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Pichu awakens him from a dream of fairies. The moon rises prematurely, giving them time to cover ground under the cover of darkness. Once his eyes adjust to the darkness, Roy realises that the moon may betray them to their enemies just as the sun does.

But they press on. Pichu falls asleep in his arms, leaving himself and Lilina floating at his side to venture forth. The forest is quiet and soon gives way to a wide lake of grass that shimmers in the moonlight. Shadowy figures swim among the tall grass, their light assimilated wholly by the Winged One and replaced with a perverted darkness, as Roy and his companions had.

He exhales his regret. Travelling by night would slash their chances of freeing the fighters and civilians alike, lest the three of them be ripped apart in body and soul once again. If his soul wouldn't be torn in two by this selfish act first.

They keep to the tree line, weaving through the undergrowth. The insects are hushed, and even the birds nestled in the tree tops are still, afraid of being banished from the leafy shadows of protection. Lilina suddenly leaves his side and holds out her arm, but Roy is too slow and trips over something small and hard and which doesn't feel like a tree root. Pichu's reflexes save him from a similar fate.

They freeze, and with a sigh find that their carelessness isn't carried on the wind.

They see an Arcfire tome at Roy's feet. Its centrepiece glows as Lilina approaches it with an outstretched hand. Roy rights himself and can only gape as she touches the leather cover and the vicinity is flooded with light.

When he opens his eyes, he sees two feet float to the ground. Boots twist into the dirt, disbelieving.

"Lilina...!"

She gazes at him, her expression filled with regretful happiness, given a selfish gift she could not share with anyone else. He reaches out shakily and feels the palm of her hand beneath his fingers.

They stare at each other like two reflections in a mirror. Before they can cry, he remembers the world and pulls her down behind the bushes. They watch the sea of grass. Light's hounds haven't caught their scent, but they still stalk the area. Roy hesitates for a moment before tumbling down the slope and crouching down in the grass.

"What are you...!" Lilina dashes after him and pins him to the ground.

"We can take them," he says, fighting out of Lilina's chokehold. Pichu holds him down by the back of his cape, to the same effect as him staying up the hill. "I know how Robin fights. We've even got their tome, so—"

"You expect me to fight after I just—"

"What? No!"

"Then leave it alone. You're not in a state to fight, either. It'll be suicidal!"

"But that's—I can't—I don't want to—"

Lilina loosens her grip but he doesn't attempt to get away. He hides his escaped tears in his scarred hands, clears the fire from his mind, steals a glance at Pichu. Lilina dries her own eyes, gets to her feet and extends a hand towards him. She leads them back to the forest's edge where Roy sees Marth for a fleeting moment before collapsing.

When he wakes, he doesn't notice Robin, who blends in with the moon, until they, uncharacteristically touchy, press his cheeks together in elation. Neither of them are coherent, but Robin, nearly sobbing in relief, throws their arms around him, Lilina and Pichu.

"I'm sorry you were alone all this time," says Robin. "And I'm sorry about Kirby, Roy. Even so, without you, these two wouldn't have saved me."

That's when Roy recalls his place in the world and the now faraway relief it had brought him. That he would never realise his true strength on the front lines was something he thought he'd found peace with long ago. The four of them venture on, but as the night drains away, so too do the comforting arms of his assurance slip from his shoulders.

A/n: FFnet forced me to choose between F/M!Robin :/