Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Verge of History
A dark, black night illuminated by a bloody red moon shone down over an, admittedly, rather poorly put together campground of a few tent varieties. Very much on edge.
There was cackling of a fire, and distant, uncertain mutters of a variety of people. The two sounds that had become an ever present constant to the princess of Ylisse
She scoffed at that though, some princess she actually looked. What with long blue hair and blue eyes, a blue tunic dress with yellow linings over a black woolen bodysuit, blue scarf around her neck, two blue shoulder armor plate on both sides, two straps around her body, blue fingerless arm gloves with white cuffs and knee-high blue boots.
The only things that gave her such an esteemed title of “princess.” was her golden tiara, said to have been worn by her Aunt Lissa for the brief stint she was in charge. And, perhaps most importantly, her left eye bearing the Brand of the Exalt, the brand that signified her bloodline was that of royalty to the distant hero king. Her father had borne one himself before the betrayal, the fall, and discretion of a once beautiful land.
Aunt Lissa had fallen shortly after, all of her father’s former friends had. All they left behind, were her, and a bunch of others just like her, the resistance that she’d been leading, had grown powerless, and more importantly hopeless. And all because one person, the person her father trusted the most, betrayed them for that wretched fell dragon.
As much as she had tried to lead them. There was only so much they could do, they may have been the same age as most of their parents had been when the first war happened. But, that was then, years ago. That was the day everything fell, long before any of them would ever be born.
With the Fell Dragon awakened, chaos and tyranny had come, and swiftly too, there were hardly survivors left, and it was why the once mighty army of her father, the shepherds, had come down to her, and her fellow descendents of members once a part of her father’s once great army. Though all of them shared her similarly optimistic and hopeful outlook that they could pull through, each day, cracks began to form in even the most level headed and brash of them.
Normally, she’d go confide in her patrol with one of them. Talk about something hopeful, a weak point, or lack of Risen around the area. However, tonight, she wanted to talk to only one person in particular, the one member her fellow shepherds didn’t trust.
She entered her captain’s tent, which she shared with the only resistance fighter that didn’t come from a member of her father’s army.
He was a young man, scarily close to her age. He had very short blond hair that he’d grown out over his own left eye. He was dressed in a black and blue cloak that obscured most of his body, which he covered his other sides with blue gloves and boots. Around his waist was a sheath which housed his sword, a unique looking object, more than the Falchion that served as a memory of her father. His was a sapphire blade and emerald hilted rapier like sword.
“Your Highness.” The man said, giving her a bow, his tone was rather deadpanned, it barely, if ever, showed any emotional shift. Which, though added to the mistrust her fellow shepherds had in him, it made him very excellently tactical, which helped her as a commander.
It also, rather ironically, gave her comfort, her father was said to have a tactician of his own that was of equal competence. Though, that was all she knew about the tactician in question. Other than, according to records, he had never married anyone in her father’s army.
“Please, Moon, call me Lucina.” she replied gently, but rather firmly. “We are far beyond the titles of Princess and Commoner in this world.”
Moon gazed at her in his usual, dead look. Most of her fellow shepherds had told her they found his look uncomfortable, even evil. In a sense, she understood their criticism, given who Moon was. However, in her mind, he had proven his trust the day he arrived and saved her from near death. And, even though many would protest, she felt as if she could trust him.
“Lucina…” he spoke, after a moment. “What can I assist you with?”
She smiled, though Moon wasn’t trusted among her army. It didn’t stop or deter him from always offering assistance to her, or anyone else where necessary.
“I wanted to speak with you, about your home.” She replied.
Moon didn’t necessarily react, but he did reply much faster than usual.
“Lucina,” he replied, “While I am forever grateful to you for putting your trust in me, despite being a descendant of the Fell Dragons. You know that my ancestral home in the Outrealms is not a place I can take you and your shepherds to myself. The realm I come from is incompatible with your kind. The only reason I am able to survive here is because I dismissed my ability to transform.”
“You’ve explained to me before, but that wasn’t what I wished to ask of you.” Lucina replied.
Moon raised his only exposed eyebrow. “So…what did you wish to ask?”
Lucina sighed as she crossed her arms. “As you know, the shepherds and I tried to perform the long rumored awakening ceremony to resurrect the power of Naga, and give my Falchion the ability to slay Grima.” she said. “However, despite our best searches, we’ve been unable to ever locate the last gemstone needed to complete the emblem.”
Moon nodded his head. “You explained to me that is how your sword became the, what Owain now calls, the Parallel Falchion.” he replied. “I’ve tried using my magic to locate the last of the emblem’s stone as you requested. However, I must confirm to you that I’ve had no success in doing so. It would not surprise me if Grima has destroyed the stone already.”
Lucina bit down on her lip. “I see…” she replied.
“I’m very sorry that I cannot be of more use to you and the shepherds.” Moon replied. “However, I do not intend to jump ship. I made an oath to you, and wish to see you happy.”
Lucina chuckled. “So you’ve mentioned.” She shook her head and put on a more serious face. “Your services have been helpful, Moon. However, Laurent approached me earlier today with…something interesting. It is a direct idea from Naga herself.”
“Naga sharing information with you about something you could do to save your realm is quite unlike her.” Moon replied. “Normally she wishes to stay out of the affairs, as the awakening ceremony only gives us the ability to bless her power. What was her suggestion?”
“Naga mentioned a ritual…” Lucina replied. “We can use the last of the strength of the current Fire Emblem, to perform a ritual, one that can send us back in time…to any point of our choosing.”
“I’ve heard of such a ritual…one existed in my own homeworld.” he replied, calmly. “I didn’t realize that it would be a constant in your realm as well. I assume you want to go back in time and stop your father from being assassinated, then?”
Lucina hesitated. “As much as I would like too…Laurent and Owain do not believe that would be far enough back. According to Aunt Lissa, my father took a serious blow on the night of Exalt Emmeryn’s assassination. One that, unfortunately, crippled his strength for the rest of his time in leadership. I’ve been told that, though my father was strong, that wound would eventually catch back up to him when he led the charge against Grima and the Risen. This world, the destruction of it…it all happened because my father ascended the throne too early, because my Aunt Emmeryn was assassinated.”
“Lucina…” She looked at Moon’s rather uncomfortable face. “I am telling you this as both your Tactician, and your friend. As a traveler of the Outrealms, I have been to many worlds and many timelines in those worlds.”
Lucina frowned. “Are you going to tell me that I can’t change time?” she asked, “Are you worried that doing so will erase me from existence.”
“Quite the contrary, your idea to save Emmeryn to change the timeline is wonderful.” Moon shook his head, startling her. “However, one thing I have learned in my travels is that; while it is possible to change your fate and challenge your future. Some events are simply unalterable. We Fell Dragons in the Outrealms refer to them as Constants. Meaning, no matter how many times you do it over, no matter how many times you do it differently, the outcome remains the same. Fate is a dastardly force, it does not like to be trampled with. And if there’s one thing that Constants apply to the most, it's usually death.”
“I see…Lucina frowned. “So, even if I succeed in my goal, it might not be enough.”
“Additionally, Naga probably didn’t mention this…but…even if you and the shepherds all travel back together, there is no guarantee you’ll end up in the same place. Doubly so since I cannot determine which of your fellow shepherds' births are constants, and who is simply a lucky coin flip. For all I know, if we were to perform this ritual, there’s a chance that only a few of you make it to the other side. But the others either fade from time itself, or become stuck in limbo until their fates are corrected.”
Lucina sighed uncomfortably. “So…there’s a chance the ritual doesn’t even work?”
“I mean…” Moon frowned. “It will work on me, since I am an outsider to your realm, and I can try and ensure that all your fates still happen so you are still to be born and can join me. However, some of you may be constants, and join me, though as mentioned we’d be separated most likely and might not be able to regroup.”
“I see…” Lucina replied. “So, when our fates are secured, that’s when we’d be allowed to come out through the ritual?”
“That’s correct.” Moon replied. “Additionally, Lucina, you, and the other shepherds, must know that this is strictly a one way street. If we were to succeed, you’d all still be forced to remain in the new timeline, with yourselves being born. You essentially will be erasing yourselves to make a new version. You won’t exactly disappear, but your personalities won’t shift to match these new versions you make caused by you all living in a future where your parents still live. As far as you are concerned, Lucina, doing this means you will no longer be the new Chrom’s daughter. For he will have a Lucina he calls his own.”
“And…what about my sibling?” Lucina asked.
“There is no guarantee Chrom will marry the same woman who births your sibling.” Moon replied. “There’s a real chance your memories with them will be overridden. Are these risks that you, and the other shepherds will be willing to take?”
Lucina frowned as she gripped the Falchion in her hand, looking at her tactician.
“I will be happy to assist you any way I can, Lucina.” Moon replied, bowing to her. “However, I can guarantee no success and no survivors.”
The Princess sighed as she took off her tiara and looked at it.
“We shall discuss Laurent’s findings with the rest of the shepherds, and put it to a vote.” She said. “This might be our only chance in order to save our world.”
Moon nodded. “I shall summon them, then and we can explain all this.” Her tactician left the tent as the princess looked back at her tiara.
“Father…I will change your fate. I promise.”
“Hey! Wake up! We have to do something…”
“What do you propose we do?”
Two voices, a man and woman stirred in his head, as another man slowly blinked awake. The man had short, but very messy, white hair. He was wearing a black trenchcoat with purple highlights on the inside, and gold accents around the button area that was opened to reveal a plain undershirt and dark trousers that went down to some brown boots.
He blinked awake as his vision became more clear, and he could see fully the image of the two people, the young man and woman, staring above him.
“Er I don’t know? Huh?...” The young woman noticed his eyes fluttered, fulling open and remained that way.
“I see you’re awake now…” The man said.
“Hey there!” The girl added, rather cheerfully.
“There are better places to take a nap than on the ground.” The blue-haired man offered his hand covered by a brown glove out here.”
He reached out, spotting a pink marking, a weird symbol of squiggles over the back of his hand, but paid it no mind as the blue-haired man helped him up.
Now that he was standing upright, he could see he was in a big grassy field. And, there were not two people who were looking over him, but rather, three.
The blue haired man who had helped him up was wearing a dark blue outfit set of armor that only had one sleeve, the other was completely removed showing off a pink branding across his arm. He had a white cape flowing backwards, that just barely obscured a hilt for his sword.
Standing next to him was a young lady with pigtailed blonde hair and a buttoned white headdress with blue eyes. She was wearing a yellow dress with a cage skirt covered by a white apron. This covered her short legs above her white stockings going to her brown boots, and she was clutching a staff with a blue orb on top.
The last person was standing a bit behind the two who had just helped him up. He was a taller man, with dark brown hair and eyes. He had a rather stone cold demeanor as he gave the man a suspicious look, one that was only exemplified by his clutching of a lance whose head was pointed to the sky. The man was glad in very heavy looking silver armor that had blue accent symbols in various points.
“You okay?” The blue-haired man asked, as the white haired man stood up, clutching his head briefly.
“Y-Yes…thank you, Chrom.”
“Ah, so you know who I am?” Chrom asked, curiously.
The White haired man blinked as he shook his head. “No, actually, I…It’s strange…your name, it just…came to me…”
That response earned him a very confused look exchange from Chrom and the blonde-haired girl, and an extremely cold glare from the armored man standing behind them.
“Hmm, how curious…” Chrom replied. “Tell me, what’s your name? What brings you here?”
“My name is…it’s…umm…” The white haired man gritted his teeth, his brain feeling rather fuzzy, like static electricity running through it.
There was a long pause as Chrom looked over at the brown-haired man, whose frustration seemed to be at its breaking point.
“You don’t know your own name?”
The three watched as the white-haired man began looking around the open field. “I’m not sure if…I’m sorry, but where am I, exactly?”
The blonde-haired girl gasped. “Oh…I’ve heard of this! It’s called amnesia!”
“No, it’s called a load of pegasus shit, Lissa.” Making the blonde-haired girl jump, as Chrom turned his head to the man. “Milord, you’re really going to believe this…stranger…that we found passed out in the middle of the field somehow remembers or knows your name, but not his own?”
Chrom looked back at the white-haired man, who was still looking back at them, as he locked his blue eyes with the man's brown ones, he couldn’t exactly get any reading other than one of extreme confusion, and now possibly also concerned at his lieutenants rather choice words for someone who was quite literally standing only a few feet in front of them.
“And what if it IS true, Frederick?” he replied, rather critically. “We can’t just leave him here, alone and confused. What sort of Shepherds would be then, Huh?”
“We would be just the same shepherds, Milord. However, as your lieutenant I will always emphasize caution. ‘Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock. Especially one in a sheep's robe.”
Chrom and Lissa looked over at Frederick. “Right then–” Chrom said. “How about we just take him into town, and get things sorted from there.”
The white-haired man jumped. “Wait–do I get a say in any of this?!” He asked.
“Peace, friend–I promise we’ll hear all you have to say back in town. Now, come.”
The three of them walked along the trail towards a town that Frederick had motioned would be closest to them. Chrom and Lissa both led ahead, but they did chance a few looks back at the strange man. Though it earned them a scowl from Frederick, and the white-haired man remained rather quiet throughout the walk back. At least until Frederick got a bit too close to him for comfort.
“And what will you do with me when we arrive to town?” The man asked. “Am I to be your prisoner?”
Chrom laughed a little. “You’ll be free to go once we establish that you’re no enemy of Ylisse, friend. We are not a society of barbarians and slaves.”
“So that is where we are? Ylisse, Hmm.”
Chrom frowned as he noted Frederick's suspicious glare return. “You’ve never heard of the halidom?” his lieutenant scoffed. “I sure hope you aren’t a performer, because unless you play a fool, I am not convinced. Your furrowed brow says everything.”
“Frederick, please.” Chrom replied, rather firmly. “This land is known as the Halidown of Ylisse. Our ruler, Emmeryn, is called the exalt.”
The white-haired man still looked rather uncomfortable, it probably didn’t help that Frederick’s glare could kill a man even if he wasn’t seeing it.
“I suppose proper introductions are in order, to put your mind at ease.” He said. “My name is Chrom–but then, you already knew that.”
He motioned at Lissa. “The delicate one here is my little lister, Lissa, she’s a cleric.”
Those words made the blonde haired girl jump up in frustration. “I am NOT delicate!...Hmph!” she scoffed, before turning back to the man. “Please ignore my brother. He can be a bit thick sometimes. But you’re lucky the Shepherds found you. Brigands would’ve been an extremely rude awakening you know!”
The white-haired man only seemed more confused at that as his eyes went from Lissa, to Chrom, then back over to Frederick.
“Shepherds? You tend sheep?” he asked, rather confused. “In…full armor?”
“Heh, it’s quite a dangerous job. Just ask Frederick the Wary here.”
“It’s a title I shall wear with pride, Milord.” the man said, bowing. “Gods forbid one of us keeps an appropriate level of caution, especially when milady is here too.”
He then turned to the white-haired man.
“I have every wish to trust you, stranger, but my station amongst the Shepherds mandates otherwise, I can only demand that you don’t take my suspicion of you out on Milord here.”
“I completely understand, sir.” The white haired man replied. “I’d probably do the same myself…my name is Robin.”
There was a dead silence as Chrom facepalmed while Lissa looked nervous. Fredericks frown returned in much harsher stance
The man, Robin, blinked. “Huh…I just remembered that…How odd…I suppose that’s one mystery solved.
“Robin…huh?” Chrom asked, noting Frederick's increasingly disapproving gaze. “We can discuss that later, We’re almost to town anyway…Once we’re there, we can-”
“CHROM! The men’s heads darted to Lissa. “The town! It’s on fire!”
They looked over and down the mountain side, there was a small town that they could see, and there was a lot of thick black smoke rising from certain areas close to the entrance, where they could see a marketplace.
“Damn it! The town is ablaze!” Chrom grunted. “Those blasted brigands again, no doubt…Frederick, Lissa! Quickly”
“What about Robin?” Frederick asked.
“Unless Robin’s on fire as well, it can wait, there are people who need help!”
“Aptly put, milord.” Frederick put two fingers to his mouth and whistled.
Robin watched in confusion before a loud neigh echoed as a horse ran in from over the horizon and stopped by Frederick.
“I see Sumia’s animal whispering is helping you” Chrom smiled as Frederick climbed on top of it.
“Let’s go already!” Lissa cried. The three took off down the hill towards the town.
“Wait but what about-” Robin watched as the three took off towards the burning town.
He bit down on his lip, he could take the opportunity and make a break for it. However, watching them go towards the town, he also couldn’t help but feel as though he needed to go after them. Something inside him was telling him to do so, but…
He felt around, and, he did feel something attached to him, and he quickly pulled out a small bronze sword.
“Alright lads, get to it!” A rough headed buff man cackled, taking a torch and setting it to a wooden stand right outside a stone temple. Ya know the drill, Grab anything shiny, and put the rest to the torch! We’s gots an example to set for those Ylissean Scum!
Lissa, Frederick, and Chrom arrived on the outskirts by the market place.
“Chrom! We have to stop them!” Lissa cried. “There could be people in that temple that need a heal!”
“Don’t worry, Lissa.” Chrom assured her. “After today, these bandits won’t be bothering anyone ever again! Frederick, follow my-”
Before he could finish the three were cut off as Robin ran up to them, the white-haired man took a minute to catch his breath.
“Robin? You followed us!”
“I’m…I’m not certain myself, Chrom.” The man said, standing up. “However, I’m armed,” he pulled out the bronze sword to show the man. “So I have to know my way around a fight, and, if there’s people in trouble, I feel I should help…”
He spotted Frederick's rather annoyed frown. “That is, if you’ll trust me enough to have me. If you think I’ll be a liabilty…”
“Nonsense–strenght in numbers, and we could use any help necessary incase they have hostages. Just…stay close…Lissa can fix you up if you get injured.”
The blonde-haired girl nodded as she clutched her staff.
“Speaking of, Lissa…” Frederick said, sternly, “These are practiced thieves and murderers, you are a cleric, you have no magic yet, simply the staff. They will grant you no quarter, so it’s stay back or be killed…or worse.”
“I…I understand, Frederick.” Lissa nodded.
By now, the rogue by the temple had spotted the four of them in the marketplace.
“Shepherds?! Already!” The man grunted. “Dammit! They’re fast!”
“There seems to be only one…man…but with this much destruction from just one man, I find that unlikely.” Frederick calmly observed.
Robin’s eyes suddenly glowed “There’s 4 others hiding around here.” he said, suddenly, as everyone looked at him. “2 bandits with swords, 1 Brigand with an Axe…and 1 Mage with a wind tome.”
“How do you…”
“I…I don’t know…” Robin said, shaking his head. “When I stepped onto this battlefield…I was suddenly able to just…see them…I…I must’ve studied this somewhere.”
Chrom and Lissa both looked confused, but Frederick actually had a shocked reaction to that.
“Forgive me, Milord, I know we must act fast…but there might be something up with Robin, do you have that Thunder Tome the kind lady Lissa helped cure?”
Lissa frowned. “But…you said you were gonna-”
“Lissa, this is more important.” Frederick scolded.
Lissa nodded slowly as she pulled out a yellow book and handed it to Robin.
“Robin, where was the closest enemy?” Frederick asked.
Robin blinked as he caught the yellow book. “I…I believe from my…vision…the closest one is…hiding behind this stall near Lissa.”
“Very well then…Robin, go get him…and use that tome!”
Robin nodded as Chrom flinched nervously.
“Frederick…this is quite unlike you…” he started. “Are you trying too-”
“Have faith in me, milord, you should know I would never send someone to their death. Especially on your watch.” Frederick replied firmly. “If things go amiss, we are right here to jump in.
“Yeah, but still…you’re assuming he knows how to control magic.”
“Trust me, Milord.” Frederick said, calmly.
Robin nervously approached the stall closest to Lissa, he knew there was supposed to be a bandit here. He quietly peaked around the corner, and spotted the bandit, he was moved towards the other side, perhaps waiting to jump Lissa should she have moved that way.
He quietly took the Thunder tome and it began sizzling in his hands. Somehow, despite his lack of understanding, he knew what to do.
“Thunder!” He commanded, thrusting his hand at the bandit.
The bandit jumped at his command and turned as a ball of electricity shot out of the man’s hand and collided with the bandit, knocking him back.
“Ergh! The bandit charged at him and swung his Iron sword, which Robin quickly jumped out of the way and launched another thunder ball back, the bandit was knocked down and dropped his sword with a groan.
“Phew…guess I do know how to use tomes, and a sword too.” Robin smiled.
“Look out!” He flinched as Chroms skidded in front of him. The blue-haired man quickly unsheathed the sword in his holster, revealing a mostly silver sword with gold highlights on the blade that went down to an open circular hole in the center, with a red hilt that the man gripped with his brown gloves.
The little brand on the man’s arm glowed as he swung the sword at a Brigand that jumped out to attack Robin from behind as he sliced through the enemy with a clean cut.
“Thank you,” Robin said, giving him a nod.
The two looked on as another bandit came charging at them. Chrom quickly jumped back as the bandit made a slash, while Robin blasted the bandit back with a thunder ball, as the blue-haired man came charging back and smacking the bandit back with a slash.
“You’re full of surprises, huh.” Chrom said, smiling at Robin.
Robin smiled before he felt a blast into his stomach that pushed him back. Chrom quickly looked over as a mage dressed in red robes twirled his hand around as a green gust of wind began to develop around his hand.
“Frederick! Give me a hand!”
“Yes Milord!” Frederick revved his horse and charged past him holding a Silver Lance with which he jabbed into the mage at a rapid speed, sending the magic user’s body flying backwards.
“Lissa! Robin took a hit!” Chrom called his sister.
Robin panted as Lissa ran over to him clutching her staff. “Don’t worry Robin, I’m a great healer, thanks to my trusty staff!” She twirled the staff around as the blue orb at the top began glowing.
Robin felt a warm feeling go through him as the pain in his stomach disappeared.
“You okay?” Chrom asked.
“Yes.” Robin replied.
“Good, you said with your weird powers that there were just those 4, we can get the leader now.”
The four continued through the marketplace towards the final, biggest brigand who was waiting for them at the temple entrance.
“Well well well…if it ain’t the shepherds, lined up like lambs to the slaughter.” The Brigand jeered. His eyes moved over to fixate on Lissa. “And lookee here…they brought a nice lady fresh for picken.”
“Bleh.” Lissa grimaced. “Usually I don’t have standards for what I’d consider an attractive man. But at least have the courtesy to look handsome if you’re gonna make such inappropriate threats at me.”
“That accent…” Chrom said, giving him a glare.
Frederick nodded as he pointed his lance at the man. “You there…sir…surrender yourself, and come for questioning by the order of the shepherds…do so, and provide us with information, and we will look at perhaps…not executing you.”
The brigand frowned, “Hmm…the noble shepherds are giving me a chance…” he said.
Robin felt his eyes flash as something on the Brigands waist got highlighted as his eyes looked closer to Lissa.
He quickly ran in front of the young woman just as the Brigand took out a hand axe and chucked it at her.
Thinking quickly, he launched a Thunderball from his hand to stop the axe.
“Chrom! Now’s your chance!”
Chrom quickly charged forward and quickly slashed the man twice, before Frederick followed up with a lance jab as the man was sent to the ground.
“Dammit…I thought…this would be easy pickens.” The man’s eyes closed.
“That…that takes care of it…” Robin said… “I can’t…feel the presence of more enemies.”
“Good, let’s put out these fires, Lissa, see if anyone inside that temple needs healing.” Chrom said. “Frederick, stay close to her incase another surprise jump comes.”
“Yes Milord.”
Thankfully, with the exception of the fires on the few marketplace stalls, the damage to the town was mostly minimal, probably helped that were only 5 bandits in Robin’s mind, but that was not his call to talk about.
He and Chrom regrouped with Frederick and Lissa as they sent off a Mom and young boy.
“Phew…” Lissa wiped her forehead. “Lucky for the town, we were close by, and there weren’t many bandits.”
“Agreed, we were lucky, especially since it was just the three…sorry, four of us.” Frederick said. “We must join camp with the other shepherds, though. In case such a thing were to happen again.
“But holy wow!” Lissa’s eyes sparkled at Robin. “You were incredible! Swords, Sorcery, and those weird tactic powers that allowed you to see the enemies without moving! You’re a full package! Is there anything you can’t do.”
“Well um…truth be told…I don’t know how I got those…weird abilities to see all the enemies…their weapons, strengths and weaknesses.” Robin frowned.
“Ahem…that…brings up a good point, Lissa.” Frederick said, “Milord, it appears that our little field friend is no ordinary spellsword. He’s a full on trained Tactician. I’ve heard tales of such, notably from the legend of the Blazing Blade, of a tactician named Mark, who was blessed with the gift to see all aspects of the enemy army, securing victory over the Black Fang.”
Robin frowned uncomfortably, though what Frederick said would probably be taken as high praise, the man’s stone cold demeanor and body language suggested that he was still very much disapproving and cautious, especially in encouraging Chrom.
The blue haired man locked eyes with him. “You’re certainly no helpless villager, that much is for sure.” The man said calmly.
“Indeed, perhaps now you can conjure up an explanation for how and more importantly…why you came here.”
Robin flinched, he tried racketing his brain. “I understand your skepticism, Sir Frederick. However, I cannot explain why only some knowledge has returned to me. Please believe that I have shared all that I know, and…as more comes…I will let you know.”
Frederick frowned disapprovingly as Chrom cleared his throat.
Robin, you have fought to save Ylissean lives instead of running off a coward when given the opportunity. My heart says that’s enough.”
“And what of your mind, milord? A good leader needs to rule with both a sharp head and passionate heart. Will you not heed your mind's counsel as well?”
“Frederick, my mind is telling me that the Shepherds could use someone with Robin’s talent, a fully trained tactician is a class very hard to come by, even the best mages we know could never fully reach the talent and abilities Robin possesses. We’ve brigands and unruly neighbors all looking to bloody our soil.”
“But Milord.”
“Even if it ends up being a bad investment, most other nations against Ylisse would eagerly snatch up such an opportunity. I believe Robin’s kindness makes him human, odd as his story may be, I believe his shielding of Lissa from the bandit and his willingness to follow us into the town when we left him on the streets says we should give him a chance.”
“Yeah…” Lissa agreed. “Besides, would the great Frederick the Wary REALLY deny the opportunity to a tactician that could actually GIVE Chrom good advice he’ll listen too?”
Robin saw the look of contemplation. “I still disapprove of your thought process, Milord. However, it is not my decision to make.”
Robin smiled. “Th-Thank you, Chrom…truly.”
“That’s good…” Chrom said. “Because, I’m sure Frederick heard too, those Brigands spoke with a Plegian accent.”
Robin frowned. “Plegian?” he asked.
“Plegia is Ylisse’s westerly neighbor.” Frederick explained. “They’ve quite a rowdy bunch.”
“They’ve been sending small bands of outlaws into our territory in the hopes of instigating a war with us for quite some time now.” Chrom explained.
“And it’s always the poor townsfolk who suffer!” Lissa shook her head in disappointment. “Many of our people are very much not equipped to fight. Totally innocent, and totally helpless.”
“That is why we are the shepherds.” Frederick said, rather sternly. “We are the ones who protect the sheep. It is best for you two to not be swept in your anger with the Plegians, a day may come when the exalt can have negotiations with the royals. As frustrating as it sounds, we cannot sour that tension. It will cloud your judgement to remain angry.”
“I know, I know…” Lissa replied. “I’ll get used to all this…stuff…eventually.”
“Milord!” The four turned their heads as a villager approached them. “Please, we insist you stay the night as a way of expressing gratitude…I know we are simple folk of simple means…but, should you accept, we shall gladly toast your valor with a feast!”
Robin noted the excited look of Lissa at that as she started rambling about what food she wanted, truthfully, he was starting to get hungry himself, so the idea didn’t sound too bad. But, a glance at Chrom and Frederick told him the two men appeared to have other plans.
“Your offer is mighty generous, sir.” Chrom said. “And there is no doubt in my mind that your hospitality would be so grand. However, the shepherds require no such gratitude. Your safety and simple offer of thanks is payment enough.”
“Additionally, we are supposed to be making our way back to Ylisstol.” Frederick nodded, in Chrom's direction with an approving smile.
“...Oh and Dark meat only for me, medium well, no salt in the soup. I simply–wait WHAT?!” Lissa stopped. “We’re not staying?! But it’s nearly dark! Frederick!”
“When the night falls, we’ll camp. Eat off the land, make our bed of twigs, and the like.” Frederick said proudly. “I believe you mentioned that you would be…getting used to this…milady.”
The blonde-haired girl groaned. “Frederick…sometimes I hate you.”
Robin frowned over at Frederick. “Quite the stern lieutenant you are,” he said.
“Yeah, well, “stern.” is one name for it. I can think of a few others!” Lissa pouted.
“Frederick is quite known amongst our fellow shepherds for only smiling when he’s about to bring down the axe…or lance…or sword…” Chrom rubbed the back of his head.
“Duly noted…” Robin replied.
“AHEM!” The three jolted their heads back. “You do realize I AM still present?”
“Oh, we did.” Chrom chuckled. As did Robin.
Frederick still didn’t seem very amused. “Milord remains as amusing as ever,” he said. “Now then, shall we be going?”
“Yes, yes, we don’t want our fellow Shepherds to worry.” Chrom said calmly. “Robin, let’s get going, the capital isn’t far, even if we’ll end up having to camp at night.”
Robin nodded his head as he began following the three out of the town. Though his head still felt quite fuzzy from any memories…somehow, in his heart, he knew he was doing something that would shift history…whatever it was, if it was good, would remain to be seen.
“And so…that is what I believe can be done.” Lucina said. Stopping her hands on a lectern that was set up for her. Moon was standing slightly behind her to the left with a rather neutral expression as she looked down at her fellow 11 shepherds.
“THIS is the conclusion you came to?” Severa asked, rather annoyed. “Abandon our home timeline here and put us into a stasis so we can MAYBE go back in time and help our parents when they were OUR age after they have US?!”
“As…insane as it sounds…I think I have to agree with Severa.” Spoke Nah. “Though all our parents have been lost to this…war…this devastating land. Many of us know that they’ve fallen, and we still have memories from…before these terrible days. What you are asking of us…you are asking us to find our parents, and change the course of history for children we will never get to be.”
“Sure…that future might be better, more ideal…than the home we have right now.” Gerome said rather calmly. “However, as you said yourself, even if we succeed, we will not simply be erased from existence, nor can we return to this time to see the fruits of our endeavors, we simply will remain stuck in that timeline, with our parents, and the soon to be new borns of ourselves.”
“At that point, are we really even fixing our world, and saving what our parents wanted us to?” As Yarne. “Or are we simply leaving the task they gave to us to try and correct something that may not be correctable by them?”
There were murmurs amongst the remaining shepherds, Owain, Inigo, Brady, Kjelle, Cynthia, and Noire, as Lucina turned nervously to Moon. Who simply shrugged his shoulders
“Listen…I…I understand that what I’m asking of you sounds…insane…and…even upsetting. It does basically feel like we’re admitting defeat, and confessing failure to our parents. That hope is lost for this world at this time.” Lucina said, looking back at her fellow shepherds. “My father’s legacy when making the shepherds was that they would always be the protectors of peace for the land of Ylisse!”
She paused as they kept looking at her.
“As…as much as I don’t want to admit it…we need to recognize the truth that’s eaten away at us.” She continued. “We were handed an unwinnable hand. A land that was already too broken to fix fully. Try as we might, each day, Grima’s power surges, and Risen continues to multiply the number of survivors we come across dwindles, we haven’t seen any in ages.”
The uncomfortable nature of the camp grew as Lucina took a deep breath.
“This is about more than us, now.” She said, rather firmly. “The 11 of us change our destinies, and our livelihoods, We undo the tragic events that plagued my family. The same ones that lead your families to sacrifice themselves in a war they knew they could not win for the chance to leave us a better world. I believe that our parents would advise us all to do this.”
“And, it’s not just for you 11.” Moon spoke up, as Lucina looked at him. “You 11 are the strongest warriors this land knows, there’s a reason we’ve all evaded Grima’s hunt. All the victims of Grima get a second chance at a better world too and all it took was the sacrifice of our 12 lives.”
“12 lives, undone and rewritten, to potentially protect an entire world full of people from the terrors we face with the Risen.” Lucina said, looking between all of them. “Is this the world we want to be selfish for? A land that, even if we did magically defeat Grima, is charred, and stained in blood and corpses, with land that can never so much as be fertile for food again?”
Her words, weird as they sounded, did seem to finally convince her fellow shepherds, as each of them stood up.
“You’re right, Lucina.” Laurent said, adjusting his glasses. “We should stop thinking about it.”
“Yeah, you’re really getting the hang of this princess leader, just like Chrom…maybe.” Cynthia smiled.
Lucina felt her eyes water as she wiped them away quickly and smiled. “Thank you, everyone.” she said.
“So…when do we do this thang?” Brady asked, tilting his head.
“Yeah…my sword arm twitches.” Owain said, clutching his hand.
Moon looked at the Fire Emblem as Lucina handed it to him. “Very well then,” he said. “Now, when you exit the side ritual form in the past, there is a good chance that we will not be together, so we will have to do what we can to survive. Conveniently, when we exit, we will be put somewhere in the timeline that is relevant to your family in the shepherds. So…when you come out, you’ll have to find a way to survive until the Shepherds eventually arrive. Hopefully by then Lucina and I will have joined them.”
Everyone nodded their heads.
“Okay…let’s do this.” Moon’s eyes glowed as a blue summoner portal began to open.
One by one each of the 11 shepherds began to walk through the summoner's portal as Moon and Lucina watched them go. However, as before Gerome walked through, he turned to Lucina, and handed her something. A blue metal mask…that would observe her eyes.”
“Wear this…” he said, calmly. “Moon has advised me that, if you run into your father, you’ll want to ensure he is unable to notice that your brand isn’t seen before our problem time is revealed. Minerva and I will see you on the other side.” He guided the wyvern he was with through the portal with him.
“You’ll want to put that on as he says.” Lucina looked over at her tactician, who frowned. “My guess is that you, Lucina, are a Constant, therefore, you will exit the ritual near your father. If we want your birth to remain intact, Chrom cannot find out you are his daughter until after you are born. The mask will obscure your brand, even if it comes off.”
Lucina nodded her head as she placed the mask over her face. Moon frowned.
“Actually…let’s…” he moved over and began tying up her hair behind the mask, which took him a while before he came back.
“It’s a bit of a…stretch…” he said. “But using some of my magic, I was able to make your hair appear shorter. You should be able to pass as a male if you use a good enough voice.”
“Are you sure passing myself off as male is a good idea?”
“Whatever obscures your identity, there may very well be foes who exist beyond space and time. Looking to keep the mole that killed your father safe.” Moon replied. "Time travel is a complicated subject."
Lucina smile. "Thank you, Moon...truly..." She said, bowing to him. "Words cannot express how much gratitude I have for your performance and aid."
Moon nodded. "I shall join you, wherever it is you go." he replied. "You can always come to me if you need anything. I'll be by your side, every step of the way."
Lucina nodded back, as the two looked back to the ritual portal. Lucina gripped the Falchion tightly in its sheath, "Father...I'm coming...this time will be different...I swear!"