Man, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I first thought it would be a relatively short chapter. And then I got inspiration for another scene. And another. And then it just snowballed to the point that I thought: "Ah, what the heck!" But I had fun doing it, and that's what counts.

I've also gone through every chapter I have previously written in this fic and edited them, mostly for the sake of correct grammar and use of capitals. That's one of the big reasons why this update took so long, since I prefer to update previous chapters and upload a new one at the same time. This is mainly for the sake of new readers, though anyone who's read earlier versions are welcome to enjoy the edited versions too.

Copyright disclaimer: I only own the plot of this fic. For a full copyright disclaimer, please read chapter 1.

They dared point their weapons against my mother. – Morgan


Chapter 22:

Imperial naval clash!
Beware the scourge of the sea!

(Or: No manaketes – pureblooded or of mixed heritage – were hurt in making this chapter)

Kjelle squares her shoulders and bends her legs slightly. Her shield is held in front and her training lance is poised to thrust at a moment's notice. I twirl my own training lance in response and crouch into my own fighting stance. I make a come-hither motion with my free hand with a small smirk on my face.

The response is instantaneous. One moment, Kjelle glares at me. The next, she charges me with far more speed than you'd expect from a heavily armored soldier. With only a full pace between us, I jab with my training lance at her face. Kjelle swings her shield to the side and forces my opening thrust way off course. In the same movement, she retaliates with her own thrust. I go with the momentum of my deflected thrust and bend down under the Knight's strike and swing at her legs. Kjelle reacts quickly and jumps over my swing before she flips her lance into a reverse grip and aims at me on the way down.

I manage to jump away, but I hold back a wince when I hear the sound of when Kjelle hits the ground. Reinforcement or not, training weapon or not, getting hit by a thrust from an opponent as heavy as a Knight falling down is bound to hurt. It's not like retaliation is easy either, since Kjelle constantly has her shield pointed at me. That's a good thing. Despite her clear emphasis on offence during that last battle, she knows full well the Knight's foremost duty; defense.

We both rise back up and resume our fighting stances.

I channel a bit of wind magic behind my feet and launch myself at Kjelle swinging. Kjelle raises her shield quickly and blocks my initial swing. From that block, I change directions and swing on from the other side. My strikes rain down on Kjelle, but she refuses to let up on the defense as she adjusts her shield position slightly after each block. It may not be my highest attack speed, but it's undoubtably impressive that she can keep up with my attack.

That's why I put a little extra commitment in one swing. Right before impact, I notice Kjelle's eye twinkle. Instead of a normal block, Kjelle deflects it instead, which briefly makes me lose my balance. That's also the moment when Kjelle finally returns fire as well.

So I end it by grabbing the end of Kjelle's training lance. I grit my teeth and dig into the ground as I try to stop the thrust through both Reinforced strength and a bit of Telekinesis. I succeed – after sliding back a step.

I sigh and smile at Kjelle. "That's some good form if I ever saw it, Kjelle. Your defense is rock solid."

Kjelle eases out of her fighting stance and wipes some sweat from her brow. "Thank you, Master Jack. I still remember all those hours you spent drilling the importance of defense into my head while you were training me – sometimes quite literally. "A knight's foremost duty is always to protect." you kept saying, and you backed that up by refusing to teach me how to wield a lance until I had learned how to use a shield properly."

I raise an eyebrow. "Did I now? Then how do you explain the part when you turn your armor into a bladed skirt and leave your shield behind? For that matter, how did you even get your hands on that kind of armor in the first place?"

Kjelle pats her breastplate. "This? I had this one specially commissioned some time before I returned in time with Lucina and the others. It was a pet project of mine that was a result of the other part of my training with you – the part when I learned how to wield a lance. I thought the worst was over after you deemed my skill with a shield acceptable." Kjelle sighs. "How wrong I was. What followed was months upon months of grueling physical training before you even let me touch a training lance. I've lost count on how many times I thought my legs would give out. If it wasn't for Mother's own training regimen, I might've given up."

I rub my chin. "See if I got this right; future-me first trained you in defense, then dragged your body through Hell before he finally taught you offence?"

Kjelle nods. "Yes. When I first asked you why you made me go through such harsh training, you explained to me that it was required in order to utilize the lance to its fullest potential. By the time you showed me those acrobatic movements, I understood what you meant. All I could think in that moment was "I want to do that too". So I threw myself into your training with renewed vigor."

"I'm surprised Sully never seemed to complain."

The Knight smiles. "Are you serious? When she saw how hard you trained me, she ran off, shouting that she had to up her own training so I wouldn't leave her in the dust."

I chuckle as I imagine that scene in my head. Yep. That's Sully, alright.

"In other words, future-me effectively trained you in two different fighting styles. One for defense, and one for offense."

Kjelle nods. "That's right. When my mother told me I'm not suited for riding on horseback, I eventually settled for fighting on foot instead. That's when you made the decision to train me the way you did. Of course, the style for defense was the one you spent the most time training me in."

I raise an eyebrow. "And yet you went for the offensive one during your duel with Cassius. Why?"

"Oh, you spent a lot of time training me in that style too. But you always reminded me that there's a condition before I could use this fighting style in battle." Kjelle explains. "See, I can only really use it if I abandon my shield, or else I can't move properly."

I nod. "So? What's the condition?"

""The only time a knight can abandon their shield is when the only thing left to fight for is their honor." That's what you taught me." Kjelle's face gets a bit sad. "In fact… That's the last lesson you taught me. Not long afterwards…you passed away. That's why I always remember it so clearly. It's the last important memory I have of you."

I nod. "And so, you kept training in both styles, even in my absence."

The Knight nods. "Yes. I never abandoned my shield after the Fell dragon returned, because there were always people to protect. That time I abandoned my shield was the first time I ever used my offensive style, because I didn't have to protect anyone. Honestly, I wasn't even sure if it would work, since I had never used it in a real battle before." Kjelle smiles. "Seems like it worked out in the end."

I return the smile and clap her on a pauldron. "That shows that your training has payed off, Kjelle. All those months spent training has allowed you to not only defend people everywhere, but also fight in a completely different way when the circumstances allow it. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Master. When you died, I… I thought I'd never hear you say those words again." Kjelle pumps her fist. "All right. Now that I've reached that milestone, I believe I'm ready for more training."

I give Kjelle a blank look.

"Um… Master? Did I say something wrong?"

I sigh. "Wow. You're about as fanatic with your training as Yarne. I applaud your enthusiasm to grow stronger, Kjelle, but… Just don't overdo it. There's no point in getting stronger if you tear yourself down like that."

"But I won't get stronger if I don't push myself." Kjelle protests. "No pain, no gain. That's the first lesson you drilled into my head – literally."

I nod. "In your case, I believe you. But before you draw any conclusions from that fact, consider this. Why did I teach you how to fight? Why do you hold on to your shield so much? Why do you wear that armor?" I turn and walk away. "Ponder those questions while you train. Hopefully, they'll remind you of why you're fighting at all."

Kjelle gives me a quizzical look before she sends me a short bow. "Yes, Master Jack!"

I nod before I continue on my way.

Your relationship with Kjelle has improved!


Anna walks into the inn we're staying in and approaches the table where I sit. "All right. We're all packed and ready to go, Jack."

I nod and get up. "Good. That should be everything, then. We're finally ready to head for Port Ferox."

I make a few clones. "Go get the others. It's high time we reunited with the others."

"On it, Boss." the clones reply before they all vanish in blurs.

Anna looks with a bemused expression at the spot where my clones just stood. "You know, even with all the other freaky things you keep pulling out of your hat, I just can't wrap my head around you copying yourself."

I smile smugly. "It's a gift."

"More like real-life cheating. Do you have any idea how many businesses I could manage if I had that ability?"

"You wouldn't want to do it like that, Anna. Despite them effectively being copies of me, they're nowhere near as durable. One good hit on the right place, and they pop like bubbles. A single accident would be everything that's needed to leave your businesses completely unattended."

Anna blinks before she pouts. "Drat! So much for that idea…"

I raise an eyebrow. "Speaking of which, we'll be on the move a lot, and most probably in the middle of enemy territory to boot. How will you even manage any businesses while you're part of the army?"

The merchant smirks at me. "Hah! All part of the family trade secret. Any Anna worth her name knows how to make bargains, no matter where she is, no matter the situation. My profits are as safe as a cub in a lion's den."

I raise an eyebrow. "Okay…? I guess I'll just have to take your word for it. Man, life as a traveling merchant can't be easy."

"You know what they say; nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'd never build a small fortune unless I left my old stomping grounds in search for better trade spots. Danger lurks in every corner when you travel where I go."

"Like bandits?"

Anna huffs. "Please. Bandits are just the warmup. I've cut down my fair share of freaky creatures who wouldn't leave me or my wares alone. I'll be fine."

Donnel walks in and wipes some snow off his brass pot. "We're all here, Jack. Ready to set out when you are."

I nod. "Good. We leave immediately."


Seeing as we've covered every spot Itachi pointed me at except for the one I left to Robin, I set a course for the shortest way possible to Port Ferox; a line that cuts straight through the snowfields and other places until we reach the port town. It's a good thing it's mostly plains anyway. I bet travelers would be confused if they saw a tunnel that had mysteriously popped up in the middle of a mountain range one day.

It's not like making a path would be hard either. Just Transmute the snow in a way that it forms an easily traversable road. Tightly packed snow should make for a good enough building material for the road we're traveling on. And if there's too little snow on our path to make that road…

Duh…

We're walking through an area where there's snow as far as the eye can see. I have all the snow I need to make that road.

So it is then, that our group walks on a very fine road made of snow, complete with fancy railings on the side.

Fine, I admit it. I just want to flex a bit.

"I still think it would be better if we crossed the snowfields as they were." Kjelle mutters as she looks on the road. "The effort needed to wade through all that snow makes for great training."

Vaike eyes his daughter skeptically. "Ya sure about that, Kjelle? Last time I checked, it's pretty cold in the snow. Wouldn't your legs freeze? I mean, with armor as heavy as yours, you'd just sink into the snow."

Kjelle nods. "That was my intention, Father. That way, I could train both my strength and my resilience to cold. You never know when that could come in handy."

"Speaking of cold…" Gregor interjects. "Jack not cold? Only wearing normal clothes, no?"

I look back at the Hero. "Nah, I'm fine."

Sully frowns. "Come to think of it… Hey, Jack. Last time we talked, ya mentioned somethin' about not worrying about the winter cloaks. As far as I can see, you're the only one without one. Ya sure you're not freezing?"

"Oh, definitely. In fact, I feel perfectly toasty where I stand."

The others look at me like I'm crazy.

"To be fair, you kind of are." Sparrow quips from within my mind.

"Shut it, or I'll drop an anvil on you." I reply.

"Why is it always anvils?"

"Would you prefer a piano instead? I could make one out of quality wood, you know."

"…"

I clear my throat. "*Ahem* Like I said, I'm fine. Honest."

Noire walks up to me with a suspicious frown. "I'm not convinced, Sensei. How do you do that?"

I smile at my student smugly. "I'm the hottest man alive."

I could swear I heard Virion call bull dung in the distance… Judging by the flat stares I'm receiving, the others are in unknowing agreement.

I cross my arms with a huff. "Fine, be that way."

Gaius sighs. "Alright, spill it, Buttercup. You're doing something crazy again, aren't you?"

I point at my feet. "Remember the trick with the air bubble that I used back when we traveled through the desert and eventually found Laurent? I'm using a similar trick here. I've wrapped myself in another kind of air bubble that traps all my body heat inside. The air around me is about as warm as if I were indoors. No need for any winter cloaks here."

Rose immediately jumps on my back and plants herself there. "Family space!"

"Hey, no fair! I'm part of the family too!" Nah shouts and runs up to join in.

As the girls scramble for a good grip on me, a tic mark pulses on my head. "Hey! Who named me your personal mount?! Get off!"

"But Daaad!" Rose whines. "It's cold out here!"

I roll my eyes. "Girls, just walk close to me."

Nah and my daughter obey. When they're close enough, I expand my bubble to include them both. "Better?"

Rose smiles and hugs my arm. "Best dad ever!"

Nah smiles and hugs my other arm. "Best uncle ever!"

My face is most certainly not showing a smug smile right now!

Okay, maybe a little bit…

AN: Shoutout to warrior of six blades for pointing out the other application of the air bubble trick and therefore inspire the last scene. Much appreciated.


Timeskip

Night fell a few hours after we made it out of the snowfields, much to the joy of several in our group. The milder climate indicates that we're getting closer to the sea. Port Ferox shouldn't be much farther. By my estimates, we should arrive in the port town sometime tomorrow. At long last, I can reunite with Robin. Moreover, I can introduce Rose to her. Ah, tomorrow can't come fast enough…

Rose is out practicing some spells (of the less destructive kind, on my orders), so I have the tent for myself. Since I don't have any watch duty tonight, I can take this moment to simply sit down and Meditate. Been a while since I could relax like this, between recruiting allies and fighting all kinds of lowlifes. And yet, I'm well aware that this is just the calm before the storm. Better make the best of the situation, and first order of business is clearing my head of any distracting thoughts and simply enjoy the tranquil, if temporary, peace.

That is, until I notice someone walked into my tent. Specifically, it's Tharja. I'd tell her it's rude to enter without knocking first, but then I'm reminded that tents aren't designed for knocking. Oh well. She's here. Might as well hear what she has to say.

"Did you want something, Tharja?" I ask the Sorcerer.

Tharja averts her eyes. "You're not busy, are you, Jack? I…suppose I could come back another time."

I blink at the uncharacteristic reply. Tharja's not one for politeness – ever. The closest thing would be how she acts around Robin, if that falls under the definition of polite by any stretch of the imagination.

I shake my head. "I'm free until bedtime. Something on your mind?"

Tharja plops down on Rose's bedroll and idly shifts her gaze back and forth.

"How to put this…" the Sorcerer begins. "I've…spoken a bit with Noire. …About the time she spent training under you in the future. And…how life was growing up with me."

"Okay…?" I reply confused. I mean, bonding with your future child is fine and all, but Noire's relationship with her mother's never been straightforward. "So why let me know?"

"I'm getting to that part!" Tharja snaps. Then she averts her eyes. "Sorry about that… It's just… This is a bit of a first to me. I'm typically not one to try and patch things up with someone once we've had an argument. Except for with Gaius. How I can still look that man in the eyes after a fallout, I'll never understand. Love seems to work in strange ways."

Tharja? Making amends? I am so lost right now. Who is this imposter, and what did she do to our resident dark magic expert?

"Noire told me about the experiments future-me put her through when she grew up." Tharja continues. "And she told me about how you would often comfort her between training sessions because she kept crying over it." The Sorcerer sighs. "She said…that you were like a second father to her, even if you yourself didn't seem to realize that."

Really? I mean, I seem to share a bond with just about everyone of Lucina's allies, but I thought the one I share with Nah was the closest one outside my family, not Noire.

Tharja frowns at me. "Tell me, Jack. What was it that made Noire get so attached to you?"

I blink. "Huh? Uh, Tharja, you can't expect me to explain in my future-"

"Tell me!" Tharja growls. "I might stay my hand, depending on your answer."

I notice her right hand glowing softly with dark magic. Judging by how thin the glow is, it's quite harmless compared to the destruction Tharja can dish out if she really tries. Still, the fact that she has a spell at the ready at all makes the air as tense as a pulled bowstring. One false move, and things could snowball between the two of us for the worse. Sigh. Why do you have to make this so difficult for me, Tharja? Does having a strained relationship with you really make you this hostile?

On the plus side, I suppose it's better than being her enemy. She'd probably try to kill me at this point if that were the case.

Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Try to figure out what made Noire think of future-me as a father figure.

"*Sigh* I'll be honest, Tharja. I have no idea. I'm not my future self, so speaking up in his stead is impossible for me."

Tharja scowls at me as the glow around her hand grows more prominent. I raise my hand to show I'm not done yet.

"However! I think I can make a few fairly educated guesses, assuming I don't change that much over the next decade or so."

Tharja lowers her hand, but keeps her scowl. "Well, what are you waiting for? Out with it!"

I rub my chin and get self-reflective. "My reasoning may be a bit backwards, but I think the main reason why Noire's so attached to me is because of how I treat her."

Tharja nods tersely. "Go on."

I look Tharja in the eye. "Tell me, when was the last time you genuinely cared for someone other than Gaius or yourself? And I'm not talking about you just reaching out an olive branch. I'm talking about being caring to the point that you worry about that person's wellbeing more than your own, even if just for a moment."

Tharja looks away and clicks her tongue. "You're asking a lot of me with that question, Jack. As you know, I didn't grow up in the…kindest environment. Plegia's never been a nation for the merciful, what with much of the land mass being a desert. The saving grace was the country's trade fleet. It helped us get what we needed to survive, and some extra riches to boot. That kind of environment grows harsh quickly. You either toughen up, or get trampled under the rest."

A thought hits me. "And then the previous war with Ylisse happened…"

Tharja nods. "Yes. If life in Plegia was harsh before, it became unbearable during the war. Almost everything went into fighting on the frontlines. What little the rest of the people had to get by every day was quickly whittled down to near nothing. And when the previous exalt crossed the border with his army, there was hardly anyone who even had the strength to flee. I was among the lucky few who were spared the march of the Ylissean army. But I saw what it did to the people. They suffered. They grieved. And in all that misery, hatred began to fester. That's when the Grimleal came along. They spoke of how rotten this world had become. How it was better off destroyed. And people flocked to them, if only to get an outlet for their hatred."

I hum in thought. "So where does that put you?"

"Remember when we last talked? In Plegia, I was either the easy girl, or the witch. I told you that much. You don't exactly grow trusting in such an environment. If you want to care about someone other than yourself, it's either because you're not strong enough on your own, or you have a death wish."

The tent falls silent.

"So excuse me if I'm not the most affectionate person around here – even if it's my daughter from the future." Tharja concludes.

I had hoped to hear things from Tharja's side, but this is just tragic. No wonder she looked so dark when I first met her. Still, there's something bothering me with her explanation.

"It doesn't add up." I remark after some thought.

The Sorcerer raises an eyebrow. "What doesn't?"

"Your story and the way you act now." I explain. "You claim you're not an affectionate person, but I've seen how you act around Gaius and Nowi. It's buried under layers of cynicism, but underneath all that, I can tell that you genuinely care about them."

Tharja shrugs. "So I'm picky with who I care for. It's normal, isn't it? Not that I ever considered myself normal."

I shake my head. "That's not my point, Tharja. My point is, even after you grew up in such a harsh place like Plegia, you're still capable of showing compassion." I smile. "Heck, I saw a glimpse of that last time we talked. You said it yourself; you wanted someone who would accept you for who you are. Nowi and Gaius did just that. Both Nowi and Gaius have lived harsh lives as well, and you can relate to them. That's why you bonded with those two – in your own way."

"You have a way to pick apart others' words, you know that?"

I nod. "So I've been told. But what I'm getting to is this; you can bond with others when you recognize that they come from a harsh past, because you come from one yourself. And that's how you can bond with your daughter."

Tharja narrows her eyes at me. "Remind me again why I even want to."

"Because Noire has had her fair share of suffering in her life. It may be different from what you grew up in, but you both hurt on the inside. If nothing else, I think you can find common ground there." I sigh. "Look, I'm not telling you to become the next mother of the year or anything. I just want you to reach out and get to know your daughter. Noire needs this. And I think you do too, even if you don't know it. If not as mother and daughter, then at least as kindred spirits."

Tharja bites her fingernails as she mulls the thought in her head.

"Like you said; you're picky with who you care for. But that makes every single person count. And I know beyond any doubt that Noire counts."

Tharja sighs. "Fine. I'll humor you. I'll…talk to Noire when I have time."

I nod. "That's all I ask, Tharja."

Your relationship with Tharja has advanced! Your relationship with Tharja is now "Neutral"!

I raise an eyebrow. "It may not have anything to do with what we just talked about, but why did you come to talk with me about this in the first place?"

Tharja rolls her eyes. "Because Nowi wouldn't stop nagging at me about it. And now her brat's joined up." The Sorcerer hugs herself and shivers. "Gods, it's bad enough that one of them gets teary-eyed when they beg. But now there's two of them."

I wince in sympathy. Double puppy-dog eyes from my sister figure and niece at the same time? That has to be weaponized cuteness. Now, if only they could blast the valmese with that technique during every battle. We'd probably end the war in record time. Ah, a man can dream…


That night, I sit up with a start.

Rose looks at me from her position on the ground and rubs her eyes. "Dad? What's the matter?"

I direct my gaze to the northeast and frown. "I sensed a disturbance. Your mother was threatened for just the briefest of moments. And then that sensation just…vanished."

Rose gives me a blank stare before she turns around and goes back to sleep.

"I swear, your Mom sense is dialed up way too high…" my daughter mutters before her soft snores return.

I shrug before I lay back down myself. To think my daughter would even inherit my wife's soft snoring. The only reasons why I'm not hugging her like a teddy bear are, for one, she's already asleep, and for the other, Rose can react very poorly if she gets a rude awakening. I've seen some of the spells she can pull off, and she's not beyond casting one if she's in a grouchy mood.


Timeskip: Day of arrival

At long last: Port Ferox. Seeing the port town again after that road trip feels like we've just passed a major milestone. Now to reunite with the others.

And the first ones we run into are none other than Lon'qu and…Cherche? With a picknick basket in one hand and Lon'qu's in the other? And where's Minerva?

"Lon'qu? What's going on?"

My lieutenant glances at me with an uncomfortable expression. "I was wondering when you'd arrive, Jack. Nothing to report regarding the team. As for what me and Cherche are doing… That's none of your business."

"We're going on a picknick." Cherche fills in with a cheerful smile.

I look between the Swordmaster and Wyvern Rider in surprise. Most of the surprise is the fact that Lon'qu's letting a woman hold him by the hand.

Hold on. I recognize this from their A-rank support conversation. Oh ho ho ho. Lon'qu, you smooth operator, you. Decided to get together with our resident wyvern expert, did ya?

In response to my grin, Lon'qu glares at me, though he can't hide his blush. "Not. A. Word."

Deciding to play a bit with death, I give my second-in-command a thumbs-up and a wink. "You're doing great, Lon'qu! Keep at it!"

"I suggest you prepare yourself before our next spar." Lon'qu warns me coldly. "I will not hold back."

I roll my eyes and keep walking towards the port town. "You never do."

We barely make it to the edge of town proper before Nah erupts in flames the moment Yarne comes into view.

"Yarne! Fight me!" Nah shouts and launches herself at the half-taguel.

Yarne blocks the initial dive kick with a surprised expression. "Nah?! Where have you been?"

Nah jumps away from Yarne and takes a fighting stance with an excited grin. "Uncle Jack came and picked me up a few days ago. But that doesn't matter. Today's the day when I get one up on you! Prepare to taste dirt, little bunny!"

Yarne takes his own fighting stance and grins back. "Hah! Looks who's talking! Last time I checked, it's 103 wins, 100 losses and 3 draws for me."

Nah glares at Yarne. "Wrong! Those 103 wins belong to me!"

"Dream on, squirt!"

"You're asking for it, fluffy bum!"

My two half breed students clash fists with enough force that I felt the shockwave all the way to where I stand.

Noire hides behind me and whimpers. "Oh gods… They're at it again."

I turn to my timid student and raise an eyebrow. "Is this normal?"

Rose nods. "Oh yeah, definitely. Nah and Yarne have been rivals for years. It all started with who could throw the hardest punch, and it only snowballed from there."

The battle between the two half breeds escalates (thankfully away from the town) to the point that craters form in their clashes and the environment slowly gets destroyed.

"Ah, I see you have finally arrived, Jack." I hear Panne greet me.

I turn around to address the taguel. "Good to see you again, Panne. How have things been in my absence?"

"Things have progressed well, I suppose. While I have spoken little with the others, I took the opportunity to bond with my son."

"Rah!"

"Hee-yah!"

*BOOM!*

Nowi looks at the clashing youths in concern. "Shouldn't we stop them? It looks like they could get really hurt if this keeps up."

Kjelle shakes her head. "There's no need to worry. This is how hard they usually go at each other."

A stray stream of flames flies in the direction of the town. A wall of wind erupts and manages to snuff out the flame before it can set any buildings on fire.

"For the love of- Nah! How many times do I have to tell you to watch your surroundings when in battle?!" Laurent shouts exasperated as he storms towards us with a displeased scowl.

"Sorry, Laurent!" Nah shouts back before she gets swept off her feet from a low kick, only to retaliate by grabbing Yarne's leg and pulls him in for a haymaker to his face.

The Mage pinches the bridge of his nose. "Gods. Not one minute after we reunite, and those two brutes are already back to their ridiculous contest."

"Hey, Laurent." I greet my intellectual student cheerfully. "Looking good. Anything I missed?"

Laurent gives me a tired smile. "Greetings, Master Jack. I am pleased that there are good news to be shared. Though I believe it more appropriate if someone else were to deliver them. You should find out soon enough if you enter the town."

Any further conversation is stopped when Rose latches onto the Mage. "Hey, Laurent! Long time no see."

Laurent gives my daughter a sour look. "Hello, Rose. As chipper as ever, I see."

Rose nods with a happy smile. "Yup. Hey, one of my tomes have been acting up lately. Think you could take a look?"

Laurent sighs. "Figures… Which one is it?"

Rose unclasps one on her left side. "This."

A closer look shows that the tome is titled "Tot B-Gon". Weird name for a book…

Laurent's eyebrow twitches before he palms his face. "Of course it's that one. Fine, I will look into it."

Rose gives the Mage a beaming smile as she accompanies him back into town. "Aw, that's so sweet of you, Laurent. Hey, is it just me, or do you look older than when we last saw each other? Don't tell me the stress of playing the team mom is finally getting to you? Too much stress is bad for your health, you know."

"No thanks to any of you." Laurent mutters before they both vanish out of earshot.

"Uh, Panne? Ya sure those two won't tear the whole area apart in their fightin'?" Donnel asks concerned as we watch Yarne's and Nah's fight get even more intense. Small craters pop up every now and then when they swing really hard at each other.

Kjelle sweatdrops. "This…could end badly. They're a lot more eager in this fight than they usually are. At this rate, they might forget we're close to a town."

I walk towards the brawling duo and crack my knuckles. "Then it's high time I run some damage control."

Nah and Yarne slide back from their latest clash. Both have scuff marks around their bodies, but otherwise look fine. With matching grins, they charge each other once more, arms wound up for an epic clash.

And that's when I zip in between them with both my fists raised up and bring them down on their heads.

"Enough!" *WHAM!*

Both my students have their heads driven into the ground from my punches, faces lodged in the dirt, and a freshly smoking bump adorning each head. Both are out cold.

I bend down and sling both half breeds over my shoulders before I walk back to the others.

"Guess we should let them off by a healer." I muse without a care in the world.

The others look at me with expressions ranging from disbelief to fear.

I blink at my companions. "What?"

Gaius sighs. "Overkill much, Buttercup?"

I shrug. "Hey, it was the fastest way I could think of to break up the fight. Besides, they'll be fine."

"My head…" Nah groans from my right shoulder.

I smile. "See?"

"I'm having second thoughts about naming you Nah's godfather." Nowi mutters.

"Hey! There's nothing wrong with a little tough love, am I right, Sully?"

"Don't you dare drag me into this, Jack!" the Paladin protests. "And there's a big difference between tough love and driving your students' faces into the ground – barehanded!"

I raise an eyebrow. "I've seen you lodge a recruit's head into the ground via suplex."

Sully blushes. "T-that's because he was actin' all high and mighty! And I only did it once!"

"The poor guy resigned after Lissa put him through two weeks of rehabilitation."

"S-so? If they can't handle that much, they ain't worth my time when I get serious."

I shake my head. "I swear, you're worse than Frederick when it comes to training recruits."


After I dropped my two knocked-out students by a medical tent, we pass another curious sight by a tree as we continue walking.

"Ho ho~. Little friends getting comfy, no?" Gregor muses.

Under said tree, Lissa and Henry are asleep, leaning against both the trunk and each other, snoring softly and peacefully.

D'aw, they look so adorable together under that tree! What I wouldn't give for a camera right now.

Hang on a sec… This scene is from their A-rank conversation! Dang, Henry works fast!

"Jack! There you are!"

I turn my gaze back to the front and see Chrom approach me with a distraught expression.

"Good to see you again, Chrom. What's the matter?"

Chrom runs a hand through his hair. "It's Robin. She's practically been on pins and needles since yesterday."

My eyes widen. "Where is she?"

Chrom's about to answer when he freezes up. "She's here…"

Did his voice shake a bit? Now I'm definitely getting worried about my wife.

I lean a bit to the side to see my wife approach us from behind Chrom. But rather than the lightness that I usually see in her step, Robin's practically stomping the ground as she walks up to us.

"Robin?" I greet my wife anxiously. "What happe- Whoa!"

Robin grabs me by the collar and pulls my face mere inches from hers. There's no smile on her face. Only a slight glare and…flushed cheeks?

"Inn. Bed. Now."

I gulp and nod. That tone of voice left no room for argument.

As Robin drags me towards one of the town's inns, I turn my head towards my traveling group. "Hey, why don't you guys meet up with the others and get comfortable? I'll catch up with you later – whenever that is."

That's about everything I have enough time to say before Robin pulls me through the inn door and slams it close. Barely a minute later, we're in a room with a lone bed, and Robin's pinned me to said door. And when did she strip me off my robe, my chainmail and my shirt?

My thoughts grind to a halt the moment her lips meet mine.


Timeskip: One very XXX-rated hour later

Mind…blown…

By the sacred dual blades of Altena, that was crazy!

"D-mn… I think she took it to a whole new level." Sparrow muses within my mind.

"Can this wait?" I reply mentally. "I'm busy enjoying the afterglow from the best sex I've had since our honeymoon."

Robin places her head on my chest and sighs contently. "Gods, I needed that."

After I finally manage to gather my thoughts, I raise an eyebrow in reply. "I thought I left a clone to be with you during my absence."

"You did. And don't get me wrong, Jack; he always treated me with the same care and affection that you do." Robin assures me. "But he absolutely refused to do anything more intimate than hold hands and give me the occasional hug. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

Robin huffs irritably. "Because, he said, and I quote; "I'm not sleeping with Boss's wife. You're his, and his alone.""

I blink in shock. My own Shadow clone went bro code in my absence. That's… I don't even… How do you respond to that? How do you even approach a bro of that level?

"How have you been holding up these past few days, then?" I ask.

Robin buries her face in my chest and groans. "It's been torture. Even with a war looming on the horizon, our friends among the Shepherds keep acting like newlyweds. Seeing them be all lovey-dovey with each other when all I had was a copy of my husband, who constantly left me all needy, was the worst. And that's before taking into account that I have to manage the convoy for the whole army."

I gently pat Robin on the head. "Then I've got some good news for you. I found ourselves a new quartermaster."

Robin's head shoots up. "You did?!"

I smile. "Yep. And she's an expert at keeping stock of anything under her care. Bet that should lift a heavy burden off your shoulde- Mmph!"

Any further conversation will have to wait until my wife's done kissing me senseless.

"Yeah! Work that tongue, baby!" my Hollow spirit exclaims.

*Whang!*

"Shut up and let me make out with my wife in peace."

After another few minutes, I'm back to trying to reboot my brain after Robin short-circuited it – again.

"*Ahem* As I was saying…" I begin after a successful startup. "Our army has a designated quartermaster now, so you can focus more on tactics, as you're meant to."

"Thank the gods for that." Robin sighs. She smiles. "So, that's the reason why you went on that trip?"

I grin. "That and more. Here's the kicker, though. We're parents."

Robin looks at me stunned. "Wait… You know about our son already? But you just got back."

Oh, I know about the boy, but I'll play along a bit and raise an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? I was referring to our daughter."

Robin blinks bemused. "Wait… We have a daughter too?"

"Did you notice the girl walking with Laurent? The one in the jester's outfit? That was our daughter, Rose." I gently caress a lock of Robin's hair. "She inherited your beautiful silver hair."

A blush forms on Robin's cheeks. "Oh, stop. But wait… Gods, we have two children?! How did that happen?"

I shrug. "Well, we technically haven't had them yet. Right now, we'll just get an idea about what family life will be like."

Robin sighs. "Now I know how Chrom and Cordelia are feeling. This might take some time to get used to."

"And while we're on that topic; we found Nowi's future daughter, who also considers me her uncle."

Robin nods. "Considering how close you and Nowi are, I'm not surprised."

I scratch my head sheepishly. "About that… Because said future daughter is so attached to me, Nowi and Donnel are considering making us their daughter's godparents."

Robin gives me a blank look. "Say what…?"

I lift my hands placatingly. "I wanted to let you know first before I give any answer (please don't get stressed out)."

Robin sighs and rubs her temples. "And here I thought the most dramatic change was finding our son. I'm going to need some more stress relief before I sort all of this out."

I caress her cheek. "You know I'll be there for you."

A spark glints in Robin's eye as her smile turns wicked. "Good, because you're not leaving this bed anytime soon."

I blink. "You can't be se- Mmph!"

"What're you complaining about? Your wife's horny, you obviously enjoy this, and I get more of the free show. Everybody wins!"

*Whang!*

"Sparrow, I said; Shut up."


It's somewhere close to noon when Robin and I finally exit the inn. My mind is still reeling from our steamy stay inside. And Robin? She's practically glowing.

"I, uh… I'll go check up on my team." I tell her. "Where do you want us to meet up later?"

Robin puts a finger on her cheek. "I'll be busy getting familiar with this new quartermaster and get them started on their task. By the way, how do I know I've found the right person?"

"Oh, you'll know when you see her. She's an Anna."

Robin blinks. "One of those merchants we tend to see everywhere?"

I nod. "Remember the merchant we saved back during our first battle with those twin bandits in Ferox? Turns out that's her cousin. She considers us helping her family a debt, and accepting my proposal as our quartermaster is her way of repaying that debt."

Robin nods. "Good. At least I know who to look for."

"Father!"

A young teenage boy dressed in a black Tactician's coat glomps me from the side.


Morgan Lvl 34 Class: Tactician


Hey! If it isn't my favorite Tactician-in-training.

Robin smiles at the sight. "Jack, allow me to introduce our son, Morgan."

I take a closer look once Morgan directs his gaze at me. He's significantly shorter than the other future children we've run into so far – about chest height where I'm standing. Though I suppose I can attribute that to him being our younger child and probably the youngest of the future children. That, and the fact that his face – his smiling, innocent-looking face – looks about as young as Nah's, and that girl is half manakete.

The only hint that we're related would be the hair color. Same shade of charcoal black as mine. Other than that, it's obvious he takes after Robin. I have no complaints.

I smile. "So, you're the son my wife mentioned earlier."

The boy nods happily. "I'm so happy to finally see you again, Father! When Mother found me in those ruins, I looked forward to seeing Rose and you too. So imagine my surprise when I learned you weren't even there. But you're here now, and that's all that matters!"

D'aw… I can't say no to that.

I grin and rub Morgan on the head. "Glad to have you, son. I'd love to hear all about our years together while you grew up."

Both Robin and Morgan avert their eyes.

"About that, Jack…" Robin replies awkwardly. "Morgan seems to suffer from amnesia. He's forgotten a lot of what happened in his past."

I raise an eyebrow and look back at my son. "Huh. And here I thought you couldn't take after your mother any more than you already do. Now you suffer from the same ailment as she does?"

Morgan's eyes widen in shock. "Mother is ill?!"

I blink. "We never told you she suffers from amnesia?"

Morgan rubs his head. "Maybe you did. But I can't remember if it happened. Just trying to think back hurts."

I place a hand on his shoulder. "Look, just take it slowly, Morgan. Your mother was quite lost when I first met her, and she handled herself just fine. We'll make sure you make it through, you'll see."

Morgan beams. "Thanks, Father."

"Speaking of taking after his parents…" Robin interjects. "There's one thing that Morgan inherited from you besides the hair color, Jack."

That piques my interest. "Oh? What's that?"

Robin sighs. "He's just as protective of me as you are."

I raise an eyebrow. "And how do you know that?"

My wife rubs her temples. "Remember the place you sent me to? Turns out there were some ancient ruins there. That's where we found Morgan – and a lot of Risen crawling through the place. Right after Morgan joined up, the Risen stirred and started attacking. We were just about to prepare for battle when Morgan charged against the horde singlehandedly and went on a one-man crusade through the whole temple. An hour later, he had slain the Risen down to the last one."

I look at my son impressed.

Morgan, for his part, glares angrily. "They dared point their weapons against my mother."

"It's only natural that the enemy would aim at me, Morgan. They aimed at everyone." Robin explains patiently.

"They aimed at you." Morgan stresses.

Robin sighs again. "He's always like this if it's ever implied that I'm threatened in some way or another."

"Dang. She's right. Kid's as much of a papa bear around her as you are, Jack." Sparrow comments.

Learning this, I do what any responsible father would do.

I ruffle my son's hair and grin proudly. "That's the way, son! No one touches your mother on our watch!"

Morgan matches my grin. "Yeah!"

"Jack! You're not supposed to encourage him!" Robin yells exasperated.

"You might as well give up, Mom. Those two have a one-track mind whenever either of us are involved." Rose interjects as she approaches us.

Robin blinks and looks at our daughter. "Wait. You look familiar. And did you just call me "Mom"?"

I walk up to Rose and place a hand on her shoulder. "This is the girl I mentioned earlier, Robin. Meet Rose, our daughter."

"Rose!"

The joy in Morgan's voice is palpable as he tackle-hugs his sister. Rose, for her part, smiles and rubs the top of his head. "Hey there, Li'l Bro. Looking good."

Morgan faces his sister with a displeased frown. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I woke up and couldn't find you?! I thought you'd been left behind!"

Rose shrugs. "Eh, I was fine. I just spent some time with a slave ring before Dad stopped by and picked me up."

A murderous aura surrounds Morgan. "You were kidnapped by slavers?"

"It's okay, son." I assure Morgan. My own voice goes arctic. "I annihilated the one responsible for you sister's capture."

The aura vanishes from Morgan as his expression returns to that innocent-looking smile. "Oh. Well, that's good to hear."

"Um, you mean you killed the one responsible, right, Jack?" Robin asks tentatively.

I shake my head. "No. Annihilated." That last word could freeze oxygen.

Rose pats both me and Morgan on the shoulder. "These two are absolute papa bears around us, Mom. You might as well get used to it. You get fewer headaches that way."

Morgan and I nod with resolute scowls in perfect sync. We even grunt in sync.

Robin gives us a deadpan look. "We're not made of glass, you two. We can handle ourselves on the battlefield. Er, I assume you can do that, can't you, Rose?"

I nod. "She most certainly can. Rose has managed to weaponize a plush toy. Imagine that."

Rose grins proudly. "I'm awesome!"

Robin blinks at the three of us before she sighs. "Is this family filled with nutcases or something?"

Rose's grin turns evil. "Prepare to be assimilated, Mom. Resistance is futile."

Robin shakes her head. "No, that's not happening. If you'll excuse me, I have work to do. I'll catch up with you later."

As Robin leaves, Morgan waves after her. "See you later, Mother."

With my wife out of earshot, I grin at my children. "So, who wants to see Daddy at work?"

Rose shrugs. "Meh. Might as well kill some time while Laurent checks up on my tome."

Morgan matches my grin. "Count me in! I'll need all the experience I can get if I'm to follow in Mother's footsteps."

I chuckle and ruffle his hair. "Trying to be as great of a tactician as your mother, son?"

Morgan nods. "You bet, Father! And then, I'll surpass her. You'll see."

"I look forward to that day, Morgan."

As we head for the meeting spot, something occurs to me; I have no idea what Morgan is capable of, aside from soloing an entire temple full of Risen.

I glance at my son. "By the way, Morgan… Did I ever train you in the future?"

Morgan nods. "You did, Father. And it all started on the day I found my weapon of choice."

I raise an eyebrow. "Isn't it usually the other way around?"

Rose shakes her head. "Dad, you should know by now that no one in our family does things the conventional way. You should've seen the look on your face the day Morgan got his weapon – from one of Miriel's failed experiments."

My other eyebrow joins its brother. "Oh? This I've gotta hear."

Rose clears her throat. "It all began when Miriel tried to make a source of light powered only by mana. That way, anyone capable of channeling that energy could have a source of light available without the need of going through all the motions to light a lantern. She succeeded, in a way. But then Henry found her invention and tinkered with it. The original purpose of Miriel's invention was to spread light from an exit point. But after Henry was done, the whole thing had been reversed and focused the light around a limited space instead. And just for laughs, Henry added some amplification features on the rune circuitry inside." Rose makes a grand gesture at Morgan. "It was this repurposed invention that Morgan stumbled upon one day. From the moment he activated it, his life was changed forever!"

On cue, Morgan opens up his coat, showing a metallic cylinder roughly the size of a two-handed sword hilt, hanging off a loop of cloth inside. The cylinder floats up from its resting place and into Morgan's waiting hand. My son grabs hold of the cylinder and flicks a switch with his thumb.

*Bzzm*

I do a very good impression of a fish.

Rose snickers. "That's exactly the look you had when Morgan showed you that weapon for the first time."

"You have a lightsaber?!" I shout shocked when I finally recover.

Morgan rubs his chin. "Oh, so that's what it's called. I never knew, so I just opted for calling it a "mana stick"."

I shake my head. "Never mind terminology. You're a Jedi?!"

Rose shrugs. "Well, Grandpa's practically a Sith lord already, and all that Force power had to go somewhere. Guess it decided to skip a generation in Mom and went straight for Morgan instead. Though he's more of a Padawan, since he never finished his training under you, Dad. It's a good thing Morgan's so pure-hearted, or else we'd have the next Anakin Skywalker on our hands."

A shiver runs up my spine at Rose's explanation. Raising the next Anakin? That's a thought I'd prefer to leave alone and never return to – ever.


I finally arrive at an empty marketplace to see my team going through exercises under the watchful eye of the clone I left with Robin.

I take a deep breath. "Team! Assemble!"

My teammates need little more than 20 seconds to drop the exercises and line up. Excellent response time.

"Hey, Boss." my clone greets. "Got all the allies you needed?"

I grin at my clone and hike a thumb behind me. "Even better, my man. Look who I found."

A few of my male teammates perk up upon seeing Rose.

"Hey, you think she's a new recruit in the army?" Ringabel whispers.

I clear my throat. "*Ahem* Team, you're all aware of the situation with Princess Lucina, correct?"

At the nods of my team, I place an arm around Rose's shoulders. "Like Lucina, this young lady traveled through time to accomplish the same mission as Captain Chrom's eldest daughter. Team, meet my daughter from the future, Rose."

My team does a double take.

"Dang. Cap's got a hot chick of a daughter." Elliot mutters.

Overprotective Daddy Mode: activate!

"She's off-limits." I declare with a frosty voice.

I assure you, the giant, red-eyed demonic bear standing behind me is just a product of your imagination.

A new skill has been created due to a special action! You gained "Overprotective Daddy Mode!"

My right eyebrow twitches. I swear, the Game's mocking me.

Rose pouts. "Dad! How am I supposed to get a boyfriend if you keep scaring away every single guy who shows even the slightest interest in me?!"

"Hush, Rose. I'm just picky with who's good for you."

My clone nods sagely. "Yeah, I get where you're coming from, Boss. Gotta have high standards for anyone dating our baby girl."

I clear my throat. "All right. Dating standards for my daughter aside, I'm expecting a full report on what you've been up to. In particular, I look forward on your report on Morgan's battle prowess."

My clone tries to look sideways. "Yeah, about that… I don't know."

I blink confused. "…Say what?"

Morgan nods. "He's right, Father. When Mother found me in those ruins, your clone was nowhere in sight. I later learned that he was here in Port Ferox the whole time." Morgan sighs. "And I was so looking forward to meet the real you here. Oh well. You're here now, and that's what matters."

I slowly turn towards my clone. The wind in the whole town goes still, save for a silent breeze blowing between me and my clone.

My clone takes a step back. "Um… Boss?"

"Let me get this straight." I tell him calmly. "Not only did you fail to witness Morgan on the battlefield, you didn't even accompany Robin to the ruins where she found him."

My clone gulps. "Uh, yes, that sounds about right."

"Which means she went into enemy territory without you." I continue.

My clones nods nervously. "That's…pretty much the gist of it."

"Hey, Sis. Did it suddenly get colder here?" Morgan asks Rose.

I zip in front of my clone in a burst of speed, seize him by the collar and shake him like a ragdoll. "I explicitly told you to remain at Robin's side at all times! What were you thinking, letting her go to those ruins alone?!"

"But she didn't go there alone!" my clone explains frantically. "The others went with her. She even assured me that she wouldn't need a whole army just to explore some ruins, so she told me it'd be better if I stayed here!"

"I don't care what assurances made you leave Robin's side! Her safety was your number one priority! YOU HAD YOUR ORDERS!"

"Is it just me, or does it look really weird when our captain argues with himself?" Pit asks the others.

"Hear, hear." the rest of the team responds.

After I'm done shaking my clone, I grab him by the head. "You'll regret going against my orders." I growl.

My clone pales. "W-whoa! Boss, you're not gonna do that, are you? You're practically giving yourself a headache if you do."

"Then I'll make that pain serve as a reminder for every future clone I will make."

I activate a modified version of Soul drain. This particular version absorbs my clone into myself, with a twist. That clone is sent to the inside of my soul, where Sparrow is waiting.

"Sparrow, make this imbecile understand the error of disobeying me." I command my Hollow spirit.

"Is this necessary, Jack?" Sparrow asks. "You'll just cause pain to yourself this way."

"Do it." I command. "I'll make this pain a reminder for all my future clones. This is the only way I can really punish them, since they just cease to exist if I try to punish them the conventional way."

"Something tells me you're secretly a masochist." Sparrow mutters.

Pain filled screams in my own voice echo through my head. A moment later, a jolt of pain pierces my head, causing me to wince and hold it steady.

"What just happened?" Sasha asks confused. "One moment, Captain Jack basically yells at himself, and the next, he experiences head pain out of nowhere?"

I wave off her concerns. "Don't mind that, Sasha. Anyway, that's all I wanted to tell you. You're all dismissed for the rest of the day."

The occasional whoop of joy sounds among the ranks of my team before they all head their own way.

With that out of the way, I turn back to my children. "Say, Morgan? Do you happen to have some free time right now?"

My son nods. "Sure. What do you need, Father?"

I smile. "How about a private training session, just me and you? And we can add some bonding time together while we're at it."

Morgan's face lights up in a delighted smile. "That sounds great! Let's do it!"

Rose shrugs and walks back the way we came from. "Well, I can tell when I'm not wanted. I'll leave you two alone to terrorize someone else."

Morgan waves his sister a cheerful farewell, and Rose returns the gesture with a lazy wave of her own.


Morgan and I find a patch of grass where we sit down. Judging from what I saw in Morgan's character sheet, he's got quite the interesting build. Though there's one skill that would complement his skillset, but is suspiciously lacking. It's a good thing it happens to be a specialty of mine, and Morgan has everything he needs to learn this skill himself.

"So what will you teach me today, Father?" Morgan asks eagerly.

I smile and ruffle his hair. "Easy there, tiger. First of all, can you tell me how much you remember about me?"

Morgan frowns. Judging by the slight amount of steam blowing from his ears, I can tell he's straining his memory capacity hard.

He eventually sighs and slumps. "Not much, I'm afraid. It's mostly your face. Heck, the reason I recognize you so easily is because almost every memory I have of you is one where you're with Mother. And…for some reason, I remember everything you taught me, even though I have no memory of what happened when you taught me. It's like I remember how to swing a sword, but I can't remember all the time I spent practicing with it."

I rub my chin and nod. "Well, I suppose it's a start. I guess we'll just work from there. In fact, this should make your lesson a bit easier."

"You're finally going to teach me something new?"

"Yes." I clap my hands. "All right. What I'm about to teach you is a skill of the mind. So long as your mind is clear, using this skill should be easy. To make this easier, we'll start by meditating to gather our minds."

Morgan nods, closes his eyes and gets in a meditative pose. His breathing soon slows down to deep, calm breaths.

I nod. "Good. From what I can Observe, you already know how to manipulate objects with your mind."

Morgan nods. "Yes. It was a skill that I had to train really hard before I got it down. But when I did, you had this really proud smile." Morgan gasps and opens his eyes wide. "Hey, I remember now! It's just a single memory, but I remember your proud smile!"

I blink bemused before I smile. "Well, what do you know. We've just started and we're already making progress. But enough reminiscing. Back to the meditation."

Morgan nods and closes his eyes again. As his breathing returns to its calm pace, I continue.

"The skill I'm about to teach you basically uses the skill I mentioned as a foundation. Instead of trying to perceive the world with your senses, reach out with your Telekinesis – that's the name of that skill."

Morgan's eyes furrow in concentration. Through my own senses, I note how his power slowly expands from him. Oh, so that's how it looked like when I first made Mind's eye. This looks interesting.

"You're getting there, son." I encourage Morgan. "Now, imagine that your Telekinesis is an extension of your body, like a hand. Use that imagined limb and try to feel your surroundings. When you sense something, latch on to it like if it were in your palm."

Morgan's breaths get deeper as he concentrates harder. Good. Almost there…

"Eep!"

Morgan and I jolt with a start upon hearing Lucina's startled yelp.

"Something the matter, Lucina?" Chrom asks his eldest daughter.

Lucina looks around glaring. "I'm not sure what happened, Father, but it felt like someone just grabbed my-" Lucina's face goes cherry red. "My…butt…."

Chrom looks around with a matching scowl. Though that expression quickly turns into confusion. "That's strange. From where we're standing, I don't see how anyone could even reach you. Are you sure you didn't just imagine it?"

Lucina shakes her head. "I'm certain I felt something akin to a hand. But…you have a point. No one could really reach me from here. And yet, that feeling was unmistakable."

Chrom rubs his chin before he shrugs. "Maybe you're just stressed out from all the fighting and sparring. How about we go find your mother and we can have a nice, calm chat together."

Lucina nods smiling. "I would like that very much."

As father and daughter leave, I raise an eyebrow. This incident feels awfully familiar.

"Hey, Morgan. What do you think-" I stop cold upon seeing my son's face as red as Cordelia's hair. I raise an eyebrow. "Son? What's wrong?"

"F-Father…" Morgan stutters out. "I think I- I think I just touched Lucina's butt – with my mind…"

Morgan gained "Mind's eye"!

Awkward silence…

Then I double over laughing.

"Hey! That's not funny!" Morgan shouts indignant.

I slap my knee and take a few breaths to calm my laughing down, though I'm still grinning from ear to ear. "Whoo… Sorry about that, son. It's just- Man, if only you knew how much you resembled me in that moment."

Morgan blinks. "I did? How?"

"Did I ever tell you how I first came up with the skill you just learned?"

Morgan shakes his head.

"All right. Time for a little story then." I remark. "It happened during the end of the night after I first met your mother. We had just survived our first encounter with Risen, and had our first meeting with Lucina after she arrived in this timeline just a few hours prior. Lissa absolutely refused to walk any further in the night because of how exhausted she was – a sentiment shared by most of us. So, after she twisted Frederick's arm a little, we finally made camp with what we had at hand to get all the sleep we could. However, I didn't feel sleepy at all. Since I had nothing to do, I decided to experiment a little with my powers. That's when I had the idea to try to feel the world around me with Telekinesis."

"Hey, that's exactly how you just instructed me." Morgan remarks.

I nod. "That's right. That's how I knew it would work. But there's more… The reason why I developed the skill to perceive the world through my mind…was thanks to your mother."

Morgan's eyes sparkle. "Mother helped you train, even so late at night? She's amazing!"

I nod sagely. "She sure is." I lean in close while looking around as inconspicuously as possible. "Though she didn't help me in the way you might expect." I whisper nervously.

"What did she do?"

"It's… Well, it's not what she did, but what I did. You see… My new skill was created…when I accidentally grabbed her chest with my mind."

Morgan's eyes widen. "You did WHAT?!"

I place a finger in front of my mouth. "Shh! Not so loud, son!"

Morgan glares at me. "How could you, Father?! You had just met her. Don't tell me you married her just because you like her body?"

I wave my hands in front of me. "No, of course not! I don't even know where to begin in listing all the things I love about your mother, and that's even if we just stick to her personality! I said it was an accident!"

Morgan keeps his glare at me. "Well, you at least told her, didn't you?"

"You can't be serious!" I hiss back frightful. "Do you have any idea how frightening your mother becomes when she gets angry?"

Morgan's glare subsides in favor of him gulping in fear. "Oh yeah… I remember perfectly. And that anger wasn't even directed at me."

"I know, right? I just knew, that if I told her, she'd bring down a storm of lighting magic on my head."

Morgan shakes his head and returns to glaring at me. "Wait, that's beside the point. You're married to her now! Isn't it time you came clean with her?"

My son has a point. He really does. On the other hand, Robin's wrath easily tops the list of my fears. I know I shouldn't have to fear it, considering how intimate we are nowadays, but this happened when we barely knew each other. I just don't know how she'll react, and that terrifies me.

"Wuss."

*Whang!*

"Son of a-"

"Hush! I'm trying to figure out how to weasel my way out of this mess!"

Okay, deep breaths. There has to be a way for me to walk away from this without my son guilt tripping me. Now, what angle of approach should I use?

Wait, there is that… Here goes nothing.

"Tell you what." I suggest. "I come clean with your mother if you tell Lucina that you're the one who touched her with your mind."

Morgan somehow manages to pale and blush at the same time. As a result, his face takes an interesting shade of pink. I can relate.

"B-but- But it was an accident!" Morgan protests.

I nod. "Just like in my case. So it's only fair that we both confess, am I right?"

Morgan shakes his head with a haunted look. "Father, you don't understand. Lucina can get upset, but when she gets angry, and I mean really angry…" He shivers. "Oh gods…"

I nod sagely. "Then you understand how I fell regarding telling your mother the truth. In that case, I have a proposal."

"What's that?"

I offer my hand to Morgan with a straight face. "Guy pact: Nothing happened. Deal?"

Morgan looks at my hand in intense contemplation before he takes it with an equally straight face. "Deal."

Your relationship with Morgan has improved!


Lucina takes a defensive stance with her training sword.

"Ready, Lucina?" I ask as I get in an offensive stance myself.

Lucina nods. "Yes. Whenever you're ready, Master."

I tense my legs and scan her for openings. None… None…

Left shoulder!

Without warning, I thrust my training sword at that spot. Lucina raises her own training weapon in response.

*Ching!*

My training sword continues off course by Lucina's timely parry. I roll with the momentum and spin for a backhand.

*Ching!*

A deft flick of her training sword allows Lucina to parry that strike too. Good. Time to up the pace.

I switch over to a looser stance. Deep breaths, and…

*Ching! Ching, ching, ching!*

I try striking from awkward angles. I try switching up my pace. I try feinting and attacking barehanded. Sure, it's not my top speed, but Lucina's keeping up with me blow for blow. Her defense is rock solid.

Right after Lucina manages to parry a particularly committed overhead swing, she lashes out with a counterattack. I manage to lean away from the worst, but the tip of my nose burns as the training sword grazes it.

I get up from my hasty roll and exhale. Then I get out of my stance and smile.

"Excellent work, Lucina. As far as I'm concerned, you've mastered parrying."

Lucina relaxes out of her stance and releases her own breath. "Phew. I wasn't sure at first whether my skill was up to your standards."

I grin. "It's more than up to my standards. I expected you to take a hit or three during that exchange, especially since I tried to mix thing up a bit. Yet you adapted to the changes without any discernable problems. You pass with flying colors, Lucina. From this point on, learning how to improve your parry will be up to you. Learn to read your opponent's angle of approach, their timing, and their pace, and you could parry just about anything."

Lucina smiles. "Thank you, Master Jack. I will do just that."

Lucina gazes over the other Shepherds, particularly those from her own generation.

"I'm amazed that we managed to find so many of my friends in such a short time, even when I myself had no idea where they ended up. Between finding them and seeing everyone's improvements, my own included, I feel like there is finally hope for the future." The princess clenches a fist and holds it close to her chest. "I… I've almost forgotten how it feels. To see a possibility, no matter how small, that things can change for the better."

I clap her shoulder. "And do you know what the best part is? That's a hope that you all forged together through your own power. Granted, you had some help from a certain divine dragon, but none of this would've been possible unless you kept growing stronger and stood against Grima in the future in the first place."

Lucina turns to me. "Yet none of us would have probably grown as strong as we did if it was not for you, Master Jack. Truly, I owe you a debt that I don't know if I could even repay."

I shake my head. "Think nothing of it, Lucina. We agreed to help you find you friends, and so we did. Frankly, I'm honored to see how powerful they all are. It shows how much they grew under the tutelage of my future self. I can't take any credit for that, but I feel proud that I took such splendid students under my wing. And it all started with me meeting you, Lucina. If anything, I should be the one to thank you for this opportunity, grim as though the circumstances of our meeting were."

Lucina nods with a resolute expression. "That's putting it mildly. But that's why I am here with the others; to change the future for the better." The princess gives me a pleading look. "Will you…help me make that a reality?"

I give Lucina a thumbs-up. "You bet I will. And it's not just because it's the right thing to do. You're one of us, Lucina. That means we help each other, no matter what problems we may have. If you want to change the future for the better, I'll be right by your side and help you as far as I can."

Lucina smiles. "Thank you, Master Jack. Of course, I will also do the same for you. No matter the battlefield, I will be there to watch your back. I just hope I can keep up with you."

"I have all reason to believe you already can, Lucina. You've grown into an ally that I can always count on when the going gets tough."

Your relationship with Lucina has advanced! Your relationship with Lucina is now "Friends"!

The bond you've nurtured has given birth to a new ability! You can now perform the Union Strike "Wombo Combo" with Lucina!


"Steady. Hey, careful with that box! It contains navigation equipment!"

The docks in Port Ferox look like a human-scaled anthill with all the activity going on there. With a thousand ships comes a lot of cargo, which is loaded by a lot of people. With so much going on at once, chaos could easily disrupt the flow down here. And yet, the crewmen carrying all the cargo work with efficiency befitting a military company. And the reason for that is seated by a desk near the entrance to the docks.

Anna browses through document after document and writes down notes by the dozens while directing crewmen carrying crates to various ships. Considering the stacks of paper littering her desk, I'm surprised she hasn't collapsed from managing such a stressful task. And, to be safe, Robin's there with her to give input when needed.

"Hey. How's it going?" I ask my wife as I approach the two women.

Robin looks up from a stack of documents and smiles. "About as smoothly as I could hope, Jack. Anna's a tremendous help in organizing the ship loads. With her help, I can finally focus on the tactical aspects of this campaign."

I nod and turn to the redheaded merchant. "And you, Anna? How are you holding up?"

"Never a moment's rest, I'm afraid. When I'm done pointing one guy towards the right ship, there's three more asking for directions." Anna replies.

I wince. "That sounds scary."

Anna smiles. "Are you kidding? I'm relishing this job. It's like managing an entire merchant company, except I'm not the owner. How cool is that?"

I sweatdrop. "Uh, okay… Whatever floats your boat."

I catch some movement further down the line. Looks like there's an argument.

…Great… Seems like one of my teammates are involved.

"Hey! Hey! Stop pushing me around, will ya?! I've got better things to do than lug around these stupid crates!"

Figures it would be our resident Trickster, Linebeck. The guy's got a tongue made of pure silver, but his laziness and tendency to push his workload on others is almost legendary in our team. The fact that he usually tries to push his workload on the younger members only makes it worse. On the other hand, there's no denying that his quick thinking and surprising loyalty proved to be a boon for us since the team formed.

And as so happens, Linebeck's an old hand at navigation. With local voluntary navigators in short supply in Port Ferox, Robin's had to scramble and ask around for anyone within both the Ylissean and Feroxi ranks who can navigate at sea. And because Linebeck is, well, Linebeck, the Trickster rose to the occasion with dramatic flair befitting Johnny Depp himself and signed himself up as one of the navigators. Thankfully, navigation is an area where Linebeck is better at walking the walk than talking the talk. He even went out of his way and made a small demonstration by commanding a small sailboat. The efficiency with which it practically glided through the water was more than enough proof of the man's ability as a navigator.

Of course, since this is Linebeck we're talking about, that also meant that the appointment fed his ego something fierce, to the point that he's reluctant to do any physical labor for the duration of the sailing or anything related to that. This naturally doesn't sit well with the rest of the team, and with sparks flying between Linebeck's and Artemia's eyes, we might reach the breaking point soon unless proper damage control us run.

Which is why I, as the team leader, have to step in.

"And what exactly makes you think that makes you exempt from helping your teammates load the ship we're sailing, Linebeck?" I inquire as I approach the pair.

"Captain!" the Trickster exclaims surprised. Then he grins. "Great timing. Everyone in this team listens to you, so why don't you explain to this gorilla girl why having me carry these crates would hamper my navigation?"

Artemia, for her part, growls with a tic mark pulsing on her head. She may act like a beast sometimes, but she hates being called a gorilla. She's got feelings too, people.

I clear my throat. "Actually, I'm here to explain to you why carrying those crates is vital for your navigation, Linebeck."

The Trickster nods sagely. "Ah, yes I suppose it makes sen-" Linebeck freezes up. "Say what?!"

I narrow my gaze. "You didn't think you'll be the only one working hard during the trip, did you? Everyone on the team will be busy manning the ship. Swabbing the deck, checking the sails, keeping lookout, cooking for the crew, the list goes on. Even with experienced sailors joining us on the ship, we'll need all hands on deck that we can find. So don't think you're the only one with a task onboard. Of course, that means it's only fair that you pull your weight in preparing for the sailing as well."

"B-but those crates are heavy." Linebeck protests weakly.

I roll my eyes. "Linebeck, you've gone through the same training regimen as Artemia here. Look how easily she carries her share of the cargo. You can do the same."

As if to drive the point home, Artemia lifts a crate roughly twice her size with a grunt and holds it over her head while emitting that animalistic growl she seems so fond of. Now that's a flex if I ever saw one.

Linebeck gulps. "Do I have to?"

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "For crying out loud, Linebeck, stop whining and pitch in. Or are you telling me you're leaving the team hanging?"

Linebeck instantly goes rigid. "No! Never, sir!"

The Trickster runs off in search for cargo to carry to the ship specifically designated for my team. I sigh again. Off all the sea savvy teammates I could have on my team, it had to be an almost-narcissist who claims to be the tenth in a successful bloodline? I don't care if he's got a witty sailor or a peddler of odd treasures in the family tree. He pulls his weight, end of story.

"Captain show strength in leadership. Artemia impressed." Artemia comments in approval.

I nod. "Well, that's to be expected, considering my position. Of course, I'll be counting on you while we cross the Long Sea, Artemia."

The Assassin nods. "Artemia expert in climbing. Artemia handle masts and sails."

I smile in approval. "All right. Then I'll be counting on you to furl the sails if the sea gets rough."

Artemia nods and proceeds to carry her crate to her ship. She's strong for her size, that's for sure. And that will come in handy for climbing masts and whatnot.

As for me…

*Poof*

"All right, men! The ships won't load themselves. Grab some cargo, check in with Anna, and carry that stuff to where it's wanted." I command my clones and lift a crate of my own.

My clones nod in unison. "Yes, Boss!"


The day finally arrives when it's time for us to set sail. And wouldn't you know it; Emmeryn just arrived. And, to the surprise of her family (future members included), she intends to join us to Valm.

"Emm, you can't be serious!" Chrom exclaims. "Your life already hanged in the balance during the Mad King's war two years ago, and now you intend to join us in our campaign against the empire of Valm?!"

Phila sighs. "My sincerest apologies, milord. I tried everything in my power to dissuade Her Grace from joining, but she insisted to arrive at Port Ferox before you depart."

Emmeryn nods resolutely. "Chrom, you cannot expect me to remain safely within the capital while soldiers cross the Long Sea and risk their lives in fighting for me. As ruler of our fair halidom, it is my duty to join these soldiers and fight right alongside them. Besides, do you not yourself advocate for a leader to stand by their subordinates, no matter how fierce the battle?"

"Emm, you can't compare me to yourself like that! I adopted that philosophy as captain of the Shepherds! My role is to fight for you and protect you when others refuse to have peace. You're not meant for the battlefield. Surely you realize that."

Emmeryn's gaze grows steely. "And you should remember who you address, Prince Chrom. I will not stand by idly when an entire empire threatens to bring war across the sea and within our borders, and you have no say in this matter. Do I make myself clear?!"

Chrom gulps and practically wilts under Emmeryn's scowl. Not that I blame him. Even without eye contact, it feels like Emmeryn could force me into submission without moving a muscle. We're not dealing with Chrom's benevolent sister anymore – we're standing before the exalt of Ylisse, and she's determined to have her way.

"Aunt Emmeryn, please!" Lucina implores her elder aunt. "Father means no disrespect. Please consider his point of view."

Emmeryn directs her gaze at the blue-haired princess (with a thankfully milder expression). "Do elaborate, Lucina. And that is "Your Grace" for you, young lady."

Lucina takes a deep breath and steels herself. "As I have explained to you before, your life is of the greatest importance in the course of history. Your death was one of the events that led up to the return of the Fell dragon. Twice already your life has hung in the balance, and that was in a war that pales in comparison to what awaits us. If you join us in this conflict, what is to say you will return alive? Please understand, Aunt Emme- I mean, Your Grace. We simply cannot afford to lose you, ever. Not only would Father and Aunt Lissa be devastated, it would mean that history will repeat itself. It would not matter who won this war – the world will be doomed anyway."

Emmeryn closes her eyes in contemplation. The air around the docks feels so tense that everything falls silent and completely still, almost as if Emmeryn's answer will carry some sort of divine authority.

The exalt eventually opens her eyes. "Very well, I have considered your words, Lucina."

Said princess gulps. "W-well? What is your decision?"

"While I still wish to join you in this war and stand by the soldiers like any true ruler should…" Emmeryn sighs in resignation. "…I cannot deny the wisdom in your counsel. I shall remain in Ylisstol and pray for your safe return."

Everyone gathered lets out a sigh of relief as subtly as they can. Though, judging by the slight upwards twitch on Emmeryn's lips, she not only seems to have noticed, but even seems to relish in making us quiver under her gaze. Huh. Guess even the exalt has a mischievous bone in her body, which means that Lissa's not the only prankster among the siblings.

"But I wish, at the very least, to see you off on your journey to Valm." Emmeryn continues. "And I also wish to speak with one Shepherd in particular before you board the ships."

"That… I suppose that is acceptable…" Phila relents once she gathers herself. "In fact, I think the soldiers would appreciate it."

Chrom nods in agreement. "Yeah. There's no sendoff like having the exalt herself give us some encouraging words before we set sail. By the way, who do you wish to speak with?"

Emmeryn's gaze sweeps across the soldiers milling about. She eventually fixes her eyes in one direction and walks there. We follow her line of sight – and find Libra.

BGM: A wish for peace, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness music

"Libra." Emmeryn greets.

The War Monk looks in Emmeryn's direction and goes rigid the moment they make eye contact. "Y-Your Grace! To what do I owe this honor? And…what business do you have here in Port Ferox today?"

Emmeryn smiles at the effeminate blond gently. "Please, there is no need for formalities, Libra. I simply wish to speak with you."

"With me? Pray tell, about what?"

"My original intention was to join the Ylissean league to Valm, but your allies have convinced me to stay instead."

"As you should." Libra agrees with visible relief. "The thought of your life being in constant danger on the battlefield would cling to our minds without mercy."

"Is that a sentiment shared among all soldiers who know about my intentions, or are you among the few who feel this way, Libra?"

The War Monk blushes. "Err… That is… Is it not natural to assume so?"

Emery shakes her head fondly. "Oh, Libra. I have always found your devotion and loyalty endearing, but I am flattered over the concern you show towards me. If anything, no one outside my family, besides Phila, has ever displayed such genuine concern for my wellbeing as you have ever since we had the opportunity to get to know each other better."

Libra clears his throat. "Well, that is to be expected. In getting to know you personally, I have found all the more reason to aid you in any way possible, for all the good you do for the halidom. I am sure anyone who gets to know you personally would find this likewise."

"But that is where you are wrong, Libra."

"M-milady?"

"Libra, the loyalty you show me goes deeper than that of a servant. In fact, even if I were to call it the loyalty of a friend, I doubt it would accurately describe how far you are willing to go for me." Emmeryn continues. "If there is something you wish to explain to me, now would be the time."

The War Monk shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Your Grace- No. Lady Emmeryn. There is something that…I have been meaning to tell you for a long time now. Do you remember the first time we met?"

Emmeryn hums. "I believe it was when I visited the church a few years after I had taken over the throne of Ylisse. It was mainly to attend a ceremony to ordain new priests in the church. A formality, really, yet I found the event most enlightening."

Libra nods. "The ceremony you speak of was when I was ordained. I will always remember that day, for that is the day I met you. You came and gave your best wishes for all ordained priests."

Emmeryn smiles. "Ah, now I remember. You were the youngest among the ordained during that ceremony. When I came to wish you the best, your back was so rigid, I feared you had fallen ill. I remember how the head priest struggled to contain his amusement at the scene."

Libra blushes. "Yes, well, you had come in person to attend, Your Grace. There was no greater honor for anyone. And no greater joy…for me. For in that moment, I felt as though I had laid eyes on a goddess. Your beauty and radiance during that ceremony was nigh blinding, and yet, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away."

"Oh, please. Now you just flatter me."

The War Monk shakes his head. "Milady, I do not flatter. I did not know what made me feel like that back then. Not until several years later, when I had finally reached Castle Plegia and saw you on top of that cliff, mere moments from being executed." Libra tightens the hold on his staff. "As I saw you up there, with your life hanging in the balance, only one thought filled my head; I had to protect you at all costs. But my goal was not to rescue the exalt of Ylisse. You could have been a maiden of the lowest birth, and I would have fought as fiercely as I did that day. I wanted to protect you, Lady Emmeryn, more than anything. And I still do to this very day."

Emmeryn raises an eyebrow. "Libra, I do not understand. What is it you are trying to tell me?"

"Gods have mercy on me, must I spell it out loud!?" Libra exclaims in a rare show of exasperation. He takes a deep breath to compose himself. "My apologies. I did not mean to startle you, milady. …Truth be told, I love you. I have, from the moment we first met during that ceremony."

The entire harbor goes silent at Libra's confession.

Emmeryn blinks stunned. "You…love me…?"

Libra's face turns red and uncomfortable. "Gods, yes! More than anyone in the entire world." The War Monk shakes his head. "But alas, I had hoped to keep these feelings a secret. How could I, a mere man of the cloth, ever walk beside you in more than servitude?"

Emmeryn sighs, and gives Libra the gentlest smile I have ever seen on her face. "How long I have waited to hear you say those words."

Now it's Libra's turn to look stunned. "I- I beg your pardon?"

"Libra, it does not matter to me in which station you were born in. You have proven your kindness and loyalty time and again ever since you joined forces with Chrom in the Mad King's war. During the two years of peace we had, you have shown me a man who cares deeply for the people around him, who would aid anyone in need and provide a word of wisdom for anyone who would seek counsel. No matter where you go, people in your wake leave with a smile on their faces. And yet, it all pales in comparison to the devotion you have shown me and me alone. I have suspected for a long time that you feel this way for me, but I wanted to hear it from your own lips before I drew any conclusions."

"So…you knew?"

"It was quite obvious." Emmeryn replies in slight amusement. "And, to tell you the truth…" Emmeryn's cheek turn red. "…I eventually grew to return those feelings. How could I not, after all we have experienced together?"

"B-but Your Grace!" Libra sputters. "Our stations! Does it not bother you that you would have such affections for a mere commoner?"

"And why should that matter?" Emmeryn returns coolly. "As the ruler of Ylisse, am I not free to marry whoever I wish?

"I- I…"

"Libra, there is no other man in the world whom I wish to live so close to. So what if you are a man of the cloth? All I see is a man who loves me for who I am, and whom I love in return. I need no other reason, and I do not believe you do either."

Libra averts his gaze. "But…how could you love a man with a soul as black as mine? A soul infested with darkness?" the War Monk asks bitterly.

"Libra, please. That darkness you speak of is nothing more than your own doubts in yourself. If your soul were as black as you claim it is, I never would have accepted you in the first place." Emmeryn takes a step forward and grasps Libra's cheeks with both hands. "Let me dispel those doubts, once and for all."

Emmeryn pulls Libra in, and joins her lips to his.

If the people on the docks stood still when Emmeryn scolded Chrom, it's almost as if the sea itself froze in time the moment the two kissed.

"Whoo! Go, Sis!" Lissa cheers from the sidelines.

As Emmeryn steps back, Libra does an impressive fish impression.

"Y-your Grace!" Phila exclaims in shock. "What in the world possessed you to do that?"

"It is customary to kiss the one you love, is it not?" Emmeryn replies unflappable. "I believe that should make my feelings clear."

Libra finally reboots enough brain power to hold a conversation. "But… You would return my feelings?"

Emmeryn smiles with a slight blush dusting her cheeks. "There is no other man in the world whom I would share my life with more than you, Libra. Would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"

Libra gets down on a knee and takes Emmeryn's hand. "The honor would be all mine, and there would be no greater, Lady Emmeryn. If there was a time that the gods smile upon me, surely it is this day." The War Monk shakes his head. "And yet, learning that you return my affections has me conflicted now. I dearly wish to remain by your side, but can I do so and leave my comrades to fight for their lives in a foreign country in the process?"

"Stand, Libra." Emmeryn commands the War Monk gently. When he's back on his feet, Emmeryn caresses his cheek. "I understand your dilemma. I am no stranger to situations like these myself. So let me give you this advice; I will wait for you for as long as you need – this war will not. Your comrades-in-arms will need you with them, Libra. You will do more good with them than with me. But I will not force your hand. Should you wish to stay here with me, I shall welcome you with open arms. But should you leave, I shall pray for your safety every day until you return to me."

Libra gulps. "But if I leave, what guarantee can I give that I will return? If I fall in battle, it would mean that I abandon you. I cannot bear the thought."

"And neither can you bear abandoning your comrades." Emmeryn reminds him.

Libra falls silent as he contemplates his options. When he finally opens them again, there's remorse in them.

"Forgive me my selfishness, my love, but I must leave. This war threatens all we hold dear. I will not stand by idly when I could instead head out to protect you, even at the cost of my own life."

Emmeryn nods. "If that is your decision, then I will not stop you, Libra. Go, and do all in your power to aid your comrades. I shall wait for you in Ylisstol. And when you return, I shall stand ready as your bride." Emmeryn takes a step forward and hugs Libra. "I shall pray for your safe return every day. May you always walk under the protection of the gods."

Libra returns the hug. "I too shall pray, that the Great Ones would grant you peace and safety always."

And time moves once aga- Wait, that doesn't sound right.

BGM ends

Lissa runs up to the hugging pair and claps Libra on the shoulder. "All right, Libra! Welcome to the family!"

Libra's face turns red. "P-Princess Lissa! Please, I have not exchanged vows with Her Grace yet!"

The blonde princess rolls her eyes. "Meh, details. You're already engaged. Might as well celebrate a little, don't you think?"

"Now, Lissa. Be gentle with Libra." Emmeryn admonishes her sister mildly. "Surely you can see that he feels uncomfortable."

Lissa giggles. "But that's what makes this so fun, Emm. Don't hide it, you're all jittery on the inside as well."

Emmeryn averts her eyes with a light blush. "Well… I will not deny that the prospect of marrying him has me more excited than I have been for years. But that will wait for another day. I believe you had a journey to make?"

Chrom nods. "Yes, and it's high time we cast off. Stay safe, Emm."

Emmeryn nods back. "Safe travels, Chrom. Safe travels, Lissa." Then she turns to her two nieces and hugs them. "Safe travels, girls. May your friends never be far from you."

Lucina returns the hug with a peaceful smile. "Thank you, Aunt Emmeryn – for your encouragement and for letting me get to know you."

Severa returns the hug as well, with averted eyes and blushing cheeks. "Um, yeah. What she said. Love you, Auntie Emm."


While most of the army has made an occasional visit to the docks these past few days, some preferred to stay among the buildings or train instead.

Which leads to our current conversation.

Nah looks at the seafaring vessels with growing apprehension.

"Wait. You're telling me…that we're going to Valm…by SHIP?!"

Nowi looks at her daughter bemused. "Of course we are. How else are we supposed to get there?"

Nah clenches her fist as flames envelop her. "There's no way I'm setting foot on that deathtrap! I'll swim!"

Everyone gives the half-manakete blank stares.

"Oh, for- Nah! When will you get over that silly weakness to motion sickness?!" Severa shouts exasperated.

"I can't help it!" Nah shouts back. "I can't handle vehicles! The moment the surface under my feet starts rocking, my whole world starts to spin!"

"You were never like this whenever Sensei let you sit on his lap – while he was riding a cart over a bumpy dirt road!"

"That's because Uncle Jack's not a vehicle! He's family!"

"That doesn't even make any sense!"

While Severa and Nah have their little argument, everyone else gets ready to board their respective ships.

Hawke gives me a blank stare (then again, his expressions are about as varied as the thickness of a sheet of paper). "Captain, care to explain why you are not boarding the same ship as the rest of us? Are you not the one among us who promotes teamwork the most?"

"Normally, that would be the case, Hawke." I admit. "But I have a few reasons why I'm boarding the flagship instead. For one, as your commanding officer, this makes it easier for me to relay any commands issued by our head tactician or Prince Chrom. And second…" I glance sideways with a sour expression. "I have witnessed what happens to my wife if I'm absent for too long. Neither of us want to stay separated for an extended period of time."

Hawke's gaze remains unyielding. "You mean to tell me you simply want to stay with your wife for the voyage, because you are too attached to her?" If I strain my ears, I think I can detect disapproval in the Dark Knight's voice.

"Hey, I won't leave you completely leaderless." I reply defensively.

*Poof!*

"I'll have my clones around the ship to give directions in case something comes up. Besides, you know I can fly, remember? Getting over to your ship will be easy."

"You might as well give up, Hawke." Lon'qu interjects. "Jack won't let anything get between him and his wife. His suggestion will probably be as good as we can get out of him."

Hawke remains silent for a bit before he nods and walks off to board the ship designated for my team.

I smile at my lieutenant. "Thanks, Lon'qu. I owe you one."

Lon'qu frowns at me. "Don't you think you're abusing your power, Jack? You insisting to sail on the same ship as Robin is unprofessional, even by the standards of pulling rank."

I wave off the Swordmaster's concerns. "Relax. The only time you'll really need me in person is if a battle breaks out. Otherwise, my clones will be plenty enough to keep everything with our teammates in order." I poke Lon'qu on the chest. "Besides, now you're just a pot calling the kettle black."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

I smirk. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't suspect anything when you sought approval to board the same vessel as the Shepherds as well? Don't think I haven't noticed the way you're acting around a certain Wyvern Rider."

A blush spreads along Lon'qu's face. "My interactions with Cherche is none of your concern."

My smirk turns into a grin. "Oh? Who said I was referring to Cherche specifically?"

Lon'qu stiffens up before he growls. "I'll remember this…"

I laugh and proceed to board the Shepherds' ship. "Sure you will! See you on board, partner!"

"No! Father! You can't do this to me!" Nah shouts as she desperately clings to a post normally reserved for mooring a ship to the docks.

Donnel grunts as he tries to pry his daughter from the fastened metal pole. "Come on, Nah! We gotta head for Valm, and there ain't any better way ta get there than by sailin'!"

"I said; I refuse to set foot on that deathtrap! Nothing you say will convince me otherwise. Let me go, Father!"

"Allow me." Kjelle suggests as she approaches the struggling pair with a bottle in hand.

Nah sniffs the air and eyes the bottle. "Hold on… Is that oil, Kjelle?"

The Knight nods. "Yes, it is. You're coming with us, Nah, like it or not."

Kjelle slowly tips the bottle over the pole Nah's clinging to. The half-manakete's face blanches. "No! You wouldn't dare!"

"You left us no other choice, Nah." Kjelle counters.

The oil slowly clears the rim and flows down the pole. Eventually, it reaches Nah's arms, and slips underneath. As Donnel renews his efforts to extract his daughter from her anchoring point, Nah's grip slowly loses traction and her fingers slide off, to Nah's horror.

Father and daughter tumble backwards when Nah finally loses her grip. Donnel's quick on the recovery and proceeds to drag his distraught daughter towards the ship.

"Father, please!" Nah begs. "You can't do this to me! I call child abuse!"

"You're about the same age as me, Nah." Kjelle counters as she follows Donnel to the ship. "I've been considered an adult for quite a few years now, and so do you."

"'Sides, ain't no way we're leavin' ya behind or lettin' ya swim all the way, no matter what ya say, Nah." Donnel adds. "Let's get on that ship already."

In a last, desperate effort, Nah digs her fingers into the cobblestone. Unfortunately for her, Donnel simply drags her so hard that her fingers dig furrows into the docks instead.

"NNNOOOOOO!"


Robin takes looks around the flagship in wonder. "Ah, take it all in! Breathtaking… Somehow our troubles feel a lifetime away out here."

Chrom shakes his head. "Yet in truth, we're headed straight toward them… I should be grateful the plegians delivered us this fleet as promised." The prince stumbles a step on the rocking deck before he corrects his posture. "But it's my first time on a vessel, and my legs… I never fancied myself a sea captain."

Lucina smiles as she eyes the deck. "This is my first voyage as well. In my time, all ships were destroyed. Smashed to pieces, along with their ports."

Chrom rubs his chin and faces his eldest daughter. "Lucina… Something I've been meaning to ask… After you stopped Emm's assassination… Why didn't you stay with us?"

Lucina rubs her arm. "I felt I had no other choice. I could not risk altering history any more than necessary. I sought only to divert events that directly led to Grima's return."

Lissa scratches her head. "Hey, so wait – what about the guys who tried to kill Chrom in the gardens? What would've happened if you didn't save him?"

"He would have been gravely wounded." Lucina explains grimly. "And those wounds would have played a part in the tragedies to come."

Lissa blinks. "Whoa. Good thing you changed things, huh?"

Lucina nods smiling. "And change they have. It is all thanks to you, Master Jack."

I blink and point at myself. "Me? How?"

"I was there during your escape from Plegia, remember? I do not know exactly how, but I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you had a hand in saving the exalt's life. You proved to me that the course of history can change, that the future can become different. Better. What's more, I had the chance to get to know a part of my family that I had otherwise only dreamt or heard stories about."

I scratch the back of my head. "Well, when you put it that way… But to be fair, you had a hand in rescuing Exalt Emmeryn's life as well. Without your help, she may not have survived the night when those assassins attacked."

Lucina nods nervously. "Be that as it may, I pray that Aunt Emmeryn remains safe in the palace. We have averted her death twice, true, but what is to say there will not be more attempts on her life?"

Chrom narrows his eyes. "You suspect someone else is targeting her?"

The blue-haired princess shakes her head. "I cannot say for sure, Father. The fact that the exalt's life was in danger a second time after we prevented her death at the hands of those assassins had me worried. For some time, I feared that nothing could change fate. It was only when I saw her with everyone else, alive, that those fears were finally put to rest. But even so, we must remain vigilant. I worry that leaving on this journey to Valm will leave her without proper protection, but at the same time, I cannot bear the thought of leaving your side."

"Oh, would you quit being such a worrywart already, Lucina?" Severa complains exasperated as she approaches.

Lucina turns to her sister. "Severa?"

The redhead sighs. "Honestly, ever since I reunited with you, you haven't stopped babbling about how Aunt Emmeryn could have an assassin on her tail every single moment. Would it kill you to let up on the paranoia?"

Lucina bites her lip. "I'm sorry. It's just… You know how important her life is according to history as we know it. You know how quickly all our efforts would be for naught if-"

Severa rolls her eyes. "Yes, yes, I know. Like you haven't told me that a million times already. Look, Auntie Emmeryn will be fine. She's got Phila, remember? That woman is to her like sir Frederick is for Daddy. And if that wasn't enough, I've seen Sully drag the new recruits into the ground during their daily training while we were at the palace. If I didn't know any better, I'd think they're turning the castle guard into a standing army for the halidom, and a darn good one at that.

"She's got a point Lucina." Lissa piques in. "Phila won't ever let anything happen to Emm. After what happened both times her life was in danger, Phila's tightened up security so hard, I'd be surprised if a fly could get into the palace without permission."

Chrom nods. "You can leave palace security in her hands, Lucina. Besides, you're already here with us, so there's no point in worrying about Emm or the palace. It would be much better for you to focus on what's ahead."

"I…" Lucina shakes her head. "No, you're right. Rather than worry about Aunt Emmeryn, I should focus on protecting your life instead."

Chrom rubs his head. "Speaking of which… Do you know how I die?"

"Only rumors…" Lucina reveals. "I was told you fell in a great battle, fought to sway your destiny." The princess releases a shuddering breath. "And that you were murdered – betrayed by someone dear to you."

At that moment, Robin grasps her head in pain. "Nngh! Ah…"

I'm at her side in a moment. "Robin!"

Chrom turns to the Grandmaster concerned. "Robin? What is it?"

"M-my head… I don't…" my wife groans. She shakes her head. "F-forgive me. I'm fine."

I shake my head in turn. "You've run yourself ragged these past few days while organizing the loading of all the ships. Even with Anna's help, that's a task normally reserved to a greater group of people specifically appointed for it. Come on, let's get you seated somewhere so you can rest."

"Jack, I'm fine." Robin insists. "Just give me a moment, and I'll be right as rain again."

I give my wife a flat stare. "Yeeaah, no. I'm not letting up until you're resting somewhere comfortable so you can nurse whatever headache that's ailing you."

"And where exactly would I find a comfortable place like that onboard?" Robin counters. "This is a ship deck, Jack. It's not designed for comfortable seats."

I rub my chin a bit. "Fine then."

*Poof*

The smoke around me disperses to reveal that I've Mimicked a beanbag. "Will this do?"

Everyone blinks at me bemused.

"Sensei… What in the world is that?" Severa asks.

"A very comfortable seating arrangement from my home world." I explain. "Just about everyone who tries it out practically sinks in and finds themselves tempted to fall asleep. Just don't get too comfortable, Robin, or you might have trouble standing back up when you want to."

Robin sweat drops. "Jack, this is getting ridiculous. If I want to rest, I just need to go to our cabin and lay down on the bed. Besides, wouldn't you be uncomfortable if I sat on you?"

"I survived an enraged Maribelle and walked away with merely light injuries." I remind her. "I believe I can handle my wife sitting on me for a few hours. In fact, I would relish in using my body to support your backside and provide the comfort you need."

Blushes spread among everyone who heard what I just said.

"Jack… Did you have to word it like that?" Chrom asks exasperated. "Caring for your wife is one thing, but displaying affection publicly the way you're doing is just indecent."

"Look who's talking." I fire back. "Don't think I never noticed you sneak in the occasional kiss on Cordelia's cheeks before we boarded this ship. You're nowhere near as stealthy as you think you are, Chrom."

"Jack, there's a big difference between a kiss on the cheek and…whatever this is." Lissa explains exasperated.

"So?" I counter. "I'm a man of principles. As far as I'm concerned, it's basically the same thing."

"You've never heard about shades of gray before, have you Jack-sensei?" Severa asks me dryly.

Actually, I do. 50, to be exact. Though I never read the book.

"After your murder and Grima's return, I took the name of Marth and fought back." Lucina continues after she gets over the shock of my transformation. "I prayed to the Hero-King for a small part of the strength he used to save the world."

Lissa nods. "Well, you sure had us fooled with your disguise."

"But I do not need the name of the Hero-King any longer. I choose to fight as Lucina now." Lucina declares with a smile. "The name that reminds me of the strength in the man and the woman who chose it."

Chrom smiles back. "A strength shared by the woman who bears it."


POV: General

BGM: Believe, Folder 5

"Alright, Prince Chrom. All set fer castoff." the ship's captain reports from the helm.

Chrom nods. "Good." The Ylissean prince turns to the horizon and makes a sweeping motion that makes his cape billow majestically. "All ships! To Valm!"

The ship decks come abuzz with activity as anchors are raised and crew members scramble to their stations.

"Unfurl the sails! Move it, ya scurvy lugs, or we'll get left behind!"

The sails on all one thousand ships unfurl and catch the wind. The Ylissean league sets sail to the west towards the horizon.

Nah holds on to the railing for dear life as her face turns green. Azure flames erupt from the flagship's stern. Turns out Nah doesn't vomit her stomach contents – she vomits dragon fire.

Nowi runs around on the deck of the flagship and hides behind whatever she can find as cover on her self-imposed game of hide-and-seek. Gaius sighs and looks around to find her, only to come up empty. That's when Nowi lands on his shoulders, scaring the candies off the Assassin.

The ship is peaceful on the first night of the voyage. Cherche looks into Minerva's cabin to check up on her. The Wyvern Rider smiles affectionally upon finding Nah curled up and sleeping peacefully on top of the wyvern.

Linebeck points around the Wonderful 101's ship and yells orders, complete with white eyes and shark teeth. He flinches in fear as the sailors glare back at him with glowing red eyes. The ship itself rocks around as the seamen make their displeasure at the Trickster's attitude known.

Severa places a foot on the railing as she pulls her fishing rod while her family cheers her on from behind. The surface breaks and Severa admires her catch – a flailing small fry.

Even as her family struggles to contain their amusement, Severa glares at them with a tic mark pulsing on her forehead.

Laurent carefully tilts the contents in a test tube into another and mixes the two liquids together. The pink concoction fizzles briefly before it blows up in the Mage's face. Laurent struggles to remain impassive, mainly because Henry won't stop laughing at him.

Stahl goes through some lance drills while Miriel observes his movements intently. Just as he finishes, Miriel shoves another training lance into the Great Knight's hands. Stahl blanches as he finds the training weapon almost too heavy for him to lift, let alone swing.

Lucina smiles as she enjoys the sea breeze. Morgan in turn looks at the blue-haired princess intently. Lucina takes notice of this and looks back at the Tactician. Their stares only meet briefly before they look away blushing.

Lissa and Rose share gleeful grins.

Jack and Yarne exchange blows at high speed before the Reaper shoves the half-taguel away and jumps over a swing from Kjelle. Right as he lands, he ducks under Severa's sword, grabs hold of both her and Yarne, and throws both of them at Kjelle so that they all tumble in a tangled heap.

Jack Traces a practice sword to deflect an arrow from Noire and dashes away from a spell from Laurent. Before the Mage can get away, Jack smacks him in the face and dismisses the training sword in favor of using Laurent as a human flail. Noire panics and stands hapless as Jack smacks her around – wielding Laurent. At the end the beatdown, they both lie on the ground unconscious while Jack goes into a dab, because reasons.

Sumia and Cordelia fly around above the ship in their spar. They only make brief contact with their training staffs due to the nature of their fighting styles. During one particularly daring maneuver, Sumia accidently miscalculates the distance and ends up crashing into Cordelia. Both women crash down on deck, but are thankfully fine. Then their faces turn cherry red as they realize the compromising position they landed in. Vaike lets out catcalls until he notices Sully stand behind him with a murderous aura and cracking knuckles.

Virion demonstrates his archery prowess for Noire as he snipes various targets set up around the ship. One arrow goes awry and slices through a few strands of Maribelle's hair. The Valkyrie flies into a rage and chases the Bow Knight across the deck in a surprising display of acrobatics with her parasol in full swing.

Ricken regards the scene with a sweat drop, but ultimately shrugs and goes back to enjoying his tea. Who is he to deny his wife meting out her (debatably) righteous fury?

Jack stands behind Robin at the flagship's prow and grabs hold of her waist. As the ship rocks through the waves and the wind blows in their faces, Jack grins and lifts up his wife. After she overcomes the initial surprise, the Grandmaster spreads her arms and laughs in exhilaration over the experience. Jack eventually lets Robin down and hugs her from behind while rubbing his cheek against hers. Robin smiles and relaxes back against her husband as the couple enjoy the sunset together.

Battle of Valm

START

BGM ends


These past few days out at sea have been peaceful. Aside from Nah's constant seasickness, there hasn't been anything to complain about. And yet, there's been a layer of tension constantly hovering over everyone's heads – both at the flagship and over at my team's ship, according to reports from my clones. And when you think about it, the reason should be quite obvious. We defeated the Valmese vanguard a few weeks ago. They were meant to establish a base of operations on our home continent in preparation for the main invasion force. Since we routed said vanguard not long after they arrived in Port Ferox, it stands to reason that the main force never received word and is still following Walhart's original plan to conquer the continent. Which, in turn, means that the main force is most likely headed towards us.

Simply put, Robin's idea that we'll clash with the main Valmese invasion force out here at sea is the most likely scenario.

It's a few hours after sunrise when Frederick approaches Chrom.

"Milord, the pegasus knights report the Valmese fleet matches ours, ship for ship." the Great Knight relays to Chrom.

"Your tone tells me this is not good news." the prince notes.

Frederick frowns. "Their troops vastly outnumber ours. Our vessels are half-full, at best. But every Valmese ship is packed from stem to stern with soldiers."

"If we attempt to board them in a straight fight, we'll be slaughtered." Chrom concludes grimly.

"We've little choice but to try anyway." Flavia interjects. "Plegia had no men to spare, but they were generous with other supplies – including oil." Flavia sends my wife a sidelong glance. "Perhaps a clever tactician could find a use for that."

Robin rubs her chin. "Hmm… Perhaps she could."

"If we can put their ships to flame, they'd have nowhere to escape to." Flavia proposes. "We could-"

"You could roast us all like hams!" Basilio interrupts exasperated. "Are you truly so eager to die, woman?!"

"Do you have a better idea, oaf?!" Flavia yells back. "The problem is we have no catapults. Hmm… How to get the lit oil on their decks without our own ships getting caught in the blaze?"

Robin rubs her chin while staring out at the sea. "Hmm…" Then she turns back to us with a glimmer in her eye. "Unless we want our ships caught in the blaze…"

Basilio's gives Robin a blank stare. "Why in the gods' names would…" The bald khan shakes his head. "Well, I know better than to question Robin. Especially not when she has that look in her eyes." Basilio grins. "Gods save us from what she's cooked up this time – let's just hope it's not us!"

Robin turns to Chrom. "Chrom, I have an idea."

A smirk grows on the prince's lips. "Those words from your mouth are music to my ears, Robin."

Robin frowns. "But for my plan to work, we'll need to disrupt their chain of command… Our strongest team would need to board their lead ship and kill their general. As our best captain I'd have you head the squad, but you are the prince, so…"

"Yes, I am the prince, so no one can order me not to go. I will lead the assault!" Chrom asserts.

"Wait…" I interject. "You guys aren't planning on just going straight for the enemy flagship right off the bat, are you?"

Robin looks at me quizzically. "Well, yes. That's the plan."

I give my wife an unimpressed look. "I'll admit that your strategy has some merit, Robin, but how do you suppose you'll find the space to even fight their general on their flagship without all 999 other ships packed full with soldiers getting in the way? As far as I can see, your strategy lacks a crucial detail."

Robin raises an eyebrow. "I take it this has to do with those 999 other ships. So, what's this "crucial detail"?"

"Simple. You need someone to distract the other ships long enough for you to get a clear shot at their general. When that part's done, you just toss in that oil, and victory should be ours."

Basilio gives me a flat look. "I can't decide whichever of you two is the crazier one. Jack, unless you've already thought about this part, distracting that many ships filled with soldiers is practically suicide. You would need a force that can match theirs to ever pull it off."

I smile at the bald khan. "Which is why I'm qualified for that task."

The other look at me with mouths agape.

Basilio shakes off the shock. "Look, I don't care if you can fly or cut a ship in half. Against numbers like those, even you would get overwhelmed eventually."

I smirk. "Trust me. I've got a plan of my own to hold off the majority of the imperial fleet."

Robin bites her lower lip. "Can you really do it, Jack? Can you honestly tell me that you will hold off the rest of their fleet on your own for us?"

I smile at my wife reassuringly. "I've got this, Robin. You just focus on that enemy flagship, and me and my team can handle the rest. Just fire off a signal when you're ready to use the oil, and we'll get out of the way before we're caught in whatever you have planned."

Robin closes her eyes and furrows her brow as she processes the new information. She eventually opens them again with a soft expression, matched only by the caress at my cheek.

"Then this plan truly stands a chance. Just make sure to have an escape plan in case you get overwhelmed. I can't bear to lose you."

I place a hand over hers. "I've already thought of that. I'll be fine. I'm more concerned for your own safety, even though I'm sure you can take the enemy general."

Chrom smiles. "Heh… So much has changed ever since the day I invited you two to join the Shepherds. One of you was a humble traveler who's turned into the instructor of our future children. And the other now determines the fate of our entire army…our entire people. Destiny has a strange way."

Robin shakes her head. "No, Chrom. Not destiny."

"What?"

"We're not pawns of some scripted fate." Robin declares. "I believe we're more. Much more."

"How do you mean?"

"There's something between us all. Something that keeps us together. Like…invisible ties, connecting us. Giving us strength… WE forged these ties. WE strengthen them. If we preserve them, or break them, it will be by our choices, not some "destiny"."

"…Robin…" Chrom chuckles. "I think this salty air might have gone to your head, hah!"

I join in on the chuckling. "Believe what you want, Chrom. Had my life really been dictated by something called "destiny", Robin and I would've never met, let alone married. Yet here I am, as Robin's husband, proud father of two splendid children, and commander of my own military unit, all because I woke up in a world that I, by all rights, should never have been able to even set foot in."

Robin sighs with a fond smile. "All right, that's enough philosophy for one day. There are still details to discuss."

Chrom nods, now all business again. "Indeed there are! And preparations to be made! Oh, and, Robin… If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you."

Robin's face turns grim, yet determined.

Chrom faces the others on deck with a smile. "Now then, everyone! Look lively! We have work to do!"

The Shepherds scramble all across the deck, ready to make whatever preparations Robin has in mind. Just as I get ready to head over to my team's ship, Robin grabs me by the arm.

"Jack, your role in this battle will be crucial. If your team falls, the rest of the fleet could catch on to my plan, and then we're all doomed. If you intend to distract almost the entire Valmese fleet on your own, I want to at least have an idea of what you're planning."

I nod. "Fair enough. But first…"

*Poof*

"You know what to do." I tell my Shadow clone. "Oh, and make sure to take Lon'qu with you."

My clone salutes. "You got it, Boss."

Lon'qu overhears our conversation and scowls at us. "Jack, you'd better explain what you're going to- Huh?"

The Swordmaster gets interrupted as my Shadow clone picks him up.

"Off to our team's ship, Lon'qu." my clone replies with a wide grin before he zips in that direction. I think I can hear Lon'qu yell in protest on the way there.

Cherche looks at the scene bemused, then turns to me. "Was that really necessary?"

I shrug. "Lon'qu's my second-in-command. I'll need my full team for this battle."

The Wyvern Rider raises an eyebrow. "I may not be qualified to say this, but you have a strange way of commanding your unit, Jack."

I wave it off with a smile. "Oh, my methods have been questioned before, as has my sanity. But it's all good. I mean, we've all made it out alive in the end every time."

Robin shakes her head with an exasperated smile. "All right, if you two want to discuss this matter further, it will have to wait until after the battle. Now, if you'll excuse me, Cherche, I have strategy to discuss with my probably insane husband."

"Of course." Cherche replies before she goes off, probably to tend to Minerva.

I grin at my wife. "Aw, don't be like that, Robin. You know you love me, insanity and all."

Robin rolls her eyes. "Yes, I do – for better or worse. But enough about our unconventional love life. I'll need an idea of how to communicate with your ship during the battle, Jack. But before that, how are you going to hold off all those ships?"

I smirk. "I'm not going to just hold them off, my love. I intend to turn the sea itself against the Valmese fleet."


Quest alert:
Main quest: Flames on the blue
With the arrival of the Plegian ships, you are finally ready to set sail for Valm and bring the fight to the Conqueror himself. But before you can set foot on Valmese soil, there is one major obstacle still standing, or floating, in your way; the imperial navy. Unless you sink this colossal fleet, you have no chance of facing Walhart, let alone win this war. Fortunately, Robin has a plan. Robin always has a plan. Just make sure she can pull it off.
Objective: The Shepherds defeat the enemy general. No other ship is allowed to engage them.
Rewards: 14 000 EXP, 14 000 gold
Bonus objective: ?
Bonus rewards: 100 000 EXP, 100 000 gold
Failure: The war ends before it even has a chance to truly begin, with you on the losing side.


Time skip: One hour later

"And that's what we will do in the upcoming battle." I conclude to my teammates. "Make sure to stick together, like always, team. I'll make sure we can pull this off."

My teammates give me stares of various degrees of disbelief.

"It's official…" Pit laments. "Captain Jack has finally gone off the deep end and is trying to kill us all… And I never got to try Viridi's homemade apple pie. Goodbye, cruel world."

"We're going straight for the entire enemy fleet swinging? I like it, Captain!" Barras, one of our Barbarians exclaims.

So why is this guy so prominent? Well, for one, he's got a physique that even Vaike has a hard time competing against. Second, he's a surprisingly competent helmsman. The moment he saw the ship assigned to our team, Barras sprinted aboard and all but claimed the steering wheel for himself. Turns out the hot-blooded melee fighter is an expert at steering ships.

Lash rubs her temples. "For crying out loud, Barras. How many times do I have to tell you your lack of strategy will get you killed?!"

Barras laughs it off. "Aw, quit fussing over it, Lash! A man only needs two tactics; frontal assault, and death by frontal assault! Ga ha ha ha!"

I shake my head in disapproval. "Barras, you better pray my wife never hears you say that. She will challenge you to any strategy game of your choice, and she will beat you so soundly, she'll shatter your confidence, your self-esteem, and your pride as a man within three minutes. And that's before she's done warming up."

"Speakin' from experience, Cap?" Grit asks.

I shrug. "When you're married to the head tactician of Ylisse, playing strategy games is practically a part of everyday life. Robin can still trounce me in every way possible, but I dare say I've picked up on a few tricks over the course of our marriage."

"*Ahem* Captain, as entertaining as this discussion may be, I suggest we prepare for battle." Hawke interjects. "The Valmese fleet is fast approaching."

"Good." I reply smirking. I turn to Barras. "Barras, break off from our fleet and steer our ship in a flanking maneuver. Aim to intercept the fleet behind the lead ship."

"Aye aye, Captain!" the Barbarian rumbles and mans the helm within seconds.

"One more thing." I add. "We won't engage them just yet. Just bring us close enough that we're ready to engage them at a moment's notice."

Barras looks at me confused. "Huh? What're ya talking about Captain? Didn't you say we're gonna fight those guys?"

I nod. "Yes, I did. But before that, we'll have to grab their attention. I need you to bring in the ship close first. I'll take it from there. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

Lon'qu rolls his eyes. "That's what you say every time you set one of your crazy plans into motion."

I grin at my lieutenant. "I know, right? And they work!"

"Somehow…" Lon'qu mutters.

"Hey, Captain! This good enough for you?!" Barras shouts from the helm.

I look ahead. Hmm…yeah. This should be a good spot.

I turn around and give Barras a thumbs-up. "Great sailing, Barras! Hold the position there!" Then I turn to my team. "Team, when I give the signal, Barras will sail us straight into the fleet. Standby until then."

"Jack, isn't it about time that you tell us what exactly you're going to do?" Lon'qu asks annoyed as he draws his dual Killing Edges.

I nod. "Fair enough. I'll capture the attention of the imperial fleet. That will also serve as the signal for Robin to begin her own assault. From there, things will get hectic. Wait for me here."

I concentrate mana into the soles of my feel and fly above the enemy fleet. When I'm confident I'm too high for any arrow to reach me, I raise my hands into the air as if holding something massive. Using my hands as a reference point, I use Telekinesis to form an enormous bubble of air.

This is where it gets tricky. By combining Telekinesis with my wind powers, I start to gradually compress the air bubble. A few pulses in, the bubble starts to become visible. It starts at the size of roughly a city, and gets smaller and brighter the more I compress the bubble. Sweat begins to pour down my face. Maybe I should've trained a bit more in this skill after all, despite its ridiculously long startup time.

What started out as an air bubble the size of Ylisstol has now been compressed to a glowing bubble of air that fits within the palms of my hands. Preparations done, I take a deep breath and manipulate the air to amplify my voice.

BGM: Shichibukai, One Piece OST

"Soldiers of Valm! I shall only give this warning once! Call off your invasion, or this sea shall become your grave! The winds will strike you like a falling star, the waves will smash your ships to pieces, and what remains will burn to ashes as you go down with those ships or simply hop off and drown in the ocean!"

Thanks to the modified atmosphere I made over the ships, I can hear what the Valmese soldiers are saying loud and clear. It's basically the imperials trying to figure out who I am, why I would say that and how the heck I am floating above their fleet. And what the weird glowing bubble between my hands is. Can't forget about that detail.

Though the discussions only last for a while.

"What are you lot doing just standing there and staring at him?!" one of the commanding officers on a ship shouts. "He came from one of the enemy ships, so that makes him an enemy. I don't care how, just strike him out of the sky!"

"But sir, he's out of range for our archers!" a random soldiers reports.

"Then send up some pegasus knights to take him down!" the officer yells. "For crying out loud, are you new recruits all this incompetent?!"

Looks like they're ignoring my warning. Not that I expected anything else. Violence it is, then.

"So you choose to fight?" I ask. Then I shake my head. "A pity. This could have been avoided if you just turned back. Prepare to meet your ends."

I launch my air bubble at the middle of the Valmese fleet. Right afterwards, I zip back to my team's ship.

"Captain, what was that?" Hawke asks after he notes my return.

"The signal to attack." I reply. The bubble is nearly at the ocean surface when I release my hold of it. "Ursus shock."

With nothing compressing the air within the bubble anymore, nature runs free once more.

*BOOOOM!*

In other words; all the air in the bubble decompresses with the force of a bomb blast. The pressure wave can be felt all the way to our ship. The two ships that the bubble ended up between are torn apart from the immense pressure. Three more capsize from the force. The other ships tilt, but manage to stay upright. One thing's for sure, though. Now the Valmese fleet can't ignore us. We have their full attention, and I notice that the ship where the Shepherds are is already headed for the enemy lead ship.

BGM ends


You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up! You have leveled up!


AN: That's the EXP gained from sinking five ships packed full with enemy soldiers in one go. I admit, when I ran through the calculations, I was surprised at how much EXP that equals.


Several of my teammates gape at either me or the destroyed ships.

"Captain?…" Collin asks trembling. "What in the world was that?!"

"That, Collin, is what happens when you put a massive amount of air under pressure. It's like when the lid of a pressure cooker flies off, except this is scaled up hundreds of times over." I explain.

"So…that's yer strategy, Cap?" Grit asks. "Push some pressured air around an' blowing 'em all up?"

"No. This was just to grab their attention. That was the first part of my strategy. Now for part two." I turn to the helm of our ship. "Barras, it's time. Take us to the Valmese fleet, full speed ahead."

The Barbarian only needs a moment to recover from his shocked awe. "Aye aye, Captain! Let's give 'em hell!"

Our ship picks up speed under Barras's skilled sailing, and we're soon headed straight towards the imperial fleet.

"All right, Captain. We got their attention. Now what?" Edea asks as she draws her sword.

I walk to the prow of our ship. "Team, prepare for all-out combat. You may board enemy ships and bring the fight to them, but never let an enemy ship come between you and this one, or else I may not be able to aid you."

"So, uh… What're you gonna do, Captain Jack?" Max asks as he shoulders his Hammer.

"I will remain here on this ship. So long as you stay close, I can pretty much dictate the flow of this battle and help you at any given time." I explain and raise my palm up into the air. Water from the ocean flows to my palm and coalesces into a bubble.

"Trace on!"

I clench my hand around the water bubble and burst it. A flash of light in the spray reveals the form of Demyx's signature weapon; Arpeggio.

"A sitar? Really?" Elliot asks in disbelief. "What're you gonna do, serenade 'em to death?"

I smile. "Tell me, Elliot. What's the first rule when fighting near a body of water?"

BGM: Battle! Team Aqua/Magma leaders, Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire music

"Why don't you enlighten me, since you seem to have it all figured out?"

My smile turns into a predatory grin. "Never challenge an aquamancer."

I turn back to the incoming fleet, strum a tune and chant the words that will haunt Valm for years to come.

"Dance, water! Dance!"

The sea itself comes alive as I play Arpeggio. Soon, cascades of sea water rise from the surface and strike the imperial ships.

"Team! Attack!" I shout over the noise of my aquatic attack.

My teammates shake themselves out of their collective stupor and charge forward. I play a few riffs and conjure water streams that connects our ship to the Valmese ones closest to us.

"Ride the streams!" I shout.

There's a bit of hesitance, but when some of my braver teammates try, the find themselves riding the currents straight towards the startled Valmese soldiers. The rest soon follows and spreads between the different currents to various ships. Fighting breaks out on the half dozen decks of the ships now surrounding ours.

And in the middle of this chaos, I play Arpeggio like a jacked-up rock star in order to keep up with the frantic pace of the battle. Any attempt the valmese make at ramming our ship is foiled because I manipulate the ocean currents to have their ships sail parallel to ours at best. Or I simply direct the currents to have their ships sail into each other. Any time a teammate is in trouble, I just send a jet of water to strike the enemy trying to attack them. And if things get too hectic, I just conjure a new current that my teammate can ride to a more favorable position. This battle is my concert, and I command centerstage.

Lon'qu's taken command of about half the team and leads them on a crusade across ship decks at record speed. With some aid of my conjured water currents, Lon'qu bounces back and forth until the valmese soldiers get dizzy. And in that opening, the Swordmaster's blades are ready to slice through their targets. Our teamwork in turn opens the enemy ranks enough for the others under Lon'qu's lead to hew a path through the decks.

Hawke takes a different approach to using my currents. After learning that he can move on them as if they were solid, Hawke commanded his horse onto a current and now uses the floating streams to ride through the air. The teammates in his wake follow his example and skate along the currents while attacking any valmese they pass. The constant hit-and-run tactics and jumping from ship to ship is too fast for the valmese to keep up with, and they suffer the consequences through high casualties with nothing to show for them.

It's going well for our team, all things considered. Though seeing all the other Valmese ships and their crews just waiting to join the fray has me concerned. One misplay, and the valmese could break through.

That is, if I keep this battle at the current state. And who said I want to?

"Let's take it up a notch." I suggest grinning. The waters churn and swirl until a shape rises from the surface. The fighting momentarily stops as everyone takes a look at what I conjured.

"Mind. Blown." Elliot mutters.

Among the Valmese ships, an enormous kraken made completely of sea water rises from the ocean, ten massive tentacles swaying menacingly.

"Like it?!" I shout as I let loose a high-pitched solo. The water kraken responds with a barrage of strikes on the ships with its watery arms.

*Ka-BRAM!*

Wood splinters fly everywhere as my conjured sea creature tears into the imperial fleet. Even if the ships hold up for a while, any soldier caught in the strikes are sent flying overboard. And with the merciless pounding my kraken rains down, it's only a matter of time before a few ships buckle and snap under the pressure.

"I want that thing on a platter yesterday! Shoot it down now!" one brave imperial officer shouts over the cacophony of noise.

Arrows, spells and Javelins rain down on my water kraken. While this could probably lay an ordinary giant sea creature low, this one's just a giant mass of water under my command. Which means that any physical projectile that hits simply sinks into its body to no effect, and any spell just dissipates. And even if something does manage to pierce the kraken's body, it just reforms in seconds.

Now that I take a closer look, I notice that my kraken's got quite a lot of stuff floating inside. I grin as I command my sea creature to point its tentacles at the imperial ships.

"I don't really want this stuff, so you can have it back! Catch!"

The projectiles piled up inside the kraken race through the tentacles and are fired from the tips like bullets from gatling guns, only bigger. The return fire turns the ships affected into partial dart boards, with a few unfortunate soldiers skewered by their own weapons in the process.

Seeing as I can have the kraken kind of on auto-pilot, I can assist my teammates by strumming a few tunes to conjure walls of water geysers. The vertical water jets stop any attempt to intercept my teammates as they continue their assault and instead blow openings in the enemy formation for my teammates to capitalize on.

All right, seems like they've got things handled on their end. Time for kraken, round two.

"Argh! Why is that blasted thing still here?!" the Valmese officer shouts as my kraken turns towards his ship.

"Come on, stick to the beat!" I shout as my fingers dance across Apreggio's strings.

The kraken swipes over the ship decks left and right, sending Valmese soldiers overboard by the dozen each time. I take a few dancing steps myself. The kraken responds by beating the ship decks like drums.

BGM ends

A giant fireball launched from our fleet catches my attention. That's Robin's signal that their general is down and everything's set up on her end. All right. Time for me to bow out.

A few riffs later, and my kraken swipes up all of my teammates and dumps them onboard our ship. Most of my teammates protest to the rough handling. Quite a few try to wring as much seawater out of their clothes as they can.

"Not cool, Cap!" Jake complains as he pulls off his boots and empties them of water. "I thought for a moment I'd drown in the sea!"

"Sorry about that, team." I apologize. "Remember; our task was just to distract the valmese long enough for Robin to set up our real attack. Things are all done on her part. Now's the time to get out before we're caught in her attack."

I take a deep breath and get ready for one last solo performance. I angle Arpeggio upwards and let my fingers loose on the strings. The kraken sinks back under the surface, and instead, the ocean goes wild. Currents and waves throw the Valmese fleet around, bunching them up on one end while the enemy ships part on the other.

I turn to the helm while keeping my concentration as best I can. "The valmese are about to get toasty! Barras! Get us out of here!"

"Consider it done!"

Barras manages to catch an ocean current that I conjured just for our ship. Its flow pulls our ship away from the Valmese fleet's midst and out in the open again. Less than a minute later, 500 burning ships are on a collision course with the Valmese fleet.

"Hey! Mind if we board your vessel?!" Vaike shouts from below. As we take a peek over the railing, we see everyone who led the charge against the enemy general riding lifeboats.

I turn to my teammates. "Team! Get the ladders ready! We'll be picking up some extra crew members!"

"Roger!" my teammates respond and scramble to get the rope ladders ready.


It takes some time, but the Shepherds, Flavia and a few dozen generic soldiers are all soon onboard.

The burning ships ram into the Valmese fleet with a deafening crash. The flames spread quickly and soon engulf any ship that survived mine and my team's onslaught.

Elliot looks at the burning fleet with a loose jaw. "Mind. Blown… Again."

"The sea itself is on fire!" Lissa exclaims in awe.

"It worked! It worked!" Frederick cheers (Frederick?! Really?!).

Flavia grins. "Only you could hatch such a brilliant scheme, Robin. Who else would desert half our vessels and turn them into flaming cannonballs? And there was still enough room on the remaining ships for all our troops. It was so simple, and yet the valmese never saw it coming. They never considered anyone might be willing to sacrifice half a fleet…"

"We may have won the day, but the war still looms." Chrom reminds us. "We must continue and seize control of their main harbor."

"Aye, boy!" Basilio agrees. "I've had enough of the smoke and smell here for one lifetime besides."

Chrom turns his eyes westwards. "Full speed for Valm!"


Quest alert:
Main quest: Flames on the blue
In a daring move that predates the kamikaze pilots of WW2, Robin sets a plan in motion that reduces a fleet of nearly a thousand ships to ashes. The valmese have officially been driven out of the sea. Now only their land forces remain. But you better travel fast. News about your naval exploit are bound to reach the ears of the Conqueror soon.
Objective: The Shepherds defeat the enemy general. No other ship is allowed to engage them.
All objectives cleared!
Rewards: You gain 14 000 EXP! You gain 14 000 gold!
Bonus objective: Destroy the entire Valmese fleet before Robin sets her plan in motion.
Bonus objective failed!

Due to fierce fighting on the ocean, the title "Ship Cleaver" has been changed to "Scourge of the Sea"!

Robin's devastating strategy has gained her the title "Blaze of Prometheus"!


It is only now, that everything is over, that I dismiss Arpeggio and fall down on my butt.

"Jack!" Robin exclaims concerned and kneels down beside me.

"I'll be fine." I assure her as I take a few deep breaths. "Man, controlling the ocean took a lot more out of me than I expected."

"Wait a minute. You're telling me you're the one who summoned that giant sea monster?!" Severa asks bewildered.

"Oh, you saw that?"

"Master, everyone saw that…whatever it was!" Kjelle exclaims. "We all forgot for a moment that we were busy fighting when that giant thing rose from the ocean and started attacking Valmese ships!"

"That was incredible, Father!" Morgan fanboys with stars glittering in his eyes. "Can you teach me how to do that?"

I chuckle and ruffle his hair. "Sorry, son. I don't think you'd have much use of it, even if I did manage to teach you. See, the main reason why I even managed to pull it off was because there was water everywhere. With no water, recreating what I did back there is basically impossible."

Morgan blinks before he pouts. "Rats! And here I thought I had discovered a strategy not even Mother could beat."

"Ooh, so you're into tentacles, Little Bro?" Rose asks grinning. "Kinky. Never thought I'd see the day when I discover my brother's fetish."

Morgan blinks bemused. "Huh? What are you talking about, Sis? And what's tentacles got to do with anything?"

Rose is about to explain when I place my hand on top of her mouth.

"Rose, no corrupting your brother, you hear me?" I tell her in a disapproving voice.

Rose shrugs and places her hands behind her head. "Meh, it's not like this was my only chance. Face it, Dad. It's only a matter of time before Morgan loses his innocence." Rose waggles her eyebrows. "Especially since I know he more interested in girls than he lets on."

Morgan crosses his arms and looks away with a blush. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rose pokes my son on the cheek. "Aw, you're in denial. That's adorable."

A vein pulses on Morgan's forehead. "And you're invading my personal space. Lay off, Rose!"

Rose brings Morgan into a hug with a beaming smile. "Nope! I'm gonna cuddle with my adorable little brother, and you have no say in it!"

"Mother! Help!"

Robin looks at our children and their antics with a sweat drop. "Our children certainly have a…unique relationship."

I finally regain the strength to get back on my feet. And the first thing I do is bring my wife into a sideways hug while I look at our children fondly.

"That's one way to define it." I comment. "Amusing as it is, though, it also shows how close they are. I doubt siblings would ever be comfortable with showing their mutual affection the way our children do unless they share a strong bond."

"They must have had it rough growing up without us, don't you think?" Robin muses with a hint of sadness.

I nod with a serious expression. "That's what I thought as well. All the more reason we do whatever we can to stay alive in the battles to come and make sure they can relive family life again as much as possible."

Robin raises an eyebrow at me. "Well, you sure got used to the family thing quickly."

"Not really. It's mostly touch-and-go for my part." I admit. "This is all still new to me, but I'm trying to figure out how to be a parent as we go."

"Me too." Robin admits. "This might be the greatest challenge I've ever faced. It's one thing to come up with a strategy to defeat an enemy. But figuring out how to take care of a child? Who has already reached adulthood, no less? I hardly even know where to begin."

I tighten the hug. "Guess we'll figure it out together. I think the most important part is to show how much we care about them. Remember, from their point of view, this may be the first time in years that they see us. I think they need to get used to our presence as much as we need to get used to theirs."

Robin nods. "Well… Maybe we should try it slow. Get to know our children first before we decide how to approach this whole parenting thing."

I kiss Robin on the cheek. "Sounds good to me. We can all figure out how to be a family together."

My wife giggles and rubs her cheek against mine. "Together, huh? I suppose there's no better way."

"And that, Little Brother, is what you're gonna do when you get married." Rose points out for Morgan as she points at me and Robin.

Our son looks at us in red-faced horror. "I wanted to see our parents again, but not like this!"


Timeskip

It's been a few days since our clash with the imperial fleet of Valm. It took some used to suddenly having twice as many people on the ships as before that battle, but we eventually managed to work things out. If anything, I'm happy that both my family, the Shepherds and my team are on the same ship. No need for zipping between vessels to keep track of everything anymore.

"Captain! Island sighted!" Artemia shouts from atop the crow's nest and points west.

I pick up a telescope and take a closer look in that direction. Indeed, there's an island. And if I'm not mistaken, it's inhabited.

I give the Assassin in my team a thumbs-up. "Good eye, Artemia! I'll let Chrom and Robin know!"


Chrom frowns. "I don't know. I wish to reach Valm as fast as possible, and landing on that island just sounds like a waste of time."

"I wouldn't say that." Anna interjects as she approaches us with a stack of papers in hand. And where did she get those glasses?

Robin raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean, Anna?"

Anna places the glasses on her forehead. "The strategy you pulled on those valmese a few days ago was great and all, but it also put us in a bit of a pickle. We managed to get all the soldiers onboard the ships we wanted to keep, but we didn't bring over all the supplies."

Robin nods. "That's right. We were in such a hurry to get everything ready before that battle that we simply didn't have the time to load everything we wanted onto those ships. Some cargo had to be left behind on the ships that we set ablaze."

"And therein lies the problem." the merchant explains. "We have twice as many soldiers onboard every ship, but each ship only holds provisions for little more than half that amount."

Chrom blanches. "In other words…"

"…we might run out of food before we reach Valm unless we resupply." Robin finishes grimly.

Anna nods. "That's pretty much the gist of it. Now, if only there was an island nearby where we could stock up…"

I notice the redhead wink at me. Oh yeah. Great minds think alike.

I join in on Anna's nodding. "And it so happens there is that island one of my teammates spotted not too long ago. The fact that it's inhabited means that we're likely to find everything we'll need to make it to Valm without running the risk of starving."

Chrom raises his hands. "All right, all right. You've made your point clear. Very well, we'll make for the island. Tell the ship crews on the other vessels to change course!"

I summon a few dozen clones and send them on their way. "Consider it done, milord."

"Oh, thank the gods…" Nah groans from the railing. "I can't take much more of this sailing…"

The half manakete's face turns green.

"Ulp! Buaaa!" *FWOOM!*

A drop of sweat runs down the back of my head. "I'm amazed she hasn't set any ships ablaze with all that dragon fire she's been hurling during our voyage."

Robin gives me a disapproving frown. "Jack, don't jinx it."


"Quite the bustling little town." Robin remarks in pleasant surprise as we enter town proper.

"The harvest must've just come in." Chrom notes. "I wager there's some good eating to be had!"

"Count me in!" Lissa cheers. "It's been days since I had a proper meal!"

Seeing as we're an army visiting, we decide to split up into smaller groups and find different places for our meals. Not only will this spread the workload over the whole town instead of having one place serve all of us, it allows us to cover more ground in our search for supplies to restock on. Considering the harvest season, we're bound to find some good stuff to restock our convoy.

I decided to take my family on a nice lunch at a tavern, just the four of us. I'm about to greet the owner when I hear screaming.

"AAAHH!"

"It's- It's Jack the Ripper! He's returned for another killing spree!"

"Quickly! Hide the children before he sees us!"

"Oh gods, have mercy on us! I beg of you; deliver us from this menace!"

The tavern is shut and barred within a minute. Another one, and the whole street is empty.

"Father?" Morgan asks uneasy. "Were they referring to you?"

I scratch my head. "I…don't think so. Even if they did, they got my epithet wrong."

I search with Mind's eye in hopes of finding someone who might still be around. I find a young man…hiding behind some crates by a merchant's stall? Well, better than nothing.

I walk up to the crates and take a look behind them. Yep, the guy's still there, shaking like he's having a fever.

"Hey, mind telling me what's going on in this town?" I ask him.

The young man looks up at me in horror before he scrambles away with a shout of terror.

"NOOO! I beg of you! Spare my life!"

Robin looks after the running youth bewildered. Then she turns to me. "Jack, what did you do in this town?"

I throw my hands in the air in frustration. "I don't know! This is the first time I set foot in this place, and people treat me like I'm some crazy serial killer!"

What in the world is going on in this town?!

To be continued


Morgan's character sheet

Morgan Lvl 34 Class: Tactician (All stats + 3 %)
Robin's son from the future. A cheerful boy who admires his mother deeply and aspires to follow in her footsteps by becoming a master tactician. He suffers from amnesia to the point that he only has clear memories of his mother and vague recollections of the rest of his family. Curiously enough, losing his memory hasn't dulled his skills in the slightest. Under Jack's tutelage, he has developed a skillset similar to a wilder of the Force. The cuddliest papa bear.
Born on May 4
th.

Titles: Dedicated student (+ 8 % EXP for character level and skills)

HP: 4 841 / 4 841 (4 700 * 1.03)
MP: 2 781 / 2 781 (2 700 * 1.03)

STR: 43 (29 * 1.44 * 10.3)
VIT: 38.6 (26 * 1.44 * 1.03
DEX: 22.7 (22 * 1.03)
INT: 41.2 (40 * 1.03)
WIS: 28.2 (19 * 1.44 * 1.03)
CHAR: 15.5 (15 * 1.03)
LUCK: 18.5 (18 * 1.03)

ITEMS:
Lightsaber (Equipped)
Elthunder

Skills:

Sword mastery, Lvl 41 [28 %], Passive
The sword is quite possibly the most well-known weapon in history, often being depicted as the weapon of choice by hero and villain alike or even as a symbol of power. While swords generally deal less damage than other weapons, they make up for it by being easier to wield.
Increases attack speed and attack power by 205 % when attacking with a sword or dagger of any kind.

Lightning mastery, Lvl 34 [56 %], Passive
The power of lightning has been an object of awe and fear in the eyes of humanity for millennia. The physics behind small static discharges are the very same that govern the nigh unstoppable and unpredictable thunderbolts that tear the very sky asunder. Harnessing the power of this ethereal element has therefore been a dream only the boldest of humans could even dream of; a dream come true only after generations of research, pioneering and literally putting life on the line. Those who succeed in taming this blindingly fast and destructive element can pierce through virtually any defense – provided they can maintain control. Remember: the same power that can strike your enemies without mercy can strike back at you in the same way.
Increases damage dealt with lightning-element magic by 170 %. The cost of all lightning-element skills is reduced by 11 %.
Mastered spells:
Thunder
Thundara
Thundaga
Thunder hand

Telekinesis, Lvl 50 [10 %], Active, Cost: 1 MP = 70 Newtons of force
An ability only available to those with a strong mind. By using the energy known as mana, the user can manipulate anything that has substance and mass by using their mind as if it were an extension of their body. The cost of this skill depends on how much force the user exerts on an object. The higher the skill level, the more force can be exerted for the same amount of mana.

Meditation Lvl 33 [41 %], Passive/Active, Cost: 0 MP
The art of relaxing and focusing the mind has been practiced in certain cultures for millennia, enabling the user to sharpen their focus and clear the mind from distracting elements. This kind of focus allows you to draw out strength in ways that were previously unavailable to you. Passively increases STR, VIT and WIS by 44 %. While active, increases HPR and MPR by 165 %. This skill cannot be active during combat.

Mind's eye, Lvl 1 [0.0 %], Active, Cost: 10 MP
The human body is said to perceive the world through five separate senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. There are even rumors of a sixth sense, separate from the other five. But this one is none of the above mentioned. By using your ability to project a mental force on objects outside yourself, you can use that very mental contact to perceive the objects as if you used your sense of touch, except there's no need for physical contact. The Byakugan ain't got s-it on this! Range: 3 meters.


Preview of the next chapter:

Frederick: Milord, it would seem you have been impersonated.

Lucina: By whom? And where can I find the dastard?!

Cordelia: Chrom? I think our eldest daughter is getting a bit…murderous.

Severa: Yeah, Lucina's always been fangirling over Daddy in secret.

*Cynthia swoops in with her lance at the ready*

Cynthia: I finally found you, impersonator of Prince Chrom! Prepare to taste justice!

Sumia: But our Chrom's the real one. I mean, how can you fake those dashing looks?

*Chrom shows off his majestic character without even trying*

Cynthia: Seems legit…

Next time on Gamer Emblem Awakening:

Notice me, Sensei! Fake Shepherds vs real Shepherds!

Jack: I'm gonna sue those punks' pants off for copyright infringement. Now, where can I find a phone to call Edgeworth?


Omake: JOE (Jack's Outrealm Escapades), Vol 1: Jan-Ken-Pain

Jack and Severa face each other on deck, each with one hand reared back, and the other hand placed on top of it. On an unspoken signal, both tense and bring their hands down in a chopping motion.

"Jan-Ken-Pon!" teacher and student shout in sync.

Jacks' hand shows scissors. Severa's shows rock.

Severa smirks and readies her hand again. "Look the other way!"

Jack points to the left. Severa points down. The red-haired princess clicks her tongue.

"One more round…" Severa demands with an annoyed scowl.

"Sure thing."

They both get ready. Unspoken signal, chopping motion.

"Jan-Ken-Pon!"

Severa's hand reveals rock. Jack's reveals paper.

Severa growls and gets ready.

"Look the other way!"

Severa looks up. When she looks back down, she sees Jack pointing up. Jack flicks her on the forehead.

"Ow! Dang it, Sensei, stop outplaying me all the time!" the Mercenary complains.

Jack crosses his arms smirking. "You have much to learn, my dear student."

"What are you two doing?" Lucina asks as she approaches the pair.

"It's a simple childrens' game that I learned while I grew up." Jack explains. "You get to choose between three options; rock, paper and scissors. Each one beats another, which means every option can win. It's a matter of picking the option that beats you opponent's choice."

The blue-haired princess raises an eyebrow. "I do not particularly mind a few games, but what good will this do for Severa's training?"

"Sensei says it's for helping me think on my feet." Severa explains. "Imagine replacing those three options with, say, swords, axes and lances. Each kind of weapon is good against another of the three, right?"

Lucina nods. "Right. That's why Father always tells us to be careful around enemy lance wielders."

"Well, this game kind of works like that." Jack continues. "Basically, I'm using this game to train Severa in responding quickly and effectively when she faces an enemy. Say that she wins the initial clash. That gives her an opening to attack. However, her opponent will obviously try to retreat and get in a better position. On the other hand, Severa can capitalize on that and chase down her adversary for a decisive blow. Or, if we reverse the positions, Severa needs to know how to dodge the enemy giving chase so she can get in a more favorable position if she loses the initial clash. It's like sparring, only less violent."

"Speak for yourself." Severa grumbles while rubbing her forehead. "Those flicks hurt."

Lucina perks up at the explanation. "So that's what the part where you point in a direction is for! It's the chase part."

Jack nods smiling. "Exactly. If Severa can look in another direction than the one I point in, she's safe. But if she loses, that counts as her enemy managing to catch her and deal a blow in. This game is to train her for these exact situations."

"And I still think this is a stupid exercise." Severa points out. "I mean, this is basically a game of luck, isn't it?"

Jack shakes his head. "It's a lot deeper than that, Severa. Like I said, you have much to learn."

The red-headed princess raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Then how did you become so good at this game, Jack-sensei?"

Jack thinks back on when he tried it out himself.

Flashback

Jack and Goku stood outside the saiyan's house, both in the ready stance. Both fighters glared intensely, waiting for the unspoken signal.

The glares got sharper. Hands came down in chopping motions.

"Jan-Ken-Pon!"

Jack's hand revealed paper. Goku's revealed scissors.

Jack blinked before he got ready.

"Look the other way!" Goku shouted.

Instead of any conventional way, Jack turned his neck, so he looked behind him. The Reaper smirked and turned back, expecting a surprised look on Goku's face. Instead, he found the Saiyan pointing in the very direction he looked.

Jack's face went blank. "Ah."

Goku grinned, took aim…

*Ka-Bram!*

and flicked Jack right into a boulder.

Chichi rubbed her temples. "Goku, I told you to take it easy on the poor fellow! He hasn't gone through the same kind of crazy training that you do every day!"

Goku raised his arms in apology. "Sorry about that, Chichi! I held back as much as I could! Honest."

Then Goku blinked. "Uh, maybe we should check if he's okay. Hey, Jack! You all right?"

"Owww…" a voice groaned painfully under a small pile of rubble with feet sticking out of it.

That was the first of many times Jack would practice the art of Jan-Kan-Pon at the Son household.

Flashback end

A shudder runs down Jack's spine. "The same way I have honed every other skill I have, Severa; A training regimen where I put my life on the line."


New skills:

Ursus shock, Lvl 15 [21 %], Active, Cost: 950 MP
A technique originally developed by Bartholomew Kuma, the Tyrant. A large bubble of air is compressed to a fraction of its size between the caster's hands. This builds up an enormous amount of pressure inside the air bubble. When released, the equalization in pressure will result in a shockwave very similar to a bomb. The more air used in this attack, the stronger and bigger the shockwave. Make sure to keep a safe distance from the epicenter, or get blown off your feet yourself.
Base damage: 10 500 % of the caster's INT. Element: Wind. This skill ignores all defenses and resistances.

Overprotective Daddy Mode, Lvl MAX, Active, Cost: 0 MP
Every doting father knows that his little angel is too good for whatever sleaze of a man who tries to get fresh with her. Being the responsible parent that you are, it naturally falls on your shoulders to put that SoB in his place and show him just how far out of his league your daughter is. If possible, you can also let your wife in on the action, especially if she can get creative with a sausage, a pair of nuts and whatever she can find in the kitchen drawer.
All damage dealt increases by 100 % as long as this skill is active. This skill can only activate if a threat against your daughter is perceived.


Jack's encyclopedic corner

Scourge of the sea, Title
You have become the embodiment of everything sailors fear. With the very ocean seemingly on your side, anyone who dares oppose you at sea will meet a gruesome end in its unforgiving waves or by your own hand. Your prowess in naval combat is unmatched, plain and simple. You're still susceptible to scurvy unless you plan your diet, though.
All damage dealt increases by 30 % during naval battles.

Tot B-Gon, Tome, Very rare
A tome designed specifically to combat women. Even stranger, there's a spell written inside that only works on females. Other than that, it basically functions like an ordinary spell tome. While the circumstances surrounding the crafting remain a mystery, scholars generally conclude that the maker had some kind of grudge against the female population.
Damage dealt to females increases by 50 %.
Skill available when wielded: THOT slayer.

Lightsaber, Sword, Base damage: 80, Unique
This version of the iconic weapon from a galaxy far, far away is powered by channeling mana through its hilt. The intricate system of rune circles inside will conduct and amplify the mana to the point that a blade of plasma forms from the end of the hilt. While powerful enough to slash through wood like a hot knife through butter, flesh has a remarkable resistance towards being seared by the plasma blade. Wield with care, and may the Force be with you.
Element: Fire. Damage done against non-living targets is increased by 100 %. This weapon has a maintenance cost to remain active after being drawn. Maintenance cost: 10 MP/minute.

Arpeggio, Miscellaneous, Base damage: 50, Unique
The signature weapon of Demyx, the Melodious Nocturne. While it looks like a curiously shaped sitar at first glance, this musical instrument is infused with powerful water magic. Depending on the tunes played, Arpeggio can manipulate the water in an existing source nearby and even summon water wherever the wielder pleases. Stick to the beat, and the water will dance for you. It's showtime!
Water-element magic deals 100 % more damage. The cost of all water-elemental skills is reduced by 90 %. Increases proficiency with water-elemental skills by 50.
Skill available when wielded: Water clone countdown.


Yes, yes, I know Morgan's canon birth date is May 5th, not the 4th. I just added it for that extra Star Wars reference.

I'm not sure how many of you have noticed, but the names Jack's Union Strikes are references on their own. The ones he performs with Robin, Lon'qu and Nowi are all names of Pokémon moves. As for the one with Lucina; Well, anyone familiar with competetive Super Smash Bros. Melee should be familiar with it. It ain't Falco, but it still works. Somehow.

During my first playthrough of Awakening, I had problems finding out who I would pair Lon'qu with. Based on the silhouettes of his potential support partners, I figured that the last one would be a Wyvern rider, and with luck, it would be a woman. So when Cherche stepped in, my first thought was "Hey, Lon'qu! I found your wife!". I've never regretted that decision even once. Not only do they complement each other well on the battlefield due to their respective support bonuses, their support conversations gave me a peek both into Lon'qu's past and Cherche's caring side.

Lon'qu has one of the most subtle character developments that I've seen in Awakening. If you pay attention to his behavior in his support conversations with the female Shepherds, you'll notice that he's less uncomfortable the later his support partner joins in the story. From what I can gather, this implies that Lon'qu gradually gets used to the presence of women, mainly because he's forced to constantly hang around with them as a member of the Shepherds. For example, Lissa joins you from the beginning, and Lonqu starts out by hardly wanting to poke the princess with a ten-foot pole. On the other hand, when he speaks with Tharja, Lon'qu manages to keep his cool all the way through (though that can partially be explained due to Tharja's own personality). By the time Cherche joins, it's been two years since the war against Plegia. That's ample time for Lon'qu to get over his fear of women, provided he stuck around the Shepherds' barracks during the whole timeskip.

So when Lon'qu initiates his support with Cherche, he's come far enough that he can speak with a woman without issue. And it's for this very reason that Cherche can help the swordsman work through his troubled past. I think that's the single best part of Lon'qu's writing, and a big reason why Cherche is my first pick for Lon'qu's wife. The guy who, at first, was so afraid of women has finally tamed his fear, and now he's ready to face their root cause, like it or not. And through the whole process, Cherche patiently walks with him, and helps him find the closure he's needed for all those years. And when Lon'qu finally reaches the end of the road, he emerges with an emotional strength he never had before, all thanks to Cherche's gentle care and diligence. And the best way he can think of putting that strength to use is to remain by Cherche's side, just like she did for him. Lon'qu's and Cherche's love story is one of facing your past, finding redemption, and the effect one caring heart can have for another. That's what I love so much about their pairing. I never regret pairing these two up, because I know they'll remain loyal to each other until death separates them.

Some of you who have read earlier versions of the previous chapters may find Libra's conversation with Emmeryn a bit weird – as in, their relationship doesn't seem to have progressed as far as my earlier writing would indicate. Long story short, I decided to rewrite the part about the War Monk's and exalt's relationship mentioned in chapter 14 by simply removing it. Sometime while writing this chapter, I felt like I wanted to flesh out their relationship a bit more, hence the scene where they talk at the docks before the Ylissean league sets sail. I hope this rewritten version gives a better reading experience compared to the short mention in chapter 14 that I previously wrote.

That will be all for now. Until next time.

VipeR out.