ok so
when I said this chapter would be heavily Lucina centric... I decided to make it ENTIRELY Lucina centric. chapter after this will be 100% Falcon centric (albeit a bit shorter probably), then it'll have both share focuses until their paths converge again.
This title is based on the translation to "Saihyou", one of Chihaya's image songs from Idolmaster. Just look up the lyrics, omg they're perfect for Lucina at this point in the story
(also Chihaya deadass looks like Lucina and Miki like Fiora ngl)
Oh aaaaand there'll be a surprise cameo from a character I'd like to see in Smash. They already exist as a Spirit in Ultimate, but I believe the only true deconfirmations are Bosses. Anyone else? Go nuts. Also there's been like several placeholder character slots datamined, and like 15 currently for World of Light, so who's to say we can't see more characters past the 5 in the Fighter Pass?
Hiding in my Skin, Broken from Within
Chapter 11 - Diamond Dust
After her bath, Lucina was carried from the indoor baths to her bedroom, dressed in a fresh, clean nightgown. Cordelia laid her into bed, sitting her upright, as Cherche brought over a tray with her lunch and set it on Lucina's lap. After Cherche left, Cordelia pulled up a chair and sat close to Lucina. After the future Exalt finished her lunch, Cordelia asked her, "How was it?"
"It was great," Lucina answered Cordelia with a smile. "I've missed this...all of it."
"I can imagine," Cordelia said. "You said...you were going to tell me why you decided to return here all of a sudden?"
"Oh...that," Lucina sighed, her face bearing a somewhat melancholy expression. "I said I'd tell you... Don't tell anyone else except Lissa just yet, okay?"
"I swear on my Shepherd honor," Cordelia reassured her.
"Thanks," Lucina thanked the red-haired Pegasus Knight. "Anyway... there was a recent Smash tournament that ended in an incident that left me injured. After I recovered, I decided to go training off world to try to become stronger after I recovered. During the journey, that...man joined me. As you know, I grew closer to him the more time we spent together. But... some things happened along the way."
"Such as...?" Cordelia inquired. Noticing Lucina's face bearing a pained expression, Cordelia placed her hand on Lucina's shoulder in an attempt to console her. "It's okay. You can tell me...don't worry."
Taking a deep breath, Lucina continued, "When I left for my training journey with that man, I promised myself I would get stronger for the sake of everyone in Smash City, including my friends, my family, and myself. I held in my heart the hope that by the next tournament, my father would finally get his chance as well. But...during our journey, I met a former participant in the tournaments, who seemed like he had lost all hope of returning. He told me that...there's a chance anyone will have to go at any time, and there's no guarantee they'll return... And on top of that... I got too cocky when I tried to save a lot of people from one of that man's sworn enemies..."
"And...?"
"And..." Fighting back her urge to shed tears, she continued, her voice starting to crack, "I... suffered such a disgraceful defeat at his hands... and was tortured so cruelly in front of my trainer. He must have...seen me as weak in that moment...just like how I felt after my incident at the tournament."
"Lucina... if he took the time to train you, he must have seen potential in you."
"He did," Lucina replied. "In fact... he seemed so proud of me as I progressed in my training. No, he was. I could tell he was genuine about it. But... he made me realize after he rescued me that... I wasn't ready. Even in spite of all my training. He said that his nemesis was out of my league..."
"I think... he just wanted to protect you," Cordelia tried to console Lucina. "You told me at the bath that you two got off on the wrong foot when you met. I can tell both of you put it behind you, so he was probably just trying to keep your best interests in mind."
"Maybe..." Sighing, Lucina continued, closing her eyes as she spoke, "But...it's too late now. I jumped to conclusions. I let my bruised pride get in the way of his voice of reason...that, combined with the uncertainty of whether I'd be called for another tournament, and the whole situation with his ex... I just... I couldn't face it anymore. I figured if I'm to leave Smash City soon, I might as well get used to it now."
Even so... She thought, looking away briefly. I feel like I'm just wandering lost at this point, really. I don't want to return to my future just yet, knowing it'll be the same ruined future I come from... but it doesn't feel right here, either. I feel like... I don't belong anywhere.
"I'm...sure that's not what you really want, though," Cordelia tried to encourage her. "Don't you want to see him, and your friends, again? If there's a chance your father will be chosen next tournament, don't you want to share that joy with him and congratulate him?"
"I do..." Lucina said, looking at Cordelia. "But...I don't know how I can put all this behind me."
"You can talk to us," Cordelia offered her. "We'll always be here for you."
"Thanks..." Lucina said before coughing. "I...think I should sleep on this...maybe I'll feel better when I wake up."
"I suppose that's my cue," Miriel announced, walking in with a bottle of medicine.
"Miriel...?" Cordelia questioned, turning her gaze to Miriel.
"I could not help but overhear," Miriel clarified. Turning to Lucina, she told the future Exalt, "You were always the type to be hard set in her ways. That can be a good thing, like your determination to save your father and the future. But it can also be a bad thing, like how you're thinking now."
"Miri-" Lucina began to interject, but was interrupted by another cough.
Walking over to the ill swordswoman, Miriel smiled compassionately as she told Lucina, "I know you work hard to make things better for everyone around you, and whenever you fail after doing your very best, you feel like your world just crumbles. It's a natural human emotion. But... please, it's not healthy to take things out on yourself. You can seek advice from us. And know that nothing bad lasts forever...just give it time. I am confident the situation will improve."
"You... think so?" Lucina uttered weakly, turning to Miriel.
"Indeed," Miriel confirmed. "Once you get better, you can change back into your clothes. We managed to get them cleaned and dried like new. Although... when we cleaned your sword, we could not help but notice some bloodstains on it..."
"Ah?!" Lucina gasped, her face bearing a shocked expression. "That's... when I was training, I slayed a few indigenous beasts."
That's only half the truth... She thought. I can't possibly tell them that... I plunged it through the abdomen of Falcon's nemesis, even though I avoided his vitals... why do I still have to hide the truth from everyone...?
"...That makes sense," Miriel conceded after a pause. "In any case, you appear as though you could use some much deserved rest. You've been through a lot." Walking to the table on the side of the room, she poured some medicine into the spoon and walked back to Lucina with the spoon in hand. Without Miriel saying anything, Lucina opened her mouth, after which Miriel administered the medicine.
"Thank you, everyone..." Lucina murmured, lying down and resting her head on the soft pillow below her.
"Anytime," Cordelia answered her. "Just rest well..."
As Miriel and Cordelia left the room, closing the door behind them, Lucina looked at the ceiling as drowsiness began to overtake her and her eyelids grew heavier with each passing second.
I hate it... she thought, tears flooding her eyes. I hate that... I still have to keep the truth from those I care about. But... She could barely stay awake as these last few thoughts slipped into her mind.
If I told them the whole truth, I have a feeling they would leave me...that I would truly be all alone. I...really...don't want that... With a sigh, she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks as she drifted off to sleep.
...
"Lucina...?"
Lucina found herself at Mute City once again, standing in the rain, holding an umbrella. Captain Falcon stood before her under the Dollars Lounge's awning.
Captain... She thought. I wish I could tell you the truth... about everything... I'm sorry about that day. Please, I need you... I love you. Don't leave me.
"Captain... I've failed you. I've failed everyone."
No...! She thought as her dream self refused to convey her thoughts to the Captain. Please... I don't want to say goodbye to someone like him again...
"I have no choice...but to leave. I can't face anyone in Smash City like this... I don't even know if I'll be chosen for the next tournament, anyway."
"Lucina, please..." Falcon pleaded. "You don't know for sure if that's how things will turn out... don't you want to see your friends and family again?"
"I do," Lucina answered him solemnly. "But... I know it's impossible now. I can't face them...not like this..."
Please...stop...it's too painful...
Just like that day, Lucina dropped the umbrella, letting the rain drench her completely, unable to stop the events from repeating as she felt her body was on autopilot. Looking at the man she loved, but was too afraid to admit her feelings to, square in the eye, she said:
"Farewell..."
Almost immediately, the Captain seemed to vanish into thin air.
"Captain!?" Lucina cried. Running to the spot he once stood at, she shouted, "Captain, no...!" Collapsing to her knees in the rain and burying her face in her hands, she began to weep. "Please...come back... I don't want to be alone..."
After a while, she heard the rain stop. Lifting her gaze, she noticed her surroundings changed to a dark miasma. "...What?"
Such a dark, dark heart... A mysterious voice spoke in her mind. So full of hopelessness and despair... pushing those she loves away... truly beautiful.
"What?!" Lucina exclaimed. She could feel an ancient, dark energy coursing through her as she stood against her will, her body surrounded by a dark aura. "What is going on?!" Soon, all became clear to her. Standing before her was Captain Falcon, his body surrounded by an aura of light. But this light did not seem welcoming...it seemed oppressive. Behind him were prismatic, metallic "wings" of some sort.
"No...!" She cried as he dashed toward her. "Please, Captain! I don't want to hurt you...!" Without her realizing it, she raised her sword, swinging it down and hearing his cry of agony.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!" Lucina awoke with a shout, panting, her face sweating. Sitting up and looking around, she saw she was in the safety of her bedroom at Ylisse's castle, letting out a small sigh of relief at the realization.
"How long has it been...since I've had a nightmare like that...?" She thought aloud. "What could it even mean...?" Remembering the prismatic wings surrounding Captain Falcon, and the voice that whispered in her head, she wondered, "And...what were those things...?" She began to shift over to climb out of bed, but then said to herself, "I shouldn't... they'll know if I tried to get into the library. Plus, I don't think I've fully recovered yet... this isn't like how it was at Smash Tower."
Zelda...Robin...Shulk... I miss them too, she thought solemnly, recalling her life at Smash Tower. Looking out the window, she saw the night sky alight with stars that shimmered ethereally like diamond dust.
How pretty... She thought. It's strange, but those shimmering stars...fill me with a strange sense of hope. I know time passes slower off world than it does in Smash City, but I wonder if my friends or family are looking at this same starry sky right now, wherever they are...maybe...he's looking at it too. Laying back down, she thought, I don't want to have to keep hiding my true feelings... I don't want to keep crying for no reason. I... want to get over these feelings of worthlessness, self-doubt, and guilt. The only person I want to say farewell to is the person I used to be, who would shed tears all the time. I want to believe in that first step... Within seconds, she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
...
Morning came as sunlight sifted through the windows and birds chirped. Lucina slowly opened her eyes, yawning and stretching her arms before sitting up. "Morning already... I don't feel the slightest trace of the cold anymore. That's great..." She mumbled. Just then, she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she called out.
Slowly opening the door, Lissa called out, "How are you feeling, Lucina?"
"I feel much better," Lucina answered her earnestly. "I believe it's been a whole week since I first arrived here..."
"It has," Lissa confirmed. "Just hang tight. I'll bring your clothes here."
"Thank you..."
Within a few minutes, Lissa returned with Lucina's clothing and the Falchion in its sheath. "Here they are," Lissa said, laying the clothing out on the bed before walking out to give Lucina privacy as she dressed. After she put on her clothes, Lucina stepped out of the room. Looking at Lissa, she said, "Thank you... Aunt Lissa."
"...Aunt...?" Lissa questioned, slightly surprised but giggling afterwards. "You've never called me that before, Lucina."
"I...just wanted to express gratitude for all the royal family has done for me, even though I come from a different timeline as all of you..." Looking down for a moment and holding her hand to her chest, Lucina continued with a slightly wistful expression, "I don't want to take anything for granted anymore."
"Where's this coming from...?" Lissa asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"Miriel or Cordelia told you why I'm here, right?"
"I believe so," Lissa answered Lucina. "The important parts, at least. I must ask, though... why here? Why not your future?"
"I... don't want to return to that bleak future just yet," Lucina clarified. "I only ensured this timeline would be safe, but it wouldn't change my future. And for the time being... I wanted to be around people and things that make me happy."
"I see..." Lissa said, looking to the side for a moment. "I guess...you came here specifically so you wouldn't have to face your parents?"
"Yes..." Lucina sighed. "I still love my father and mother. But... considering what happened to me, I don't want them to know I've let them down..."
"I'm sure they don't think that," Lissa tried to reassure her. "I remember when you were first accepted into the Smash tournaments, your father... my brother couldn't be more proud of you."
"Even though... he couldn't participate?" Closing her eyes briefly, Lucina pondered, And I know Fiora told me my father was proud of me when he heard of my training journey starting. But... I wonder if he knew I was training with the Captain...
"Just seeing his daughter show her strength and prove herself was enough," Lissa reassured her. "I'm sure he would also be content knowing that no matter what, you never stopped doing your best. I'd imagine your mother and brother would feel the same."
"Perhaps..." Lucina said, looking up at the ceiling. She frowned as she thought, I know things aren't always the worst case scenario like I keep thinking they'll be. Why then... why do I keep thinking the worst and taking it out on myself, after all I've accomplished...? What's wrong with me?
"Something wrong, Lucina?" Lissa asked her niece from the future.
"N-nothing," Lucina stammered, making eye contact with Lissa. "I... think I want to take a little walk around town."
"Okay," Lissa said cheerfully with a nod. "I'll be here if you want to talk!"
"Thank you, Lissa..."
...
After exiting the castle and walking into the town of Ylisstol, Lucina was surprised to see a familiar face greet her in the town square.
"...Morgan...?"
Noticing Lucina standing a short distance away, Morgan jubilantly shouted, "Sis!" and ran to his older sister, hugging her tightly once he caught up with her.
"I've missed you too, my dear brother," Lucina said with a smile, hugging Morgan back. "What brings you here?"
"You...promise not to tell mom or dad?" Morgan asked shyly, letting her go.
"As long as you didn't try to use father's Falchion to slice an apple like you did that one time with mine," Lucina jested, making a teasing gesture with her left hand.
"Ha-ha, very funny, sis," Morgan grumbled, puffing his cheeks as Lucina giggled, before bursting into laughs himself. "Anyway, it's been a long time since we all saw you in Smash City, and I mean a very long time. And you know me, sis. I can't sit still and wait too long, so I snuck over to the off world teleporter center, and saw you were here, so I decided to drop by."
"That's really nice of you, Morgan," Lucina told him, patting him affectionately on the head. "How are father and mother?"
"They're fine," Morgan answered his sister. "They miss you a lot, you know? And..."
"And...?" Lucina held her right hand to her mouth quizzically.
"Dad...he... he finally got his chance. He's joining Smash!" Morgan's face lit up as he said that, grinning excitedly as his eyes sparkled with excitement.
"R-really...?!" Lucina gasped, fighting the urge to shed tears of joy.
"Yeah! Part of the reason I came here is because I wanted to let you know and ask if you wanted to congratulate him!"
"I..." Lucina hesitated, looking down. "I... shouldn't. Not until I... complete my training."
I have to hide the truth from my own baby brother, too...?
"I understand," Morgan said, sounding a bit dejected. "You really wanted to dedicate yourself to that cause, and you're sticking to it. I really admire that, you know? Once you're ready, you can return to Smash City and congratulate him. I'm sure he'll be even happier when he sees how much you've improved." Looking around, Morgan then commented, "But... you were training with a partner, right? Where are they?"
"Ah..." Lucina softly gasped. "I... decided to take a bit of a break from training. It... gets to be tiring after a while."
Again... that's only half right...
"I see," Morgan replied. "I'm sure I'll run into them here. It's gotta be someone from Smash City, right?"
"Yes." Glancing to the side, Lucina thought, But eventually... Morgan will realize who was training me, and that... he's not here with me right now.
"What's wrong, sis?" Morgan asked Lucina.
"...Nothing," Lucina answered him. "I figured taking time to unwind in familiar territory would be a nice change of pace. Why don't we have a bit of a walk around town?"
"Sounds fun!" Morgan cheered. "Lead the way, sis!"
As they began walking, Lucina thought, Heh... I'm doing the exact same thing Falcon did when we trained together... I'm getting lost in thought more often, and people are noticing... Frowning slightly, she continued to ponder, It's funny. I always try to put on this air of self confidence and calmness to others, and I make sure not to neglect my physical well being. But there's still an ache in my heart...an emptiness... why...?
...
An hour had passed. Lucina and Morgan would visit the various shops in the town, grabbing lunch from one of their favorite establishments, and passing by a few stores, including a clothing store, during which Morgan witnessed his sister's infamous fashion sense, or lack thereof, in action while she eyed some articles of clothing. As they walked out, they heard two familiar voices calling out to them.
"Lucina! Morgan!"
"Cynthia...?" Lucina asked.
"Hey, Owain!" Morgan called out.
"Cynthia, Owain," Lucina greeted her fellow comrades from the future. "Good to see you're well. I guess you didn't return to the future after Grima was slain either?"
"Well, you wanted to stay for a while after defeating Grima, Lucina," Cynthia explained. "Shortly after, you and your mother were approached to participate in the next Smash tournament, and Morgan didn't want to return to the future without you."
"And if Morgan stays, we stay," Owain bragged. "The Justice Cabal sticks together, no matter what!"
"Heehee..." Lucina giggled. "Thanks, guys."
I have so much to be thankful for... family, and friends. But... for some reason... I still don't feel completely happy.
"Anyway, what were you guys up to?" Cynthia asked.
"We were just having a stroll around town," Lucina answered Cynthia. "Care to join us?"
"Sure!" Cynthia said cheerfully.
"Eh, I could kill some time," Owain obliged with a shrug.
After the four walked around town some more, conversing about various things as they walked, Owain commented as he saw a certain someone in the distance, "Hey, isn't that...?"
"Heeeeey! Tikiiiii!" Cynthia called out to the green haired Manakete enthusiastically.
"Mar-Mar! Everyone!" Tiki called out to the group, waving before walking over.
"Tiki, what have I told you about calling me Mar-Mar?" Lucina said with a slight chuckle. "But it's good to see you again."
"My apologies, Lucina," Tiki apologized with a bow. "I guess, as the saying goes, old habits die hard...right?"
"I suppose." Running her hand through her hair as the wind blew gently by, Lucina asked Tiki, "What brings you here, Tiki? Never expected to see you in town of all places."
"Good question." Glancing in the direction of the church, Tiki said, "I was just heading over to the church to pray to Naga for continued blessings and prosperity on this land...among other things."
"Sounds good," Lucina said with a nod. "I...think I want to pray too. For...different reasons."
"No worries," Tiki said with a reassuring smile. "Naga will guide everyone who prays to her." Turning to the others, she asked them, "Would anyone like to accompany us?"
"I'll pass," Owain declined Tiki's offer. "I've got other plans."
"I'll go!" Cynthia beamed. "There's some things I want to pray about, too."
"How about you, Morgan?" Lucina asked her younger brother.
"Hmm...if that's the case, I think I'll follow Owain around a bit," said Morgan after a moment of deep thought. "It's been too long since we hung out together."
"I understand," Lucina told them both. "Have fun, you two."
...
As the three women entered the church, they noticed Libra speaking to some townspeople praying at the altar, so they decided to find a pew close by and knelt down to pray. Waiting until Tiki and Cynthia closed their eyes, Lucina then closed hers, seeking a deep spiritual connection to the goddess.
Naga... She began praying in her mind. I don't want to feel the way I've been feeling as of late anymore. I feel...hopeless, worthless, perhaps even... like I do push away those I love... like I just run away from all my problems. It's not like me at all. I have so much to be thankful for, but... I keep doubting myself and thinking the worst will happen. I already did that when I ran away from... him... perhaps things would have been different if I'd only heard him out, but my jumping to conclusions and bruised pride got in the way.
Pausing for a moment, remembering her discussion with Young Link and how Captain Falcon offered to let himself be captured in exchange for her safety, Lucina then continued to pray as her mouth shaped itself into a slight frown, And...there's these feelings of uncertainty that weigh me down. Even though father was finally accepted into the Smash tournament, I worry I might not be there, or any of my friends might have to leave. Maybe... he might have to leave too. And... the biggest reason I ran away that day... was so I wouldn't risk losing him by him attempting to sacrifice himself for me again, and actually following through. I don't... want to lose people I love anymore... Please, Naga... I pray that you will set my thoughts straight...
Opening her eyes, Lucina then slowly stood in a way that wouldn't disturb Tiki or Cynthia from their prayer, and walked over to Libra, waiting until he finished conversing with a fellow believer at the altar.
"Excuse me...Libra?" She asked the devout priest of Naga once the person he was talking with walked away.
Slowly turning to the source of the familiar voice, Libra's face lit up with a soft, caring smile as he greeted her, "Greetings, Lucina. Is there anything burdening you lately?"
"I... as a matter of fact, there is," Lucina answered him somewhat regretfully, looking down with a forlorn expression as she held her clenched left hand to her chest. "I've been...very insecure lately, and finding that... I don't bounce back from things going wrong as easily as I used to. The only thing keeping my heart and mind from sinking into the despairing darkness within my soul... is obligation. Knowing that I have to at least carry out certain tasks just to get by. I often just feel like doing the opposite and staying in my room alone all day... I don't want to be reduced to that. But... I also feel like... I don't even deserve to have the company of others. Maybe I'm just afraid of losing them suddenly, but... There's a dark side within me that just... instills in me a desire to be alone so I don't hurt others unintentionally with my words or actions. But... I don't want to be alone at all..."
Placing his right hand on Lucina's shoulder in a comforting manner, Libra consoled her, "It seems you've been grappling with a lot. I can sympathize with your feelings of having a dark side to you that you want to hide. A part of you that is just not like you and goes against what you really believe. I can understand those feelings of emptiness and lacking motivation, too. I must ask...is there anything that brought this about?"
"Well..." Lucina hesitated, but then began, "I always hated the notion that I would have to one day say goodbye to people I cared about in any way. Because I lost my father when I was only a teenager, I tend to get attached to anyone who shows me kindness, so the thought that one day I'd never get to see them again...never get to talk to them or create memories with them again...it's too painful. I used to think spending as much time as I could with them would help alleviate those feelings, especially with my father, but... lately an uncertainty has been arising. As if...time's just running out regardless. I've...gotten so used to the joy of having them around, that the idea that it has to end sometime... I know everything comes to an end, but...why am I still sad about it?"
"Is it not better to have loved and lost, than never loved at all?" Tiki interrupted her.
"Tiki?" Lucina asked, turning her head to the green haired Manakete woman.
"Apologies, Lucina. I could not help but overhear," Tiki apologized, bowing slightly.
"It's fine," Lucina reassured her. "Where's Cynthia?"
"She told me she wanted to find Owain and Morgan and spend time with them. They are her two closest friends, after all," Tiki explained. "Anyway, I wanted to give my input, if you believe it would help you feel better."
"Yes?" Lucina questioned curiously.
Bearing a nostalgic expression on her face, Tiki began, "The fact that you tend to get attached to others... I can't help but be reminded of myself when I was younger those millennia ago. I bonded with the Hero-King Marth and his friends so easily, and I often have moments where I feel lonely without them... that I still live while they have passed into the great beyond. And someday, you and the others will do the same while I still remain. Such is the life of a Manakete, I suppose. Despite all that..." Closing her eyes as her mouth curled into a gratuitous smile, she continued, "I am still thankful for the memories I formed with them. Even though the lifespans of humans are transient compared to mine, the memories I make with them are irreplaceable and last forever. Just the fact that I experienced life with them makes me happy, so... that's why I want to continue making memories with everyone."
"If you put it like that, I suppose it makes sense," Lucina agreed with a nod.
Even so... She thought, glancing to the side sadly. What if... something happens that cuts your time with someone short? That you don't get to make all the memories you want to with them? That... you're not even ready to say goodbye? ...Heh. How ironic. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to him, and yet...
"Is something the matter?" Libra asked the Exalt.
"Libra...?" Lucina began, turning to the priest. "Tiki's words did help somewhat, but... I feel like there's still a lot burdening me that... I don't want to go too in depth about right now. I would appreciate if you could please pray for me."
"Of course," Libra obliged. "Naga's light will always shine her hope into the most darkened of souls. I pray you will find peace and happiness and overcome whatever burdens you."
"I shall pray too," Tiki added. "Remember, Lucina: you're never as alone as you think. And people do care about you. We're all thankful for you."
"Libra, Tiki...thank you both," Lucina said softly, wiping away tears from her eyes. "I must be going now. Take care, and may Naga watch over you."
"Same to you," Libra replied, waving as Lucina walked to the church doors. Tiki did the same.
After waving back to Libra and Tiki and looking ahead of her, Lucina pondered, Their conversations...I hate to say it, only helped a little bit. I still feel this emptiness and hopeless within me... I had to hide my true feelings from even them... Naga... please forgive me. Only you know my true heart.
...
The sun was beginning to set, the cloudless skies turning a dusky pink and town activity slowing to a crawl as shop owners were ready to go home for the day. After walking around Ylisstol for a few minutes, Lucina finally caught up with Morgan, Cynthia and Owain.
"Hey, sis!" Morgan called out with a smile.
"Hey, guys," Lucina greeted her brother and his friends. "I hope you all had fun."
"Yeah," Owain confirmed, then covering his mouth as he yawned. "It's getting late, though. I think I'll head back to the barracks."
"I think so too," Cynthia murmured, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "What about you, Morgan? You heading to the barracks, or...?"
"...I think I'll spend the night with Sis in the castle," Morgan answered her. "I'm sure she'd appreciate the company. She must have missed her dear little brother after training off world for so long!"
"Thanks, Morgan," Lucina said with a smile.
"Well, guess we're off," Owain announced. "See you guys later!"
"Bye!" Morgan said as he and Lucina waved Cynthia and Owain goodbye as they walked off. Turning to his sister, Morgan offered, "Shall we get going?"
"Sure," Lucina answered him as the two began to walk toward the castle.
The two siblings were only one-third on the way to the castle when Morgan began, "Say...Lucina? Can I ask you something?"
"...Yes?" Lucina asked, a slight apprehensive tone to her voice.
After a brief pause, Morgan dropped the figurative bomb with, "...Why'd you lie about your trainer being here...?"
Lucina gulped as she stopped walking, feeling her throat constrict a bit and her heart race. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and she started to tremble as she thought, Of course... he realized. He's my brother... I cannot hide anything from him.
"What's more," Morgan continued as he also stopped walking, his voice sounding concerned, "While I was still at Smash City, I saw many other Smashers around, except for one. By process of elimination, I found out who was training you."
"I..." Lucina timidly uttered, her anxiety rendering her unable to complete her sentence.
"...It's Captain Falcon, isn't it? He's your trainer, right?" Morgan inquired. "Why aren't you with him right now?"
Sighing, Lucina shamefully conceded, "I guess you know me too well, little brother."
"Please, sis," Morgan urged her. "Please don't hide anything from me anymore. You can tell me what's wrong."
"...Very well," Lucina obliged with a solemn facial expression, slowly turning to her brother. "I'll tell you...everything."
...
After hearing Lucina's story, Morgan concluded, "So...if I'm understanding correctly...you feel that you don't deserve to return to Smash City because of what happened to you...even though you know it wasn't your fault?"
"Is it, though?" Lucina asked, her voice sounding tense as she looked down, her eyes starting to flood with tears. "I just wanted to become stronger, to protect others better as well as myself, so I don't suffer a disgraceful defeat or lose anyone I love...and I let myself get cocky and just...blew it. What's more...there's no guarantee I'll stay in Smash City much longer. I was thinking of...heading back to my future at last. That bleak, lonely future... at least I'm content with how my time in Smash City turned out... I know nothing I could have done would have changed this outcome."
"I know that's not what you really want, sis..." Morgan implored, his visage turning sorrowful. "The Lucina I know wouldn't want to cut the time she has with those she loves short on her own volition. And... about the other thing... I overheard Shulk talking with Pit one day. He said that he heard Master Hand wanted all of the Smashers back for the next tournament. Everyone. That includes you, sis..."
"R...really...?" Tears began to gush down her face as her voice began to crack. Slowly tilting her gaze up to meet her brother's, she asked him, "Morgan...this time, I want to ask you something."
"Go on, sis..."
"Morgan... your intuition about me is spot on. I really don't feel like myself lately... I haven't for a while now. There's this emptiness within me, that I can't seem to regain the happiness I once had. And it feels like... I'm still wearing a mask. I hide my true feelings because I fear that if they really knew, if they saw the person they thought could overcome anything showing any sort of weakness, they would leave me... And with the Captain, I... despite how we met, I grew closer to him as we trained together." Sniffling for a bit as she wiped away her tears only for them to stream down her face again, she continued, "I'm not going to try to sugarcoat it. I fell in love with him. And yet...I... after that incident...so that he wouldn't try to sacrifice himself for me again... I pushed him away. I ran away from him. Him, the one I loved but to this day still don't have the heart to tell him how I feel..."
"Sis..." Morgan slowly drew closer to his anguished older sister.
"Tell me, Morgan..." Lucina pleaded tearfully, unable to repress the sorrow flooding her heart. "Do I have a dark heart? Do I really push others away...? Am I... weak? A burden...?"
"Sis...you're such a dummy." At that moment, Morgan tightly hugged Lucina. "You're one of the strongest, kindest, most determined people I've ever known in my life, Lucina. I am truly glad to be your younger brother. That's why it hurts to see you take it out on yourself like this..."
"M-Morgan..." Lucina hugged her brother back, her chest heaving as she sobbed, tears raining from her eyes.
"You remember how it was in the hospital that day, right? Everyone came to see you... even him. I noticed him standing by the door when me and my parents visited you, and that one evening, I thought I'd check in on you again when I saw him in your room, comforting you... None of us want you to suffer."
"Really...?" Lucina wiped her unceasing tears away with her left hand. She couldn't help but remember what Captain Falcon told her in the hospital that day.
"Everyone is worried about you...they see you trying to carry more than you can handle. They all care about you deeply...and...so do I...Circumstances that are out of our control get the best of each of us all the time...please...I ask of you...don't take it out on yourself..."
Captain... She thought. Your words...your kindness...they were such a blessing to me, and I took them all for granted. If I could see you right now... I would tell you I'm sorry...and that I love you. Please...wherever you are... I hope you can forgive me.
"Please, sis... Just know that it'll get better. I just know it. Just take it one day at a time, ok?" Briefly releasing Lucina from his embrace and waiting for her to do the same, he then reached into his pocket and pulled two flowers out.
"...Daisies?" Lucina asked, her tears slowly drying up. "My favorite flower..."
"Just for you, sis." He placed them in her right hand. "I love you, sis, and I'll be there for you no matter what."
"I love you too, my dear brother," Lucina declared, hugging her little brother close to her again for a few moments. Hearing the crows caw as the sun continued to set, she said after putting the daisies in her pocket, "Let's get to the castle before nightfall."
"Good idea," Morgan concurred. "I'll sleep in the guest room nearby, so if you need anything, just knock, okay?"
"Thank you, Morgan."
I feel like...a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders, She thought as she resumed walking, with Morgan following a distance behind her. But...once again...this feeling of emptiness doesn't seem to want to go away so easily... I worry it may overwhelm me again.
...
The next morning, Lucina was awoken in the early morning hours by yet another nightmare, one similar to the one she had the night before. Panting as she sat up, she murmured, "Again...? It barely showed anything new from last time, either...what could this mean?"
Slowly getting out of bed, she quietly opened the door after changing into her everyday clothes and walked over to the guest room Morgan slept in. Softly knocking at the door, she murmured as quietly as she could that only he could hear her, "Morgan...?"
Within a few seconds, Morgan quietly opened the door. "Sis...?" He whispered groggily, rubbing his eyes. "Why are you up so early...?"
"Could you...help me sneak into the library?"
"What for...?" Morgan was a bit confused.
"I'll explain when we're there."
...
After Morgan carefully picked the lock open, he and his sister entered the castle library. After quietly closing the door behind him, he asked Lucina, "What is it, sis? Why did you want to visit the library?"
Sighing, Lucina began, "Lately, I've been having a recurring nightmare...it involves a war between the forces of light and darkness. I am always chosen to be on the dark side, while... he... is on the light side. And...the light seems to be just as bad, if not worse, as the dark in this scenario."
"That's...a bit strange to be a recurring dream," Morgan murmured. "Anything else you recall?"
"In fact, there is," Lucina confirmed. "There's always these...strange, floating, metallic wings with a iridescent surface, like an opal...is there anything in our legends that details of a being with such characteristics?"
"I'm not sure..." Morgan muttered. "I'll lead you to where we can look."
The siblings looked through the library, finding the section on legends native to Ylisse and their world as a whole, but finding nothing on what Lucina described. They then left the library, leaving the section as they found it by putting all the books back, and locking the door on the side they were exiting from before closing it on the other side, effectively making it as though the library was never snuck into.
"That was...disappointing," Lucina murmured dejectedly.
"So...what now, sis?" Morgan asked his sister quietly.
"I..."
I don't want Morgan to get involved... I don't want to lose anyone else, in any way...
"Morgan... I think I need a little more time to think about what I'm going to do from here on out. And... for that, I need to do it alone..."
Forgive me, my dear little brother.
"Sis..." Morgan's face bore a sorrowful expression. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself well enough," She tried to reassure him. "Just don't tell anyone else, promise?"
"Okay..." Morgan agreed reluctantly. "Know that I love you, sis... and everyone misses you."
"I know..." Lucina quietly embraced Morgan. "Tell father I'm beyond happy he finally got his chance... and that I'm sorry I can't be there right now. Just... tell him I'm still training."
"O-okay..." Morgan said. "Where will you be going, though?"
"For now...I just want to clear my head a little more," Lucina answered her younger brother. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the two daisies Morgan gave her the other day, and gave one to him.
"Lucina...?"
"Think of it as a reminder of me while I'm away. I'll keep the other one and think of you wherever I am..."
"Of course..." Morgan said. "I'll take good care of it."
"Thank you," Lucina replied with a somewhat wistful smile. "And thank you, also, for reminding me that I'm never alone. I...really needed that."
"You...look like something's still bothering you," Morgan commented. "Is there something else on your mind?"
"...I'm fine. Just...putting things into perspective," Lucina said, slowly turning away and starting to walk. "Take care, little brother."
"Sis..." Morgan murmured sadly as Lucina slowly walked away.
I did it again, She thought as she quietly snuck out of the castle. I hid the truth from someone I love...how much longer will I have to do this?
...
After using the off world teleporter again, Lucina found herself at her destination: Green Greens on the planet Popstar, which was Kirby's home world. The world was just as she imagined: happy, colorful, vibrant, and for the most part, peaceful.
"Heehee, this is Kirby's home world? It's...charming," Lucina commented. "I feel calmer already. Think I'll walk around a bit..."
And so she did, taking in the cutesy, charming sights and sounds as the wind softly blew through her hair. "I wonder if I'll run into Kirby here by any chance..." Within a few seconds, she spotted two familiar figures in the distance, presumably interviewing a potential newcomer from Kirby's world. "Or, better yet..."
"Is that...?" Robin murmured, noticing Lucina a short distance away.
"Robin...?" Lucina ran to her close friend, hugging him when she caught up. Breaking the hug, she asked, "What are you doing in Green Greens, of all places...?"
"Good to see you too, Lucina," Robin greeted her happily. "I'm an interpreter for Zelda as she's interviewing the candidate assigned to us by Master Hand. His name's Bandana Waddle Dee, but he seems to take a liking to the nickname 'Bandee'."
As if by magic, a small Waddle Dee dashed to Lucina and leapt up into her arms. He seemed to have brighter orange fur than other Waddle Dees, and he wore a bright blue bandana on the top of his head.
"Oh...hello little guy," Lucina cooed, a bit surprised but welcoming the sudden interaction from the Waddle Dee. Bandee waved his arms joyously and closed his eyes in a happy manner as Lucina giggled and beamed, "Aww, aren't you a cutie!"
"Looks like he likes you already, Lucina," Robin commented with a chuckle.
"...Lucina?" A vaguely familiar voice asked. Lucina turned in the direction of the voice, and saw...
"Zelda...?"
There was no mistaking that the young woman standing before Lucina was the roommate she hadn't spoken to in several months, Zelda. However, a lot of things were different about her. She was a bit shorter and looked to be about four years younger than Lucina, unlike the Zelda Lucina knew who looked closer to her age. This Zelda wore a brighter pink dress, open-toed boots, gray tights, and had longer, unbraided dirty blond hair and sky-blue eyes.
"It's been so long, Lucina!" Zelda walked over to Lucina and hugged her.
Hesitating at first, Lucina hugged her friend back, Bandee joining in in a little group hug. "Same here, Zelda." After Zelda broke the hug, Lucina asked her somewhat nervously, "So, um... I...like your new haircut...?"
"Oh, Lucy," Zelda giggled. "It's okay, you can say that I look a bit different since I saw you last, and there's an explanation for it."
"Oh?" Lucina tilted her head to the side slightly, bemused.
"When Master Hand announced the next tournament would be starting, Crazy Hand decided that some of us — or rather, just myself, Link, Sheik and Ganondorf, should switch incarnations. This was done without our knowledge, but we've come to accept it pretty quickly. Link comes from a different timeline, and from what I can gather, Sheik is now the Zelda from this Link's world. Ganondorf's now from the world that Young Link originally came from, and as for me...I'm from neither of those." She chuckled bashfully.
"I see..." Lucina murmured, trying to wrap her head around what Zelda explained. "But...why are you able to remember me?"
"Apparently, after Crazy Hand did what she did, Master Hand decided to rectify it by giving us the memories of Smash City and all our relationships from our previous incarnations. So..." A soft smile graced her face as she affirmed, "Even though I may look a bit different, and maybe act a bit different from the Zelda you knew... I'm still your Zelda."
"I know," Lucina told Zelda, giving a reassuring smile. "It's been a long time since I set foot in Smash City. Hopefully, when my training is done, I'll be able to return."
"Your training...with Captain Falcon, right?" Zelda questioned. "I remember my previous incarnation told him about how you felt shortly before the day you initially went missing."
"I..." Lucina was surprised Zelda caught on. "I know I can't hide anything from you either, Zelda. I remember all the times you noticed I had a nightmare before the fourth tournament..."
"Heehee, told you I'm still your Zelda," Zelda teased with a giggle. "How have things between you and him been lately, if I may ask?"
"Zelda...?" Lucina asked apprehensively.
"I remember...the night before the tournament, everyone was training intensely...and you seemed concerned about something from what Lady Palutena tells me she observed of you. I can only imagine it was about him."
"Ugh, I'm so tired," Lucina sighed as she entered the apartment suite she and Zelda shared, plopping tiredly face down on the couch in the main living room. She lay there like that for a few moments, then slowly rolled over and sat upright on the couch. "Looks like Zelda's not here yet." Remembering Zelda telling Lucina she had a few errands to run after training, Lucina decided to draw her bath in the bathroom.
"Ahhh...my sore muscles needed this," she sighed as she submerged her body into the perfectly heated water, leaning her back against the back of the tub as she relaxed. As she proceeded to lather, she began to have flashbacks of her rigorous training. Upon being told that the famous "world warrior" Ryu would be joining the Smash tournament, everyone had put forth more than their maximum effort in their training. She seemed to do well enough against ranged combatants, including Robin, and Shulk was a fairly challenging match up for her, even though she ended up victorious when she sparred against him. However, she had trouble holding her own against some close-ranged fighters like Bowser, Samus whenever she fought outside of her Power Suit, Mewtwo, and Sonic. And then there was Palutena, who gave Lucina trouble in both long and short ranged combat.
"That smarts, Palutena," Lucina griped, wincing as she massaged her sore right wrist. "You could have gotten me to drop my Falchion without smacking my wrist with your staff..."
All that aside, there were just two combatants who refused to fight Lucina. One of them was her own mother, Robyn. The other, to her bewilderment, was none other than...
"Him..." She murmured. "Was it out of honor? Repentance maybe? He seemed... distant when he approached me, and it was always when I messed up during training...not every time it happened, but still..."
The past is the past, after all, she thought. My father has accepted that he'll get his chance another day... and any "anger" I had at him... at Captain Falcon... has long since dissipated. But... he still seemed so guilty around me...
Just then, a knock at the bathroom door interrupted her deep thoughts. "Lucina? Are you in there?"
"Zelda?!" She gasped. "Y-yes... I'm almost done bathing."
"Okay," Zelda called out from the other side of the door. "I got take out for dinner...your favorite. I knew it would cheer you up after a rigorous day of training."
"Coming!"
...
"Orange chicken and honey walnut shrimp? You remembered my Thursday evening favorite," Lucina thanked Zelda.
"No need to thank me, just dig in," Zelda said rather bluntly, winking with a smile afterwards.
As the two roommates ate their dinner, Zelda could not help but notice Lucina looking deep in thought after a while. "Is...it not as good this time...?" Zelda asked her friend.
"Oh, no, I still enjoy it," Lucina said, shaking her head. "It's just... I was thinking about some things..."
"About today's training?" Zelda's intuition was spot on.
"H-how did you know...?" Lucina stammered. I guess I shouldn't be surprised she figured it out that fast. She's the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, after all.
"Lady Palutena ran into me when I was waiting in line to order our food. She told me you seemed a bit on edge today."
Just by hearing Palutena's name, Lucina felt her wrist ache again. "Still wish she didn't... try to disarm me that way... she could have just kicked my Falchion out of the way, like..."
"Like Captain Falcon did that day?" Zelda once again seemed to know what Lucina was thinking. "Palutena told me she saw him approach you a couple times whenever you lost a sparring match, but he seemed to back away almost immediately. Afterwards, you seemed to be losing focus a lot. She's just looking out for you...you, and practically everyone else here in Smash City."
"Ah..." Lucina sighed. "I was just...confused. I had long put what happened with him behind me...it was a whole year ago, after all. But the fact he seemed so... guilty, but wouldn't say anything... it made me have second thoughts about facing him in a rematch one day..."
"You know, he refused to spar against you as well," Zelda pointed out. "With the way he approached you, though... I think he has some lingering regrets about that day, and... I'm even starting to think he's developing a bit of a soft spot for you."
"Him?" She snickered, trying not to choke on her food. "Developing a soft spot...haha...for..." Halfway through her sentence, her voice became more serious, but at the same time timid-sounding as her mirth faded. "...M-me...?" She held her hand to her chest pensively. "You...might have a point..."
"I can tell he's coming with good intentions," Zelda advised Lucina. "Next time you see him...just hear him out. It might be for the best, to at least help him move on if you've already done so."
"Okay...if you think that's best," Lucina said. "Thank you, Zelda."
"Yes...I remember too," Lucina recalled. "And we've...gotten closer as he helped me train."
"Close...in what way...?" Zelda asked coyly, a curious smirk on her face. If there was anything that set this Zelda apart from the old Zelda that Lucina knew, it was her more outgoing, playful, curious personality as opposed to the previous Zelda's chill, somewhat blunt personality.
"Z-Zelda...?" Lucina stammered, blushing as she felt she was being put on the spot. Within a few moments, she calmed down, her face turning a bit regretful. "It...doesn't really matter anyway. I... I'm taking a break from training."
"You two had a disagreement, and you decided to part ways from him...am I right?"
"I...I didn't say anything..." Lucina gasped softly.
"I can see it in Bandee's eyes," Zelda commented. "He can tell how sad your voice sounded."
Looking at the little Waddle Dee she was cradling in her arms, Lucina noticed Bandee's eyes opened, a sad look in them. "Sorry, little guy..." She cuddled him closer, not wanting to see such a sweet, innocent creature so sad for her. "Don't worry... I can handle this. I think I'm ready to head back to him."
Yes... She thought. Even if I'm lost in my negative feelings, I want to move on to a hopeful future...with you again, Captain. You're the light to my dark, we're two sides of the same coin... Just by being by your side, this pain can blossom into love...
"You are certain about this?" Zelda inquired.
"That's right," Lucina confirmed. "I'll probably not return to Smash City until I'm ready, but... at least I'll hopefully be back soon. Thanks, Zelda." Lucina released Bandee from her arms, and the Waddle Dee ran back to Zelda's side.
"Stay safe!" Zelda bade Lucina goodbye, waving happily. Bandee did the same.
As Lucina began to walk back to the teleporter, Robin caught up with her. "Lucina...there's...something Zelda forgot to mention, that I figured I'd tell you."
"Yes, Robin?"
"About Charizard...the incident at the last tournament...you won't have to worry about something like that happening ever again. The previous Pokemon Trainer, Red, is returning, along with a female trainer named Leaf. They'll be keeping Charizard in check from now on..."
"I...see..." Lucina murmured, noticing the palpable regret in Robin's voice. "Listen, Robin...it wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself for what happened that day..."
"Lucina..."
Smiling at him serenely, Lucina said, "Thank you for everything, Robin. I don't know how much longer I'll be gone, but... I hope to be back soon. And..."
"And...?"
"When you return to Smash City... could you look into any myths involving prismatic wings for me?"
"What for...?" Robin asked quizzically.
"Just...wanted to know what my dreams meant this time around..." Lucina trailed off. "See you around, Robin. Take care of yourself, okay?"
"Of course," Robin nodded. "I look forward to seeing you again, Lucina."
As she walked in the direction of the teleporter, she thought, It... may be a while before I return, though. I... don't know what he thinks of me ever since that day... I just hope he'll accept my apology, at least... Sorry, guys. I had to hide the whole truth from you, too...
...
"Alright," Lucina murmured to herself, stepping on the teleporter's platform. "Guess I'd better head back to Mute City...if he's still there."
However, after inputting the coordinates to Mute City and hitting the GO button, something strange happened. Lights on the panel began blinking and flashing as purple sparks shot all around the console.
"What?!" Lucina cried in surprise. "What's happening?!" Within seconds, a purple light enveloped her.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
holy FRICK another long chapter rip me
anyway, I hope I portrayed Lucina's character, and depressed characters overall, well enough. I deal with depression on and off, so I hope my depiction was realistic and believable.
as for the dream/prophecy subplot, that might be covered in some side fics, which I might do if there's enough interest.
finally, Bandana Dee is a good boi and he deserves to be in Smash