SHONEN ALLIANCE

BOOK OF THE SHADOWS

EPISODE 45

Overwhelming Might

Opening Theme: Asu e no Kizuna (Valkyria Chronicles)

A loud, booming sound echoed through the streets of Randgriz as a cannon fired, sounding that the Feast of All Spirits parade was set to begin. All through the street, people were beginning to crowd into the streets. A simple glance over the crowd and an onlooker could easily tell the difference between the excited and enthusiastic Imperial citizens and the defeated and saddened looking Gallian citizens. It was painfully clear that for the people of Gallia, this once happy holiday meant little to the now enslaved nation. The parade being allowed to continue was not so much an act of generosity from their new emperor as it was a chance for him to remind him who was in charge, and with rumors spreading that Maximillian's pet Valkyrur had somehow escaped from Amestrian custody gave Gallians plenty of reason to believe that their suffering had only just begun, as the first parade floats began to roll down the city streets. No one was aware of the daring plan that was about to be set into motion.

….

Back in Bruhl, Largo was desperately fiddling with a radio. "Darn it, how do ya work this thing!" he shouted angrily as he started hitting it.

"Not like that," Rosie replied as she pushed Largo aside and turned a knob on the radio, "man, to bad Is isn't back yet. This is gonna be one heck of a broadcast."

"I'd still feel better if he'd taken one of us along to help him fight Selvaria," Alicia admitted.

"Ah, don't worry so much," Aliasse piped up, "once Vine decides to get serious, Selvaria's the one who's gonna need help."

"Alright, quiet kids," Rosie ordered, "I found the station."

"We're live from Randgriz, where the Feast day parade is about to begin," a voice declared from the radio.

"Hey, isn't that that reporter who was always followin' the boss around during the invasion?" Largo asked.

"Irene Ellet? You gotta be kidding me. Oh boy, she's gonna enjoy this broadcast," Rosie replied.

….

On the front most parade float, a very pleased looking Maximillian sat on an extravagant throne looking out at the crowd gathered around him. To his left, his loyal Valkyrian pawn stood a new lance and shield held in her hands. She had a rather angry look in her eyes which were not looking away from a sad looking, young Darcsen woman sitting in a throne to the right of the prince. That woman was Cordelia Gi Randgriz, former princess of Gallia who now served as both Maximillian's trophy and his hostage.

"You shouldn't look so upset," Maximillian declared, "you'll make your people upset as well."

"There is little that can change that now," Cordelia replied.

"As defiant as ever," Maximillian replied, "though I suppose you're not wrong. Your people's situation could not be more hopeless. Not now that the Empire's greatest power has returned to them. It's quite fitting your people should bow like dogs before their true master." Cordelia couldn't reply, so she just closed her eyes and sat silently, trying not to cry. "Hmm, how sad."

"You're one to talk," a voice suddenly shouted from the crowd. Maximillian's float shook as a pair of stone walls suddenly rose from the ground, lifting the wheels of the float into the air. "a sad little prince who lost his mommy and decided to make everyone else around him miserable as payback, oh boo hoo, boooo hooo!" the voice continued, mock sobbing as Vine emerged from the crowd and stepped in front of the float, "would you like me to cry you a river before I kick your butt back to the Empire?"

"Well well, if it isn't Colonel Vine," Maximillian declared as he rose to his feet and moved to the front of the float, accompanied by Selvaria while Cordelia stayed in her seat, staring at the alchemist before her in dumbstruck awe. She was even more surprised when the throne she was sitting in suddenly began to descend into the float. "I'll admit, I'm surprised you have the courage to show yourself in Gallia again, after what you've done." Neither he nor Selvaria even noticed as Cordelia's throne sunk all the way into the throne, then returned up to its original position without its original occupant.

"Ah, did you miss me, Maxi. I know I've been dying to get at you again. I'm itching to carve you a second smile to go with your wonderful second face," Vine replied, "and I see you've gotten your favorite pawn back. Gotta admit, I'm a little glad. It just wouldn't feel right, taking the king when he didn't have all his pieces to protect him."

"Alright enough already," another voice behind Maximillian and Selvaria surprised them and caused them to turn and face Edward Elric who was now sitting in Cordelia's place and looking rather uninterested, "will ya stop using the chess analogies like ya know anything about the game."

"What? Who are you!" Maximillian demanded.

"Edward?" Selvaria gasped in surprise.

"Man, I gotta admit, I was hoping things wouldn't go this well," Ikkaku declared as he and Kakashi joined Vine, "not only did we save the princess without so much as raising our swords, but now we've got these two surrounded and dead to rights. Looks like this war is over before it even began."

"Your bald friend has quite an arrogant tongue, Colonel," Maximillian declared.

"WHO'RE YOU CALLING BALD! MY HEAD IS SHAVED!" Ikkaku shouted angrily.

"I think he's got a reason to be, Max," Vine replied, "you aren't exactly in a favorable position right now."

"Is that what you believed?" Maximillian asked, "you thought that after Selvaria warned me you were coming, I wasn't expecting some half brained scheme from you. You always were an over-confident Darcsen. Tell me, do you believe I decided to host this little parade out of the goodness of my heart? Hardly, I merely wanted a grand stage on which to demonstrate my new weapon."

"New weapon?" Ikkaku replied.

"Don't care for the sound of that," Ed declared, hopping to his feet. He was nearly knocked off his feet again as the entire ground suddenly began to shake. Vine clenched his teeth.

"Ah, this isn't gonna be good," he said to himself. He was right. No sooner had he spoke then a large army of armored soldiers bathed in an artificial blue flame began to march down the streets of Randgriz towards them.

"Uhhh Vine, please tell me those aren't what I think they are," Ed pleaded.

"Well, things have certainly got a lot more interesting," Mustang declared as he emerged from the crowd and stood beside Vine.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Vine cursed.

"So, you guys gonna fill us in on what these things are or just keep us in suspense?" Ikkaku demanded as Ed jumped off the float and ran over to join his allies in facing the approaching enemies.

"They look like… but they can't be!" Ed replied.

"They can be and they are," Vine replied, "they're Artificial Valkyria, the V2s."

"Artificial Valkyria, huh," Kakashi repeated, "that doesn't sound good."

"It's not," Ed replied, "these guys are very bad news, but what's the deal? Aren't these guys the Gassenarl's pet project?"

"They're the empire's weapon now!" a voice shouted from above them.

"Scatter!" Vine ordered as the heroes dove in all directions just as two blue beams of energy slammed into the ground where they'd been standing. By this point, chaos had broken out in the streets and townspeople were desperately fleeing to get away from the fight that was certain to happen. Vine and Ed rose to their feet as a man crashed to the ground in front of Maximillian's float. His hair was short and grey and his body was slim but muscular. He wore a pair of large, gun like weapons on both hands attached to a bizarre devise on his bare back, and a pair of dark brown trousers. His entire body was covered in an intense blue flame.

"It's been a while, Darcsen. Have you been taking good care of my treacherous sister?" the man asked. Vine recognized the voice.

"Baldren Gassenarl? Uhhh, you look different. Let me guess, you lost weight," he said.

"Mock me all you'd like, Darcsen," Baldren replied, "for now, I've become a true Valkyrur!"

"Where have I heard that one before?" Vine replied tauntingly as he leapt to the side to dodge another of Baldren's attacks just as the V2 army arrived. "Well, this isn't going as planned," he shouted as he used some nearby metal from a building to transmute his sword.

"We should be used to this by now," Ed declared as he transmuted his automail blade, "nothing ever goes as planned."

"We need a plan of attack," Mustang declared, "or we won't be able to get past this many."

"I have a plan," Ikkaku replied as he drew his Zanpakto, "attack! Extend, Hozukimaru!" he shouted as he released his Shikai and charged on the nearest enemy soldiers.

"Do we really all have to say the word plan in every sentence?" Vine asked.

"He makes it sound simple, but he isn't wrong!" Mustang replied as he snapped his fingers and engulfed a group of soldiers in flame while Vine opened fire with blade blasts from his sword.

"Fire Style, Dragon Flame Barrage!" Kakashi shouted breathing out a rain of fire bullets that pelted the armored soldiers. The soldiers responded by opening fire with a barrage of small beam attacks which forced the heroes to scatter.

Within minutes, the streets of Randgriz had become a warzone. The burnt and broken bodies of Artificial Valkyria began to litter the street, but no matter how many were taken down, there were always more to take their place, however, the heroes showed no sign of backing down.

"If you think these dime store rejects can stop us, you're dead wrong!" Ed shouted as he knocked another V2 aside with his automail arm as Ikkaku clubbed one over the head with Hozukimaru.

"You can take on the mass produced models, but let's see how you handle a true Valkyrur!" Baldren shouted suddenly as he shot through the V2s at Ed.

"A true valkyrur! Give me a break!" Ed shouted as he swung his automail blade and locked it against Baldren's weapon. "You've gotta be the worst of the lot!" he shouted as he kicked Baldren away from himself and began to exchange fierce blows with the Artificial Valkyrur.

Elsewhere, Vine cleared away the V2s that had swarmed around him as a woman's shout filled his ear. He turned and held up his sword just in time to block Selvaria's lance.

"I won't allow you to harm my lord. I'm sorry, but I can't let you pass!" Selvaria shouted as she futilely attempted to overpower Vine.

"You know Selvaria, I've always felt so sorry for you. I thought you were being taken advantage of by a manipulative monster because you were blind to his true nature, but now I realize that I judged you wrong," Vine replied (Cue Background Music: Heart of Sword ((Rurouni Kenshin))), "You're not blind to his true nature. You know exactly what kind of man he is, but you're more than willing to let him use you and throw you away like a dirty rag. You deserve better, but I won't have pity on you because you're a fool. Let's see how you hold up when I'm not holding back anymore!" Vine shouted as a red blast formed around his blade, "Raging Blast Blade Attack!" he shouted swinging the sword and unleashing a fierce attack on Selvaria which snapped the Valkyrur's lance in half and knocked her several feet backwards.

A burst of transmutational energy surged through the sword, creating a small ring on the hilt of the sword which Vine stuck his finger through and began to spin the sword around on his finger. "Now try my Raging Blast Rain Attack!" he shouted as several bullet sized blasts shot from the spinning blade, pelting Selvaria like hundreds of angry bees and forcing her to hold up her shield to try to protect herself. Exactly what Vine had been waiting for. As soon as Selvaria could no longer see him through her shield, Vine charged. Before the Valkyrur even knew Vine had moved, his blade had cut through her. She dropped instantly to her knees, than fell on her back, yelling with pain as she dropped her shield to grip the large gash on her stomach.

….

"I don't believe this!" Ellet's voice shouted excitedly through the radio in the truck Isara was driving, "I wasn't sure what to think when Amestris' alchemists appeared out of nowhere, but now, not only have the Amestrians successfully kidnapped the princess but it looks like Gallia's own Colonel Vine, the Raging Blast Alchemist who was recently promoted to a General of Amestris, has actually defeated the Imperial Valkyrur. The smaller alchemist is currently engaged with Baldren Gassenarl, but it looks as though the alchemist may have the advantage as Amestrian forces continue to decimate the imperials new Artificial Valkyrur. Things aren't looking good for Prince Maximillian's forces."

"There was never any doubt," Isara declared, "but did she have to say they 'kidnapped' the princess. I know what she means, but I really don't like her word choice."

"Hold on, something's not right," Ellet suddenly revealed, causing Isara's attention to turn back to the radio.

….

In Bruhl, Largo nearly tackled the radio, "What do you mean something's not right!" Largo shouted, "Vine and Mustang are kicking the Empire's butts, what's not right about that!"

"Quiet Largo, let the lady talk!" Rosie shouted angrily as she pulled Largo off the radio.

"I can't tell for certain from where I'm positioned, but it looks like… it looks like Prince Maximillian himself is approaching the Raging Blast Alchemist!"

"Maximillian is going to fight Vine?" Alicia asked in surprise.

"No way is that snot nosed prince goin' up against Raging Blast," Largo replied, "he's probably going to beg Vine to let him surrender and go home."

"You know, you sure pulled a one-eighty since you were beating poor Vine with your shovel," Ali declared cheekily.

"What? Not a chance," Largo replied, "I always trusted Raging Blast. I just… wanted to make sure he hadn't lost his edge, that's all, and besides, it was a hoe, not a shovel."

"You're a terrible liar, buddy boy," Rosie replied.

"Shh, I'm trying to hear what's going on," Welkin ordered as he turned up the radio, "Ms. Ellet's not wrong. Something's off."

….

"It's over, Selvaria. You lose," Vine declared pointing his sword at Selvaria's throat.

"Now, now. Is that really necessary?" Maximillian's voice caused Vine to look up and notice the prince approaching him.

"My lord! Please, you must run away while you can!" Selvaria pleaded.

"And turn our back on a Darcsen?" Maximillian replied, "such things are beneath us."

"Us huh?" Vine repeated, "Looks like the crazy prince finally snapped. You're being pretty brave, coming up to me unarmed like that."

"Hardly, that woman is simply still of some value to us. We can't allow you to kill her just yet," Maximillian replied.

"Still of some value to you? Can't let me kill her just yet? You never fail to make me sick, Maximillian," Vine declared, "but that's fine. I'd rather not have to kill Selvaria anyway, so I'll just end this right now and take you out!" he shouted as he charged the Imperial prince with his sword held back to attack.

"No!" Selvaria shouted desperately as Vine swung for the prince's neck. However, just before the impact, the prince rose his hand… and caught the blade between two fingers, stopping the attack cold.

"What the…" Vine gasped as both he and Selvaria watched in surprise as with just a twist of his wrist, Maximilian left Vine holding only the broken hilt of his sword while Maximilian cast aside the blade.

"Surprised, Darcsen?" Maximilian asked, "you should be." Clenching his fist, he slammed a punch into Vine's stomach, causing Vine to lurch backwards and begin to drop to his knees, however, Maximillian grabbed Vine by his cloak and used it to heft Vine back upright and into perfect position for a fierce kick into Vine's defenseless stomach. The cloth around Vine's neck ripped like paper and Maximillian was left holding the cape as Vine crashed through the parade float and back into the street where his friends were fighting.

"Hey, what's happening!" Ed shouted, knocking Baldren away from himself. Vine struggled to his hands and knees, coughing as he tried to regain his breath.

"Gah, if I didn't know any better, I'd say I was getting beaten up by a tank disguised as a prince," Vine replied as he rose to his feet and Maximillian walked through the destroyed float.

Cue Background Music: Invasion (Bleach)

"If only you were so fortunate," Maximillian replied as he tore the cloak in half like a piece of paper and threw the two halves behind him.

"That was uncalled for," Vine declared as he braced himself for another round with the prince.

"Do you still believe you can win?" Maximillian asked as Selvaria stepped up onto the destroyed float and Ed ran up alongside Vine, "allow me to show you… how foolish you are." The two alchemists' eyes widened with dismay as the final words were spoken from behind them. Before either of them could react, Maximillian had elbowed them both from behind, knocking them both forward. The two alchemists slid several feet along the ground before regaining their feet. Vine shot upright and attempted to fire a blast, only to discover that Maximillian was only a few inches in front of him. Before the Raging Blast Alchemist could react, the prince had slammed his fist into Vine's stomach, causing him to bend over and allowing Maximillian to slam him down into the ground with a fierce overhead, club attack, knocking Vine flat on his stomach.

Cue Background Music: Stand-up be Strong (Bleach)

"It's over," Maximillian declared as he rose his foot and slammed it down onto Vine's left arm. Vine yelled with pain as he felt the bone in the arm shatter.

"You don't seem to be doing so well," the prince taunted as Vine tried to get up again, "why don't you just stay down?" the prince demanded as he walked around to Vine's side and crushed the alchemists right leg. Vine clenched his teeth to keep from yelling again as the bone in his leg snapped as well. "There, now we are quite certain you won't be a problem."

"That's what you get for thinking," Vine replied as he suddenly rose his right hand, revealing a small dagger he'd transmuted from the ground beneath him. Using the dagger he began to rapidly fire a barrage of blade shaped blasts at Maximillian, forcing the powered up prince backwards. He was driven back even further as a wave of flame suddenly shot in front of him. As Ed struggled to help Vine to his feet, Mustang, Kakashi, and Ikkaku joined their injured comrades.

"How do you always manage to get yourself into so much trouble?" Mustang demanded, "he's just an Imperial Prince."

"If you'd like to take a crack at him, be my guest," Vine replied as the heroes found themselves surrounded by the V2s, "any ideas?"

"I've got one trick left up my sleeve," Ikkaku replied as the Valkyrur prepared to fire on the helpless heroes, "but it stays our secret, got it."

"That's fine, but you can show us later," Mustang declared, "for now, let's make sure we stay alive to keep that secret. Raging Blast!"

"Got it," Vine declared as he dropped to the ground again. As the V2s opened fire, Mustang snapped his fingers, creating a pillar of flame which surrounded the heroes. The beams hit the flame, causing a massive blue explosion which engulfed several of the V2s. When the flame from the explosion cleared, the heroes were nowhere to be seen.

….

Isara's truck slammed to a stop as she stared in wide eyed disbelief at her radio, which had suddenly gone silent. She wanted to believe that she had heard those final words wrong. Right before the broadcast had cut, Ms. Ellet had said that the Amestrian fighters had all been engulfed in an explosion and were now gone.

….

Back in Bruhl, Welkin and the others just sat silent, hoping that Ellet would say something else.

"There's… no way. It can't be over like that, can it?" Rosie stuttered in disbelief.

"That can't be right. Raging Blast… and Mustang can't be dead," Largo gasped as he stared at the radio. The others continued to sit silently, until finally, Aliasse stood up and began to leave.

"Ali, where are you going?" Alicia asked as she stood up as well.

"I'm going to Randgriz. I've gotta find Vine and Shorty and the the others!" she shouted in reply.

"There's nothing you can do now," Mizore replied, "I'm sure they're fine. They did what they went there to do so they'll be back soon."

"WHAT IF THEY'RE NOT!" Ali screamed in response. "Vine was already hurt… what if the others are hurt now to? What if they're in trouble and can't get back! What if…," her voice began to break as tears flowed down her cheeks and she dropped to her knees, "why didn't I go with them?" she cried, "why wasn't I there to protect my friends!" She continued to cry and sob loudly as the others watched sadly. Finally, Mizore knelt down and pulled her friend into a tight hug as both young girls continued to cry.

….

On a hilltop just outside Randgriz, Alphonse Elric stood in his armored form with Trish and Miria overlooking the city. They'd seen the explosion and wondered what had happened. A short distance away, Havoc and Hawkeye stood with princess Cordelia.

"Where are they?" Havoc cursed aloud as they waited for the others. Suddenly, there was a burst of energy that ran through the ground a short distance away and a hole opened, allowing Ed, Kakashi, Mustang, and Ikkaku to crawl out. "It's about time," Havoc declared, "where's Vine."

"Stuck in the hole!" Vine's voice shouted up, "a little help here!"

It took a minute but with a little help from the others, Vine was finally pulled out of the hole and leaned up against a tree to rest. He sighed loudly as he sat down. "Next time, I'm coming up with the crazy escape plan," he declared.

"You're awfully chatty for someone who has a broken arm and a broken leg," Mustang replied.

"We're lucky to be alive," Kakashi declared, "that got a little bit too close."

"Let's hope the Empire doesn't figure out we escaped," Ed declared, "with Vine in this state, it's gonna take forever for us to reach Bruhl now."

"Don't tell me you let Selvaria work you over like this. What happened to not going easy on her?" Havoc taunted as he lit a cigarette.

"Can it Havoc, it wasn't Selvaria who did this to me," Vine replied.

"It was Maximillian, wasn't it?" Cordelia suddenly asked, surprising Vine.

"Uhhh, yeah," Vine replied as though he were embarrassed.

"You let the prince kick your butt this bad! Apparently, you're losing your touch," Havoc declared.

"If only… it were that simple," Vine replied, his eyes narrowing with frustration as he remembered what Maximillian had just done to him.

Cue Ending Theme: Shunkan Sentimental (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)