The Justice Cabal Recruitment Drive
by purdledooturt

This story was originally posted for Fanfic Friday over at my little blog. A oneshot.

Severa observed Owain and Morgan with a disgusted air that dripped out of her pores as they play fought, loudly declaring their moves as they attacked one another. Part of her was partly jealous of the friendship, but she wanted something a lot more dignified than what they had.

Noting their spectator, the two wrapped up their battle with flowery announcements that it was time to end and that, yes, next time, they will return stronger. With twin nods, Owain approached Morgan and threw an arm over his shoulder, leading the younger male along and showering him with compliments as they made their way to where Severa stood, her arms crossed in defiance and her face glued into an expression of full distaste.

It didn't come unnoticed by Owain, and briefly, he wondered if Morgan felt slight embarrassment wash over him too, but he didn't dwell. He grinned widely – they've discussed this among themselves, and with Severa in the area it seemed like a good opportunity to start the recruitment drive.

"Ah," the royal began as he straightened himself up and stood tall, looking down at the girl who looked unfazed. "Severa, just the lady we wanted to clap eyes on."

She made a distinct noise of acknowledgement and her lips twisted into a pucker. "What?"

"We're wondering if you'd like to join us!" Morgan finished for Owain, who nodded in affirmation. "The Justice Cabal is considering extending invitations to other people who can serve as back-up warriors and we think you will be a great addition!"

"Back-up?" repeated the lone female as she jerked her head back slightly, her eyes now having shifted to piercing through Morgan. It bothered her to no end that neither of them seemed intimidated. "I'm being offered a position as back-up?"

"You're a good fighter," Owain cut in, "make no mistake, but… the Justice Cabal's main crew consists only of three or four very capable and most honourable warriors at a time."

"Who else is in this – Wait, you know what? I. Don't. Care. I'm not a child. I'm an adult. And I don't know if you know what adults do," she pulled forward to glare at Morgan as she put harsh emphasis on some of her words, "but I'll give you a bit of a hint, hmm? It's not joining some stupid "justice crew" or whatever."

With a string of curses emerging from her lips, she turned on her heel and flicked her long hair back. She waved them off as began to walk off. The two males watched as she sashayed away, barely sparing them another glance. "We're in the middle of a war, boys – grow up!"

Morgan slumped when she was out of sight and heaved a sigh. "I think I stuffed that up."

Owain clamped on Morgan's shoulder and began to lead the tactician back into the camp from the opposite side. "It's okay, my ally-versary; I'm sure we'll find someone."

"Maybe if we could get Cynthia to talk to her…"

"No, no," Owain said, shaking his head to further his point. "Severa… It's unfortunate, but I'm afraid Severa doesn't want to side with the just."

The dark haired tactician shook his head as well, in agreeance with his ally. "You know I got that vibe from her, too. Maybe we can find other people."

"Morgan."

Lucina, Morgan's older sister, stood from the opening of their mother's tent, watching as her little brother walked around aimlessly with Owain. At the sight of her cousin she nodded in acknowledgement, and he waved back in response. "Have you eaten?" she asked, stepping out of the tent and letting the flap fall shut. "I didn't see either of you during lunch."

"We were busy," her younger brother replied, and Lucina raised an eyebrow in response.

It always amazed Morgan just how regal his older sister really was; occasionally he would forget that she was actually the crown princess of Ylisse, and he the prince. She was a very capable fighter, and shatters most of the stereotypes attached to princesses and other ladies of royalty.

A capable fighter…

"Wait," he said, mostly to himself as his thoughts began to travel at fast speeds. With the one word he made his brain quieten, and grasped at the words that nearly escaped him. His memory was spotty – it affects even the present. "Do you want to join the Justice Cabal?"

"The Justice…" Lucina looked stunned at the question, and paused until her face shifted into realisation. "Oh! That little superhero group you made?"

"Yes," Owain said proudly, moving from cousin to cousin. He threw his arm around Lucina's shoulders and she raised her eyebrow at him in response but made no indication to slip out. "It fills my heart with happiness and glad energy to know that our humble little assembly is now known amongst the army like it was drifted along by the very wind."

She chuckled at his description. "Cynthia told me."

"My point stands," insisted Owain, shaking her shoulder.

"And so does our invitation," Morgan reminded. He looked up at his sister and mustered the most pitiful look he could – they'd tried to recruit a few more of the other children and were declined by most, he just felt desperate to recruit someone.

The crown princess said nothing as she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Sadness tugged at Morgan's heart as he steeled himself for the answer her knew was coming.

"I'll think about it."

Wait.

"Is that a maybe?" Owain asked, as if he'd read Morgan's mind.

The young tactician watched his sister's expression with hawk-like eyes. She was cool, and collected as always, when she confirmed, "Yes, that's a maybe."

"Well, a 'maybe' is just a late 'no'," Morgan said, dejected and deflated and trying to rush his sister into an answer. He was never really the most patient.

"A 'maybe' can also be a late 'yes'," said their mother as she slipped out of the tent with a bright smile at her child. "Don't be so disheartened; I'm sure your sister will make the right decision."

"Thank you, milady," Lucina replied, before her mother gave her a light glare. "Sorry – mother," she corrected with a warm smile and apologetic eyes.

"You boys should eat," said Robin as she began to carry her scrolls over to the main tent where Chrom waited. "I've left some food for you; it's with Olivia."

Owain waved at his aunt as she walked off, returning his wave with a nod of her head. Considering her hands were occupied, the swordsman accepted her response.

"Don't you want to join us, mother?" asked Morgan, as he chased after his mother and helped her carry her things over to the tent a few meters off. In the distance they could hear the younger tactician trying to sell the idea to the grandmaster, who seemed to be entertaining her son and asking about the benefits of joining.

For the moment Owain entertained the idea of having the camp Grandmaster on their team and how that would benefit the Justice Cabal's publicity, but his daydreams were interrupted by Lucina. She cleared her throat and gained his attention.

"Thank you for what you're doing with Morgan."

He looked at the leader – the true leader of their band of lost children – and nodded back, although he didn't know what exactly she was thanking him for.

"I know everyone is being so sullen – not counting Henry, of course –"

"Or Vaike," supplied the male, and the princess nodded in agreeance.

"Or Vaike, but… I'd like to thank you for keeping his spirits up at this time." Owain never noticed it but Lucina sounded so gentle for a fearsome time travelling hero. He noted the differences between himself and his cousin. "Before he joined you he… I'd spot him just sitting on his own just looking so bothered." She shrugged as she watched her mother and brother disappear through tent flaps. "I've caught him trying to hit his head to get the memories back, and… As a sister it's a sad sight to see, that's all.

"The Justice Cabal has really given him something, you know? He's making new memories and he's hopefully getting less and less stressed about the old ones."

As their subject re-emerged from the tent with a somewhat annoyed look on his face, Lucina immediately added, "don't tell him, but I'll be happy to join you. I just want to make him suffer a bit."

"I thought seeing a sibling suffer makes you suffer," the lone child of Lissa and Libra asked.

She grinned at him. "This isn't serious suffering. It's fine."

"What are you grinning about?"

She turned to Morgan and barely skipped a beat, unfazed at the idea of having been caught talking about her brother. "The fact that you should get to your lunch before Stahl gets so hungry he talks Olivia out of keeping it for you."

With a headstart, the two boys nodded and began to make their way to where they knew Olivia worked in the day time. As Owain looked behind him at his cousin, he found Lucina staring up at the sky, her head filled with thoughts that he probably would never come up with.

Maybe she needed some distracting too.