So. I am very much late, aren't I? I'm very sorry for making you all wait for the next chapter. For some reason, I couldn't really bring myself to write it for a good long while. I don't really know why I couldn't write though… It could be because I don't want this to end. Another reason could be that I had massive writer's block that prevented me from writing. Or I was just a lazy asshole that made you wait for another garbage chapter for this trainwreck of a fanfic. All are valid reasons, but you guys get to decide what you believe to be the reason for my absence. Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you all get on with it!


Chapter Forty Four: Fate Twisted

The End is nigh. The world is about to be plunged into darkness and chaos for the Grimleal have the Fire Emblem. Validar, the leader of these cultists, somehow managed to take control of Jack's mind and use him to take the Fire Emblem from Chrom! That alone spoke how powerful that asshole is compared to us. We're in for the fight of our lives now, and it is all thanks to that one Grimleal.

And we have to hurry or else we'll lose this battle. Validar is going to use the Fire Emblem to resurrect Grima if we're too late. If Grima is brought back to life, then everything is lost. The world will be destroyed all thanks to our failure to stop him and the Grimleal.

If someone was to tell me that I would be in this situation, a Shepherd trying to save the world from a demonic dragon right beside my wife and children from the future; I would have laughed that person into the grave. It seems like fate thought otherwise because here I am. I am a Shepherd trying to save the world from the Fell Dragon right beside my wife and kids who came from the future to help me stop this from happening.

But, if fate has gotten me to this point; wouldn't it also deem us to lose like it did in my kids' timeline? Everything that happened to them happened here mostly, though some events were different. Rather, I think we made this timeline worst because we knocked out Valm who could have helped us fight the Fell Dragon! Plegia could have also helped us, and we put them so far under that they are actively helping the enemy. It seems like fate is against us, and we're going to lose against it again.

Still… Everyone still has hope that we will overcome fate and save the world. I don't know why they have such determination when all the chips are down like this, and I don't know why they won't give up until they are dead. Whatever the reason, the Shepherds are determined to fight fate and save the world; and I'm going to join them in this struggle. If there is some damn chance left to stop fate from repeating itself, then I'll take it.

I owe it to everyone. If it wasn't for the Shepherds, I would still be some random mercenary looking for my next job to put food in my belly. I will not let them down! I will help them stop fate!


We arrive at our final destination, surrounded by mindless cultists possessed by dark magic as they head to the Dragon's Table. After the cultists disappear, the damn witch called Aversa appears through the front gates of the giant alter.

"Master Validar is not to be disturbed. But fear not, I have brought the Deadlords to keep you entertained." Aversa calls out to all of us as twelve warriors walk through the front gates and flank her. The twelve Dreadlords of legend… I never thought I would see them in action. Almost every warrior has heard of them! They are Equus the Dragon, Anguilla of the Raven Knights, Bovis Plainstrider, Tigris the Warlord from Hell, Mus of Ferox, Canis the Holy, Draco the Eagle King, Gallus of the Abyss, The Leper Monk Lepus, The Swiftblade Simia, and the greatest of them all; The God-Sage, Ovis.

All twelve Dreadlords returned from the dead to fight alongside Aversa… Returned from the dead to fight us! This will be the most dangerous and the most difficult battle we will ever face. This will be nothing like fighting Walhart, storming Gangrel's fort, or even facing off an entire horde of Risen. We will be fighting legends that have been known throughout time; legends that have created kingdoms, brought down empires, renewed spirits, and so much more. What they lack in numbers they make up in power, and no Shepherd can even hope to fight them.

But we must. For we cannot let this future come to past!

"These 12 generals were great warriors in life...and even greater, now, in death! I would introduce them one by one, but well, as you'll see, they're not much for talk. Besides, you'll meet them all soon enough!" Aversa finishes as she and the twelve Dreadlords charge, coming straight towards us.

It didn't take long for them to reach us and almost immediately disintegrate our battle line. Aversa wasn't kidding when she said they become greater in death. They had unlimited stamina, their magic was ten times more potent, and their attacks moved faster than a regular person can move. They were death itself, and one could only hope to survive.

My opponent, alongside Gregor, Donny, Ana, and Kellam, was Equus the Dragon. The legendary Paladin and his undead horse rode through us like we were nothing but grass, the holy dragon spear Gungnir stabbing at us as he rode on by. I barely dodged the first strike, the spear nearing ramming itself through my throat as I ducked down.

Equus' next attacked nearly took Gregor out of commision as the undead Paladin rammed his spear through Gregor's arm, nearly severing it as my friend screamed in pain. Kellam tried to help but Equus' horse kicked him away, almost crushing Kellam's shield in one attack.

Donny and Ana tried to attack the Paladin at the same time only to be cut down with one mighty swing from Equus, massive wounds appearing across their chests that nearly killed them on contact. I charged in next and found myself on the ground in an second, pinned to the dirt with Gungnir through my shoulder.

Equus ripped his spear out of me and was about to finish me off when Kellam saved me. Using his massive frame, he tackled Equus' horse and unseated the Paladin. It didn't faze this famous warrior for a single second as he simply twisted in midair and landed on his feet, taking a more aggressive stance than any Soldier would have. He then charged us, swinging his lance around like it was nothing as Kellam and I try our best to dodge Equus' attacks; getting several wounds in the desperate struggle.

Suddenly, loud cackling erupted as several sinsterly glowing balls of dark magic was sent straight towards the Paladin; the undead legend blocking them all with lightning fast swings of his spears. I turn to see Henry, glowing bright with magic as he smiled a great big grin, standing there with more of those dark magic balls around him. With another cackle, he sent another wave of them at Equus who was forced to defend once more.

"Together!" I yell, rushing forward as Kellam covers my back. Maybe with our combined attacks, we can defeat the Paladin and aid anyone else that may be in trouble! But, we have a legend to unseat first, and I'm going to be the one to deal the final blow if this works.

With another yell, I swing my blade straight at Equus' side; to only have it blocked by the undead Paladin's defensive lance swings. Kellam tries to stab him in the back, but the Paladin also defends himself against that. As such, Kellam, Henry, and I attack him ruthlessly; trying our best to get past his seemingly perfect defense. Equus, empowered by his undeath and his skills, somehow manages to not only stop our every blow, but also manages to send Kellma and I back with another batch of wounds.

I struggle to stand back up, breathing heavily as red blood stains my outfit. I look up and see Henry going into a frenzy, no longer smiling as Equus slowly but surely makes his way towards the Dark Mage while blocking every magic spell Henry sends at him. If he makes it to Henry, then Henry is going to die! He isn't strong enough to take on a serious blow from the Paladin. I need to save him! I need to save Henry!

"I will break you!" I shout out, throwing my sword up into the air before jumping up for it. Equus turns his head to face me, still defending himself from Henry's magic. I clench my teeth as my pained body begs me to stop this attack. I need to do this! I can't stop here, not now! With a mighty yell, I grab my sword in the air and send myself straight towards the Paladin. With a mighty clang, Equus' lance and my blade meet in a shower of sparks. It doesn't last long though as several purple magic spikes are driven into Equus' back.

With a grunt of pain, the undead Paladin falls to the ground; his lance rolling off as his undeath comes to an end. I drop to my knees, the pain my body is in overloading my senses. After a few moments of suffering, I feel the pain simply go away. I look around to see what caused this to happen, only to find Henry with his purple spell book in hand; a massive smile on his face.

"How did the 1-UP feel? Did it taste like green beans?" Henry asks, completely confusing me in a matter of seconds.

"What?!"

"You know! The green mushroom in that video game with the character M-"

"Henry, why are you like this?" I ask, simply and utterly tired at how insane Henry is. I mean, look at him! He laughs and smiles all the time, he loves anything that has to deal with blood and death, and he talks about things I that I don't even think they exist! There has to be some reason to this madness! There must be!

"Hm… I don't know." Henry answers, confusing me even more.

"A-Are you serious? You don't know why you are like this?"

"Totally dude! I mean, I think I have an idea but I won't say it until I got proof."

"So you do know why you are crazy!"

"Nope. I said I had an idea. That is not concrete, so I don't actually know."

I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples as I ask him "Why don't we work on this idea together? It may help develop with an outsider's perspective."

"That's a pretty good idea, old man! Let's do it! So, it all started-"

"But first! Let's get this whole thing done and over with, okay?"

"Seems reasonable. Let's get going! Man, this reminds me of Mage Camp so much!"

Aiden and Henry attained Support Level A


After our quick chat, Henry went off to go and heal the others with his dark magic; leaving me all alone to survey the battlefield. The battle has surprisingly turned out in our favor. We have the advantage in numbers, so we have been able to overwhelm the enemy forces by attacking more than they could. Did this mean a lot of the Shepherds were seriously injured, yes but that can be easily healed up with some magic! At least, healed up enough so we can keep going. Heck, even the enemy commander has fled. This gives us a chance to hurry and stop the ritual before it happens.

Once the final undead Legend has been slain and our healers have restored everyone to fighting condition, we immediately rush into the massive tower. Inside, we see the Plegian King pouring vast amounts of magic onto an alter; the Fire Emblem laying in the center of it.

"Validar!" Chrom shouts out, announcing our presence to the Plegian King as he stops and turns to face us.

"Chrom... Come to witness the glorious culmination of your failure? How nice. I have the Fire Emblem, and the Dragon's Table is set for a feast. I will return Grima to this world!" The Plegian King, Validar is his name, says as he smiles at us; already basking in his potential victory.

"You'll DESTROY the world! Lucina has seen it!"

"Then I pray today's spectacle lives up to her nightmares! The Awakening rite is not only for exalts and Naga, you know. With it, I'll arouse Grima! The fell dragon needs only a mortal vessel, which you so kindly brought along.." Validar turns to look at Jack, who pales as white as a ghost.

"...Oh, gods. He means me." Jack mutters, taking a step back in shock.

"You ken quickly, Robin. That's my boy."

"No! You'll die first before that happens!" Jill suddenly barges in, stepping in front of her brother as she gets ready to attack Validar.

"You two carry my blood—the blood of the fell dragon. His soul slumbers within him the most. And now the time has come to awaken him!" Jack is Grima?! What?! How? Why? Is something like that even possible? Has he always been Grima, or is this something new? I have so many new questions now!

"...Wh-what?! I'M Grima? I'M the fell dragon?!" Jack asks, shocked as he looks at his hands in horror.

"The Grimleal have worked for generations to create someone like you... A vessel worthy of our master. Simply having Grima's blood in your veins is not enough... My father was not worthy, nor was his father before him. Even I was not able to accept Grima's most sacred gift. You're sister was the same as us. But you? You had all the makings. You were perfection!" Validar explains, smiling in triumph at Jack's despair. "If your damnable mother hadn't been seized by weakness and fear... She betrayed us—stole you both from your cribs, and fled with you two in the night! I know naught of your lives thereafter; but all that matters is your return. That you, Jack, are here is PROOF of your purpose! It is why you still draw breath!"

"You've proven nothing but your own madness. This can be stopped. YOU can be stopped!" Chrom interrupts, pointing the Falchion straight at Validar as he readies himself to kill the Plegian King.

"You may have killed me in some future past, but I am stronger this time! With the power of the Dragon's Table flowing through me, I am unstoppable."

"You're not the only one stronger this time!"

Jack was soon beside Chrom, Levin sword and tome in hand as he said "My life did not begin with you. It began the day Chrom found me in that field. I have been all over this world, and I have helped change it—for the better. I have fought and laughed and bled with my friends, and THAT is what matters! The ties we forged, the bonds we share—they are of a power greater than Grima."

"A ludicrous idea, as you will know better than anyone soon enough…" Validar sneered, dark magic appearing both of his hands

"We do agree on one thing: my life so far has all been in preparation for this moment... When I kill you or die trying!"

"Heh heh heh. You have your father's courage, but your mother's judgment... Very well, pup. Come! Do your worst! Come at me with all you have! There is no damage I can do your body that the fell dragon cannot repair!" With that, Chrom and Jack rushed forward to engage Validar; who swiftly creates a magical barrier separating them from the rest of the Shepherds.

"Come, my Grimleal! Smite these infidels!" Validar commands before he is forced into battle with Chrom and Jack, the three fighting a brutal and desperate battle to either save the world or destroy it. The Shepherds and I turn around to face a growing horde of Grimleal, both brainwashed and free-willed, muster themselves us to attack us.

With a mighty battle cry, we charge first; catching the Grimleal off guard as we smash through their battle line and create a massive battle. My first opponent is a Berserker, to which I easily dispatch with a few swings of my blade. I quickly find myself set upon by several Sages, to which I barely dodge their magic attack. My dodging puts myself in bigger trouble as I accidentally run into a Swordmaster, who quickly puts me on the defensive as I desperately try to block his attacks.

I growl in pain as the Swordmaster finally wounds me, slashing a decent cut on my arm as I stumble back from the blow. I return to favor and attack, surprising him with my strength by cutting one of his arms off. I shove him to the ground with my shoulder before I finish the job with another swing of my blade.

I growl once more as I feel a bolt of lightning slammed into my back, causing me to turn around in time to dodge the next bolt. It's the same two Sages again! I need a chance to get in close with them, and I get that chance thanks to Donny. The farm boy throws a javelin into one of the Sages, giving me a chance to run up and finish the second one off while he is distracted.

Suddenly, the magical barrier explodes in a flash of light; forcing everyone to turn to look at what has happened. I feel myself going numb as I see Chrom on the floor, seemingly dead, and Jack kneeling beside him, clutching his shaking hand while Validar stands over them.

"N-no... Father! No!" Lucina cries out, tears escaping from her eyes as her Future is recreated right in front of her. For me, this is my worst dream! We failed to save the world, a world where my children were supposed to live a happy life. I failed them…

"With the five Gemstones in hand, my magic knows no bounds. Robin is powerless to resist me. Do you see now, Son? Human bonds are leaves in the wind. They offer you nothing." Validar says, scolding Jack as he continues to stare at Chrom's corpse.

"This can't be happening. We were supposed to change this! Everything I have done is...worthless." Lucina admits, dropping to her knees as the other Shepherds cry out in despair. I let my sword drop to the ground, despair working its way into my joints as I begin to feel myself slip to the floor. All around us, the Grimleal shout in victory. A few even start walking away, thinking we aren't worth the effort to kill now that Grima is going to be awakened.

Suddenly, a massive army of Ferox warriors enter; slamming into the disorder of the Grimleal mob. In the front of the army is… Khan Baliso?!

"The hell it was! Don't you put any stock in this destiny hogwash! Let the dead whine about their fate... As long as I draw breath, I choose to keep fighting! That's what life is all about!" The Khan shouts out, coming to a stop right beside me and Lucina as he gets ready to charge at Validar.

"Khan Basilio! I-I thought... We all thought you were—" I say, only getting shush as Baliso pulls me back up and puts the sword back into my hand.

"Worm food, back in Valm? It almost went that way. But I scraped by, thanks to her." The Khan nods as Lucina, which makes me quiet confused.

"I don't understand."

"Once I took a couple hits from Walhart, I knew he was too strong for me. Normally pride would've had me dead before I'd even thought twice about it. But her warning gave me the courage to be a coward, hah ha! I played dead like a big, bald opossum once he hit me with that big old chop! It wasn't hard. In truth I almost WAS dead. You saved my life, Lucina. Had you not said anything... I'd have stood my ground against that monster and died on the spot."

"Oh, Basilio!" A fresh new wave of tears rolling down her cheeks as she stood back up, looking towards the now flustered Validar.

"This...does...not...MATTER! If you didn't die there, then you can die HERE!" Validar shouts out, enraged at the sight of Khan Baliso still alive.

"Hah! You're no Walhart, snake eyes! Not as strong, or even as clever... For example: you STILL haven't realized that you've been tricked." Baliso points out, confusing Validar for a second before the Khan continues to talk; confusing the Plegian King even more. "Robin predicted everything that would happen here. He saw it in a dream. Saw this very fight with you. Guess what else was in the dream? The five Gemstones. When Flavia gave my stone to Chrom, Robin saw what fate had in store. He knew Chrom couldn't bring the real Gemstones here to Plegia. That would be like swinging a big, juicy steak right in front of destiny's choppers!"

Validar, no longer confused, begins to laugh. "Gya ha ha! A worthy bluff, Feroxi fool, but ridiculous all the same. I've had your merry little band watched since Carrion Isle. Your every move! So I know Robin hasn't touched the stones—he hasn't been near them!"

"You watched our party, yes—the members your men knew about; the live ones. But they weren't watching dead men, were they? ...They weren't watching me."

"I... No, that's not—"

"Heh, looks like it might be finally starting to sink in…"

"That is not possible! These have to be... They must be…" I honestly cannot believe that Khan Baliso and Jack have managed to pull such a move! They not only have saved the entire world, but they have also embarrassed the man who was supposed to bring about the end times as well! Those mad lads! Why didn't they include me in the mix? It would have made for some good times…

"Why? Because of...DESTINY? PAH ha ha! Robin had your destiny beat days ago, when he/she came up with this plan. The expression on your face...it makes all those long nights in hiding worth it. Hah!" I can't help but laugh alongside Baliso, relief pouring through my body as I get ready for the battle to continue.

"Damn you! Damn you to all the hells! None of this matters! Chrom is dead! Your fates sealed! Grima will— ...Eh?" Validar says before he is interrupted by Jack casting a ball of fire into his back, forcing the man to spin around to face him. As Validar spun around, much to everyone's surprise, Chrom stands back up and lunges at Validar; carving a massive wound across the man's chest with the Falchion.

"GRAAAAAAGH!" Validar screams, blood pouring freely from his wound as he takes a few steps back. "Damn you all, and your stones! I won't need them to kill you!"

"Ready to end this, Robin?" Chrom asks, Lucina and Jill joining his side as he adopts a battle stance.

"Let's do it. I'm ready to see what our true future has in store." Jack answers, Lissa and Jack's kids joining his side.

"Let's do it. I'm ready to see what our true future has in store." Chrom says, the Shepherds alongside Khan Baliso, Khan Flavia, and the Ferox army following behind Chrom and Jack. With a mighty battle cry, we all surge forth against Validar and the Grimleal; putting them to the sword and tome as we fight for the world!

With our combined strength, we easily crush the enemy as many of them simply run away. Validar himself is forced back before Chrom delivers the final blow, many grievous wounds all over the Plegia King's body as he slumps to the ground.

With his dying breath, Validar asks Jack in a desperate voice full of bitterness and pain "Why... Why would you squander your birthright... Robin...my son…" In the silence that follows, I soon realized that we have just won. We have just saved the world against the Fell Dragon and its followers! We have saved the day! We have stopped a horrible future from taking place! We've done it! We've saved everything!

"You may have altered the course of history, but not its destination." Suddenly, I turn around a see a sinsterly glowing figure standing right at the altar; the Fire Emblem in the figure's hands. After looking over the Emblem, the figure threw it to the ground and watched it slide right over to Chrom.

"What do you mean?!" Jack asks, getting ready to cast another magic spell just in case the figure attacks.

"It is still written that Chrom died here at your hands. Or, perhaps to be more precise...mine." The Figure soon took off its hood, revealing itself to be Jack! What? How?! What is going on?!

"Who are you, really?!" Chrom asks, standing beside Jack in case things did come to violence again.

"I'm Robin. The Robin that murdered you and became the fell dragon, Grima. When this "Marth" of yours decided to come back in time...I came with her." Jack, the evil Jack I'm going to to have to think up a new name for, says as he gestures to the shocked Lucina.

"Another version of me? But how...?" Jack asks, still shocked and confused at his evil clone.

The evil clone sighs, shaking his head and he says "I can be so daft sometimes... It's really quite simple. I am you. Our only difference is the decisions we've made... Those vivid dreams you have—those are my memories. We share those memories because we share the same heart...Grima's heart."

"Th-the headaches... The voices... It was you!"

"Your recollection begins the day I entered this world. I intended for us to unite then, the first moment I found you. But your heart was still too weak to contain Grima's power... The shock of my attempt wiped your memory clean." Evil Jack says, his tone sounding like a parent scolding a child for a stupid mistake they did! "I knew if Lucina managed to rewrite history, Grima would never be resurrected. And I, in turn, would cease to exist. So I had to step in, now and again, to keep my future secured. Like when Validar was killed in his attempt to assassinate Emmeryn... But that is the past, now. We have our future past to think of. All that remains is for you to become Grima, as I did. Then you and I will become as one, and we can reclaim my power."

"We are not yet the same?"

"...You were supposed to choose godhood over your pathetic band of servants. But if you'll not claim the sacrifice laid at the Dragon's Table... I will claim it in your place!" With that, a several massive streams of purple magic began to enter Evil Jack; lifting him up into the sky as he began to glow. "Myeh heh ha ha ha! The fell dragon and I are one! And though my journey through time has diminished my power...the life force here shall renew me!"

We all soon flee, running as fast as we can so we aren't caught in some kind of radius as he continues to glow brighter and brighter. Once outside, we all turn around to look up at the tower; only to feel our hearts turn into ice at the sight before us.

Floating right on top of the tower is Grima, the Fell Dragon reborn. The Fell Dragon lets out another roar, the earth shaking and the winds blowing like crazy at the power in its voice alone. Without a single thought, everyone runs away in a mass of panic and fear from the Fell Dragon. With this monster now unleashed to the world, we only have one other hope to save us all.

We're going to have to go ask Naga, the Goddess, for help…


So. I got to admit, you all are pretty loyal. I expected you all to unfavorite, unfollow, or both this story for me taking so long. I'm honestly surprised that you all have stayed around for this long. I'm sort of happy that you did. It makes me feel kind of, well, special that you all decided to stick around to see this train wreck out. I'm not going to go full sappy right now. That deserves the Final Chapter. But, I must say that I am thankful for you all sticking to this trainwreck of a story for so long. I really appreciate it, even though I may not have showed it at times. Anyways, expect two more chapters of this story as we're going to finish this! See you all next time!