"Hmm…well that's…weird." Aelita said as they woke up in the middle of the night as a fog began to fill the area near the castle.
"What's with this fog? Is it even natural around here?" Jesse asked.
"...! Guys, I'm sensing a very deadly presence approaching." Ace said as a horse was heard.
"It's him…the Death Knight rides in tonight." Hubert said.
(Cue- Evil's Symphonic Poem- Castlevania: Judgement)
Out of the fog came a sinister looking knight dressed in full black armor, with his helmet in the fashion of a skull that completely covered his face except for the glowing red eyes. His horse was armored to a degree as well, and his weapon of choice was a scythe in the shape of a lance.
"Whoa… His armor looks almost like mine." Craniamon said.
"Those who roam this castle…tonight…only death awaits you." the Death Knight spoke as soldiers began to march in under the cover of the fog.
"This cannot be. These soldiers are from the Empire and the Kingdom." Dimitri said.
"But… What could this mean?" David asked.
"This is either the work of whoever this Shez is making an effort to kill us since we've taken hold of most of the Black Eagles, or some other mastermind." Hope said.
"We have to defend Roy's castle from the troops and the Death Knight. Keep them at bay!" Ichiro said.
"This Death Knight is obviously the biggest threat here. We will have to be very wary around him and exercise caution." Craniamon said.
"Right, on your guard everyone." Dhar said.
They group quickly entered the battle as they started to defend against the incoming Empire and Kingdom soldiers.
"I know that look in your eyes, Craniamon. Obviously we know better than to interfere in a one-on-one fight if you're involved, but… This is the Death Knight we're talking about here. You're likely not gonna leave unharmed." Scott said.
"We are well aware, but believe us. It's kind of Craniamon's thing. He lives for these kinds of bouts." Leopardmon said.
"Please, wait!" A voice called out as a young woman with long slightly dark blonde hair ran up. "Please don't hurt my brother!"
"Mercedes?" Dimitri said.
"Dimitri? And Dedue and Rodrigue as well? I am so relieved you all are safe." Mercedes said. "I was afraid you all were captured when we were whisked away."
"The feeling is mutual, Mercedes. I was afraid you had been forced to battle in these other worlds." Dimitri said.
"She's good, I don't sense any usage of control." Hope said. "But you mind telling us about tall, dark and scary over there being your brother?"
"It's true. He is my younger brother." Mercedes said. "And I won't let you hurt him."
"Sorry, Mercedes, but he's the one leading this force. The only way this ends is if he stands down." Craniamon said.
"Please let me try to speak with him. If I can reach out to him, he may listen." Mercedes said.
"If you're sure it'll work. We'll get you to him." Bow said as they escorted Mercedes through the enemy lines, cutting down anyone in their way.
"So… how'd he end up being a part of the empire, and this way even?" Glimmer asked.
"We were separated when me and my mother left our original house. He remained behind to keep us safe. I heard he slew everyone in that house just to protect me and our mother." Mercedes said. "I know deep down he is still the same sweet boy."
"I took him into the empire to erase that past. He was given to House Hyrm then recommended to be a professor at the Officers Academy." Edelgard said.
"Wait, you turned him into that? Guess it was another part of your big plan for change, right?" Ragna asked.
"Ragna…" Noel said.
The Death Knight looked across as he cut down a number of soldiers before seeing the group with Mercedes. "No…" he said before riding towards them with his scythe raised.
"Emile, please stop this!" Mercedes said.
"I'm sorry…but there is already too much blood on these hands!" he said.
"Death Knight. May I offer a proposition?" Craniamon asked. "I shall face you in single combat. Should I emerge victorious, you shall join us alongside your sister. If you, then you may do with us and this territory as you wish."
"Hmm…Very well. Let's see if you are the one that can finally bring about my death." the Death Knight said as he rode towards the knight.
"No need to hold back then." Craniamon said as he underwent his X-Antibody form as he clashed with the Death Knight.
"It will be a quick victory." the Death Knight said as he was cutting into the knight's armor with his scythe.
"Hnng… He's strong enough to get through my armor. But… That's just the way I like it." Craniamon said as he clashes with his lance.
"Even with the Black Digizoid and his X-Antibody, Craniamon is still suffering damage through his armor. This Death Knight clearly lives up to his mantle." Leopardmon said.
"Just like Death of the Four Horsemen." Natyal said.
"Your comrade is no slouch himself, to be able to withstand attacks from the Death Knight." Edelgard said.
"Craniamon lives for bouts like this. His creed suggests he prefers one-on-one fights. And the stronger the opponent, the more excitement he gets out of it." Leopardmon said.
"This…ends…here!" Craniamon said, swinging his blade, knocking the Death Knight off his horse and knocking off his helmet, showing an older man with long blond hair.
"Whoa, that was a powerful strike." Mayumi said.
"And this man… He really does look just like Mercedes." Ramona said.
"Emile." Mercedes said as she ran up to him and kneeled down.
"Mercedes….please forget me. I have taken too many lives. I am beyond help." he said.
"Do not say that, you are my little brother. And no matter how deep in the darkest depths you are, I will always be there to help pull you back out." Mercedes smiled as she hugged him.
"I love it." Hope said. "Siblings reuniting is always amazing."
"How can we even allow this to happen?" Monica asked. "The death knight is our greatest soldier, we can't-"
"Really? Even after Mercedes is back with her brother, you're still thinking about how to use him as a weapon?" Adora asked. "This can't be how you want to bring change. Using people like this, even your own classmates."
"Aren't they your friends?" Baril asked. "Surely you consider their feelings too."
"She has a point." Edelgard said. "Besides, when this war ends, who knows what will happen with Jeritza."
"Besides, they deserve each other." Lucy said.
"Definitely, after everything they've been through." Rebecca added.
"We should give them some time then." Glimmer said, leaving Jeritza and Mercedes alone.
"Say… A question to my fellow knights. Do you think we have families like that?" Craniamon asked as he reverted.
"That's not really something we think of." Dynasmon said.
"Hmm… I suppose you are right." Craniamon said.
"Now that that's taken care of, there's only one Black Eagle left, right?" Frisk asked.
"Oh, right. Ferdinand. We got so caught up with the Death Knight, we almost forgot about him." Shun'ei said.
"We should make it our priority to find him as soon as we can." Edelgard said.
"I agree with that decision my lady, even though he is too much for me to bear." Hubert said.
"He could be anywhere, there's so many places he could be. As soon as we got a lock on him, we'll go straight for him." Gemini said.
"Uh…that may have to be put on hold." Jet said. "I just got an alert…Altea is facing overwhelming Kingdom Forces." he said as they looked in shock.