DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS BELONG TO NINTENDO.

A/N: This is the 2ND chapter I posted today. A DOUBLE UPDATE! WOOHOO! So if you haven't read the previous one, go back and give that one a read first. If you already have, then coolio!

Naga's Voice 10

The Ylissean forces settled in the northern and western districts of the fortress. The Valmese took the two others.

Both sides had spent the remainder of the day carrying away their fallen comrades and giving them a proper burial. Libra had attended the modest funeral for both forces, making sure that each passed on respectfully, as humans untarnished by the divisions man had placed on the world.

Although there were many casualties on both sides, the Valmese had lost nearly half of their forces.

Robin lay in a tent, regaining strength from his injuries. He stared at the ceiling awkwardly.

Lucina sat in a chair beside him.

He had wanted to talk to her about the battle, but could not bring himself to.

He turned his head to stare at the reasons for his inability to converse properly.

Behind Lucina, was Kjelle, Owain, Cynthia and Severa all sitting on the floor. Gerome stood by the entrance.

All of them had been battered and bruised, save for Cynthia who had been with Sumia, one of the few Shepherds not to sustain any injuries during the conflict.

Owain read a book, a bandage wrapped around his head, while Severa took quick peeks over at the reading material.

Kjelle fiddled with the bandaging around her arm, while Cynthia lay on the floor, humming to herself.

Robin couldn't tell where Gerome was looking due to the mask that he seemed rather attached to.

Robin cleared his throat. "So... what brings everyone here?"

Lucina furrowed her brows. "Because you're injured, of course!"

"Fair enough, but why are ALL of you here?"

"Because we're worried about you too." Kjelle said simply.

"Yeah, you're our pal!" Owain said.

Severa kept her eyes glued to Owain's book. "...Everyone else was here."

"I wanted to ask you about stuff, Robin!" Cynthia said, waving a hand in the air.

Robin rolled his eyes, wondering when indeed he had become so close with them. Despite that, he appreciated their concern for his well being and he too saw them as friends. Deciding that he would be able to chat with Lucina later, he decided to entertain the rest of his guests. "Umm, Cynthia. What did you want know?"

"How long have you known my sis?" Cynthia asked. "You two seem awfully friendly."

Robin thought about it. "...I'd see a little over a month?"

Cynthia went over to him and leaned in close. "That's all it takes, huh?" she said with a grin and narrowed eyes.

Robin flushed at the implication. "W-what are you talking about?"

Lucina leaned in from her seat. "What? What did you say?" she asked Cynthia.

"Soooo Owain, how many of those dastards did you slay?" Robin asked loudly, trying to blot out Cynthia, who from this moment he decided was a demon.

Lucina shrugged and leaned back in her seat.

Owain looked up from his book. "Oh man, you should've see me! I was cutting down foes left and right, sending them back from whence they came! I even acquired a legendary weapon amid the turmoil." Owain unsheathed his jagged blade. "It would seem as though I am able to channel my latent power through this blade, as in the middle of combat, I was able to shroud it in lightning!"

Robin studied the sword in Owain's hand. "Wow, nice find. That's a Levin Sword. It's a magical sword with innate electrical energy." Robin saw Owain's shoulders drop upon finding out his 'legendary weapon' was but a common blade. Robin was perplexed that it seemed that Owain had never seen one before. "I-I mean, wow! Isn't that that lost blade from that ancient war... a few hundred years back? The one that erm.. that one hero slayed an army of demons with?" he corrected himself, wishing to not crush the young man's dreams.

Owain immediately grinned and ran his fingers across the sword's blade. "R-really? Then it is only right that it's made its way back to a suitable successor."

Robin smiled, seeing his hopes restored.

"That's very sweet of you." Lucina whispered to him with smile. "Not many people can put up with his little antics, but he's my cousin and I appreciate you taking his feelings into account."

Robin blushed slightly at the praise. "...I don't know what you're talking about. That really is a mythical weapon..." he muttered.

Lucina giggled softly.

"...Who are you?" a voice called from the back of the tent.

Robin lifted his head to see Gerome looking right at him.

"I'm... Robin. The Shepherd's Tactician. And you're Gerome right? It's good to have you with us. I'm sure Lucina and her friends are also happ-"

"I don't remember you being a Shepherd were I came from." Gerome interrupted.

"Gerome!" Lucina said disapprovingly.

"I don't understand why you hold such an important role among the Shepherds. What caused this? Lucina, with all do respect, I was under the impression that we were not supposed to go around altering things in this time, yet here we are." Gerome said irritably.

"You're here too aren't you?" Severa shot back.

"...That is a different matter altogether. When Cynthia and myself were flying overhead, I caught sight of you four. Logically, I assumed the situation regarding our secrecy had changed. But what I want to know is why?" Gerome asked.

Lucina turned around in her seat. "Because our presence is needed here. Working in the shadows isn't enough anymore."

"But what of the consequences that this will cause in our time?"

Lucina stared at the floor. "...But don't you see? Just being here has caused changes that will divert this time from ours. Even if we were still in hiding, this world would change regardless... I'm my own person, right here and right now. What I do here won't affect what happens to me." she finished confidently as she looked up at him.

"Now what could have led you to believe that?" Gerome asked in frustration, staring at Robin from behind his mask.

"A friend." she said, holding her ground.

"And who might that be?" Gerome asked, although he already had an idea.

Lucina had picked up on the hostility that Gerome seemed to exude towards Robin. Not wanting to pinpoint Robin as the source of her new found resolve, she replied, "It's not just one person, Gerome. Everyone, the Shepherds, our families, they all want us here. This is were we belong now."

"This is were we belong? This isn't our time!"

Lucina bit her lip. "...Have you ever thought about how it's even possible to go back?"

"What do you mean? Of course we can! Naga sent us here. After our roles our over, she'll send us back."

"... ...Go back to what? Think about all of this carefully... Our parents finding out about us... Wouldn't that cause some changes regarding our births? When we were born? Surely after they found out they have children in the future, we won't be conceived in the same manner as before. Yet here we are, unchanged by the flow of time! If what we do here really does affect our future, tell me why all of us are the same?" she breathed.

"...Lucina." Robin whispered.

The rest of the children looked to their leader in shock, her words slowly sobering them to the true nature of their presence in between time.

Gerome clenched his fists as the truth dawned upon him.

"..Our future... " Lucina started, tears streaming down her face. "Our future will still lay in ruins despite what we do here... Naga did not send us back to save our world. She gave us all a second chance, as well as a chance to prevent that calamity from befalling this world... I won't let that go to waste... This is our world too, now." she said with conviction, taking upon all the knowledge she had gained from Robin and the others.

Owain wiped the tears from his face. "...I too refuse to give up. It's a crying shame we might not be able to save our world but... but you're right, cousin. Th-this world is real, and we live in it now."

"My parents are here... They're real... That's good enough for me..." Severa whispered, her lips quivering.

"Time travel can kiss my rear... I'm not letting the parents I just had lunch with, perish." Kjelle said as she sniffled.

Gerome stared at his friends in shock. This was clearly their win. He could not deny the truth behind Lucina's claims. His heart ache, thinking about how long these thoughts must have plagued her. He knew it was the Tactician that had planted these ideas into her head. But rather than tear her apart, he saw the same strong-willed leader that he admired for so long furiously clinging onto hope. A small part of him, despite his growing suspicions and distrust, felt some gratitude to Robin for helping Lucina through what were surely some very dark days.

Gerome walked up to Lucina and handed her his handkerchief. "...I apologize, princ... Lucina. I was merely worried for all of our safety."

Lucina took the cloth and wiped her face. "...It's fine, Gerome. I'm just glad your back... Will you give it a chance? Accepting all of this?
she pleaded.

Gerome stared down at her face. "I will... give it some thought..." He turned around and exited the tent.

Robin stared at Lucina, who seemed down about the argument she had with her newly reunited friend. He turned to see Cynthia smiling gently at him as she sat on the bedside.

"Thank you for helping my sis." she whispered to him.

"What?" Robin asked, wondering how she seemed to pick up on everything that had occurred.

"My mother told me that you were the one that got her to open up to everyone. Lucy's always been working herself to death, so when I heard how much fun she was having here... I'm just glad she has a friend like you."

Robin smiled. He patted the girl on the head. "Well I'm your friend too, now."

"Really? But.. we just met."

"You're a Shepherd aren't you?"

Cynthia nodded.

"Then I'm sure your father must've told you that the Shepherds are a family."

Cynthia smile sweetly. "Mhm!"

With their hopes dropped, then restored, the rest of the children spoke to one another about their dreams for their new futures.

Several Sages wandered the streets, retrieving equipment that lay scattered on the battlefield.

"I'm glad to see that most of us made it." one spoke.

"Aye, as am I." another said.

"...You didn't happen to see Yavere after the battle, did you?"

"Zaltrin... was supposedly the only survivor from her group... He said he saw one of those larger devils fling her away... After that, he had no choice but to fall back and find the others."

"...It's a shame. There were still many things that girl wanted to do."

"Aye, but this is war. Remember why we fight. Bora wanted us to free Valm, did he not?"

The sage nodded. "And what more, to see this through and live happy lives."

Cervantes lay on his back, a healer tending to his wounds. "Any word on Captain Durvel's whereabouts?" he asked another Captain who sat in the tent.

The man shook his head. "There were reports that his crew were annihilated by the Risen, sir."

"Damn it all." Cervantes muttered.

"The Ylisseans... they saved us, sir." The Captain spoke.

Cervantes shut his eyes. "Aye, they did."

"...There forces... their forces now double what we have. What if they seek to eliminate us?" the man asked with worry.

Cervantes chuckled. "I wouldn't let that bother you. I've met with their leaders. They're monsters, but they'll keep their word. I could see it in their eyes."

"We should eliminate them." Robin said when asked about what to do with the situation with the Valmese.

"...Really?" Basilio asked in surprise.

Robin chuckled. "No, of course not, it was a jape. It would be the strategic thing to do, given the vastness of the Empire, but it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. Besides, we can't turn a blind eye to the fact that we might not have held out as long as we had without their help."

Basilio rubbed the back of head. "It deals me great pain to admit my gratefulness to those dogs, but I suppose you're right. Ylisse keeps it classy even during war, huh?"

Robin nodded. "I don't know what they're fighting for, but they've got their reasons and we've got ours. In the end we're all still people."

"Watch out boy, I'm a terrible swimmer and I fear I'll drown in all this deepness." Basilio chuckled.

Robin let out a laugh. The future children had left alongside Lucina. Basilio had come in to discuss the aftermath of the battle. "But it doesn't change a thing. This truce is a one time deal. The next time we meet, we'll be at each other's throats once more."

"Your not getting soft are you? Basilio asked with a raised brow.

Robin shook his head. "No. We'll fight them with all we've got. Besides, I promised their General we'd settle the matter the next time our forces meet on the battlefield." he said.

The sun had almost set. The Valmese, as per their end of the bargain, were ready to set off.

Robin stood before Cervantes, alongside Chrom.

"And with this, we must part." Cervantes said as he stroked his stache.

"Good riddance." Robin said with a smile.

Cervantes looked between the two. "Oh, and I suppose you two would be so kind enough to fill me in on just what we were fighting earlier?"

Chrom and Robin looked to one another. Deciding it to be for the best, they chose to tell him what exactly the Risen were. "Have you heard of the Grimleal?" Robin asked.

Cervantes twisted the tips of his facial hair. "I certainly have. And if this explanation is going where I fear it is, I'm highly disturbed to say the least."

"You have every right to be." Chrom said.

Robin continued with his explanation. "There are far greater things happening in this world than this war between our continents. We have reason to believe that the Grimleal are gaining power and seeking to revive Grima."

"...You don't say. Well... I suppose that's all I need to hear. I appreciate it." Cervantes said.

"Will you still continue with this meaningless invasion of our land, knowing such event will happen?" Robin asked.

"Unfortunately, it's not my decision to make. However, I'll be sure to send word of this to the Emperor himself. Whatever he chooses to do with said information, is up to him alone."

"Fair enough." Robin said.

Cervantes chuckled. "I warn you all. My forces are only but a potion of the Empire. We are over a million strong. If you still wish to continue with your crusade, you'd better be ready to put your lives on the line."

"We would not have crossed the sea to get here had we not planned on that." Chrom spoke.

"True." Cervantes grinned. "May we meet again." He turned to Robin. "Tactician. Steel yourself for the road ahead. There will only be more suffering in store for all us."

Robin nodded. "I plan to run down your Empire with ease."

Cervantes let out one final laugh before turning to leave.

As the General walked away, the Valmese forces slowly made their exit from the fortress around the Mila Tree.

"Quite the cold shoulder there." Chrom chuckled.

"This is war, after all. It's a rule of thumb to not get too friendly with the enemy." Robin shrugged.

"You're unbelievable." Chrom laughed.

Say'ri walked up to the two. "I believe it is time we free Lady Tiki from captivity."

"That's right, the reason we're here." Robin pulled out a key from his pocket. "Cervantes says this opens the cells at the top of the tree."

"Then let us hurry at once."

The Shepherds, Say'ri and the Khans left their forces to rest, as they traveled up the steps to the top.

The walk had been long and exhausting.

Part way to the shrine at the top, like Cervantes had said, was a large cavern within the tree.

The group entered the spacious area. It was furnished with beds and other necessities . Perhaps an outpost for higher ranking officers.

At the end of the room was a hall with series of cages containing several people.

Robin opened each cell, the Shepherds helping the prisoners out.

The prisoners consisted of several Resistance members that had been caught snooping around the area. They quickly rallied around Say'ri, bombarding her with questions regarding the state of the Resistance. She informed them that the group at Valm Harbor had wiped out. After some heavy hearts, she had them escorted to the base of the tree by Frederick, to get some much needed nourishment.

One more cell at the end of the hall remained.

"This must be were Lady Tiki is." Lucina said.

"Unless Cervantes decided to pull a fast one." Chrom grumbled.

As they neared the cell, they could make out two figures sitting in the darkness that was lit only by a single hole like window,

Robin inserted the key, and with a twist, the gate opened.

"Are you the Ylisseans?" A woman called out from within.

"Aye." Say'ri replied.

The Shepherds backed away to give the person room to exit.

The woman stepped out into the dim light that shone from the entrance. She wore a short red dress, with boots of the same color up to her knees. A pink cape hung over her shoulders. Her most distinct features were her pointed ears, a trademark of the Manakete, and her vibrant green hair.

"I am Tiki." she spoke with a gentle smile. "I thank you for freeing me from my confines."

"It's an honor." Chrom said, politely bowing. The others mimicked the gesture.

"The honor is mine." Tiki said, bowing in return.

Say'ri spoke up. "Lady Tiki, if you will, let us head to the shrine. There are many things that needs to be discussed."

"Gladly." Tiki said. "If you will kindly wait just a moment, there is still one other." Tiki turned around towards the cell. "Come now, young one. We're safe with them." she called to the other person in the cell.

The person stood up and slowly made their way out. As the person stepped out into the light, a series of gasps went around the room.

The girl, who had strikingly dark blue hair which ran down to her shoulders, was clad in an all too familiar outfit that mirrored that of the Great King Marth. It was obvious the outfit had been tailored to fit her small frame.

She stepped out of the cell and stared blankly at the faces of her saviors. She caught sight of someone within the crowd and suddenly tears began to form around her eyes.

The young girl ran past the Shepherds, pushing aside Chrom and Robin. She made her way to the back of the group and jumped at Lucina. The girl threw her arms around the princess, holding as tight as she could. She sobbed loudly into Lucina's chest. "...Mother!"

A/N: WHAAA?!

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!?

So with this chapter, we bid farewell to the Naga's Voice arc.

I'd love to go on to the usual routine and recap the various things that happened in this chapter, but I'm sure none of you care because MORGAN FINALLY APPEARS!

Commence fireworks! Pop the champagne! Get naked! Whatever floats your boat.

It seems that Morgan only remembers Lucina this time around. It may cause some of you to worry, that this may mean that the good old 'strategy loving Morgan' is gone, but that is not necessarily true. I ask that you trust me on this one and see what the I've got planned on the horizon.

How will Robin, the future children, and the Shepherds react?

Want to take bets on how fast Chrom's hair will fall out?

MASSIVE SUMIANESS INBOUND NEXT CHAPTER. Maybe.

And most of all, how will Lucina react after being put into the spotlight like this?

I hope you enjoyed the reveal! I know many of you have been waiting for it.

Til next time!