ShadowedTactician: An update in less than two weeks... now that's certainly a rarity.
Imppala: Alright, alright, I get the point... as long as you're not doing cards in place of this...
ShadowedTactician: Not cards, actually. Remember I'd said I've finished doing FE: Dragon's Gate?
Imppala: Yes...
ShadowedTactician: And I'd uploaded my previous project, Kardz Next Door, to a site of my own?
Imppala: Ye... Oh, no, don't tell me...
ShadowedTactician: Yep, that's right. The link is available now, for all readers of Pokémon Emblem to view a fifth of the project that actually inspired this crossover to begin with... to be slowly updated over time, of course.
Imppala: I'm very inclined to tear you to pieces, but seeing that you did update within a fortnight, I'll let you off this time.
ShadowedTactician: Thanks, bro. I really appreciate that.
Gijinka Renamon
ShadowedTactician: The URL problem has been resolved, however as of now the link has been changed. Hopefully you got a good enough look at the former site, but in the meantime, do enjoy FE: Dragon's Gate as it is uploaded.
Elven-girl10
ShadowedTactician: Me? Kill Rath? Why would I do that? We're talking about a (near) perfect game here! And that means no losing of any characters!
Imppala: (whispers) The near bit is because he never uses any stat-increasing items.
ShadowedTactician: Hey!
Jeanie
ShadowedTactician: Alright, it's time I proposed a theory. Strangely logical and logically strange pairings arise from... complementary hair colour.
Imppala/Grim/Electrike: (incredulously) ...Hair colour?
ShadowedTactician: Yup. Which explains Eliwood/Fiora, Kent/Farina, and Priscilla/Heath quite easily.
Imppala: Oh, really? Then what about Erk/Nino, for instance?
ShadowedTactician: Er...
Grim: And Sain/Rebecca?
ShadowedTactician: Funny you should mention...
Electrike: And Oswin/Serra?
ShadowedTactician: ...I give up.
Frodo007
ShadowedTactician: ...Well, how else can you expect their relationship to go? They'll get a double ending by the epilogue, that's for sure. And don't worry, more legendary Pokémon are to come... albeit not for a pretty long, long time.
Hurricane's Quill
ShadowedTactician: A Pokémonised version of Golden Sun? This I gotta see...
Imppala: ShadowedTactician getting a rival? This I gotta see...
RubyVulpix
ShadowedTactician: Thanks, Ruby. And now, on with the chapter...
Chapter 24: Four-Fanged Offence/VS Houndoom
Heeding the archsage Athos' advice, Eliwood sets out for Bern, the greatest military force on the continent. The Lycian League has always enjoyed close relations with the kingdom of Bern. Recently however, Desmond, the King of Bern, has begun to flaunt his military strength. Lycian nobles can no longer move freely within Bern's borders. Eliwood and his group enter the country in the guise of simple travellers.
"...We're in Bern now," declared Eliwood, after the group had travelled several kilometres past the border and arrived at a village. "I wonder what's happened? The village seems so busy," wondered the Pheraen noble.
"I spoke to some villagers on the way here," piped up Lyn. "They said Prince Zephiel's coming-of-age ceremony is in ten days. There's no helping all the excitement."
"They've no idea what's happening," Hector muttered gruffly. "Carefree fools."
"...Tell me, Hawkeye, do you know the location of the Shrine of Seals?" Eliwood asked the Nabataen berserker.
"I've heard it's north of Bern," answered Hawkeye after some thought. "But the location of the shrine itself is secret. I doubt if anyone outside the royal family knows how to reach it..."
"So, if we want to reach the shrine, we'll have to contact the royal family, is that it?" Lyn asked.
"Without revealing our identities or our motives?" frowned Hector. "There's got to be another way to find where it is."
"...I can provide you with its general location," Pent offered.
"Lord Pent?" Eliwood and the others turned to face the Magic General.
"I'm privy to the highest secrets of military information in Etruria," explained Pent. "When we learned of the shrine's existence, we investigated... However, none of our operatives returned. Bern's defences are formidable."
"So, even if we reached the shrine, we're still likely to be captured?" Hector asked.
"Most likely," Pent nodded grimly. "And if your identities are discovered, Bern will see it as an excuse to invade Lycia."
"That, above all else, must be avoided," remarked Eliwood.
"That's where I come in," smiled the silver-haired sage. "Duty commands that I attend the post-ceremony festivities. However, I will greet the queen privately before the ceremony."
"Privately?" Eliwood was astounded. "You can do that?"
"Queen Hellene was born in Etruria," explained Louise. "She and I are related, albeit a distant relation."
"When we meet, I will discreetly ask about the Shrine of Seals," continued Pent. "Most likely, she won't say much... but anything will help, will it not?"
"But..." The three lords looked amongst each other, hesitant.
"Rest assured, even if I fail, I will not reveal your presence," Pent stated.
"Lord Pent!" exclaimed Eliwood. "That's..."
"If we do not return by tomorrow, return to Lycia and come up with a new plan," instructed the Etrurian lord. "Understood?"
"...If you fail, what will become of you?" Eliwood asked worriedly.
"Everything will work out," smiled Pent. "It wouldn't be a bad life. Abandoning my position... living on the run with Louise..."
"If I'm with you, my Lord Pent, I care not where we go," Louise murmured as she held Pent's arm affectionately.
"I pray for your success," said Hector firmly, placing a hand on Pent's shoulder.
"Please do! Let us proceed, Louise." With a wave of his cape, the two Etrurians began to run into the distance.
"Come back safely! We'll be waiting for you!" called Lyn.
"...Pent! Hold on!" Startled, Pent and Louise turned around to see Hawkeye chasing after them.
"What is it, Hawkeye?" Pent asked.
"I was holding this for the master," explained Hawkeye, revealing a small item in the middle of his right palm. It was a brown metal emblem with a symbol in the middle of a dark red circle.
"It's a... Heaven seal!" exclaimed Pent.
"Mm..." Hawkeye nodded. "There are only three in existence."
"What is Archsage Athos' plan?" asked the sage.
"I'm to give it to them when the time is right," frowned the berserker. "I... I might not know the right time when it comes, so I want you to take care of it."
"I see." Pent nodded as he pocketed the item. "Thank you, but what if we do not return?"
"You will," Hawkeye stated firmly. "You and Louise... without fail."
"...I understand," smiled Pent.
"Lord Hawkeye, we... we will most certainly return," promised Louise before she and Pent ran off again.
Meanwhile, in the town square...
"Well, if it isn't Nino," smirked a burly hero as a young green-haired mage ran towards him. He was not alone, however; a swordmaster with a sleek build was standing nearby.
"Yeah! Lloyd! Linus!" replied Nino happily. "What is it? Are you working?"
"I suppose we are," smiled the swordsmaster, who was in fact Lloyd Reed, one of the Four Fangs.
"How about you?" asked Linus, the younger of the Reed brothers. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
"I have a job to do, too! I'm carrying messages for Mother, so I have to do my best!" Nino answered gaily as she turned to leave. "See! Let's do something when your job is finished."
"...She's a good lass," Lloyd remarked when Nino was out of earshot.
"Yes," Linus nodded with a hint of a sigh in his voice. "Hard to believe she's that woman's child."
At the same time...
"This waiting is hard," frowned Eliwood. Every member of his group was loitering around the village gates with nothing to do but anticipate the return of Pent and Louise. "There must be something we can do..."
"I know what you mean, but we have to lay low..." sighed Hector.
"Why don't we try and gather some information on the Black Fang?" suggested Legault.
"Hm?" turned Lyn. "Information?"
"Yes. Black Fang's headquarters are here in Bern," Legault explained. "The location was never disclosed to me, though... The Black Fang is so much different than it once was, so any information we could gain would be beneficial."
"That's a good idea," Eliwood agreed. "Thanks, Legault."
"Think nothing of it," grinned the ex-Hurricane.
"What do you think, you two?" The Pheraen lordling asked his tactician pair.
"Well, it's certainly better than hanging around here with nothing to do," smirked Imppala. "We could find out more about them and come up with a strategy to defeat them."
"Also, we could try and confirm the Black Fang's allegiance with Nergal," agreed Shadow. "But we can't do that unless we do some investigating."
"...You're right. Any information we find would be a starting place," nodded Eliwood. "Then it's settled. Let's get started," he called to the others. "Let's split up and go. Try to blend in, everyone."
"We'd better be careful," Hector added.
"Especially you, Hector," Lyn smirked as she nudged Hector in the ribs.
"What!" The Ostian lordling turned to see the plainsgirl dashing into the town. "Why... that's... c'mere!" he growled, more playfully than angrily.
"Those two..." Eliwood shook his head as he watched the pair run away. "I can't tell if they're friends or not."
"Tee hee..." giggled Ninian.
"Is something funny, Ninian?" asked Eliwood.
"It's just... Listen to you grumble, Lord Eliwood!" Ninian chuckled. "You sound like you're their chaperon!"
"Really?" Eliwood smirked. "Is that what it sounds like to you?"
"Uh-huh," nodded the dancer, still smiling.
"That's great..." sighed Eliwood as he threw up his hands in mock exasperation.
"Ha ha ha," laughed Ninian.
"...I like it when you laugh," Eliwood smiled suddenly.
"Excuse me?" the dancer asked.
"Oh, nothing. Come on! Let's go!" said Eliwood, holding Ninian by the hand and running into town.
"Hey, Lyn! Will you stop?" Hector panted, trying to catch up with Lyn. "We're leaving Eliwood behind!"
"So? We don't want to be in the way, do we?" Lyn replied as she turned around.
"Huh?" frowned Hector, pausing to scratch his head in wonder. "In the way?"
"...Tee hee hee... You mean to tell me you don't see it?" smirked Lyn. "Anyway, it's more important that we start gathering information."
"I guess this means we'll be going on our separate ways then," Hector muttered. "I'll go this way."
"Alright then," Lyn nodded. "Hector... be careful."
"Mm. You too," replied Hector.
However, even as the three lords cautiously moved around the town, they could not escape the watchful eyes and silent observation of the Reed brothers...
"Hmmm... Can it really be them?" mused Lloyd. "I thought they were in Nabata!"
"What does it matter where they've been?" smirked Linus. "We've found them, so let's take care of them."
"I guess you're right... Yet the timing's not good. Attacking them while they're in town is against our creed," Lloyd frowned after some thought. "I'll go and tell Father first. Linus, you stay here and watch them."
"Why don't you and I finished them now?" Linus argued.
"We can't! You have to be patient!" insisted Lloyd. "All you need to do is to watch where they go. Understand?"
"Alright," muttered Linus as Lloyd departed. "...Hmmm... Even so, I can't ignore game when it's nibbling on my line," smirked the hero once Lloyd was far away. "Hey! Igor!" he shouted.
"What is it, Linus?" asked a blue-haired myrmidon that came running.
"We're going hunting!" Linus announced, pointing to the figures of Eliwood, Hector and Lyn. "We'll taunt them and pull them to the centre of the town."
"Hold on a minute," smirked Igor. "You're not really going to ignore Lloyd's orders, are you?"
"...He doesn't want the villagers harmed. That's what he said, right?" the hero replied. "So we make sure they're not. Get the others to usher the villagers out of the town square."
"I understand, but..." Igor frowned as he scratched the back of his head.
"Come on, Igor! We want to show my brother we can do this, right?" grinned Linus. "I'm counting on you!"
"But... but... Grrrr!" grumbled Igor as Linus took his leave. "You just never, ever listen to anyone!"
As the other Black Fang members began to gather, Igor himself confronted Eliwood.
"...You are Eliwood?" questioned the myrmidon.
"Who... ah, you're Black Fang?" realised the Pheraen lordling.
"That's right," smirked Igor. "You have the honour of dying at the hands of the Four Fangs. Our commander is Linus, the Mad Dog."
"Eliwood!" shouted Hector as he came running. "Is that the enemy?"
"Yes. Let's meet his challenge!" Eliwood declared.
"...Come," Igor grinned darkly, snapping his fingers once. Instantly, swarms of mercenaries and pirates flooded in from their hiding places, allowing the myrmidon to blend back into the surroundings, leaving only his scary remark lingering in the air.
"You'll get your throats ripped out..."
"Oh... I'm not sure what to do. The enemy is so very strong," Nils nearly exclaimed as he carried out his augury with Xatu. "One is a fallen hero... a potent adversary. You must be careful," he warned. "To survive this trial, you will need lances, bows, and strong magical attacks. As for items, take pure water and a Barrier staff. Swordreavers should come in handy, too... hm?" The bard suddenly frowned, "Some... something else. You'll be meeting... not one, but two people."
"...Two people?" Shadow smirked. "This oughta be interesting..."
"One is very powerful... with an axe. He may aid you. Send an envoy who smells of the sea to treat with him," advised Nils. "You'll also meet someone else... a friend of Lady Lyn, perhaps?... That's it," finished the bard as he opened his eyes.
"A friend of Lady Lyn..." repeated the green tactician. "Who do you suppose it could be, Imppala?"
"No idea. And to think I'm the one who spent six months in her army," Imppala shrugged. "I'm more concerned about that 'Linus the Mad Dog'... Legault?"
"Hmmm, Linus..." Legault frowned. "He's one of the Four Fangs, meaning the four most powerful fighters in the Black Fang. But maybe if I talk to him, I might be able to halt the attack."
"In any case we must be prepared for combat," stated Shadow. "Unless I'm mistaken, Linus is that hero on the other side of town," he pointed. "If we want to get to him, we'll at least have to plow our way through half his available army."
"Not too hard. I got it all figured out," grinned Imppala. "We'll get someone to save the village to the east, Wil and Rebecca to man the ballistae, and the rest of the army to match the enemy blade for blade."
"Hey! What about me!" shrieked a male voice from behind.
"Er... and we'll get someone to guard Merlinus," finished the tactician in red.
"What about the 'envoy that smells of the sea' thing?" Shadow asked.
"That's definitely Dart!" piped up Wil. "Rebecca and I sleep in the same tent with him, so we should know!"
"Oi! Stow it, Wil!" snapped the pirate as everyone began to laugh.
"That reminds me," Imppala remarked, making his way to Dart. "I think it's time you used this."
"Eh?" Dart opened his hand to have a small aquamarine shield dropped into his palm.
"It's the ocean seal that Legault found in the desert," explained Imppala. "Since you're being sent out deep into enemy lines, I figured this might come in handy."
"Alright!" At once, the pirate released his Corphish from its Pokéball as he raised the blue-green emblem. "Ocean seal!" he declared.
Immediately, the rest of the team stepped back and covered their eyes as Dart and Corphish were surrounded by the familiar flashes of light, change overcoming their bodies. When everyone else could finally look, a horned helmet sat atop Dart's head, and his well-toned, muscular chest was exposed for all to see. What was left on his upper body was a shoulder guard and metal plates shielding his arm and hand. Besides new metallic shoes, he was otherwise unaffected by the promotional item. Corphish, on the other hand, had evolved into the Rogue Pokémon the team had fought not long ago, and now stood almost as tall as its master.
"Alright!" Imppala called with a clap of his hands. "If there are no questions, we'll move out... now!"
Elsewhere in the city, three separate people had their own agendas with regards to the upcoming battle...
"Grrrr! Not again!" growled a general in the northern part of town. He was wearing silver armour and wielding a silver lance, while a round creature stood beside him. Its globe-shaped body was like a ball consisting of at least ten huge rocks cemented together, with a head and four limbs protruding outwards.
"This is the seventy-fifth time!" The general was shouting, "I could have sworn Caelin was in this direction! Grrr... Eh?" He put his hand to his forehead, looking into the distance. "...Is this a sneak attack?" he wondered aloud, seeing the black-robed fighters rush out.
"Oi! You cowards!" he yelled, waving his lance. "If you're not afraid to die, c'mere and face my lance! My name is Wallace, boldest knight in all of Caelin! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!... Wherever that is..."
"Gol! Golem!" nodded the Rock Pokémon beside him. Meanwhile...
"What's all this?" mused a magenta-haired warrior on the eastern side of the village. He was accompanied by a blue Pokémon that had huge crests above its orange eyes, similarly-coloured spikes on its cheeks, orange shields on its arms and legs, as well as a gigantic black fin for a tail.
"It looks like a skirmish... but which side is in the right?" the warrior muttered. "I cannot tell... not much I can do," he shrugged. "I guess I'll slip in on this end."
At the same time...
"Let's see... I'm sure this is the place, but... I guess he's not here yet," murmured Nino as she stood outside one of the houses. Going through the door, she sat down on a wooden chair and looked around the simply furnished, yet cosy room.
"Hmm! Beautiful weather," Nino remarked happily. "It's perfect for taking on evildoers! Yet here I am again, running errands... I wish I was more worthy, so that I could help out in battle," she lamented. Suddenly, a shadowed figure appeared before her without warning.
"Waah!" shrieked the young mage, before she realised who it was. "Don't... don't scare me like that, Jaffar," trembled Nino. "What's wrong? You're never late for anything..."
"...My last job took longer than expected," muttered the Angel of Death.
"What? There are things that can slow you down?" Nino exclaimed, astonished. "I would never have expected that."
"...If you've my next mission, let me hear it," Jaffar replied coldly.
"Oh, right. Mother gave this to me... Huh?" Nino looked at Jaffar closely to notice his clothes drenched in patches of dark red liquid, which was still dripping down his arm. "Oh! Wha-what happened? You're covered in blood!"
"...It's a scratch," hissed Jaffar. "Pay it no heed..."
"Scratches don't bleed like that! Let me see!" Rushing over, Nino lifted up Jaffar's hood to reveal a deep gash. "Ah..."
"Forget it," Jaffar whispered weakly. "Next target... hurry... urgh..."
"Jaffar!" screamed Nino as the assassin simply collapsed at her feet. "Come on, wake... wake up!" Frantically she tried to rouse Jaffar, only to leave a growing red puddle on the floor. "Oh... what should I do?" she groaned.
"Ivysaur!" declared Lyn. "Razor Leaf attack, go!"
"Saur!" roared the Seed Pokémon, firing a series of sharp leaves that sliced through the air in a fashion not unlike the plainsgirl's sword slashes. Scores of screaming pirates fell at her Pokémon's assault, revealing two figures both as bald as eggs.
"Hm? Oho!" grinned the human figure. "Lady Lyndis! Well met!"
"Sir Wallace?" Lyn exclaimed as she dashed over to the general. "Where have you been all this time? After you helped me last year, you vanished without a word... and now I find you in Bern. What has brought you here?"
"Nothing really. Some minor business," Wallace smirked. "More importantly, milady, you appear to be in the middle of a skirmish..."
"Yes," nodded Lyn. "I've been..."
"You can tell me the whys and wherefores later. For now," smiled the general as he swung his lance, "let my strength be your own to command."
"Sir Wallace... are you sure?" asked the plainsgirl.
"You are Lady Lyndis of Caelin! Anything for you. I, General Wallace, will lay low every foe you face! Bwa ha ha ha ha!" Pointing to some incoming mercenaries, Wallace issued a quick order, "Use Rollout, Golem!"
"GOL!" The Megaton Pokémon took a running jump before curling into a huge ball, sending the swordsmen running frantically back the way they came. Meanwhile...
"Alright! So where's this powerful guy with an axe I'm supposed to treat?" muttered Dart as he and Crawdaunt sauntered around, occasionally decapacitating any Black Fang member that happened to come their way. "Eh?" The berserker stopped as his eye caught sight of a warrior not donning the familiar dark robes the enemy wore. "...Hey, you!"
"...What? An enemy!" The warrior with magenta hair exclaimed. "Swampert, Mega Punch!"
"...! Crawdaunt, Crabhammer!" Dart responded.
CLANG! Fist met pincer and killer axe met killer axe as the two person-Pokémon pairs met in the middle of the street. It would have remained as a deadlock had Dart not made the first comment.
"Wait a minute," frowned Dart as he struggled to push forward, "I've seen you before."
"What?" growled the warrior. "Do you think you can just come up and start..."
"Ah, I know!" Dart grinned. "You're that guy who worked for Belger... Geitz!"
"Dart! Is that you?" Geitz gasped as the two lowered their axes. "What are you doing here?"
"I like to raise some trouble on land every now and then," smirked the berserker. "How about you? What are you doing? Working for your father?"
"Don't mention the old man!" snarled Geitz. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm no part of that family anymore!"
"Well then... what are you doing here?" asked Dart.
"Nothing... I was wandering about when this battle erupted," shrugged the warrior. "...Say, Dart, do you think I could join up with you?"
"Huh?" Dart scratched his head. "Of all the stupid..."
"You're 'raising trouble', right?" Geitz smirked. "So, let me in on the action."
"It's fine by me. We're up against a pretty tough bunch, though," warned Dart.
"I've nothing else to do. I'll fight 'til I get bored!" grinned Geitz, swinging his axe.
"Let's go then," Dart nodded. "Crawdaunt!"
"Swampert!" Geitz declared.
"Water Pulse!" At the command, the two huge Water Pokémon let fly a combined shockwave of water at a swarm of wyvern knights.
"Ungh!" grunted Eliwood, driving his rapier through a pirate, as Charmeleon slashed away at an attacking mercenary.
"Lord Eliwood... are you alright?" asked Ninian.
"Yes, I am. Thank you, Ninian," Eliwood breathed. "...I forgot to tell you personally, your performance back in Lycia was most astounding."
"Thank you, Lord Eliwood," Ninian bowed.
"...In Pherae, every year, we hold a grand harvest festival. Everyone in the land comes to eat, drink and dance," recalled Eliwood.
"That sounds like fun!" commented Ninian.
"You should come, too, Ninian," Eliwood smiled. "After seeing your truly beautiful dancing, I think everyone back home would be happy to see it. My mother, too, loves dancing, you know," sighed the redhead lordling. "At festival time, she dances all night like a young maiden. My father always clucked his tongue and shook his head, but each year, he would dance with her until the dawn... Ah..."
"..." Ninian remained silent as she heard Eliwood mention Lord Elbert again.
"...Forgive me," apologised Eliwood. "You... must think of my father often enough."
"No... it's alright," replied Ninian hurriedly. "I mean, not compared to you, Lord Eliwood..."
"Ninian... remember what I told you? My father's death was not your fault," Eliwood reminded her in a serious tone. "You shouldn't blame yourself. Not at all."
"But, Lord Eliwood... y-you're wrong," Ninian trembled. "You don't know everything that... I... I have been deceiving you..."
"Deceiving? What do you mean?" asked Eliwood, concerned.
"...I... I'm sorry..." mumbled Ninian, burying herself in her lord's arms, sniffling.
"Ninian, don't cry," Eliwood coaxed. Although he could tell that something was wrong, he felt that he wasn't in the position now to ask what it was. "I don't know what has happened, but I do know I never want to see you so sad."
As Eliwood gently held Ninian in his arms, a vermillion-haired knight watched on, mixed emotions going through his mind. It was only natural, of course. Kent only had his heart broken the day before, so seeing another trusted unit in love with her lord wasn't the most comfortable thing for him to see at the moment.
Looking around, Kent begin to observe his surroundings. Not a single minute did Rebecca and Wil spend without winking at each other while firing bolt after bolt from the ballistae. Priscilla would take a few seconds between healing just to gaze at Erk in the distance and sigh contentedly, much to Serra's unseen annoyance. And now, even Lord Eliwood...
Kent frowned. It wasn't like him to peer into the private lives of his battlemates, but his sense of duty was ringing non-stop. How could, he reasoned, his comrades possibly focus on the battle at hand, when they seemed more concerned about each other's safety? Then again, maybe he was just suffering from disappointment combined with envy, after seeing Lady Lyn with Rath...
The cavalier shook his head. Jealousy or not, it was certainly an issue that had to be looked into. And there was only one other person he felt he could discuss it with...
"Fiora!" called Kent, hailing the pegasus knight up high above. "I must speak to you..."
"Kent, what a coincidence," remarked Fiora as she touched down. "I was just looking for you."
"Actually, it's about this army," Kent continued as he scratched his head. "Do you ever feel that some people here lack... er... proper moral grounding?"
"Yes, the same thought has occurred to me," Fiora nodded. "As a hired lance, I thought it not my place to speak."
"Camaraderie in the field is one thing... But the men and women in the camp are altogether too... intimate," remarked Kent, allowing some time for word choice.
"Indeed," agreed Fiora. "Their minds are not focused on their duties... In fact, I just saw Florina practicing a confession speech with Huey in the stables last night... to Lord Hector, no less."
"Lord Hector?" Kent nearly fell off Stantler in shock. He'd thought that the problem was bad enough, but... Florina in love with Hector?
"Anyway... I have decided to seek the counsel of Shadow and Imppala in this matter," went on the red cavalier, once he had regained his composure. Now that the three lords all had a possibly existing love interest, he thought, it'd be futile discussing such a matter with them. "Perhaps, since they are in charge of giving out commands, they could issue some order limitng... interactions between the sexes."
"That's a good idea," Fiora smiled. "It would be the best way to ensure the proper conduct of all."
"Of course, we would still need to iron out the details of such an order..." Kent added after some consideration. "I hope you would not mind lending me your assistance?"
"Oh, but of course," nodded the Ilian knight. "It might be difficult to find time to discuss this on the battlefield. Perhaps later, when we can be alone..."
"Yes, of course. I would be truly grateful to have the company of a morally pure individual like yourself," thanked Kent.
"Indeed. I feel exactly the same," replied Fiora, as she took to the skies once again. Kent proceed to charge at some incoming enemies, leaving the spot which he stood on, as if the conversation had never taken place.
"Hey, Shadow!" Imppala called, clutching an earth seal as he ran into the middle of town. "How's your side?"
"Going alright," Shadow responded, meeting his counterpart in the village square. "I got an Orion's bolt from a village to the northwest and everything seems to be progressing nicely. However," the green tactician motioned to his friend to come closer, "Sain told me that he heard Fiora and Kent..."
"...Are planning to prevent the men and women from being around each other so much?" smirked Imppala. "Got that one off Serra; she seemed practically incensed when she told me."
"Sain looked as if he was going to have a heart attack," chuckled Shadow. "But seriously, do you think we can afford to have such a plan?"
"No chance," answered the red tactician. "Seriously, if Kent had been paying attention, he'd have noticed that there's more or less two men for every woman. And anyway, if he'd been paying even closer attention, he'd also notice how the existing unit pairs have improved over time."
"Exactly. Being in such relationships actually help them progress and gradually become better," agreed his friend. "It's not just a matter of lovey-doveyness... Ick," he shuddered as the thought of Pent and Louise's continuous sweet murmurings entered his mind.
"Yeah... But seriously... Lord Hector and Florina? Serra was livid," Imppala grinned. "She was expecting Lady Lyn to hook up with him."
"So... what do we do about Kent and Fiora?" Shadow asked.
"Nothing. From what I can tell, they're already getting pretty close themselves. We'll just need to allow time to take its course," shrugged Imppala.
"Alright. We'll just deal with the northern part of town and see what else we've missed," affirmed Shadow.
"Agreed. Meet you at northeast!" nodded Imppala. The two tacticians then immediately set off to separate houses.
"I will repeat it as often as necessary, Lord Murdock!" someone was shouting. Shadow crept closer to the house where an argument seemed to be originating from. "If we let the king's tyranny continue, Bern will..."
"Hold your tongue," ordered another voice, which Shadow assumed belonged to the man called Murdock. "Be still." The green tactician then heard footsteps as Murdock walked towards the window. "Is someone there?" he called.
"Ah!" Having been discovered, Shadow quickly tumbled from the bushes he was hiding in and ran away. Meanwhile...
"...Stop right there," instructed a figure cloaked in black, standing in front of the village Imppala was visiting.
"...Who?" began Imppala. "You're..."
"No need for alarm," the figure spoke. "For reasons of my own, I wear the garb of the Black Fang, but I'm a loyal citizen of Lycia, and I am not your enemy."
"Oh..." Imppala heaved a sigh of relief. "So... does that mean I'm not dead?"
"A woman now leads the Black Fang by the nose. When you at last confront her, use this staff," continued the figure, as he passed Imppala a staff with a huge red jewel on top. "This woman is the ringleader you speak. Her name is Sonia. Do not forget. Sonia."
"...Hey, wait!" shouted Imppala, but the figure had vanished into the village.
"Icy Wind!" shouted Legault, as Sneasel sent several Black Fang members flying into the lake with its blizzard-generating slashes. "Ha!" he yelled, swiftly disabling and knocking out a pair of heroes. "That should keep them quiet for a while," he thought. "And now..." Dashing quickly, Legault confronted the Mad Dog, Linus himself.
"Hello... Linus," he greeted.
"...Legault?" The hero stared on in disbelief. "What are you..."
"Linus, listen." Legault stated, "We need to talk..."
"There's no need for words!" snarled Linus. "All I see is that you're on the enemy's side! No wonder we couldn't find you at the Dragon's Gate!"
"Linus, please..." protested Legault.
"Save your words!" Linus growled as he drew out his silver blade. "Haaaa!"
"Sneasel! Block him with your Metal Claw!" Legault cried.
"Sneasel!" The Sharp Claw Pokémon lunged, matching the hero's frenzied slashes with its metallic paws.
"Heh! Acting all defensive because you know you can't defeat me, eh?" smirked Linus. "Enough stalling! Eat this!" he shouted, throwing out a Pokéball from behind his shield. Out emerged a fearsome looking black canine, with a vermillion muzzle and chest. Its significant features were the white horns that raked back sharply, as well as its matching ankle rings, three ridges across its back and necklace with a skull. A pointy prehensile tail completed its menacing image.
"Toxic Fireball!" commanded the Mad Dog.
"Houn..." Raising its head, the Darkness Pokémon began to generate a fireball at the tip of its open mouth, that began to grow exponentially with each passing moment. Two seconds later, the fireball had grown three times larger than the Pokémon's head.
"DOOOM!" it howled, releasing the huge fireball at Sneasel and Legault, causing a massive explosion of heat energy and splatters of burning toxin all around.
"Selll!" cried Sneasel as it was thrown back by the powerful attack.
"URGH!" grunted Legault as Sneasel landed in his chest. Its body was badly burned, and bits of his thief's outfit were beginning to melt from the deadly poison.
"Legault!" called Eliwood as he came running. He was flanked by Hector, Lyn and the two tacticians. "Are you alright?"
"...Hey!" Linus pointed at the Pheraen redhead. "You're Eliwood, right?"
"...Are you the leader of this group?" Eliwood asked.
"I am!" answered Linus.
"Then I've a question for you," stated Eliwood. "I heard that the Black Fang possessed strong convictions. If so, then why do you follow a man like Nergal?"
"...Nergal? Oh, that eerie man Sonia introduced my father to," Linus shrugged. "This has nothing to do with him. I merely complete the missions given to me!"
"And you never question the justness of your missions?" Eliwood frowned.
"Question? What's to question? Neither my father nor my brother makes mistakes!" retorted the hero.
"Yet, the..." began Eliwood, but Linus cut him off.
"Will you stop yammering!" he snapped. "I don't need my brother to finish you off. I will crush you myself, in the name of the Fang!"
"Wait!" Eliwood yelled, in a last-ditch attempt to establish some discussion.
"Pray. I'll give you that much time. All the evil you've done up to now... repent it, and sleep." The Mad Dog stated in a cold, solemn voice, "Houndoom, Toxic Fireball!"
"DOOOOOOOM!" Houndoom bellowed, as it launched a larger fireball at the group.
"Wartortle! Rapid Spin and Protect!" Hector quickly commanded. The Turtle Pokémon leapt into the air and began to generate a force field while spinning around; the shield being expanded outward by the swift spinning motion. The barrier was large enough to cover the whole group and prevent direct damage, but not enough to stop the shockwaves of the attack from buffeting everyone backwards.
"What was that?" exclaimed Imppala. "I've never seen an attack like that before!"
"It's Mad Dog Linus' signature attack!" Legault muttered through gritted teeth. "The Four Fangs each have a special combination technique their Pokémon can use. Linus' Houndoom's Toxic Fireball is basically a combination of Sludge Bomb and Flamethrower!"
"...That makes sense!" Shadow nodded. "Houndoom's flame is said to be a volatile poison that ignites when it contacts air! It should be able to accumulate both poison and fire in one attack and create an explosion!"
"We'll need to be extra careful too," Imppala added seriously. "It's also said that the burning pain from Houndoom's flames will never go away. We won't be able to take on Linus hand-to-hand with that Houndoom of his still active!"
"We'll be fine!" grunted Hector. "Get Legault to a healer, now! Wartortle and I will handle this knave!"
"Alright!" Immediately, Shadow dragged the weakened thief off from the battlefield. "Wartortle, Surf!" shouted the Ostian noble.
"Torrr!" Using its hydrokinetic powers, Wartortle generated a powerful wave from the nearby lake that crashed towards Houndoom with incredible force.
"Ya!" Linus leapt in front of Houndoom, kneeling down with his shield held in front of him. "Fire Spin, Houndoom!" ordered Linus, as the water came rushing.
"Hoooou!" Throwing its head all the way back, the Darkness Pokémon blasted a tornado of flame upwards that fell around it and Linus, engulfing themselves in a fiery vortex. As the water swirled around Houndoom, the flame pillar protected the two from the aquatic attack.
"It's using Fire Spin as a defence mechanism by using the fire to block out the water!" exclaimed Imppala.
"I'm not done yet!" Hector growled. "Focus Punch!"
"Tortle!" Jumping into the currents, Wartortle swam towards the pillar of fire, its right fist brimming with energy. As it neared the Fire Spin vortex, it raised its fist, and...
"Crunch attack!" Without warning, Houndoom jumped out from its burning tornado, catching Wartortle's fist in its mouth. "TOR!" cried the Water-type in pain.
"Focus Punch is a powerful move but can't be executed if the target strikes back," Imppala frowned. "And now Houndoom's got the advantage!"
"Dooooom!" As expected, Houndoom released another of its explosive Toxic Fireball attacks, easily flinging Wartortle over the horizon.
"Blast it! Wartortle, return!" Cursing, Hector withdrew his Pokémon before it fell to certain death.
"We'll have to try attacking it from above! Swellow!" Lyn ordered. "Get Ivysaur up there!"
"Swellow!" Picking up its fellow Pokémon in its talons, the Swallow took to the skies right above Houndoom. "Ivysaur, use Sweet Scent!"
"Saur!" From the flower on the back of its body, Ivysaur released a soothing smell that wafted down to Houndoom and Linus. "Now follow with Sleep Powder!"
"Houndoom! Counter with your Flamethrower!" Linus hollered. Several bursts of flame immediately erupted from Houndoom's muzzle, instantly scorching all the powder Ivysaur was producing.
"Swellow!" Desperately, the Flying-type Pokémon tried to dodge the Flamethrowers, but still managed to get struck hard on its left wing.
"Ah! Swellow!" gasped Lyn as her Pokémon took a crash landing. Swellow was out of action, whereas Ivysaur was relatively unharmed.
"Haaa!" Sensing an opening, Linus the Mad Dog resumed his assaulting.
"Gyaa! Charmeleon, Magmar!" In a defensive manouvre, Eliwood deployed his two Fire-types. While Charmeleon countered Linus' slashes with its claws, Magmar had a Flamethrower competition with Houndoom.
"What do we do now? Even Lyn's aerial assaults didn't work!" Eliwood whispered.
"True... but she's on the right track! If we're going to take out that Houndoom, we'll have to disable it first!" responded Imppala. "And I think I know how we can pull it off..."
"Hungh!" With one quick slash, Linus knocked Charmeleon off its feet. "Toxic Fireball!"
"Magmar, Confuse Ray!" yelled Eliwood.
"Mar!" Instantly the Spitfire Pokémon stopped its flame blasts and shot a sinister glare at Houndoom. The Darkness Pokémon reeled backwards; its head reeling from the confusion.
"Huh?" Linus turned around, "What the..."
"That's got him! Now, Lyn!" Imppala cheered.
"Ivysaur, Vine Whip!" Lyn commanded. A pair of vines flew out from under Ivysaur's leaves and securely fastened themselves around Houndoom's muzzle. "Doom?" sweatdropped the darkness dog.
"If Houndoom can't open its mouth, it can't attack at all!" smirked Imppala.
"Saur! Saur! Saur! Saur!" As everyone watched on, Ivysaur began to fling Houndoom about in assorted directions, each time sending it crashing onto the ground. "SAUR!"
"UGH!" grunted Linus as one final fling thrust his Pokémon right into his chest. Before he could get up, he saw Houndoom sprawled on top of him with its belly facing the air, and its mouth wide open, complete with fireball. "Oh, no..."
"DOOOOOM!" With its own attack trapped within itself for so long, Houndoom's body practically erupted with flame as the gigantic fireball exploded upwards, knocking itself Linus flat out on the ground and creating a rain of toxic splatters.
"Urrg... rr..." Weakly, the Mad Dog tried to stand up, to see the tip of Eliwood's rapier at his neck. "...I... I lost..." he murmured.
"...Are you well?" Eliwood asked, kneeling down to help Linus up. Most of the hero's armour had been badly scorched, if not melted by Houndoom's corrosive poison.
"My brother tried to warn me..." Linus smirked. "You're strong... Too strong. But... I will not die so easily!"
"What!" Before Eliwood could react, Linus had darted behind him and trapped him in an armlock. His other arm held a small dagger which he held to Eliwood's throat. "You'll go with me!" growled Linus.
"Eliwood!" yelled Hector.
"...Do as you must," murmured Eliwood.
"Huh?" Linus was taken aback by Eliwood's reaction, as was everyone else. "...What did you..."
"...I noticed something during the battle. You did your best to keep the villagers clear of the fighting," Eliwood remarked softly.
"Of course. They've nothing to do with this. You are our target, not them," Linus responded.
"You are not evil. The Black Fang fights with honour..." sighed Eliwood. "So why is it that we are enemies?"
"It... It's your fault! You're evil!... Bah!" Releasing his grip on his target, Linus flung his dagger onto the ground in frustration. "None of this makes sense! Sonia told Father you were a band of criminals. Father agreed, and I obeyed, but..."
"Sonia?" The dreaded five-lettered name rang a bell in Eliwood's mind. "Isn't that..."
"...I'm going to withdraw for the moment," declared Linus as he returned Houndoom to its Pokéball and began to leave. "I'll be back when all this is straightened out."
"That was close," Hector remarked later that afternoon, once the group had regathered outside town.
"Forgive me," Eliwood apologised. "I wanted to speak with him at least once."
"Don't worry, it's fine," assured Lyn. "After all, we learned a little something about our opponent."
"The Black Fang seems to have some honour after all," nodded Eliwood. "Perhaps they really are just being used by Nergal. We should talk to their head, Brendan Reed..."
"Perhaps we can resolve this without any more fighting," Lyn ventured.
"I don't like the idea," frowned Hector. "Sounds like a terrible plan."
"Hector?" Eliwood stared at his friend's sudden outburst.
"Let's get back to camp," suggested the Ostian noble, reverting to his normal self. "We might have some word from Pent and the others."
"I wonder what that was all about," frowned the plainsgirl. Eliwood said nothing, feeling that he knew only too well. Meanwhile...
"...I've got to talk to my brother," Linus was saying to himself in the southern outskirts of town. "I'm not sure it's wise to trust that woman... Eh?" All of a sudden, the Mad Dog fell to his knees, feeling as if his very life force was being drained.
"Uhh... How..." Stumbling, the hero looked backwards to see who had assaulted him. A woman stood in front of the hero, with features not unlike Sonia's: pale skin, ebony hair, glittering golden eyes. "You..." he stammered. "I never felt you... nothing..."
"...Mad Dog Linus. Such wonderful quintessence," whispered the woman, who then proceeded to vanish into thin air.
"...Ack!" Clutching his side, Linus fell to the ground; his injuries and drained life force too much for his body to handle.
"...Curses... I've blundered..." he whispered, practically gasping for breath. "Brother... I'm sorry..."
"..." Wordlessly, Jaffar opened his eyes, trying to remember where he was and what was he supposed to be doing. He had to meet a green-haired mage in the village to receive instructions on his next mission, was he not? He also remembered that he had suffered a severe wound during his last mission, and was bleeding profusely. He even collapsed within these very walls. At this point the Angel of Death frowned. Why then, he thought, am I still ali...
"Are you awake? Thank goodness," breathed Nino. Jaffar blinked, then sat up abruptly. "You..." whispered Jaffar. "I know you..."
"Uh-huh. We've met many times," Nino explained, still smiling brightly. "I don't think I've told you my name, though. I'm Nino, Sonia's daughter!"
"What are you doing?" Jaffar hissed.
"Huh?" stared Nino. She clearly did not know what the assassin was talking about.
"Have you forgotten the law of the Fang? 'Sacrifice the wounded to salvage the strong'," reminded Jaffar coldly. "I was unconscious and alone outside of our safe halls. You should have obeyed the law... Killed me, then fled. Yet you didn't. Why?"
"Bu-But... Letting a comrade die? I couldn't do that!" Nino protested.
"Don't be a fool!" Jaffar scolded, then stopped when he saw that the girl was on the verge of crying. "Tsk..." he muttered, as he tried to get up.
"Don't move! Here, lean on me!" instructed the mage, slipping Jaffar's arm across her shoulders.
"Don't... touch..." The Angel of Death tried to protest, but he felt his energy leaving him.
"Please don't move," begged Nino. "So much blood... you're bleeding again. What do I do? It won't stop..."
"..." Jaffar could do nothing as he realised he was slipping in and out of consciousness.
"Please... don't die." Nino pleaded. "You mustn't die..."
Outside town, a swordsmaster watched over the corpse of Linus, the Mad Dog.
"...Linus, you fool. After all I told you..." muttered Lloyd through clenched teeth. "...Wait for me. I'll be joining you soon enough. And I'll bring you their corpses as a gift..."
"Arrrr..." growled the towering red canine Pokémon next to him.
Meanwhile, in Bern Manse...
"Your Royal Highness, His Majesty the King has arrived," said a soldier to a regally dressed lady with long, braided yellow hair. He quickly left the room as a stern-looking man entered; none other than King Desmond of Bern himself. "Where's Zephiel?" he asked gruffly.
"Your Majesty... 'Tis a pleasure to see you," curtsied Lady Hellene. "What a glorious day that sees you grace us with your presence."
"...Enough. Call the boy!" ordered Desmond.
"Your son is practicing his falconry," Hellene replied.
"You knew I was coming, and yet you sent him away," Desmond huffed. "Hmph. As crafty as ever, woman. Very well, you will have to do. It's ten days until the boy's coming-of-age ceremony. I would speak of it."
"At last... Once the ceremony ends, our son, so long lingering in the shadows, will be received by all as the legitimate heir to your throne," simpered Hellene with an almost gleeful tone. "Do you know how he has longed for this day?"
"Cease your complaints," snapped Desmond. "You and Zephiel, queen and heir of Bern, have never wanted for anything."
"We are here in this manse, while you live in the palace with that... woman," Hellene spat out the last word like a disgusting taste in her mouth. "You must be so disappointed that she bore you not a prince but a princess."
"Hellene! You go too far!" Desmond roared.
"My child, who through me carries the noble blood of Etruria in his veins, will in ten days be named as the right-born heir to the throne. Ha ha ha!" Hellene crowed triumphantly, "No matter how you may dote on her, your illegitimate daughter, Guinivere, is destined to be nothing more than a baseborn shadow... It is my son who shall reign in Bern! My son, Zephiel! Ha ha ha ha ha! How it gives me such pleasure to say those words!"
"Have you said your mind? Well, I have something for you as well," declared Desmond. "Last night, from the palace, the Fire Emblem was stolen away by some villain."
"...Ha ha ha. You are so wicked, Your Majesty," laughed Hellene. "Pray tell, who would believe such a tale? The Fire Emblem is Bern's greatest national treasure. No gem in existence is its equal. Stealing such a heavily guarded object is impossible, is it not?"
"Unfortunately, I speak true. And you know the importance of the Fire Emblem," Desmond stated grimly. "It's the symbol of the heir, the heart of the ceremony. Without the Emblem, the ceremony must be cancelled."
"No!" Hellene shrieked. "This... This was your doing, wasn't it?" she pointed at Desmond accusingly. "How can you despise Zephiel so? He is of your blood. He is your beloved son, is he not?"
"I have heard that Zephiel is... a gifted student, a stunning fighter, excelling in all he tries," said Desmond. "And I've also heard that he is much loved by the people."
"Yes! It is true. All of it!" sang Hellene. "He is a worthy son."
"I... excelled at neither books nor blades. And neither can I say that I command the love of my subjects... Zephiel and I are opposites in every way." Desmond frowned, "It is hard to believe that he is my son."
"Zephiel is Your Majesty's child! Your Grace, you know this is truth!" Hellene cried.
"Mine or not, without the ceremony... he will not be named heir." The King of Bern stated as he turned to leave, "Mark my words, and prepare yourself, woman."
"Your Majesty! King Desmond! Please... Please wait!" Desperately, the Etrurian noble tried to hail the departing king. "He is your heir! Your son! Please... Oh, what am I to do?" she sobbed, falling to the carpeted floor. "Zephiel..."
"...I beg your pardon, your Highness," apologised the chancellor who had entered Hellene's room. "You have a visitor..."
"I will see no one," declared Hellene, still sniffling. "Send him home."
"Your Highness, I..." the chancellor protested.
"It's alright. You may go," said another female voice. "I will take care of this."
"Yes, my lady," bowed the chancellor to another woman standing in the doorway. "Who?..." Hellene wondered.
"Lady Hellene, it's been far too long," smiled the other woman as she came in. "It is I, Louise."
"Louise! Is it truly you?" exclaimed Hellene. "Ah... Louise..."
"What is it? Your eyes are so red," Louise remarked kindly. "It's a shame to see such beauty marred by tears. If it would please you, I would hear your troubles. My husband is here with me, and perhaps he will be able to lend you his aid."
"Lord Pent is also here? I see..." Hellene mulled it over as she dried her eyes. "Well, to be honest..."
"Lord Pent! Lady Louise!" Eliwood exclaimed later that night as the Etrurian couple returned to camp.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting," apologised Pent.
"How did everything go?" asked Eliwood.
"I can't say it was a complete failure, yet..." Pent frowned.
"What do you mean?" piped up Lyn.
"We've a task to perform," explained Louise. "Queen Hellene is looking for something. If we find it for her..."
"She will listen to our request, is that it?" Eliwood finished.
"We have until the morning of the tenth day from today," stated Pent. "...What will you do? The decision is yours."
"...We'll do it," nodded Eliwood. "It is most certainly a test we were destined to take."
Later that night...
"So, Sir Wallace, did you finish your business in Bern?" asked Lyn.
"That I did," nodded Wallace. "It wasn't much, mind you..."
"Then why didn't you return to Caelin?" Lyn continued.
"Ah... let's just say sense of direction isn't one of my strong points, lass," Wallace grinned sheepishly as he polished his lance. "I'd planned to return to Caelin after I'd finished what I'd set out to do, but... you get the idea."
"In that case... I think this Pokémon might be of use to you," smiled Lyn, tossing out a Pokéball to reveal a Nosepass. "Sain and Kent told me about your tendencies to get lost, so they caught this Pokémon for you when they were still your students. You forgot to bring it along with you..."
"Eh? That I did!" smirked Wallace as he patted the Rock Pokémon on the head. "Still, I never used it much then... but thanks, milady."
With that, everyone turned in for the night, before they could plan their next move...
ShadowedTactician: And in the meantime, I'll be uploading the cards for FE: Dragon's Gate, and planning the next chapter.
Imppala: A-hem.
ShadowedTactician: (sighs) Fine... and in the meantime, I'll be planning the next chapter, and uploading the cards for FE: Dragon's Gate.
Imppala: Much better.
Grim: ...Review.
