Kana gasped as she awoke. The damage from the shock was healed put the pain lingered. Despite that she was ready to fight for her life…Only to find she couldn't move. Her hair was still untied and flailed about freely as she looked around.

There were two poles at her left and right. Each one had a cylinder-shaped chunk of metal on an angle above her head. Each one holding her hands inside, leaving her arms spread apart on an upward angle. There were no open ends, for her hands to come out of, like she was wearing gloves with no fingers. Her feet were trapped in two more cylinder bonds, bolted to the floor, trapping her feet together, like a pair boots with the foot pointing straight down, making it impossible to lift or separate her legs. She grunted as she tried to pull her limbs in with no success. But she felt something pressed up against her from behind.

"Oh, you're awake?"

Kana yelped as she heard a voice from behind her. "M-Morgan?"

"Yup."

Kana turned her head as much as she could to see Morgan's head doing the same. From what she could tell they were in the same position. In fact, there were two more cylinders on the other side of the poles and more bindings bolted to the floor on her feet, adjacent to Kana's restraints leaving Morgan as helpless as her, with the two of them pressed up tightly against each other back to back.

"What happened?"

"You mean after you went berserk and were zapped into next week? We were brought into here. They felt they needed to restrain us more…harshly."

"Ngh…it's cold in here!" Kana shivered. She looked down. While she was out cold they wrapped a plain white towel around her as a makshift short dress. But that barly covered her more then her smallcloths did. "How come they had to take my armor off…it's not fair! At least you have proper cloths on!"

"Not anymore. They took off my uniform and swapped it for a towel." Morgan muttered in embarrassment. "They thought I'd be harder for me to think of a way out if I was too distracted by lack of warmth."

Kana looked bock over her shoulder to see Morgan's bare arm. She had a white towel for a short dress too. "Oh."

"Well, let's look on the bright side. At least ,they were nice enough to give us these towels, right? Gods, can you imagine if they stripped us both right down to smallcloths and left us bound like this that way? I'd die of embarrassment." Morgan chuckled.

"How can you make jokes at a time like this…" Kana sniffled. "I'm scared. Aren't you?"

"Of course, I'm scared." Morgan replied. "Well, if anything I'm more annoyed. I mean being captured and restrained like this is embarrassing. I was hoping people will remember me as a "Morgan the aspiring tactical genius like her father" not "Morgan the captured damsel in distress who could do nothing but wait around in in chains and…weird restraining contraptions." But, I'm not about to let these creeps see it! Besides…Inigo taught me that everything will be fine as long as you can smile."

"Inigo…?"

"I…I don't understand what's going on…" Morgan admitted. "But he's been gone for so long, I was worried sick! I'm just glad he's okay…"

"Wow. You really like him don't you?" Kana smiled.

"There ya go!" Morgan chirped. "Smile! As long as you can do that then there's hope!"

"Okay." Kana sniffled. "So, how do we get out of this?"

"Why don't you just do that thing with the lance arm?"

"Okay…I don't have my stone but, here goes." Kana tried to morph her hand into a lance, but nothing happened. "Ngh…I feel weak…what's going on?"

"Uh, oh…so much for that."

"Can you pick the locks on these things?"

"Even if we still had your hairpin, I can't use my hands at all." Morgan replied, looking at the cup like bond, her right hand was inside of.

"Yeah…We can't even move at all."

"Well, we can move our heads." Morgan replied shaking her head back and forth to demonstrate.

"What good will that do?"

"I dunno. But it's something, right?"

"I guess…"

"Hmm…though you may be right…the only thing I can think of is trying to break free! With brute force! Hrrrrgh!" Morgan started trying to pull her limbs in, grunting.

"Will that work?" Kana asked. "These things are strong."

"Nnngh! Beats…doing…nothing! Gah! Besides, I fought in a war plus my mother breaks all sorts of things when she's training. I should have that power of breakage in my blood! Hmph! I'm…stronger…than I look!"

"Me too!" Kana smiled. "Rrrrrgh!" Kana shot her head up as she pulled with her arms, accidently bonking the back of it into Morgan's.

"Ow!"

"Ack! S-sorry Morgan!"

"No biggie…Hrmph!"

The girls struggled for a minute or two. But despite their efforts, they were no closer to getting free. The binds were made of solid steel.

"*Gasp* Okay, not working!" Morgan said as her sore muscles slackened.

Kana gasped as she gave up as well. Then she felt something around her neck. "Huh? What's this?"

"What's what?" Morgan asked.

"There's something around my neck…Some kind of collar?"

"Yeah…they put one on me when I was first brought into this place."

"Maybe this is what's making me weaker."

"Really? I haven't felt any different."

"Maybe it's just for my kind of powers?"

"How do you have those kind, of powers anyway?" Morgan asked.

"Well, my Papa-

The door to the room banged open. The hooded interrogator marched in with two mages. Both girls went silent.

"Oh? I was expecting you to be crying again by now, girl." He said looking at Kana.

"I don't need to be scared of you, you bully!" Kana pouted. "Just like Morgan told me!"

"Shhh!"

The man turned the blue-haired girl who tried looking away. "Morgan, have you been encouraging your fellow prisoner?"

"Nope! No sir!" The girl chuckled nervously. "I've been super duper quiet! As quiet as a…uh…whatever the quietest thing you can think of is! Not made a peep! Really!"

"Really?" the man asked unconvinced.

"Yup, really! Right Kana? Uh, I mean, whoever you are?"

"Uh, yeah! We've been extra good!" Kana smiled, a bit uneasy with Morgan's sudden panicking.

"Well let's make sure it stays that way."

The two mages approached the girls. They each took out a strange object. It was a red ball with leather straps on each end.

"Uh, what's that?" Morgan asked.

Suddenly the mage in front of her grabbed the side of her face and started jamming the ball in her mouth.

"Hey! Stop that-MPH!" Morgan tried shaking her head and pushing the ball out with her tongue, but in time it was pushed behind her teeth, holding her tongue down and keeping her jaw opened.

Behind her the other mage was doing the same to Kana.

"No wait! Please don't! I'll be quiet, really! I-MPH!"

Once the balls were in, the straps were fastened around the back of each girl's head.

"Nghhh! Geh ish ing ouah ma muth!" Morgan demanded, more frustrated than scared as she tried to bite down hard enough to break the gag. She was starting to be good friends with Kana and now she couldn't talk to her!

"Guhhhh…plehs, ish har ooh wreath…" Kana whimpered as she tried to spit it out. The gag felt extremely uncomfortable.

"You are an interesting girl, child of Corrin." The interrogator said. "I'll enjoy breaking you both into servants of our lord!"

The mages took out their tomes. Both girls' eyes widened as they knew what was next. The struggled in their bonds again.

As soon as the first sparks hit their bare skin, their heads shot up and against each other as they felt the pain. Muffled screams echoed down the dungeon halls.

With a knock on a door Corrin cleared his throat.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Come in."

Corrin signaled the team to wait outside as he, Takumi, Camilla and Azura stepped in. It was a old house with one old, bald man siting at a table.

"Greetings, travelers! It must have taken you some effort to reach Notre Sagesse. Do you have business here?"

"We've heard that a man known as the Rainbow Sage lives here. We have need of him—could you please tell us where we might find him?"

The man stared at the sword on Corrin's hip. "Hmm... That weapon you're holding...It's the Yato, isn't it?"

"Hm? Oh! Yes, it is. I'm surprised you recognized it."

"Why do you wish to meet the Sage? Do you seek power?"

"No, we just want to ask him a question." Azura replied.

"Ahhh, so you're after knowledge, then. Fascinating... On top of Mount Sagesse is the Sevenfold Sanctuary. The Sages is said to reside on the highest floor of that place. The mountain itself is quite high, so most people don't even reach the sanctuary. And...that's all I know, really."

"Thank you for your help. If we learn more about the Sage as we go, we'll be sure to share what we learn." Corrin said with a smile.

"Try your best not to die on the way up!"

"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad can it?" Takumi smirked.

"Well, this answers your question." Corrin grunted.

The whole army had been ascending the mountain for nearly a hour.

"No kidding. This is the steepest hike I've ever done..." Takumi replied.

"Ease up if you need to." Henry said. "That goes for everyone! If you're too tired, speak up and we'll rest! We've got the time!"

Camilla turned to her brother. "He has a point, Corrin. Your face looks a bit flushed...If you need me to, I can carry you on my back like when you were small!"

Corrin tried to ignore the awkward stares he was receiving. "Ah...I'll be fine. Thanks."

Elise misstep and started to stumble. "Uh-oh...AHHHH!"

She fell back, but Sakura and Dorothy were just in time to catch her.

"Gotchya!"

"Ouf! Are...are you all right, Elise?" Sakura asked as they straightened Elise up.

"Nice catch, guys. Thank you! Falling all the way back down this mountain would have hurt a ton!"

"I don't think you would have fallen all the way back down..."

"Tell that to Arthur." Dorothy replied. "Reina is still off to fetch him after he tripped."

"There's an idea, why can't we just fly up there?" John asked.

"The mounts can't carry all of us." Roy replied.

"Look!" Takumi said pointing into the distance. "Is that the Sevenfold Sanctuary in the distance?"

Corrin squinted to get a better look. "It must be... There can't possibly be two of these up here. We must be near the summit."

"Hmm... And the Sage is waiting at the very top..."

"Yes, which means our real trial will start soon. Ryoma said that the Sage will only meet with the strongest people... I don't think this will be an easy task."

"Yeah... We'd best be ready for anything."

Kana grunted as she awoke. She passed out from the shocks and looked up to find herself on the floor. She was still bound it the metal restraints. The gag was still in her mouth as she tried to speak. Morgan was still pressed up against her from behind.

"Kana? Can you hear me?"

Her head perked as she heard the other girl's voice in her head.

"Morgan?"

"Yeah. I'm using my natural magical energy for a spell my friend Launret taught me. It only works on people within my arm's reach. And for as long as I can hold by breath."

She heard Morgan gasp through her gag behind her.

"Not very easy with his stupid gag in my mouth! Seriously, my jaw feels sore! What do they think we are, a couple of animals?! Who uses these things on cute little girls?!"

"Are those people gone?"

"I think so…"

"Oh…So what now?"

"We try breaking free again." Morgan replied as she started to struggle. She tried to pull her limbs out with whatever strength she could muster.

"We tried that already…"

"Then we try again. Beats doing nothing and waiting for them to come back."

"Good point."

Kana and Morgan grunted as they tried pull out the bonds holding them. But the metal held firm with no sign of either of them getting loose. Eventually they both gave up.

"NGGGGH!" "No good! These things are too strong!"

"Mph…" "Same here. All this is tiring me out. Maybe Inigo will come save us."

Kana tilted her head to look back at Morgan. "You trust him a lot…do you like him?" she said in her head with a singing tune.

"Like him? I love they guy! He's a sweetheart! Oh, didn't I tell you? We've been dating back home."

"Really? What's it like having a boyfriend?"

Morgan took a very deep breath. "It's great! We go on dates, play together, learn new things…It's the best!"

"Wow…hmm…"

"What's up?"

"I'm kinda just wondering what it'd be like to have a boyfriend…it sounds nice…"

Morgan took another breath. "Theeeeeeen, maybe I can help you find one!"

"Really?"

"Sure! As soon as we're out of this bind-literally and figuratively-it's a promise!"

"Thanks Morgan! Gee, I'm glad you got this spell to work! Talking with you makes me feel better!"

"Well it's more thinking than talking, but me too!"

Just then the door banged open. The hooded interrogator and Iago stood at the doorway.

"Good news, little ones!" the black-haired mage said. "I know it must be awfully dark and cramp in this cell, so we're taking you for a little trip!" Two guards came in carrying sacks. Each of them took out keys and slowly released the metal holding the girls hands and feet only to roughly pull their arms behind their backs and tie their wrists together and wrap more rope around their upper bodies, pinning their arms against themselves. Then their legs were tied at the thighs, shins and ankles.

"Oh, come on!" Kana thought as she they restrained her legs. "They really don't have to do this! We're already helpless against them!"

Then they put the sacks over Morgan and Kana's heads. "HEEH!" the girls yelled into their gags. The sacks were tightened just enough to keep them on without restricting their breathing too much. Each girl was flung over a guard's shoulder and carried out of the room. Soon they were each put into a barrel before being transported out of the castle.

"Morgan?! Morgan!"

"Relax, Kana, I hear you."

"Where are they taking us?!"

"I don't know…"

"How will our Papas know where we are?!"

Morgan thought about it. If her father didn't know where they were how would he devise a plan to rescue them?

"Uh, Kana?"

"Yeah?"

"You know that whole thing I was going on about not showing panic in the face of these creeps?"

"Yeah."

"Think it's safe to do it if our faces are covered by these sacks?"

"Let's split up and look around Corrin said." Henry sighed. "We might meet up at the end he said. Robin he ain't."

He stopped in his tracks when he heard footsteps. He hid behind a corner and saw a man with white and black hair, holding a bow pass by.

"Phew... Jeez, I have to be getting close to the top by now, right? That Rainbow Sage definitely didn't make this easy...I have to keep going, though. I can't give up now. I need to make it. I know he can give me the strength to rebuild Kohga. I'll do whatever it takes to earn that strength—killing, stealing... It's not like I haven't had to do such things already..."

Henry hesitated before approaching. "Hey, you!"

The man turned around and aimed his bow at the captain.

"Hey, easy. Not here to harm ya or nothing."

"Who are you?"

"I was gonna ask you that. You don't look like a sanctuary guard."

"Don't compare me to those freaks."

"My bad. Then what are ya, a treasure hunter or-

"Pfft, like I care about treasure. I'm here for the Sage's strength. I need to gain as much strength and power as he can give me. I need it to defeat that self-proclaimed daimyo of Mokushu. That scum destroyed my homeland—I have to defeat him and rebuild..."

Henry thought back before he remembered the name mentioned. "Mokushu…the ninja from Hoshido?"

"What? You know him? You aren't his friends, are you?"

"Weeeeell…I got bad news and good news for ya." Henry said. "Bad news is, you're not getting any revenge."

"What?"

"Good news is, that's because he's already dead."

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah, see his goons tried to kidnap some of our friends so, we stormed his place and our buddy offed him. Sorry about that."

The man lowered his bow. "Hmm... I suppose I owe you my thanks. You got my revenge for me. My name is Shura. I'm a ninja from Kohga, a land that was devastated by Mokushu. Who are you?"

"Name's Henry Fleming. I'm working with a man named Corrin. Heard of him?"

"Wait—Corrin? I can't believe I'm gonna ask this...Are you talking about who I think you are? A prince? Kidnapped from Hoshido as a kid?"

"Ya know him? Not another friend he ended up forgetting, are you?"

"Haha, never underestimate a ninja's intelligence network." The man grinned. "Rumors fly about him. I heard he ran off with a legendary sword and is now fighting Nohr and Hoshido."

"Well, sort of. We're not really fighting both kingdoms. We just aren't allied to either. We're working to take out the root of the problem. That's why we're here. We want to meet the Sage and ask him how we can take down the guy responsible."

"Hmmm. All right. I think I understand your story. Think prince Corrin could use my help?"

"I would say we need all the help we can get. If you want, feel free to come along."

"Thanks!"

"Welcome aboard Shura!" Henry smiled as they shook hands.

A small girl with a purple vail ascended a set of stairs.

"Why are there so many guards here? So annoying... I just want to avoid the war, but there are soldiers everywhere...I'll just wait patiently until no one is looking, and then escape. All I want is to live my life in solitude..."

Corrin walked around the corner and spotted the girl. "Hey, what are you doing here? This place is dangerous. You'd better come with us and take refuge with our reserves."

"I don't need your help. I'm capable of protecting myself.

"But..."

"Listen, child, have you got cotton in your ears? I said I don't need your help."

"Child?! I could very well be older than you!"

"I don't have time to fight about this. Just leave me alone. I just want to get away from civilization and be left alone..."

Corrin was baffled with all of this. "Alone... You're by yourself? Do you not have family?"

"...I lost anything that would qualify as a family a long, long time ago. They all found me repulsive and forced me away. So I'm alone. But I'm happy that way."

"Hmm...Well, you could always join us instead of traveling alone."

"Are you insane? Only a fool would ask a total stranger to joint their party. You don't know my past..."

"True, but what's in your past is just that: in the past. Everyone has a secret or two they don't—or can't—talk about. There's no reason we can't be friends in the present."

"Hmm...You're pretty convincing for such a young one. Determined, too."

"That's because I have a big secret that's driving me. I can't tell anyone about it... But that doesn't mean I can't have friends who trust me regardless. And I know what it's like to be alone. I don't wish that feeling on anyone."

"*sigh* Well, I can't say I hate your offer. You might actually be able to understand me. All right. I'll go with you. You can use my power as you see fit."

"Hey, Corrin!"

Henry ran around the corner with Shura.

"Oh, and who's this young lady?"

"I'm older than you think." The mage replied. "It is my magic that is keeping me like this."

"Oh…so that's why you called me a child." Corrin said. "Well, anyway Henry…uh…"

"Nyx." The mage said.

"Nyx, here will be joining us."

"Swell! I found us some more help myself!"

Shura bowed in front of Corrin.

"My name is Shura. I hailed from Kohga. It was destroyed by the self for claimed Mokushujin dynamo."

"You know, that guy Saizo killed." Henry added.

"At any rate, I was wondering if I could come along."

"Really?! Thank you!" Corrin gleamed.

"Yeah. You defeated that Mokushujin scum, after all. If I go with you, you may accomplish my other goals for me, too! And a bigger army is better for you, right?"

"Yes. We'd be glad to have you. Thank you, Shura!"

"From now on, I pledge my services to you. Let's help each other out, Lord Corrin."

"Hey, guys!"

Dorothy approached alongside Lion.

"Henry, guess who we found!"

"Who?"

Tin-Man followed into the room along with another familiar face.

"Hey Captain!"

"Scarecrow, is that you buddy?!"

"Ya know it!"

"Can you believe it?" Lion asked. "He was up here looking for the Sage himself!"

"This Rainbow Sage sounded a lot like the wizard!" Scarecrow added. "So, I figured if anyone could help me find ya, it'd be him! So, I found him and asked where to find ya."

"You met the Rainbow Sage?" Corrin asked.

"Yup! He told me to climb up here and I'd find my answers! Looks like he was right!"

"Wait…you met him and then climbed up here?" Henry asked. "I though he was supposed to be up here."

"Really? That's strange…"

"Then perhaps this trip will be fruitless…" Tin Man added.

"We came this far. We might as well reach the top. In any case, this means you have your whole team back right, Henry?" Corrin asked.

"It will be when Tom gets back."

"I heard what happened." Scarecrow said. "I'm sure he'll be alright. The guy's pretty sharp!"

"So, in the meantime- Henry turned back to Corrin only to find that the prince disappeared. "Where's Corrin?"

Everyone started looking around.

"What just happened?!" Lion asked.

"How should I know?" Shura replied.

Corrin looked around to find himself in another room. "What the…Was I warped here?"

"You must be tired after such a long climb." Corrin heard a voice echo. "This is the highest floor. Your trial is nearly finished. I am the guardian of this place. Defeat me, and you may proceed to the Sage."

"Where are you?!"

Corrin looked behind him to see an exact replica of himself. Only this one was wearing the Nohrian noble armor on it's knees leaning on a copy of the Yato sunk into the floor. It looked up at Corrin and rose. It took the blade from the ground.

Robin looked around. One minute he was walking down the halls the next he was in a place he knew better than he liked. The Dragon's Table.

"AHG!"

Robin looked behind him. "CHROM!"

He saw the prince get impaled by lightning…by another version of himself. "This is not...your fault…Promise me…You'll escape from this place…Go…" The prince drooped to the floor and faded into smoke.

Robin was in shock as his doubleganger faced him.

"Hard to forget that day, is it not?"

"Who...are you?"

"I'm what you could have been. A god, one with Grima. But you chose your friends instead."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Perhaps not. But in the end, didn't you do it because you despised Grima? Yet you used his power for revenge. Twice."

"What's your point?"

The clone glowed purple and changed colors. Robin stepped back. He was looking at a Robin with a black hair and white cloak. "You hate him, yet you rely on him. All for your selfish wish to save your daughter at the expense of all the lives you took. So, tell me. How are you and I different?"

Lucina blocked an attack from her doppelganger.

"Coward! Traitor! Wretch!"

Lucina could do nothing but defend herself from the strikes.

"Your mission was to stop Grima at any cost! You have broken the laws of nature by traveling through time to do that! And you fell in love with the traitor that killed our father!" She kicked Lucina, who smashed into a wall. "And he gave you his love. Then you repaid it by trying to kill him!"

Lucina had not been so afraid since the dark days of her future.

"You betrayed your mission AND the man you loved! Why should you have a peaceful future!?"

Inside the Nohrian castle the cloaked child looked inside a storage room. He found a coat-like dress, along with some other cloths.

"This was hers…she is here!"

Siegbert and Shiro came into the room. "We can't find her, and we looked everywhere." The knight said.

Shigure looked at a bunch of discarded armor. "This looks like what…Kana was wearing…"

"Hey, you!" A guard came in and rushed at him with his spear.

The pink haired woman grabbed his arm and threw him into a nearby crate.

The boy walked over to him. "Where is she?"

"Huh?"

He lifted him by the collar and drew his sword. "Where is the girl?"

"I-I can't tell you! Iago will murder me!"

SHUNK

The boy sliced into the man's cheek. Blood tickled down his face. "And you think I WON'T?"

The man was petrified by fear. The boy threw him back down.

"Thunder."

"AAAHHHH!" The guard screamed as he was shocked.

"Elthunder!"

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

"Arcthunder!"

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

"Thor-

"OKAY I'LL TALK!"

The boy's companions were shocked by his merciless act.

"The Bottomless Canyon!" the man whimpered. "Iago took them to the Bottomless Canyon!"

"Them?"

"There were two girls! One with bark blue hair!"

Shigure stormed over to the guard. "Who was the other?!"

"I-I don't know! Light blue hair. A bit younger."

"Was she wearing this armor?" the singer asked, holding up a piece of the Nohrian Noble armor.

"Y-yeah! She said she was Corrin's daughter!"

The blond mage and Shiro looked at each other in shock.

"Oh, gods…" Shigure gasped.

"When did they leave?!" the boy demanded.

"A-around an hour ago? Maybe more?"

The boy punched the guard in the face, knocking him out. He then gathered Morgan's belongings in a bag. Shigure did the same for Kana's. "Come on!"

All six of them ran out.