Hey there everyone! So, one thing that I haven't seen yet is a fanfic elaborating on everyone's favorite (or most hated) clown stripper. I think Kronya's death was supposed to make us feel a little bit sad for her, so I figured I could write her out a bit and see where this goes. Anyways, enjoy!

EDIT: I re-read this and changed the dialogue in the second half. Personally, I think it sounds a lot better this time.

A Backstabber Stabbed in the Back

Byleth thought this side of himself was gone for good. The Ashen Demon – the one who strikes down enemies without a trace of emotion – was now creeping back into his psyche. He knew that he should have been furious as he chased her down through the woods, but only a blank stare was displayed on his young face. Even before Sothis admitted she may have stunted his emotions, he was taught that they were a distraction on the battlefield. Once she awoke within his mind, he discovered more of his feelings. Once he became a professor, he became an entirely new person. Leading the Blue Lions made him truly happy, as he was able to help these people grow when he wasn't able to. Now, however, all he could think of was the time robbed from him. He had finally discovered his emotions and finally had time to spend with his father. But only a month later, it was all taken from him. He would make her pay.

For Kronya, and Agarthans in general, fear was an emotion that was seldom experienced. When Thales blocked the bone whip, her only real reaction was surprise. However, as her black heart beat against her chest, she finally knew what fear was. This quickened her pace, as all she knew was that she needed to get away from the demon who tore through her whole army. Need to get away, need to get away! Solon said he would be nearby… he better because I couldn't even make a scratch on this guy- Her thoughts were cut-off as her foot collided with a tree root that made her stumble. Although she turned her tumble into a roll, it cost her all the time and distance she made between her and Byleth.

Finally looking at him, she screamed, "But how, how could I really lose… to a lowly creature like you?!" Byleth raised his sword, preparing for what the Agarthan would do next.

A voice then materialized behind her. "Well…" it was Solon, with a Cheshire grin on his face. Byleth noticed that the evil sneer was more directed at her than himself, which put him even more on guard.

"Solon, don't just stand there and stare. I need your help!" she barked at him, not noticing the way he was approaching her.

"Yes, you most certainly do…" he replied ominously as he got closer and closer. When she finally turned around, Solon already had plunged his hand deep into her chest – fingers clasped around her black heart.

He began his speech, "Have no fear Kronya, your sacrifice will help rid this world of the filthy vermin that have long infested it." He tugged harder, causing shadowy flames to erupt in the arena they were all in. These flames became physical as they lashed out at Byleth.

"Solon, stop this!" she screamed in pain as he continued to pull on her heart. However, he only continued to grin.

"The time has finally come to unleash the forbidden spell of Zahras upon our enemies!" he triumphantly declared as he finally pulled her heart completely out and crushed it in his hand. As the power surged through him, he unceremoniously dropped her to the stone floor.

Kronya was destroyed, both physically and mentally, by the abrupt betrayal and fatal injury. Utterly defeated, she had only one option left. Looking at the man who she was fighting to the death only a moment ago, she begged, "Please, help me…"

Although his face didn't reveal anything, Byleth enjoyed seeing her suffer. She was finally experiencing a drop of the pain and anguish that he had felt for over a month. He was slightly jealous of Solon though, wishing that he dealt the killing blow rather than the sneaky mage. However, hearing her pained screams and pleading for him to stop made his grip loosen. Startled by rustling behind him, he turned around to see his students having caught up to him; and now anxiously staring at him trapped in the magical prison. He then looked back to the clown-like assassin as he heard her final plea – save her. The earnestness in her voice brought his mind back to Remire Village. He remembered the villagers begging him to stop the violence or, more grimly, make the deaths painless. Byleth grimaced as he could already feel himself willing the Sword of the Creator to turn into a whip. For a second he thought about sending the whip right through her head, but he knew he couldn't bring himself to do that. It was too cruel; and he would rather have the last thing his students see is him saving a life, rather than ending one.

The blade dug into Kronya's skin, and she couldn't help but let out a scream as Byleth yanked her towards him. He knew he didn't have much time until this mysterious spell finally did whatever Solon intended it to do. He then yelled over his shoulder, "Flayn! Mercedes! Rescue and heal her, now!" Time was of the essence, as he could already feel his body disappearing. But before it happened he felt the sword go slack, meaning his plan worked. With that, he smiled, knowing that the last thing he did was the right thing.

The two girls, as well as the rest of the class, were shocked by what the professor asked them to do. Rather than save him, they were told to rescue the person he was just fighting. Nevertheless, they did as they were instructed to do. Despite the heavy bleeding, Kronya was surprisingly surviving without a heart. Mercedes was unfamiliar with the bluish-black blood that spilled from the girl's chest, but the wound was still closing from her heal. The students moved their heads from the injured girl to the sound of wood splintering. The spear that Dimitri held was cracking from how hard he was gripping it. They all knew he was close to snapping again; and that seeking revenge on any of these mysterious people was going to consume his mind. Luckily, Felix knew what to say.

He went over, put a hand on his old friend's shoulder, and said, "I know you want revenge boar prince, but you should know that we're all behind you." Looking around, Dimitri saw all his friends and classmates giving him a steely look of determination. Nodding, he said a few words. "Sylvain, stay with Flayn and Mercedes. Everyone else, on me," and then he let out a furious roar as he charged the temple Solon retreated to.

From here, Byleth is able to escape the infinite darkness spell after he fuses with Sothis. Reunited with his students, they make quick work of the reinforcements Solon brings, and then defeat Solon himself. Exhausted from everything that has happened, Byleth collapses on the field.

-o-O-o-o-O-o-o-O-o-

Byleth liked to rise with the sun. As Jeralt taught him, dawn and dusk were when guard changes happened, meaning gaps in defense were more likely. Today, however, he found himself getting out of bed at the same time everyone else was eating lunch. With a sigh, he waited for his scolding from Sothis. However, this never came; and he felt a pang in his chest. Losing his father and the quirky girl in his head so close together was almost too much to bear. He admitted to his students that Sothis gave him his new powers, but they never met her personally. Unlike with his father, he would have to grieve alone. While the sting of sadness did hit him, he also remembered that he saved a life too. In fact, he had no idea what happened to Kronya after she was teleported out of the arena. Getting his professor's garb on, he left his room.

Outside was Dimitri, who audibly sighed with relief as he saw his professor finally emerge. "Thank the goddess you're awake! Everyone has been worried sick over you! Except for Sylvain, he's taken your absence as time to flirt around…"

Byleth let out a chuckle, not surprised that was happening. In all honestly it was reassuring that people were still going on with their lives, rather than worry over him again. He then looked to the blond prince and said, "Tell everyone I'm fine, and that they can have the day to themselves. What I need is to talk to Kronya."

Dimitri uncomfortably looked to the side. He knew this request was bound to happen, he just didn't want his teacher to be dragged down to the same place he had been in for years. "She… she is in a quarantined area in the treasury. I guess it's hard to get in or get out…" he replied with a forced chuckle.

Byleth could see how hard his student was trying to keep him from getting mad. Reaching out, he put his hand on his shoulder and answered the young man's fears with a warm smile, the ones that always distracted Dimitri from the darkness within himself. "Thank you Dimitri. Now you get some sleep too, I know you stayed up worrying about me," Byleth lightly instructed. Dimitri let out a genuine laugh as he walked towards his own dorms.

Before he could move much further, Dimitri came running back to him. "By the way professor, Edelgard and Hubert have been on edge ever since that girl was put into holding. I'm sure they're just in shock over how someone they knew turned out to be an enemy. Either way, please talk to them when you get the chance." With that, the princeling turned around and headed back to his dorms, again.

Byleth's smile slipped from his face has walked towards the treasury. The only time he was interested in this building was when he investigated the archbishop's assassination plan. However, he didn't have to look hard as he saw guards all over the place. As he approached, the men posted there all snapped to attention. He casually waved them down and entered the building. It was impressive, no doubt, with the high ceilings and well-sculpted pillars. The architecture showed that this was not supposed to be a jail. However, as he descended the stairs, he saw the walls thickening and becoming more reinforced with stronger materials. He was finally approaching the safe as he saw the most trained knights outside of a solid silver door.

One lifted their helmet up and came up to the professor, "I'm so glad to see you up and at 'em so soon. Jeralt truly made you as tough as the come." Byleth looked to see the ever-present grin of Alois. While normally finding him to be a tad overbearing, it was refreshing to see him after so much turmoil.

"I'm glad Lady Rhea put the toughest knight here to guard the prisoner," he responded back with a smile. The older knight was stunned to hear such high praise, but simply let out another hearty guffaw.

Once he was done, Alois stiffened up and switched to his official knight persona. "You can charm me all you want professor but I know why you're really here," he said as he turned around to open the door. It revealed a small room that had Kronya behind a wall of glass, lined with seals. She had only a bed awkwardly crammed into the space, obviously not meant to have someone kept inside. Hearing the noise, she looked up to see her supposed savior.

Byleth nodded to Alois, and then the door shut behind him. It was now just him and her, finally together at last. He sat down in the chair, the only thing on his side of the room. She alternated between looking at him, and looking at literally anything else. After a long, uncomfortable silence, she finally looked at him and said, "I'm so sorry for everything I've done…"

He felt ambivalent hearing her say that. On one hand, it's natural for someone like her to apologize after having done so much wrong. On the other hand, she could be faking it and trying to lower his guard. However, he was surprised by how genuine it sounded. He leaned forward, showing her that he was paying attention.

Noticing this, she continued, "I should have never asked you to save me. If I had just died then you'd be able to come back here, victorious, after killing two evil people. Instead, now you have me to deal with, even though I think I know what's gonna happen…" She spoke solemnly, as if she had nothing left.

To Byleth, she was a completely different person. Even as Monica she had the same carefree tone when talking to him. But now, she reminded him of whenever he and Jeralt had captured someone who was to be executed. They were all downcast looks and wanting to confess their sins before it was too late. He figured he might as well get any information he can, and see how this all would play out.

He leveled his look at her, then said, "If you died then I wouldn't be able to learn anything. But tell me, what do you think is going to happen?

A cold and dry laugh left her as she looked right back at him. "Either you kill me or the knights kill me or the Agarthans kill me or I kill myself," she replied while counting on her fingers the number of ways she would die.

Byleth could obviously see a broken warrior, yet something kept her alive. If she wanted to spill the secrets of her traitorous allies then she would be talking already. If she really considered suicide then she could have broken the bed and used a piece of that to finish her off. Something was keeping her alive. Suddenly, it clicked in his mind. She wanted to talk to me.

A sad smile appeared as she then looked at the ground, "I think I figured something out though, something big," she said with a humorless chuckle. Byleth motioned for her to continue, as he was now curious as to what she had to say.

"Remember at the chapel, when Thales saved me? He said he only rescued me because I had a bigger part to play. At first I thought he meant more fighting in the upcoming battles, but now I realize things aren't fitting together." She paused and looked at him. He was definitely curious now, even though mentioning the day his father was killed, by her, made his brow furrow. Kronya didn't reveal how glad she was to have someone listen to her – although her smile getting gradually brighter gave it away. After collecting her thoughts, she continued, "The spell that Solon used, the cursed art of Zaras or whatever, he needed me specifically for it to work, but if all he needed was an Agarthan heart to use it, then why kill off someone big like myself? Why not use one of the grunts?"

Byleth raised an eyebrow after hearing the term Agarthan again, but he figured this wasn't the time to be asking questions. Continuing on, she said, "The spell needs a dark heart, one that has been drenched in evil. I was going to be sacrificed to kill you. That's why Thales was adamant I worked with Solon on the mission. However, once it was ripped from my chest, I felt different. It was like a veil was lifted. I wanted to hate Solon and Thales and you, but I think removing my heart removed those feelings, for now at least…"

Everything she said was making sense to him, except for her claim that her heart somehow kept her evil stored. Then again, it would explain her personality shift. Right now the only question he had on his mind was what to do with her. Not knowing for himself, he decided to ask her.

He sat in silence for a while, then looked her in the eye. "Tell me, after you've told us everything you know, what do want to happen next?"

She blinked a few times, not understanding what he meant by this. "What do you mean? I'm a prisoner of war – I'll spill my secrets and then I'll die," she somewhat nervously replied.

Byleth continued the interrogation, "Is that really what you want? You really want your story to end with an execution by someone you begged to save you?"

She looked away, not liking where this questioning was going. "What do you want me to say? There are no other possibilities for someone like me…"

"That's bullshit Kronya. If you wanted to die then you wouldn't have pleaded for your life, you wouldn't have let yourself be captured, and you especially wouldn't be telling us anything," he shot back.

Before she could respond, Byleth fired off another question, "Do you still feel the need to kill? To see your enemies bleed and their corpses splayed in front of you?" He was intentionally using this language to see her response. Sure enough, she unconsciously licked her lips hearing about death on the battlefield. Horrified by this realization, she hung her head in shame.

"I-I do… but I shouldn't. I shouldn't want those things!" she shouted back at him, starting to feel the pressure of all these accusations. Her eyes were getting wider and more hysterical as she looked directly into his own.

He matched her gaze before finally speaking up, "Here's what I see right now. You're a fighter who knows they have done something wrong. You want to fight, and you don't want to die. You may not know why, but I do." He looked away for a second and thought back to Dimitri before responding, "If you die now then you'll never be able to atone for the blood on your hands."

Kronya fell back in her bed as she laid against the wall. Everything Byleth just said was true. He somehow knew her better than she knew herself. No wonder why he's a professor. She shook anymore absent thoughts from her head and looked back at him. She saw a slight upturn of his mouth as smirk suddenly appeared, then disappeared just as quickly.

She wanted to question that, but then he spoke up again, "I can give you that chance. I can help you stay off the dark path you were on." This floored her as she looked away instantly. It was too much to bear. First he saves her life, then he tells her how she feels about herself, and now he's offering a path to redemption. It was almost too good to be true; and it was the first time someone showed her genuine kindness. This thought made her heart lurch, as she realized how much of her life was now dependent on this one person.

For the longest time, Kronya kept staring at the ground. When she finally looked up, Byleth saw how wide and fearful her ruby eyes were. She was walking the razor's edge between life and death right now, and they both knew it. "R-Really? You'd let me fight for you?" her voice was coarse and rough, threatening to become hysterical.

He stood up and walked towards her, putting his palm flat against the glass. "I mean it."

With those three words she sprung up and slammed her hand against the glass wall as well, trying to feel some small amount of connection to the man that just saved her life again. She didn't remember when she started crying but the tears were freely falling from her face. It was an anguished cry of her pain finally leaving her spirit and how she now had a second chance.

Byleth stayed with her the entire time, allowing all her emotions to come out and for her to recover. When she stopped, he told her that he would be leaving to confirm this with the archbishop. She stuttered as she begged him to come back soon. With that, he left the holding cell and made his way towards the archbishop's quarters. However, he made a slight detour as he started walking towards Jeralt's grave.

When he finally got there, he talked to the headstone, "Hello father, I know it hasn't been too long since I've been here, but a lot has happened." He swallowed the lump in his throat before going on. "I didn't know that I would get the power of the goddess, and I'm sure you would love seeing my new hair color…" A dry laugh left his mouth. He then steeled himself for what he had to say next. "I know I couldn't save you, and someday I might learn to live with that… but I was able to save someone else, and I can only hope and pray that you approve of what I did. I love you dad…"

He wiped away the forming tears and started walking to Rhea again. As he felt the breeze on his face, the warm sun on his skin, and his darling students all coming to see him, he knew that he made the right choice.

And there we have it ladies and gentlemen, my positive Kronya fanfiction! Again, she'll need plenty of time to rehabilitate but I think it's possible. I'm really proud of myself for explaining why Solon betrayed her and why he needed her heart specifically, as well as why she begged Byleth to save her. Make sure to leave a review and tell me what you thought of this! Have a good day!