Morgan awoke in her tent, still groggy from her slumber. She slowly sat up on her bed, trying to avoid loosening the bandages around her midriff. She noticed someone entering her tent, "Lucina? J-just leave me alone."
"I'm afraid I'm not Lucina, little one" Tiki soothed.
The tactician gasped in surprise, "Lady Tiki! Forgive me I-" She got up to kneel in front of the Voice, but was prevented by a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Please do not exert yourself, I've come with news for you."
"News?"
"I'm sure you're aware of how reverted back to your normal self, and who did it, correct?"
Morgan looked down, she could still feel some phantom pain in her torso, where Gerome had stabbed her. "Yes."
The Voice's face hardened a bit, something Morgan picked up on. "He will be put on trial for his actions."
The tactician stiffened. She knew that he did it because of Grima's possession of her body, a huge part of her was grateful for that; yet a smaller part of Morgan resented him for it, for cutting her power trip short. The tactician looked up at Tiki, "Gerome isn't entirely at fault. I shouldn't have let myself become overtaken by Grima."
"You are not to blame, little one," the Voice sighed. "You and your father were born with the body of a human, but your soul is shared with the Fell Dragon, this gives him some dominion over you."
"I already know that," Morgan dejectedly replied. "He also explained my, er... 'predisposition' to Ignis. Naga already explained it to him, but what I want to know is... do you think there is a way to restore my brother?" The tactician revealed to the manakete what the Mark in the void showed to her.
Tiki sighed once again, a sorrowful expression on her face, "I do not know, little one. However, if you're speaking to him, doesn't it mean he's back to normal already?"
"Well, I have no way of knowing if it's the real Mark, but he actually helped me recover some memories." Morgan fondly smiled at the thought of the cave she had explored with her brother. The tactician wondered if they had more adventures like that together. "I just thought I'd see him again, in a dream or something, maybe he unlocked a new memory."
"Be careful, little one, I don't know why you lost those memories, but I believe some of those may not be worth remembering."
Morgan took a deep breath. "I know there are going to be some painful memories, but I'm sure that there will be more happy ones than bad ones." the tactician looked up at the her, "I want to be able to remember more than just my father, I want to remember what my life and family was like before Grima."
"...Very well, little one. Just remember that I only want to keep you safe."
"Thank you, Tiki." Grabbing her coat, she made one last check to see if the flower petal she tore off was still there. Finding it to be resting inside her pocket, the tactician headed towards her father's tent.
"Think nothing of it... Morgan," Tiki gave her a warm smile "I'm sure you will recover your memories." Once the tactician had exited the tent (and earshot), the Voice let out a chuckle, "you really do take after your father, little one."
Robin was reading a book when he heard footsteps outside. Silently closing it, he got up from his chair and opened the tent's flap. Morgan stood outside, he had been dreading about this moment. He decided to break the ice first, ushering his daughter in, he was the first to talk. "How do you feel, Morgan?"
"I'm fine, father. Never better, in fact" she replied. Morgan examined her father, he seemed worried, "how are you doing?"
Robin took a deep breath. "There's no easy way of telling you this, but... you're gonna be put on trial by the War Council."
"Wh-what? But... but I-" she stammered, trying to make sense of what her father revealed. Morgan let out a defeated sigh, "I figured as much"
"Why do you say that?"
"Lady Tiki told me that we're basically cursed for life," Morgan kept her head low, "because Grima will always be inside of us."
Robin stiffened, "did she say anything else?"
"No... why?"
"Nothing important." Robin flashed her a grin, "Listen Morgan, I know that this is shocking, but just know that I'm on your side, besides you're the most likeable person in the Shepherds, I'm pretty sure that there are others on our side."
His daughter stared at the ground, "when do I show up?"
His face slightly darkened, as did his tone "After Gerome's trial. Chrom's supposed to send someone for you and me."
"Okay then," Morgan sighed, "I'll wait in here with you." She sat on his bed, gazing at the floor.
Wanting to cheer her up, the older tactician opened a drawer, taking something out. "Before I forget-" Robin tossed her a small pouch, "-I'm a man of my word."
"What is this?" Morgan opened the bag, it was filled to the brim with candy. Her eyes widened, "You didn't..."
"I did. So enjoy 'em before Gaius realizes they're gone." Robin grinned.
She gleefully grabbed two pieces of taffy, offering one to him. Taking it in his hand, the tactician was glad he had somewhat gotten Morgan out of her gloom. "So, do you know when was the happiest day of my life?"
"How am I supposed to know?" she asked, mouth full of candy.
"It was almost a year ago, right after I returned from Valm..."
Robin reluctantly stepped off the boat that carried him to the continent of Ylisse. For some reason he felt as if he belonged in the sea and didn't want to leave it's comfort; however, he knew that Chrom would scold him for delaying the Shepherds. The sun was already setting when the exalt approached him.
"So, 'master tactician' what's our next move?" the tactician heard Chrom sardonically ask.
Robin rolled his eyes, "I don't know yer exaltiness" he replied, trying to imitate Donnel's accent, "you is the ruler after all."
Chrom scoffed, and both men broke into laughter. "Seriously though, what now?" the exalt asked.
"Well, we only need one more gemstone to complete the Fire Emblem, right?" Robin replied, "We also know it's in Plegia, so how about we send a small diplomatic envoy to begin negotiations with King Validar."
Chrom frowned, "Can he be trusted?"
"Honestly? No."
Lucina cleared her throat, interrupting their conversation. "Pardon my intrusion, but mother is asking for you, father."
A nervous look appeared on Chrom's face. "What for?"
"She wouldn't say," Lucina shrugged, "however I overheard mother talking to aunt Lissa about your upcoming anniversary. Congratulations!" Chrom's daughter smiled with her last remark.
The exalt's eye twitched as he went pale. "Oh gods, how could I forget?" he turned to Robin, who had a wide grin on his face, "you wouldn't happen to know where I can find flowers, would you?"
The tactician pointed at a nearby shop, "Hey, if Sumia does kill you, can I keep Falchion? I may not be able to wield it, but I bet'll fetch a pretty coin or two." Robin burst into laughter as how he saw his best friend began sprinting towards the florist shop.
"Very funny, Robin! I'd like to see you in this situation!" Chrom retorted.
"I'm taking that as a yes!" Robin yelled back, but by then the exalt was too far away to have been able to hear it.
"You don't actually plan on selling Falchion, like some common knife upon my father's death, do you?" Lucina had a serious look on her face, she had reached for her Parallel Falchion.
"What? No!" Robin remembered the princess' inability to understand humor. "Sheesh, Lucina. What kind of person you take me for? It was a joke."
"Oh! S-sorry," Lucina forced an extremely awkward laugh. She stopped once she caught the tactician looking at the sea, a sad look on his face. "Everything alright?"
"Lucina, d-do you know if-" he stopped himself before saying something too drastic. "Never mind, it's not important."
The princess felt bad for Robin, she already knew what he was going to ask. In truth, she had no idea if Morgan was still alive or not, and would not get his hopes up only for them to be crushed if it turned out she was dead. All of the children got separated once they entered the Outrealm Gate. Lucina knew this question was coming however, and now that most of the other children from the future had been found; it was only natural for the tactician to also wonder if he ever had, or rather will have, a family.
"I think I know what our next move will be," Robin changed the subject, "there's supposed to be this ancient artifact at some place called 'the Ruins of Time' that increases someone's power. Be sure to tell your father-that is if he survives tonight." Robin grinned at her before retiring to his quarters.
"Dammit! Why do these things appear in the worst places?" Robin scowled, the ancient temple was crawling with risen. "Shepherds, get ready for battle! I want the cavalry at the front! Mages and archers in the back! Everyone else, watch our flanks!" The militia did as they were told, quickly getting into formation. "Remember, we're in here for something shaped like a tear! If you see it, grab so we can get the hell out of here!"
"Is this really the happiest day of your life?" Morgan interrupted, her eyebrow raised. "The day I found you? Predictable."
"Fine, how about you tell your side of the story then?" Robin chuckled.
"Oh... well I er..." Morgan stammered, she was about to let her father continue until she saw the cocky grin on her father's face. "You know what, father? Fine, I'll tell it from my side then."
Morgan stood behind a pillar, gasping for air a group of three risen were following her. Tightly clutching the Arcfire tome she had with her, the tactician released the burning magic onto her pursuers. Brushing away a strand of her on her face, the tactician kept moving.
There has to be a way out of here! Morgan thought. Those risen must've come from somewhere! Taking a few breaths to calm herself down, she heard a noises coming from farther down the hall, what sounded like actual human voices and the guttural growls of the risen. That's my best shot of getting out of here, alright Morgan, you can do this. After you get out of here you reunite with Lucina and the others and you save the future. She glanced at her left arm, knowing what lay beneath the cloth, or help destroy it...
Raising her cowl to cover her face, she sprinted towards the noises, evading risen attacks along the way. Morgan climbed through some steps, and came across a well organized army. With the cavalry spearheading their assault, mages and archers providing support from their rear.
The tactician waved her arm in order to attract their attention. Realizing no one saw her, Morgan charged up a small spell, launching it into the air. That seemed to get their attention, she happily thought, but it also seemed I attracted some unwanted company. Drawing her sword, she slashed at the small group of risen surrounding her. Quickly stepping back, the tactician readied herself for another wave of the undead.
"That was you?" Robin asked surprised, "and you call me reckless!"
"I didn't have any other option," Morgan huffed, "besides, someone did come to help me didn't they?"
"Good point, but try to avoid doing that in the future."
Chrom thrust Falchion into a risen barbarian, it quickly dissolved to ash. He examined the battlefield, everything seemed to be going according to Robin's plan. A small flickering caught his attention from the corner of his eye a person had just fired a fire spell into the air, the figure quickly turned around, surrounded by risen.
"Lucina! There's someone over there! Take over my spot!" Chrom commanded, he ran towards the figure, hoping to make it in time before he or she would be overrun.
Morgan kept slashing and firing at the ever increasing number of risen. A person appeared and tackled an undead mercenary about to backstab her. "Thanks," she hurriedly said before frying another enemy.
"Don't thank me yet," the man stood up, revealing him to have the same shade of blue hair than Lucina, and the Brand of the Exalt on his right shoulder. "C'mon, we have to regroup with the rest of the Shepherds."
They kept defending themselves, Chrom bringing down enemies that got too close, with Morgan firing spells from afar; however, she wasn't afraid to draw her sword if she had too. The exalt kept making observations on how the girl would fight, her mannerisms oddly the same as his tactician. Even the coat she wore resembled Robin's, but he waited until the all risen were dispatched to officially ask her.
"You seem to handle yourself well," Chrom said as the two began to head back with the Shepherds. "My name is Chrom, what's yours?"
Morgan already knew who he was thanks to Lucina's descriptions on what the Shepherds looked like. The tactician and the other children were also instructed to not interfere in the past too much, lest they cause an unwanted butterfly effect. "I can't say. Sorry," she replied, keeping her head low, so he wouldn't be able to see her face.
"Listen, if this is the 'I can't tell you who I am because I'm not of this time' act, you can drop it." The exalt chuckled, much to Morgan's bewilderment, "Lucina and pretty much the rest of you kids have already joined us, unless there are more kids we do have to find. Are there?"
"Who else have you found?" Morgan lifted her head.
"Uh, let's see..." Chrom recounted all of the future children by name and parents, eventually stopping on her. "So judging by that coat you're wearing, I can pretty easily guess who your father is, but I had no idea that Robin ever married. So, spit it out, who's your mother?"
"I... I don't know," Morgan looked away, "I wish I did, but I can't remember anything."
The exalt's smile faded. "Sorry, I didn't know."
Silence filled the air, both of them not saying a word. "Morgan" the tactician said softly.
"Huh?"
"My name is Morgan," she lowered her cowl, "you asked for my name, didn't you?"
"Oh, yeah. Well it's nice to meet you, Morgan."
Chrom entered the base camp, Robin's daughter trailing behind. Lissa approached her brother, unaware of the person behind him, "Where have you been!? We were about to send a search party for you!"
"Sorry, but I found her and-"
"Who is she?"
"Robin's kid from the fut-" he whispered
"What!?" the cleric half-whispered/half-yelled. "But Robin hasn't even ma-"
Chrom motioned for her to drop the subject, before Morgan could hear them. Lissa took the hint and nodded in response, "We'll talk to him later."
Chrom turned to Robin's daughter. "So, Morgan, I bet you're dying to see your father, right?" The younger tactician let out an excited nod. "Well, he should be in his own tent" he pointed towards the location.
"I'll take over from here, kiddo" Robin smiled, "after all, it was my happiest day."
"Okay," she returned the smile, "I think this is also my happiest day."
Robin re-entered the camp, exhausted, he placed the Naga's Tear into the supply convoy and headed back towards his tent. However he needed to check in on Chrom, Lucina told the tactician that her father had run off to help a person. As he approached the Chrom's respective tent, he saw the exalt talking to a girl, she was short, her hair cut to chin length the same color as his, her eyes a deep brown, and she had a coat identical to his. Robin's eyes widened as he approached, as he got closer, Chrom noticed his presence.
"Speak of the devil, look who it is," he placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder "Robin, this is Morgan. She's your daughter from the future."
"Father!" she wrapped Robin in a tight hug, "I missed you so much!"
The older tactician reciprocated the embrace, "I-it's so nice to meet you, Morgan."
"I'll leave you two to catch up." Chrom entered his own tent.
The duo walked towards the mess tent, eager to get to know one another.
A soft tapping interrupted the tactician in the middle of his story. He stood up and opened the flap, Lucina was the one outside.
"Forgive me, Robin, but I was told by Lady Tiki that Morgan was here."
Robin's expression dropped. "Is it time?"
Lucina frowned and nodded. The tactician turned to his daughter, "Morgan, why don't you go ahead with Lucina. I have a few things to take care of."
She reluctantly got up and followed her friend outside. Robin went in the opposite direction, his head low.
"How are you holding up?" the princess asked, she tried to read the face Morgan currently had.
The tactician sighed, "if you're asking me about my injury, I'm fine. Other than that, things could be worse."
"Listen, Morgan I know that things seem bad now, but-"
"Stop. I don't need your pity, Lucina," she kept staring ahead at the War Council's tent. Morgan spotted Gerome sitting outside, he was glaring daggers at both of them, moreso Lucina, rather than the tactician. "What happened on the previous trial?" Morgan asked as she entered with Lucina.
Robin stood on the outside of Naga's temple, looking at the sunset. Someone approached, their footsteps light and careful, but confident nonetheless. "Did you tell her?" asked the tactician, he kept staring at the sinking sun, a sad look on his face.
"No." A female voice responded.
"Good," he sighed with relief.
"Good? Robin, she has a right to know."
"You're right, but we can't tell Morgan-at least, not yet, we still have Mark to worry about."
"But why can't we at least tell her? She's our daughter."
Robin remained silent.
"Please, let's just tell her. We can't keep this a secret forever."
"Does Naga know... about us?"
She sighed "...If she does, she hasn't mentioned anything."
"What do you think her reaction'll be if she finds out?"
"I cannot speak for her."
"True, but will she react in a good or bad way?"
She got closer to him, "There really isn't much she can do to change the way about how I feel with the man I fell in love with."
Robin cracked a smile.
"Please, we have to at least tell Morgan. I know that she can keep this a secret."
Robin took a deep breath, "You're right, we're gonna have to tell her soon."
"When?"
"After her trial. Good outcome or bad, at least she'll finally know who her mother is."
"Okay. You must hurry back before we are seen by anyone."
"Before I go," Robin turned around and planted a kiss on her lips, "I love you."
She returned the kiss, but reluctantly broke it off. "As do I, Robin"
He walked towards the Council's tent, Tiki following closely behind him.
A/N
You did it. Yes you, I'm talking about you.
If you couldn't tell, I've picked out a mother for Morgan after careful consideration. Guess I should go and edit those other chapters huh? Oh, well I'm just glad I finished this chapter, it really seemed to be going nowhere until Dane Namor helped me out on (more than) a few points.
I regret nothing.
Legal disclaimer thing goes here.
