"I welcome you all." said a woman in red armor. "I am Flavia, the ruler here."

"It's an honor to meet you, Ma'am." David said with a bow.

"Spare me the pleasantries. I know the reason you have come and the answer is no, I will not lend you Feroxi soldiers." Flavia said.

"I'm guessing it's because you're not able to?" Arnice asked.

"More like I lack the authority to." Flavia said.

"But didn't you just say you're the ruler here?" Sectonia asked.

"One of the rulers. I rule the east while the other rules the west. We've come together this day for a tournament to settle who takes full control. But the other side has a powerful warrior named Marth on their side." Flavia said.

"So unless he's defeated, we won't get Ferox's aid?" Ichiro asked.

"That's right." Flavia said.

"Yep. Figured that would be the case." David said.

"What if we were to fight in the tournament too? Would you give us aid if we fought and won for you?" Jexi asked.

"Hmm. I see no problem with that. Very well. I will allow it." Flavia said. "But...to make things simple...five warriors from your large group along with this band of Ylissian warriors."

"So, that would mean we'd have to choose one member from each of our Teams." Hope said.

"Uh, we're still here." Jack said.

"Right, six. Sorry." Hope said.

"You know, you really come off as self centered sometimes. But I'll let it pass. Queen, you're going out to fight." Jack said.

"Right." Queen said.

"I'll go." Scott said.

"You sure, Scott?" Ramona asked.

"Of course. Ever since the Perfect Link Tournament, I felt this sort of power within me just waiting to come out. You've felt it too, right?" Scott asked.

"Of course. It feels familiar somehow." Fox said.

"Indeed." Mari added.

"Tetsu, you're going out there as well." Jexi said.

"Of course. I'm eager to show the swords I have acquired." Tetsu said.

"I'll go too." Roxas said.

"I shall assist." Azura said.

"Are you sure?" Chrom asked.

"Don't worry, Azura's strong. I've seen her hold her own in a fight many times." Hope said.

"Very well. The five warriors who will fight in the tournament along with the Ylissians will be you five." Flavia said looking to Queen, Scott, Tetsu, Roxas and Azura. "We start in one hour. Best rest while you can. The rest can watch from the stands."

And so, the five prepared in the waiting area.

"The five of us are so different in styles, but we're strong together." Roxas said.

"How can you tell?" Queen asked.

"I'm not sure. I just have a feeling is all." Roxas said.

"He is not wrong. We each have incredible power and skill." Tetsu said.

"Indeed." Azura said. "We need each other, don't you think? Let's join our strength in battle."

"Yeah. And Scott. I can't wait to see this power of yours." Roxas said.

"Got it. I'm looking forward to it too." Scott said.

The gates were soon starting to raise.

"Looks like that's our cue." Queen said.

"Let's go." Roxas said. "Brighten and Blacken! Oathkeeper and Oblivion!" he said summoning them.

"My blades are more than ready." Tetsu said as the five of them headed out alongside the Shepherds as the gates of the opposite side opened as Feroxi soldiers were stepping out.

"See him?" Roxas asked.

"He's in the back." Azura said.

"Meaning we'll have to fight our way through." Queen said.

"Good. This wouldn't be a tournament without a challenge." Tetsu said.

"Competitors….begin!" Flavia said.

"Johanna!" Queen shouted summoning Johanna as she mowed down a few Gladiators in her path.

Scott was set against a few of his own when he heard a voice in his head.

"At last, you have proven yourself worthy."

"Huh? Who's there?" Scott asked.

"For far too long, you have succumbed to your weakness. But now, the time has come for you to rise from the ashes!"

"Rise from the ashes? I see… I know what this is about now." Scott said.

(Cue- Awakening- Persona 5)

"Very good, now let us forge the contract. I am thou, thou art I, rise from the ashes and claim your right as a true warrior!" The voice said as a card with the roman numeral IV on it with a picture of a man in royal clothing floated down in front of Scott.

"Come...Caesar!" Scott shouted as he claimed the card.

A bright flash then occured as floating above Scott was a male humanoid in roman clothing as he held a sword in his right hand, and a globe in his left as there was a small figure seen sitting in his center chest as a short cape flowed behind him.

"A Persona!" Mari and Kagura said at the same time.

"Hahahaha! I knew it!" David said.

"No way!" Issei exclaimed. "When did he fight his Shadow!?"

"I think Caesars always been inside Scott, waiting to come out." Hope said. "Just like with Athena and Artemisia."

"His victory in the Perfect Link Tournament must've given him the power needed to finally unleash it." David said.

"Zio!" Scott shouted as a blast of lightning was fired at the soldiers.

"Whoo! You go Scott!" Kaito shouted.

"Caesar's as powerful as Yu and the others said he was…" Hope said.

"Well, he is one of the Personas of the SEES Team." Gemini said.

"Heh. The kid maybe powerful with that spirit...so we'll just take out the kid from behind!" one of the gladiators said trying to attack Scott from behind before Tetsu got between them.

"Trying to attack someone from behind...that is a mark of cowardice." Tetsu said drawing a sword and slashing the gladiators with it. "One of my newer blades. Elemental Series! Sword Number 154: Frozen Fury." he said as the gladiators were frozen on the spot.

"Whoa! When did he get that?" Hope asked.

"When they did those shop prelims and they showed that fight with Kanesada, a lot of fighters from the Shinto Universe came to that world. Tetsu joined the fight in order to increase his swords." Jexi said. "When he won, he asked for their swords in exchange."

"Not only that but he asked us to test the realizor on some sword cards he obtained during the tournament, before we used them on Dawn and Dusk." Miu said.

"Now he's…" Tails said.

"You'll think twice before messing with a friend of Tetsu of the 400 swords!" Tetsu said.

"400 swords… he's closer to his goal." Hope said.

"This guy is nuts." one of the gladiators said. "Let's run for it."

"Going somewhere?" Roxas said quickly taking them out with pillars of light.

"They're too strong!" The gladiator said.

"Not all of them! Go for the Songstress!" another said as a group charged Azura.

"Azura! Showtime!" Roxas said.

"But first, let me knock them down a few pegs. Marakunda!" Scott called, lowering the gladiators' defense.

"~In the White Light, a hand reaches through. A double edge blade cuts your heart in two. Waking dreams, fade away, Embrace the brand new day. Sing with me a song, of birthrights and love, the light scatters to the sky above. Dawn breaks through the gloom, white as a bone. Lost in thoughts all alone~." Azura sang as water danced around her.

"What's happening?!" a gladiator asked.

"Oh, just you wait." Roxas said.

"This is the end." Azura said as water erupted around the gladiators, taking them all down.

"You have strong allies." Marth said as he came face to face with Chrom.

"They're very reliable. And trustworthy." Chrom said. "Now that you've run out of Gladiators, it's time for us to cross swords." he said drawing Falchion.

Marth did the same as he also drew Falchion.

"Where did you get that?" Chrom asked in disbelief. "There's no way…"

There was no more time to think as Marth charged Chrom, the two of them clashing their swords as they engaged in a fierce duel.

"Haah!" Marth called as he jumped into the air and dealt a downward spin strike.

"Tell me! Who taught you to fight like that?!" Chrom demanded, striking back.

"My father!" Marth said as he charged towards Chrom.

Chrom collided with the Hero King as the two slid back.

"Who is your father?" Chrom asked.

"I've said enough for one day, sir." Marth proclaimed.

"Hmph. Is that how it is? David and Simon owe you their lives, and for that you have my gratitude. But within these walls, I represent the East-Khan and the interests of Ylisse. I can't promise to stay my blade, but I vow not to shame you." Chrom said.

"Heh, never expected such youthful arrogance... We shall see who shames who!" Marth declared as they continued to fight.

"Incredible, they're matching blow for blow, how strange." Linde said.

"No surprise. This is Marth were talking about." Izuku said.

"That's the strange part though." Linde said.

Chrom and Marth meanwhile continued their duel, but Marth seemed to gain the upper hand later down the line.

"Sorry.." Marth Said as she went for a critical strike, but he was blocked by Roxas.

"Mind if I cut in here?" Roxas said as he pushed Marth back. "Tetsu, Scott!"

"On it. Tarunda!" Scott called, lowering Marth's attack.

"Even you cannot deal with this! Element Series! Number 177! Thunder's Rage!" Tetsu said swinging a sword that struck him with electricity.

"Ha!" Roxas said clashing easily with Marth. "Do you yield?"

"Yes. Impressive… if not surprising." Marth said. "It seems you could be the ones to change the fate of this world."

After the battle, the group was left wondering what Marth meant. Meeting back up with Flavia and the others, the group was very happy.

"You guys killed it out there! What a fight you put on, and Scott, getting Caesar?! Totally awesome!" Indigo said.

"Yes you all have won, making me ruler of the whole land." Flavia said. "I owe you thanks. And as such, Feroxi will lend its cause to Ylisses efforts."

"You have my thanks, Kahn Flavia." Chrom said.

"I should thank you! It feels like ages since I've held full power. Come, my new friends! Tonight, we celebrate!" Flavia said as she left the room, being suddenly replaced by a man with an eye patch and armor.

"Bah! Any excuse for a party and Flavia jumps on it…" the man groaned.

"Kahn of the West, I presume?" Ace asked.

"Damn right. I'm Basilio. You're all quite strong. I thought I had the stronger champion." Basilio introduced.

"You mean Marth, right? What do you know of him?" Hope asked.

"Ah, he's just some sellsword with delusions of grandeur. All I know is that he turned up one eve and knocked my old champion flat. It was love at first sight, and I'm generally too old for such things! Baha! Anyway, he's gone now. Up and fled the moment the tournament ended." Basilio explained.

"Shame. We hoped to ask him some more questions." Ichiro said.

"Nevertheless, it seems we are finished with business here. Shall we be on our way back to Ylisse?" Frederick asked.

"Before you go, there's someone I want you to take back with you." Basilio said motioning to someone behind him.

"And who is this?" Aya asked as a man with unique robes and a Solitary Blade at his side walked up.

"This man is Lon'Qu, a swordsman. One of mine. As a show of good will, he shall be joining you." Basilio said.

"It's nice to meet you Lon'Qu…" Erica said.

"Ah! Away woman!" Lon'Qu said backing away fearfully.

"Does this remind you guys of anyone we know?" Ace said.

"You and him have something in common, Guy." Hagakure said.

"Hey, don't give people the wrong idea. I love women!" Guy said.

"I'm not sure shouting declarations that you're a womanizer is much better." Tear said.

"Still, you're absolutely sure we can take him?" Gemini asked.

"He's all yours." Basilio said.

"You've got no objections to this, right?" Izuku asked the swordsman.

"He gives orders. I stab people. I think our roles are clear." Lon'qu mentioned.

"Very well. Welcome." Chrom said.

"Talk about stone serious." Al said.

"Yeah. Man of few words, too." Flamberge said.

With Lon'qu in their company and victory in Ferox achieved, the group returned to Ylisse, only to receive some dire news.

"What?! Maribelle was captured by the Plegians?!" Gemini asked.

"That's not good. We need to get moving, now!" David said.

"Agreed. We must make haste!" Sectonia said.

"I'm coming too!" a voice said as a young male mage appeared.

"Ricken?" Chrom asked. "No, out of the question. You're not old enough for this mission."

"But, Captain! You know my skill with magic! You know I can handle myself!" Ricken protested.

"I'd feel safer with your magic here, protecting the garrison. All right? We're off, then. Be good." Chrom said as the others left for the Plegian border.

"Sorry, Kid. Maybe next time." Noir said as the heroes left.

""Be good"? Gods, how old do they think I am? ...Well, I'll show them just how good I can be!" Ricken said.