"So it's finally time to get Byleth on our side." Zephyr said. "Ashen Demon is the nickname both forms go by as a merc."
"Wonder why she's still in the mercenary job?" Ragna asked.
"Well this is an alternate Fodlan, maybe the inclusion of Shez altered things in this version." Ace said. "Made things different than it originally would be. Cause there is no mention of them in the original Fodlan histories."
"Then do you think there might be a chance that…" David started.
"Hard to say. All we know of Byleth is that they have been a mercenary since they were a child. It must be hard to keep track of how many people they cut down if they were at it for that long." Alphamon said. "A feeling some of us know all too well…"
"Still, to think we'd be going to Valentia again." Mari said. "It's where we met most of you when we started out." she said, pulling out a picture from that time.
"I remember that. It was when we first met Fulgore too." Leanne said. "After we beat him, we brought him back to reprogram him so Ultratech wouldn't use his model anymore."
"Yes… It's kind of ironic now, but that was how I first met you all." Fulgore said. "Along with Jago and the others, of course."
"And we've come so far since then, it's like they say, time flies when you're having fun." Ace said.
"Make that saving the Multiverse many times over." Gemini said.
"Sometimes both." Craniamon said.
"At any rate, we'll be sure to protect Alm and Celica from harm. We just need to figure out where exactly Seteth's Army is so that we know where they're attacking them." Hope said.
"Wouldn't it be at their castle?" Roy asked. "Since Valentia was united as one nation, that would be the most likely place that Seteth's army would attack."
"Good thinking. We'll head to the sight of Valentia castle, since we know they rule from there, and hope we aren't too late to intervene." Ichiro said.
Arriving in Valentia, the group headed to Valentia castle to see that it was being besieged. They saw an army from the Knights of Seiros that was mixed with some Kingdom forces.
"Looks like we made it in time." Ignatz said.
"No sign of Jeralt's guys, at least not yet." Claude said.
"I don't see Annie either." Mercedes said. "Oh, I hope she's alright."
"She's probably further in the back." Felix said.
"And it seems we got even more company." Dimitri said as they saw a single unit of soldiers cutting down the Valentia forces.
"Jeralt's Mercenaries…" Edelgard said.
Just then a lone familiar figure was seen slowly walking towards them with a silver sword in hand before stopping.
"No mistaking it… That's definitely Byleth." David said.
"Stand down or die." Byleth said in an emotionless voice.
"This is not good. If this Byleth is capable of what the ones we know are, she'll be the most difficult opponent to defeat here." Leopardmon said.
"Hmm… Maybe… Maybe we won't have to." David said.
"Okay, what's got those gears in your head turning now?" Dawn asked.
"I'm saying that if someone acts as a decoy and lures her away from the force's main objective, we should be able to handle all of them with little to no issue." David said. "I myself will be that decoy. When she comes for me, that's when you all charge in and take out the enemy."
"Dude, that's… That's crazy! You really think you can handle her on your own?" Jesse asked.
"As I said, the objective won't be to defeat her, but keep her distracted long enough for you all to get everyone else under control." David said.
"Right. Good plan. I'll get you started." Vector said. "Hey, Ashen Demon! This guy thinks your mercenary group sucks and he wants to kill your old man!"
"What?" Byleth said, gripping her sword.
"Well… It got her attention, at least." David said. "If I make it out of this, I'm making you into a leather bag." he said as he took off with Byleth after him.
"Says you and every debt collector I've ever beaten!" Vector said.
"Did you beat them? Or did you run with your tail between your legs?" Simon asked.
"Second obviously. Those guys bring guns." Vector said.
"So you didn't beat them then." Hapi said.
"As interesting as this conversation is, maybe we should get back to repelling the invasion?" Emo pointed out.
"Right. Well David should handle Byleth until we can take out the army." Vector said.
"The fastest way to take out Seteth would be through his sister Flayn." Edelgard said.
"Guy's got an insane protection complex when it comes to her. We attack Flayn, we get Seteth." Claude said.
"If you say so, but we're not out to hurt her. We just gotta make it real enough that he comes running." Bow said.
The group then searched around the castle grounds for their target, while also defeating any enemies in their way to protect Alm and Celica.
"Don't worry. I'll get you all fixed up." said a girl with green hair as she healed the enemy soldiers that were just defeated as they got back to fighting.
"That's her over there." Ingrid said.
"Good. Let's do this." Catra said as they surrounded her. "Surprise!"
"Ah!" Flayn yelped, realizing her predicament.
"Sorry to do this, but we kinda need to see your brother. So uh, could you cooperate and make this look real?" Bow asked.
"So…this is what I find?" a voice said as an older man with green hair arrived with the tied up Celica and Alm.
"Celica! Alm!" Stoj said.
"They surrendered themselves to prevent harm to the people. Yet…you people…decide to go after Flayn." Seteth said as he gripped his spear.
"It's called "baiting out the main threat"." Mark said. "Get him!"
"You have made a grave mistake." Seteth said as he knocked away some of the group. "I will only say this once…STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!"
"Oh yeah, Huge older brother complex. Huge." Mermista said to Claude.
"I told ya." Claude said.
"Wait…did…did he say daughter?" Bow said.
"Yes. He is my father actually." Flayn said.
"We'll… Press for details later." Omnimon said.
The rest of the group fought Seteth, but he was as tough as they come, and was strong in his attacks.
"Well, nothing's more powerful than a father protecting his child!" Gemini said, deflecting Seteth's spear.
"We poked the bear, alright!" ZS said. "Does anyone have any ideas?"
"Let's see… He's a Wyvern Rider. So, swords, bows and wind magic should help bring him down." Leopardmon said.
"Okay! Let's get to it!" Gemini said going on the attack herself as she parried against Seteth's spear and managed to hit him a few times.
"Okay, let's make this a breeze! Razor Wind!" Emo declared as sharp winds blew towards Seteth, landing multiple cuts.
"Wind! God's Breath!" Garr called as dark clouds formed above Seteth as it manifested a pillar of immense atmospheric pressure that crushed Seteth into the ground with a tremendous force of wind.
"Ugh…I'm sorry…" Seteth muttered before he collapsed.
"Phew… brought 'em in with no casualty." Gemini said.
"You two okay?" Ace asked, untying Alm and Celica.
"We're fine. Thanks for coming. Against an army that size, we couldn't fight back. We surrendered to give you a better chance at peaceful talks, but…" Celica said.
"Yeah, we kinda jumped the gun there. We didn't really know how protective Seteth was of his daughter." Hope said.
"He's always like that." Flayn said.
"Flayn, have you seen Annie?" Mercedes asked.
"She was kept safe to the back of the army. I wasn't brainwashed, and neither was she. Shez only got to my father, and afterwards he hired Jeralts mercenary band. With him defeated, I'm sure Jeralt will come quietly." Flayn said.
"Oh, that's good." Mark nodded. "Cause the Ashen Demon is currently…preoccupied at the moment."
David watched as he saw Byleth being attacked by a lone man with purple hair, holding two swords.
"Not how I wanted this…but least this way, I can rid Fodlan of you once and for all." he said as he attacked her relentlessly.
"Are you… Are you Shez?" David asked.
"Yes…I am." he said. "I'm the one who started this…all so I could get vengeance."
"That's your reason for manipulating everyone? You can't be serious! All of this just for one mercenary?" David asked.
"This mercenary and the one who dwells within are nothing to scoff at." Shez said.
"You think I don't know that?" David asked. "I'm giving you one last chance. If you value your life, turn back now."
Shez simply smiled as he walked over to David as he had David point his sword to his head.
"Go ahead and try it." Shez said.
"What are you trying to do? You think I won't do it?" David asked.
"Here is another question…do you think I care what you do to this body?" Shez asked.
"What are you trying to say? This body?" David asked.
"Byleth wasn't the only one with a being dwelling within." Shez said.
"Then… This power I am sensing from you… No, it can't be…!" David said.
"Yes…you finally understand. I am a being whose people were nearly routed by the likes of the goddess and her spawn. Now I have a chance to end her." Shez said.
"I… I won't let you do that. You're gonna have to kill me first!" David said.
"Fine…I have no problem doing such a thing." Shez said, raising his sword before he was suddenly blocked by Edelgard, Dimitri and Claude.
"Guys? How did you…?" David asked.
"Don't go and settle our problem for us. Our mistake was trusting this mercenary to start with." Edelgard said.
"It's not him per se." David said.
"Are you saying he's being controlled like our soldiers were?" Dimitri asked.
"Not quite. He has a guiding figure inside him giving him his power." David said.
"Uh…huh. How hard did you hit your head when you were running?" Claude said.
"Not as hard as Byleth did when we fought." David quipped.
"Okay, you came to play. So…what do you suggest then? We just kill him?" Claude asked.
"If we can try. But protecting Byleth comes first and foremost. It's her he's after." David said.
"He's right…get to safety." Dimitri said as Byleth took off.
"Oh no you don't!" Shez called out before being blocked by Edelgard.
"How dare you use the war between the three of us just to achieve your own goals." Edelgard said.
"Funny. Isn't that what you were doing first?" Shez asked.
"Yes… and I realize that I allowed my aspirations to overtake me. They were right, simply replacing one society with another will not fulfill my goals." Edelgard said. "I thought by overthrowing the Church and removing the Crest system would usher in a new era for Fodlan. But starting a war? Risking everything for change, including the lives of those I called my classmates? That shouldn't be the only way that I thought would work, and yet…!"
"Don't blame me for changing your plans." Shez said as he smacked away Edelgard's shield and aimed to cut her down, but Dimitri intervened and pushed him back.
"I realize it was a mistake to shelter the church. That's what started this war. But I will not be sorry for protecting the lives of others." Dimitri said. "When this war is over…Fodlan will be a land of unity where all are accepted…no matter who they are or where they come from."
"Nothing but your guilt talking!" Shez said before nearly being grazed by an arrow.
"Hey, you wanna talk sins, I'm full of them." Claude said. "But doesn't mean we're gonna let you have your way."
"This…is not…" Shez said in surprise to see the three House Leaders working together.
"Possible? You were gonna say that, right?" Claude asked. "It was your plan from the beginning to incite so much chaos in Fodlan that Jeralt's mercenaries couldn't help but be involved. That's why you enrolled at Garreg Mach. Your appearance and enrollment shook up Edelgard's timetable, forcing her to act much quicker than she thought."
"An all out war, all for revenge on the demon. And you worked between the three of us in employ to get to her." Dimitiri said. "But when you couldn't reach her, you went with another plan. Isolating us from our comrades, brainwashing them, and used them to attack these other kingdoms."
"And to think I was so close… I hadn't counted on interference from that group." Shez mused. "That one was right…they are truly unpredictable."
"So you are connected to Zenos Road…" David said.
"He promised me revenge…in exchange for lending him all of Fodlan's forces. By now, he'll have collected the armies waiting in your kingdoms." Shez said. "The very reason I chose off that world was so he could collect as many soldiers as possible for the battle ahead."
"That means this Zenos guy is expecting a boon in forces, courtesy of the ones ruling our territories in our absence right now." Claude said. "...Maybe we can fix that." he smirked.
"Go ahead and try to take back your lands. It won't make a difference." Shez spat. "The three rulers have been granted power beyond all three of you. You won't last a single battle with them."
"I see…so by the time we get there. They'd be all gone huh? That's fine…then we'll just settle for taking your master's head." Edelgard said.
"You think I'll…" Shez started before he stopped then shook his head. "...Nevermind. I…I have business to…attend to." he said, his expression not quite matching his words. "We'll finish this…another time." he said as he vanished.
"He…he just gave up and fled?" Dimitri pondered.
"Nah…somehow I doubt he had a choice in that matter." Claude said.
"But now we know what his true goal was. All of our soldiers are now under his master's control…least…all of our footsoldiers anyway." Edelgard said as the three of them looked out at their regathered houses and comrades.
"Yeah, without us, he's not giving any real manpower to his master." Caspar said.
"But there is always a numbers advantage." Ingrid said.
"Then we'll just have to even the odds." Yuri said.
"Just what we want to ask. Zenos Road, this master Shez serves. He's in league with a man called Kaido, the King of the Beasts." Hope said.
"King of the What?!" Bernadetta asked in fright.
"Well… There comes the favor I have been wanting to ask you all." David said.
"You want us to fight against him by your side right?" Claude said.
"That's right. I understand if you all are reluctant after we had just reunited your comrades. You all still have affairs of your own to settle, after all." David said.
"Unfortunately, our affairs can't be settled until this demon lord and king of beasts go down." Balthus said.
"Plus Shez said he's empowering those puppet leaders. We need to remove the demon and Shez before we can take back our lands." Dimitri said.
"I had a feeling you guys would say that." David said.
"This'll be interesting." Hapi said. "But it gives me a chance to hang out more with Naty."
"Then let us make it official, shall we?" Edelgard asked. "By the authority of the Empress of the Adrestian Empire, I hereby declare that the war shall be put to a temporary end until we can sort all of this out."
"As King of Faerghus…I second the motion." Dimitri said.
"Same here, as leader of the Alliance." Claude said.
"And I as Leader of the Abyss." Yuri said.
"It's too bad Archbishop Rhea isn't here to give her consent… but we'll be good with Seteth's word once he wakes up and get him up to speed." Claude said.
"Then let us sally forth!" Constance said. "I shall show the Demon King's forces the magical might of House Nuvelle, ahahahaha!"
"That's the spirit!" Goku said with a thumbs up.
"Some spirit…" several group members deadpanned.
"Well, we have most of Fodlan's heavy hitters for our raid party." Mark noted. "What's next?"
"There are a couple of groups I wanna bring in." Jexi said. "I did promise them a place in this operation."
"I also had a few close comrades in mind as well." Y'shtola said.
"There's a couple of calls I need to make too." Mark added. "Guess our recruitment is going to be a bit more spread out from here on."
"I wonder… I don't know, should I drag the boss into this?" David asked.
"Definitely." Mayumi said.
"But not our class." Sachiko said. "This war could cost lives."
"Yes. It is much more beneficial if they stayed out of the line of fire." David said.
"Then we all know what to do." Jexi said. "Let's go gather our forces."
Meanwhile…in another place…
"Lord Zenos…" Shez said bowing to the demon lord. "I brought you many soldiers…however I was unable to slay the Ashen Demon or the goddess within her."
"I can imagine why… Blasted Hero Alliance… They're almost as troublesome as The Cautious Hero and his friends…" Zenos Road said.
"Feeling troubled?" Tormal asked.
"Hmm…the goal was to gather soldiers…and that was accomplished." Zenos Road said.
'So…will I serve as your last king?" Shez asked.
"Hmm…you are skilled, yes, but I sense a lack of conviction." Zenos Road said. "Tell you what: complete your revenge first. Slay the Ashen Demon, then we shall see if you are worthy."
"Fine…then I suppose I'll just have to slay her before your eyes." Shez said.
"Very good." Zenos nodded as best he could. "Now go. Prepare yourself. The next few days shall be trying indeed."
"I also have someone lying in wait, preparing. She refuses to cooperate, but she will see things our way soon enough." Tormal said.
"Ah yes, work your persuasion on them, Tormal." Zenos said. "I'm eager to see them…and what they can do."
"Let's just say her former clan was…Marked for Death." Tormal said.
"Oh…are you two up to something?" a voice asked as in walked Big Mom. "You must be excited for that day, aren't you?"
"Indeed." Zenos answered. "It shall be a day long remembered. I take it you are excited as well?"
"Of course…it's almost like old times. Mamamamama!" Big Mom laughed.
"Ah yes, you and Kaido were once part of the same crew." Tormal said.
"That was surprising to come to terms with. I did not think you two were part of the same crew. Especially Xebec's." Zenos said.
"He was merely an apprentice. I was his senior. He's owed me a favor ever since I gave him that Fish-Fish Fruit." Big Mom said.
"And here the two of you are now, both as Emperors of the Sea." Zenos said. "Prepared to go out and conquer the entire Ocean."
"The Ocean? No…we're gonna take over the world! Mamamamama!" Big Mom said.
"Right, of course. Once your family arrives in Wano, that's when things will truly begin. After all, you did arrive to the country alone." Zenos said.
"Yes…they should be here during the Golden Festival." Big Mom said. "Of course…I bet Straw Hat might try something. Though I hear he was imprisoned awhile back. Well, his little friends might." Big Mom said as the room shook. "I'll never forgive them for ruining the wedding, the tea party, or beating up my son."
"Please, calm yourself, my lady." Tormal said.
"She has reason for her rage. Straw Hat Luffy sabotaged her plans, and together with that David boy, took down one of her oldest sons, Katakuri." Zenos Road said.
"I am well aware." Tormal said.
"Hmm…that reminds me…Tormal, was it? That Spade boy…you said he was a Nephilim right? I don't have any in my country. So…any chance I could have one of his brothers if you kill him?" Big Mom asked.
"Of course… You will be spoiled for choice on that front." Tormal said as he laughed evilly.
"I must ask, Tormal… what is your connection with Spade Neptune? Why go through the trouble of using his comrades?" asked Napoleon, the hat.
"Let's just say our histories…" Tormal started as he removed his helm, and turned to them. "Are more intertwined than he thinks." he finished as they were surprised by his face, only his smirk being shown.
To be continued….