That morning, the Shepherds were up bright and early. People were emerging from their tents and gathering their belongings. Their reunion was over; it was time for everyone to go home. A week ago, the Shepherds had gathered together just like war times to trade stories, train together, and deal with any trouble in the area. Now, they had families to return to, other places to be.

It was back to Ferox for Lon'qu, and as he gathered his things Basilio approached him. "It sure bites, going back to that damn crazy woman," he said. He was referring to Flavia, the current ruling khan of Regna Ferox. She had declined the invitation to join with the rest of the Shepherds, insisting instead on keeping watch of her kingdom and sending her best regards with Basilio.

Seeing that his invitation to a conversation was being ignored, Basilio decided to gather the rest of his things in silence. The Shepherds exchanged their goodbyes, and soon they were all heading in different directions, home.

"Looks like it's just you and me again, boy!" Basilio stated as they started the journey back to Regna Ferox. "I love those guys to death, but it sure is nice heading home, ain't it? I hope Flavia hasn't destroyed the kingdom too much."

As they traveled Lon'qu was quiet as ever, pretending to listen to a story Basilio had told him about a dozen times. It was a long way back to Regna Ferox, and it seemed like Basilio did not shut up once. Lon'qu didn't mind though; the old man's rants gave him a chance to think things over. He was thinking of the Risen they had killed that week, of how everyone had seemed so much happier to be a single unit again, and of the purple-haired girl from another world. Basilio noticed Lon'qu hadn't been paying attention, but he knew better than to interrupt the man's thought so he continued on ranting happily, all the way to Regna Ferox.

There, they were greeted by the East-Khan Flavia, who asked after the rest of the Shepherds and assured them nothing had gone wrong in the kingdom in their absence. After that it was back to usual business for the Feroxi folk. Over the next couple of weeks Flavia and Basilio spent their time settling arguments of their halidom over glasses of beer. Lon'qu took to training alone, like he often did. Every so often he would go, both independently and upon Basilio's orders, to run errands and cut down any Risen or brigands that plagued the surrounding areas. Relative peace remained in Ferox, until one day, when Lon'qu was heading back from the mountains after an intense training session, he was greeted by a too-cheery Basilio.

"Lon'qu! I've got news for you! Chrom's asking for a battle between the strongest men of Ferox and Ylisse. How would my champion like to win a friendly little match for us?"

"What is the occasion?" Lon'qu asked flatly.

"I don't think he said," Basilio responded. "I already talked it over with Flavia, and she loves it. You know she can't turn down a challenge. Neither can I! Chrom's sending some of his men up to Arena Ferox. It's just a friendly little competition, but that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. I can trust you to lead us into victory, eh?"

"Should we really be using Arena Ferox for such trivial matters?" Arena Ferox was only ever used for the fighting tournaments between the east and west khans of Regna Ferox. An invitation to fight for Ylisse, especially after just being together, seemed ill-placed to the swordmaster, and a bit confusing.

"Don't worry about it!" Basilio assured. "Chrom wants a battle and we're gonna give him a damn good fight! I need my champion to fight for us."

"Very well," said Lon'qu, who also would not say no to a challenge. "How much time do we have to practice?"

"Chrom'll be here the day after tomorrow," Basilio informed. "Flavia's getting our men ready. We expect the best from you. Don't let us down, you hear?"

So Lon'qu took to even more training, dully wondering why Chrom would put forth such a sudden invitation for battle. He also wondered who he would be fighting against. So many of the Shepherds hailed from Ylisse, with so many different skills. Stahl and Sully might be fighting; would Lon'qu be able to face the woman again? Miriel was always quite the formidable foe, and Lissa and Ricken always ensured everyone's wounds did not keep them off the battlefield. Ylisse's variety was far greater than Ferox's, but what Ferox lacked in variety they made up for in brute strength. No matter who Lon'qu went up against, he was sure he would win.

As he trained he recalled the last tournament in Arena Ferox. It seemed like the fight had happened ages ago, the heated battle between Chrom and his daughter, then known as Marth. Lucina had been quite the foe indeed, even against Chrom's and Robin's army, and Lon'qu wondered how, in the event that she would be his opponent, their match would turn out. He'd had a strong feeling about the girl since he'd first seen her fight. She had the fighting style of Chrom, perfected, more dangerous. She would be a foe to fear, but Lon'qu, with his trusty killing edge, he'd do even better.

The days ticked by all too quickly and soon Basilio, Flavia, and Lon'qu were waiting by Arena Ferox for Chrom and his men. Finally they came into view, and Flavia waved to them. "Looks like they've brought about a dozen fighters," she said. "Chrom, Sumia, Sully, Stahl, Kellam, Vaike..." Lon'qu turned to leave, and when Basilio noticed him, he asked where he was going.

"I am going to prepare the arena," Lon'qu replied. "I will meet with everyone on the battlefield."

Inside, after preparing the arena for the battle that would ensue, Lon'qu snuck in some last minute training. Finally confident in his abilities, he was able to welcome the Ylisseans. Once everyone was situated, it was time for the battle to begin. It was a twelve-on-twelve match, with Lon'qu in charge of the Feroxi men and Lucina in charge of the Ylisseans. Finally, the moment they had all been training for was upon them, and they got to their match.

Lon'qu was off like a light, using his masterful swordfighting skills to land attacks on all of his enemies. It was only minutes in that some units were already retreating. He was giving it his all, certainly prideful of his performance, and fighting his way up to Lucina. She was the other star on the battlefield; Lon'qu's swordfighting was matched only by hers. When Lon'qu's killing edge clashed against Falchion, no one else on the battlefield existed. Lucina was the golden fighter, the most difficult opponent, and he wanted to be the one to fell her.

It was a fight of manpower as they struggled under their swords, each shoving against the other. They were evenly matched, and neither fighter was making a move. Finally, Lucina came at Lon'qu, who suavely deflected the attack and came again for a masterful strike. He had the lead, he was going to take the victory. Lon'qu did not let the excitement get to him as he blocked Falchion's next strike. Their swords were an impenetrable barrier between them, and as they struggled to keep up with each other sweat beaded down their foreheads. Still, he was determined. He was not going to hold her sword forever. Soon, he would have to attack, and he would not miss.

Just then, Lon'qu spotted something off of the arena. Just outside the battlefield, where Basilio, Flavia, Chrom, and the others were watching, was a small, purple-haired girl. Florina was here, and her eyes locked on Lon'qu's.