Imppala: And so, after a period of five long days, we have an update. You must be slipping.
ShadowedTactician: Or maybe school must be getting tougher.
Grim: Sad but true.

Gijinka Renamon
ShadowedTactician: Not a bad fic. We're fans of Linkin Park ourselves, but the tune wouldn't have fit the scene, though the words strangely fit. And don't worry, they were pretty in character.

Generic Reviewer
Imppala: Something useless? What does Marcus get in False Friends that's useless?
ShadowedTactician: I dunno... getting to stare at Merlinus snoring away?
Imppala: Wait a minute, that's actually quite useful... The Jaffar idea is actually good, since seeing either character would mean instant disaster. Shame ShadowedTactician didn't give it to him.

Imppala
ShadowedTactician: How many times do I have to tell you, breeding a male Mudkip with a female Squirtle would result in a Foresighting Squirtle!
Imppala: But the tail's supposed to be a swimming implement...
ShadowedTactician: (eyes narrowed) Were you expecting Squirtle to shoot lasers from its eyes?
Imppala: Actually, yes, I was. It would look kinda cool...


Chapter 13: In Search of Truth/VS Donphan

Eliwood enters Santaruz, only to be attacked by a strange group. In a desperate moment, he is rescued by a childhood friend, Marquess Ostia's younger brother, Hector. The assailants' leader reveals that an unknown party seeks Eliwood's head... Eliwood cannot help but think this is related to his father's disappearance. In search of more traces of his father's footsteps, Eliwood sets out for the castle of Lord Helman, the marquess of Santaruz.
In Santaruz Castle, the air was getting very agitated.

"Master Ephidel!" Lord Helman shouted as he barged into the room where the mysterious cloaked person was staying in. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Peace, Lord Helman. Whatever is wrong?" Ephidel calmly spoke.

"You said you were just going to frighten Eliwood! Your men almost killed him!" Helman continued angrily. "My patience is at an end! I've decided I must tell Eliwood everything and apologise."

Ephidel's mouth unpleasantly curved downwards. "...You would betray us?"

"I am tired of you and the Black Fang!" complained Helman. "Now, remove yourself from my castle! Your presence pains me!"

"Lord Helman..." sighed Ephidel. "Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?"

"Nothing!" Helman said firmly.

"In that case..." As Ephidel spoke, his eyes started to shine with a ghostly golden light, "You're no longer of any use."

"What!" Before Helman could react, Ephidel brought out a gleaming dagger and plunged it into his ageing body. "Gaa... urrgh..."

With that, the mysterious Ephidel quietly left the room, as if nothing had happened...


"There's the castle, Eliwood!" Hector pointed at the palace in the distance.

"Right." Eliwood nodded, "We have to speak with Lord Helman..."

"That's not gonna happen, laddie!" A voice announced. It came from a black knight who approached Eliwood's group. His name was Boies.

"Who are you?" asked Eliwood.

"Who am I?" smirked Boies. "Ah, boy, you'd do better to worry about yourself. You'll be worm's meat before much longer."

"You think so?" Hector said as he brandished his Wolf Beil. "I think my axe'll change your mind."

"Ha! The cub thinks he's a wolf!" The knight stepped backwards, pretending to be intimidated. "Does your bite match your bark? Tell you what: if you make it to the castle, we'll find out, eh?" So saying, the knight retreated to Santaruz Castle, cackling loudly all the way.

"Geh heh heh hehhh!"


As the black knight, Boies, gave his orders, enemy units began swarming out from the castle and surrounding fortresses. Meanwhile, in one of the smaller protective structures...

"Hey, you! Yeah, the new dog!" barked a soldier. "Get this right, or you're gone!" He was shouting at a swordfighter who was wearing Sacaen clothes, had green hair and was holding a very sharp blade. He had a grey insectoid on his shoulder which had large brown claws and small green wings.

"I know, I know." The Sacaen swordsman said hurriedly. "I just got this job! I don't want to lose it!" Satisfied with his response, the soldier left the fortress. "'Course, the smart thing to do would have been not to get involved with this ugly bunch," the Sacaen muttered. "Got to have gold if I want to eat, though. I was too picky before."

"Nin!" The Pokémon on his shoulder said in agreement.

"If I think about the time I passed out in Caelin... ooooh. Nothing funny about that!" The young man groaned as he reminded himself of the incident. "That man... what was his name... Matthew? If it hadn't been for him, I would've starved to death..."

"What are you mumbling about?" The soldier had returned when he noticed the Sacaen didn't follow him outside. "Get over here, now!"

"Yes, yes, I'm coming!" Quickly the swordfighter ran out of the fortress. "At least I've got work!"


"From what I can see, there are two routes to the castle: one westwards and one southwards," analysed Shadow. "I propose that both Lord Eliwood and Lord Hector, as well as Oswin, head towards the west route, while the rest of us go south. This way, Lords Eliwood and Hector would be able to reach Santaruz Castle in the quickest possible time as everyone else is distracting the enemy."

"Ingenious plan," applauded Hector. "You certainly are a brilliant tactician, Shadow."

"Nothing to it, Lord Hector," Shadow assured. "Now let's get going!"

As Shadow led the others away, Eliwood, Hector and Oswin hurried over in the western direction, where a dead tree stood by a fast-flowing river.

"Lairon!" commanded Oswin, producing a Pokéball from his waist and opening it. A heavy-looking Pokémon emerged from the white beam. It somewhat looked like a rhino, except that its head was less pointed and it had no horn. Its head and spine were covered with what looked like an exposed skeleton, but was actually hard metal. The same material also made up its claws, and the rings around its four ankles. "Lairrrrr!" it roared.

"Use Tackle on that tree, now!" Immediately, Lairon charged at the dead wood and slammed against it with enough force to snap the tree in two, but not enough to disintegrate it. The log fell across the river, creating a makeshift bridge for the three men, who crossed over it one by one. As expected, they were not met with much resistance, except for a lone mercenary that was quickly polished off by a swish from Hector's axe. Meanwhile, Eliwood marched up to the nearby village to warn the locals. However, as he entered the gates...

"This will never do! Look at the time!" A blue-haired man rushed past him hurriedly, holding an assortment of items in his arms. A peculiar blue creature waddled behind him. "I must leave for Caelin now, or my business will be ruined!" he was saying to himself. "Time is money, after all! Hurry hurry! Rush rush rush!"

"Hm?" Eliwood looked down to see a pile of sticks coated in pitch lying at his feet. "Hey!" he shouted at the fleeting figure. "Hold on there! You've dropped something!" Too late. The stranger was already earshot. Shrugging, Eliwood picked up the sticks and proceeded to inform the village head of the battle.


"We're being outnumbered, General Marcus!" Lowen cried over the sounds of fighting. "Reinforcements are swarming from the fortresses to the south! It looks..."

"A knight of Pherae must never falter, Lowen! Keep your head on!" reminded the veteran knight. "We must disable their movements; only then can we handle them with ease. Rebecca!"

"Yes, sir!" nodded the archer. "Roselia, Stun Spore!"

"Roooo!" The floral Pokémon crowed as it danced in the air, scattering yellow powder over the incoming soldiers. This resulted in stopping the attackers right in their tracks, completely unable to move, much less attack.

"All right!" cheered Bartre. "This is where I come in! Zangoose!"

"Zan!" The Cat Ferret Pokémon grinned. It was time for action. Zangoose was then quickly joined by Poliwhirl and Aipom as they launched their offensive techniques. At the same time, Shadow was visiting a village nestled between two groups of hills.

"Hello, young man," wheezed an old woman wearing a dark blue cloak. "You've come to warn the village of the battle, have you not?"

"Yes, ma'am," answered Shadow, concealing his surprise at her quick judgement.

"Ah, what good timing," she chuckled. "Would you try this for me?" Her frail, bony hand stretched over to Shadow's, and left a capsule that fit nicely in his palm.

"What's this?" Shadow asked. The look in Grim's red iris told the tactician that he had no idea either as to what the item was.

"It's an invention of a great witch! Me!" said the old woman proudly. "It's a mine. It contains some very explosive magic. Hide it on the ground, and when an enemy steps on it... KA-BOOOOM!" She suddenly stretched out her arms to demonstrate the intensity of the resulting scenario, surprising the tactician and his Duskull. "Hee hee hee..."

"Well... that is rather useful," Shadow breathed.

"I'm still testing them, so that one's free," smiled the witch. "Do tell me how it works after you use it."

"After... I use it?" The tactician stared confusedly at the woman. "But my group will be leaving Santaruz soon..."

"Oh, I'm quite sure you'll be able to tell me next time... Shadow." With that, the old witch returned to the village, leaving a very confused Shadow and Grim behind.


Meanwhile, Matthew, Dorcas and Bartre had just finished off most of the attackers. By now only several soldiers guarding the castle, as well as the Sacaen swordsman, were left. "Here they come, Nincada," whispered the myrmidon as he saw Matthew and Aipom racing towards him. "Yaaaaah!" he yelled, raising his sword above his head, ready to strike.

"Nincada!" The Bug Pokémon jumped off his shoulder, flapping its small wings.

"Hold on!" exclaimed Matthew, causing him, the swordsman and their Pokémon to skid to a halt, barely half a metre away from each other. "You! I know you! Isn't your name Guy?" he said, pointing at the Sacaen.

"It's..." Guy stared at the Ostian spy, then remembered who he was. "Is that you, Matthew?"

"What a pleasant surprise!" smiled the thief, appearing to be completely oblivious as to where he was and what he was supposed to be doing. "How's your swordwork coming?"

"You are aware this isn't the best time to be catching up, aren't you?" Guy reminded uneasily. "You and I... we're on opposite sides here."

"What?" Matthew put on a shocked face. "Are you saying you're going to fight me?"

"I... Well, yeah. I'm much improved. You can't beat me," Guy said determinedly as he pointed his blade at Matthew.

"You're quite a terror, Guy," smirked Matthew. "Well then... Hold on!" He suddenly put his thumb and index finger to his chin, grinning deviously. A spark of mischief danced around in his brown eyes. "I think I'd prefer it if you repaid what you owe me."

"Huh?" Guy's eyebrow twitched.

"Last time I saw you, I gave you food. If I remember correctly, you said you owe me your life," Matthew continued, still grinning.

"I only said that 'cause you said you'd feed me if I did!" protested Guy. "I hadn't eaten in ten days, and you were cooking meat! You... this... this isn't fair!"

"The people of Sacae never lie." The cheery thief folded his arms, reminding Guy of one of his people's most famous maxims. "Isn't that right, Guy?"

"Grrr... Fine!" Guy grumbled. "I finally find work, and now I have to throw it away! This is all your fault!"

"Hey!" By now Shadow and the rest had crossed the bridge. "What's going on?"

"Not much," shrugged Matthew. "Just met up with an old friend of mine."


"What's this? You've made it this far?" smirked the black knight as Hector and Eliwood approached him. "Ah, I paid too much for that worthless pack of sellswords!"

"Where is Marquess Santaruz?" demanded Eliwood.

"I imagine he's on his way to a better place," sniggered Boies. "Gehah! Geh heh hehhh!"

"Wretched cur!" Eliwood growled as he drew his rapier. Hector took out his Wolf Beil, and the two lordly friends charged.

"Ha!" Boies merely grinned as he flung out a Pokéball right in front of Eliwood and Hector. As the white beam materialised into flesh, a clanging sound was heard as weapons clashed against what seemed like hard rock. "What!" exclaimed Hector.

When the light had vanished, Eliwood and Hector saw that their weapons had collided with the thick exterior of an elephant Pokémon. Its grey body was shielded with a greyish-green hide that extended from its trunk to its tail, and also covered its ears. Two long, sharp tusks protruded from above its mouth.

"Donphan!" shouted Boies. "Flail!"

"Dooon!" Waving its trunk, Donphan threw Eliwood and Hector backwards. "UNGH!"

"Lord Eliwood!" "Lord Hector!" Marcus and Oswin went up to see if their lords were alright.

"Donphan, finish them! Fissure!" At its new command, the Armour Pokémon raised its trunk and brought it down, causing the earth to shake and the ground to crack. Just as everyone was going to be consumed by the incoming crevice...

"Lairon! Now!" cried Oswin. Lairon immediately jumped in front, as the crack was about to hit Eliwood's group. Suddenly, the crack abruptly stopped in front of Lairon.

"Eh? What..." Boies was confused. "What's going on!"

"It's Lairon's Sturdy!" Shadow realised. "Lairon's fortitude prevents attacks such as Fissure from working!"

"Grrrr... Lairon!" The black knight raised his hand. "Use Rollout, now!" Donphan curled itself into a ball and charged at Lairon with a thunderous noise.

"Lairon! Counter with Iron Defence!" Oswin shouted. As Donphan collided with it, Lairon's armour began to shine even more than ever in the sunlight. The two Pokémon smashed against each other with a jarring sound, as Donphan's strength matched Lairon's defences. However, after half a minute, Donphan zoomed through Lairon and knocked it aside.

"Donphan's Rollout attack gathers intensity over time!" exclaimed Shadow. "Now that its strength and speed have peaked, it's completely unstoppable!"

"Geh heh heh heh... Donphan! Mow them down!" cackled Boies. Donphan made several abrupt turns, the friction causing the surrounding grass to smoke a little, and charged back at Eliwood's group, throwing them into the surrounding trees.

"If this keeps up... we'll be flattened, or broken apart, in no time..." Shadow muttered weakly as he struggled to get up.

"Kull! Duskull!" Grim pointed excitedly at Shadow's pocket. The tactician reached into it, and felt the mine he had received earlier on. Suddenly, a plan began to form in his mind.

"Guy!" he shouted, beckoning to the myrmidon. "I need you and your Nincada to... pssst... pssst pssst..."

"Alright," Guy nodded nervously as they put Shadow's idea into motion.

"What? You're still standing?" Boies sneered. Just then, Guy's Nincada appeared on the horizon as Donphan made another round next to the black knight. "And how do you think you're going to stop my Donphan with that?" he laughed. "Donphan! Destroy the little pest!"

"Doooon!" The Ground-type rumbled as it rolled towards the little bug hovering in the air.

"Nincada! Mind Reader!" shouted Guy. Nincada gazed in Donphan's direction, focusing on the looming Pokémon. A split second before Donphan struck, Nincada seemed to quickly fly backwards, as Donphan was suddenly blew sky high!

"Ah!" Boies gasped as Donphan fell to the ground with a resounding thud. "How, what..."

"Although Nincada has lost most of its sight as a result of living underground, it still can detect the presence, attack pattern, speed and timing of enemies using Mind Reader," explained Shadow. "Just as Donphan approached it, Nincada dropped the mine it was holding, causing Donphan to fly upwards!" Pointing to the two lords, Shadow ordered, "Lord Eliwood! Lord Hector! Now!"

"Iron Tail!" shouted Hector. "Metal Claw!" commanded Eliwood. Squirtle and Charmander lunged as their respective appendages began to glow...

"GACK!" Boies gasped in pain. Squirtle's metallic tail slammed into his armour, breaking it into several chunks, while Charmander delivered a critical blow that ripped his stomach. Still, a huge evil grin was plastered on the black knight's face as he collapsed. "You've beaten me... but you're too late to save him... Too... too bad, eh, laddie? Geha ha... geha! Urk..."


"Lord Helman!" cried Eliwood frantically as his party searched the castle.

"...Is that you... Eliwood?" The marquess of Santaruz called weakly as Eliwood entered what used to be Ephidel's living quarters in the castle.

"Hold on, my lord!" Slowly but gently, Eliwood lifted the dying marquess onto a chair.

"I... I must apologise... Your father... he..." Helman began to speak, but energy was ebbing away from his body.

"Do you know something, sir?" Eliwood asked anxiously.

"I... ... If I hadn't told Elbert... about... Darin's plans..." Helman moaned at his mistake as his life flashed in front of his eyes. "This would... never... have... cough cough..."

"Lord Helman!" Eliwood was shocked. Marquess Santaruz did not have much time left...

"...Go to Laus..." said Helman softly. "Darin... the marquess of Laus... knows all..."

"Marquess Laus?" Eliwood repeated. So Marcus' guess had not been wrong...

"I'm sorry, Eliwood..." Helman apologised again. "I... I can't..."

"Hold on!" urged Eliwood, but it was too late.

"Beware... the Black Fang..." With a final whisper, Helman closed his eyes. Eliwood stared. He could not believe what had happened.

"Lord Helman!" screamed the Pheraen youth. By now Hector had already entered the room, and witnessed Helman's final moments.

"He's gone..." said Hector sadly as he checked the marquess' pulse.

"It can't be..." Eliwood's mind was filled with a wildly churning storm of confused emotions. Slowly, bit by bit, he realised that one of the most memorable parts of his childhood was lost forever... and he had to accept that fact.


A small group of people huddled sadly in Lord Helman's bedroom. Hector had carried the former marquess in his arms and laid him on his bed as a final sign of respect.

"Lord Helman..." Eliwood closed his eyes to stop the tears from flowing through. "Why... why did this happen?"

"Blast! What is going on?" Hector cursed.

"...We go to Laus," said Eliwood firmly once he felt the tears flow back. "We must speak to the marquess of Laus, Lord Darin."

"You're right," agreed Hector. "We should leave quickly. I'm not sure how far we can get today, but I can't sit still."

"It's decided then," nodded Shadow. "Our next stop is Laus."

"Pardon me..." A voice came from the door.

"Hm?" Hector turned to see a middle-aged man dressed in green noble's clothes standing in the doorway. "If I may?" he asked.

"Who are you?" asked Eliwood.

"I'm the steward of Santaruz," replied the man. "With our lord gone, what are we to do?"

"First, you give Lord Helman a proper burial," answered Hector. "After that... I'm sure the Lycian Council will have to meet. Stay here and defend the castle until you hear more."

"I understand," bowed the steward as he exited the room.

"Let's go," Eliwood nodded. "We must keep moving."

"Yes... and now we seek answers for Marquess Santaruz, too," Hector said grimly as he led the others out. One by one, Eliwood's company departed, all except for Eliwood himself.

"...Lord Helman..." Eliwood took one last glance at one of his father's closest friends. "May you find peace."

To be continued...


Imppala: Dude, how many times do I have to tell you, that witch in Santaruz is NOT HANNAH!
ShadowedTactician: Yeah, well, what's wrong with a bit of self-insertion. Like it's my fault they have equal sprites...I'll work on a better explanation later.
Imppala: Bah...
Grim: ...Review.