The Peace We Have Found

Draknal: Hey guys. I've gotten a bit more time to do some writing. Here is an alternate ending to this story that I had been toying with the notion of writing. One where Robin is discovered by Lucina. Hopefully you all enjoy this version!

A warning beforehand; this chapter is as much a doozy as the last one. And there is a large portion dedicated to a flashback detailing the final battle with Grima. It's meant to set up the emotional tone for the inevitable meeting between Lucina and Robin.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters, only the plot of this story.

Chapter 2: Alternate End Lucina

Chrom slowed in his advance, yet continued towards his friend. "Robin, what are you talking about? Please, talk to me."

The caster gathered his strength and disappeared in a brilliant flash, leaving no trace of him behind.

"No! Come back!" The man's pleas fell on deaf ears. He could recognize that voice and the feel of his magical energy anywhere. It had been him. Though four years had passed since he'd last been in the man's presence, the Exalt had recognized him all the same.

Yet now, he could feel no lingering presence of the caster. The man was well and truly gone, to where, he had no idea.

"Damn it!" he shouted, slamming his fist into a nearby bookshelf, the force behind it being enough to splinter the wood. "Damn it!"

He had been so close…

'He was right there!'

"Papa…?"

The blue haired lord turned to spot his second youngest standing at the entrance of the archives. With a sigh he pushed down the raging emotions that threatened to bubble to the surface once more.

"Where's Mark, papa?"

A smile that he knew was all too fake appeared on his visage. "H-He's okay sweety. He just had a bad bump on his head."

Internally he cursed himself for almost allowing his inner turmoil to seep into his words. "Mark went home to patch himself up, okay?"

Although there was doubt in the young royal's eyes, she nodded to her father nonetheless. Her father watched with curiosity as she made her way across the room and bent down by one of the tables. A moment later she returned to her father's side, this time bearing a sheathed blade of sorts.

It wasn't until he got a closer look at the handle of the weapon that he realized what it was. 'That blade… it's…'

It bore an engraving of house Ylisse's seal in the pommel of the sword. Below that was the mark of the Exalt, grafted in painstaking detail. There was no doubt in his mind now. The item in question was Robin's. It had been given to him by Lucina near the end of their campaign. The sword held immense personal value to the man, as evidenced by the fact he took it everywhere with him. It was the very blade that had been used to strike the final blow against the fell dragon itself.

He dared not dwell on his friend any longer, lest he lose his composure in front of his daughter. "Come on, let's go back to mommy, okay? And you can tell me all about how you met Mark. Sound good?"

She nodded with childish enthusiasm, a smile spreading across her face. "Okay papa!"

Grabbing one of her father's hands she tugged him toward the exit of the archives.

"I was playing a game with mama and I needed to hide. So I looked in a place she'd never find me!" began the six year old, happy to recount her earliest meeting with the strange man. Her father listened on with rapt attention…

X-x-X-x-X

A gasp escaped the cloaked tactician as his feet touched down on solid ground once more, pain lancing through his skull. His vision blurred momentarily, taking with it his equilibrium and balance. He teetered to his left and pitched violently, slamming into a structure of wood.

A crash echoed around him a moment later. He tried his best to regulate his breathing, yet he found it was beyond his control.

'Foolish,' he groaned. 'Too much. Far too much…'

Vision clearing slightly, he was able to take in his surroundings. He was met with smooth stone walls, fine crimson drapes, and crackling torches upon the walls. Below him, supporting the weight of his upper body was a side table, sitting against one of the stone walls. A decorative piece no doubt. On the floor near him lay a broken vase, once beautiful, now destroyed beyond repair or hope.

He could conclude only one thing. He was still in Ylisstol. More specifically, in the palace. He had jumped clear from one side to the other.

Gripping the table for support, he attempted to push himself up, yet his body failed him as he collapsed back down.

'Move. Please move. Someone will have heard that and come to investigate…'

He could hear something behind him a short distance, metal on metal. A blade clearing a sheath. 'Careless. Three times I have been seen now…' he groaned, daring to turn and see who had happened upon him now. Immediately he wished he hadn't.

Out of all the people that it could have been, here stood the one he both hoped and dreaded seeing. No more than thirty feet away stood Chrom's oldest daughter, Lucina, the very same one that had played at being Marth the hero king. The one who had travelled through time to prevent a doomed future from coming to fruition. The very same woman who had captured his heart.

She was just as he had remembered her. Piercing sapphire eyes that could see into the very depths of your soul. Navy locks that flowed around her like water. Flawless skin that would glow under moonlight. And in her eyes, lie the fire from four years ago that he remembered.

He noticed that she did not speak. She only stood, ready to defend herself if necessary, Falchion at the ready. The hilt of the sacred blade was alight with its holy glow, indicating a Fell presence near it. Her eyes were perhaps the most interesting thing of note. They were analyzing him, observing him, much like a hawk would its potential prey.

He attempted to push himself to his feet once more, barely making it, but still needing to lean on the wall for support. The two simply stared at one another, one taking in the changes that had occurred with the other, and the other attempting to determine who or what it was they were looking at.

Lucina had immediately ruled out the possibility of it being Morgan. She had only just come from speaking with her daughter about their deployment in the next few days. As far as she knew, the young tactician in training was back in her room, reading no doubt. The individual in front of her was clearly male, as evidenced by their physical build, and the sound of their deep breaths. That cloak… it brought back memories. Happy ones, sad ones… painful ones…

But it could have been a fabrication. There was no proof it was his. That sort of thing could be duplicated. Then there was the point that this person clearly did not want to be found. The sharp intake of breath from them when they realized she was there made that clear. The one thing that kept her from immediately attacking and subduing the man in front of her was the mild glow from her blade. It only did that in two cases. When Naga's power was at work; and when in the presence of Grima or his Fell energy.

Did she dare to hope that it could have been him? Was it because of her own desires, or just because of the memories that the colors and designs on the cloak were reawakening in her?

It reminded her of four years ago…

-Flashback-

"There is no end to these beasts!"

A Great Knight in once gleaming silver armor, now dulled and covered in blood, deflected a blow from an incoming blade before returning the strike with one of his own, skewering the Risen warrior before him.

"We must continue to stand strong against them Frederick! We must not yield!" called the Exalt of Ylisse, Falchion flashing brightly as he bisected a dark wyvern rider, returning them to the darkness once more in a torrent of mist.

Chrom's most trusted knight moved to defend his liege's back, staving off two attackers that sought the young lord's life. "The thought of falling to these monsters never crossed my mind, Milord."

The blue haired Lord grunted in exhaustion as he caught another blow on the flat of his holy blade. The towering Risen behemoth snarled as it attempted to crush the Exalt. Its efforts were in vain when a javelin suddenly and viciously ended the creature's life, piercing through its skull from above.

Sapphire eyes rose skyward as a lone Pegasus descended towards him. 'Thank the Gods, she's all right,' he breathed in relief.

"Are you okay, Chrom?" Sumia inquired as she drew closer, chocolate eyes scanning the battlefield around them, only sparing a glance at her husband.

"Yes," he sighed, enjoying the brief moment of respite. "What about you? You've been fighting nonstop. Should I have Cordelia take over command of our air forces for a short time?"

The brunette shook her head indicating a negative. "I'll be fine. Really. Honestly you worry too much," she answered, finally locking eyes with her husband and offering a delicate smile. "I'm more concerned about our daughter."

"Lucina?" he asked, looking around for the time traveler, yet finding no sign of her. 'Damn, we were separated by that last wave.'

"The last I saw of her she was advancing on Grima with Robin," offered the veteran flyer quietly.

Frederick, who had been silently watching the exchange between the two, having felled both of his opponents in mere seconds, offered his input. "Might I suggest we proceed with haste to their position then? Our allies appear to have things in hand here for the moment."

Sumia glanced away from the two warriors momentarily, as if internally struggling with something. Ylisse's ruler noticed her hesitation.

"Sumia. Is something wrong?"

"I… no, Chrom. It's nothing," she returned, offering a miniscule smile. It didn't appear genuine though. "You and Frederick move on ahead. I'll stay back here and cover our other allies. They may need an extra healer at some point."

Her husband nodded, slightly uncertain, yet acquiesced in the end.

"Milord," offered Frederick, indicating the spot behind him on his mount.

Wasting no time, the navy haired royal leapt upon the war mount, securing himself behind his loyal vassal. "Right then, let's go Frederick!"

The knight tugged on the reins of his fearless steed, the creature letting out a whinny as it reared back and charged forward once more.

Sumia watched the two for but a moment before returning to the air to provide cover for their allies in the rear. The Pegasus Knight bit her lip before releasing a sigh. She would have to speak with him later.

X-x-X-x-X

"Lucina, on your left!"

The princess of Ylisse leapt back and intercepted a blow from another Risen soldier, its axe striking far too close for comfort. Half a second later it was skewered by a lance of lightning, compliments of a Thoron spell.

She turned to her companion but found no time for words as she spun around him and knocked an incoming javelin off course from the master tactician, the projectile landing harmlessly several feet away.

"Thank you," he breathed as he placed his back against hers.

"I was only returning the favor," she elaborated, bringing her sacred blade up once more in a defensive posture in anticipation of the next attack.

"How are you holding up?"

She glanced backwards momentarily, taking in the sight of her tiring companion. How odd that he would ask such a question when he himself wasn't fairing much better. "I'll live," she answered simply. "But I ask that you don't push yourself so hard. We still have need of you."

'All of us,' she added silently. But now was not the time for such things. He knew how she felt about him, just as she did him.

"Now of all times I don't have the luxury of not pushing myself to my limits. None of us do," he added after taking a second to think about it. "This is where it ends. Today we put this monster down and end his reign of destruction."

Chrom's oldest grinned briefly in response. There was that determination and dedication again. If there was one thing that their amnesiac tactician was good at, it was inspiring others.

"I assume you have a plan to get to Grima then?" she inquired quietly, watching as a new group of Risen soldiers flashed into existence not far from their location. And ahead she could see their goal, their end game as it were.

The dark avatar of Grima stood silently, watching with glowing crimson orbs as its minions laid siege against the defenders of Ylisse. Cold and calculating, it offered no taunt against them now, seeing the very real threat they posed to it.

"I do, but without Chrom here things will get dicey fast," supplied the tactician.

A frown marred her delicate features momentarily. 'Damn… without father here to strike the final blow it won't go down…'

She had spoken with Robin at great length the night before about their options for taking down the Fell Dragon. The snow haired Plegian native had thrown out the option of him being the one to slay the dragon. Lucina had quickly and vehemently dissuaded him of such a notion, knowing it would result in his death. He had protested, stating that sacrificing his life for a permanent end to the Dark Dragon was a price well worth paying.

In the end, it was decided by all parties involved that it would be best for Chrom to strike the killing blow, shattering Grima's power and returning him to the darkness for another thousand years, giving them and their descendants ample time to come up with a permanent solution to the Fell Dragon. Though Robin disagreed with the end result, he grudgingly gave the plan his approval.

"We may only get one shot at this Lucina," he began, flipping open a tome different from his trusted Thoron. The inscription on the book's cover identified it as one of the legendary elemental grimoires, Mjölnir.

"Please grant me the use of your power, so that we might end the threat of the Fell Dragon once and for all," whispered the cloaked caster, pleading that the elemental forces might aid him in his gambit.

He had been loath to remove the book from its resting place in the tomb of forgotten heroes, yet knew that they could not afford to leave such powerful relics lying at rest when they could tip the scales in the favor of justice once more. Robin had vowed to return the book to its proper place of rest once the Fell Dragon had been dealt with.

"I will open a path for us with this. When it is clear, we move," he elaborated. He took a moment to look his destined one in the eye. "Once we go, stop for nothing. Do you understand?"

She hesitated to answer, knowing what it was he was really saying.

'If I fall or get caught behind, keep moving. Everything else is secondary to slaying Grima.'

She wanted so badly to deny his request, to tell him that she wouldn't continue on without him. But he was correct. If Grima was not stopped this day, the dark future that she hailed from would come to pass.

Lucina nodded, but said nothing. She could not trust her voice at this point.

Both individuals were surprised to hear the fierce neigh of a horse and a clatter of metal from behind them. Rounding with weapons raised, the two combatants watched in shock as a beast of flesh and steel plowed through the ring of Risen that had moved to encircle them, fragmenting the enemy line. A vicarious battle cry echoed in tandem from atop the war steed, a lance flashing out in one direction to skewer several unfortunate undead warriors while the glowing form of Chrom's ritual enhanced Falchion carved a path of destruction through those foolish enough to attempt to stop the duo.

"Father!"

The relief evident in Lucina's voice was clear as day to the group's tactician. Inwardly though, he sighed. This would make matters easier and more difficult at the same time. He brushed that train of thought aside, instead opting to be happy that his closest friend was still alive and well.

Frederick's warhorse stopped within several feet of the pair, Chrom leaping from its back when it had slowed enough. "Glad we didn't miss the main event," he smirked, directing his gaze at his amnesiac ally.

"No, but a few more minutes and you would have," replied Robin, a smirk of his own making its way to his face. How amusing, that even in the middle of the fight of their lives, with the very fate of humanity on the line, they still found time to jest here and there.

Chrom's oldest child stepped closer to him, blade lowered but ready to be brought up at a moment's notice. "Father, we have a plan."

All amusement was wiped from the Exalt's face. "Let's hear it. I doubt our allies can last much longer against a tide such as this."

"Please explain with haste," implored Ylisse's knight, the Wary. "I fear that these creatures don't intend to give us time to plan."

The others cast their gazes around the immediate area, taking notice of the reformed Risen line, the noose of their formation slowly drawing closer and tighter around them.

"I'll make it brief then," started the tactical genius. He gestured down to the tome in his hands.

Ylisse's Exalt eyed the tome briefly. "Robin, is that…?"

"Yes. Using this I plan to open a wide path to our target. Chrom, you and Lucina will use that path to your advantage and break for Grima. We'll only have a few moments before a new wave of Risen are brought in to replace the ones I'm going to take out. You and Lucina have to get in close and engage him with your Falchions. They're the only things that will do substantial enough damage to him."

Chrom gestured to his friend, one navy blue eyebrow raised. "And what will you be doing while we take the lead?"

Robin's hazel orbs glanced away from the assembled fighters. "I won't be able to do much for a few minutes after using Mjölnir. I plan on staying back with Frederick to hold off the ones coming in from the rear. We'll slowly back our way up to the two of you, preventing them from encircling you."

"Be on your guard! They come!"

Frederick's barked order snapped the other three Shepherds to attention, weapons flashing up to readied positions.

Lucina drew right while her father went left, each moving to engage the undead menace before they could fall upon them. Their tactician snapped open the ancient grimoire he carried, lightly brushing his finger across the incantation used to invoke the tome's great power.

He could feel the pull of the tome's magic, the drain that it laid upon him in order to feed its strength and fuel the devastation that was to come. Feeling the spell come to completion, his arm snapped out in the direction of Grima's avatar, guiding the anima spell home.

The very air seemed to become charged with energy, the latent magic around them causing the skin of each of the nearby Shepherds to tingle at the feeling. The air felt heavier, more difficult to breathe. The sky itself darkened beyond what the Fell Dragon had summoned up with its overwhelming dark presence, almost as if in anticipation of what was about to occur.

For a moment all appeared to come to a standstill, and was silent.

Crack-Thoom!

The result of the spell was awe-inspiring. A bolt of lightning, like the fist of the Gods themselves, descended from the heavens, its blazing light blinding all those unfortunate enough to have a direct line of sight to it. Even Grima's avatar was forced to shield its crimson orbs from the supernova of luminescence.

The sound that followed was downright deafening. It was akin to a cry from a War God, the sharp staccato giving way to a rumbling bass as it declared its might above all others.

The undead beasts in the way of the bolt stood no chance. Their end was quick but far from painless. In the snap second it took to connect, their bodies were simultaneously incinerated and vaporized. Even the true form of Grima, the massive beast they fought atop of, let out a roar, the spell doing noticeable damage to the dragon's hide.

Slowly Chrom brought his hand away from his eyes, taking note of the devastation that lay in front of him. The entire line of fell beasts had been eradicated. To think that such power from the olden times still existed…

"Chrom, go! NOW!" wheezed the snow haired tactician, the substantial drain of the spell taking a toll on his body.

The Exalt didn't need to be told twice. He took off in a dead sprint, his daughter close behind. Ylisse's princess looked over her shoulder briefly, her navy orbs meeting those of her partner. That brief moment was all that was needed to convey a message to the other.

'Good luck.'

'Stay alive.'

"Look alive Robin, we have more coming," announced Frederick, his lance at the ready. "I will shield you until you have had a moment to catch your breath."

Returning Mjölnir to the inner folds of his cloak, the tactician instead drew the blade he kept at his side; a noble rapier he had been gifted with by Lucina. He gazed upon the weapon fondly, taking note of the seal of Ylisse and the brand of the Exalt carved into the metal of the hilt.

"I'll be okay," he assured the dutiful knight, taking in a gulp of air. "Come on. Let's make sure these things don't get far in their pursuit."

The edges of the mahogany haired knight's mouth curved upward ever so slightly. "Ready so soon? It would seem being exposed to my Fanatical Fitness Hour has paid off for your endurance."

The amnesiac shuddered in response.

X-x-X-x-X

"So you come to meet your death head on? Very well Chrom, my old 'friend'," chuckled Robin's doppelganger. "I will take great pleasure in killing you again!"

Seeing the beast use Robin's voice and form never ceased to make Lucina's skin crawl.

"Not this day, fiend!" roared the Exalt in response. "Today your end comes and we return you to darkness!"

"You cannot slay that which does not die!"

The simulacrum raised a shadow covered hand towards the charging duo. "Vanish in the darkness!"

The royal family members leapt apart, dodging a line of shadowy razors that leapt up from the Fell Dragon's back. Yet even as the attack passed them harmlessly, they were given no respite. Both persons could feel their hackles rise in anticipation of danger.

"Father, behind you!"

Lucina's warning saved Chrom from a painful skewering at the hands of a Risen wyvern rider that had chosen to dive bomb the Exalt, charging towards his unprotected back.

Entering a spinning leap, Ylisse's leader knocked the incoming spear away from him, following with a slice that horizontally bisected the creature's mount from mouth to tail. The rider itself fell from the beast and was ironically crushed by half of the now re-dead beast, both disappearing in a cloud of ash.

Lucina herself was the target of the dark avatar, who had chosen to send another deadly stream of Fell spikes at her. The swordswoman charged head on into the attack, her glowing blade hacking away at the dark obstructions that rose from the Fell Dragon's hide itself in an attempt to spear her. She would not let her momentum be stopped.

Another violet spike rose, only to be cleaved in two by Falchion. She spun around an additional protrusion, at the same time blocking a third lance of energy with the flat of her Parallel blade.

As she broke through the last part of the attack, she found none other than the avatar itself waiting for her.

"Foolish girl. Do you truly wish to die first?"

She refused to indulge the beast, opting instead for a fierce cry of rage as she leapt at the monster with Falchion held high. In reply it extended a hand in her direction, palm outwards.

A blast of rotten, decaying air met her midair, slamming her back to the ground.

Ignoring her swimming vision, the eldest of Chrom's children rolled away from what she expected to be an incoming attack. Her instincts were correct as a blade of fell energy slammed into the ground where she was but a moment ago.

The avatar had summoned a dark blade made entirely of the Fell Dragon's power. It was taking steps to kill her personally it seemed.

Righting herself in an instant, the navy haired royal set herself in a defensive stance. Grima wasted no time in moving to slay her.

Falchion and Fell Blade met in a clash that sent wisps of light and shadow swirling through the air. It only took a brief moment, but it was obvious to both combatants who was physically the stronger of the two; an incredible feat considering the strength the royal had inherited from her father. With a great heave, the avatar launched Lucina away from itself, sending her through the air once more. She landed in a crouch, managing to maintain her balance this time.

Launching herself forward, the heir of Ylisse took to the air once more, using her father's signature move to propel herself into a downward spin, blade first, toward her adversary.

He countered as one should in such an instance, thrusting his blade at his falling foe while moving to the side of the vertical attack. It should have worked, but found itself falling short as Lucina's spin brought her against the attack Falchion first. The shear momentum of the attack, along with gravity's assistance, struck like a hammer blow against the Fell Blade.

The avatar's weapon was knocked to the ground, leaving it open for a follow-up attack from Ylisse's princess. After hitting the ground once more, she pivoted into a horizontal slash that cut into the monster's chest.

"Grah!"

Once more a blast of decayed air hit the woman before she could strike again, sending her toppling away from her foe, compliments of Grima's true body.

Recovering quickly, she was surprised to see Grima's avatar standing and advancing on her once more, a cruel smirk etched upon its features.

"Was that supposed to hurt, girl?"

The wound on its chest was gone.

'But how…? Falchion should have been enough to…'

Her thoughts were cut short as she leapt back to avoid a strike from the avatar's now recovered Fell Blade.

'The Awakening! Without it Falchion alone isn't enough!'

She deflected another incoming blow and struck the monster once more. Her blade was enough to part the darkness that shielded Grima like a cloak, but the damage he actually received was only superficial.

Another strike caused the two to lock blades. Chrom's daughter had no time to react when the simulacrum reached out with a free hand to seize her by the neck, his remaining hand being more than enough to hold back Falchion.

A choking sound escaped the woman as the grip on her tightened.

"YAAAH!"

"GRAAAAH! DAMN YOU!"

Falchion, bathed in blazing light, sliced deep into the avatar, shadowy darkness parting with no resistance against the blessed blade. Black blood drenched the weapon and its wielder, giving Chrom a feral appearance.

"Get away from my daughter you bastard," he growled, placing himself between the dark beast and his progeny.

Stumbling free from the dragon's avatar, Lucina took in a breath of much needed air. Never before had she been so thankful for her father's assistance.

"Lucina, you okay?" inquired the Lord, glancing briefly over his shoulder.

She nodded in response, gasping out a, "Y-Yes, father. Thank you."

"Damn you and your intervention Naga," muttered the Fell Dragon, glaring at the Exalted form of Falchion. "But that will not save you."

Gritting his teeth, Chrom readied himself for the avatar's next move.

"Rise my servants! Tear these fools apart!"

Dark mist began to seep out from the Fell Dragon's body, coalescing and churning, slowly taking humanoid form.

'No! We took too long!' cursed Chrom inwardly.

As soon as the thought finished, more of Grima's Risen took form and stepped between their master and the royals.

A lance of lightning pierced the first of the dark creatures, before skewering another directly behind it. "Chrom! Lucina!"

The two heard the hooves coming up behind them and knew what it meant.

Frederick's steed came to a stop just short of the two Lords, allowing Robin to dismount. "We've held them back as long as we can with just the two of us. Their lines are reforming. We need to push now or we're done for!"

"I understand. But first we need to get through these nuisances."

"Leave that to us, Milord!" With a kick to his steed's side, Frederick took off in a thundering charge, his war mount plowing headfirst into the Risen that stood between them and the avatar. "Pick a God and pray, foul creatures!"

Robin was in hot pursuit of the man, tome and blade both drawn and at the ready.

"You heard the man, let's move!"

Ylisse's two royals followed, adrenaline pumping through their veins and hope in their hearts.

The first two Risen in their way were unfortunate enough to be trampled by the Frederick's war horse, its heavy hoof-falls being enough to topple and crush the fell beasts, leaving dark mist in its wake.

Another met its end at the tip of Frederick's lance, the pole-arm giving him enough reach to keep the monsters well out of distance of his horse. Anything that attempted to slip by was sniped with expert precision from an electric spell, compliments of Robin.

'You can't save them boy. They will fall here and you will join with me.'

Pain lanced through his skull as the dragon's words drilled into his mind. Somehow, through the hordes of Risen that now stalled their advance, he could make out Grima's dark avatar perfectly. Its crimson gaze was locked on his own.

'Never. I would die before joining with you. And we won't fail. The only one who will meet their end here this day is you.'

He smirked in amusement, getting far too much satisfaction out of the scowl the dark copy gave him in response.

'So be it, boy. I only need you alive, not in good condition.'

Searing pain burned into his brain an instant later, crippling in magnitude. It was enough to stall his advance and drop him to a knee, eyes screwed shut in an effort to make the pain abate.

Clang!

Cracking open an eye he spied a wall of blue obstructing his vision.

"-up -bin. –ds -mn it!"

'I- what?'

"C-Chrom?"

"Get up Robin! Gods damn it get up!" roared his friend.

He could see the Exalt holding back the massive blade of one of the Risen behemoths, arms shaking from exertion. The beast growled as it shoved back once more against the ruler of Ylisse.

Bringing his tome to bear, the snow haired tactician released a lance of lightning into the hulking creature's face, causing it to shriek in response.

Pushing his momentary advantage, Chrom moved with purpose and hamstrung the beast, causing it to topple forward, barely catching itself with one massive hand. With a flourish the royal flipped his blade around into a reverse thrust and plunged the blessed blade of Naga into the creature's skull. With a final roar the fell beast slammed into the ground and exploded in a cloud of miasma.

Grabbing Robin by one of his arms, the ruler of Ylisse hauled the young man to his feet. "You okay to move?" he inquired.

The tactician returned his inquiry with a nod. "Yeah. I- I should be good."

He cast another glance at the dark avatar, who stood watching without a trace of emotion.

'Not today, you bastard.'

"Okay Chrom, let's move."

The two began their advance once more, catching up with Lucina and Frederick easily, their charge slowed by the sheer numbers that stood in their way.

"There is no end to their numbers!" cried Chrom's chief knight, his lance impaling another Risen warrior.

Their progress was steady, yet sure enough, there seemed to be no end in sight of the black tidal wave that was the Risen horde. There was no doubt that Grima would have recovered enough to resist their attempts to slay him by the time they actually reached him once more.

'Damn. Our air units are tied up right now. I can't use Mjölnir again, lest I risk any permanent injury. We just don't have enough firepower at our disposal. Think Robin, think!'

Any internal planning that may have come about was cut off when a stream of white hot fire raked across the veritable wall of Risen ahead of the heroes, incinerating each of the creatures in a storm of holy immolation.

The Voice of Naga soared over the assembled Shepherds, doling out fiery death to any foe that dared oppose their advance.

"Go, champions of Naga! Strike down Grima before he can recover! I shall cover your advance!"

"Well, a dragon will do the trick," chuckled the tactician, thankful that fortune had not yet abandoned them. "All right, we make for Grima's avatar!"

The four assembled Shepherds made for the creature's human body, objective in sight. Around them, creatures of shadow fell by the dozen thanks to the intervention of Tiki, her divine fire burning away the darkness of Grima's minions with surprising ease.

Frederick met the avatar head on, his steed leaping over a series of shadowy blades that rose to meet it. The momentum of man and horse combined with gravity was enough for the knight's blow from his lance to slam the simulacrum of Robin backwards, taking it off its feet, Fell Blade clattering away.

Decayed, rotten air met the knight afterwards, stopping him from advancing any further for a follow-up strike.

"Fools! All who oppose me shall only meet oblivion!" howled the Fell Dragon as he righted himself, a ball of dark magic forming between his hands.

Without preamble he launched the spell at Lucina and Chrom, the father/daughter combo moving in with blessed blades prepared to end the conflict.

Time slowed down as the ball of energy seemed to grow in size upon release. There would be no dodging this. The Exalt's eyes cut to his daughter, knowing what he would need to do.

His thoughts were cut short when another projectile, this one made of electricity, slammed into the spell, causing it to destabilize and explode.

"Keep moving, Chrom! Lucina!" yelled their tactician, arm still outstretched from releasing the spell that saved them.

As one, father and daughter moved, each darting to flank a different side of the Fell Dragon's avatar. By now, it had conjured another blade of fell energy. Deeming Chrom the biggest threat, it met the Exalt of Ylisse's sword head on with its own, leaving its back open to Lucina.

The Parallel Falchion bit into the dragon's unprotected back, eliciting a howl of pain. Whirling on the girl after deflecting Chrom, he aimed a backhanded slash at her, only to have her duck under the strike with her incredible agility and flexibility. Both royal's followed the blunder with a set of strikes that hacked away the protective dark energy that surrounded the beast like a cloak.

Each leapt back, now leaving one Ylissean noble on either side of the beast. A bolt of Thoron slammed into the monster, staggering it back before it could counterattack its two closest adversaries. With a nod, father and daughter each knew what to do.

A flourish of their blades reminded Robin of what had happened in the Feroxi arena so long ago now. Only instead of Chrom's patented thrust attack being aimed at his daughter and vice versa, both were directed at the Fell Dragon. With a mighty leap, both person's took off from their starting position and pulled their blades back for one last attack, hopefully with enough power to end the conflict once and for all. Both blades ignited with blessed power, as if in response to the will and determination of their wielders.

Widened crimson eyes were the only response Grima could muster, its arms still only raised part-way in a useless gesture of attempted defense. Both Falchions bit deeply into the avatar, one across its front, the other its back as the royal's passed each other. Time stilled as the two came to a stop, now on opposite sides from where they had started.

"Wha- what is… no. No! NOOO!"

All eyes cut to the dragon in human flesh. The avatar stumbled backwards, one, two steps. "No! This can't… I can NOT be killed!"

"GRAAAAAAAH!"

Darkness exploded from the wounds inflicted on the hierophant's body. Crushing waves of black poured out and slammed into all who were close enough, leveling them and sending them to the ground. It was as though a solid wall had struck the Ylissean fighters.

All went quiet afterwards, the dark avatar falling to its knees. Shadows continued to spill from its injuries, but now at a slower rate.

"Champions of Naga, you must stand! You must strike him down now, while his power flees him!"

The Voice of Naga prompted the chosen warriors, who even now fought to regain their balance, their legs failing them, strength waning after giving so much. Sadly, Tiki could offer no more than words as she strafed around and torched another group of Risen that attempted to reach their master.

Robin looked on from his place on the ground, one arm holding him up, if only barely. That last blast from the avatar had hit all of them like a line of cavalry. He doubted any of them had the strength to move now. Even Frederick and his mount found no purchase in the ground beneath them, rider fairing slightly better than his steed.

His eyes cut to the fallen avatar. Now was his chance. If he didn't act now, he would never get this opportunity again. Drawing his blade from its sheath, he slammed the tip into the scaly ground beneath him, pushing for all he was worth.

With a groan he managed to push himself to his feet, although shakily. He took an uncertain step forwards. Then another. And another. The forward movement seemed to be enough to steady him. Slowly he picked up pace. He secured his tome in his robe. It was doubtful he could cast a spell even if he wanted to. It was time this was ended with his own two hands.

X-x-X-x-X

The world was swimming, dark spots flashing before her eyes. What had happened…?

'My head…'

The navy haired royal pushed herself into a crouching position, one knee planted on the ground, a free hand bracing her for balance. A few feet away she spied her blade. 'Falchion? But wha- Grima!'

Her eyes immediately snapped up to the fallen form of Grima's avatar. This wasn't over yet. He was still alive! Some ways ahead of her she spied her father, who wasn't fairing much better than herself. The man was stirring, but not yet on his feet. Unlike her, he still had his Falchion in his grip.

To her left she heard a weak whinny, followed by a groan. So there was Frederick. But where was…

A rustle of cloth passed by her, its speed indicating whoever it was happened to be in a dead sprint. "Robin!"

She could see his tactician's cloak splayed out behind him, the intricate colors and patterns rippling from his movement. He was heading right for Grima's avatar. But why would he-? His blade was drawn! The pieces snapped into place for her in an instant.

'No, he wouldn't! He promised!'

That was all she needed. Summoning up whatever strength she still possessed, Chrom's daughter forced herself to her feet and gave chase, her gait unsteady and unbalanced. She threatened to topple over with the first few steps. 'Naga, please let me be wrong.'

"Robin, stop!" she called. Had she been in top form, she would have overtaken him all ready. She had always been faster than him. But the distance between the two to start with was too great. There was no way she would catch him now.

She could feel tears prick the corners of her eyes as she ran, hoping in vain to catch the tactician. 'Not like this. Please Gods, don't let it end like this,' she pleaded.

"Father, stop him!" she yelled. Ylisse's strategist was nearing the Exalt. "He's going for Grima!"

The leader of Ylisse snapped his gaze to the approaching tactician, grogginess still evident in his eyes. He moved to stand but found his strength failing him, Falchion being the only thing that prevented him from collapsing. "Robin," he groaned, "Don't. We can find another way!"

His friend's words were a whisper as he passed the Exalt. "I'm sorry Chrom. This is the only way."

He was near the avatar now. Could he really go through with this? He could still hear Lucina's pleas from behind him. Could he do this to her? Instead he thought of the future that she had come from, of the sacrifices that had been made in her time, of all the loved ones she had lost. He thought of their daughter, who even now was directing their troops at the rear lines. That thought was enough. 'It ends today, here and now!'

His blade ignited in a violet haze as he summoned up the power of his cursed blood.

Lucina's eyes widened in horror. That power. He was really going to do it. He was going to… "ROBIN!"

The avatar pulled its head upwards, spying the incoming tactician. "No… you can NOT. It is your fate to join with me!"

Those words played in the snow-haired man's head. Fate. How amusing.

"Lucina challenged her fate. It's time I did the same!" he cried.

'I'm glad for once that we're one in the same,' mused Ylisse's Grandmaster. 'Because it means this nightmare can finally come to an end!'

Violet spikes of energy flew forth towards the approaching threat, yet did nothing to deter Robin's charge. It was a last, vain attempt to stave off death.

"It's over Grima! Return to nothingness!" he yelled, thrusting his rapier forth, straight through the chest of the Dragon's avatar. The amethyst energy clinging to the blade blasted forth into the new wound.

"NOOOOOO!"

Arms flayed out wide open, the crimson orbs of Grima's avatar widened with terror. It was going to die? It was going to die?!

Its form shook and trembled before finally exploding into a cloud of dark miasma, taking with it Grima's mind and soul. It was done…

Robin lowered his blade, feeling sweat trickle down his brow. It… it was over? They had won? He could see various Risen exploding into dark mist, leaving this world. But not all of them. Some instead turned tail and beat a hasty retreat. But what-

"Oomph!"

His thoughts were cut short when he was tackled from behind. He saw stars for a moment before his vision cleared enough to see that Lucina had slammed into him.

"Why?! Damn you Robin, why?!" she cried, hands on either side of the tactician as she leaned over him. "You promised. You promised you wouldn't!"

Tears were flowing unbidden from the woman's sapphire orbs.

"Lucina…"

"We would have found a way! We would have had time!" she sobbed, shoulders shaking.

Slowly he sat up and pulled the distraught woman into his embrace. "I'm sorry Lucina," he whispered. "I had to. If I didn't… all of this would repeat. Could you ask someone else to go through this in the future when we could have stopped it today?"

She didn't answer, instead clinging to the tactician as if he would disappear if she let him go. Robin ran a hand through her navy locks, doing his best to calm her.

"If I could keep you and Morgan safe, then it was worth it. No one else will have to die because of the Fell Dragon ever again."

Footsteps alerted him to the approach of the other two Shepherds that had fought the avatar alongside him and Lucina. Frederick's visage showed that he was alight with relief. Chrom's, however, was unreadable.

"So, this is what it amounts to?" he asked. "You agree to our plan only to disregard it?"

He was upset. That much was evident.

"Chrom, can you honestly tell me that in my place, you wouldn't have done the same?" inquired Robin. "If I hadn't, more people would suffer for it in the end."

"And what of those that you leave behind now?" fired back the Exalt, gesturing in particular to his daughter.

He moved to retort, but a sudden spike in pain alerted him to a very important fact. His form was starting to fade. He could see his right hand beginning to vanish like smoke on the wind. "Ah… it looks like it's time."

The woman in his arms stiffened, bringing her sapphire orbs up to see what he was referring to. Indeed he was vanishing.

A flutter of wings from above descended to meet them. Tiki, Naga's Voice, landed and in a flash of light resumed her humanoid form. Next to her, Sumia touched down, her passenger departing and making for Robin and Lucina with haste.

"Mother, father, we did it! They're in full retreat!" crowed Morgan, the smile on her face as bright as ever.

The smile faltered when she saw the state of her parents. Her mother was in tears, and her father looked, uneasy? Wait, what was happening to him?!

"Father!"

He offered an apologetic grimace, lamenting the loss of his entire right arm now. "Sorry kiddo. Looks like I have to leave for a while."

The tactician in training slammed into her father, right next to Lucina, to embrace the man. "W-What do you mean, leave? It- You're… you're disappearing!"

"It's the price I must pay for killing Grima. He can never come back now, but it means that I die with him…"

"He is correct," supplied Tiki, looking at the family with sorrow in her eyes. "He has chosen a noble sacrifice in return for the safety of the world and those he cares about. You should be proud of your father."

That was enough to put the young woman in tears. Her father was going to die? But she still had so much to learn from him! He promised to stay with her and help her get her memories back!

"Morgan, you and your mother be strong, okay?"

The girl didn't trust her voice, but nodded nonetheless.

Using his remaining hand, Robin cupped Lucina's chin and pulled her gaze up to meet his. "I did this to give you the future you deserve, Lucina. One free from the Fell Dragon's darkness. One where your loved ones are alive and well."

"What good is that future if you aren't there with me?" she asked, her voice shaky and cracking. What composure she had managed to scrape together sounded as though it was about to break once more.

Leaning down, he kissed her, eyes closing in the process. It was tender, gentle, a promise that he put his all into. His love, his fear, his hope, his joy. He hoped it would be enough to convey what he was feeling. She returned the gesture, hands clinging to his cloak desperately. Neither could tell how long they stayed that way. Each only knew it wasn't long enough. Slowly, both persons opened their eyes. Robin gazed deeply into those sapphire orbs, taking in the appearance of her brand one last time. The sight of it never ceased to awe him.

"I love you," he whispered against her lips. "And I'll come back, I promise."

"I'll wait for you," she answered, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

He brought his gaze up one last time, locking eyes with his friend and Exalt. "Chrom. Thank you, for everything. If you hadn't found me in that field…" he trailed off.

"Tell the others…" he started, tears finally making themselves known in his hazel orbs. "Tell them I was proud to call them my friends and comrades."

The azure haired man nodded. "Godspeed Robin. And thank you, for all that you've done."

The last smile the tactician offered was bright enough to make the sun jealous. Truly he could depart this world now…

And like a whisper on the wind, he was gone, body vanishing in a gentle cloud of dark wisps.

Falling to her knees, clutching at where he had been, Ylisse's princess let out a cry of anguish.

-Flashback End-

X-x-X-x-X

Only afterwards did it come to light that Sumia had been aware of Robin's plan. The night before, he had pulled the Pegasus Knight aside to discuss the matter with her, claiming that such a secret was too rough to shoulder alone. Like her daughter, she had attempted to dissuade the snow-haired strategist from his course of action. However, when he asked her if she wouldn't be willing to do the same thing if she were in his place, she found that she had no answer for him.

Would she be willing to leave her husband and daughters behind for the sake of ensuring they were safe, and that the Fell Dragon would be gone forever? She was torn between her duty as a knight and her instincts as a mother and wife. In the end, she agreed to keep his plan a secret, pulling the young man into an embrace and wishing him luck, close to tears in the process.

Lucina had been uncertain of how to feel at such news. She of course felt betrayed, but she couldn't be mad with her mother, especially not when Robin had asked her to keep it a secret. If nothing else, at least she had tried to keep him from making such a choice.

Yet it did nothing to relieve the sense of loss and sorrow that had descended upon her. In the years that followed the tactician's disappearance, she had busied herself with training and seeking out the remaining Risen that wandered the land. That they would continue to exist, causing destruction and misery wherever they went, was an insult to the man that had given his very existence to slay the Fell Dragon.

And now, here stood one that would remind her even further of the loss she had suffered from so many years ago…

One that was fairing no better than her at present.

To see Lucina again like this, with blade drawn and determination set in those azure jewels, it was like looking into the past. She was just as breathtaking as he recalled. Along with the pleasant memories, doubt reared its ugly head. What would she say if she truly saw him? Would she understand? Gods… could she even stomach seeing what he was becoming? Run. That was his only choice. Run.

He turned away from Chrom's daughter, his movement slow and deliberate with obvious lack of intent. There was no threat coming from his actions, nothing that would indicate want of a fight. His first step was heavy, like he was dragging weighted chains behind him. A small part of him shouted that this was his chance, his only chance to reveal himself; to trust in his friends and find a way to work with them to bring the nightmare to an end for good. But his doubt smothered the voice. To them, he was dead. Let it remain that way until such a time that either he could look at them without shame, or that he truly was dead.

"Hold."

He stopped mid-step, glancing over his shoulder at the royal that had called out to him. Slowly, with caution evident in her motions, she advanced upon him.

He feared what she might say or do. Had she figured it out?

"That cloak… where did you get it?" she inquired, using her blade to point dead center at the article of clothing.

She suspected. That was bad. Very bad.

The man's mouth opened and closed several times. If he spoke, there would be no further denying his identity. But if he said nothing, she might attempt to physically apprehend him.

'I'm in no shape to handle an altercation like that,' he surmised.

"Speak!" she barked, patience wearing thin.

…

He squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of the reaction to come. He had no choice now…

"It… It's mine…" he croaked, voice quiet and cracking. His mouth had gone dry, and a lump occupied his throat. It was a miracle he had managed to form actual words, let alone articulate them so well.

Falchion threatened to slip from the woman's grip as the words registered in her mind. That voice… surely her mind was playing tricks on her. This was but a cruel joke. It had to be. She would awake and find herself in her own bed, reflecting on the dream she had been immersed in.

"R-Robin?"

It may have been a dream, but she would not let such an opportunity slip by her.

His shadowed gaze rose up to meet her eyes once more. "Lucina," he acknowledged.

A laugh slipped from her mouth as her blade fell from her grip. It was an almost silent, breathy thing. Her mind was awhirl, thoughts and emotions long since locked away resurfacing.

She was a literal flash as she destroyed the distance between the two of them, catching the tactician in a fierce embrace, as if to reassure herself that he was actually there. To ensure he was no mere dream.

"Robin! You're, you're really here! Gods, all this time," her voice grew quiet. "I never gave up hope."

The former amnesiac brought his arms up to return her embrace.

"I missed you," he admitted, hating himself for what he would have to do next.

Stepping back a moment from the Ylissean grandmaster, Lucina gazed up into the depths of his cloak. A single hand rose to grasp the edge of the hood and remove it.

She did not expect the firm grip of Robin's hand to secure itself over her wrist, stopping her from following through with the action.

"Robin? What are you-?"

"I can't, Lucina," he cut in, glancing away from the noble. "I can't stay. Things are… they're complicated."

She shook her head, hoping to clear away the disbelief she felt. This- this wasn't right! This was supposed to be a happy reunion! It was supposed to pick up from where they had left off!

"I don't- what do you mean you have to leave? Robin, I don't understand."

He could hear the hurt, the confusion, the deep-seated fear that lie just beneath the surface.

"Lucina. Please, just trust me. I can exp-"

She ripped her hand from his grip. Her eyes were steeled, a scowl threatening to overtake her visage. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"I- what? I told you. I'm-"

"Don't lie to me!" she cried, fists balled at her sides. "Robin wouldn't dare abandon his friends, his daughter… or me."

Her voice had turned deadly quiet by the end of her statement.

…

…

…

It had turned into a contest of wills. Shadowed eyes gazed into blue steel. It was killing him inside.

"…Lucina."

He reached up to the hood of his tactician's cloak with both hands. "Please. I don't want to leave. I have to, to protect you. Both you and Morgan."

Slowly he drew the cloth attachment back, revealing his features to the woman he had fallen in love with. He could see her reaction in his mind's eye. Her eyes growing wide with fear, her mouth falling open in silent horror as a lone hand rose to cover a cry of anguish that was no doubt on its way.

The snow haired man risked a glance at Chrom's oldest. He had been partially right. Her hand had covered the gasp she had released. Yet she did not flee from him. Nor did she attack.

It hurt. It hurt so much. To see him like that.

'He's so… so pale. Gods, what happened to him?'

The tactician's normally pale skin had turned a shade of white that made him look like death warmed over. Patches of dark scales covered various portions of his face. She was reminded of Validar's appearance when Grima had bestowed its power upon him in their final confrontation. A layer of scales had covered the man's entire body, granting him a powerful defense against his foes. And then there were Robin's eyes. Those once beautiful hazel eyes were now a smoldering crimson, much like the various Risen they had fought and killed. A gash in his forehead leaked with scarlet blood, a small trickle compared to what it had been before no doubt.

For a moment she feared that this was another dream. No… a nightmare. She had been plagued by a similar event in her dreams over the past few years. Robin would return, only for him to reveal himself as Grima. The dark avatar would laugh at her shocked expression before reaching out and seizing her by the neck, choking her as it once had, but with no sign of her father to save her this time. She would wake up then in a cold sweat.

Oh how she prayed this wasn't real.

She was the first one to break the silence.

"W-What is this, Robin? What happened to you?"

He could not meet her gaze.

"Grima is still alive, Lucina."

Everything ground to a halt. That one statement caused her to momentarily stop breathing. She couldn't have heard that correctly. Lady Naga had told them that such a thing would be impossible.

"He tied his spirit to mine before I disappeared. When I came back, so did he," admitted the tactician. "He's asleep right now, regaining his strength. I've been trying to find a way to destroy him for good. So far though…"

When she didn't respond, he pressed on.

"I didn't want you to see this. Not you, Morgan, Chrom, or any of the other Shepherds." His gaze moved away from her once more, back to the vase he had knocked from its perch moments ago. "I did my best to keep anyone from knowing I was alive, but-"

"Why? You're… you're still you, aren't you? You didn't think your friends would want to help you like this?" interrupted Ylisse's princess. Robin bristled at the sound of her tone. There was anger in it now, and building. "So you would hide yourself from those that care about you, under the foolish notion that we wouldn't trust you? That we would think you were Grima? How can you even… Gods!"

…

"How long…?"

The tactician brought his scarlet eyes up to glance at his companion once more. "How long what?"

Lucina took a shuddering breath to steady herself for what she was to ask next. "How long ago did you come back?"

Of all the questions she could ask him, why that one? That would surely be the one that hurt the worst… But he was revealed to her now. The fact he had tried to avoid her had hurt her enough. How much more damage could he do at this point?

He answered her, his voice but a whisper. "Two years ago…"

Something between a laugh and a sob escaped the time traveler. "Two years? Gods… and you didn't even think that we might want to know you were alive?"

"And say what, Lucina?" he asked, voice rising as he did so. "Say, "Oh, I'm alive, and guess what, so is the very evil we sacrificed so much for to destroy." I'm certain that would have gone over well. Never mind the fact that Grima is living inside me now!"

He advanced a step, borderline yelling now. "I'm sure Chrom would have embraced me with open arms! Hell, he'd throw a parade in my honor! Who needs to worry about the evil entity slowly regaining its strength so it can consume my mind and soul, then make off with my body?!"

He ceased his ranting when he took note of the expression on the face of the woman before him. She was scared. A woman who had lived through mankind's darkest days and seen the worst of the world, was frightened. Of him. Of him.

"I… Lucina I'm sor-"

Never before had he yelled at her. Never. He might have raised his voice a few times, in an effort to get a point across. But never had he gone so far as to shout in anger, directed towards her.

"What's happening to you? Are you even listening to what you're saying?" she asked, letting her words give her strength. She recomposed herself, glaring hard now at the snow haired amnesiac.

"I… I'm sorry." He leaned back against a nearby wall, running a hand through his white locks as he did so. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. This is why I can't be around you or the others. I can feel the Fell Dragon's mind, and his emotions. When I get worked up, they can bleed through to the surface. Normally I feel anger. Lots of anger. If I were to act on it…"

"My connection to him has become stronger over the past few months. And it frightens me. I have no idea how long it will be until he finally awakes and tries to wrest control of my body from me."

He let the information sink in for a moment before continuing.

"I've been travelling the world for the last two years, looking for something, anything that might separate Grima's spirit from my soul. Magical artifacts, incantations, rituals, something that could help, or maybe even stall Grima's recovery. Regna Ferox, Valm, Plegia, Chon'sin… even here. I've searched every notable library and archive that might have information that could aid me…"

He trailed off, letting the implications hang in the air.

"And…?" inquired Chrom's eldest. "What have you found?"

His throat was dry as he answered. He hated thinking about the result of his search; about how fruitless all of his effort was.

"Nothing."

Never had a single word held so much power. It was enough to shatter what little hope the royal might have had.

"There has been nothing. No clues. No mention of precedents which might give guidance. No sign of hope!"

Lucina jumped slightly as the tactician drove his fist through the nearby side table, an outpouring of his rage and despair. The decorative piece crumbled around his clenched hand, falling into an unruly pile of rubbish.

She stepped closer to the anguished man, laying a hand upon his shoulder. "You… you'll think of something Robin. You always do."

He appreciated her words. Truly he did. That she could have faith and hope, even when there was none to be found. It eased his heart, if only a little.

"Lucina, thank you. But… this isn't a problem that I can defeat tactically. No strategy, no management of manpower, will fix this. I… I just can't see any salvation in my future," he admitted.

He laughed, a dead hollow sound passing forth from his lips. There was no point in hiding his former intentions now. "I had planned to hide from those I knew and continue my research until I could fight no longer… until I knew there was no time left. I would then approach either you or Chrom and ask that you run me through with Falchion, ending both me and Grima for good this time. Aside from me dying again, I can't see any other way this will end with Grima out of the picture permanently."

He didn't even see it coming.

CRACK!

The sound of flesh meeting echoed as Robin stumbled back from the force of the slap. He held a hand to his now reddening cheek, gaze cutting back to Lucina in an instant.

"Wha-?"

"How dare you," she growled, angry tears spilling down her cheeks. "You would make us suffer through years of believing you dead only to show up and ask that we make it so?"

With purpose she marched forward, uncaring that she had lost what little composure she had managed to gather. Let him see her at her weakest. They were beyond such trivial things in their relationship, wherever that might be since the last time they had seen one another years ago…

"You would just give up and await death? That isn't the Robin that I know," she began, poking him in the chest as she continued with her point. "You wouldn't have allowed any of the Shepherds to give up."

She seized him by the front of his tactician's cloak, using her inherited strength to pull him down to her level. "And I'll be damned if I let you."

And then she crushed her lips against his, effectively cutting off any retort that he might have had.

In that moment, with the feeling of her soft lips against his did the burden upon his mind relent and allow him to reflect upon just how much he had missed the woman that now held him in place. Every little thought he had had of her over the past two years came rushing back to him.

And then, just as abruptly, everything seemed to melt away. His tension, his guilt, his worries and troubles… All that existed at this point in time was him and her. He pulled her as close as their bodies would allow, an arm secured around her waist. She had relinquished her hold on his cloak to entwine her arms around his neck. It was a desperate kiss. One that conveyed much to both persons, all without a need for words.

One kiss became two, which then became more numerous that either had a desire to count. By the end of it, when a need for air overwhelmed their want to continue their activity, they parted, lips bruised and lungs out of breath.

Neither noticed the pair of azure orbs watching from further down the hall, wide with surprise, and perhaps a little jealousy.

Ragged breaths were the only sound that left either party. He had leaned back against the wall, pulling her with him. Lucina lay her head against his chest, relishing in the sound of his steady heartbeat.

…

"Robin."

He made a small "hmm" of acknowledgement, dropping his gaze to the top of her head.

"I have waited four years for your return. Please don't make me wait any longer…"

The Plegian born man closed his eyes, contemplating her request. He wanted to stay. Gods, how badly he wanted to remain with her. But could he do that? Would it be safe to do so?

"I know that you are still the man I fell in love with," began Ylisse's eldest princess. She forced him to look her in the eyes, before finishing her thought. "The man I am still in love with."

Oh how his heart swelled to hear such a declaration. To know that he still had her trust… that she believed he was the man he once was, before Grima's intervention.

She knew by his silence that he was contemplating her words. Weighing his available options. How very much like his tactical minded self.

"And what would I say about this?" he inquired, gesturing to his altered features.

"The truth," came the reply as sapphire and ruby gazes locked once more.

He huffed in exasperation. "It's not that simple-"

"It is that simple," she cut in. "So you have changed in appearance. You are still you. You are still Robin. Any of the Shepherds would see that and trust you as they once did. We will not turn our backs on one of our own."

…

"Please."

And what little resolve he had left shattered…

A small, self-depreciating laugh fell past his lips. "I never could say no to you… it really isn't fair."

It felt like his heart would beat from his chest when he saw the pure joy alight in her eyes. "Then…?"

"I'll stay. For you and Morgan. But, I don't know if I'm ready to face Chrom or the others." He was uneasy with the prospect of showing himself to the ones he once called comrades. Lucina might be able to look past his changes, but would they? Would anyone outside of the Shepherds accept him? Should they even be told? Such questions threatened to overwhelm him in his moment of acquiescence.

"I'll be there with you," she spoke, taking his hand in hers, a glimmer of immense relief in her eyes. "We'll get through this like we always used to. Together."

And at last he allowed himself to smile. He gave the time traveller's hand a gentle squeeze. "Right. Together."

With the utmost care he leaned down and claimed her lips once more in a feather-light kiss. "I don't know what I did to deserve you. But thank you, Lucina. For the first time in a long time, I think I can finally see clearly. Maybe there is some hope left."

Any response was interrupted by an indignant shout from down the hallway. "Hey!"

The two moved into action immediately, Lucina moving to block any line of sight on Robin, and the tactician himself whirling to present his back to the new arrival, at least until his hood had been donned once more to hide his features.

Both were surprised to see an irate, tiny blunette making her way towards them.

"Lucy?"

Surprise jumped to the forefront of Lucina's expression when she heard the name of her younger self tumble from Robin's mouth. He knew her? Then that meant-!

"That's not fair!" shouted the pintsized princess as she came to a stop in front of the duo, stomping her foot in indignation while glaring up at the shadows of the grandmaster's visage. "How come she got to see your face?!" she demanded, pointing a finger at her sister.

"Look Lucy, it's complicated. It's… well… I…" He shot a look to his companion, hoping she would get the message he was trying to convey.

'Help me out here!'

She stifled a giggle in return, leaving him floundering in the face of her past self. The younger Lucina stood with her arms crossed, one foot tapping in annoyance as her glare deepened. All in all it made for quite the intimidating sight.

"Well?" she inquired.

"Your sister was just… ah, checking my head wound, from when I hit the table earlier."

The younger princess leaned forward as much as her small body would allow, gazing into the darkness of Robin's hooded face, her gaze narrowing even more as she attempted to distinguish whether or not he was telling the truth. The tactician could only gulp in response.

"Fine," she huffed, looking away from the flustered man momentarily. "You scared me when you weren't moving," admitted the second youngest of Chrom's children.

"Sorry," he offered lamely. He knew it wasn't much more than a platitude at this point, but truthfully, it was all he could offer.

"Papa was looking for you."

Both persons noted how Lucy's gaze was still locked on Robin.

"You… ran into father?" asked Lucina, slightly in disbelief.

Shoulders sagging in shame, he nodded. "I didn't want to be seen, remember? Chrom walked in after I had just woken up from being knocked unconscious. It's a long story," he admitted after seeing the questioning look from his partner.

"And then you just disappeared!" continued the youngster, hands now on her hips, and action she had no doubt witnessed Sumia perform when arguing with Chrom. The thought of that alone almost made him smile once more. "Papa was really upset about that. He tried to pretend he wasn't. But I could tell."

Robin knew he would more than likely have to speak with Lucina at length later to detail the on-goings of the past several weeks he spent infiltrating the castle's archives. But now was not the time for such a conversation.

Striding over to the oblivious scholar, Lucy seized one of his arms in a fierce grip, then began pulling him with her.

"W-Wha-? Where are we going Lucy?" he asked, barely maintaining his balance as she tugged him along.

"Papa still probably wants to talk to you. We're going to go see him!" she declared, nuzzling his arm as she did so. "And then I can prove to mama that you're real!"

Lucina blinked in honest surprise and bewilderment. Had her younger self just marched off with her fiancé? And… had she been glaring at the younger girl while she did so? 'Oh Gods…'

"H-Hey! Wait a minute!" she called, taking off after the pair.

Catching the two was a simple matter. Lucy's shorter legs would only allow her to get so far with each step. Taking up residence on Robin's other side, she allowed her hand to slip into his own. He returned the gesture eagerly, giving her a gentle squeeze of acknowledgement.

He was back. Robin was back. Were there problems that would need to be resolved? Certainly. Not the least of which was the alarming news of Grima's continued survival. They would find a way to remove the treacherous snake, once and for all.

Lucina had always believed that fate was a cruel thing. From the dark future she experienced, to the sorrows and tragedies she faced when coming back to the past. The climax of the final battle against Grima only cemented those feelings, with the loss of Robin. But now… now perhaps, fate wasn't quite as cruel as she had once thought.

It had allowed for a glimmer of salvation to shine through in the form of her reunion with the tactician. It was far from perfect, but it was enough to ignite the flames of hope.

A genuine smile broke out across Lucina's face. Perhaps the first true one she could offer in years. 'We'll make it through this, and we'll enjoy the future we built, together.'

-End-

Draknal: Wow. Not bad for an alternate ending, huh? Please excuse the tone shift, but I didn't want this to stay too angsty. I take no pleasure in that sort of writing. Again, it's been a bit of time since I wrote anything for these two, so hopefully they stayed mostly in character, given their circumstances.

Just a note. I have several other stories (six of them, mostly oneshots) I'm working on as well. They're all pretty long too. I've written a little of each every couple of days. Hence why it took so long to get this out. Drop me a review and let me know what you thought, please.

Oh, and there will most likely be a short epilogue that will come out… sometime in the near future. Just a short one to give some closure to this story once and for all. Look forward to it!