Author's Note: I apologize for the delayed update; this was not an easy chapter to pen... Also, this is being posted in place of the next Unwritten chapter. I'll be posting that next Saturday.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: Awakening

I owe the idea - and some of the words - to my brother, Lord Pikachu.

Journal Entry: Day of Doom 1

This will have to be quick, as I am going on patrol in half an hour.

I know I've neglected you the past few weeks, but I just haven't had time to write even a sentence. The only reason I've made time now - doing so is costing me nap-time - is because I don't want to forget all that's happened. Who knows, maybe someone will find our story interesting enough to publish, one day?

Here is basically what's happened since we've entered Plegia:

#1 We're stuck in another war.

#2 My father is a freakish sorcerer with a goatee.

#3 We're all destined to fail.

Well, that sums it up pretty well. Let the campaign begin! I can alrady see our recruitment banners: Fight and DIE with the Shepherds of Ylisse! (Chrom Wants YOU!)

Oh no; my sarcasim only pops up when I'm nervous. This is not good...

Thinking positively, this month hasn't been a total waste. For one thing, Validar may turn out to be a good father - remember he only resembles the assassin who tried to kill Emmeryn. There's no proof; I may have had a uncle who was a serial killer?

And Validar can't be completely terrible, as he did equip the Ylissean and Feroxi Army with ships (which means my first cruise will be on a battleship - yay me.), supplies, and even a few cases of valuable weaponry. He's promised not to foot us the bill at a later date.

Most of this "good news" is pretty iffy; yet I know there is at least some cause for hope. Sometime, in the midst of this chaos, an itty-bitty sliver of good news slipped through - of course, she brought horrible news with her, but hey, what else is new?

Lucina - my daughter - has come from the future to help us fight this war. Her original intent was simply to warn us and interfere only when absolutely necessary; but since we weren't able to stop Emmeryn's death (which, apparently, was another "destined" event that contributed to the coming tragedy), Lucina was inclined to listen to our pleas to stay with us. I suppose Lissa deserves most of the credit; she can be quite annoying (her version of "persuasive").

Lucina's presence is a wondrous blessing. She's a huge help about camp, she spars with Chrom so he doesn't have to break anymore of our training dummies, and even sits and listens to my mumblings while I plan out our next battle strategy!

What's more, being with Lucina numbs my homesickness. I do wonder how my baby is doing. I know she is in good hands but... Well, a mother wouldn't be a mother of she didn't fret a bit, right?

Whether we may defeat Destiny or not, at least I may be sure that Lucina's life is safe for a time, as long as she stays in the capital. I used to worry about how good a mother I was, but I don't have to anymore. Lucina erased all those fears. But I can be sure my daughter is - even now - a good, loving, helpful soul.

• {In Ylisstol} •

Ah! What an excellent nap! And such pleasant dreams, too; pity I can't actually give my blocks living souls. They would make better slaves than these twerps about the castle.

Where are they, anyway? I've been up for four minutes already! Don't they check on me anymore? Bah! I knew the attitudes of those maggots would change once Mother left. Foolish simpletons! Do they think I am not watching their every move? Hah! Idiots!

... Huff. Very well. Clearly I have no alternative. Prepare to suffer you fools! You have brought this upon yourselves! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

...Wow! Brilliant! Such a scream should be recorded! Must have something to do with being six months old; everything is a little easier, including shrieking. My royal chords have developed. Maybe I'll do one more before-

Oh, delightful... NOW you come! Well, maybe if you don't shove that blasted piece of plastic in my mouth, I'll forgive you. Or... Well, perhaps I'll just pull her hair as punishment... Ah-hah! Yes! Yes, writhe in pain, slave! HAHAHAHAHA! Yes! Another tug! Another scream! Hahaha-

Hey! How DARE you touch the royal hand! I shall have you flogged for this! I may touch whatever I like; it all belongs to me! You are all my property! Give me your curls, useless maggot!

What's this? We're going down? No, no! Not the floor! I hate the floor! No belly-time! Pick me up! Pickmeup! Waaaaaah!

...Ignore me, will you? Leave me to suffocate on the welcome mat of your feet?! Well I shall be avenged! This disregard will not go unchecked! When my father returns, he will sick his hounds on you and your family, rending you limb from limb! He will chase any remainders to the ends of the earth and back again! He will keep you all in fetters on the floor of my sacred playroom, making you scrub it with the brush in between your teeth! Then I shall pull your hair for eternity! MWAHAHAHA!

Oh hey, dolls!

In case that wasn't clear, those nebulous thoughts belong to baby Lucina. Thank you for reading!