The Wizard, The Dark Priest, and The Mavolian Witch
The group exited out of the portal as they found themselves in Altena, in the middle of a blizzard.
"No way! This can't be Altena! It has to be an illusion!" Angela said.
"Calm down, Angela. Remember, this is what Anise built in her own image. None of this is the real version of Altena." Hope said, looking forward. "But I'm pretty sure HE'S real."
Everyone saw the Crimson Wizard standing there as he waited for them with a hand to his hip.
"You never learn…" The Crimson Wizard said.
"Yeah, you'll find us a pretty stubborn lot." Ross said.
"And I see you've destroyed the last Benevodon, I was hoping you would be softened up after that battle." The Crimson Wizard said.
"Sorry to disappoint you." Zephyr said. "Trust us when I say we're gonna keep our streak going. We're saving this land."
"Where's my mother!?" Angela asked.
"Hmm? Ah yes, the Queen, since the Dragon Lord was destroyed, I decided to break my mind control over her and return her to Altena." The Crimson Wizard said.
"Mind Control? So let me get this straight, every action the Altenean mages have been taking was your doing?" Adora asked.
"Smart girl. You see, much like Angela, I didn't show any potential for Magic Power when I lived in Valtena. That's when I met the Dragon Lord, and in exchange for half of my life force, he granted me incredible power!" The Crimson Wizard said.
"Then why?" Hope asked. "Why use your powers to brainwash all of Altena and have their queen try to sacrifice her own daughter? Why send the mages out to war with the other kingdoms?"
"Isn't it obvious? It was to release the Benevodons and sacrifice Angela to lift the seal on the Waterstone to make it seem like the Queen would order it." The Crimson Wizard said.
"And that would've happened, have we not intervened back when she was fighting those golems." David said.
"Hmph, I would rather risk using constructs than sending my troops for something so trifling." The Crimson Wizard said.
"I think this has been established already, but this guy is a total jerk." Mermista said.
"Somehow, I don't think these are his true feelings." Ajna said. "I don't know how, but whatever that Dragon Lord did, he corrupted this guy's mind when he gave him his dark power."
"Yikes. That sounded pretty bad." Gallantmon said.
"Should we help him, then? He's like Loki, and he's in need of redemption." Hope said.
"It's not as simple as you think it is." Cheetah said. "He gave away half of his life force to gain his power. He probably doesn't have much longer left to live anyway."
"She's right, even if we did try to help him, we'd have to fight him either way if we want to proceed." Ajna said.
"So, let's just do our job and take him down." David said.
"Very well. You will soon understand how defenceless you are in the face of the power of darkness. I will show you myself!" The Crimson Wizard said as he levitated off the ground.
"Bring it on!" Frosta said.
(Cue- Requiem- Fire Emblem Warriors)
"Ha ha ha… Bow down to the power of the Dark Witch, just as your father did!" The Crimson Wizard said to Duran.
"Heh… You know, I should thank you, Crimson Wizard. Ever since that day you beat me, I've been getting stronger." Duran said.
"Hm. But can you and your friends imagine how much stronger you all can become if you give your lives to Anise the Witch?" The Crimson Wizard said.
"And live the rest of our lives as her slaves? Not a chance, pal!" Yangus said.
"Agreed. Our power doesn't make us good or bad. Our choices do. And we will not let Anise decide them for us." Miriam said.
"Damn straight. We'd rather die than serve under her heel." Jesse said.
"Hmph. Then die like the fools that you are!" The Crimson Wizard said.
"Get ready, everyone. He's not going to pull any punches." David said.
"Then let's not hold our punches either." Ajna said as Phoebe and Tungar materialized next to her on both sides.
"You go low, I'll go high." Phoebe said.
Tungar nodded as Phoebe leaped into the air. "Have at you!" he said swinging his Urumi like a whip and smacking the Crimson Wizard.
"You're grounded!" Phoebe said as she grabbed the Crimson Wizard in midair and slammed him into the ground.
"Garudyne!" Ramona said as she blew a strong wind at the Crimson Wizard.
"Ziodyne!" Scott said as he launched a powerful lightning bolt.
"God's Hand!" Mari called as a giant golden hand punched down from above.
All three attacks hit the Crimson Wizard as he staggered.
"Duran, the final blow is yours!" Scott said.
"This is the end for you!" Duran said as he charged forward and trapped the Crimson Wizard in a magic circle. "Radiant...Rend!" he called as he slashed him from multiple directions before raising his sword into the air and stabbing it into the ground as it burst into light.
"AUGH!" The Crimson Wizard screamed as he collapsed onto one knee. "Rh! I...cannot be...defeated! Not when I have...the dark power my master gave me! No! This is not over yet! Come on! ...Grk!" he said as he attempted to get up to no avail.
"Stand down. You can't even stand up. This is as far as evil power will take you." Duran said.
"When I was younger, I was unable to use magic. Ashamed at my own powerlessness and disgusted with my lot in life, I fled Altena. He offered me a deal. In exchange for half of my life-force, I was given control of the Dragon Lord's limitless power! I only have half of my life as it is. The dark power given to me can't replace what he took of my life-force. I will never be whole... Is there even a reason to go on?" The Crimson Wizard asked.
"In another life, there probably would've been." Sachiko said.
"You are sure?" The Crimson Wizard asked.
"Yeah, I mean… A lot of us know what it's like to feel weak and useless. But even then, that's no reason to give up living." Scott said.
"Hmph. Then I was a fool to follow my chosen path. It is too late for me to make up for the mistakes I have wrought." The Crimson Wizard said.
"You… You do not have much life force left, do you?" Sectonia asked.
"I am nearly at death's door from using all of my power in this battle." The Crimson Wizard said.
"Hmm… Midheal." Angelo said as he heals the Crimson Wizard.
"What are you doing?" The Crimson Wizard asked in surprise.
"Giving you a new lease on life. No matter how powerful you seek to be, life is simply too precious to just throw away." Angelo said.
"Hmph. You are certainly an interesting bunch." The Crimson Wizard said. "I suppose in exchange for doing this, I offer you my services."
"Many thanks. Ah, but if you are going to accompany us after this is over, we may have to give you a sort of identity to refer to you by." Angelo said.
"I was originally known as Koren for a time before I became the Dragon Lord's servant." The Crimson Wizard said.
"Koren… That's a pretty cool name." David said.
"I concur." Cheetah said. "Once we deal with Anise, we will accept you into the ranks of the Reformed Society… Crimson Wizard Koren."
"My thanks, Milady." The Crimson Wizard said as he bowed with his right arm over his heart. "I will await your victory and return."
The group pressed on as they found themselves in Wendel and found it riddled with pools of poison.
"Ahhh! This is bad! This is weawwy bad!" Charlotte said.
"I think we know who we're facing this time." Omnimon said.
The group continued on and entered the Cathedral's main hall as they saw a grey-silver haired young boy in cleric clothing with lifeless sky blue eyes constantly emitting a dark aura around.
"You're Heath, Charlotte's friend, right? We came to get you back." Sachiko said.
"...Charlotte who? I do not know her." Heath said in a monotone voice.
"Damn, that is some control he's been put in. We figured that with Goremand dead, the hold over him would weaken somehow." Cheetah said.
"There's still a chance to save him. I should be able to purify the darkness from his body." Thorani said.
"He's not planning on making it easy, though. It looks like we'll have to soften him up a little first." Jessica said.
"I will not let you impede my master's plan! You will not leave this place...alive!" Heath said as he floated off the ground and the area around them changed.
"Heath, no!" Charlotte said.
"Charlotte, calm down. We can free him." David said.
(Cue- Before the Demise- Tales of Innocence)
"This is where you will all perish!" Heath said as he casted numerous dark magic attacks.
"Stop it, Heath! Pwease stop!" Charlotte said. "I don't want to fight you, but I wiww if that's what it'ww take to save you!"
"Do not despair… Death will grant you a final respite." Heath said before summoning spirit projections of ghosts.
"No way, man. We don't plan on dying on anyone's say so!" David said.
"Yeah, wemembew when you saved me? Now it's my tuwn to save you!" Charlotte said.
"...Urg…What...is this? This little girl...her voice…" Heath groaned.
"Charlotte, I think Heath is starting to break free a little bit. We have to keep the pressure on him!" Gallantmon said.
"Awight." Charlotte said.
"Waters heal and purify." Thorani said as she sat and got into a meditative stance, causing it to rain.
"What? This water...is as if it's made of light." Heath said.
"That's right. And that's what's going to free you." Raine said.
"Xion, let's help them out too." Roxas said.
"Aqua, Your Majesty! With me!" Ventus said.
"I guess I'll pitch in too." Jesse said.
"Try if you must, it will do you no good!" Heath said.
"We'll see about that." Mickey said. "Everyone, together!"
The keyblade masters gathered together with Thorani, pointing their keyblades upward as light gathered around the tips of their keyblades before firing beams of light as the rain started to shine brightly.
"This light...I...thank you." Heath said as the darkness left him as he collapsed to the ground.
"It's okay, Charlotte. He's only unconscious." Cheetah said.
"Thank goodness." Charlotte smiled.
"My guesses are he'll be back to his old self by the time this is all over." David said.
"Yes, the darkness will be completely gone from him by then." Thorani said.
"Now, before we fight Anise herself, there's one more person we need to fight." David said.
"Yes… Belladonna." Cheetah said.
"I'm ready." Hawkeye said.
The group soon continued on as they found themselves in Nevarl as most of it was buried in sand.
"Curses! I don't want to see Nevarl like this, even if it is an illusion!" Hawkeye said.
"Don't worry, Hawkeye, we'll deal with Anise right after this." Ajna said.
The group soon arrived at the throne room as Belladonna turned to them with a sad expression.
"Those eyes… So it's true." Cheetah said.
"Yes, I loved the Dark Majesty even after I knew he saw me as a pawn from Anise." Belladonna said.
"Your dedication is unwavering. A lot of enemies we have met can learn from you." David said.
"Don't you see? Even if he only saw me as a disposable pawn, he was the only one that gave my life meaning. With him gone, I'd may as well be dead…" Belladonna said.
"Don't say that!" Ace said. "Even though the Dark Majesty is gone. There can be others who can give you a new meaning to your life!"
"How? I even brought that prince back to Laurent. He was to serve as a vessel, but none of that matters anymore. Nothing I do is going to make a difference at this point." Belladonna said.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say nothing." Cheetah said. She takes up a fighting stance.
"What are you doing? I no longer have a reason to fight you." Belladonna said. "Oh wait… Ah… I get it now."
"That's right, Belladonna. We know you seek to avenge your master. But first, you need to cast aside all of your doubts." Cheetah said.
"Very well then...come!" Belladonna said as she became engulfed in light and was seen in a cat-beastlike form.
"Heh. Just as I thought. You're just like me." Cheetah said. "This will be an interesting match. Come at me with all you have!"
"Very well, I will not hold back!" Belladonna said as she roared.
Cheetah took the initiative and charged at Belladonna. Belladonna responded in kind by blocking her strike and tried to counter her first attack. Cheetah was able to reverse Belladonna's counter attack the two then exchanged in a fast and fierce trade of blows all over the room.
"Whoa, they're so fast… I can barely keep up with them." Catra said, admittedly jealous and awed at the same time.
"Yes. I can see that Cheetah and Belladonna are reflections of each other, down to their physical capabilities." David said.
"It's hard to tell what the outcome will be." Ace said.
The flurry ends with the two of them making one last strike at each other.
"D-damn…" Belladonna said as she held herself up on the ground in her human form.
"Are you feeling better now?" Cheetah asked.
"Y-Yes, I must say, it's been a long time since I've felt this sort of experience." Belladonna said.
"I've had to fight a lot of people since gaining this body. It was unsavory, but it's not without its perks. And one day, maybe… Maybe I'll find someone that can accept me for what I have become now." Cheetah said.
"Tell me about it. I mean, she was an enemy of ours at first, and the first one that actually left an impression." David said.
"Hahaha. What an interesting bunch you are. Maybe the boy was right, there are other people who can give me a new meaning to my life." Belladonna said.
"I take it this means you wish to accompany us?" Jessica asked.
"If you would have me." Belladonna said.
"It would be our pleasure, M'lady." Angelo bowed. "But for your safety, it's best for you to wait with our other soon to be new member, Koren. I shudder to imagine what Anise would do if she saw you with us."
"That's true." Belladonna said. "I'll be waiting for you then. My only request is that you all come back alive."
"Don't worry, lass. We'll be back before you know it." Yangus said.
"Alright everyone. To the final battle!" Ace said.
"Yes. It's time we put an end to this once and for all." Cheetah said.