DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO NINTENDO.

Flames on the Blue 1

The Morning Before the Battle

The sun was barely beginning to rise, it's orange hue faintly glowing in the distance. The early morning breeze blew his hair as Robin leaned against the railing of the deck on their warship. They've been at sea for 2 days, the inevitable clash between the Valmese and Ylissan Continental fleets looming just over the horizon.

Upon their group's arrival at Port Ferox, they met up with the Feroxi army along with both Khans, Basilio and Flavia. Basilio informed them that Plegia had supplied them with hundreds of warships and transport vessels, which had been docked at the harbor. Each ship had been fully loaded with food rations, weapons and equipment. They were fortunate that despite the incident at Carrion Isle, Validar had kept his promise to lend them support. The whole affair reeked of ulterior motives, but with Valm slowly closing in, they had no choice but to continue as planned. Robin's thoughts drifted to the previous night…

The Previous Night

"Ba ha ha ha ha! The Valmese don't stand a chance!" laughed Basilio, breath reeking of ale.

"Oy! Settle down you big oaf. This is hardly the time to be underestimating the enemy! That's how you end up face down in the dirt with an axe in your back." said Flavia, clearly annoyed by the West-Khan's drunken antics.

"Ba ha! Take it easy woman, if you've got no faith, then this war's forfeit! Hoy! Someone pour her another drink!" he yelled, unaffected by his counterparts lecturing.

The Shepherds along with both Khans had an entire warship to themselves. They were all inside the ship's main room, for drinks and discussion.

Miriel was reading a book on hexes, courtesy of Henry. She turned the page, eyes never leaving the book, as she took controlled sips from her mug.

Gregor sat down next to Panne.

"Hello Panne!"

"..." Panne looked up at him before getting up to leave.

"Oy, Panne! Is only Gregor!"

Panne stopped,"Yes? What is it then? Have your say and leave."

"Why you so cold to Gregor?"

"I simply don't wish to see you."

"...So now you hate Gregor with passion of a maniac? Alright, Gregor knows when he is being unwanted like trash." Gregor got up with a hurt expression.

"No!" Panne blurted out. "Err, don't go"

"Yesss?" Gregor spun around with a grin on his face.

"I apologize... I don't hate you. In fact, I want to thank you... for helping me earlier..." Panne blushed.

"Ah, you see! Now we are having conversation like grown ups! Maybe now you will let Gregor pet fuzzy ears?" he laughed

"Are you making fun on of me?"

"No! Gregor simply think ears are cute. Here have drink with Gregor."

The two went on talking, much to Gregor's delight.

Kellam was walking around serving drinks, filling up Flavia's mug to the brim.

Olivia was bandaging another one of Henry's injuries that he had received while trying out a hex he claimed would, for reasons only the gods were aware of, get the nearby seagulls to lift their ship into the air.

And finally, Robin had the pleasure of sitting across a table from the Royal family themselves. Chrom and Sumia were clearly under the effects of the alcohol, Sumia, hanging onto her husband's arm. Lucina stared down into her mug in embarrassment.

"I'm tellling you Robinnn. Familyy comess first.. And yooou'rrre family noww." The prince slurred.

"Yes! We wouldn't know what we'd do without you!" Sumia chirped, cuddling Chrom's arm.

"..." The princess remained silent, refusing to look up.

Robin chuckled nervously,"As flattered as I am, you two are surely exaggerating. Those drinks have clearly gone to your heads."

"Nonsense! Besidesss, I'm gonna need a h-hand taking care of all those dastards who daare try making a move on my little guurl.."

"Father!" Lucina barked, face reddening.

"He's right dearrr! You're absolutely beautiful! What man wouldn't have his heart stolen?" Sumia gushed, wrapping her free arm around her daughter's head.

"I really doubt she would need help handling any troublesome guys that come her way ..." Robin muttered, sipping his cup, remembering just how strong Chrom's little girl was.

Before the conversation got any more awkward, Frederick burst into the room, Gaius and Cordelia right behind him.

"Urgent news!" Frederick spoke. "Gaius and Cordelia just got back from their scouting. They reported that the Valmese are headed our way."

"How far are they!?" Robin asked

"They could be upon us as early as noontime tomorrow" Cordelia stated.

Everyone in the room seem to have sobered up at he news and were now focused on the three.

"They've got hundreds of ships. Easily as much as ours if not more." said Gaius.

"What more, the ships are packed to the brim with troops" Cordelia added.

"Bah! That's a problem. All our ships are half full at most." said Basilio.

"Damn. This could prove to be quite the problem." said Chrom with a serious face, evidently having snapped out of his drunken persona.

"Do you have a plan?" Lucina asked the tactician.

Robin put a hand to his chin," I've got.. a couple ideas."

"Along with the equipment and food, Plegia gave us an abundance of other resources. Among them, thousands of barrels of oil. It could prove... useful in the hands of a clever tactician." Flavia spoke as she looked to him.

"Perhaps..." Robin said thoughtfully.

"If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to. We co-" Flavia was interrupted by the West-Khan.

"You could roast us like hams! Are you truly so eager to die, woman!?" Basilio cried.

"Have you any better ideas, you oaf? We've got no catapults. Urghh, how to get the oil onto their ships without having our own set ablaze.." Favia grumbled in frustration.

"Unless... Unless we want our ships set ablaze.." Robin said carefully.

Everyone in the room looked at the tactician incredulously.

"How many drinks have you had tonight, boy? Why in the gods' names would you want to go and do that?" Basilio asked.

"Trust me. I think I've just pieced together a plan" Robin spoke with confidence.

"Those words are music to my ears" Chrom said, shooting Robin a look of praise.

Basilio sighed, " Well, I know better than to question Robin. Especially when he's got that look in his eyes."

"Everyone huddle round" Robin spoke, everyone grouping to the table where he sat. "For my plan to work, it's crucial that we disrupt the enemy's chain of command. To avoid any unnecessary casualties, we need only the best. The Shepherds and the two Khans will need to board their lead ship and take out their General."

"Even with the troops on a single vessel, they outnumber us nearly 10 to 1! With that many people, we could only hold out for so long!" Flavia cried.

"And it's exactly their numbers that'll be their downfall." Robin started. "Valm's known for their strong cavalry, correct? So it'd be wise to assume that they'd have plenty of horses below deck."

"Where are you going with this?" asked Flavia, still unconvinced.

"A team consisting of myself and 3 others would sneak down below amid the chaos. I'll light their ship ablaze from within and the smoke will be the signal for everyone to jump ship or escape via aerial unit. We'll then rile their horses and set them loose upon the deck."

"You plan to have them trampled down by their own mounts? Bwahaha!" laughed Flavia

"Yes, the stampede should be enough to disorientate the enemy. That's when someone, if they hadn't already, takes out their General. I want no heroics. Our goal is the General. After he's been taken care of, I want everyone to pull back."

"That plan just might work" said Basilio, rubbing his chin in thought. "And I'm assuming your plan extends to the rest of their fleet?"

Robin paused for a moment before speaking,"That's correct. We empty out half of our ships. After we take out their general and destroy their organization, we light the empty ships aflame using the oil and sail them into the enemy's. If all goes according to plan, we should be able to..." Robin paused again before continuing,"annihilate their entire fleet."

"Bwahaha! I'd expect nothing less from Yliss' master tactician." cried Flavia in approval.

The entire room cheered in agreement, all except for the blue haired princess. It seems that she had been the only one to notice. In between his explanation, she had noticed Robin's face had contorted into one of horror for a brief moment. She remembered their conversation a few days back and understood how he truly felt about such a plan. But he had made his choice. He would put their lives first despite his own morals, and he would carry that weight unbeknownst to anyone.

She took a final sip from her mug, then got up to leave the room.

"Okay, Kellam I nee.. where did he go?" Robin asked.

"Right here, Robin.." the man responded from beside him.

"Ahh! Oh, well, Kellam. I need you to cut everyone off. The last thing we need is for anyone to be hungover before the fight tomorrow"

The room was filled with groans.

Vaike and Basilio quickly chugged down the last of their drinks before Kellam could take them away, but were rewarded with a smack up the backsides of their heads by Flavia.

Chrom spoke up," You heard him, we've got no time to waste. We need those ships empty before dawn!"

Everyone slowly cleared out of the room to begin preparations.

Robin sat alone in the now empty room. He had told Chrom he'd meet with them to help empty the ships after finalizing some details for the plan.

It was a shameless lie. In truth he just needed some time alone to come to terms with tomorrow. He needed to steel himself.

'They're the enemy. They started this. They brought this upon themselves.' he mentally chanted to himself.

He poured himself a mug of ale and took a large gulp before resting his head in his hands.

The door opened and he had nearly jumped.

It was Lucina. She walked in and sat at the table across from him.

"And what can I do for you, princess?"

She noticed his voice had lost its usual bounce.

"What are you doing? You can't let this eat away at you. It must be done." Lucina spoke, knowing very well just how hypocritical she sounded.

"What do you know?" Robin spat.

"I can't claim to have been in your exact situation, but I have problems of my own. I too know the feeling of being bound to the responsibility of the lives of others. I've an entire future depending on me after all."

"No. You're not alone. The future depends on all of us. We all share that burden. But this plan was mine. Lives lost will be because of me."

"You've led the Shepherds through countless battles, lives were lost then. You don't seem to have let that phase you. So why is now of all times so different?"

"Because... because this is no battle. It's a massacre." he said looking up at her.

Lucina frowned.

Robin continued," A man dies with a sense of honor on the battlefield when he fights face to face with the enemy. These people tomorrow.. they won't even have a chance.. They aren't fighting, they're being murdered."

Lucina remained silent for awhile before speaking," I understand why you feel the way you do. However, you've got to look at the bigger picture. If Walhart wins, the world is his. Not only that, but Grima's resurrection would be all but unstoppable. If we don't pull through, billions will die."

"I know that.. I know what I'm doing is the right thing, but how? How can I pull through this?"

Lucina took a breath and thought for a moment.

"...By staying strong. You must honor those who die tomorrow by standing by your convictions. The real dishonor to them would be for you to do this half-heartedly. You can't execute such a plan and come to regret it later. Remember who and what you fight for, and give their death purpose."

"..."

Robin looked at his mug, letting Lucina's words sink in.

She poured a bit of ale for herself into a cup and took a sip.

Robin finally looked up and gave her a soft smile,"Thank you.. You're right. I can never justify killing them, but I can't let my doubts make their deaths in vain. If I do this, I do it not only for Yliss, but Valm as well. For their families." His voice now growing in confidence.

Lucina nodded.

"I'm sorry, it turns out that you do know a lot about what I'm going through." he apologized.

Lucina took another sip. "In the future.. my future, countless people threw themselves away to get me to where I am now. I'd think to myself, why I wasn't the one who died. Why did it have to be them? After months of feeling this way, I finally realized. Such thoughts were disrespectful to their sacrifice. They died for a reason, and I had to make sure to carry that with me. Even before I joined the Shepherds, and while I was seperated from my comrades, I always thought that those who died to help me still stood by me. They wouldn't be able to rest peacefully until our mission was over. T-that's why.. that's why I can't fail... Not after all this.."

Lucina had been so lost in her own emotions, that she had not noticed that Robin had moved to the seat beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"You're truly amazing" he said with admiration.

Lucina snapped out of her daze and blushed at the praise.

She finally took notice of his hand.

Robin pulled back his arm and smiled sheepishly.

Lucina allowed herself a soft smile as well.

"You know I must admit, I actually... really disliked you."

Robin was slightly taken back. "Huh? So then I really wasn't imagining things."

For the time more than a week since Lucina had joined them, he could've sworn that she had been shooting glares at him every now and then, but dismissed it as his imagination. But, in retrospect, along with their various encounters and Lucina's manner of speaking with him, everything was beginning to fall in place.

"D-did I do something to you?" Robin said, wondering of any possible reason.

"No. ...At least nothing I'm yet aware of..." Lucina had muttered that last bit under her breath before taking another sip. Robin didn't seem to notice.

"Do I just have that type of face then?" Robin asked, determined to get to the bottom of things.

"Let's just say..." Lucina chose her words carefully, making sure to not give her intentions away. "Let's just say that I really didn't know much about you in the future."

"Huh? Wasn't I around much?" Robin asked

"You were... It's just that you'd always been locked up in your room or at meetings.. You also travelled often so I'd rarely see you." she lied. She couldn't just let him know that he was nowhere to be found in the future.

"Wow, even years from now, sounds like Chrom's still running me into the ground with work..." Robin grumbled, beginning to wonder if a future with Grima were so bad after all..

Lucina nodded.

"So... so we're fine now, right?" Robin asked her, a hint of hope in his voice

She thought for a second.

Earlier, she had decided to get to know Robin for herself. And now, she figured that she'd be able to get more info on him if they were on good terms.

Lucina held out her hand.

Robin grabbed her hand and shook it, smiling warmly.

As soon as their shake had ended the door opened to reveal Chrom.

"Robin! What's keeping you? We'r... Lucina? Hoho, have you two finally made amends?" Chrom smiled, his wish for the two to finally get along granted.

"Hmm? Lucina just wanted to know about the plan in detail, so I showed her some of the notes I'd written down." Robin lied yet again to his friend.

"Oh, well that's good to hear. Hey, I thought you didn't want anymore drinking?" Chrom said as he saw the two mugs of alcohol on the table.

"I was drinking tea earlier. Besides, don't you think I deserve a bit after all the work I've been pulling?" Robin smirked.

"Gahh fine. Well just hurry up and get out here. You're with Frederick and Virion."

Robin drank the last of his ale. He turned and said his goodbyes with Lucina before making for the door.

As he passed Chrom, he leaned in, "She's got a good head on her shoulders. I'd be glad to help you fight off any ass that'd try to get a hold of her" he whispered with a grin before leaving to help the others.

Chrom didn't know what that was about, but was glad his friend had taken up his drunken offer.

The sun had risen, its light painting the sky orange. Robin stretched and let out a yawn. He decided to go to the hall and get something to eat. They had a long day ahead of them.

He was ready for it. There was no turning back now.

A/N: This was a short chapter that serves as a prelude to the actual battle in Chapter 14 of the game. I changed some of the events around so that the discussion of the plan didn't take place 5 minutes before the fight. I also wish to add that so far, the interactions between Robin and Lucina have been purely platonic (Or are they?). They've still got some time left before they actually start to develop any romantic feelings (Or do they?).

I put this segment out as its own chapter since ended up being a little longer than I had planned.

So tell me how you're feeling about the story so far and feel free to leave any suggestions or criticisms! Don't worry, I can take it!

Til next time.