ShadowedTactician: And... here comes the new chapter.
Imppala: Finally! I've been waiting for... Elimine knows how long.
ShadowedTactician: Quit yammering! Do you have any idea how much work I have to go through now!
Imppala: Can't be as bad as mine...
Grim: Hey, are we gonna do review replies or not?

Gijinka Renamon
ShadowedTactician: Thanks for the review!

RubyVulpix
ShadowedTactician: Actually, Ruby, I typically use the Neo-Gym format for my cards, since the Advance-style doesn't really allow for owners unlike Gym cards, which have spaces for figureheads. So that means no Pokémon EX. Speaking of which, I've finished 15 cards for FE: Dragon's Gate... out of... 146.
Imppala: I told you to work on the fiction!

Elven-girl10
ShadowedTactician: Thanks for the review... (turns to Imppala) What's wrong with my grammar?
Imppala: Hm? I don't care... as long as someone appreciates you suffering... heh heh heh.

Imppala
ShadowedTactician: What's this about scrutinising my name choice? Mechaquila fits the concept of Skarmory perfectly!
Imppala: Yeah... but which sensible pegasus knight would name her flying friend that?
ShadowedTactician: Stow it! I let you get the 100th review! You should be happy, desperado!
Imppala: I wasn't desperate, I was BORED!
Grim: ...And since when did you have a Thunderbolt barrage?
Electrike: Right about NOW!
Grim: Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!

Samantha
ShadowedTactician: ...At least someone appreciates my work.
Imppala: ...Right.
Grim: Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!

Jeanie
Electrike: (stops Thunderbolting Grim) I second that! And now, on with the chapter...
Grim: (falls to ground) Ow...


Chapter 19x: Imprisoner of Magic/VS Raichu

With Uhai's dying words still sounding in their ears, Eliwood's group ventures deep into the forest's heart. Lyn leads everyone on in utmost silence, cautious not to alert any hidden enemy. However, following on her path, a new Black Fang shadow appears...
"A great, rotted tree..." muttered Eliwood as the three lords and two tacticians stood around the said landmark. "This would appear to be the place of which Uhai spoke."

"So if we move west from here, we'll reach the Dragon's Gate, right?" asked Lyn.

"Okay, let's go!" ordered Hector. Everyone else began to move on, all except Eliwood, who was moping a little.

"Lord Eliwood, are you well?" Marcus asked. "You have a pallid look about you..."

"...Oh, it's you, Marcus," Eliwood said, having been shaken from his thoughts.

"Is something amiss?" continued Marcus.

"You heard what Erik said when we were in Laus, Marcus..." sighed Eliwood. "What do you think?"

"That Lord Elbert was involved in a rebellion plot?" Marcus recalled.

"Yes," Eliwood answered.

"It must be a mistake," said the veteran knight firmly. "Your father is loyal to Lycia. He'd never break his oath."

"You're right. I can't he'd be involved in this conspiracy," murmured the redhead. "Yet... why do I feel so anxious? When I think of my father, I can't catch my breath..."

"Lord Eliwood, do not mistake your feelings," reassured Marcus. "That feeling that strikes you when you think of Lord Elbert? It springs not from a distrustful heart. It comes from concern for your father, who needs your help. He is involved in something larger than all of us. This is all happening so fast; it's easy to lose sight of that."

"I see..." nodded Eliwood. "You... You're right. Thank you, Marcus. I feel a lot better," he smiled.

"I'm glad to be of service," replied Marcus. "Bah. The air on this accursed isle... it's disquieting."

"...It feeds on the despair already lurking in our hearts," Eliwood commented. "If you hadn't been here for me, Marcus, I..."

"Eh? Something is happening ahead," noted the paladin.

"It's Hector," confirmed Eliwood as he squinted into the distance. "Let's go!"


"Hector, hold a moment," called Lyn. "What?" asked Hector irritably.

"Walk quietly. Your armour is too noisy," remarked the plainsgirl.

"Oh!" Gently, the Ostian lord tried walking a few more steps. "How's this?"

"You're still clanking," Lyn frowned.

"Do you see what I'm wearing? This equipment is not light!" Hector yelled. "How do you propose I walk 'quietly' in this?"

"Stop yelling at me!" shouted Lyn. "It's because of that clattering armour you're wearing! I'm just saying we have to move cautiously. Nothing more!"

"I know! And I'm saying that I'm doing my best!" retorted Hector.

"Quiet, both of you!" chastised Eliwood as he came running. "Armour or no, if you two keep shouting like that, every enemy from here to Pherae itself will hear us!"

"Ah..." Lyn stepped backwards, blushing with embarrassment. "Sorry," Hector muttered.

"We must proceed with caution," warned the Pheraen noble, signalling to the others to move on. "I can't believe Uhai was the only Black Fang in these woods."

Meanwhile, beyond the western hills, a green-haired sage stood in some ruins, waiting for a report from one of his minions...

"Lord Aion, we've received word from the pegasus unit," said the reporting mage. "Targets are approaching from the far side of that mountain to the east."

"Hmph... Uhai must've failed after all," muttered Aion. "I'm not surprised. We're talking about the shallow wisdom of a Sacaen nomad, after all. He possessed a certain rough talent, but no mind for planning. Our units are in place, are they not?"

"Yes," answered the mage.

"Ha ha... Good. Very good," Aion gloated. "In confined spaces like this, my thunder magic devastates. The battle has already been won... I cannot lose. Combat is an equation. Those with intelligence have a natural advantage. Those imbeciles will not reach the Dragon's Gate," he swore. "Never. I will bury them here in this forest!"

At the same time, Eliwood's group had just re-emerged from the forest...

"I can see ruins," muttered Eliwood, squinting into the distance. "Is that the Dragon's Gate?" Pausing to notice Ninian leaning on his shoulder, he asked gently, "Ninian, are you alright?"

"...Beware!" whispered the young dancer as she opened her eyes. "...The enemy comes!"

"Enemy?" Suddenly, a shaman in brown robes appeared in front of them. "Eliwood of Pherae! Prepare yourself!" he warned, before vanishing back into thin air.

"We won't reach the Dragon's Gate if we stay on the defensive," Eliwood frowned. "Hit their commander, and attack the ruins!"

"Looks like their commander's a pretty solid magic user," mused Hector as he studied Aion's outfit from afar. "Bah, I'm still not confident against mages and their ilk."

"Is that so, Hector?" smirked Eliwood. "Perhaps you should hold back a little then..."

"What nonsense is that? I can't fight from the rear!" Hector retorted.

"No, I just meant that sometimes it's advantageous to..." Eliwood tried to calm his friend down, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Why waste good breath on words when there's fighting to be done!" Shoving Eliwood aside, Hector brandished his Wolf Beil and beckoned to Oswin, Matthew and Serra. "C'mon!" With no other alternative, the three followed their liege, who led the charge.

"Wait! Hector!" Sighing, Eliwood slapped his forehead. "...Why do I even try?"


"Well, it looks like we'd better give chase to them," muttered Imppala. "Who knows what Lord Hector might do, rushing off like that..."

"Just give Hannah a moment," piped up Shadow as he passed the old woman some coins. "She'll be coming up with her augury in a few seconds."

"This place... It is filled with a dreadful air. Thick with menace..." mumbled Hannah. "You must beware magical attacks. They will not attack from the front... if you wait, though, something may happen. For good or for ill, that I cannot say... I can see no more."

"Hmmm... From what information we have, I'd suggest we send all our units with high magic resistance to lead the troops," Shadow began. "Once we manage to catch up with Lord Hector, we'll assemble once more for a full-fledged assault on the enemy commander!"

"Sounds like a good plan to me!" Raising his hands, Imppala beckoned everyone to gather round. "You heard Shadow! Let's find Lord Hector and make this quick!"


"Raaaah!" Wildly, Hector sunk his axe into another Black Fang knight. The others, especially Oswin, were struggling just to keep up. "Squirtle, use Water Gun!"

"Squirrr!" The Tinyturtle Pokémon launched a forceful pillar of water that smashed into several mages.

"Lord Hector's drive for victory is scaring me..." panted Serra. "What's gotten into..."

"Shhh!" hushed Oswin. "I'm guessing it's because of..." Not wanting to mention any names, the general pointed to Matthew, who was oblivious to the conversation. "Lord Hector must feel responsible for her death, and wants to make up for it..."

"Oh..." Before Serra could say anything else, a lightning bolt came down from the sky, striking down Squirtle. "Squirrrrrrr!"

"No!" Quickly, Hector rushed over to pick Squirtle up. "Was that... Bolting?"

"Hahahahahahaha!" Further away, Aion was laughing at his first hit. "Thunder! Thunder, hear my cry!" he called, flipping through his Bolting tome. A small orb of electricity began to gather in his hand, growing bigger and bigger... before suddenly fizzling out.

"Wha... what?" he exclaimed. "The magic power of this place... the source is... distorted... I can't use any of my magic!" Aion cried out in dismay, frantically trying his spells over and over again. Several of the mage minions also attempted to cast fire and thunder attacks, but to no avail.

"Lord Aion! Disaster!" rushed in one of the mages. "A magic seal!"

"A magic..." A few seconds went by before Aion realised who the mage was talking about. "That good-for-nothing has shown his face? Curses... I'd not forseen this!"

Meanwhile, the magic seal himself was giving out orders...

"Are the snipers and knights in place?" he asked.

"They are all ready, Lord Kishuna!" replied Shedinja, albeit in perfect Shedinjese.

"Good, good." Kishuna nodded, "Soon those foolish lords will find themselves completely unable to use any form of magic... and Lord Nergal will be pleased with me at last."


"Still under the weather, are you Lucius?" asked Raven as the troops marched on.

"No, I'm better now," assured the monk quickly. "Sorry to be such a... burden..."

"Something you want to say to me, then?" smirked the mercenary.

"Ah!" Lucius exclaimed as he hid his blush. "How did you know?"

"Just look at your face!" Raven growled, pushing Lucius' arm aside. "It's about the revenge on Ostia, isn't it?"

"Y-Yes..." nodded Lucius. "Is... is there no way your heart can be changed?"

"If I wanted to change how I felt, I wouldn't be here," replied Raven curtly.

"The marquess of Cornwell and his wife... they were very important to me..." sighed the Elimine acolyte. "I feel such sadness when I think they are gone... yet still!"

"Settling this grudge will not bring them back. Should we bury Hector to spite Ostia, that would just give rise to more hate," the mercenary reluctantly muttered.

"If you understand, then why do you proceed?" asked Lucius in near exasperation. "Tell me... why?"

"Two summers have passed since the house of Cornwell was destroyed. You tell me to forget the crime that was committed," stated Raven in a quiet, deadly voice. "Have the teachings of the benevolent gods given you the strength to love thine enemy?"

"No... That's not it, Lord Raymond!" Lucius protested.

"I... I have no such strength," Raven continued. "And I think we were no more than a temporary family to you. Is that it?"

"Lord Raymond, listen to me!" begged the monk. "You're wrong, it's just that I..."

"If you have objections to my actions, you need not come. That's what you want, isn't it?" said Raven as he proceeded to leave "Go where you will!"

"Lord Raymond!" Lucius tried to catch up, but the atmosphere was certainly taking a toll on him. Struggling, he managed to find his way to another set of ruins to rest for a while. Just as he sat down on the withered steps, Lucius suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey!" he exclaimed.

"Don't be frightened. I am not your enemy," spoke a calm voice. Looking up, Lucius saw that the hand belonged to a green-haired man also dressed in religious clothing. "Huh?"

"My name is Renault. I'm on a pilgrimage," introduced the man.

"What? A bishop?" Alarmed, Lucius quickly stood up. "Please, forgive me! I didn't know, but my behaviour was..."

"What are you doing here?" asked Renault. "You don't appear to be with the black-robed group I saw earlier."

"...We are here to fight that group," replied Lucius.

"To fight?" Renault frowned. "There is no reason one such as you..."

"It's for very dear people... I am protecting someone," Lucius explained nervously. "Please, Your Excellency... forgive me. I... I..."

"I'm sure that I cannot convince you to lay down your arms," sighed the bishop. "That being the case, I give you this."

"What is it?" wondered Lucius, as Renault passed him a little white statue.

"It may help you live longer," explained Renault. "Even if you face the misery of defeat in combat, you might yet find another road if you but live."

"Th-Thank you," bowed the monk. "Truly, thank you."

"May the forces of goodness surround you always," Renault blessed.

"Thank you," Lucius nodded. "Blessings upon you too, Your Excellency."


Meanwhile, Dart and Wil were having a less-than-friendly conversation after they had been ordered to guard Merlinus' tent...

"I've finally found you, you cad!" growled Dart. "Today is the last day of your life! Prepare yourself!"

"Dan!" shouted Wil, trying to calm the corsair down. "I mean... not Dan... Pirate guy! Da, da... Dark!"

"It's Dart, you idiot!" the pirate corrected through clenched teeth.

"Yeah, right..." Wil muttered. "So, um... what do you want with me?"

"Well, I kind of owe you one from earlier..." Dart began. "Or maybe a few... Yeah, I owe you a few whacks with this here axe!"

"A few whacks, huh... I'll, uhh, pass," declined the archer nervously.

"Who asked you, chum-for-brains?" snarled Dart. "These people are driving me nuts!"

"Look out! The enemy!" Wil pointed as he spotted several pegasus knights coming over the mountain range. "Look, I'm kind of busy right now... Maybe next time, eh, Darth?"

"Hold on! It's Dart, you ignorant toad!" Dart shouted, chasing after the fleeing archer. "Yarr! Come back here!"


"Hurry up, Serra!" urged Hector as he and the other two males fought off incoming Fangs.

"I'm trying, I'm trying!" replied the cleric in an infuriated voice. "But something is interfering with my magic staff! Oooh... this is so annoying!"

"Whatever the problem is, we can't wait," noted Matthew as he and Aipom drew out some vulneraries. "It's time to share out the emergency reserves!"

"Thanks, Matthew." Quickly, Hector and Oswin poured the contents of the healing salves over themselves.

"Hector! We're here!" called Eliwood as his team drew near.

"About time!" Hector nodded. "It's time we finished off this Black Fang knave!"

"Curses!" swore Aion, stamping his feet in frustration. "Those imbeciles are almost here, and I still can't use any magic! Never mind... I still have one final resort!" Bringing out a Pokéball from his cloak, he flung it on the ground. "Raichu!" he shouted. From the white beam that emerged materialised an orange mouse with black ears, paws and tail. The tail ended in a sharp-looking lightning bolt, matching the Pokémon's yellow cheeks, each of which was fizzling with electricity.

"Looks like magic isn't that knave's only weapon!" noted Hector as he and the others drew near.

"Raichu!" Aion ordered. "Use your Iron Tail!"

"Rai-CHU!" Raising its glowing tail like an axe, Raichu swung the lightning-shaped appendage onto the ground, releasing a monstrous electrical discharge that seared through the ground.

"WAAAAH!" Everyone was brutally blasted around as the electric surge exploded in front of them like a mine. "Squirtle!" Hector yelled. "Use your..."

"Lord Hector, don't be rash!" objected Shadow. "That Raichu is an Electric-type Pokémon! Squirtle can't possibly be a match for a Pokémon of such power!"

"Shadow's right!" agreed Oswin. "But I have just the Pokémon to deal with it! Go, Aggron!"

"Go, Baltoy!" shouted Canas, catching the general's drift. Both the Iron Armour and Clay Doll Pokémon came out of their Pokéballs. "EARTHQUAKE!" commanded the two.

"GROOOON!" "Baltoy!" Aggron raised its feet and stomped on the ground, while Baltoy slammed the earth with its ceramic limbs. The result was a huge crevice that raced towards Raichu at an alarming speed.

"Counter attack, Raichu!" The electric Mouse Pokémon concentrated, creating a protective aura which returned the crevice back to Aggron and Baltoy at twice the impact.

"Aggron, return!" Oswin recalled his Pokémon before it got hit by its own attack. Baltoy on the other hand was unaffected due to its levitating powers. "It's up to you now, Baltoy!" called Canas.

"Heh! Raichu, Thunderbolt!" smirked Aion. Raichu tensed up, sending a powerful jolt of electricity at Baltoy. "BAL!" cried Baltoy as it was struck down.

"What! How can this be?" exclaimed the shaman. "Is his Raichu's power so exceedingly high that it can even affect Ground-type Pokémon?..."

"It's time for a quality over quantity attack!" shouted Imppala. "Everyone attack!"

"GO!" Everyone else without Water-type or Flying-type Pokémon released their own Pokémon in a charge against Aion's Raichu.

"Charge!" At Aion's command, Raichu stuck its tail into the air and began to gather electricity from the surroundings. As the team of Pokémon came closer, they abruptly collapsed, one by one, completely unable to move.

"They've all been paralysed!" Shadow informed with dismay. "Could it be..."

"Hahahahaha!" laughed the sage. "Your Pokémon have all fallen victim of my Raichu's Static, which in turn has been powered up by it's Charge!" Pointing to his Pokémon, Aion gave another order, "Shock Wave!"

"RAICHU!" Howling, Raichu let fly an explosion of energy, throwing all the other Pokémon backwards.

"Argh! There's gotta be another way to counter that Raichu..." grimaced Shadow. Just then...

"Imppala! Does Electrike have any energy left?" asked the green tactician.

"I'm not sure... can you still fight, Electrike?" questioned Imppala. "Trike!" nodded the Electric Pokémon.

"Alright! In that case, we need Electrike and Baltoy for this!" Shadow briefly passed on his idea to Imppala and Canas, who nodded in agreement. "Go, Electrike! Baltoy!" ordered the tactician and shaman.

"Still ready for more? Alright!" The Black Fang sage raised his hand. "Raichu, Charge and Thunderbolt!"

"Raaaaaai!" Once again, Raichu began to collect electric power with its tail to ready its final assault. "Raichu!"

"Electrike! Lightningrod!" yelled Imppala as the Thunderbolt was released. As it dashed across the grass, Electrike stuck its tail into the air, drawing the electric attack towards it. "LEC!" Electrike yelped in pain as it absorbed the electricity.

"What! You... You..." Aion could only stutter at his failed plan. The Thunderbolt had knocked out Electrike, but it also missed Baltoy completely!

"Baltoy, Psychic!" commanded Canas. Baltoy thrust its arms forward, firing a barrage of psychokinetic waves at Raichu, sending it flying back at Aion. "What are you doing!" screamed the sage.

"Wrap them up with Raichu's tail!" Without much trouble, Baltoy manipulated Raichu's end appendage like a piece of string, neatly tying up Aion and his Pokémon. Just then, the sage and Raichu erupted with blistering electricity, causing Aion to yell in agony.

"Raichu's electric energy is discharged from its tail!" explained Shadow. "Anything that comes into contact with it will be shocked by the direct current... even Raichu itself!"

"Ah!..." Aion groaned as he fell to the ground. His skin was completely charred from the massive electric shock and what was left of his hair was smouldering. "This can't be... happening..."

While Aion was drawing his last breath, Kishuna and Shedinja had witnessed everything from a distance. "Lord Aion has fallen," noted Shedinja. "...Should we also depart?"

"...I suppose so," muttered Kishuna in his mind. "No use staying where others have failed. We may have to take his blame."

With that, both stranger and Pokémon vanished...


"Is everyone well?" asked Eliwood, once everyone had gathered. "Yes, somehow," muttered Hector, as he tended to Squirtle's Bolting injuries. Everyone else was also trying to help their damaged Pokémon in one way or another. "Eliwood, I'm sorry," Lyn suddenly apologised. "I said things I shouldn't have."

"No, I was shouting without thinking. I was wrong," Hector admitted. "Forgive me."

"No, it was my fault," insisted Lyn. "If I hadn't..."

"It's no one's fault," interrupted Eliwood. "There's an eerie power here."

"Eerie power?" repeated Hector.

"I don't feel it any longer, but... it was meant to make us uneasy," Eliwood frowned. "Was it connected to that area where magic was nullified?"

"Now that you mention it, I was so irritable..." Lyn recalled. "I couldn't let even the smallest thing go by without complaining... What could that have been?" she wondered. "The Black Fang couldn't use magic either. So it wasn't an ally of theirs..."

"Who knows?" shrugged Eliwood.

"It's gone now, so no sense in worrying about it," Hector agreed. "We should concentrate on pushing forward."

"Mm. Let's make haste to the Dragon's Gate," nodded the Pheraen lordling.


ShadowedTactician: And that's the end of Chapter 19 Gaiden... or is it?
Imppala: It should be! You never laid a finger on Kishuna!
ShadowedTactician: Do you think any of them could kill him in a real-life situation? They didn't even notice them! Look at Yoshimo's parody! They went to A Glimpse in Time all the same!
Imppala: ...That my problem?
Grim: Ow...
Electrike: Review!