Man, has it been this long since I uploaded this thing? Four months...It's kind of hard when readership is low... albeit it seems to be getting more interest on AO3...

Chapter thirteen: Clubs Day

?/?

Robyn opened her eyes. She wasn't in bed at home, but was in the dimly lit sanctuary once more. By this point, she knew that this meant an encounter with Naga. Maybe she could finally get some answers here now that there was a chance.

Robyn got on her feet, accepting this was reality, and with it there was hope.

"You did well out there," said Naga's voice.

This time Naga's voice did not come from above, but rather at the stone altar at the back. Looking again, Robyn saw that Naga was standing on the floor so that she was level with her. Robyn took a weak step forward.

"But that's only the first step to preventing chaos," Naga said. "When you complete the other four, then your best chance at saving this world may happen yet. The means to oppose chaos is one step closer."

Robyn grimaced. The memory of her own world's devastation came back as if it happened yesterday. She remembered the shadow of the dragon that destroyed it and hoped that whatever Naga had planned, there would be a way to prevent it from coming.

"So what happens now?" Robyn said.

"Once again, keep an eye out on the daylight hours. You will know soon enough. In the meantime, you should practice your strategy skills. When the next moon passes, your next chance will come."

The world around Robyn began to fade.

5/16 Wednesday: Early Morning; Robin's Residence

And just like that, it was as if Robyn had woken up from a dream. What was reality to her anyways? For now, lying down on this bed in a familiar bedroom, she had to make sure herself that she wasn't dreaming. She got out of her bed, opened her room door, and immediate turned to Robin's bedroom. Was he in there?

It turned out he had woken up at the same time, and was looking at her face to face.

"Good morning, Robyn," he greeted, looking into her eyes. "You okay? You look tired."

"I am tired." There was no sense in denying it. Robin probably had a good measure of what she was going through just by looking at her face. "Um… You should use the bathroom first. I might take forever once it's my turn."

Robin smiled a little. It seemed like Robyn was making a joke. "But if you do take forever, we won't make it in class on time."

Robyn could only smile back. By the time she was in the bathroom, Robin was in the midst of changing into his school uniform, and Morgan had just gotten out of bed too. Amazingly, it was Morgan who had prepared breakfast by the time Robyn was out of the bathroom and had dressed. It was only a meal of hardboiled eggs and bread, but it was impressive enough that for her age, Morgan was able to do all this on her own.

It also made Robyn reminisce what her Morgan could have been. She pushed those thoughts aside as she ate and prepared to go to school. The morning walk to school would take time, and there was no reason for her or Robin to be late.

When she came out of the bathroom, she had breakfast with Morgan and Robin at the kitchen table, eating the eggs and bread. She noticed she and Robin ate at the same pace, not that she was surprised by that.

"You know, Robyn, if there's anything on your mind, you can let me know," Robin said.

Robyn paused between bites, thinking over what he said. "For sure."

5/16 Wednesday: Morning; Ylisstol High School, Homeroom

It had been over a month since Robyn was admitted to the school. At this point, frankly, everyone seemed to have gotten used to her presence despite her appearance being too similar to Robin. But even Robyn could feel some kind of barrier existed between her and her classmates. Only Robin and Chrom seemed to know her better.

At homeroom, Ms. Flavia hadn't begun her lecture yet but instead had an announcement. "A reminder that today is Clubs Day. Booths will be open for a couple hours after school. Now would be the time to join something you might like."

At once, Robyn got to thinking what she might possibly like to join. There were a few possibilities, that she could opt to join a club or use the time instead for doing other things. That is, like preparing for the next campaign whenever it came, or doing homework, or hanging out with friends. She hadn't expected such a decision could make her worry, what with impending doom lingering over her world. Was it too much to ask for joining a school club?

"Robyn." Robin's voice snapped Robyn out of her trance. Looking at him with surprised eyes, Robin then added, "You'll join a club, right?" It was like he could feel whatever anxiety Robyn was feeling, like it was physically rubbing on him.

Robyn nodded.

"I'm sure there's something that interests you. Come, let's look together," Robin added.

5/16 Wednesday: After School; Ylisstol High School

The school bell rung to signal the end of the day. It was bright and sunny which helped to illuminate the hallways with light. Booths lined each side of the halls though there were too many to count. As Robyn and Robin had packed up their bags and then went to visit the booths, their fellow Shepherds had the same idea. Gaius, for instance, was looking at the cooking club and Olivia was checking the dance club. Apart from those, there were also a variety of sports clubs too. Chrom and Lon'qu, for instance, were checking out the kendo club. There was a volleyball club and there was a track club. Each sport club had aspirations to make it to national competition, but Robyn wondered if she could even spare time for that. Instead, Robyn set about looking for a chess club. And Robin went along with her. Not because he wanted to follow her around but because he also wanted to check out the chess club.

Arranged on a certain booth were a set of three chessboards, intended for three games, with a chess clock beside each. Seeing there was a set ready, and Virion also there, Robyn looked at Robin. "Care for a game?" she asked.

"I was about to say that," Robin smiled back.

Virion didn't say anything and instead smiled. He knew Robin enough that Robin liked playing games like these. Occasionally, the two of them would play a game together. Albeit Virion usually played more vicious strategies while Robin did his best to play defensively. For that reason, Robin usually played the black pieces.

And what was happening here was no different.

"I want to play black," Robin said.

"No, no. I'll play black. Ladies first, right?" Robyn replied.

It looked like the game wasn't getting anywhere before it started. Virion, smiling, took a black pawn and a white pawn. "Let us settle the matter with a simple solution! Robyn-san…" He looked at the twin-tailed girl. "Pick a hand. Any hand."

Robyn pointed at Virion's right hand, which opened to be a black pawn indeed. Virion's smile hadn't left. "Then it is decided! Robyn-san shall play black. Robin, you can make the opening attack."

However, Robin saw no reason to complain and then took his seat with the white pieces. Robyn took the other seat. Looking at the board, Robin carefully crafted his strategy.

"Oh, and I can't let you play here forever. How does a ten-minute game sound to you?" Virion said, but wasn't a question, as he had already started setting the clocks to five minutes each side. Robyn and Robin supposed it was out of consideration that there were more clubs to check out.

Robin made his first move, hit the clock, and waited for Robyn to move next. Robyn had opted for a classical defence on the queenside. Robin, knowing that defence well, sought out a way to counter it. And that resulted in Robyn knowing what would be the ultimate outcome of the game. It felt like she had lost the game the moment she made the first move.

Eight minutes later, the game had attracted a small crowd in short span of time. Virion hadn't bothered trying to attract people to playing the other two boards because of the game Robyn and Robin were playing. The two of them were making such fast moves against each other that the game was a blur, as if they knew exactly what the other was thinking. After the eight minutes had passed, the game was still a flurry of movements.

There was only a minute left between them, but the game looked like it was over. There weren't enough pieces left on the board to conclude the game. No pawns were left and neither were there rooks. Realising that, Robyn moved her king once more before raising her arm to shake hands with Robin. Robin understood and shook hands with her.

"Good game," they said together.

Robyn added, "I probably can't play another game. I'd get sucked in."

"What do you say we look for another club then?" Robin suggested.

Robyn nodded back and stood up and had only then realised how many people had gathered around her. Smiling sheepishly, she quietly stepped away with Robin following her, leaving Virion amused.

They saw Cordelia speaking with representatives of the music club. Sully was having a go with various sports clubs, including volleyball and tennis. Chrom himself wasn't sure which would be a good club to attend that would put that same club under scrutiny. The same couldn't be said for Lissa, however, who was looking through every club without care. For instance, what caught Lissa's eye was the board game club, which Nowi enthusiastically joined.

The pair continued examining the other booths set up. The book club had a large stack of books on their table, the dance club had a live performer dancing in front of their booth, and the hiking club had water bottles and maps. The archery club was also present too, with a bow and arrow on display at its booth. That looked entertaining, thought Robyn. It would build up skills in combat while also having fun at school. She wondered if Robin had the same mindset as she did.

There was even an anime club, which comprised of like-minded students wishing to share their appreciation for anime, manga, and games. It even promised student rates on the upcoming anime convention in the summer. Robyn considered it but wondered if it would distract her from her mission. The Fire Emblem was too important right now, and anything that distracted her might lead to this world's demise…

"You'll join the anime club, right?" Robin said.

Robyn's senses snapped to reality. "Oh, I… I would."

"I might even join the archery club, but even then…" Robin trailed off briefly. "…I wonder if I'll have the time, to be honest. There's too much to do."

"There's always too much to do, but come now. Let's join the archery club and the anime club. We can balance our schedules, and we don't have to go to each meeting," Robyn said. She nodded her head sideways as if to guide Robin to the respective booths. Robin scoffed, but eventually he and Robyn went to the booths and filled out the signup sheets with their names and emails.

So as it happened, archery was to happen on Wednesdays and the anime club on Thursdays. Depending on how busy they were or how efficient they were at homework, perhaps there might be time to join the clubs.

Finally, Robyn and Robin went to check out the Shepherds club booth. There was only one student managing the table, namely Frederick. Since they were already members of that club, it only made sense to confirm their membership and check what was going on.

But what Frederick was doing should have been an embarrassment.

"And what are you doing exactly, Frederick-san?" Robyn said, deadpanned

"Oh, nothing too special. It's only to rein in more members," Frederick replied.

Positioned right behind Frederick and the booth was a certain bulletin board on wheels, designed to be mobile and post messages and advertisements anywhere around the school. Except Frederick had decorated the board with giant posters of Chrom, with close-up shots of Chrom's left eye and hair.

It read, 'CHROM WANTS YOU'.

"D-did you tell Chrom about this?" Robin said, his jaw dropped.

"Not to worry, Robin. He doesn't need to know. All that matters is the results. I have been getting more signups from the girls lately, which should be a start." Frederick was nothing but all smiles. He pointed to the signup sheet, which was visibly decorated with multiple names and emails. When Robin had taken a closer look, they had nothing but names of girls.

Robin met eyes with Robyn standing beside him, who looked just as surprised and disapproving.

"Um…" Robin started, hoping that Robyn would agree. "Should we filter these?"

"I think so," Robyn replied. Then her eyes turned to the gigantic posters on the bulletin board. "I think those have to go, Frederick-san," she said.

"No need to be so formal with me," Frederick replied. "You're basically the same as Robin, yes? Then perhaps I'll treat you likewise."

Robyn and Robin made eye contact again. This time with smiles, they went forward and took the posters down. The signup sheet could wait, but these could not. Then again, they could use some administrative support in the background. Someone had to keep the group running somehow.

But Frederick changed his mind. As if he read Robyn's minds, he took back the list. "You know what? We don't need secretarial help. I'll take it from here."

So in other words, it left the Shepherds roster unchanged. It left Robyn and Robin wondering what was the point of setting up this booth. But on the plus side, it saved them the effort of filtering the list. Besides, it seemed the Shepherds were well-equipped and everyone knew what they were getting into. Anyone else might find the Shepherds' outings extreme.

5/16 Wednesday: Evening; Amatsu Park

It wasn't exactly late yet but given the crisp evening, Robyn and Robin had a simultaneous urge to go play table tennis at the park. It was only the usual walk from home to Anathema Road, and while they were at it, they thought it a good idea to work out at the track too. So at one of the outdoor tables outside Marth Stadium, they set up a game under the crescent moon. The new moon had just passed, after all.

Robyn opened up the serve and Robin returned the ball. They both played casually, swinging their rackets in uncompetitive form. They were dressed in short sleeves, seeing they would work out at the track later, but having a little fun with table tennis didn't hurt either.

"Are you settling in now?" Robin said as the hit the ball to Robyn.

"I think I'm okay for now," Robyn replied, hitting the ball back, to which Robin returned in kind. "I can't really get over this though. Everything just seems so… surreal." And after she said that, Robyn's focus waned and she missed the ball. It flew past her, bounced on the pavement beside her, and landed on the grass to the side. Robyn grimaced as she picked up the ball and went back to hit it at Robin again. "But this is real, right? I'm not imagining that some kind of apocalypse is coming?"

Robin couldn't smile. "As they say, you don't get pinched in a dream. But we talked about this already. Anything is possible now that you're here. And we didn't go to the Halidom for nothing! Don't fret, Robyn."

And it was at that point that Robyn did smile.

As their friendly game went on, an evening breeze blew and signalled that it was getting cooler by the minute. After they had played enough, Robyn and Robin went to the track for a jog. Training, after all, was needed to prepare for the Halidom.

5/16 Wednesday: Late Night; Robin's Residence

They only ran for about four laps given the lateness of the hour, even though there was some sunlight in the sky. But considering it was still a trek to get back home and there was school tomorrow, they packed up the table tennis rackets and left Amatsu Park. Eventually, they returned home.

Robin could notice Robyn looked weary on the way home. It was as if she still hadn't gotten over whatever trauma she experienced before.

"Say, Robyn…" Robin said as he removed his shoes. "It won't be long before the anime convention in Aritia comes about. Got anyone you'll dress up as?"

Aritia was the major waterfront city well away from Iris-shi. In major contrast to the modest environment of Iris-shi which had mainly houses all around and high-rises in the commercial district, Aritia was a sprawling metropolis home to many skyscrapers, residential and commercial alike, including a financial district where most its business activity was focused. It also had an airport on an island to the south, a port to receive ferried goods, and a convention centre facing the ocean – which was of interest to Robin and Robyn, because that was where said convention was to occur.

The train station – Aritia Station – was also within walking distance to the convention centre. Aritia was also the terminus for train lines too, given the waterfront. And there was also an express bus that ran from Aritia Station to Iris-shi Station directly, which was extremely useful to Robin and Robyn (as she then had) because it included Ignis Avenue and Anathema Road on its route. In short, the express bus was a convenient mode of transport to get to certain places in the cities, and Aritia in particular. Depending on the need, the train and bus each had its advantages. If it meant going to the city of Aitorisu, south of Iris-shi, train was the way to go. If it was Garden City, which was west of Iris-shi on the way to Aritia, it didn't matter since the express bus didn't usually stop by Garden City Station.

And fortunately, as students, they also received student passes for local transit; bus and train.

"I do have an idea," Robyn replied. "I should get my costume made or ordered."

"Let's plan together!" Robin replied, though he stared at the clock in the kitchen. "And let's be quick. We have school tomorrow."

"Right. But come on…" Robyn's lips curled into a grin identical to Robin's. "We have time, right?"

They spent about half an hour or so looking online for vendors who would build the pair a costume. They could have done that all night! And it was until Morgan sleepily got on her feet to tell the pair to go to bed.