Imppala: Shadow! This just in! (thrusts ShadowedTactician a message)
ShadowedTactician: What is it? (reads the message about Brendan2k5's debut of Pokémon Emblem: The Sacred Stones) Well now, I see I've become quite the trendsetter.
Grim: In the meantime, let's go through the reviews we've got this time before we start the next chapter.
Elven-girl10
ShadowedTactician: Yep, it's another person-to-person moment outside the original plot and battle. Makes sense, though: you'd certainly react that way if you saw someone you knew in the army you were in.
Hurricane's Quill
ShadowedTactician: I've replied you about the card-making, HQ. Keep up the creative works and update soon, too!
RubyVulpix
ShadowedTactician: Makes sense, when you think about it. All allied flying units in the game have named their mounts (except Fiora, whose pegasus' name is never heard of), so it's only fair if their Pokémon get nicknamed, too.
Mewmewcuddler
ShadowedTactician: If you want romance, I'd suggest you read on, but whether you'll like it or not is another thing. (You have been warned!) No, I haven't considered a Dark Lugia for Nergal... for a very good reason you'll see in the future to come.
Frodo007
ShadowedTactician: Phew, for a moment there I thought I did something wrong. And without further ado, we present to you...
Chapter 26: Unfulfilled Heart/VS Salamence
Eliwood and his allies defeat the Black Fang monster, Pascal. However, they learn nothing of the Fire Emblem's location. To escape from the Black Fang, they disguise themselves once more. At Eliwood's suggestion, they head for the royal palace of Bern.
"We've finally arrived," breathed Hector. The three lords and two tacticians had advanced to Bern Palace on their own, leaving everyone else behind several ranges of peaks. "I can't believe they built a palace in these mountains," commented the Ostian lordling.
"Bern is the only country on the continent where wyverns and Salamence still fly," remarked Eliwood. "With its wyvern riders, I imagine this castle is the best-defended anywhere."
"I agree. Look at the path leading up the mountain's face," pointed out Lyn. "It would be impossible to scale that in a direct assault."
"Defenders positioned higher up would have a clear advantage. Even the best soldiers could be taken out with ease," Hector nodded. "Hm... look at that. They don't have any sentries posted. They must have a lot of faith in their defences."
"Look at these surroundings! They probably make do with simple patrols within the castle. The mighty Bern... I'd not like it as an enemy," Eliwood shuddered.
"And yet, from this impregnable fortress, a treasure was stolen," Lyn frowned. "Perhaps the king really is responsible for all this. It's hard to imagine any thief cracking Bern's defences."
"I know a couple of thieves who'd like to take that as a challenge," murmured Imppala.
"Quiet!" hissed Shadow.
"I agree... But I can't imagine why the king would do this. To find the Fire Emblem, we're going to need clues," noted Eliwood.
"Listen, why don't we try sneaking into the castle?" suggested Lyn.
"That's what I was waiting for! I like the way you think," grinned Hector.
"Whatever happens, we must not be caught," Eliwood warned. "If it looks impossible, turn around and come back here."
"Right!" answered the other four.
"This is... an inner garden?" Lyn wondered, as Swellow gently let her down. The four men were quickly climbing down the interior walls, helped by Ivysaur's vines.
"That's... Prince Zephiel!" Shadow exclaimed softly, pointing a regally-dressed figure on the other side of the garden, diligently studying a book. "What's he doing here?"
"Search me," Imppala shrugged.
"...Shh! Someone's coming this way," hissed Eliwood, hearing the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Here! Into this thicket," Hector motioned. Everyone quickly dove into the greenery, and after a few seconds they were completely hidden from sight.
"Brother!" came the voice of a young girl. "Hello, Zephiel!"
"Ah, Guinivere," greeted the prince, walking over to hug his sister. "Have you been well?"
"Uh-huh! I've been fine. But if you would come and see me every day, I'd be even better!" smiled Guinivere. "Much, much better!"
"Every day? Well, that's an awful lot, but I'll come by as often as possible," Zephiel reassured. "All for you, dear sister."
"Yippee!" Guinivere cheered.
"Guinivere, Guinivere!" Suddenly, a gruff voice boomed across the garden. "Where are you, lass?"
"Here I am, Father!" greeted Guinivere as King Desmond himself appeared. "Welcome home."
"Ah, there you are!" smiled Desmond as he scooped up Guinivere in his arms. "Were you a good girl while I was gone? Come, give your father a kiss. You're as adorable as ever."
"Well met, Father," bowed Zephiel.
"...Zephiel." All at once, the smile on Desmond's place was replaced with a deep frown. "Hmph... you take the same unpleasant tone as your mother."
"What!" Zephiel exclaimed, not expecting such a cold reaction. "I... I..."
"Silence," Desmond ordered. "What brings you to my castle?"
"Ah, yes..." nodded Zephiel. "Murdock!"
"Yes, my lord?" Heavy footsteps were heard as a general in purple armour made his way to the small group.
"We were hunting in the forest earlier," Zephiel explained, just as Murdock handed him a Pokéball. "...We found this and thought Guinivere might like it." As he spoke, Zephiel gently tapped the red orb, releasing the captured Pokémon within.
"Eeek! A baby Vulpix!" squealed Guinivere, picking up the Fox Pokémon and nuzzling its red fur. "How cute! It's so very cute! Is it for me? Really?"
"Do you like it?" asked Zephiel.
"Yes, I do! Thank you! I do love you, brother!" Guinivere smiled, tightly hugging her brother.
"...Guinivere, go play for a while," commanded Desmond suddenly.
"Okay!" nodded Guinivere. "Come on, let's go! You lovely little thing!"
"Vul!" said the baby Fire-type as it followed its new mistress to the other side of the garden.
"...I've told you to stay away from the castle, boy," Desmond glowered at Zephiel.
"Yes... I know... I beg your pardon," Zephiel bowed. "I heard that Guinivere was ill and I was... worried."
"Hah! You mean you came to see if she would die, don't you?" sneered Desmond.
"Father..." The poor prince did not know what to say.
"I beg your pardon, your Majesty," interrupted Murdock. "But that..."
"Hold your tongue, Murdock!" Desmond snapped. "Do not forget who you serve! The king of Bern!"
"..." Reluctantly, the burly general remained silent.
"It's alright, Murdock," assured Zephiel, then turned to his father. "Father, I would never want to see Zephiel harmed in..."
"You and your mother think of nothing more than stealing my throne," muttered Desmond gruffly. "...You plague me. Return to the manse!"
"As you wish," Zephiel bowed. "I beg your leave... Father."
"...No matter how I warn him, he comes," Desmond sighed, once he was sure he was by himself. "Why is it that the very sight of him tries my patience so? He is truly of my own flesh and blood, yet..."
"Hee hee hee. It is jealousy, my king," came a woman's voice.
"Eh? Who's there?" called Desmond.
"It is I... Sonia." From out of nowhere, a lady teleported into the garden, dressed in her black robes.
"Sonia!" exclaimed Imppala. "That's the woman who's..."
"Quit your yammering!" nudged Shadow irritably. "We can't be seen or heard, remember?"
"You..." The king of Bern took a few seconds to register himself, then continued, "Well? Is the Emblem safe?"
"Yes. I have it in my possession," answered Sonia. "It is all as we planned."
"It is unlikely, but... The queen might attempt to win the Emblem back," Desmond frowned. "Are you prepared?"
"I will not fail. It is secreted away within the Black Fang's fortress," Sonia replied.
"Keep it concealed until dusk of the tenth day, then return it to me," ordered Desmond.
"As you will, Your Grace," bowed Sonia.
"And... what of my other request..." Desmond began.
"One of the Four Fangs will tend to it. There will be no mistakes," grinned Sonia nastily. "However, General Murdock, the man protecting the prince... He is young, yet well-respected. Shall we finish him too?"
"...Murdock... his birth is low. And yet his combat skills have won him the title of Salamence General," recalled Desmond. "It would be a great blow to Bern if we lose him... I'll think of something to remove him from Zephiel's side. Will that do?"
"Yes. It would be a great help... Wait!" Sonia paused. "I... sense someone..."
"...!" Immediately, Eliwood and the others held their breaths, desperately hoping they would not be discovered.
"Father! Brother! Where are you?" All of a sudden, Guinivere's voice broke through the tense atmosphere.
"Do not worry. It's my daughter," Desmond assured.
"Of course. Do not forget the Black Fang's role once we are successful," reminded Sonia.
"Alright. Now begone. Quickly," urged Desmond.
"Farewell," Sonia smiled, as she vanished into thin air.
"Zephiel!" called Guinivere, bringing in her new Pokémon. "This Vulpix, it... Hm? Where is my brother?" she asked.
"He had an errand to perform and left," answered her father gruffly.
"Oh, no!" Guinivere wailed. "No, no, no! I wanted to play!"
"Come, Guinivere. I will play with you," Desmond offered.
"No!" shrieked Guinivere. "I want to play with him, not you!" Placing her Vulpix in her father's hands, she called, "I'll go and ask him to come back. Hold my Vulpix for me!"
"...Attend me!" roared Desmond, once Guinivere had left the grounds.
"Yes, my lord!" a sentry reported.
"Take this beast and kill it!" Desmond snarled, flinging the Vulpix at the poor guardsman. "Do not let Guinivere know what you do!"
"...Understood," complied the sentry, before leaving his master's sight.
"...Zephiel, you knave... Trying to steal my Guinivere's love... You will learn your place!" Huffily, the king of Bern stomped off.
"...That was close," remarked Hector, once the garden was deserted. The others came out from their hiding places, stretching their bodies after being cramped up for so long. "I was afraid they'd catch us."
"This is worse than I'd imagined," Eliwood said worriedly. "Nergal has already reached the king."
"His plans for Lycia failed, and now he's targeting Bern," agreed Lyn.
"If a country as powerful as Bern moves, peace knows no hope," Hector nodded grimly.
"What Nergal desires is powerful quintessence... Calling dragons back, starting a war... Does he plan to embroil the world in chaos?... Whatever his plans, he must be stopped at any cost!" shouted Eliwood.
"Right. We've got to find the Fire Emblem and return it to the queen," reminded Hector. "We do that, and she'll point us toward the Shrine of Seals."
"Then... we'll have to go to the Black Fang's fortress," Lyn realised.
"That's our goal," Eliwood decided. "We must meet with the others and seek out the fortress."
"...I wonder if Eliwood and the others are well," wondered Nils. He and Ninian were waiting just outside the mountain range that surrounded the Bern Palace. "I'm kind of worried..."
"Mm..." agreed Ninian.
"Um... Ninian?" Nils piped up. "Lord Hector's a strange guy, isn't he?"
"Nils, that's impolite, saying he's strange," Ninian chided.
"But it's true. He is strange," insisted Nils. "He doesn't put on airs like other nobles. He even let me ride on his shoulders. He's pushy and rough, but nice too... I really like him."
"Nils..." began Ninian, but her brother had started to reminisce.
"What if the people from long ago were like him?" Nils sighed. "I just wish everyone could've gotten along better, you know?"
"Yes... I agree..." Ninian nodded.
"...Tell me, Ninian." The bard suddenly turned to his sister. "Lord Eliwood... you're fond of him, aren't you?"
"Nils!" Ninian's face instantly turned a deep shade of red. "I..."
"But you must not fall in love with him, you know? We are... different from them," reminded Nils.
"...I know," murmured Ninian. "But I cannot... I..."
"Ninian! Where are you going?" Nils called, as Ninian began to walk away.
"I need time to think," Ninian whispered. "May I be alone, please?"
"...Ninian..." sighed Nils. Suddenly, he heard the swoop of wings... "What? ...Ahh!"
"We'd better hurry and rejoin the others," urged Hector, as the group started to break into a run. "...Oh, no! Look!" he pointed. "It's a Salamence rider!"
"She's coming closer... has she seen us?" worried Eliwood.
"No, it's not us she's seen. It's... It's Nils!" Lyn nearly screamed.
"Let's go! Hector, Imppala, Shadow!" Eliwood shouted.
"Okay! We're on it!" Imppala nodded.
"Ahh!" screamed Nils as the three dragon riders touched down in front of him. Two wyvern riders were being led by another woman with short blonde hair and a lightning bolt scar across her face. She was riding a blue dragon Pokémon with huge red wings. "Who... who are you?"
"Light green hair, crimson eyes... No mistake. You're one of Lord Nergal's lost toys," smirked the woman. "Yes! Found you at last!"
"...What are you?" Nils cried. "Why can't I sense you?"
"What happened to your bodyguards? I heard they were tough. I wanted to see for myself... Well, you're here, so they can't be too far away, can they?" the woman grinned as her team cornered the young bard. "C'mon, boy! Scream! Call your friends to you! I grow weary of waiting... I am not known for my patience!"
"I'm the one you're looking for!" shouted Lyn as she came running, followed by the others. "Unhand the boy!"
"You've come! I've been looking forward to this!" smiled the Salamence rider.
"Looking forward? What do you mean?" asked Eliwood.
"The chance to crush you!" replied the woman, rubbing her hands in glee. "Then hand the children over to Lord Nergal."
"Nergal? So you're another of his dogs, are you?" Hector sneered.
"I'll not be called a dog by you, blackheart!" shouted the Bern warrior. "True, we've a contract with the Black Fang, but I am loyal to one master only! He who sits on the throne of Bern!"
"Then why are you in the employ of the Black..." Eliwood protested.
"There's been far too much talking. Let's get started, shall we?" the woman grinned. "I've long hungered for someone to test my strength against. Make this last awhile, will you? I want to enjoy this!" Pulling the reins on her Salamence, she flew into the sky.
"Listen up, everyone!" she barked. "It's playtime! Come on out! The palace has already promised to stay out of this! Be as wild as you will!"
"Yes, Commander Vaida!" All of a sudden, the hills and skies were quickly filled with enemy forces.
"Shadow! Imppala!" shouted Eliwood. "The others are hidden here and there to avoid being spotted. This is not to our advantage. We must gather everyone quickly!"
"At once, Lord Eliwood!" saluted the two tacticians.
"...The enemy seeks to scatter and destroy you. You must come together," warned Nils, once he had managed to calm down and start doing his augury. "I see... wyvern and Salamence riders, clouding the sky... You should take archers, as many as possible. The leader of the enemy forces... I sense... something. There is an energy. If you are able to avoid the leader, you should do so. Don't move about too much. Staying in one place will make the battle easier... That's it."
"This is not going to be easy," muttered Shadow as he massaged his forehead. "We're going to have to get everyone here as soon as possible to at least survive this."
"Agreed. We need to somehow get a message to the others and ask them to gather here," nodded Imppala. "But how..."
"We'll help, too." Everyone turned to see Pent and Louise emerge from their nearby hiding places and approach them. "Tell us what to do, Eliwood."
"...You as well, Lady Louise?" asked Eliwood.
"Of course," nodded the sniper.
"No need for concern. She is quite skilled with a bow," assured Pent. "Those Bern sky-fliers will be sorry to meet her."
"Despite what you may think, I shoot much better than I dance or sing," smiled Louise. "And I believe I can be of small assistance elsewhere as well. Beautifly!"
"Beeeautifly!" A black insect Pokémon with pretty wings and long proboscis emerged from the Pokéball that Louise threw upwards.
"Dustox!" Pent called, releasing his Poisonmoth Pokémon.
"Alright! We can use them to help spread the message!" Imppala cheered.
"That, and help me pass this to Rath," Shadow added, producing an Orion's Bolt from his pocket. "We could use an improved bow-wielding fighter."
"Thank you for your help, Lord Pent," Eliwood bowed.
"No trouble at all," smiled the Mage General. "...Now, let me give you this. It's from Lord Athos."
"What is it?" asked Eliwood.
"A Heaven seal. It's a promotional item that reveals hidden strengths," explained Pent. "It's only supposed to work for a select few."
"It has... an air of mystery to it," Eliwood commented as he held the bronze shield in his hand.
"Do you think you can use it?" Pent asked.
"...Heaven seal!" shouted Eliwood, raising the said item into the air. "...No, it won't work for me," he sighed after nothing happened at all.
"Wait for the proper time, then have the other two try it," suggested Pent. "It might not work now, but I'm sure that you will all be able to use it at some point. Just keep trying."
"I understand. Thank you very much," Eliwood smiled.
"Why wait? Why not let us use it now?" grinned Hector.
"Hmmm... actually, I agree with Lord Hector," pointed out Imppala. "If it does work for either him or Lady Lyn, then we'd have a stronger member on the team. And we could use one right about now."
"Point taken," noted Shadow. "But who should use it?"
"...How about Lady Lyn?" suggested the red tactician. "If this Heaven seal does unlock hidden abilities, then it would be quite safe to assume that Lady Lyn's nomadic skills would advance to the next level, and that should include the usage of bows. Another archer would be useful."
"...Very well," agreed Eliwood. "Lyndis?"
"Alright," complied Lyn as she took the seal from Eliwood and raised it in her hand. "Heaven seal!"
Blinding bolts of lightning rained from the sky, surrounding the nomadic girl and her Pokémon. All of a sudden, a huge pillar of light enveloped them, preventing the others from seeing properly. Only when the metamorphosis was complete did the light dissipate, revealing Lyn dressed in a finer-looking dress, giving her a sleeker, prettier appearance.
Meanwhile, Ivysaur had also began to undergo changes as well. The bud on its back had blossomed, and had now grown into a monstrously big flower with thick leaves and tough stem. The reptilian had also evolved into a much bulkier form to support the huge flower on its back. "Venu-SAUR!" it roared.
"I... I feel... great!" exclaimed Lyn in awe. "There's a power running through my body... I feel much stronger now!"
"Here, try this," Louise said as she offered an iron bow to Lyn. The newly promoted noble took the weapon, pulled back its string, and let fly an arrow that struck the centre of a nearby tree.
"Mm... not bad for a first try," smiled Louise. "You're a natural, Lyndis."
"...Shadow and Imppala, is that right?" Pent had now turned to the two tacticians. "Please... forget about our titles and standings. You are our tacticians, and we are yours to command. I hope we'll work well together."
"Alright, Lord Pent!" the tacticians nodded.
"Ah... Lady Priscilla?" Lucius called softly. The monk, valkryie and her sage escort were huddled together amongst a group of trees to stay out of sight. "There's something I need to tell you. It's about Lord Raymond..."
"Oh?" The princess of Cornwell turned. "Did Lord Brother say anything about me? That I was cute when I was small... Or that he often thought of me after I had left Cornwell?"
"Er... no. Actually..." whispered Lucius. "...He wants to assassinate Lord Hector!"
"What?" Priscilla nearly screamed. "But... but why? Why is Raymond..."
"Two years ago... House Cornwell was accused of stealing funds from the Lycian alliance and censured by the council of lords, stripped of its peerage," Lucius explained. "Your mother and father sent you to the Caerleons so as not to involve you with the incident... It is rumoured that Uther, Marquess of Ostia, the Lycian territory responsible for carrying out the investigation, killed your parents. And now Lord Raymond is trying to seek revenge on Ostia through Lord Hector!"
"That's... that's... Oh, sweet Elimine..." whispered Priscilla, nearly fainting from what she had heard. "...I knew he was involved in something dangerous, but... How could Lord Uther possibly have... my parents..."
"I don't believe it either. But one thing's for sure..." Lucius said firmly. "We have to stop Lord Raymond!"
"But... how?" Priscilla asked desperately. "He's completely deaf to what we have to say... and if we directly tell Lord Hector, I'm afraid they'll..."
"I've an idea," suggested Erk. "Maybe we can ask some of Lord Hector's vassals about the incident first... like Sir Oswin, for example. He looks older and experienced; I'm sure he could shed some light on the matter."
"...It's a good plan," agreed Lucius. "We'll try to ask him when the time comes."
"Priscilla!" shouted a familiar voice. Everyone turned to see Raven himself crash through the vegetation.
"Lord Brother!" exclaimed Priscilla. "What..."
"We're under attack!" beckoned Raven. "Let's move out, now!"
"From what Fiora's told me, there are enemies behind the southern mountains near a village, as well as possible reinforcements coming from the southeast and southwest," Kent pointed. The other units crowded around him as he began to give instructions. "Rebecca, Wil and Rath: I need you to lead our magic units to the north and help our lieges. Everyone else, we'll handle the other enemy forces until we're sure we won't suffer an attack from the back. Now go!"
At the cavalier's command, the three bow wielders led the magic users northwards, while the others headed due south, leaving only Kent and Fiora behind.
"Fiora... is there something wrong?" asked Kent.
"No, not really," breathed Fiora. "...I just have something I need to tell you..."
"Actually... I also have something that I feel you need to know," Kent replied. "...Why don't you go first."
"No, please... you first," Fiora insisted.
"Well, then... Fiora, I would like to thank you for saving me, back there in the marsh," began Kent. "Had you not swooped down in time, I..."
"Actually, I would also like to thank you for saving me," added Fiora. "If you hadn't saved me from my fall at the Dread Isle, I..."
"..." The two stared at each other, unable to finish their sentences as a result of blushing too hard.
"...Forgive me," Fiora apologised, breaking the awkward silence.
"No, it is I who should apologise," Kent bowed, taking one of the pegasus knight's hands in his own, to the Ilian sister's surprise. "Fiora... please, stay by my side. When you are near, I feel as if I fight more bravely, more keenly... I'm so much more focused on the battle than I've ever been before. I think we would fight well together... What do you say?"
"Actually... I came to ask you the very same thing," murmured Fiora, her lips breaking into an uncontrollable smile.
"Really?" The cavalier could not believe his ears.
"Yes. It's strange, isn't it?" Fiora sighed a sigh that was much unlike her normal self. "I feel as if we have known each other from birth."
"Fiora... I must ask you one more thing." Holding both Fiora's hands tightly, Kent blushed as he stated his request. "When this battle ends, if we both still live..."
"Please... say no more," whispered Fiora, placing a finger on Kent's lips. "I... already know what you will ask... Of course. I feel the same way."
"Really? I... I'm so glad," gushed Kent. "But... about that policy I suggested... what should we do about it?"
"...What could we do about it?" Fiora smiled at her newfound soulmate. "We were foolish to try and separate our fellow combatants... look at what they would have missed out on if we had segregated them," she murmured, gently nudging Kent.
"Mm. Perhaps... It can wait," Kent smiled. "Shall we proceed?"
"Let's," agreed Fiora, as the two dutiful fighters went on to the battlefield.
"Tut, tut, tut," Legault remarked, skipping over the dead bodies of Vaida's armies, picking up items as he went along. "How could they possibly overlook all this good stuff?" he grinned as he pocketed a knight's crest from a fallen nomad. Noticing the nearby village, he walked through the doors.
"Oh, my," exclaimed a familiar voice. "It's you..."
"Ursula? Is that you?" asked Legault.
"That's right." The Blue Crow folded her arms and looked at Legault with her lips pursed together. "You're with them, aren't you?"
"Ursula... You know what's happened to the Black Fang!" Legault began. "Nergal and..."
"Quiet," interrupted Ursula. "If this were another time, I would have killed you right here for treason. I know that this isn't what I'm supposed to do, but... I'll not hand glory over to that newcomer, Vaida."
"What are you blabbering about?" smirked Legault. "You haven't realised that Nergal's been leading everyone around by their noses, have you?"
"Hm? Oh, nothing... I'm just talking to myself," Ursula smiled. "More importantly, I want to give you this. It's a hammerne staff for repairing items. It can make most items like new again. Promise me you'll bring that Salamence-riding hag down."
"Eh?" Legault looked at the staff handed to him, then looked back at the valkryie.
"I'll be seeing you again, I'm sure," smirked Ursula, turning around to leave. "Hee hee..."
Meanwhile...
"Raaaah!" Dart yelled, slicing his axe through another wyvern rider. Now that he was a berserker, he found he could unleash stronger hits more easily, especially where it hurt most.
"Hey, Dart!" The axeman turned to see Geitz running up to meet him. "About earlier... I'm sorry," apologised the warrior. "I was just... trying to goad you into a fight. You know, all this time... I've resented it. You just... you had so much when you were little."
"..." Dart kept silent as Geitz continued talking.
"We first met in Badon, remember? Fargus had raided my family's boat. Dad and I went to get new freight and a new crew... When Dad was haggling, I saw some pirates." He paused for a moment, trying to remember the scene. "Compared to our ship, theirs was a total wreck... But it looked so much better to me."
"Of course it did!" snapped Dart. "That ship was our pride and joy!"
"Well, I never had the chance to love something like that... So I resented you... And I don't want to die feeling that way," admitted Geitz. "I mean... what will I leave in this world when I die?"
"Bah! You daft fool!" Dart smacked Geitz on the side of his head. "I've had nothing you can't find! Just travel everywhere, and live like there's no tomorrow. In time, you'll find everything you need... So don't give up!" he smirked.
"S-Sure," Geitz nodded.
"Now, let's go! Just throw yourself fully into the first thing you see! And, Geitz... when this battle is over, would you like to board our ship?" offered Dart.
"Yeah, I would," smiled Geitz. "The ocean... that's where I belong."
"Aye, that's my sailor!" Dart cheered. Suddenly...
"Nope... no more enemies there... well, look who it is!" sneered a voice from above. "It's the kid with big dreams and no money!"
"Will you quit blabbering about that already?" snarled Dart. "Don't stomp on my dream, okay?"
"Alright, I'll bite," Farina conceded once she had touched down. "What's your dream, big guy?"
"Well, it's this..." Dart said as he produced an old piece of paper from his pocket.
"Whoo, that smells musty," remarked Farina while Dart unravelled it. "What is it?"
"Don't get all squeamish on me now, girlie. It's a treasure map that belonged to the legendary pirate king, Han Gak..." explained Dart. "If I can just decipher the riddles he used to mark the location of his buried treasure, then I should be able to find it."
"So... treasure, huh? How much do you think it's worth?" Farina asked.
"Well, at least one hundred million, I'll wager..." Dart muttered as he and Geitz pored over the map.
"That much, huh?..." It took a few moments for Farina to register what Dart had just said. "Wait a second!" she exclaimed into Dart's ear. "Did you just say one hundred million..."
"Whoa!" The two axemen reeled from Farina's shout.
"Now... is that thing for real?" questioned Farina excitedly as she began to study the clues. "You wouldn't lie about money, right? Tell me you wouldn't!"
"Now hold on, relax, just calm down. It's the real thing, I swear," declared Dart.
"I can't believe it... I mean, just think... But wait. How would a wharf rat like you get hold of something like that?" Farina grinned.
"...Wharf rat?" Dart growled.
"Right, forget about it. But let's just say..." began Farina. "That map is probably fake, but let's just say I were to buy it from you... How would 3,000 gold sound?"
"You think me daft, woman? Who would sell their dream for a few clinking coins in their pocket?" snapped Dart. "My answer is no, whatever the price!"
"But... it's so obviously a fake!" Farina protested.
"What! Open your beady little eyes and look here, missy!" Dart pointed furiously at the map. "The pirate king signed his mark, right here!"
"Where?" Gazing at the signature Dart had noted, the pegasus knight remarked, "Mmm... Anyone could have written that!"
"Shut your trap! Compare it to the one on this letter of his..." Bringing out another piece of paper, Dart motioned to the two identical markings on the two sheets. "Ha! Now you see it, don't you!"
"Haha... sucker..." grinned Farina. "Thanks for the look at the map... I think I'll just go find it myself!"
"Ngggh! Gold-snatching witch!" Dart seethed as Farina took off. "Well, all I have to do is decipher the riddle before she does... And I'll find that treasure first! Or my name isn't Dart!"
"...Actually, it isn't really Dart," Geitz remarked. "From what I've heard, you're..."
"Stow it, Geitz!" came the infuriated response.
"Grrr... Those bodyguards are so much tougher than I thought!" grumbled Vaida as she watched from above. "It's our turn!" As the team of wyvern knights swooped down at Eliwood's company, Vaida caught sight of Lyn slashing away. "Ha ha... Such a pleasant expression," she smirked. "That settles it. I'll start with you!"
"Bring it on!" snarled Lyn. "Venusaur, Vine Whip!"
"SAUR!" roared the Seed Pokémon, releasing a series of five vines from under its foliage, grappling around Umbriel's legs and neck.
"Pull her down, Venusaur!" Leaping onto her Pokémon's thick vines, Lyn brandished her Mani Katti, using her agility to jump higher and higher, propelling herself nearer to Vaida.
"Umbriel! Fly!" Vaida declared. At once, the huge Dragon Pokémon climbed sharply, with the heavy Venusaur in tow... and Lyn as well!
"Kyaaaa!" Lyn screamed, as she held tightly onto Venusaur's leaves.
"Strike!" Before Lyn could react, Umbriel had changed its flight direction while Venusaur was still flying forward, and dove straight down at it... BAM!
"Saaaaaur!" Hit hard by the aerial attack, Venusaur instinctively retracted all of its vines in pain, and began to fall down, down, down...
"Venusaur! Return!" shouted Lyn, recalling her Grass Pokémon. "Swellow, help me!"
"Swellow!" Popping out of its Pokéball, the Swallow Pokémon dived for its mistress, grabbing her sleeve with its talons and safely gliding to the ground.
"Archer units! Attack!" ordered Imppala. Immediately, the sky was filled with arrows as Rath, Rebecca and Wil let fly a storm of arrows. "Shadow, Erk!" Imppala yelled.
"Blizzard, go!" commanded the two males. As they did so, Grim and Slowking unleashed a combined flurry of frost, coating the arrows in a thin layer of ice and increasing their speed.
"Protect, Umbriel!" The Salamence generated a protective shield around it, diverting the blast of ice and arrows behind it. "Dragonbreath, now!"
"Sala-MENCE!" screeched Umbriel, releasing an incredible blast of air at the defenders, sending them flying backwards.
"Urrrgh..." Hector tried to get up, to find that he couldn't move a muscle. "What's happened?"
"Dragonbreath is an attack that can paralyse its targets!" cried Shadow through gritted teeth. "That Dragonbreath must've paralysed all of us!"
"So these were the strong bodyguards I'd heard so much about... what a joke!" cackled Vaida. "It's time I... eh?" As Vaida turned, she could see the rest of Eliwood's army swarm from behind the mountains, led by Kent. "What's this? More blood to coat my spear in?" she smirked. Suddenly, the Salamence rider noticed a familiar face in the crowd.
"You!" pointed Vaida. Everyone else turned to see the person she was pointing at... Heath!
"Commander? Commander Vaida!" Heath exclaimed. "It's me, Heath!"
"The deserter?" Vaida frowned. "By what right are you back in Bern?"
"You first!" demanded Heath. "Why are you working with the Black Fang? We swore to only serve House Bern..."
"I don't see anyone from the royal family around, do you?" sneered Vaida.
"Commander Vaida..." Heath began.
"Prepare yourself, Heath!" Vaida declared. "You were a novice when you reneged on your vows. Have you improved much since you turned your coat?"
"Commander! I... I do not want to fight you!" shouted Heath.
"I don't blame him... He's facing some pretty steep odds here," Imppala muttered.
"No more talk!" snapped Vaida. "Umbriel, Dragon Dance!"
"MENCE!" At Vaida's order, the Dragon Pokémon began to fly about in a mystic pattern, becoming stronger and swifter with each movement.
"...!" The manouvre caused a certain red-clothed tactician to gape in amazement. "That attack!..."
"Aerial Ace, Umbriel!" Vaida commanded.
"Hyperion! Climb, now!" Heath yelled. The green wyvern responded quickly, taking to the skies as Vaida and her Salamence swooped down, missing the rest of Eliwood's units by mere metres. Although Heath tried his best to stay ahead, he could not avoid the inevitable strike to follow...
"Scraw!" cried Hyperion as Umbriel slashed it with its wings in mid-air. "Whoa!" As Hyperion reeled from the attack, Heath struggled to stay on.
"Heath!" Seeing the wyvern rider take a humongous blow, Kent beckoned to the others, "Alright! Flying units, atta..."
"Stop!" hollered Heath, just as he clambered onto Hyperion's back. "This is between me and my commander! The rest of you, please take care of the other wyvern riders!"
"Heath, you..." Kent tried to pacify the ex-fighter of Bern, but Heath was determined. "You heard him!" shouted Kent. "Attack!"
"Commander Vaida... I really do not want to fight you," Heath said softly while reaching into his pocket. "But if you insist... then I will show you how much I have improved!" As he spoke, the wyvern knight revealed the item he held in his hand, which glinted against the sun's rays. "Elysian whip!" he yelled.
Exploding in a burst of blinding light, the promotional item began to work its magic on Heath, blessing him with a full suit of armour and a spiked lance. "Leon, come on out!" called Heath, flinging his Pokéball into the air.
As everyone else watched, it could be seen that the Charmeleon had already began to transform, even before it had emerged from its Pokéball. Already its body had began to grow, its stomach had began to enlarge, its neck had began to lengthen. By the time the evolution process had ended, Leon was a completely different creature. Two big, leathery wings had sprouted from its back and it had a much more draconian build.
"Hyperion... take a rest, boy," Heath coaxed, leaping onto the back of his newly evolved Charizard. "Leon, Fire Blast now!"
"Umbriel, Hydro Pump!" countered Vaida.
"Chaaar!" "Meeeence!" The two Dragon Pokémon opened their mouths, unleashing streams of fire and water respectively, colliding and exploding in a huge cloud of steam.
"You asked for it, Heath!" Vaida growled. "Double-Edge, Umbriel!"
"Salamence!" Growling, Umbriel began to dive at Leon at an alarmingly fast speed.
"Gurgh!" Heath and Leon fell back as they took the powerful hit. "Something's not right..." Heath observed. "She's much faster and stronger than the last time we met... but even years of training couldn't possibly make her this powerful!"
"Double-Edge again!" At Vaida's command, Umbriel charged at Leon once more.
"Now, Leon, Iron Tail!" shouted Heath, just when Umbriel was metres away. The Charizard instantly swung its tail at Umbriel, which had become as strong as steel, knocking the Salamence off course. "Focus Punch!" Heath commanded.
"Charrr!" Leon proceeded to land a powerful punch on Umbriel, which had been stunned by the last attack and was unable to defend itself properly.
"Ungh!" grunted Vaida, as Umbriel fell to the ground. Weakly, the Salamence flapped its wings, slowly rising back into the air, but Heath was not finished.
"Leon, use Rock Slide!" called the wyvern lord.
Cracks began to appear on the ground as Leon's gaiakinetic powers began to shake up the entire area. The others, who realised what was about to happen, stopped fighting the enemy and retreated, much to Vaida and her team's surprise. Without warning, huge rocks burst forth from the newly made crevices, slamming into Umbriel and the enemy wyverns one after the other.
"Urgh... Pah!" Vaida spat, "I've had it with being pushed here and there! Everyone, withdraw! Ground forces, pull back! And move quickly!"
In a coordinated movement, the team of wyvern knights retreated into the deep mountain range...
"Aggron, try your Smellingsalt!" suggested Oswin, once everyone had regrouped.
"Gron!" Towering over the lying form of Hector, the Iron Armour Pokémon slapped the Ostian lord in the face.
"Ow!" Scrambling in pain, Hector managed to pick himself up before glaring at the general. "Oswin!"
"Apologies, my lord," Oswin bowed sheepishly. "But we've run straight out of any paralysis healing items, and this was..."
"I have a better idea." Weakly, Rebecca opened her Pokéball. "Roselia, use Aromatherapy!"
"Roselllll!" Twirling around, the little Grass/Poison-type emanated a pleasant-smelling gas that re-energised its paralysed allies.
"Ah... Much better," remarked Eliwood as he stood up and dusted himself. "I guess that worked out..."
"Lord Eliwood!" Eliwood turned to see Ninian and Nils rush from their hiding places.
"Ninian! Nils!" Eliwood called. "Are you both well?"
"What shall we do, Lord Eliwood?" Nils asked worriedly. "Nergal's power... it's returning bit by bit."
"What do you mean?" questioned Eliwood.
"That woman you faced... she was protected by Nergal's magic," explained Ninian.
"Her strength... it came from Nergal?" Eliwood could not believe what he was hearing.
"Yes," Ninian nodded. "It won't be long before he's active again... with all his power restored."
"We must hurry and gain the power to oppose him!" interjected Nils.
"We have to recover the Fire Emblem," nodded Eliwood. "If we can do that..."
"Come on!" urged Hector. "The palace is in an uproar. This is our chance to slip away!"
"Wait, I have an idea. Let's follow them," suggested Lyn.
"Lyndis?" Eliwood began, but the plainsgirl had already began to run northwest.
"Leave it to me," she called, beckoning to the others to follow her. "I think I might be able to find the Black Fang fortress."
Half-believing, half-disbelieving, everyone followed Lyn into a thin mountain pass. A slight mist blanketed the area.
"This way," Lyn motioned. "The signs are fading, but they're really moving. I think I can track them if they keep this pace."
"Are you sure? Really?" asked Hector.
"Remember, I'm from Sacae," smirked Lyn. "Bern's foot soldiers are slow and clumsy... And to a Sacaen, men are easier to track than rabbits."
"What do you want to do, Eliwood?" Hector asked.
"Let's put our trust in Lyndis," decided Eliwood. "If anyone can do this, she can."
"Are you serious?" Hector wanted to ask more, but Lyn interrupted him.
"Over here, everyone!" she shouted, moving deeper into the mountains. The others could only follow her, in hope thatthe plainsgirl knew what she was doing...
ShadowedTactician: Well, it's time to hibernate for my next school project, which should be over and done with in a month.
Imppala: I'd complain, but my upcoming tests haven't left me with much space for breathing, let alone ranting.
Grim: ...Review.
