ShadowedTactician: Bring out the video games! Bring out the lemon tea! I've finished FE: Dragon's Gate! Themed decks and prereleases all round!
Electrike: I'll bring out the video games!
Imppala: I'll bring out the snacks!
Grim: I'll... just reply to the reviews because I can't hold anything.

Gijinka Renamon
Grim: Truth be told, ShadowedTactician doesn't have any specific pairings he'd die for... but he does tend to move towards canon pairings, and he's more likely to reject strange ones. And since that's what he's doing for this story, it's quite easy to gauge when to throw abuse at him.

Elven-girl10
Grim: Agreed, a love triangle between the three magic users would be interesting... sadly, it never went into ShadowedTactician's planning.

RubyVulpix
Grim: Hear, hear. Levitate is such a cool ability to have.

Jeanie
Grim: Why, thank you, Jeanie. It's not every reviewer who takes away their author-intended abuse after they've thrown it. No offence, but Heath/Priscilla does seem a very unlikely pattern... They share no history, not much similarities (I may easily have missed them, except I haven't been able to find any)... and, according to a reliable GameFAQ on Fire Emblem, the Erk-Priscilla Support does provide better benefits. We apologise. On another note, yes, people who don't get promoted tend to have premature Pokémon evolutions or Pokémon at their final stage. Which is why Sain has Rapidash, Matthew has Aipom, and so on.

Frodo007
Grim: Actually, the "plan" refers to the secret ShadowedTactician is constantly refusing to tell everyone, and Imppala is "threatening" to reveal. However, ShadowedTactician has certainly elaborately planned this chapter, and we sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Hurricane's Quill
Grim: Well, ShadowedTactician has got an idea for a Pokémonised version of Golden Sun... but he's not planning on writing it. Juniper Lee and Golden Sun combined, perhaps?

WARNING: CHANCES ARE YOU WILL WANT TO THROW ABUSE AFTER READING THIS CHAPTER!


Chapter 23x: Genesis/VS Regirock


Having defeated a band of desert thugs and rescued Pent, Eliwood's army follows the sage in hopes of finding "the living legend". However, the weak desert floor, unable to withstand the combined weight of every member in the group, gave way without warning. Eliwood and his friends sink into the ground, not knowing what awaits them beneath the treacherous surface...
Several decametres below the Nabata sands, a cloaked figure teleported into the central room of a network of underground ruins. Each room was exactly the same shape and size as the others, and all of them had either cracked walls or locked doors. The walls of the ruins were decorated by ceiling-to-floor tiles, each with its own inscription of six white and black dots. The figure was not alone, however; a brown-coloured Bug Pokémon floated next to him.

"Can I please hear your story again, Lord Kishuna?" asked the Pokémon.

"Shedinja... I have already told it to you before... and I have also told you, I do not like mentioning it." Though the cloaked man spoke no words, Shedinja could feel his message through the eerily silent aura his lord emanated.

"Just one more time, Lord Kishuna. It is so lonely not having anyone else to talk to," pleaded Shedinja.

"...Very well," conceded Kishuna. As the cloaked man concentrated, Shedinja could feel Kishuna's power as his master took it on a journey back in time...


In front of a man dressed in the robes of a dark druid stood a strange-looking altar. It consisted of three consecutively smaller circular platforms stacked upon each other. Atop the topmost platform stood four torches in a square formation. Within the square area marked out by the torches was a magic circle drawn in chalk. In the middle of the circle was nothing but what a normal person would dismiss as a dust pile. But the dark druid knew better.

Suddenly, as the druid worked his magic, the dust pile began to rise. No longer was it a humble dust pile as its particles coagulated and twisted around, eventually forming what looked like a human. Well, what seemed to look like a human. Its skin was incredibly pale, and its body was horribly thin. Even though the figure was so thin that its bones would have shown, no contours could be seen on its body. Its bald head was bowed down, masking any facial features it had in the shadows.

Then, within the figure's head, something clicked.

"...I name you Kishuna," declared the druid. The figure's mind began to whirr, although it didn't move a centimetre.

"You are the only morph to whom I've given emotions," the druid continued. "It won't suffice to simply refer to you as a number." Still the figure kept silent.

"It is said that man was sculpted by the hands of the gods," remarked the druid. "If so, then you, who were sculpted by these, my hands... And I, whose labours gave you breath and life... What are we, then? What does that make us?" The druid asked as he began to pace around.

"In your fabricated heart, which I gave unto you... what is it that you believe, Kishuna?"


"Lord Kishuna!" Shedinja suddenly exclaimed.

"What is it, Shedinja?" Kishuna asked. "I thought you wanted to hear my story?"

"I... It's not that!" yelled Shedinja. "...Enemies approach!"

"...Bah," muttered Kishuna. "It's those fools that attacked Valour. No matter... I will kill them here, and bring their bodies to Lord Nergal... and maybe, he will be pleased with me at last."


"Oof... a rock wall?" groaned Eliwood as he came to. "Where am I?... Where is everyone?"

"Hello. You're awake!" breathed Pent. The sage had been kneeling next to the Pheraen lord, watching concernedly. "Are you well?"

"...You're... from before..." Eliwood murmured.

"I'm Pent. Hawkeye's friend," Pent introduced. The berserker stood next to the sage, saying nothing.

"Um... Hawkeye?" asked Eliwood. "What is this place?"

"...I don't know," frowned Hawkeye.

"Eh? You don't know?" remarked Pent, surprised. "I would never have imagined a place such as this existed."

"My master never spoke of anything like this," Hawkeye replied. Just then, Nils came running towards the three men, with Shadow and Imppala behind him.

"Ah! Lord Eliwood!" gushed the young bard. "I'm so glad I found you!"

"Nils! Shadow! Imppala!" Eliwood exclaimed. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes. They're in another room, adjacent to this one," Shadow answered. "They're nursing their minor injuries after that fall through the sand... Do you have any idea where we are, milord?"

"I wonder how we get out of here," wondered Imppala.

"I'd like to know, too," agreed Eliwood.

"...Something strange is here," Pent frowned suddenly. "I can feel it in the air."

"Yes, you're right!" nodded Nils. "It's strange. Unsettling!"

"This disquieting feeling... I know it. I've felt it before," Eliwood realised. "Back on Valour."

"On the Dread Isle?" Nils asked.

"Yes, we first felt it in those ruins near the Dragon's Gate," recalled the Pheraen noble. "That was right before all our magics failed us."

"Pent, doesn't that sound like..." Hawkeye began.

"...Like a magic seal," finished Pent. "What's that?" asked Eliwood.

"I'm not entirely certain how to explain it," the sage frowned even further. "It's... someone whose very presence nullifies all magic."

"Why would this person be here? Why now?" Eliwood wondered.

"I have no idea," Pent shrugged. "...All I know is that we're being watched."

"Uh-oh!" exclaimed Nils. "Something's happening!"

All of a sudden, the entire of the ruins was filled with enemies, with one unit in nearly every room beyond the walls that shielded Eliwood and the others from their sight.

"He... he's called some friends," Nils trembled. "They are... very powerful."

"He summoned them here? I'm beginning to suspect the magic seal created this place," mused Pent.

"If we kill him, can we get out of here?" asked Hawkeye.

"Perhaps," Pent replied.

"Then we fight!" shouted Eliwood. "If they have strength, then we'll match their strength and challenge them! We don't have time for this!"

"I will fight, too," Hawkeye offered. "Pent, you stay here and guard the others."

"Guard the others?" Imppala scratched his head. "Wouldn't it be easier to just rush them with our numbers?"

"Not necessarily, Imppala," Shadow countered. "These rooms aren't very big, and any existing doorways wouldn't allow for rapid progression. We'll just have to go on with less units."

"I understand, Hawkeye," nodded Pent, having received his orders.

"Select those who will go with us," cautioned Hawkeye, now turning to the two tacticians. "...And choose carefully."


"Alright, Grim, you know what to do," called Shadow as the Requiem Pokémon vanished into the wall. "It'll take a few minutes for him to come back and give his report," said the tactician to himself. "In the meantime... Hannah!"

"Who called?" Hannah asked wearily as she hobbled over. "Oh, it's you, Shadow. You have good timing," she murmured. "I... need to talk with you."

"Fire away, Hannah," Shadow smiled kindly.

"I'm old... and I'm weary," began Hannah with a sigh. "You all fight so much. Day in, day out. A magic island one day, and a burning desert the next. I'm worn out. Exhausted."

"Uh huh..." nodded Shadow.

"...Truth be told, it's too much for me," Hannah admitted. "I'm a simple fortune-teller, and these battles are too much... I can't take anymore."

"Eh? Does that mean you'll be going back?" Shadow exclaimed. "But, but..."

"Hm? Ah... Don't worry about the auguries. I've arranged for someone to take my place," smiled Hannah. "...Take care of yourselves. I'll pray for your success."

"You take care of yourself, too, Hannah," replied Shadow as he shook hands with the old woman. "And thanks for everything."

"Xatu!" Producing her Pokéball, Hannah released the Mystic bird Pokémon. "I'm going to have to leave you with these people until this war is over. You know where to find me in Lycia. Until then, please help these people in any way you can."

"Xa..." Xatu stared lovingly back at its mistress as she affectionately patted its head. Suddenly, Xatu raised its wings, creating a small magic circle around Hannah. Before Shadow could even say "Goodbye", Hannah had already disappeared into thin air. "Teleport," realised the tactician.

"Oh, Shadow!" called Nils as he came over. "Do you need an augury? Hannah asked if I could lend you my skill. To be honest, I'm not sure I can do it, but I'll try my best!"

"Alright then," Shadow shrugged. "Be my guest." Xatu immediately flew over, joined limbs with the bard, and began to perform the ritual.

"One moment, please," Nils requested with closed eyes. "I see... shades of the battle yet to come... I've seen this before. There's someone who can block magic."

"Not as good as I'd expected, but I suppose it is his first try," thought Shadow.

"Use this to your advantage, and you may well win. This will be a vicious battle," continued Nils. "Take only your strongest. Take your most powerful weapons as well. Don't try to match blades with the enemy, though. Pick your spot, and let them come to you one at a time..." The young bard finished as he opened his eyes. "...That's it. Would you like me to repeat this augury, Shadow?"

"No thank you, Nils," Shadow replied. "Hmmm... Considering that there's a magic seal in place, I doubt magic users and healers will be of much help... In that case, we'll..."

"Kull! Duskull!" Grim suddenly emerged from the wall through which he had departed the room earlier. In a routinely fashion, Shadow held up a piece of paper, which the Ghost-type Pokémon eagerly burned his report in pictorial form.

"Hmmm... a series of doors and chests... We'll let Matthew and Legault deal with those. In that case, we'll just bring along all our physical units, Imppala... Imppala?" The green tactician turned around to see his counterpart and a certain lilac-haired thief gazing down at a pile of objects.

"An ocean seal, a hero crest, a light brand, a body ring, a tome of the Eclipse spell and a Filla's Might ring..." Imppala listed excitedly. "Where did you get all this stuff?"

"All buried under the desert sand," replied Legault with a smug look on his face. "Still, they couldn't elude my brilliant skills, not to mention..."

"Oi! The two of you!" barked Shadow. "Lord Eliwood's already said we're running out of time! Now stop fooling around with your treasures and get a move on!"

"Awwww..." responded the two simultaneously.

Later, when everyone had gotten ready...

"Alright! Are you ready, everyone?" called Eliwood. "Try not to get separated."

"...Don't move!" Hawkeye shouted suddenly. Without warning, a series of rocks came crashing down from the ceiling, forming a strong barrier that divided the party into two.

"Ah! The wall!" Eliwood exclaimed.

"...He's responsible," came Hawkeye's voice from the other side. "He's watching us from somewhere." Eliwood could not say anything in reply. The wall looked impregnable and ordinary attacks like theirs could not possibly break it.

"Let's go!" Shadow shouted. "We won't accomplish anything just by sitting around. Let's try to meet up later!"

There was nothing else for the two to do but move on, in hope that they would quickly rejoin...


"Brick Break!" shouted Dorcas and Bartre. Both Zangoose and Poliwhirl leapt up together, bringing their fists down and smashing the wall in front of them.

"Flamethrower!" Hawkeye commanded. Flygon released a powerful stream of fire, incinerating the unlucky druid that happened to be in the next room.

"Alright, everyone move!" ordered Shadow, leading his units forward through the newly formed doorway. All except Lyn, who was hesitating at the back of the group.

"What's wrong, Lyn?" asked Rath, who happened to be next to her.

"Hm... What? Oh, nothing," Lyn replied hurriedly.

"The battlefield is no place for daydreaming," Rath continued, more out of concern than of admonishment. "...You'll get killed."

"I, um, yes," murmured Lyn. "I'm sorry." Her Kutolah counterpart did not reply.

"I was thinking of my grandfather..." sighed the plainsgirl. "He was still... asleep... when I left Caelin. Just when it seemed he was getting better... Why... Why must these things happen to me?" Lyn whispered to no one in particular. "...I don't want to lose him. Not... another one." All this while, Rath stood next to Lyn, saying nothing.

"Well. Enough of dark thoughts!" exclaimed Lyn brightly, turning to Rath. "Why... why don't you tell me a bit about yourself, Rath? The Kutolah tribe is quite large, is it not? Is it true that you have no enemies, for all fear your leader, the Silver Wolf?"

"Can't say," Rath replied. "I left Kutolah before I was old enough to understand such things. For fifteen years now, I've travelled by myself."

"Why leave your tribe?" Lyn asked, but the nomad had already rode silently on.


"Sigh..." Burying his head in his arms, Lucius sat down on the cold floor of the main room. He and the other magic users had been asked by Shadow to stay behind, since the green tactician had already stated that they wouldn't be of much help anyway. Yet, the monk could not help but worry about Raven, who had left with the others, thus vanishing from Lucius' sight. Had Lucius been stronger, both in body and mind, he might have said something, but...

"Lucius? Is that you?" came a voice. The monk looked up to see a very familiar purple-haired mage in a red robe, accompanied by a red-haired valkryie.

"Erk!" exclaimed Lucius, forgetting about Raven for a moment. "Why, I haven't seen you since the battle between Lady Lyndis and her grand-uncle last year!"

"Same to you," smiled Erk. "Now I'm escorting Lady Priscilla of Caerleon from Etruria."

"It is an honour, sir," bowed Priscilla from atop Rapidash.

"Lady... Priscilla?" Lucius repeated. "Are you... Might you be... of House Cornwell?"

"Eh?" Erk looked shocked. "Lucius, how did you..."

"Hm? Have we met somewhere before?" Priscilla asked.

"No, I have... just heard your name in passing, I believe," replied Lucius quickly. "Lord Raven has... Forgive me... To you, he is Raymond, is he not?"

"Are you a friend of my brother, Raymond?" continued Priscilla.

"Yes," nodded the monk. "I served House Cornwell. Raymond has told me of you. He said that he once had a sister who was sent to live with the count of Caerleon."

"So... my brother speaks of me?" asked the valkryie hopefully.

"Have you seen Raymond recently?" Lucius asked.

"Yes," Priscilla replied, blushing slightly. "He is the same as always... he is a fine man."

And so the conversation continued, without poor Erk understanding what was going on...


As the fight went on and the groups advanced, Kishuna's forces were quickly depleted as they were overwhelmed by Eliwood's army, one by one. Progress was smooth, much smoother than either tactician had anticipated, and except for a few instances where a thief had to relieve a chest of its treasure, the two groups proceeded fast and furiously.

"Lord Kishuna... our units are falling," Shedinja noted worriedly. "And the enemy is drawing ever closer as we speak... What shall we do?"

"Bah!" cursed the magic seal. "If I can't stop those fools with force, then I shall tap upon the eternal Pokémon itself..." Turning around, Kishuna faced what looked a huge brown statue, composed of rocks stacked together to form a human figure of sorts. It appeared to have a huge rock with a larger base than top for its head and body, huge slabs for shoulder blades, as well as assorted smaller rocks which formed its arms, hands and short stubby legs. Just then, Eliwood's team bust the door down, allowing the Pheraen lordling to get a good look at the nullifier of magic... albeit from his back.

"...Rise," Kishuna said simply, ignoring the new company he had, in a voice no one else but Shedinja could hear.

Kishuna's single word had a startling effect. All of a sudden, the entire of the ruins began to shake violently, as if a tremor was taking place. Walls began to fall apart, and the ceiling began to crumble, but thankfully not enough to result in a cave-in. The seismic activity, however, was most concentrated at the room where Kishuna and Shedinja were, as the statue began to come to life. Seven beams of light burst forth from seven circles in a letter "H" formation, situated where the statue's forehead was supposed to be. They were quickly followed by other beams of light, erupting from various parts of the statue's body, as bits of stone began to chip off its exterior. By the time the shaking had stopped, the statue had revealed itself to be a rock creature, composed of whitish stone with several bits of orange here and there.

"Wha... what is that?" screamed Eliwood.

As Kishuna and Shedinja teleported wordlessly away, the rock creature raised its heavy arms and turned here and there (slowly), as if looking for something to destroy. Meanwhile, back at the main room where Pent and the others were waiting...

"The air... It's returned to normal!" exclaimed Pent. "The magic seal has fled!"

"But this tectonic activity... it's not right!" frowned Nils. "Something must have happened!"

While the people in the room were abuzz with conversation, Erk silently put two and two together.

"If the magic seal is gone... I should be able to use my magic... Then, I'll finally be able to prove myself to Lord Pent!" Thoughts flew through Erk's mind as he charged out of the room.

"Erk! Where are you going!" Priscilla called frantically.

"Come on!" Pent shouted. "After him!"


Meanwhile...

"What is that thing!" Eliwood was shouting. The revived rock creature stood at five feet and seven inches high, and although it had no face it seemed anything but friendly.

"REGIROCK!" thundered the creature, which had started to glow with a powerful yellow light. At the same time, small rocks began to fly upwards all around it, as if powered by some mysterious force. All of a sudden, what looked like a huge meteor erupted from the creature, blasting through several walls and knocking everyone aside.

"...Superpower!" recognised Hawkeye, once he had picked himself up and looked at the walls. "That means... this must be one of the three legendary Regis, Regirock!"

"Who?" Imppala yelled, as the Rock Peak Pokémon launched a series of stones in a Rock Throw attack.

"My master told me about the three Regis once," Hawkeye recalled, as he swung his axe wildly to deflect the incoming rocks. "They were created by the Eight Legendary Heroes to help fight in the Scouring, out of rock, metal, and ice respectively. Although they were strong and instrumental in winning the war for the humans, they couldn't be controlled even after the war was won. The three Regis were then sealed in different, undisclosed locations, where it was hoped they would remain forever... but now it looks like that magic seal has awakened Regirock, and it's attacking without a mind of its own!"

"Great! Now what're we supposed to do?" grumbled Imppala, dodging Regirock's barrage of stones with everyone else. "We're dealing with a legendary creature here! It's a thousand to one we're going to be either crushed, or even buried alive!"

"Still, we can't afford to lose here! The whole of Lycia's depending on us!" yelled Shadow.

"I'll handle this!" growled Bartre, raising his axe. "Zangoose! Dynamicpunch, now!"

"Zan-GOOSE!" As the fighter charged and brought down his weapon onto Regirock, Zangoose leapt at the enemy from the other side and rammed its fist into Regirock's side.

"ROCK!" Just as the attacks made contact, Regirock began to glow with a soft red light. Cracks began to appear along its exterior, and huge chunks of stone began to chip off. However, before the others could cheer, Bartre's axe suddenly shattered into a thousand fragments, as well as Zangoose's nails, and both man and Pokémon fell back in pain, clutching their respective arms.

"Aggggh..." Bartre groaned. "Cou... Counter..."

"Poliwhirl!" shouted Dorcas. "Let's try..."

"Dorcas, wait!" Shadow exclaimed. Everyone turned to see the legendary statue use its gaiakinetic powers to gather rocks from its surroundings. One by one, the rocks adhered to the Pokémon's skin, adding to its already large body.

"It's repairing itself!" cried Shadow.

"Regirock was made from stones unearthed from all corners of the continent and reanimated using the most advanced of magic," Hawkeye explained grimly. "It's no surprise that it should contain so much power on its own!"

"Alright! If physical attacks won't work on it, then maybe elemental attacks will!" declared Imppala. "Water and Grass Pokémon, attack!"

"Good idea! Poliwhirl, Water Pulse!" Dorcas ordered. Hector, Lyn, Dart, Wil and Rebecca also released their Pokémon, and soon enough there was a storm of water and leaves raining onto Regirock.

"It's working!" Imppala shouted, as Regirock was getting blasted backwards, slowly but surely.

"Regi..." Managing to hold its ground, Regirock suddenly tensed up, and those who were paying attention would've sworn at that moment that the legendary Rock-type was starting to spark with electricity.

"REGIROCK!" roared the Pokémon, letting fly a powerful electric attack that struck down its opponents hard.

"Ah..." gasped Shadow as the six Pokémon fell together onto the ground in a paralysed heap. "What, what..."

"That was Zap Cannon!" observed Hawkeye. "Regirock managed to make use of the torrents of water to ensure its inaccurate electric attack would hit!"

"That's it!" snapped Imppala. "It's time for an all-out assault! Everybody..."

"Stand back!" Surprised, Eliwood and the others turned around to see...

"Erk?" Shadow exclaimed. The purple-haired mage faced the rock creature with a determined look on his face, along with Slugma and Pikachu by his side.

"Guiding ring!" hollered Erk, raising his right hand. A beam of light exploded from the artifact, bathing Erk and his Pokémon in a flurry of sparks. By the time the lightning had vanished, Erk was dressed in a red cape and sage's clothing, just like his mentor.

The promotion also had a similar effect on Erk's Pokémon, as they too began to change form. Slugma's body grew bigger and now it had a round, light blue shell on its back made from solidified magma, with a small flame burning on one side. Pikachu also grew larger, and now it had ears with curved backwards, a white chest, orange fur, yellow cheeks and a long black tail that ended in a dangerously sharp lightning bolt.

"Fire Blast! Thunderbolt!" Erk commanded, while flipping through two tomes at once. "Elfire! Thunder!" he screamed.

"Mag-CAR! Rai-CHU!" Together with his Pokémon, the newly promoted magic user unleashed a hurricane of fire and electricity, hitting Regirock hard in its centre.

"...I don't know how he's managed to do it, but it's going well!" Imppala remarked, once he had found his voice back.

"Yes it does, but I think Erk's starting to wear himself out!" pointed out Shadow worriedly. Indeed, sweat was pouring down Erk's forehead, and the strained expression on his face hinted that it wasn't because of the heat.

"Eliwood!" Pent had just entered the scene, along with the other magic users. "What the blazes..." he exclaimed as he saw his student taking on the legendary creature.

"Ngggh... Just... one more chant..." muttered Erk through gritted teeth. "Ahh..."

"ERK!" screamed Priscilla, as Erk fell to the ground in a dead faint.

"Erk! Get a hold of yourself!" Quickly, Pent dashed over to Erk, holding the purple-haired sage in his arms. "He's been using too much magic... This is not good..."

"Will he be alright?" Priscilla whispered as she stood besides Pent.

"It requires a severe remedy, but I have no choice." Grimly, Pent grasped Erk's hands, allowing some of his magic strength to be passed onto his student. "He'll be fine now. He just needs some rest..."

"That's it!" Imppala snapped. "It's time for an all out assault! Everyone, distanced attack!"

At Imppala's command, everyone released any ranged attack they could think of, using either Pokémon, magic or weaponry. All at once, Regirock began to glow with a powerful white light...

"...Everyone, watch out!" exclaimed Hawkeye. "That's Expl..."

Before Hawkeye could finish, Regirock had already released the devastating self-destructive attack that sent everyone flying and the ceiling crashing.

"Lady Lyn, look out!" shouted Rath, valiantly jumping over Lyn just as a boulder came down from the ceiling and struck him. "UNGH!"

"Rath!" cried Lyn. "Are you alright?"

"..." The nomad said nothing as he collapsed into Lyn's arms. "RATH!" she screamed.

"Hawkeye!" shouted Pent, pointing to Regirock. The Rock Peak Pokémon had not escaped unscathed; now gaping holes could be seen in its body, where white smoke poured from. "Regirock's been severely weakened after that Explosion! Let's try to catch it!"

"Alright!" The berserker took a Pokéball from a leather pouch, and flung it. "Go!"

As the Pokéball hit the legendary Pokémon, it opened with a click, releasing a red light that absorbed Regirock into the ball. Everyone watched intently as the Pokéball shook once, twice... then stopped. Even as they watched, they could see the Pokéball change from a smooth, shiny exterior to a craggy, rocky one.

"...Well, that's that," remarked Hawkeye as he walked up and picked up the Pokéball. "I think my master will know what to do with this..."

"And the magic seal has fled," Pent added. "All's well that ends well, I guess."

"What in the name of all that was decent was that?" wondered Eliwood, referring to the magic seal. "It has human form, but it's... It's not human!" Pent and Hawkeye looked at each other, unable to provide a decent answer.

"...That was a creature of heresy," spoke Ninian as she stepped out. "It's existence makes a ruin of nature's most basic laws."

"Ninian?" Eliwood looked surprised to see the dancer girl.

"...Ah, Lord Eliwood." Ninian seemed to come out from a trance of her own. "I..."

"...In this world, there are many mysterious things that fall beyond our realm of understanding," commented Pent. "Come, let us leave this place. A living legend awaits us."

"Ah... Yes!" At Eliwood's beckoning, everyone began to move, but at a slower pace because of their injuries. Only Hawkeye and Ninian were left behind.

"...Daughter of..." Hawkeye muttered.

"Hm?" Ninian looked up at the berserker, surprised.

"...Be strong." Gently, Hawkeye placed a firm hand on Ninian's shoulder.

"...Ah..." The dancer girl gazed back at Hawkeye, before the two of them rushed back to join the others.


Hours later, Eliwood, Lyn, Hector and the two tacticians had gathered in a huge hall, which was constructed out of the finest blue marble. Everyone else was resting elsewhere. The walls were ornately decorated, and so were the pillars. All around, a small moat surrounded the platform which Eliwood's group stood on, along with Hawkeye, Pent, a female sniper and an old man in a blue cloak. Every now and then, one or two brown-coloured fish would leap out and splash back into the moat. Even the small breezes that the five people could feel spoke in mysterious, soft whispers.

"...I've brought them," reported Hawkeye to the old man.

"Welcome, children of Roland," greeted the old man.

"We've come from Lycia, old man," Hector reminded. "Do you understand?"

"What do you mean?" asked Lyn.

"...I think I know," spoke Eliwood. "Thousands of years ago, man and dragon fought on this continent."

"Yes, mankind won, and the dragons fled this world," Lyn added.

"That's correct," Eliwood nodded. "Man against dragon... the war that we know as the Scouring. And you know of the Eight Legends, the heroes who led man to victory?"

"Yes, we've all heard stories of the Eight Legends," agreed Lyn. "I was raised in Sacae, so I know of Hanon, the horseman."

"Sacae is where Hanon was born," mused Hector as he pondered. "Our country, Lycia, was founded by the hero Roland..."

"That's why you called us 'children of Roland', right?" Lyn asked the old man.

"That is correct, daughter of Hanon and Roland," he answered.

"Who are you?" questioned Eliwood. Nothing could have prepared the three lords and two tacticians for the answer that was to come.

"I am Athos," stated the old man. "Many choose simply to call me Archsage."

"Athos?" Eliwood gasped. "It can't be..."

"Huh? What!" Lyn was equally shocked.

"Archsage Athos was one of the Eight Legends," Hector said slowly. "If you really were him, old man... you'd have to be over a thousand years old."

"The world is full of mysteries," mused Athos. "Solve one, and along comes another... Before I knew it, I'd grown distant from my fellow man. Hunger... it knows no bounds."

"A thousand years... that's a long time," nodded Lyn.

"Yet thanks to such longevity, we're meeting here today," agreed Eliwood.

"'Living legend'... now I see it," smirked Hector.

"You're here because you want to stop Nergal, aren't you?" Athos asked.

"Yes," Eliwood answered. "Did you receive word from Marquess Ostia?"

"No... I am aware of most things that occur on the continent," replied Athos. "However, knowledge is not enough for me to prevent disaster."

"Nils said something similar to that before," Lyn recalled. "'With my special power, I can sense danger coming, but I can't do anything to stop it.'"

"Nils... one of the children of destiny," nodded Athos.

"He's here with us, but something outside caught his attention," frowned Lyn.

"...I'm sure something stopped him," Athos mused. The others looked at each other, not knowing what the Archsage meant. "Let's talk about Nergal," said Athos. "How do we stop him?"

"Yes, what can you tell us?" asked Eliwood. "What wisdom can you share?"

"Mm. Your foe is, like me, no longer... altogether human," Athos answered darkly. "It will be difficult to slay him through traditional means. He wields a terrible power. His endless strength stems from an ancient, forbidden magic... To defeat him, you need a suitable response."

"Response?" Eliwood repeated.

"...While he is resting, you must find the power to oppose him," explained Athos.

"Tell us what it is!" begged Eliwood. "We'll do anything!"

"It will be harder than you can imagine," Athos cautioned. "Great trials await you... as does great despair. You may regret your decision. Will you stay the course, children?"

"Our will remains fixed," Eliwood stated.

"This is a road from which you cannot turn back," warned the Archsage.

"We've known that all along!" snorted Hector.

"We can overcome anything," nodded Lyn. "You'll see. Together, we are strong."

"Very well," replied Athos. "Let me tell you what you must do..."


"Have you understood all that you have heard?" Athos asked, once the three lords had been sufficiently briefed.

"Yes," nodded Eliwood. "We are to seek out the Shrine of Seals in Bern, right?"

"Take Hawkeye with you," said Athos as he turned to the berserker. "Add his skills to your own."

"Thank you," Eliwood bowed.

"And you?" Athos turned to face the couple behind him. "What will you do, Pent and Louise?"

"Nergal, a magic user who rivals you, Lord Athos... and the return of the dragons. An intriguing story," mused Pent. Eliwood stood nearby, not knowing what to say.

"Forgive the late instructions," Pent smiled. "I am Pent, Count Reglay of Etruria. This is Louise, my wife."

"It's nice to meet you," bowed Louise.

"Count Reglay? You are Count Reglay?" asked Eliwood.

"Who? Is he someone special?" Lyn frowned.

"Yes. He hails from the most prominent noble house in Etruria," answered Hector. "He's known as the Magic General. What has brought you to this place?"

"Bern's successor will soon have his coming-of-age ceremony," explained Athos. "Pent and Louise are to attend as representatives of Etruria. Pent claimed there was time to search the desert for a magic artifact said to have been lost in the sands here long ago. You arrived shortly after we did... Perhaps something was guiding you," mused the Archsage.

"Bowing to the dictates of fate, my wife and I would like to join you if we may," offered Pent.

"Well, of course," smiled Lyn. "That's fine, right, Eliwood? Will you send word of your mission to your countrymen?"

"There's no reason to, and if we did, who would believe us? Besides, it's not unusual for us to remain absent for long periods," Pent replied. "I doubt anyone will be surprised by our absence. Right, dear?"

"Tee hee," giggled Louise. "You're right, my love."

"Not unlike a certain young noble we've heard of," smirked Eliwood.

"That's great! Thanks a lot!" replied Hector sarcastically.

"In any event, we welcome you both will all our hearts," Eliwood finished.

"Thank you," nodded Pent.

"...There's not much time. I'll send you to Lycia," cut in Athos. "Hawkeye! Gather everyone here in the plaza. But first..." The Archsage looked quizzically at the berserker. "Do you have it with you?"

"Right here, Lord Athos." Hawkeye walked up and placed the Pokéball holding Regirock in Athos' hand.

"...On this continent, we have lived. We owe all to the Pokémon," Athos sighed, reminiscing. "But, we sealed the Pokémon away. We feared it... It would appear that those with courage and hope have opened the doors to the eternal Pokémon at last... You may go now. Add Regirock to your numbers, but only use it when the situation is dire."

"As you wish, Lord Athos." The berserker took back the Pokéball, then went to gather everyone.

"...You are Shadow and Imppala, correct?" asked Athos as he turned to the two tacticians. "Fate blows a strange wind in your direction. Much rides on your shoulders and in your abilities... I want you two to take this."

"What is it?" asked Shadow as he received the gift. It was the blue vial Pent had found earlier in the desert.

"It enhances natural abilities, skills with which one was born," Athos explained. "Give this to whomever you feel will benefit the most. Do not waste its powers holding onto it. Use it."

"We will, Archsage," said Imppala as the two bowed.


Minutes later...

"Everyone is here," reported Hawkeye.

"Thank you," nodded Athos. "Eliwood, your territory is the closest to Bern, is it not?"

"Yes. The border lies in the mountains," answered Eliwood.

"Very good. Now, please envision a nice, wide place in Pherae..." Athos began. "Next, think of the name of a person you might meet there."

"As you say," Eliwood complied, as he closed his eyes. Everyone else followed suit.

"Now, children of Roland, it is time to say farewell," said Athos. "You must reach the Shrine of Seals. There, your destinies' doors will open wide before you..."

As Athos spoke, everything appeared to turn black, and all of a sudden, the plaza was empty, leaving only the legendary hero behind...


Back in Castle Pherae, a purple-haired woman was praying by her bedside...

"My beloved... I cannot believe you are gone," whispered the woman. "Every time I close my eyes, I see you at my side. Your memory haunts me, and I am filled with sorrow. Elbert..." she prayed, "If by some chance you can hear my prayer... Please, look after our son."

"Mother..." Suddenly, a faint, familiar voice found its way into Eleanora's room.

"What!" The widowed marquess of Pherae stood up in shock and hope. "Eliwood? Where... where are you?"

"Mother!" cried Eliwood as he burst into the room, followed by Hector and Lyn. "I'm home! I've returned!"

"Ah! Eliwood! Is it really you?" breathed Eleanora as she embraced her only child. "Oh, how did you... You startled me so!"

"Forgive me, Mother. The Archsage sent us," Eliwood replied.

"You look so tired," Eleanora commented. "...Have you lost weight? Oh... come closer and let me see your face."

"...Mother, about Father..." trembled Eliwood.

"I heard his last moments were glorious," sighed Eleanora. "Though he's gone, he will ever be my life's joy."

"I know," Eliwood agreed, as he shared the moment with his mother.

"Come... Let us make everyone comfortable," Eleanora offered. "You all look in need of a rest..."

"I'm sorry, Mother. We must hurry onward..." said Eliwood.

"I know that! But for one night... here in the castle... Eliwood... just for tonight," begged Eleanora.

"Mother..." Eliwood did not know what to do.

"One night's not going to hurt us," Hector said gently. "Who knows when we'll be back this way?"

"Yes, let's do it..." murmured Lyn. "I am so exhausted..."

"Hector, Lyn... thank you," Eliwood smiled.


Later...

"Shadow, Imppala... you're still awake?" asked Eliwood as he and Hector entered the tacticians' room.

"Yeah... couldn't sleep," remarked Imppala.

"Oh, right." Hector scratched the back of his head uneasily. "Shadow... I owe you an apology."

"Eh?" The green tactician looked up at the burly lordling.

"You remember... When we first met, I doubted your ability and said some things... I was wrong," muttered Hector. "You know all that we each are capable of doing, and you direct our hands based on that knowledge. It's because of you that we've won our battles so far. Shadow... you're an imposing tactician."

"Oi! What about me!" whined Imppala. "Still... it's amazing to hear you say something like that, Lord Hector," he grinned.

"What? Did I say something strange?" Hector turned around to see the three men smirking at him. "Why does eveyone think I've got nothing nice to say!" fumed the Ostian lordling.

"Ha ha ha... Shadow, Imppala, do you two know Bern well?" Eliwood asked.

"Hm?" Shadow looked at Imppala, then back at Eliwood. "Not really, milord... You?"

"No, nor do I... Nothing more than I've heard at the court," shrugged Eliwood. "I was sure that, with all the travelling you two have done, you would know more than I... By the way, where were you two born?"

"Eh?" Both tacticians stared at their liege.

"Before you two met Lyndis, where were you?" Looking at the two tacticians' uneasy countenances, Eliwood reassured, "If it's difficult to speak about, you needn't worry. It's just that we've been together for so long, and I really know almost nothing about you two. If you don't mind, won't you tell me about yourselves? I would like to learn more about you and your lives."

"Well... if you insist, milord," smiled Shadow.


Elsewhere, the others were also getting their much needed rest, as well as some time together...

"Master... Pent?" murmured Erk as he slowly opened his eyes to see Pent, Louise and Priscilla standing next to him. He himself had been lying in a bed for some time.

"So you are with us, Erk? Can you move? Do you feel numbness anywhere?" asked Pent.

"Ah... no," Erk replied as he sat up. "I feel... fine, master."

"Oh. Very good then," Pent smiled.

"Ahh! Master!" Suddenly, Erk began to panic as he realised what his mentor had done. "You have given me half of your magic, haven't you? How could I have made you do such a thing... in the midst of a battle!"

"Erk, you really do bring my ire... How could I do such a thing?" frowned Pent, both in anger and in disappointment. "Why, using all the magic in your body... Don't you know you could've killed yourself!"

"Forgive me... I thought I would cast... one more spell... before I rested..." apologised Erk. "But..."

"Sigh... Louise, Priscilla, could you leave us for a moment?" Nodding, the two women left the room.

"Erk, did I not teach you that the accomplished mage has mastery of his own resources in addition to mastery of the spell?" Pent frowned. "Even after you collapsed one day in Castle Reglay three years ago, you still haven't learnt your lesson. Training to be a mage requires more than staying in your room all the time. And yet, you still continue to push yourself so much just to gain my approval..."

"I..." Erk could only bow his head in shame.

"Look here, Erk." Pent lifted up his student's head, as he flung a Pokéball onto the floor. A pink Pokémon appeared from inside, with a hippo-like face, a red and white collar, as well as a huge shell atop its head with a jewel in the centre. Erk swallowed. "That's..."

"Yes, Erk. It's the same Slowpoke that I had asked you to meditate with after you had collapsed three years ago... except that it's evolved into Slowking," nodded Pent. "Nature, like Pokémon, allows you to commune with the spirits... even the most insignificant of Pokémon can become truly impressive creatures, such as how the apparently dopey Slowpoke evolved into the regal Slowking... That was one of the things I wanted to teach you. You can still do great things if you take the time off to do things you would usually dismiss as a waste of time."

"...I understand, Master Pent," bowed Erk. "...I'm sorry."

"Just don't make that mistake ever again," Pent smiled reassuringly. "I'm now giving you Slowking as an aid in both your study, as well as help you restrain yourself. Take some time tonight to reflect on what I've taught you, and think about other things besides magic... like our red-haired valkryie, for instance?"

"Whaa?" Erk exclaimed as he tried to mask the blush on his face, but Pent had already left the room, smiling.

"So... he knows..." thought the younger sage. "Then... what should I do?"


In another room...

"May I come in?" Rath looked up to see Lyn standing in the doorway, and gave her a silent nod.

"Thank you." The plainsgirl walked into the room and sat next to her fellow Sacaen, who was propped against the wall as he lay on his bed. He had bandages wrapped all over his arms and legs.

"Rath... Are you alright?" Lyn asked in a small voice.

"...Shadow had Serra tend to my wounds," Rath replied. "He says that I just need a night's rest and I'll be fine."

"Rath... Forgive me," murmured Lyn, holding his hand in hers. "I've brought you so much trouble. Here today, and a year ago..."

"Lyn, my proud sister of Sacae... I've never for a moment felt that you caused me trouble," reassured Rath. A minute of silence passed as the two Sacaens gazed at each other, before Lyn spoke, "Rath... Tell me the rest of your story, please. Why did you have to leave the tribe?"

"...The tribe diviner saw a bad omen in the stars," explained Rath. "As... the chieftain's son, I had to leave to prevent disaster."

"What disaster?" asked Lyn.

"Can't say... But the diviner did tell me I would know when the time came," Rath frowned. "He said I was born into this land to stop the burning... A dark flame, consuming all... At the time I was less than four, without even the means to survive. I wandered, not knowing right from left. The people of other tribes laughed and ridiculed me... I do not feel the loneliness now, as I did then... but sometimes, I remember." As he gazed out of the window at the night sky, Lyn could feel his fingers tighten slightly around her hand. "...I have never felt so alone."

"I see... that makes sense," Lyn nodded. "When I first met you, I felt like we had something in common... Maybe it was because we shared the experience of being alone."

For the next few minutes, Lyn and Rath held each other by the hand, watching the stars shining brightly. Even their Flying-type Pokémon had taken to the sky for a night flight, and it seemed somewhat heartwarming to see Taillow and Swellow flying alongside each other.

"...Lyn?" Rath broke the silence. "You sure it's alright for you to be here? Florina will be worried if you're away so long..."

"You're right..." murmured Lyn. "But... I don't feel I can leave you... When I'm with you, I feel safe. I can sense your... strength..."

"Lyn!" exclaimed Rath, sharply, as Lyn's other arm snaked across his chest and pulled the plainsgirl towards him in a tight, but gentle embrace.

"Please, Rath..." Lyn whispered, allowing Rath to feel her soft breathing, her beating heart, her radiating blush pressed against his chest. "Let me stay here, just for a while."

"...Fine." Slowly, so as not to inflict pain on his wounds, Rath brought his other arm around Lyn's shoulders, and gently returned the favour.

"As you wish..."


"Well, it looks like our lady has made her choice," Sain remarked sadly. The two cavaliers had been eavesdropping on the conversation the whole time, and both were hit hard by Lyn's decision.

"..." Kent could not say anything in response.

"...Kent?" The green cavalier gently nudged his friend. "Are you..."

"I guess we should've seen it coming," muttered Kent. "Rath's saved Lady Lyndis not once, but twice... compared to him, I'm nothing... what was I even thinking..."

"Kent?" Sain turned as the red cavalier began walking back to their room.

"I'm going to be fine," came the cold reply.

But even Kent knew that Sain understood him all too well...


Onscreen Reapermon: Disappointed? Come back, anytime! ShadowedTactician: HA! Eat my fiery tornado!
Imppala: Grrrr... Pass the lemon tea, will you?
ShadowedTactician: Sure. (passes a bottle) You did turn on the anti-abuse defence forcefield, didn't you?
Imppala: Yep. We should be quite safe here...
ShadowedTactician: Oh, that reminds... it's time to think of Trainer cards for FE: Lycian League...
Imppala: (SPPPPPRRRRRT!) WHAAAAAT!
ShadowedTactician: Oh, no... me and my big, fat mouth...
Grim: ...Review.