Chapter 11: The Foreseer
That night, Chrom is at the castle courtyard. After being in the Pokémon battle earlier, especially Mega Evolution, Chrom walks up to Reina and asks her how the process is done.
~Flashback~
"Reina, I want to ask you. How is Mega Evolution done?" He asks.
"Well, there are three things you need to Mega Evolve a Pokémon. The two of these are a Keystone and a Mega Stone. You need to have those stones in order for a Pokémon to Mega Evolve. But the Mega Stone need to match up with the same Pokémon. The Keystone's purpose is for the trainer to activate the Pokémon's Mega Evolution." Reina explains.
"And the third thing?"
"You need a strong bond with your Pokémon."
Chrom takes out the marble he got from Meena.
"You're in luck. I have another spare Keystone." Reina takes out a stone exactly like the one on her pendant and hands it to Chrom. "There is one thing you have to keep in mind."
"What is it?"
"One heart, two views. No matter how strong your bond is with Luke, you should always remember that."
"O-Okay."
Reina hands him the Keystone in which he accepts.
~End Flashback~
"One heart, two views? What does she mean by that." Chrom wonders, looking down at the stone sewed in his right glove.
"Chrom? What are you doing out so late?" Robin's voice came. He turns around and sees the girl approaching him, Drago by her side with Luke as he has a shoulder guard on his left shoulder, similar to Chrom's, with the Mega Stone embedded in it.
"Oh, hi, Robin, Drago, Luke. Just… dueling some unpleasant thoughts…" He answers. "Tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first… Not everything Gangrel said was a lie." Hearing this surprise the three especially since they know how insane the king of Plegia is. "The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many wars. The violence… it was a brutal campaign, ending with only his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers his suffering, but his war was no kinder to his people. As the fight drags on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those times… I know how they affected Emmeryn."
"Such an experience would change anyone." Robin says.
"Indeed. When our father died on her tenth year, he left her quite the legacy… Plegia's desire for vengeance, our own people's unbridled rage… my sister became a target for blame on all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults and stones. She still bears scars from one, but she never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood."
Luke walks up to his partner and places a hand on his shoulder. "Eru."
"It must have been so hard." Robin says.
"I cannot claim to know how she does it, Robin." Chrom continues. "I could not greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Ylisse's spirits was mended and the people 'forgave' her? She never resented them for it. She represents the best part of the halidom, the part most worth protecting. She is peace. But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him. So perhaps I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to."
"That was well spoken, sir." A voice says.
The two Shepherds and their Pokémon turn to the source and see Marth walking up to them.
"Marth…" Chrom's eyes narrows.
"Good evening to you." He greets.
"How did you get here?" Chrom asks in suspicious, especially since there are guards at the front gate.
"The cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove."
This catches Chrom by surprise. "There? But how would you…? Ugh."
"You know that place, Chrom?" Robin asks.
Chrom turns to her in embarrassed. "Yes. I bashed in part of the wall while training the Shepherds. It's only a small hole, and I thought it well concealed, but…"
"You're secret is safe with me. I come here only to warn you." Marth says.
"Chrom raises an eyebrow in confusion. "Warn us?"
"The exalt's life is in danger."
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours."
"What if… What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight." The masked man says ominously.
Chrom looks skeptical, considering everything that has happened. "Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?"
"Yes, I was expected you wouldn't believe me. So allow me to prove it!" Marth draws out his sword and Chrom follows suit by putting a hand on the hilt. "I'm about to save your life… From him."
Suddenly an assassin rises from the bushes, Marth tosses his sword in the air and jumps. He grabs hold of his weapon and brings it down on the assassin in an instant kill.
"I trust this proof will suffice?" He asks.
"…Yeah."
Suddenly, Luke notices something in the bushes. "Eru erllade!"
Another assassin rises from the bushes which caught Marth off guard. He trips on the first assassin's sword. The second assassin swings his weapon down for the kill, only to muss and only cut the mask, revealing Marth's face and his, rather her long blue hair.
Chrom speed pass her and kill the second assassin. Then he turns to face the female swordsman. "Wait, you're- You're a woman?"
"And quite the actress too." She answers. "Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out until just now."
The next thing they knew, an explosion is heard. This worries the gorup as they head back into the palace. Unknown to them, a figure is watching them from the shadows and starts running after them.
Just outside the palace, a group of Plegians stands, waiting for their orders from their leader.
"Remember, I want the Emblem in my hands with Emmeryn dead on the floor. Let nothing distract you from either purpose." He tells an assassin.
"As you will it." He nods.
While all the other assassins are eager to do the job, an orange haired, lollipop eating thief in the back who has a horrified look on his face.
"Whoa, whoa, did I just hear that right? We're to KILL the exalt? I'm just here for the plunder. You know, line in my pockets with some royal goods. That exalt's such a sweet lady… Sure, I'll rob her blind, but I'll never harm her!"
"Manyu." By the thief's side, a black weasel like-creature with a red crown and collar stands beside him.
"I know, buddy. I know." Without any of his allies knowing, he slips into the shadows.
Chrom and the others rush towards Emmeryn's room, where she is safe and unharmed with Reina and Meena with her.
"Emm!" The prince calls.
"Chrom! Takes Lissa and flee while you still have time!" Emmeryn tells him.
"No! We're not leaving you! Just stay where it's safe!"
Reina turns to Emmeryn. "Don't worry. I'll back your brother up. Meena, you stay here and protect her."
"Right!" She nods.
Robin looks around, seeing the amount of the assassins, there should be a leader who can order them to do such thing. "The assassins would scatter if we can defeat their leader."
Back outside, the leader of the group of Plegia notice Chrom is still alive.
"Hmph! Two assassins and the little princeling was not even wounded?" He narrows his eyes as he notices something about the opposite side. "Wait… Some of these actors do not belong on this stage."
When he lays his eyes on Robin, a grin forms on his face.
"Ho! Can it be?! After years of searching… Tonight, fate truly piles gifts at my feet!"
He gazes at the dragon, the green and white humanoid creature, and when the rest of the Shepherds come along, several other unique creatures follow them.
"So… the rumors were true after all…"
Marth looks down and notices her sword is glowing. "Falchion is gleaming…" She mutters.
"What's wrong?" Chrom asks.
"It's not your concern."
"Seems like nothing ever is with you."
"My apologies."
"Just stay at Emmeryn's doors. We'll handle the killers."
Marth complies and stands by Emmeryn's door, prepared to take down any assassin that slips pass the Shepherds.
As they fight against the enemy, a pair of figures sneak into the palace from the back window. One of them is a human with tanned skin and a dark brown hair in braids, wearing light purple body armor. She also has rabbit ears tied in her braids and a black rabbit tail. The other seems more like a brown, humanoid rabbit with long ears that bends shortly above its head and ends in fluffy, cream-colored fur. Its wrists and lower legs are also covered in cream-colored fur.
"I knew there was wisdom in slipping in with those rogues, Lily." The human rabbit says. "Look at how these man-spawn claw at each other like savages! I will repay my warren's debt and then wash my hands of their race."
"Mimi…" Lily doesn't seem to agree with her partner's idea.
As they keep going down the halls, they run into a certain Erllade.
"Eru!" The Erllade alerts as four more people come behind him.
"Another assassin?" Chrom questions getting his sword ready, but Marth stops him.
"Hold! Panne is not your enemy."
"You know her?"
"I know… of her. And I knew she would come here tonight." Marth replies cryptically.
"Quite the prophet, aren't you?"
"As you say. And I swear to you, Panne is an ally."
"…Good enough for me. All right, Shepherds! For now, we leave this Panne character be."
"Is that wise, milord?" Frederick asks in concern.
"Marth has earned our trust. She enjoys her secrets, I know… Like her gender for one. But she's also saved our lives. Twice. And that's enough for me."
Marth looks at him with a smile on his face. "Chrom… Thank you."
"Now can we get back to the matter at hand?" Reina suggests.
"You're right, Reina. Let's drive these scoundrels from our castle." Chrom agrees.
At that moment, four said scoundrels – two axe wielders, an assassin and a dark mage – come from both directions blocking them making the fighters split off to fight them.
The new arrival, Panne responds by slamming her hands with a purple stone on one of her hands into the ground and surrounding herself with rock-like energy. When the rock explodes, in her place is a giant, horse-sized rabbit with glowing red eyes and wearing the same armor but enlarged to fit her better. Not wasting any time she quickly swipes a paw at an assassin, killing him instantly.
"Mimi!" Lily's voice comes as Panne looks up to see her defeat a dark mage with a Dizzy Punch to the gut.
Meanwhile, Chrom cuts another dark mage down as Luke uses Slash. Afterwards, at the corner of his eye, the prince sees a certain orange-haired thief.
"Drop your weapon, or die where you stand!" He orders.
"Easy there, blue blood. I'm not here to hurt anyone." The thief assures.
"…Yet you stand with a band of assassins?" Chrom
"Believe me out not, trying to make a living. I'm a thief, see? Bust doors open, crack into chests… that kind of things. This lot said they wanted to break into some kind of vault. Nobody said anything about murder. I'd just as soon sit this one out."
Chrom looks at Luke, wondering if the thief before him speaks the truth. The Erllade looks back at him and nods.
"Hmm… Then perhaps you'd be willing to prove your good intentions?" He suggests.
"Beg pardon?"
"We need all the help we can get to save the exalt's life. You appear capable, and we could use any information you have about our foes."
"Oh, right–those good intentions. Fine then, I'll prove my sincerity… if you sweeten the deal."
Chrom grimaced at his conditions. "You want gold? …Fine, you scoundrel. Let me just–oops." He digs into his pocket for some gold when he drops a satchel on the floor.
"Looks like you dropped something. What's in the sachet, mmm?" The thief asks.
"Nothing. Candies from my little sister. I'm sure you–"
The thief's expression freezes. "'Candies'? As in, sugar candies?"
"Well yes. I assure they'd be sweet? But-"
"IT'S A DEAL!"
Chrom and Luke looks at the thief in shock. "…You'll risk your life if I give you… a bag of candy?"
"I said 'sweeten the deal', didn't I? Don't get me wrong, I'll take the gold too. Later. Unless you've got more of these. Have you got more of these?!"
The prince and Luke look at each other, dumbfounded at their new recruit. "Um… I'll ask Lissa."
Elsewhere in the palace, the rest of the Shepherds are doing well against the Plegians especially the new members of their group.
For Sully and the Shishiko, Leona, the two are quite the team. Leona would use Noble Roar to frighten the enemies enough for Sully to finish off. Any enemies who try to attack the female cavalier, the Lion Cub Pokémon would burn them away with Fire Fang.
For Stahl and the Herderrier, Terry, the Loyal Dog Pokémon uses Take Down at the opponent allowing Stahl to land the finishing hit. Like Sully, when the enemies try to attack the male cavalier, Terry would bite them down with Crunch.
For Vaike and Nyaheat, who he named Torra, they make a good combination in terms of strength. Both would land a good, strong hit on the Plegians for the other to instantly take out.
Lissa and Maribelle are also getting along well with Chi the Tabunne and Flora the Cuwawa. While healing their allies, the Pokémon would protect their partners by countering the enemies' attacks with Psychock, Magical Leaf, and Flower Shield.
Lastly, Virion and the Odoridori, Adalia, they are splendidly getting along. As the Dance Pokémon uses Air Slash to stall the enemy, Virion to snipe them quickly and elegantly.
Marth watches the teamwork between humans and Pokémon and couldn't help but be even more amazed by the sight before her. Suddenly, she is hit by a Nosferatu from behind and looking back, she sees a dark mage and a thief are teaming up against her.
"No. I can't fall here!" Marth thought.
"Arf!" A voice comes and then some sharp rocks strikes the mage and now lying on the floor dead.
"What the hell?!" He thief wonders, looking at the source of the attack. As he turns, a brown puppy with blue eyes and rocks on its neck sneaks behind and gives him a hard bit on his butt. "A―H!" The Plegian runs around as he tries to shake the growling puppy off his butt.
Seeing her chance, Marth gets back up and stabs her sword through his chest killing him. The puppy then releases his grip on the dead thief, it looks up at the swordswoman with eyes sparkling and tail wagging.
"Do you want to help?" She asks.
"Arf! Arf!" It replies, happily jumps up and down. Before she knew it, the puppy jumps into her arms causing Marth to drop her sword and rubs the rocks on its neck against her face.
"Hey, wait! That hurts!" Despite was Marth said, the puppy keeps on happily nuzzling her.
After snipping another dark mage, Reina sees Marth being cuddle by the creature in her arms. "That's…" She trails of and gets her Zukan out.
"Iwanko, the Puppy Pokémon. Iwanko have lived with humans since ancient times. When it gets close to evolving, Iwanko's temperament becomes more aggressive and it tends to act more independent."
Reina then notice a fighter sneaking up on Marth and the Iwanko. "Hey! Behind you!"
Her warning comes a little too late, for the Plegian is already raises his axe up to kill the blue-haired swordswoman. However, the Iwanko in her arms jumps over her shoulder and bites his face.
"OW! Get this canine off me!" He shouts dropping his weapon as he tries to pry the Puppy Pokémon off his face.
Marth quickly takes in the situation she is in and instantly picks up her sword and runs it through the Plegian fighter. Once he lies on the floor dead, the Iwanko releases her grip.
"Shall we continue?" Marth says.
"Arf!" She nods.
Outside the palace, Robin and Drago have just charge out, finishing dealing with some of the remaining Plegians. The two sees the leader of the group and prepares themselves for battle.
"Well, well… Ha ha ha! Hasn't it been a while!" He says.
Robin's eyes widen in shock at his words. "You know me?"
"Oh, I know you… Submit to me, and perhaps I might honor you with the truth!"
"I'd rather die! Drago, use Dragon Pulse!"
"Mozu!" Drago shouts as he releases the move at the dark mage and causing an explosion to occur.
"Did we get him?" Robin wonders.
As the smoke begins to clear, to their shock, the Plegian leader is still standing. "You think that's enough to beat me?! Elfire!" He fires a powerful fire magic at the two as the tactician and her partner can't respond in time to avoid the attack.
"Protect!"
"Eru!"
Luke suddenly appears before them with his arms up as he summons a barrier to block the attack.
"Robin!" Chrom calls as he approaches her and Drago. "Are you two okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Chrom. Luke." Robin replies.
Luke glances at her and simply nods.
At the sight of the prince and his partner, the Plegian dark mage grits his teeth. "Emmeryn was supposed to be an easy target… You will pay for interfering in my designs!"
"Think again! Let's go, Luke!" Chrom shouts and a nod, the Erllade follows his partner to their opponent.
"Drago, Dragon Breath!" Robin orders as she switches her tomes. Drago fires a light blue beam of energy from her mouth to the dark mage. At the same time, Robin also shoots out some fire magic at the Plegian.
The two attacks speed past the prince and his Erllade and about to hit their target, who jumps back to avoid them. An explosion occurs when the Fire magic and Dragon Breath hit the ground causing smoke to rise, making it hard for the enemy to see where Chrom and Luke will attack from. He then sees a pair of shadows from the smoke and instantly fires an Elfire, but one of the shadows move in front of the other and spreads his arms out. The magic seemingly struck, clearing away the smoke to reveal Luke with an active Protect. Chrom uses his shoulder as a stepping stone to jump over the barrier and perform a diving attack at the dark mage. The enemy avoids the attack and prepares to fire another Elfire spell. Chrom sees this and quickly moves away from his attack range.
Luke then regroups with his partner. "Eru."
"Yeah. He is tougher than the rest. Shall we test out your true power?" Chrom asks and Luke nods. "Then it's time to see what you're really capable of! Mega Evolve!" Chrom taps his Keystone causing it and Luke's Erlladnite to shine brightly. Streams of energy comes out from both stones and connects each other. As soon as they all come in contact, Luke's body begins to glow in a rainbow color and change shape.
One the glow dies down, Luke's new for is revealed. His body is mostly white, save for his head, a red plate on his chest and the red blades on his now white arms. He also has a white cape on. Overall, his new appearance looks like a knight.
All the other Shepherds and their Pokémon allies are outside the palace at this point staring at Luke's new form in great awe. Luke then checks out his new look and flexing his muscles.
"How do you feel?" Chrom asks and receives a smile with a nod.
"What?! What did you two do?!" The leading Plegian questions.
"You'll never find out. Go, Luke!" Immediately, the Mega Erllade charges at the Plegian.
"I won't let you! Elfire!" The dark mage unleashes another powerful Fire magic.
"Slash!" With one swoop, Luke swings down his arm, cutting the magic in half allowing the Erllade to run past it as an explosion occur behind him. Before the Plegian has a chance to react, Luke strikes his Slash attack hard, ending the battle.
"No… This is… all wrong… How could… you have known the plan…" He breaths his last word.
Almost everyone is shock at how quickly Luke killed the leader of the group of assassins. The shock soon becomes cheers as they realize they won the battle.
"Luke, you were amazing!" Chrom states as he looks at his partner but then realize something is off about him. "Luke?" After he calls him, Luke collapses forward as he reverts to normal. "Luke!"
He, Reina, and Meena rush to the Blade Pokémon's side as the two sisters check up on him.
"Don't worry. Luke just fainted." Meena tells Chrom. "He probably suppresses the excess energy from Mega Evolution."
"Thank gods…" Chrom trails off and looks at his partner.
"Well, there are some cases when a Pokémon Mega Evolves they fainted from the excess power from it." Reina adds and notices the worried look on Chrom's face. "It'll be fine. As long as you, Luke, and the others join in my training, you'll be sure to master Mega Evolution."
"Really?" Chrom asks and realizes what she said. "Wait, the others?"
"Yeah. For now, you and the other four will be joining my training that I put together."
"You better prepare yourself." Meena whispers to the prince. "When Reina gets like this, she won't hold back."
"Hey, I can hear you. Don't make it sound like I'm an ogre."
~Later~
Back in the castle
"Emm! Thank gods you're safe!" Chrom says to his sister.
"It is you I have to thank, Chrom." The exalt says. "And if anyone is to be worried about, shouldn't it be Luke?"
"Don't worry. Right now, Luke is resting peacefully." Reina assures.
"Thank you, Reina."
"I beg your forgiveness, milord! I failed in my duty. They should never have made it into the castle in the first place." Philia apologizes, bowing her head.
"Peace, Philia. You couldn't have known what was coming." Chrom assures. "Only Marth could-"
"Marth?" Emmeryn asks.
"Yes, I would speak more with…" Chrom looks around and sees the unmasked swordswoman is gone. "Um… Robin, where's Marth?"
"Hmm… An excellent question. She was here a moment ago…" Robin says also confused as to where the mysterious person went.
"…Not again!" Chrom exclaims and goes after Marth.
Elsewhere
Marth is walking through the castle courtyard, away from the castle itself. She stops for a moment, looking at the building with a nostalgic look. She about to continue walking away when Chrom comes by.
"Going somewhere? You have a bad habit of leaving without saying goodbye, you know." He states.
"Yes, I'm afraid I have a few bad habits." She admits.
"Good ones as well–you saved my life as well as both of my sisters. Is there a way I can repay you? Some favor I can grant?"
Marth smiles at his offer. "Hearing you offer is reward enough."
Chrom didn't relent to her answer. " But there must be something…"
"I already have what I came for: history have been rewritten."
"And what future averted?"
"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." Marth ceases her explanation and looks down. "…But I'm sure that sounds like madness to you."
Chrom is silent for a moment. To a common person, it does sound crazy, but considering everything that happened, how she knew so much, not to mention Pokémon showing up, he's became open minded. "…Strangely, no. It doesn't. Somehow I know I can trust you. And I hope someday to repay your favors."
"Perhaps one day you shall. Until then…" Marth is about to walk away when a bark is heard.
"Arf! Arf!" The two turns and sees a familiar puppy running to them.
"You're-" Marth us cut off by the Iwanko jumping into her arms again and giving her another painful nuzzle. " Owowowow! Hey! Stop that!" Iwanko did stop when the Pokémon climb on her shoulder and gives her lots of licks. "Hey! That tickles!" The girl tumbles down and was at the mercy of the nuzzling Puppy Pokémon, stating how painful the nuzzles are.
Chrom is slightly confused at the sight before him.
"Looks like that Pokémon has really attached to you." Chrom looks around to see Reina walking up to them.
"Reina, when did you…"
"Just now." She answers the prince's questions. When she gets up to where Marth is, Reina picks up the Puppy Pokémon and Marth gets back up. Reina then sets Iwanko back down, the latter who is circling around the blue-haired swordswoman. "Looks like she wants to go with you."
"But I…" Marth trails off.
"Look at her. She can tell that you're a good person and where I came from, there are some cases that a Pokémon chooses their partner. That's why Iwanko chose you."
Marth looks down at Iwanko, who is standing on her hind legs, leaning on the swordswoman's legs for support, making happy sounds as she wags her tail. Seeing this causes the girl to smile. "Well, I always did want a dog. If you really want to come with me, you can… Allena."
Hearing this makes Iwanko, Allena overjoy as the Puppy Pokémon jumps into Marth's arms and gives her a good, painful nuzzle.
"Owowowow! Just don't nuzzle me too much!" She begs. As Allena ceases her nuzzling, Marth picks her up and makes eye contact with her. "Let's get along well, Allena."
"Arf!" Allena replies happily.
Setting her down, Marth takes her leave with her newfound partner by her side. As they leave, Chrom couldn't help but thing about his own partner.
Meanwhile
Back in the castle
Emmeryn is speaking with Panne and her Pokémon friend.
"Brave taguel, there are not words enough to express my gratitude." Emmeryn thanks.
"So you know our true name?" Panne questions, narrowing her eyes. Noticing her action worries Lily.
"Sorry, what's a taguel?" Robin asks in a confused tone.
"I am a taguel. The… The last taguel." Panne becomes sadden as she answers Robin's question. "We are shape-shifters. Most of your kind calls us 'beast' or 'coney' in the midst of their hunt. I only helped because my warren owes Ylisse a debt. Do not think us friends, you and I!"
"Mimi…" Lily gets even more worried for her friend.
"I don't understand…" Robin says.
"Yes, it's precious little your kind seem to understand. It was man-spawn like you that invaded our warren and slaughtered my people."
"What?! Is this true? Who would do such a thing?" Emmeryn asks in a horrified tone.
"Ha! Do not act so shocked. You are all the same. Right down to your base desire to ruin and destroy all your touch–even each other." Panne says.
"…There is truth to your words, perhaps." Emmeryn admits. "I'm told that, in taguel society, everyone is treated as an equal. Mankind could learn much from your warren. The words may come too late and mean too little, but I am deeply sorry. We have stolen your friends and family and made the world a lesser place."
"Your Grace–you have no fault in this!" Philia tells her.
Panne didn't look convinced. "You claim to be blameless, and yet you would apologize? Pah! Your words are but wind."
"I know… But they are all I have." The exalt says.
Panne looks closer at Emmeryn and looks her in the eyes for any trace of malice, only to find none at all.
"…You seem sincere, man-spawn. You feel my pain as your own. …I never felt that before. Look at me. …See what I am. I will never trust mankind. But you… Perhaps you truly are not like the others."
"All I ask if a chance to earn your trust." Emmeryn replies as she gratefully bows and then looks at Panne's companion. "And who might this be?"
"This is my friend, Lily. She is a creature known as Mimilop." Panne introduces.
"Mimi." Lily greets.
"What's going on?" Reina's voice asks as she walks towards them with Chrom behind her.
"Ah, Reina. We were introducing Panne's companion." Emmeryn explains to them.
"Hmm~" Reina hums and takes out her Zukan.
"Mimilop, the Rabbit Pokémon. It's notably wary and has a dislike of fighting, but at the same time, it can deliver powerful kicks with its lithe legs."
Panne blinks silently. "Oh… I didn't realize you already know about these… Pokémon."
"Yeah… My Pokémon and I are introducing Pokémon to the people here… Wait… how did you know what they were called?!"
" Lily told me herself. We were both surprised by this when we met."
"So your kind can understand Pokéspeak…" Reina trails off and mutters. "Does it have to do with the species…?"
In a dark void
The dark mage from the assassination wakes up and staggers. "Nngh… How?! My purpose is too significant… to be thwarted… here… Aaargh…"
Then a mysterious shadowy figure enters. "Validar."
"What? Who are you… Where did you… come from?"
"I am the power that compels you. You will not perish here. It is not written. You must live on to author a destiny greater than you know."
The mage's eyes widen at who this is. "I-impossible! It can't be you! It can't be…"
The figure then gives a sinister smile. "I am the wings of despair. I am the breath of ruin. I am the fell dragon, Grima…"
At the palace
"It will take time to investigate how the assassination plot got so far. We have no leads at present." Philia says to Emmeryn, Chrom, Frederick, Robin, and Lissa as everyone else was sent to their rooms tried to manage whatever sleep they could get.
"It was Plegia! I'm sure of it. They'd do anything for the Emblem. Emm, you can't stay here. Come to Ferox where it's safe." Chrom pleads.
However, Emmeryn shakes her head. "And leave the people undefended? War is at our borders, Chrom. Do you expect Ylisse to stand against Plegia without a leader? They must know their exalt stands with them."
"But if something happens to you? What then?"
"Your Grace, perhaps you might relocate to the eastern palace for the time being? The other kingdoms know nothing of it. You would be safer." Frederic suggests.
Emmeryn gives it some thought before responding, "…Hmm. Very well."
"Chrom smiles at his sister listening to them. "Thanks, Emm. I mean it. We'll escort you to the palace before we head north to the border."
She nods before they all turned in for the night.
Mimilop – Lopunny
Manyula – Weavile
Iwanko – Rockruff