Melting Gelid Roses

by EchoEternal

Slash-fic, M/M. AU, just Pokemon. From the north, reports of the prophet run rampart, and whispers of war are growing louder. A knight and a ninja will slowly find themselves in the heat of things. Main Shipping: Sneakpast (Greninja/Chesnaught).

22. At The Crossroads

Gosh, this has been a long time coming.

This is another very long chapter, as it should be expected for the next number of these. While I could probably break them apart, and I might consider it for the next ones added, I needed this one to be lengthy, because I wanted key events to happen at the same time in it.

If you want to read it in one go, set some time aside. Otherwise, read on and enjoy.

...

---

A howling breeze whipped through the air as Zoroark grinned at his opponents. Delphox whipped out his stick, but the dark fox spiraled against the fiery one, knocking his stick away with the kabutowari.

Pivoting away, Zoroark caught sight of shuriken and arrows zipping toward him. Twisting back, his arms were lightly sliced, as shreds of his mane flew from behind him. Poliwrath, Politoed, and Golduck rushed after him, weapons drawn.

His eyes flickered a blue glow, and shifted to red as snapped his claws. Twirling from the shreds of his mane that hit the snow, in a flash of blood red, several more Zoroark appeared. His attackers skidded against the ice and snow, stumbling to a halt, as they gaped at seven more snickering foxes.

"Come now, what's the matter?" One Zoroark cackled. "Weren't you just running in for an attack?"

"Go on, give it your best shots," taunted another. "Who wants the glory of the Empire, and to be the one that put an end to this chaos?"

They spread out and separated from one another, each in a fit of maddening giggles. Machamp slammed his hands against the one closest to him, and the Zoroark gasped, before dissipating into a cloud of dust, with strands of the mane falling to the snow.

"One less," he announced.

"If they're merely illusions, anything should stop them," suggested Alakazam.

Lifting his spoons and twirling them, a purple wave shot at the next closest Zoroark. Rather than connecting, it simply faded as it connected with his body.

"Or, they somehow contain the same properties as the actual Zoroark," grumbled Alakazam. "How charming."

"This is a waste of time," called Froslass.

Soaring above the group, she spun around and thrust her arms forward, staff pointed out. A heavy burst of icy wind gusted around and blew across the area, shards of ice cutting at each Zoroark.

Quickly, each illusion faded as it was buffeted, with a distant Zoroark crying out from a hit. Stumbling, his eyes wildly shifted about, spotting his trick's failure.

"Got him!"

Swooping down, Froslass launched another wave of snow at Zoroark.

Chanting quietly to himself, he swept up with the kabutowari, first swiping away one brush of the wave, then another, and making a final swipe at Froslass.

Knocked to the ground, Froslass yelped and clutched at her icicle staff. She glared up at the grinning fox.

"Looks like you've got nothing."

Slashing down with the blades, a clang rang out. Fumbling back, Zoroark choked as Chesnaught pulled back his shield, and stabbed forward with his sword.

With a back flip, Zoroark evaded Chesnaught's range, backpedaling to keep the distance. He exhaled and slowed once away from the knight, who turned his attention to helping Froslass up.

A fist slammed into Zoroark's side, and knocked him across the air. He caught a glimpse of Poliwrath pulling back his fist, before a nunchaku flew up and smashed Zoroark again, hitting back and down to the ground.

Politoed and Poliwrath hurried to close the distance around Zoroark, who growled and quickly spiraled back up from the snow. He leapt back and snapped his claws again.

Snow circled around the fox and blasted the two frogs away from him, launching them back at the rest of their army.

Clutching his sides, Zoroark backed away again. His ears twitched at the slightest pull from a bow nearby.

Another arrow soared from Weavile's bow, and Zoroark ducked away. Greninja lobbed another barrage of shuriken from behind her, two connecting with Zoroark's legs and slicing them open, another three cutting at his mane again.

"Clever pair," complimented Zoroark. He gritted his teeth as he snapped his claws again, and four more illusions sired from the snow below them.

"Very clever!"

"Such a shame it's wasted."

"Aim well and try again!"

Weavile sighed and nocked another arrow.

"These things are annoying."

She let it fly out and hit one illusion, causing it to disappear. Greninja threw another shuriken, hitting an illusion between the eyes.

Fire crackled and blasted the remaining pair of illusions, as Delphox stormed forward. He whipped his staff around again, launching a burst of flames at the fleeing Zoroark.

Murmuring another chant and lifting the kabutowari, snow flew up from the ground and took the brunt of the fire.

"Aw, did I hurt your feelings?" Zoroark snickered between his winces, struggling as he trudged away from the group. "Impersonating your friend so well, for so long? Oh, oh, that must really…burnyou up inside!" He laughed manically.

"Yes, but you'll burn all over."

Twirling the wand, Delphox shot forward another stream of fire. Zoroark tumbled away as more snow covered him, with the dying flames soaring out past him.

Delphox growled, but as he attempted to step forward, he gasped and struggled to regain his balance. He grunted and glared down at icy shackles around his legs. Looking behind him, he watched as Weavile and Greninja struggled with the same.

"How the blasted hell…?"

Another roar of laughter erupted from Zoroark, as he limped away from the trio. He paused as Gengar flew up from the shadows beneath him.

"Spells are fun to help you with," she whispered, "but I think we need to wrap this up."

"What? But I'm dominating!"

"You're barely managing." Gengar's grin caused Zoroark's to fade, as he followed her gaze to the blood soaked snow below him. "We don't have time to heal you all day."

"Just…a little longer."

"Watch yourself."

She vanished into the shadows beneath him as Zoroark pivoted around and back, dodging a tekko slam. He staggered back as Carracosta pulled back, while Quagsire jumped past him to stab with his katar.

Swiping a blade from his belt, Zoroark grunted as he ducked, with his mane tangling around Quagsire's daggers. He smirked and used it to lift Quagsire from the ground, throwing him into a charging Carracosta.

Groaning, Zoroark clutched at his sides and grasped for his legs, blood still trickling from them. He gazed up, as Quagsire and Carracosta pushed themselves up from the ground. Golduck raced forward, sword drawn, as Delibird jogged some distance behind him.

A magenta beam blasted down before Golduck and he dove away as it surged forward, breaking the ice and sending chunks of it flying. Quagsire grabbed Delibird as Carracosta lifted a rock wall to protect them.

Flygon flew down, wrapped his arms around Zoroark, and soared back into the air, carrying him away from the battle. Alakazam and Machamp rushed over, as Carracosta's wall dropped.

"Damn them…!"

Rebounding, Golduck threw a shuriken at the pair, but missed as Flygon twirled away from it, and flew from their sight.

---

[Greninja]

Chesnaught landed one good punch to shatter the remaining ice around my legs, and I stumbled out of place. He lightly reached out and helped me regain my balance.

"Kind of like me during dance practice," he quietly reminisced.

Shaking his head, Chesnaught turned and aimed at Weavile's ice. She winced and looked away.

"Just…make sure you don't slam my legs."

"It's ok," he assured her. "You may be shorter than Greninja, but I've got this."

He pulled back his fist, but the ice sank back into the ground before he could proceed. We blinked as Froslass cleared her throat, and we shifted our attention to her, tapping her staff.

"Sometimes this works too," she lightly teased, and Chesnaught smiled to her.

"We need to go after them!" Golduck stomped over to us. "Come on already!"

"And then what?" Carracosta plodded over with Quagsire and Delibird in tow. "We get our asses handed to us by them again?"

"No, we know better what to expect—"

"And still get our asses handed to us," persisted Carracosta. "We knew and defeated Zoroark before. Yet, he still beat us—all of us—soundly."

"That's because we were worn from the earlier fights—"

"Where only Gengar needed to pop in and defeat us all." Carracosta folded his arms. "You can keep trying, but if we go rushing in, weapons drawn, we're going to get crushed again."

"Our city's lives are at risk here!" Golduck tightened his fists. "Our emperor is counting on us to keep him, and all of them, safe from harm, and we're failing!"

"You think I don't know that?!" Carracosta raised his flippers, but breathed out heavily to steady himself. "There are people in the city depending on us, but that doesn't mean we can storm the place in hopes that we can stop the soldiers that already took us down. Furthermore, we don't even know what to do with them."

"What do you mean?! We kill them!" Golduck wildly glanced around at each of us. "Why are none of you backing me up on that?! We're at war!"

"Because we don't know where they're from," pointed out Carracosta. "Soldiers under no nation for a banner almost always cause conflict after, because they end up being revealed to have important ties to one or more kingdom."

"Lucario and his followers already have ties to the Mountains Monarchy," I reminded. "He's mentioned his queen previously, which means that they've got an established connection, regardless of how good or poor it is."

"Their Kricketune comes from Grass Fields." I turned to Chesnaught, as he lowered his head and rubbed behind it. "I don't recall her, but she knew me, or has at least heard of me."

"Plus, you called it yourself before, Golduck," reminded Weavile. "They knew to send different soldiers against each of us based on weaknesses. If we go in as is, they'll just beat us down again."

"Then what do any of you propose we do?!" Golduck growled. "In case you all forgot, I'm in charge of our army!"

"As am I," reminded Carracosta. "And we need to plot this out carefully."

"There isn't enough time—"

"Will you quit being so damn stubborn—?!"

"You're the stubborn one!"

"Don't be daft—"

"Because you are?"

"Listen, I'm warning you—"

"ENOUGH!" I jumped at Chesnaught's roar. Everyone whirled around at him as he fumed. "Golduck, shut up, because Carracosta's right that we need a better plan. Carracosta, you need to quit stooping to Golduck's level, because we need to move quickly with our planning."

"So, what?" Golduck folded his arms. "Now you're in charge, then?"

"Golduck's got a point there," agreed Carracosta. "The two of us should decide—"

"It's not about who's in charge!" Chesnaught stomped forward. "It's about getting this sorted out for us." He glowered at them. "Do you want to save your homeland or not?!" Neither contended that point. "Good. There are multiple ways connecting us to the city from here. First, we'll need someone to deal with those cannons."

"I can do that." Quagsire plodded forward. "If I take those down, we'll keep the city safer. Plus, if they put Marowak there, I can try breaking through to him."

"Are you sure that you can?"

"It seemed like it was working before." Quagsire sighed. "He might be too far gone, but if I can reach him, then we can help him. If he's the least experienced, they might be making him guard the cannons."

"The bulk of the fighting will be between the fields here and the palace," determined Chesnaught. "These are the key points of combat."

"Won't the city be as well?" Delphox tapped his wand on his palm. "They're likely already ravaging it."

"True, but once we storm them from here, they'll break their lines back here and send in forces to take down General Abomasnow and Emperor Empoleon," theorized Chesnaught. "Claiming the city isn't as important as claiming the palace."

"Well, you would know war tactics better than I would," deferred Delphox.

"Glad you think so, because we're going to be part of the forces battling out here."

"Come again?"

"Quagsire needs to focus on taking out the cannons," explicated Chesnaught. "That means we'll need to handle the enemy that tries to attack out here too. We need to force them out further from the city and keep them fighting out here instead."

"And you're choosing me to work with you because…?"

"We have a strong combination together," reminded Chesnaught. "I've got defense for physical threats, but your magic will be key to offsetting our opponents too."

"That…well, I suppose, yes." Delphox rubbed behind his head. He glanced at me and blinked. "…You're sure it's me that you want?"

"Yes."

"Uh, ok." Now he turned completely to me with a raised eyebrow. I shrugged.

"In case that fails though, we need someone near the city, should they try to return to it." Chesnaught crossed his arms and rubbed his chin. "The best to put out there would be…"

"Me." Weavile stepped forward. "I can snipe at them before they even reach the city."

"Sounds like a good idea."

"Put me near there too," volunteered Froslass. "If they happen to pass Weavile, I can still guard the city. And if either of us needs help, then we can go to the other's location easily enough."

"Now that sounds like a better idea." Chesnaught nodded. "Ok, you two will be over there, then." His head jerked up. "Oh, Mewtwo might actually be nearby the city, if we're lucky. Provided they haven't smuggled him away yet, that's something else you two could be on the lookout for."

"Consider it done!" Froslass twirled around. "I'll rescue the mage trainee for sure!"

"You do realize his power exceeds trainee status, right?" Weavile folded her arms behind her head. "If anything, he's probably the best among us."

"Yeah, well, he got captured, so, what does that tell you?"

"The enemy targeted the best mage among us?"

"Ok, actually, no one asked you, Weavile."

"Didn't you just—?"

"Nope."

"But what if they try to escape the city?" Delibird tilted his head and poked his wings together. "They could just flee before we even get started."

"There's not a lot of reason for them to do that if they haven't accomplished their goals," countered Chesnaught. "But, you're right. Some of them may try it, especially if we get a big enough advantage over them." He smirked. "Delibird, you'll guard the best escape route from the city."

"Huh?! Why me?!" Delibird flailed his wings. "Just because I suggested it doesn't mean that I need to do it!"

"Actually, I figured you suggested it because you could best cut off the routes." Chesnaught pointed at his tail sack. "Your presents tend to explode more than heal, and you have the greatest chance of stopping them by destroying the route they use to escape."

"W-well…sure, but, by myself?"

"Remember, they likely won't need to leave for a while," reminded Chesnauaght. "If anything, you'll get the least action there, and hopefully, none at all, provided that the rest of us can manage with our positions."

"When you put it that way…" Delibird swallowed hard. "…I'll do my best."

"Good. And if Mewtwo isn't out yet, then you could rescue him too." Chesnaught smiled to him, but it faded quickly as he returned his attention to the rest of us. "Someone else needs to alert the city and clear everyone to safety." Chesnaught turned to the sea turtle. "Carracosta, that's you."

"What?! No, I can't go," contended Carracosta. "This army needs me on the front lines! I need to be here, to help defend everyone!"

"Um. Honestly, he's got a fair point," assented Machamp. "We should pick someone fast to go, and hope they can get back to us in time."

Chesnaught didn't even hesitate with his follow-up: "He's got a family."

The other knights' eyes widened and a few gasps slipped out. Carracostra fumed and batted at Chesnaught, who grabbed his arm.

"Damn it, Chesnaught! You can't use that against me, not to sway them!" Carracosta shook his head. "We can't just pick me to go back, just because I have a family—"

"You can move quicker through the water, and you'll be the one to do it," reaffirmed Chesnaught.

"On whose orders?! Yours?!"

"No, your husband's," snapped Chesnaught, with ferocity that I couldn't identify. "No one here would want you to risk losing that, and yet you're fool enough to gamble your life? For what, honor?"

"Others would die to see their families again," argued Carracosta, matching Chesnaught's fierceness. "I have no more right than them, just because—"

"Because he asked? Because they're right here? Because you have no idea what it's like, to watch someone you love die for you, over and over again?"

"Like you do?" Carracosta pointed at me with his free arm. "Your boyfriend is right there! I don't see you forcing him to stay away from the fight!"

"If I could, I would," grumbled Chesnaught. "That's his decision though."

"And mine should be no different!" Carracosta thrust his arm from Chesnaught. "I choose to fight!"

"Your son needs you," grimly reminded Chesnaught. "Your husband needs you. Do you forget that?" Carracosta faltered and flinched under the accusation. "This army is strong enough. None of us can guarantee anything, but I want you to at least have a chance at keeping them alive, and keeping your family in tact. There is no one better to defend that city, because you have motivation, the iron will, it takes to keep everyone there alive." Chesnaught grasped Carracosta's shoulders and shook him once. "It needs to be you. Please."

For a minute, Carracosta remained silent, only gazing into Chesnaught's eyes. Then, "Only if everyone is really ok with it." The sea turtle watched as every one of us nodded. He deflated and nodded as well. "…Fine. But, if any of you die, I can't forgive myself of this. And I'm not even sure that I'll come out of this alive myself—"

"It's the best chance that any of us will have," reasoned Alakazam. "We want you to take this, Carracosta. There will be death."

"Don't tell me that!"

"It's avoidable," agreed Chesnaught. "Don't focus on that. Do whatever it takes to keep the city safe." He finally smiled again. "Keep your family safe."

Tears slipped from Carracosta's eyes. He nodded and let his head drop, conceding to my boyfriend's demand.

"That should cover the city and its borders. Next up, Greninja needs to help infiltrate the palace," proceeded Chesnaught. "They'll be expecting him, but by having him go first, we can out-gambit them with a second team to get inside of the palace."

"Right, I can manage that." I nodded to Chesnaught, and he smiled back, dropping his shoulders a bit.

"Not on your own, you can't," snapped Golduck. "Having him go in by himself is suicide, no matter how obvious the move is." He scoffed. "Ninja or not, he'll die."

"That's why you're going with him." My eyes widened at Chesnaught's direction, as did Golduck's. Chesnaught tensed up again with a frown. "You have training as a ninja, so you should be able to help him out. What you've picked up on as a knight should help with close quarters as well."

"And you'll send me with Greninja?" Golduck grinned to me and my fists tightened. "Ho, I can't believe I'm liking this strategy."

"If you're looking for obvious routes, a water breach will be what they expect," noted Politoed. "My brother and I have a few access points we can grab beneath the palace."

"Couple of them might need a good pounding to pop open," chimed in Poliwrath. "Keep me with them, and I can get them all in."

"What? No, that's too many of us," contended Golduck. "Greninja and I can handle it fine on our own. And I know ways inside of the palace from the water too."

"Didn't you just blow off how it's bad for Greninja to go alone?" Politoed placed a hand on his hip. "Two isn't much better than one. Besides, Poliwrath and I may not be ninjas, but we can be stealthy enough in the water."

"And loud enough out of it to make some noise," piled on Poliwrath. "Remember, we want to give them the misdirection of following us instead of a real group that slips in. The more of us making that trip forward, the better."

"They're right, actually," agreed Chesnaught. "All four of you can work together getting into the palace."

Though it wasn't my favorite idea, I released my fists and nodded. Golduck scowled and looked away, while Politoed smiled and Poliwrath raised his thumbs.

"So that leaves our last team." Chesnaught turned to Machamp and Alakazam. "That's you two."

"You want us to join the infiltration, but want us to be the actual team to succeed in recovering the general and the emperor," caught on Alakazam.

"Correct!" Chesnaught grinned. "You're the fastest one who can move through the palace, Alakazam. You'll know where to find both Emperor Empoleon and General Abomasnow, and you can do it before anyone else. Machamp is the best option to guard you, and can fend off anyone that possibly manages to get through to you."

"In theory, that could be a sound strategy," concurred Alakazam. "But you're forgetting a few problems with that."

"Which would be…?"

"One, I'm not the fastest among us." Alakazam pointed at me first, and then at Weavile. "Both of them could outpace me in a race, even with teleporting."

"Two, Alakazam can only teleport so many times," chimed in Machamp.

"He's right." Alakazam pulled at his mustache. "If we choose the wrong rooms, then my speed is only going to be wasted there, and that forces Machamp to cover for longer than necessary."

"Machamp can hold that battle for you guys," contended Chesnaught. "You two are still the best option, even factoring all of that in."

"Not necessarily." Alakazam gazed behind us, and watched out at the open field. "If we want to cover a widespread area of the Frozen Fields to keep the enemies back out there, then Machamp and I are better suited out there, given the range that I could cover." He turned back and focused on Delphox. "More importantly, I believe that we need to get through the palace by any means necessary. Even if that means someone needs to burn a few shortcuts through it."

"Are you mad?" Delphox swiped his wand down. "I'm not burning the palace down."

"It's appreciated if you don't, but if you need to blaze through one room to reach the next, that's probably for the best," determined Alakazam. "I have limited ways of teleporting through the palace. You can blast walls down if you're short on time. Both Machamp and Chesnaught can pound through the walls, so either of them can pair off with you. However, I believe that we're best together with those that we know how to fight alongside."

"…Still, burning through the palace…"

"Delphox, we're running out of time." Alakazam turned to Machamp. "Is this a strong approach tactically?"

"Should be, yeah." Machamp grinned to Alakazam. "And you told me studying strategy wasn't any fun."

"That was years ago."

"Feels like yesterday to me!"

"Ok, ok, I relent." Delphox sighed and looked to Chesnaught. "What about you?"

"...You're both sure of this strategy?"

"Absolutely."

"Um, yeah!"

"Then, that's what we'll go with." Chesnaught nodded. "Alakazam is right though, we've spent too long on this as it is. Let's move out."

"Wait, wait," pleaded Delibird. "What about who we face off against? Shouldn't we prepare against specific opponents? Only Quagsire's really set for that."

"They already know our weaknesses regardless of who we're dealing with," recalled Chesnaught. "Zoroark made sure of that a while ago. What we need to do is prepare to push back against anything that makes us struggle." He shrugged. "There's not much else that I can come up with for that."

"Right, I guess so…" Delibird rubbed behind his head. "Not reassuring, but we don't really have much of a choice."

"Unfortunately." Chesnaught gazed around at everyone. "Does anyone have any questions? Or want to come up with a quick alternative?" He stared at Carracosta, who had calmed down, and then at Golduck, who merely smirked. "Ok, then let's head out."

"Hold on." Delphox stepped forward. "If you and I are going to be at the palace, then, ah…is there maybe a chance that Mienshao would be there, do you think?"

"Uh." Chesnaught blinked and rubbed his arm. "Honestly, I'm not sure."

"It's probably doubtful, really," admitted Delphox. "I know that, given the amount of time that Zoroark likely impersonated him for, coupled with their lack of need for him, that he's probably dead, but I just…if there's any chance or time we have…"

"We'll keep an eye out for him." Carracosta was the one that placed his arm around Delphox's back. He smiled softly to him. "If he's not in the palace, there's a chance they've got him in the city. Who knows?" Slowly, he patted Delphox, who didn't react much. "Besides, I'm going to be lost without him being around, so I'm hoping to find him too."

Delphox hesitated for a moment before nodding and smirking just slightly to Carracosta. They parted as Carracosta pivoted to the city and marched off, Weavile and Froslass following him along the quickest route.

"If you come with me, Delibird, I'll show you another way through the city," suggested Quagsire. "You'll avoid getting caught before you're in position."

"Oh, um, thanks Quagsire."

Both waddled off in another route, due to the east from where the other three marched south. Alakazam walked over to Chesnaught and Delphox.

"It might be easier to just give you a quick mental map of where you need to go to properly get into the palace," he advised. He lifted his hand with a spoon in it, but waited. "With your permission, of course."

"Whatever is fastest, sure."

Alakazam tapped his spoon against Chesnaught's head, as his eyes lit up. Chesnaught winced and closed his eyes tightly, but soon relaxed as the spoon's energy flowed. After a moment, Alakazam pulled back and stepped away.

"If you take that opening, you should be able to scale the palace quickly." He folded his arms. "Just make sure you move carefully; that side of the ice is slippery even for those of us that are accustomed to this environment."

"Thanks."

Though he waited quietly as Alakazam did the same for Delphox, I stepped forward toward them. Machamp intervened, halting me until Alakazam finished with Delphox, before he turned to me.

"Your best route is the western way through the city," advised Alakazam. "…That's not what you're going to ask, is it?"

"No, I was going to voice what Chesnaught was thinking about."

"Ha!" Machamp folded his arms. "Reading his mind without actually being able to? That shows a strong match."

"Smart too," murmured Alakazam.

"Why are we trading places?" Chesnaught rubbed behind his head. "You guys definitely know the spots that Empoleon would be, don't you?"

"Again, none are guaranteed," insisted Alakazam. "You're afraid that your movements will be slower, correct?"

"We can't teleport about the palace," reminded Delphox. "As soon as you're in range, you have freedom of movement, so why wouldn't it be tactically sound for the two of you to go in there?"

"Because I've also been studying the Frozen Fields since we last ventured out." Alakazam tugged on his mustache. "I don't want you two getting lost of there, and you have better knowledge on the palace than the wilderness here."

"Is that it?" I drummed on my tongue. "Just that you don't want them lost?"

"Nah." Machamp grinned as he rested a hand on my shoulder. "Alakazam also knows which of us has the best motivation to blaze through the palace."

"He's right." Alakazam smirked at me with a wink. "And you should trust that thought process."

"Uh…ok."

Machamp's hand tightened around my shoulder as Alakazam scooped up my hand in his. They both waited for just a moment, and nodded to each other.

"Stay safe, Greninja." Alakazam turned to Chesnaught and Delphox. "All of you, please, be cautious."

"Yeah, you're going to be in the thick of it at the palace, so stay sharp." Machamp chuckled. "Not that you lot need to fret like my worrywart here."

"Really? You had to embarrass me, now?" Alakazam dropped my hand and poked at Machamp. "I'm trying to be sincere and wish them well, and you go with that."

"Hey, hey, it's worth it if I get a laugh from them." Machamp grinned as I giggled. "There, see? Got one, and that's all we needed."

"Ugh." Alakazam rolled his eyes. "Fine. Only because it's Greninja."

"You would've used that with any of them."

"No I wouldn't!"

"Yes you would." Machamp released me and wrapped his arms around Alakazam, lifting him off with the mage's yelps for protest. "Come on, fusspot, let's get going."

"Fine, fine!" Alakazam huffed as he relaxed in Machamp's arms. "You're just lucky I love you."

"Right back at you."

Their banter faded as the two disappeared into the fields. I twisted around as Chesnaught slid in front of me.

"Hey, um." He hesitated and lifted his hand, but let it fall. "If, uh, if you don't agree with my plan either, you can tell me." He smiled softly, nervously. "Just let me know now, before we take off."

"No, you've picked a good ensemble for me." My beam didn't ease him at all. "If anyone can lead off the obvious ninja invasion, it would be the ninja on the roster."

"Right, yeah." He waited as his smile faltered. "Just, uh, just be careful, ok?"

"Is that Alakazam rubbing off on you?"

"I'm serious."

"You've been so the entire time." I clasped his hands into mine. "Don't worry so much about me."

"But I always do."

His shoulders dropped and I squeezed his hands.

"What about you? Are you going to be ok?" I gazed into his dark eyes. "You already seem tired, and…no offense, but I think that's the harshest I've ever witnessed you."

"Oh, that, well…" Chesnaught sighed. "Maybe I've spent too much time listening to generals plan things out, and…practiced a little on my own too." He shrugged. "But, sometimes you have to be firm."

"Even if it means being a little too loose with sensitive information?"

"Yes. I didn't want him going out there." He waved at the fields. "The closer I can get him to the city, the better it'll be."

"He won't be completely safe there."

"Safer." Chesnaught sighed. "I know that I came across…rough, but I…" He lowered his eyes and tilted his head back from me.

"Hey." I tugged back on him and he returned his attention. "Sometimes we have to be tough, even to our friends, I get that." I sighed. "I just…I want to make sure that you're ok too, you know? Not just regarding that, but…everything."

"…I think I'll get there when this is all over." He gently, but firmly, squeezed back at my hands. "So, ask me again later."

"Yeah, I will."

We waited and I wanted to come up with something better to leave off on. But Delphox roughly cleared his throat, and it was a harsh reminder of the fleeting time.

"So, that's his way of telling us to get going." Chesnaught smirked at Delphox, who glanced away. "And we should. The others have been surprisingly patient over there."

He pointed over at Golduck, who bickered at Poliwrath and Politoed. They shook their heads and folded their arms, scowling at him.

"…That makes more sense now."

"Let's go, then." I kissed his hands and reluctantly released them. "The quicker we finish this, the sooner we'll be back together." I smiled as I backed away from him. "Plus, you won't be far for long, so it'll be easier to regroup."

"Yeah, you're right." He sucked in a deep breath and forced a smile, waving as Delphox dragged him on their route to the palace. "See you soon."

It hit me then, what Alakazam had meant before he and Machamp left. I chuckled and spun back to the others, meeting them.

"The frog brothers insist you take point on this," grumbled Golduck. "Even though I have enough training to do the same."

"It's dulled in your mind and you're relying on muscle memories," I countered.

"That's what we told him," agreed Poliwrath.

"Whatever."

"Leading isn't what we should be quarreling about anyway," interjected Politoed.

"True." I nodded and stepped forward, as we faced west. "We get through the city this way, reach the palace, and take down anyone in our way."

They nodded to me and waited as I took one step ahead. Another, and then I sprinted forward. The wind whipped at me as I surged ahead, with several footsteps crunching behind me.

---

[Meanwhile]

A wave of flames rocketed from Magmortar's arms, burning at the igloo houses and icy buildings before him.

Two pink fairies gasped and hurried away as Zangoose and Vigoroth's claws smashed through the ice sculptures nearest to the city's edge. They ran away before they stumbled upon Marowak. He narrowed his eyes on them as they raced away from him.

Garchomp slammed his tail into a nearby building, and simply stared down at the ground as it crumbled behind him. His vacant gaze remained as Lucario walked over to him, raising an eyebrow as he waved his hand to the dragon.

"Not really worth your energy." Kricketune swept another sculpture from her path, knocking it down as she approached Lucario. "He doesn't really interact with others. Trust me, I tried."

"But why not?"

At that, she simply shrugged to him, and they faced Garchomp. He stood still, before lurching up and stomping away from them.

Gliscor laughed as he flew across the sky, swooping down to chase a small ghost. A red necklace flashed from the ghost's neck, blinding Gliscor and causing him to crash down to the ground.

Quickly jolting up, he grumbled and glared ahead, only to find the ghost had vanished entirely.

"Stupid little freak," he snarled.

Gliscor pushed up and flew back to the sky, flying into the city. Marowak watched him and ran forward, sliding past Exploud, who trembled as he stood near a minka of ice and wood, the only house still standing. Mewtwo rested near him, against the house, still unconscious.

"Where's he going?!"

"In-into the city," assessed Exploud, barely parting his lips and keeping his hands pressed together.

"What for?"

"To destroy it, of course."

Magmortar smiled as he stomped forward, punching at the minka. It rumbled as Exploud scooped up Mewtwo and carried him away from the crashing minka. Lucario ran over as it crumbled to rubble.

"But…but this was my home," managed Marowak. "We've pushed past the city's outer edge, we don't need to go further."

"And where's the fun in that?" Magmortar launched a fireball out, blasting a watchtower.

"It's just…I only want to take down the palace…"

Marowak's shoulders fell, and he gazed at the crumbled city's edge. Further in, the rest still stood, but his breath tightened as Vigoroth and Zangoose ran further in.

Again, Magmortar's fires demolished another minka. He smirked as a very tiny dormouse fairy scrambled away from the burning buildings. Pointing his cannon on the little critter, he chuckled as the mouse turned and shuddered.

"Hey, wait a minute, stop." Lucario walked over and pushed Magmortar's cannon down. "We did enough with ravaging the city. You fired more than enough warning shots, good enough. Now we need to focus on taking the castle."

"Who the hell are you to be giving orders?"

Hurriedly, the fairy mouse rushed away and out of sight. Growling, Magmortar glared down as Lucario glowered back up at him.

"You're taking the fun out of this."

"Fun?! You nearly killed that little twerp!"

"Maybe, yeah." Magmortar smirked again. "That's part of it."

"What?!"

Lucario raised a fist as Gengar emerged from the shadows between him and Magmortar. She grinned, glancing from one to the other.

"Eheeheehee…where's Malamar?"

"Wandered off to go read some stupid books." Magmortar rolled his eyes. "Can we get on with breaking this place down?"

"Gengar, tell him and the others running around the city to back off." Lucario folded his arms as she turned back to him. "We're not here to destroy the city."

"Maybe those weren't your orders…eheeheehee." Lucario jerked back as Gengar's grin only widened. "Ours…are different."

"That's a load of crap!"

Mewtwo stirred and slowly opened his eyes, searching for the yelling. Exploud leaned down and patted him.

"Ta-take it easy," he urged. "You-you've been out a wh-while."

"Huh…?"

Pushing up, Mewtwo rubbed his eyes, blinked, and watched as Magmortar aimed his arm cannon again. Lucario kicked it away and stood in front of him.

"This isn't part of our mission," persisted Lucario. "This place—"

"This place needs to burn." Magmortar narrowed his eyes on Lucario, slowly bringing his arm back up. "Nothing's getting in my way of that."

"Like hell!" Lucario raised his sword, but Gengar swept it from him. "Give that back."

"Just what do you gain from defending this place…?" Gengar tilted as she stared at him, dangling the sword from his reach.

"None of your business." Lucario glanced back and quickly returned his attention to the other two. "Marowak wasn't happy about it."

"Is that true, Marowak?"

Gengar slid away from the two and over to Marowak, who backed up from her.

"W-well…this was my home—"

"Was." Gengar grinned at him, as she swayed in her shadows. "But they did nothing to help you, remember? None of these people are here to help you."

"That's not true!"

Gengar and Marowak turned back to Lucario, as Magmortar pushed past him. He twisted around and grabbed Magmortar, pulling him back.

"Touch me again, and I'll roast you instead." Magmortar glared at Lucario, and turned away once more. "But those docks are something that I'm more interested in burning away first."

Still, Lucario hurried in front of Magmortar, and blocked his way forward. Flygon flew into view, carrying Zoroark as he flew down from the sky.

"What's going on?"

"Your buddy here is in my way," snapped Magmortar. "And he's gotten as annoying as those morons from the fields."

"Perhaps there's only one way to resolve this…eheehee." Gengar floated in front of Marowak, and glided slowly toward the other two. "We gained a new…enemy."

"Yeah, you're right."

Punching Lucario away, Magmortar attempted to storm onward. Lucario lunged up and grasped at his arm, dragging him back.

"You're…not…burning…anything else!" Lucario gritted his teeth together, and dragged the brute back. "Not again."

"That tears it." Magmortar pointed his cannons on Lucario. "You die, now."

Pulling back his arms with a blue energy ball charged between them, Lucario glowered at the crackling flames. Shadowy cuffs appeared on his arms, and he jerked back, as his attack dissipated. Twisting his head back, he watched as Malamar waved, holding a book in one tentacle, and pointing the other toward Lucario.

"Hold on," called Flygon. "We're not trying to—"

"Waiting time is over!" Magmortar smacked his arms together. "Now, we burn everything, starting with what's in my way!"

Backing up, Lucario growled as the flames poured from Magmortar.

Something white flashed before him. A blue barrier blocked the fire and Lucario shook his head.

Mewtwo stood before him, one arm raised, as the fire burned against his barrier. Magmortar pushed harder, but Mewtwo conceded not even an inch.

"Pesky little—"

"Leave it to me," called Malamar.

He drifted forward, but Flygon flew in front of him. Lucario grabbed Mewtwo and rushed into the city, racing off from the others.

"Eheehee…you're making the wrong choice," warned Gengar. "You can either get in our way like they did…or you can stand aside."

"Look, we've worked with Lucario for a long time now," explained Flygon. "You can't just have us go against the orders he's—"

"He's not a follower, by his own words," recalled Gengar. "But if you want that fox in your arms to keep breathing, you'll follow mine."

Flygon hesitated, and looked down at Zoroark, who weakly gazed back up at him. He gazed down, and spotted Garchomp blankly staring off at the city. Sighing, Flygon descended from the air and stood still.

"That's a good dragon, eheeheehee."

She nodded to Magmortar, who grinned and turned back to the city, lifting his arm again.

"W-wait." Marowak stepped forward. "We…we're not done fighting off Empoleon's army."

"What's your point?"

"Well, we still need to bring the cannons in," reminded Marowak. "We brought them to break through the outer perimeter, but we didn't gather all of them. So, we need to grab them. And…we've got to get someone back to the palace."

"Why?" Magmortar rolled his eyes. "This is just stalling the fun again."

"Because that's where they'll go next," reasoned Marowak. "We need to make sure that they don't regain the palace, or we'll lose everything."

"Hmm…good point, eheehee." Gengar drifted back to Marowak. "So…you want to go collect the cannons and block the palace?"

"We'll need to prepare ourselves for more than simply that," advised Malamar. "After all, we'll have an onslaught to deal with, and…where are those claw crushing oafs?"

"I'll fetch them…when we need them," assured Gengar. "But…you and I have some planning to do."

"Dear, of course!" He chuckled. "Let's begin."

Groaning, Magmortar shot a fireball at a distant building, as the group huddled. Exploud shivered, but gasped as Malamar turned back to him.

"Well? You're the one that's meant to watch the prophet." Malamar pointed where Lucario and Mewtwo hurried off. "Go on, after them!"

"But—"

"After them, or else."

With a fearful whimper, Exploud rushed off after them. Malamar forced Flygon and Zoroark close to their group, Marowak looked down, and Gengar's grin widened.

---

[Concurrently]

Around a house and down a quieter street, Lucario dragged Mewtwo along, bumping past a baffled butler struggling with supplies. He jumped over a snow mound and ducked behind a shop, pulling Mewtwo out of sight of a collective creature.

"Why did you do that?!"

Mewtwo blinked at Lucario's questioning. "I am sorry?"

"Don't apologize," hissed Lucario, "explain!" He poked his head out to look around the corner of the store, and then slinked along, peering through an open window. "These people are idiots for not leaving sooner."

"They are busy trying to live their lives," observed Mewtwo. "Not everyone can immediately drop what they are doing to—"

"Well they should!" Lucario twisted back to Mewtwo. "That would keep them alive, because if they don't leave, they'll wind up just like…" He paused and swallowed, before he shook his head. "Answer me. Why did you save me?"

"That is what concerns you?" Mewtwo shook his head. "It should not be surprising."

"Well, it is! We're enemies!" Lucario narrowed his eyes on Mewtwo. "So why?"

"You were in danger." Mewtwo smiled. "Just because we do not fight together does not mean you need to die."

"That's…that's it?" Lucario gawked at Mewtwo, before grasping at his head. "That's it? You just saved me because you thought I shouldn't die?!"

"Yes."

"Are you really that naïve?!" Lucario dragged his paws against his face. "I'm your enemy! I could have backstabbed you right after you saved me!"

"I do not believe you were in a position to do that," pointed out Mewtwo. He blinked, and stared at Lucario. "Now that you bring it up though, why did you rescue me?"

"Why…what?"

"You could have left without me." Mewtwo watched Lucario as his tail swayed and twitched. "So…why am I here, with you, and away from the your…former allies?"

"Because you're important, somehow!" Lucario glanced behind him, and waited, gazing above next. He then returned his attention to Mewtwo. "Everyone out there wants you, so you're a useful bargaining chip when needed. I didn't save you, I'm using you, so there."

"You are lying."

"Don't read my mind!"

"I did not." Mewtwo gazed at Lucario still, his tail drooping. "You…did not think any of this through, did you?"

"…Just shut up and come on."

Scooping up Mewtwo's hand, Lucario pulled him up and darted out from behind the shop. They froze as Exploud spotted them from down the road.

"There you…d-don't move!" Exploud stomped down. "This, uh, this is as f-far as you're going!"

"Exploud, don't." Lucario pointed behind him. "There are people there. You don't want to even do any of this."

"That, ah, that doesn't m-matter!" He stomped again. "I…I've got to do this!"

"You've got to get help." Lucario waved. "Sadly, that's not me."

"What do you…h-hey!"

Exploud stormed ahead as Lucario sprinted off, pulling Mewtwo along behind him, as the three charged around the city streets.

---

[City Square]

The wind blew through the dark skies and swayed the water of the city canals, as the empty, snowy streets remained. Buildings were closed, with hardly anyone out and about. Snowflakes cascaded from the cloudy air, down to the earth, only further coating the frosted city.

In the middle of this part of the city, a fountain continued to spray its water, with the statue of Emperor Empoleon standing above it all, trident in hand, water coursing from its plateau.

A bubble popped up from the basin below, followed by another. The bubbling basin quieted for a moment, but several shot up, and a splash rang out with a gasp. A water bird shivered and swam from the fountain, hopping up on its rim. With a giggle, a chinchilla hopped from behind the statue and leapt down in front of the duck.

"Found you!"

"Aw."

The chinchilla laughed as she landed, but slipped and flopped over on the snow. The duckling giggled and hopped down beside her friend, patting her off.

"Thanks." The chinchilla used her long tail to dust off the remaining snow. "But did you really think you could stay under that fountain water the wholetime?"

"It seemed like a safe place to hide." The water bird flapped her feathers and glanced back at the basin. "The grown-ups didn't even think of looking there."

"Yep, but I did!"

"What are you children doing out here?!"

A large white bird flew down from the second story of a house. She swept up the pair of kids and shuddered.

"Ducklett, didn't I tell you to stay inside?!"

"Sorry, Mama."

"I've been searching for you for hours!" She turned to the chinchilla. "And Minccino! Don't you think your mother is panicking over you right now?"

"Y-yes."

"Gods, she must be sick with worry."

"S-sorry, Miss Swanna."

"It's not me that you need to apologize to." She sighed and shook her head. "Kids, once those bells ring, that means we need to find a safe place. Out here, we're not safe right now."

"Because of the bad people around the city?"

"That's right." She guided the pair toward her home. "Now, come, girls, we'll get you inside before—"

"The bad people come."

Swanna twisted around as her eyes widened, catching sight of Zangoose and Vigoroth. Her children shivered as she pushed them behind her.

"Just look at you precious lot." Zangoose narrowed his eyes on the three. "Happy little life out here, bellies always full, nation prospering even on the brink. Must be nice."

"What…what are you talking about?"

"Look at this gorgeous city." Zangoose spread his arms and twisted about. "This place is always talked about for how much suffering they can endure, and yet, still prosper." He sneered and lowered his eyes on the three. "Poorer nations exist with twice as many problems, and yet you cry about the struggles out here, earning more attention from the world than anywhere else."

"With all due respect—"

"Gods, ya even talk like you're prim and proper." Vigoroth stomped forward, tightening his grip on his axe. "Ya got us threatening your damn life, and ya still keep that stick wedged in there."

"Beg pardon—?"

"Ugh, see? That." Vigoroth shook his head. "I can't stand you noble born."

"Listen, we're not—"

"Ya live in this rich city, ya can be called a noble." Vigoroth raised his axe. "And I'm done talking with fancy trash like you. Zang?"

"On it."

Lifting his dirk, Zangoose rushed ahead, and shot forward. Swanna narrowed her eyes, catching the wind between her wings.

A splash burst from the nearby canal, with a water-encased shell slamming into Zangoose, knocking him away. Carracosta emerged from it and raised his arms with the tekko attached.

Vigoroth rushed forward, lifting his axe and swiping down. Carracosta parried it back with one tekko, knocking its handle first, and then slapped its owner back next.

"You dastard…!"

Zangoose picked himself up, clutching his stomach. He scowled at Carracosta, who faced him with his flippers lifted again.

"Back off now, you hear?" Carracosta lowered himself. "Your fight is with us, not the civilians here."

"Our fight is with all of ya!" Vigoroth shot up and raised his axe again. "Every last one."

Readying to sprint forward, a heavy blast of water rocketed through and knocked Vigoroth away. Zangoose jolted forward and to his side, grabbing the ape and racing off from the square.

Carracosta lifted up, and frowned, spotting Blastoise as the tortoise stored his shell cannons away.

"Thank you," managed Swanna. "You saved us, sir knight."

"Yes, yes, you're welcome." Carracosta spiraled around to her. "But the emergency remains. It's no longer safe to just hide in the city." He glanced back to where the clawed attackers fled from and turned back to Swanna. "Evacuate immediately. Empire's orders."

"I must tell my friend first," insisted Swanna. "I can protect the children but she needs—"

"She needs you to get to safety with her young one," persisted Carracosta. "You stay here, or go looking for her, I can't promise that I'll be able to save you again." His eyes softened on her. "Don't make me face that."

Though her beak opened to protest, Swanna closed it and nodded. She scooped up the two children and rushed them off.

"What are you doing out here?" Carracosta spun around to Blastoise. "Once you heard the bells, you should've been locked up at home."

"They rang out while I was getting groceries." Blastoise shrugged. "The safest spot was to stay at the market."

"And our…your—"

"He's safe with a sitter." Blastoise shook his head. "Was safe. I'll make my way back to them and send them to safety as soon as I can."

"As soon—what the blazes are you talking about?!" Carracosta swept his arm out. "You're going straight over there and getting them out to safety right now!"

"They put you in charge of evacuating the city?" Blastoise shook his head. "You can't do that alone."

"You'd damn well better believe that I can and I will!"

"And you'd damn well better believe that I'm not letting you do this alone." Blastoise turned and pointed at the square's buildings. "People are still in each of these. You take the eastern and northern ends, I'll head back south by the docks and circle up to the western side."

"By the palace?!" Carracosta grasped at his head. "That's exactly where you need to stay away from!"

"Well, we shouldn't have gotten a house near your job, then," spat Blastoise. Carracosta opened his mouth, but Blastoise stomped down. "Enough. We don't have time to argue. Jet around the city, get folks out of here, and come back for us after."

"Blastoise…"

"We don't have time to bicker about this." Blastoise sighed. "Hate me later, and let's get going."

"I have never, and will never, be able to hate you."

"…Of course not." Blastoise forced a smirk. "Now, be off, or I'll have to go save the rest of our city myself."

"Ha! Not happening."

Blastoise rolled his eyes and pivoted around, hurrying off to the south of the square. Carracosta watched him for a moment, shouted around the square for everyone to leave, and leapt back into the canal, using the watercourse to reach as many civilians as he could.

---

[Inner City Border]

Having been recently ravaged by the invading army's assault, many had already fled from the area, with igloos and minkas reduced to abandoned ruins.

Malamar drifted forward, and reached down at a broken sculpture head of Empoleon. He lifted it and caressed it in his longest tendrils, studying the broken face of the Iceberg Empire's leader.

"To think, within the matter of hours, this Empire will begin to crumble as our machinations unfurl," mused Malamar.

"Do you really need to use unnecessary words to make yourself sound smarter?"

Kricketune rubbed her arms against one another, stepping closer to Malamar but paying him little attention. The squid rolled his eyes and carelessly dropped the shattered statue's head.

"Yes. Why is it that all of you from Grass Fields not within the nation's capital complain about how others talk?"

"Lofty diction is just kind of overrated for us simple folk, I suppose," spat Kricketune.

"Did you just…?" Malamar shook his head. "Forget it. Your motivations and opinions matter little, in the grand scheme of everything." He twisted around and swayed as he floated past another broken sculpture's pedestal. "Just do your job, and you'll be rewarded justly, as will the rest of us."

"…Money's up my alley, but it's not yours," observed Kricketune. "Why are you here and doing any of this?"

"I thought you weren't one to ask questions or care," murmured Malamar. "You were hired because you carried out your tasks without letting the details of your work mix with your performance."

"Ok, sorry for taking any interest." She swiped down with her arm and knocked a block of ice through a window, smashing it. "Just figured I could try figuring out why I'm the one here protecting you and not your ghost girlfriend or whatever you two are."

"Partners, indisputably, and that's all you need know." Malamar paused and spiraled back to Kricketune, who flicked at a pile of snow. "And not that I need to explain myself, but I wanted the one who would protect me best."

"…Again, why me?"

"You're hired to." Malamar narrowed his eyes and studied Kricketune. "I could use a puppet to do it, but that's not what they're around for; they're meant to be utilized as the pawns to tear at the enemy heartstrings." He drifted toward her. "Gengar has her own devices to be concerned with, and anyone else has far too much of their own madness to contend with, leaving them distracted enough to fail." He slowed as she turned to face him, now concentrated on him. "You're not like them. You have conviction and focus in your work, even for a means as simple as money."

"And again, you sound like you're in it for something greater." Kricketune tilted her head. "Look, I don't need a big explanation for any of this. I get that we're acting on someone else's orders, and the less that I know, the better." She shrugged. "Maybe it's just that I'm wondering what greater purpose you're serving that I'm not meant to be involved in."

"Do your duty, make sure I am not distracted, and perhaps you'll learn more," offered Malamar. "Your dedication to your work will certainly earn you a good spot to move up in ranks, unlike others among our…companions, if you will."

"…Sure, ok."

Kricketune turned away and walked back toward the city gates, but slowed as Malamar followed her. She pivoted back to him, narrowing her eyes.

"What?"

"I've entertained your questions, now return the favor." He slid his tentacle beneath his beak and studied her. "Exactly what do you plan on doing with your reward riches, at any rate?"

"Buy a better life." She shrugged again. "I'm from a small hamlet, dead end place that doesn't even matter to the world. If I stayed there, I'd have starved at some point." Kricketune gazed down at her bladelike arms. "At least doing this work, getting paid for it, I can get somewhere better."

"Some would suggest that you're sacrificing your soul."

"Some are idiots deluded by the world being black and white." Kricketune looked back up at Malamar. "Not everyone gets to have their paths to glory laid out for them. I'll carve mine however I need to."

"And that determination is precisely why we like you."

He smirked as she turned away from him. Kricketune ducked down and raised her arms, however, glaring at the gate. Floating behind her, Malamar tapped his face with a tendril.

"Let me guess…company is here."

"What gave it away? My stance or shifted focus?"

An arrow flew out as Kricketune smacked it away from her face. Wind gusted through as she twisted around and sliced in front of Malamar, who gaped at the air. He slouched back and slid back, tentacles raised.

"How…did you know—?"

"Something was there? I didn't." Kricketune hopped over and stood in front of Malamar. "You're a target, I'm guarding. So I'm going to block hits."

Another arrow soared through, as Kricketune sliced it away. She winced, and glanced down, as ice bits coated her arms. Malamar followed her gaze and glared up ahead by the gates.

"Show yourselves!"

"Heehee…you asked for it."

A blast of snow buffeted the pair as they failed to guard themselves. Malamar raised his tentacles, sweeping his fins through the sky, and ceasing the gusts. Just ahead of them, Froslass grinned, staff raised.

"You two don't happen to have an all powerful super mage with you, do you?"

"Fool." Malamar flew forward. "You're looking at him!"

"Nah, you're barely passable."

Raising her rod, Froslass set loose a dark gust of wind, as Kricketune shoved Malamar aside. They crashed down and whirled around as a barrage of arrows rained down from the sky.

"Look, I smashed a few," called Kricketune. "But if you have any ways of—"

Malamar shoved past her and up from the ground. Chanting quietly but quickly, he raised his arms as a wheel of fire emerged from before him, blocking and burning the arrows to ash. Kricketune pushed herself up as Malamar descended.

"…Yeah, that works."

"No measly archer will be the end of us."

"Ouch." Weavile stepped out from behind a stone, bow lifted and arrow nocked. Deadpan, she added, "My feelings."

Loosing her arrow, it soared as Kricketune jumped up and sliced it away. She winced and glared at the ice shards clinging to her arms.

"You know," called Froslass as she flew over to the pair. "We were supposed to keep you guys out and from returning to the city." She stalled and drifted back. "But, since you never left, we'll just have to force you out ourselves."

"Try and stop us," snapped Malamar. "I haven't worked to get this far to be stopped by a giggling goofball and her lackey."

"Oh?" Froslass's grin faded as she lowered her eyes. "Did you want to see me when I'm serious?"

"Somehow, I feel like that was a mistake," mumbled Kricketune.

"Yes, dear." Froslass disappeared in a burst of dust and snow. "It was."

Launching forward, she tackled past Kricketune and into Malamar, slamming him against the ground. Weavile raced forward, firing arrows away at Kricketune, who quickly batted away as many as she could. Jumping forward, she slashed at Weavile, who flipped away, and left her claw resting on her dagger.

Malamar blasted Froslass into the air with a bolt of electricity and scowled at her, as she twirled around and steadied herself.

Her smile gone, she only narrowed her eyes as she raised her icy staff again.

---

[Greninja]

My feet kicked against the snow and ice, as we charged through the vacant city streets. I slid to a halt as we approached a wall, and I lined up against it. Both brothers and Golduck followed, lining up beside me.

"Someone's ahead," I realized.

"What tipped you off?" Golduck kicked a blackish mixture of snow out. "Cinders and ashes?"

"Yeah, that helped."

I glanced around the corner, watching as Magmortar stormed forward, blasting his cannons at the city around him.

"Burn, burn, everything burns…"

He…was singingto himself…

"Blast the docks, take away their escape," he chanted.

"If he destroys the docks, that ruins our best avenue of exporting for trade," warned Politoed. "I don't know if now is a good time to get attention, but—"

"Now works."

"Golduck, wait—!"

Of course he didn't listen. He rushed out and flung a knife out, which…bounced off of Magmortar's armor. Pausing, he twisted around to Golduck, but didn't raise his cannons.

"Little bird." He chuckled. "Come to die?"

"Not at all." Golduck paused and straightened himself up. "What do you mean, 'little' anyway? I'm taller than you."

"It's because you're just a pawn in everything." Magmortar lifted his cannon. "It's best if I put you out of your misery."

"Just who do you think I am?"

"Prey."

A rush of fire flowed from Magmortar's cannon, but Golduck leapt aside and raced at him. Guiding the fiery stream around, Magmortar tried to adjust the aim, but Golduck just slid beneath the embers and popped up in front of the beast.

Grabbing his sword out, he slashed up, knocking against Magmortar's armor, and sprayed down with a burst of water. Coughing and stumbling back, Magmortar pulled his arm back and punched forward, knocking Golduck away.

"We should probably help," I muttered.

"You sure?" Poliwrath chuckled. "I'm kind of enjoying this regardless."

"As am I, but he is our ally."

"Which one?"

"Brother." Politoed nudged at Poliwrath, who rolled his eyes.

"Ah, fine, fine." He propped his sai between his fists. "Gods forbid we actually see Golduck get leveled for long enough."

Running out, he charged at Magmortar, who fired another blast of flames. Poliwrath jumped aside, as Politoed and I hurried out next.

Growling, Magmortar lowered his arm cannons and blasted at the ground, melting through the ice as his fire blazed through the earth. Politoed sprang up as I jumped aside, and flipped through the air.

Forcing his feet down, he rocketed back and aimed for Magmortar, who raised his cannons once again. Poliwrath rushed in and punched him, knocking him off balance as Politoed came down and kicked off of his face.

Both brothers flew back and charged an Ice Ball, launching them together and blasting Magmortar back further. I grasped at my blade as he stumbled, but collapsed before he could retaliate again. Releasing it, I glanced beside me as I listened to the watercourse below me stir.

"For the record, Golduck, that's how it's done," called Poliwrath.

"Astounding, you and your brother actually play nice," deadpanned Golduck, pushing up from the ground.

"It's called, 'working together,' and we can do that sometimes," insisted Politoed.

Roaring, Magmortar rocketed up and fumed. Flames crackled and surged from his arms, as he fired out at us.

Lining up, each of us blasted at him with a combined burst of water, dousing the flames and soaking him. He barreled back and ducked behind a melted igloo house.

"Don't think this over by a long shot," he snarled. "I'll get the right ones back here for you little welps! Your palace will fall before this day ends!"

"Oh no, the fire guy is threatening us, a watery quartet," deadpanned Poliwrath. "How terrifying."

"He could barely handle one of us," agreed Golduck. "I'd like to face off with him again, and then finish it."

"Hey, do any of you know much about the canal system?" I pointed back at it as they turned to face me. "I never really paid that close of attention to it when we were here before, but the whole thing seems connected throughout the city."

"Yeah, it is," confirmed Politoed. "Some of it started naturally, but I think they crafted the watercourses specifically to flow throughout the city. Some it comes from the falls near the palace, while the rest dumps out by the docks." He rubbed his head and smirked. "I'm surprised we never really had anyone go over that with you."

"What, were you just admiring the whole time without question?" Poliwrath folded his arms as I slowly nodded. "I mean, yeah, they do look nice, but they were designed with at least a little thought on a current through our home."

"Would we be able to use it to make our way to the palace?"

Each of the three glanced at each other and shrugged. They turned back to me and nodded.

"Never really used the canals as a spot for infiltration," noted Poliwrath. He chuckled. "Here I was ready to make fun of you for not noticing their use, and meanwhile we've underestimated their potential."

"Well, no one really thinks about jumping in and swimming about the canals to get by," grumbled Golduck. "It's senseless beyond children splashing about."

"And that's exactly why we'll be able to use it to get to the palace quicker," realized Politoed. "Greninja, that's crafty."

"If you think so." I shrugged. "It seemed kind of simple to me."

"Let's just make sure that we don't get lost on the way," urged Golduck. "These don't exactly have a fast flowing current, but with everything connected, it's easy to take a wrong turn, you know."

"Right."

"Oh, are you agreeing with me, Greninja dear?"

Lowering my eyes, I glared at him, as my fists tightened. He smirked, but gasped, as he fell forward and into the canal before us. I blinked and looked at Poliwrath, who slowly turned to Politoed, as the green frog lowered his hands.

"…What? He annoys me too."

He shrugged and hopped into the canal below. Poliwrath laughed and followed him in, as I turned back and stared at the melted igloo. It sank further to the ground, and I gazed at the burned snow and ice of the mess that we left around us. I hadn't even taken in just how much Magmortar had ruined before we showed up.

Shaking my head, I pivoted back and jumped into the water after my allies.

---

[Outer City Border]

Quagsire guided Delibird down the pathway outside of the city, still within the Frozen Fields border. He slowed as they reached the cannons, and Delibird slipped as he halted. There were more than before, with Quagsire spotting at least eleven.

"If you continue down the route to the east there, you should get a clear run to intercept anyone that tries to flee," directed Quagsire. He smiled to Delibird. "You shouldn't run into much trouble on the way either."

"That would be nice, but…I'm not expecting to avoid it forever." Delibird flopped down and sat for a moment. "We're all going to be fighting eventually, right?"

"Yes."

"So, I'll do what I need to when it comes to it."

Quagsire's smile faded as Delibird picked at frozen stones. He ambled over and sat beside the penguin.

"Delibird, why are you here?"

"Huh?" Delibird glanced up at Quagsire and tilted his head while the salamander waited. "…What do you mean? I'm a knight, fighting for my homeland, same as everyone else."

"Why are you a knight though?" Quagsire gazed quietly into the penguin's eyes. "You're young still, and you could have been anything. Unlike the others, you don't seem to get any kind of a thrill fighting, and I don't think I've seen you show much for defending common folk." Delibird opened his beak, but slowly closed it and lowered his head. "So, why is this the path you've chosen?"

"…I don't really know myself, anymore." Delibird sighed. "It's just always expected of penguins up in the northern lands to do something important. Emperor Empoleon and his family have led the nation for generations. I've got a cousin that started a company to make toys for a living and he makes a lot of money from that." Delibird picked at the ground once again. "I never really wanted to be a knight. I think my uncle just goaded me into it, a while back, thought I'd never get anywhere with my life, that I'd never help anyone, and I wanted to prove him wrong." He shrugged as his eyes returned to Quagsire's. "Then he died from an illness out here. All of his mockery and boisterousness sputtered out in just some…quiet coughing and groans."

They waited in silence for a moment as Delibird returned his attention to the ground.

"As mean as he was, I guess I did want to help him," admitted Delibird. "So, when Emperor Empoleon wanted new knights, and he had already volunteered me once, I just…went through with it."

"But why have you stayed?"

"Besides helping the people by gathering materials out here?"

"Why a knight specifically."

"…It's what people wanted me to be." Delibird grabbed his feet and waved them. "They wanted me to step outside of my comfort zone and become something greater than what I thought I could be. I guess that's how I was lumped into knighthood."

"So, all of it," assessed Quagsire, "was to fulfill the demands of others."

"…Yeah, I…I guess so."

"I see." Quagsire hesitated. "But what did you want to be?"

"Honestly, I don't know." Delibird lifted his head again and shrugged to Quagsire. "I guess that's something that I still can't answer. I never really took the time to discover who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do." He sighed. "I've tried to mold myself into what others have wanted for a long time, and I…I guess I lost sight of who I am." He weakly chuckled. "I guess that's why I like being around Golduck. He reminds me of my uncle a bit, but he's also confident and sure of himself, most days." Delibird tugged on his tail, dragging up snow as he pulled it close. "Making deliveries and bringing out messages on behalf of our empire is nice too. It…I don't know, it gives me some kind of purpose. It's small, but…but it gives me something to do. Time to think when I'm alone. See places when I travel." He returned his attention back to Quagsire. "Is that silly? Doing something so trivial and meaningless just because you're kind of good at it, or just get a little bit of happiness back from it?"

"Not at all." Quagsire reached out and patted Delibird's shoulder, as the penguin jumped. "But, I think that you should take time to figure out who you want to be, some day. It doesn't have to be today, tomorrow, or for a long time." He smiled again. "Still, you should find out…who you want to be."

"…Will you help me get there?" Delibird slouched. "I don't know feel like I know how to anymore."

"Sure." He patted Delibird again. "I'll help you figure it out, to the best of my ability."

They waited in silence for a moment, and Quagsire pushed himself up, returning his attention to the cannons. Delibird hopped up and waited beside him.

"…Do you really think you can help that other kid too?" He tilted his head at Quagsire. "That Marowak guy, he seemed…I don't know, short tempered, angry at the world." Delibird lowered his head. "Maybe he's just lost too, you know?"

"He is." Quagsire's tail drooped. "I want to help him, but…"

"…If anyone can, I think it's you." Delibird smiled to Quagsire. "Everyone thinks that you have something of a laziness about you, but I…I think you're really good at looking into bigger pictures and solving puzzles."

"Maybe." Quagsire chuckled. "They're right though. I like sleeping and eating. Coming up here helped me find peace that I wanted for a long time." He chuckled. "To be honest, I still don't know what I want to be either, beyond this."

"Ah."

"But…" Quagsire stepped forward. "I want to help others when I can."

"…You're more noble for it."

"We've talked for long enough." Quagsire glared at the cannons. "I need to figure out how to bury these for good."

"You're not doing anything with those!"

From above, Gliscor swooped down, landing between the two and the cannons. He snapped his pincers as he glared at his opponents.

"In fact, you'll both die, here and now!" He cackled and took another step forward. "So, which of you will be the first to go?"

"That's…not Marowak…"

"Delibird, go, now." Quagsire narrowed his eyes and turned to the penguin. "Get yourself to safety and make sure you cut them off from escaping."

"What?" Delibird shook his head. "Quagsire, I'm right here. Just let me help you take him down, and I'll be on my way right after." He smirked. "Let me help you too."

Quagsire paused, sighed, and straightened himself up. He turned to Delibird and smiled, inching a bit closer.

"Thank you, Delibird." He lowered his head and crouched a bit. "And…I'm sorry."

Firm and quick, Quagsire smashed down on Delibird's head, knocking his comrade to the ground. Gliscor gawked at the scene, and practically fell over. Stepping back, Quagsire concentrated on the earth, stomped at the ground, and raised his fist. A pillar burst from the ice and thrust Delibird into the air, sending him flying away from the area.

"What…what was that?!" Gliscor hesitated before erupting into laughter. "Do you Empire fools just…take one another down, all the time?" Pants for air interrupted his cackling, but he started again. "They've talked about…bad relations among you, but that's just…that's terrible! Do my work for me, won't you?"

"Are you all that they sent?"

"Hu…huh?"

"Will you be the only one out here with me?"

"Wha…what does that matter?!" Gliscor hopped up as his wings spread out, flapping by into the sky. "Are you afraid of dealing with more of us?!"

"No, I'm hoping you're not the only one that I'm facing."

"Of all the…you're mad!" Gliscor ascended into the sky. "Tough luck, as it is! I am on my own out here, if that makes any difference to you!"

"…I see." Quagsire sighed, and pulled out his katars. "I guess I failed him too."

"Just what are you going on about?!"

"Nothing much, I suppose." Quagsire gazed up at the bat-scorpion. "Is there any chance you'll explain why you're doing this to me? Or can I get you to stop?"

"Are you serious?!" Gliscor swept with his arm. "No, you idiot! We've come this far, and we're winning! We're not stopping for anything!"

"And you specifically?"

"Me?" Gliscor jerked back. "Why do you…? N-no! I'm not stopping for anything!" He pointed down. "Those cannons need to finish what we've started, and we're destroying this city with them!"

"Is there no reasoning with you, then?"

"NO ALREADY!"

"Ok then."

Soaring down, Gliscor dove at Quagsire, who lifted his katars back. Freezing his fist, the ice caught onto the weapon, and he held it in place, punching forward as Gliscor flew near.

Though Gliscor used his pincer to block the impact of the katar, he yelped out as the ice shards connected to his claw.

Sailing past Quagsire, Gliscor twisted around, waving his arm and claw around, shaking the ice from his pincer.

As his enemy flailed about, Quagsire dashed over to the collection of cannons. Approaching the first of the artillery, he stored one katar and pulled back his fist. It lit up in a powerful light, and Quagsire focused.

Throwing his fist forward, Quagsire slammed into the cannon, and punched into its frame. His power helped him bend the outer surface of it, forcing it inward. Quagsire kept the force there for as long as he could, as the cannon crunched under his surging arm.

A dark claw ripped across the air and slashed through Quagsire's armor, slicing at him. He groaned and stumbled away, clutching his fist.

Grinning, Gliscor opened his pincer, shimmering with a dark glow. He leapt forward again, as Quagsire dropped down and rolled away from him.

Again, Gliscor soared over, attempting to sweep at Quagsire once more with his claws. Quagsire popped up from the ground, stabbing out with his dagger and thrusting it into Gliscor.

Shouting out, Gliscor crashed down against the ground, grasping at his leg and staggering as he landed. He flapped his wings and flew back as Quagsire jumped at him, slashing and stabbing with his katar daggers.

Gliscor narrowed his eyes, and swooped low to the ground as Quagsire neared. He sprang up and slammed a closed claw into Quagsire's chest, punching him back as his tightened pincer flew into the sky.

Quagsire collapsed against the ground and skidded back from the impact. He winced and grasped at the snow that blasted back from his impact.

Clutching at his daggers, Quagsire forced himself up, only to be tackled by Gliscor. Again, Gliscor pulled back with his pincer in a dark energy.

Ramming his head forward, Quagsire smashed it into Gliscor, who yelped out and fell back from his enemy. Quagsire crashed down, but used his daggers to regain his balance.

Twisting his body back, a watery aura enveloped Quagsire's tail. Gliscor hopped back into the air, as Quagsire spiraled around and slammed forward with his tail.

With a heavy smack, Gliscor flew back and smashed into another cannon. Ice formed around Quagsire's fist, and it began to encase his dagger again.

However, Gliscor pushed from the artillery and dropped to the ground. Throwing his katar down, Quagsire leapt forward with his icy fist and punched Gliscor back into the cannon.

Crying out, Gliscor cringed against the blow and the cold cannon behind him. Quagsire pulled back as Gliscor dropped down, grunting from the hit. He glanced back and noticed the second cannon was bent in, destroyed like the first.

"Please surrender," pleaded Quagsire.

"Not a chance," snapped Gliscor, and he spat blood from his mouth.

Shoulders drooped, Quagsire pulled back with his other arm, katar in hand. He stabbed forward, as Gliscor dove away and Quagsire's blade clanged against the metal cannon.

Airborne again, Gliscor flew up high, squinting as snowflakes pelted his face. He spiraled around in the air and flapped above, glaring down at Quagsire. Cloaking his body in a harsh light, Gliscor focused on Quagsire and soared down.

Staring ahead at the next cannon, Quagsire took a few steps, but paused. He glanced up and gaped as Gliscor rocketed down to him, smashing down in a heavy attack from the sky.

The earth cracked around Quagsire as he was forced into a crater, and Gliscor punched off of him, flying up again. He grumbled as Quagsire groaned, and flew at him again, slashing with his claw.

Gasping out, Quagsire clutched at his side, while Gliscor pulled back and slashed at him again, this time with his tail stinger. Quagsire smacked it away with his tail, and swiped out at Gliscor with his katars, sending the bat-scorpion back into the air.

Shaking his claws, Gliscor's body lit in a yellow glow. Throwing his arms up, an amber glow flashed on the earth below.

Quagsire fumbled back, as power erupted from the ground in front of him, breaking through the ice and stone. It rippled across the land and blasted up from the ground, knocking him back and into the sky.

Once more, Gliscor launched himself forward and tackled at Quagsire. Clutching his katar, Quagsire stabbed into Gliscor's wing, eliciting another yell.

Slamming down, both hit the ground and tumbled away from each other. Gliscor writhed on the ground, with his wings shaking as the snow flew up from around him.

"Bastard!"

Gliscor grabbed at his wing, trying to check the damage. He groaned and stepped back, moaning as he clutched at his injured leg next.

Quagsire wiped at the blood from his side, and panted. He glanced down at his stained katar, while gently touching at his bruised body. Stowing his daggers back in their sheathes, he slowly relaxed his form.

Inhaling, then exhaling, Quagsire slid his foot forward, sliding against the icy ground as the snow brushed away against his foot. Lifting it, he quickly stomped back down, as a crack formed on the ground and the tremor fired across the floor. Several more faults shattered the icy surfaces open, but the first break had its course set.

Panic coated Gliscor as he fumbled back, the earth before him crashing down into the fissure's crevice. He staggered back and dragged his battered body along as stones and ice rained down from where he stood.

Losing ground, Gliscor forced himself back into the air. He wailed as he failed to keep a steady form, but remained airborne long enough to avoid the earthquake.

"Two…can play at that!"

A slab of earth jutted up from the ground, and Gliscor landed briefly on it. He snapped his pincers and lifted his arms again.

Ripples pulsed beneath the earth, as amber waves blasted up from beneath. Stumbling, Quagsire backed away as the land broke open before him.

Cracking from below, Quagsire barely had time to turn away as power burst from the ground and blasted him off.

Near another cannon, Quagsire crashed back down, breaking the icy ground where he landed. He pushed himself back up, glancing at the cannon, and shaking his head.

As he struggled back to his feet, Quagsire knocked snow from his armor, and twisted around to the cannon. Clutching his body, he lifted his free hand, as ice formed around it.

Punching forward, a dent barely formed against the cannon. Sighing, Quagsire pulled his hand back, and focused his energy back into it. Throwing his fist forward, a larger dent formed into the cannon, but it remained fairly intact.

"Hey! Knock that off!"

Unsteady in the air, Gliscor drifted over to Quagsire. He dropped down and pulled his arm back. Throwing himself forward with force, Gliscor punched upward at Quagsire.

Barely, Quagsire sidestepped the blow as Gliscor flew up with his punch. Spiraling around, Quagsire focused a wave of energy into his tail, and then slammed Gliscor back down to the ground.

Following through, Quagsire slammed the cannon with his tail, breaking it in further. He groaned as he staggered back from the attack, and gently touched at his tail.

"You're not…getting away…with this," managed Gliscor, as he pushed himself back up.

"Why are you doing this?" Quagsire dragged himself away from Gliscor and the cannon, getting a good view of the rest of the artillery. "All of this destruction, what does it do for you?"

"This has…nothing to do with me, or what I want." Gliscor faltered as he tried to steady his stance. "I need what they're offering me, which is why I'm getting this done."

"Is it all about the money with your side?" Quagsire shook his head. "You're attacking innocent lives. You're hurting people that just want to live how they can."

"This is the crown city of the Iceberg Empire," Gliscor hissed. "They'll recover."

"But to what end is this all for?" Quagsire pulled his katar daggers back out.

"You're asking the wrong one among us." Gliscor shook his head. "They never offered me all of the details. I'm only here to make sure that our job gets done."

"Then why do any of it?" Quagsire pointed at him. "You can just stop here. Neither of us needs to fight anymore."

"Didn't we establish that I'm beyond reason?"

"Why?!" Quagsire stepped forward, as Gliscor lifted his pincers. "What drives you?! The money and rewards, is that all?"

"Part of it." Gliscor's ears lowered. "Reward makes a good motivator. Not dying is another."

"What…?"

"Kill or be killed." Gliscor's eye twitched and he winced. "That's the other part of it."

"I don't understand."

"You think all of us are willing participants on this side?" Gliscor cackled weakly. "Some of us don't have as much of choice."

"Yes, yes you do." Lowering his daggers, Quagsire stored one away and lifted his hand. "Just stop here, we can protect you."

"No, you can't." Gliscor shook his head. "You have no idea what they're capable of, and how they'll stop at nothing."

"Which ones?" Quagsire stepped forward again. "Who is it? My friends and I, we can stop them. Just stop helping them, and we'll keep you safe."

"It doesn't begin and end with the soldiers that I'm with now," revealed Gliscor. "There are more. Someone higher they serve."

"We can stop them, I promise." Quagsire continued forward. "Please, trust me."

"…Your sincerity is wasted. There is no trusting anyone." Gliscor snapped his pincers. "For all I know, this entire thing could be a ruse, with your emperor pulling the strings."

"He's not."

"What do you know?!" Gliscor flapped his wings. "You're out here. You don't know the inner workings of your leader, do you?"

"He's not like that," insisted Quagsire.

"But you don't know." Gliscor backed away. "Neither of us knows enough to deal with this, that's why we're out here."

"Please—"

"No, don't beg." He narrowed his eyes. "It doesn't matter if you don't want to be my enemy. I've…I've only got one way out this."

"We can help—"

"You really can't." Gliscor shook his head. "They'll kill me. They will." His eyes widened. "And as long as I kill for them, I'll live longer."

"For how long?" Quagsire waited as Gliscor quieted. "How long do you expect to live under their orders?"

"…As long as I don't fail, I'll survive." Gliscor flew forward. "So that means I can't fail here!"

Withdrawing his dagger, Quagsire lifted his katar up as Gliscor snapped his pincers forward. They clashed and locked into place, struggling against one another for a moment.

"If you want to help so desperately," growled Gliscor, "surrender and die."

"No. If I die, so will others." Quagsire pushed back as Gliscor's pincers surged on. "I can't lose to you."

"Then you lied." Gliscor hissed. "You didn't want to help at all!"

"I did."

"Liar."

Pulling his head back, Quagsire threw it forward and head-butted Gliscor. He wailed out and flew back, as Quagsire drove his daggers forward.

Though he swiped and stabbed at his enemy, Gliscor had flown out of Quagsire's range each time, evading each blow.

"Die, damn you, die!"

Gliscor sliced forward with his pincer again, and Quagsire grunted as the dark imbued claw struck him.

Quagsire stabbed at Gliscor as he got close, though, and pierced his at his hip. Yelling, Gliscor threw his tail forward, and it coiled around Quagsire's neck.

Lifting his katar again, Quagsire stabbed at Gliscor's tail, eliciting another yelp of pain as Gliscor quickly pulled away again.

Aglow in yellow energy again, Gliscor lifted his arms and the earth pulsed, as it ripped open. Quagsire struck down at the ground near him, and quaked the land open to counter Gliscor's power.

Ice, snow, earth, and stone ripped apart, as wave after wave, Gliscor and Quagsire struck the land open, breaking it apart to attack each other.

Another blast rocketed Quagsire back, and he crashed beside the cannon he dented in. He pushed himself up, and stomped at the ground again.

"That won't stop me!" Gliscor laughed. "You're at a disadvantage here! I can fly!"

Ignoring him, Quagsire slammed at the ground again, and it broke open. His crack against the earth broke forward, and ripped open as the cannon fell through it.

"No…no!"

Launching another powerful blast at the earth, Gliscor gasped as the snow puffed out from his attack, and the land broke apart further. Quagsire winced as the power blasted him away again.

Flying up, Gliscor gazed down, studying the breaks across the Frozen Fields around them. Wherever he looked, the ice was broken open, the land falling apart, and the earth crumbling. He lifted his arms, but hesitated.

Diving down, Gliscor's claw was cast under the dark energy again. Quagsire struggled to a steady stance, and waited as Gliscor flew close.

Twisting around him, Quagsire threw his watery tail down against Gliscor's back, and spiked him down to the earth. Pulling back with his daggers, he stabbed down at Gliscor, nicking his wings as the bat-scorpion dragged himself away.

"Fine." Gliscor shot up again. "If I can't stop you, then I'll just destroy what you hold dear!"

He zipped across the air and sped to the cannons. He tapped at them and lit a fuse for one. Quickly, he flew to the next, aimed it back at the city, and lit the next fuse as well.

"Go ahead, try extinguishing these!" Gliscor laughed. "I can just light them back up again and again!" He yanked on the rope. "These are even water resistant, from what I'm told. Spit on them all you want, but they'll still burn away!"

Quagsire did spit a bubble out at the rope, and watched it pop, dousing the fire…only for a flame to pop right back up, burning quicker at the rope.

"Ha! It's even better than resistant—it's enchanted!" Gliscor wildly laughed. "There's no hope for your city! The cannonballs will tear your home apart!"

Lifting a fist, Quagsire tried to concentrate on it, but glanced back at the cannons. Too many remained.

Exhaling, Quagsire slid his foot forward again. He panted and gazed ahead, taking in the shattered land before him. Slowly, he lifted his arms as he stomped down again.

Breaking, the earth cracked not just ahead of Quagsire this time. It ripped open beside, behind, all around him. His eyes wavered as he stomped again, and the land continued to tear open.

"Idiot! What are you doing?!" Weakly, Gliscor forced himself up into the air. "We've torn this earth apart! Any more damage, and it'll…!"

Bringing his arms forward, Quagsire pulled them apart, as the earth ripped open far in front of him. One cannon fell through the cracks, and then another.

Ice cracked as the land beneath Quagsire sunk down. He faltered but forced his stance steady again, and struck down once more.

The fields came apart all around him, with a fissure shattering whatever threads remained. Faults broke through, as the artillery crashed through the crevices.

Gliscor flew down to grasp at one, but a heavy burst of earth forced him to cover himself, and he glided away, soaring back into the sky.

Watching as another cannon fell, Quagsire weakly smiled. His last pillar gave way from under him, and he fell hard into a crevice.

Wedged into the land, Quagsire managed to lift his head, and stared at the sky above him. He gasped for air, but slowly quieted, and relaxed as the snow trickled down.

A slab of stone slid from above, and came crashing down over him. Another broke off and slid, as the cracks broke open the fields, and crashed into the abyss.

After minutes passed, Gliscor uncovered his eyes, and gazed in horror at the quaked fields around him. Ripped and split open, the land had broken to pieces and craters.

Not a single cannon remained.

---

...

Yes, that happened.

There's plenty to talk about, but I'd rather leave it as is for this point. Feedback is very much appreciated, so if you can, that would be really great. It's not over and there is more to come. Please look forward to it.

Thank you for reading.