Hello, my dear readers! Today is Olivia's birthday, so happy birthday, Olivia! I got this idea of what Inigo did after Anankos sought for him to fight the evil dragon, and before he actually travels to Nohr. I didn't really play Hidden Truths, so it might be a bit different from the storyline. I hope you will enjoy it!
In the rare times when the sunlight was actually warm in Ferox, it seeped through the windows of the arrayed houses in the country. Inigo, his slumbering eyes lit by the ray, opened with the speed of a budding flower. Yes, very slowly.
Still reeling from his latest nightmare, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Another dream of Grima being resurrected, his parents dead before him, despair and pandemonium everywhere. Risen and humans battling day and night. Oh, and all the bloodcurdling screams... now Anankos technically wants him to do the same thing again. But if it means saving another world, he'd gladly do it. But why now of all times, especially when he found a nice house in Ferox and the khans took good care of him and gave him a good job?
'How many days have passed since we all defeated Grima?' was his first thought. 'Sometimes I wish that I were Morgan so I could forget about all this,'
Three years have passed since the Sheperds sent Grima back to sleep. Robin had initially wanted to sacrifice himself in order to rid the world of an evil dragon who might reawaken and cause chaos in the future, but Chrom's sword hit home first.
"What were you thinking, Chrom? Why won't you let me kill him when we could? We might never have this chance anymore!" argued Robin, after the battle.
"You might die, Robin! We've had so many sacrifices, and you'd rather die there? Don't make me laugh!"
"So you'd rather have the future at risk than-"
"We're basically brothers now, aren't we? Brothers watch each other's back! If you die, we may lose you forever! And I don't want to be the Exalt without the Sheperd's most prized tactician! I need your counsel, Robin! I'm sure our descendants can fight it with a better strategy where no one but the dragon has to die, because they will grow stronger once every nation is united,"
They'd argued more, until it ended with them patting each other's back while Robin chastised Chrom for standing between a fully charged Thoron and the target.
A knock at the front door. Inigo wondered who it might be.
"Hullo? Anybody home?" A familiar voice greeted.
'Speak of the devil,' he thought as he opened the door. Morgan stood outside, a tome in her hand, smiling brightly.
"Long time no see, Inigo! Man, you've grown into a handsome guy!"
"Good morning, Morgan. Up so early in the morning? How long has it been since I have last seen your charming features? I am dazzled by your mien,"
"Laying it on a bit thick, huh? That's the Inigo I know. Brrr... how did you even manage to live here? It's so cold," Morgan shivered.
"Oh! Where are my manners? Do come in," Inigo stood aside, allowing her entrance. 'Well, Morgan, my parents are Feroxi after all,' he thought. Speaking of his parents, he did write letters to them regularly.
"While I'm preparing tea, tell me about life in Ylisse," Inigo prompted.
"Chrom's doing a pretty good job as the Exalt and I've been helping Dad in sorting out the army strategically. Even though peace reigns, we must remain vigilant, right?"
"That reminds me. Why are you here?" Inigo handed her a cup of tea.
"Thanks for the tea, Inigo. I'm here to celebrate someone's birthday, and to send my regards,"
"Whose birthday might it be?" Inigo wondered aloud.
"You must be very clueless. I'm looking for a certain guy who always dances and flirts with anything that looks and sounds like a woman," Morgan hinted.
"... Would that be me? Wait, you have seen me dance before?" Inigo blushed. "Come to think of it, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?"
"Come on, everyone knows that your dance skills are as great as your mother's. Give yourself some credit, birthday boy. Happy birthday, Inigo!"
"Thank you, Morgan, for you to come all the way here to celebrate my birthday. Are you going to stay here all day with me?" Inigo winked.
"Of course not!" Morgan exclaimed, leaving Inigo to sigh in disappointment. "I'm here to bring you back to Ylisse!"
"Oh? What could've happened that might need my immediate attention?"
"Haven't you been writing to your parents? But anyways, you'll see when you get there," replied Morgan mysteriously.
"Hey, I did write letters to them! But it might take days just to get there, and I'm not even ready yet..." Inigo murmured.
"Hey! How did you think I came here unscathed? Besides, I am a tactician, am I not? A tactician needs to plan the safest route," Morgan protested. She'd rose early in the morning just to travel all the way here.
"That makes sense, I suppose. I'll go get my stuff," Inigo cleaned the cups and went along to collect the luggage he'd packed for the journey to Nohr.
He was sure that most of them wouldn't even be used (to protect his identity), since Mr. Anankos probably has clothes ready for him. But he'll bring it just in case. His sword, of course, had to be equipped no matter what.
"Wow, do you even need that much? I thought you were going to stay there for a few days at max," commented Morgan when she saw Inigo's luggage.
"So, how did you come here unharmed, and in such a short time?" Inigo changed the subject.
"Laurent and I created a tome together that makes travelling easier. You just say the words and it'll take you there, provided that you have been there before. Pretty cool, huh?" Morgan explained enthusiastically.
"I suppose so. I hope that we'll see more of your inventions. We can go now," replied Inigo.
They went outside and Inigo made sure the door was locked tight. 'Goodbye, old home.' The khans visit him from time to time, so he slipped a note in the crack of the door, wishing them good luck in their reign and saying that he will be moving somewhere and will probably not return for a couple of years.
Morgan opened a page on her tome, held Inigo's hand and muttered the incantations. A grey mist enveloped them both, and Inigo obliged to close his eyes. He initially felt fear, but Morgan's hand was a source of reassurance. He felt the elements battering him, but soon, he felt extremely relaxed. In a sense, he was soaring in the sky.
"... igo... ke... up... die... me..." A faint voice roused him. He opened his bleary eyes. A girl with short hair faced him, her hands on his shoulder, about to shake him.
A worried look was etched on her face. Man, did anyone tell her that she's really beautiful? Then again, any girl is beautiful, in his eyes.
"Can you tell me when I've fallen asleep, pretty one?" he asked, winking at her.
"Inigo, stop messing around, alright? We're here to see your family, remember?" the pretty girl protested.
"Who is Inigo, if I may ask? Do you happen to be a family friend of mine?"
The girl sighed. 'So he's also suffering the symptoms, huh? That's interesting,' "You're Inigo," she said. Man, her voice is as pretty as her face.
"Wait a second, what is my name, and why are you bringing me to my family? Don't you mean your family? WHERE AM I? WHO ARE YOU?" Inigo grew increasingly paranoid. 'This is going to take a while,' thought Morgan as she began to explain everything.
"I can't believe what I just did." Inigo's memories were returned, but what he did on the period of amnesia caused him to grow scarlet.
"It's alright, I'm an amnesiac when I came here, right? When Laurent and I first tested this tome, we walked in circles for quite some time until we realized that we're just in the woods near Ylisstol. The good thing is that it didn't happen when we teleported back to the lab, which means that amnesia is just a symptom for first-timers," said Morgan, "I really hope that I'll never forget about just now, though," she snickered.
"Oh, I was going to ask of you to forget about it," Inigo sighed for the second time of the day.
The pair walked into the palace. Soldiers were training at the front, with Kjelle and Sully at their command, barking orders. Kjelle noticed a recruit's error and immediately corrected it while reprimanding him, earning a nod and a smile from her mother. Deciding not to interrupt the squad, they walked on and saw Sumia and Cynthia grooming their pegasi.
"Hey, how are you girls doing?" Inigo asked.
Cynthia barely masked her surprise and stood up to hug him. "Oh, Inigo, it's sometimes kinda boring without you pestering us to have tea together! Long time no see!"
Inigo was taken aback. "You... didn't mind then?"
"Sure, it was annoying. But we got used to it," Cynthia let go of him.
"Happy birthday, Inigo. I'm sure your mother would be pleased to see you," Sumia said.
"Wait... today's his birthday? Why didn't you tell me? I would've prepared some awesome confetti to celebrate!" complained Cynthia.
"I thought you knew, Cynthia. By the way, Olivia's in the medical bay, if you didn't know yet," Sumia replied.
"Thank you, Sumia. Where is Cordelia? Won't she be tending the pegasi with you? Boy, I hope my mother wouldn't be too sick to talk to me,"
"She's taking care of your mother, of course. You'd better be on your way,"
Inigo muttered his thanks and commented about how Cynthia is still the old bouncy Cynthia before he and Morgan made their way to the medical bay.
"How clueless could he get?" Sumia chuckled before she reverted her attention to the horses while Cynthia agreed.
Inigo looked around in the palace. Nothing much has changed, except for the colour of the fabric that adorned the walls. Everywhere was spick and span, as expected. Surprisingly, most of the Sheperds were still around. He thought they would be everywhere in the world, travelling, learning other cultures or just enjoying the food. As they passed by, Stahl was in the mess hall with Frederick and Say'ri, the swordmaster teaching the former some recipes from Chon'sin.
Yarne and Nah were increasingly close to each other by then, since they were the only shapeshifters' children. They were too strong to train with their human friends, and so they settled to training with each other. Yarne always made sure Brady was nearby, though, and he would still scream in pain even when Nah's attack barely made contact him. He did improve, at least.
Laurent was locked away in his lab, sometimes accompanied by his mother. Morgan would always bring meals to the lab as he tended to be carried away and allow himself to starve for days. "If I weren't there, he'd be starved to death without realizing it," joked Morgan. After their meal, Morgan would sometimes help out with his experiments if her father was away, discussing something with Chrom.
Gerome would take Noire flying with Minerva on sunny days. They would land somewhere in the woods where Minerva liked, and Noire would train while Gerome made sure she didn't overwork herself. He'd sometimes ask Noire to teach him about archery, too. This provided a chance for Noire to avoid her mother, who would probably perform morbid experiments on the poor girl.
Lucina was always busy preparing herself so she would be ready to inherit the throne of the Exalt. Chrom and Robin were always there to offer guidance, and she would strive to protect the peace that reigned the land.
Seeing everyone in such a hardworking attitude almost made Inigo feel bad for himself. He did train his swordplay every morning, and have a duel with any man the khans brought, as the tradition of Ferox goes. Basilio and Flavia were proud of the son of Lon'qu and Olivia, who can strike as fast as his father and dance as gracefully as his mother. But then he'd spend the rest of the day chasing after girls. It's not like he'll stop chasing them, though.
Footsteps were approaching. Inigo snapped from his reverie to take a look at the approaching person. Blue eyes with matching blue hair with a golden hairband rested on her head, while her waist was flanked with a Parallel Falchion sheathed in a scabbard of expert craftsmanship. She walked like a warrior and not like a princess, though she retained an aura of regalia.
"Long time no see, Inigo, and many happy returns," Lucina smiled. "Hello, Morgan," she added.
"Lucina! Has anybody told you how charming your smile has become?," replied Inigo.
"Still the hopeless flirt, I see," Lucina commented, "How goes it?"
"I am fit as a fiddle, milady. Even if I'm sick, just your face will cure and rejuvenate me," Inigo winked.
"Let's not waste more time in such banter. Come, I shall walk with you to your mother,"
The trio approached the doors to the rooms in the medical wing. Lon'qu was standing outside like a sentinel.
"Hello, Son. How are things in Ferox?" he greeted.
"How's life, Dad? The khans are doing well, rest assured. I had three meals every day, and I trained hard," Inigo was careful to leave out the girl-chasing part.
"You stopped womanizing, I see," Lon'qu has the ghost of a smile on his face.
"Well, um, yeah, I guess," Inigo's cheeks flared up. "Why don't you go in, Dad? Doesn't Mom need you?"
It was his father's turn to become a tomato. "Err.."
"I bet there's a lot of lovely ladies in there," Inigo teased.
"No! That's not it!"
"Then let us go in!" Inigo pushed the doors open.
As Sumia had said, Cordelia was sitting by Olivia's bed, chatting softly with her. Olivia was perspirating, even though the room was cool. She looked pale and feeble, but she was fine otherwise. Lissa and Libra were tending to something on the princess's arms. Gaius asked if he could give it candy. Lissa refused firmly.
Gaius smiled his foxy grin and said, "Well, that means more candy for me," as he slunk away. Other than having a sweet tooth, he generally avoided situations like a family reunion because they make him cry like a baby. He nodded at the four visitors as he passed by.
Inigo sprinted over to Olivia. Cordelia left her spot to make room for him. As he reached his mother, he propped her up. "What happened, Mom? Are you feeling any better now?" he asked urgently.
"Welcome home, Inigo. I am fine, nothing to be alarmed about," Olivia smiled weakly.
"What happened? What sickness did you catch?"
"Today is your birthday, isn't it?" Olivia said.
"What does it have to do with my-" Inigo paused. Then it hit him. He looked at Morgan and Lucina. "You mean all this time..."
"Well, I thought you knew," Morgan said, exchanging amused glances with Lucina.
Tears brimmed Inigo's eyes. "That means... I do exist in this world,"
Olivia wrapped her arms around him. "Of course you do, Inigo. Why won't you?"
Lissa went to Inigo. "Do you want to see him?" she offered the bundle in her arms.
Inigo held the bundle with the utmost care. He saw little Inigo, fast asleep. "I never knew I looked so... cute, if I may say so myself," he whispered.
"Hey, little guy. I'm you from the future. It's complicated, but I came back to this world to save your parents from what happened to mine. So, promise me, you'll always protect Mom and Dad. Don't be like me, spending all my time chasing girls. But spend more time with your sword, alright? When I come back from my journey, I'll make sure to teach you all I know about seducing all the girls out there," Inigo said to his little self before handing him back to Lissa.
"Are you going anywhere, Inigo?" Olivia asked, concerned.
"Yeah, Owain and Severa are also travelling with me," Inigo answered, "Sorry, but I won't be able to stay here much longer,"
Lissa and Cordelia gasped. They both said something almost identical, which is "Why didn't Severa/Owain tell me about this earlier?" They looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Am I such a bad parent that even she wanted to leave me that bad?" Cordelia asked herself, crestfallen.
"No, Cordelia, she didn't want to leave if she has the choice. But the situation is dire," Inigo attempted to explain.
Libra held Lissa's shoulder. "If it is Naga's will, then so be it. The least we can do is pray for her to keep our son safe," he comforted. The younger Inigo began to bawl. Lissa passed him to Olivia.
"Where are you going, Son?" asked Lon'qu from the furthest corner of the room. Even Lucina and Morgan showed signs of distress.
"I'm afraid I cannot disclose anything more than that," Inigo looked away.
Just then, Severa and Owain came into the room.
"Ahoy there, old comrade! I heard that you just..." Owain had said, but the atmosphere stopped him. "Mother? What had caused you such distress?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you're going to leave?" whispered Lissa.
Owain blanched. "Well, the cat's out of the bag," Inigo announced sadly.
"I-it's not like we have a choice or anything! We're going to save that world, no matter what it takes!" Owain declared.
"What? There's another place that needs rescuing?" Lissa's eyes widened.
"That's right, Mother. So we decided to go there, do our thing and come back as soon as possible,"
"But what if one of you... died?" Cordelia asked, unsure.
"Then we'd already did what we can there, so we'll leave it to the others to get it done," answered Owain casually.
"How can you be so casual about this, Owain?" Severa spluttered.
"In war comes sacrifices, so we should try to do our best for the greater good," was Owain's answer.
"You should've told me earlier, Severa," Cordelia stood up and walked towards Severa.
Severa did not want to meet her mother's gaze lest she let her feelings be shown. She flipped her green hair. "It's not like it's a big deal or something,"
"Well, I have come to love you as my own child, Severa. Now you leave me all of a sudden-"
"Then take care of the other me and forget about me!"
"It's not that easy, Severa. Seeing you all grown up into such a strong woman and all, it's really hard to see you go. But if it's really your choice, then you should do the right thing," Cordelia said with determination.
Severa began to hiccup. "I-I just don't want you to f-forget about me, alright? After you promised not to leave me, and now I'm the one who has to leave," she looked down, trying to hide her tears.
Cordelia pulled her daughter into a hug. "Now, now. Everything's fine. Everyone wants a taste of adventure, so go out there, and be safe. Remember that we're here when you need us, and come home soon,"
"We should have a farewell party before you three leave for your journey," Lucina suggested.
Everyone agreed.
A few days later, Inigo, Owain and Severa, with all their comrades gathered at the great gates of Ylisse.
"Your mother still needs to nurse herself back to health," Lon'qu explained about Olivia's absence.
"That's understandable, Dad. Promise me that you'll take good care of Mom and little me," Inigo replied.
Lon'qu smiled. "Of course I will."
"I'm afraid that I can never do this anymore, so..." Inigo pulled his father into a hug. Shocked by the contact, Lon'qu was petrified. But his senses came back as quickly as they left, and he returned the hug.
"And before I forget this, here, take these," Lon'qu handed his son a killing edge and a dancer's chain. "Your mother wanted you to remember her, so she gave you her favourite one."
Inigo took the chain and the sword. He then noticed that something was carved on the hilt of the sword. The names of their family were written, and a line of words below that. May you always shine as bright as the sun. "You know what, Dad? When I saw you and Mom again, I told myself that I will survive for you two. I was really happy, even though our time together is brief. And so, I promise you, no matter how many years I will take, I'll come home one day. Just wait for me,"
"We will always wait for you, son. Just promise me to come home,"
The other people wished the trio luck and they were ready to set off.
"Oh, and one more thing," Inigo clasped the chain onto his waist.
"What is it, now?" Severa complained. Stahl and Cordelia glanced at each other and began to play their harp.
"This shall be my last dance for you people," Inigo got onto his feet and danced his final dance in Ylisse, the dance he learned from his mother and improvised himself.
"And that is the end of my story," Laslow concluded.
"So that's how you came all the way to Ylisse? To save the world from Anankos?" asked Soleil, sitting on her bed. Laslow always came every night, telling her stories of his past. Soon she came to know Lucina, Gerome and a few others including her grandparents. Anankos's dragon form was long defeated, and they now lived in the castle in order to serve Xander and Siegbert.
"Yes. It's not incredible, really,"
"But you slayed two dragons! Isn't that awesome? I bet the cuties will swarm around you!" Soleil imagined her father being surrounded by girls, but the thought of her mother stopped that.
"But... I still let my true family die,"
"Come on! You were just a child, and you were younger than I am now! At least you saved the parents of the other you! Wow, that's a bit confusing. Anyways, wipe that frown away, Dad! Let's talk about other things, like how Grandpa's sword inspired my name," Soleil suggested.
"I chose to name you Soleil because I want you to always smile, like the sun. My efforts have not gone to waste, I see," Laslow grinned.
"You said that Mr. Anankos gave you an orb that will take us home. I want to see your parents, so can we go one day?" Soleil suggested.
"Didn't you need to serve Lord Siegbert?"
"I already told him that I might leave one day, and he said that I may do as I wish. He told me to tell him before we go and not to leave without notifying him. What about you, Dad? Have you told Lord Xander about this?"
"Yes, I have. Funny, he also said the same thing. Like father, like son, eh?"
"We're not so different too, don't you think, Dad? We like to have tea with cuties, right?"
"That you are correct, my sweet."
"Anyways, does that mean... we could go to Ylisse tomorrow?"
Laslow chuckled. "Too much haste is too little speed, but then again I too, am excited to see them. Very well, Soleil, we may go tomorrow,"
"Hooray! Should I go ask for Aunt Selena and Uncle Odin to join us? And Ophelia as well?"
"Sure, my sweet. It's getting late now, so please do that tomorrow, alright? Now, go to bed,"
Soleil suddenly grew serious. "Dad, you... won't leave without me, right?"
"I promised to stay with you always, did I not? Now banish the thought, and sleep tight,"
"No! You will sleep with me here, and I'll catch you if you ever tried escaping!"
"I have to sleep in my own bed, you know."
"That means you'll leave without me," Soleil's tears pricked her eyes, she did not hesitate to let them fall. She will never find her father anymore, if he went back to Ylisse without her. Of course she wouldn't want that to happen, even if it meant leaving her dear friends. She would look for more friends in Ylisse, and perhaps join a band of mercenaries.
"Fine, you got me. Where should I sleep?" Laslow was aware that the sight of his daughter's tears will always be the reason why he always lost in literally every argument with her.
Soleil made some space on her bed, and said, "Here, I have a large bed anyways." As her father joined her, she commented, "You have never slept next to me when I was a child. So this is what it feels like, huh. It's so warm and fuzzy..."
"It's an interesting feeling, isn't it? Now, will you believe that I will not leave without you?"
Soleil hugged him tight. "Yeah, I trust you now. Goodnight, Dad."
"Sweet dreams, my eternal sunshine."
Wow, I have never written 3500 words on a chapter before, so I hope you didn't mind the long chapter! I actually wanted to post this on Inigo/Laslow's birthday, but it was unfinished ._.
Do you want another chapter about Laslow, Selena, Odin, Ophelia and Soleil finally arriving at Ylisse? You can tell me through PM or the reviews! Until next time! :D