Notes: FFnet continues not to update the story properly :( Please remember that I update daily, one new chapter each day; tomorrow and on Friday, there will be the last chapters! Drop by even if FFnet doesn't bring the story up.

Stats: OMG, you're all registered now in the spreadsheet, everyone! The requests are off the charts! ...and no, I wasn't expecting the ChromPheros to happen, but I got an idea running in my mind now. You all are so inspiring :D

Morgan stayed behind with Say'ri as Rei'na walked Gangrel to the healers' tent. The woman asked him about his tears, nodding in understanding as he explained. She shared that she had been in his situation with Yen'fay, as his mother had died and their father had remarried. She told him things would get better with time. He wasn't so sure...

"Child tactician, come with us," Walhart said, startling them.

Aversa tried not to laugh out loud. "It's nothing bad. Chrom wants to see you."

Say'ri gave him a sympathetic hug, and he followed the craziest pair of them all, his false aunt throwing an arm around his shoulders possessively. Morgan didn't want to see his father, remembering Lucina's words... Things wouldn't get better; they could only get worse.

So he focused on his escorts. Aversa was the only one that had come into camp visibly pregnant, giving zero cares. Walhart was similarly unaffected, following a belief that his wife could do anything she had done before, as long as it was in moderation. They were so relaxed about everything, he envied their luck.

His aunt-of-sorts noticed. "Not my fault your mother's a wimp, pipsqueak," she teased. "I mean, who gets forced bed rest three weeks in?"

"She didn't do so bad in the end," the conqueror countered, patting Morgan's head.

He had heard Robin's screams before Lucina lost it, and after he had been wondering about the relative silence as Say'ri talked with him. He felt relief wash through him, hearing the imposing man's words now. At least his mother was doing well...

"You will fall now!"

The pair immediately reacted to the blast of dark magic headed their way, Aversa pulling Morgan closer as Walhart shielded them.

"That must be your son," he declared, having learnt the pattern.

...someone out of his sight was beating the snot out of the mage ahead of them, while the adults chuckled darkly, ignoring his words.

Morgan pushed away from his aunt's chest and spun around, "Lucina?!"

His half-sister threw him a nasty look, a tome split in half at her feet, before she kneed the young man in front of her between the legs. The pale-haired guy dropped like a ton of bricks to the ground.

"Morgan, I was talking with the other Grimleal children," the princess said, "and there is trouble coming our way. You need to hear them; I left Yen'fay and aunt Emmeryn guarding them at the mess tent."

Their cousin was coming? That was the problem? They couldn't be much worse than Owain, could they?

"We'll take care of our child, don't you worry," Aversa said, pushing Morgan toward Lucina.

Walhart nodded gravely. "And warn Chrom and the other Shepherds... Son, what is your name?"

"Morton! How... can you not... know?!"

Morgan and Lucina didn't stay for the newest family's drama, running to join the others. She apologized for her own outburst earlier, promising to try to be a better elder sister to him. He smiled at her.

Morton the Dark Mage: Son of Walhart and Aversa. Inherited his father's ambition, but surprisingly only got his mother's affinity for dark magic. Aims to become a dark knight and lead an army across Plegia, to seize the constantly empty throne and become the king. Has a soft spot for children and the elderly.