I am once again asking you to bear with me. This chapter is not combat-heavy but is very action-driven as it includes a big fight scene, so forgive me if it gets slow in places. Well, with that said, I hope you enjoy the conclusion of the second big arch in this fic.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 24: Lantern's Light

Fear, fear had overtaken every part of Leven's mind. Lucina had drawn attention to herself, and now the kings were after her.

"Scatter!" Robin thankfully snapped the thieves out of their disbelief. Lucina seemed to understand as she leaped back into the wagon as it started at full gallop.

Bowser made a motion with his claw, and suddenly, the paratroopas were flying off in the direction of the wagon. We can't let them reach her.

Leven took a deep breath and raised his hand to the retreating troops. The mark on the back of his hand began to glow as he let loose another wave of magic.

A wall of sharp, magical ice shot forth, creating a barrier between Bowser's troops and the retreating princess. It worked.

The kings turned their fury towards the band of dancers. Robin then leaped into their wagon and pulled the curtains shut.

"Soldier, Ashen," Robin started as his thief attire magically formed around him. "Make sure the girls are okay. We'll meet up with you." With a nod, the ex-mercenaries leaped out of the wagon, having already dressed into their own thief attire.

They paid the Kings little mind as they dashed around them. Then without any hesitation or the slightest bit of concern, the two leaped over the giant wall of ice and vanished behind it.

Bowser didn't find this amusing and rushed forward, bashing his shoulder into the wagon's side, toppling it over.

Leven grimaced as his back hit the ground. Thankfully, Akira had cushioned much of his fall, so he was able to recover relatively quickly. He took a deep breath and raised his palm to his struggling teammate. Please work.

There was a warm tingling from his palm at first, but after the light from the back of his hand subsided, he found Akira far better off than before. It worked again!

"Thanks." There was still something wary in Akira's voice. "Let's try and not test our luck anymore, okay? Okay."

Robin crawled out from under the wagon. He was a little roughed up, but nothing seemed broken. When Leven rushed over to hopefully heal him too, the other mage waved him off, "I'll be fine." He then rubbed his shoulder, "You should try and avoid a direct encounter."

Robin then turned to stare at the ice wall, "I better make sure Ashen and Soldier don't do anything too extreme." he readjusted his mask "if you take too long, I'll come get you."

Leven only nodded. Joker and he managed to leap out from the ruined wagon. Leven wasn't sure when Joker had changed or put his mask on, but it was on, and he tried not to question it. On the other hand, Leven started fumbling through his bag, looking for his.

"And where do you think you're going?" Bowser growled as he charged for the two thieves.

Joker dashed forwards, Lantern on his heels. They rushed for the nearby building by the ice walls, but Bowser cut them off, spewing out powerful fire breath.

Joker leaped backward, dodging the fire completely. Lantern thankfully managed to put up his shield just in time to protect himself.

"You good?" Joker glanced back at him, his dagger at the ready.

"Yes," he unsheathed his blade. I really should have had that at the ready.

The King of Yllisse was on them in an instant, Lantern rolled out of the way, but Joker stood his ground.

A faint pool of darkness gathered at his feet, its black flames barely visible under his shadow. However, when the king's blade collided with his leader's knife, it was as if he had hit stone.

The king leaped backward and studied his foes carefully. Lantern turned to face Joker. Their leader winced. "I'll be fine. We'll be home free if I can get Arsene in here." Lantern knew what he was doing and didn't entirely approve, but if Arsene was their ticket out, he would help keep him on his feet. "Keep the big guy off me, though." The kings paced around them, waiting for them to make a move. "I don't think I'll be able to take a hit from him."

This was the reason he didn't like Arsene's magic. As long as Joker was left standing, everything would be fine, but if he was knocked off his feet… then it would all be for nothing.

As if on cue, the beastly king rushed forward with the blue-haired king to meet them. Lantern countered the large claw that came at him with his shield while Akira absorbed another strike from the Ylissean.

However, Lantern hadn't expected the blue-haired king to reach out and pull Joker in by the front of his coat. Then almost effortlessly flung him upwards.

Lantern took his chance and rushed Lucina's father, slamming his shield into his side and shoving him away as fast as possible.

Corrin's dad had been waiting, but thankfully Akira recovered quickly, spinning midair and pulling out his gun as fast as possible. A flurry of magical bullets rained down on the other king.

His shell was tougher than it looked, unfortunately. But the shower had stunned the king long enough for Joker to land and backflip far out of the king's range.

The Exalt dug his heels into the stone as he steadied his stance; Lantern could almost feel the energy he pulled into the oncoming strike. Joker seemed to notice it too.

Then without respect, Joker raised his gun and took a shot. This stunned the Blue haired king enough to disrupt his concentration. This exchange happened at least seven more times.

Bowser rushed to assist the Ylissean King, but Lantern wouldn't let that happen. Blocking his claw slashes and fire breath with his enchanted shield.

Chrom let out a grunt and retook his stance. "Bowser!" the other king powered his way through to stand between the other king and Joker.

"Cover me," that energy started building up again, "and if you could toss him this way, that would be appreciated."

Joker took a test shot but cursed after it practically bounced off the Koopa's hard shell. Lantern didn't need Joker to face him to know he was talking to him. "We rush him."

Joker rushed forward, ready to meet the giant head to head. Lantern stared down at his hand. If Joker wanted to build up Arsene, he would need help.

He raised his hand outward. As if pulling the magic from his very being from the mark on his hand. Then a tiny spark flew out from his hand. It bolted out like an arrow.

As it whizzed by Joker, his eyes widened, and he summoned his Rebel's Guard. It slammed into the Koopa king in a bright explosion. Knocking the Koopa king back, slamming him into the remnants of the circus wagon.

If the Exalt was startled by the explosion, he didn't show it, standing his ground and once Bowser was out of the way, he let loose a strike of his own. The blade let loose an explosion of energy.

Unfortunately for him, Joker's Rebel Guard was still up. And now his mask was alight with blue flames. The trademark sign of Arsene's Awakening.

He leaped backward, almost gilding along the floor. "Eigaon!"

With a snap of his fingers, he summoned a pillar of dark fire. Hidden from view, he scooped up Lantern without incident. Then his wings sprung forth. With one mighty leap, they were off the ground.

Then an arrow flew out from the pillar of fire, embedding itself into Joker's wing, sending them tumbling down.

When the pillar dissipated, the Exalt stood there, bow in hand. He had pulled his right arm free from the fur-lined robe. Revealing a quiver of arrows once hidden out of sight by his cloak now peeped out.

Joker struggled to regain his breath. Lantern crawled out from under him and inspected the injury on his wing.

Then with that, the flame around Joker's mask was gone.

Lantern rushed to steady himself over Joker, pleading he placed his marked hand over his leader. Gathering and willing the magic within him again. Please, I did it before.

The magic flowed out from his hands and surrounded Joker. Whatever fatigue he felt vanished as he pulled himself off the ground.

Unbeknownst to Lantern, the Exalt took this time to rush forward soundlessly and leap skyward. However, before he could bring his blade down, Joker flicked his wrist and sent his grappling hook the King's way.

Joker was yanked skyward to meet him as it snagged on his tunic. And as he was propelled over him, he managed to kick the king downward.

Lantern stared at his leader wide-eyed in awe. Joker only smiled, "Thanks for the heal."

The blue-haired king groaned from the ground as splintering wood sounded off behind them.

They turned to see the Koopa king emerging from the rubble.

Joker, without thinking, shot another bullet the Koopa's way. Again it bounced off his hard shell, only managing to annoy him.

Joker then, in a panic, pointed his gun toward the other king. Bowser eyed him slowly.

"I'll do it," he warned. "Don't test me."

The Exalt stared up from his lying position. Then, to Bowser said, "He's bluffing."

Bowser took a step forward. Joker pulled the trigger

Click!

It's empty. Lantern winced.

They both bolted as fast as they could.

We're doomed unless… Leven held out his hand as if asking Joker to stop. I can handle this.

"Lantern?" Leven turned to face the Kings. We've come too far to lose the princesses now. "Lantern, we've gotta get out of here."

Leven took a deep breath; I am the antithesis of darkness. He could hear the Kings approaching. I am a warrior, reincarnated through time and honed through countless battles across the ages. Joker began to tug at his tunic. I am the Hero of Legend!

He opened his eyes to face their enemy. He held out his mark, the emblem of Yggdrasil's Chosen. I am the Luminary!

Suddenly the magic within the air around him surged forward. Enveloping everything within a nearby vicinity.

Klang!

….

Again!

Joker made a beeline for the building. There was no way I could carry Lantern, and there was no way I would be able to keep both kings busy enough to wait it out.

"Bowser, take that thief back to the ships. I'll grab the other one!"

Now it's absolutely too late. Instead, Joker raised his arm, readying his grappling hook. He was cut off mid-action by the blue-haired King crashing down from the sky.

Joker managed to backflip out of the way. He had forgotten the Ylisen King could leap that high. Joker's back and side started aching, a bitter reminder of the King's raw strength. I can't afford another hit.

He took a few steps back and glanced around. I need to get out. He couldn't summon Arsene; he was still recharging. He cursed his luck for using his bullets earlier.

Joker was all out of cards to play. He tossed an Eiha his way, but with the power, the king showed off earlier, all that did was annoy him. He played the only card he could play at a time like this. "Any chance you could just let me go?"

"Had you just stolen my unmentionables, that would have been the end of it," the King raised his blade at Joker. "I didn't really care for that pair, and I would have let this slide."

The look on his face darkened. "But kidnapping my daughter …" Joker flinched at the venom lacing the King's voice, "…is so far past the line, I will show you no mercy."

He didn't give Joker a second to respond. Instead, he darted forwards. His blade and well-practiced steps carved their way through the air, leaving the thief barely enough time to get out of the way.

Blades of wind slammed into the ground between the two of them. Akira turned to his left and saw Grim standing on the roof of a nearby building. "I'll cover you."

Grim must have known he couldn't use his wings at the moment. "You better." Thankfully there's plan B.

Then Grim tossed a few more blades of wind their way, kicking up a cloud of dust. Joker took the opportunity. He aimed his wrist back at a building's roof and fired his grappling hook with the flick of a wrist. He was yanked up and away weightlessly.

He'll be fine. Probably.

As he leaped down, and with no wagon in sight. He began to run.

When the dust had settled, Chrom found the Phantom Thief gone, replaced by his Plegian foe. He glanced behind him and saw their leader vanishing behind the ice wall. He redirected his attention towards the other thief.

"Shouldn't you be going after him?" he adjusted his stance.

They didn't say anything. Instead, the thief leaped down from the roof. The wind gathered at their feet, allowing them to land soundlessly on the floor. They drew their Levin sword. "I see."

He rushed forwards. All the previous thoughts about the identity of the Plegian thief were banished to the back of his mind. Right now, all that matters is defeating him. If we capture him, I'll get my answers.

The thief countered the forward slash; He blocked his underhand swipe and dodged his more powerful blows. He knows my rhythm too well.

Chrom halted his advance to gather his breath. The thief didn't rush forward. Instead, they paced, keeping him just out of range.

"So you were the driver then?" The thief said nothing. If he surprised the thief, his body language didn't show it.

He renewed his assault, this time taking slow yet powerful strikes. After trying to block one, the thief seemed to understand the raw power he carried and began dodging and ducking out of his range, despite his more defensive style. He still continued to match Chrom's steps.

Everything about this fight felt off. It wasn't indulgent like the last time. No. Chrom watched him carefully. There were a few half steps he didn't follow, and aside from that first test, the thief seemed to be avoiding blocking, preferring to dodge instead.

Then he noticed it. A small limp. The way he would avoid strikes aimed at his left. He's injured. Bowser's assault on the carriage came to the forefront of his mind.

He slowed his assault. Still, his foe didn't advance. "You're injured." The thief raised a hand to their shoulder before giving a single quick nod.

"Lay down your blade. I do not wish to harm you." voice stern, but even, "I only wish for the safe return of my daughter." But you already know that.

The thief straightened, taking a far more aggressive stance. "I appreciate the sympathy, but it's wasted on me." he rushed forward, attempting to catch Chrom off guard.

The Exalt blocked the blade, unimpressed with what little strength it carried. It was as he expected. The thief's voice, its cadence, its pitch, and the very inflection of his words. It was near-identical to his memories.

The thief came at Chrom with a flurry of strikes, sloppy and unfocused. He shook his head. That's enough.

Robin countered another slash from Chrom before rolling far out of the Exalt's range again. He peeked sideways at the ice wall and noticed the magic slowly fading. Good, if I keep this up, I'll be able to make a getaway.

Chrom didn't follow him. Instead, he reached for his back, then produced and knotted a bow so quickly he didn't have time to register it fully.

An arrow whizzed by his face as he tried to sidestep it. Chrom was on him in an instant. Slamming into him like a boulder rolling down a hill.

Robin tried not to scream as the wind was knocked out of him. His back collided with the road, dazing him.

When he regained his senses, he realized Chrom now loomed over him. He hadn't noticed his mask being removed.

As his eyes refocused, he saw Chrom's face, heartbroken and stunned. "So, it really was you." Robin swallowed the lump in his throat. I need to leave now.

He started squirming out from under Chrom's hold. The Ylissen king had other plans. "Why?" Robin could hear the betrayal in the Exalt's voice.

Robin managed to wiggle his arm free, then placed it to Chrom's chest. I'm so sorry. Then a quick surge of lightning magic bolted out of his fingers.

The pained look that crossed the Exalt's face was heartbreaking. He toppled over, stunned but otherwise okay. That shock shouldn't be enough to do any real damage.

Robin took his window and snagged his mask. He darted for the ice wall.

"Robin!" Don't look back.

But he did.

What met his gaze was Chrom's betrayed expression. The Exalt struggled to his feet, digging Falchion into the ground to support himself.

They locked eyes, and Robin stopped despite everything inside screaming otherwise.

Chrom's face was furious, but his eyes were pleading. Robin put on his mask and pulled his hood up with one hand. He summoned fire with the other.

Then with the flick of his wrist, the ice wall melted so suddenly it was nothing but a wall of steam. He heard Chrom call after him again, but Robin summoned wind magic, vanishing into the wall of pale smoke.

As he darted out, the wind carrying him along the long road, he reached down. Snagging Joker by the back of his coat. "Grim! You lived."

They caught up to the wagon relatively quickly. The winds allowed Robin to land without issue after tossing Joker inside like a grain sack.

Corrin's face paled in concern, "Were's Leven?"

"He'll be fine." Joker groaned as he pulled himself from the mess of boxes he'd crashed into.

Robin stared back towards the village, a heavy stone in his stomach. Despite getting away, he felt as if he had lost this battle.

AN/ Ugh, this chapter took me almost an entire month to write. Fight scenes are really intimidating to me. I kid you not. The only way I was able to finish this chapter was to write everything around it and then write it backward. After finishing it, I actually experienced an exhaustion high. Anyways I hope my suffering was worth it. Have a wonderful day.

~ (8/26/2022)