Can't believe we're finally here! The end is nigh!

I myself am in the process of writing the Endgame chapter for 4/19

Also: That Smash Brothers Direct was INCREDIBLE! So going to play as Greninja TONS! Along with Clawitzer, Dragalge and Pangoro he is one of my favorite Gen 6 Pokemon! Summer can't get here soon enough!

Chapter Fifty Five

At the Gates of Midnight

"Opstun, Teyron, Gill, Krey, Dawson, Wilt, Eyre, Re'Zin, Vargas, Istequil, Helena, Dent, Mist, Rhys, Uhnie, Shinon, Janie, Leena, Mikel, Boyd, Tyse, Cadeera, Leah, Wayu…Soren and Mia. They are all out there fighting. I know it…yet here I am. Incapable of moving my own body…is this even my body? Of that I'm not even sure anymore…I'm not sure of anything anymore. What was the point of my life? Why did I have to exist? Why did I kill Orgoth? Oh gods…Wyre is not out there…please no…he did not die…I can't be responsible for that as well! Why!? Why is this happening to me? Why is this my life!? Why!?"

Lyle found himself in a black vacuum, nothing was around him, no sound, nothing but black. Yet he could feel the presence of these people. The way Soren and Mia described their allies he could feel them just as well as anyone could see them.

"I'm still here. I'm still alive in some respect. I must fight through. I cannot let the Fell Lord use me…"

Lyle tried to move anything but as the many times before nothing happened.

"He has not spoken to me in forever. He does not see me as a threat. Soren, Mia…beg of you…come to me and please. Bring me an end to this…hopelessness…"

"Fire!" A massive volley of cannon shots from Istequil's division and magic from Vargas' division blew a hole in the undead armies' lines allowing countless Anondye troops to push through.

The gates were now in sight and even the most tired man was on his feet again pushing towards the goal.

The New Emissaries were forming up and burst through the horde at a much faster speed. They would soon be past the gate as the army behind them still struggles to reach it.

"Soren!" Tyse called as he landed.

"The Midnight?" At the tactician's guess, Tyse Erent nodded.

The last vanguard, a massive force of Midnight began pouring through the gate and forced their way through the undead soldiers.

"Even now, the enemy seems to have infinite reinforcements."

Mikel stated before giving a frustrated sigh.

Mia turned "It's possible they are all soldiers brought back from the dead yet again. The Fell Lord's army may as well be infinite if he just constantly revives them."

"Even more reason to pierce through and end that asshole's life." Shinon stated.

Another sea of roars came from the distance causing the Emissaries to turn "More!?" Uhnie yelled.

Mia smiled as a massive banner came around a hill "Pozem!"

Sure enough the Eastern Army of Pozem arrived, the soldiers roared and the weight of their cavalry and berserkers collided with the side of the Midnight forces causing them to stop their charge into Anondye and turn to fend off this new threat.

"They're distracted! There is no better time than now!" Mia called. With a furious roar the Emissaries surged forward, nearing the gates of Midnight.

Leah brought down an advanced Midnight guard and looked up to see The Emissaries vanishing into the undead horde.

He scratched his head "I forgot!"

"Forgot your friends because of little ol' me?"Helena joked.

"I'm sorry but I have to go."

Helena smirked "What? You don't think I can handle this by myself?"

As she neared him he got nervous "No! No! I just…I meant-"

The Sentinel grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in for a kiss before whispering in his ear "Come back alive…or else."

Leah just swallowed and nodded before turning and taking off, while on the inside the man from Hitenticul was practically flying.

"I see." Talia closed her eyes, Re'Zin just informed her that the Emissaries broke away and were making a beeline for the gates. "Then their final mission has begun…"

"The army from Pozem has also arrived and engaged the Midnight forces near the main gates." Vassaan added in.

Wilt narrowed his eyes "That means whoever this Hierarch is, he is almost certainly here."

The Queen blinked "Your vigilance is appreciated as always but please don't throw your lives away for me."

Wilt remained silent, no matter what he wanted to say it would come out a lie and he was not going to do that to the one that extended him his second chance.

Peltzm'Jakq opened his eyes "Taer'Vix is on site."

Yi'Pyre nodded as the man left her side; even now she was constantly amazed at how invisible Peltzm'Jakq could be when he wanted to.

"Org'Eeris?"

The Altar Master's voice returned "Nearly there."

A smile came to the Mistress' face "Our dominion is near."

Bringing her arms forward Janie yelled, a huge pillar of stone tore out of the ground behind her and smashed through the main gates.

The Emissaries began dashing through the Bastion's front plaza which was empty except for the ruins of the Numengate Citadel and Golsaehr that were strewn about.

The group looked up to see the dark majesty of the Midnight Bastion stretching high above them. Soren narrowed his eyes as he noticed a separate structure floating above the Bastion. He instantly knew that was where he had to be.

"You've arrived."

The group quickly pulled out there weapons as Kino appeared before them.

Mia clenched her teeth "Kino"

"I can see many of you want to kill me right now…but you see, I'm here to offer you all one last deal."

"Whatever it is, take it and shove it up your ass!" Boyd and Mikel yelled in unison.

Kino smiled "I figured you would say that. You see this was just a courtesy call. I'll let you all know right now that stepping inside is a huge mistake. You brought what we need to our doorstep and soon you'll hand deliver it to my master. I thank you in advance."

With a bow the swordmaster vanished and dozens of Midnight soldiers ran out of the castle and filled the once empty plaza.

Soren and Mia glanced at each other and nodded before charging forward and yelling "New Emissaries! Attack!"

"Have you decided the order that we will face these emissaries?"

The Fell Lord turned to Midnight 12 and nodded "I don't need all of them flooding these chambers. Midnight 1 and Kino should do well."

Ushnae walked up to the pair and bowed "Would it be alright if I went out as well?"

The Fell Lord narrowed his eyes as Ushnae continued "You need Meltraitis, Telray, Gashuuka and Seino up here right? Not to mention the Apothecary is needed for his final role."

Midnight 12 turned to the Fell Lord as he let out an uncharacteristic sigh "Dealing with you Ushnae…has never been pleasant. With any luck the emissaries will strike you down so do as you wish."

The Froghul grinned before turning and leaving the chamber.

Boyd, Mikel, Leena and Uhnie formed a powerful wall against the Midnight soldiers. From behind Shinon covered them with Mist and Rhys at his side dishing out occasional light spells and healing their comrades.

As Tyse grabbed a pair of men and shot into the air, Leah joined the battle, slashing through a couple of soldiers before locating Soren and Mia.

"Sorry I'm late!"

The Archsage shook his head as he used his magic to slam an enemy wyvern rider into the ground "Nothing to worry about Leah. This is all of us, correct?"

Mia glanced around before blocking an oncoming blade "Yes! Everyone is here!"

Soren noticed more Midnight perched high above the gates watching the battle. Several dropped down and joined the chaos causing the Archsage to sigh "They're trying to keep us here as long as possible. We've got to break through...or split up."

Soren moved aside as a roc knight fell to the ground, a spear sticking out of his back. Wayu retrieved her weapon before turning to Mia "Splitting up? Is that a good idea?"

Mia killed another man before turning to the Halberd "The Fell Lord is planning something massive. We've got to get to him as soon as possible. The longer we wait the more likely it is he's finished his preparations. If their intent is to wipe Ymarkteg clean we can't leave anything to chance."

Janie and Cadeera joined the small group, using their magic to clear the surrounding area and allowing the Elder Sage to speak.

"Who do you think should go inside?"

"Only the ones with reason to be inside…that would include Eien but she isn't here yet. We have to leave as many of us out here to help the Anondye and Pozem armies clear out the Midnight."

At Soren's statement Leah nodded "It would cut down on casualties for all of us. We don't want to lose anyone else."

Cadeera looked to the people immediately around her "The Troop. You guys started this all. There is no one else that has to face down the Fell Lord more than you."

The group turned in unison as a dozen mages sent magic towards them. Soren, Cadeera and Janie redirected the spells allowing Mia and Leah to charge through the smoke.

Soren noted the rest of the Emissaries around still fighting the Midnight "I don't want to lose anyone else."

"My advance scouts can see the battle, permission to enter the fray, my Queen!"

Yi'Pyre nodded to Ro'Hozak "Go with Sarhara's might. Teach these Midnight scum that Ymarkteg will not roll over for their conquest."

With a quick bow Ro'Hozak mounted his wyvern and called for his forces. The man took the skies and shot into the distance ready to engage the enemy.

To'Eltz glanced over to Yi'Pyre before facing forward again "Are we all ready?"

The group nodded before To'Eltz turned to Fee'Tal "We have some friends to meet so we're going ahead."

"I understand. Be vigilant."

At the Archsage's statement, To'Eltz called out and the Emissaries charged ahead of the remaining Sarharan forces.

"My Queen."

Talia nodded to Vassaan "What has happened?"

The senator turned and pointed over the tree line above. Countless Roc Knights were soaring down on the enemy "It seems Sarhara's advance forces have arrived." Wilt commented as the Queen smiled.

"How do our forces look?"

At Talia's question Vassaan scanned the surrounding forces "We've taken heavy losses but we continue to fight. The Midnight and the Undead Horde have created a rift between our troops and the advanced Halberd guard. We're no longer connected."

Wilt shook his head "Not good. They'll get surrounded and routed without cover."

"Get word to Eyre to give the Halberds cover from above and have Vargas' troops move ahead. How are Istequil's troops?"

After a short talk with a guard Wilt turned "The cannons have less than half of their ammo left. Istequil has requested he take his direct combat troops into the fray."

Talia nodded "Allow him to do so. With Pozem and Sarhara here the time to push is now."

Two green flashes shot past the caravan, worried Wilt took a step forward and his hand flew to his blade. After a few moments of silence Vassaan shook his head "Whoever that was they've charged straight into battle."

Talia tilted her head "Did you get a good look at them?"

Vassaan sighed "No…but from what I could tell…they're on our side."

"Get ready!" A Midnight sage yelled to his troops. They were posted near the west wall and were preparing a landslide to bury a mix of Anondye and Pozem troops.

Upon hearing a grunt and shout the sage turned just in time for a blade to sink into his chest.

Zey'Yu, Heather and Volke got to work and began slicing through the remaining troops before the other Emissaries arrived.

Nephenee looked out to the battle "Where do you think Soren and the rest of them are?"

Teiaya turned towards the Bastion "I think they've already broken through the horde."

Eien joined Teiaya and nodded "They have…I can feel the Fell Lord's arms all focused over there."

To'Eltz spun his blade "Then that's where we are going!"

"What about Mistress and Hierarch…or the Altar?" Kay'Shera asked quickly.

To'Eltz sighed "I don't know but the Midnight is our focus. If Soren sees it fit we'll send some people to back up the armies and protect Talia."

Without another word the Trickster charged ahead, followed shortly after by the rest of the Emissaries.

"Shit!" Gill yelled as a blade cut across his arm and he fell to the floor.

"Krey! I'm down!" The other guard turned quickly and covered Gill, stopping a blade with his shield before stabbing the enemy to death.

Dawson joined the pair and instructed his remaining Halberds to form a wall "We can't stay surrounded! We have to break out!"

Krey and Gill nodded and commanded the rest of their troops to join them.

Now as a Halberd wall they moved forward, blocking countless blows and striking down both Undead and Midnight soldier.

As Dawson was about to say something the earth below them exploded. Several Midnight Earth Sages ran towards the scattered Halberds as Undead and Midnight soldiers fell upon them.

Standing, Dawson quickly stabbed an oncoming warrior and blocked an arrow bolt "Regroup! Regroup!"

Krey turned to see Gill still on the ground and more Midnight closing in from behind. "We're in trouble! Dawson!"

Dawson cursed as he killed another soldier and turned to join Krey and Gill just as a regiment of Anondye troops broke through the Midnight.

Gill stood slowly as Krey let out a sigh of relief "We're going Dawson!"

Krey turned in time to see a blade rip through Dawson's chest. As the guard fell dead the Midnight charged Krey and Gill. Just having arrived Istequil tackled the Midnight to the ground and sheathed his blade in the man's chest.

"Dawson!"

Istequil grabbed Krey "We're moving back! Vargas and Eyre are providing cover! C'mon!"

Re'Zin was sent on his own to do what he saw fit. He used this freedom to get close to the Pozem brigade. The first thing he noticed was King Hrodath wielding a massive axe alongside his troops.

"Hierarch is here and most likely the Altar. I've got to get to them before they threaten Talia."

Silently the Nomad proceeded closer to the brigade.

"We're going to break away! Are you all certain that you'll be alright?" Mia called out.

Shinon nodded "We'll be right behind you once we finish out here! Go!"

Glancing at Soren the Trueblade nodded, using his Tornado tome he cleared a path to the Bastion and charged ahead with Mia, Wayu, Janie, Mikel and Leena close behind.

Tyse landed behind Shinon, killing another man before speaking "This will be easy."

"Tell me that when it's over." The marksman retorted as he pulled back on his drawstring.

"For Ymarkteg!" Fee'Tal yelled as the Sarharan troops charged into the fray. Slamming into the side of the Undead Horde and cutting through countless soldiers.

The immediate Anondye and Pozem soldiers cheered as the Water Sages used their magic to push dozens of enemies aside, throwing them to the ground and making them extremely vulnerable to death strikes.

Yi'Pyre stood and smiled as Peltzm'Jakq appeared behind her "Hrodath. Gemma."

She nodded "Talia will be handled by Taer'Vix and Org'Eeris. Not to discredit you but the King won't go down easy."

Peltzm'Jakq rolled his eyes "I'm offended."

The man took a few steps forward and cracked his neck and shoulders "I'll be back in a flash."

"Look!" Eien called out, To'Eltz saw Soren, Mia, Wayu, Janie, Mikel and Leena break away and enter the Bastion.

"They're doing their best to end this. We need to join them!"

Eien turned to Teiaya and nodded; the pair commanded dark magic and made it easy for the small group to pass through the enemy horde which was now under attack from the armies of three nations.

Kay'Shera grabbed Zey'Yu and jumped on Michalis, the three took off into the skies above Shinon's group. Spear in hand Kay'Shera killed an enemy wyvern rider as Zey'Yu leapt off Michalis and onto an enemy roc. Killing the rider she jumped back as Michalis swerved by.

Cadeera looked up in time to see the two mounts and riders crash to the ground "Reinforcements!"

Boyd turned expecting more enemies but instead breathed a sigh of relief as Volke and Heather sped by him and began zipping through the enemy ranks.

To'Eltz came to a stop next to Shinon and Uhnie "They split up?"

"What's going on in there is more important than this blood fest out here." Shinon quickly answered.

"You should go ahead as well." Uhnie commented.

To'Eltz looked to the entrance then to his allies fighting bravely. "Jyim'Son, you died fighting for a cause we believed in. You were the only person I saw as a friend for the honor and sacrifice you displayed but these people…"

Smirking and shaking his head To'Eltz turned "Eien! We're going in!"

The Elder Maestro nodded and looked up "Kay'Shera! Zey'Yu! We're going in after Soren! What of you?"

Zey'Yu jumped down and landed near the older woman "We're staying out here, at least for now. The group has no aerial cover."

Eien nodded slowly "Be careful."

"Always."

With that Eien and To'Eltz took off towards the Bastion as the rest of the Emissaries continued their fight.

"Gorm…Gorm…GORM!"

The man opened his eyes slowly and glanced around. He sat atop his wyvern flying among his troops. Below him King Gaelon and Queen Iseil were protected by the powerful Regalshin army nearing the back of the Midnight Bastion.

In a low whisper he asked "Who dares speak to me?"

The voice returned "The man who wants to end your life."

"I've not heard this voice before…who hates me so?"

"I don't hate you've just got nothing better to do."

Gorm glanced around; there was nothing out of the familiar along any horizon. Just to be safe the Wyvern Lord flew lower and remained vigilant.

"We're good!" Dent turned to see Istequil approaching "Now!"

As Istequil passed Dent with Krey, Gill and their men in tow the cannons fired, eliminating most their pursuers.

Drawing his axe Dent called out "Charge!" the rest of the knights follow the man into the fray as Istequil reached the priests behind the cannons.

"Most of the Halberds are gravely injured, please take care of them."

As Istequil turned around he thought of Dawson and cursed "If only I was faster."

Eyre smiled as countless Sarharan Rocs joined her Pegasus knights and Pozem's Griffon riders. Together the three aerial armies began ripping the enemy's forces at an unprecedented rate.

Ro'Hozak came up next to her and nodded "We're not losing Ymarkteg tonight."

"We're not losing Ymarkteg ever!" Eyre countered before the two joined the fray.

Eyre noted how isolated the aerial battle and ground battle were, the majority of the mage and archer forces were occupied with the advancing Undead. She did not believe they'd lose but gaining ground was vital to any victory.

She looked up as Ro'Hozak and his Roc shot past, his axe cleaving through several enemy riders.

Turning Eyre stabbed an approaching enemy, she saw two more behind him and prepared to swing her blade only for two arrows to shoot through the air and kill both men instantly.

As they fell Eyre looked down and saw something green moving through the armies at a very fast rate.

"What the…"

"Captain Helena!"

The woman turned to see her men looking to the sky. She looked up in time to see massive boulders headed her way "Cowardly earth sages!"

The stones never reached her as powerful water magic smashed them to pieces.

A Water Archsage drifted near her and used her magic to blow away approaching enemy troops.

"I am Fee'Tal of Sarhara, here to reinforce your troops."

Helena grinned "Good to know. I've been aching to put the hurt on those damned Earth Sages."

Fee'Tal nodded "Then let us do so!"

Breaking away from each other Helena downed several more soldiers, the enemies converging on her position continued to grow at a steady pace even with the Water Sages pushing back.

As a blade bounced off her shield she saw a stray mounted knight rush past her and down four more soldiers.

"No mounted division should be on this side of the front…"

"Is that what I think it is?"

A Midnight Sentinel joined his Trueblade ally and looked through a telescope to see the Regalshin Army nearing the rear of the Midnight Bastion.

The trueblade cursed "The last army has arrived."

"We have a skeleton force back here!" The Sentinel yelled.

Gashuuka walked over to them and smiled "No…we have more than enough firepower to pin down the Regalshin army."

Meltraitis approached the Berserker Lord "What do you mean, Gashuuka?"

Motioning the Spear Lord over the pair walked out onto a balcony. Gashuuka pointed at several sections of the rear wall.

Meltraitis nodded slowly as Gashuuka whistled causing several square portions of the wall to fall away revealing hidden compartments with cannons moving forward until countless ends of the cannons were sticking out of the back of the Bastion.

Crossing his arms the Spear Lord spoke "The Regalshin forces will never know what hit them."

Gashuuka turned and pointed to one of the Midnight soldiers "Rouse the remaining wyvern and mounted forces! They'll be charging out to meet the Regalshin Army in the back. Keep them in range for as long as you can while we come down on them with an endless barrage of cannon fire."

The guard bowed and ran to relay the orders.

Gashuuka laughed as the Regalshin army drew closer "Even though so much time has passed…war still makes my blood boil."

Telray joined the pair "What about us? We could make quite a dent in the Regalshin army."

"No."

The three turned as the Midnight's Apothecary approached "You are all necessary to our final plan…we need you as close to the Bastion as possible."

As Gashuuka rolled his eyes and growled the Apothecary brought one arm to his chin and smiled.

"Actually…the front plaza is just close enough…"

Gashuuka, Telray and Meltraitis all exchanged glances before smiling and marching past the Apothecary.

Sitting on his throne the Fell Lord closed his eyes. Midnight 12 at his side relayed that the three Students were going to meet the Emissaries in the plaza.

The Fell Lord smiled, while not his initial idea to let the Students fight if they succeeded in killing any of the Emissaries it would be a win for him.

As all the sounds of battle faded away the Fell Lord opened his eyes to see Lyle.

"You do know why I'm here…correct?"

Lyle turned away "If you're going to kill me just do it already…I don't want to be a part of this murder anymore."

The Fell Lord laughed "You seek death? Very well…once your friends give me what I want all of this will be over and then you will receive the satisfaction of a long and painful death…"

Lyle faced the vile spirit before him and tried to think of something to say but ultimately no threat felt plausible. Having been inside the Fell Lord's mind the swordmaster learned that the dark spirit is unbeatable in any form of combat.

The Fell Lord turned away from Lyle and sighed "If only you had not given away that key…then I would not need you or anything for that matter…stopping me in such a miniscule way…it's disgusting. However I feel you deserve a reward…"

Lyle remained silent as the Fell Lord faced him and began walking towards him.

Lifting the smaller man high above him the Fell Lord spoke "I will let you control this body again…just as my blade rips through Soren and your beloved Mia…just like Orgoth you'll have no one to blame for their death but yourself."

Lyle closed his eyes as the Fell Lord slammed him into the ground.

In his throne room again the Fell Lord noted Midnight 12, the Apothecary and Ushnae at his side.

With a small grin he spoke "Let the end…begin."

Next up: FINALS WEEK! (4/13 - 4/19) (Recap Final - Endgame)