Chapter 20-Catalyst

Just of the cityscape of Ylisstol and its royal castle unfolded as we approached the North gate, I gathered all of my time traveling companions to the front of the march to have a private discussion. Ugh, just figuring out all the complications made my head spin. My…daughter, Lydia rode in front of me atop my Mare Slate. Gods, how was I ever going to get used to that development? To my left Calithea/Cynthia rode on her Pegasus Carmine; to my right was Iniabi on his black pony Onyx.

Iniabi looked over with analytical green eyes, "This is about the future and our roles in them, I take it?"

"It is. I just want to confirm my suspicions. Iniabi, you were born in a future where none of your antecedents or descendants engaged in time travel or journeying from one Outrealm to another? Also no ruined future with Grimeal, Risen or Grima himself turning the earth into cinders?"

He gave a polite nod, "Correct. In my world, Chrom succeeded in sealing the Fell dragon with the Fire Emblem before he could be revived. All of the future children like you Cynthia were born in a normal generational succession."

I turned to the baffled looking girl and smiled, "It means that no children traveled back from a disastrous future. The generations unfolded naturally. So let's say that Iniabi hails from the Peaceful Future Realm." I decided to leave out his precise parentage, as I knew a further run-in with Marth would prove to be sticky.

Iniabi looked at me with a hint of melancholy in his expression, "Mimika, your realm will inevitably face the insane wrath of Grima, where he arises from slumber by his insane devotees."

I gave him an understanding nod, "All right, so right now we all exist in the Realm where Grima awoke in the future. I guess that would make this the Awakening Realm."

Cynthia still looked puzzled, "So if your world was so peaceful, why make the perilous journey at all, Iniabi?"

The Mage tightened his hands on his reins, "I…I was needed here. I made a promise to a late brave warrior that I counted as my best friend that I would do everything to be a hero for others. So here I am."

Cynthia sighed in sympathy, "I'm so sorry for your loss." As always, she quickly recovered and gushed, "Ya'know, you're really cool, Inby!"

He blushed in embarrassment at the pet nickname.

I made a smile myself and inquired, "So you come from a Ruined future where Grima is triumphant?"

"Yup. We got the Fire Emblem assembled for our Exalt but without the Vert gem, we could not perform the Awakening ceremony to seal Grima. Oh and Kasrin's Irregulars come from my time as well. Weird bunch, but they are great heroes!" Her face fell as she sighed, "Still I don't have the right to call myself a hero. After all, I failed to save Ylisse and the rest of the ruined would from its destruction."

"It's not your fault," I remarked comfortingly. I gave a somber nod in agreement, "So I guess for reference I'll call your world the Ruined Future Realm, Cindy."

"Okay!"

I gave my maid/daughter a gentle shoulder squeeze, "Dia comes from a very closely aligned future to yours Cynthia, although key details differ."

The Pegasus knight's brown eyes widened in shock, "Oh! So that's why you though we've met before. Sorry squirt!" She beamed as she reached over and tousled up Dia's hair playfully.

Dia stammered in shame, "D-do not blame yourself Cynthia. I opened up my big mouth and blew away my cover." She sighed. "My world was wracked by the Fell Dragon as well, but milady here was imprisoned in the Sunstone keep rather than making the journey to Ylisstol with the Prince. Thus the Arrowhead Scouts and the Irregulars never came to be."

Lydia and I had already agreed to keep our true relationship a secret, although I guess there were enough secrets among the four of us to fill a rather thick tome. I played dumb, "Hmm, you did meet my alternate self then?"

She smiled shyly, "I did. She was the prettiest lady I remember." She enthused, "Her love from the future was very comely and brave too. A fearless warrior 'Pareid' saved her from getting mauled by Risen in the Evonrue forest."

Iniabi noted with widened eyes, "Your spouse was named Pareid and hailed from the future, Mimika?"

I blushed and nodded. As Dia and I had held a late night discussion, I was up to speed on how the other me actually married and had her together. I had found out to my considerable amazement that Lydia's other parent had been a badly injured visitor from the future, presumably sent back in time to Naga. The other Mimi had apparently tended to the mysterious guest's wounds, healed him back to health and fell in love with him. 'Pareid' (a pseudonym that Dia invented at my insistence as to not spoil his identity) aggressively courted his healing angel, and eventually convinced her that they should be together. I now had a strong gut feeling that my alternate spouse was an Irregular or one of the Future children. My best guess that Dia's mystery father was Kasrin. I now knew that poor Lily had lost out on her love quest, at least in Dia's world. Poor girl.

Dia beamed, "Pareid was great, if a bit hot-blooded. In a way the fierce warrior and milady saved each other, and were faithfully at each other's side until they perished in battle together. It broke my heart when I was sent away from the Sunstone keep to avoid getting killed. She sighed and wiped away a tear, "Years later I joined the Exalt and the Children of the Heroes of Legend, including you Cynthia."

Cindy blushed adorably, "If we were friends in that world, let's be best friends in this one too!"

Dia beamed, "T-thanks so much. I'd be honored."

"Finish your tale, Dia," I soothed.

"Yes, milady. Naga sent me on a mission to this world to find aid. I hope to someday face my Exalt again and apologize for running away like a coward." She seemed to take comfort in my wrapping my arm around her shoulder and giving her a gentle hug. "I come from a ruined future, yet here I am in some other world's past."

"Then I think we can agree that Dia's home is the Future Past Realm. The conversation petered out as we prepared to clear the gatehouse. Gods, how was I supposed to handle the knowledge that I was peacefully riding with companions from three other Outrealms?

…

The Shepards and Scouts quickly retreated to the barracks to rest as Chrom and Lissa retired to a private dining room in the royal quarters to have some private family time with their sister. I was appreciative (and a bit envious) that the three siblings had such a tight bond. I had grown up as a single child, even though I had subconsciously turned my retainers into my surrogate siblings.

Now that I was on that line of thought...I noticed as Vanny and Siff and my maids escorted me to my barracks bedroom, that my Cavalier sighed heavily as we parted company with Raquelle and Revellia. I blinked as I noted that the friendly archer gave a cheerful wave; however her Pegasus knight sister was closely examining her boots with a look that I could only identify as despondent.

Once we were in private, I gently squeezed Siffra's shoulder, "Siff, what exact-"

"I know, I know, I know," she blurted out with a miserable face. "I know, Mimi. Gods, I know how much of an idiot I am. I was training Revy in her lance technique and I overdid it with the banter on the way back from Regina Ferox. R-revy hates me now." She slumped against the wall, as Dia's eyes widened in shock.

I was not at all surprised to see that Ronna and Bhavin looked at her with unsurprised sympathy. She must have confided in them first. Was I really that intimidating to talk to? Ugh.

I sighed myself as I knew I was too fatigued to give this matter my full attention, "Please don't lose heart, Siff. If you want to mend ties with the fair Revellia, you have my full support. Before you start tossing and turning tonight, know this: before every battle, Sir Revellia has asked me to pair the two of you up at every opportunity. She most assuredly does not hate you, of that much I will swear on the Paraglaive name."

Her green eyes looked at me in glazed shock, "Uh…t-thanks Mimi. That means a lot."

I gave a brief flicker of a smile, "Your happiness matters to me a great deal. We will speak of this matter further tomorrow morning."

Siff seemed to recover her composure as she gave a half hearted smile, "Fine. Tomorrow, you'll give me the lecture."

I fought down the urge to roll my eyes with superhuman resolve as I muttered, "Yes, when we speak again, you'll get the talk." I gave her a hug, "Good night, my dear friend."

"'night, Mimi," she waved with a bit more spring in her step as she left the Spartan bedroom.

I turned to my older retainers, "So how long have you two known?"

Vanny looked seriously at me, "The day it happened. My apologies Mimi, but I have to keep what people confide in me to myself and Naga."

Ronna shook her head with a warm smile, "I did not take vows, but I do have my honor to consider. For what it's worth, I do believe that Revy and Siff can overcome the misunderstandings between them."

I stretched out and yawned, "Agreed. Okay Ronna. Let me give you my robes to be cleaned, as we have an audience with Her Highness tomorrow at dawn."

"Of course, milady."

I was soon in my sleeveless undertunic and shorts, and gave my attire to Ronna to be washed and hung out to dry before I met with the Exalt. I knew I had to look my best, as my position had changed in mere weeks from a despised social outcast to the leader and Tactician of Chrom's vanguard. I put on a pair of plain black pants, sandals, and a simple white tunic with Dia's help. Once we were alone, I got an idea as I asked my child a question that I hoped would facilitate our bonds. "Lydia, do you want to soak in the castle thermal baths with me before bed?"

Her brown eyes sparkled with joy as she nodded vigorously. "Of course, mama. We-er, the other you and I used to take baths together all the time at the Sunstone Keep."

"Great. Grab a towel and let's go right now."

Soon enough, we were surprised by the sight of a female guard posted just outside the barrack's door wielding a bladed polearm. She was short and dressed in the standard guard attire of a dark blue tunic with a high collar that obscured her mouth, pants, tall boots, leather cuirass, and a fancy pointed steel helmet. She made eye contact and I saw amusement in her brick red eyes that gave me pause.

I confidently greeted the unexpected visitor, "Hello there Miss. Is there something you need, perhaps? Are you here to deliver a message?"

An unmistakable high pitched voice replied with a small giggle, "Yep! I'm here to guard your backside, milady. The Exalt lady was kind enough to assign me to ya."

My already pale skin went near white with shock. How the Grima…? I stupidly gawked and pointed at her, "Lily, how in Naga's name did you infiltrate the royal guards? Did Master Kasrin send you? How did you get to Ylisstol? Why do you have human legs? Why-"

The lamia in human disguise pulled down the cloth facemask covering her mouth and burst out into giggles, "Hey! Not too many questions at once, Mimikins!"

I could now see she had the same face, but without the scales or luminescent eyes as my stalker gazed at me with undying admiration. Just great. My voice went dry as I asked, "Kasrin sent you, I presume?"

"Nope! I guess you could say I ditched the Irregulars; although I do feel bad about it." She cheerfully escorted us through the gardens as Dia in her grey tunic and sandals watched her with a bit of awe in her expression.

"What? You defected to the Scouts?"

Something seemed to occur to her at that moment, "Come to think of it, when Master Kasrin and big sis Jezzy saw me moping at the Longfort, they asked what was wrong and I told them I ached to be at your side. They both smiled, and Jezebel told me to 'follow my heart'." Master Kasrin then handed me a present for my travels.

I shook my head in disbelief, but I now had a hunch, "It was a beaststone, right? To let you transform into a human?"

"Give this lady first prize!" Lily winked and beamed broadly, "You're so smart, you cutiepie!"

Lydia burst into amused giggles at our impromptu comedy skit.

Once again a blush betrayed my embarrassment, although I had to admit that a small part of me enjoyed Lily's flirtatious compliments. It made me feel just a little but less worthless that someone…anyone at all saw me as more than a stuffy noble, or a backstabbing Paraglaive. I wasn't used to being seen as desirable as partner material; I was too reviled to be courted by the nobility, and I was placed on an undeserved pedestal by my commoner retainers and comrades. I stammered, "I'm guessing Mika had a hand in it?"

She nodded, "Ya, it was made from a burned out Dragonstone, recrystalized and enchanted with new magic." She carefully took out an egg-shaped crystal that pulsed with an eerie pastel pink light. I was deeply relieved that it didn't contain the same dark aura of my tainted crystal shard bombs. "Anywho, I made my way here and after the guards detained me I showed off my lamia form to Sir Philia. She left the room to have a private chat with the big wheel, and then Exalt Emmy came out and made me your bodyguard."

Gods preserve me. I smiled weakly, "Please call our ruler Exalt Emmeryn or Her Royal Highness. She is not Emmy, or the 'big wheel'." I shook my head in wearied exasperation as Lily put her arm around my shoulder playfully and groused, "Exalt Emmeryn thought this was funny, didn't she?"

"Howdya know?" She winked and released me.

Lucky guess.

…

After washing up outside of the hot baths with cool water, and pouring in scented oils to soften and rejuvenate our skin, we all took a dip in one of the smaller steamy hot rectangular pools decorated with wall tiled mosaics showing important events in the history of the Halidom. I noted with a bit of chagrin that one of them showed Hero King Marth wielding Falchion against a rampaging dragon. It made me concerned about the masked 'Marth' that I had fought with in Regina Ferox. It was excruciating to have to hold in the knowledge that Chrom's aloof son from the future wasn't officially on my liege's side.

For modesty's sake we were all in carefully wrapped towels; although I could tell from her comical pouting that Lily wanted to skinny dip. In her human guise she was an exceeding cute peach-skinned girl with unruly dark brown hair and reddish brown eyes that always looked to be up to some kind of mischief. She sprawled back as basked in the heat that I found was a little too hot my liking. "So, how goes the love quest, Mimi?"

Lydia tittered softly, "Milady had no partner at this time. She's too busy involved in her underling's bonds to tend to her own."

Lilith beamed at me as she relished the lavender-scented bath and I could see her fangs were faintly visible even in her human guise, "Ahh, I told'ya we were soulmates, love."

I flushed as I could never really get used to her over the top teasing. I still decided to change the subject as I mentioned the obvious, "How are you supposed to guard me if you're in the bath with me, Lily?"

"Oh, right!" Her beaststone on the ledge behind her pulsed brightly and after a bright cone of light dissipated she was in her lamia form, with brilliant crimson scaled tail, lower arms, back, arms, and cheeks. Her hair changed back to bright red, and her eyes started to glow orange red. Her tail extended all the way across the pool, and her tailtip playfully tugged at my ankle underwater. "There we go. Anybody barges in and looks at ya funny, acid in the eyes!" She gave me a wink as she clearly reveled in my fidgeting.

Dia had moved around the pool and gaped at the massive tail covered with overlapping red and the occasional black scale on the dorsal side, and trapezoidal cream-hued belly scales. She looked rather mesmerized at the sight. "Miss Lilith, you're so pretty."

"Gee, thanks kid," she smiled as she dunked my daughter under the water.

After a laughing Lydia resurfaced she reached out and ran her hand over the smooth, warm scales. Having touched Lily's soft arm I couldn't say I blamed her. I smiled warmly as I realized it had been too long since I saw Dia acting so carefree and happy.

The lamia relished the tailrub as she blushed a bit at my expression, "You have such a gorgeous smile, when ya put in the effort, Mimi."

Oh plop. I flushed furiously, and sputtered, "L-look. Stop assuming t-that we will become a couple! Remember that I die alone in the Ruined future. Also, f-for reasons that I can't specify I have it on good authority that a version of me existed in an outrealm where I did get married and had an issue."

Her eyes grew huge, "What! Seriously? Was it me?"

I realized that I had foolishly set myself up to crush her hopes. I averted my eyes as I felt a pang of guilt, "No. It was a man by the pseudonym of 'Pareid'. He ended up at the Sunstone Keep, and fathered a daughter with the alternate Mimika.

To my shock she sat up, curled up her fists and looked defiant rather than dejected, "Well I'd like to have a word with this loverboy Pareid when he shows up! I won't lose to the likes of him! No way he'd love you a hundredth as much as I love ya!"

Dia tried with all her might not to laugh, even though I found this whole situation utterly mortifying rather than comical.

"A-anyway, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day."

"Yes, milady," my maid brightly replied.

Lily flashed me a wicked smile, "Sure, sure gorgeous."

Naga preserve me.

…

The next morning I proceeded in my full dress outfit with Chrom, Lissa, Robin, and Frederick to our meeting with the Exalt to submit our report and indicate our expedition to Regina Ferox had been most irregular yet highly fruitful. Once inside the grand throne room hall, I took in the row of guards at attention and blushed faintly at the memory of Lilith's antics the previous night. As yet, only Chrom and Robin were cued in on her situation. I planned to tell the rest of the Shepards and Scouts after the meeting. I was quietly amazed to see four of her Pegasus knight guards, yet no Supreme commander. Where in Naga's name was Philia? She would never abandon her liege's side without a very good reason.

Emmeryn smiled at her younger brother benevolently and spoke, "Hello again dear brother and sister. I hope you are both well rested."

Both nodded with affectionate smiles.

She then turned to Robin, "Is Chrom a handful? He isn't breaking too many things, is he?"

Frederick's eyebrows furrowed, but he kept silent in the presence of his Exalt.

The flaxen-haired tactician giggled softly with a curtsey, "Not at all, Your Highness. The only things being broken are our foe's heads."

"Truly it puts my mind at rest. Thank you sincerely, Robin."

"Of course."

Chrom looked a little embarrassed, "Umm…sister, do we really have to dwell on this?"

"Presently, dear Chrom." She looked over to me, "Mimika?"

I jolted to attention, "Y-yes, ma'am!"

Emmeryn's slate blue eyes regarded me with benevolent amusement, "How is the new bodyguard I sent you? Is she fulfilling your expectations?"

It was now my turn to blush, "C-certainly, Your Highness." It wasn't fair. I had no way of actually getting annoyed with my saintly Exalt for springing Lily on me. I gave a deep bow. I had heard many tales of her heavy burdens of rule, so making affectionate sport of us was good for her well being.

She then returned her attention to the prince, and asked, "So Khan Flavia of Regina Ferox will support Ylisse against Plegia's warmongering?" She beamed in a motherly fashion, "Thank you Chrom. I was certain that sending you was the correct choice."

Chrom clenched his fist as I was sure he was recalling his breathless fight with Marth and his Irregulars, "It was amazing! This mystery man Marth, his followers and the Feroxian warriors were peerless warriors!" His face became more serious, "I fear though that I must report that he has an exact replica of the Falchion."

Her eyes grew wide, "So the rumors were true. Is it a facsimile?"

Chrom grimly shook his head, "My blade resonated with Marth's sword as if they were long lost twin sisters. If it is a fake, it is sorcery from the Gods themselves."

Robin chimed in, "Chrom, Mimi, Lissa, Freddy and I have had long talks, and we can only come to two conclusions. It may actually be Chrom's sword if its wielder hails from either the past or the future. Thanks to our run-ins with Kasrin's Irregulars, we must conclude that he is a scion of this house. Marth is either of Chrom's lineage, or a branch family's."

Emm look deeply disturbed, "So when you fought Marth, you may have been fighting…your own child?"

Chrom sighed and curled up his fists, "I…I-I don't know what to do about him. If he is my son, why not acknowledge our ties of kinship and join the Shepards' struggle against this catastrophic future that may befall Ylisse? I would have hoped my sire would be kind and righteous like both of my sisters."

Lissa flushed and elbowed Chrom, "Yer laying it on too thick, brother."

Before the strategy meeting could fully get off the ground, I finally saw the red-eyed Supreme knight practically run into the Throne room as she had raced halfway across the vast estate. Phila spoke with alarm, "Your Grace! Forgive me, but I bring alarming news!"

The Exalt clenched her jeweled scepter in agitation, "Philia! Slow down, please! What has occurred?"

"It is all my fault for not being vigilant enough," the white haired Pegasus knight spoke with deep regret. "Plegian soldiers have been sighted inside our southwest border! They attacked an underprotected village in Themis and abducted Duke Nordsilva's only daughter!"

Lissa gasped in deep shock and Chrom had to grip her shoulder to keep her from toppling over, "N-no way! That could only be my best friend Maribelle! Gods, no." She looked up to her brother with teared up eyes, "C-chrom, we have to save her."

Chrom snarled, "What kind of ransom do these Plegian dastards want?"

"More than we can afford to pay, Your Highness. You see emissaries from King Gangrel himself informed us that Lady Maribelle invaded Plegian terriotory. So he is owed 'compensation' for our ignoble 'insult'."

Chrom looked like he was enraged enough to punch through a stone wall with his bare hand, "Wondrous! So we are to take a mad Dastard like Gangrel at his word? Horse plop!"

The Exalt gently took his hand and squeezed it until his fist became an open palm again. She spoke soothingly, "Peace, Chrom. We must keep our wits about us. Answering fire with fire will not bring our precious Maribelle back safely."

The prince raged, "Why not put a sword in his belly and end the sordid mess in one blow? I'll gladly shoulder the responsibility if it leaves your hands clean, dear Emm."

"No, Chrom. You cannot answer him blow for blow. We must use temperance."

"The Mad king has been trying to provoke wars between Ylisse and Plegia for years now. He wants to repay in blood what our father, the Exalt Luca, did to purge the Grimleal. He will take us, and the entire continent down to hell with him if we don't stop him now."

The supreme knight nodded in agreement with narrowed eyes, "The Prince is right, Your Highness. Plegia finally needs to learn that tangling with our righteous nation will only lead to disastrous consequences!"

Exalt Emmeryn sighed deeply and rubbed her temple as if she was fighting off a headache, "I understand your feelings, Chrom. Truly I do." She fixed him with a steely gaze, "But remember well what father's holy crusade war did to both Plegia and Ylisse. King Gangrel will win any war because we will sacrifice our people's priceless lives. How can that loss square with our own injured pride?"

Chrom looked completely torn up over what to do.

"Our last conflict nearly ruined the Halidom. We cannot repeat that mistake, so I must parley with King Gangrel."

Lissa gasped in shock, "Emm, no!"

Even the normally ever stoic Philia looked queasy at the prospect of her liege throwing herself recklessly into danger. She protested, "Your Highness. Please reconsider. That monarch will never act in good faith. Lady Maribelle would agree that better her life is lost than yours. You are our leader and wellspring of hope."

For the first time since I met her, Emmeryn raised her voice, "I see. So we either march to war or leave Lady Maribelle to die?" She spoke with added steel in her voice, "No. I will never accept that."

Philia practically struck her head against the floor with a deep bow, looking disarmed and cowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness. My passion to your safety made me forget my place. I know you will always follow your code of integrity and honor." She shifted on her feet, "At least, pray let the Pegasus knights accompany you as your honor guard."

"Alright, sister. I'll follow your righteous lead as always." He muttered softly, "Someone has to save you from your noble intentions."

"You're not leaving your 'delicate' sister behind either. I will contribute my sweat and tears to save my dearest friend," Lissa chimed in defiantly.

Robin bowed again, "I will coordinate the Shepards, should the worst outcome come to pass."

I spoke up in a wavering voice, "I s-still owe Lady Maribelle for defending me at my trial. The Scout's will fight to the last man to protect you, Your Highness."

She looked calmly at all of us with a serene smile, "Thank you. Thank you all. I will be relying on your strength to bolster my own."

I knew even as the meeting broke up, all I had to do was approach Lily and demand to know if Emmeryn's gambit had failed. Somehow I already knew in my heart what her answer would be. She would say that from her point of view the peace negotiations had failed years ago. Somehow this brewing war with King Gangrel would be the catalyst to resurrecting Grima, and ushering in the Ruined future. And that meant the end of everything.