And here comes chapter 2 of the story!

For the Reviews (Which I had to edit in, since I forgot them, MY BAD!):

Dawinnab: Well, those certainly sound interesting, and, although I...don't know if I can see Shepherds becoming such classes (unless people wanna give me ideas for OCs for such), as will be stated in this chapter, Robin had something going called 'Operation: Morph' that can more likely use what you asked...

dragoncraft: Well, I'm leaving their means of arrival ambiguous, but...well...something (or someone) will appear, and it's (he's) encountered someone already, as you'll see in this chapter...

Chapter 2: Out of the Darkness...

The group had been walking for a while now, and Robin was almost finished going over the Swarm with her Cerebrate, which she learned she called 'Katarina', after some historical tactician from ancient times.

'...and finally, you have the Leviathan, which is a greater form of Behemoth.'

'So, it is used for space travel and carrier duties, as well as orbital attack, as well?'

'Precisely, it appears your memories may yet return naturally.'

'That's good...'

However, Robin was jarred from her thoughts when Lissa finally said, "I told you—it's getting dark already! ...Ech! And now the bugs are out! Noisy, disgusting bugs that buzz around and crawl all over and bite you when—" And then she accidently swallowed a bug. "Agh! Won goph in mah mouph! Blech! Ptooey!"

Chrom laughed. "Aw, come on now, Lissa. Hardship builds character. Want to help me gather firewood?"

"Tpht! Tpht! Yeeeeeuck! ...I think I swallowed it... I'll pass on finding firewood, thanks. I think I've built QUITE enough character for one day!"

Then, Robin felt an empty sensation in her stomach, which began growling. "We should probably think about food. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Frederick replied, "Yes, I should think a little hunting and gathering is in order. Now, who wants to clear a campsite?"

The group split into two groups, with Robin and Lissa staying behind to set up camp, and Chrom and Frederick off to look for firewood and food respectively. Later, Frederick returned with a bear, a while after Chrom returned with firewood.

After a while, the group was roasting the bear, and Robin was in mental conversation with Katarina again. 'This would likely be the best time to tell them about us, Overmind...'

'I know, I know, but how is it that I am going to bring it up in conversation. "Hey, by the way, I'm leader of a swarm of what you'd call monsters"? I'm sure Frederick would find sufficient reason to spear me at THAT point...'

'Well, we need to find SOME way to tell them, otherwise we may encounter a diplomatic crisis.'

'I know, I KNOW! But...I don't know how-'

"Hey, Robin...are you alright?" Chrom asked...

'Well, Overmind, now's your chance...' Katarina said to her.

Robin nervously tried to put together her thoughts, before finally saying, "The walk here, gave me a chance to think and figure things out, and some memories began to surface."

"That's wonderful," Chrom stated, "What did you remember?"

Robin nervously looked at him. "I...I need your word that...you won't treat me as...any less human...once you hear this, because...it's as troubling as it is unbelievable..."

Chrom then looked worried. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Robin breathed in deeply, before exhaling and asking, "Have you ever...heard of the Zerg? Or the creatures that live on the continent to the south?"

"No news has ever returned from the southern continent," Frederick stated, "All that is said to live there is wild men and grotesque creatures."

Robin now looked nervous. "I ask...because that's where I'd lived for the past 7 years..."

Chrom raised an eyebrow. "Well, I don't see what the issue is, why would we think of you as any less human if-"

"Not as one of the wild men, Chrom...as one of the creatures..." Robin interrupted. The others fell silent. "I managed to realize what my title means...The creatures from the continent are called the Zerg...and the Overmind...is the leader of the Zerg." More silence. "I don't remember much about my life, but I do remember that 7 years ago, I arrived on the southern continent, where I became one of them, and became their leader. I built the hive up to where it stretched across the continent...and, from what my Cerebrate told me-"

"'Cerebrate'?" Frederick asked.

"They're...kind of a second-in-command for an Overmind. This one, I had apparently named after an ancient Tactician, 'Katarina'..."

"Ah, after the Atoning Tactician from the Hero-King's time," Chrom stated, nodding.

"Anyways, she's been in telepathic contact with me...since I awoke in the field. She's how I knew about the spine-throwing ability I had, and how I found out I had weapons on me. And, since the city, she's been helping me remember the Zerg...so I could tell you about them, now..." Robin explained.

There was silence, a silence broken by Frederick, who glared at Robin. "And may I ask why the leader of these creatures is here in Ylisse?"

"Frederick! Do you really think she'd know why-" Chrom pointedly tried to ask, but Robin interrupt him.

"It's ok, Chrom, Katarina told me about that too...I came...in the hopes of making peaceful first contact with Ylisse." Everyone remained silent, but Chrom gave a nod for Robin to explain. "There's a storm coming, Chrom, and the Zerg want to see Ylisse weather it, so I came to Ylisse to make contact, and aid it in weathering this storm. One thing I'll note is that...Katarina had already told me that, even before the incident that left me in that field without my memory, which I still don't remember, I would have still joined the Shepherds anyways. If you want me to leave, I understand...but I really do desire to help Ylisse..."

There was silence for a good minute or so...before Chrom finally said, "As I already said before, you found by our side to save our peoples' lives. In my heart, that's enough to tell me of your intentions: we'd still be proud to have you by our side."

Robin just smiled, although she did tear up a little. "Thank you..."

Chrom then spoke out, "It appears the meat's finished. You ok with bear?" he asked Robin.

"Don't worry," Robin replied, "Katarina reminded me that I and the other Zerg will eat anything..." Her smirk grew devilish, "And I mean anything..."

The group was sitting around the fire, with only 2 of the 4 people eating.

"Mmm... It's been too long since I last had bear meat. Delicious!" Chrom spoke out, "...What's wrong, Lissa? Dig in."

Lissa's face twisted in digust. "Pass! ...Gods, couldn't you spear us an animal normal people eat for once? I mean, come on! Who eats bear?! You're meddling with the food chain. Right, Robin? ...Uh, Robin?"

Robin, however, was chowing down hungrily...before looking and, swallowing what was in her mouth, voiced, "Zerg, remember?" before chowing down again.

Lissa sighed. "Of course, she happens to be part of a race that can eat anything..."

"Just eat it, Lissa. Meat is meat," Chrom stated.

"Since when does meat smell like old boots?! Wait, I take that back—boots smell better!"

"Every experience makes us stronger, milady. Even those we don't enjoy," Frederick stated.

"Really? Then why don't I see YOU eating, Frederick?" Lissa asked accusingly.

Frederick was caught off-guard. "Me? Oh, well... I'm not hungry. I...I had a large lunch! Yes, quite."

"Yeah right, Frederick!" Lissa exclaimed. Robin just laughed with a chunk of meat in her mouth...and that's when the others noticed something. "Wait a minute...Robin...are your chunks of meat RAW?!" Lissa asked in shock.

Robin merely looked down at the meat for a moment...before tearing a chunk off with her teeth and eating it. "I guess it is..." she said, after swallowing.

"It's official: never have dinner with the Zerg..." Lissa stated. Robin laughed a little, despite the piece of meat in her mouth, Chrom following shortly after.

When Robin went to sleep, it wasn't until later that night, when Katarina jarred her awake. 'Overmind! There's a situation!'

Robin quickly got up. 'What is it, Katarina?!'

'The Overseer I have sent your way is detecting massive seismic activity in your area! Furthermore, the ones identified as Chrom and Lissa have been caught in a sector home to an unusual anomaly producing powerful temporal distortions. Finally, we have sensed another presence, one much like your own in the area, in addition to a separate, and powerful, Psi signature! We don't know what's going on, but Chrom and Lissa are probably in danger!'

'Oh no!' Robin got up, and, sure enough, Chrom and Lissa were gone. "Frederick!" Robin called, and the knight came coming.

"What is it?...Where are-"

"Part of why I called you: they're gone, and Katarina said the Overseer she sent to support me sensed them near an area with a lot of activity. They could be in trouble!"

"Then we must get moving!" Frederick called, climbing on his horse. "Come on!"

"Don't worry about me! We Zerg-Human hybrids are pretty fleet-of-foot. Let's hurry!" Robin then went sprinting towards where the Overseer said Chrom and Lissa were, at the speed of an unencumbered horse.

"..." Frederick was shocked by Robin's burst of speed, but quickly recovered, and moved to follow.

However, he soon caught up with her...grappling a rotting, corpse-like being. "Get off me, you stupid, putrid, bag of rotting FLESH!" The thrust her palm forward, and a rippling wave shot out, launching the creature skyward.

"By the gods! What as that?!" Frederick asked, shocked.

Before Robin could answer, a couple more creatures appeared, and charged them. However, before they could strike back, a third creature appeared...and brutalized the duo's assailants. It was large, and looked like a cross between a flightless dragon and a grasshopper. It turned towards them, staring with monocolored eyes. "What is...this?!" Frederick asked. Robin, however, slowly approached. "Keep away from it, we don't know what it is and milord and milady would be cross if I let you get hurt!"

"I think I know what it is..." Robin said, continuing her approach...and putting her hand on the creature's head. The creature cooed happily, and settled on the ground, allowing Robin to pet its head, Frederick shocked by this. "It's...a Raptor...a...strand of Zergling...it's one of my Zerg..."

"This is a Zerg?" Frederick asked, referring to the winged creature in front of him.

"Yes, one strand of them. It's part of a greater species called the Zergling..." Robin explained. She seemed to think, before mounting on the creature's back. "Let's get going! If a Raptor is here, than the rest of my Swarm's reinforcements must be nearby."

Frederick nodded. "Right!"

The duo rode out, soon reaching a clearing, where a young man in blue was walking away, and Chrom and Lissa were standing near a tree, a little shake, but alright. "Milord! Milady! Are you hurt?" Frederick called.

Lissa's head jolted their direction, and she cried, "Frederick! Robin!"

Chrom looked, but noticed something else. "What is that thing you're riding, Robin?!"

"A Raptor. One of my Zerg. The Cerebrate Katarina sent some forces here when she lost contact with me. The Raptor must have been a scout of these forces..." She then saw more of the corpse creatures from earlier. "...Are such horrific creatures commonplace in these lands?"

"They're not from Ylisse, I promise you that. And if your Zerg are on their way, then we may have the means to drive them out again!"

"No one is injured, then? Thank the gods..." Frederick stated.

"Thank the masked man who saved me! If it wasn't for him, I'd be... Hey, where did he go?" Lissa asked.

Robin's vision allowed her to vaguely see the being in question charge off, to fight more of the creatures.

Frederick said, before anything else could be, "We can worry about him later, AFTER we put these...things...to the blade. Eyes open, now. We know nothing about this enemy."

"Right," Chrom replied, "Robin, how long until the Swarm gets here?"

"I don't know, best guess: 5 minutes."

"Then that's how long we have to hold out...Until then, do you have a plan?"

Robin looked out over the battlefield, looking for anything that could give them an advantage...eventually..."Hmm? Are those..."

"Abandoned forts, yes," Frederick replied.

Robin nodded. "Then we should take shelter in them whenever possible. No doubt they will offer distinct advantages in battle. Chrom and I get in one. Frederick, you and Lissa take the other! My Raptor will take on the creatures out here!"

Everyone nodded and entered their respective structures. Robin got up on one of the walls, and began firing both Lightning from her tome and spines from her hands at the oncoming walking corpses, while Chrom sliced through any that make it through the defenses. Frederick did similar in the other fort, while Lissa kept him healed.

Eventually, however, they heard a loud galloping. "That's not my Zerg," Robin stated.

"No...that's one of ours!" Chrom shouted, as a horse came out of the forest, carrying a woman with short, spiky red hair, and wearing red armor.

Then, the woman called out. "Captain Chrom! Wait! I'm coming! ...Agh, I knew I shouldn'ta left 'em. All right, you ash-faced freaks! Which one of ya wants to try my lance on for size first? I know just the spot for it: shoved right up your—"

However, a man in fancy clothing soon came out as well. "Hold, milady!"

Robin tuned out the argument, as she watched the skies for any signs of her reinforcements. However, a loud *WHACK* snapped her attention back to the duo...with the fancy guy on the ground and the red-haired woman off her horse...and putting her foot back on the ground from kicking the man in the head.

Fancy-man however, DIDN'T shut up. "OOF! G-goodness, but those shapely legs certainly can kick, can't they... P-please, milady! Allow me to accompany you, at least! Mine is a cold, empty world without you. I shall be your most willing servant, and you, in turn, will give my life purpose..."

The woman sighs, "Fine...Anything to shut you up...What? Stop staring at me like that!"

Then, the woman rides to the fort with Robin and Chrom in it. "So, what's the situation, Captain?"

"Good to see you, Sully. We're facing these creatures, and waiting for reinforcements from our new friend..." Chrom then points at Robin.

"Her? What reinforcements could she bring?" Sully asks.

"She doesn't look it, but she leads a swarm of creatures called Zerg. We can explain later but needless to say..." He points out in the field. "See the thing with wings fighting the...creatures that look like corpses?"

Sully looks out and spots the creature. "Yeah, what about it?"

"That's a form of Zerg. If you see creatures that look remotely like it, do NOT attack them! They could be our reinforcements."

Sully looked up at the girl supposedly leading the dragon-like monster...as she raises her hand and fires 3 spikes from it, which slam into 3 of the corpse creatures, destroying them. "Normally, I'd ask if you lost your mind, but I guess, right now, we can't be picky."

"Just listen to what she says, she's also great with tactics," Chrom replies.

"Very well...Hey, kid! Where do you want me and Ruffles?"

"You go and switch with Frederick! Have him aid the Raptor! Then have the archer go and help cover you and Lissa in the other fort!"

"Alright, if you insist..." Sully stated, less than pleased to be working with the archer. Soon, however, a new surge of creatures came. Frederick and the Raptor readied for the next wave...as a screech filled the air...

*Music Track: "Europa" by Globus*

As 2 balloon-like Overlords and an Overseer came in. Everyone except Robin was shocked by the creatures' appearances. Robin, however, called, "Backup has arrived! Frederick! You and the Raptor pull back and cover the Overlords as they drop backup!" Frederick and the Raptor pulled back, while one Overlord lowered itself, and unleashed its payload: a group of 3 Hydralisks and 5 Swarmlings. "Excellent: Hydralisks, go and aid the Archer-"

"My name is Virion, milady!" the archer called out.

"-go and aid Virion. Swarmlings, form up with Sully. Attack what she attacks, or what tries to attack her, got it?" The creatures screeched in affirmation, the Hydralisks slithering to the archer, while the Zergling mutants formed up with Sully.

Soon, that Overlord lifted up to normal height, and the other lowered, to drop some of its troops, 3 roaches and 2 more Raptors. "Roaches, form up with Frederick, then Frederick, take them with you to strike the creatures directly. Raptors, form up with myself and Chrom!" The Roaches did as ordered, following the knight to take on the creatures, keeping them from getting close with their acid spit. Meanwhile, the Raptors formed up with Chrom and Robin, the latter of whom came down from the wall. Then, the Overlord, rather than taking off again, moved to them. "What is going o-"

Before Robin could finish, 2 more massive forms, a Queen and Broodmother, dropped from the Overlord, along with a Drone. "Overmind!" the Queen verbally exclaimed.

Chrom was shocked by this. "It just talked!"

"'She' just talked," the Broodmother corrected, "Queens like Lyndis here and Broodmothers like myself are typically considered female."

"...My...apologies..." Chrom stated...before noticing the name. "Wait, you're named for one of the heroes of Elibe, aren't you?" Chrom asked the Zerg Queen.

"Of course," the Queen stated, "Those of us that are part of Robin's 'inner circle' were named for heroes of old."

"Why didn't you leave the Overlord sooner?" Robin asked pointedly, before anyone could say anything else.

"We are your bodyguards, Micaiah and I," the Queen, Lyndis replied, "Our duty is to ensure your safety, above any other duty."

Robin nodded, before she responded, "I...see..."

After recovering from that surprise, she said, "Come on! We'll take on the leader!"

"Right," Chrom stated.

"Right behind you, Overmind!" Lyndis called.

"On it!" Micaiah added.

The quartet and their Raptors charged out, the Queen and Broodmother taking point, Raptors taking the rear, slaughtering the creatures that tried to engage them. They looked around: Sully and the Swarmlings were swarming an army of creatures that charged the forts, Virion and the Hydralisks were laying down suppressing fire, slowing the advance further, while Frederick and the Roaches waded into the enemy, cutting (or dissolving) them down swiftly.

It was soon that the group reached the Chief, which Chrom charged with a shout, his sword raised aloft. Robin charged in soon after, taking out her scythe. Chrom and the Chief clashed, but Chrom staggered. The Chief lunged, but Robin spun her scythe, creating a shield that blocked the axe blow. Robin then lashed out, her scythe's blade hooking to the axe head. Both Robin and the creatures' Chief grappled, neither giving way to the other.

'Just how strong IS she?!' Chrom asked himself for what wasn't the first time that day. Then, he realized what was going on: Robin gave him an opening...an opening he took, thrusting his blade into the creature, which moaned. It tried to strike with its other arm, but a pair of spikes shot in and embedded themselves in it. He thought they came from Robin, but looking back, he realized it was the Queen and Broodmother instead. 'Maybe it's an ability usable by ALL these 'Zerg' leader forms...' Chrom thought to himself, as the Chief fell, and the other creatures collapsed, dissolving into dark smoke.

*End Track*

Robin stood there, panting. Chrom about called Lissa over, when the Queen came forward, hand glowing in red light. The Queen placed the glowing hand on Robin's shoulder, and soon, Robin looked revitalized. "Thanks for that," Robin said, thanking her bodyguard.

"Think nothing of it," Lyndis replied.

Chrom just watched, panting and exhausted...until a hand fell on his shoulder, and he also felt like his strength returned to him. He turned around, seeing the Broodmother Micaiah there, who nodded at him. He nodded in thanks, and regrouped with the others.

"Looks like everyone's alright," Chrom said, with relief...until he saw a pair of dead Swarmlings. He looked at Robin, who was looking sorrowfully at the lost Zerg. "Or not...I'm sorry, Robin..."

"It's...alright..." Robin said, forcing a smile. "The Zerg...are a hive mind...As long as that Hive Mind remains...a Zerg is never truly dead...as their minds are preserved in the Swarm, and they can be resurrected, in a new body..."

"You mean that if, say, yourself, were killed, your consciousness would remain in the Hive Mind until you were recreated?" Frederick asked in surprise. Robin nodded. "Alright...but onto other business... It seems all the creatures are vanquished. This young man took care of the others." He gestured towards a young man in blue, with a mask over his face.

'This 'young man' is not what 'he' seems...' Katarina immediately communicated to Robin.

'What makes you say that?'

'Firstly, this young 'man' isn't a 'man' at all...just a woman that looks enough like a man to effectively disguise as one...Secondly...I hear...'

'...Hear what?' Robin asked.

'She...I do not know...this must be an anomaly...I must take this information to Lyon...He might have an explanation for this, when you contacted Chrom, I sent him in an Overlord towards the Ylissean Capital. He should arrive shortly after you.'

Robin recognized Lyon as one of the Zerg 'inner circle' that Katarina mentioned earlier. Lyon was her Evolutionary Master, a form that hadn't been seen since the Evolutionary Master of the first Overmind and, later, the Queen of Blades, a being called 'Abathur'. According to Katarina, Lyon shared Abathur's form, and many of his quirks, verbal patterns, etc, but a set of morals more in-line with Robin's own.

'Alright...just...tell me when you get the chance...'

Lissa then spoke out, returning Robin's mind to the outside world. "Um, I never got to thank you...for before. So...thank you. You were very brave."

"You saved my sister's life. My name is Chrom. Might I ask yours?" Chrom asked.

"You may call me Marth," the woman-disguised-as-a-man commented.

Chrom seemed surprised. "Marth? After the heroic king of old?You certainly fight like a hero. Where did you learn your way with a sword?"

"I'm not here to talk about me. This world teeters at the brink of a horrible calamity. What you saw tonight was but a prelude. You have been warned." With that, Marth walked off.

Lissa sputtered in confusion. "Huh? What's teetering where now? Hey, wait!"

"Not much for conversation, is he?"

That voice left the group shocked. "Uhm...Robin...tell me that was you..." Lissa stated.

"I would, but I would be lying..." Robin replied, "But...I do know who it was...Katarina! How long have you been able to talk to EVERYONE?!"

The Overseer that was overhead floated down to the group. "For as long as this Overseer was here," the Cerebrate replied, "It is an honor to be able to finally speak to you all..."

"So, you are this 'Cerebrate' of Robin's that was named for the Atoning Tactician of the Hero-King Marth's time?" Frederick asked.

"Yes, although I do not appreciate the accusatory tone, Knight..." the Cerebrate replied.

"Enough, Frederick. You know I am Chrom, this is-"

"Lissa, your sister, and your guard, Frederick. The Cavalier is Sully, and the Archer Virion. I know, I observed the battle from this Overseer, and was helping direct our forces when the Overmind couldn't."

"Was it also true, what Robin said about you being there in her mind from the beginning?" Chrom asked.

"Yes. I helped her try to remember certain details, although specific others...it is best if she found them on her own...the damage that could occur if she found them would be...catastrophic, to put it mildly."

"I see..." Chrom replied, "How long are you going to keep watching us?"

"Whenever Robin is near you, unless she requests I don't: it is part of my duty as Cerebrate to protect the Overmind and ensure her safety AND stability."

"Ah, so, while Lissa and I have Frederick the Wary, Robin has Katarina the Wary?" Chrom joked.

To everyone's surprise, Katarina laughed. "Yes, it appears so."

Lissa then stated, with a little snark, "At least Robin's mother hen figure has a sense of humor."

That elicited another laugh from everyone, except Frederick, again. Finally, Frederick cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but for now I'm concerned about the capital. We should make haste."

Chrom's face fell when he remembered what happened here just now. "Yes, of course. Let's get moving."

"Right," Robin stated. Before anyone left, however, the dog-sized Drone scurried up to Robin, cooing. "Ah, alright," Robin said, reaching down and picking the Zerg Drone up. Everyone looked at her weirdly. "What...little thing's just so cute..."

Lissa looked shocked by that. "If...you say so..."

As the group moved, Lyndis and Micaiah, as well as the Overseer Katarina spoke through, followed, Frederick sighing. 'I certainly hope they do not cause a panic.'

As the group left, 'Marth' watched them leave from the shadows. Once they were gone, 'he' stopped hiding. And when 'he' did, he removed his mask, revealing...

"At least they're alright," Lucina said to herself, "Now, to get to Ferox...hopefully, things should get simpler from there-"

"Such thoughts can be fatal to goals such as ours...One must be cautious to prevent the dark future we have both seen..." a deep, rumbling voice spoke out.

"Who's there?!" Lucina exclaimed, pointing her sword towards where she heard the voice originate...

...Only to be met by a figure shrouded by darkness, revealing nothing but a pair of glowing, green eyes...

The chrysalis holding the Cerebrate Katarina throbbed against the Central Hive, as Katarina's mind stretched out to the Overlord which was just now crossing over onto the Ylissean Continent. 'Lyon!'

'Katarina. Cerebrate of Swarm. Carrying important message, if tone proper indicator.'

'Indeed, Lyon. I have sensed something...unusual...'

Katarina sent the information, and when Lyon received it. '...Anomaly. Song of Swarm. Undeniable. Ways native can possess: unknown. Need analysis.'

'I understand. This is something truly unusual...but also...something...like us...'

The group continued to Ylisstol, now with increasing speed. Frederick and Lissa shared Frederick's horse, Sully (reluctantly) gave Virion a ride, Chrom elected to walk, while Lyndis and Micaiah took turns giving Robin a ride, something the duo claimed gave Robin some enjoyment when she was younger. After some thought, Robin began to gain tidbits and snippets of memories corroborating this claim. At one point, Chrom walked up alongside Micaiah, whom was the one who currently was giving Robin a ride. "So...did Katarina tell you of any other Zerg that were close to you?"

Robin turned, and thought, before saying, "Well, there's her, then you have Lyndis and Micaiah here...There's also the Evolutionary Master Lyon, he's in charge of improving the Swarm..."

"'Improving'?" Chrom asked.

"Evolving it, specifically. He essentially plays with the building blocks of the Zerg's genetics to make them into something better."

"All...right..." Chrom stated, only catching half of what Robin said. "That...sounds like something Miriel, one of our mages, would understand better..."

"Alright...anyways, we also have the head Broodmother, Elincia, and also Zelgius, who leads the Zerg in charge of Infiltration and other Covert acts. She also mentioned a modified Overseer I called 'Nergal' in charge of something called 'Operation: Morph'...I don't know much else beyond that..."

"Is that it?" Chrom asked.

"Yeah...sorry..." Robin replied.

"It's alright, I'm sure you'll remember more in time..."

The duo were silent for a moment or two. "...You know, you might just get to meet one of them. Katarina told me earlier that Lyon was going to meet us at the capital."

"Really?" Chrom asked, "I hope he arrives around when he does...otherwise he won't be able to get in..."

"...True...I think it'd be problematic to get Lyndis, Micaiah, and the Overseer in there," Robin commented.

"Don't worry, the guards will listen to me...or they should..." Chrom said.

Robin smiled gratefully. "Thanks Chrom..."

Robin was right: the guards did pitch a fit about their Zerg Escorts, and it took a lot of effort to get the Zerg in, but Chrom pulled through. Even more troubling was when an Overlord arrived, and a large form dropped from it. It was large, and slug-like, with a bulbous top, and a face, above a gaping mouth that was a little more than a vertical tear in the creature's torso. It had a few pairs of arms, each ending in hand with slender, pointy fingers and thumbs.

"Who would you be?" Chrom asked, after getting the guards to back off from the creature.

"Lyon. Evolve Swarm, spin strands and sequences. Partner of Cerebrate Katarina and servant of Venom Queen."

"'Venom Queen'?" Chrom asked, looking back at Robin...who was confused.

"Robin. Overmind of Zerg Swarm. Monikers: 'Venom Queen' and 'Heart of the Swarm'. Derived from Venomed Spine Attack present in both Human and Zerg Forms." Chrom rose an eyebrow, before shaking his head and gesturing for the group, Lyon included, to follow.

Finally, the group entered the city.

"So this is Ylisstol, capital of Ylisse... I've never seen so many humans in one place!" Robin said in wonder.

"Just humans? What about Zerg?" Chrom asked.

"Not exactly in my memories, but, based on what Katarina told me of the Swarm's numbers, I'm sure I MIGHT have seen tons of Zerg in one place before..."

Frederick then spoke out, "It appears the capital was spared the chaos we encountered, thank the gods. I see no evidence of the great quake. It must've been limited to the forest."

"Thank goodness," Robin stated.

Lissa added, "Yeah, that's a relief!"

"City walls solidly constructed: requires Earthquake with magnitude of 4 to collapse: analysis of earthquake of previous night barely registered as 3," Lyon commented.

"I thought you were an 'evolutionary master'..." Frederick stated.

"Knowledge of Genetic manipulation requires knowledge of basic scientific concepts. Easy to expand knowledge to other areas, while keeping specialization," the Evolutionary master commented.

Just then, an old man called out, "Look! The exalt has come to see us!"

The group looked out, and Robin spotted a young woman, with blonde hair...same blonde as Lissa's, she noted, wearing some kind of crown on her head, and with a mark on her forehead...the same mark on Chrom's right shoulder, she noted..." The exalt is your ruler, yes?" Robin asked.

"Yes. Her name is Lady Emmeryn," Frederick stated.

Robin analyzed the Exalt and her escort, which, while small, seemed armed enough to deter any attempts to attack her. "Is it safe for her to walk among commoners like this?" she asked anyways.

"The exalt is a symbol of peace—Ylisse's most prized quality. Long ago, at the dawn of our age, the fell dragon tried to destroy the world. But the first exalt joined forces with the divine dragon and laid the beast low. Exalt Emmeryn reminds us all of the peace we fought for then."

Lyon then stated, "Fell Dragon. Designation: Grima. Moniker: Fellblood. Power Level: ...Catastrophic."

"Glad to see you know your history..." Frederick said to the creature.

Chrom then said, "With Plegia poking at our borders, the people need her. She's a calming presence, when some might otherwise call for war."

The Queen Lyndis then said aloud, "Then the Ylissean human population is indeed fortunate to have her in a position of leadership."

"She's also the best big sister anyone could ask for!" Lissa said aloud.

"Yes, I imagine she..." Suddenly, Robin discovered what she said, "Wait, what? She's your... But wouldn't that make you and Chrom..."

"The prince and princess of the realm, yes. You remember Chrom's name and not this?" Frederick asked, "And...what of your Cerebrate, did she not tell you?"

A whistling emitting from the Overseer spoke volumes of Katarina's guilt in leaving that particular fact out. "You said you were "shepherds"!" Robin stated, glaring at the Overseer serving as Katarina's avatar.

"And so we are...in a manner of speaking. We just have a LOT of sheep," Chrom stated.

"C-Chrom... I mean, Prince Chrom! Sire! Forgive my dreadful manners!" Robin sputtered, trying to salvage an (imagined) incident.

"Just Chrom is fine. I've never been much for formalities," Chrom stated, before thinking and saying, "Come to think of it: you lead these 'Zerg', don't you?" Robin nodded. "Then, if anything, that makes YOU an equal to Emm, meaning I should be the one pleading for YOUR forgiveness for MY dreadful manners," Chrom stated, laughing a little.

Robin laughed a little as well. "I guess so...Still, the prince and princess... That explains why Frederick tolerates all the teasing, eh?"

"Indeed. Oh, the sacrifices I make for the good of the realm..." Frederick stated, eliciting a laugh from everyone.

"It looks like Emm is returning to the palace. You said your mission was accomplish peaceful first contact between the Halidom of Ylisse and the Zerg Swarm: how would you like to finish that mission?"

The group entered the palace, after Chrom nearly fought with the guards over letting Lyndis, Micaiah, the Overseer, and Lyon in. Eventually, Chrom succeeded, again, in gaining them admission, and soon, they entered the Throne Room, where Emmeryn awaited, Chrom asking the 'obvious' Zerg to stay back out of sight, although Robin refused to leave the Drone behind, thus causing the guards to looks suspiciously at the lobster-like creature. "Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fared you all?"

"Well—we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while," Chrom stated wryly.

Emmeryn smiled. "Wonderful. And our people?"

"Safe as they can be, Emm. But we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over from Plegia."

One of Emmeryn's escorts, a Pegasus Knight, stated, "Forgive me, milord. My pegasus knights should have intercepted them."

"No, Phila. Your duty was here, with the exalt," Chrom assured the Pegasus Knight.

"And besides, we had plenty of help!" Lissa stated, gesturing towards Robin (and her hidden associates in the shadows).

"Ah, you speak of your new companion here?" Emmeryn asked.

"Well, companionS..." Chrom corrected, looking at Robin, who nodded, and nervously gestured towards the shadows...prompting the bodyguards, Overseer, and Evolutionary Master.

The guards and Phila rose their weapons...but Emmeryn raised a hand, calling them off. However, she looked at the beings quizzically. Robin set the Drone in her arms on her shoulder, nervously approached, and bowed respectfully, Lyndis and Micaiah coming to flank her. "Your Grace...I am Robin...Venom Queen, Heart of the Swarm, and Overmind of the Zerg...I aided your siblings in fighting the brigands attacking Southtown, and then I and the Swarm aided them again, when they were beset by rotting beings in the forests south of this city. I have come to the capital here...so that talks of peace and both economic and military aid can be made between the Zerg Swarm and the Halidom of Ylisse. This creature on my shoulder is a Drone, the primary workers of the Swarm, and the creatures that evolve into all Zerg Structures."

The inhabitants of the room (except with Chrom's group, only to a lesser extent, though) seemed surprised by this. The Overseer approached. "This Overseer serves as my avatar. I am a Cerebtrate, the Venom Queen's chief lieutenant, and am named for the Atoning Tactician of the Era of the Hero-King. My name is Katarina."

Lyndis then approached. "I am a Queen, a General of the Swarm. I serve the Overmind as a Bodyguard, and am named for the Noblewoman of Sacae. My name is Lyndis."

Next was Micaiah. "I am a Broodmother, an evolved form of Queen. I also serve as a personal guard to the Overmind. I am named for the Silver-Haired Maiden of Daein. My name is Micaiah."

Finally, Lyon approached. "Origin of personal designation: Necromancer from Grado in Magvel who performed research on the Dark Stone. In response to question of identity and function: Lyon. Evolve Swarm, spin strands and sequences. Partner of Cerebrate Katarina and servant of Venom Queen."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Emmeryn said warmly, a warmth powerful enough for Robin to feel the peaceful and warm sensation through the Zerg with her, and seemed to spread through the Swarm. "It sounds as though Ylisse owes you a debt of gratitude, Robin. You and your Zerg came on what sounds to be a diplomatic mission, yet you aided our people in fighting off threats in spite of that."

"Not at all, milady. With the incident in the forest...I as merely fortunate that, when a situation befell me in Ylisse, that Katarina sent a strike team to investigate," Robin explained.

Katarina further elaborated, "While near Southtown, the Swarm sensed that Robin was attacked with some form of Telepathic strike, that left her memories in tatters. I was fortunate to restore a base understanding of the Zerg to her, and help her recall her original purpose in Ylisse."

"Then I must apologize for the incident that occurred on our soil," Emmeryn said, "I will ensure to have the Pegasus Knights try to keep an eye out for your attacker."

"I...appreciate it, milady," Robin stated.

Chrom then spoke in. "I've also given Robin the offer to join the Shepherds, an offer which she readily accepted, reasoning that it would not interfere with her duties to the Swarm."

"A reasoning I reminded her of," Katarina added.

"Forgive me, Your Grace, but I must speak," Frederick said, "Robin claims to have arrived in Ylisse on a diplomatic mission, and have lost her memories due to an attack. While I am having some of my own doubts on these possibilities from having fought alongside her and the Swarm, I still believe we should be cautious, in case the Swarm's motives are not as peaceful as they'd have us believe."

This comment caused outrage to spread through the Zerg forces.

"Preposterous!" Lyndis exclaimed.

"Absurd!" Micaiah called.

"Illogical: Zerg Infiltration better executed through use of Dark Enders. Zerg Overmind and Guard poor choice for infiltration units," Lyon states.

However, Chrom just shouts a simple, "Frederick!"

"Yet you allowed him/her into the castle, Chrom. Does this woman and the Swarm have your trust?"

Chrom replied with conviction, "Yes. She risked her life for our people, and brought her special abilities to bear to save my own life. That's more than good enough for me."

Emmeryn smiled warmly at Robin then. "Well then, Robin... It seems you've earned Chrom's faith, and as such you have mine as well."

"Milady," Robin replied simply, bowing.

"But thank you, Frederick, for your prudence, as always. Chrom and Lissa are blessed to have so tireless a guardian. I do hope they remember to mention that from time to time..."

"They occasionally express something akin to gratitude, Your Grace," Frederick replied.

"Now, I believe we must discuss a time for talks between our people to begin," Emmeryn commented.

Katarina's Overseer advanced. "Milady, soon, the evolution of my mobile body will be complete, and I can travel to Ylisstol by Overlord. I would like to request that I take the Overmind's place at the talks, until her memories are restored, so as to not induce undue stress onto her." Robin looked at the Overseer with a shocked expression. "Robin, your mind is under stress from your memory loss, and I merely desire to keep you from over-exerting yourself."

"I...very well," Robin replied reluctantly.

"Before we continue with this," Frederick stated, "Phila. I assume you've heard about the deathly creatures we encountered that the Swarm helped us dispatch, yes?"

"Yes, milord. They've been sighted all across Ylisse," Phila replied.

"Chrom, we are about to hold council. I was hoping you could join us."

"Of course."

Emmeryn then turned to the Zerg. "And if any of you can also attend, I would love to have the Swarm's input."

"Acknowledged. Myself and Katarina most application individuals: Lyndis and Micaiah required to remain with the Overmind, as per roles as Bodyguards."

"I understand."

"I think that's our cue, Robin! C'mon, there's a place I want to show you." Lissa then ran off as fast as her legs could carry her. Robin looked back to the others, shrugged, allowed the Drone back into her arms, and followed, running at her super-human speed, the Queen and Broodmother having some trouble catching up.

Well, that's that with the chapter.

Now, a quick note before I go: Robin does NOT have all her memories back, Katarina merely aided her in filling the blanks as far as the composition of the Swarm and Robin's motives for Ylisse were. The significance behind the Mark of Grima, her past before the Swarm, and some other memories and tidbits of knowledge remain unknown to her.

Next...who's that that found Lucina? Well, I'm sure StarCraft fans can figure it out easily, but if not...I ain't sayin'.

Finally...what is it that Lyon and Katarina found?

;)