Flames on the Blue.
Cassandra, Lucina, Lissa, Chrom, and Robin stand on the deck of a ship. Lucina had dropped her Marth disguise and admited she is Chrom and Cassandra's daughter from the future, who has gone back in time to divert the world from a grim future. They are currently crossing the sea to the Valmese continent.
"Ah, take it all in! Breathtaking... Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here" Robin said as he enjoyed the beautiful sea.
"Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them... I should be grateful the Plegians delivered us this fleet, as promised. But it's my first time on a vessel, and my legs... I never fancied myself a sea captain" Chrom admitted.
"This is my first voyage as well. In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports" Lucina said.
"Only time I've been on boats was when me and my family were fishing. But I've never been on a voyage like this" Cassandra said.
"In short, you are all land crabs. If any of you get sea sick, try not to throw up on deck" Maxi said as he went to check on the steering.
Chrom watched him leave before looking back at his daughter "Lucina... Something I've been meaning to ask... After you stopped Emm's assassination... Why didn't you stay with us?".
"Yeah I was wondering that myself" Cassandra said.
"I felt I had no other choice. I could not risk altering history any more than necessary. I sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return" Lucina explained.
"Hey, so wait, what about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if you didn't save him?" Lissa asked.
"He would have been gravely wounded. And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come" Lucina answered.
Lissa did not like the sound of that "Whoa! Good thing you changed things, huh?".
"If indeed they have changed... The river of time always favors its original course. Take the exalt's death... I stalled it, yes, but in the end I was not able to prevent it" Lucina said in shame.
"...You did what you could" Chrom said.
"I was so certain it was over. That I'd saved the world. But time simply found another way back to its course. Perhaps the task is simply too great... Perhaps if I'd done something differently? I replay events in my head, over and over..." Lucina said in clear distress.
"Don't. You did your best. And you saved me and Cassandra, after all" Chrom said.
"He's right, Lucina. There is a limit to what one person can do alone. But you saved both Chrom and me from injuries that would've lead to our deaths. So I say you accomplished more than anyone here could ask of you" Cassandra said, agreeing with her husband.
Lucina smiled a little at that "You're kind, Father, mother. But nothing is certain... Another could take your life. Time could find a way...".
"Do you know how I die?" Chrom asked.
"Only rumors... I was told you fell in a great battle, fought to sway your destiny. ...And that you were murdered, betrayed by someone dear to you" Lucina answered.
"Wait, that can't be right. We are all like family here, no one would ever stab us in the back" Cassandra said.
"It's just a rumor, but rumors are sometimes born from truths, so I can't rule it out until I know for sure. All I can say is that I am certain that it wasn't you mother, as you were with me when father died" Lucina said.
Suddenly, Robin clutches at their head in agony "Nngh! Ah...".
"Robin? What is it?" Chrom asked in concern.
"M-my head... I don't... F-forgive me. I'm fine" Robin said.
Lucina gave him a suspicious look before she continued "After your murder and Grima's return, mother did her best to lead Ylisse against the risen horde. But as I explained earlier, she gave her life saving me from Nightmare. After that, I took the name Marth and fought back. I prayed to the Hero-King for a small part of the strength he used to save the world. But I need this subterfuge no longer. I choose to fight as Lucina now. The name that reminds me of the strength in the man and woman who chose it".
Chrom smiled "A strength shared by the woman who bears it".
"There was no other name more worthy of a strong and beautiful girl like yourself" Cassandra added.
Soon show Frederick, Flavia, and Basilio join the others.
"The pegasus knights report the Valmese fleet matches ours, ship for ship" Frederick said.
"Your tone tells me this is not good news" Chrom said.
Frederick nods with a grim expression "Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers".
"If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered" Chrom said.
"We've little choice but to try anyway. Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with other supplies...including oil. Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that" Flavia said as she looked at Robin.
Robin thinks "Hmm... Perhaps he could".
Flavia smirks as she had an idea "If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to. We could—".
"You could roast us all like hams! Are you truly so eager to die, woman?!" Basilio asked.
Flavia glares at him "Do you have a better idea, oaf?! ...The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm... How to get the lit oil on their decks without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?".
"Hmm... Unless we WANT our ships caught in the blaze..." Robin said.
Basilio gave him a look like he had gone insane "Why in the gods' named would... Well, I know better than to question Robin. Especially not when he has that look in his eyes. Gods save us from what he's cooked up this time—let's just hope it's not us!".
"Chrom, I have an idea" Robin said.
Chrom smiled "Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Robin".
"But for my plan to work we'll need to disrupt their chain of command... Our strongest team would need to board their lead ship and kill their general. As our best captain I'd have you head the squad, but you ARE the prince, so..." Robin trailed of.
"Yes, I AM the prince, so no one can order me NOT to go. I will lead the assault!" Chrom declared.
"And I'll go with you, unless anyone dares argue with their queen" Cassandra said, though not in an arrogant tone.
"Then this plan truly stands a chance" Robin said.
"Heh... So much has changed since we found you that day, lying in the open field... Hard to believe you determine the fate of our entire army now...our entire people. Destiny has a strange way" Chrom said.
Robin shakes his head "...No, Chrom. Not destiny".
Chrom looked confused "What?".
"We're not pawns of some scripted fate. I believe we're more. Much more" Robin said.
"How do you mean?" Chrom asked.
"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together... Like...invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength... WE forged these ties. WE strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be by our choices, not some destiny..." Robin said.
Everyone stood silent for a moment before Chrom spoke "...Robin... I think this salty air might have gone to your head, hah!".
Robin looked a little embarrassed "All right, all right—perhaps enough philosophy for one day... There are still details to discuss".
"Indeed there are! And preparations to be made! Oh, and, Robin... If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you. Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!" Chrom said.
Later they drove one of their ships close to the enemies. For their plan to work, they needed to disrupt their enemies' leadership. Which means taking out their general.
Said general, a large armored man named Ignatius looked at them "One ship against three of ours? They're either very brave or very stupid... Either way, their bodies will float on the long sea before the day is done".
The battle broke out. Maxi leaps in to the air before smashing his Nunchaku in to the head on an enemy soldier with enough force to crush his helmet. He dodge a spear from another enemy before delivering a kick to his armored's foes' chest, causing him to stumble of ship... the soldier's final lesson was that wearing heavy armor while at sea was not a wise choice.
Meanwhile, Cassandra, Chrom and Robin were engaging Ignatius.
Ignatius glares at them "Arrogant pups! The seas are my home, and they will be your grave!".
Knowing they could not waste time, Robin unleashed a fire spell, which Ignatius blocked with his shield, however this distracted him long enough for Chrom to rush in and deliver a powerful strike with Falchion, causing Ignatius to stumble back, which allowed Cassandra to strike him with her shield, opening him up for a finishing strike from Lucina who stabbed him in the midsection.
Ignatius coughed up blood as he backed towards the edge of the ship "Strike me down, and ten will take my place... You...have...lost!".
"No, you lost the moment you decided to fight us" Cassandra said as she shield bashed him of the ship. His wound and heavy armor would make sure he did not come back up.
"Robin! Their general has fallen! I'm giving the signal! All appointed ships, change course! Head right at them! Ramming speed!" Chrom ordered.
"We are closing in! Get ready everyone!" Cassandra called out.
"Steady... Steaaaady..." Chrom said.
"There! We're right on top of them!" Cassandra said.
"NOW! JUUUMP!" Chrom shouts.
Everyone abandoned their respective ships as they blew up, taking the enemy ships with them. Everyone looked to see the enormous amount of fire and smoke consuming the enemy ships.
"The sea itself is on fire!" Lissa said.
Frederick looked amazed "It worked! It worked!".
Flavia smirked "Only you could hatch such a brilliant scheme, Robin. Who else would desert half our vessels and turn them into flaming cannonballs? And there was still enough room on the remaining ships for all our troops. It was so simple, and yet the Valmese never saw it coming. They never considered anyone might be willing to sacrifice half a fleet...".
"We may have won the day, but the war still looms. We must continue on and seize control of their main harbour" Chrom reminded.
"Aye, boy! I've had enough of the smoke and smell here for one lifetime, besides" Basilio said.
"Full speed for Valm!" Chrom ordered.
The ships continued to sale even in to the night. Cassandra was sitting alone in a private room, reading a book with a lit candle next to her. She looked up when she heard knocking.
"You may enter" She said and seconds later, Lucina opened the door "Oh, hello there Lucina. You need something?".
"Yes... I wondered if I could just... spend some time with you, before we make landfall tomorrow" Lucina said.
Cassandra smiled as she closed her book "Of course sweetie, I will always make time for you".
Lucina smiled sadly "You sound just like you did in my time... It comforting to know you aren't to different now".
Cassandra stood up from her chair and walked up to her "Speaking of the future... Was I... a good mother for you? When you were born, I so happy that there are no words to describe it. But part of me worried that I may not be a good enough mother for you".
"You were a perfect mother. You were so kind, so supportive, and you always put my well being ahead of your own... There were times I felt guilty for it... It was obvious your health suffered from all your time spent on making sure I was in good health" Lucina said in a sad tone.
"That has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember. If my pain keeps my family from suffering, then I'll gladly endure it. That is why I joined your father in the first place, so I could keep Sophitia from endangering herself again... Speaking of, what happened to her in the future?" Cassandra asked.
Lucina looked down "Aunt Sophitia... she helped taking care of me after you died... but your death broke her. She hid her pain behind a smile, but she was clearly depressed from having lost her beloved younger sister. She loved you more than you might realize".
"I am well aware... She would've taken my place in an instance if given the chance... which is why I never gave her that chance, her children needs her" Cassandra said.
"She is a good person... What pains me more is that I have no idea what happened to her in the future. One day she just vanished, and we never saw her again" Lucina said.
"No..." Cassandra whispered while clenching her fist "All the more reason why we must win this war, and make sure Grima never comes back".
Lucina nods in agreement "Yes... and together, I believe we have a chance".
Cassandra smiled and hugged her "Of course we do. Together, we are stronger than any dragon".
Lucina hugged her back, she loved seeing her mother in such high spirit... but there was one more thing she wanted to talk about "Mother, do you remember our duel in the arena? Back before my face was revealed?".
Cassandra blushed as she smiled sheepishly "Yes, I remember... sorry about the butt slams, I didn't know I was fighting my own daughter".
"Well about that... could you... teach me how to do that?" Lucina asked, looking embarrassed.
Cassandra blinked "Come again?".
Lucina blushed more "Could you teach me how to use my butt as a weapon?".
She half expected Cassandra to laugh and call her a silly girl... but instead, Cassandra turned her around, knelt down behind her and pulled down the back on her pants.
Lucina blushed bright red "Wh-what are you doing?".
"Hold still" Cassandra ordered as she inspected her daughter's rear for several embarrassing seconds before she shook her head "I can't teach you".
"Wh-why?" Lucina asked as she pulled her pants back up when Cassandra was done inspecting her.
Cassandra stands up "To be blunt, your back side is far to small. You try hitting someone with that and you will only end up with a bruised butt".
Lucina pats her own butt "Is it really that small?".
"Afraid so, look at mine" Cassandra said as she showed her back side to Lucina "My butt did not become like this just because my father is a baker. It took a combination of a balanced diet and training to turn my butt in to the lethal weapon it is now".
"I see... So can I get a butt like that too if I do the same?" Lucina asked.
"It's possible, but I say your back side is fine the way it is. You are less likely to attract creeps with it. Besides, why do you even want to learn butt combat? I only learned it because I didn't have any proper fighters to train me" Cassandra said.
"I... I just wanted to spend time with you..." Lucina admitted.
Cassandra blinked before she smiled "Silly girl, you can spend time with me whenever you want. Tell you what, as soon as we get the chance, we can go shopping together, how does that sound?".
Lucina smiled back "That sounds lovely mother. Thank you".
With that, they hugged each other again, both happy with their mother and daughter moment.
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