, Catherine entered. "The people are gathered and the Loyalists come close."

The three rebel leaders stood and organized themselves, Sumia silently smirking as her chance to strike came close. They were filed out of the room by Catherine and another pair of guards, Draconian Knights if the plumes were anything to go by.

They walked through several corridors before arriving at a balcony, one Sumia recognized. It was the one Emmeryn had stood upon when she gave speeches to the populace.

Shoved forward, Sumia barely collected herself before Meredith stepped into the light and greeted the silent masses below. "People of Ylisstol, we have fortunate news this day!"

Her hand swept back towards Sumia. "Today, we would like to announce that a new, true-blooded member of the Exalted line has come forth! Unlike Duke Carlan, who has gladly rescinded his claim to the throne in light of this revelation, she is marked by Naga herself!"

That sent mutters through the crowd, confused gazes landing on Sumia's cloaked form.

Meredith smirked. "I can see none of you believe me. That's quite alright, skepticism is welcome in the face of such a bold claim."

Her arms went wide. "But, ponder no longer! I will show you the Mark of Naga that places her of Exalted blood! Come forward and show your subjects the mark!"

Sumia stepped forward at the cue, knowing that it was nearly time. She just needed to play along for a little longer.

Turning around, Sumia gripped her hood, hesitated slightly, and dropped the fabric away.

Gasps and shouts rang through the crowd, disbelief and confusion washing over the citizens like a tide.

Sumia very much had a Mark of Naga, the brand of exalted blood standing out prominently. If only it wasn't decided that Meredith would place the brand on the back of Sumia's head.

She wouldn't have been shaved bald otherwise.

Meredith held up her hands for silence and was granted it. "Now that you see the truth, I call upon the brave soldiers that defend this city to man the walls and give the guests making their way across the plains a warm welcome."

Her voice climbed to a screech. "Show the Exiled Prince that he and his allies are not welcome in Ylisstol, or this land!"

"For the Exalt!"

-Chrom-

"Naga in heaven, what did they do to her?!"

Chrom growled as Gaius relayed Sumia's condition to them, the assassin having returned from a covert run to confirm their infiltration routes. Cordelia was obviously sickened by the description, as her horrified shout showed, and the other Shepherds looked ready for blood.

"That's not all." Gaius sighed. "I got a decent look at the supposed brand. It's almost a complete match for Blue's mark."

Angry mutterings answered him, the gathered Shepherds only silenced by a wordless yell from Chrom. Once his lungs were spent, the prince spun on the spot and drew Falchion. "Launch the signal! We charge the gates for both our kingdom and our friend!"

Steel rang and parchment scraped, a trio of fireballs roaring into the sky.

For a moment, all was quiet.

Then the earth shook and thunder rang, the sounds of thousands of boots marching in step. Hooves dug dirt from the roads and spears were clanged against shields in a great show of intimidation.

Entire columns of cavaliers and knights marched forward, the vanguard of the many soldiers behind them. Spears, axes, swords, and bows were held in steady hands while mages standing at the very back began their chants.

Again, all was still as the great mass-the combined force of three duchies-came to a halt. The middle columns parted in unison, allowing an invention that had existed solely in Miriel's notebook to roll forth.

It was a great cart of wood and steel, a long beam of wood hung in the center of the cart's frame. At the end of the beam sat a great iron head, forged into the shape of a square with one purpose.

Smashing open the gates.

As the cart rolled past, pushed by two teams of six, the columns began their march once again. They were less than a league from the gate when they could see the small figures of archers on the walls.

Everyone tensed the moment they were in range, but no arrows flew.

They grew close enough to make out individual stones in the wall, the colors and designs of the flags, and the light shining on the armor of the archers.

But no arrows flew.

The cart rolled into the gatehouse, stopping just short of the gate itself. The teams left their spots and grabbed the ropes at their sides, pulling on them with all the strength they could muster.

The beam slowly pulled back with the groan of straining twine, climbing and climbing until it reached its apex.

The ropes were released and the beam fell.

It slammed into the gate with the force and sound of an explosion, the sound nearly making the armies jump. Immediately after, one of the crew slumped over, an arrow in his shoulder.

Roars shattered the air and the Siege of Ylisstol was on.

-Olivia-

Sweet Naga, what am I doing here?!

She was crawling through a tunnel filled with a foul stench, following Lon'qu's back as they tried to keep their boots out of the noxious sludge that oozed along the bottom.

Olivia was the back of the group, with the 'Shade' person up front followed by Gaius and Lon'qu. They'd peeled off from the other Shepherds the moment the contraption Miriel called a 'battering ram' had been pushed forward. While the soldiers on the walls were distracted by the spectacle, the infiltrators had made their way to one of the drainage tunnels and entered the city.

Why she had been brought along was still a mystery.

Olivia sighed through the mask she wore. "Will anyone tell me why I'm here?"

"You may not think it, but you're stealthy Babe." Gaius answered. "You've spooked just about everyone in camp with your dainty steps… Put the sword away Mister Super Swordsman, I'm not trying to flirt with your girl."

Olivia's face burned under the cloth, but Shade's voice cut through the air. "Quiet back there, we're nearly out. We can speak when we've captured the rebels."

Silence descended and they continued their crawl. As expected, they found a ladder that led into the wonderful world of fresh air in the back alley of a smokehouse.

Olivia tried to ignore the succulent smell of smoked fish and pork, but it was hard with the smokers going. Even with the clangs and shouts of battle echoing through the streets, it appeared the general citizens were unconcerned.

"This is weird." Lon'qu muttered. "Why would anyone in a besieged city go about their lives like this? If anything, it looks like they're getting ready to throw a party."

"They are," Shade grunted. "Many of the people are looking forward to Prince Chrom and Princess Lissa's return. Damn the fake Exalt they showed earlier today, no one wants the marquise in power anymore."

Gaius sighed and checked Matti Kati. "That doesn't explain why the archers are fighting."

"They're from Draconis." Olivia realized. "They're fanatics from what I've been told, so why wouldn't they oversee the gates?

Shade grunted and gestured for them to move. "Point made, but let's get going. We're still at least twenty minutes from our destination and we don't know how many thorough-bred soldiers there are."

They checked their weapons again before sprinting through the alleys. Shade led them through several twists and turns with the ease of a native, silently confirming the rumors Gaius and Lon'qu had heard. Olivia did her best to keep up.

After a time, and with the crash of the battering ram still echoing faintly through the air, they reached the palace walls.

"Would you look at that." Gaius mumbled. "Blue really did smash a hole in the wall."

Olivia silently wished she'd never have to cross blades with Chrom. If he could smash a six-inch hole in the wall by accident, she'd hate to see what he could do when serious.

Shade immediately started widening the hole with a hammer. "This leads into the gardens. If they've even an ounce of sense, not one guard will be here."

Olivia frowned before her hands snapped around Shade's. "Quiet!"

Shade ceased moving instantly, Gaius and Lon'qu going still as well. A moment later, faint voices wondering at what they thought was digging passed by.

"…Good ears." Shade whispered. "Never thought there'd be any of them here."

Lon'qu patted Olivia's shoulder. "That's the other reason you're here. You can hear a pin drop in the middle of a noisy tavern with everyone singing along while you dance. If that's not talent for an infiltrator, I don't know what is."

"Take in the sight Slim." Gaius mumbled. "Super Swordsman touching a woman without going red is rarer than diamonds."

The masked guide appeared amused, but began to widen the hole again. "The front gate won't last much longer. Let's get in and give them a warm welcome."

The others pitched in until the hole was wide enough for everyone to fit through. Once inside, they split into two teams, each with a different objective.

Team One was Shade and Gaius, their goal to capture the rebel leaders.

Team Two was Olivia and Lon'qu, their goal to find Sumia and get her out of the palace.

Gaius had infiltrated twice before, so he led Shade through the halls. So far, there were few guards and the ones they saw were heading towards the front of the palace and away from them.

"They sure don't seem keen on protecting the inner rooms." Gaius muttered. "Then again, I haven't seen any of the Draconis forces since we came in."

He gagged as Shade yanked on his shirt, just stopping Gaius as golden armored Draconis Knights marched by with nary a glance.

"Point made." Gaius grumbled once the knights were gone. "But that's the first pair I've seen all day."

Shade held up a finger to their mask and waited another moment before gesturing for Gaius to go. Rolling his eyes, Gaius sprinted down the deserted hall and knelt next to a pair of oak doors.

"Ok, these're the doors into the reception hall." Gaius whispered once Shade joined him. "Beyond that's the Throne Room, and if I was an egomaniacal nut job, I'd sit myself right in the big chair."

Shade nodded and held up a fist, three fingers, and a flat palm.

"You can talk you know," Gaius growled. "But fine, on three…"

Shade counted down until they held a fist, Gaius opened the door and dashed inside with his Katti drawn.

A punch to the gut sent the air out of him, another cracking against his cheek and sending him rolling across the ground. He popped to his feet and skid another inch, eyes casting about the room.

Six targets, two of them by the door I just came through. Shade took a hit, but they dodged the follow-up. All of them are either swordsmen or knights, but the one by the throne doors looks like the most important.

Said figure was dressed similarly to Gaius, but she had the normal arm blades typical of most assassins. Shade hissed when their eyes found her. "Durma!"

The woman waved languidly. "Shade, pleasure as always. Can't say I want to be here right now, but you know how these things go."

Gaius glanced at his compatriot. "Care to share?"

"Durma's one of mine." Shade growled. "At least she was. Tracker, blackmailer, assassin, you name it. She cut ties with me and mine six months ago, last I heard she was in Draconis."

Durma tucked a lock of black hair behind her ear. "Yes, well, when the Marquise of Gariel comes to you offering more gold than you'd ever want, one tends to listen."

She glanced at Gaius. "You know, it was pretty easy to tag you guys. I get you weren't trying to be all that stealthy, but taking a break in a field wasn't your best idea."

"You're the one that ratted us out." Gaius growled. "My mates almost died because of you!"

Durma shrugged, brown eyes uncaring. "Just business hun, what they did after I told them you were in Menagerie was out of my hands."

"You know nothing!" Gaius barked, charging the relaxed assassin. "My friends are blind and half dead! This is personal!"

Two of the swordsmen moved to intercept him, but Gaius slithered around their strikes. He took barely a moment to open their throats before continuing his charge.

He noticed Durma tense just enough for Gaius to know she was going to try and jump over him. He brought the Katti down to his side, ready to swing up and slice her open. Instead, her foot kicked out and met his knee, the bone popping out of place.

Gaius's momentum sent him crashing into the door, gritting his teeth in pain. He knew there was no moving right now, not unless he could pop the knee back in place.

"You've got an eye and skill." Durma noted. "Even got some experience too. Anyone else, you'd have opened them hip to shoulder."

She glared at him, the first sign of emotion in her otherwise stoic face. "But I'm no amateur or journeyman. I've dealt with people of your skill before and I know my way around them."

Gaius yelped as he forced his knee back in place, ignoring the pain in favor of standing and regarding Durma coldly. "I see… so what can I do here, eh?"

It was a rhetorical question. Shade had already used the distraction to kill the other guards and Gaius could tell Durma didn't want to take on both of them at once.

Gaius nodded to his compatriot. "She's all yours, big dog."

Before Durma could move, Gaius threw open the door he'd slammed into and rushed into the Throne Room, leaving Durma to steam. "Cheeky man."

A blade sliding from its sheathe caught Durma's attention. "So… I guess I can't just walk away?"

Shade pulled their mask down and pulled away their hood, red hair falling around equally red eyes. "No, not after you tried to sell me out to the Victor Bandits."

Shade, a woman that Robin would recognize as Anna the Merchant, pointed her blade at Durma. "My sister lost an arm for your betrayal!"

She swung her blade low and charged the other woman.

"And no one harms my family!"

-Lon'qu-

Finding Sumia was proving to be something of a challenge.

Lon'qu growled as he cut down another Draconis knight. He wasn't sure why, but he and Olivia had run into what looked like a hive of the bastards.

Olivia was still rather hesitant to kill the fanatics, going mostly for disabling strikes, but Lon'qu made sure they stayed down for good. The problem was it looked like they were getting closer and closer to a target, and the knights would not leave them alone.

After killing another Draconian, Lon'qu finally found some room to breathe. "Olivia, where are you?"

Silence, and Lon'qu finally noticed that the knights that had been swarming them were gone.

And so was Olivia.

Dread smacked him across the face and his feet trailed fire as he ran. "Olivia!"

Any bastard that tried to stop him was killed brutally and mercilessly. His charge had been taken and by Naga she would be safe. If not, everyone in this castle would die before he took his own blade and cleansed his honor.

Rounding a corner, Lon'qu cast his gaze down two corridors before a piercing scream sounded to his right.

"Olivia!" Lon'qu roared, recognizing the scream. "I'm coming!"

Taking off, he killed another group of knights before four of them jumped on top of him and crushed him under their girth. He tried to twist Balmung around, but the blade was kicked from his hand and he met eyes glowing red with madness.

Like a Risen.

"Well, this is the mad beast slaughtering his way here, eh? I have to say, I'm not impressed."

The red disappeared, if not the madness. "I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Theodore Drak, Count of Linde and Regent of Felds. Tell me, who are you to bring me such a prize today?"

"A prize?" Lon'qu growled. "Olivia is no prize, release her at once!"

Theodore laughed. "Why would I? She's not my angel, that bitch Evelyn saw to that, but she's a lovely thing nonetheless. I'll enjoy relieving some stress before I toss her out."

He brushed at his hair, an eager grin rising to his face. "In fact, I have a fun idea! You there, bring the woman here!"

Lon'qu gasped, "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, but I would!" Theodore chuckled. "I've seen the light since Her Ladyship Meredith came to meet me. She has shown me so many truths and pleasures that I could have scarcely imagined before!"

Lon'qu wanted to retort, but the sound of boots and Olivia's screams made him crane his head. "Olivia!"

"Lon'qu!" Olivia cried. "Please, don't look! I don't want you to see me like this!"

Theodore giggled. "Please, someone make sure he sees this! I want him to take in every…last…detail."

Lon'qu's head was grabbed and his eyes were forced open until he saw Olivia being dragged forward.

She was in tears, her armor long since ripped off and her shirt ripped open to show her naked chest. Lon'qu was too scared and angry to be embarrassed, but his rage boiled when the Count walked up and grabbed a breast. Olivia mewled in pain from his rough touch.

"I'll be glad to show you how I break them in." Theodore whispered. "Maybe you'll learn something, or… maybe you'll even thank me!"

Lon'qu's mind went blank, a voice thundering through the void. "My price shall be discussed later, defender, for now I give you my strength! Know that Asura, defender of the heavens, stands by your side!"

Lon'qu agreed without a second thought, simply gritting his teeth as pain erupted in his shoulders and the weight on him began to lift.

Bony claws ripped their way from his shoulders, flesh tearing alongside cloth and leather. Metal screeched as it was torn into pieces, the sickening sound of flesh slithering up the bony claws filling Lon'qu's ear.

The speed of the growth redoubled as the count affixed his lips to the underside of Olivia's breast.

With a roar bordering on the demonic, Lon'qu threw his captors from him, the metal of their armor cracking the walls and pillars around him.

At a silent command, Balmung flew to his right hand and seven copies blurred into existence, one for each new hand. The count, having halted his transgressions at the roar, turned and screeched at the sight. "Protect me you fools!"

The ones holding Olivia dropped her, allowing the poor woman to curl in on herself. Lon'qu didn't blink, his blades blurring forth and slicing through the soldiers like they didn't exist.

He spared just enough time to ensure Olivia was safe before he blurred after the count.

Behind him, the corpses began to dissolve into a putrid purple smoke, the laugh of… something, echoing through the air.

A blast of water cleansed the air. Olivia looked up slowly, eyes shining blue.

"Lon'qu…"

-Sumia-

It was time.

Sumia had been left alone with Selena, Meredith, and Catherine. They'd be left to, as the madwoman put it, take their proper place.

Now alone with her mother and with Gae Bolg to defend herself, Sumia had her opportunity.

The question was whether she could go through with it.

She's not your mother. The ice reasoned. This is a husk, something that mocks the woman you love-ending her existence can only be a mercy.

But my mother she remains, Sumia argued. She need not be killed, only helped. Disarming her and rendering her unconscious should be enough!

The internal debate had been raging since she'd been given the lance, Sumia ignoring her mother's mad ravings. It was obvious from the moment the great cart had arrived that everyone in the palace was doomed.

Meredith and Catherine had run, leaving their conspirators as sacrificial lambs.

Something Selena said caught Sumia's attention. "…Say again?"

Selena waved the question away. "Oh, I simply wonder if the Exile can actually fight. His personal knight is dead from what Catherine told me, so we'll get to see if the Exile lives up to his reputation."

Sumia's mind blanked, even the ice unable to speak. Then came rage, burning, bubbling, and altogether passionate, rose past the ice and into the open.

"You bitch!" Sumia roared, Gae Bolg gunning for Selena's neck. "You promised they would remain unharmed!"

Selena dodged the lance with frightening ease, Sumia catching a glint of red in her mother's eyes. "Why, I never promised such a thing did I? I only said those who came with you would be spared."

Sumia's vision went red and she began to swipe and stab at her mother, leaping over the furniture of the room and tearing the skirts around her waist to free her legs. Every strike and blow was dodged and turned aside though, the red in Selena's eyes slowly growing until they were only crimson.

It hit Sumia the same moment her first strike landed, the blow sending Selena's head around to a grotesque angle.

"You're not mother…" Sumia whispered as the creature's head twisted back into place with a sickening crack. "You're a Risen…"

The creature cackled, rancid purple smoke rising from her arms. "Of course, silly girl! Your mother would never dare agree to such treachery, so Lady Meredith killed her and used the corpse! To think, you would fall so readily for such an obvious fake!"

It charged Sumia and slammed its fist into her side, ribs cracking under the force and making Sumia fly into the wall. She used Gae Bolg to steady herself, blood staining the ground as she coughed.

I've had enough of this! Sumia thought as blood filled her lungs. This creature and that bitch Meredith have killed my mother, Frederick, and many others. I will not permit them to get away with this, even should I die!

Crimson stained the ground again, a kick from the creature adding bile to the sticky pools.

Chrom… though this may kill me or turn me into something you must kill, do not mourn for me…

Her gaze turned up to meet the red eyes of the creature, veins of white and blue appearing in her brown orbs.

I've made my choice… my love.

The ice around her heart cracked, slowly at first. The creature frowned as it felt the temperature drop, eyes widening as it realized what was going on.

It smirked. "Good."

Ice exploded from Sumia's body, jagged spears and blades shooting in all directions. The creature could barely blink before a half-dozen icy spears skewered its body and impaled it against the far wall.

Panting, it looked up to see Sumia jerk and crack out of the ice. Her body was pale blue, the sites of her wounds stitched together with frost and her bald head pulsing with light blue veins. Sumia, or whatever she was, stalked forward with Gae Bolg in hand, the legendary blade encrusted by frost.

The blade ghosted forward when Sumia was close enough, the tip coming to rest on the creature's heart. "You will trouble this world no more."

The creature cackled before its head went limp and a familiar voice spoke. "…Sumia?"

Sumia would not be fooled. "You are not my mother, creature. She died the moment Meredith decided to approach her."

The lance pulled back.

"Begone."

The blade shot forward and Sumia caught sight of the creature's eyes. Except, they weren't the baleful red of the Risen.

They were her mother's eyes, full of shock and sadness before the light left them.

Sumia recoiled as the final sleight of hand revealed itself, horror clenching her heart in its grip.

Selena Pons had never been killed, she'd been possessed. It was a dark manner of blood magic Sumia had read about, Robin forced the Shepherds to read the book so they would know. So they wouldn't make this mistake.

Meredith had never touched Selena.

As the revelation settled in, Sumia curled into herself and felt her head press against the ground.

There, alone with the corpse of her mother, Sumia did the only thing she could.

She wept.

-Gaius-

The Throne Room had a single occupant.

Gaius hissed as his knee pulsed with pain, his anger just barely enough to cloud the sensation. "Catherine… I take it?"

"It's Dame Catherine knave." Frederick's sister stated. "Is the Exile so loose with his guard that a common thief can enter and not know his betters?"

Gaius glared at the stoic knight. "You ordered Frederick killed. You are the reason they aren't here with us right now!"

The Katti whistled through the air, ancient steel thirsting for blood. Catherine appeared unimpressed. "Sir Frederick was a threat to my liege's safety. I simply removed the problem, even if I did not order him to die."

Her eyes hardened. "I wished to do that myself."

"You're a bitch!" Gaius snarled. "It's clear that your liege is mad yet you follow! Rather than cooperate and show yourself worthy of your title, you sided against your family, your blood!"

Catherine smacked the butt of her lance against the tile, the sound dulled by the wide room. "I have no family! My decisions were made with a clear conscience – what would a thief know of family?"

Gaius grit his teeth and freed a dagger from his boot. "More than you, apparently."

The dagger flew from his hand, but Catherine knocked the blade from the air. She charged the hobbled Gaius with all the power of a stampeding bull, her blade trained squarely at his heart.

Gaius let his leg collapse, turning the fall into a roll and striking with the Katti. The blade nicked the metal of Catherine's armor, but her lance spun around and sliced through his clothes. A thin line of blood bubbled from the shallow cut, but Gaius contorted his body around and sent his useless leg into Catherine's own knee.

It was like hitting a damn wall, Gaius gasping in pain before Catherine punched him, the blow cracking Gaius against the ground.

Aware his ribs were either bruised or cracked, Gaius's anger blazed past the pain and his blade lashed out to meet Catherine's cheek.

Again, like hitting steel, but Gaius could see the woman wince and he took solace in the wide gash as her lance spun around and its silver head flashed.

Gaius screamed as his bad knee was taken, blood spurting from the amputated limb.

He panted as his mind forced itself through the haze of pain, the silver blade poised over his heart. "So… why?"

Catherine snorted. "I see little reason to tell my life story, but no one has wounded me in years, so I'll give you the short version."

Her breathing quickened. "I'm the older sister, but my family is… traditional. My parents met my birth with dismay as I could not carry on the good name, I was being paired off from the day I could walk."

Gaius could just make out the lance tip trembling. "Even when I started to show martial prowess, they forced me into lessons befitting a 'lady'. Oh, how happy they were to welcome little Frederick into the world, never mind that I'd been asked to be brought to Ylisstol itself for further training."

Deep breaths barely made it through the haze of Gaius's blood loss. "Lady Meredith gave me a chance though. I had defeated my brother in yet another sparring match, but he was praised for his work while I was ignored. Except, my lady came forward and asked to take me on as her aide. She had seen my prowess and wished to make me a knight worthy of her."

Gaius slowly smirked, spotting the Throne Room doors opening slowly as Catherine finished. "My parents thought she'd make me into a proper 'lady' and sent me off with nary a word. The only letters they've sent is to give me yet another prospective partner! And my brother? Oh, he only inquires as to business, never my health or how I've fared."

Her breathing evened. "So, no, I don't care what happens to a kingdom that my parents or brother chose to serve. That kingdom decided I was worthless except to carry children. I will follow Lady Meredith wherever she may go, even to hell itself!"

Gaius felt himself nodding, both impressed and faint. "Can't… say I don't… understand the zeal…"

He smirked and summoned the last of his strength, the Katti biting into Catherine's ankle. "But… Frederick's still with us… and I don't let… people who harm my mates... go unscathed."

He barely heard the knight gasp in pain before a loud shout rent the air, metal tore flesh, and Gaius knew no more.

-Chrom-

"Maribelle, get on Gaius now! Everyone else, take that bitch away and find Meredith!"

The Shepherds stormed the Throne Room, Lissa and Miriel begrudgingly removing Gradivus from Catherine's limp shoulder before a low-powered blast sent the golden knight to the realm of dreams.

Chrom snatched the ancient spear from his sister's hand and stalked towards a familiar door. Meredith could have gone one way and one way only, the question was where in the maze of hallways.

Robin joined him. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Chrom nodded and Robin began to bark orders. Everyone was to spread out in groups of two and search every room from there on out. Robin and Chrom, with assistance from Katarina and Marth as they were the last pair and there weren't that many rooms, took off for the place they felt most important.

Winding through the hallways like thunder, the Shepherds slowly split up to check the rooms, calls and shouts echoing behind Chrom's group. They marched hard and fast until Chrom stood before a door, the Fire Emblem pressed against it to allow Emmeryn to whisper the password.

The runes in the door glowed and the door creaked open, Chrom cursing at the sight of lit torches curling down into the earth. "She's here! Hurry!"

Despite his words, the group was not able to hurry down the stairs. While Robin hadn't noticed it when he'd first gone down to the Archives, the steps weren't very long.

Once they were near the bottom, the group could hear a kind of chant flowing through the air, a dark miasma bubbling up from the base. With the help of the torches, Chrom spotted the traitorous Marquise first. "Meredith!"

The chant ceased, Chrom and Robin rushing forward to try and take the madwoman's head. The miasma they'd seen earlier suddenly shifted and snapped around their limbs, immobilizing them.

Meredith laughed. "Perfect! I've been having a hell of a time trying to get in here!"

She turned towards the great stone doors, ignoring the girls that had made the floor but were watching her cautiously. "To think… behind this door stand the greatest treasures Ylisse has ever known. To have it so close, yet so far…"

Meredith looked back to them. "Oh well, my mission is complete. The one you chose, Prince Chrom, is nothing but a feeble wreck and I have sown discord in a land that refused to see my virtues!"

A dark portal, like the one that the assassins had used to get into the palace so long ago, flashed into existence. "I will be back at some point, if only to claim what's mine. Do tell little Lissa and Maribelle that I'll enjoy breaking them like I did Sumia."

Katarina and Marth saw their chance slipping away and charged, magic script blazing to life while Marth blurred forward.

A hand appeared in the portal, which Meredith took easily. "Ta-ta!"

She vanished into the portal, Chrom roaring and straining against his restraints with all the strength he could muster.

Katarina and Marth stopped their charge, too late to change anything, but tensed when a figure in a tactician's coat stepped out of the portal. "No need to be alarmed, I mean no harm."

The figure held up their hands, voice placing them as male. "I just wish to answer some questions."

Robin growled as Chrom continued to howl. "What answers could you possibly hold?"

The male shrugged. "Simple, Meredith was never the mastermind behind this. What idiot would try to start a rebellion that was so unpopular?"

A laugh entered the voice. "No, she was but a pawn. This whole thing was a plan orchestrated by Gangrel before he went mad, and it appears to have worked quite well."

He gestured to his right, as if to point them in the right direction. "I would like to, as a representative of Plegia, ask that you remove Gangrel from power. This plan was his own and few found it favorable to begin with. And don't trouble yourself with Meredith or the count."

The hood lifted enough to show pearly white teeth. "Plegia likes traitors even less than Ylisse."

He turned to return to the portal, but hummed and paused. "Actually…"

He turned around and Katarina stiffened. "I feel I know you from somewhere… Aha!"

Fingers snapped and Katarina collapsed, screaming as her back exploded into searing, white-hot pain.

The figure tilted his head. "I see, so the mark you bear is that strong, eh? Interesting…"

His hand scratched at his arm. "Well, that is something for the future. I bid you all a good day and wish you luck in removing the Mad King's pawns."

He bowed and turned, one more statement echoing through the air as he vanished.

"Maybe Plegia and Ylisse can be… friends."

-Sumia-

She didn't know how long she was stuck in that room, weeping before the mother that had borne and nurtured her.

The mother she had killed.

Sumia was an emotional wreck, emotions that had been frozen under a sheet of ice for days allowing themselves to run rampant. The most prominent were loathing, anger, sadness, and something a little out of place if you asked her.

Relief.

Mom… I'm so sorry… I wish I could have saved you, talked to you again…

It was a weight off her shoulders that her mother hadn't betrayed anyone. While possession wouldn't hold up in a court, Sumia knew that her mother was innocent.

Selena had still been her mother, only sealed under an evil hex.

"I see… you have overcome the ice, though certainly not how I expected."

Sumia hissed as Artezza spoke to her for the first time since Denaris. "…What do you want?"

"To collect the price." Artezza answered, voice bored. "By overcoming the ice, you have proven yourself worthy to be its avatar. That means a specific sacrifice."

Sumia snarled and looked to one of the ice shards, somehow expecting the reptilian eye of blue staring from it. "Haven't… you taken enough already?"

"No, but I won't take something all that important." Artezza drawled. "From today forth, you will not feel heat. The sun will no longer warm you and no blanket under heaven could hope to hold off the chill."

The eye narrowed as if annoyed. "I am being forced to allow a concession, however. Make sure you thank Naga sometime later, my great niece is allowing you to feel the warmth of both your love and your children when the time comes."

Before Sumia could process that, her muscles seized and all warmth fled from her. Everything was cold, her skin dancing with needles and eyes watering to try and stop from freezing.

"The price is paid." Artezza intoned. "Call upon my power should you wish, Sumia Pons, but know that it is nothing to be controlled immediately."

The eye faded, a last warning in the air.

"Learn, or all you hold dear will be lost in frost."

Sumia panted, breath misting, before she forced herself to her feet. Her clothes were ruined and her wounds held at bay by ice, but through it all, Gae Bolg remained solid like the day it was forged.

She reached out and took hold of the weapon, finding solace in the grip and letting it steady her.

…Very well. I may not feel warmth again, but I will do all I can to make the sacrifice of my mother worth it. Even if I must do everything myself.

Her musings came to an end as the door creaked open, familiar pink hair catching Sumia's eye. "Olivia!"

The dancer waved wearily, an unconscious Lon'qu slung over her back. "Sumia… I'm glad you're alive…"

Sumia stood shakily, hand trying to play with hair that wasn't there. "Me too… does this mean what I think?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes, Ylisstol is under our control. I saw some of the others earlier with some of the Loyalist troops."

Sumia sighed, relief shining through. "Thank Naga… what happened to Lon'qu?"

"I'll explain later." Olivia sighed. "Unfortunately, he'll have to learn how to swing a sword with his left hand from here on out."

She turned and gestured for Sumia to follow. "Come on, I think we all deserve some rest."

Sumia nodded and followed, all the while the populace cheered the return of their rightful rulers and the end of the brief, but scary, rebellion.

-Ylisstol Palace, Night-

Robin sighed as he wandered the halls of the palace, wondering at what had happened that day.

The minute the gate came down, everyone not in gold surrendered. Outnumbered, they fought to the last man, but even then, it was nearly bloodless. I got beaned by something Cordelia called a cannoli when we started to march towards the palace, but that was some poor shopkeeper trying to greet us.

The party that had been thrown for the conquerors had been… surprising to say the least. No one, least of all Robin, had expected the populace and much of the garrison to greet them so enthusiastically.

Groaning, he turned his mind back to the rebel 'leaders' as they were.

Selena was dead, much to the despair of the Shepherds after Sumia had explained what happened. Chrom had pulled the poor girl into his embrace the moment she finished, the pair crying in each other's arms.

The count had been yanked into a portal like the one Chrom and Robin had seen Meredith escape through, but not before Lon'qu, in a state reminiscent of what happened to Nowi, cleaved the man's right hand from his body.

Then there was Meredith, supposedly a pawn in Gangrel's schemes. While Robin felt no sympathy for the selfish woman, he could at least pity her fate. Plegia had many ways to deal with traitors. None of them pleasant, to put it mildly.

Then there was Catherine. Chrom had taken one look at her after they'd sorted out the palace and ordered her locked in the little-used dungeons. The disgraced knight hadn't spoken once as she was taken away, only stiffening when Chrom yelled that Frederick would decide her fate.

Outside of that, there was much work to be done. Meredith and her compatriots may have been the instigators, but many minor nobility and clergy had gladly taken part to try and gain more status and land. What was going to happen to them was still being hotly debated between Chrom and his allies.

Shaking his head, Robin relaxed a bit at the familiar scent of cinnamon. "Cordelia, you're still up?"

His love came up beside him, a sad smile on her face. "Yes, well… I wanted to help where I could."

She gestured to her side, Robin smiling at a tired Sumia. "Sumia, are you sure it's ok to be up and about?"

"I'm sure." Sumia answered. "I can't really sleep right now."

Robin nodded and they set off in a random direction, small talk flowing intermittently before Cordelia asked a question that had been in the back of Robin's mind. "Do you think Marth and the others will join the Shepherds?"

Robin frowned, playing with the idea, but ultimately shook his head. "I don't think so. They came to help us with the rebels. With them gone, they have no reason to stay here."

"I thought as much," Cordelia sighed. "I wish they would though. Katarina seems to hold a lot of sway over your memories and you've been fast friends with the others."

Sumia scratched at her scalp, her decision to forego an itchy wig unspoken. "I find them quite nice as well. I only briefly got to meet them earlier but they're all kind girls."

Robin smirked and pointed down the hall. "Well, considering they like to leave mysteriously, why don't we have one more talk with them?"

Cordelia and Sumia smiled as they saw the group of girls walking towards them, both able to see the sad looks on each face.

"What are you doing up, Lady Sumia?" Lucina asked. "Wouldn't it be best if you go to bed?"

Sumia chuckled. "I can't sleep Marth, but thank you for your concern."

"What are you girls doing up?" Cordelia asked. "I'm here because I wanted to keep Sumia company, but what of you?"

Robin shook his head as the girls grew downcast. "You're leaving, aren't you."

It wasn't a question.

"We don't want to." Morgan answered. "We've just played our part. No point sticking around with so much of the world to see."

Cordelia and Robin exchanged looks, knowing the sound of someone trying not to cry. "Are you all sure? There's plenty of room in the Shepherds and there're many opportunities here in Ylisstol as well. You don't have to leave if you don't want to."

"We must." Lucina said. "As Tethys said, there is much of the world we wish to see. All of us believe that peace will settle upon Ylisse before long and we wish to leave it that way."

Sumia took a step forward, smiling sadly. "I understand… would you do me a favor then?"

Cynthia stepped up to join her sister. "What would that be Ms. Sumia?"

Sumia strode forward and enveloped the sisters in a hug. "Thank you, for everything."

Lucina and Cynthia stiffened at the action, but slowly relaxed, embracing their mother together for the first time in years.

Robin and Cordelia approached Severa and Morgan. "Thank you both. Without you and your friends' help, we'd have likely faced months of planning."

"I don't need thanks," Severa mumbled. "Anyone with any sense could have done what I did."

Robin reached out and patted her shoulder. "No way, it takes patience beyond mortal men to keep Chrom and Flavia on track. You not only kept them cool but organized the skeleton of the final plan before I even arrived."

"Your help wasn't lost on us either, Tethys." Cordelia continued. "Sully was singing your praises from the top of the Khan's Palace, and Kellam's called you a 'tough firecracker'. Believe me, that's very high praise."

The couple bowed, Severa and Morgan fidgeting at the show of respect. "Thank you both and your friends for all you've done. We wish you safe travels, and the knowledge that should you return, we shall greet you with open arms."

Morgan whimpered and looked to her sister. Severa sighed and nodded. "Alright, but make it quick."

Morgan rushed forward and nearly tacked Cordelia, hugging her mother tightly. "Thank you… we'll keep it in mind."

Cordelia patted the girl's back. Robin glanced at Severa, who was looking anywhere but at Morgan. "Cordelia's got enough room, there's no shame in hugging it out."

Severa sighed, but strolled forward and joined the hug. When you're made, may as well give in.

After a moment, Robin heard Sumia gasp, the woman almost leaping out of the hug she'd been sharing with Lucina and Cynthia. "Sumia, are you ok?!"

The shout drew Cordelia from her embrace with her daughters, her legs carrying her to Sumia's side. "Sumia, what happened?!"

Robin turned to the girls. "Go find a healer, anyone that may be up! We'll do what we can for her!"

The girls nodded and ran from the hall, each realizing it would be the last time they saw any of their parents for a very-very long time.

If ever.

As they ran, Sumia stared at her hands, eyes unfocused. "Warmth…"

"They were… warm…"

Ch. End

And with that, the rebellion is over!

I'm quite curious to hear what everyone thought of this chapter as I've spent many days on it. Also, I'm back in school for the fall semester so no one will be seeing chapters from me at anywhere near the previous rate.

I will see all my stories finished, no matter how long I take, but just know that I will get busy and that cuts into writing time.

Again, thank you all for the reviews you've given and I hope all of you will enjoy this chapter and those to come!

Have a great day!