Hello again. I'm finally back on this thing. I'm not going to try and make excuses for my absence. College stuff and not much of a drive to write during the year. Anyways I'm going to shut up and get to the story. If you read the outro to this chapter I'll explain a bit more of why I was gone.

It had been three days since the incident with Lucina. Thankfully there were no more threats and everyone could relax and enjoy the tournament in peace. Robin rose through the ranks and ended up in the finals. His opponent wasn't surprising at all. Chrom had been the one other person to go undefeated. He even brought down the supposedly unstoppable Frederick. Their battle was tomorrow and Robin was doing a bit of last minute training in one of the basement training rooms. Flavia had given him access to this room as she knew he would want to practice his magic. He had his four tomes circling him and was channeling his magic energy through them. The Nosferatu tome cast a dark shade around him so that you could only see the other magic through the darkness. The Bolganone tome created fireball after fireball slowly merging them into one. The Thoron tome released bolt after bolt which started to circle the tome which eventually just looked like a glowing ball of electricity in the air. Finally his Rexcalibur tome started to create wind vortexes around everything, containing it so that no stray magic would hit anyone. The entire training room began to shake as Robin increased his magic power more and more. Beads of sweat started to form on his forehead as he struggled to keep his magic channel going. He had been holding it for 10 minutes at this point, slowly increasing his output every minute.

"Robin?" a voice called from the door.

The person didn't get a response they watched Robin continue to channel his magic for another five minutes before finally tiring himself out. The magic dissipated and Robin sunk to his knees with his tomes scattering around him.

"It's not good to push yourself so much, you know." the person called while walking over to him. "Especially if your battle is tomorrow."

Robin turned to see Nah walking towards him, holding a towel and a tray with bread and water. She handed him the towel first and then the food. Both of which Robin graciously accepted.

"I just wanted to test my limits. I can go all out with all four tomes for fifteen minutes now."

Nah's eyes widened. "Robin! All four tomes?! Isn't that a bit much?"

"Well, perhaps it can be, but it went well when I used it against Lon'Qu."

"Yes, I know that…" Nah stopped and sighed. "Just don't push yourself too hard."

Robin laughed and pulled his girl towards himself, bringing her into an embrace.

"No need to worry. I know my limits and I'll stop when it gets to be too much."

"Good. Because if you don't stop yourself you're going to get an earful from me and quite possibly our daughter as well."

Robin chuckled. "Duly noted."

The two sat there for another half hour talking about the tournament before cleaning up and heading back to their room. Robin went to take a quick shower as Nah put on her nightgown. They settled in for the night and Robin tried to stay up a bit later and read a book, but Nah wasn't going to have any of it. She told him he needed to sleep if he were to be fighting tomorrow. Robin was about to protest until he saw the look that she was giving him. He sighed and set his book down, blew out the lamp, and settled down in the bed. Satisfied, Nah made herself comfortable in Robin's embrace.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! IT'S BEEN A LONG TOURNAMENT, BUT WE ARE FINALLY AT THE GRAND FINALS!" the announcer boomed, causing the crowd to cheer. "FOR OUR FINALISTS, WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE FROM THE SAME COUNTRY! FIRST UP, PLEASE WELCOME LORD CHROM OF YLISSTOL!"

Chrom walked into the stadium with his right hand in the air waving to people as his left hand rested on the hilt of Falchion. The crowd cheered loudly as he walked to the center of the arena. He looked over to the other entrance and smirked as he saw his opponent smiling at him.

"AND NOW, PLEASE WELCOME LORD CHROM'S OPPONENT. YOU KNOW HIM WELL, CHROM'S GRAND MASTER TACTICIAN. PLEASE WELCOME ROBIN!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, drowning out the announcer as Robin calmly walked out to meet Chrom in the middle of the stadium.

"Seems like the crowd is playing favorites." Chrom joked.

"Heh, I'd be lying if I said I didn't mind that." Robin chuckled.

"Well, you ready for this? Ylisstol already won this tournament, but…"

"We're not just going to end there. Let's do this."

Chrom drew Falchion while Chrom held his Levin sword in his right hand and his Bolganone tome in his left.

"LET THE MATCH BEGIN!"

The crowd cheered as Chrom wasted no time in dropping into a stance and dashing forward. He brought his sword underneath and tried for an upward slash, only to be met by Robin's Levin sword. The two struggled against each other before Chrom finally was able to kick off the ground and disengage.

"Come on Chrom." Robin teased him. "You know that's not going to work."

Chrom just smiled and charged straight back at Robin. It was the exact same stance and motions, but at the last moment, Chrom flipped his hands so that he was holding his sword backwards. Without the blade extended, Robin's Levin sword only served to block thin air as Chrom swung with Falchion. Robin's eyes widened as he let himself fall backwards as the sword passed an inch from his coat. He followed the momentum and placed his hand on the ground, flipping back onto his feet.

"What were you saying before?" Chrom laughed.

*in the areas around the stadium*

"Hey!" a guard yelled at a cloaked man. "This area is off limits."

The cloaked man took off his hood, showing that he was an elder.

"I'm terribly sorry, I just got lost wandering around the castle."

"Oh, well I can help you then. Where are you headed."

"I was going to the tournament match,, but I think I took a wrong turn."

"Alright then. Just head back the way you came and take the first left. That'll lead you to the main stadium entrance."

The elder suddenly dropped to his knees, alarming the guard as he rushed over to check if the man was alright. Just as the guard knelt down beside him, the elder pulled out a knife on him and stabbed him in the heart. The guard looked at the elder, tumbling to the ground..

"People are idiots these days." the elder muttered.

He pulled out a small gem and held it up to his mouth.

"We have entrance. Tell the units to move in." he said.

Robin grumbled as he held up his Levin sword and Bolganone tome. His magic started to build and flare around him. Robin steeled his gaze and looked at Chrom with a smirk on his face. Orbs started to form around him. One by one they appeared and circled his body. Once the number hit eight they shot up into the sky. Chrom looked up waiting for an aerial bombardment from above. Though he didn't have to wait at all. His instincts caused him to raise his sword as a bolt of lightning barely missed him by a centimeter. Robin stood there with a grin on his face and a lit up Levin sword. Chrom readied a charge, but Robin kept the bolts coming towards him. All he could do was just deflect them and slowly move forward. He got about ten paces in front of him until a wall of fire erupted in his face. Chrom jumped back, almost to the same place that he started, but that was the perfect distance. Robin flicked his wrist and the eight flaming orbs from before fell in formation surrounding Chrom. They blew up simultaneously and formed a pillar of fire, trapping Chrom in place. Not missing a beat, Robin switched out his current weapons and pulled out his Thoron and Rexcalibur tome. He began to charge the Thoron tome and expelled winds from the Rexcalibur tomes to keep the fire pillar going strong. Jumping off the ground, he gave himself a final push with an air blast reaching the top of the flames. Grinning he put the finishing touch on his combo and fired the Thoron straight down. The explosion came and smoke covered the entire arena. Robin stared at Chrom, waiting to see the result. Instead of being greeted by an unconscious Chrom a sword blade came out of the smoke. Robin pulled back, but tripped, causing the sword to leave a small cut in the side of his arm. Chrom stood there, covered in bruises and burns, but he was grinning like a madman.

"Man that was close." Chrom laughed. "You must be losing your touch."

Robin pushed himself away with a small wind blast and flipped to land on his feet.

"Perhaps. I haven't been doing too much fighting in the past year or so."

"Really?" Chrom raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't seem like it."

"Please, you flatter me." Robin put away his tomes and brought out Lyralei. "Now what say we make this more interesting."

"Oh?" Chrom smirked. "Well alright then. Let's see what Lon'Qu taught you."

"Hahaha!" Flavia threw her head back. "Now that's the mark of a warrior. I approve of his choice."

Basilio nodded in agreement. "Let's see how his training pays off."

Lon'Qu, who was sitting with the Khans, smirked as he saw Robin take a stance. He had made a hybrid between Lon'Qu's stance and his own. Robin had both knees bent inwards and his feet were shoulder-width apart. This made it easier for Robin to react from any direction.

Over with the future children. They were cheering on the two combatants. Though Cynthia was going a bit overboard competing with Fyril. The two of them were arguing back and forth over who would win, each boasting that their father was superior to the other. When they saw Chrom come out of the magic still alive and kicking Cynthia cheered even more. Fyril was about to call out to her father when a hand quickly covered her mouth. Her eyes widened as she was quickly taken away. She was blindfolded and gagged as her kidnapper brought her to the underground area of the arena. She looked up to see two masked men with her dragonstone in their hand. They tied her to one of the chairs and grinned, telling her to stay quiet until the show started. She sat there, horrified as she tried to imagine what they were going to do.

Back in the arena Chrom and Robin were going back and forth. Chrom would pressure Robin with stronger, deliberate strikes until Robin finally parried him and started to spin his body as he delivered quicker jabs and swipes at Chrom. Chrom brought his sword up and grounded his foot down, breaking Robin's momentum as he stumbled backwards. He followed up with a horizontal strike to Robin's exposed abdomen, but missed as Robin twisted his body and kicked Chrom's arm, diverting the hit. The two kept it going until Chrom tried for a stab to the body. Robin stuck his sword in the ground and planted his left foot on the flat of Chrom's falchion and pushed down. Balancing on Lyralei he used his right foot and hooked it behind Chrom's hand and pulled back. The motion put Chrom's hand in an awkward position as he was forced to let go. Robin flipped the sword into his left and pulled out his silver sword from the ground.

"I believe I win." he smiled.

Chrom gave him a shocked look, but then he smiled.

"You sure you haven't been training?" he asked with a small chuckle.

"Perhaps not my sword skills, but my magic yes."

Chrom turned to the announcer. "I surrender, Robin has bested me in this match."

"AND THERE YOU HAVE IT! THE WINNER OF THE FEROX TOURNAMENT IS ROBIN OF YLISSE!"

The crowd roared with cheers as they saw Robin raise his fist into the air. Cynthia was depressed that her father had lost, but Lucina reminded her that their father fought with everything he had. Robin was just a crafty fighter. Cynthia perked up again and joined her friends once again in cheering for Robin.

"Tell me something." Chrom said, walking over to Robin. "How in the world did you pull off that last move?"

Robin handed him back Falchion. "I'm not too sure myself to be honest. You know when it comes to a battle like this there isn't much time to think. So my strategy is just to do the first thing that comes to my mind."

"You're crazy you know? Had you missed that I would've ended it right then and there."

"Of course I'm crazy, how do you think I won some of the battles during the wars?"

"True. Mr. I'm going to light the sea on fire."

The two of them laughed and walked off the field together. They waited in the wings until they were called back out for the awards ceremony at the end. They were joined by Frederick, who had bested the Chon'sin warrior that Robin faced in the quarterfinals. Thus earning himself third place. The three of them walked to the podium as Flavia stood there with three trophies and a large box filled with large bullions.

"You Ylisseans need to come over here sometime and whip my boys into shape." she laughed.

Chrom smiled. "I think we can work something out."

"I'm joking. There's no need. I'll just increase their training amounts threefold."

Chrom and Robin sweat dropped at this as Frederick nodded in approval.

"Anyways," Flavia suddenly put on a serious face. "You're rewards."

"Citizens of all nations!" she boomed. "Before you are the three warriors who have shown their worth. In third place, Frederick of Ylisstol!"

The crowd cheered with the loudest being the shepherds who wanted to get on his good side. Frederick waked forward and accept the bronze shield trophy. Though he berated himself for only earning third, he couldn't help but smile as the two who beat him were the two he expected to.

"Now in second place. Coming up short after a crafty move from his opponent. Lord Chrom of Ylisstol!"

The crowd's cheers never died down, only increasing in volume. Cynthia was going a bit too crazy as she had to be held down by Gerome and Lucina. Chrom walked forward, accepting the silver shield trophy.

"And somehow, Ylisstol has swept the podium with warriors of great talent. I give you your first place winner of this tournament. The master tactician himself, Grandmaster Robin of Ylisstol!"

The crowd's volume almost became ear piecing as Robin walked up to Flavia, accepting the golden shield trophy. Robin was also given the chest as he looked in it. It had 10 large bullions in total, a total of 100,000 gold was given to him as a reward.

"So?" Flavia prompted him. "What are you going to do with the money?"

Robin paused for a moment. "Not sure, I don't know how much of it I'll be using at all."

"What about an engagement ring?" Flavia asked, loud enough for Chrom and Frederick to hear.

The two looked over with interest as Robin started waving his hands around frantically.

"H-h-hold up!" he sputtered. "I'm not ready to go through with that yet!"

"Oh come on Robin." Chrom said in an amused tone. "You probably already know her answer."

Even Frederick got in on this. "If I may, it's not good to keep a lady waiting."

Robin just facepalmed and gave them a look. "You people are insufferable sometimes."

Everyone just grinned at Robin and continued to tease him. Make matters even more annoying Nah came out to the arena to congratulate him. Robin sighed as she came up and gave him a quick kiss.

"Congratulations dear."

Robin wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks."

*clap*…*clap*…*clap*

"Oh yes, congratulations indeed." a voice, filled with venom, said. "Plegian shit."

All heads whipped towards the east entrance of the arena. Walking into view was an old man wearing a plain black robe. He had a scowl on his face as he faced the people on the podium.

"What are you doing here?!" Chrom seethed, reaching for his sword.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." the man smirked.

As if on cue, two other elders walked out. It was unmistakable, the three elders standing before them were the same three that were kicked out of Ylisse.

"So…" Robin mused. "The snakes finally reveal themselves."

"Oh, such harsh accusations Robin." the oldest one said. "We are not snakes."

"Shut it." Robin snapped. "What are you doing here?"

"We're just here to congratulate you, that's all." the second elder responded.

"Don't mess with me. Why are you here?" Robin spat, his fist clenching.

"I'd watch your tone Robin." the youngest elder grinned evilly. "Bring her out."

Out from the entrance they came from, two assassins brought out a struggling brown haired girl. Her hands were tied behind her back and she had a gag around her mouth.

"FYRIL!" Robin and Nah shouted.

Fyril looked up and her eyes widened as she saw her parents. She started to struggle even more, but it was useless.

"Quit struggling little brat." the youngest elder said. "Or do we need to discipline you?"

"Get away from her…" Robin whispered.

"I'm sorry?"

"I SAID GET AWAY FROM HER!" Robin roared, reaching in his coat for his tomes.

He didn't even put his hand in his pocket before a blade appeared at his neck. He stared down as he saw an assassin in front of him, blade dangerously close to beheading him.

"I wouldn't move if I were you." the elder grinned. "Now, I think you know already what we want."

"If you want the money I don't care much for it." Robin said with a straight face.

"Don't play dumb with us."

"Who's playing dumb?"

"Robin," Nah whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Just wait." he whispered back.

The third elder got fed up with Robin and he backhanded Fyril, knowing it would provoke Robin. Just as he thought Robin moved to duck under the blade in front of him, but Robin was stopped by the assassin delivering a swift kick to his side.

"Now, now, calm down Robin. Otherwise she'll get another hit."

Robin gritted his teeth as he stared at the elders.

"Oh please, don't look so stuck up. Just give us what we want and you're daughter can go free."

Robin's eyes widened. "How did you know?"

"We have our sources."

"Fine," Robin said, throwing his sword and tomes to the ground. "Let her go."

The elders looked at each other and grinned. They motioned to the assassins and they quickly collected Robin's weapons. The two holding Fyril took her gag off, untied her hands, and then shoved her away. She stumbled for a second before running into her father's arms, calling to him over and over.

"Hey, it's fine now." Robin patted her head. "Go over with your mother, I'll get us out of this mess."

"But father, they'll kill you!"

Robin only smiled and gave her a nudge in the direction of Nah. His girlfriend quickly came and brought their future daughter back to where Chrom, Frederick, and Flavia were. All of them stared as Robin walked forward to meet the Elders.

"Very well," he said, "Yes I do know what you want. So go ahead and take it."

The head Elder smiled evilly as he withdrew a silver sword from his cloak. Everyone watched in horror as Robin stood there, not moving at all. The shepherds were too far away to do anything, and those who were in the arena were held back by the assassins. Flavia was tempted to start bashing skulls, until she saw Robin glance over. She smirked, knowing he had something up his sleeve. The elder raised his sword vertically, grinning like a madman as he prepared to swing down. But he never got to. Out from under Robin, a vortex of black magic started to appear. The magic swelled and forcefully pushed back the Elder.

"THEN TRY AND TAKE IT YOU BASTARD!"

Well I'm going to end it there. To explain a bit more on why I was gone, I haven't had the same drive to write stories like I used to in my first semester in college. My real reason I started writing stories was since it was a getaway from my family. But now I've made amends with my father so I didn't need this getaway as much. Though I've been reading a lot of stories lately and decided I'd return to this. Hopefully this was to your liking and I'll see you in the next chapter. THANKS! HunterInTheNight out!