A/N: Before we begin this chapter... I just wanna say that Morgan does not exist yet in this story! I don't think he would have been conceived before Grima's defeat, hence there will be no Morgan mentioned. Anyways, onto the story!
It had been a year since Grima was defeated. A year since Robin sacrificed herself to save everyone by dealing the last blow herself. Chrom missed his wife dearly and knew that little Lucina did too. Still, the Exalt held onto the belief that Robin would return to him, Lucina and the Shepherds. After all, Naga said that if their bonds were strong enough, they would reach Robin and bring her back to them all. Over the year, every few months, Chrom would go to the field that he first found the purple haired woman, in hopes that she would be slumbering there. He had gone that morning to go find her and waited in that field but his wife never did appear. Chrom had returned to the castle mid-afternoon despite feeling that something was not quite right. Carrying Lucina on his hip, Chrom headed to see one particular dark mage - Tharja. Now, he and Tharja never really got along due to Tharja's unhealthy obsession with Robin. However, he was glad that Henry and their own daughter Noire had lessened the obsession some. Knocking on the door to the study Tharja used, the Exalt waits.
"Who is it?" an annoyed voice calls out.
"It's me Tharja. I need to discuss something important with you," Chrom answers. A few moments of silence passes before the faint click of heels could be heard. The opens enough for Tharja's face to be seen.
"What is it Chrom?" Tharja asks.
"It's about Robin. As you know, I went out early this morning to see if she would return since it's been a year... But there was no sign of her," Chrom explains.
"So you felt it too then... Come in," Tharja comments, stepping aside and allowing the Exalt and little Lucina int her dark study. "I felt something off today. I know she has returned but not... here."
"She has returned?" Chrom asks, his blue eyes widening with a renewed sense of hope. Lucina looked up at her father and bounces a bit in excitement, feeling excitement radiate off of him.
"Yes, she has returned. But since neither you nor any of the Shepherds were able to find her, it means she must be elsewhere," Tharja answers, walking over to her desk. She picks up a red leather bound tome. "I've been... researching the Outrealms the past few months in case something like this were to happen."
"Ahh... So that's what you've been up to. I had been wondering why one of the many Anna's would be here or why you would be gone for a long time," Chrom says.
"Yes... So I believe this is how we must proceed. After all, we need our precious Robin back," Tharja says, her eyes darkening a bit.
"Agreed. How can I help then?"
"I had a feeling you were going to ask, so come over here," Tharja says as she lays the book down and opens it on her desk. Chrom sets Lucina down in a chair before walking over to Tharja's desk to look at the tome "So I've figured out that we can locate a certain person in the Outrealm Portals by a direct link..."
"Why do you I not like the sound of this Tharja?" Chrom asks, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach.
"Because you won't. We'll need Lucina's blood," Tharja states bluntly.
"What?! Certainly there must be another way for a direct link!"
"Sadly there is not. Unless you have a sample of Robin's blood?"
"I'm surprised you don't."
"We both know that if I did, I wouldn't have needed your help. So, that leaves the only option being Lucina. Trust me, I do not revel in taking blood from her since she's Robin's flesh and blood, but it's the only way."
"Is there another method?"
"Yes, but it'll take weeks," Tharja answers dryly. Chrom sighs and looks at the ritual Tharja had figured out and created. He relaxed a bit seeing it wasn't a lot of blood, but it didn't make him any happier. The Exalt runs a hand through his blue locks before looking at the small bluenette sitting patiently and off in her own world. He then walks over to his daughter and squats in front of her, catching her attention.
"Oh hi Daddy! Did you figure out a way to bring Mommy home?" Lucina asks.
"Two ways to at least find her. And I have a question I'd like to ask you sweetheart," Chrom answers.
"Ask away!" Lucina beams.
"So the faster way requires a direct connection. With me so far?" Chrom starts out. Lucina nods. "Well that means you're the direct link."
"Oh! I can help bring Mommy home?" Lucina asks, eagerness spreading on her small face.
"Yes Princess but it'll hurt. Tharja over there would need a little bit of your blood," Chrom says, watching his little Princess's face. He would understand if Lucina said no to that. In fact, part of him wanted her to say no. Lucina's face goes serious for a moment as she thinks over what her father just told her.
"How long does the other way take?" Lucina asks. She wanted all her options. Just because she was small and very young didn't mean she couldn't think everything through! Chrom smiles at how Lucina was thinking like her mom.
"Weeks little one," Chrom says. Lucina pouts at the thought of that.
"I wanna help!" Lucina says, determination clear across her face.
"Splendid. Let's go see your Aunt Lissa then," Tharja says, grabbing a small silver dagger and a jar. Chrom didn't the idea of his baby girl having to give blood but it did ease him a bit knowing that Lucina decided that she would do it willingly. He then scoops up the small girl and walks out of Tharja's study, the dark mage behind him. Chrom spots Frederick and waves the knight over.
"Yes Milord?" Frederick asks as he approaches.
"Do you know where Lissa is? We need her help," Chrom says.
"Yes, she's in the infirmary tending to the Shepherds who got into combat with some bandits," Frederick says.
"Thank you Frederick," Chrom smiles. He then heads off to the infirmary, Tharja stilling following. Curious as to what got Tharja and Chrom working together had Frederick following as well.
Upon entering the infirmary, the three adults and one child are greeted with the sight of Lissa tending to her husband, Lon'qu, and his wound. Maribelle stands to the side, holding Lissa's and Lon'qu's son, Owain, in one arm while hers and Libra's son, Brady, in the other. It was slightly amusing to see as Maribelle looked a bit frayed with holding the two boys who were wiggling around like little menaces.
"Milord! Tharja! Frederick! Is something a matter?" Maribelle asks.
"Ah no, we can wait for things to settle first," Chrom answers.
"Well, you don't have to wait long!" Lissa says. A few more minutes pass and she was down. Lon'qu presses a quick and chaste kiss to his wife's lips before relieving Maribelle of Owain. "Alright, what's up?"
"I know how to find Robin," Tharja says. "She has returned but as I've said to Chrom... She's not in this world."
"Oh! We never did try the Outrealm Portals, did we?" Maribelle hums out.
"Too many to check," Lon'qu grunts out.
"And I assume you have a way to figure out which portal to check Tharja?" Frederick asks.
"Yes, and Lissa has a part," Tharja answers.
"Why do you need me?" Lissa asks, tilting her head.
"My blood!" Lucina says. "I'm gonna help bring back Mommy!"
"Chrom!" Lissa and Maribelle exclaim at the Exalt.
"Hey! I don't like it either but after explaining the two methods, Luci chose the quicker option of her own free will!" Chrom says, scowling at the blondes. He wasn't THAT horrible of a father!
"Yeah! So Auntie Lissa needs to fix my boo-boo!" Lucina states as a matter of fact. Lissa frowns, not liking the situation, but nods as she walks over, staff in hand and ready. Tharja faces Lucina and after removing the cork from the bottle, she holds up the blade.
"I'm going to make a cut on your hand, alright?" Tharja explains to Lucina. The small girl nods and puts a small hand out. Tharja gently takes Lucina's hand and makes a large enough cut to gather blood. Lucina whimpers in pain a bit as Tharja collects the blood, Chrom pressing soothing kisses to her head. The Plegian dark mage steps back once she finishes and lets Lissa step forward and heal her hand.
"Attagirl... You were very brave," Chrom says as Lissa quickly heals Lucina's hand.
"I suggest we head out to the Outrealm Portals tomorrow Milord," Frederick speaks up once Lissa finishes healing Lucina.
"Yeah, that's the plan. Lissa, can you take care of Lucina while I'm gone?" Chrom says.
"Yeah, I can do that. Who are you taking with you?" Lissa asks.
"I think I'll only need Frederick for extra bodies. Tharja obviously has to come along," Chrom answers. With the plan for tomorrow set and with night creeping in, everyone leaves the infirmary to get ready for bed. Chrom brings Lucina to her room, going to spend the last few hours he was awake for with her since it would be a bit before he would see his precious daughter again.
Early the next day, Chrom, Tharja, and Frederick head out after saying their goodbyes to their loved ones. The journey took four full days to get to Southtown since they needed to rest and let the horses rest as well. It was nightfall when they arrived and the three spend the night at the inn. When morning arrived, they headed to the port and boarded the one lone ship that brought people to and from the Outrealm Portal. The boat tide took a day but Anna greeted them merrily enough.
"Welcome! And hello again Tharja! More research?" Anna greets.
"No, we're here to bring Robin home. I have everything needed to locate her," Tharja says.
"Oh splendid! Go right ahead!" Anna chirps. "And you two make yourselves at home!"
"Thank you Anna," Frederick says to the red-haired merchant. Tharja gets to work right away, not wanting to waste anymore time. Chrom, Anna and Frederick stay out of her way and wait with anticipation. It would be two hours later when Tharja finally locates Robin.
"I found her!" Tharja exclaims, laughing victoriously. Chrom leaps up and looks to the dark mage.
"Where is she?" Chrom asks. Anna skips over to see which Portal.
"Oh... She's in that one..." Anna says, making a face.
"What's the matter with that world?" Frederick asks, frowning.
"Well, there's nothing wrong with the world itself... It's just that the portal spits you out randomly. This is a world filled with people who have things called Quirks. Think magic but more diverse!" Anna explains.
"So what you're saying is that we have to find the return portal which could be anywhere, after we find Robin?" Chrom asks, making sure he understood.
"That's correct!" Anna chirps.
"Very well. I will go search for Robin. Frederick, I want you to return to the capital after you rest. Tharja, either return with Frederick or wait here. I advise you to go with Frederick," Chrom says, making a plan of action. It was time to get his wife back.
"I'm going to stay a few days, in case that you find Robin and bring her home quickly," Tharja answers.
"Very well Milord. I wish you luck in finding Robin. May Naga watch over you," Frederick says, bowing a bit to Chrom. With a nod, Chrom turns towards the portal and he steps through, throwing himself into the world of Quirks.
