Fire Emblem: Unlimited Blade Works

Five Gemstones Part 1

Shirou POV

Before we came back to Ylisse, we had managed to find the rest of the kids from the future & they joined us wholeheartedly. After we made it back to Ylisstol, we headed to the Shepherd's garrison to get some rest.

Chrom: *Sigh*

Robin: I know that face... "Dueling with unpleasant thoughts," are we?

Shirou: Definitely looks like it...

Chrom: You two know me well.

Robin: Hey, remember when Lissa first brought us here? When we met all the Shepherds? ...& Sumia... Ha ha! Oh, what a day! ...Actually, that's my first memory, in a way.

Chrom: Heh, I suppose so. I wish all our memories since could have been as joyful.

Shirou: Same here...

Robin: I know... So much needless bloodshed. So many days of pain & doubt & fighting... We would have never made it without you there to guide us, you know.

Shirou: Funny. I was going to say the same to you.

Chrom: I guess you two really are two halves of the same whole. Anyway, I've sent Frederick to search for Sable, the final Gemstone. ...& I've been reading more about the Awakening ritual. It seems that whoever attempts the rite must brave Naga's fire. If both body & spirit survive the agony, they are blessed with the dragon's power. Otherwise, the candidate...dies.

*Lucina accidentally enters*

Lucina: What?! No! ...Er, that is... Father, must you attempt this?

Chrom: Eavesdropping, young lady?

Lucina: Forgive me, Father. I didn't intend to... I came to speak with you, but I couldn't find the right moment &—

Chrom: It's all right, Lucina. ... yes, I'll be all right, too. I will withstand Naga's fire. I'm sure of it.

*Frederick enters*

Frederick: Milord, I have returned.

Chrom: Yes, Frederick? Did you find it?

Frederick: I believe so, sire. King Validar has extended an invitation. He says Plegia has been guarding Sable, & now he wishes to return it to you.

Chrom: Validar...

Frederick: They sent word to me, milord. They must have caught wind of my search... In any case, Validar asks that you visit him in person, that he might formally present it. Perhaps needless to say, milord, but I don't like this one bit.

Chrom: Neither do I, Frederick the Wary. Neither do I. At best, it's selfish political maneuvering at a time when the world can ill afford it. At worst, our run-in with those Risen last visit was no accident... But we will meet with him. Send word at once.

Frederick: Milord, are you...certain that's wise?

Chrom: No, but we haven't time to be certain. ...& my sister never refused a diplomatic gesture, no matter how foul smelling. If he doesn't give us the stone, he may at least reveal where it is. ...Don't worry, Frederick. I'm not walking into this blindly. We will make certain everyone is armed to the teeth.

Frederick: Then the Fire Emblem, milord—you ought at least leave it behind.

Chrom: Unless that's what Validar expects, & he comes to steal it with my best men away... No, it's safest with me, for now. We'll learn the truth of Validar's motive soon enough...

*Timeskip to outside Plegia Castle in front of the great skull*

Lucina: There it sits...

Lissa: What's wrong, Lucina?

Lucina: That great skull. I saw it once before, when Emmeryn was sentenced to die. Even then it reminded me of...him...

Chrom: You mean...

Lucina: Yes. Grima, the Fell Dragon. A cataclysmic war ushered his return... It's said he fed on the souls of the fallen before turning upon the living...Whether these are his true bones or just an effigy, I cannot say. But I know this: we cannot let that monster come back to life.

Chrom: We'll stop him, Lucina. I promise. The future can be changed. You've proven it already. ...& with all of us together, we can turn the course of history.

Lucina: I want to believe that, Father. I want to believe that, more than anything...

*Scene transition to inside Plegia Castle*

Robin: *Whispering* (Psst! Shirou! Chrom!)

Chrom: *Whispering* (...Trouble?)

Robin: (I saw armed soldiers hiding in the shadows as we were shown in...)

Shirou: *Whispering* (I saw them too...)

Chrom: (Then it sounds like we have our answer already...)

*Validar, Aversa & Kiritsugu enter*

Aversa: Well met, milord.

Kiritsugu: *Stares at Shirou & then politely bows to Chrom*

Validar: Prince Chrom! Welcome.

Chrom: ...I was told you had something you wished to give me.

Validar: My my! No time for courtesy, milord? Such impatience... Do you really want it that badly? This concerns me. The Gemstones & the Fire Emblem can be...treacherous artifacts. A fact Plegia & the Grimleal sadly know all too well...

Lucina: "Sadly"? You speak ill of when the first exalt used them against the fell dragon?

Validar: Yes I do, intruder!

Lucina: ...Intruder?

Validar: You are not supposed to be here. You must be destroyed!

Chrom: You wouldn't dare!

Validar: Give me the Fire Emblem... Give it to me!

Lucina: You mad scoundrel! This is a declaration of war!

Validar: I will only ask one last time: give me the Emblem. Now!

Chrom: ...Never.

Validar: Then this parley is over. Guards! Seize them!

Chrom: Just as we thought...

Robin: Chrom, this way! Quickly!