Morgan and Kana - Justice Cabal
Day 221, morning
It had been about a three weeks since Kana had officially joined the army. With all the fuss given certain events, barely anyone noticed the new dragon in camp.
Given the complications of Steiger and the Valmese dilemma that came bundled with it, the Shepherds decided to recondition the old Valentian fort for their own purposes. Thus Steiger flew a quintet of Ylissean, Hoshidan, Nohrian, Feroxian, and Chon'sin flags, putting on display the might and power of the liberation-bent alliance. Supplies, soldiers, beasts, and letters from all over the front were routed to Steiger, giving Robin and Corrin an eternal nightmare of requisitions to put up with. Xander and Ryoma had sent scouts out with Robin's insistence, due to the rumors of a present threat plaguing the east, back towards the coast.
Apparently bringing the foreigners to Archanea had some unexpected consequences.
Of course, Kana didn't get any of it. He was just a boy, dammit. Er, darnit.
Mama wouldn't approve of such grown-up language.
But he was still out of the loop. Why was everyone fighting? Why were they always busy and moving? Couldn't they stay put and pay attention to him? Or at least let him play with the other kids, anyway.
But then again, those 'kids' seemed busy too. Most of them had weapons and armor of their own.
Thankfully, there was Morgan, his ever-doting sister. At least, doting when she could be. When she could spare the time, Morgan was the main figure to show him around. After a few days, she just decided to have him tag along with her for the daily duties and drills.
According to the dragon boy's account, or lack thereof anyway, he had lost his most recent memories in a similar vein to Morgan, only retaining bare fragments of his mother and upbringing. Nothing about Robin or Morgan, but that didn't seem to bother the two, nor Kana for that matter. Corrin was slightly concerned, but the three of them reassured him that there was plenty of time on the long and winding road to get to know their rescued son.
Whether Kana belonged on that road was another matter, but Robin kept his thoughts on the matter between himself and Corrin. Morgan already made her stance clear on the fighting.
Miraculously, near the end of the second week, Robin and Corrin announced that the Shepherds were ready to move again. Rearmed, resupplied, and completely exhausted, the commanders declared a three-day break.
"Don't die, don't kill, and don't get captured. Anything else I believe would be fixable. Dismissed."
On sparse rest days like these, Morgan explained, the children would get a chance to do what children did, which mostly fell to mischief and adventure. Misadventure, as it was. Morgan, at least when Robin and Corrin were busy, often chatted with Azura or tagged along with the future children. Except Lucina, for whatever reason.
Yesterday, Kana found himself isolated for a couple hours, with Morgan having nothing for him to do. He would often stay inside and read Sumia's collection of books or pick the Edelweiss that grew outside Steiger's walls, or in daring attempts, make idle chat with the passerby. He was much too shy for that last part, and it amounted to nothing but awkward stuttering.
Today, the two white-haired youths took advantage of the peaceful day and accompanied some of the other children on a 'mission of great importance' as per their leader, Cynthia. Actually, Morgan suggested the plan, but the group was still Cynthia's. Eventually coming alongside the outskirts of the walls, they came along what appeared to be a half-assembled tent where voices and giggling could be heard from inside.
"What is this place?" Kana asked apprehensively.
"It's the headquarters for the mighty Justice Cabal!" Morgan replied, waving her arms in grandiose at the pathetic tent which stood half in shambles. Meanwhile, the other half seemed to be ready to cave in. She gave a slight whistle, a shrill tone that to Kana's ears, probably was a signal.
"The Justice-" Kana was interrupted by a high energetic voice ringing out from behind him.
"JUSTICE CABAL! ASSEMBLE!"
A sudden explosion erupted from inside the tent, shocking the dragon prince even further and causing him to back from the noise in fear.
Kana turned to see a brunette with pigtails jump out, the smoke billowing from behind her screening the interior of the tent from outside view. Behind her stood a blond mage with a katana and... leotard? Ew. Next to him was a shorter blond with an axe sporting a blue and red mask with matching leather pauldrons.
On either side of the trio stood a young girl with green hair, sporting a large backpack and a bow, and a kitsune girl, not so unusual minus the fox ears. Scowling behind them, a taller youth with a black mask and ax walked out of the tent, clearly not involved in the display. At least, not enthusiastic about it. From inside, another blonde mage, female, closed her fire tome and walked outside, smiling brightly at her handiwork of smoke.
Impressed by the theatrics, Morgan clapped in amusement, though Kana was not so energetic. Caught off guard, Morgan nudged her brother with an urging grin, simultaneously dragging him towards Cynthia with a mad grin.
"Heya Chief," Morgan started, saluting Cynthia who returned it promptly, "I assume you already know about my brother Kana?"
"He's the one that can turn into a dragon right! WOW! ahem. we- I MEAN WE DEFINITELY NEED YOUR ABILITIES ON THIS TEAM!"
Kana winced at Cynthia's shrill voice, but smiled anyway at the prospect of friends. He did get really lonely sometimes...
"I- uh... Yeah! I would like that," Kana replied meekly. "What do you guys-"
"Fantastic!" Cynthia replied brightly, "Then the predestined fellowship is finally complete! Justice Cabal!" With flourish and precision, Cynthia backed off, allowing her team members to continue their theatrics, reciting their creed.
"Seeking knowledge and wisdom unknown!" Midori sang,
"Our skills and blades, we hone!" Ophelia echoed,
"To villains of injustice: Beware!" Selkie rang,
"When against us, what foe can compare?" Owain/Odin laughed,
"To glory! The future awaits!" Morgan joined,
"...Come...," Gerome groaned, rolling his eyes underneath his mask.
"We challenge our fate," Cynthia whispered harshly.
"..."
"Gerome!"
"We challenge... our fate." Gerome added, unenthusiastically.
"Eight-Nine souls to protect us all..." Percy whispered with anticipation...
" NONE BUT WE, THE JUSTICE CABAL!" Cynthia finished, grinning widely, lifting her spear and nearly poking a new hole in Selkie in the process.
"Oh." Kana punctuated, cringing.
"...And what is it you guys do, exactly?" Kana asked, impressed at the creed but not entirely sold.
"Save the world, one heroic act at a time!" Cynthia laughed, urging everyone back inside the tent.
"For great justice, we embody... justice!" Percy exclaimed, high-fiving Cynthia. Kana nodded hesitantly, not sure how to react.
"So... what exactly does that mean?"
"We stop Prince Leo from stealing tomatoes-" Gerome was interrupted by Owain, who jumped in front of him and covered the rider's mouth.
"We halt the enemies of peace and serenity with our strength!"
"Like?" Kana wasn't entirely thrilled on becoming a vigilante in the camp. Was this just a game? He hoped it was just a game.
"Tomato thieves-"
"We have received a top secret mission from the Master Tactician himself!" Morgan announced. Kana perked, instantly curious at this development.
"...You mean Dad?"
"MASTER TACTICIAN!" Morgan corrected vigorously, all the while unrolling a previously concealed map. "Captain Cynthia, if I may?"
"Of course, Junior Tactician!"
"This is a three-pronged plan," Morgan began, separating the Cabal into three like-minded groups. "Group Awesome, which consists of myself, Kana, and Ophelia, will sneak into Master Tactician Robin's tent to steal- As I was - Secure... an object that is of great significance. It is my brother's dragonstone, which has not been formally entrusted to him as of yet. We will need it."
"My team, Awesome 2," Percy began, "Will consist of myself, Midori, and Selkie." Pausing for effect, the boy continued. "Our objective is to head to these-" He pointed at an x'ed out spot on the map, deep into a valley judging by the topography, "-riverbeds. A fallen circle of runes seems to be rested there, and it is our job to secure it for usage and recovery. The Shepherd scouts found this location a week ago on reconnaissance duty, and we as the Cabal have felt necessary that it be idle no longer."
"Finally, my team, team Cynthia," Cynthia proposed grandly, "Will consist of me, Owain-"
"ODIN!"
"Yes... Odin, and Gerome. Our job is to act as both security and reconnaissance as Alpha team moves to Bravo's location, making sure no Shepherds and certainly no Risen catch wind of our plan."
"I thought you said Dad planned this?" Kana asked, skeptical to a fault.
"He... did," Morgan lied, "But he feared the other Shepherds might worry if their children were involved in a covert operation between operations..."
"Then why are we stealing my dragonstone?"
"Because your power is the key to unlocking the portal!" Cynthia finished, bowing her head in reverence. Only one who has uhh, your, power can open it... And Morgan cannot turn into a dragon, as far as we know."
"So this is why you brought me?" Kana asked. "To open up the portal to..."
"This portal..." Gerome began, quiet until now, "Is where the other Future Shepherds were supposed to come from."
Day 221, Nightfall
Morgan tiptoed along with Kana, Ophelia casting a spell to mask their shadows and their footsteps. They approached Robin's tent casually enough, ducking in quickly as if to deliver a report. In reality, it was empty aside from a candlelight to counteract the setting sun and a couple books out of place. However, in the predetermined drawer lay Kana's dragonstone, pristinely silver with a faint luster from deep within. Morgan held it, feeling it heat up in her hand before finally giving it to Kana. Holding on along with him, she looked him in the eye, dead serious.
"Don't tell dad. Please."
Kana frowned, looking at his sister sadly.
"You're doing this behind his back."
Morgan nodded slowly, letting go of the stone and holding her brother tight.
"Kana, we lost our memories and I really want to know who I was before I got here. If it means helping the Cabal and having Mom and Dad yell at us for being irresponsible... Fine. I love Dad more than anything but I want to know why I can't feel that same connection to you and Mom. I most definitely want to..."
"So you're doing this for them?"
"...And for you, Brother," Morgan smiled faintly.
"B-but... Aren't we close already?"
"Kana... I want to know why I forgot about you! I want to remember you... Please!"
"Morgan..."
"Please, let's just do this one thing... I want us to be a family more than anything. Me, you, Robin, Corrin... I don't care how rough the road to that dream is... I'm taking it."
"O-okay. I understand. But if this is dangerous..."
"I'm a tactician too, remember?" Morgan laughed. "I'm dad's daughter, after all. He can't be that much better than me."
"I hope not," Kana finished. Turning to the dark mage, Morgan turned around and addressed their third member.
"Ophelia, if you may?" The dark mage nodded quicky, chanting a brief spell and drawing a circle in the ground.
Ophelia cast a short range warp spell, courtesy of her reading a few of Tharja's books, and teleported them outside the tent where Minervykins and Gerome waited patiently.
"Let's be off," He stated quietly, taking off into the orange sunset.
Robin yawned as he entered his tent, followed closely by Corrin who took initiative and sat upon her side of his table, placing both of their suppers on the surface before turning back to the tactician, who was staring blankly at his desk.
"You smell it too?"
"Magic. Some sort of healing staff?"
"No... No staff... Look at this circle." Pointing at the dirt where Ophelia drew her spell, Robin frowned.
"Kana's stone disappeared." Robin stated worriedly, closing the empty drawer.
"He's probably practicing-" Corrin reasoned.
"No... He wouldn't do that this late. He hasn't touched it in days."
"Hey, where's your map of the area?" Corrin asked, looking upon his wall. There was a huge gap where the region's topography was pinned against the board.
"I lent it to Morgan for stu-" Robin stopped, paling along with Corrin.
"Oh no."
