The wind was howling on Grima's back as the Shepherds warped onto the surface of the dragon. They were greeted by the possessed Robin at the nape of the neck where Alm had scarred it all those many years ago. However, Grima did not seem in the least concerned about their presence, and it soon became clear why.

Almost as soon as the light of the warp spell dissipated, they were hit with a sea of dark spikes piercing their bodies. They left no wounds, but the pain alone was enough to bring nearly everyone to their knees. Only Chrom and Priam remained on their feet, and even then just barely.

"Mwhahahahaha, don't you see how pointless this all is?" Grima taunted them, suddenly warping closer, "Don't you see now, Robin? These humans are so weak. So pathetic. Oh well, it matters little, but you defied me. You were bred to serve me. This cannot be forgiven so easily, and that wretched artifact that you used…. Well, I have something special planned for you."

With a wave of a hand, a dark vortex opened up underneath Robin, and before Lucina could even get a protest out, Robin was sucked under.

"Where…am I?" Robin groaned as all he saw around him was darkness. The type of all consuming darkness that alone could fill a man with utter dread.

"Where your god wills you to be."

Robin rounded quickly on the defensive to face Grima, but he was too slow to defend as a blast of magic forced him to his knees. His vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious. All that from just one blow?

"Good. We'll have plenty of quality time together once I deal with those pests on my back. So just sit tight."

"N-no," Robin struggled to stand, but only fell further causing Grima to groan.

"You really are such feeble creatures. All that talk, and for what? This paltry performance? Did you really think you had a chance against me?" Grima knelt down and lifted his chin, "You are only human after all.

"Now, be right back."

"No!" Robin reached out and grabbed Grima's ankle as it turned to leave in a desperate attempt to save his friends. Grima simply looked at him in disgust before kicking him off.

"Fine. If you're so eager, I can begin your punishment. I can multitask. What?"

Grima growled as someone held it by the arms in an arm lock.

"Get up!"

"I…can't," Robin looked up to hazily see…another Robin.

"They're waiting for you, Robin," The Robin from Lucina's world spoke while restraining Grima with everything he had left, "Can't you hear them?"

Robin's eyes widened as he finally heard the voices.

"Fight back!" Chrom yelled into the air as he weakly hobbled forward, "You didn't fight your way back to us only to lose to this overgrown lizard! I swear you had better not break my daughter's heart again!"

"Ha," Grima looked on in bemusement, "What do you think you're going to-" Grima paused and the amused look turned to one of frustration, "Silence, mortal!"

The dragon rushed forward with an outstretched hand to silence the prince but was intercepted by a golden blade, "Let the man speak."

"You dare?" Grima snarled, gripping Ragnell, "Do you really think you can stop me? You can barely stand."

"Maybe," Priam grunted as Ragnell started to burn. The blue flame was a few embers at first, but it quickly grew into a bright blaze, "But I can buy them time!"

As Priam stood his ground, a warm glow encased him and he felt his strength returning. Grima was left to glare at the source as the younger Ylissean princess shot a defiant look, "I am…not…delicate."

The dragon growled as Priam bought the others as much time as he could. Meanwhile, Chrom's words snapped Lucina out of the despair which she had felt by Grima's overwhelming might and the seemingly imminent arrival of her world's ruin.

"Father's right," Lucina forced herself to stand, using Falchion as a crutch, "Please, return to us. I want to be able to enjoy the peace we are fighting for together. Please, Robin, come back to us."

"Come on, Dad," Morgan joined her mother weakly, "We've barely had any time together. You can't leave me now!"

"Don't falter now, Robin," Lon'qu weakly stood guard against his wife.

"Yeah," The princess coughed, "I haven't even gotten to prank you since you got back."

"Come on, no breaks just yet," Cordelia righted herself in her saddle with Stahl's help.

"That's right. We're not done here yet."

"Our fight doesn't end here," Frederick forced himself up using his ax as a crutch.

"Minerva hasn't given up on you and neither shall I."

"Come on," Nowi whined, "You already freaked us out once, don't do it again."

"Yeah," Donnel propped himself up with his weapon, "Yer a hero to my village, ya can't give up now."

"Fie," Yen'fay grit his teeth and managed to support himself on shaky legs, "You have defied the odds once already. I expect another fine performance."

"I know we did not get off to the best of starts," Owain winced, but he refused to lose after coming so far, "But you can't let Grima win. You have proven yourself a hero, now show us your power!"

"Ugh," Severa panted, "But he's right, you know. I didn't even apologize yet. You hear that? Me, apologizing!"

"Yeah!" Cynthia channeled as much pep as she could manage, "If you die, my sister will be really sad…so don't do that please!"

"I had thought our task futile," Gerome pulled himself back up into Minerva's saddle, "But we cannot give up in the final battle!"

"I won't go extinct now!" Yarne was shaking, but standing once again.

"As the last dragon of my world, I promise to keep fighting, so you should too!"

"The fell dragon's might is impressive," Laurent adjusted his glasses as he looked up from where he had scrounged back to his knee, "But we have defeated the odds before. We shall do so again."

"I ain't cut out for this," Brady tried to get off his face, "But even I ain't giving up that easily, ya hear!"

"T-this is terrifying," Noire could barely look up, but she was trying, "But I won't give up. Not after coming so far."

"You hear that, Robin!" Chrom bellowed, "We haven't given up, so you'd better not either!"

"Please, Robin, don't give up," Lucina bowed her head before looking up to glare at Grima who was battling with Priam, "I won't. I'll hold out until you return to us. Just hurry."

"I hear them," Robin was in awe, "They haven't given up…even when faced with such power."

"Silence those wretched voices!" Grima struggled, but the other Robin was not giving up so easily. He had been waiting for an opportunity like this so he was giving it his all. "You've lost! Why can't any of you see that?"

Robin grit his teeth and balled his fists as electricity accumulated. Pulling himself to his feet, he delivered an uppercut to Grima, knocking the beast out of the other Robin's hold. Grima snarled at the audacity.

"Fine. If you're so eager to die, I can oblige. We'll finish this on the outside."

With that, Grima retreated and the dark space began to fold in on itself. Robin did not have much time, but he turned to his counterpart.

"Come with me."

He shook his head though, "I can't. Just…please…end this. Grima has used me to cause so much suffering. I can't bear to see anymore."

"It was you who gave me those visions. They were of your world, weren't they?"

"Yes. Grima wasn't happy about that one. Thought I was finally gone after that, but…well, I'm persistent."

"I see," Robin looked him over. He was tired. His clothes were ragged. Without a wife of his own, he must have been more of a military man though, so Robin stood at attention and saluted, "It's been an honor, general."

The other Robin looked confused for a moment, but suddenly he looked a lot more decorated as he was able to have a little bit of his honor back. He saluted back, "Likewise, grandmaster. No mercy."

Robin nodded, "Not this time."

A pitch black hand shot forth from Grima's back. The shadows faded as Robin pulled himself out of the muck of wherever Grima had taken him. Breathing heavily, he glared in Grima's direction as Lucina and Morgan hugged and helped steady him while Chrom smiled.

Priam did manage to see his return from the corner of his eye, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He was at his limit, and about the time Robin returned, Grima got both faster and stronger. So much so, that the dragon was able to catch his flaming blade.

"I grow tired of your interference," Despite the flames burning the glove and even charring some flesh, Grima did not let up and began to squeeze the tired blade, "This sword has ancient magic. It is foreign to this world, but all the same, it does not scare me."

Leaning in and pushing Priam to his knees, Grima snarled as Ragnell's wounds began to deepen. With one final squeeze, Grima shattered the blade. The shockwave sent Priam back towards his comrades as the fabled blade met its end. Grima, meanwhile, dusted off the remains of the sword, hand already mending.

"Grima!" Chrom shouted, as he put his hand on Falchion's hilt, igniting Naga's flames around him. The gemstones on the Fire Emblem shined as he pulled Falchion and held it aloft. The prismatic glow encased the Shepherds, giving them a second wind, "I've come to end you!"

The dragon laughed, "Foolish mortal!" With an outstretched hand, Grima summoned a dark blade in a surge of purple mist and lightning, "How can you end what cannot die!"

"The Valentian Falchion," Robin muttered, "Grima must have corrupted it."

"How astute," Grima smirked, "To think the weapon used to seal me could become one of my greatest weapons." Brandishing the sword, Grima taunted Chrom, "Alright, princeling. If you want a fight, you've got one. I am the wings of despair. I am the breath of ruin. I am the Fell Dragon Grima! And I will be your end!"

"We'll see about that," Chrom scowled as he brandished the flaming Falchion.

"Shepherds," Robin called out over the howling wind, "Make sure all Chrom has to worry about is Grima. Keep everything off him. Chrom, do your thing. Frederick, give Priam a sword."

The great knight tossed a spare sword to Priam and Robin looked to Chrom while grabbing Lucina's hand, "Ready?"

Chrom smirked for a moment as he nodded, "Let's put the fell dragon low once more. Shepherds! To arms!"

Chrom led the charge with his Falchion glowing hot with blue flames. None of the summoned Risen could touch him, not that the Shepherds let any through. Still, it was hard to keep up with him. Robin could easily see Lucina's concern as Chrom fought his way to Grima. More than that, Robin could feel his own concern as his machinations came closer to fruition.

"Grima!" Chrom snarled as he brought down his Falchion against Grima's corrupted one, "This ends today!"

"I have had enough of you arrogant mortals," Grima howled, pushing Chrom back, "Accept your end!"

Each strike sent waves of fell and exalted energy flying. It was truly like watching titans clash, and only a few were bold enough to get close. Robin was one such individual. He, along with Lucina, had worked their way closer to the battle even as Chrom was gaining the upper hand.

Grima's Falchion landed against the Fire Emblem, emanating fell power until the gemstones embedded within glowed with power. With a blast it was able to knock the corrupted Falchion away, forcing Lucina to duck as it flew overhead to lodge itself between two of Grima's scales.

"It's over, Grima," Chrom pointed the flaming Falchion at the Fell Dragon. Lucina smiled on as they were on the cusp of victory when her vision went white for a moment as she was displaced from Grima's back. Suddenly, she was back on the surface.

"What's going on?" Chrom looked around as his allies disappeared and Robin walked out in front of him.

"Thank you, Chrom. Leave the rest to me."

"What are you talking about?" Chrom threw his arm out as Grima watched on with a snarl.

"What I should have done at the Dragon's Table," Robin finally looked back to Chrom, "I'm sorry, but…I probably won't survive. I just couldn't bear to tell her to her face. Please…tell them…tell her that my last thoughts were of her. Of my family."

"Tell them yourself!" Chrom yelled, his rage boiling as he lunged for the tactician, "Don't you dare-"

"Sorry," Robin snapped his fingers and in a matter of seconds, Chrom found himself back at the base camp rolling with his momentum as he failed to stop Robin. He saw Lucina mortified when he looked up.

Pulling himself up, he quickly found Tiki, "Can you get me back up there?"

The manakete shook her head, "No. I lack the power. It…is in Robin's hands now."

"Look at you," Grima smirked even as Robin struggled to channel enough fell energy, "Struggling to manage even a single attack." Standing, Grima emitted a pulse of dark energy that sent Robin flying, barely able to recover himself at the back of Grima, "Pathetic.

"You should have let the prince finish me off," Grima summoned more Risen with outstretched hands, "Your meager power isn't up to the task. The scales were tipped against you from the start. Either you let the prince do the deed and give me time to grow my power, or you try to do it and likely die either way."

Panicked, Robin reached for his sword only to realize he had lost it in Grima's attack. He watched in horror as Grima cackled, surrounded by a horde of Risen. Lucina. He had failed her. Worse yet, he had seemingly guaranteed she lived through her trauma again.

"Lucina…I'm…sorry. I…can't…" He wanted to see her smile again. They had just been reunited.

"Ever the martyr," Grima mocked, "You are so determined to kill yourself that you finally got yourself in over your head. Well, you'll get your wish soon enough."

"No," Robin clenched his fists. The last thing he wanted was to be separated from her, but the odds dictated he would die, "No, I never wanted to die. I want to live. I just…wanted to keep everyone safe."

"What a fine job of that you've done."

"I just…want her to be happy. No, I also want to be happy with her," Robin clenched his teeth as his brand began to burn through his glove. He did not want to die, but he had accepted he would. If he believed he would die slaying Grima, he would never find a way to survive. Could he defy the odds to see her again? "And if that means I have to go through you, then so be it!"

"Looks like he still has some fight left, but don't you know, that power will kill you too."

"No," Robin began to march forward confidently, "I'll find a way. I'll push through. I won't accept death as a foregone conclusion," Holding his arms wide, he summoned several sigils behind him, "If the scales are weighed against me, then it's time to tip the scales!"

Energy poured out of the sigils at Robin's command forming bending and winding beams that tore through each and every Risen Grima had summoned. One made for Grima, but it was deflected as Grima looked rather irritated by the display.

"I do not fear you, Grima! This power you have amassed will be your undoing."

"You would claim my power!" Grima shouted, incensed at the mere idea, "You would take a god's power!"

"You're no god. You're a science experiment gone wrong. A sick and twisted monument to man's hubris. Forneus made you, it is only fitting his descendant end you."

Grima smirked, "That poor madman. He was a genius, but he was human. Still, he had set about to create perfection. I dare say he succeeded."

"All I see is a mistake. One I will finally correct."

"Is that so?" Grima smiled too widely, "You do not know the meaning of power. Allow me to demonstrate!"

Robin watched in disgust as tendrils erupted from Grima's back, impaling themselves into what used to be the other Robin's body. Bones snapped and skin tore as Grima integrated the human body. The end result was a grotesque and misshapen abomination. The arms were far too long and bony with visible muscle seen through tears in the skin, and a structure resembling a ribcage stood open, fused with Grima at what would have been the hips as a mutated spine ran up to the only semi recognizable feature left, but even Robin's face was marred by an overly distended jaw with too many teeth.

When the dragon's head finally spoke, Robin flinched still as its voice was unnaturally disturbing.

"I WILL BE YOUR END!"

Robin steeled himself though. He would not lose. Not to this thing. He would find a way back. He did not know how, but he would.

With one final burst of determination, Robin charged forward. As he did, he stretched out his hand and a few seconds later, Alm's Falchion flew into his hand. It sent a spark of dark power up his arm, stunning him for a moment, but he pushed through the numbness and seized the weapon as his own.

However, despite its hulking visage, Grima's grotesque form was fast. Fast enough to grab Robin out of the air as he lunged for the monstrosity. It's grip was tight, but his word arm was still free enough to plunge the corrupted Falchion into what was once a face.

The dragon itself howled in pain, but it was clearly still functional. The dragon head reared back to attack Robin directly while the boney arms kept him in place. Robin glared as dragon fire built up within its maw.

Fell electricity coursed through his entire body, arching between even strands of his hair as his eyes glowed with a bright purple light. The power truly was incredible without Grima's malice. On its own, it was no more evil than a sword.

Stretching forth his hand with a quickly dissipating mark of Grima, Robin gave one last promise.

"See you later, Lucina."

On the surface, the Shepherds saw a flash of light followed by an explosion coming from the dragon's back. Lucina forced herself not to look away, but Morgan could not bear to watch.

Mixed emotions filled her breasts as she saw Grima's body disintegrating from its own power. Robin had done it. He had slain the beast once and for all. It was everything she had fought so long and hard for.

So then why did she feel so miserable?

She wanted to cry. She wanted to despair, but she could not. That would be no way to honor Robin for what he had done. No matter how much she selfishly wished he had not done so.

"Mother," Morgan walked up beside her, "Are you okay?"

Lucina smiled, "I will be. Come. We have a lot of work to do." Looking back to the dissolving Fell Dragon, Lucina whispered, "I'll keep this world safe for you, Robin."

"So," Chrom walked over to the bench in front of the memorial, "How long has it been, old friend?" He looked up as if he expected the statue to respond, "Right, guess it hasn't actually been that long. Feels like a lifetime though.

"Sumia has really come into her role as queen. I knew she'd be great. She just needed a confidence boost. The kids are healthy. She gave birth a few weeks ago, and she's already up and about. Just can't keep her down.

"Lissa moved to Regna Ferox after we got back. I'll admit, I wasn't too happy, but they genuinely love each other. She keeps saying she isn't delicate, so maybe I should take her at her word.

"Oh, speaking of happy couples, Frederick and Cherche are engaged. I know I should have seen it coming, but I had a hard time imagining Frederick settling down. Not that I'm upset about being proven wrong. He deserves it more than most. Though I guess now maybe we should invest in a wyvern division.

"Cordelia has kept up her superb work as Wing Commander with Stahl becoming a knight captain. Both are excelling at their jobs, though Cordelia finally did something she's never done before: she asked for time off. Something about a romantic getaway. Naturally, I granted the request without a second thought.

"Miriel has left the military and focused on her research. I imagine she'll be more useful in that department. Kellam is still a knight, and he's serving dutifully.

"Donnel went back to his village even though I offered him a knighthood. Said he needed to protect his village and his 'ma' which I can respect. Nowi went with him. If anyone can keep up with her, it'd be him. Hopefully she'll enjoy the countryside.

"Henry…I actually don't know where he went. I just know Olivia went with him. Rumor has it they eloped. Well, at least she'll be…mostly safe with him around.

"Yen'fay made a clean break after all was said and done. I hope he went back to Chon'sin. Say'ri wants to establish formal diplomatic ties, and I'm happy to do so. Maybe I'll find out then.

"Priam…went somewhere. Not sure where. He didn't seem too broken up over Ragnell's fate, instead insisting it was a worthy way to end its legacy. He's an odd one, but a good man. Wherever he finds himself, I wish him the best.

"Tiki has been more sociable from what I hear. I even heard she may be trying to patch things up with her mother, but no one is brave enough to ask how that's going or if it's even true."

Chrom sighed looking off to the horizon, "So much has happened, but I guess I know who you want to know about the most. You know, we never got to have a talk about how you married my daughter, but I can't be too mad. You made her happy, despite the rough patches. Guess it's more funny than anything.

"They put up a brave face, but I know they're hurting. Morgan hasn't given up hope that you're alive. We didn't find a body, true. Not sure there would have been one, but you already cheated death once and with that much magic involved, who can say? I hope it is true. For their sakes as well. So, if you can hear me, hurry back. You're missing stuff, and you're missed."

Standing from the bench, Chrom offered a smile. Before walking back to the castle.

A/N: Phew, this was a long time coming. One of my longest stories yet. Can't say I'm fully satisfied with the finale, but hopefully it was still enjoyable. I guess now is a fine time to take any questions you might have. Within reason. Though if you're on FF, please note if you actually want a response. Not everyone seems to want replies.

Will probably take a bit of a break from posting before the next project.

Welp, thanks for reading.

Okay, yeah, he's alive, obviously. Here ya go:

Robin groaned as he slowly regained consciousness. Everything felt so numb, but that was quickly giving way to pain. It took him a while to recollect his thoughts. He was fighting Grima. The dragon attacked as he did. His spell went through the fire causing an explosion before piercing Grima's skull through the mouth. The discharge left him exhausted and weakened. The backlash was intense.

But…he was alive. He was pretty sure he was at least.

He could hear movement. A search party? Slowly forcing his eyes open, he was greeted with glowing red eyes instead of friendly faces. His eyes darted open before Robin pushed himself back, narrowly avoiding a sword that hit the dirt he had just been lying on moments earlier.

Robin did not hesitate to run his attacker through with a thoron bolt before rolling away from the ax of the Risen cleric and doing the same to her. As the adrenaline faded along with the Risen, he pulled himself up and slowly took in his surroundings.

Ruin. Ash. Death.

The grandmaster fell to his knees as he stared out onto the ruined horizon.

"No…"

To Be Continued…