Draco: Asura damn it, Draco...

What is my stated reason for doing this? Quite frankly, I am very displeased with disbalance and needed a good reason to rectify that. Do I have personal reasons for doing this? YES.

Asura damn it, Draco...

Pokémon and protagonist © Nintendo. Character designs © Koei. Ransei © somewhere in the middle.

Pugilis: Fist Against Mist

There were a lot of things that Oichi probably could have said when she collided with Lady Evia, sending them both to the ground.

"What smells like mint?" probably wasn't her best choice.

Evia quickly turned the same hue of fiery red that cloaked Oichi's face. She tried to get up. Oichi tried to get off. The result was that the two of them ran into each other halfway up and hit the floor again in the hallway outside. Somehow, Oichi was still on top.

Rapid footsteps approaching prompted the girls to panic. The two tried to get up again, but this time Oichi ended up tripping on Evia's nightgown, causing the two to roll down the hallway. Evia's Warlord Crown collided with a door, causing her to give a cry of pain. The healer pulled the door open to find a coat closet; without thinking, she grabbed the doorframe and propelled herself in, grabbing Evia's hand and pulling her with her as the footsteps rounded the nearby corner.

"What was that?" Ginchiyo's voice emerged from outside the closet. "By the Thunderbird, I swear I heard Lady Evia cry out. What's going on?"

"Lady Ginchiyo..." Muneshige. "You mustn't be so worried. She probably just ran into something. I swear every door I open is just a more complex puzzle than the last.

Ginchiyo's irritable sigh was quickly followed by a protest. "Of course I'll be worried," she snapped. "I haven't faced defeat upon Violight's battlefield since I was a little girl. I swore if anyone managed to overcome me on that ground then I would protect them with my life."

"You still act like a little girl," Muneshige muttered.

"I heard that!" Ginchiyo snapped.

Oichi and Evia were packed tightly in the closet; there was little room between them. The tips of their noses kept brushing against each other - one wrong move, and Oichi would end up locking lips with her Warlord. Slowly, her eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness; she could see Evia pushing against the back wall, trying to give Oichi more room. Oichi, pressed against the door, could see that wasn't going to happen. Evia was hunched over slightly, the horns of her Warlord Crown millimetres from a shelf just above her head.

"You still sure she likes him?" Oichi whispered.

Evia raised a finger before her lips, a nervous glare on her face.

"Look, her door's open." A pause; then her voice emerged again, from further; "She's not in here! Black Yang damn it, if any of those shinobi from Viperia or Yaksha have taken her I'll cut them open with my own hands!"

A light chuckle from Muneshige. "You sure you want to dirty those pretty things?" he prompted. "That would be quite a pity."

Evia raised her eyebrows.

"Shut up," Oichi snapped in a hurried whisper.

"Look, Lady Ginchiyo," Muneshige insisted, "she's probably having trouble sleeping. She didn't sleep an inch on the trip here. In fact, if I recall what Oichi was saying, she hadn't slept during her nights in Greenleaf or Fontaine, either. She's most likely gone for a walk to tire herself out."

A low growl as their footsteps parted. "If she's not here by morning," Ginchiyo snapped, her voice growing fainter, "I'm going to hunt down every last ninja in Ransei and run my blade down their backs until they tell me where she is."

The two girls waited until the Violitians were well out of range; then they both let out breaths they realized they'd been holding in.

"I'm sorry, Lady Evia," Oichi insisted. "I didn't mean to-"

"Let's just get out."

"Right." There wasn't a lot of room to maneuver her arms, but she managed to grab the doorknob and twist.

It didn't twist.

"Damn it," Oichi muttered. "I think the door's locked."

Evia managed to reach it for herself, giving it a ferocious twist. The knob wouldn't rotate an inch. Irritably, Evia pounded the door itself. No result.

The Warlord sighed, rising straight. The result was that her Warlord Crown collided with the shelf, and a gasp of pain passed through her lips as she tumbled back. Her elbow collided with the wall, sending a shock of pain through the limb, and as she gripped it she ended up running her Crown into Oichi's cheek. A yelp emerged from the healer as she tried to pull away, but she only succeeded in getting the other horn of the Crown right between the eyes.

In the confusion, Evia tried to stand straight and ran both horns into the shelf again, this time with a lot more momentum. A box tumbled off the shelf and landed on Oichi's head, causing her to recoil forward and run right into the base of Evia's left horn with her forehead. The Warlord turned away, only to run her right horn into the back of Oichi's helm and her left horn into the wall. Oichi reached up to feel how high the shelf was and ended up running her knuckles into the bottom of it; when she brought her arm back down, she did so right on Evia's nose, drawing a cry of pain.

Before anything else could happen, Oichi quickly reached forward and closed her hands around Evia's shoulders.

Weak, pained sobs passed through Evia's lips. Slowly, Oichi brought Evia down until the two of them were sitting on the floor of the closet. It was far more cramped than standing up, but there was much less potential for pain here. With careful movements, Oichi set a hand on the side of Evia's face, letting her fingers drift and brush her hair back. Carefully, she reached for the base of Evia's Crown. A gasp emerged as she found it, like contact with an open wound.

Oichi was starting to wish she hadn't dropped her staff when Evia had opened her door, but now was not the time for regret. Carefully, she brought herself as close as she could and put her arms around Evia, letting the Warlord rest her head on Oichi's shoulder. Tears were wet upon Evia's face, and Oichi only let her cry, feeling around the base of her Crown again. Her finger came away with drops of blood; with gentle movements, Oichi pressed them against the area around where her Crown vanished into her helm, trying to stem the flow of blood.

There was a long moment of silence, the two of them sitting there in a careful embrace.

Then footsteps emerged from outside again.

+x+x+x+

"Right around here..."

Masanori was leading Kiyomasa and Mitsunari down the corridor. Trailing at their feet were Eevee and Jigglypuff, who the trio had been taking care of during the battle. "I heard Ginchiyo and Muneshige arguing around here," Masanori explained. "Something about Evia going missing."

They rounded the corner to find the door to the Warlord Chamber open. The nearest door was closed, and when Kiyomasa reached for the knob, he found it locked. A series of clatters emerged from inside, causing the three of them to pull away. A girl's shout emerged, quickly followed by what sounded like a growl. Jigglypuff gave a shocked yelp, pulling away horrified, and Eevee took an offensive stance as Mitsunari neared the door. A scream emerged, and Mitsunari drew out his tessen and snapped it open as an angry shout emerged from inside.

He cut the lock.

+x+x+x+

Someone rattled the doorknob, finding it locked. The girls pulled away, running their heads into the door and the wall; and as they tumbled forward Oichi ended up running her nose into Evia's forehead. Disoriented, the two tried to get to their feet, running into the walls and the door; when they got up, Evia's crown, once again, slammed right into the shelf, causing her to give a loud shout of pain.

An irritated growl passed through Oichi's lips as she held Evia close with one hand and slammed the other elbow into the door. All she did was send pain coursing through her body, causing her to recoil forward. The two collided with the wall again, Evia's Crown connecting first, causing another painful scream, and with a loud shout Oichi set her hand against the back of Evia's head as she pushed her whole body against the door, trying to force it open.

The door flew open.

Oichi fell out, her hand on Evia's helm.

Evia was pulled after her, her grip on Oichi's back.

The two hit the ground with painful force and found their lips closed on each other for a long, stunned moment.

Then they pulled themselves apart, and raised their gazes to see Mitsunari, Kiyomasa, and Masanori, as well as Eevee and Jigglypuff.

Oichi's arms were around Evia.

Evia's arms were around Oichi.

Both of their noses were bleeding.

Tears were run down Evia's face.

Oichi's index and middle fingers were covered in blood.

"Holy..."

"Shit."

+x+x+x+

"We weren't doing anything!"

Oichi had retrieved her staff, and was currently dealing with the wounds over Evia's body. The multiple impacts to her Warlord Crown had opened up some very deep cuts at the base of each horn, and the constant clattering around the closet had loosed a fair amount of bruises over both girls. Evia was in a chair, trying to hold back the pained tears, and remained completely still and silent as Oichi let drops of water from her staff fall into each cut, letting each fall soak in before applying another.

Eevee and Jigglypuff were currently perched on the bed across from them with upset glares on their faces.

"Honestly," Oichi protested, "I expected six million Warriors to be confronting us about this, but you two? I came here to talk to Lady Evia. She opened the door while I was leaning against it. We got stuck on the floor and panicked when the Warriors came! What did you expect us to do?"

Jigglypuff raised an eyebrow.

Oichi gave an irritable sigh. "If you're not going to listen to us, would you just leave us alone? It was cramped in there! Lady Evia's Warlord Crown kept running into things! I tried to stop the impact and the door opened!"

Eevee huffed at her.

"Then why did you bring Mitsunari and his friends?" Oichi demanded. "Look, just... just go, alright? I need to finish up with these cuts or all Antimatter's gonna break loose tomorrow when we're training. I don't have time to argue with you two."

The two Pokémon glared at them for a moment longer; then Eevee sighed, hopping down from the bed, and Jigglypuff leapt after him.

Once the duo had left, Oichi sighed, letting another couple drops of water fall onto Evia's cuts. "I'm so sorry, Lady Evia," the healer insisted. "It's my fault you were hurt like this."

Evia shook her head slightly. The Warlord had fallen as silent as the day Oichi had met her, and her face was streaked with tears.

"I... I want to make it up to you," Oichi prompted. "Somehow. Please, name anything you want, and I'll do everything I can to-"

She was interrupted when Evia shook her head again, still not saying a word.

Oichi was quiet, letting another couple of drops fall onto Evia's Crown. "Please. I'll do anything. I just want to make it up to you. Please..."

"Stop."

The healer bit her lip nervously. "Stop... what?"

Evia turned to face her, careful to make sure her Warlord Crown didn't connect with her staff. "I'm not mad at you. You don't need to do anything."

Oichi shook her head. "No, I insist. I need to make it up to you. I'm the reason-"

"This is not your fault," Evia insisted. "We fell. I was embarrassed. You panicked. It happens. I don't blame you."

"But Lady Evia..."

"I insist," Evia prompted. "Just let it go."

+x+x+x+

The month of courtesy was spent training. Evia was glad for the custom that insisted Warriors from one army not attack more than once per month - she wanted to give the wounds some time to heal naturally before they went on to the next kingdom.

"Pugilis," Oichi murmured as she and Evia were preparing for the next battle. The month of courtesy was nearly over; it was time to act. "This isn't going to be good. Eevee and Jigglypuff will have to sit this one out, too. Those Pugilans will take us out of the game immediately if they don't."

Evia nodded. "Same team?"

Oichi thought a moment. "...Yeah, the same team would probably be best. Yoshimoto doesn't need to get in on this yet." She swept her hand between Chrysalia and Pugilis and sighed. "It's a four-day journey, and that's assuming we don't run into more trouble like we did on the way here. It's going to take a lot of rations."

"Alright." Evia thought a moment. "Have everyone ready to leave at 0700 hours tomorrow."

"Yes, Lady Evia."

+x+x+x+

For once, the journey passed without a problem. The forest wasn't nearly as irritating getting out of Chrysalia as it was getting in. Pugilis was a massive expanse of open plain, very hard to get lost in.

When they arrived at the castle, someone was waiting for them.

The Warlord of Pugilis was huge. Not overweight, but built - he towered over most of Evia's army. His option to wear thick steel armour with no sleeves only amplified the effect, and at his side was a Gurdurr, with his steel weapon over one shoulder.

"Evia!" the Warlord called. "I've been waiting for you!" He held out a hand. "I am Yoshihiro, Warlord of Pugilis."

Oichi and Evia were both caught off-guard by that statement. "Waiting?" Oichi asked. "What do you-?"

Yoshihiro huffed. "The Warlords in this area are pathetic weaklings," he mused, glancing over her army to find the Violitians standing there. Ginchiyo drew her blade. "Conquering their kingdoms would be no fun. Something does seem to be kicking off in the north... But that's still a ways away."

Both girls knew to what he referred - Nobunaga.

"And now you're here," Yoshihiro added. "I think this could be the most fun I've had in years!" He raised a fist over his helm. "Come! To the battlefield!"

+x+x+x+

The battlefield of Pugilis was just outside the castle - a massive, wide-open area that looked like it was designed for martial arts. A massive, hexagonal walking area surrounded a large square ring with a banner in each corner. Two walkways, one from either army's end of the field, led to the ring.

Everything was painted with a disturbing lines of red.

"Before we begin, let me tell you something," Yoshihiro prompted. "This is not an ordinary banner battle. One army must hold all of the banners for thirty minutes - or else, claim them all once the opposing army has been defeated. And the banners stand at the ring's edge..." A smile rose on his face. "You know what this means, don't you?"

He reached out off the stage - and Evia pulled back as a massive hammer was thrown towards him. He grabbed it and turned towards Evia, raising it before him.

"It's a gamble!" Yoshihiro called. "Just like all the good things in life!"

"Son of a bitch." Evia drew her sword, preparing to fight as her Warriors and their partners did the same. Oichi bit her lip as her and Evia's Dratini cried out, prompting an array of battle cries from her army. It would be hard to hold ground that close to a drop - they'd have to be careful if they wanted to win this.

Yoshihiro's army cried out in response. His army was full of strikers - the Warlord and his Gurdurr; Tadamoto, Kanemori, and their Timburr; Takahisa, with his Machop; and Tadatsune, with his Pansage. They were all clearly used to the battlefield like this - it wasn't going to be easy to get the advantage.

"Three hours! Begin!"

The two armies charged towards the stage. Most of the Warriors proceeded along the walkway; Muneshige, and his Staravia, needed waste no such time. The bird Pokémon hooked his talons on Muneshige's pauldrons and lifted him over the gap, landing him next to the banner as he closed his hand around the pole.

"I think that's cheating," Evia murmured.

Ginchiyo shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?" she prompted. Evia directed her and Shinx to the other banner on their end, prompting her to leap forward and grab the banner to stop herself from falling.

Yoshihiro and Gurdurr were going full-out. No sooner had Evia arrived at the ring than the Pugilan's hammer was going right at her. She stepped out of the way, letting the strike slam into the ground, and lashed out towards Yoshihiro's armoured fingers, hoping to find a weakness in his gauntlet.

No such luck; the weapon only clattered off as Yoshihiro pulled his hammer across the ground. Oichi quickly drove her staff into the ring, causing the weapon to hook on as Gurdurr leapt forward. Both of the Aurorans' Dratini managed to evade, launching Dragon Rages that knocked him out of the ring.

Yoshihiro glared. "Looks like I'm at a disadvantage," he mused. A grin rose on his face as, with a sudden force, he pulled Oichi's staff out of her hand, sending it flying across the battlefield. "But it wouldn't be any fun if the odds were ever in my favour!" He swept the hammer across, but both of the Aurorans dropped to the ground. "Not knowing whether you're going to win or lose - that's the true thrill of the battlefield!"

Oichi leapt away, rushing towards one of his other Warriors as Motochika and Motonari charged into the field. Motochika's shamisen flew towards Yoshihiro's helm as Oshawott and Snivy stormed through his Warriors. Muneshige glanced over the battlefield and saw Gurdurr racing up the pit's side, aiming to enter the ring again. With a sweep of his arm, Staravia surged forward, speed that he had not held as a Starly sending him faster and faster.

Gurdurr saw nothing coming until Staravia's wing ran into his face.

Yoshihiro winced, lowering his hammer - and Motochika's shamisen with it. "Well..." he murmured. "You're impressive, no doubt about it..."

Of course, the next problem was the rest of the Pugilans. As Yoshihiro left the battlefield, his Warriors gave menacing battle cries. Most of them had been knocked from the ring and were now up on the defending end of the field once more.

Staravia flew back to Muneshige's arm.

Oshawott braced his scalchop in hand as Motochika struck his shamisen.

Snivy dropped to a low stance as Motonari braced his crossbow.

Ginchiyo drew her lightning blade as Shinx cried out.

Evia and Oichi found themselves back-to-back, even empty as Oichi's hands were.

They glanced at each other over their shoulders - and a smile rose on the healer's face that the Warlord returned.

The Warriors barrelled forward, their cries blending with that of their Pokémon.

"Pugilis!"

"AURORA!"

+x+x+x+

The remainder of the battle lasted maybe five minutes.

"Phew..." Yoshihiro and his Warriors were all well-tired. "You are a worthy winner," the Warlord told Evia. "But this is all part of the rich tapestry of battle. Victory tastes all the sweeter once you have known the bitterness of defeat." He hoisted his hammer over his shoulder as Gurdurr did with his steel. "Anyway, congratulations. You won a battle that will be talked about for years to come."

Oichi and Evia exchanged glances.

"...Would you mind letting me see your others firsthand?"

The girls turned towards him again. "What?"

Yoshihiro grinned. "You didn't think you could have an all-star army like this and leave me out, did you?"

Evia's mouth hung open for a moment. "Damn," she murmured.

+x+x+x+

Yoshihiro, Tadamoto, and Kanemori were sent to guard Chrysalia with Yoshimoto. Yoshihiro didn't sound all too pleased with the prospect, but he nonetheless obeyed orders and headed to the insect kingdom as Evia and her Warriors made their way inside.

Things lit up on the way in, to say the least.

Muneshige gave an exasperated sigh as Ginchiyo set a hand on Luxio's mane. "I can't hold myself a point above you, can I?" he prompted.

"Oh, cut it out, Muneshige," Ginchiyo snapped. Muneshige only made his way in ahead with Motochika and Motonari. Evia lingered behind as Oichi followed them, and the Violitian noticed. "What is it, Lady Evia?" she prompted.

"Nothing," Evia assured her. The same smile as Oichi had claimed before had risen on her face.

Ginchiyo angled her head. "Why are you looking at me like that?" A light giggle passed through Evia's lips, prompting Ginchiyo to reach for her blade. "Please don't mock me, Lady Evia," she snapped. "I could have you on the floor in a few moments."

Evia glanced at her, eyebrow raised.

This was starting to annoy Ginchiyo. "What!?" she demanded.

The warlord sighed. "You."

Ginchiyo pulled away. "Me?"

"You are such a tsundere," Evia scolded.

"A..." Ginchiyo took offense to that. "Do you mean to imply-?"

Evia gazed at her for a moment.

The rage on the Violitian's face fell. "Is it that obvious?"

"Oichi doesn't think so," Evia admitted, "but I'm pretty sure Motochika was laughing at you."

Draco: Asura DAMN it, Draco.