Alright, now we get to fun-time insane people! Corrin is in for one hell of a ride, especially when his siblings are going to be less than helpful with the bag of nuts their gonna be walking into.

Hope you enjoy!

Corrin's Big Day

In the end, everyone knew that Corrin gave it his all.

He'd trained for hours on end, milking his friends and guardian for every ounce of advice and practice they could give, and at times foregoing sleep.

They also knew that, no matter Xander's words, Corrin hadn't faced anything near the crown prince's might. Even in victory, Corrin was still sheltered, much to the chagrin of his retainers. As his siblings came forth to give their congratulations and generally shower the boy with affection, Gunter sighed.

"He has improved, but I still wonder at how they baby him."

Jakob hummed, habitually counting the cups and pots they'd need to accommodate everyone. "It is odd that they do so. Far as I can tell, they almost treat milord as if he was glass."

"He's certainly not glass." Flora answered. "That piece of work has broken stone and ice alike with his thick head."

Felicia poked her sister's arm, a mischievous grin in place. "The head that you so like rubbing when it gets a new welt courtesy of Gunther."

Flora felt herself flush, but forced the blood down. "That is neither important nor relevant. Come, we must make sure everything is ready for our lieges."

She turned on her heel and returned to the halls, Jakob and Felicia following on her heels. A crash signified Felicia returning to normal, but Gunter paid it little mind.

"Oh, Corrin," he sighed. "What will I do when one I consider my own cares so deeply for you?"

He shook his head and entered the castle. It was likely Corrin would be leaving soon and Gunther would be going too. It may have been for little more than propriety, but it meant he'd face an old wound.

One that had yet to heal.

-Corrin-

"Xander sure knows how to make you feel pressured."

Corrin flopped onto his bed with a great sigh, thinking on what his siblings had said earlier that day. Not only were they going to be leaving the Northern Fortress the next day, he would be going with them. All the training he'd received and his own practice had finally won him the right to leave this lonely place.

To see the country that he may just lead into the light.

Xander shouldn't spout such words if you ask me. He is far and away the better warrior and man, to think of him as anything less than a king is insulting. It doesn't matter how long I train, I'll never be him.

He sighed and felt a smidge of melancholy enter his mind. Only two of his friends would be coming with him to Krakenburg, with Gunther coming by way of seniority while Felicia had been chosen by Xander because she was 'a fighter'.

Jakob, Lilith, and Flora would not leave the fort.

I'll miss them. Jakob may be a bit of a snob, but his advice has been very helpful. Lillith and I spent so much time with the horses I wouldn't be surprised if the both of us had grown hooves one day. And Flora, I'm just glad she's no longer stewing over Jakob. That was awkward.

To put it in Felicia's words, if the boy that had never interreacted with females outside servants and family could discover the maid's crush, a blind and deaf man could have told. Jakob had at least been courteous about it, but Flora hadn't been able to speak with him normally for months.

Corrin sighed again and closed his eyes, mind looking for anything else to think on.

"I wonder…" he thought aloud. "What does that dream I had mean?"

The door to his room opened and Elise poked her head in. "You had a dream?"

Corrin sighed and gave his sister a half-lidded glare. "How many times do I have to tell you not to barge in. Also, I thought you'd be with Camilla."

Elise giggled and skipped into the room. "Aw, that's not nice! 'Sides, you had a guest outside that didn't have the gumption to come in by herself."

Corrin blinked and looked passed his sister to see someone he didn't expect. "Flora, what were you doing outside?"

Flora twirled her hair as she stood in the doorway. "Um… I just thought you looked tired, milord. I was going to ask if you'd like something to drink, but I didn't want to disturb you…"

Corrin clicked his tongue. "Ah, that old conundrum. Well, as I've said before, you can talk to me at any time. If you still want to know about the tea, I'll take some if you don't mind."

Flora relaxed, a demure smile rising on her lips. "Two sugars and a lemon like always?"

Corrin laughed. "You know me so well."

Flora bowed and left, Elise fixing Corrin with an annoyed pout. "Man, you're dense."

She sighed when Corrin looked at her. "I suppose that's my fault though. Never did teach you the goings on of a maiden's heart."

Corrin looked even more confused, but Elise brushed past it like always. "Anyway, what was the dream you had? Was it interesting?"

Corrin hummed before recounting the dream. He was pretty sure he'd confused Elise greatly, but she remained quiet until the end. "Well… I don't know anything about those other people, let alone demons and colors, but it sounds like you ate something weird."

Corrin glared at her before his gaze softened. "You know… Jakob did try a new recipe a few days ago. Maybe he threw something exotic in to give me the dreams?"

"I don't think so," Elise giggled. "Trying to get him to do something new is almost impossible unless you're involved. Unless you asked for something exotic, he didn't put it in."

Corrin chuckled. "Yeah, I didn't ask for anything new. So, uh, to move away from that, anything interesting happen to you since the last visit?"

Elise smiled, excitement clear. "I met these two travelers when I was out visiting one of the villages with Effie and Arthur! They're super cool and had the best stories! In fact, they should still be at Krakenburg when we get there!"

She leaned in close, as if sharing a big secret. "The best part is… one of them has a Pegasus!"

Corrin blinked. "Doesn't that make them Hoshidan?"

"That's the thing." Elise answered. "It's a black Pegasus. I'd only heard stories about them from when Nohr was first founded since everyone thought they were extinct! Think about it, they must be from somewhere with a population!"

Corrin hummed, curiosity peaked. "I'll have to meet these travelers when we get there. Mind holding on anything else for now? Flora will be joining in 3…2…1…"

On cue the door opened and Flora entered, a trolley with a teapot and two cups sitting on the trey. "Milord, Lady Elise, I apologize for the wait."

Elise giggled and hopped from where she'd sat on Corrin's bed. "No problem! Thanks for getting me a cup, but I need to head for my own room."

She winked. "And you will be coming with me. There's something I want to talk with you about."

Flora appeared unsure, but Elise was already dragging her out of the room. "So, Flora, honey, you need to listen to me ok…"

The rest of Elise's words were lost to the air, the two girls going beyond what Corrin could hear. Curious, but not willing to follow, Corrin made himself a cup and sat down.

"I need to say goodbye to Lilith…"

-Morning-

"Well this is certainly a surprise."

Corrin stared at Gunter, not expecting the announcement that Lilith would be coming with them. "What made you decide to bring her?"

"Short of you, she's best with horses." Gunter grunted. "I will only allow the best to come for this trip and Lilith is one of them."

Lilith smiled at the party, not exactly glowing even though she was excited. "It's my pleasure to accompany you all. The horses are quite excited too, so I bet this will be a good trip."

Xander nodded. "Good, then we should set out. Gunter, is there anything else you'd like to do before we go?"

Gunter shook his head. "No milord, we're ready to leave."

Leo sighed from his steed. "Good, the sooner we're on the road the better. I fear what Odin has been doing in my absence."

Camilla chuckled as she mounted her wyvern. "Corrin, dear, don't be shy if you feel bad. I'll be sure to take care of you."

She turned and winked at Flora, the maid attempting to remain stoic. "I do owe it to a friend."

Elise giggled and mounted as well. "I think you've made your point Camilla. Let's go!"

The young princess galloped into the snow-covered countryside, her siblings taking off a moment later. Corrin stayed just long enough to give Jakob a goodbye before Flora bounded up to him. "Lord Corrin!"

Corrin paused in mounting his steed and looked to Flora. "Did I forget something?"

Flora frowned, took a deep breath, and stepped into his personal space. "Be careful."

She took his hand and kissed it, folding her hands around it in a prayer before stepping away. "Safe journey."

Corrin stared at her, shock clear, when Xander called over the silence. "Corrin, move it! Are you actually fond of that place?"

Corrin shook his head and mounted his horse, though he kept his eyes on Flora. "…I'll see you later."

Flora bowed and Corrin was gone. After a few minutes, Jakob spoke. "At least now, you can feel sure in that you tried."

Flora sighed and left, voice ghosting through the room. "Small comfort for a broken heart."

-Corrin-

He caught up to his siblings in a daze, Elise smiling at him. "So, how'd it go?"

Corrin remained in a daze, Gunter sighing through his nose after a time. "I fear Lord Corrin is not currently with us. It would be best if you ask him later, princess."

Elise pouted but looked back to the road. "Fine… Actually, I wonder how my new friends are doing?"

Leo frowned at her, feeling a chill run down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold. "Friends? Did you meet some new children of a desperate noble again?"

"No," Elise answered. "They were some travelers that I met down south last week. They helped Arthur clear the road of Faceless when we were heading through the canyon."

Xander hummed from the head of the group. "Indeed? Then they must be skilled fighters. Did you tell one of your retainers to take them to Windmire?"

Elise giggled, hair bouncing along. "I asked Arthur to do it. They were so interesting and had some cool stories. In fact, I got them rooms in the palace until I got back."

"They must have made quite the impression." Leo said. "I wonder if Odin's managed to drive them mad yet?"

Xander smirked. "I wonder if Laslow's tried to drag them into his schemes. Did you say if they were men or women Elise?"

"They're girls." Elise said. "One has long grey hair, the other has short red hair. And, here's the kicker, the red-head has a black Pegasus!"

Leo scoffed. "Impossible, black pegasi haven't existed in Nohr since its founding. Surely you're mistaken."

Elise glared at him. "I'm sure! It didn't matter if it was night or day, that beast was black as Xander's horse! You'll see when we get there."

Conversation ground to a halt after that, Corrin still in a daze while Leo and Elise stewed at each other. Xander had his mind on other matters while Camilla was high in the sky.

Felicia sighed at the silent royals and turned to Lilith. "So, what do you think we'll be doing when we get there?"

Lilith shrugged and pulled her shawl tighter. "I don't know, but I'd like to be in front of a fire first and foremost."

Gunter chuckled and turned his gaze to the road. "We'll have many nights in this chill, girls. Let's just pray nothing untoward greets us at the end of this journey."

-Three Days Later-

"Nothing untoward, eh Gunter?"

Lilith's blasé tone betrayed the shock of the party, the sight before them simply too much to compute.

It was Windmire, that hadn't changed, and Krakenburg was much the same as when they left it.

Minus the sheer mountain of ice blooming from one of the towers of course. Oh, and the large scorch mark that blemished the formerly pristine courtyard they' entered.

Gunter gaped at the damage. "What…?"

Xander dismounted and marched up to the first soldier he could find. "You there! What happened, where's father?"

The poor man saluted shakily. "The, uh, king is in his chambers Prince Xander. The… damage is only superficial, no one was harmed."

Camilla joined her brother, an aura of menace surrounding her. "That's not an answer dear…"

The soldier gulped. "Uh… it's hard… to explain exactly…"

"No need." A tired voice answered, Arthur appearing from the gate leading inside. "Prince Xander, Princess Camilla, I will explain everything once we're inside. It's… complicated."

Xander frowned. "I hope so Arthur. It's not comforting to return home and find such damage lying around."

Arthur nodded and gestured for the royals to follow him. They did, with Leo muttering possibilities under his breath and Elise still gaping at the ice, but Corrin remained on his steed.

Gunter sighed and cantered up to him. "Lord Corrin, it's best you get your head out of the clouds. Whatever it is you've been thinking on the last few days, your siblings are leaving you behind."

Corrin blinked and his eyes cleared. "Right… say, Gunter, can I ask you something?"

Gunter nodded and Corrin pointed to the tower of ice. "Why did no one tell me that an entire tower was made of ice? You'd think I should know about such an important piece of architecture."

Gunter stared at his charge before sighing. "Milord… I'll explain later. Please, go with your siblings for now. Felicia and I will be through shortly."

Corrin shrugged and dismounted before taking off. Gunter watched him go before shaking his head.

"Perhaps we should have actually educated him on the outside world rather than all those fairy tales."

-Corrin-

Corrin caught up to his siblings in a large hall, several chairs arranged around a table in the center. At the table were several people Corrin didn't know, though he had a feeling that was about to change.

"Selena," Camilla cooed, "who is that girl hanging on to you? I thought you said there was no paramour in your life."

Corrin saw one of the people grimace, her crimson hair tied into twin tails. "Milady… oh gawds, how do I explain this?"

The grey-haired girl holding onto Selena purred. "Just tell her the truth, there's no harm in that."

"The same goes for you, Odin." Leo growled at a blonde man. "Who's she?"

Odin scratched the back of his head as a woman with red hair snuggled into him. "Well… Odin Dark had more secrets than he let on, sire."

"Odin Dark?" The woman scoffed. "You named yourself after one of your own characters, and one you didn't even like all that much?"

Odin smiled awkwardly and Xander took his turn. "Laslow, I assume you're involved in this as well?"

A man with grey hair gulped. "…Somewhat."

Xander sighed and sat in one of the chairs. "I want to hear everything, from top to bottom. Corrin, come sit, you'll be part of this."

Corrin grimaced but came forward, though he noticed a spark of recognition in the eyes of the strangers. "Must I Xander? I don't exactly know what's going on or who these people are."

"Laslow is my retainer." Xander answered, pointing to they grey-haired man. "Selena is Camilla's retainer while Odin is Leo's."

He pointed to the woman with long red hair and the blonde man, Corrin committing the names to memory. "Ok, then who are the others?"

Elise tilted her head, confusion clear. "Lucina and Morgan, the two I met on my way here. But… why are you guys so cuddly with my brother and sister's retainers?"

Laslow cleared his throat. "I will explain, if only to…keep us relatively sane."

He gestured to Selena first. "Lucina is from our home country and only a few months older than Selena. They've been married… six years now? Anyway, their spats tend to go from shouting to exchanging blows to making up for hours on end. They both happen to be the daughters of local nobility and Lucina there is responsible for all the ice."

Lucina giggled at the shocked royals. "I like shaved ice, what can I say?"

Before anyone could comment on that tidbit, Laslow continued. "Morgan is Selena's sister and Odin's wife. They've been married about three years now. Morgan has a bit of a sadistic streak under that cheery face, but it only shows up when she gets mad. Then things tend to burn."

Morgan snuggled further into Odin's arms. "I always apologize and I've already offered to clean up the courtyard. By the way, you need to tell your guards not to interfere in a couple's spat. I sent a few screaming with burning bums before they got the message."

"All because you were threatening to pull out his eyes." Laslow muttered. "Anyway, I'm married as well, despite what the flirting may tell you, but my wife did not come with these two. Thank the gods too, Krakenburg would be in shambles otherwise."

The hall was utterly silent, not one word spoken in either disbelief or derision. Instead, it was Corrin that broke the air.

"What's shaved ice?"

The comment was so unexpected Elise burst into laughter. Camilla stared at Corrin like he was insane while Leo scoffed. "You've lived with two Ice Tribe members for all your life, surrounded by snow, yet you don't know what shaved ice is?"

Corrin shrugged. "No one ever mentioned it to me. Also, you all blushed when Laslow mentioned making up, why is that?"

Camilla rocketed from her chair and began to march for the stables. "Gunter what did you teach this poor boy?! Small wonder he can't take a hint!"

Xander alone remained calm. "Well, I see that the situation was not as grave as I initially feared. Laslow, I want to have a more thorough talk later today so we don't have this surprise ever again."

He stood from his chair and motioned the others to stand as well. "You're all dismissed. Corrin, come with me and Leo, we still have to meet Father."

"What about Elise?" Corrin asked, pointing to his gasping sister. "She's…turning blue."

Arthur, ignored and silent to the side, stepped up. "I will take care of her, milord. I know a sure-fire way to bring her back."

Corrin nodded. "I leave it to you then, sir. I'm ready to go when you are Xander."

Xander nodded and led Corrin down the hall, Leo following a few steps behind. Once they were gone and Arthur took Elise to recover, Selena glared at Lucina. "You were so out of character Cynthia would've fainted."

Lucina shrugged, her voice returning to its normal tenor. "We came here with the expectation that you were in great danger. Imagine our surprise finding you as retainers to mythical royalty."

Inigo shook his head. "Let's… take this conversation elsewhere. Before Morgan decides to push Owain against the piano, if you please."

Severa's eyes widened and her head whipped around to find Morgan dragging a helpless Owain towards the piano. "Morgan Arcadia Volk! I don't care what you two do during your private time, but this sure as hell ain't private!

Morgan pouted at her sister. "But you and Lucy were moanin' away in a tower of ice, how else am I supposed to top that?"

Inigo shuddered, suddenly reminded that Morgan got competitive about the strangest things. "Yes, well, let's leave something like that for later. I assume you'd like to see if all the tales about Prince Corrin are true?"

Morgan scratched her cheek. "Well considering we saw him in all his naïve glory, we can assume everything's true. One problem though…"

She grinned sheepishly. "We… do not have the return charm. I believe Aunt Lissy has that."

Owain groaned and slumped further into Morgn's grip. "They are somewhere of great peril and mysticism. Where else would the great heroes that sired me be?"

"I can confirm that." Lucina answered. "We saw quite the light show in the Bottomless Canyon."

Severa schooled her face into a stoic mask before it fell. Her head drooped and she sighed. "I need alcohol, now. None of that prissy cocktail shit either, I mean liquor."

Inigo glanced to Owain before sighing in turn. "Make that three. I'll go get the shot glasses."

Lucina and Morgan looked to the trio with mild concern. Had they really turned them to drink so easily?

Then they cringed and realized that with their parents wandering the world at large and nothing to stop them, drink was all they could do to keep the inevitable migraines at bay. Both still wanted to mess around with Prince Corrin and Nohrian siblings, but they'd at least tone it down a bit.

They didn't want to go through therapy again.

-Corrin-

He wasn't expecting father to be so… old and scary. Nor was he expecting to see Camilla barge into the room, ignore Garon completely, and drag Gunter away. Several minutes of stunned silence had followed that scene before Gunter returned with a much paler countenance.

Then there was the surprise of getting a blade named Ganglari as well. From what he saw of Xander and Leo's reactions, a gift given so suddenly was unheard of.

Finally, as he blocked the blade of a ninja, the surprise of fighting prisoners to the death as a test of worth had been come out of the blue.

The ninja he'd locked blades with stiffened and fell to the ground, a knife sticking from his shoulder courtesy of Felicia. "Milord, please focus! Gunter's defeated the prisoners on the left, but he's injured as well. Hurry, I'll take care of the swordsman."

Corrin nodded and took off, feeling the power of the activated Dragon Vein beneath his feet surge through him. Then he was through and dodging a heavy club.

"Come at me prince!" The club wielder shouted, her skin glistening with sweat and blood. "I'll show you how hot the Flame Tribe burns!"

Corrin grunted and charged, leaping over the woman's strike and bringing Ganglari down in an arc. The woman was able to lean away from the meat of the strike, but the tip of the blade etched a line of red into her skin. The woman roared and lashed out with a fist, Corrin grunting as the force sent him back.

Reevaluating his opponent, Corrin strafed her. The woman wasn't quick enough to catch him, but a glancing blow when she'd feinted and lured Corrin in showed a single shot would be fatal. Instead, he chipped away at her with stinging bites from Ganglari until her movements slowed.

Sensing victory, Corrin darted forward and kicked her club aside, Ganglari coming to rest against her neck. "Yield."

The woman spat at him. "Finish me, that's how you Nohrians work isn't it?"

Corrin frowned. "Why would I? You are defenseless, there is no reason to continue fighting."

The woman scoffed at him, even as Gunter brought the ninja he'd been fighting over to join her. "That's all of them milord. How says King Garon on the fate of these prisoners?"

Garon huffed from atop his throne. "Finish them. They have served their purpose."

Corrin's eyes widened. "Execute them? Father, they are beaten, why should we-?"

"Do not question me boy!" Garon roared, the air shaking. "You will do as I command!"

Corrin stood his ground, hoping reason would work. "Father, please-!"

Magic script flared around the king and twin orbs of fire descended onto most of the Hoshidans, only the woman and a green-haired ninja spared from the flames.

"Gods!" Corrin cried. "Father, please, there is no need of this!"

Garon snorted, face twisting in a scowl. "I see that your heart is still soft. Xander, kill the others and anything else that stands before you!"

Xander grimaced in turn, but drew Siegfried and advanced on the prisoners. "Corrin, stand aside. I do not wish to fight you over the lives of our sworn enemies."

Corrin refused to stand aside. "No, they are defenseless! To execute them is… barbaric!"

Xander's eye twitched and his blade flew forward, the mystic steel opening a gash in Corrin's armor and pushing him away. Corrin grunted but attacked as well, only for his blow to be caught on Xander's shield and the blade to cut another gash in his armor.

"I think that's gone on far enough."

The crack of steel on stone rang through the air followed by the sound of freezing water. A moment later, the prisoners were encased in tombs of ice.

Corrin stared in horror at the scene before looking to the perpetrator. "Ms. Lucina?"

Lucina frowned at him. "While your beliefs are noble, not everyone can be saved. I learned that from hard experience."

She bowed to Garon. "Forgive me for interfering Your Majesty, but I believe we all have better things to do than waste time."

Garon scowled at her before scoffing. "Very well. There will be consequences for this Corrin, but I will think on your punishment later."

Garon left, allowing the room to breathe again. Xander sheathed his sword, but almost gasped when Lucina appeared beside him. "When did you-?"

"You're oddly afraid for a crown prince." Lucina noted. "Are you not the one who will succeed this realm? If so, you should make your opinions known."

She turned from the incensed prince and spoke to Corrin. "Worry not, I didn't actually kill them. I simply immobilized them enough to make one think that they were dead. With Prince Xander's permission, I will take them into Windmire and release them."

Lastly, she looked to Leo. "Your tome is quite powerful. I'm impressed you were able to channel enough of it to simply weaken them rather than kill. That is, if I hadn't stepped in of course."

Leo grew pale, Lucina's words pinning his plan perfectly. Before he could speak, Xander regained his mental balance. "Yes, you have my permission to take the corpses and dispose of them in Windmire."

He looked to Corrin. "I swear, one of these days, you'll get killed by your kindness."

Corrin shook his head, Ganglari heavy in his hand. "Then I would die without regret. I fail to see how we can call ourselves civilized yet execute the defenseless."

Xander grimaced at the unintended stab. "Well said, young prince. Come, we should remove the remains before father decides on something."

Corrin nodded and they set to work, Lucina silently smiling.

Corrin was just like in the stories, and it would doubtlessly be fun to tag along with him.

After all, they'd meet up with the scattered parents eventually. That and they'd find Lissa and Donnel in about a year here, which would be several years back home, so it was probably best if they sped things up.

Just a touch of course. No one wanted to see Corrin descending upon fields of dead spirits with gods at his side without witnesses!

Oh, and they could see which of the legends was true! Admittedly they told the same story except for who the prince had wed. For a fan of romance novels, that was reward enough, even if it did mean she'd have to leave Severa again.

Oh well, that would just mean more angry make-up sex!

And that's where I'm going to end it.

Honestly, this one was a fight the whole way, and I'm still not all that happy about how it turned out. I feel like not all the jokes worked and I feel like it was… melodramatic at points too. I just can't really get any insanity going when trying to get us into Valla and with Lilith. I'll try harder in the next chapter, but some critique is very much welcomed.

Anyway, I'll respond to reviews like I do in my other Fire Emblem story, so here we go!

Darkchaser: The child units will not show up in the sense of the game. At best, they will show up as toddlers in the epilogue. Also, Owain is thick-skulled like his father, I like to think he was born with a pot on his head. XD

Ken Wise: The omens all have to do with either our plane walkers or Corrin's paramours. Considering the above and the previous chapters, I think you can guess who's who.

Jogh: I'm no expert in language, nor do I have friends that can teach me the nuances and grammatical structure. The best I can do is throw it into google translate and I'm aware that thing tends to spaz out. Please bear with me, it's the best I can do.

Guest: Eh, it's your opinion.

Hoshimaster: You are correct sir/ma'am! I found the line you mentioned and boy did I feel sheepish.

Artyom-Dreizehn: I like Flora a lot, but it took some time for me to start liking her. I originally put Felicia as my favorite maid, but then I recruited Flora. Also, I hope this is ok, I was really struggling trying to come up with something here.

Anon: I appreciate the lesson in linguistics, but I'm perfectly capable of answering the reviews. If you'd like to continue helping, feel free to do so, but please refer to the story itself and not other reviewers. I'm the one that needs improvement, the reviewers are just giving opinions.

Anyway, I don't have anything else, so I'm calling this a chapter. See you next time!