ShadowedTactician: Alright, alright, I admit it. I should have been working on the chapter instead of the cards during my free time. Sheesh... as if no writer goes through writer's block now and then. And I even had to be hospitalised, casted and crutchified to boot.
Grim: You what!
ShadowedTactician: Flatfoot recorrection, no biggie. (stands up and hobbles) I'll leave you to do the replies; I'm going to think of stuff for the next chapter.
Electrike: You sure you'll be okay?
ShadowedTactician: I'll be fine; I have a near-perfect sense of... (slips, tumbles and crashes) AUGH!
Imppala/Grim/Electrike: I sincerely fear for his well-being.
Gijinka Renamon
Imppala: What was I thinking? What was I thinking? That ShadowedTactician's just putting words in my mouth; I already TOLD him that self-insertion was lame. Shee...
Grim: At least we know someone else doesn't, and it's already too late anyway.
Elven-girl10
Imppala: Yeah, I figure. I can't believe he'd be so scared he'd forget to teleport. A bit of warning, though: fans of a certain pairing may want to hurl massive amounts of abuse at ShadowedTactician after reading this chapter. Well, he's already incapacitated, and besides, the pairing listed here is game-wise more worth it... no offence intended of course.
Frodo007
Imppala: Don't worry. ShadowedTactician's already got that figured out. Along with some other extra stuff. I'd divulge it, but then again I'm feeling nice today...
Imppala
Imppala: No more textbooks! No more textbooks! Playstation 2 and Gundam Seed Destiny all round!
Grim: ...I'll pass, thank you very much.
TedToss64
Imppala: Hmmm... I'll explain on ShadowedTactician's behalf. Your reference to Hector's introduction was probably because a lot more focus on the Pokémon was seen. Personally speaking, considering that that chapter is basically Hector, Matthew and a handful of Black Fang knaves, there wasn't much plot or explaining to do with regards to Fire Emblem, so the balance may have shifted. In the meantime, thank you for your review. Seriously, this story couldn't have gone this far without all your support, and it helps a lot.
Electrike: ...That, and Imppala threatening to reveal the extra stuff ShadowedTactician's been hiding.
Jeanie
Grim: Actually, since the group did have a hand in rescuing her ring and saving her at sea, it wouldn't be past Ninian to put on a display for everyone. And yes, Imppala's still harping about the incredible lameness of the insertion...
Imppala: We now (finally) return you to your regular programme.
The Nabata Desert: A wasteland of scorching sun and frigid nights. It rejects human life. Anyone careless enough to enter its embrace is doomed to wander lost. Uther, the marquess of Ostia, spoke of a living legend. Guided by his words, Eliwood's group heads straight into the desert...
As Eliwood's group made their way southwest to the outskirts of Nabata, the ground beneath their feet began to give way from soil to sand, and the temperatures began to elevate to unbearably high levels...
"...So hot," panted Nils as he weakly trudged along. "I'm... going to die."
"Hey, do you want me to carry you on my back?" offered Hector.
"Huh?" Surprised, Nils stared up at the Ostian lordling. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Hector asked.
"Such kindness from you surprises me, Lord Hector," murmured Nils. "Is this some fever dream?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" questioned Hector annoyedly. "I was concerned that you might collapse again, like the other day."
"You're usually so brusque. It's no wonder he's confused," smiled Lyn. "Don't be shy, Nils. Let him help you out."
"...But..." Nils hesitated.
"Do as you're told, boy!" Without warning, Hector moved forward and scooped up the bard in one quick lift. "Waaaaaaa!" yelped Nils as Hector placed placed him on his shoulders. "I'm going to fall! I'm going to fall!"
"Ha ha ha ha..." Both Lyn and Hector could not help but laugh at the bard's hilarious response. Elsewhere...
"...Marquess Ostia said, 'Enter the desert and move west. Someone will meet you'," squinted Ninian. "...And yet, we've seen no one."
"I wonder if we need to move farther in?" wondered Eliwood.
"...You might be right," Ninian nodded.
"...Here." All of a sudden, Eliwood extended his arm towards Ninian. "What?"
"This heat is taking its toll on you. If you please, take my arm," Eliwood offered.
"I couldn't..." said Ninian as she stepped back.
"Oh, come now," insisted Eliwood.
"...Very well. Forgive me..." conceded the dancer as she clung onto Eliwood's limb. As the two walked on, the Pheraen noble noticed that Ninian had an uneasy look on her face. "Hm? Is something wrong?" he asked.
"...It's strange," Ninian murmured.
"What is?" asked Eliwood.
"All of you treat my brother and me so... normally," commented Ninian. "Doesn't it bother you? Our powers, our looks... we're different from... people..."
"Has that been bothering you? What's wrong with being a bit different from other people?" Eliwood smiled, "When I look at you, I don't see other people. I see Ninian. I see a normal, kindhearted girl."
"...Do you speak truly?" Ninian whispered.
"Mm," nodded Eliwood.
"Lord Eliwood..." murmured the dancer, gazing into her saviour's kind, blue eyes...
Meanwhile, in an ancient building positioned at the centre of the desert...
"...I believe someone approaches," remarked an ancient-looking man. He wore nothing but dark blue robes. His grey hair poured from his scalp, upper lip and chin, extended past his shoulders and chest.
"Is it Lord Pent?" asked a blonde woman next to him. She was wearing pink and white clothes under a set of sniper's armour.
"No, it's a group sent by Uther of Ostia. Hawkeye will find them soon and bring them here," the man answered. "Hmph... Your companion is still searching in the desert."
"He's not having any luck finding what he's after, is he?" the woman asked.
"No, I believe he'll find it before long," remarked the man. "...However, a group of bandits is also moving. They've found Pent and are preparing to attack."
"Oh, that's..." The woman was at a loss for words.
"Are you concerned for his safety?" the man asked.
"No, Lord Pent can take care of himself," assured the woman. "However, if his return here is delayed... Will you take your evening meal without us? I will wait for Lord Pent, but I'm sure you must be hungry."
"Ha ha ha ha..." All of a sudden, the old man burst out chuckling.
"Lord Athos? What is it?" asked the sniper woman.
"...It's you, Louise. You are a most amusing woman," replied Athos between laughs. "Since Pent brought you here, I feel I've laughed enough for ten years! You have my gratitude."
"Hm? I'm not sure I understand, but I'm pleased to be of service," smiled Louise. "By the way, the visitors are coming from Lycia, aren't they? I wonder what they want..."
"..." At this, Athos stopped laughing, appearing deep in thought.
"Lord Archsage, your colouring... are you well?" Louise asked.
"Once it begins to turn, none can halt the wheel of fate. But as long as there is hope, people continue to try," Athos murmured. "...They do not know the despair that awaits..."
"..." Louise remained silent, not knowing what to say about Athos' cryptic commentary.
"...Um, Lord Eliwood?" piped up Ninian.
"Ninian?" asked Eliwood.
"Over there... Someone is under attack," pointed the dancer.
"Are you sure?" Eliwood frowned as he squinted against the desert sunlight.
"Ah! That must be him!" shouted Hector, just as the group reached the top of a dune.
"Looks like... a lone man and a crowd of bandits," remarked Eliwood.
"Let's help him!" urged Lyn. "I dislike seeing someone facing overwhelming odds!"
"Hold on, Lyn!" Hector yelled as he put Nils down. "I'm coming with you!"
"Hey, you two!" Eliwood called after the two running lords.
"Where do they get all that energy?" murmured Nils. "...Unbelievable."
"...What will you do?" Ninian asked.
"Let's go!" smiled Eliwood. "Have to keep up with one's friends, right?"
"Hector! Hurry!" Lyn called as she dashed across the sand. "I'm going to leave you behind!"
"...This... is as fast... as I can go!" panted Hector as he shuffled along. "I've got... this armour... on and... Blast!" he swore. "Slow down! Show-off!"
Meanwhile...
"Oh, look at this kindly soul, Jasmine!" remarked an ugly-looking bandit. He wore a blue shirt with its sleeves and front removed, as well as warrior's trousers. Most of his black hair was shaved off except for three crests across his scalp, and a bit of a beard on his chin. "He's waiting all by himself to give us his treasure!"
"Oho, Paul! I do believe you're right! Such generosity!" sniggered another bandit. This bandit wore similar to that of his counterpart, except that it was red in colour. He retained slightly more of his pink hair, which formed four streaks on his scalp, as well as sideburns down to his jawbone.
"...It's taken me many days to find this," stated a third man, who was being cornered by the bandit brothers. He had grey hair, some which reached past his shoulders, as well as a purple sages' uniform. He held a small vial in his hand which the bandits were eyeing greedily. "I've worked too hard to hand this over to you thugs."
"So rude! And to think we were going to let you live..." Paul looked at the sage in shock and disgust. "We're fragile creatures! You can't trifle with our emotions so!" Pointing an accusing finger, Paul began ranting, "You're a bad man! He's so bad, Jasmine!"
"Oh, Paul, I know it. I really do," simpered Jasmine. "My heart, it is breaking."
"What? You too, Jasmine?" asked Paul.
"And you as well, Paul?" Jasmine replied.
"Let's go!" Paul said as threw out a Pokéball, soon to be followed by one of Jasmine's own. Paul's Pokéball produced a cactus creature that resembled a scarecrow in build, while Jasmine's Pokéball released a huge brown, yellow rodent with sharp spikes all over its back and a pair of equally sharp claws. "We must convince him to reconsider!"
The sage breathed a huge sigh. If making people groan was a crime, these bandits would be public enemies number one and two. "I've no wish to hurt you..." he muttered.
"What's this? A desert?" Hannah murmured wearily as she poked her head out of Merlinus' tent. "You know, you can only push this old woman so far... Ahh, you'll be wanting an augury too, I'll wager."
"You know, given her fortune-telling skills, she'd have known that every time before we asked her," remarked Imppala as he threw Hannah her payment. Shadow could only nod assent as Hannah gave her vision.
"Sand, sand, and more sand, as far as the eye can see," began Hannah. "Those on horseback will be slowed. You should take flyers, especially pegasus knights. Magic will tip the scales in your favour," she added. "Mages, monks and shamans. Bolster your strength with these... I can see nothing else."
"And in this blinding sun, I'm not surprised," Imppala smirked. "So... I guess it's clear then. All units on horseback or Pokémonback will have to stay. Shall we ask Florina, Fiora and Heath to lead us?"
"Hmmm... it might not be such a good choice. From what I observed, those bandits are being led by a pair of warriors... and those guys can use bows!" pointed out Shadow. "We'll just take it at moderate pace and stay as a group. Sword users will back up magic users in the frontlines. We can use flyers to rescue anyone if necessary."
"...Priscilla." Upon hearing her name, the young valkryie looked besides her to see Raven. "Yes, Lord Brother?" she asked.
"You... should return to Etruria," Raven stated. "You should not stay here any longer."
"What?" exclaimed Priscilla. "B-But why?"
"Shhh... not so loud," hissed Raven. "Do you want the others to hear you?"
"Please, don't make me leave!" Priscilla begged. "Not after I came all this way to see you again..."
"But, there are things I must do," Raven replied with great restraint. "And I don't want you getting involved!"
"Lord Brother... You are not planning something dangerous?" asked Priscilla slowly.
"...It's nothing you need know of," answered Raven.
"It is something dangerous!" Priscilla cried. "Then, now more than ever, I cannot be made to leave! If you are to face danger, then let me face it by your side!"
"You're not listening, Priscilla," Raven said sternly. "You were sent to Etruria for adoption. You are no longer of House Cornwell. And... I am no longer your brother. Now," he continued as he turned to leave, "Be a good girl, and stay here like Shadow and Imppala ordered."
"Lord Brother!" shouted Priscilla as her brother disappeared amongst the others, ready to advance. "How could... Lord Brother!"
"Lady Priscilla?" Erk's voice rang out as the mage came running to his mistress' aid. "Is something wrong?"
"Ah... Erk!" Priscilla turned to see her faithful escort beside her. "It's... it's nothing. Everything's fine."
"Alright then," nodded Erk. "...Lady Priscilla, might I have a word?"
"Eh?" The anima user blushed slightly at Erk's question. "What is it, Erk?"
"It has been long since you left Etruria..." Erk noted. "Is your family not worried for you?"
"Yes, I suppose they are..." nodded Priscilla, unable to look away from her escort. "But now that Lord Bro... I mean, Lord Eliwood is looking out for me... I think I shall stay here a while longer."
"Understood," bowed Erk. "If that is what you wish, I have no complaints."
"Thank you, Erk." Priscilla replied as she thought desperately of a way to change the subject. "By the way..."
"Yes?" Erk asked.
"About your former employer..." began Priscilla. "Was it... a woman?"
"Eh? Ah, yes, she was," answered Erk, sighing as if wanting to get rid of an unwanted memory. "She certainly thought of herself as one."
"She was young?" Priscilla continued.
"To look at her, she was no longer than you or I, Lady Priscilla. But I'm afraid she was no where near as mature," Erk muttered. "...But why do you ask? It's not something I like to think of much..."
"No... no particular reason... It was just something on my mind," replied Priscilla hurriedly, wishing that Erk wouldn't look at her eye to eye. "...Perhaps... Were you... and, um... your employer... close?"
"Hardly!" sputtered Erk. "If that was a jest, I fail to see the humour! It makes me shiver just to think of it..."
"...Really?" Priscilla asked.
"Of course!" Erk snapped.
"I see. That's fine, then..." nodded Priscilla. "...I had no particular reason for asking, mind you."
"Alright then! Let's move out!" beckoned Imppala.
"Mm. Just stay here until we get back." Nodding, Erk turned away to join the main group.
"Neigh?" Priscilla's Rapidash whinnied softly, as if asking its owner how she was.
"I'm fine, Rapidash," Priscilla smiled, as she gently hugged it by the neck and gazed at a certain mage moving into the desert. "It's just that... I think I... I think I've fallen in love..."
As Shadow and Imppala led the attacking force into the sand dunes, a sandstorm suddenly appeared in the distance without anyone noticing. When it had dissipated as strangely as it appeared, a strange-looking man and an equally strange-looking Pokémon were standing on top of a dune. The man was had blonde hair tied into a small ponytail, as well as deeply coloured skin, which reflected some sunlight off his naked chest. He wore a bracelet and a necklace around his neck, each with mysterious markings that complemented the darker patches of skin on his cheeks and forehead.
The Pokémon hovering in the air next to him didn't seem any less peculiar. It seemed to resemble a cross between a dragon and an insect. A chartreuse head with flowing green "hair" and beady red eyes sat atop a relatively streamlined body, with striped legs and tail in two different shades of green. It had a pair of wings which looked like green diamonds with red borders. Three smaller versions of its wings seemed to jut out at the end of its tail.
"Hmmm..." mused the man, running a finger across the edge of his killer axe. "They're here, just as Athos said... I wonder where Pent is?"
"Actually, this is quite fascinating," Canas remarked as the troops marched on. "Shadow, the Nabata wasteland is a bit of paradise to magic adepts. Stories tell of the many magical artifacts lost in these sands."
"...Hm?" Overhearing this snippet of conversation, Legault's ears immediately pricked up.
"You don't say, Canas," replied Shadow. "If you hadn't mentioned that last part, I'd have thought that the heat had gotten to you..."
"I'll keep my eyes open. Of course, I'll be fighting as well," assured the shaman.
"No need to keep them open," thought Legault to himself. "Um, Shadow?" he called loudly. "I think there're some enemies over there to the south... can I go and handle them?"
"Hm? Sure, I don't see why not," Shadow shrugged. "I'll ask some of the others to..."
"Oh, don't bother," Legault replied hurriedly as he dashed across the hot sand, leaving a very confused Shadow behind. "It's treasure time, Sneasel," smirked the ex-Hurricane.
"Snea! Sneasel!" smirked the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Meanwhile...
"Ah! It's you, Hawkeye!" exclaimed a young magenta-haired, green-eyed girl sitting in a hut under some desert cliffs as the blonde berseker entered. "And you too, Flygon!"
"Flyyy!" crowed the insect dragon.
"What are you doing, Fae?" asked Hawkeye.
"I'm watching the house!" Fae answered happily.
"Is that so?" Hawkeye mused.
"Oh, guess what! A man came to see me earlier," recalled Fae. "So I told him a secret... I told him something good is buried near the bones. Yup! He looked pretty happy!" she smiled.
"Is that so..." murmured Hawkeye as a single word crossed through his mind. "Pent..."
"That's all you ever say, Hawkeye! 'Is that so?'" Fae commented, mimicking Hawkeye's tone of voice.
"Is that so?" Hawkeye replied.
"See! You said it again!" squealed Fae.
"Is that... sorry." Turning to leave, Hawkeye clambered onto Flygon as the dragon Pokémon took to the skies.
"Yaaaaaa!" Yelling valiantly, a group of mages and cavaliers charged towards Pent.
"Elfire!" shouted the sage, conjuring eruptions that burst forth from the ground, burning any enemy unfortunate enough to be caught within it. "Dustox, Solarbeam!"
"Dus-TOX!" Hovering in the air next to its master, the Poison Moth Pokémon gathered the scorching sunlight from above to create a powerful beam that blasted the rest of the bandits across the horizon.
"Ooh, you meanie!" swore Jasmine as he angrily swung his fist at Pent. "Sandslash, Sand-Attack!"
"Sandslash!" Complying, the Mouse Pokémon used its claws to furiously shower Pent and Dustox with sand.
"Ugh!" Pent grimaced as he used his cape to shield himself from the falling sand particles. "Dustox, use Psybeam!"
"Cacturne, Protect!" ordered Paul. Immediately, the Grass/Dark-type Pokémon leapt in front of Sandslash defensively, taking the energy beam fired from Dustox's eyes. As it raised its head, Cacturne grinned nastily at the surprised Dustox. Its Dark-type element had absorbed all of the Poison Moth's attack, and both Cacturne and Sandslash were completely unharmed!
"Urgh..." Pent gritted his teeth. This was not going to be as easy as he thought...
"There he is!" Hearing voices behind him, the sage turned around to see a pair of tacticians, a trio of lords and a group of other units running towards his direction. "Don't let those bandits get away!"
"...? Lord Pent!" exclaimed Erk.
"Erk?" called Pent. "What are you doing here?"
"While protecting Lady Lyndis of House Caerleon, I encountered many... unusual circumstances that brought me to join Lord Eliwood on this journey from Laus," Erk explained.
"Is that so?" Pent mused. "Then you have endured much..."
"Hardly, master," assured Erk.
"Eh, I hate to break up the teacher-student reunion here..." pointed Shadow, "But we need to watch out for those guys!"
"Sandstorm!" shouted the bandit warriors. Both Sandslash and Cacturne started to spin around, generating a powerful tornado of sand that knocked the wind out of Dustox. "TOX!"
"Dustox!" Crying out, Pent took out a Pokéball, recalling his fallen Pokémon. "Return!"
"Pent!" Above them, Flygon came down from the skies, creating an area of clear by flapping its wings, redirecting the flow of the sandstorm.
"Hm? Who are you?" Eliwood asked the berserker who had just touched down.
"I'm Hawkeye, defender of this desert," Hawkeye briefly introduced. "I will drive out the bandits. Guests need not fight."
"Please wait!" shouted Eliwood as Hawkeye and Flygon charged into the billowing sand. "Guests?"
"Lord Eliwood, stay back!" Shadow urged. "There's no way we could stand a chance in this sandstorm!"
"Shadow's right, Lord Eliwood! As long as Sandstorm is in effect, non-mineral Pokémon will continue to take damage!" agreed Erk, as he tossed out his Pokéballs. "Slugma, Pikachu! Use Light Screen to block out the sand!"
"Ma!" "Pika!" Together, the two Pokémon generated a clear barrier around the group, giving them a little breathing space amidst the storm.
"Alright! Now at least we can see what's going on!" cheered Imppala. Outside...
"Flygon! Use Rock Slide, now!" ordered Hawkeye.
"Flyyyy!" Roaring, Flygon summoned a shower of rocks, hitting both Sandslash and Cacturne at the same time.
"Cacturne, Bullet Seed!" yelled Paul. In the storm, Sandslash began to fire a series of seeds at Flygon, striking the Mystic Pokémon and nearly knocking Hawkeye off.
"Hawkeye needs help!" shouted Shadow. "We need someone to go in there and aid him in his battle!"
"I'll go! Aggron!" Oswin called, releasing his Iron Armour Pokémon. "Aggron's tough impenetrable armour should come in useful here!"
"Alright, Oswin, but watch yourself!" warned Hector before Oswin and Aggron stepped out of the protective barrier.
"Aggron! Use Icy Wind!" ordered Oswin. Opening its mouth, Aggron fired a freezing gust of wind. As the attack neared, Sandslash and Cacturne smirked knowingly to each other... and all of a sudden, they weren't there any more.
"What! How could Aggron's attack miss?" Imppala exclaimed.
"It's Sand Veil! Sandslash and Cacturne are able to use the sandstorm to hide their movements!" explained Pent.
"Grrr... Aggron!" Oswin shouted. "Try your Aerial Ace!"
"Gron!" Nodding, Aggron tried to move forward, but discovered with dismay its feet had already sunk into the ground!
"Aggron's much too heavy!" Erk exclaimed. "The weak foundations of the sandy desert floor are giving way under its weight!"
"Now, Sandslash!" Jasmine hollered. "Use Sand Tomb!"
"Sandslash!" Complying, Sandslash generated a swirling pillar of sand, catching Aggron in the middle. As the sand rose up, the particles slashed against Aggron's body, wearing away its metallic armour.
"Groooon!" howled the Steel-type Pokémon in pain.
"Finish it, Cacturne! Focus Punch!" commanded Paul.
"Cac-TURNE!" As Aggron was hopelessly immobilised, Cacturne dashed out from nowhere, delivering a powerful punch that left huge cracks in Aggron's mineral body.
"Ah... Aggron! Return!" Left with no other alternative, Oswin quickly recalled his defeated partner.
"We need a Pokémon that can fight well in the sandstorm as stand against it!" yelled Shadow. "Maybe another Pokémon that knows Sand Veil..."
"Send me!" Wil volunteered. "Cacnea's the pre-evolved form of Cacturne, so it should stand an equal chance in the storm!"
"Hmm... It's not very strong, but I guess we could give it a try!" nodded Imppala. "You're up, Wil!"
"Don't overexert yourself, Wil!" called Rebecca after the archer.
"Here," offered Hawkeye as he landed besides Wil. "We'll be slightly better off from the sky."
"Alright!" nodded Wil as he clambered on. "Go, Cacnea!"
"Cacnea! Cacnea!" said the Grass-type Pokémon as it came out from its Pokéball.
"Take us up, Flygon!" Hawkeye commanded. The Dragon-type nodded as it beat its rhombic wings, lifting both men and Pokémon into the sky...
"Poison Sting!" ordered the bandits. Quickly, Sandslash and Cacturne let fly a storm of toxic needles.
"Flygon, counter with Gust!" shouted Hawkeye. As the stingers flew towards it, Flygon flapped its wings furiously, managing to blow the needles away in time.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Wil yelled as he fired arrow after arrow. "Cacnea! Use your Pin Missile!"
"Cacnea!" Mimicking its master, Cacnea swung its arms in a circular motion, hurling its own barrage of needles at the enemy.
"Gargh!" grunted Paul. "Cacturne! Needle Arm, now!"
"Turne!" Nodding, the evolved Grass-type raised its arm, launching a series of thorns much bigger than the stingers.
"Gonn!" As the thorns struck it in the stomach, Flygon suddenly stopped flying around, but hovered in the air instead.
"Oh, no!" grunted the berserker. "Flygon flinched from Cacturne's attack! It's too shocked to fly onwards!"
"Cac-NEA!" Surprised by Flygon's abrupt stopping, Cacnea lost its grip on Flygon and flew into the storm, easily carried by the powerful winds.
"Ah! Cacnea!" Alarmed, Wil tried to grab onto his Pokémon, but missed by a centimetre. "Quick, Cacnea! Ingrain!"
"Cac!" Understanding what to do, Cacnea extended a network of roots from its lower body, which spread over the desert floor and sunk in deeply, preventing Cacnea from flying away any further.
"Good work!" Hawkeye praised as Cacnea started to lower itself to the ground. "Now let's try to get those bandits! Flygon, use Dragon Claw!"
"Ehehehehe..." smirked the brothers. "You know what to do!"
"Sandslash! Cacturne!" As Flygon neared them, the two enemy Pokémon disappeared once again into the swirling sands.
"They're too fast in this sandstorm!" shouted Hawkeye. "If there were a way we could slow them down..."
"Slow them down? That's it!" exclaimed Wil. "Cacnea! Use Cotton Spore!"
"Cacnea!" Spinning on the ground, Cacnea began to release a flurry of fluff, coating Sandslash and Cacturne thoroughly.
"Slash?" "Cact!" Not expecting Wil's surprise move, the two fully evolved desert Pokémon stumbled around as their coats of cotton slowed their movements.
"Now, Flygon! Use Gust!" Hawkeye commanded. Flygon beat its wings again, creating slicing zephyrs that struck the enemy Pokémon, hard.
"Cacturne! Sandslash! What's with you?" Paul and Jasmine shouted.
"Alright! They won't be moving in and out of the storm when they're as slow as that!" Wil smirked. Meanwhile...
"What's going on?" yelled Imppala. "I can't see a thing!"
"Flygon must be flapping its wings a lot," observed Pent. "Flygon's famous for causing sand to fly around by simply flapping its wings!"
"Hey, I think I see the sun!" exclaimed Shadow as a huge beam of light suddenly shot through the storm, followed by several smaller ones, momentarily blinding the people and Pokémon in the barrier. Sure enough, the sandstorm began to calm down, bit by bit, until the sun shone clearly in the sky once again. Everyone now could see the two pairs of men facing each other, as well as a Sandslash, a Flygon, and... two Cacturne?
"...Wil's Cacnea must have evolved into Cacturne!" Imppala realised. "That explains the first big beam of light..."
"Solarbeam! Fire Blast!" called Wil and Hawkeye respectively. Boosted by the shining sun, Wil's Cacturne released a concentrated beam of solar energy, while Flygon spewed a powerful flame from its mouth.
"Slaaaaassh! Tuuuuuurne!" Unable to withstand the powerful attacks, the bandits' Pokémon fell limply to the side.
"Ahhh!" screamed the bandits. "You mean, mean, men!"
"Flygon! Take me down!" shouted Hawkeye. Complying, the mystic Pokémon flew across the sand as the berserker swung his killer axe around. "HUH!" he yelled as he passed by the two warriors, swiping his in a figure eight motion between left and right.
"GUNGH!" gasped the two bandits as they fell onto the ground, with their heads bleeding profusely.
"I got hit, but it feels gooood..." murmured Jasmine deliriously as the brothers lay dying. "These people are too strong, Paul..."
"I can't believe we lost, Brother..." choked Paul. "Aaah... It's a tragedy, Jasmine."
"You really helped me out," Pent acknowledged Eliwood and the others when Hawkeye and Wil had returned. "I thank you."
"We couldn't watch a lopsided battle. That's all," Eliwood replied.
"So, why have you come to this wasteland?" asked Pent.
"Well... We were told to come here and meet a 'living legend'," explained Eliwood.
"'Living legend'? Ha ha ha!" Pent laughed, much to the others' (minus Hawkeye's) surprise. "I see. That's well said."
"But do you know what it means?" asked Lyn.
"Yes, I suppose I do," smiled Pent. "Looks like we share a common destination."
"Pent... did you find it?" Hawkeye asked.
"That I did," Pent replied, holding up the blue vial in his hand. "And as I thought, it's spectacular."
"It's getting dark," commented Hawkeye as he watched the sun slowly dip across the sky. "Let's go back."
"Yes, let's make haste," agreed Pent. "Desert nights are treacherous."
"Oh... Okay," Eliwood nodded. "Is everyone here?"
"Just a moment!" called Shadow. "Legault and the others who stayed behind are coming over."
"Alright. We'll give them some time to regroup with us, then move on," nodded Hector.
Later, as the group trudged on...
"I don't mind going with you, Pent, but how far do we have to walk?" Hector complained. "No matter how far we go, there's just more sand... Whoa!"
"Hector?" Lyn turned around to face the spot where Hector was, or at least was supposed to be. "What is it, Hect... Kyaaa!"
"Hector? Lyndis?" Now it was Eliwood's turn to look around. "Where did those two... Hnh? What in blazes!" As the Pheraen noble looked down, he suddenly realised in shock, "I'm... I'm sinking into the sand!"
As Eliwood's outcry rang across the desert, everyone else began to realise that they too were, slowly but surely, being engulfed by the sand. Series of screams and cries for help soon ensued, but no one could stop their inevitable descent down below.
Before long, the whole of Eliwood's army had sunk into the ground, leaving the surface of the Nabata desert completely empty, except for the bloodstained bodies from the battle earlier on...
ShadowedTactician: ...Alright. For the next one, it's going to be reeeeeally tough.
Imppala: Is it? The next chapter isn't so bad; it's just another of those bulldozing-tactics chapters where we wipe the floor with the enemy.
ShadowedTactician: I mean the Rare trainers. I'm going to have to isolate a few more...
Imppala: WHAT!
ShadowedTactician: Er, I mean... I was going to work on...
Imppala: Grrrr... I'm giving you five minutes to start running before I hunt you down and confine you to a wheelchair!
ShadowedTactician: Thank you. (starts hobbling) Heeeeeelp! Somebody save me!
Grim: ...Review.
