At the meeting site of Aversa, the companies were treated to a surprise.
"Validar? But… youre dead!" Chrom said.
"Yes, I was, but now I'm not. I've been revived for a much greater purpose." Validar said.
"And who's that with you? His robes look a little… familiar." Jexi said.
The figure removed his hood to a familiar face. "Does this answer your question?" an identical copy of Sir Robin said. "My name is Grima, a pleasure to meet you all." he said.
"Holy… they look identical!" Hope said.
"Indeed. You see, the one you call Robin and I have a great history together, one he will soon relearn." Grima grinned.
"Getting to the point, I've made your deal." Aversa said. "Plegia will provide 800 warships and 200 transports. In addition, we would be pleased to fully fund the campaign against Valm."
"Really? We thought you'd be against it...considering what happened." Natsu said.
"No matter, we got what we need." Gajeel said as the others moved away.
Later in the night, Validar tried to corrupt Sir Robin by shifting his allegiance, but to no avail. After that, Risen attacked them without warning.
"Whoa, these guys are acting way more intelligent this time!" Frederick said.
"I know. It's like their brains are awake." Hope said.
"We need to fight them off. Everyone in positions!" Chrom said.
The armies engaged without a moment's notice, Risen even tougher to beat Yosuke cut down a few when he was suddenly surrounded by crows.
"CAW! CAW! Are you folks lost? Or perhaps a lost CAWs? Heh ha!" said a voice within.
"Henry?" Tharja asked as a young dark mage appeared from the shadows.
"You know this whack job?" Yosuke asked.
"Yes. He's a dark mage of Plegia like me." Tharja told him.
"I'd wish you good luck killing these monsters, buuuuuut... They're ALREADY DEAD!" Henry said.
"We know that! What are you doing here anyway?" Chrom said.
"Well, I was getting bored and I saw this fight and decided to join in." Henry said. "I think having two Plegian assets would be good, Birds of a feather and all."
"He's right. Plegia offered no soldiers at all. We need any man we can get our hands on. Youre in luck Henry, we'll let you into our company, where you can fight as many battles as you please." Chrom said.
"Nice! I think the leaders up on that bridge over there. Youre gonna need a good flyer to catch it off guard." Henry said.
"Uh, guys. We got more problems." Sumia said pointing overhead as several warriors with weapons began to head into the fight.
"They must be pillagers." Stahl said.
"And take a look at their color. They're glowing orange for some reason." Cordelia said.
"Uh, Hope. You might wanna look at this." Jexi said pointing to a tied up Flux and the Orange Lantern.
"So that's where that thing ended up. And they just robbed all the forts blind and ran. No worries there." Hope said getting a tracking dart on one of them.
The fight was soon taken to the leader as the rest of the enemy troops fled.
"That's all of them. Wait.." Hope said as an assassin came from behind.
"Die, Ylissean scum!" he shouted. Before he could hit Chrom, Marth came from nowhere and blocked the attack, getting rid of her mask and striking the assassin down.
"Are you alright, father?" she asked.
"Uh, what? Wait, then that would make you… Lucina?" Chrom said looking her over. He looked into her eyes to see the same brand in her eyes as he did. "It really is you."
"I cant believe this is our daughter." Sumia said.
"Wait, then that means she's from the future?" Pit said.
"Yes. Ten years into the future. Its is during that time, the dark dragon Grima and the First Beast of Sin, Ogudomon wreak havoc across it and across the worlds, destroying anything in their way." Lucina said.
"You came back…. to stop them and change the past." Jexi said.
"That's not all. With your inclusion in the Plegian war and the marriages of Panne and Nowi, two more color fighters were born along with Yarne and Nah. They are known as Feral and Kiri Wang. I was brought to the future along the soldiers that make up the shepherds in the future. A dragon of blue and steel was able to help with that." Lucina said.
"Dialga." Jexi said. "We'll thank him later. Did any of the other kids in the future come back with you?"
"I'm afraid we got separated when we arrived. I have no idea where any of them are." Lucina said.
"Regardless, I think we just got a new Shepherd alongside Henry." Hope said. "You aren't going to stop this alone. After all, you helped us so far, we should help you in return."
"I thank you. Now, I've been traveling for a while. I've learned where a comrade of mine, Owain, is located." Lucina said.
"And wherever he is, we'll find those bandits with the Orange Lantern. I'll be dead by the time it ever is used for evil again." Hope said.
"Their camp isn't too far from here. We can be there in a short while." Lucina said.
The next day, the bandits were seen robbing a village. The others arrived just in time to see a eccentric young man hold back his…. hand.
"Calm yourself, my sword hand! For we shall still win the day and save the young woman held hostage." he said.
"I'm a guy, idiot!" Flux shouted.
"Nevertheless, we shall still best this horde." he said going back into battle.
"Well, he's certainly colorful. Who's he a son too?" Lissa asked.
"His son to you, Lissa." Lucina said.
"What? That weirdo's my kid?" Lissa said.
"Ah, I know that voice! It's mother!" Owain said retreating.
"Huh?" Flux said looking up to see the shepherds. "Thank god. I'm saved! Kill these guys and set me free!" he shouted.
"Asking for help from us again, Flux? You really need to take a look around once in awhile." Jexi said.
"You! Look, in a normal circumstance, I'd kill you. But these guys are planning on cooking me for dinner if you don't do something." Flux said.
"How did they even get the lantern?" Hope asked.
"Well, that's a very funny story. After I looted Mundus, I noticed the lantern was causing an infighting with my soldiers, so I did the heroic thing: chucked it out the trash chute." Flux said.
"You threw a lantern out like trash?!" Hope shouted.
"It doesn't end there. After my looting on Hyrule, I ran into that stupid alien guy. He stole something valuable of mine and refuses to give it back till I give him back the lantern. Luckily, the tracking chip was still on it so I followed it here. I thought it would be easy, until these guys caught me and tied it up." Flux said.
"Such a misdeed! How I loathe the very thought of rescuing you!" Owain said.
"Are you sure this guy's not a Shakespearean actor that hit his head?" Lucy asked.
"Nope. He's definitely Lissa's son." Lucina said.
"Hey, I hate to spoil the mode, but could one of you save me before I become dinner?" Flux asked.
"Mine, Mine! It's all mine!" The commander said holding the lantern.
"I am not yours. If anything, all of you are mine since I'll rule all of the world's." Flux said.
"He won't. He never will." Lucina whispered to the heroes.
"Dont have to see the future to know that. Let's get em'!" Jexi said.
The companies and Owain engaged the corrupted bandits.
"Such amazing abilities! I have heard of heroes coming to the aid of my mother, but to see your swordsmanship, Erza Scarlet and Roronoa Zoro, it is truly a sight to behold." Owain said.
"Okay, now he's getting on my nerves." Zoro said cutting down a couple of the bandits.
Gaius quickly moved back to Flux as he fought a few bandits. "Cut me free and I'll give you anything you want." Flux said to Gaius.
"If you got any candy, then no deal whatsoever." Gaius said.
"I got a chocolate bar in my back pocket if that interests you." Flux said.
"Oh, for the…" Jexi said as he cut Flux loose and punched him in the face.
"That… was a cheap shot." Flux said.
"Hey, you'd do the same thing and you know it." Jexi said.
"Okay, fair enough." Flux said taking out a gun and firing at the bandits. "No one takes me hostage and lives!" he shouted.
Owain faced down the bandit leader. "Now for this miscreant. Lion's…. Ballad!" Owain said slicing through the bandit as he dropped the lantern when Owain's sword was sheathed.
"He did not just rip off my Lion's Song technique!" Zoro said.
Flux soon saw his chance and scooped up the lantern. "Thanks a lot, suckers!" he shouted as he ran off.
"Coward!" Owain said. He then turned back to the others. "Well, my compatriots! I believe it is time we joined forces and fought against the darkest of beings." Owain said.
"I like this guy! Lissa, you are one good mother." Luffy said.
"Oh, but mother was more to me than that." Owain said holding his brand up. "This brand of hers always never surfaced, causing my sword hand never to be still. When it appeared on my hand, Mother was proud it wasn't a burden to her any longer. This brand shows that no matter what, our family is linked."
"Owain never wanted the future of ours to come to pass, but yet here we are." Lucina said.
"Lucina, there is still time, until then, you and I must join our father and mother in glorious conquest of Valm until the moment of our future comes. Then, and only then, shall our fate be changed." Owain said.
"I agree. His swordsmanship is very impressive. He'll make a welcome addition to the shepherd indeed." Sir Robin said.
"Oh, wait, Owain, before we set sail, do you know of those two color fighters who came back?" Jexi asked.
"Indeed. They are said to be in Valm. We were barely able to cross through time with the Risen on our trail." Owain said. "Feral should possibly be with Yarne at the moment, and Kira is with Cynthia."
"We'll meet the other kids when we make it to Valm. Time to set sail." Chrom said.