Draco: Okay, who's the dumbass who thought it was a good idea to keep track of other kingdoms' Pokémon in the 100Pkmn stories? Honestly. How does Yoshihiro gathering 100 Pokémon hinder Keiji's ability to gather 100 Pokémon? And seriously, Nintendo, did you have to make Nene and Nō another catch 'em all 100% completion contest? That's enough of a pain in the ass in the main series, we don't need that in a Nobunaga's Ambition crossover.

I haven't done all too much Samurai Warriors recently, but I do know for a fact that Hideyoshi uses a spear in the first game. He doesn't get more articulate until the second at least. This will be reflected by him using a spear in this battle and switching to his next weapon after transformation.

Noticed I was getting a few follows and faves. If you're reading, please, review, I'd like to know what you liked!

Hey! If you're reading this, STOP NOW. I mean it. Then go find an instrumental track to -My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)- by Fall Out Boy. Go do it gogogo! NOW. Got it? No, wait, don't play it now. When the battle with Hideyoshi starts, then hit play and continue reading.

Get it? Got it? Good. Pokémon and protagonist © Nintendo. Character designs © Koei. Ransei © somewhere in the middle.

Ignis: First Kingdom

The next morning, Oichi was nervous and worried. The previous night's... meeting between her and Lady Evia had made the healer wonder why the Warlord was so violent. Had she been harmed before Oichi arrived? Shinobi were not uncommon in Ransei - had another kingdom's Warlord sent a ninja to attack Evia? Or maybe taint her drink with some kind of... aggressive stimulant?

"Morning."

Oichi stopped pacing in the main hall, turning in a shock to see Evia stepping in. "G-good morning, Lady Evia," she murmured.

The Warlord angled her head to the side, confused.

"It's nothing," Oichi insisted. "Training again, today?"

Evia nodded.

"The ravine?"

She nodded again.

"Very well." Oichi turned away. "Let's go."

Evia was confused, but only stepped out with the healer following.

+x+x+x+

The day's battles proceeded as normal, but Oichi was still incredibly nervous. Every movement that Evia made that could possibly be considered to be in the direction of the healer made her flinch, and she decided to keep her staff on the side facing her Warlord as a defensive measure. Evia noticed, but didn't comment.

After a close call with a trio of Wooper that resulted in the Auroran Warlord falling into the water - and becoming absolutely filthy in the process - the quartet of Evia, Oichi, Jigglypuff, and Eevee made their way back to the castle. Evia spend most of the walk wringing the water out of the patterned blue sash that was usually tied around her waist. After a moment, she reached into her pocket and drew out her pen and another sheet of paper. The pen was still functional, but the paper was too damp to write on - the attempt tore right through. Eevee noticed and dashed ahead of them, making his way to the castle; when they arrived, he had a whole pad of paper, holding it in his mouth by the coil.

Evia accepted the paper and quickly scrawled a message across the front sheet before tearing it from the pad, handing it to Oichi, and taking off. Oichi and Jigglypuff glanced at each other, and both of them gulped nervously, fearing it was another midnight meeting.

Oichi read the note.

I'm going to wash up. Don't disturb me.

A relieved sigh passed through Oichi's lips, and she giggled slightly at herself for acting so nervous.

+x+x+x+

The days passed as such; Evia and Oichi training at the farm or the ravine, trying different strategies. Throughout that time, Oichi was not asked again to meet Evia at night; in fact, Oichi was starting to wonder if it had just been a dream.

Another month had passed since the midnight duel; they were making their way out of the castle when they were stopped by a familiar trio.

"You there!"

Oichi and Evia both turned to see the three children that had been there at the battle nearby. Two of them were approaching; the other seemed to have just noticed they had left him. "You're Evia, right?" the wild-hair child prompted. "We saw you a couple months ago."

"What is it you're doing?" the one with the poofy-hair hat demanded.

Their friend stepped up. "Masanori, leave 'em alone!" The kid with the wild-face turned. "You too, Mitsunari!"

"Don't give me that, Kiyomasa," the child with the horns insisted, turning to him.

"We gotta talk with these guys before they get this place taken!" agreed the black-haired guy, who seemed to be Masanori.

Evia and Oichi exchanged glances. "I'm sorry?" Oichi prompted.

Mitsunari, the one with the horns, turned to them again. "You've been training around Aurora a lot, lately," he prompted. "Hanging out at the farm, or goofing off in that ravine that showed up... But what for? You two really think you're gonna get anything done like that?"

Oichi winced, tightening her grip on her staff. Jigglypuff touched on the head of the weapon a moment, looking worried. Evia narrowed her gaze, her hand twitching up towards her blade. Eevee growled lightly from her shoulder.

Kiyomasa, the child with the spiky white hair, set a hand on his chin. "He's got a point," he mused. "Just trading blows with wilds will only get you so far, you know? If you keep that up, you're not gonna make it very far. Those Ignisans attack again, you're finished."

Eevee growled louder now.

"If you want to do it better," Masanori prompted, "you gotta fight another kingdom! That'll get you a proper battle to test your skills on, and victory will get you more Warriors and more Pokémon!"

Mitsunari nodded. "Strengthen your army, win battles, and conquer the kingdoms. Those are the duties of a Warlord. A Warrior who just sits back and lets the war rage is not fit to rule a kingdom."

It was so fast. Absurdly fast. One moment Evia was standing there, listening. The moment Mitsunari finished that sentence, however, her blade lashed down in front of his eyes, levelled at his neck.

No one had seen her reach up to grab the handle.

A moment passed; then a large tuft of hair fell off of Mitsunari's poofy-hair hat, falling on either side of the blade.

Mitsunari didn't even react. "But then, even you oughta know that much."

He turned away, leaving the area with his friends following him.

Evia lowered her blade, gritting her teeth.

Oichi looked nervous. "I... I think he might have a point, Lady Evia," she prompted. "If we want to be able to stand in battle, we're going to need some extra help. I think now is the time to make our move."

The Warlord turned to her.

"...Ignis?"

Oichi nodded. "Yes, Ignis would be our best choice." The healer sighed. "It's about a day's trip to the fire kingdom, walking. We'd best pack some rations. And a couple of sleeping bags - we shouldn't push ourselves through the night."

+x+x+x+

After packing the rations, the duo of Oichi and Evia headed out to the kingdom directly north of Aurora - Ignis, the land of the flames. Wild Pokémon pestered them the entire trip, slowing them down considerably. They decided to stop at the kingdom border as the sun fell; the next day, they arrived at the flaming Ignis Castle at noon.

Two figures with flags in hand stopped the girls from approaching the castle courtyard, crossing the flagpoles to bar their way. "State your kingdom and business," they stated, synchronized.

Oichi bowed her head respectfully. "We're from Aurora," she replied. "We're here to challenge the Warlord of Ignis to battle."

Evia was quite surprised when the guards simply uncrossed their flags, standing them straight at their sides. The flagpoles landed swiftly in holes nearby, and the guards each gave them a ten-degree turn inward. "You may enter. Draw your weapon, Warlord of Aurora."

Nervously, Evia reached to her back and gripped the handle of her blade, drawing it from its sheath. Oichi beckoned the Warlord forward, prompting Evia to make her way into the courtyard, with the healer following.

"Some Warlords set up guards so that they know when opponents are coming," Oichi stated, noticing Evia's awkward look. "But they won't stop you from entering. No Warlord will refuse a battle without a very good reason."

Evia nodded to acknowledge her statement, but didn't say a word.

Oichi noticed. "Nervous?"

The Warlord angled her empty hand from side to side, still silent.

They had neared the doors, and as Evia approached them the doors opened with a loud grating and a series of sparks. One of them came to an abrupt stop about halfway open, and a familiar voice yelped before switching to a string of under-breath curses. The other door fully opened before a familiar figure with a snack cake stepped between the doors.

"Stop fooling around, Nagayasu, we've got-" He cut himself off as he saw Evia, yelping and stepping back. "Woah, it's you!"

"Cut it out, Koroku," the voice from behind the door stated. The other door resumed its sparking open as he continued, "Who else did you expect to start fighting?"

"Uh, not her," Koroku added. "Hideyoshi ain't gonna like this..."

Evia raised her blade threateningly.

Koroku reached behind the door, grabbing Nagayasu, before taking several steps back. Once they were at what he deemed to be a sufficient distance, they came to a stop and stood tall. "Follow us, if you please!" they said simultaneously.

Evia lowered her blade before stepping after them, Oichi hot on her heels.

The two Warriors led Evia and her healer to what appeared to be a throne room. The throne was tall, with rubies inlaid across the arms and patterns like flames licking around the edges. Emblazoned on it was the same flaming feather as was on the Ignisan flag, and perched on that throne was a figure in very Ignisan colours. He wore a baggy white shirt with long sleeves under a fiery red sleeveless vest, and a blazing orange scarf was arced around his neck. Atop his helm, his Warlord Crown was a shimmering bronze, with large circular plates to either side to resemble Chimchar ears - and hanging from one side of the throne was his partner, rear end blazing.

Nagayasu and Koroku stood straight. "Presenting, Lord Hideyoshi of Ignis!"

"You..." Hideyoshi leaned forward in his seat. "You're the Warlord of Aurora! Never thought I'd run into you over here..." With a smirk on his face, the Ignisan got to his feet. "Well, two can play at that game!" he called. "If it's a battle you want, I'm ready!"

Oichi narrowed her gaze, bracing her staff in both hands as Evia raised her blade. "Fine!" she called as Jigglypuff perched on her staff. "A battle it is! But Lady Evia will win!"

Eevee growled from Evia's shoulder as Evia nodded assuredly.

A chuckle passed through Hideyoshi's lips. "Ooh," he taunted. "Fiery temper there, cutie. I could do with someone like you in my army."

"Don't call me cutie!" Oichi spat. "I'd never fight for you!"

Hideyoshi pulled away arm raised before him as Chimchar leapt to his shoulder. "Don't be so hasty," he sneered. "See me in action, you might change your mind."

Oichi only matched her glare to Evia's.

"Alright," Hideyoshi called, "enough idle chatter! To the battlefield!"

Chimchar gave an angry shout as Hideyoshi swept his arm to the side, causing the back wall of the throne room to split into two, then fall into the ground - revealing a blazing stone tunnel from which a lot of heat and steam swept out. Evia raised a hand before her as the heat caught her off-guard, and even Nagayasu took a moment to wipe the sweat off his brow before following Hideyoshi and Koroku into the tunnel.

Evia and Oichi exchanged glances before rushing in after them.

When they came out of the tunnel, both of them tumbled back in shock. Jigglypuff touched down as Eevee landed with a roll - the battlefield of Ignis was a massive pool of magma. Obsidian walkways had been sunken into the lava so that people and Pokémon could cross, but nothing had been done about the pillars of fire that rose from the earth on either side and on several small 'islands' in the lava.

"Whaddaya think?" Hideyoshi taunted as Chimchar leapt down from his shoulder. "This is the battlefield of Ignis!" He swept a hand forward, prompting Koroku's Tepig and Nagayasu's Bidoof to dash into position before their Warriors. "That marshmallow's gonna burn in the flame and the lava, but Chimchar and Tepig ain't bothered by a little heat!"

Evia quickly wrapped her hair around herself like a scarf so that it wouldn't get caught in the flames amidst the battle. Oichi swept her sleeve across her brow to stop the sweat from falling into her eyes. "How are you not bothered?"

Hideyoshi didn't respond; he only snapped his fingers, causing Koroku to reach into a crack in the rock and draw out a long spear. He stumbled with it for a bit before throwing it at Hideyoshi. The Warlord leapt back as it impaled itself in the stone, glaring at the Warrior before pulling it out of the rock. It was a rather articulate weapon, with a long crimson shaft and a gleaming bronze tip, and as the girls watched he whirled the weapon in hand before bracing it at his side. As he did so, Evia saw his thumb move slightly upwards, and a flat protrusion emerged from the butt of the shaft.

"Bring it on, Auroran!"

Oichi braced her staff in both hands as Evia raised her blade, and Eevee and Jigglypuff took offensive stances.

There was a moment of silence.

Then Eevee shot forward, arcing around a pillar of flame and barrelling across the obsidian walkway. Chimchar gave a screech and leapt forward, diving into the magma with Tepig chasing after him. Evia and Hideyoshi shot forward simultaneously, leaping across the heated stones until they crossed blades in the center of the battlefield.

Jigglypuff glanced back at Oichi, who nodded; then the singer leapt forward, hopping away across the walkways. Bidoof teetered at the lava's edge for a moment before tumbling to the side and chasing towards Jigglypuff. Nagayasu huffed angrily; then he and Koroku took off along the battlefield's edges, hunting towards Oichi.

Chimchar shot out of the lava spitting rapid Embers at Eevee, but all it took was a swirl of Evia's open hand for the speedster to dash away. She pulled her blade out of the lock that Hideyoshi's spear had kept it in; then she lashed forward with a fast thrust as Eevee slammed a Quick Attack into Chimchar's side.

Hideyoshi ducked backwards under the blow before lashing out with a sweep of his spear. Evia caught the strike on her blade and forced the weapon to the ground, but Hideyoshi only pulled it back. Chimchar tried to spit another Ember at Eevee, but Evia's partner only dashed along the walkway, arriving at the Ignis edge of the battlefield.

I've got big ambitions, ya know!" he spat, whirling his spear in hand to deflect a horizontal strike. "Ignis and Aurora are nothin'! Before long, all of Ransei's gonna be mine!" He lashed out again, and though Evia avoided a strike to the body, it did glance across her Warlord Crown and tear a shout of pain from her lips.

Bidoof arrived near Jigglypuff and tried to land a Headbutt, but the 'marshmallow' only leapt over the strike and landed a series of powerful slaps before leaping back. Nagayasu, arriving at the Aurora end of the field, growled angrily as Bidoof tumbled in place, careful to stay out of the lava, and leapt after Jigglypuff, who was currently dodging Embers from a recently-surfaced Tepig.

Bidoof can't handle this heat," the Ignisan spat. "He's useless!"

Oichi pulled back in shock. "How can you say that about your own partner?" she demanded.

"Stow it!" Koroku snapped, crushing his snack cake in hand - and revealing a set of brass knuckles within. "It's not about the fighters - it's about winning the fight!"

He locked the knuckles on and lashed out with a solid punch, but Oichi caught it on her staff and slammed the head into his gut. Nagayasu tried to kick her in the leg, but the medic drove the tip into his foot before whirling the shaft into his side. He hit the ground weakly, and Jigglypuff used the distraction to slap Bidoof silly and hurl him off the battlefield.

Evia, meanwhile, was managing to force Hideyoshi back towards a pillar of flame. Unfortunately, the flames chose that moment to recede, leaving Hideyoshi leaping away like a little monkey. Eevee was trading blows with Chimchar - who stubbornly refused to stay out of the lava - and his fur was burned in places where several Embers had landed. As Evia leapt towards Hideyoshi, locking blades, her eyes searched the battlefield and caught sight of several hot springs.

The Auroran Warlord quickly snapped her fingers, causing Eevee to leap towards her, and with a spin Evia used her empty hand to hurl him towards the nearest spring. She used the momentum to her advantage, swinging her blade towards Hideyoshi, but the Ignisan caught her strike on his spear; then, with a quick movement, he launched the blade from her hands.

It tumbled into the lava and screamed as the sword melted in the molten flame.

Evia swore heavily, turning towards Hideyoshi as he lashed his spear towards her again. She dodged the blow and grabbed the shaft, trying to pry it from his hands - but it was then that the battlefield shook, and as she stumbled back Hideyoshi grabbed the spear with both hands and forced her to the ground. The tremor also sent Eevee and Jigglypuff shaking, but their opponents were clearly used to the quakes, and Embers blasted them from all directions as Bidoof managed to slam a Headbutt into Jigglypuff and send her to the lava's edge.

Eevee slammed a Quick Attack kick into Chimchar, causing him to stumble back as the speedster shot across the walkways. Jigglypuff managed to avoid tumbling into the lava, but was having trouble with two opponents at once; when Eevee arrived, his attack connected wildly and sent Tepig falling into the lava; he managed to crawl out before Jigglypuff slapped him into unconsciousness.

Koroku and Nagayasu were currently on the ground spinning as Oichi made her way to the islet where Hideyoshi had forced Evia to the ground. She tried to fight it, but he had the advantage; the Auroran Warlord was quite relieved when Oichi arrived and slammed her staff into his chest, sending him tumbling onto solid ground. Evia retched briefly - the pressure had been choking her for a moment when Hideyoshi shifted the spear - before getting to her feet as Hideyoshi braced his spear in hand again.

Nothing in her hands but sweat; nothing on her arms but cuffs without gauntlets - but she shot forward, rushing Hideyoshi as, on the other side of the battlefield, Chimchar pulled himself out of the lava and started spitting Embers. Bidoof managed to land a hit on Jigglypuff, distracting her long enough that Eevee shot forward alone, trading blows with Chimchar as Jigglypuff lingered to finish off Nagayasu's partner.

Oichi tried to follow Evia; but flames rose up before her, leaving her trapped on the islet as Evia forced the spear from Hideyoshi's hands. She slammed a kick into his gut, struck him in the back with a knifehand blow, and drove her open palm into his Warlord Crown, sending him tumbling back as the battlefield shook once more.

A massive, flaming boulder fell towards the two Warlords.

Evia grabbed Hideyoshi by the scarf and hurled him out of the way before leaping after him as the boulder struck where she had been not moments before.

Chimchar was distracted by his Warrior's disorientation, and Eevee used it to his advantage by slamming a Quick Attack to knock him out.

There was a moment of silence; then Evia got to her feet and grabbed Hideyoshi's spear from the ground. She grasped it menacingly between both hands before bracing it with the tip facing the Ignisan Warlord, a death glare on her face.

Hideyoshi glared back for a moment; then he scoffed angrily, turning away. "Save your energy," Hideyoshi muttered. "This battle's over."

Evia raised an eyebrow.

"You really are new to this," the Ignisan mused. "The Warlords are expected to fight, but in the end the battle hinges on the Pokémon. We're done here!"

He got to his feet, glaring. "Koroku! Nagayasu!"

On the other end of the battlefield, Hideyoshi's Warriors got to their feet, confused for a moment. "Lord Hideyoshi!"

"You're dismissed! Get outta here!" Hideyoshi turned back to the Aurorans. "You can have Ignis!" he shouted. "But I've vowed! I will find the legend that created Ransei! And that means I'll be back!"

The battlefield shook once more, and as another boulder plummeted, Evia leapt away, landing with a roll.

When the dust cleared, Hideyoshi was gone.

Evia panted in place for a moment, turning to Oichi. The flames had receded once more, and hesitantly, the healer stepped towards her as she lowered her gaze.

"We've done it."

The Warlord's words caused Oichi to step back. "Lady Evia?"

Evia raised her gaze again, and on her face was a shining smile.

"Ignis Castle is ours!"

Draco: Alright, we're done here.