ShadowedTactician: (comes into the room with Chapter 20 in tow, panting heavily, and collapses onto the floor)
Grim:...Ouch.
Imppala: Now I somewhat understand what he's gotta go through. Electrike, retrieve the chapter. Grim, get him to a stretcher or something.
As Electrike brings his master the new story addition like a dog bringing in the paper, Grim uses his Psychic to levitate ShadowedTactician onto a bed.
Imppala: And now, first things first...

Gijinka Renamon
Imppala: Certain event in the future, hmm. What could she possibly be waiting for?
Grim: Search me. Introducing of Legault, Elbert kicking the bucket, and a truckload of other major plot turns and twists... Heck, she could be waiting for every one.
Imppala: I'm hoping it's Ephidel inventing the flame-grill.

Elven-girl10
Imppala: Actually, you'd have to get through quite a bit there. For starters, 19x Part 2 is only available in Hector mode, and... ah, well, I'll let you find out the rest for yourself.

RubyVulpix
Imppala: ...Didn't ShadowedTactician mention that Dart had a "red lobster-like creature with huge pincers" in Chapter 17x?
Electrike: I dunno... Why don't you go ask him?
The small Electric-type is interrupted as ShadowedTactician attempts to rap out the National Pokédex beyond Celebi (failingly) in his fevered delirium.
Electrike: ...Okay, scratch that.

Imppala
Imppala: ...How am I supposed to reply to myself? Man, I wish ShadowedTactician were up and running...

TedToss64
Imppala: Glad you liked it, Ted. No, I don't think ShadowedTactician would want to write a Pokémonised version of another Fire Emblem. That'd mean another Pokémon card expansion series, and... you get the idea. He has made a list of who gets what though. Maybe you'd want him to send it over?

Jeanie
Imppala: Duskull-hater? Now why would she call me that?
Grim: (sarcastically) Gee, I simply can't imagine why.


Chapter 20: Dragon's Gate/VS Nidoking

Following Uhai's last words, Eliwood ventures towards the heart of the forest. He is greeted by an extraordinary sight. A building unlike any he's ever seen. It was clearly not wrought by human hands. It is waiting... waiting for the masters who abandoned it centuries past. Massive beyond belief, these ancient ruins have nothing to do with humankind.

Eliwood has arrived. He has found the Dragon's Gate.


"...We're here. The Dragon's Gate," announced the Pheraen lord as everyone entered the ancient building. They could see the mouldy, ornately carved walls, giving a mysterious feel to the atmosphere. Ninian, on the other hand, was shaking in her shoes.

"What's wrong, Ninian?" asked Eliwood. "You're trembling..."

"...This place... So frightening..." mumbled Ninian. "Something... powerful..."

"It's her power, isn't it?" Lyn mused.

"Her power? What's that?" inquired Hector.

"Ninian has the ability to sense impending danger," explained Lyn. "Her memory may be gone, but her power remains."

"What is it you sense, Ninian?" Eliwood questioned.

"I... should not have... come here..." the dancer whispered. "Something awful will happen if I'm here... Ah!" Suddenly, as if she was hit by something, Ninian reeled across the ground, clutching her head in absolute terror.

"Ninian? Snap out of it!" shouted Eliwood as he helped her to her feet, but Ninian clung to him like a baby to its mother, trembling like a leaf. "This place... No... I... I..."

"She's getting worse!" yelled the lordling, beckoning to the others. "Let's get her away from here!"

"You'll not be going anywhere." A voice suddenly rang out, stopping everyone in their tracks. The voice was subsequently followed by a blinding light, of which a man dressed in sage's robes stepped out of. At once, everyone could feel an eerie chill descend upon the place, and Ninian could only let her arms fall beside her. Her eyes were transfixed on the new figure, unable to turn away.

"That little bird has escaped this island cage twice," pointed the man. "Now that she's back, she'll not be allowed to fly away again."

"Who are you!" demanded Eliwood, stepping protectively in front of Ninian.

"We meet at last," the man smiled unpleasantly. "I am Ephidel. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"You're Ephidel?" smirked Hector. "I've been looking forward to this."

"...Gallantly spoken," laughed Ephidel. "Of course, I know who you are. Marquess Ostia's younger brother, Lord Hector." Turning to face the third of the three Lycian lords, Ephidel went on, "And here we have Caelin's beloved princess, Lady Lyndis." The plainsgirl could say nothing except give Ephidel a cold, hard stare.

"By the way, the gift I left for you in the forest... was it to your liking?" Ephidel asked with a nasty grin. "The corpse of that filthy red-haired traitor?"

"Monster! Stay right there!" Hector growled as he brandished his Wolf Beil, while Matthew could only clench his fists in shock and rage. "I'm going to crush the life from you with my bare hands."

"Now I see! She was an Ostian spy, wasn't she?" gloated Ephidel. "Don't worry, she did not suffer. It only took one blow."

"Die!" Holding his favourite axe, the Ostian lordling charged forward and delivered a powerful slash, only to slice through thin air. "He vanished!" exclaimed Eliwood. Before anyone else realised what had happened, Ephidel had teleported behind Ninian, and grabbed the dancer girl by the arm. "Wha...?" gasped Ninian.

"This girl is needed for my master's ceremony," Ephidel stated simply.

"Ninian!" Eliwood yelled.

"Lord Eliwood!" screamed Ninian. "Let me go!" Bravely, the dancer tried to break free, but Ephidel's grip was firm. Grinning, the sage teleported into thin air along with his captive before Lyn could slash at him in time.

"Hyaaa!" Lyn hollered, but missed her mark completely. "Vanished..." was all she could say.

"Blast!" swore Hector.


"Lord Ephidel!" exclaimed Darin, sitting at a throne as the sage in question teleported into view. "Is the girl with you?"

"As you can see..." Smiling, Ephidel revealed the dancer girl in his grip.

"Oho! The ritual can take place at last!" Darin rubbed his hands in almost glee.

"Yes," nodded Ephidel. "However, we have an infestation of mice to deal with... they should be scurrying in here momentarily. They must be dealt with before the ritual takes place. May I entrust this task to you?"

"Of course! Who do you think I am?" said Darin, confidently thumping his armoured chest. "I am Darin, Marquess Laus! Ruler of this world!"

"Very well, I leave it to you," Ephidel bowed as he took his leave.

"Ruler of the world... Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" The despot laughed wildly to himself.

"Humans..." smirked Ephidel as he carried Ninian up a flight of steps. "They are so very fragile."


"Ah... you've done well. Precious Ephidel," chuckled Nergal as Ephidel climbed the final step, walked up to a intricately constructed portal and placed Ninian besides his master. "Shall we prepare for the ritual?"

"Nergal!" shouted Elbert from aside.

"Does it gall you, Marquess Pherae?" Nergal smirked. "It's destiny. There could be no other outcome. Despite all of your mischief, the girl was fated to return to me."

"My son... where is Eliwood?" Elbert demanded.

"He's still alive," came the answer. "Of course, it's only a matter of time before the Black Fang finishes him."

"Nergal!" snarled Elbert, dashing forward with a dagger. "Prepare to die!"

"Eh?" Before Nergal or anyone could react, Elbert had already charged at Nergal, ready to drive his weapon into Nergal's chest... before Jaffar silently appeared behind him and disarmed the lord with a quick twist of a wrist.

"Urrgg... grrr... haa!" Elbert cried out in pain as the assassin removed his weapon and restrained him.

"...That was a surprise. When did he undo his bonds?" mused Nergal, smiling. "Heh heh... why do you not heed my warnings, Lord Elbert? You cannot alter destiny. Stop this foolishness."

"...Urrgh...grraa..." The Pheraen lord attempted to escape, but Jaffar was skilled and held him tightly.

"Jaffar, take Marquess Pherae and the girl to the far chamber," Nergal ordered. "I will begin preparations for the ritual."

"Thy will be done," nodded Jaffar.


Outside, a paladin named Cameron, who was dressed in red armour, rode out to greet Eliwood. He was followed by a black and yellow rodent Pokémon with flames on its forehead and tail region. "I've been waiting for you, son of Pherae," he said with a smile that was anything but friendly.

"Where is my father?" demanded Eliwood.

"Inside... He's farther inside," pointed the paladin. "You'll never see him, though. Even if you break through here, the path you seek is guarded by Marquess Laus."

"Marquess Laus?" The three lords repeated in their minds.

"Will you not withdraw? It's too late for that, isn't it?" smirked Cameron. "You'll never leave here alive."

With that, the Black Fang paladin left with his Pokémon, laughing all the way...


"This is a terrible place. It fills me with... unease," shuddered Hannah. "Let's not be staying here too long, yes? Back to safer ground with us..."

"Are you crazy?" Hector nearly had to scream. "Eliwood's father is in there! We've beat so many Black Fang members, crossed treacherous seas and dark forests, just to rescue him! We're not going to abandon him now!"

"Ah. Not a quitter, eh? Bah. Your augury, then," Hannah grumbled. "You will pay the 60 gold?"

"Here," said Shadow as he passed the money over. Hannah cracked her knuckles, joined limbs with her Psychic bird Pokémon, and closed her eyes.

"...Aha... Powerful foes everywhere... Leave those with timid hearts behind," advised the fortune-teller. "Strong defence, and those with distance attacks. Those would be good to have. And rapiers, armourslayers, magic... These things you need... Ah, I can say no more."

"Alright! I've think I've got it," nodded Imppala. "Shadow, how's the map coming along?"

"Keep your hair on! Grim just came back a few seconds ago!" Holding a piece of paper, Shadow allowed his Duskull to use its ghostly flames to scorch markings on the paper to create a rough map.

"Hmmm..." Imppala rubbed his chin as he studied Grim's map. "For this one, we shall move forward as fast as possible to weed out all enemies. Matthew and Serra shall be in charge of opening doors, and Matthew in charge of opening chests. Respective keys will also be given out. Any questions?"

"Yes!" Serra raised her hand. "Why do I have to work with him? I wanna work with Erky!"

"Alright then. We shall proceed!" ordered the red tactician.

"Wait, Imppala!" called Shadow. "According to Grim's survey, there are a roughly equal number of enemies on both sides of the central room," he said as he pointed to various parts of the map. "The central room also has a damaged wall we can easily break through, as well as a staircase where enemies can pour from. In that case, I think it'd be better for me and some of the units to enter that room and wipe out the enemies on the other side."

"Fine with me," Imppala agreed. "I'll meet you outside the main gate leading to the throne once we're done."

"Okay!" Shadow nodded. "Let's move out!"


"Unlock!" commanded Serra, tapping her new staff on a door. A yellow-green flash enveloped the wooden barrier, and after a few seconds, it wasn't there anymore.

"Thanks, Serra!" called Sain as he rode in with Kent, followed by Lyn.

"ACK!" screamed a lone archer as he was speared by the cavalier's javelins.

"Nicely done, Kent!" praised the green knight. "I couldn't have killed him without your help!"

"Less talk and more action, Sain!" rebutted Kent, pointing to a staircase. "Now stand guard there and stop any enemy from coming out! Lady Lyndis and I will go out and handle anyone there."

"Hmph!" Sain grumbled as Lyn busted through the cracked wall, allowing she, Shadow and Kent to exit the room. "I'll bet he's just keeping Lady Lyndis to himself..."

Meanwhile, a person dressed in theif's gear had just landed himself in a corridor near Darin's throne. He had shoulder-length lilac hair tied with a violet headband, and two long scars across his eye. A Sneasel landed next to him, both making as little noise as possible.

"Hey, you!" shouted a myrmidon. "What are you doing there?"

"What am I doing? Is that a proper greeting?" smirked the thief. "If you don't know me, you must be a new recruit, yes?"

"Uh... I was assigned to the Dragon's Gate about a month ago," the myrmidon recalled.

"I thought as much," the thief sighed. "I am Legault. You've heard my name, yes?"

"Legault... Ah!" Gasping, the myrmidon took a few steps back. "You... You're the Hurricane? Second in ability to none but the Four Fangs?"

"Yes, yes. That's me," smiled Legault. "Sneasel!" said his Pokémon in agreement.

"I... I beg your pardon," stammered the unfortunate swordsman.

"No worries," Legault replied, allowing the myrmidon to go back to his place. "...Now then, time to fill our purses with treasure and leave the Black Fang behind," murmured the thief. "No sense staying on a sinking ship. No sense at all."

"Snea! Sneasel!" nodded the Sharp Claw Pokémon.


"Hyah!" yelled Hector, carving his way through knights and cavaliers with his trusty axe.

"Hector! Be careful!" shouted Eliwood, fearing for his friend's safety.

"Heads up!" warned Imppala. "Here comes the paladin!"

"I'll deal with him! Squirtle, Rapid Spin!" Hector ordered.

"Quilava!" commanded Cameron. "Overheat, now!"

"Quilava!" The Volcano Pokémon opened its mouth, releasing a powerful beam of heat energy that exploded as it caught the spinning Squirtle. "Squir!" Squirtle cried out in pain as it was thrown back by the blast.

"Ugh!" grunted Hector as Squirtle flew into his armour, knocking him back. "If not for this narrow corridor, I'd be able to take that blasted knave on! Now that Squirtle's been badly burned, we can only fight that Quilava in a one-on-one battle!"

"I'll handle this! Poliwhirl!" Dorcas called, sending out the Tadpole Pokémon. "Use Rain Dance!"

"Poli!" Using its abilities, Poliwhirl summoned a stormcloud which started to pour rain upon the battlefield. At once, Quilava began to feel discomfort as raindrops scattered on its body. "Now follow up with Bubblebeam!" Immediately, Poliwhirl opened its palms and fired a torrent of bubbles at Quilava.

"Quilava! Counter with Sunny Day!" Just before the bubbles hit it, Quilava shot out a beam of light from its flaming crest, breaking the stormcloud apart and causing the sun to focus its rays upon itself and Poliwhirl. The bubbles that Poliwhirl produced popped, vaporising under the strong heat. "Overheat attack!" Once more, Quilava released the burning beam, hitting Poliwhirl squarely in the gut, scorching it badly.

"Oh, no!" groaned Imppala. "Now that Quilava's used Sunny Day, its Overheat has become even stronger than ever!"

"We'll just have to try fighting fire with fire!" shouted Eliwood. "Charmander, Flamethrower!"

"Quilava, Overheat!" Cameron ordered. As the scorching sun continued to beat down on the two battling Pokémon, their red-hot attacks clashed in the middle, making everyone sweat to the bone.

"Don't give up, Charmander!" Eliwood encouraged. "Quilava, maximum power!" shouted Cameron.

"Char!" "Quil!" The two Fire-types continued to unleash their strongest fire attacks, without showing any sign of letting up. However, as Charmander and Quilava pressed on, Quilava's attack seemed to weaken in intensity.

"It's working!" Imppala exclaimed. "We've managed to hold out long enough for Quilava's attack power to decrease from the use of Overheat!"

"QUIL!" Unable to handle the force of Charmander's Flamethrower, it was Quilava's turn to get thrown back by an attack. "No!" yelled Cameron.

"Now, eat this!" Hector shouted, charging forward with his Wolf Beil raised above his head. Before Cameron could reach for his halberd, the Ostian lord had already brought down his own axe, cutting through Cameron's helmet and into his skull.

"Well done, Lord Hector!" praised the red tactician. "Let's move on, quick!"


"Hey, Rebecca!" Wil called. He and Rebecca, along with Dart, had been ordered to guard Merlinus, so the Pheraen boy decided to use the opportunity to clear things up.

"Go away! I'm not talking to you!" sulked Rebecca as she sat down a few metres away from Merlinus' tent. Evidently, the archer girl was still feeling sore about Wil after their last conversation together.

"Just give me one chance!" pleaded Wil, beckoning to Dart to come over. "I think I've found Dan!"

"Do you think I'm going to believe you just because you... say... so?" As the two young men made their way over, Rebecca found that she was speechless. "D... Dan?" she trembled in shock and realisation. "Is that... really you?"

"So... you're supposed to be my sister, Rebecca?" Dart asked with a confused look on his face.

"Dan?" Rebecca waved her hand in front of Dart's eyes. "Don't you remember who I am?"

"Da... Dart was found by Captain Fargus five years ago in the port of Badon," Wil explained.

"Yeah... Fargus found me, bloody and limp on a pier, and I didn't know who I was... until Wil here told me about this Dan..." continued Dart as he scratched his head. "I'm thinkin' I must have leaked more 'n just blood out of my ears, you know? Now I don't remember nothin' more 'n five years back!"

"Dan left home... exactly... five years ago..." recalled Rebecca slowly.

"I know," nodded Wil. "That's why when I saw Dart back at Badon a few days ago, I thought..."

"It's just strange luck, that," shrugged Dart. "Unless there's more to it..."

"Well, he did have a scar on his right side, on his abdomen... from when he was gored by a stag in the forests of Pherae! " Rebecca remembered. "Do you have a scar like that?"

"Abdomen... That's over here, eh?" Dart asked as he lifted up his shirt. "And me right... that's starboard, innit?"

"Amazing..." gasped Rebecca, staring at the line of dead skin Dart had stretched across his stomach. "You... you really are..."

"...Hey, is this for real?" asked the pirate suddenly. "Huh?" Both archers looked at him in unanimous surprise.

"Look, it's nothin' personal-like," began Dart, pulling his shirt back down. "I just want to be sure. I mean, I'd like to think you were my friend and you were my sister, but... I'd hate to find out I was wrong later, you know?"

"Dart..." Rebecca whispered.

"Aww, blow me down..." Dart blushed, "Just call me Brother... Either way, I'll go back to me ship when this battle ends... so why don't we three just play along for a little while... Right?"

"Uh, um...sure," nodded Rebecca. "I guess...that would be... Yeah! Big brother Dart!"

"Not...Dan?" asked the pirate, with a slight hint of disappointment in his voice.

"No, I'll just call you 'Brother Dart'," said the archer girl. "You might not be Dan anymore, but you're definitely my brother! I'm sure of it..."

"Alright! This is going to like old times!" cheered Wil, bringing the other two together in a group hug.

"Hey! Stop that you crazy landlubber!" grunted Dart. "I can barely breathe!"


"Hmmm..." Legault murmured to himself as he unlocked the door leading right to Darin's throne room and walked out into the open. "Now, where are those che... eh?" The ex-most famous thief in the Black Fang stopped in his sentence as he spotted Lyn and her followers approach the gate. "Well now. Welcome visitors, indeed," he smiled. "I must thank you for coming so far."

"What?" Screeching to a halt, the plainsgirl pointed an accusing finger at the thief. "You're Black Fang, aren't you?"

"Mmm... To be accurate, I would say a former Black Fang member," corrected Legault.

"Former..." repeated Lyn.

"Yes. Now I'm simply a thief," Legault replied.

"Huh? So you're not our enemy, is that it?" asked Shadow.

"Correct. So let's pretend we never saw each other," said Legault as he wrapped his cloak around himself and proceeded to leave. "Sneasel!" nodded his Pokémon.

"Hold on!" Lyn called. "If you're not our enemy, please help us."

"Me?" Legault stopped walking and turned around to face Lyn, looking both bewildered and amused. "Help you?"

"Not everyone in Black Fang is evil," began Lyn. "I'll not grant mercy in battle, but any information you can provide may help us avoid unneeded fighting."

"You surprise me," smiled Legault. "Are you really looking not to hurt people?"

"The first person we fought on this island was Uhai..." Lyn continued. "I don't believe he was a bad man. There must be some way we can get by without fighting..."

"Hmmm... I know a few like that," the thief nodded. "Did you know that your enemy isn't Brendan Reed? It's a creepy fellow by the name of Nergal..."

"I was aware of that. That's the man we've come to defeat," replied Lyn.

"...Plucky, aren't you?" Legault smirked. "I like that. I like you! However, I know almost nothing about the current Black Fang. If that's okay..."

"Thank you," bowed the plainsgirl. "My name's Lyn, and these are Shadow, Kent, and Sain."

"I'm Legault," introduced Legault, extending a friendly hand. "I'll help you as long as I feel safe."

"Hey! Who's that?" Hector's voice came booming as he and Eliwood led the main force over. "Is that another Black Fang knave?"

"Hm? Who's this?" Legault smiled.

"That's Lord Hector and Lord Eliwood. We're trying to rescue Eliwood's father, Lord Elbert," explained Lyn. "This is Legault, an ex-Black Fang member. He's an ally, so there's no worry."

"Father and son, eh? That explains the resemblance," smirked the thief. "I'll be checking out the chests lying around, so don't mind me."

"Let's go!" pointed Hector through the open gate. "The sooner we thrash that traitor, Darin, the sooner we rescue Lord Elbert!"


"Darin! Your treachery ends here!" shouted Eliwood as the three lords ran through the door leading into the throne room, followed by their faithful tacticians.

"Ha ha ha ha. I will never fall to the likes of you!" boasted the Lycian marquess. Then, noticing Hector, he mused, "Oh... You're Marquess Ostia's younger brother..."

"I couldn't care less if you've a grudge against Ostia," Hector growled. "I'll put up with your treachery no longer!"

"Heh heh heh... Ostia is no longer my main concern... nor is the whole of Lycia... The only goal worthy of my attention is the entire world!" laughed Darin.

"You're mad!" spat Hector. Meanwhile, Lyn was having trouble trying to contain her anger as she struggled to talk. "Are you... Darin?" she asked coldly. "My grandfather... you tried to..."

"What?" Darin sniffed at the sight of the Sacaen girl. "Who are you?"

"I am Marquess Caelin's granddaughter, Lyndis!" came the angry answer.

"Oh... that senile fool? That doddering wreck dared disagree with me..." smirked Darin. "I was so happy to be rid of him."

"...You're a dead man!" Seeing red, Lyn unsheathed her Mani Katti in fury, and threw out her Pokéballs. "Ivysaur! Taillow!" she yelled as she led the charge. "Let's finish him off now! For Grandfather!"

"We'll see about that! Nidoking!" Not to be outdone, Darin produced a Pokéball of his own and flung it on the floor. From within a huge purple beast was released, which had extremely well-developed muscles, hidden under a layer of purple and white, rock-hard armour. A series of spikes extended from its lower back all the way to its forehead, each longer than the last, to the extent that the spike on its forehead looked more like a horn. Its menacing glare completed its destructive image. "Niiiiiiii!" it roared.

"Ivysaur, Skull Bash! Taillow, Wing Attack!" commanded Lyn, readying one of her killing strokes.

"Nidoking, Iron Tail!" Darin ordered. Nidoking nodded and raised its tail, which started to shine with a powerful light. "Eh?" Startled, Lyn and her Pokémon stopped in mid-attack.

"NIDO!" Without warning, the Drill Pokémon swung its glowing appendage at its three targets. "Kyaaaaa!" screamed Lyn, as she stood rooted to the spot, terrified.

"Look out!" In a heroic act, Hector quickly pushed the plainsgirl aside just as Nidoking struck. Taillow, being a bird Pokémon, managed to fly out of the way. Ivysaur, on the other hand, was not as lucky, and took the full force of Nidoking's attack. "SAUR!" The Seed Pokémon howled in pain as it was knocked right across the floor.

"Ivysaur!" Lyn yelled, then realised Hector was right on top of her. "Uh... thanks, Hector."

"Eh... no problem," muttered the Ostian lord as he got up.

"Watch out!" warned Imppala, helping Hector to support Lyn. "Nidoking's tail is strong enough to break bones!"

"Taillow! Attack from the sky!" shouted Lyn as she returned Ivysaur back into its Pokéball. "Quick Attack, now!"

"Hyper Beam!" As Nidoking looked upwards, its horn started to shine yellow while it gathered its energy. Suddenly, a huge yellow beam erupted from its horn, headed straight for Taillow.

"Taillow, Agility!" Using super-speed, the Tiny Swallow managed to barely dodge the energy beam, causing the attack to miss completely.

"An opening!" exclaimed Shadow. "Now's our chance to take out Nidoking before it readies up energy for its next Hyper Beam!"

"You're right!" nodded Eliwood. "Are you ready to go, Charmander?"

"Char!" The Lizard Pokémon leapt up in agreement.

"And you too, Squirtle?" asked Hector. "Squirt!" In spite of its injuries earlier on, the little Water-type was still good to go.

"Alright! Flamethrower!" "Water Gun!" At their masters' orders, the two Pokémon started to fire their elemental attacks, while Taillow was homing in on Nidoking.

"Nidoking!" commanded Darin harshly. "Hyper Beam! Shock Wave! Earthquake!"

"Whaaaat!" The two tacticians sweated at the general's order. "Don't tell me that Nidoking can use three attacks at once?"

"NIDOKING!" While its horn continued to fire Hyper Beam, Nidoking's mouth was busily generating an electric ball, and its tail was swinging around dangerously. Suddenly, Nidoking released the electric ball just as it landed its tail on the ground, causing a massive crevice to appear and zoom towards Charmander.

"Taillow!" Taillow screeched as it was struck by one of Nidoking's Hyper Beams.

"Squirtle!" Squirtle cried out as it was electrocuted by Nidoking's Shock Wave.

"Charman!" Charmander yelled as it fell into the crack in the ground from Nidoking's Earthquake.

"Urgh!" Eliwood and Hector grunted as Nidoking's Shock Wave passed through Squirtle and took them down as well.

"No way!" Shadow groaned. "Even after firing several Hyper Beams, that Nidoking can still find enough energy to attack!"

"Not only that!" Imppala nodded, "It can even use several attacks at once by utilising its various body parts!"

"Hahahahaha!" cackled Darin. "You think you can defeat me? I, who rule the world?" Then, looking around, Darin noticed that Lyn was missing... "Eh?"

"Yaaaaaa!" A battle cry from behind told Darin where the plainsgirl was. "Slash!"

"Ungh!" Luckily for Darin, his thick metal armour protected his soft skin inside. "How dare you!" he snarled, reaching for his silver lance...

"Huh?" Lyn exclaimed in surprise as Darin grabbed his spear with amazing speed. "How could you have..."

"Haaa!" Without warning, Darin threw his lance at Lyn, piercing through her clothes and nailing her to the wall. "What!"

"Hungh!" As if she weighed nothing at all, the general then proceed to fling Lyn over his head as she hung from his lance, landing her hard on the bumpy marble floor broken up by his Nidoking. "Ahh!"

"Lady Lyndis!" Quickly, the two tacticians rushed over to pick the plainsgirl up. Her body was covered in bruises and the lower half of her shirt was torn off, revealing her navel her lower back.

"Hahahahahahaha!" Darin laughed triumphantly. "Any last words before I, ruler of the world, put an end to your miserable lives?"

"...Yes!" said Hector as he and Eliwood stood up, trying to force a weak grin. "It's not over yet, Darin!"

"What!" exclaimed the despot.

"We've come all this way to rescue Eliwood's father!" growled Lyn as she too stood up to face Darin. "Do you think we'll let ourselves be defeated by someone such as you?"

"Our strength comes from our Pokémon!" shouted Eliwood as Taillow, Squirtle and Charmander got up as well. "Our hearts are linked with them! For someone like you, who's completely bent on world domination, who's despicable enough even to abandon his own son, that's something you'll never understand!"

"Grrr..." Darin gritted his teeth. He had not expected any of them to survive Nidoking's onslaught, let alone still stand up and fight!

"Now..." Pointing at Nidoking, the three lords gave the order, "GO!"


"Sneasel!" While the battle was going on, Legault stuck to his original plans of draining the Black Fang of whatever treasures they had lying around... with his trusty Sneasel by his side.

"Excellent work, Sneasel," nodded Legault as the Sharp Claw Pokémon passed him a guiding ring. "Eh?" Gazing around, Legault spied upon body after body of defeated Black Fang members. "I see our new Lycian allies certainly left no stone unturned," mused the thief. Suddenly, as he passed the corpse of another trickster like him, he noticed a small golden-yellow card sticking out of the dead man's pocket. Picking it up, Legault began to study it with much interest. "Hm... I wonder..."

Walking to the south of the corridor he was in, Legault felt the walls with his hand, until he came to a spot filled with cracks. "Sneasel, use Brick Break!"

"Snea!" Jumping up, Sneasel struck the crack with its claw, shattering the wall into bits. Stepping out into a courtyard, the Hurricane looked around until he noticed a group of trees huddled together in a corner. Carefully walking into the vegetation, Legault and Sneasel both found themselves standing in front of... a stall.

"Shhh... Hee hee..." giggled the girl standing at the counter. "This is a secret shop!"

"Ah, I thought as much," murmured Legault to himself. "I've heard of these underground establishments, constructed in all places inconspicuous. Amazing, to find one of them here..."

"Do you have a member's card?" asked the girl.

"Hmmm... yes, I believe I do," nodded the thief, showing off his new card.

"Okay!" The girl smiled, lifting up the pieces of fabric covering the array of killer weapons, elixirs, chest keys and lockpicks up for sale. "Now, what do you need?..."

Some time later...

"Buh-bye!" waved the girl as Legault made his way out of the forest. "Don't forget to visit my sister's shop on the other side!"

"I would if I could," grunted Legault. "These weapons sure are heavy!"

"Snea! Sneasel!" nodded his Pokémon. Just then, a Pelipper came into view, flying next to Legault. "Peli!"

"Hm?" Legault looked at the hovering Waterbird. "Are you talking to me?"

"Pelipper!" Nodding, the Pelipper pointed at the items that Legault and Sneasel were holding.

"You're saying you can help lighten our load?" asked Legault. "Hm... I do recall one of the others mentioning a merchant called Merlinus... has he sent you to help us?"

"Pelipper!" smiled the Pelipper.

"Well, in that case, you can start by bringing these back to him," Legault motioned.

"Pel! Pelipeer!" At once, Pelipper got to work as it held a lockpick in its bill and clamped its beak around a killer lance before making its way back to the merchant.

"And don't forget to bring us some funds!" called Legault.


"Taillow!" "Squir!" "Char!" Valiantly, the three Pokémon charged and clambered onto Nidoking before it had a chance to react.

"NIDO!" The huge Poison Pokémon tried to shake off the attackers, but they held on bravely. While Squirtle was battering Nidoking on the right cheek with its fists, Charmander was scratching at Nidoking's left as its tail flame grew bigger and brighter than ever. Taillow was hopping on Nidoking's head, pecking at it for all it was worth.

"Heh heh heh... Surprised by their strength?" smirked Hector. "All this time that you've been hitting them, you'd might as well have been hitting yourself!"

"You mean..." Darin gasped.

"That's right!" Hector nodded. "With Flail attack, Squirtle can do more damage in spite of its low health!"

"Not only that, Charmander's Rage allows it to convert the damage it's been taking all this time into combat power!" added Eliwood.

"My Taillow's Endeavour is bringing Nidoking's health level to that of its own, which you've been lowering all along!" finished Lyn.

"Nido! Nido!" Slowly but surely, Nidoking was losing out to the battling trio stuck on its head.

"Argh! Nidoking, Counter!" Out of frustration, Darin called for another technique, which had the effect of repelling Charmander, Squirtle and Taillow from itself. The three smaller Pokémon landed on the ground, but they immediately got back up.

"That's not going to defeat us!" smirked Hector. "Ever since we left Caelin, our Pokémon have undergone tough battle after tough battle!"

"Thanks to all the challenges we've faced, they've all attained a higher level of strength!" Lyn continued.

"You... you mean... they're all going to..." Darin stammered as the blood drained away from his face.

"Evolve!" cheered Shadow and Imppala together in realisation, just as the trio of basic Pokémon began to take on a familiar glow. Slowly, as their bodies became more developed, the Pokémon stood up to face Nidoking... or in Taillow's case, it hovered in the air.

Once the light had completely faded from the three creatures, a Swellow and Charmeleon replaced Eliwood and Lyn's familiar Pokémon. What stood in Squirtle's place was a less familiar Turtle Pokémon, with a larger body as well as a tail and ears that resembled the ocean waves. "Wartortle!" it growled.

"Noooo!" yelled Darin as he started to tear his hair out. "This... this can't be happening!"

"Charmeleon! Flamethrower, now!" Eliwood shouted.

"Wartortle, Water Gun!" commanded Hector.

"Focus Energy, Swellow!" ordered Lyn.

"Chaaaar!" "Torrrrrr!" Opening their mouths, the newly evolved Fire and Water Pokémon fired two jets of their respective elements at Nidoking. As they passed under Swellow, the swallow Pokémon concentrated its energy onto the two attacks, bringing them closer just before they hit Nidoking right in the chest. "Dooooo!" howled the Drill Pokémon in pain.

"Alright!" Shadow punched the air with his fist. "Swellow's Focus Energy is helping to combine Flamethrower and Water Gun to create a powerful jet of steam!"

"Nidoking's a Ground-type Pokémon as well, so that Water Gun should be doing a lot of damage!" Imppala added. "Factoring in that strong heat, as well as a greater chance of getting a critical hit, Nidoking can't possibly stand a chance!"

"DOKING!" Unable to withstand the combined attack, the huge Poison Pokémon collapsed with a huge thud. Burn marks could be seen on its chest where it had been scalded, and even small cracks could be seen.

"Now... EAT THIS!" yelled Hector, waving his Wolf Beil.

"I'm going to end your atrocities, right now!" shouted Eliwood, charging with his rapier.

"Yaaaaaaa!" Ignoring her unkempt appearance, Lyn gripped her Mani Katti tightly, ready to administer one of her killing strokes...

"URGH!" As the three lords homed in on Darin, they all delivered a powerful blow from their respective weapons, punching a huge hole in the general's armour from which a thick red liquid came flowing out in a steady river. Out of curiosity, Darin reached down and wiped up some of the crimson substance. "Blood? Is this... my blood?" he whispered. Then, starting to crack up, Darin shouted frantically, "Ephidel! Come to me! Your master (cough) calls you! I am the ruler... of... the world... urk..."

"He was mad," sighed Lyn as the three lords gathered around the half-dead general.

"Consumed by his own lust... pitiful fool," Hector agreed as he shook his head.

"...Lord Darin," Eliwood mumbled.

"C'mon, Eliwood! This is no time for sentiment!" barked Hector.

"Your father needs you!" Lyn nodded.

"Mm. Let's go!" Leading the way, Eliwood raced up a flight of stairs, closely followed by Hector and Lyn, as well as their Pokémon...


"Father!" called Eliwood as the three lords, bit by bit, began to near the top. "Father? It's me, Eliwood! I've come to save you!...Father?"

"It's dark in here," Hector grumbled. "Can't see a thing..."

"Eli... Eliwood..." Suddenly, the three heard a voice call out weakly.

"Ah!" Springing to his senses, Eliwood quickened his pace and began to run up the last few steps. "Father! Where are you?"

"Back there! Eliwood!" shouted Lyn, pointing forward. "His voice is coming from back there!" Together, the three lords passed the final step, to find a man dressed in noble's clothing kneeling on the floor with his hands and legs tied back.

"Ah! Father!" Rushing to his father, Eliwood quickly had Charmeleon cut Lord Elbert's bonds while he looked for injuries. "You... You're alright..." breathed Eliwood in relief.

"Eliwood..." Gazing at his son, Elbert suddenly remembered something, and shouted, "Wait! For-Forget me! Take that girl and flee!"

Advancing in the direction his father indicated, Eliwood found a girl standing in front of what seemed to be a huge, abandoned portal. Stepping closer, Eliwood realised that the girl was...

"Ninian?" Despite Eliwood's gasp, Ninian still stared ahead dully, apparently oblivious to what was going on. Nothing seemed wrong with her at first, but Eliwood then noticed her irises were a bit larger than usual, and had the distinct red shade of blood...

"That girl... She's the key to the Dragon's Gate," continued Elbert. "Hurry! Go before Nergal notices you!"

"Ninian!" beckoned Eliwood. "This way! We must flee!"

"..." Still, Ninian showed no signs of responding.

"Something's wrong with her... yet we've no time to hesitate," frowned Lyn.

"Eliwood! I've got your father!" shouted Hector. "You take Ninian!"

"I understand!" While Eliwood was tending to Ninian, Hector knelt down and wrapped one arm around Elbert. "Lord Elbert!" Hector said. "I'm going to move you a little. Be strong."

"Hector... you came too?" Looking up, Elbert recognised the younger of the Ostian nobles. "...Thank you."

"Don't worry about that," assured Hector. "Come, let's leave this place."

"Eliwood! Hector!" Lyn urged. "Hurry! This way!... Ah!"

Before Lyn or anyone could react, Jaffar and his Sneasel appeared out of nowhere, blocking the staircase and the only way out. "...You will not pass here," was all the assassin could say.

"When did you..." gasped Lyn.

"You must not fight that man!" At Elbert's shout, all eyes in the room turned to face him. "What!" Lyn exclaimed.

"That man... is dangerous," Elbert warned. "You cannot defeat him on your own."

"Father, there's no time!" protested Eliwood, putting down Ninian and drawing his rapier. "This danger must be faced."

"...Be a good boy, and listen to your father, young master Eliwood," wafted a familiar voice.

"Ephidel!" exclaimed Eliwood as the person in question walked into view.

"Even among the Black Fang, this man is feared for his skill... You are no match for him, not even as a group." Turning to the assassin, Ephidel gave his orders, "...You've done well, Jaffar. That is all. Return to Bern and begin your next assignment." Nodding, Jaffar and Sneasel turned around and descended the staircase, ready to follow their new command.

"Hear my word!" proclaimed Ephidel. "I have an invitation from my master. In honour of your hard-fought arrival, he's prepared a special show for you."

"Stop it!" barked Elbert. "You cannot release the dragons!"

"Father? What's all this about?" Eliwood inquired.

"...You will know shortly," Ephidel answered with a nasty smile on his face. "At the expense of your father's life!"

As Ephidel spoke, a red glow suddenly started to spread from Elbert's chest, spreading across his entire body. "Guwaah!" yelped Elbert as he clutched at his chest in pain. "...Gaa...ghaa..."

"Father!" cried Eliwood, rushing next to Elbert. "What's wrong? Father!"

"Lord Elbert! Hold on!" urged Hector.

"Huh? ...Ninian?" Turning to face the dancer girl, Eliwood noticed that a small red glow was also forming at Ninian's fingertips.

"Pow... pow... er..." she whispered in a deadly monotone. "...Power..."

"Gahaaa!" To everyone else's shock, the red glow surrounding Elbert suddenly departed from him, flew across to Ninian and collecting at the tip of her hand.

"Father!" Eliwood screamed as Elbert collapsed onto the floor. As the red glow filled the room, a certain robed figure took the opportunity to make his appearance...

"Now, Ninian... at last," smiled Nergal. "Open the Dragon's Gate."

"...Gate..." whispered Ninian, turning to face the portal. "Open... gate..." Raising her glowing hand, Ninian slowly inched towards the inky blackness, until the tip of her fingers just brushed against the border. Suddenly, a gaping hole appeared right in the middle of the gateway, revealing a swirling vortex of light most concentrated at the centre, which illuminated the whole place. At the same time, the entire room began to shake, getting even more violent with each passing second.

"Yes... that's it..." Nergal murmured. "This way, dragon..."

"Whoa!" Hector exclaimed. "What's... what's this rumbling?"

"Unh! I can barely keep my feet!" grunted Lyn.

"Nergal..." Eliwood could only look helplessly at his father, then at Ninian, then at the robed man. "What... What's happening?" By then, the light had completely lit up the portal, and there was also a strange-looking silhouette in it that seemed to be coming closer.

"Here... Come, children of... flame," Ninian chanted. "Come... to me..."

Except for Ephidel, Ninian and Nergal, no one was prepared for what came next. A huge lizard creature came forth from the Dragon's Gate, bringing smoke and fire along with it. Its red body was covered with rough scales and well developed muscles. A pair of brilliantly burning blazes on its back formed its wings. Its very presence elevated the temperature to unbearable levels.

"...It can't be," whispered Hector.

"Ah... No..." Lyn gasped. "It isn't..."

"Is that... truly... a dragon?" Eliwood echoed the thought haunting their minds.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!" laughed Nergal. "Yes! Use all your strength! Squeeze every drop from your body! You will call dragons!"

"I will not allow this!" Just then, a voice rang out from the staircase, catching everyone by surprise.

"Who's there!" shouted Ephidel. As the owner of the voice climbed up the steps, everyone could see who it was.

"You!" Ephidel exclaimed.

"Nils!" yelled Lyn.

"Ninian! Come to your senses!" Nils hollered. "You must not do what they want!"

"...Ni... Nils..." Still talking in a monotone, the dancer turned around to face her brother.

"Nils? Not now!" Nergal barked. "Grr... Ephidel! Stop him!"

"Desist, Nils!" ordered Ephidel. "The power, it runs wild!"

"Ninian!" screamed Nils, in a last effort to bring his sister back to reality. His attempt was not in vain, as Ninian blinked and shook her head. "...Nils?" she asked.

"Here! Hurry!" beckoned the musician. "The dragon is crumbling. Everyone flee!"

At Nils' shout, Eliwood and Hector lifted Elbert onto their arms and followed Lyn down the stairs, while Nils grabbed Ninian by the hand and ran after then. Without Ninian to keep the Dragon's Gate open, the fire dragon began to disintegrate with the closing of the portal, releasing flaming hot energy as it did so.

"..." Silently, before the flames could consume him, Nergal teleported away from the gate. Ephidel, however, was not as lucky.

"Hyaaaa! Stop... You mustn't come here!" he screamed. "Lord Nergal! Lord Nergal! Please...!" Desperately, the sage tried to call for his master, but to no avail.

"Guwaaaaaaahhh!" As the gateway of light grew smaller and smaller, the crumbling dragon released its life force in the form of extreme heat, reducing both itself and Ephidel to ashes. At last, the Dragon's Gate closed, returning to its original state of darkness. Down below, the small group of people huddled together and watched the entire proceeding of events, unable to look away.

"...Something ...happened," was all Hector could say.

"Is it... gone?" asked Eliwood. Just then, Nergal teleported in front of them.

"No! I've failed!" yelled Nergal, clenching his fists in frustration. "Nils, you whelp! If not for your interference... Come! Both of you!" he snarled, reaching for the music-making siblings.

"What? No!" yelled Ninian.

"Never!" Nils shouted. "We will not follow you!"

"Ninian! Nils!" Eliwood could do nothing but call out as Nergal reached out to grab the two youngsters. When, all of a sudden...

"Eh?" Nergal looked to his left. Something, or rather someone, was coming at him...

"You will not!" In a last-ditch attempt, Elbert made a dragging motion with his dagger across Nergal's chest, this time succeeding in doing so.

"What!" Taken aback, Nergal took a few steps backward. "...Impossible..." he muttered, blood soaking into his robes. "Not... by your hand..."

"...I told you," Elbert said through gritted teeth, slowly getting into a kneeling position. "I will... oppose... you always..."

"...Why..." growled Nergal, his aquamarine irises full of despise. "Why... won't... you... die? Nnn..."

"Father!" As Nergal teleported away, Eliwood ran to Elbert's side as the Pheraen marquess collapsed onto the ground for the second time.

"...Eliwood... Be prepared," whispered the older Pheraen as his son clutched his hand. "He will return..."

"Alright, but for now... let's leave this island," Eliwood whispered back. "Let's go home..."

"No, my son... I'm done here," Elbert choked. "You, Eliwood... You must finish this..."

"Don't say that!" cried Eliwood, holding his father close to him. "Mother is waiting in Pherae... She's waiting for you, Father!"

"Ah... Eleanora... She will be cross with me." Reaching down to his waist, Elbert plucked out a Pokéball containing a red and yellow Fire-type Pokémon with a bulging forehead, spikes on its back, black rings around its neck and ankles as well as the bill of a duck. "Magmar... I'm counting on you to protect Eliwood from now on," whispered Elbert. "Follow him... and help him..."

"Mag. Magmar," nodded the Spitfire Pokémon as its master attached its ball to Eliwood's belt. "Eliwood... Your mother..." Elbert said breathlessly, using the last ounce of his strength. "Your mother... I'm sorry... Tell her... I'm... sorry..."

"Father? Father!" Shocked, Eliwood realised that his father's hand had gone cold, and his eyes were shut tightly. "No..." The Pheraen youth whispered, as tears began to sting his eyes. "Please, not now... Not after all we've done to find you again... Father, please... open your eyes..."

While Eliwood tried to rouse his father, everyone else looked on sadly. Charmeleon stood by Eliwood, trying to help its master by shaking Elbert. Wartortle grimly stood next to Hector who drew a long sigh. Swellow perched on its mistress' shoulder as Lyn wiped away a developing tear. Ninian buried herself in the arms of her brother, sobbing uncontrollably.

As reality finally sunk in for Eliwood, the heir to the throne of Pherae let out one final cry of anguish.

"Faaaatherrrrrrr!"


Imppala: ...Is he showing any signs of recovery?
Grim: Not as of now.
Electrike: So what are we going to do tomorrow night, Imppala?
Imppala: ...We try to take over this fanfiction!... I wish.
Grim: ...Review.