Severa and Selena - Side Effects

6 hours before the Commanders get captured by Iago

Selena woke up with a start, her breath rapid and the sweat running down her forehead and spine leaving a chill that shook her to the core. Even without the icy grip of fear, the temperature was biting enough to force her to swaddle herself in her blanket. Her trepidation still controlled most of her breathing, but she took harder efforts to control herself and calm down.

"W-w-wait! N-no..." Gulping and recollecting herself, Selena tried to remind herself where she was.

But she couldn't. Not with everything so new and foreign. Was she finally free from Grima? Turning around, she found herself on a standard cot, bandages wrapping her body to the point where she was surprised she could even move. It was kind of dark so she assumed that it was close to sundown or alternatively, close to sunrise. Either way, it wasn't going to be midnight anytime soon.

In Grima's world, that was anytime.

She shuddered, forcing the nightmares out of her head as she tried to get off the bed. When that attempt only resulted in a staggering pain in her lower back, Selena resorted to using her vision to try to place together where she was.

Tent walls.

Grass on the floor.

A blond man sleeping on a chair next to her?

"H-hey," Selena rasped, her voice not strong enough to carry any real volume. The man stirred, but did not open his eyes.

"Hey!" Selena coughed as soon as the strain hit her throat, but that commotion was enough to get the man's attention. Seeing his eyes open, Selena couldn't help but feel a sort of recognition-

"Y-you're awake!" Immediately, the man jumped to his feet and closed the distance between them, gingerly holding her bandaged hands in his own, making great effort not to hurt her. Selena winced anyway, more so at the contact than the actual sensation of light pain, and the man shifted his position and knelt by her side.

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

"I... It hurts. Everywhere," she replies hesitantly.

"But you're awake, and you're alive," the man seemed to be relieved, judging by his regard to her.

"Should I not be?" Selena wonders aloud.

"We... I... had reason to think so," he admits. "but you have overcome the odds before, and have done so again nonetheless, no?"

"I guess..." The blond man smiles lightly and presses his forehead against her bed before swiftly rising again.

"What do you remember?" Selena concentrates, despite her suspicions to the man a few feet away, and recalls where she was a few seconds before she woke up. Even if she didn't want to, she had to place things together.

"I... I was in a world, dark and desolate. I was alone... Except for this man... I..." She stops, knowing that even muttering that devil's name will result in more stress to her.

"I understand," the blond reassures, placing his hand over hers again. "You've been through a lot, you deserve whatever peace we can offer you... What I can offer you." Selena can't help but feel some relief, but her doubts still outweigh her comforts at the moment.

"That's great and all, but who are you?" She doesn't expect the man to react as he did; a face of both pain and fear. "Hey, you alright? I'm the one in pain, as far as I know."

"I'll be fine," the blond drones out, still in a trance-like state.

"Whatever you say, buddy," the blond jolts at the name she gives her, but she ignores it and waits patiently for his answer.

"I... am just a humble solider for this army."

"Army?" she asks.

"Say what you might about our current condition, but as small as we are, we have accomplished things far bigger than any of us could dream," he cryptically replied, still consumed by his own emotion.

"I'm afraid I don't have the slightest idea what's happening. Are... we in Ylisse?" Hope seems to spring in the man's eyes and he smiles in eager excitement.

"Y-yes! Yes we are! Well, technically not; a thousand miles away actually, but Ylisse is here! Just... not. What else do you know?"

"Are... my parents here?"

"Depends on who you are," the blond replied, still trying to be cryptic. Selena tried to think, and the truth came to her, surprisingly.

"My name is Selena, retainer to Princess Camilla, second to the Nohrian crown. I..." when the blank came, she had no idea what else to say. The blond seemed to accept the answer, still on his knees by her side.

"Aye, I know of the legendary retainer of the fair princess; one who, single-handed, fought off an army and survived. Not once did she accomplish this trial, but twice."

"I... did that?" Selena asked skeptically, to which the man nodded slowly.

"Many a Nohrian know the deeds of the Crimson Blade and her story of sacrifice." The nickname drew a blank, and Selena's mind was clouded by doubt at this man's odd actions.

"I'm not one of them, buddy. What are you saying?" The blond appeared distressed for a second, but didn't falter.

"A year or two before the Nohrian army united with the Hoshidans, Lady Camilla led a battalion of wyvern riders and cavalry to the nation of Mokushu to deliver a message requesting allegiance. On the way there, they were intercepted by Princess Hinoka of Hoshido and her retainers, accompanied by several other soldiers. You fought valiantly, but were bested after taking out a great many Tenma warriors. Your... body was never found. They thought you were taken prisoner."

"That's certainly not where I remember being held."

"...I don't want to make you remember anything you don't have to-"

Selena raised her hand, silencing the blond man.

"Grima."

"..."

"..."

"I'm Odin, or Owain, whichever you would prefer here," the blond said after a minute of silence.

"What do you prefer?" Selena asked, confused at Owain/Odin's melancholy attitude.

"Your choice," he insisted.

"Owain," Selena decided. Owain lit up and his smile tugged at his otherwise solemn face.

"You... you haven't changed," he said, pressing his head against her bed as if he were praying.

"What do you mean?" Without raising his head, he replied silently.

"That's what you called me before. I'm glad you're safe," he repeated. Selena was still confused at Owain's antics.

"Do I know you? Did I know you? Owain doesn't exactly ring a bell." Despite being deeply discouraged, Owain's spirit didn't back down in the slightest.

"How about Ophelia?" Selena lit up, that name definitely jostling a few memories.

"That's... I definitely know that one. Who is she?" Suddenly jumping up, Owain laughed and ran straight out the door. "Hey!"

"Just wait! You'll recognize her!"


Robin toiled hard behind his table, judging where the Shepherds should march based on the scouting reports he received. Being briefly interrupted by a yellow blur, Robin looked up to see Owain/Odin sprinting past his peripheral. Suddenly turning on his heels, the swordsman magician ran to Robin and got straight to business.

"SeveraisawakeyouneedtocomenowI'mgettingmydaughterfirstjustgotothemedicaltentandbringtheaccountsofthelastfewmonthssoshecancatchuponeventsokayokayyeahsorryI'mnotbeingentirelytheatricrightnowIneedtograbOpheliaandI'mincrediblyexcitedohgawdsmyprayersandhopeshavebeenrewarded!"

"Right," Robin replied automatically, pretending he just heard every word perfectly. "I'll see you there."

Judging by the speed Owain ran off, Robin assumed his hearing didn't fail and he grabbed the Shepherd's roster and log and made way for the medical tent-

"OhsorrymastertacticiancommanderRobinsirIamonthepathtogloryunyieldingwithmyfatherwe'regoingtoseemymotherIhopesheremembersmethisisajoyousoccasionmymotherhasreturnedSoleilisweirdbutshe'skindacuteIdigressfrommygoalsMotherwillbesohappytoseemeIhopeshedeemsmybattlesagainstthedarknessworthyofherbloodline!"

"W-what?" Robin groaned, seeing the redheaded mage and the blond run off towards the medical tent.

"What the hell is wrong with this army?"


"Mother!"

Selena opened her eyes to see a redheaded teenager with a very controversial choice of garb run inside, accompanied by the man she referred to as Owain.

"Y-you are Ophelia?" Immediately, the girl's spirits died as soon as she realized that Selena wasn't going to remember her. Owain put a hand on her shoulder, and she bit her lip and continued to try.

"Your daughter!"

"W-wait, what?

"It is I! Ophelia, daughter of the Crimson-"

"No, no... I remember now... my daughter's name... S-soleil!"


Robin apparently missed something very big because once he stepped into the tent, he was immediately bowled over by a fleeing Ophelia, her eyes red and tears running down her face. Owain looked torn whether to stay with his daughter or his wife, but he picked the former and exited, whispering to Robin as he helped him up.

"Something very sinister is going on. Her memories... they were corrupted, somehow." Robin noted, and patted Owain on the back, looking at Severa who was still in a daze at having her supposed daughter bail on her.

"I'll handle this. Go get some rest."

"Thank you, Robin. Good luck."

As Owain left, Selena turned to Robin and gasped, and immediately tried to get out of her bed.

"Hey, easy! I'm not going to-"

"That's how every day of torture started!" Selena screamed, "I t-thought, I finally shook you off!" Robin however wouldn't back down, instead holding out the roster and the event log.

"I think I know who you're talking about," Robin guessed, recalling his time back in the portal when they rescued her. "When Cynthia found you, Grima-"

"Get away! Don't even mention his... Your... name... I can't give up now! Even in the face of hope, you still try to take me back into hell..."

"Your friends, your family, they're all excited to see you," Robin offered. "Turn to page six of the roster."

Hesitantly, Selena used her more mobile arm and opened the roster, turning to the page Robin prescribed.

"M-mom..."

"Designation Y017: Cordelia, Pegasus Knight, born July 7th. Cunning, determined, and devoted to her goals. Underneath her stern exterior is a kind and empathetic woman who seeks both perfection and purpose. Best friends to Sumia, fellow Pegasus Knight," Robin rehearsed without stutter.

"S-she's here? She's alive?" Selena teared up, looking at the face of her beloved mother that was so intricately painted on Robin's roster.

"Turn to page eight now."

"Why?"

"Trust me," Robin said, trying hard to keep his voice as calming as possible despite his nervousness.

"Designation H002: Subaki. Retainer to Lady Sakura. Born on February 7th. Son of a Pegasus Knight, or 'Tenma Knight' as they are called, he followed in the footsteps of his father. A perfectionist by heart, and a leader by example. Will not accept even the slightest flaw; possibly the most devoted to his goals.

[Tactician's Note] Reminds me of Cordelia. Perhaps I can work something out between the two? It would certainly make Cordy smile if she had someone like her. In both aspects of the word, 'like.' Will exploit this opportunity at the first chance."

"..." Robin waited for the reaction, but when she stayed silent, he knew for sure his gambit went according to plan.

"I remember shooting him down, the day I found..."

"Caeldori?"

"Where is she?!" Selena shrieked, looking around to see if her only companion for the last few months was with her.

"She is the daughter of Subaki," Robin explained. "Her memories seemed to be even more jumbled up than yours are."

"Mine aren't jumbled up! I'm starting to remember now! My daughter is Soleil, and while her singing is atrocious, she is the sweetest..." She drew a blank, and Robin knelt to her level.

"Caeldori is your sister, Severa."

"W-what?!"

"I think bringing the Ylisseans, Hoshidans, and Nohrians together... may have jacked up the timeline," Robin sighed, realizing his mistake over the last couple days. Well, not a mistake. Well, only the future kids would be affected, right?

"But that's..."

"Tell me, Severa," Robin questioned, using her birth-name, which startled her. "Who was your father?"

"..."

"Not Subaki, right?" Robin guessed.

"Definitely not him, he's my age! And a damn Hoshidan."

"And even considering the fact that you're from the future-"

"What does that have to do with it! I don't remember any Hoshidans in Ylisse last time I was there. And even if they were, none of them would be my father, let alone a male pegasus knight retainer!"

"I'll admit, that is odd, now that I think of it..."

"What would you know! What, have you destroyed Ylisse to the point that Hoshido and Nohr are next?"

"What? No-"

"Is this even real? You're way too humble for Grima to act! You're just trying to distract me again just like all the other time's you torn out my hopes! What, is the god of destruction finally stooping to kindness? Grima would never do this, as far as I'm experienced with."

"That is because I am Robin, not Grima," Robin assured. "I am... aware from personal recollection... that the god of destruction and my lowly mortal self share the same appearance-"

"No. You don't. You are one and the same." Now Robin was at odds.

"What?"

"What, haven't figured it out by now, genius? You are Grima! I pieced it out from the time that bastard kept me locked up in his hell hole! I was forced to look at him, and that same face is what I'm looking at now. I should kill you!"

"How about we don't head down that path," Robin offered, "and talk things out."

"Go to hell."

"I've been there, actually. Took a nice visit when we rescued you from that portal. Well, technically when Morgan and Cynthia did."

"Morgan can also go to hell." Robin was slightly pissed off now, especially after Severa just condemned his daughter to serving Grima again. Wait.

She has a very good reason to hate Morgan... But me too? Wait, claiming that I'm Grima just by appearances...

Am... I? When I saw Grima in the portal when we rescued Morgan and Kana... He looked exactly like me.

But that can't be! Lucina said she watched the future me... die.

"What, is my torturer finally relenting? Is the human underneath that dragon finally done? Figures, I was getting bored of the same old-"

"Severa..." Selena shut up and Robin looked at her kindly.

"..."

"What sort of hell did you go through out there?" he asked to no one, even though he was looking through the twin-tailed girl.

"How about I kill you so it doesn't happen to anyone else!"

"..."

"What? Not going to say anything clever?"

"..."

"Grima, I know you're planning some clever comeback. And if not, you're going to stab me and keep me alive, just like all the other times. We all know how these conversations end. I stab you, and-"

"Maybe you should," Robin muttered. "I'd like to know more, in the off chance you don't."

Oh, this better turn out the way I plan.

He drew his Nohrian sword slowly, and put it in Severa's hands.

"What are you doing, you idiot?"

"If you stab me and I die, that'll prove I'm not Grima, right?"

Please don't do it.

"B-but, why?"

"Here's the deal, Severa. Grima's been plaguing your reality for how many days now? Nonetheless, I'm offering you a chance to kill him."

"I'm not..." Selena held the sword in her hand and struggled to a sit, Robin took to kneeling in front of her.

"If you kill Grima, this land will be at peace, and so will you," Robin said bluntly. "From what I've heard from your friends from the future... You deserve whatever justice Grima's death would bring."

"But why? Aren't you going to fight back?"

"I am fighting back," Robin answered. "And so must you. I'm giving you a chance to end everything right now."

Oh, I hope I'm right on this.

Selena pressed the sword against Robin's chest, tempting the thought so very much.

"It's a trap," Selena realized. Every time I tried to kill you, you would see it coming... I would attack you but you would just laugh it off and torture me more."

"What's stopping me now?" Robin asked, his bravado running out and fear setting in at the thought they he could very well die here if his gamble was off.

"I... I'm sorry. I knew there was still the brave Robin who I remembered underneath that devil's mask... I'll set you free. You can finally be at peace."

What-

Robin felt a sharp pain in his gut as Severa weakly stabbed him with his own sword, the blade not going very far inside but just enough to really set him off. He held in his breath and certainly tried to keep his cry from being heard.

Well that didn't work. At least I'm not going to die... from this.

"..."

"..."

"Ow."

"Y-you're... bleeding!"

"Of course I'm bleeding you idiot-" Robin coughed out blood and groaned on the floor as he collapsed pathetically on the grass. "Ow."

Selena: 1. Tactician Genius of the Army: 0.

"G-grima... never bled."

"T-that's because... I'm not... Grima." Robin moaned in pain again, bothered by how much that small flesh wound was agitating him.

"T-t... Robin?"

"That's my name, yes..."

"Oh gods, I'm... You were telling the truth!" Selena struggled to her feet, and seeing how they were in better shape than her arms, she rushed to Robin's side. She dropped his sword and looked around for some medical supplies.

"G-gods, that stings," Robin sighed, looking at his own blood pooling all over his coat and shirt.

Corrin's definitely gonna notice this.

"Okay," Robin began, catching his breath. "Seeing as you didn't kill me, can I ask my questions now?"

"Y-yeah!" Selena exclaimed, still in shock that she almost killed an innocent comrade.

"Do I really turn into Grima?"

"I don't know how you did it in the future," Severa admitted. "But it's coming back to me, in pieces."

"Well, as tactician and commander of this army," Robin wheezed again, still sprawled on the ground, "I need to know what you know."

"Right. Like, my story?"

"Yes, like your story."

"Okay, let's see."


"Lucina..." Severa whispered, seeing the portal close behind her. Owain and Inigo were gone too.

"Just you and me, devil," she laughed, drawing her pathetic sword against the dragon god of death and destruction.

"No, no... it's just me..." The smoke around Grima faded, and Severa gasped at he face she saw.

"U-uncle Robin?!"

"Miss me?"


"I remember seeing this in Lucina's memories," Robin explained recalling how he used that same scene to scare Ryoma into joining his forces.

"Yeah yeah," Selena sighed, finding a vulnerary and getting set to treat Robin's wound.


"W-where am I now?"

"I like it when my prey runs," Grima laughed, letting go of Severa's head as she was forced through another portal. "I'll find you eventually. Try not to be too tired so we can have a fun chase."

With a bright flash, Severa found herself sprawled on the ground, surrounded by what seemed to be an entire army of knights and soldiers.

"Shit."


"Oh, she survived?" a woman asked, dismounting her wyvern and walking over to the newly-conscious Severa.

Selena. It's Selena now.

Get the hell out of my head. What's the point of letting me run wild if you're going to monitor me anyway?

Funny thing, this isn't my world. I might actually lose you here, imagine that?

Oh, I very much can.

"Ugh," Selena rolled over, with the first thing she saw in this new world being possibly the largest breasts she had ever seen. "Holy damn-"

"She's cute," the woman noted, helping Sever- Selena up as she dusted her face off with her hand.

"T-thanks," Selena replied, wobbling on her own two feet for a while before shaking it off and looking at he cavalry that surrounded her and this woman.

"I assume you were going to the tournament?"

"T-the what?"

Say yes.

Fuck off.

"Y-yes, milady. I... apologize for the rut you just found me in, and-"

"Nonsense! It's rarely a sight to see a woman fight off an entire gang of bandits singlehandedly! Why, I ought to recommend you to the winner's circle now! There's already a tie for first place, and I bet your cute charms and cute strength are enough to keep up with them!"

Here's the deal, twin-tails. I'm going to let you run loose for three years. Think you can handle that? Let me give you the backstory to your new standing in life. Welcome to Nohr. Far away from Ylisse and certainly far away from me. They value strength and power above all, so you'll fit in just fine, my little spicy plaything. As of now, you are in the presence of Princess Camilla, who, if you haven't noticed, is the one with the massive ax and breasts. She will kill you quite easily, so don't piss her off. Anyway, from what I've noticed, there seems to be a tournament here, the winner getting a secure spot at being one of the royal's retainers. When you stepped through that portal, I naturally put you in the most dangerous spot I could and killed every living thing within a two hundred foot radius of you. Luckily for your benevolent ass, they were all bandits, minus a few innocent children who just happened to be breathing my oxygen. And cue the Nohrian cavalry coming in, just as they 'see you' killing off the last bandit. What a hero, right?

What?

Ah, you puny mortal, so limited in your designs. Long story short, this is Nohr. Rawr, I'm strong, therefore I'm better. You are now getting your chance to be in the service of the Nohrian royalty. Fuck that up, and I'll come for your cute ass and ruin your life again. Actually, I'll be coming anyway in three years once I'm done killing off this pesky princess with the Falchion, who so happens to have gotten hands on Naga's powers and is fifteen years behind us. Fuck me, right? Anyway, once that's done, you're all mine. Enjoy your Nohrian life, smartass.

"Are you okay?" Camilla asked, looking at Selena who was lost in her own thoughts.

"I... I would very much like to compete in the tournament, milady," Selena admitted.

Ah, anything to be free from Uncle Grima.

We'll see about that.

Anyway, ciao for now, bitch. I'll bring back Lucina's head as a souvenir.

And I'll stick Falchion down your throat.

Haha, see you around, my lovely.

"So it is! It is settled. Xander, what shall we do with this fair maiden? She must be incredible with the sword and bow if she took out these many bandits with no more than a scratch and a bump on her head!"

"The nobility aren't going to like another non-pedigreed warrior messing up their plans. But anything to keep them out of the circles of power, as Father suggested."

"Ah, so you agree. Well, cute girl, I suppose you are coming with us! I do hope you win the tournament, because I'll pick you!" Selena smiled, and relaxed just a bit.

"I would be honored to serve you, milady."


"You know, my offer still stands," Robin continued, sitting up once his wound was clean and nearly invisible from the vulnerary. Selena sat across from him, still feeling guilty of stabbing the innocent man.

"What?"

"Before you stabbed me so rudely, I offered you the chance to kill Grima. That I was fighting back, and so must you. If you wouldn't mind the extra fighting, we could use someone like you. But not so much me..."

He turned to see Ophelia and Owain standing outside the doorway.

"...Your family missed you more than you know," Robin finished.

"Mother?" Ophelia whispered, walking inside, followed by Owain. All it took was Selena's smile to make the girl run towards her and hug her, despite her pain.

"So you're my husband," Selena joked, looking at Owain. "I am certainly not complaining. Cute daughter we have, too."

"Sevvy," Owain whispered through tears, embracing his wife.

"I promise, it's going to come back to me with time," Severa vowed. "I don't plan on going back to hell."

"We're going to be a family again," Ophelia whispered, too shaken for her usual vernacular.

"And kill Grima," Robin offered, still in the back, clutching his chest. Owain saw this and looked at his wife in confusion.

"D-did you stab Robin?" Selena grinned sheepishly and shook her head.

"Long story."


AN: Alright people, new poll is up, and this time it's about Ylissean/Nohrian/Hoshidan pairings. The timeline is officially screwed up now, thanks to Robin.

So if you have it in you to review, do suggest various pairings that could work between the three armies, more specifically, ones that fuck up the future kids' heads.

I hope you like my first suggestion... Check it out:

Takumi didn't like to admit it, but he enjoyed reading books, especially with that Pegasus Knight, Sumia. He especially didn't want to admit that he was staring at her a lot more than he should've been, these last few weeks. It didn't help that she asked him to read with her.