Origins: Chrom
Yilsse, Shepards Command Center
"Exalt Chrom! Hello!"
"Evenin' Exalt Chrom!"
Chrom waved back at the two men lugging supply boxes as he entered the grounds of the Shepards command center, a place he knew well as its former leader, but a position he had to vacate as the new Exalt. Luckily, he'd left it in the hands of the two most trustworthy people he knew. His daughter, Lucina, and her husband, his best friend, Robin. His wife, Sumia, while not directly involved with Shepard business, had devoted the rest of the Shepard's land to the pasturizing of pegasi and the blooming of beautiful flowers
As Chrom approached the main cabin, he saw Robin, a silver-haired young man, dressed in his usual black robes, waving excitedly at him. Holding his other hand, was his daughter Lucina.
"Greetings Chrom!" Robin shouted, smiling wide.
"And greetings to the both of you!" Chrom called back
When they were in close enough distance, Chrom and Robin gave one another a hardy handshake. Lucina, meanwhile, threw her arms around Chrom in a warm hug.
"Hello, Father!"
Chrom chuckled lightly. Lucina was normally serious and stoic to other people, but a very affectionate and warm around him. While the reasons were completely understandable, having grown up without him in an apocalyptic future, it still jarred him from time to time.
"And hello to you too love. Now, you said you had something for me?"
Lucina smiled wider, like a kid keeping in a major surprise, Robin meanwhile, only grinned, handing him a letter. The letter had the Smash Brothers crest on it. Chrom let out a bellowing laugh.
"So that lad Falcon wants a re-match I'm guessing?" Chrom said with a smirk, "Your mother will never approve of this."
"Oh, she has."
Chrom raised an eyebrow, "You're serious?"
Lucina chuckled, "Of course! Robin's request to allow me to stay in this timeline was honored by Master Hand, and so she's warmer to you joining Smash than she was last tournament.
Chrom breathed a sigh of relief "Oh, that's good. I don't think I could survive another lecture of that magnitude. Either way, I've been training hard, so I can give Falcon the rematch he deserves."
"Father, Falcon was more impressed with you than you think. You did Ike's Aether in that fight without having seen Ike do it, and you took three consecutive Falcon Punches before I had to step in. It was all he talked about for months! It makes me think that you would've been invited had mother not expressly forbade it."
"Great!" cheered the Exalt with a booming laugh, " I'm looking forward to seeing some of the legendary heroes you regaled me with tales of. Especially that fellow Ike. I believe it was destiny that we were meant to meet in battle."
"I've thought that too, since the day with Falcon anyway." Robin began, before Lucina cut him off.
"There's…more to this than the tournament however."
Chrom's expression darkened, "A looming threat I assume?"
"We'll explain on the way. I've already informed Lissa that she'll need to take command for a while," explained Robin
"Okay. Let's go," commanded Chrom.
The silver haired tactician nodded, pressing a few buttons on his red wristwatch. A portal opened, showing the Smashverse on the other side.
The three stepped through, as the portal closed behind them.
The Smashverse
Chrom paused to take in the scenery while Lucina sighed dreamily, clutching Robin's hand. They stood on in the courtyard of the enormous Smash Mansion, a cool spring breeze blowing in the air, the songs of birds and bugs the only sound for miles.
"This looks…different than the city than we stayed in last time." Chrom finally concluded to Robin.
"Yes. The Smash Mansion is behind a magical gate that only we Smashers can move in and out of."
Chrom laughed, "This beats that…what was it called?" asked the bumfuzzled Exalt.
"Hotel?" Robin offered.
"Yes. An inn that towered as high as the sky overwhelmed us, as did the amenities. Having food prepared for you is how kings live, yet we were in a commoner's inn. That aside, this place appears to be more in line with the castles that I am familiar with. Very peaceful as well."
"Yes," said Lucina with a sigh, "It's always so peaceful here, I missed it."
"Unfortunately, it won't be very peaceful if Conker decides to act," Robin said
Chrom's brow furrowed "He is the threat?"
"Yes. He is an unhinged despot from Mario's world. He has the Smash Core."
"Are we expecting war?"
"For now, no. We believe Conker is still gathering villains from across the universe, including Grima."
Chrom's face went white, "Grima? But we killed him! You killed him"
"Yes, father," Lucina said, her expression suddenly downcast , "In our reality. However, in other realities, we've been informed a female version of Robin has taken over the world as Grima's host."
"That is…unsettling to say the least. But, if we beat Grima together in out reality , we can beat Grima again and avenge the lives lost there. " stated the Exalt of Yilsse.
"I agree" Robin nodded, "But, until Conker moves, the tournament is a priority, by order of Mario. We can't let the public think there's anything wrong,"
"Indeed," Lucina said, "And, I was hoping that we could prioritize all of us spending time together. We are all so busy in our non-Smash lives."
"Indeed we are! I'd like to spend time with my son-in-law, and my daughter very much!"
Robin grinned, "Very good! Let's get you settled at the Mansion. You're rooming with Ike and Pichu I believe."
"Yes! We can trade techniques! And…what's a Pichu?"
Robin sniggered, "You remember the yellow rat from last time right?"
"Yes. I lost quite a bit gold betting against him, much to Sumia's chagrin."
"It's like a smaller version of him."
Chrom quickly covered his mouth, "My instinct's say to treat the prospect with humor, but my thinking brain says to treat the matter seriously, for any spawn of the great Pikachu is clearly a warrior of glory and renoun."
"Perhaps you'll need my tactician skills at the betting tables as well this time," Robin chided.
The three shared a chuckle as they walked from the park in the direction of the Smash Mansion.