Kiva 20: Kiva Riders Assemble!

It was another day in Plegia without Serena. The days have gone by and not a word from her ever since she left. Of course, she's old enough that she could take care of herself, but at the same time, I'd be worried about her since I'm her father, and being worried for their kid is supposed to be normal.

Then again, like every Shepherds said about me, I'll always be a worrywart old bat, especially Cordelia.

"Even on your day off, you'd always have that stress look on your face, anata." Cordelia chided me, as I was resting on her lap in our shrine, as she massaged my head gently while the wind blew gently on the balcony, where the curtain follows suit with the wave.

"Sorry… it's just that we haven't heard from Serena for so long. She would have at least called every now and then."

"Well, it is normal for us as parents to worry about our children, but both of us know Serena is a very strong-willed young princess. Especially when both Azure and Owen is around with her. She could command them to do whatever she wants, since she's the head of Castle Shoo." she giggled. "Honestly, she really does inherit your recklessness."

"Yeah, wrapping men around her finger… that's her alright…" I scoffed.

"If Severa hears that, she's going to scold you again." she huffed. "You know how Severa was like that too, during our warring days, yes?"

"Hai, hai…" I waved off.

"Honestly, you truly are a high maintenance, my old bat." she teased me, making me blush slightly. "Oh, you're blushing again. You're so easy, anata."

"S-So? It's not my fault that I'm like this…"

"Yes, which is why you're mine for the keeping." she whispered, closing our faces together. "I won't let anyone have you, you know? You already stirred many maidens' hearts, especially mine. All thanks to your Fangire pheromone."

"You just love to tease me on my day off, don't you?" I mumbled.

"And if I am?"

"I'm gonna shut that mouth of yours."

"Oh, really?" she teased me, having that seductive smile. "And how are you going to do so, Kurogasa?"

"Well…" I said. But before anything else could happen, the door swung open and it was Lucia that came in, looking panicked.

"Uncle Kurogasa!"

"Gah!" I screamed, ended up rolling off from my bed, leaving my wife surprised by my shock.

"Eh, Uncle?" Lucia blinked.

"Hee, hee. Worry not, he's a bit surprised." Cordelia assured, as I got up while rubbing the back of my head.

"Darn it, Lucia." I grumbled. "If you wanna enter, at least-"

"Please, check your Touchpad!" she urged. "It's Serena!"

"What?!" both Cordelia and I were surprised to hear her name after a while.

Quickly, both Cordelia and I scrambled to our Touchpad on her make-up table, where our Touchpad is currently in sleep mode, due to not wanting to have any emergencies came flying off to ruin my day. Upon activating it, my eyes were wide open, seeing Serena's name popped out many times, trying to contact us.

"Oh crap! She's been really trying to call us!"

"Yes, she wanted me to tell you because it's personal!" Lucia urged. "I know she wanted to only discuss with you, but… she's my cousin and best friend! I must know of her situation, as well!"

*BZZZZZZZZZZT!*

And it went off again, clearly seeing Serena's name on it, trying to contact us.

"Oh boy…" I gulped before pressing the call button and a holographic rendition of Serena in 3D appeared.

["Daddy, why the hell didn't you answer?!"] she clearly snapped at me, seeing her angry expression.

"UWHAAA!" I freaked out as I dropped the tablet and fell on my butt but Cordelia caught it.

"Anata, please be careful with this!" she reminded me. "We don't want to break another one after what happened last time! Think of Miriel's resources just to create this Touchpad!"

["Daddy's breaking stuff again?"] Serena sweatdropped.

"Serena!" Lucia exclaimed.

"Gah!" Now Serena's were caught off-guard, nearly dropping hers before someone caught it.

["Serena-sama, please be aware of your belongings."] I heard one of the Maids got out. And yeah, these Maids are the Three Arm's daughters. Don't ask me how they managed to reproduce with who. The Three Arms owed me for everything we've done ever since the war is over. And they promised to have their first daughter to serve the next generation of Kiva. Jiro's daughter is named Leona, Ramon's daughter is named Marina, and Riki's daughter is Fran. Yes, as in Frankenstein II.

Like I said, don't ask. It's already good enough the Three Maids are serving my daughter.

["I know, I know, Leona."] Serena sighed. ["Honestly, you're a serious one."]

["Nnn!"] Fran's voice grunted.

["Yep, what she said!"] Marina's voice added as well. ["Like father, like daughter!"]

"Look, can we get back to the topic at hand right now?" I grumbled. "What's going on?"

["I uh…"] Serena pouted. ["I kinda got exposed…"]

"Huh?" I asked confused. "What do you mean?"

["Kivat's awake, Daddy."]

"EH!?"

["OI AIBOU!"] I heard a familiar snarky voice as I saw Kivat flying in front me. ["What the hell's going on!? I'm freezing my butt over here in the cold! And why is Serena-chan older!? What year is this?!"]

"Ochitsuite, Kivat!" I scolded.

["And oh, Taa-chan is still taking his time with his nap, even though he's already awake."] Serena informed.

"What?!" I got out. "Then, you can access-"

"I could, but Taa-chan won't let me." she added.

["Tatsulot-sama said she'll be ready to access it when the time comes of her coronation as Empress Kiva."] Leona explained calmly, just like her father.

["Anyways, Daddy, my uh… employer knows who I really am…"] Serena huffed.

"They did?"

["Nnn!"] Fran grunted, for some reason, even I can seem to understand it. Like I said, don't ask.

"Hoshidans?!"

["Yep! The cute human prince said she bear the same armor you wore years ago!"] Marina perked up. Just then… three familiar royals showed up.

"Takumi!? Sakura-chan! And… Aqua!?"

["Oi, old man! What's the meaning of this!?"] Takumi snapped at me. ["Why is Kiva siding with Nohr in the first place?!"]

"Huh!?" I said shocked before turning to my daughter. "Serena~!?"

["Hey, it just happened, alright?! We didn't sign up for this in the first place after go traveling on our own!"] Serena defended herself.

["My king, it would seem like you are confused."] Aqua calmly explained. ["Please, hear our side of the story, and it will make sense for you."]

"Alright… I'm listening."

["Our… Kaa-sama…"] Sakura-chan sniffled. ["She was killed,"]

"WHAT!?" I shouted in horror as Cordelia gasped, covering her mouth. "W-What happened!? Who killed her!?"

["Nohrians, that's what!"] Takumi snapped.

["Takumi, please…"] Aqua got out. ["Yes, it is as he said, but according to Hiroji, Okaa-sama said there's someone else working behind the scenes and we're trying to figure out the cause."]

"Hiroji?"

["Hai. Okaa-sama's abducted child and… Kamen Rider Ghost."]

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?"

"Kamen Rider…" Lucia muttered, as she was taught by my mother tongue since elementary by Saigo.

"…Ghost?" Cordelia, on the other hand, confused with the new term of Kamen Rider. "There's another Kamen Rider outside ours?"

"If I remember right…" I recalled. "In our world, Kamen Rider Ghost is a Rider who uses the power of Eyecons, souls of historical figures sealed in mechanical eyeballs."

"Eww!" Lucia said disgusted.

["Um… yes, it may sound… repulsive, but I assure you it's something else entirely."] Aqua said. ["But rest assured, I will make sure your daughter will contribute to our cause."]

["So, you can leave it to me, Daddy!"] Serena said. ["I'll be sure to put Kiva's strength to good use!"]

"Oh hell no!" I said. "After hearing what happened to Queen Mikoto, I can't stand by and do nothing! Serena, stay right where you are, and I'll come over in Castle Doran as soon as I can!"

["What!? No, Daddy! I want YOU to stay where you are!"] Serena countered. ["We don't want to have an international war. The two kingdoms are already after Hiroji's head and any of his allies! You come here, and we're as good as dead, because we'll end up having Plegia declaring war!"]

["Please, leave this to us. We'll be sure to solve this mystery on our own."] And after hearing Aqua's assuring words, the line cut off, leaving me furious for reasons unknown.

"Oi! Chotto! Aqua! Serena!" I shouted. "Damn!"

"Anata…" she got out, noticing the same anger I had long ago as a prime tactician.

"Uncle…" Lucia said, worried. "What should we do?"

I was silent for a while before looking up. "We're going to Ylisse. This just became personal…" I muttered.


"You gotta be shitting me!" Sully cursed. "Your daugther's in deep crap already?!"

"Believe me, I didn't want this either…" I groaned. "Not only that, Hoshido's Queen has been murdered and I, as her ally can't do anything!"

"And I assume what you're gonna say what I assumed?" Chrom asked. "Seeing you flew personally all the way here from Plegia means you're up for something crazy again, like Lissa said."

"I would… if Serena hadn't told me to stay put…" I pouted.

*SHOVE!*

"Gah!" I cried out, getting the boot to my booty, courtesy of angry Sully.

"So what?! You're gonna leave your baby girl to be slaughtered by some sonovabich?" Sully snapped at me. "Where's the stupid tactician who'd do stupid stuff in the first place, huh?"

"Believe I would, I was ready to leave on Castle Doran, but if I went, then that'd be a declaration of war on both Hoshido and Nohr!"

"Yeesh, little tyke! You already got your hands full, especially with that treaty stuff, huh?" Vaike got out.

"Still… this poses a problem." Stahl said. "If you can't help, what can we possibly do?"

"C'mon, think, you dimwit! What's that noggin' of yours have?!" Sully shoved me a question, not even I have the answer for it. "What's the point of being a king, if what you do all day was popping Cordy's belly?!"

*POW!*

Everyone was shocked when I punched Sully square on the face. "Don't talk about my wife like that, bitch!"

"The hell man!? That's my wife you punched!" Vaike snapped.

"Heh…" Sully, on the other hand, seemed satisfied, even spitting out blood from her mouth as she got up. "Now you're fired up."

"Huh?" I looked at her, flabbergasted from her taking my sucker punch head on.

"So, now you're rearing up, what's next, arsehole?"

"I- you-" I started before sighing heavily. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously." Sully replied with her own tone.

"I say screw the rules,"

"Now that's the dimwit I know." Sully smirked.

"Kurogasa is being Kurogasa, after all these years…" Cordelia sighed, keeping her smile.

"Then, what do you suggest?" Stahl questioned.

"A small group." I answered. "Small enough to tank a whole team of Berserkers, but still unknown by many."

"Now you're talking!" Sully smiled before a frown appeared. "But, Nagadamnit, you got bad timing."

"Huh?"

"My gal's still in intense training. Knighthood sucks balls, but that's what she has to go through." Sully explained.

"Why not send the girls of the Kamen Riders to help Serena?" Stahl suggested, which opened up my path to help her.

"Good thinking Stahl. Lucia, are you up for it?" I asked.

"Wait, what?" Chrom got out. "Brother, you can't be serious! Sending my daughter out there means she'll be involving Ylisse as well!"

"Screw the rules. Lucia wants to see Serena anyways."

"Wha-"

"And you have my permission, Kurogasa." my angel, Sumia, appeared, alongside Cecilia by her side.

"Sumia!?" Chrom looked betrayed that his own wife with support this.

"On one condition." she proposed. "Have Cecilia be Lucia's escort. You don't mind, right?"

"Sumia, you've caught yourself a fever, right? Yes, you must have!" Chrom panicked.

"No, Chrom. I'm quite sane." she smiled. Just then, a familiar dark aura seeped out from her, giving me the shivers. "You don't want to coop our daughters in our castle for too long, don't you?"

Man, Nee-san is rubbing off on her too much, considering how close she, Sumia and Cordelia are.

"U-Uh…" Chrom shivered, in which Liz happily skipped into the room.

"Yeah, Chrom! Don't be such an overprotective custard king!" Lissa teased. "You know that sooner or later, this'll happen, right?!"

"What'll happen?!" Chrom panicked.

"You didn't tell Kuro about it?" Lissa kept her playful smile. "Hey, big brother! Guess what? Ylisse's household is being treated the same as your family!"

"LISSA!" Chrom snapped, blushing heavily. "Kurogasa shouldn't know about this!"

"Yep, all this time, Mother took the reins, just like Aunt Cordelia." Lucia teased.

"Ho~?" I smirked. "What's this I hear?"

"Gh!"

"Chrom, my brother." I said, similar to how Virion put his words. "I hear whispers in the wind where you took control, but is that all a farce?"

"Gh!" Chrom flinched, as all eyes were on him. He lowered his head, knowing what came out from his mouth would affect everything. "Alright…"

"Huh?" Cecilia got out. "Alright what, Father?"

"Alright…" Chrom sighed heavily, his expression being a mixed bag of frustration and worry. "I'll let you see the world, as you wish, Lucia."

"Really!?" Lucia asked excited.

"If I say no, your mother would have my head on the platter…" Chrom got out, seeing Sumia smile proudly. "Oft!"

"Oh, thank you, Father!" Lucia hugged her father dearly. "It means so much to me."

"Kurogasa, are you sure my daughters are enough?"

"No, I still have Morgana and Alice, taking a small detour."

"A detour?" Lucia asked.

"Father!" Morgana's voice echoed, as she entered, alongside Alice who dragged Mai'yu.

"F-Fie! A-Alice, what is the meaning of this?" Mai'yu got out. Aqua-chan's granddaughter grew up beautifully. Her forest green hair is as long as Bakuya's, having a well-toned feminine look inherited from Apollo, while wearing a white kimono with sakura petals on it, with red sash and red sandals to finish it off.

Though, she's still as shy as I can remember, hearing her stuttering like that.

"Father, I got it from Aunt Melissa!" she said, presenting a small bag that contained certain items.

"Thanks, Morgana." I said, taking the bag and digging into it before pulling out… the IXA Belt. "Cecilia, it's your time to be a hero,"

"Uncle Kuro! Is that…?!" Cecilia's eyes sparkled, recognizing it.

"And there's… two of them." Lucia noticed. "Wait… you mean…"

"Your Aunt Melissa and Cousin Danny let me borrow them." I said, handing Lucia one.

"It was hard at first, but Aunt Melissa understood my situation and entrusted me with both of them, since cousin Danny isn't using them anymore!" Morgana perked up.

"You're okay with this, Chrom? This extra protection should be enough, right?" I offered.

"Well… I can't argue with you there…"

"Kamen Rider… I never thought I would become a Kamen Rider…" Lucia got out.

"Isn't this great?! Now you get to live your fantasy, sis!"

"C-Cecilia!" Lucia blushed a bit.

"Mai'yu-chan, are you ready to become the next Rey?" I asked.

"A-Ano…" Mai'yu said nervously. "Obaa-sama wishes me to not go alone."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tag along!" a chirpy voice said as she walked in and hugged Mai'yu from behind.

"F-Felghana!" Mai'yu blushed. Felghana was quite the beauty herself, as she inherited Akane's petite height and her beauty, having blonde hair that reached to her hips, with one of the left side tied in a braid, wearing a snow white dress that is similar to Akane's, and black female wedge sandals over her frilly white socks that covers up all the way to her thighs.

"Hehe~ da~me! You're not getting away that easily!" Felghana chirped. Oh yeah, did I mention that Felghana gets way too attached to Mai'yu? "Mama said I have to look after you, since you're my niece!"

"Ara~, looks like Felghana-chama is happy after her eavesdropping, ne~?" Kiva-la popped out from behind her hair, similar as she hid behind Akane's in the past.

"Must you always be so childish, Kiva-la?" Rey-Kivat asked as he flew in.

"Akane-chama doesn't seem to mind at all, ne~?"

"Ne~!" Felghana perked up, having her hands to pop out and… GAAAAH! What is she doing!?

"F-Felghana?!" Mai'yu's face went beet red, as Felghana went grabbing her, uh… assets. But for some reason, Mai'yu isn't resisting.

"I wanna make sure you'd grew up pretty nicely! Ehe~!" Felghana perked up.

"Felghana, stop touching her there!" I snapped. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Felghana is a bit of a pervert? Akane-chan, what did you do to make your daughter like that?

"Kurogasa… you're enjoying the view, aren't you?" Chrom asked me, hitting my nerves.

"..." a familiar glare of Lucia and Cordelia headed at my direction, while Morgana is as clueless as Morgan was.

"I have no comment." I muttered. "Felghana, seriously, stop touching Mai'yu-chan, or else I'm putting you on a restraining order."

"Ha~i." she let go, while Mai'yu panted from her teasing just now.

"That leaves Kivat II and Sagark." Sumia got out. "I assume Alice would wield Sagark, considering Saigo trained her of using him. A new Sagark, that is."

"Actually, Alice is not capable of physical combat." Emmeryn said, having Jeniffer by her side.

"Sis?" Lissa blinked.

"Emm?" Chrom got out. "What do you mean?"

"I will wield Sagark's strength." Jennifer got out. She had Athena's beauty, but having Danny's strict personality. Her braided dirty blonde hair reaching only by her shoulder, wearing silver armor with white shirt underneath it, dirty white pants and boots. Oh, and because of her training, she ended up being a bit tomboyish and still strict. "Father instructs me that I can use IXA, but I persisted in wanting to use Mother's Sagark. I have the rights, due to my Grandfather."

"Right…" I got out.

"And Felghana, I can let Grandmother know so you would understand what true terror is, if you keep pestering Mai'yu."

Wow, talk about strict and straightforward. That's one way of controlling Felghana, as she suddenly squeaked and hid behind me.

"Uncle Kuro, save me!" Felghana got out. "Jenny's so scary!" But I merely stepped to the side, exposing her. "A-re?"

"I say let 'er rip!" Sully suggested.

"Now, now. Now's not the time for this." Cordelia suggested. "We should consider the situation."

"That's right. Tyke's precious baby gal's in danger!" Vaike exclaimed.

"Right. But who would wield Kivat II?" Chrom asked.

"I know just who would wield them!" Felghana perked up, making me a bit nervous, for some reason.

I hope it's not Storm's first daughter. Man, she's…


"Hiyaaaaaaaahhh!" a female tomboyish exclaimed, as she speared her axe directly at the dummy before flying up high in the air.

"Good one, young lady! Good show!" Virion seems happy about it.

"Yes, Elie is well-versed in my family's fighting style." Cherche smiled, as a maid poured some more tea in her glass. "Why, thank you, Cecil. That's so nice of you."

"You're welcome, Mother." Cecil smiled, like any maid would do. She's the youngest member of the Ryder family, having short salmon pink hair with a bob cut, the maid's choker on her neck and maid's hair dress on her head, wearing dark blue dress with white apron, long silk socks that reached her knees and black sandals. Having white cuffs on each of her arm, anyone can tell she's like any normal maid within a glance. Having a doll-like features is a plus as well.

"Man, am I glad Elie won't be Dark Kiva…" Storm sweat dropped. "She might go power-hungry…"

"Aww, come on, Dad! Don't be like that!" Elie got out, landing her partner, Mine, to the ground. Elie, or her full name Elizabeth Bathory Ryder, has the exact appearance of her mother, including her armor and the way she dressed. The only difference is she had black hair of her father, and a carefree attitude. "I mean, I'm much more axe-reliant and best teaming up with Mine. Don't you think so, buddy?"

*SCREEECH!*

"Dear sister, Minnie said don't be too proud of yourself." Cecil, or her full name given by her father, Cecilia Ryder, got out after pouring some tea for him. "Even with the axe you wield, you still cannot beat me, who is empty handed."

"Yeah, she's REALLY good at CQC." Storm got out.

"And managing her looks as well. Such a sweetheart, my Cecil is." Cherche complimented.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm…" Elie pouted heavily.

"Keep that up and I'll have Minnie, rip your doll up when she was a youngling." Cecil deadpanned.

"Mom! Cecil's threatening again!" Elie pointed fingers at her little sister.

"Honestly… you still need to learn a lot." Andy sighed. "Especially with those threats."

"Which is why I found Cecil to be the best partner to fight alongside." Kivat II said, hanging underneath a nearby swing.

"Yes, I am quite surprised that Cecil can easily counter my weaponry." Lucina commented. "Armed, yet she heads in without hesitation."

"Honestly, Elie, you're just like your father. Idiotic and airheaded without a care in the world." Kivat II said.

"HEY! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Storm and Elie shouted in unison.

"Hmph, it's what he said, Elizabeth." Gerome got out. "You too, Father."

"Oh man… getting owned again…" both Father and daughter are on all four, leaving the rest with a sweatdrop.

"Hm?" Marth noticed from afar, seeing Olivia accompanying someone with her. "Grandfather, look. It's King Kurogasa!"

"Huh? Kuro?" Storm got out, noticing us. "Yo, bud! Wazzap?"

"Uncle?" Lucina looked to me.

"Hey, Storm, can I borrow Cecil and Kivat II?" I asked.

"Uh… sure?" Storm blinked.

"Hm?" for some reason, Cecil scanned me, observing me.

"What's she doing?" I asked.

"Prove your worth." she said, leaving me flabbergasted.

"Huh?!"

"It's what my little sister said." Elie got out. "But lemme tell ya, Uncle Kuro! Don't be fooled by her beauty, because she's a beast with her combat skills! She learned it from Father, after all!"

"..." Cecil remained silent, walking into the practice ground, all the while she wears her leather gloves and in her maid outfit.

"She's as calm as a cucumber." Cherche told me. "But yes, Storm's teaching on CQC is something that not even her own father can't beat her now. She seems to inherit most of her strength from Kivat II's power from him."

"Oh boy…" I sweat dropped. "Morgana, can I-"

"Yes, Father!" Morgana chirped.

"Thanks. Kibat!" I raised my hand in the air.

"Hahaha! Let's get this party started!" Kibat fluttered happily, went towards my hand. "Kabu!"

*CRUNCH!*

"Henshin!" I shouted, after placing Kibat hanging upside down on the belt and transformed into Kiva. Man, it's been forever since I transformed! "Ikuzo!" I shouted as I charged in at Cecil.

Then I noticed something… her stance is… kinda similar to those 18th century goofy looking boxing style: her right arm resting close to her chest, while her left arm stretches out.

Nevermind that, I gotta earn her trust.

"Hiyaaaaaah!" I exclaimed, and in an instant I thrust my fist, she quickly bowed forward, landing her scorpion kick directly at my helmet. Since she shorter than me, she's quite flexible to maneuver her kicks. While stunned from her kick, she wasted no time closing in and start rapidly punches my head and chest. Her left arm is used to keep my balance and blocking my attacks at the same time, landing more heavy blows. As a finisher…

"Oh my…" Cordelia noticed, as her fist is just an inch away from my chest.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhh…" Cecil calmly exhaled out her breathing, before clenching her fist and landed her one-inch punch. As a result, I ended up tumbling and rolling for quite some time before a dummy stopped my roll.

"Anata!" Cordelia got worried, as Cecil gets back into her stance.

"Oooooh, it's lacey black, eh?" Elie teased her.

"..." Cecil remained silent, having a small blush on her face, due to the scorpion kick she had might revealed her underwear for Elie to see.

"Are you alright, Uncle?" Lucina kneeled down, checking up on me worriedly.

"I told you Cecil is no pushover, Granduncle." Marth said.

"Ow…" I groaned as Lucina carefully sat me up. "I guess Serena's right… I can't go there. Not in the state I'm in now…"

"Serena-sama?" Cecil got out, upon hearing her name. Yeah, like I said, she acts like a maid because her mother was once a maid. "What is wrong with your daughter, Kurogasa-sama?"

"One word: War."

"I see…" she got out, lowering her stance. "Then, I shall aid you."

"Wait, that's it?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes." she nodded. "That's more than enough for me."

"Damn it, why didn't I think of that earlier?" I groaned.

"If she's going, then I'll tag along, too!" Elie proposed.

"Onee-sama, I am perfectly fine by myself. With Kivat II by my side, it's nothing much I couldn't handle."

"Oh no, I'm not gonna let you get hurt, little sis!" Elie huffed. "You can handle the ground, I can take the sky! That's my territory!"

"Is that so? Or you're doing so to avoid any incoming bachelors seeking for your hand, dear?" Cherche got out, making Elie flinched heavily.

*SNORT!*

"I believe Minnie thought the same thing, Onee-sama." Cecil summed up.

"W-Why does everyone bring that up?!" Elie blushed heavily.

"It's Rosanne's tradition, sweetheart." Cherche reminded her daughter. "Isn't that right, love?"

"Yep. If you take anyone's hanky, that means you're begin to accept them more than just best friends." Storm grinned. "B'sides, your mom already taught you of knitting one. So, I hope whoever you gave them, it must be a pretty charming man to our liking!"

"Yay~! More parties!" Felghana perked up.

"Is that all, Uncle?" Lucia asked.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Lucina asked her younger self. It took awhile before she realized it. "Uncle, you're going to bring this small group to help your daughter?"

"Yeah… I'm not sitting around and doing nothing. I'm helping Serena whether she likes it or not." I said.

"That's very like you, Uncle. Reckless as always." Lucina shook her head lightly, smiling a bit nonetheless.

"So, when do we depart, Uncle Kuro?" Elie asked.

"Tomorrow morning." I suggested. "You kids need to pack up, too. It's gonna be a long trip back to Plegia so I can drop you off by the ship."

"That's right. Kurogasa can't bring Castle Doran to Hoshido or else, it'll be something none of us would like to see…" Cordelia pointed out.

"It's official! We're the Bachelorette's team!" Felghana suddenly perked up.

"Huh?" Cecillia got out. "We are?"

"Sure, we are! I mean, we're a group of beauties that packs a punch!"

"Oh, Onee-sama…" Cecil sighed heavily. "Worry not, Mother. Father. I will keep an eye out for her."

"Be careful once you've reached foreign land, Cecil." Andy assures his sibling. "Although I can wield Dark Kiva's strength, I think for this situation, you'd be suited well for it."

"Thank you, Onii-sama." she smiled at her brother, treating him kindly.


Later that night, I walked down the hallway of the castle until I reached a room and knocked on the door.

*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Lucia, may I come in?"

"Hm? Uncle?" her voice got out before she walked toward the door and opens up. She's in her sky blue modern blue dress… yes, one with the laces that's nearly see-through, if it weren't for having another layer of it within her lingerie. "Uncle, why are you looking away?" she said, confused.

"S-Sorry, your… dress… it's uh…" I cleared my throat with a blush.

"Hm? I see nothing wrong with it." she blinked, obliviously. "Mother gave it to me, as she said she used them to get Father's attention. I don't quite understand what she meant by that…"

"Let's… just say your Mother and Father had one heck of a wedding night when she wore it." I said.

"Oh… alright."

What? She's not fazed by it?! If it's Lucina, she'd definitely understand what I'm trying to say!

"Is something the matter?"

"No! A-Anyways!" I cleared my throat. "I wanted to give you something." I then, pulled from behind my cloak… the Zanvat Sword.

"Uncle, this is…"

"Serena's gonna need it." I said, holding it out to her. "Once she gains Empress Form, you need to give this to her."

"Oh…" she got out, as the said Zanvat Sword is already in its sheath, as Lucia held on it instead of the hilt. Naga knows what's gonna happen when a human held them without precaution. She can go crazy with it. "Is there any message you wish for me to relay to her after we made contact?"

"Honestly, no." I smiled sadly. "The Zanvat Sword is a message in itself already, because I'm entrusting to her my inheritance. At least… until Kyoshiro is of age." I chuckled.

"I see…" Lucia smiled, looking at the said sword. "She'd be happy that the title of Kiva has been properly passed down to her, from her beloved father she cherished most."

"Until then, I want you to keep it to you first. You still have Falchion with you, remember?" I suggested.

"Very well, if that is your wish." she got out, as I noticed she lets out a small sigh.

"What's up?"

"It's… nothing." she got out. "Father makes a promise to me that once everything is over, he'll find a suitor to ask for my hand in marriage, alongside Cecillia as well…"

"Oh Chrom…" I facepalmed, before holding her shoulders. "Listen Lucia… whom you fall in love with and who you decide to marry is your choice, not his. You're your own person."

Lucia lets out a small smile, feeling her burden lifted a bit. "I do envy Serena at times." she admitted. "Because whenever I talk to you, my heart feels at ease. You treated me as if I'm your own daughter. I truly wish you are mine, as a parent. N-Not that I found Father unsuitable of being my parent, it's just…"

"Lucia…" I said gently. "To me… you were always my daughter. And I'll always be your father too."

Lucia didn't say anything much, keeping her smile with me. With a warm hug, she muttered one thing. "Thank you… Father."

"I love you too, Lucia…" I whispered, hugging her back then pressed my forehead on hers, looking at her with tender eyes as I held her gentle face. "Promise that you'll come back to me…"

"I promise… Father."


Meanwhile…

Chrom suddenly woke up, shivering very badly, like something had gone terribly wrong.

"What's wrong, Chrom?" Sumia asked, wiping her sleepy eyes as she is in her sexy sleeping lingerie. "You seemed a bit pale."

"I feel like Lucia disowned me for some reason…"

"Huh?" Sumia looked totally confused.

"And it feels like I've been replaced by someone who is close to her."

"Chrom, what are you talking about?" Sumia got out, looking at him. "I'm sure it's just a big misunderstanding. She loves you, of course. She might be a rebellious young adult, but she's still your daughter."

"Still… it's as if…" Chrom thought about it.

"Mmmm…" she pouted before she can do the only thing that seems logical: pulling him down on the bed and she puts herself on top of him. "I guess I'm to take one of Cordelia's pages here."

"Huh?"

"I'm gonna whip you up, just as how Cordelia whipped her husband to her liking. I do wear the sexy lingerie for a reason, y'know?" Sumia smiled, getting naughty all of the sudden.

"W-Wait, Sumia!" Chrom panicked.

"Come here, my custard king!" And with a pull of her blanket to cover them both, let's just say one of them received the short end of the stick.