After a bit of rest and planning at Regna Ferox, the company crossed the border into Plegian territory, there was nothing but sand as far as the eye could see.

"Ugh… So hot…" David said.

"Definitely...as soon as we're done with all of this, I just wanna go home and take a shower!" Aya said. "I feel your pain, David."

"I get the sense deserts aren't really your thing." Chrom said.

"You have no idea." David and Aya said at the same time.

"Moving on, Chrom, what's our next move?" Mark asked.

"I'm...unsure." Chrom said before they saw a soldier running towards them. "A soldier. One of ours."

"Sir Chrom. I bring...dire news." the soldier said. "Ylisstol….has fallen to the enemy."

"What?" Chrom said.

"Emmeryn has been captured. Fortunately we are already in Plegian country, but this could be a trap…" the soldier started.

"That doesn't concern me. We have to rescue Emmeryn. We march to Plegia, everyone." Chrom said.

"Hopefully we have a plan to rescue her." Hope said.

"I'm sure Reflet and I will think of something." Sir Robin said.

"Yeah..." Reflet said.

"First we have to cross this desert. Let's get movin." Gemini said.

And so, the Shepherds and heroes began to cross the desert, advancing to Plegia steadily.

"Y'know, it seems you've been nervous since we left Ylisse, Reflet." Sans observed. "Something wrong?"

"I don't want to say it, it could have dire consequences." Reflet said.

"You don't need to, I'm pretty sure I know what it is." Mark said. "But...well, let's hope it doesn't come to that."

"I just hope we all get out of this alive. I don't wanna let Chrono down, much less the Knights." Hope said.

"Please. We've been through this before. We'll be fine. Although...this scenario does seem familiar." Natsu said.

"Of course it does, you have been through this before." Eddy whispered.

"No I think he's right. Something happened in this desert to us before." Dan said.

"Yeah, didn't we encounter two faces here?" Gray asked.

"Hey guys! I see someone coming this way!" Rainbow-2 said from high up. True to her word, a young girl in a unique outfit appeared.

"Have… have I lost him?" the girl asked, out of breath.

"Wait, I say! Why you no comprehending, wee one?" a man's voice called as a burly man in green armor ran up.

"AUGH! GET AWAY! Everyone just leave me ALONE!" the girl whined.

"Uh… I don't like the implications of this scene." Mark said in concern.

"Please, be keeping down with the voice! You give away position! Very bad!" the man said.

"My throat is dry, my shoes are full of sand, and some big weirdo is trying to KILL ME!" the girl continued to rant.

"Oy, you break Gregor's heart! Why you treat like villain?" the man calling himself Gregor asked.

"Uh...who are those two?" Flamberge asked.

"The big guys a Mercenary named Gregor. He may seem weird because he talks in third person, but he's a great guy." Hope said. "The girl is called Nowi, and she's…"

"There they are!" a soldier called as they saw a platoon of unusual soldiers on the other side of the desert.

"Now we've got them! Let them suffer Grima's wrath!" the commander said.

"Grima? I never liked the sound of that name." Alphamon said.

"Looks like they're after those two. Hey! You two! Stay safe, we're coming to help!" Izuku called to Nowi and Gregor.

"Y-youre going to help me?" Nowi asked.

"Don't worry, just sit tight! We'll be over there in a… look out!" Gemini warned as one of the soldiers ambushed Nowi and Gregor.

"AGH! GET AWAY FROM ME!" Nowi screamed using a stone in her hand to transform into a green dragon. She blasted a fireball at the guard as Gregor finished him off.

"What the?! She turned into a dragon!?" Flamberge asked.

"She's a Manakete." Reflet said.

"Manaketes… People who turn into dragons." Himiko said.

"I guess that's why these Grima guys are after them." SE said. "What say we clear the field?"

"Agreed. Mazio!" Scott shouted as blasts of lightning are fired at the enemies.

Dawn went for another soldier as she struck with fire shots.

"Hellfire Slash!" Ace called jumping into the air and launching a fireball downward with Dandelga.

"Rock Wave!" Gemini said sending a wave of flaming boulders in the soldiers wake.

"Eat this!" Scarlet said as he plunged a Ki Blade into a soldier's stomach.

Kokoro unleashed her fire breath on the commander. "I think that's all of them."

"Who the heck were those guys?" Miles asked.

"The Grimleal, worshippers of the Fell Dragon, Grima." Frederick said.

"Religious nutcases. Got it." David said.

"Are you two okay?" Steven asked Nowi and Gregor.

"I'm fine. But this is just the worst day ever!" Nowi sobbed.

"Hey, it's okay. We took care of the Grimleal, and you and the big guy are saved." Hagakure said.

"Invisible girl is correct. Do not make with the crying of tears. The evil people are now dead people. This is good, no?" Gregor asked.

"You... You're right. Th-thank you. And... I'm sorry I was so mean to you earlier. I just get nervous around people who are...outside my age group." Nowi admitted.

"Forgive me for asking, but isn't he much older than you?" Rarity-2 asked.

"No. I'm 1,000 and something. But see? No wrinkles." Nowi said.

"Okay, we'll take your word for it." Mark said.

"In any case, we need to hurry." David said.

"Yes, Emmeryn's life is at stake." Sectonia said.