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Lucina’s gut stirred with conflicting emotions.
The fact that they had found Morgan was, simply put, nothing short of a miracle. Lucina’s heart ached when she thought about Morgan’s fate in the awful future from which they hailed.
Because of those memories, Lucina still had a hard time believing her eyes, even with Morgan happily chattering away nearby, purposefully getting on Severa’s nerves as if nothing had ever happened.
The fact of the matter was Lucina was sure Morgan had died. She remembered holding the younger girl in her arms as she drew her last breath. Lucina hated to take such a blessing with as much skepticism as she felt, but she could not discount the possibility that this was some trick of the Fell Dragon.
Morgan’s amnesia complicated things further. She hardly remembered her father, let alone what had transpired in the future. As much as Lucina wanted to talk to Morgan and find the answers to how her friend was still alive, she knew that nobody held the answers.
Her other friends had taken the news with varying levels of acceptance and disbelief. Like herself, Gerome, Severa and Brady were suspicious. Meanwhile, Owain, Nah and Yarne were delighted to have their companion back. Morgan’s death had been a hard blow to take, and they weren’t going to complain about her miraculous appearance at the ruins they had been searching.
Eventually, Lucina could no longer bear her tumultuous emotions and excused herself from the group. She wandered through the Shepherd's camp without any real destination in mind, trying to wrestle her suspicious thoughts into submission.
Distracted as she was, it was fortunate she didn’t bump into anyone sooner. Lost in her head, she did not see the figure standing in her path until it was too late. She walked straight into the person, sending them tumbling to the ground as she caught them off balance. Her unlucky victim ended up being Robin, and Lucina stammered an apology as quickly as she could before helping him to his feet.
Lucina had her share of suspicions about Robin as well, as her only clue to the identity of her father's murderer in her timeline was that it had been one of his closest friends. Robin certainly fit that description well. The man had been like an uncle to her growing up. However, having seen how her father and Robin interacted, she did not truly believe that Robin was responsible for Chrom’s death.
“Are you alright, Lucina?” Robin asked, breaking her chain of thought. “You look pale. Are you feeling well?”
“N-no!” Lucina stammered. “I mean, yes, I am fine. What I mean is I should be apologizing. I should know better than not to pay attention to my surroundings.”
Robin chuckled and smiled warmly. “No harm done. Is there anything I can do to help? If you were that out of it, you must be wrestling with some seriously distracting thoughts.”
Lucina weighed her options. For the most part, she trusted Robin. Usually, she wouldn’t mind going to him for help with her problems. Robin was, after all, a brilliant and wise man. The issue was that her concerns revolved around Robin's daughter. They had only found her about a week ago, but Lucina had seen how attached Robin had grown to his future child with her own eyes. She knew the knowledge that Morgan had gotten hurt the way she had been would bring Robin much pain.
Robin waited patiently for an answer, and Lucina bit her lip. “… Well… to tell the truth, I am feeling rather troubled,” she admitted, unsure how much she wanted to divulge.
Robin raised an eyebrow. “Would you like me to fetch Chrom?” He asked. “Or perhaps Sumia? They would be more than happy to listen to your problems.”
Lucina hummed. “I know. But to tell you the truth, I am not sure my parents would take this issue as seriously as I might hope.”
Robin's brow furrowed. “Why not? They both care for you a great deal. I doubt they would brush your troubles away, no matter how complex or trivial they might be.”
“No, it’s not that,” Lucina said. “It’s just- I have these suspicions I can’t shake. Father would probably say something like, ‘I would trust each and every one of the shepherds with my life, Lucina. There’s nothing to fear.’ But that’s just it. As I’ve mentioned before, our only clue to my father's would-be murderer is that they are his close ally. As much as I hate to say it, my father is too trusting.”
Robin nodded. “I can’t say I disagree with you. But then again, I owe my life to Chrom being a trusting fool. I’d be dead in a ditch if not for him.”
Lucina raised an eyebrow at him. She’d not heard that story before. Nonetheless, it was distracting from the topic at hand. “Would you still be willing to listen to my dilemma if I told you they had to do with Morgan?” She asked tentatively, making up her mind.
Robin's expression changed to one of surprise. “You’re suspicious of Morgan? Is she alright?”
“She's fine,” Lucina soothed. “I left her with Owain and Severa. They were trying to see if they could help her remember anything about the future.”
Robin sighed a breath of relief. “Forgive me, Lucina. I’d be happy to listen to your troubles, especially if they concern Morgan. She hasn’t been bothering you, has she? I’ve already learned just how excitable she can be.”
“No, it’s nothing like that. Actually, can we go somewhere private?” Lucina asked. “I would rather not have this become common knowledge.”
Robin’s brow furrowed again. “It sounds serious,” he commented. “Very well. We can talk in my tent if that’s alright. I know some sound muffling spells that should protect us from unwanted listeners.”
Lucina smiled. “That sounds good. Lead the way, Robin.”
Robin returned her smile and led her back through the Shepherds camp. Robin's tent wasn’t far from the one Lucina shared with a few of her friends. It was right next to Chrom’s, and Chrom had insisted that Lucina pitch her tent nearby when she had officially joined the Shepherds.
When they arrived, Robin gestured for her to wait a moment and ducked inside. Lucina heard Robin exchange a few words with someone, only to reemerge with Tiki behind him a moment later. Lucina remembered hearing that their relationship had been considered something of a scandal in her timeline. Apparently, the same was true in this time as well, but the pair hadn’t allowed their naysayers to get in the way of their marriage.
Tiki pecked Robin on the cheek before turning to Lucina. “I’m glad you’re trusting Rob-Rob with your problems, dear,” she said. “I hope that you find a solution.”
“Thank you, Tiki,” Lucina replied politely.
Tiki nodded before walking off in the direction Lucina had left Morgan in.
“I didn’t tell her anything, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Robin told her.
Lucina nodded and followed Robin into the tent. She hadn’t seen the inside before, but it looked much like her own, as well as her parent's. The most significant difference was the bookshelf that stood within, packed with a multitude of scrolls, tomes and tactics treatises. The biggest piece of furniture in her father's tent was the desk he used for official Exalt business.
Robin pulled the chair out from his own smaller desk and set it opposite his cot before gesturing for Lucina to take a seat. When she did so, Robin selected a tome and muttered an incantation before replacing it on the shelf.
“There,” he said. “That will prevent anyone from listening in. INCLUDING YOU, THARJA!” Lucina jumped when Robin raised his voice and was surprised to hear the telltale grumbling of the Shepherd’s resident master of curses as she skulked away from the tent.
“Sorry about that,” Robin said. “She’s better than she used to be, but she still hasn’t quite broken her habit of eavesdropping on me.”
Lucina didn’t know what else to do but laugh lightly, and Robin smiled. He pulled a small, portable tea set out from a small box at the foot of his cot and struck a match, preparing something for them to drink. Thanks to a bit of fire magic, it was ready quickly, and Robin handed her a cup.
“Well, what did you want to talk about?”
Lucina took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts. She sipped her tea and sighed.
“I’m worried about Morgan,” she began. She paused, unsure of how to continue.
Robin frowned but didn’t say anything, waiting for her to continue.
Lucina sighed again. “Growing up, Morgan was one of my closest friends. About as close as you are with my father, actually. The castle staff used to joke that we were like sisters.”
Robin smiled. “It gladdens me to hear that. But why are you worried about her?”
“After you and father died, we did our best to support each other. Together, we led our friends in an effort to fight back against Grima and the Risen.”
Lucina took a deep, shuddering breath. The pain felt nearly as fresh as the day it happened.
“It was not enough. One night, a horde of Risen ambushed us. Morgan had been our lookout, and after she sounded the alarm, she bought us enough time to collect ourselves and prepare for battle, but by the time we arrived, it was too late. Morgan had defeated many enemies but was grievously wounded in the process. Brady did his best, but ultimately, he could not save her.”
Lucina's cheeks felt wet, and she realized tears had begun to fall.
“We killed the rest of the Risen, and I held Morgan in my arms as she died. I can remember the fear in her eyes. Morgan saved our lives that day at the cost of her own. One of my closest friends was gone, and I was powerless to save her.”
Lucina looked up at Robin and saw his horrified expression. Just as she had thought, the story clearly brought him great pain.
“Frankly, she should not be here today,” Lucina continued. “As glad as I am to see her again, a part of me can’t believe that it’s true. I can’t help but fear that this is somehow a cruel trick of Grima’s design.”
Robin swallowed roughly. He looked like he wanted to vomit, and Lucina couldn’t blame him. The story left her feeling sick as well.
“… my little girl…” he muttered to himself. “Lucina, I- I am so sorry. To think that my failures could lead to- No. I’m sorry. Lucina, I understand your concerns, but given everything we know about the Fell Dragon, I did not think it was within its capabilities to create or restore? Is it not a creature of destruction and death?”
Lucina nodded tentatively. Morgan was here, and she was real. That was for certain. And she definitely wasn’t a Risen. Morgan was far too lively for that. Not to mention she didn’t smell like a corpse.
“Then there must be another factor that we haven’t considered,” Robin concluded. “Tell me, what exactly were the injuries that led to her… to her death?”
Robin looked about as green as his wife and daughter's hair as he said that, and Lucina didn’t blame him. It was a grisly subject that nobody wished to discuss about their family members.
“If I remember correctly, the worst wound she had was a puncture wound in her abdomen from a Risens lance. It skewered her straight through to the other side.”
Robin's skin turned an even sicklier shade of green, but he nodded. “I have a theory I’d like to test,” he said. “I’m going to go and find Maribelle. We’ll need her help. Would you find Morgan and Tiki for me and meet us at the medical tent?”
“Of course,” Lucina replied. “Thank you, Robin.”
“Anytime. The Shepherds are my family, Lucina, and that includes you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you and the others.”
Lucina flushed. Robin had said something similar to her when she was a young girl in the future. It was another reminder of what she was fighting for.
She bade Robin farewell and returned to where she had left Morgan and the others about an hour ago. When she arrived, Owain and Severa had left, but Morgan was still there, talking with her mother.
“Excuse me!” She called, interrupting Morgan’s sentence. The pair of Manaketes turned at the sound of her voice, seemingly startled.
“Apologies,” Lucina quickly said. “Robin sent me to find the two of you. Would you come with me to the medical tent?”
Immediately, their expressions grew worried. “Is Robin alright?” Tiki asked, concern evident in her voice.
Lucina flinched. She really needed to practice choosing her words more carefully. “It’s nothing like that,” she promised. “It actually concerns Morgan’s health. I was talking to Robin about something that happened in the future, and he wanted Morgan to have a quick check-up after learning the story.”
Morgan and Tiki shared a look.
“Luci…” Morgan began. “Did something happen? Are you alright?”
“I must admit I have my concerns as well,” Tiki agreed. “Lucina dear, what’s going on?”
Lucina looked away bashfully, feeling unsure of herself. Usually, she didn’t let her emotions show like this, but she was at the end of her rope, and it seemed everything she had been holding in was spilling out.
“I’ll explain everything when we get there,” she promised, “but I don’t think anything is wrong.” Lucina looked at them expectantly, and after a moment, they both took a step towards her. Lucina breathed a sigh of relief and turned to lead the mother and daughter to where Robin was waiting for them.
It did not take them long to arrive at the medical tent. Robin was standing outside with Maribelle as expected, looking nervous but less ill than he had after Lucina told him the story. Maribelle had a look of seriousness on her face, though Lucina could also detect concern and worry. It made sense that Robin had wanted her. Aunt Lissa had loose lips and would’ve been liable to let the story slip before they were ready, which would’ve caused untold confusion amongst the Shepherds. Libra or Brady would have been able to keep the secret as well, but Morgan would likely be more comfortable with a female healer than a male one, and Lucina knew for a fact that Brady was among those who still distrusted Morgan.
Maribelle ushered everyone inside, and thankfully, nobody was there. It would’ve been awkward if somebody else was inside receiving treatment for something. They could’ve used one of the privacy curtains they had available, but they would definitely still be overheard.
“What’s going on, father?” Morgan asked. “You and Lucina are both acting super weird.”
“I would also like to know the reason for that. Would you care to elaborate for us, please?” Tiki added.
Lucina looked at Robin, who returned her gaze and nodded reassuringly at her. She took a deep breath to steady herself before repeating everything she had told Robin earlier. It was just as difficult the second time, watching Tiki and Maribelle's faces show all the same emotions that Robins had. It wasn’t easier to tell either. What troubled Lucina the most, however, was Morgan’s expression.
At first, the Manakete girl had been surprised, but as Lucina continued the story, her face grew pensive, and Lucina could almost see her mind working to make sense of it all.
At the end of the story, Tiki pulled Morgan into her arms and buried her face in her hair. Lucina felt like a coward, but she hadn’t wanted to talk about it for precisely this reason. The story clearly had a profound effect on the family.
Maribelle wiped her eyes. “Robin briefed me on the situation, but to hear the entire tale in person… why, if it were my Brady, I… Morgan, may I give you a check-up? We need to-“
“You want to see if I’ve got wounds or scars that match Lucina’s story, right?” Morgan asked expectantly.
Lucina jumped, not expecting the frankness in Morgan’s statement. She had been uncharacteristically serious for a while now. Lucina turned to Robin, who was nodding grimly.
“Essentially, yes,” he said. “When Lucina told me that story and expressed her confusion at how you had survived, I could only think of one possibility, aside from some kind of miracle from Naga.”
Tiki shook her head. “My mother is powerful, but she is not omnipotent. I can imagine her powers would be so diminished in Lucina's timeline that she could barely keep track of her granddaughter's whereabouts, let alone her health. It’s troubling, to say the least.”
Lucina nodded. “Naga said as much to us when she finally contacted us. She told us it took all her remaining strength to send us back to the past.”
“Right,” Robin agreed. “I figured that would be the case, which is why I believe Morgan is actually from a different timeline altogether after hearing Lucina’s tale. All that’s left now is to confirm it.”
Everyone turned to Morgan, and the girl blushed. She removed the cloak she had inherited from her version of her father, and Lucina was surprised by how much smaller Morgan appeared without it. As a Manakete, Lucina knew Morgan would stop visibly aging sooner rather than later. It was very likely she wouldn’t look much different than she did now by the time Lucina was a wrinkled old woman.
Morgan cleared her throat, startling her out of her thoughts, and Lucina flushed, both because she was embarrassed to notice Morgan had taken her shirt off, leaving only her chest coverings, and also because she had become so wrapped up in her thoughts.
Maribelle looked Morgan over professionally, checking for old wounds and scars. A few were visible to Lucina from where she was standing. Unfortunately, it was inevitable that a person would get wounded while fighting in a war.
“Lucina, darling,” Maribelle said. “Could you come over and confirm these marks for me? You are the only one here who knows what we should be looking for.”
Lucina nodded and stepped around the cot to stand by Maribelle's side. She could tell Morgan felt uncomfortable, poked and prodded like she was while several people watched, and Lucina's heart went out in sympathy for her.
“Do you know what this is from?” Maribelle asked and pointed to a long scar on Morgan’s side. Thankfully, Lucina did recognize it, though it wasn’t the one they were looking for.
“Yes,” she replied. “Morgan got this when we were playing as children. It had just rained outside, and we were running. She slipped and fell, cutting herself on an upturned stone.”
Morgan snorted at her childhood mishap, and Lucina cracked a small smile despite herself while continuing to examine Morgan’s stomach with Maribelle. The wound that Morgan had died from in Lucina’s future had been just below her lungs and had likely grazed them, according to Brady, but no matter what angle Lucina looked at her, there was no mark marring Morgan’s skin.
Morgan had never experienced that fateful ambush.
Lucina stumbled back, falling on her rear and throwing her hands back to catch herself. Robin and Tiki gasped, and Maribelle moved to steady her. While Lucina tried to calm her racing heart, everyone seemed to hold their breath in anticipation.
Eventually, Lucina found her words. “She… isn’t the same Morgan!” She exclaimed. “Morgan, you’re not from the same timeline as us!”
The revelation sat heavy in the air between them, and Morgan seemed to shrink in on herself even more. When nobody said anything, Morgan pulled her shirt back on.
“At least we know I’m not a zombie,” Morgan joked, but nobody said anything, likely still processing the information and what it meant for them. Morgan’s face fell, and Lucina thought she saw tears well in the corners of her eyes. “I- I’m gonna go….” Morgan muttered, and before anyone could stop her, she made a break for it, leaving the tent behind so quickly she didn’t even stop to grab her cloak while ignoring everyone’s protests.
“I should go after her,” Robin said immediately, but Lucina jumped up instead.
“Let me go,” she pleaded. “I… think she could use a friend right now. And besides, you should probably inform my father of what we discovered tonight.”
Robin looked like he wanted to argue, as did Tiki, for that matter, but he sighed and relented. “Okay. Look after her for me, won’t you?”
Lucina nodded resolutely. “You have my word. I’ll make sure she’s okay and bring her back. I’m sure she’ll want your comfort then. The past couple weeks have been very confusing for her.”
“Thank you, Lucina,” Tiki said. “We shall speak with your father; now go quickly.”
Lucina nodded. She stood and grabbed Morgan’s cloak before running outside in the direction Morgan had gone. It was time to make things right between them.
Lucina only stopped to ask the other Shepherds she came across if they’d seen Morgan and took off running again as soon as she was given directions. Before long, she had reached the edge of camp and found herself at the edge of a forest. Lucina knew it would be foolish to wander in the dark in the fading sunlight, but she had to find Morgan, so she pressed onwards, following the trail of snapped saplings and displaced plants Morgan had left in her wake.
Surprisingly, before long, Lucina found herself in a clearing. Morgan lay in the center, staring at the vibrant colours of the sky as the sun dipped below the treeline. She was crying.
“Morgan?” Lucina asked tentatively.
Morgan jumped and sat upright, reaching up to run the tears from her eyes. Lucina closed the distance between them in a few quick strides and sat beside her, pulling Morgan into a side hug. Lucina noticed she was shivering and quickly wrapped Morgan’s cloak around her shoulders.
Morgan sniffed. “I’m sorry I’m not her…” she said.
Lucina felt tears pool in the corners of her own eyes, but she ignored them.
“I’m sorry I made you feel like you had to be,” she replied.
Morgan turned to look at her directly, curiosity brimming behind her watery eyes. Lucina swallowed.
“When we found you at the ruined temple, I didn’t know what to think. I had watched you die, yet you were standing before me. My heart was all over the place. I was so happy to see you again, and I was also confused, but most of all, I… was suspicious. I thought it was too good to be true or a trick of some kind.”
Morgan laughed humourlessly. “I guess it ended up being true, huh.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Lucina admonished. “The Morgan I knew may still be gone, which pains me greatly, but you are still here. It’s like with our parents. We may not be from the same timeline, but we treat each other as such despite that. This is a second chance. Naga knows I’ve been granted too many of those. It does make one wonder what the timeline you came from was like, though.”
Morgan sniffled and wiped the snot from crying off her face. “I can’t remember a lot except for the memories of my father. What I do know is that the memories I do have are happy ones. Maybe I come from a timeline where things worked out okay for everyone, and Naga sent me here because she knew I could help save this world too.”
Lucina smiled at her, and Morgan gave her a shaky one in return before leaning in to rest her head on Lucina’s shoulder.
“That sounds wonderful, Morgan. I hope that’s true. Nobody deserves to grow up in the future that we did. To be honest, the idea gives me hope that we can succeed.”
Morgan nodded. “Even though I’m not your Morgan, I still want to help and be there for you like she would have. If you’ll trust me, that is.”
Lucina blushed in embarrassment. “I should’ve never doubted you to begin with. No matter the timeline, I don’t think any Morgan is capable of evil.”
Morgan managed to laugh. “I don't know. If it meant protecting someone I loved, I'd probably do some pretty bad things.” She gave Lucina a pointed look, and an understanding passed between them. They would both do whatever it took to protect the ones they loved.
“I still wouldn’t call that version of you evil,” Lucina insisted. “Perhaps a victim of your circumstances, or your fear for your loved ones, but never evil.”
They both laughed at that. Lucina hugged her more tightly.
“We’re getting off-topic. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you and made you feel like you weren’t enough because you’re not the same Morgan I knew. Even though you’re not her, I’m so glad you’re here with us.”
“Thanks, Luci,” Morgan replied warmly. “I think it’s a good thing I’m here as well now. I can be there for you and everyone else like the other me would’ve been if she was able. Let’s save the world together!”
“Yes, let's,” Lucina agreed. She laughed lightly. “Your resilience surprised me often in my timeline, and you continue to do so here. I hadn’t expected you to bounce back so quickly if I am being honest.”
Morgan rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, to tell the truth, I’m still a bit shaken up. Between getting amnesia, being told I’m a time traveller and then finding out I’m not even from the same timeline as the people who are supposed to be my friends in such a short period is a lot to take in. Still, I do feel better after talking to you. Thank you for coming to find me.”
Lucina smiled at her. “I would do no less for one of my friends. Now, how about we head back to camp? Your parents are worried sick about you.’
Morgan blushed. “Yeah, that sounds good. Sorry again for running off. I guess I just got a bit freaked out. I needed a minute, you know? Anyway, when we get back, do we have to tell everyone about me right away?”
Lucina took Morgan's hand in her own and squeezed it affectionately. “The only people who know other than those who were in the medical tent with us are my parents. We felt it prudent to let them know, and I apologize for not asking you first. We can let everyone else know at your pace.”
“Thank you,” Morgan said, sighing a breath of relief. She squeezed Lucina’s hand in return before rising to her feet and offering a hand to pull Lucina up.
Lucina accepted and allowed Morgan to help her stand, and the pair walked back toward camp in companionable silence. When they arrived, their parents were waiting for them. Immediately, Tiki ran to them and began to smother her daughter, making sure she was alright.
“ Mooom ,” Morgan complained. “Lay off! Luci helped me, so I'm good now!”
Tiki was having none of it and continued to fuss. Lucina couldn't help herself and laughed at her friend's predicament. Morgan shot her a look as if to call her a traitor, which only made Lucina giggle harder. Robin and her parents approached, looking relieved.
“Thank you for finding her,” Robin said.
“Think nothing of it, please,” Lucina replied bashfully. “We needed to have this talk. I haven’t treated her fairly, and it was high time we rectified that.”
“In that case, thank you for being such a good friend to Morgan,” Robin said with a smile. Lucina could tell from his expression that he would insist on thanking her no matter what, so she decided to accept his gratitude and leave it be. She turned to face her parents, who looked at her with pride and sadness. After a moment, Sumia pulled Lucina into a hug just as overbearing as Morgan's current predicament.
“ Mother! ” Lucina cried, feeling embarrassed. She caught Morgan's eye, and though she was smiling at her with a cheeky expression, an understanding passed between them. Lucina knew they were both secretly pleased with their mother's attentions.
“My poor girl,” Sumia murmured into Lucina’s shoulder. “Every time I learn something new about what you went through, it breaks my heart. I wish there were more I could do to ease your burdens.”
Her father placed a hand on her shoulder. “Robin explained everything,” he said. “Your bravery astounds me, Lucina. You and all your friends.”
He stepped closer and pulled them both into his arms protectively. “Rest assured,” he continued, “our resolve has never been stronger. Robin and I are in agreement. We refuse to let anything like this happen again. You have our word.”
Despite knowing firsthand just how easy it would be to fail to keep that promise in the middle of a war, Lucina could not help but trust her father's conviction. She made eye contact with Morgan again, who was now in a similar embrace with her parents. No matter what trials lay ahead or who stood in their way, they would change fate for their parents, and for themselves too.