Time for the first part of the battle against Validar! I hope you all enjoy!
As the Shepherds arrived at the Dragon's Table, the sky was very dark and reddish shade of purple and six pillars of white light connected the ground and the clouds above. There was no sunlight to speak of, almost as if it was a dark omen of sorts. Even stranger and more ominous were the dozens of lines of people in dark robes marching their way to the church at the center of the Dragon's Table.
"All these strange travelers… What's happening here?" Chrom wondered.
"Let's ask 'em!" Lissa suggested as she started walking alongside one of the travelers to get their attention. "Um, excuse me, sir?"
They didn't even seem to acknowledge her existence.
"Sir?" Lissa asked again.
"… The appointed… time…" They mumbled. "To the Dragon's Table… our prayers… Grima…"
"Riiiiight…" Lissa started to slowly back away from the strange people.
"Sire!" Frederick spoke up to get the Lord's attention as he joined up with them.
"Frederick, what do the scouts report?" Chrom asked.
"I'm afraid the news is rather grim." Frederick answered. "Validar has moved to an altar devoted to Grima known as the Dragon's Table. What's more, all of the Grimleal in Plegia are gathering here. It's as if they are being drawn here by some unseen force."
"That would explain why they haven't noticed us yet." Robin said.
Suddenly, the Grimleal stopped moving and turned to Robin.
"Damn jinxes…" Robin grunted and slapped himself in the forehead.
However, the Grimleal knelt down and started bowing to him.
"Um… What are they doing?" Lissa questioned.
"Their behavior doesn't seem to have any sort of reason or logic to it." Frederick stated. "They all act like they are possessed."
Chrom then looked over at the church. "The cataclysm in Lucina's future… These are all the signs leading to it."
"We don't have much time left…" Lucina cringed. "We cannot give up!"
"We won't." Chrom assured his future daughter. "We promised. Shepherds, to the Dragon's Table!"
At the entrance to the church, Aversa was mounted on her black Pegasus with Validar standing next to her.
"The Ylisseans have finally caught up to us, milord." Aversa said.
"Delay them. But be careful with Robin." Validar ordered. "We need him alive to resurrect Grima."
"Ah, yes…" Aversa playfully smirked and chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll take extra special care of Daddy's special boy."
Validar was ready to turn around and head inside the church.
"Validar!"
He turned back to see Chrom, Robin and the rest of the Shepherds arrive at the entrance of the Dragon's Table.
"Fools!" Validar said to them. "Do you know where you've come?"
"Return the Fire Emblem now and we can end this madness!" Chrom shouted.
"Aaaahahahahaha!" Validar laughed manically. "You think you can end this?"
"Yes, once and for all." Chrom answered.
"Fate cannot be swayed." Validar stated. "You rush here, knowing full well how this will end. Are you that eager to meet death? Do you wish to meet the fell dragon himself? THAT is the world's destiny, boy!"
"To hell with your destiny!" Robin shouted. "We're writing our own ending!"
"Oohoho!" Aversa laughed. "Do you really believe you can change fate? And I thought the Exalted Emmeryn had delusions of grandeur!"
"My son…" Validar said. "Haven't you learned from last time? You are the key to bringing about Grima's return."
"We've changed fate once before and we can do it again!" Chrom proclaimed.
"If you are referring to King Gangrel and Walhart, those were preordained events." Aversa stated. "They would have happened no matter what. And you are just like them, puppets at the mercy of destiny."
"What about Emmeryn?" Lissa asked.
"Only the method of her death had changed." Aversa answered. "Either way, she would've ended up in the ground."
"But that was Gangrel's doing!" Frederick objected. "Not yours! Not Validar's!"
"Actually, Validar and I have been using the Mad King this whole time. His death would drive Plegia to chaos, which is where Validar would step in and people would be driven to Grima. Now their life force and rancor can be offered to the fell dragon en masse."
"What do you mean?" Chrom asked.
"They call this the Dragon's Table for a reason." Aversa replied.
"So… All of those people… Are sacrifices for Grima to feed on?" Robin asked.
"Even now, they pray for his return and are willing to offer themselves to the fell dragon." Validar said. "Grima has quite the bountiful feast prepared for him."
"Well, it's all going to waste!" Chrom declared.
"How could anyone be willing to give their life to that… thing?" Lucina questioned. "That monster?!"
"We'll stop you before Grima even gets a glimpse at life again!" Chrom said.
"Now you're sounding like Walhart, the big bully…" Aversa said. "He intended to destroy Grima as well, you know. Our thanks for removing him from the stage."
"So that's why you gave us all of your ships and gold, but no soldiers!" Robin said. "We'd get rid of Walhart for you and you'd still have all of your people to offer to Grima!"
"Talking to you is starting to get tiring." Validar turned to walk away. "I still need to finish the preparations."
"As you command, Master."
Validar left and Aversa started casting some sort of dark magic. When the chant was complete, twelve different warriors rose from the ground like Risen and readied their respective weapons. There was one sage, one sword master, one paladin, one dark knight, one war cleric, one assassin, one sniper, one Valkyrie, one heavily armored general, one bow knight, one warrior and one sorcerer.
"Master Validar is not to be disturbed." Aversa said. "The Deadlords will keep you company. These twelve generals were great in life, and even greater now in death. I would introduce you, but they're not much for talking. Instead, it's best if their actions speak for them."
The undead generals were ready to fight.
"Robin, we need to get to Validar before he can revive Grima!" Chrom said.
"I know, but we can't leave everyone here on their own." Robin said.
"Don't worry about us, Robin." Frederick said. "If you and milord wish to go after Validar, then it would be best to leave twelve pairs of us behind to fend off each of the generals."
"We'll be fine, Robin." Say'ri assured as she came up to them. "Just decide the pairs and worry only about Validar."
Robin hesitantly nodded. "All right… Frederick, Lissa, you go after the paladin. Say'ri, you and Tiki take on the sword master."
"Understood." Frederick saluted.
"Aye." Say'ri nodded.
"Tharja and Henry should fight the sorcerer." Robin continued. "Vaike and Maribelle will go for the warrior, Sumia and Cynthia will have the best advantage against the dark knight and Virion and Nowi can combat the sniper."
"That's half of them." Chrom said. "Only six more teams."
"Cherche can take Lon'qu to the war cleric for some fast and heavy attacks." Robin said. "Kellam and Sully should be the ones to fight the armored knight. Stahl can ride Miriel over to the sage. Gerome and Nah shall take out the Valkyrie."
"Do I have to?" Gerome asked.
"I'm not going to ask about your mask in the middle of a battle." Nah pouted. "I'm not a child."
"Anyway…" Robin interrupted. "Noire and Inigo, you've got the bow knight. And lastly, the assassin will be the job of Gaius and Gregor."
"You can count on Gregor." Gregor proudly pounded his chest.
"Time to put my sneaking skills to the test." Gaius tightened his headband and popped a fresh sucker into his mouth.
"Wait, where's Lucina?" Chrom asked.
"I believe she is already making her way to the altar." Rei'qu pointed toward the church.
Lucina had swiftly dodged and jumped over the attacks of the undead generals, making a mad dash at Aversa. She was ready to swing Falchion, but Aversa flew up and avoided the slash.
"Owain, help Lucina! Anyone not fighting a general, come with Chrom and me after Validar!" Robin commanded.
Chrom and Robin were followed by Morgan, Rei'qu, Severa, Anna, Olivia, Ricken, Donnel, Panne, Yarne, Libra, Brady, Kjelle and Laurent.
Upon entering the church, there was a large pair of doors that presumably led to the altar where Validar was waiting.
"Are you ready, Robin?" Chrom asked.
"It's too late to turn back now." Robin replied. "If I'm going to overcome Validar, my best chances are with you by my side. But if Validar takes control of me again, promise me… Promise me you'll cut me down."
"You can't mean that." Chrom said. "You can't ASK that!"
"I'll resist him as best I can, I can promise you that much. But there are people involved here, too many to ignore… You have a duty to protect them as well."
"You're right. It burns my tongue, but you're right. But you mustn't let Validar seize control! Whatever it takes. Whatever it costs!"
"I know…"
They opened the door and saw Validar standing in front of the Grimleal altar. After Chrom and Robin were halfway there, a magic barrier appeared behind them and blocked the rest of the Shepherds from them.
"Dad!" Morgan exclaimed.
"Father!" Rei'qu shouted.
"Daddy!" Severa yelled.
"Chrom, come to witness the glorious culmination of failure? How nice." Validar said. "I have the Fire Emblem and the Dragon's Table is set for a feast. I will return Grima to this world!"
"You'll DESTROY the world!" Chrom protested. "Lucina has seen it!"
"Then I pray today's spectacle lives up to the nightmare!" Validar had a slimy smile on his face. "The Awakening rite is not just for exalts and Naga, you know. With it, I'll arouse Grima from his slumber! All that's left is a mortal vessel, which you've so kindly brought me." He looked at Robin, who was clenching his fist. "I'm sure you've already figured it out, Robin. That's my boy."
"I'll never be Grima's vessel!" Robin shouted. "I'd rather die!"
"I'd rather you not die, but should that happen, there's always another possible vessel…" Validar motioned his eyes toward Morgan. "You have the blood of the fell dragon… And so does she…"
"M… Me?" Morgan whimpered.
"Don't you dare!" Robin yelled. "Morgan will have no part in this! Neither of us will become Grima!"
"The Grimleal have worked hard for generations for someone like you." Validar stated. "My grandfather, my father and I were not worthy enough, as having his blood is not enough. But you were perfect! If only your damnable mother hadn't been seized by weakness and fear. She betrayed us! Stole you from your crib in the middle of the night and fled! I know naught of your life thereafter, but all that matters is your return. That you are standing here is proof of your purpose."
"The only thing you've proven is how mad you are." Chrom argued. "This can be stopped! YOU can be stopped!"
"You may have killed me once when we tried to assassinate your sister, but I am stronger now!" Validar claimed. "With the power of the Dragon's Table flowing through me, I am unstoppable!"
"You're not the only one who's gotten stronger, right Robin?" Chrom turned to Robin, who was still in a state of shock from the recent revelation of his lineage. "Stay with me, Robin! You're not beholden to this fiend! You can fight it! For me! For Lucina! For Frederick! For Lissa! For Cordelia! For Say'ri! For your daughters!"
Robin finally snapped back to his senses.
"Your poem was nice, but it won't change fate." Validar said.
"They're more than just words, Validar!" Robin said. "I know not what may have happened before, but who I am was born the day Chrom found me in that field! I have been all over this world and have changed those I've met, for the better! I have fought, laughed and bled alongside with my friends! THAT is what matters! The bonds we share are a power far greater than Grima!"
"Absurd…" Validar spat. "You have your father's courage, but your mother's judgment." He pulled out a tome and shot a ball of dark magic directly at Chrom. "DAMN YOU BOOOOOOTH!"
Without even thinking, Robin pushed Chrom out of the way and took the brunt of the magical attack.
"Robin, are you all right?!" Chrom ran over to his collapsed friend.
Robin then felt a surge of pain throughout his entire body, his vision becoming bloodshot.
"Hey, what's wrong? Wha-Gah!"
The next thing he knew, Chrom was stepping back with a spear of lightning piercing through his stomach. Robin looked down to see his hands discharging electricity, indicating that the lightning came from him.
"This is… not… your fault…" Chrom struggled to speak. "Please… leave this place… go…"
Chrom fell to the ground as Validar was laughing maniacally at the prince's demise.
"AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
A/N: Cliffhanger! I hope you all enjoyed! I'm trying to finish this up as much as I can before the end of the year! Maybe after Fates comes out, I'll write a story on that, too. Anyway, did you hear about the survey about Fates they did in Famitsu? The top 5 most married characters were, in order from most married to least: Azura, Jakob/Joker, Leon/Leo, Xander/Marx and Felicia. Stay tuned for next time!