-Chapter 5: The Seacomers-
The fight between the Drivers and Blades of Alrest and the Royals of Nohr and Hoshido continues.
Xander and Ryoma get into a heated sword duel with Zeke.
Zeke throws the two kings off of him, and Xander says to Ryoma, "I'll give him credit, he's good."
"A little too good." says Ryoma. "I wonder if that woman over there is giving him extra power. She must, seeing that line of energy she has connected to him."
"What the matter, blighters!?" asks Zeke. "Can't stand up to my power?"
"You're definitely no slouch, I'll give you that much." Ryoma says.
"But don't get cocky." says Xander. "We're not going to let you win against us."
"I'm afraid you won't have a choice! Pandy!" says Zeke as he then tosses the Big Bang Edge to Pandoria.
"What's he doing?" asks Xander.
"Be prepared for anything!" says Ryoma.
Pandoria takes the Big Bang Edge, stabs it into the ground and pulls out the hilt, turning into wand form.
"I'm going to have a blast!" says Pandoria. "Electric Circus!"
Pandoria uses the wand to cause the blade to electrify and spin around rapidly.
"How!?" asks Xander.
Pandoria sends the spinning blade at Ryoma and Xander, forcing the two kings to dodge.
"A foolish move!" says Ryoma. "Now you're defenseless!"
Ryoma charges in to attack, but suddenly, Xander sees the blade return and says, "Ryoma! Duck!"
Ryoma sees the blade and ducks in time to see the Blade return to Pandoria.
"You shouldn't be so quick to assume things, fiend!" Zeke says. "Long as Pandy's at my side, I'm far from defenseless!"
"So... you want to play with thunder? I can oblige for that!" says Ryoma.
Ryoma puts on a stance with Raijinto. Suddenly, a lightning bolt strikes near Zeke.
"Whoa! Did you do that!?" asks Pandoria.
"Yes! With the power of Raijinto, I too have command over lightning!" says Ryoma. "That was just a warning strike, so unless you want to be hit by the real thing, you'll surrender now!"
"If I bowed down after the slightest threat, I wouldn't be much of a hero, would I?" Zeke says. "So if you thought that'd scare me, you'd be wrong, fiend!"
"Then you truly are a fool!" says Ryoma. "Prepare to be struck down!"
Both Ryoma and Xander go back to clashing swords with Zeke.
Meanwhile, Camilla, Hinoka and Jakob are getting heated in their fight against Morag. Morag's whips do a good job keeping the three at bay, maintaining a far distance.
"Ugh, she's got too much of a range advantage on us!" says Hinoka.
"Not even my daggers can reach her." Jakob says. "I will at least give her credit in that she is skilled. I might have even respected her a little if she were not standing between me and my duties as my lady's retainer."
"Giving up so soon!?" asks Morag. "Time I finished this fight! Brighid!"
Morag gives the Whipswords back to Brighid, who says, "Yes, Lady Morag! Will-o'-the-Wisps!"
Brighid launches a fire attack at two princesses and butler, who all try to avoid the attacks.
"Heh, they're a lot faster than I gave them credit for." says Brighid. "But it's still not good enough."
"Heh, your friend calls me a tramp, and yet, you're fighting us with whips." says Camilla.
"Maybe so, but as you can already tell, these whips are not for foreplay." says Brighid.
"Poppibuster! Your turn!" says Morag.
"As you command." says Poppibuster handing his Shield Hammer to Morag.
"What an odd-looking weapon." says Hinoka.
"Brighid may be at half-power for right now, but not the same with Poppibuster!" says Morag. "Concede right now, or face the full power of a Blade!"
"That is something I cannot do - You stand between us and our search for my lady, and such a crime must be punished." Jakob says. "And it is a punishment I will gladly deal to you!"
"Speaking of punishing crimes, as Special Inquisitor of Mor Ardain, you will face judgment at my hands!" says Morag. "You are already guilty of having ill intentions for the Blade in that Core Crystal, and I cannot let that transgression go!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" asks Hinoka.
"Silence! And face your fate with at least a little shred of dignity!" says Morag.
Morag goes back to clash weapons with two princesses and butler.
For the final battle, Tora does a good job holding off Takumi's arrows and Leo's magic.
"Damn it all!" says Leo. "This little runt is proving to be more trouble than it's worth!"
"That shield of his is annoying - If he doesn't dodge our attacks, he blocks them!" Takumi says. "Ugh, and I thought this furball would be the EASY one!"
"Meh meh meh! Naughty boys not fare so well against Tora, huh!?" says Tora. "Give up now and Tora may overlook bad intentions!"
"Don't get cocky yet, you overgrown potato!" says Leo. "We'll win this fight yet!"
"Then you give Tora no choice!" says Tora. "Naughty boys will face full might of Tora and Poppi! Poppi, engage QT mode!"
"Cutie-what?" asks Takumi.
"Roger roger, Masterpon!" says Poppi.
Poppi flies up and in a red ball of energy, transforms from Poppi Alpha to Poppi QT, armed with her Mech Arms.
"Uh, Takumi, am I seeing things?" asks Leo. "Or did that girl just change her appearance in front of us?"
"She... Definitely just did." Takumi says. "She went from a little girl to what I'd guess would be a teen. That's... And I thought the whole thing with Valla was weird..."
"Poppi! Attack!" shouts Tora.
"Roger, roger!" shouts Poppi as she readies her Mech Arms, the hatches of them opening.
"I'm getting a bad feeling about this." says Leo.
"What IS she doing?" Takumi says. "Whatever it is can't be good, get ready!"
"NOPONIC DESTRUCTION!" shouts Poppi as she shoots several missiles at Leo and Takumi.
"AAAAAH!" shouts Leo and Takumi as they try to run from the missiles, only for the explosions from them to send the two princes flying.
"Meh meh meh! Naughty boys had enough!?" shouts Tora.
"Grrrr... okay, this may not sound eloquent, but now I'm pissed!" says Leo.
"Oh you're going to pay for every second of that!" Takumi says. "You're going down, furball!"
Leo throws his hand out at Tora, causing trees to burst out of the ground to ensnare Tora and Poppi.
"Mehmehmehmeh!" Tora panics. "Poppi! QT Pi Mode!"
Suddenly, it seems Tora and Poppi are fully surrounded by the trees Leo conjured.
"You must've gotten them with that." Takumi says. "No way they're getting out of that. Heh, they must be feeling sorry they picked this fight!"
Suddenly, some flashes occur, and the trees are immediately reduced to splinters as Poppi is now in QT Pi mode, armed with her Variable Saber in her right hand and holding Tora in her left arm.
"Oh, you've got to be KIDDING ME!" shouts Leo.
"She did it AGAIN!?" Takumi says. "This is becoming ridiculously irritating!"
Tora hops out of Poppi's left arm and says, "Poppi! Attack with extreme prejudice! FULL POWER!"
"Roger, Masterpon!" says Poppi readying her Variable Saber. "NOPONIC AXIOM!"
Poppi fires an ether laser at Leo and Takumi before they can even think of dodging, sending them flying on their backs and severely weakened.
"Damn it!" says Leo. "I think we bit off more than we could possibly chew."
"Yeah, pains me to admit it but I think we chose the wrong one of this bunch." Takumi says. "We're getting tossed around like ragdolls!"
"Mehmehmehmeh!" shouts Tora. "Tora winner of this fight!"
"Leo!" shouts Camilla, and at the same time, Hinoka shouts, "Takumi!"
"They're distracted!" shouts Morag. "Poppibuster!"
Morag gives the Shield Hammer back to Poppibuster.
"Preparing full assault!" says Poppi Mk. II.
"Roger wilco!" says Poppibuster.
Poppi Mk. II comes out of Poppibuster, and the Shield Hammer splits into a sword for Poppibuster and a lance for Poppi Mk. II.
"BUSTER MIRAGE!" shout both Poppi Mk. II and Poppibuster as they go to attack Camilla, Hinoka and Jakob.
"What? Princess Camilla, Princess Hinoka, watch out!" Jakob says.
Camilla blocks Poppibuster's sword in time, and Hinoka barely blocks Poppi Mk. II's lance, and they all get into a heated clash.
"Now's our chance, Brighid! While they're too busy!" says Morag.
"On it, Lady Morag!" says Brighid.
Both Morag and Brighid share a Whipswords each and whip them around to create a thing of blue fire.
"Feel the burn of our flames, heathens!" says Brighid. Then both her and Morag shout, "SOULFIRE!"
Morag and Brighid send several blue fireballs at the two princesses and butler.
"She's relentless - Brace yourselves!" Jakob says.
Camilla, Hinoka and Jakob block as many fireballs as possible without getting too singed.
"Poppibuster! Coup de' grace time!" says Morag.
"Roger!" says Poppibuster.
Both Poppibuster and Poppi Mk. II create an explosion of light that blows away Camilla, Hinoka and Jakob.
"Ah, damn it!" says Hinoka. "They're too much!"
"My sweet Corrin." says Camilla. "To think I'll die before I see her adorable face again."
"Lady Corrin... I am sorry I have failed you." Jakob says. "I am a disgrace of a retainer."
"No! Hinoka!" shouts Ryoma.
"Camilla!" shouts Xander.
"Ha! You're finished now!" says Zeke as he stabs his Big Bang Edge into the ground, which Pandoria electrifies.
"What!?" asks Ryoma.
Zeke is surrounded in a field of electricity.
"Eye of Shining Justice! Grant me your power!" says Zeke as he starts to power up.
"This doesn't look good!" says Xander.
"Be ready for anything!" says Ryoma.
"Nothing will prepare you for this!" Zeke says. "Now behold fiends, the full power of the Zekenator!"
"Let's do it, my prince!" says Pandoria.
Zeke grabs his sword and both he and Pandoria charge for Xander and Ryoma before taking off in a blur.
"SONIC THUNDERSLASH!" shout both Zeke and Pandoria.
Zeke and Pandoria move faster than the eye can see, hitting Xander and Ryoma with a myriad of slashes, soon blowing away both kings.
"GAAAAAAAH!" shout both Xander and Ryoma as they're sent onto their backs.
"No, I can't give up here!" says Ryoma weakly. "I refuse to!"
"No, Corrin. I can't.. Fall... Here." says Xander too weak to get up. "Must... find my... little princess."
"This is over now, fiends! You lose!" Zeke says. "...Eh? 'Little princess'? What are you on about now?"
"Doesn't matter." says Pandoria. "They're done for. Now we can save that Core Crystal, and keep them from ever using it."
"Ha, guess you're right." says Zeke.
Ryoma stands, wanting to fight more.
"Ha, you're still craving another bruising!?" asks Zeke.
"I wont... Lose... To the likes of you, you... One-eyed clown!" says Ryoma.
"Oh dear." says Pandoria. "You just gotta' love the stubborn ones."
"Looks like we gotta beat 'im down again, Pandy." Zeke says. "If you think you still have the strength to fight me, then come at me fiend!"
"STOP IT!" shouts Sakura, getting everyone to notice her. "Stop the fighting! Please!"
"Yeah, this is all a big misunderstanding!" Elise says. "You don't need to fight!"
"Sorry, girls, but they brought it upon themselves." says Zeke. "And when you challenge the Zekenator, bad things happen to you. That's how it goes."
"Is that really what you believe?" asks Sakura.
"Yup, no other way around it." says Pandoria. "And my prince always speaks his mind."
"In that case... Kill us." says Sakura.
"What!?" asks a surprised Zeke.
"Sakura! No!" says Ryoma.
"That's right, our lives for theirs." says Elise.
"No, Elise, you can't." says Xander.
Sakura and Elise walk past Xander and Ryoma, and in front of Zeke.
"My little Elise." says Camilla.
"No, Sakura." says Hinoka.
"Little sister." says Leo.
"Please, no." says Takumi.
"We won't put up a fight." says Sakura as she tosses away her bow.
"Yeah, no struggle at all." Elise says as she tosses her tome away. "So go ahead... Do it."
"No." says Ryoma. "You two... Can't do this."
"Ryoma, all of you, we love you." says Sakura.
"Say hello to Corrin for us." says Elise.
The two girls face Zeke again and Sakura says, "We're ready."
Both girls close their tearful eyes, smiles on their faces.
"...Nope. Can't do it." Zeke says. "Can't bring myself to kill clearly innocent girls - That's not what the Zekenator does!"
"Really?" asks Sakura.
"Really." Zeke says. "Zeke von Genbu is a hero! And killing innocent people is the exact opposite of heroic."
"Then you really ARE good people!" says Elise. "We knew it! We knew it this whole time! This WAS a misunderstanding!"
"Oh, it ah... It was, huh?" Zeke says. "...Pandy, I think I may have made a mistake here."
"Yeah, we all did." says Pandoria. "Oh man, I wonder what Rex would think of us."
"He'd probably be reeeaaal disappointed." Zeke says. "Maybe call us idiots too. We're ah... Well, I'M sorry I jumped to conclusions. I'm the one who set this whole thing off after all."
"That's okay." says Sakura. "W-We knew you were good people the whole time."
"Yeah! And anyone who can best my brother like that clearly IS a true hero and good person!" says Elise.
"Oh dear, Elise both defends and in a way insults me." says Xander.
"In a way, we deserve it." says Ryoma.
"Touche." says Xander.
"So, is the fighting truly over?" asks Sakura.
"Yeah. Morag, Tora, go check on the others would ya?" Zeke said. "Then we can restart things in a better way."
"Right." says Morag. "Let's go, Brighid."
"Yes, Lady Morag." says Brighid.
"Action of little girls warm cockles of Tora's heart." says Tora. "Remind me so much of Rex-Rex and Pyra."
"Yes, they so much like them." says Poppi wanting to cry and being unable to.
"Elise, let's get to healing everyone." says Sakura.
"Right!" Elise says. "Let's get everyone back on their feet!"
"You two can heal without Blades?" Zeke says. "...Stupid question, I just saw what you all could do."
Sakura and Elise go to Ryoma and Xander, Sakura using her rod on Ryoma and Elise using her staff on Xander.
"That was incredibly reckless of you two." says Xander.
"Yeah, but big sister would have done the same thing, woudn't she?" asks Elise.
"Heh, you've got a point." says Xander. "You really are just like her, you know?"
"I take that as the most wonderful compliment." says Elise.
"Thank you, both of you." says Ryoma. "For stopping our foolishness."
"Anytime, big brother." says Sakura.
After getting done healing Ryoma and Xander, Sakura and Elise go to Camilla, Hinoka and Jakob. The two kings stand up, feeling better.
"Whoa! Now that's something." says Pandoria."
"Yeah, that's some healing that could rival any Blade but Nia." Zeke says. "What world did we even end up in if THIS is normal?"
After a while has passed, Xander's group is back to normal and talking with Zeke's group.
"So, you're all trying to look for your OTHER sister." says Zeke.
"That's right." says Ryoma. "Her name is Corrin, and she's the middle child in both of our families."
"Have any of you seen her?" asks Xander.
"No, I can't say we have." says Morag. "And even if we did, we wouldn't know what she'd look like."
"She's about 5'6"." says Hinoka. "She has long silver hair, red eyes, pointed ears-"
"And the cutest black outfit she could have ever chosen." says Camilla. "It just makes her look even lovelier."
"No, Tora afraid he and friends not see anyone like that." says Tora.
"Darn it." says Takumi.
"We arrived in this world not too long ago." says Brighid. "We were brought in by a woman named Naga to find the Core Crystals, that rock that Takumi touched being one of them."
"This whole thing about Blades and Core Crystals is really fascinating." says Leo. "I need to learn more about it."
"We'll be happy to teach you more." says Brighid.
"As payment for our foolishness, we'll join with you and help you find this Corrin." says Morag. "Perhaps along the way, we'll find our other friends and the Core Crystals that were scattered across the world."
"We'd really appreciate the help." says Jakob. "Naturally, I would take it upon myself to find my lady, but with both of our groups not knowing anything about this world, I say we team up."
"Yeah, the more heads we have the better." Zeke says. "At least you all know what a Core Crystal looks like to help on THAT front."
"So, what do we do first?" asks Pandoria.
"I say we go find another village and rest up." says Morag. "I'm pretty sure we're all exhausted from that battle. I have to say, you all put up a good fight."
"Eventhough we lost, we can admit that you are definitely strong opponents." says Xander.
"But don't think the result will be the same if we happen to battle again." says Ryoma.
"You've got better experience against Drivers now, yeah." Zeke says. "The surprise won't work again."
"Anyway, let's get going." says Morag.
After that, the group heads off.
"Corrin, be safe out there." thinks Xander.
Corrin suddenly sneezes.
"Bless you." says Rex.
"Thanks, Rex." says Corrin. "Just came out of nowhere, that sneeze."
"Maybe someone was talking about you." Mythra says.
"I can't think of who it would be." says Corrin. "Well I can, but I doubt those people would be here."
"Hope you're not catching a cold." says Pyra.
"No, I'm fine." says Corrin. "Can't say the same for Nia, though."
Everyone looks at Nia clinging to Pyra's arm and says, "Well, it's freezing out here, and I need warmth. Besides, Corrin, I can't see how someone like you can walk in this environment barefoot!"
"Well, I've always been pretty thick-skinned." says Corrin. "Comes with being able to turn into a dragon, I suppose."
"I think that's so cool you're a dragon like me!" says Nowi. "I always feared I'd be the only one here in the Shepherds before I met you."
"I'm glad to give you some company, Nowi." says Corrin.
"Definitely a unique ability you two have." Mythra says. "Azurda does something like it, but way different from you two."
"It's an ability I never would have dreamed a human would possess." says Azurda. "It truly boggles everything I've known in Alrest."
Chrom says, "Everyone! We're almost to Port Ferox! Be ready for anything!"
"Guess we'll see what's going to happen." says Rex.
"Don't worry, Rex." says Pyra. "We'll be by your side."
"I know." says Rex. "I'm glad you, Mythra and Nia are with me."
"I just hope it'll be warmer near the ocean." says Nia.
"Maybe, maybe not." Mythra says. "Could be even colder thanks to the sea breeze."
"Don't dash my hopes, Mythra." says Nia.
Corrin giggles and says, "You guys are too much."
"Heh, we'll be here all night." says Rex.
"If you think WE'RE funny, wait until you meet Zeke." Mythra says. "He loves to be dramatic. He could be a hell of an actor if he ever wanted."
"Heh, already sounds like Odin." says Corrin. She then sighs and says, "I wonder if I'll ever find him, Laslow and Selena at all."
"Are those the three friends you sought out to find?" asks Pyra.
"Yeah, they just left without saying goodbye." says Corrin. "And I don't know why. They served as retainers to my Nohrians siblings - Odin to Leo, Laslow to Xander and Selena to Camilla - and it's said they were outsiders to Nohr, but yet, they were taken in to be retainers. Despite Odin's antics, Laslow's womanizing and Selena's attitude, they were fierce warriors, and became very dear friends to me."
"And they just left out of nowhere?" Mythra says. "Must've had their reasons to leave and come here. Reasons you can get when you find them, I'm sure we'll run into them eventually. Maybe."
"I don't know if they're even here at all." says Corrin. "I may have sent myself on a wild good chase."
"Corrin..." says Rex.
Meanwhile, at Port Ferox, Dalton is dealing with a villager who has boarded his ship.
"You dare board our ship, worm? I'll not discuss terms with a peasant; I will issue demands to all!" says Dalton. "Citizens! Soldiers! Hear my words! The Conqueror himself, Emperor Walhart, claims dominion over these lands! You will grant your new emperor your ships! You will grant him all your provender! You will grant him your loyalty and your every possession! And you will surrender this land's greatest treasure, the Fire Emblem! Do this, and your lives will be spared. Resist, and your lives are forfeit! Now, kneel! And swear fealty to the mighty Valmese Empire!"
"B-but if you take all that we have, how are we to make our living? Without food and ships, people will starve! Would you have us all die?" panics the villager.
"...You'll do for now." says Dalton coldly before impaling the villager with his lance, killing him.
"No." says Corrin in shock.
"That bastard!" says Rex.
"He had no reason to do that!" Mythra says. "That man was unarmed and probably only worried for his home's well-being, and he goes and KILLS him? Oh if my Siren were in this world too I'd turn that bastard into ash!"
"These savages will never listen to reason." says Chrom. "Everyone: prepare to engage!"
"Milord, are you certain? Another war..." says Frederick.
"I've had time to ponder Ylisse's place in the world, Frederick. ...And my own." says Chrom. "We must stand against evil, in all its forms, or there can be no peace!"
"You're right." says Pyra. "We're all ready over here!"
"Yeah, let's tear these guys a new arsehole!" says Nia.
Cherche then flies in on her wyvern and says, "Might I join, sire? This may not be my country, but it is my cause. My dear Minerva here hungers for a bite of the action as well!"
Minerva growls ferociously.
"Gracious, that dragon sounds pretty vicious." says Rex.
"Bet you she's a sweetheart off the battlefield." Mythra says. "...Okay jokes can come later, right now I see a bunch of murderers who could use a sword through their stomach... Or whatever weapons you happen to use."
"Shepherds! Attack!" says Chrom. "Robin, you know what to do!"
"Right." says Robin. "Vaike, Sully and Stahl, deal with the cavalry to the west of here! Kellam, Frederick, protect the east side from any that might slip through! Cherche, break through that guard ahead of us! Chrom, you and I will lead the main force into the heart of the conflict! Virion, Miriel and Ricken, cover us as we charge in!"
"What about us?" asks Corrin.
"You and the others will be part of the main force." says Robin. "Rex, if those Blades of yours are feeling a little stronger, I want you all to be our main muscle in dealing with the strongest of our enemies."
"What about it, Pyra?" asks Rex. "Feeling any stronger?"
"A little bit, but let's not get overconfident." says Pyra.
"Perhaps my healing should be a bit better now." says Nia.
"Just don't overdo it, my lady." says Dromarch.
"I know, Dromarch." says Nia. "One step at a time."
"We'll have to be careful." Mythra says. "Wouldn't do to get overconfident, think we can take more than we actually can right now, and get wounded or worse for it. Especially after what WE'VE been through, things that make these guys look like ants."
After that, everyone gets down to fighting.
The Valmese cavalry is strong, but Robin's strategies allow the shepherds to penetrate their defenses.
"Rolling Smash!" says Rex as he uses Pyra's sword to send out a fire wave to take down some Valmese cavalry.
Nia rides on Dromarch as the two charge in, Nia cutting down Valmese soldiers with her Twin Rings.
Corrin uses her Dragon Fang to take the fight to the Valmese knights, using her speed to outpace their heavy armor.
Sumia gets caught in an ambush of Valmese cavaliers and a paladin, using her lance skills to fight them off before the paladin blindsides her, knocking her off her pegasus.
"Sumia!" shouts Robin.
Robin rushes in on time to keep the paladin from finishing Sumia off.
"Time to tip the scales!" says Robin as knocks the paladin off of her and cuts him down with her sword.
"Wha - no!" says the paladin as he falls.
"Sumia, are you alright?" asks Robin.
"I think so, but I think I'm pretty injured." says Sumia.
"I'll help with her recovery." says Nia as she hops off of Dromarch and takes her Blade form.
Nia then kneels next to Sumia and uses her healing powers to soothe Sumia.
"We'll leave you to this, Nia." says Rex. "The rest of us will take to finishing off the rest of these guys."
"Go get'em, Rex!" says Nia.
Rex, Pyra and Mythra charge back into the fray.
A knight charges at Rex, who then uses his anchor grappler to wrap around the knight's ankle and pulls to trip him.
Chrom comes out and lands on the knight, stabbing him in the chest to kill him.
"Not a bad technique, Rex!" says Chrom.
"Vandham taught me that one!" says Rex. "I could never forget how to do that even if I wanted to."
"Give him my thanks." says Chrom.
"Believe me, I think he already knows." says Rex looking up at the sky.
"No time for that now, Rex." says Mythra.
"Right!" says Rex. "Let's drive out the rest of these spanners! Mythra, your sword now!"
"Right!" Mythra says as she changes the Aegis Sword to her version. "As Zeke would say if he was here, show these jerks what happens to villains!"
Rex sees other Valmese encroaching on him and the Aegis girls and says, "No better time than now!"
Rex and Mythra take hold of the Aegis Sword, and hold it to the sky, sending a beam of golden light straight up as they both says, "SACRED ARROW!"
Arrows of light rain down on the Valmese, knocking the mounted ones off of their horses and defeating the ones approaching Rex and his Blades.
"That's the way to do it!" says Nia smugly.
"Holy moly!" says Vaike.
"What an unparalleled technique." says Miriel.
"Well I'll be a pig covered in mud!" says Donnel.
Tharja just gives a very creepy chuckle.
"Wha - what are those two!?" says Dalton looking irritated.
"Looks like we broke their defenses." says Rex.
"Now it's time we dealt with that leader of theirs." Mythra says. "And make him pay for what he did!"
"Yeah! Pyra, Mythra, let's go!" says Rex.
"Sumia, are you feeling better?" asks Nia.
"Yeah, a lot better." says Sumia. "Thanks, Nia."
"My healing powers aren't complete right now, so take it easy." says Nia.
"Right." says Sumia.
"I'm joining with Rex and the others." says Nia as she makes her Catalyst Scimitar appear and heads off.
Rex, Pyra and Mythra appear in front of Dalton.
"Well, I have to admit, you three are more trouble than I thought." says Dalton.
"So says the guy that murdered a defenseless man in cold blood." says Rex.
"Shut up!" says Dalton. "You know nothing of what's going on."
"We know enough that you must be stopped." says Pyra. "We won't let you get away with this!"
"I DO know something. I know I'm looking at a murderer." Mythra says. "Someone who deserves nothing but a death sentence! And that's ALL I need to know right now!"
"The only ones dying right now are you and your band of infidels!" says Dalton as he charges at Rex, the two getting into a clash.
"Don't forget about me!" says Nia charging in to attack Dalton.
Dalton fends off Rex, and blocks Nia's attack, throwing her off of him as she lands next to Rex.
"Fine, another one that can die!" says Dalton.
Dalton charges in, but Corrin appears in front of him with her Rabbit Scroll and says, "Eat this!"
Corrin launches a purple rabbit spirit at Dalton, hitting him dead on.
"Now, Rex!" says Corrin as he gets out of the way.
"Pyra, your sword again!" says Rex.
"On it." says Pyra as changes the Aegis Sword back to hers.
"Nia, Pyra, let's do it together!" says Rex.
Nia comes gets on Rex's right side, both holding the Catalyst Scimitar, and Pyra gets on his left, both holding the Aegis Sword.
They hold the swords up to charge them with power.
"Let's do it!" says Rex.
"NEXUS FORCE!" shout Rex, Pyra and Nia at the same time, hitting Dalton dead on with a double sword attack, knocking him off his horse and fatally injuring him.
"What... H-how... Ahh..." says Dalton as he dies.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" says Nia.
"And THAT'S what happens to murderers." Mythra says. "Looks like we've won this battle."
"Let's go meet with the others." says Rex.
As they do, Robin asks, "Chrom, is that all of them?"
"Yes, but victory's come with a price..." says Chrom.
"The town is in shambles, as is my army." says Basilio.
"This is most troubling news." says Frederick. "Feroxi soldiers are the finest east of the long sea. If they are having trouble, we are ALL in trouble."
"Damn it." says Rex. "And here, I thought things were going well."
"Seems the Valmese are more trouble than we thought." says Pyra.
"Yeah, clearly they're a tough bunch." Mythra says. "...And I doubt this'll end with just one ship. Chances are they'll send more... And eventually it'll be too much."
"That's not the half of it. This was just the vanguard—but a taste of the meal yet to come, as Mythra said." says Flavia.
"And once it arrives, their host will wash over the whole continent in a matter of weeks." says Basilio. "There's no way we could repel them and defend our people. It would be a slaughter."
"A truly grim thought." says Dromarch.
"Not even my Blades powers could heal that many without me straining myself." says Nia. "Especially the way I am in my current condition."
"Ylisse is no better equipped to handle an attack from the sea..." says Chrom. "Robin, what do you suggest?"
"Hmm... Their greatest strength is their cavalry, which puts us at a disadvantage... on land." says Robin. "But if we were to catch them at SEA..."
"But how?! Ylisse has no warships, nor does Ferox." says Chrom.
"So we'd need aid from a kingdom that does..." says Basilio.
"You have someplace in mind, oaf?" asks Flavia.
"Perhaps a land that borders the sea, with enough wealth to afford this campaign?" asks Basilio.
"Plegia!" says Robin.
"No. Absolutely not. Out of the question." says Chrom.
"They have gold, boy! Countless ships!" says Basilio. "And more importantly, we have a fart's chance in the wind without them."
"The oaf is right. ...Crude, but right. There's only one path forward." says Flavia.
"Chrom, will you reconsider?" asks Robin.
Chrom seems lost for words.
"Chrom, I know you're still sore about what Gangrel did to your older sister." says Corrin. "But sometimes, we have to make decisions for the greater good, even if they're not the best ones."
"Yeah... Sometimes the best choice isn't always the one you like." Mythra says. "But you also shouldn't assume they're still bad. Who knows, maybe the new king or queen is actually a good person too."
"Take it from me, I hated Jin's guts when he killed me that time, but when I learned more about him, he was actually a troubled person." says Rex. "And he redeemed himself in the end. Perhaps Plegia could do the same thing for you."
"... ...Very well. Send a messenger and request a summit immediately." says Chrom with hesitation in his voice. "Let us pray this new king is more reasonable than their last."
"Indeed." says Robin.
"You know, Robin... For your first time against Valmese forces, that was an impressive victory." says Flavia. "You and Chrom have both grown quite adept. You should be proud."
"Thank you, Flavia." says Robin.
"And you, Corrin, you're a remarkable warrior with your talents." says Flavia. "I'm honored to have you fight with us."
"Thank you so much." says Corrin.
"And I certainly can't forget about you, Rex." says Flavia. "You and those Blades of yours, you've all got talents the rest of us could only dream of having."
"Don't mention it." says Rex. "We're just glad to give these blighters a thrashing if it means fighting for the greater good."
I'm always happy to put a bad guy in their place." Mythra says. "Just like that guy, they deserve the punishment we bring down on them. Though in some cases, doing that is far easier said than done..."
"Kind of like you trying to make a good meal." says Pyra. "I definitely need to keep you out of the kitchen more."
"Hey, I'm just trying to put the things I learned from Jin and Aegaeon 500 years ago to use." Mythra says. "...Not my fault I'm not the cook they were."
"And that's exactly the reason you created me, right?" asks Pyra. "To cook the food you couldn't, among other things?"
"...Yeah, that's one of them." Mythra says. "You'd make Jin and Aegaeon proud, while I... Would probably make them sick. Again. Only thing my cooking did was make them sick, and I think by the end of all that Jin had a stomach of iron."
"Come on, girls. We got more important things to worry about." says Rex.
"Rex is right." says Nia. "We've got a war looming over us."
"You're right." says Pyra. "Let's get to focusing on that."
After a while, Frederick approaches Chrom and says, "Milord, we have word from Plegia. They have agreed to meet with us at their outpost on Carrion Isle. A poor venue should things go sour, as the island's name makes plain. But then I don't see we have much of a choice."
"Cautious as ever, Frederick the Wary." says Chrom. "Don't worry. We'll get our ships. This threat hangs over all of us—Plegia as well. They must see that."
To Be Continued in Chapter 6.