(In the Hoshidan Throne Room)

Mikoto: You look as if you're feeling better after some time to yourself, Corrin.

Corrin: I am, yes. I still have many questions, but at least now I have a few answers. Thank you for giving the space I needed to think.

Mikoto: Of course. I'm glad to hear you're doing better.

(Yukimura appears)

Yukimura: Excuse me, Lady Mikoto. The ceremony is about to begin.

Mikoto: Thank you, Yukimura. Corrin, you probably don't remember him, but this is Yukimura. He's our royal strategist and one of our brightest leaders. We would be lost without him.

Yukimura: You are too kind, milady.

(The rest of Hoshidan royal siblings appear)

Mikoto: I'd like to make a public announcement about your return, Corrin. There have been rumors circulating about you being a Nohrian spy. I would like to quell the fears of the people today. Yukimura, is everything ready?

Yukimura: Yes, milady. People are beginning to gather in the plaza.

Mikoto: Excellent. Thank you. Corrin, I've arranged for Takumi, Hinoka, and Sakura to give you a tour. I thought you might want to get to know the area a little bit before the event. I need to speak with Yukimura a bit more first, but I'll meet you at the plaza soon.

Hinoka: We'd be happy to show them around. Thank you, Mother.

Mikoto: Azura, do you mind going with them as well?

Azura: Not at all. It would be my pleasure.

Corrin: Thank you, Azura.

Takumi: Hmph.

Sakura: I can't wait to show you around! I think you'll l-love it here.

Corrin: Thank you, Sakura. A guided tour sounds like a great idea.

(Scene changes to Shirasagi Castle Town)

Corrin: Everyone really is friendly here. And it's so bright and open. It's quite a contrast from the gloomy fortress I grew up in.

Azura: I'm glad you like it. Like I said, I've always been happy here.

Takumi: Just don't get too comfortable.

Corrin: Pardon me?

Takumi: I don't trust you. Shouldn't you be heading back to Nohr soon?

Corrin: Takumi, I swear I'm here with good intentions.

Takumi: I don't trust you.

Sakura: I apologize for Takumi's rudeness. He's a bit of a hothead. Anyway, how would you like to try a sweet rice dumpling? Its a Hoshidan speciality!

Corrin: I'd love to. Thank you, Sakura.

Sakura: You're welcome!

Corrin: You know, I'm very close with a girl in Nohr who's around your age.

Sakura: What's she like?

Corrin: She's generous and kind, always putting the needs of others first.

Hinoka: Alright, everyone. The ceremony is starting. Let's head to the plaza.

(The royal siblings all go to Mikoto, who is standing before a crowd of citizens. Corrin looks down and sees Ganglari shaking. The sword flies from its scabbard and into the hands of a robed figure in the crowd. The figure drives the blade downwards into the ground, causing a large explosion. People are sent flying in every direction from the blast. The Ganglari shatters into dozens of pieces that fly towards Corrin. Mikoto leaps in front of Corrin to block the shards heading towards them. She lets out a pained scream and falls into Corrin's arms)

Mikoto: You were not hurt? Tell me you're okay...

Corrin: I'm fine...

Mikoto: I'm so glad...

(Mikoto passes out)

Corrin: Mother!

Sakura: Mother!

(Sakura goes to have a closer look, but Ryoma places a hand in front of her to stop her. He points Raijinto at the mysterious figure)

Ryoma: You there! Show yourself!

(Corrin begins to lose control of themselves before transforming into a feral dragon with a scream)

Takumi: Gods, what is that?

Ryoma: It's a dragon... I never thought I'd see the day...

Yukimura: I'm going to escort Queen Mikoto back to the palace! She's still alive!

Hinoka: We'll take care of things here! Make sure Mother stays safe!

(The first player phase begins)

Azura: Corrin! If you can hear me, watch out for enemies carrying Wyrmslayers! That type of blade was designed to pierce dragon scales!

(Azura is selected)

Azura: My song can help you win this battle. Using it can give you another chance to move, so you can take cover in a pinch. Please don't hesitate to ask me for help!

(First ally phase begins)

Ryoma: Be careful, everyone! These are no mere Faceless. One wrong move and they're capable of ending you. I hope we can count on Corrin even in this new form...

(Second player phase begins)

Sakura: Watch out for magical attacks, Corrin! Your defense against physical attacks is strong, but you'll need higher resistance to protect yourself against mages!

(Ryoma engages in battle against the boss)

Ryoma: Prepare to die for your crimes against Hoshido!

(Ryoma is defeated)

Ryoma: You can kill me, but you cannot kill the spirit of Hoshido!

Sakura: Brother, no! You have to retreat! We can't afford to lose you!

Ryoma: You're right... I'll retreat for now.

(Boss is engaged in combat)

?: Show me what you've got.

(Boss is defeated)

?: Not bad...

(Corrin is defeated)

Azura: No! You can't die like this, Corrin!

(Game Over screen appears)

(The battle ends. Corrin roars in agony as Azura begins singing Lost in Thoughts All Alone. Azura walks closer)

Ryoma: Azura! No! Stop!

(Azura ignores him and continues singing. Corrin cries out in fear and lashes out at Azura with one claw, pinning her to the ground. Azura cries out in pain)

Sakura: No!

(Azura falls down as Sakura covers her eyes with her hands. Corrin roars but stops when Azura sings again)

Azura: Kill me if you want, but do it as yourself...

(Corrin releases Azura and transforms back into a human. They clutch their head on the ground)

Corrin: I... I remember...!

(Flashback: Scene changes to a street in Nestra. Corrin stands behind Sumeragi, looking around the street quietly. They turn back to Sumeragi when Iago approaches. Iago reveals his knife, Spectre, and uses it to stab Sumeragi in the back. Corrin cries out in surprise. Their knees give out from shock. Iago pulls the knife out as Sumeragi screams)

Garon: I'm disappointed in you, Sumeragi. That wasn't even my best trap.

(Corrin begins to cry. Garon raises his axe, Bolverk, before hitting Sumeragi with it, killing him)

Garon: You poor thing. Fatherless at such a tender young age. You are my child now.

(Garon picks up Corrin as Iago kicks Sumeragi's body to the side. Just before Corrin's vision goes dark, an arrow is seen whistling through the air into Iago's arm. He yells out as the screen fades to black)

Corrin: My real father...

Azura: Are you alright, Corrin?

Corrin: Yes, I'm fine... I'm just disgusted with myself. Are you okay? I can't believe what I did to you? It was like I had no control over myself.

Azura: Don't worry yourself. That wasn't you. It was the blood of the ancient dragon that runs through your veins.

Corrin: I thought only the Nohrian royal family had dragon blood.

Ryoma: The blood of the Dusk Dragon Yugare runs in the Nohrian royal family. The blood of the Dawn Dragon Akiri runs through ours. But it appears you're special, Corrin. You can actually take the form of a dragon.

Azura: I've heard of such a thing, but this is my first time seeing it in real life.

Corrin: Never mind me. We can talk about this later. What happened to all the innocent people in town?

(Corrin looks around. The plaza has been devastated and is covered in smoke and debris)

Corrin: I can't believe this... The entire town is destroyed... An hour ago, these streets were filled with people and children and...

Ryoma: Now you see, Corrin. This is the work of the Nohrians. This is what they do. Let me guess. The sword you carried... It was a gift from King Garon, correct?

Corrin: Yes...

Ryoma: He masterminded the whole thing. It's not your fault. He knew you'd be captured and brought before Mother...

Corrin: But why? Why would he do this? I'm so sorry I didn't see this coming...

Takumi: Your apology means nothing! This is all your fault! Mother is severely injured! Countless others are dead! And it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't shown up on our doorstep! You don't belong here!

Ryoma: Takumi, enough!

Azura: Your words won't change anything. All we can do now is ensure that Mother is rescued and the survivors are tended to.

Takumi: Are we really supposed to believe they had no idea this would happen?

Hinoka: Takumi, what are you saying? Knock it off! You just saw Corrin help us defeat those invading soldiers!

Takumi: But they said it themselves! They had no control over themselves! Mother nearly died thanks to them!

Corrin: I'm so sorry... I've brought nothing but pain to all of you. It'd be better if I'd never come here. I should just leave.

Yukimura: That isn't what Queen Mikoto wants.

Hinoka: Yukimura! Is she okay?!

Yukimura: She's alive. She survived the blast, but she was severely wounded. Our best healers are tending to her now.

Ryoma: That's a relief...

Sakura: W-Wait... If King Garon r-really set this into motion... Then... Wouldn't it make sense i-if he sent other fighters here while w-we were recovering from the a-attack?

Hinoka: You're right... He must have been planning the attack on the town. It wouldn't surprise me if he's about to try and invade Hoshido since we're weakened now.

(Kaze appears onscreen)

Kaze: Lord Ryoma! I have important news. Reports from our border guards say that a large Nohrian force is gathering near the border. They're nearing the plains now.

Hinoka: It appears Sakura was right.

Ryoma: This is the final straw. We have worked hard to avoid an all-out war, but now... Death is too good for them. Who's with me?

(The royals exit with Kaze, leaving only Corrin and Azura behind)

Corrin: There must be another way. Surely the answer cannot be more bloodshed... But I feel I must follow them to the border. If I can help to avoid total war...

Azura: Wait, Corrin! If you become embroiled in a fight right now, it would be easy to lose control. Your dragon blood could take over again. If you yield completely to the dragon, you may lose your humanity altogether.

Corrin: Is there anything I can do?

Azura: Yes. This is called a Dragonstone. I've had it for quite some time, but it hasn't served much of a purpose. It would be much more helpful in your hands than mine. It will allow you to control your draconic power and still return to your human form.

Corrin: Thank you, Azura. I don't know what I'd do without you... I have more questions than answers right now, especially with what's just happened, but... I feel better having you at my side. I hope I can repay you for what you've done to help me. Between calming my dragon form and giving me this Dragonstone... I don't know how to make it up to you.

Azura: Don't worry about doing that. You don't need to pay me back. For now, let's go to the border. The others will be waiting for us.

The next two chapters are pretty short (both are less than 500 words), so I'm going to go on and post them now. The rest of the chapters will be longer than those two, but they're necessary, even if they're short.

I'm going to go and get some water and then post some more stuff.

-Digital