Woohoo! Assassination time! I'm pretty excited, y'all! Giving Maribelle a conniption fit over Chrom's magical abilities and schooling wasn't what I had in mind last time, but the characters just let the conversation flow that way and it was the funniest thing ever! Inigo, bless his little heart, charmed his way in and got us more Grima time. I can't wait till Grima realizes "oh yeah, Lucina's also actually my adopted granddaughter this time around!"

"That isn't funny at all."

Heck yes it is, you two always act like you're each other's sworn archenemies.

"She is going to MURDER ME IN MY SLEEP when she finds out I've been raising her dad."

Come on, the worst that'll happen is you'll be stuck sleeping another thousand years while Chrom grows old and then dies.

"I am NOT going to let that happen again like it did with my dearest friend!"

Ouch.

Don't own, though if I did, all the headcanons and backstory I came up with for Grima to fill in the blanks would become canon. Ah, well, a girl can dream...

Grima hated snow.

Being a dragon, and thus a cold-blooded creature, he'd always found comfort in the desert of Western Archanea. It'd been wonderfully warm, unlike that horrid labyrinth, and back then a specific seaside country had become his home. Besides physical warmth, this little nation had held emotional warmth in the form of a certain young ruler who had extended his kindness to the terrified and disoriented young Creation. This gentle youth had helped the dragon choose a name, shown a desire to understand him, and given his companionship to him. There, Grima had learned how to control and combat his frightening urges for the first time, and his dear royal friend had applauded his first transformation into a human form. They'd been happy together, him and his friend and his family. Nobody had felt a need to fear him then.

Until the Naga of that time forced him into a hundred-year slumber to "protect" him from the machinations of a far more dangerous dragon at that point.

Still, though, the little nation held all of the Fell Dragon's good memories in his past. Even after it had been subsumed into Plegia, the dragon had stayed in the general area in honor of his closest friend. As such, he'd never had a need to travel to Regna Ferox of all places and thus never became accustomed to the cold, even in his human form or vessel. Maybe he was being petty on top of being tired and stressed, but killing the frozen flakes that drifted down onto his head seemed like a good idea right about now, amazing bespelled coat's warmth notwithstanding. Although when he looked down and beheld his foster grandson's hair and eyelashes dusted with the stuff, he couldn't help but relent with a chuckle.

"You look like a frosted blueberry, mini one."

"What is it with the blueberry thing, anyway?" Inigo muttered, wrapped up safely along with the albino in the large tactician coat. (The hood was big enough for only one person, hence the boy's uncovered head. Hopefully they wouldn't be here long, otherwise Grima would've gotten him a hat and gloves back in Everdale.)

The dragon laughed. "Your father asked something similar the first time I called him that. Isn't it obvious? You both have blue hair and are very sweet."

"Do you mean 'sweet' as in figuratively, or literally?"

"I'm offended that you think I would try to taste either of you. That's just wrong. I'm not a cannibal."

Inigo shrugged. "I had to ask. I still don't trust you, kind of."

Grima huffed in annoyance. "It would make things easier for both of us if you did… although I did tell you to take your time."

"Can you blame me? I've been effectively told I have to make nice with the monster that's terrorized me and my family almost my whole life."

"That's… fair." The albino's shoulders drooped. Poor little thing. Even more evidence his "burn the world" idea was the wrong one from the start. What would M—his old friend say? Except he's dead now thanks to that cursed goddess dragon witch he worshipped. Divine, my foot. I could've prolonged his life if she hadn't put me to sleep.

Great, now he was back in his previous sour mood. Why was it snow of all things that dredged up his ancient, painful memories?

"Um—Grima?"

"That's 'Grandfather' or 'Granddad' to you, little one," he muttered.

"A-Ah… but I-I'm not comfortable calling you that right n-now…" Inigo fidgeted with his fingers. "Um, b-but I can't just call you 'Grima,' n-now that I think about it. Or Robin, either."

Grima sighed. "The name I use here is 'Raven.' You can call me that until you are ready to accept your place in my family."

"Why do you have to make it sound so ominous?!"

"Huh? I'm not trying to." He sighed again. "Sorry, Inigo. I'm just in a very bad mood right now. Old memories coming to mind and whatnot. You haven't done anything wrong at all, I shouldn't be taking it out on you." He cuddled the boy a little closer. "I'm actually really glad you're here. Once we get your father back, we'll be a family together again."

"I-I can't! I can't tell him I'm his son yet, he hasn't even married yet!" The bluenette paused. "Has he married yet?"

"Nope."

"Okay, so you understand why I can't say anything until I've been born at the very least."

"You know, there are actually plenty of different theories as to how temporal physics and laws work, we have no idea which ones apply here," Grima pointed out.

"Yeah, Laurent's said that before."

They made it to the Longfort in good time, but the captain of the border guard ordered them to halt before they got any closer. "Ferox has no place for any—Robin, is that you?"

"He's my twin," Grima called back. "I've been looking for him and my son—can we maybe organize this and talk like civilized people instead of yelling at each other over a wall? We only have a spellbook and a couple steel swords on us. Inigo, throw your sword down," he ordered, doing the same with his blade and spellbook. "Okay, now we're unarmed."

"There could be any manner of weapon concealed in that cloak of yours!" the captain shouted back.

"Are you people freaking kidding me?! It's freezing out! Ugh, you might as well just arrest us and have us questioned if you're going to be like this!"

"Throw down your—what? Arrest you?" The captain seemed to consider his words. "No brigand's ever asked us to arrest them before. Very well, they may enter!"

Grima sighed in relief as the guards ratcheted the portcullis open. Then another thought occurred to him as he dismounted and bent down to grab their stuff. "What about your Brand?"

"It's concealed by an illusion Naga put on my eye. It'll come off when I need to reveal myself to my parents."

The albino grabbed the reins and led Eugene towards the fort with Inigo still riding along. "But I saw right through it."

"You're a magical dragon who already knows who I am, it's not meant for you!"

"… Point taken. I'm still going to find a better way around it after we're done here."

Inigo merely shuddered in response.

The two were ushered into the deliciously warm fort by two lancers. When Grima asked the captain of the Longfort (Raimi, apparently) about Chrom and Robin, she frowned. "Yes, two men with those descriptions came here over a week ago with the Shepherds. They were here to ask aid of the Khans—though you understand, I cannot tell you whether they were successful. It's a Feroxi matter and they helped us with it."

"Okay, well, I already knew they were coming to Ferox for help, Chrom told me as much in his letter. I just want to know if we need to continue on into Ferox or go back to Ylisstol."

"You got a letter from him?" the blonde knight inquired, confused.

The albino nodded. "I received it a few days ago, though it was dated before he left Ylisstol, which would've been… two or three days before he came here, I believe."

"What I don't quite understand is why you are so insistent on finding him. After all, he is an adult, is he not? And besides, he was with the Shepherds both times. I cannot think of a safer place for him to be in that case."

"I…" Grima frowned, not quite knowing what to say to that. "Let's just say I had a prophetic dream of something terrible happening to him again. I'm unfortunately prone to that kind of thing, experimenting with magic and all." He sighed. "I guess he went back, then? They finished their mission?"

"To my knowledge, yes."

"All right, well, thanks. You've been a great help." He slung an arm around Inigo's shoulders. "Come on, kiddo, let's go back—"

"Wait!" one of the younger lookouts piped up. "Do you need an extra coat?"

The bluenette boy blushed at her offer. "Oh, n-no thank you, w-we've managed just fine…"

"Oh. All right, then…"

As they left, Grima shook his head. "Let's get back on the road, mini blueberry. Hopefully we can catch your father this time around."

Only his second day in the infirmary and already Chrom felt stir-crazy. Robin and Kellam visited him often to chat or give him the odd book they found in the library for him to read. Miriel also came by to ask questions about Umbra—she'd been given custody of the tome on Maribelle's orders while the bluenette recovered. Lon'qu popped in every now and then to check on him, exchanging the occasional short conversation. Frederick pretty much avoided him altogether, though the others often came by with messages from him every so often. He likely still felt guilty over the way he'd treated the teen back in Ferox. The thought made Chrom snort. Either Frederick was a fanatic, a perfectionist, or both.

The door opened and a few of the Shepherds streamed in, looking worse for the wear. The recovering mage-healer eyed them with interest. "What happened to you all? On a mission or something?"

Lissa sighed. "We were on patrol down at the Farfort when we came across this village that had been overrun by bandits. The bandits had captured all of the villagers, so we went and dealt with them. We got lucky we had help—and a new recruit!" She brightened. "Donny, this is one of our newer members. Say hi to Chrom!"

A farm boy with curly brown hair and a bronze pot on his head shuffled in. "H-Hi there, sir. The name's Donnel, an' her Highnessness was kind enough ta lemme join them Shepherds, ya see. I-I thunk I could do somethin' good 'round here helpin' out other folks like them bandits set upon, ya know, protectin' them meself."

"I know exactly what you mean, Donnel." The bluenette gave the other teen a kind smile. "My father and I live down in Middlefield, and we're frequently on call for the surrounding area to weed out brigands and other criminals."

The farm boy's eyes lit up in recognition. "Middlefield, ya say? I think I've heard of ya two before! Some o' them bandits what took over my town were talkin' about that area and how it's done make the list o' top hardest places ta make a livin' thievin' and such." Donnel frowned. "'Cept here ya are now, sir, an' they's been sayin' the 'Platinum Demon' done disappeared along with—ah, tha's what they call yer pa, sir."

He laughed. "Chrom. Just Chrom will do fine."

"Ah, yessir Chrom, sir."

Chrom chuckled, then sobered. "I knew my father came up here to look for me, but in all the stress I guess I forgot that we've basically left our town unprotected." He sighed. "I really need to meet up with him as soon as possible."

Donnel fidgeted with the hem of his tunic. "Ya sure do love yer pa, don'tcha, mister Chrom sir."

"Yes, yes, I do. He's very protective of me."

"Yeah? Ah, if'n ya don' mind my askin', mister Chrom sir, what're you done did ta get yerself stuck in here?"

"Extreme mana exhaustion, or so Maribelle tells me," the bluenette said as the blond troubadour swept into the room and began directing the members of the scouting group to various beds. "Basically, I used up too much of my power in one go and need to rest to recover it."

"Yer a mage, sir?"

"That's right."

"Virion, sit still and don't move, you'll only aggravate that muscle. Sully, get off of that ankle, you're hobbling around like a drunkard. Stahl, do not pull that out, you'll open the wound up and it will bleed all over," Maribelle ordered as she ran around tending to the other Shepherds. She came to a stop in front of Donnel. "Who is this?"

"Ah, I'm a new recruit here, ma'am, her Graciousness lemme come along an' be a Shepherd with y'all." The brunette took his pot off his head and bowed to the blonde. "Name's Donnel, milady, an' I'd be honored ta serve."

Maribelle scrutinized him from head to toe. Then,

"Shoulders back, chin up, tuck in your stomach." Confused, Donnel obeyed. "Well, you might not look like much… but you certainly have potential… Hmm…" She turned and walked off to work on her other patients. Bewildered, the farm boy glanced at Chrom.

"Um, mister Chrom sir? What was that jus' now?"

Chrom smirked. "Well, I might not know her terribly well, but I think Maribelle just approved of you."

"You are going to get in so much trouble for this, Chrom."

The two friends strode along the moonlit main pathway of the palace gardens, passing a torchlit arch every several meters. Up in the heavens, the stars and waning crescent of the moon shimmered with a benevolent glow. Robin held an arm around his fellow mage's shoulders as the bluenette kept up a slow pace. Chrom breathed in the fresh air and gazed up at the sparkling night sky, smiling. "Thank you for sneaking me out, I couldn't stand to be in there another minute."

The platinum-head snorted. "You couldn't last three days in the infirmary? How long did it take for you to recover from your last worst case of burnout?"

"Um, about a week or so? Dad made me rest every day, but he also had me do some light exercise each day as well after he saw how antsy I got. Laying in bed all day without at least getting up and walking around a bit is torture."

"Maribelle is going to kill us both if she finds out I snuck you out."

The mage-healer chuckled. "She's going to almost kill us both, heal us, and then do it again over and over until she's satisfied. Dad sometimes threatens to do that to people—not in their presence—only he says he'll kill them, resurrect them, and repeat."

"You know, if you didn't turn out so well, I'd say your dad has a bit of a sadistic streak."

"You have no idea. You want sadistic, watch him tear up a bandit pack after one of them gives me a light scratch."

"Wow."

"Mm-hm."

The two continued their stroll in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Chrom spoke again. "Remember what Gangrel said about the previous Exalt at the border pass?"

Robin groaned. "I'd rather not. Something about how he was the instigator of the last conflict?"

"Yeah…" The bluenette sighed. "I've been reading those history books you found and talking to a couple of the servants who knew him. Robin, he… he waged war on Plegia for many years. The war only ended with his death fifteen years ago and left both countries in shambles. He conscripted people, Robin, farmers, peasants, people like Donnel, people like the ones I know back in Middlefield! H-He sent them to the frontlines to die, but because he was drafting farmers, food production slowed to a halt! His actions caused an artificial famine! The halidom nearly collapsed!" He panted for breath for a moment. "Honestly, I don't blame Lady Emmeryn for choosing the path she did. I can't imagine what a mark that must've left on her… and on her brother. I almost wonder if he understood what his father was doing, if he ran away to get as far as he could from such a horrible man. Emmeryn was only ten when he died, and the legacy she got stuck with? The animosity and hurt between both our nations?" He shook his head. "I admire her for staying true to her ideals all this time."

"That's incredible. How does she continue to offer patience when she's met with adversity?"

"Well, I think she has tremendous strength… and plenty of loyal people to support her. Lissa says she's stood by Lady Emm's side all this time and helped her."

"Whoa. I think I understand better when people venerate her as a symbol of peace," Robin commented. "I don't think any ordinary person could be so forgiving. But… Gangrel seems keen on abusing that forgiveness."

Chrom sighed again. "I only wish I knew what drove his attitude. I want to understand why he does what he does." Robin nodded in thoughtful agreement.

"Well spoken, sir."

The two mages whipped around to find the masked swordsman behind them. Chrom swayed a bit, but Robin steadied him. "Marth? You finally came back! I-I have so many questions to ask you!"

Maybe it was just the bluenette's imagination, but Marth looked vaguely baffled. "Good evening to you."

"Hello yourself," Robin muttered. "Were you invited here, or did you just sneak your way in?"

"That cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove."

The white-haired mage gave him a nonplussed look. "So you snuck in. How'd you know about that, anyway? I was the only other person to see it, and I didn't tell anyone else."

"What happened?" Chrom wondered.

"Oh, Lissa was training and I kinda spied on her—for tactical purposes only!" Robin waved his hands in defense. "That girl may be tiny, but she's got a mean swing. She sort of… broke that part of the wall and tried to cover it up. This was while you were still conked out, by the way," he clarified at the younger mage's confused look. "But yeah, Lissa saw me and swore me to secrecy. She was pretty embarrassed about it."

Marth nodded. "Your secret is safe with me." He took a step forward. "I come here only to warn you."

"About what?"

"The exalt's life is in danger."

Chrom felt a chill crawl up his spine. "What? L-Lady Emmeryn's in danger? I don't understand… Robin, we have to alert Lissa!"

"Chrom, the castle is crawling with guards," Robin pointed out. "Anyone would be hard-pressed to get to her."

"W-Well, it's not completely impossible, is it?"

The masked swordsman considered them. "What if… What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight."

Puzzled, the two mages glanced at each other. Chrom frowned, deep in thought. "I mean, it's not impossible. From what I've learned, if you have favor with one of the gods, they'll sometimes send visions to you, either of the past, the present, or the future. Maybe something like that happened with Marth here?"

"Are you sure that's an ability they have?" Robin asked his friend.

Before the bluenette mage could answer, Marth sighed. "Yes, I expected you wouldn't believe me."

"Hey, now, we didn't completely discount the possibility yet—"

"So allow me to prove it!"

"Huh?!"

Marth drew his "Falchion," and, alarmed, Robin drew his Elthunder tome, passing Chrom Umbra. The bluenette wondered when his friend had found the time to snag the tome from Miriel, but settled into a ready stance anyway, opening himself up to the ambient magical energy swirling about the place. The delicious healing sensation of mana pouring in and soothing his exhausted power revitalized the mage-healer, and he fought down a grin. Oddly enough, Marth wavered. Chrom stretched out his magical presence like his father had taught him and opened himself up further, sensing the barest traces of emotions from the two people near him. Wait, that's not my imagination.

Marth is bewildered.

But the swordsman recovered his composure. "I'm about to save your life. … From him."

Movement in the nearby bushes caught Chrom's eye and a flash of steel gleamed as a bandit burst out of the shrubbery. Marth flung Falchion up, leapt up and over the intruder, and swung as he landed. The bandit fell to the ground, lifeless. The bluenette mage gasped as the swordsman stood and swept his blade to the side. "I trust this proof will suffice?"

"… I believe him," Robin commented, wide-eyed.

More movement shuddered through the greenery. Chrom's eyes widened. "Look out!" He darted forward and caught Marth by the arm, pulling him away just as the second assassin came down. The blue-haired swordsman stepped on the dead thug's blade, however, and tripped as he turned, and the living bandit's blade cleaved the blue-and-gold butterfly mask neatly in two. Long, flowing blue hair slipped free in Chrom's periphery as he blasted the assassin back with a more powerful Umbra than usual. So much for low-level spells, Maribelle's definitely gonna kill me now. He turned from the bandit's body and… stared at Marth as she got up. "Wait, you are a woman!"

She glanced at him. "And quite the actress, too." She'd dropped the affected masculine voice. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until just now."

"Ah, well, I kind of had an inkling when we first met." Chrom shrugged. "You just seemed a bit off."

Marth's brow furrowed, the swordswoman's eyes full of subtle but deep-seated confusion. I wonder if she wasn't expecting to see me in this world. She seems to recognize me, but she also seems like she doesn't know what to make of me. If so many Risen came out of that portal, could it be… her world… maybe our world… was overrun? Did my parents send me to Ylisse for my own safety? Is that why I can't remember anything before I met my father?

Boom! An explosion in the direction of the castle went off. The three whirled around, then dashed towards the palace, Chrom's musings about his connection to the mysterious swordswoman set aside for the moment.

Hang on, Lady Emmeryn, we're coming!

Chrom burst into Emmeryn's chambers, where the Exalt and Lissa stood in their nightclothes, the older blonde wearing a dressing gown over her nightshift and the younger having hastily thrown her uniform on over top. "Lady Emmeryn, are you all right?"

"Chrom?" she called out in surprise. "What are you doing here?! Maribelle said you were supposed to be on bed rest! Lissa, take him and get out of here while you can!"

"We're not leaving you unguarded, your Highness!" Robin shouted. "You stay here where you're safe, I'll establish a perimeter around your room! Lissa, have the other Shepherds roused yet?"

The blonde teen nodded. "Yeah, I just came from leading them in the back way. They should be here any minute."

"Excellent!" The platinum-headed mage folded his arms, gaining a look of intense concentration. "We'll take out their leader as best we can—hopefully that should cause them to flee. I think I saw him on the way in, he's a tall, skinny guy with crazy black hair and a goatee. From what I can tell, he's high up in the Grimleal."

"That's not good," Chrom commented. "Why are they masterminding an assassination?"

"Who knows? Either way, he gives me the creeps. I do not like the look he gave me when he saw me."

"'I recognize you' eyes?"

"Of the disconcerting variety." Robin shuddered.

Something flashed in the corner of Chrom's eye. He turned and beheld a confused Marth staring at her glowing blade. "Falchion is gleaming…" she murmured.

The bluenette mage frowned. "Why? What makes it do that?"

"It's not your concern."

"Of course it isn't. You know, when this is all over, I'd very much appreciate some answers from you."

She grimaced. "My apologies."

Robin looks back and forth between them, then sighed. "All right, well, Marth? You're one of the best swordsmen here next to Lissa. Stay here and guard Emmeryn's door while we go out and weed out the assassins." He swept out of the room. "Chrom, Lissa, with me!"

"Right away!" Lissa called.

The three left the room and caught up with the other Shepherds. While Robin organized their defenses and paired up various fighters, Chrom caught Maribelle glaring at him. Fortunately, the blonde troubadour stayed silent, though the bluenette figured she'd go all out on him after they'd routed the assassins. Frederick caught his eye and tilted his head in a "how are you?" gesture. Chrom smiled at him, and the knight nodded, satisfied. When it came time for him to join a group, Robin put the younger mage with Sumia and himself. "Okay, you have your teammates and your positions. Get to them!"

Chrom glanced back and found Frederick placating Emmeryn by her chamber door before the knight took his place next to Marth. "Did you do that on purpose?"

The white-haired mage smirked as they took the western corridor. "He'll feel much better if he's protecting her and thus feel motivated to do so to the best of his abilities. It's simple."

"Whatever you say, captain of the Fremmeryn."

The three advanced the torchlit hallway and soon ran into a group of assassins. Robin and Sumia took the lead, shooting and stabbing while Chrom held back and treated his friends' wounds with his Heal staff he'd snagged on the way to the Exalt's chambers. A dark figure slipped by the pegasus knight and older mage, and the bluenette switched his staff for his tome. "Stop right there!"

The figure froze. In the wavering firelight, Chrom made out a vibrant head of familiar strawberry-blonde hair, and tucked into a strap on the man's chest—were those… lollies, of all things? An old memory from the bluenette's childhood resurfaced. He and his father had just moved in to their home in Middlefield… a marketplace… Dad's spellbook, missing… a chase… an older boy… a traded lollipop…. This man… is it… is that…

"Sugar Boy?"

The thief's eyes widened in recognition. "Blue?! Is that you, kiddo?"

Chrom gasped and grinned. "You remembered me!"

"Of course I did, I told you I'd never forget you!" The orange-headed man took a step forward and shook the bluenette's offered head. "It's good to see you after all this time! Man, you sure grew up quite the looker and everything! I bet the ladies love you, kid!"

"Aww, I wouldn't know that," the young mage laughed. "My real name's Chrom, by the way."

"Gaius. You here to keep the Exalt safe?"

"Yes, I am. Which reminds me—"

Gaius held up his hands. "Hey, I was told it was a burglary job, not murder! I'm not down for that, she's innocent!"

"Oh." Chrom sighed in relief. "Okay, thank goodness. You wanna switch sides? I'm sure the Shepherds would love to have someone with your skills."

The orangehead grinned. "I dunno, how well do you pay?"

"How's this for an advance?" The mage-healer took out a bag of wrapped chocolates he'd gotten back in Ferox. "If we both sign on officially with the Shepherds, there's more where that came from."

Gaius practically squealed as he took the bag and peered inside. "Oooooh, you know just how to get me, Blue! It's a deal!"

"Chrom! Chrom? Chr—hello-o, earth to Chrom." The bluenette glanced at Robin and Sumia, who had apparently finished clearing the hall while he was speaking to Gaius. Robin gave him a flat look. "You're supposed to be watching our backs, ding-dong."

Chrom winced. "Sorry. You two all right?"

"Sure, sure, no thanks to you. Who's this guy?"

Gaius stared at Robin for a long moment. Then he leaned over to the bluenette and whispered, "Is it just me, or does he look almost exactly like your old man?"

"Trust me, you're not the only one who's wondered about that."

Robin crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Don't tell me you know him too, Chrom."

"Ah, that would be lying." Chrom laughed, scratching the back of his head. "I met him when we first moved to Middlefield. He tried to steal my dad's spellbook and I chased him. Eventually we caught up to him and I offered my lollipop to him in exchange for the book—he has low blood sugar, so he has to eat sweet stuff a lot to make sure he doesn't get sick."

The platinum-haired mage blinked, then shook his head. "Only you, Chrom, only you." His attention turned to Gaius. "We'd have to let Lissa know, she's the leader of the Shepherds, but if you can help us drive back the other assassins, I'll consider you clear in my book. I'm Robin, the Shepherds' tactician."

"Robin, huh? Name's Gaius. You tell me where to go and what to do and I'll do it."

"Awesome! Now come on, there're still more left!"

The Grimleal leader of the group was tall. Chrom frowned, still holding his place in the back while Robin and Sumia went at him. Gaius watched his back, daggers at the ready. A blast of dark magic caught the pegasus knight and flung her back. The mage cried out and rushed to her side, but another blast whizzed by his face. He turned and flung up his empty hands as a third blast rushed toward him, channeling his power. Blam!

The bluenette shivered as power flooded his body and sent the excess towards the Plegian mage, who growled and leapt out of the way. The older man focused his piercing red gaze on the blue-haired boy, fury smoldering in his eyes. "So. You are the little Ylissean brat who thinks he can play at being a dark mage. Aversa told me all about you and your performance at the border." He took a step, studying Chrom's features before his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh. Oh. Excellus was right! You do look like him! Oh, but this begs the question: who taught you?" The man sneered. "Who taught you Plegian dark magic, boy? Only those loyal to Grima himself are allowed such a thing!"

Chrom gulped down his terror. "My father taught me!" Power welled up in him again, and he pushed it out, creating the biggest blast of Umbra he'd ever slung in his life! The enormous shadow ball caught the Grimleal square in the chest and expanded, engulfing the man.

"No, no, no! This wasn't supposed to happen!"

Robin unleashed Elthunder on the man, and the hallway exploded. Dark and light flew everywhere, and a shockwave knocked the four fighters back. Chrom got tossed onto his side and hissed in pain as he hit the hard stone floor. He lay there, dazed and disoriented, shuddering and gasping.

After about a minute, the bluenette pushed himself up onto his hands, taking in the destruction of the hallway. The walls, floor, and ceiling had been hollowed out where the explosion had gone off, and cracks jutted out in the stone from the epicenter. Chrom gaped in disbelief. "W-What just h-happened?"

Nearby, Robin got to his feet. "Huh." He glanced at his fellow mage. "Has this ever happened before? With Umbra, I mean?"

"Um, w-well, I've never tried t-to combine it with an-another spell." The mage-healer coughed. "But I've also never unleashed that big of an Umbra before. I-I don't know what happened—"

"Ugh…"

The tactician's head swiveled toward the sound. "Sumia? Sumia!" He ran over to the woman, who lay slumped on the floor to the other side of Chrom, and felt for her pulse. "Sumia, are you okay?"

"'m fine, Rob'n." The ashette swatted at his hand. "Just… blegh."

Chrom felt power filling up his body again. "Robin, here!" He crawled over to them and took a hold of Sumia's hand, pushing the power into her. The three, including Gaius, watched in shock as the lancer's wounds and the lingering dark magic disappeared, leaving the woman completely healthy. The bluenette stared, first at a perplexed Sumia, then down at his shaking hands.

"Whoa." Robin whistled. "Unbelievable."

Chrom trembled. "W-What's happening to m-me?!"

The older mage patted him on the back. "I'd say," he said, a slow grin spreading onto his face, "that it looks like you just mastered casting without a tome."

Chrom shifted from foot to foot as the Shepherds debriefed with Emmeryn and Phila, fiddling with his tome. The sensation of overflowing power had calmed down, but if the bluenette reached for it, it came back just as strong. How could I possibly have so much magic at my fingertips? Or is this what it's supposed to feel like all along? Sighing, he searched the group with his gaze for Marth. Wait, where is she? Did she leave again?! He cast another glance at the group before slipping out of the hall, where the edge of the swordswoman's cape disappearing out the door caught his eye. He ran after her and caught up with her just outside in the courtyard. "Hey! Wait up! Marth!"

Marth turned at the sound of her name. Her gaze widened just a fraction as Chrom approached her. The mage crossed his arms. "You know, most people say goodbye whenever they're leaving just so that other people are aware of it. They don't just… leave."

She winced. "Yes, I'm afraid I have a few bad habits."

"I mean, you have at least one good one too—saving lives. Like mine, and the Exalt's." He sighed. "I want to repay you, but how? And as I told you earlier, I have questions only you can answer. I-I need to know… would I have to give you something more in return?"

Marth shrugged and chuckled. "Hearing you offer is reward enough."

"Um, but couldn't we maybe trade or something—"

"I already have what I came for: history has been rewritten."

"History?" Chrom gasped. "W-What do you mean? You…"

The bluenette swordswoman faltered. "After the exalt's untimely assassination, the Fire Emblem would be stolen. This, in turn, would lead to a great war, and soon to the end of mankind itself." She shook her head. "… But I'm sure that sounds like madness to you."

The boy's head whirled with the new information she'd given. History rewritten… seeing the future… the world overrun by Risen… Marth, who bore a resemblance to him… he gasped again. The implications of all this…! If… If she's… from where I think she is… and possibly myself as well…! I-I have to process all this, but… this is more than I hoped to get! He gave her a weak smile. "I… I think I believe you. I still have questions, but… I think you might have just given me answers! How can I ever thank you for this?"

Marth looked confused, but she smiled back all the same. "Perhaps one day you shall. Until then…" And with that, she strode off into the dark starlit night.

Chrom watched her go, before ducking back inside and rejoining the group. Robin gave him an odd look. "Where'd you disappear to?"

"I went after Marth. I'll tell you later what she said." Crystal blue eyes fell on the leather-clad, furry woman with long ears who stood talking to the Exalt. "Who's that?"

The platinum-haired tactician grinned. "That's Panne. Lissa recruited her when she came in to save Emmeryn. She's a taguel, a rabbit laguz."

"What?! No way!"

"Way. I can't wait to see what a giant bunny can do on the battlefield." Robin giggled, rubbing his hands together. "I already have a few ideas of how I can deploy her… and with whom…"

"Of course you do." Chrom rolled his eyes. "And it has nothing to do with getting her a potential life partner."

"The taguel are near-extinct," the older mage pointed out. "In my opinion, I'd be helping her out."

"Oh…"

"Humans hunted her kind down. She's the last one."

Chrom bit his lip, his hands clenching into fists. Why was it that people could be so cruel?! Why did they have to destroy innocent lives with their greed and selfishness? Why did the ordinary people have to suffer because of those like the former Exalt and Gangrel and Aversa and the Grimleal? Why can't people be more considerate and giving? His heart ached, and he clutched his fist to his chest, quivering.

Robin nudged him. "Come on. Let's get you back to the infirmary."

Snap.

Someone's life had been taken—one of his Grimleal. Validar. Well, now that was a surprise. What had he been doing to get himself killed? Grima frowned, trying to recall what had happened around this point in the original timeline. Ohhhhh, that's right, Emmeryn's assassination. Wait, but if Chrom's in the capital with the Shepherds—! But the pact-bond brimmed with safety-confusion-empathy and power. Oh… has he somehow triggered the Awakening? No, if he had, I would've felt it, there would be far more power in there. Hmm… does this have to do with when he called upon my own power? I wonder…

Wait, I'm getting sidetracked. Validar's dead. I need to do something about that.

He stole another glance at Inigo, who lay asleep in the other bed. The boy had resisted sharing a bed with the albino, which was understandable, so Grima had made sure to get an inn room with two mattresses. He stroked the boy's hair—fine and soft and blue like his father's—and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. Being patient and waiting for your trust is hard, mini blueberry. But, as I've always said, it is a virtue. I'll wait as long as you need, little one.

He went over to the lone chair and settled himself, diving down into the shadow realm where he had access to the souls that had passed on. Validar was easy enough to find, his Grimleal regalia stood out among the darkness. "There you are."

The man froze. "Who—Who are you? How did you get here?!"

"Why, Validar, I'm shocked. I thought you'd recognize me." He chuckled. "I still have plans for you, you know. You're not allowed to just go and kick the bucket like that."

"You—it can't be! That's impossible!"

"And yet you believed the letters I sent you, did you not?" Grima smirked. "I made my presence known to you for a reason. I have been working the past fifteen years to put my plan into motion. Do you not remember the last letter I sent you? About my new world order?"

The old Hierophant gaped, then prostrated himself. "My lord! M-My apologies, I had no idea it was you!"

Amused, Grima shrugged. "I can't blame you, I never did show my face to you."

"My lord, if you would be so kind… I have questions, and I believe you have the answers."

The Fell Dragon's smirk grew sharp and wicked. "Oh? And you think I will give them freely to you? Tell me this, Validar: why should I reveal anything to you when you just now got yourself killed? I would think that assassinating the Exalt would be a simple matter."

"Someone alerted the Shepherds and the palace guard beforehand!" Validar's eyes glinted with anger. "Robin was there, he helped them foil us! And that boy… the blue-haired one! He's the lost prince of Ylisse, isn't he! He can wield dark magic unlike any I've ever seen! He's the one who killed me along with my own son!"

Oh. Oops. How did Chrom accidentally killing off his subordinates never cross his mind? I'm afraid I'm going to have to fix that. "Is that so? You really shouldn't speak that way to your potential High Priest." He held up his hand, halting the Grimleal's questions. "Whether he is the prince or not, he is the most gifted mage I've ever come across. He's a prodigy who just needed a nudge in the right direction." His smile softened, love welling up in his heart. "And he utterly and completely loves and trusts me like I am his father by blood."

"S-So you've been preparing him—"

"Ah-ah-ah. I'm quite busy, I'm afraid. Don't worry, I'l come back to get you out of here when the time is right. For now… I don't know, take a break or something. You'll need your rest for the next stage." And with that, he left the man in the shadow realm and reverted to the real world.

So Chrom is in the capital tonight… if only Inigo and I can catch him there again.

Chrom sat on his designated bed in the infirmary as Maribelle and the palace healers checked him over. He avoided the troubadour's thunderous expression as she worked, instead staring out the window while he mulled over the information he'd learned this evening. Finally, the noblewoman set her staff aside and dismissed the other healers. She placed her hands on her hips and regarded the bluenette boy for a long minute. Seconds ticked by. Then, she spoke.

"Your mana exhaustion is completely gone. Your reserves have filled themselves back up, they're nearly overflowing as it is. As for your mana regeneration, your channels have been literally blasted open. You're constantly cycling ambient mana to replace what you've used with an efficiency only the most skilled of mages would employ." Her flat, emotionless tone gave nothing away. "Technically, there is nothing wrong with you. You have no reason to linger in the healing halls."

"U-Um… okay."

"Do you understand the ramifications of a higher connection to ambient mana?" Now her voice quivered a bit in anger. "You'll always have access to more power than you might be capable of wielding! You could overload yourself with magic and accidentally kill yourself!"

"I'm s-sorry." Chrom's shoulder's shook. "I-I don't know what h-happened, I don't know h-how—"

Maribelle sighed. "No, I don't suppose you do." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're discharged from the infirmary. But I want you to work with Miriel in the next few weeks if we have free time to better understand what your limits are." She waved him on. "You're free to go."

The boy nodded, numb, and stood up, shuffling out of the infirmary. Outside, Robin waited, and the two set off for the Shepherds' garrison.

On they walked in comfortable silence, until the albino spoke up. "According to Lissa, there's been a change of plans. When we head back out to Ferox tomorrow, we're going to swing by the eastern palace and drop Emmeryn and her guards there since Ylisstol isn't safe for her anymore. You'll need to have everything packed and ready to go tomorrow morning—uh, if you're joining us, of course."

"I might as well. Hopefully Father will meet us there when we get to Ferox."

Robin nodded, and the two lapsed back into silence for a few more minutes.

"… What did you learn from Marth?"

Chrom bit his lip. "She said she came here to rewrite history—that she was here to prevent Lady Emmeryn's assassination. She said if the Exalt was killed, the Fire Emblem would be stolen, war would be waged, and the end of the world would come."

"She saw all that?"

"Robin, I think she lived all that. Remember the portal she came out of? How so many Risen went through? I think her world was overrun by the Risen and their summoner, which would definitely signal the end of the world! I think the world she came from was our future! A-And you saw how she has blue hair just like me? How she looks so much like me?"

"Go on," the platinum head urged, skeptical but listening.

Chrom took a deep breath. "I told you I don't remember anything about my birth family, only that I had a mother, a father, and an older sister. What if… what if I'm from the same world as Marth? What if I can't remember anything before my father adopted me because it was too horrible to remember? What if I came through a portal just like hers?" The older mage's eyes widened, following the bluenette's train of thought. "Robin… I think…

"I think Marth is my older sister!"

And that's a wrap! Next up: You Shall (Not) Pass! The Shepherds head to the eastern palace only to get ambushed at Breakneck Pass. Chrom meets one more person from his childhood. Grima is tired of arriving too late to catch Chrom. Inigo suffers from a case of mistaken identity but refuses to ask his dragon granddad for help.

Feel free to review or feed me concrit! Anything to let me know I'm brightening your guys' day!

"Do I have a will? I need to update it to include the mini blueberry as one of my heirs—along with his father if I somehow haven't added him yet."

Aaaaaand? What about Lucina?

"She's disowned."

... I don't think either Chrom or Inigo would like that.