Raigan's Army: Leonhardt, Ellis, Renee, Borgnine, Fyuria, Luana, Zerva, Vira-Lorr, Yuri, Neptune, Noire, Vert, Kanonno, Prinny, Kirito, Takashi, Rei, Saeko, Saya, Kohta, Shizuku, Alice M., Alice D., Lili, Mai, Dizzy, Junko, Jean, Jak and Daxter, IF, Kat, Lloyd, Colette, Winfield, Etna.

Characters to join: Elaine

Chapter 16: The Third Chosen

Meanwhile...

At Gridamas, Elaine was talking with Largen.

The female general looked at the old general in concern and asked "Aren't you curious, Largen, as to why our Lord is sending troops to the Frontier now?"

Largen looked at her a bit worried but remained calm by saying "It was going to have to be done eventually. I assume he has decided now is the time."

Elaine was doubtful about this, so she said "Our Lord has changed since Melchior brought that man here. Could it be a coincidence?"

"Perhaps...?" Eyebrow raised, Largen also pondered this.

The female general turned to Largen and asked "Weren't you once opposed to sending our armies into the Frontier?"

Largen was silent for about 10 seconds till he sighed "Only when the land is united shall we have true power. There is no place for the feelings of the individual. Without pain and sacrifice, there can be no progress. A country is not built on good intentions."

Elaine frowned upon hearing this and asked "Is that the pain of Gridamas? Or that of the innocent people that live on the Frontier?" Largen remained silent.

Elaine turned away and said "Wanting to live a good life and putting forth effort to achieve that is a wonderful thing. But how can it be right if that good life is built on the sacrifices of others? What of the elves and the syrium? Do they not deserve a good life as well?"

"This is what the people want." Largen gave her his answer.

Elaine frowned deeper and asked "And why do they want this? What do they, with heir ordinary lives, know of he Frontier? Do the people really think that we have to fight because they are in danger?" Largen turned away, looking a bit depressed.

Elaine looked at Largen in concern, she couldn't blame him. The old general was in doubt about this and torn between serving his country and deciding what's right. She finally asked "Largen, will you join me?"

Largen sighed and told her "I cannot. My own feelings are unimportant. I have orders, and they must be carried out. A soldier can ill afford individuality. An army cannot function if every soldier fights based on his own desires. A country is no different. It must yield to the will of its people. The will of a king is an embodiment of the will of the people, which in turn is the basis for a greater consenus."

Elaine was silent as she frowned in disapproval. She spoke after 5 seconds "I see..." Thinking quickly, the female general asked "Can I leave this defense in your hands?"

"What do you intend to do?" The old general questioned.

Elaine looked away and stated "I will take my men to Zelzagun in advance of our main force."

Largen thought about it for about 30 seconds, he questions why would Elaine asked such a thing. He said about 2 seconds ago "Do as you wish."

Elaine bowed her head lightly in gratitude and said "Thank you. I have preparations to make. Good-bye, my friend." Elaine was about to take her leave, but Largen stopped her.

"Elaine what do you hope to accomplish with so few men?" He questioned her.

The female general looked at the old man coldly and stated "To have a plan is to limit yourself to that plan. I am doing what I feel is right, even if that means my blade and yours will meet someday." Elaine then took her leave.

Largen watched her leave and muttered "You are as stubborn as your father." He was silent for about 4 seconds till he whispered "Be careful, Elaine."

Back to the party...

Our heroes arrived at a pass called Harvel Pass.

Winfield looked around for a bit, smiled and said "I do believe this should be far enough."

Saya looked at the gunslinger skeptically and asked meanly "Are you sure?"

Winfield smiled nervously and replied "Ah, no, not really. But it does... feel right."

Fyuria snarled and shouted "You are nothing short of impossible! Do you even listen to yourself?"

Winfield chuckled for a bit before commenting "Fyuria, I do believe you would be the perfect woman if you weren't yelling all the time."

Fyruia sighed irritably and said "If you could muster the proper gravitas from time to time, you might be bearable."

"Perhaps you are right..." Winfield said dully.

"What now, Leo?" Ellis turned to Leo for directions on where to go. Leo scratched his chin and pondered this.

Luana stepped forward and inducted "I dare say this will never work. As long as we have the Bracelet and Summerill's trinkets, he will know where we are." Luana smiled a little and added "Still... we have bought a small portion of time, at least. We have skirted the town and put many miles between him and us. It is high time we returned to Rigulus. At least there, we will have the protection of the army."

"Easy for you to say... What if we encounter those zombie minions of Summ-whatever his name is?" Daxter moaned as he face palm.

Vira-Lorr crossed her arms, turn to Leo and asked "What will we do, Leonhardt? It is your decision."

Leo thought about it for a minute till he suggested "We make for the Kaystros Mountains. Perhaps we should wait a little longer. It matters little which route we take... They will both be the same distance now. Should we take the main road, we may also have a chance to hear the latest news."

"Then there's no time to waste." Ellis closed her eyes and smiled.

A few minutes later...

"Can we take a break? I'm getting hungry..." Neptune moaned as her stomach growled. Leo looked around, the party were in a forest in Harvel Pass.

After inspecting the forest, he smiled and declared "This looks as good a place as any to make camp for the night."

"Thank God. I was getting hungry and bored at the same time." Daxter sighed in relief as he hopped off Jak's shoulder and walked a bit farther.

"I agree with Daxter. I am so tired..." Ellis sighed in relief as she smiled.

Leo chuckled a bit before saying "You may be small, but you do your best, Ellis. You deserve good rest."

Ellis giggled and told him "I do my best because of you, Leo! ...Or maybe because I enjoy being with all of you so much!"

Vira-Lorr smirked and commented "So young, and yet, she complains about nothing. Her bravery is so sweet."

Ellis giggled again and blushed while saying "Are you complimenting me? You shall make me blush!"

Luana sighed, saying "I, too, am exhausted from today's exertions."

Leo nodded, adding in "And you, too, have done an excellent job today, Luana."

Luana puffed her cheeks in annoyance and shouted "What!? Is that all?" Fyuria was silent as she looked away, clearly annoyed that she's being left out.

Vira-Lorr noticed this and asked playfully "Oh, is something the matter? Does someone wish a little praise would come her way instead?"

Fyuria blushed a hint of crimson as she stuttered "Wh-What nonsense is this? Why should I be jealous?!" Then the syrium shouted in rage "Shut that foolish mouth of yours and help us make camp!"

Ellis whimpered as she got close to Borgnine and stammered "She scares me, Borgnine..."

5 minutes later, preparations were made

Luana looked at the cooking pot and smiled by saying "I suppose I shall start dinner." The dancer spy turned to Leo with a smile and asked "Leo, darling, would you be so kind to lend me a hand?"

Fyuria glared at Luana and intervened "Just a moment. I require help as well. Leo! Come with me!" The syrium ordered.

"I'll help you, Fyuria." Leo offered with a heart warming smile. I apologize, Luana. But next time, I will be yours to use as you please."

Luana looked at Leo worriedly and commented "I see you are susceptible to Fyuria's brow-beating." The dancer giggled by saying "Who would have thought Leo would be the type to allow himself to be whipped!"

"He has a death wish, I bet." Etna smirked as she played with her tail.

"I better get moving then." Leo shifted nervously as he followed Fyuria.

10 minutes later, camp was finally made.

"...There, the camp is made, and we can rest." Leo sighed as he wiped some sweat from his face. And then he added "Still, I am impressed."

Fyuria looked at Leo oddly and asked "With what?"

Leo closed his eyes, smiled and said "Even we adults feel the strain of this journey, but Ellis just does her best with not a sign of fatigue."

Not too long ago, Renee helped out with making camp.

"Ellis again?" Fyuria glared. "She came of her own accord, you know. And she has Borgnine to protect her, too." Then her mood turn sour and shouted "I cannot believe this! Ellis this, Ellis that, all I hear is Ellis!"

Leo smiled nervously and asked in concern "Why are you so upset? Come now, you aren't a child yourself. Show some composure... Although..."

"And that is...?" Fyuria raised an eyebrow.

Leo pondered about it for a moment till he said finally "Were you not a child once yourself, Fyuria?"

Crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, Fyuria asked "What, do you think that I was born looking as I do?"

"Well, I suppose not. I just find it difficult to imagine Zerva as a child." Leo said.

Fyuria looked up with her arms crossed and commented "Of course he was... I think..."

"You think?" Renee asked skeptically, Leo was wondering about this too.

"As far back as I can remember, he has looked the same. Perhaps we age as quickly as humans do." Fyuria inducted.

"So... how old is Zerva is now?" Renee asked.

"Zerva... If memory serves, he is one hundred and sixty-six, nearly twice my age."

Leo recoiled in shock, Renee's eyes widen in surprise. "You're older than us?!" Leo stuttered. Then he added in embarrassment "I had assumed you were younger... How foolish of me..."

Fyuria blushed a crimson red by stuttering "Whaaaaaaa?! Forget what I said! I-I am still very young for a syrium!"

"You are a syrium, so I suppose you would know best. Even so, you have much more life experience than we do..." Renee stated slowly.

Fyuria looked away abruptly and muttering "W-Well, in that case, perhaps you should show me a little more respect! You may begin with keeping my age to yourself!"

Leo smirked and bowed lightly by saying "As you wish, madam!"

Fyuria blushed madly than before and by stuttering "Th-That is more like it!"

The next day, the party made their way to Reganu Pass.

Leo stopped as he noticed something. "What's up, Leo?" Neptune asked confusedly.

"I cannot believe Gridamas has come this far already." Leo frowned.

"What? Then we better fight them if we must." Alice D. frowned as she got out her guns.

Luana inspected the battalion. "They are few in number. One battalion at most." She observed. And then she added "An entire army could scarcely traverse the Kaystros Mountains."

"Lucky for us. If they're in few numbers, we can break through." Lloyd smiled as he was about to unsheathe his swords.

Winfield crossed his arms and pondered this. He said "Why do they bring so few men? Is Rigulus so poorly guarded that it would fall to an army this small?"

"Winfield, shush!" Noire hushed him, he was getting on the tsudnere's nerves already.

Luana shook her head no and stated "Not likely, my dear. I need only send a warning, and they will find themselves on the defensive. Besides, such a small force is unlikely to even dent Rigulus's defenses."

Doubtful, Winfield commented "...Unless they are but the vanguard of a larger force in hiding."

Luana added "That seems... unlikely."

Zerva narrowed his eyes fiercely and said "They would be fools to attack Rigulus without control of the Frontier."

Luana nodded in agreement and said "You speak the truth. Gridamas is not so foolish as that. But... what are they doing?" Luana wondered as she continued to observe the battalion.

Leo inducted "They must still be making preparations. Perhaps this is a scouting party?"

"Scouting party or not, the Gridamas army is on our doorstep. What is your plan, oh lord and commander?" Winfield asked the former general.

Leo blushed at the mention of being a lord and commander, but he got back on the task at hand and observed the battalion. He muttered "If we only knew who was in command." Leo paid close attention to the crest on the soldiers... The crest look like a lion. Suddenly, he recognize the crest.

"Wait... They bear the Rubech family crest. That can only mean..." Leo trailed in thought. Without a moment too soon, Leo rushed up to the battalion.

"We better go see what got Leo worked up like that." Rei suggested, everyone nodded in agreement as they followed their fearless leader.

As soon as Leo got near, a Rubech soldier stopped him. "Who goes there?!" He ordered.

Leo did a salute that is a tradition of his family. He clenched his fist and placed it at his chest, the other hand did the same only on the back. (A/N: If you don't get this, it's the same salute seen on Attack on Titan.)

"My name is Leonhardt Raigan. I was once commander of Gridamas's 11th Frontier garrison. I apologize for our rudeness, but-" Before Leo can continue, Elaine ran up to them, she was both surprised and glad to see her childhood friend again.

"Sir Leonhardt?! I am glad to find you safe and sound!" Elaine sighed in relief.

"Whew!" Daxter whistled. "Check out the babe in armor! I would love to be her knight in shining armor if you know what I mean, eh?" The Ottsel nudged Jak's head, the rebel hero rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Y-Yeah..." Jean smiled pervertedly.

"Knock it off you two. This woman knows who Leo is." Kat scolded the two perverts.

"Lady Elaine?!" Leo gasped, finally seeing a friendly face from Gridamas.

"Please, no formalities. You are not in the army anymore, after all." Elaine smiled softly at him which made him uneasy. "Besides, I have enough of that title." The female general sighed before she continued "Please, Leonhardt. -Elaine- will do."

Leo nodded in agreement and added "I suppose you will call me Leonhardt then."

Elaine giggled and asked "May I call you Leo?"

Leo blushed a little before saying "Ah, yes... I suppose that would be acceptable."

Fyuria glared at Elaine, maybe she is suspicious of her.

"Why have you come here?" Leo questioned the female general.

Elaine closed her eyes and smiled and said "To see you, Leo."

"To see me?" Leo asked, confused.

Elaine nodded and said "I heard about what happened on the Frontier. They said you had gone to Rigulus for help. I thought I would come and lend you mine."

Leo gasped as he asked "Why would someone like you do something so foolish?"

Elaine frowned as she placed her hands on her hips and retorted "I could ask you the same question. Anyone can see that Gridamas has lost its way. As a member of House Rubech, I have done my best to guide it back..." Elaine looked down in sorrow and added "But I lack the strength to do so. For a time, I despaired at my incompetence, but then I heard of you." Elaine looked up and continued. "I made haste here, hoping I could fight alongside you, a soldier who fulfills his mission."

Leo looked away, depressed and saying "Elaine... I am no longer a soldier."

Elaine shook her head no and smiled by saying "No, Leo, you are a brilliant soldier. You fight for the weak. Can there be any greater battle? If you are not worthy of being called a soldier, then who is?"

Leo was silent as he continue looking away, still depressed.

Fyuria spoke up after awhile. "I care little whether you are a soldier or not, but are you going to take her words at value?" The sryium turned to face the female general and asked 'And you, woman... You say you were a soldier for Gridamas? Perhaps you were good as you say..." Then Fyuria's look turn into anger as she shouted "...But Gridamas is our enemy! How can you expect us to believe you?"

"Well..." Leo began, then Winfield spoke up for him.

"She knew her actions would appear suspicious, but trusted that Leonhardt would give her a chance." Then the gunslinger's mouth formed a perverted grin and added "It would seem you have a rival, my darling Fyuria!"

Fyuria was beaming with rage as she shouted "I have told you not to call me that!" Fyuria then looked down in shyness. "And... besides... I..."

Leo turned to Elaine and asked "Elaine, were you given a part in the upcoming advance?"

Elaine nodded and said "When it became clear that fighting was unavoidable, I requested a specific posting. I was stationed at Mudus Gate with Largen."

"Then Largen is at Mudus Gate?" Leon questioned.

"No, he is on his way to Zelzagun Fortress." Elaine corrected

"What do you mean by that?" IF raised an eyebrow.

"I told him I was going to Zelzagun Fortress before I left. When I don't arrive at Zelzagun, Largen will almost certainly make his way there." Elaine reported.

"So this Largen fellow knows everything, then, I presume?" Yuri asked, crossing his arms. Elaine nodded.

"It seems Gridamas has troubles of its own. All the better for us, I suppose." Winfield shrugged, then smiled and added "His departure would leave Mudus Gate poorly guarded, yes?"

"It could be the weakest fortress in the Frontier, but with these small numbers, we stand little chance." Zerva frowned.

"Then should we return to Rigulus to gather more troops?" Takashi asked.

"Or we could deliver a message and make our way there." Kohta suggested.

"Make our way where?" Saya glared suspiciously at the fat one.

'Anywhere." Winfield answered for Kohta.

"If we make for Mudus Gate, we cannot expect reinforcements. To get to Mudus Gate, we will need to first attack Zelzagun." Leo crossed his arms and pondered this.

"But getting a large army through the Kaystros Mountains would be..."

"Impossible." Elaine finished for him.

Winfield nodded and said "Exactly."

"Attacking Mudus Gate from behind would be interesting, but far too risky. On the other hand, we could use our small numbers to our advantage and create a diversion at Zelzagun Fortress. It would less risky than Mudus Gate, but dangerous nonetheless. In either case, our small numbers will put us at a disadvantage. Perhaps it would be safest to simply return to Rigulus..." Then Leo looked up and stated "I am not about to throw away the chance Elaine has given us Mudus Gate is a stronghold with the Kaystros Mountains at its back, protected by Mudus River. It is unlikely that an attack will come from the mountains, and it will likely hold until reinforcements arrive, so long as we stay within the stronghold. If Elaine's report is accurate, their forces are already strained." The former general calculated.

"But what if this Largen guy has not left for Zelzooy Fortress?" Daxter asked, afraid that this plan will get him and others killed.

Leo reassured him by saying "We will deal with that contingency when, and if it presents itself."

"Will we have time?" Noire asked, still doubtful about this plan.

"That depends on Rigulus. What reinforcements the king sends, and the outcome of the battle at Zelzagun will determine what happens. If we can break through Zelzagun Fortress, then we can attack Mudus Gate from both sides. If we cannot break through, our attack on Zelzagun will force Gridamas to bring reinforcements from Mudus."

Luana spoke up. "In other words, a great deal of our success will depend on Rigulus. I shall make my letter an impassioned one."

Winfield reassured her by saying "He has some time... I doubt we can take the fortress in one night. ...But even so, what do we lose by trying? What do you say a little mountain climbing in preparation for our battle?"

Etna sighed and rubbed her temples and muttered "Just what we need, wasting energy..."

To be continued...

Next Chapter: The Assassins

A/n: Bad news everyone, Pokemon will be cut out from the list of crossovers I put in this fic, so Saiyuki will take its place followed by Hellsing. So see you next time!