The war with Walhart was continuing to drag on and it wasn't long before Ylisse became short on supplies and men. "There's not much choice," Roo sighed as she, Chrom and Gerome stood together in the war council room. "We're going to have to ask for help."
"Plegia?" Chrom groaned. "Really?"
"We've already asked for and received help from Ferox," Gerome offered. "Will it really take three nations to bring down one man?"
Solemnly, Roo nodded. "Unfortunately, I think it's shaping out to be this way," she said. "We're simply outmatched. Besides, no one really liked Gangrel and the new king might be more understanding. We have to try."
Gerome and Chrom exchanged worried glances before turning back to Roo, the same grim frown on their faces. "Very well," Chrom said slowly, as if considering each word that came out. "But I believe you place too much faith in a peaceful outcome."
"Yeah, I heard that before," Roo said.
"How did the last time turn out?" Chrom asked curiously,
Roo bit her lip and winced.
And so they found themselves in the royal chambers of the Plegian king. "I heard his name was Validar, and he worships Grima. We should be careful," Roo whispered in Chrom's ear as they waited, standing together in front of Frederick and Gerome. Sumia, now Chrom's wife, would have been with them, but she had quickly become pregnant after her wedding with Chrom, much to Roo's amusement, who relentlessly teased him about it every chance she got.
"Ahem," a familiar silky voice said over the royal hall as a familiar form stepped out. "And now, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce his highness, king of Plegia, Validar!"
"Aversa!" Chrom snapped as she smiled down at them from the side of the throne. "You're alive?"
"Hello Little Prince," Aversa sneered. "Our last encounter," she snarled at Roo who glared back, "Was a close call for me, but yes. I survived on to serve my master, Validar! It seems fate has designs for me yet." She turned her head as a tall, dark thin man walked into the room. "Ah, here he is now."
"Greetings Prince Chrom," Validar said, seating himself on the throne and smiling down at Chrom in a way that made his skin crawl. "My name is Validar, king regnant of Plegia."
Chrom tried to keep his mouth from looking sour. Validar was a particularly evil looking man and his eyes seemed to have no soul when Chrom looked into them. "The pleasure is mine, good king," he said stiffly, giving a short bow. "I wish to discuss the matter of Plegia assisting Ylisse and Ferox in the battle against Walhart of Valm."
Validar nodded. "Ah, yes, I have heard of the so called 'Conqueror,'" he mused. "It does concern me as well. I apologize for having you to travel here, for you see, I was going to arrange an official meeting to Ylisstol, but you had already decided to come."
"It's alright," Chrom said. "Let's get to it, shall we?"
Validar held his hand out. "Plegia can offer no soldiers, but we shall give you 800 warships and 200 transports. Also, it would please me to fully fund the campaign against Valm. I wish to cement our new friendship by any means possible."
The Shepherd's mouth's dropped as Chrom and Roo exchanged slightly panicked looks. "That is…most gracious of you, sire," Frederick managed to choke out. "We could literally not ask any more of you."
Validar smiled and tilted his head, as if amused by their shock. "I am certain your tactician will put them to good use," he said, a chuckle reverberating in his voice. Slowly, he turned his eyes towards Roo and met her gaze. "The legends do not do you justice, fair lady. You have the twinkle of wisdom in your eyes."
"Thanks," Roo managed to get out, Gerome slowly sidestepping to be in front of her. "I didn't realize I was known for that."
A dead silence hung in the air as Validar smiled at Roo, looking over every inch of her, amused at how she shivered under his gaze. "You have no idea," he murmured. Then, standing casually, "Well gentlemen and lady, I believe that will conclude our meeting for today. Aversa will schedule with you to deliver the supplies and transports and I wish you all the best against Walhart. Now if you will excuse me, I must spend some time with my daughter. I'm afraid she's very ill and can't be left alone for long."
"How regrettable," Chrom said, trying not to speed everyone out the door as fast as he could. "I hope she gets better."
Validar stopped, turned and stared directly into Roo's eyes. "Don't worry," he said quietly, a smile on his face. "I believe she will."
They could barely believe it when they made it back to camp in one piece and Roo collapsed in her usual lying position on the bench in the war council tent. "That guy is SUPER creepy," she groaned, Robbie snuggling up on her chest. "But at least we got what we went there for. Chrom, do me a favor and leave him out of any holiday parties we might throw."
"Agreed," Chrom muttered, also collapsing in his own chair, albeit upright. "Now I really want to get this war over with so we have less to do with him and Aversa. Having her around only spells trouble."
Only Gerome stayed silent as he watched the two of them, sitting down on the bench next to Roo, the three of them falling into their own silent thoughts, wondering if they had what it took to defeat a man like Walhart. To be perfectly honest, probably not, Roo thought to herself. It would take more than men and weapons to bring him down. It would take power, and she didn't mean mere strength.
Eventually, the darker hours closed in and Chrom was the first to retire for the night, leaving Roo and Gerome together, Robbie sleeping peacefully on Roo's chest. "I don't trust Plegia," Gerome said as soon as Chrom had left the tent.
A scoff came from Roo as she idly stroked Robbie. "No one does," she said bitterly. "But we have to for now. With his additions, we'll stand a fighting chance."
"I don't like it," Gerome said flatly, turning his head. "We should never have asked in the first place."
An amused smile came over Roo's face as she gently plucked Robbie off her and stood, making sure to keep the sleeping wyvern in her arms comfortable. "I know," she said reassuringly, looking into his eyes and holding his face with the palm of her hand. "But everything will work out. I promise."
She was lying and he knew it. Her eyes gave it away, looking frightened and worried as she stared down at him, her left hand moving to cover the gloved right. Gently, he reached down and picked up her right hand, bringing it to his face and pressing himself into it, but a flash of panic rose in her eyes.
"Heh, is it weird?" she suddenly asked, taking back her hand, as if to distract him with other thoughts. "I've heard the new rumors. Robbing the cradle, being with the cougar or whatnot. You'd think they'd know better since we're about the same age, but I guess time travel will do funny things."
"Perhaps," Gerome smiled, trying his best to put her at ease. "But I'm not afraid of cats."
Although she smiled and chuckled, Gerome noted the bitter look in her eyes and the way she held her right hand to her chest. It occurred to him that she never took off her glove, not unless she thought she was completely alone or sleeping, which was a rare occurrence indeed. He had never brought up why, figuring she would tell him in time, but it still cut him to think she felt she had to keep a secret from him, more so since her sensitivity about her hand increased since their trip to Plegia.
She looked up at him, the way her eyes did when she wanted to tell him something and Gerome remained silent and still, so as not to startle her. However, the energy seemed to leave her and Roo simply bid him good night and he could only nod and let her retreat back to her tent, leaving him alone in his thoughts.
It was dark. So dark, Roo couldn't even see her hand when she put it right in front of her face.
And it was cold. So cold, she shivered through her coat, even though she wrapped it tightly around herself and pulled her hood over her head.
"Robin…"
Looking up in surprise at the sound of a voice, Roo turned her head this way and that. "Who's there?" she called. "And if you're calling me, my name isn't 'Robin,' so get it straight!"
Suddenly, a hand shot out of the darkness and grabbed Roo's arm, squeezing painfully as she cried out, trying to claw the fingers off of her. "Have you really forgotten who you are?" the voice asked again, demanding and harsh. "Have you really forgotten your place? Your destiny?"
"Destiny can shove it!" Roo shot back. "LET! ME! GO!"
With all her might, Roo pulled back hard and the hand lost its grip, but Roo cried out as nails raked across her skin. "Your family compels you to join them," the voice sneered and Roo landed on her back, holding her injured arm to her. "Search your heart for the truth. You know it is there."
That's when Roo looked down and saw that by tearing herself away, the hand had ripped though her glove, revealing the six eyed symbol of the dragon on the back of her hand, glowing purple up at her. Suddenly, the floor beneath her opened up and Roo felt herself falling into a black hell of a million hands grabbing at her, pulling her all directions as she cried and tried to fight them off, but it was useless. They were ripping her apart, cutting off her air and she gave a wail of horror as two particularly strong arms grabbed her shoulders, pulling a large chunk of her away.
"Roo!"
Snapping her eyes open, Roo tried to rise, but someone or something was holding her down and she screamed in terror. The arms immediately gave way and Roo shot up, her vision blurred and her head spinning from the force of sitting up too quickly. Once again, her mind reeled and for one horrible second, she couldn't remember where she was or her name and Roo grabbed at her chest, but couldn't feel the pendant she normally wore. Panic almost overtook her, but a hand fell on hers and Roo looked over to see her pendant on the bed, the leather cord split. "You were choking yourself with it. I had to cut it from you," a voice explained.
A hand gently came to rest on her cheek and Roo looked up to meet Gerome's eyes, wide with concern and fear. Behind him, Chrom, Sumia, Morgan, Robin and several other Shepherds were outside her tent, trying to see inside. Robbie was cowering on the floor in his bedside mattress, fearfully looking up at her.
"Gerome! Gerome, you're here. I remember…" Roo gasped, realizing that he must have been the one to grab her shoulders in her dream in an attempt to wake her. "I'm ok. I'm sorry, everyone."
The crowd began to uneasily disperse, Chrom being the last one and sharing a concerned look with Gerome before ducking out of the tent's entrance. "Did I hurt anybody?" Roo asked.
Gerome frowned and gently rubbed his right cheek. "No," he lied. "Anyway, it sounds like you had an impressive nightmare."
"More impressive than I care to admit," Roo sighed as Robbie, seeing the danger now passed, leapt into his mother's arms for a reassuring hug. Looking up she leaned her head into his palm he rested on her cheek. "Thank you, Gerome," she whispered.
"What happened in your dream?" Gerome asked and Roo shook her head.
"I don't know," she admitted. "Some voice I don't recognize was asking a bunch of questions and…" she trailed off, concern growing in her eyes. "They called me 'Robin.'"
That meant nothing good and Gerome resituated his seating so that he sat across from her. "It was something about my destiny or whatever," Roo continued. "And then the hand…"
Suddenly, a realization dawned on Roo and she looked down at her arm. A gasp of horror escaped her as five angry red lines ran down her forearm to her wrist that she saw was uncovered and Roo quickly turned her palm so that Gerome couldn't see the mark that lay there.
However, Gerome gently took her hand in his, turning it back to the symbol appeared again face up. "I've known for a while," he said sadly. "The mark of a Grimleal." Seeing her panicked face, Gerome smiled reassuringly. "Of all the times we've been together, did you really think I wouldn't see?"
"I didn't know how to tell you," Roo cried helplessly. "I don't…I'm not a believer and I would never…!" She hung her head, defeated. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to keep secrets about my past, I just didn't know."
"It doesn't matter where you came from," he said reassuringly placing his hand over hers and looked into her eyes. "I will never be ashamed of you."
She leaned forward and placed her forehead against his, Gerome letting them stay like that for a few seconds before turning her head up to capture her lips. Below them, Robbie snorted with disgust and wiggled away, causing Gerome and Roo to break apart and chuckle.
Suddenly, the alarm outside was raised and Gerome and Roo gave each other a quick glance before Gerome headed outside, Roo grabbing her coat and hiding Robbie under her cot.
"Risen! Risen attack!" Frederick called, waving his lance in his hands.
Confusion ran through the camp as the Shepherds looked out and saw nothing but the night and an equally confused and frightened bear shamble off into the forest. "Frederick, the next time you want to scream your head off and send everyone into a frenzy, stop and don't do it next time," Chrom breathed, once he was sure they were safe.
"Forgive me, my lord!" Frederick cried out, bowing his head deeply. "I didn't mean for the camp to panic, but I thought I saw a shadow closing in on the Lady's tent."
Immediately, Chrom blanched and swallowed hard, patting Frederick's still bowed body on his shoulder. "Good call, then," he said before rushing to Sumia's side to check on her and the baby.
Roo sighed in relief as she shared a nod between her friend, assuring she was safe. Marth, also looking a bit weak in the knees from Frederick's news, came to Sumia's side. "Are you alright, mother?" he asked.
Immediately, everyone froze and Marth realized his folly as he tried to scramble for an excuse. "I…forgive me, I didn't mean…I meant to say…!" he stammered, but it was no use. The words had been spoken and Chrom slowly moved up to face him, Sumia's eyes wide behind him. Slowly, very slowly, Chrom reached out and plucked the mask away, only to gasp in shock as the mark of the Exalt in her eye stared back at him.
"Forgive me, I had to conceal my identity until I knew I could trust you, but I can see now, I have delayed what should have been revealed long ago," she said as she reached back and pulled out long blue hair from behind her. "My name is Lucina, Princess of Ylisse."
"My daughter…?" Chrom whispered, a smile growing on his face. "You are…my little girl…wait, then that means..."
"Oh gods," Inigo suddenly groaned as he bent over and held his stomach, Lucina giving him a disapproving glare. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
The truth had come out and although Chrom and Sumia had a happy reunion with their children, (Chrom predictably giving Inigo a deadly handshake) it was a short one and the Shepherds were on their way to Valm. They traveled by boat, although Gerome chose to fly above, and once he looked down and saw Laurent become violently ill all over Inigo's boots, he was glad for it.
Lucina, Chrom and Roo were standing together on the main flagship, speaking of strategies and plans for when they arrived. Roo never mentioned it to her, but after being in the other world and knowing of Lucina's birth there, Roo couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. The other Gerome had been right. She could see the values of strength and determination that she tried to uphold in herself flow out of Lucina and had things been different, she would have been proud to call her daughter. But that was another time, another place and possibly another Lucina, and Roo did her best to hide her sadness whenever Lucina's eyes met hers.
"Lucina, may I ask a question about the future?" Chrom suddenly said, interrupting Lucina's list of favorite sharp things, not surprisingly most for dealing with her husband. "You came back to this time to prevent our deaths?"
"Yes," Lucina said sadly, the tone of the conversation turning bitter.
"Then…how…how did I die?"
A frown crossed Lucina's face and she shook her head. "I only know rumors about how," she said sadly. "But I know for sure you were murdered. Betrayed by someone close to you."
Chrom and Roo exchanged worried glances. They both ran over a list of people in their mind: Vaike, Sumia, Frederick…Chrom was the prince and naturally close to almost everyone in camp, so singling out a suspect would be an impossible task. Quickly, Roo's brain worked itself, trying to remember, trying to think, but suddenly, a pain hit Roo in the head, as if her skull were splitting open and she cried out. "Roo!" Chrom cried, reaching for her, but Roo shook her head and the pain was gone, only a lingering twinge remained.
"I'm ok," she murmured, looking up at the sky and waving to Gerome who had flown down a little closer to see if he needed to intervene. "That was weird. I guess I better take some medicine or something."
"You have been working extra hard," Chrom noted. "I'll check with Lissa or Maribelle to see if they have anything on hand." Turning to Lucina before he left, Chrom gave her a quiet nod, a signal that they would finish the conversation later.
"So…this is nice," Roo said, struggling to make small talk while rubbing the sides of her head. "I don't remember if I've ever been on a boat before."
"Neither have I," Lucina smiled politely. "I must say, it's…" she turned her head to see Inigo haul a protesting Laurent over the side of the boat in revenge for his shoes, only to then be hauled over himself by a vicious kick to the head from Noire. "It's quite a show."
Roo smiled as Lucina frowned at her struggling husband. "You know, I'm glad I got to meet you," she said, Lucina turning to face her once more. "It's nice to get to know the daughter of my best friend even before she can walk. Time's pretty funny like that, isn't it?"
Although she initially smiled, it melted into a frown and Lucina looked away. "Can we ever stop the flow of time?" she asked quietly. "It seems no matter the steps I take to change history, it just snaps back into place. The Exalt's death…I stalled it, but I did not prevent it."
"Hey…" Roo said gently, putting her hand on Lucina's shoulder. "You did what you could. I've never believed in a scripted fate and neither should you. Look at where we are now. Without you, Chrom might have been taken from us a lot earlier and you got to remember your mother. Not many in either world can say they've had a chance like that. Challenge your fate."
"Thank you," Lucina smiled, Roo giving her a small nod. "You are correct. After not remembering my mother for so long, it is a dream to have the chance to get to know her again." Gently, Lucina closed her eyes and gave an amused shrug before turning back to Roo. "Here, my mother is a great Pegasus Knight," she mused. "I guess my memory was mistaken when I thought my mother favored wyverns."
They found the Fire Emblem and the great Manateke, Tiki, despite the loss of Basilio as Lucina predicted. "He went down fighting," Flavia said when only she returned, her eyes watering. "That big oaf…"
Morgan doubled his efforts to train and Gerome had a difficult time keeping up with him now and Roo found herself fewer and fewer moves away from losing in their strategy games. "His improvement is extremely impressive," she noted as she watched Gerome and Morgan spar. Beside her, Robin growled softly. She looked up at him and smiled. "Let's you and I do some training of our own."
Together, they set out for a large field, Robin wearing his wing extension as Roo looked it over curiously. It was surprisingly minimal and Roo raised her eyebrows, impressed with her other self's work. "So you two have to act as one when you fly," she said to Robin who nodded. "No wonder you two are so close."
As we used to be.
Roo sadly smiled as she reached out and turned Robin's head to face her. "We don't have to do this," she said gently, but Robin shook his head and placed his forehead against hers. Up close, she could see a thin scar running down his cheek and Roo reached out and touched it gently.
It was when I decided that I could no longer follow the teachings of mercy. I never before desired to do so, but the pain of losing you was greater than the burden of murder.
Robin sighed, looking away.
Even so, you still fell to the cruel whims of fate. I was…unable to protect you from your sad destiny.
"I don't blame you," Roo smiled. "Sometimes…you just can't tell destiny to shove it, can you?"
Robin drew back his head and looked straight into her eyes, the unsaid question hanging in the air.
Will you try?
"Of course," Roo said, pulling him into a hug, Robin closing his eyes. How long had it been since he last had his original owner, the one who raised him, guiding him through the air currents, their hearts and minds melded together? He wouldn't discredit Morgan, but the love of a parent was something irreplaceable and Robin relished being in his mother's embrace once more.
This time, I'll make sure you survive. This time…we'll be together.
"Sheesh, don't get so sappy on me," Roo said. "I thought wyverns don't cry? Big wyverns don't cry? Whoa-oh, oh?"
He huffed, a sound mean to be a laugh. "You really are more than anyone thinks," Roo said, Robin pulling her onto his back.
Of course. My individual being doesn't need to be held up against the norm. You taught me that.
"Yeah, that sounds familiar," Roo grinned. "Now…here we go!"
And that's when Roo fell off and landed flat on the ground. Staring up at the clouds, Roo sighed to herself as Robin nibbled at her hair.
This is going to take a while.
It was the best moment Robin had in years and he powerfully beat his wings and roared loudly as he and Roo played together in the open space, despite all their failures at flight. He didn't even notice his younger self, standing back in awe at the great white dragon that still reached for the sky despite his small wing.
"Lord Walhart!"
Inside Walhart's castle, Excellus snarled bitterly as a messenger dashed up to his lord, bowing deeply. "So, the final fight with the little prince is here," Walhart mused. "This should indeed be an interesting battle. Excellus!"
"Yes, my lord?" Excellus whimpered out, dashing to his master's feet and bowing, even more deeply than the messenger. "How may I be of service?"
Walhart turned his eye to look down at him, a disapproving, revolted look. "Who is the pinnacle of man, in body, mind and spirit? Who is greater than the gods?"
"Only YOU, Master!" Excellus cried out, keeping his head down.
"And as such, would anyone ever betray me? Especially the one who I call 'tactician'?"
Panic appeared on Excellus's face, but he kept his head down, hiding the grimace that twisted his lips. "Of…of course not, sire!" he managed to squeak out.
A frown appeared on Walhart's face. "Is that so?" he asked. "Then why do Chosin forces now align themselves with Chrom? Could it be because you blackmailed Yen'fay to keep his loyalty? Or the deal you made with that witch…Aversa! You have no secrets from me, worm! Look! Even now your failures are on display! Ylisse's old tactician has returned! Ha! To think you could hide her disappearance from me so you could buy time to get your own hide protected."
"WHAT?" Excellus screeched, rushing out to the window and feeling his heart sink as a familiar purple coat stood in the distance, staring out across the field against Walhart's men, preparing for battle. "Impossible…!" he hissed to himself. "How…?"
"How long has EVERYONE in the land known?" Walhart barked. "Longer than you think, since you've been bragging about it since the day of! Little did you know, she was returned mere hours after! How amusing!" Walhart's mouth twisted into a deep frown. "I told you not to disappoint me and yet, here you are. How is it that you've made it through life this far and failed at everything?"
Excellus spun around, his hands and teeth gritted in fury. "You dare mock me…!" he hissed. "You think I amuse you? Like I'm some sort of JESTER? You're going to DIE! You see those men out there? They've all come for your head and you've lost! LOST!"
Suddenly, Walhart stopped laugh, staring with a look of fury that shook Excellus to his core. "Why Excellus…did you just volunteer to lead the charge?" Walhart asked.
"What? No, I-…" Excellus stammered, but Walhart waved his hand and two of his guards grabbed a screeching Excellus, dragging him to the door. "What are you doing?" Excellus cried out, his fat arms waving about. "Let me go! Let me go this instant! WALHART!"
However, his cries fell on deaf ears and Walhart leaned back into his throne. "Do not think you can threaten me, worm," he boomed, Excellus burning with rage. "Just be glad I haven't killed you at any time prior. Now get out there and for once in your life, FIGHT! Or else I shall face you here and now."
"NO!" Excellus screamed, magic suddenly bursting around him, throwing the guards off and away from him. "I won't be part in this suicide!" he spat, throwing a sausage-shaped finger into Walhart's passive face. "You all can go die, but I'll be alive after this is all over! I hope you're amused now, great and mighty Walhart! Your head will be on a pike in mere hours!"
A sparkle of yellow magic surrounded Excellus and before the guards could blink, he was gone, teleported away. "Let him go," Walhart commanded, the guards bowing in respect to their leaders decision. "Worms like him will find other ways to die. And I have a battle to win."
He had made it to just outside the castle walls and Excellus still panted heavily as he leaned against a nearby tree. "Heh, let them all die," he spat bitterly. "This spider still crawls out alive!"
"Alive?" a voice cooed behind him as Excellus spun to face whoever it was, the remnants of yellow teleportation magic fading away. "I suppose as long as a coward draws breath it could be called living, if you were generous."
"You!" Excellus snapped as a woman in dark clothing and long white hair stepped towards him, a smile on her face. "Aversa! What are YOU doing here? Tell me you have the Fire Emblem, for my end of the bargain is kept!"
Aversa smiled as she tilted her head towards him. "What an idiot," she mused. "Your end is kept? Don't make me laugh. I should have been sent here to kill you, but since you've failed so pathetically, the great king Validar has reached into his pool of endless mercy and is willing to give you another chance."
Excellus spat on the ground. "Endless pool my foot! If you haven't brought the Emblem, why in the world would I want to make another deal with a witch like you?" he growled. "Get out and leave me alone before I send you to hell!"
A long coo came from Aversa as she shook her head. "Aw, darling, you really shouldn't make promises you can't keep, especially since you seem to be terrible at it," she laughed. "After all, you DID promise to bring me a heart filled with darkness. My master wants her HERE, you dolt. How could the merge happen if she's sent back to THAT world?"
"It would have been perfect!" Excellus screeched. "They brought her back, didn't they? That place you spoke of…she would come back with the same despair in her, wouldn't she? Wasn't she lost and forlorn when she did? It's not my fault some stupid boy ruined everything before you could get to her first!"
Leaning in close, Aversa smiled, reveling in Excellus's fear. "That is NONE of your concern," she snarled. "We do want you alive, at least for now, but don't think I won't accidentally let my knife slip ever so slightly. Make sure you get it right this time. Make sure you make her heart as black as the scorched earth."
"O-ok…" Excellus stammered, Aversa slowly straightening herself. "Exactly as you command…"
Roo had returned back to the camp alone, Robbie and her guilt at sitting out from another battle, rushing to greet her. "Your ideals are not a weakness. It takes strength to stand up for what you believe in, even if it is not what others think you should choose," Gerome had growled, looking over her shoulder to some men who nervously looked away. "Besides, it is my preference that you stay back and be safe. I shall return to you."
Despite Gerome's words, she could still hear the echoes of disapproving whispers haunting the camp and Roo sighed heavily as she picked up Robbie in her arms, hoping to put the rumors out of her mind. "You're getting to be too big to be picked up," she groaned, shifting the weight onto her hip as Robbie pouted and turned his head. "Soon, you'll be big enough to wield an axe. Or maybe you'll finally breathe fire? Or fly? That wing seems to be getting bigger, don't you think?"
At this, Robbie growled softly and beat his wings in the air, breathing out a choking gasp of smoke. "Well, perhaps not really, but it does seem...bigger. That's pretty different from your brother, but I suppose you aren't really the same. He's much more stubborn than you," Roo noted as she set Robbie down and looked into his eyes. "You've become so much stronger," she mused. "So much more than I ever hoped, thanks to your dad. I've been wanting to have this talk with you for a while."
Robbie looked up at her curiously and tilted his head. Taking a deep breath before continuing, Roo turned her gaze away. "I'm sure you've seen Morgan and Robin," she said. "How they're not afraid to fight. How they've taken men from this world. Even myself, when…if you remember."
Of course he did. That sight of his mother, eyes glowing red, her face twisted into something dark and inhuman still burned in his memory and Robbie let his head fall. He had seen the same in his brothers and his father when they fought and Robbie understood that his mother was right. Turning yourself into some monster like that wasn't something he wished to do, at least not willingly.
"You're old enough and big enough to make your own choices," Roo said, Robbie looking up at the sound of her voice. "One day, you'll have to decide if you want to fight. Not if you can, but if you want. You'll have to decide if those memories…will they be a bigger burden than what you'll lose." Reaching out, Roo placed a reassuring hand on Robbie's head. "You're a good boy," she smiled. "I know you'll make the right choice."
"Or maybe…" a voice said from behind her. "There will be no choice at all!"
She turned to see who it was that had spoken, but a magical blast swung into her view and Roo fell into darkness, the last thing she heard was Robbie's cry.
The battle had begun and Gerome and Minerva swooped down through a hail of arrows, Morgan right beside him on Robin, flinging fire everywhere he could. "Pegasus Knight! Three o' clock!" Morgan called and Gerome turned to dodge a blast of wind magic that would have otherwise taken off Minerva's wing. Wasting no time, Morgan and Robin sped in, sending a fireball into the Sage, his burning body falling to the ground.
"How's that?" Morgan called, Gerome swinging his lance and knocking an arrow out of the sky. "Pretty sweet, huh?"
"That was mine," Gerome snapped, Morgan rolling his eyes.
"Aw, come on da…father!" Morgan whined, but suddenly, Gerome dashed for him, flinging his lance out, the tip just breezing past Morgan's nose and blocking an arrow that would have otherwise landed in his face.
Giving his son a gloating huff, Gerome turned Minerva and sped off to another fight. "I…I had that!" Morgan called as Robin below rolled his eyes at his brother.
Even despite their light-hearted ways, Gerome had to give Morgan and Robin credit as they dashed through the enemy ranks like lightning, giving no thought to what or where they battled. In the sky, Robin was a terror, weaving in and out between arrows as if they weren't even there and Morgan flinging magic or blade, operating both defensively and offensively. On the ground, Morgan stabbed and slashed with his lance, Robin taking the backseat this time, biting and clawing whenever he got a chance. It made his pride swell to think that he had a hand in training his sons and a wave of relief washed over him to think that they would be strong enough to protect their mother as well. "Amazing. What was it Roo said? Oh yes. Those two could rule the planet," Gerome said to Minerva who growled softly in agreement.
"Wakey-wakey, little girl," a voice sang to her. "I can't have you out for too long. You'll miss all the fun."
Roo slowly blinked and the world around her slid into focus. "Who…?" she started to say, but froze as she realized her hands were tied behind her back and to a post. She was in a small outside area, Robbie nearby in a cramped cage, screaming, before Excellus kicked at it, silencing him. "I hope you remember me, girl," he snarled, watching Roo struggle against her bonds. "You've put me through a lot of trouble."
"Let him go!" Roo cried out, struggling to get to Robbie as he whimpered from the bars. "He's just a child!"
"So what?" Excellus cackled, lording himself over Roo. "Filling a heart with darkness indeed. I should have asked that witch for double, no, triple the amount in reward!"
"What are you talking about?" Roo snarled.
Excellus turned to her, a bitter glare on his face. "I've had to come back here to this godforsaken place because it has what I need," he spat, gesturing to a pile of lumber to his side. "So do me a favor a keep quiet so I'm not heard until I'm done."
Looking around her, Roo gritted her teeth as her eyes fell over a pile of kindling and wood piled high in a cart, the three of them in an open space, clearly used for a single purpose, where nothing else could be hurt by wayward flames. "Gods, you're such an ass," Roo spat bitterly as Excellus shrugged. "Or completely stupid. You can't even think of a more creative place to do this? What happens if you get caught?"
"I won't," Excellus shot back. "That idiot who calls himself leader is too preoccupied with running his axe through your little prince to notice me. It's completely foolproof!"
"Really?" Roo snapped. "Watch this. HEY! WALHART!"
Suddenly, the doors to the courtyard flung open and Roo's eyes widened as Walhart stood before her, his red armor gleaming in the sun. "Excellus, I see you have returned," Walhart mused, striding down to them, his Wolf Berg in hand. "I underestimated you if you were brave enough to show your face again."
Excellus spun around, his eyes widening with shock. "Walhart!" he cried out meekly.
"MASTER Walhart!" Walhart corrected and Excellus shrank back, his eyes darting nervously before he suddenly stiffened and gave a deep bow.
"You're supposed to be a TACTICIAN?" Roo roared in disbelief. "Gods, you're dumb!"
A snarl broke out from Excellus as he shot a poisonous glare at Roo who rolled her eyes. "Master, I wish to apologize for my earlier actions," Excellus said as sorrowful as he could, his mind working quickly. "But…but before you send me from your sights, look! I've brought you the Ylissean tactician AND her mewling freak of a child! For these, Chrom will pay a dear price that we can use to our advantage!"
Walhart ignored him and instead stared down at Roo who shrugged back up at him. "Hey, you hired him," Roo said pointedly and Walhart sighed.
"You bring me a mother and her child and expect me to reduce myself and use them as bargaining chips for my victory?" Walhart suddenly boomed, Excellus shrinking back in fear once more. "It escapes me how I ever thought you would be useful. Still, there might be some truth in your words. A man will fight ten times as hard if there is more than just his life involved." Reaching down, Walhart snatched Robbie's cage, sending the small wyvern into a panic. "Calm yourself, child!" he snapped. "You have long ago reached the age where you should leave your mother's breast! I shall make you my personal watch dog…after some training."
"NO!" Roo cried out, but Walhart turned his head to face her, a stern look on his face.
"Be glad I am saving your son," he snapped and Roo fell silent, her eyes flickering to Excellus. "The wing will grow – I have seen another like him on the very battlefield before us! Be proud that he shall be raised in the finest of care as my mighty steed!"
She couldn't argue that Robbie was better off as far away from Excellus as possible and she wasn't about to argue that what Walhart had taken as a full wing was really a painted extension. "Wait!" she called, thinking as fast as she could, Walhart turning his head slightly to show he was listening. "If you believe in that, then you must believe in the strength of men. You could JOIN Chrom, not fight him!"
Walhart erupted into laugher and he turned to face her. "Me, join you?" he chuckled. "You are just as strange as they say, tactician. Does a Pegasus join with the flea on his back? A dragon with the cow it eats? Do not forget who I am. I am the CONQUEROR! I am the one who will unite the world!"
"Under one flag?" Roo frowned bitterly. "That won't work. Not in the way you plan to do so. I've seen it! You talk of peace, but you're only bringing more fear into the world! And with fear comes death."
There was a moment of silence as Walhart considered her words. "I can see why Chrom hired you," he said, "But even so, your words are nonsense! I WILL unite all men under my hand. I WILL stand above all others! Now take one last look at your child. When you see him next, he will be under MY care."
Roo tried to protest, but Walhart ignored her, stepping back up the stairs towards the battle, his guards slamming the doors behind him.
"If we never agree on anything else, we can both agree that man is an idiot," Excellus spat bitterly as Roo glared up at him.
"If you're going to kill me, just get it over with," she spat. "I know you have no intention of letting me go."
Excellus smiled and nodded. "True, true. You've figured out my little scheme. Too bad I let the wyvern escape, although I would think it's bittersweet to have your son saved into slavery! Eeehehehehe! Maybe when Walhart crushes your little friends, I'll sneak back in and skin the brat myself! What do you think? Is white my color?"
"Some other people had the same idea," Roo snarled. "They're dead."
"Just like you will be," Excellus grinned, snapping his fingers and watching the flames dance in Roo's fear filled eyes. "Just like you."
They were winning the battle and it wouldn't be long now, Chrom thought to himself as he watched the remaining men retreat back to the castle to regroup. "Shepherds! To me!"
The men banded together and Frederick pulled out a small telescope to peer at enemy lines. "They're gathering near the castle walls," he reported. "Looks like a last stand if I've ever seen one."
"Good," Chrom breathed. "This will soon be over."
Next to him, Morgan looked up at Gerome. "Mom?" he asked, Robin also looking at Gerome with worried eyes.
"Safe with Robbie. They are waiting back at camp," Gerome replied and Morgan and Robin gave a small breath of relief. It was a great burden lifted off of them to hear, especially since the battle had been longer and harder than they expected.
"Milord!" Frederick suddenly cried out, grabbing his telescope by both hands and leaning forward in surprise. "It's Robbie!"
Shock appeared on all their faces as Chrom strode forward, Frederick handing him the telescope and pointing. However, Gerome didn't need a telescope to see Walhart standing on his wall, a small cage with a cowering white wyvern inside. "What in the hell is Robbie doing here?" Morgan snapped, Robin snarling angrily.
"Something's happened," Frederick angrily said. "Something has gone very wrong."
Whatever it was, Morgan didn't care as he spurred Robin towards the sky. "Wait, you can't go out there!" Chrom cried, grabbing Robin's armor, keeping them on the ground, despite Robin's protest of rage. "They've got archers on that wall and on the ground! You'll be shot out of the sky!"
"Get out of my way!" Morgan snarled, but Minerva suddenly swept in front of him and roared angrily, Gerome giving his son a stern look. The message was clear: now was the time for thinking, not for action.
It was the slap in the face that Morgan needed as he stopped and let Robin sink back to the ground. Chrom was already ordering Cynthia and Cordelia to fly back and check the camp for Roo and Gerome had turned towards the castle walls, ready to make a move at any time.
"Chrom! Prince of Ylisse!"
The Shepherds turned to face Walhart as he stared down at them from his battlements. "What do you want?" Chrom shouted back. "Release the child! He has no part in this!"
"Ha! I have not come here to use him in negotiations. He is merely here to see his new master triumph!" Walhart spat. "However, the same can't be said for your tactician!"
"Roo!" Chrom hissed, Walhart laughing at their stunned faces.
"So that woman is precious to you? Prove it then!" Walhart called out again. "She lives here, in my castle's courtyard. Prove your worth as a man and face me in combat! I am the last barrier you have to reach her!"
Instantly, Robin roared and snarled, Morgan brandishing his lance. "If you hurt her…!" he snarled.
Walhart only laughed again. "Your men have spirit, Chrom, I'll give you that!" he said. "So now…will you prepare your charges? Send your fliers first or horses? Or will you accept my challenge and face me? I am waiting to see what you will do!"
Slowly, Chrom lifted his sword in the air, pointing it at Walhart. "I will challenge you," he said, his courage booming from his words. "Face to face! Come down here, Walhart! Let your own blade do your fighting for you, for once!"
Immediately, Walhart's laughter rang out over the air and Chrom lowered his weapon, Lucina rushing to his side. "You can't do this!" she protested. "Facing him in one on one? You'll die, Father!"
However, Chrom shook his head, gently pulling his arm away from her. "Roo is my best friend and my tactician," he said firmly. "I am the Prince and leader. This man has her and her child. I must go."
She could tell there was no arguing, but Lucina silently shook her head, her hands clenching into fists. "Please gods…!" she whispered as Walhart leapt down from the battlements, leaving Robbie's cage behind. "Father…don't do this!"
"Stay here."
Chrom's eyes opened wide with shock as Gerome stood in front of him, his lance in his hands. "Gerome…!" Chrom protested, but Gerome shook his head.
"I will face him," he said quietly, ignoring the looks of horror on Morgan and Robin's faces. "Find a way around him and get Roo."
Chrom could only nod his head. "Good luck, my friend," he said.
"Well, well, what is this?" Walhart smiled as Gerome stepped out into the field. "Chrom shouts some foolishness about fighting his own battles, yet I see he is sending out one of his men first in his stead! How hypocritical!"
Gerome only glared and readied his lance. Suddenly seeing the look in his eyes, Walhart ceased laughing and frowned. "Ah, no, I was mistaken," he mused. "Now I see why he sent you…or rather, why you stepped out yourself." Swinging his Wolf Berg into position, Walhart smiled. "Good!" he crowed, leaping down from the battlements to the ground. "Love makes a man fight a hundred times as hard as any other! Come at me, then!"
With a cry, Gerome launched himself forward, striking out, but Walhart simply swung his axe and Gerome winced as Walhart's great power slammed into him, throwing him back and to the ground.
Walhart's laughter rang in his ears as Gerome shakily picked himself up, using his lance as support, vaguely hearing the cries of horror from the Shepherds behind him and feeling a trickle of blood running down his face. "Or maybe I was wrong," Walhart said, disappointment in his voice as he came for Gerome again. "Maybe love just makes you a hundred times weaker."
There was just enough time to block, but again, it sent Gerome reeling. Crashing back on his side, Gerome grimaced in pain, his lance landing nearby. Every block was trying to stop a boulder from coming down a mountain and Gerome knew he couldn't last much longer. "Get up!" Walhart barked at him as Gerome grabbed his lance and struggled to his feet. "You still have fight left in you!"
Suddenly the smell of something burning hit them and all eyes turned to see a trail of smoke rising from Walhart's castle and into the air. "A fire?" Chrom frowned in confusion. "Why…?"
A grim frown came over Walhart as he stared at the black streak in the sky. "Excellus, you coward," he spat. "Is that really why you came back? To make a spectacle of yourself? Disobeying my orders to keep her alive for your own gains…you really are pathetic."
"Excellus is there with mom?" Morgan cried out, Robin howling.
Walhart was about to answer, but he had to block as Gerome slammed his lance towards his face, his eyes burning with anger. "Ha! I see this has put some life back into you!" he laughed, Gerome struggling against him. "I wonder…if her cries reach your ears will you find the strength to be as strong as I?"
"To hell with your battle!" Gerome snarled, breaking away and making for the castle, but Walhart suddenly flashed with anger and with a sweeping blow, caught Gerome in the side, flinging him like a rag doll to the ground.
"You would dare run in the middle of a duel?" Walhart roared, Gerome coughing up blood. "Coward! If those are your true colors and you cannot find the strength to finish this fight, then I have no more use for you!" In a few short strides, he had caught up to Gerome's side, reaching down and grabbing his neck and hauling Gerome to his eye level with one mighty arm. "I'll admit, you fought bravely," Walhart hissed as Gerome began to choke, clawing in vain to get Walhart to release him. "But to run from a duel is something I can NEVER forgive! Your time has come!"
Suddenly a roar was heard barreling for him and Walhart felt a massive weight slam into him, causing him to drop Gerome and fly back into the battlement walls. "What?" Walhart snarled, looking up at what had hit him.
"Get back!" Morgan cried bravely, Robin roaring beneath him. "We don't care about your stupid rules or whatever! We won't lose our father again!" Narrowing his eyes at Walhart, Morgan leveled his lance. "Even if that means going through you."
An amused chuckle came from Walhart as he stood, the pebbles falling away from his shoulders. "You've got guts, boy," he said as he grabbed his Wolf Berg and came for them. "I admire that!"
However, Robin only roared and dashed for Walhart, ignoring Gerome's cry of protest behind him. Ducking the Wolf Berg blow, Morgan cried out as he stabbed at Walhart, but Walhart simply reached out, snatching Morgan's lance in his hand, swinging it, with Morgan still attached, over his head and slamming Morgan's body into the ground. "It is finished!" Walhart cried, raising his axe, but Robin's head came down and his teeth tore into his shoulder. Walhart let out a scream of pain as Robin crunched down, finally tossing him away from Morgan.
Holding a hand to his shoulder, Walhart snarled as he picked himself up, facing the white wyvern as it snarled dangerously at him. "I know you…" he suddenly frowned, looking closely at Robin's small wing. "You're that small wyvern that I was going to make my pet! Ha! I don't know how and I don't care. I see that fire in your eyes."
Another angry roar erupted from Robin and Walhart grabbed his weapon and steadied himself. "You think to challenge me?" he crowed. "You're not even a man, but very well! Let's see how far you've come!"
"Robin!" Morgan called from behind his brother, but Robin turned his head and growled softly.
Don't interfere.
Morgan's eyes grew wide as Robin reached down and ripped his mechanical wing from his body, then drawing himself up to full height to face Walhart. The raw power that radiated off of Robin made Morgan's eyes grow wide with awe. Robin had the power to fight. He had the power to defend.
But more importantly, he had the bravery and strength needed to give Morgan the confidence that his older brother would defeat the Conqueror.
Then Robin shot forward, ducking under Walhart's swing and tearing into his armor as they fell back and to the ground, wrestling, clawing and biting to gain the upper hand. Morgan took this moment to rush to Gerome's side, pulling out some bandages as the Shepherds came in from behind to help, but blocked by the last of Walhart's men who surged forward, inspired by their leader's final charge. "It's ok, dad!" Morgan cried out, doing his best to stop the bleeding. "Lissa's gonna be here any minute…!"
Gerome's hand shot out and Morgan froze as his father met his gaze, his eyes burning into his. "Take Minerva," Gerome commanded, trying not to choke on his own blood. "Fly over…! Save her…!"
"But you're dying!" Morgan protested, his hands covered in Gerome's blood and bandages. "Dad…what do I do?"
He didn't know. He didn't know how the both of them were going to get out of this alive and Morgan was clearly fighting himself as he continued to work on Gerome as fast as he could. Tears were in his eyes and Gerome knew as he fell back, unable to support himself, that Morgan had realized he would lose at least one of them and Gerome just happen to be right at his feet. Morgan had to make a choice. Gerome just wished he had made the right one.
On the battlements, Robbie squeaked in horror as he watched his brother's fight, one with Walhart and the other trying to keep his father alive and the enemy away. On the other hand, the fires around Roo's feet were starting to gain and the smoke was beginning to make her cough more and more heavily.
Still, he was trapped in this cage. Trapped like an animal that could do nothing. That was worthless. That couldn't fight, just like his mother.
No, that wasn't true. Even though he had heard the malicious rumors, even though they had made fun of her when they thought she couldn't hear, she did fight. She fought to keep them all safe when she planned her strategies. She fought to free him when he was kidnapped. And she fought for his life, even when his own father said otherwise. A choice had to be made, that's what his mother told him, and once he did, there was no going back.
Confidence built up in Robbie's heart as he growled and threw all his weight against his cage, bringing it down to the stone below and shattering it, setting him free. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Robbie quickly dashed for the other side where smoke was beginning to pour into the sky. Looking below, he could see Excellus, gleefully wringing his hands as he watched Roo choke on the fumes the billowed around her. A snarl escaped Robbie's throat as he readied himself, spread his wings and leapt as far and as hard as he could.
And fell like a rock.
Meanwhile, Robin roared at Walhart as the Conqueror swung at him again, barely missing Robin's head. "You fight well, for a wyvern! And here I thought they were mindless without their Riders!" Walhart boomed, Robin stepping back to glare daggers at him. They both were bleeding heavily, Walhart's armor full of cracks and holes from Robin's teeth, while other parts were simply torn away. Blood ran down his face and a large gash in his side was a new addition to the bite wound in his shoulder.
Robin had blood coming out both sides of his mouth and several cuts were Walhart's axe had found him, but his claws were stained with blood and the webbing between his wings ripped and punctured. He was snarling heavily, his eyes burning the color of gold into Walhart's and for a brief second, the man trembled from the sight of his gaze.
Behind him, Morgan sat with his father's head in his lap, watching the fight with childlike awe and fear in his eyes as he looked up at his brother, Lissa by his side already working a healing spell on Gerome. Walhart's men were on the verge of being killed off for good, Minerva also doing her part to keep Morgan and Lissa safe. Turning to Robin, Walhart readied himself. "My forces almost gone, my castle on the verge of falling, and yet here you stand to lose everything as well!" he laughed heartily. "We both are the same on this field, in which there is only room for one of us! What do you say? Have at you!"
Robin roared in agreement before he charged for Walhart, the man brandishing his axe above his head. With a mighty swing, Walhart cried out as his axe sailed for Robin's neck, but the wyvern threw his head down at the last second, catching the blade in his jaws.
I got you.
With a horrific snap, Robin's teeth crushed into the metal, shattering it to pieces as Walhart cried and stumbled back. "It can't be…!" he gasped as Robin dashed for him, teeth first. Mustering all his strength, Walhart threw his fist down into the air, striking Robin away.
"Brother!" Morgan cried out, seeing Robin fall to the ground, blood pouring from the wyvern's mouth, but Lissa grabbed him and kept him in his place.
"You have to hold him steady!" she ordered, motioning to Gerome. "He's lost too much blood to be jerked around like that and I need to concentrate!"
There was nothing he could do and Morgan reluctantly sank back in his position, watching as Walhart took shaking steps towards Robin, grabbing a piece of his axe on the way. "You fought bravely, but this is the end!" Walhart cried as he raised his blade in the air, Robin snarling up at him. "Farewell!"
A cry, full of the anger and pain tore from Robin's throat as he swung his body around, Walhart realizing at the last second the lance pinned between his small wing and his body. Robin slashed his lance down and Walhart cried out, a gash appearing in his stomach. "How!" Walhart cried as Robin twirled the lance expertly, alternating between jaws and using his wings. "How would a wyvern know how to fight like a man? Who taught you this?"
It was over and Walhart held his hands against him to hold in the contents of his stomach, helpless, as Robin drew himself up to his full height, towering above him. It was then that Walhart saw the lance clearly in Robin's grip.
It was the same lance that Gerome had used.
Robin brought the lance down, stabbing it straight into Walhart's chest as the man cried out, the point stabbing through him and hitting the ground behind him with a heavy thud. "How…?" Walhart asked, his voice fading away as Robin stared down at him. "You aren't…even a man…"
He was gone and Robin snorted indignantly before turning back to his brother, giving him one last look before he collapsed on the ground.
Morgan screamed and without a second thought, dashed to his brother's side. "Robin!" Morgan called, "Stay with me, brother!"
A soft rumble came from Robin's throat as he gently lifted his head into his brother's hands, feeling the tears that came from Morgan's eyes falling on him.
It's alright.
"No, no it's not!" Morgan cried out, grabbing his brother's head and shaking him. "You can't leave me! We have to save mom! We have to save Robbie! Get up! You've got to!"
No, it's really alright. I'm finished here. Our parents need you. Go.
Another soft growl came from Robin and he sadly smiled up at Morgan. Then, slowly, but surely, Robin's eyes closed.
"No…" Morgan whispered, his hands beginning to tremble. "No…"
I SAID, SAVE MOM, SQUIRT!
Morgan's eyes went wide as Robin glared up at him, one eye open in irritation. "Oh my god…you're such an ass," Morgan sniffed, wiping his face. "You big ass. The biggest on the planet. I'm gonna kill you later for this."
Robin only sighed and closed his eyes once more, now at peace.
Do it later. Right now, you know what to do.
Standing, Morgan gave Robin a small nod before he spun, turning back to where Gerome was stubbornly standing, trying to climb back on Minerva despite Lissa's protest. "Do you understand the massive trauma your body just went under?" she screeched as Gerome irritably pushed her away. "Don't come looking for me once all your wounds open back up again!"
"I won't," Gerome spat, pulling himself back on Minerva's saddle.
"Dad!" Morgan called, Gerome offering a hand to haul him up behind him. A roar came from Minerva as she pumped her wings in the air, taking off towards the battlements behind them.
He was falling, or rather, he was scrambling along the side wall or whatever his claws could reach while pumping his wings hard and the effort seemed to pay off, allowing Robbie to land with a light thud instead of a crumpled heap on the stone below.
"What?" Excellus screamed as he turned to the sound, but Robbie let out a screech and dashed forward, sinking his teeth into Excellus's leg.
Excellus screamed and immediately began hopping on one leg and waving the other around in an effort to get the little wyvern to let go, shooting lightning, fire, wind and whatever he could grab within reach, but the fear of hitting himself kept Excellus's attacks from reaching their true target and finally, Excellus collapsed into a sweaty, heaving mess on the ground, Robbie tearing at the flesh. In his position, Excellus frantically looked around, finally spying a broken piece of wood that was meant for the fire and with an enraged cry, slashed at Robbie. The point of the wood drew itself across Robbie's cheek and he cried out in pain as blood began to pour down his face.
This distraction allowed Excellus to free himself and he let out a bitter, hate-filled cry as he reached down and snatched Robbie by the neck, using both hands to tighten his grip. "You little beast!" Excellus snarled as Robbie gagged and struggled for air. "You'll pay for that! I'll throttle you to death!"
However, Robbie opened his eyes through the pain and realized with horror that the flames were now licking at Roo's clothing, her eyes closed and her body still. Bringing together all his might, Robbie slashed his lower claws forward, catching Excellus's eyes and raking them down his face, causing the man to scream in agony and drop him.
He hit the ground hard, but shook it off quickly and looked around him. A cart lay nearby, filled with wood for Excellus's fire and Robbie quickly loped over and pushed his head against the back with all his might to push it over to the flames. A final cry and a final heave tipped the cart over, spilling wood and kindling everywhere, but did create a temporary path for Robbie to scramble up and reach his mother. Quickly, he slashed at her bonds and she fell, on top of him as he crawled for safety, the fires just taking over the cart once the tip of his tail swished away.
They were safe. They were safe now from the fires, but Robbie quickly drew close to his mother, looking down at her with a worried expression who coughed, now feeling fresh air fill her lungs. Slowly, she opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile, seeing the wound on his face, knowing his choice as his eyes glittered back at her. Sadly, she reached up, her fingertips just brushing the side of his face where it had been cut, a sign that no matter what, she still loved him, before she fell back into unconsciousness.
"You…" a snarling voice said behind him and Robbie turned and glared at Excellus. Blood was running down Excellus's face, his hands shaking with anger. "I'll get you!" he spat. "You dare touch my beautiful face…! I'll kill you! KILL YOU! KILL YOOOOU!"
With an inhuman cry, Excellus flung himself forward, catching Robbie by the neck and hurling him several feet away. Robbie skidded across the ground, but sat up and shook his head to clear it, just in time for Excellus's boot to come flying for him, catching him in the stomach.
Rage coursed through Robbie again as Excellus's laughter filled the air. Everything about him hurt, but through his pained and hazy gaze he could see her, the body of his mother that still cared for him, that still wanted him to escape, despite the danger she was in, and all because of the fat pig that howled in laughter before him.
Something welled up within him, something familiar, yet unknown and before he even knew what he was doing, he flapped his wings hard, feeling the wind rise beneath him and he snarled as he rose into the sky, bringing himself to meet Excellus's horrified eyes.
"What…how?" Excellus cried out as the wyvern roared in triumph, now a foot above him in the air, the sun shining down behind him. "You shouldn't…you can't!"
Suddenly a sea of blue flames poured from Robbie's throat, flying into Excellus's face, causing him to scream in pain and surprise. The flames did not stop and Excellus let out a final cry before he blackened, burning and melting away everything until nothing was left.
It was then that Gerome and Morgan broke over the battlement wall, catching a view of Roo lying on the ground near the fire, but their eyes widened at Robbie, still spewing flames at a shriveled, burnt body of a man. Finally, the flames died out and with a triumphant roar, Robbie spread his wings wide, reaching out towards the sky before his small wing gave out and he landed in a soft heap on the ground.
Valm was defeated, although Ylisse and Ferox were gravely wounded. Despite the victory, all the Shepherds were too busy licking their wounds or burying the dead and Chrom looked out at the empty field they had just fought on, now converted to a massive graveyard. "So much death…" he murmured to himself sadly.
Although Chrom himself sustained only minor injuries, the fight with Walhart had taken the most out of Gerome, Roo and Robin. Morgan was beside himself with worry as practically his whole family had been nearly killed in one swoop, and Chrom nodded his head at Frederick, the knight having to stop Morgan from seeing them in the healer's tent continuously if only so that his family could rest. Finally, Morgan had caved, being content to sit a short distance away with Robbie and tended to the new scar on his younger brother's face as best he could, the older Robin resting behind them, trying to breathe fire in secret. The result was often choking gasps of smoke, but sometimes, short red flames would appear and now Chrom was the one running around with Roo's wyvern blanket to stop small fires that were mysteriously springing up around camp.
"I'm kinda glad I'm missing all that fun," Roo said, an amused tone in her voice, bandages all over her, but otherwise fine. "By the way, tell Lissa she's a goddess for doing all this."
Sitting next to her in the healer's tent, Chrom smiled and nodded. "I already have," he said. "Roo…I don't want to start making you work right away, but Frederick has informed me that Validar wants to see us again. He's going to give us the last Fire Emblem gem as thanks for defeating Valm."
"Trap, trap, trap, it's a trap," Roo sighed irritably. "Still, what else can we do? We need that gem and he's not going to just decide to be nice and mail it to us."
"Sadly, I doubt mailing is an option as well," Chrom smiled. Trailing off, he grew quiet, looking out at the camp around him, noting how many soldiers were now gone. "That path…" he whispered to himself.
"Hm?"
"Nothing," Chrom said quickly, getting up. "Just mumbling nonsense. Anyway, you should focus on healing. Morgan and the wyverns are anxious to see you."
Roo smiled and leaned back into her cot. "I bet," she mused. "Chrom, do me a favor and keep an eye on all of them for me. They're probably getting in some sort of arson. Now that Robbie's found his fire, Robin's no doubt going to get…excited."
"Already happening," Chrom smiled. "That wyvern blanket you have really is a godsend."
"Unexpected arsons," Roo chuckled. "Unexpected indeed." Then, sinking back further into her cot, she let out a small sigh and closed her eyes. Taking the hint, Chrom smiled to himself, gave her a small pat on the shoulder and then rose to leave.
On the cot beside her, Gerome sighed as he leaned back and stared up at the top of the tent with an irritated look on his face. "You should be asleep," Roo said to him, looking playfully at his annoyed scowl.
"We're going to have to make another deal with Validar," Gerome said curtly. "I don't want to sleep. He might cut our throats while we do so."
"Then you'll need that strength to wake up in time and fight him off," Roo mused. "I'm worried too."
Even though he didn't want to admit it, there was no other way to get the gem and Gerome closed his eyes and held out his hand from the side of his cot. The warmth of Roo's hand, her right hand, placed itself into his and he closed his fingers around her palm where the mark of Grima lay under her ever present glove, as if his touch would make it magically disappear.
"Hey Gerome."
Looking over at her, Gerome frowned as she smiled back at him. He knew that smile, the look in her eyes. "Whatever it is, the answer is no," he said flatly back to her.
"Even if I ask you to do the right thing?" she said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Even if I ask you…when the time comes…that you'll think of the kids, our kids, before me?"
Annoyed at her intentional vagueness, Gerome sighed bitterly and rolled his head up towards the ceiling. "As you wish," he said bitterly, not meaning a word.
That was all she was going to get out of him and she knew it, but it was enough and Roo smiled to herself, closing her eyes and feeling his thumb brush lightly over the mark on her hand.