(The scene opens to show Kana, Kanaya, Shigure, Shiro, Tempest, Kiragi, Sumiko, and Galatea together.)
Shigure: Given how long we've been moving through the palace, I would say that we're nearing the throne room. Once we arrive there, we should encounter Thalone. He's been avoiding us up to this point, but I somehow get the feeling that he's going to stop holding back as soon as we're forced to face him in person.
Kana: I'm sure we'll be ready for it. We've come way too far to back down now in my opinion.
Kanaya: I feel the same way... I wonder what it'll be like to fight him though. He's been responsible for so much suffering... It's almost weird to think about.
Galatea: Regardless of how you want to think about it, we're going to have to stop him somehow. He's going to have to deal with all of us whether he likes it or not.
Sumiko: I must admit... I'm a bit worried. We still haven't run into our parents yet. Doesn't that strike you as odd?
Kiragi: Maybe he's planning for us to run into them soon... Given how close we are to the throne room, I doubt it'll be much longer at this point. The war is getting closer to over with each step we take.
Tempest: As much as I hate to say it, as far as I can tell, it appears that we're going to be seeing them sooner rather than later...
Shiro: What are you talking about?
(The screen pans over to show the Hoshidan royals standing together among a large group of invisible soldiers.)
Shigure: Damn... I had a feeling that we had gone too long without running into trouble... It seems that the time has come for us to go on and confront the royals that we've somehow been able to avoid up to this point.
Sumiko: I hate the idea of needing to fight against them, but... We have to free them from the influence of Thalone. It's the least that we can do for them now that they've all been possessed.
Kiragi: If he wants to use our loved ones against us, then we're going to have to take them out and show him that he can't stop us! We've already done it with others, but that doesn't mean we can't repeat the process a few times more!
Tempest: Prepare yourselves, everyone... These are the most powerful soldiers from Hoshido. They ended the war against Nohr years ago, and I doubt that they're going to be holding back against us now.
Galatea: They couldn't even if they wanted to in this state, but that just means that we'll have to fight harder than we ever have before. They would want that for us, and who are we to disobey the wishes of the people who did so much for us?
Shiro: I'm glad that we're all on the same page. Now... How about we go on and show them, and Thalone, for that matter, what we're made of? We've spent enough time waiting to free them from his control, and it's about time that we got him off their backs.
Kana: I don't see... N-Never mind... Let's take care of this for now!
Kanaya: I agree! We have this all under control, so let's do it!
(The battle begins. The primary objective is to defeat the many bosses throughout the map while making for the exit at the top of the map. Enemies respawn rather often, and all of them are in Hoshidan classes.)
(If Shiro initiates combat with Ryoma, this dialogue plays out.)
Shiro: I always talked about how I was going to beat you one day... When I said that, I was talking about a sparring match, you know?
Ryoma: ...
Shiro: I get the feeling you knew too... But you aren't exactly thinking about that right now, are you? I shouldn't be surprised... I know my purpose, and I'm sure that you know yours as well. With that said, how about we both fight for what we believe in? Though... I get the feeling that your justice lies with me... Father.
(If Galatea initiates combat with Ryoma, this dialogue plays out.)
Galatea: I don't think that I ever could have asked for a better father, you know... There was nobody that I would rather have as my parent.
Ryoma: Die...
Galatea: That's no way for you to treat your daughter, Father... Of course, you aren't really thinking now, are you? Fine... I suppose it falls to me to end this.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Ryoma, this dialogue plays out.)
Ryoma: Hoshido defers only... To Anankos...
(When Ryoma is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Ryoma: I am... Freed... Thank you... Hoshido... Welcomes your future...
(If Tempest initiates combat with Hinoka, this dialogue plays out.)
Tempest: The undaunted warrior princess of Hoshido has allowed corruption to take hold, I see... How unfortunate.
Hinoka: ...
Tempest: You never backed down from a fight, and... That's one thing that I learned from you over the years. I'm not going to step away either. For your sake and mine, I will press on.
(If Caeldori initiates combat with Hinoka, this dialogue plays out.)
Caeldori: Mother... Everyone admired you, didn't they? They wondered how you became so strong at such a young age... I was among your biggest fans, always wanting to see what you could do next...
Hinoka: Quiet...
Caeldori: I figured you would say that... But it matters little. To me, this is the only option. You once fought alongside me, and... I like to believe that deep down, you're still on my side, Mother... I'm sorry.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Hinoka, this dialogue plays out.)
Hinoka: I will not... Fall to you...
(When Hinoka is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Hinoka: F-Freedom... Thank you... So much...
(If Kiragi initiates combat with Takumi, this dialogue plays out.)
Kiragi: Father... I didn't want it to be like this. You know that I didn't want this, and I don't think you want it either.
Takumi: You... Betrayed me...
Kiragi: I don't believe that. You're the one who betrayed yourself, even if it was against your will. You want this just as much as I do... I'm just going to be the one to act.
(If Kanaya initiates combat with Takumi, this dialogue plays out.)
Kanaya: I was hoping we wouldn't have to run into each other like this...
Takumi: ...
Kanaya: Even if I'm not your child by blood, I... I appreciate you for always being there for me. Thank you so much for all of that... In exchange... I'll be there for you now and bring you out of this hell.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Takumi, this dialogue plays out.)
Takumi: You have... Betrayed everything... By turning against him... The great Anankos...
(When Takumi is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Takumi: Where... Where am I...? Is this... What it feels like... To die...?
(If Sumiko initiates combat with Sakura, this dialogue plays out.)
Sumiko: Mother... I never expected us to meet this way until this war began, but... I suppose that none of us could have seen this coming.
Sakura: ...
Sumiko: I'm glad you're remaining silent at least for now when I'm around... It would be unsettling to see some phantom speak with your lips against your will... But I can't give him that chance, can I...? ...Forgive me.
(If Midori initiates combat with Sakura, this dialogue plays out.)
Midori: Mother, why did it have to be like this...? I thought I would be ready when the time finally came for me to face you, but it seems that I was wrong. I could not have been more wrong.
Sakura: Die...
Midori: You don't mean that. I know you don't! But... It still hurts... No, stop that, Midori! You've got business to take care of, and this isn't going to stop you!
(If anyone else initiates combat with Sakura, this dialogue plays out.)
Sakura: The end is near...
(When Sakura is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Sakura: I'm... I'm back in control... I-I... I'm so glad... Forgive me...
(If Shiro initiates combat with Scarlet, this dialogue plays out.)
Shiro: You know, I never expected to see you bend to anyone, much less the gods. You went through so much, but it never stopped you. I suppose that not even you can avoid death.
Scarlet: Perish...
Shiro: For the sake of that Chevois pride you clung to until the very end... I'm going to finish this. You taught me how to fight, so... I'll use those skills to end this once and for all.
(If Galatea initiates combat with Scarlet, this dialogue plays out.)
Galatea: Mother... I hate that we have to meet again like this, but I suppose that there really wasn't other outcome. It simply wasn't meant to be for us to meet on better terms.
Scarlet: Step aside...
Galatea: I can do no such thing, so I will defeat you here and now. I hope you're ready for this!
(If anyone else initiates combat with Scarlet, this dialogue plays out.)
Scarlet: I will not let you pass... Never...
(When Scarlet is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Scarlet: I... I knew this was coming... Forgive me... For what I have done...
(If Tempest initiates combat with Subaki, this dialogue plays out.)
Tempest: You were always so insistent on becoming perfect, but not even the perfect can escape from something like this. None of us could have seen it coming.
Subaki: Die...
Tempest: Even if I know you don't mean it, I hate that I'm hearing those words come from your lips... I guess I'll just have to take it upon myself to stop this.
(If Caeldori initiates combat with Subaki, this dialogue plays out.)
Caeldori: Everything that I have done up to this point has been as you would have in the same situation... But I can't do that now that we're facing each other, can I?
Subaki: Suffer...
Caeldori: Everything is going to have to change, but... I'm willing to brave it for your sake. You would want that for me... Even in death.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Subaki, this dialogue plays out.)
Subaki: You imperfections... Must be purged...
(When Subaki is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Subaki: Is this... The end...? I believe it is... Finally... It has come...
(If Sumiko initiates combat with Kaze, this dialogue plays out.)
Sumiko: Father... I never would have expected us to come to blows like this, but it seems like we had no other options.
Kaze: ...
Sumiko: With that in mind, I'm going to do what I have to in order to finish this off once and for all. Let's get right to it...!
(If Midori initiates combat with Kaze, this dialogue plays out.)
Midori: I was always hoping that you would be able to teach me more about being a fighter... But I guess I didn't know that something like this was always lurking just around the corner, huh?
Kaze: Stand back...
Midori: I'll just have to use what you were able to teach me before all of this got started to finish things off permanently! I hope this doesn't hurt too much!
(If Asugi initiates combat with Kaze, this dialogue plays out.)
Asugi: Tch... I was hoping that you would wind up in better state than my father, but it seems that I was wrong for being so optimistic.
Kaze: Die...
Asugi: No way. I've got more to take care of after this battle is over, and I'm going to make sure that I live through it for everyone who has to die... Even if that includes you.
(If anyone else initiates combat with Kaze, this dialogue plays out.)
Kaze: Anankos will destroy you all... Make things easier... And die now...
(When Kaze is defeated, this dialogue plays out.)
Kaze: It's... It's finally over... Thank Akiri... I'm sorry for... For all that I've done...
(After the battle, Kanaya, Kana, Shiro, Tempest, Kiragi, Sumiko, Galatea, Caeldori, and Midori stand together.)
Shiro: I can't believe it's over... I don't know what to say.
Caeldori: What even can be said...?
Midori: I know we did the right thing, but... I still feel terrible...
Galatea: I'm sure that they're thankful to us for freeing them. They don't hate us at all... That much I'm positive of.
Sumiko: I'm glad that you can find the strength to be so positive... I feel like my stomach is going to turn itself out if I stand here for much longer.
Kiragi: We did what we had to in order to get by, and... And they'd be proud of us for what we did here today.
Tempest: It's hard to imagine how you can move on after this, but it is possible. I believe that we can do it together.
Shigure: That's the spirit, but... It's alright to be burdened by grief. Something bad has happened, and it's natural to feel upset that you were forced into combat against people you held dearly for so many years.
Kana: We can get through this together! You guys aren't dealing with this alone. All of us are here, and we understand how you feel. You have a whole support system here, and we're all going to back you up no matter what.
Kanaya: Thanks for that, Kana... I really do appreciate it.
(Most of the group walks away, leaving only Kanaya and Kiragi on the screen.)
Kanaya: ...
Kiragi: You're thinking about her, aren't you?
Kanaya: Y-Yeah... Why didn't we see her today? Is Thalone planning on having us fight against her later down the road?
Kiragi: It wouldn't surprise me... I don't want to face her either.
Kanaya: Your father was there, but... My mother wasn't... I don't understand...
Kiragi: It's going to be okay. You don't need to pretend to be bright and cheerful for everyone else.
Kanaya: Huh...?
Kiragi: I know you by now, Kanaya. I can tell that you're hurting a lot inside... But you aren't alone. You won't bother anybody by talking about it. We all understand that this is hard. For the most part... We've been through this too, whether it be in the past or today.
Kanaya: I guess you're right...
Kiragi: You don't need to worry about hiding stuff from us. We're all here to support you. It's just like the others were saying. You have a full support system right here, and you should accept aid from us once in a while.
Kanaya: Yeah... That might help me feel better.
Kiragi: I'm sure it will... Do you want to talk?
Kanaya: That... That would be great.
(The screen fades to black as Kanaya and Kiragi walk away to catch up with the rest of the group.)
I hosted a panel about this rewrite yesterday at Emblem Con, and it was lots of fun. I might have to organize something like that again in the future if there's interest.
-Digital