Heroic New Era: Engaging With Emblems

by Xovercreator

With Siege having been displaced once more, and Richard once again back in the fold for the Future Seekers, the group's new mission is to find Siege, bring back his memories, and deal with the dark threat that looms over Elyos, where they will meet with allies, both new and old, native and foreign to this realm... and also learn several ground-breaking truths along the way.

17. Final Chapter

Final Chapter: Showdown with the Fell Dragon

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As the Somniel began to rise towards the dark portal in the sky, everyone was making their final preparations for the battle ahead.

"So this is it… It's going to be just Sombron, his Corrupted minions, Cataclysm and Echo." Richard remarked. "Been a long quest… lots of smiles… lots of tears… It'll be one hell of a story to tell others."

"You sound like a cheesy protagonist about to face the final boss, Jesus Christ, Richard." Siege quipped.

"Eh, can't help it." Richard smiled back.

"Even though I shouldn't be feeling like this… after everything we have managed to do…" Alear remarked. "...I still am fairly anxious about the battle to come."

"Don't worry, we've all got your back!" Quency exclaimed.

"That's right." Siege nodded firmly. "Every single one of us."

Mirai would soon look over at the Hounds. "Hey… are you… you guys gonna be alright? Going up against someone you used to serve?" Mirai asked them.

"Ah yes, I suppose that there were once reservations of fighting against Sombron." Zephia remarked. "But I have cast them aside the moment that I realized that everything I want is right before me. Magina has promised me to fill that longing in my heart, and I will be able to settle with the fact that Veyle could be a better child than anything that I could produce. Even if she is not flesh… and that at first I did not care for her… I can't help but feel a sense of maternal warmth towards her. Perhaps it's because of everything that had happened along the way."

"Hah hah, I knew that you weren't that cold inside, Zephia." Griss laughed. "I don't know where we will go after all of this, but all I know for sure is that we Hounds are going to be sticking together. After all of this, ain't nothing going to tear us apart."

"Uh huh! We're going to be one happy family, better than anything that any of us had!" Marni declared with joy.

"I concur with that motion." Mauvier declared with a nod. "As long as Lady Veyle is a part of Lady Alear's family, I will have nothing to worry about. She will be well cared for in the hands of her and her husbands… as well as you, their daughter. It is interesting truly, you almost look like sisters, and yet by technicalities, she is your step-aunt. Doesn't that pique your interest?"

"It does, really. I suppose in a way that means I'm somewhat family to you guys as well." Mirai giggled as the group soon stepped foot into the barren wasteland, but before the real fight could begin… Cataclysm and Echo were awaiting them all.

"Welcome! Welcome one and all to the grand stage of things." Cataclysm laughed as he and Echo descended down to the ground, both with evil smiles on their faces.

"I suggest you stay out of our way if you know what's best for you." Siege growled at them.

"No can do, no can do." Echo remarked, wagging a finger. "Sombron has set this up nice and well, and he has given us quite the boon. It would be rude not to pay that favour back."

"What could he possibly give you that you could desire?" Richard remarked darkly.

"You'll have to figure that out. Sombron will be right behind us. As we speak, he is already on his final steps of breaching the dimensional veil." Echo remarked. "And once he's done, we'll have quite the ally on our side."

"All he requests of us to give us what we truly desire… Is a little bit of time for him." Cataclysm smirked. "And I can think of no better distraction…" Cataclysm would remark, as he and Echo began summoning devices that made Siege's eyes narrow. "A little partaking of the most dangerous children's card game!" Cataclysm laughed, a Duel Disk forming on his wrist as it unfurled itself, revealing slots to play cards. "Oh, but I do suggest one of you step up to the plate… I fear the monsters we will summon shall be far more formidable than the feeble ones that Shadow Realm Duelist relied on."

"Fine, you want a duel so badly?" Siege asked as he suddenly pulled out a golden device from his jacket. "Good thing I always carry this on hand in case I need some extra help, or just something to thrash cocky duelists like you two into the dirt!" Siege exclaimed, equipping the Duel Disk upon his own wrist. "But be warned, I've never. Ever. Lost. You best have some good solid decks to handle me."

"Tch… to think they would resort to this…" Magina growled as Siege looked ready to take on the 1 on 2 scenario by his lonesome.

Cataclysm only laughed as he looked at Echo. "The soldier thinks he can do this alone, when he's the one few of them who knows how to play." Cataclysm chuckled.

"Well, better not let our guard down, or he'll sweep us quickly." Echo remarked. "Winning is a bonus, but we're trying to delay him, so drag the duel out, and let ol' Sombron do his work. Let's see you duel, soldier boy."

Siege: 8000 LP (Going First)

VS.

Cataclysm & Echo: 8000 LP

DUEL!

"I'll take the first move then." Siege declared. "From my hand, I summon to the field Vanquish Soul Razen!"

Vanquish Soul Razen

Element: FIRE

Level: 4

1800 ATK/1500 DEF

"Razen's ability activates! I can now add to my hand one non-Warrior type monster, and I choose Vanquish Soul Dr. Madlove!" Siege exclaimed. "Now, I set the Link Field with Vanquish Soul Razen!"

Razen suddenly shot up with red energy, before occupying one of the triangles of a circle that formed in the air, as the gate opened, revealing a monster.

"I Link Summon Rock of Vanquisher!" Siege exclaimed, a massive mountain suddenly forming underneath him as he took a higher elevation above the alternative duo of himself and Richard. "Now, because I have no monsters in my Main Zone, I Special Summon from my hand Vanquish Soul Panthera in Defense Mode!" Siege exclaimed.

Vanquish Soul Panthera

Element: EARTH

Level: 4

1900 DEF/1700 ATK

"I now use Rock of Vanquisher's ability, to Special Summon Dr. Madlove from my hand in Defense mode!" Siege exclaimed.

Vanquish Soul Dr. Madlove

Element: DARK

Level: 4

2000 DEF/1200 ATK

"Madlove's ability activates, allowing me to add one Spell or Trap Vanquish Soul card to my hand! I now activate that very spell! Stake Your Soul! With it, I can reveal one monster in my hand, then Special Summon a different named monster from my Deck that has the same Element! I reveal Vanquish Soul Pluton HG to summon another Vanquish Soul Razen!" Siege proclaimed.

Vanquish Soul Razen

1800 ATK

"Now! I build the Overlay Network with Vanquish Soul Razen, and Vanquish Soul Dr. Madlove! Coalesce and form the warrior of mightiest light! I XYZ SUMMON NUMBER 39, UTOPIA!" Siege exclaimed.

The number 39 flashed in massive power before a giant winged warrior was summoned behind Siege, raising his sword high as a red and orange light, signifying the attributes of its two Overlay units, surrounded him.

Number 39: Utopia

Element: LIGHT

Level: 4

2500 ATK/2000 DEF

"Now, I place one card face down in my Spell and Trap zone! Your move, Echo." Siege declared.

Siege's Field:

Extra Zone: Rock of Vanquisher

Main Monster Zone:

Vanquish Soul Panthera - 1900 DEF

Number 39: Utopia - 2500 ATK

Spell/Trap Zone: One Facedown

Hand: 1

Turn Order: Siege - Echo - Siege - Cataclysm

ENEMY TURN

Turn: 2

"Hah. Not a bad start, soldier. But let's see how well it holds up! I draw!" Echo stated. "First, I activate the Field Spell Pandemonium!"

In an instant, the barren landscape around everyone began to morph and change, soon forming into what appeared to be a green demonic hellscape, as certain demons roared at those who were spectating the duel from their perches.

"Next, I summon to the field Archfiend Heiress in attack position!" Echo remarked with a wicked smirk.

Archfiend Heiress

Element: DARK

Level: 3

1000 ATK/0 DEF

"Now! I activate the effect of Archfiend Commander in my hand! If there is another Archfiend card on my field, I can Special Summon him to the field, but he cannot attack!" Echo laughed as he soon brought out a hulking red demon.

Archfiend Commander

Element: DARK

Level: 6

2500 ATK/1200 DEF

"Now, he gets to destroy the Heiress for allowing him access to the field!" Echo laughed as the Commander soon smashed the Heiress to bits. "But she doesn't mind. As a matter of fact, because she was destroyed by an effect, I can add another Archfiend card to my hand! Now, I activate Contract of the Abyss! I tribute from my hand another Archfiend Commander, in order to Special Summon Archfiend's Awakening!" Echo cackled as rising from the summoning portal was a Summoned Skull, crackling with lightning and immensive power.

Summoned Skull (Archfiend's Awakening)

Element: DARK

Level: 6

2500 ATK/1200 DEF

"Now… Summoned Skull, attack Utopia!" Echo cackled.

"You're nuts, they'll both be destroyed!" Siege stated.

"Wrong. This Summoned Skull can only get destroyed by other Ritual Monsters, soldier boy!" Echo laughed.

"Well fine then, I activate Utopia's effect! Using one Overlay unit, I negate your attack!" Siege exclaimed, as Archfiend's Awakening and Utopia clashed, neither one getting destroyed.

"Hrmph. No matter. We only need to stall for just a little while. Time is ticking, soldier. I end my turn." Echo chuckled.

Echo and Cataclysm's Field:

Main Monster Zone:

Archfiend Commander - 2500 ATK

"Summoned Skull" - 2500 ATK

Field Spell: Pandemonium

Hand: 3

"Tch…" Siege growled as he reached for his deck. "I draw." Siege stated, drawing a card. "Hm… this duel might be getting closer to an end than you two might think." Siege smirked. "From my hand, I activate the spell Xyz Change Tactics! With it, every time I Xyz Summon a monster, I can pay 500 Life Points to draw a card! Now! I activate Rock of Vanquisher's effect to add Vanquish Soul Razen back to my hand! Now I summon him to the field again!" Siege exclaimed as Razen was now on the field once more! "I once again build the Overlay Network with Razen and Panthera, to Xyz Summon another Utopia from my Extra Deck!"

Number 39: Utopia

2500 ATK

"I now use Xyz Change Tactic's ability to draw 1 card!" Siege exclaimed.

Siege LP: 8000 - 7500

"Perfect. I now activate… Hyper Rank-Up Magic Hope Force! With it, I rank up the Utopia I just summoned to Xyz Summon a monster with a Rank of 9 or higher! Behold, as I Xyz Summon Number XX: Infinity Dark Utopic!" Siege exclaimed.

A large warrior similar to Utopia suddenly rose up, clad in black and red as opposed to the usual gold and white color of Utopia, as he exuded massive dark energy.

Number XX: Infinity Dark Utopic

Element: DARK

Rank: 10

4000 ATK/4000 DEF

"With Xyz Change Tactics, I now draw another card!" Siege exclaimed.

Siege LP: 7500 - 7000

"You fool. You're going to run your Life Points into the dirt!" Cataclysm cackled.

"Not with Dark Utopic's ability, I target Number 39: Utopia, and regain Life Points equal to Utopia's Attack!" Siege quipped as he was basked in dark healing light.

Siege LP: 7000 - 9500

"Now! Number 39: Utopia! Go! Sparking Xyz evolution!" Siege exclaimed.

"What? You didn't activate a card for that!" Echo exclaimed.

"I don't have to. Behold! Sparking Number 39: Utopia Prime!" Siege exclaimed.

Number S39: Utopia Prime

Element: LIGHT

Rank: 4

2510 ATK/2000 DEF

"I draw another card with Xyz Change Tactics!" Siege added.

Siege LP: 9500 - 9000

"Now, Sparking Evolution even farther!" Siege exclaimed.

"What!?" Cataclysm exclaimed.

"Behold, Sparking Number 39… UTOPIA THE LIGHTNING!" Siege proclaimed. "And again I draw!"

Number S39: Utopia the Lightning

Element: LIGHT

Rank: 5

2500 ATK/2000 DEF

Siege LP: 9000 - 8500

"Now… I activate Monster Reborn! Come back to the field, Vanquish Soul Panthera!" Siege proclaimed, as Panthera returned to Siege's field. "Now, I return Panthera to the hand to Special Summon… VANQUISH SOUL KAISER VARIUS!" Siege exclaimed.

A mighty dragon suddenly rose up, as he glowed with mighty power of his own right.

Vanquish Soul Kaiser Varius

Element: EARTH

Level: 8

3000 ATK/1500 DEF

"Now, Kaiser Varius, attack Archfiend Commander!" Siege exclaimed, as the dragon soon dashed for the Commander, and punched right through him with a dashing draconic punch, the excess energy shockwave hitting Cataclysm and Echo.

Cataclysm and Echo LP: 8000 - 7500

"Infinity Dark Utopic, attack Summoned Skull!" Siege exclaimed, as while it wasn't destroyed, it still got bashed for excess damage travelling for Cataclysm and Echo.

Cataclysm and Echo LP: 7500 - 6000

"I place two cards face down and end my turn!" Siege proclaimed.

"Absolutely ridiculous… you really think you can beat us!" Cataclysm exclaimed.

Siege's Field:

Extra Zone: Rock of Vanquisher - 0 ATK

Main Monster Zone:

Vanquish Soul Kaiser Varius - 3000 ATK

Number S39 - Utopia the Lightning - 2500 ATK

Number XX - Infinity Dark Utopic - 4000 ATK

Spell/Trap Zone: 2 Face Downs

Hand: 2

"This is a spectacle to watch… what kind of magic allows them to summon beasts like this to fight in grand scale combat?" Zendara wondered aloud.

"Such is the wondrous magic of duel monsters." Magina remarked. "But the longer these turns drag on… the more time Sombron has to escape… we can't allow that to happen in any matter."

"But what can we do!? None of us know how to duel, not like Siege does!" Opherla exclaimed.

"We can only watch. And hope Siege has a few more cards up his sleeve. Figuratively." Magina responded.

"It's my turn, draw!" Cataclysm would say before looking to Echo. "Dear friend, do you mind a change of scenery?"

"I don't have any monsters requiring a life point sacrifice. Please, by all means." Echo smirked.

"You're done for now. I activate… MALEFIC TERRITORY!" Cataclysm laughed as Siege's eyes widened.

"No… you mean-!" Siege exclaimed.

"Precisely. You may have tact with your cards, but nothing…. Nothing beats the raw power… of my MALEFIC BEASTS! Behold, Field Spell change! MALEFIC WORLD!" Cataclysm laughed as the scenery changed again, to a corrupted and destroyed city, exuding malice and hatred. "Now… we can truly begin. I banish from my Extra Deck Malefic Paradox Dragon! So that from my hand… I Special Summon… MALEFIC PARADIGM DRAGON!" Cataclysm laughed, as a dragon rose up, being black and white in color, exuding a blue aura of power as it descended upon the field.

Malefic Paradigm Dragon

Element: DARK

Level: 10

4000 ATK/4000 DEF

"Are you kidding me!?" Opherla exclaimed upon seeing it.

"All that work Siege had to do to summon a strong monster… and his opposition summons one just as raw in power so simply…!" Zendara exclaimed.

"And I'm not done yet!" Cataclysm laughed. "I banish from my Extra Deck Cyber End Dragon, to special summon Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"

Malefic Cyber End Dragon

Element: DARK

Level: 10

4000 ATK/2800 DEF

"Again!?" Mirai exclaimed. "Father's in trouble, Richard!" Mirai exclaimed in worry.

"Siege has to have something in his sleeve…" Richard remarked. "But what could that be…?"

"Malefic Cyber End Dragon! Attack Utopia the Lightning!" Cataclysm laughed as thr dark Cyber End Dragon charged, and fired a beam of dark cybernetic energy, as Siege smirked.

"Wrong move." Siege would say, causing Cataclysm to raise an eyebrow. "I activate the ability of Utopia the Lightning! Just before the Damage Step, I remove 2 Overlay Units! Now, Utopia the Lightning's Attack power becomes 5000 until the end of this turn!"

Utopia the Lightning ATK: 2500 - 5000

Utopia the Lightning soon batted away the beam of darkness, the group having to jump back to avoid getting hit, before it slashed through Cyber End Dragon in a lightning pattern, destroying it!

Cataclysm and Echo LP: 6000 - 5000

"Tch. Fine. Paradigm Dragon, destroy Kaiser Varius!" Cataclysm ordered.

"My trap card! Sakuretsu Armor!" Siege exclaimed. "Your monster is now destroyed!"

A reflective armor formed around Kaiser Varius, as it destroyed Paradigm Dragon, as Cataclysm scowled, his battle phase ending… before he soon chuckled, which then became a laugh.

"What's so funny? I win next turn!" Siege exclaimed.

"Ha! What a laugh! You've awoken a fury you cannot CONTAIN! When a Malefic monster I control is destroyed by an effect. The following Main Phase… allows me to summon a monster you won't top in raw strength. Let your Truth come forth in Divine destruction! These mortals must be reminded of their insignificance! SO BRING YOUR JUDGMENT, MALEFIC TRUTH DRAGON!" Cataclysm yelled, as lightning struck the arena from the sheer force of the monster, as descending down was a golden dragon, with malicious eyes, as his very roar shook the earth!

Malefic Truth Dragon

Element: DARK

Level: 12

5000 ATK/5000 DEF

"N… No way!" Mirai exclaimed.

"I thought for sure Siege had this won!" Alear exclaimed.

"Such power… just what is Cataclysm's deck made of!?" Zendara exclaimed.

"Malefic Truth Dragon… never in my years did I believe I would see that beast again…" Magina said in horror. "This beast… this beast might bring Siege to a slow path to a loss…"

"Richard, we have to do something!" Geina exclaimed, grabbing Richard and shaking him. "Please tell me you have a plan!"

"If I could intervene, I would-" Richard remarked, before he then realized something. "If… I could intervene…"

"Richard…?" Quency asked.

"Magina, do you have a spare Duel Disk?" Richard asked Magina in a hurry.

"I do, but Siege's turn is about to commence!" Magina exclaimed.

"Richard! Everyone! Don't you have faith in me?" Siege asked everyone from on the ground. "All I have to do is believe in my cards!"

"Siege…" Richard remarked. "...I believe in you, but the moment that things go wrong… I'm stepping in. Please, you have to turn this around, even Magina is getting concerned about the turn of events!"

"All it takes. Is one turn. And one card! I DRAW!" Siege yelled, before looking at the card, and smiling. "Just what I need. Infinity Dark Utopic! Increase my Life Points by Kaiser Varius' attack power!"

"Raising your Life Points won't save you, soldier!" Cataclysm laughed.

Siege LP: 8500 - 11,500

"Maybe not on the surface. But you'll see. HERE AND NOW! INFINITY DARK UTOPIC, ATTACK MALEFIC TRUTH DRAGON!" Siege exclaimed.

"ARE YOU CRAZY!?" Magina exclaimed from the sidelines. "Siege, this is reckless! Don't do this!"

"FATHER!" Mirai exclaimed with worry.

"What are you doing!?" Quency exclaimed. "But that will-"

"That's what he wants." Richard answered back calmly. "...Siege, you really got the game down pat. But will the luck of the cards favor you…?"

"Foolish soldier! Get ready to waste 1000 Life Points!" Cataclysm laughed.

"You're wrong." Siege smiled, knowing exactly what he was doing. "I activate…. TSUKUMO SLASH!"

"What…?" Cataclysm asked.

"When I declare an attack, and the monster I attack has an attack value greater than the attacking monster, then my monster gains attack… Equal to the difference between our Life Points." Siege smirked.

"What!?" Echo and Cataclysm both exclaimed.

11,500 - 5000 = 6500

Infinity Dark Utopic ATK: 4000 - 10,500

"This duel is finished." Siege smiled. "Infinity Dark Utopic, destroy Malefic Truth Dragon! Infinity Darkness Beam!" Siege exclaimed as an infinity sign appeared, before obliterating Malefic Truth Dragon with an infinity sign shaped beam, as Cataclysm and Echo were hit smack dab with the rest of the damage, both yelling in immense pain from the attack.

Cataclysm & Echo: 5000 LP - 0

WINNER: Siege

"Damn… To be done in like this… Heh, guess you really know the game well." Echo remarked, genuinely impressed at the turn of events.

"When you spend 5 years in a Duel Monster realm to train, you learn the ins and outs of the game well." Siege stated. "Now run along to your little Lord Sombron. My guess is he's just barely ready." Siege remarked before gaining a mocking tone. "I so do hope he's not too angry at the little time you two bought him."

"Heh, I suppose we'll see." Echo smirked, before Cataclysm and Echo retreated.

"Siege… that was the riskiest move I think I've ever seen you do." Magina spoke with a tone that was a mix of hardened and soft. "...The fact you pulled that off like that… impressive."

"Heh, well, you did say I was always full of surprises." Siege remarked. "...But I can only wonder… seeing the fact Echo and Cataclysm chose to duel me… just what on Earth is going on…?"

"I'll look into it after we're done. For now… Sombron awaits." Magina spoke.

As they continued on, they could see the portals into the other worlds, as their images were seared onto the surface of the portals.

"So Sombron really does intend to go to other worlds…" Richard remarked.

"Beautiful… and yet so cold at the same time…" Veyle lamented.

"So you have all arrived here." Sombron remarked, in his human form, standing before the collective army. "Led by the ones who have foiled my plans a thousand years ago."

"Sombron!" Alear exclaimed.

"I did not expect you to survive, let alone reach me here." Sombron remarked. "But my allies did say that death itself wards from you, the Radiant Saviour and his kindred."

"Save your talk, Sombron." Richard answered back. "You're not going to other worlds, as long as we have a say in it. Elyos is already ruined enough by you. I will not let you turn another world into something like this."

"I am done with your worthless world. Return to it, and shut the portal. Live in peace-" Sombron remarked.

"Worthless? WORTHLESS!?" Lumera snapped. "How dare you! Elyos was a proper land of harmony and peace before you came and ruined it. You were the invader who tore those lands apart for your own selfish desire! And you seek to do the same to other worlds. After all of the suffering you have spread, I will not allow you to harm other worlds as you have with Elyos."

"Hmph. So you think that I 'invaded' your world." Sombron scoffed. "You think my desire is so simple?"

"So what if we do?" Mokou exclaimed. "You're going to give me the spiel of justifiable evils?"

"Invasion is merely a means to an end. What I seek is a reunion." Sombron declared, as it surprised the group. "A reunion with Zero Emblem."

"Zero Emblem?" Alear asked, before Marth and Dezna manifested themselves.

"I've not heard word of such a being before." Marth declared.

"Neither have I…" Dezna remarked.

"Of course not. That Emblem is not of your world. In fact, it is an Otherworld Emblem not unlike the eight that Magina had blessed." Sombron answered back. "Beyond this portal lies infinite worlds. And one was my home. It had its own Emblem Rings, and a war rose to control them. My kind lost. The enemy used the rings' power to slaughter my of them. I was very young… Our enemies granted me alone the mercy of exile."

"And so they cast you to Elyos…" Lumera remarked.

"A peaceful world, ruled by godlike dragons. I was meant to live a quiet life there." Sombron said. "But I bought something with me, unknown to them. A single Emblem Ring."

"The Zero Emblem." Siege declared.

"In my world, known as the Emblem of Foundations. With my power, unable to speak." Sombron continued. "Legend said this Emblem fought without aid. So much ambition, and no allies. That story showed me the way forward in my complete isolation. I was trapped in this world without friends or family. Only that Emblem gave me comfort."

"Otherworld Emblem indeed… An Emblem, without aid, should not be able to survive traveling from one world to another." Marth remarked. "To stay in form in a new world, even for moments… it is a unheard power that can only be granted to Otherworld Emblems."

"And you seek reunion with them." Richard declared.

"Exactly, and all because of villagers that found me a few years after I arrived." Sombron answered back. "They mistook me for an abandoned child. They pitied me, my first connection in your world. Soon after, the Emblem deserted me, leaving only the ring behind. And why? For bonding with the people of this world, I despaired, and then for their folly, I reduced their village to ash."

Most of the group was horrified at what they heard, while Siege and Richard were silent.

"I swore to forgo all bonds in pursuit of my ambitions, as my Emblem had." Sombron declared. "I fought alone, confided in none, preparing to return to my world. To exact revenge. I needed pawns for my plan and territory. I spent years amassing it all. Then, I attacked."

"So, the war a thousand years ago…. That's what it was about?" Alear asked with disbelief in her voice.

"So all of it was a lie!?" Veyle exclaimed. "You weren't alone! Mama loved you deeply. Your believers, your attendants, my siblings… The Hounds, my sister and me! Everything we did was for you!"

"As I said, pawns. Acting on my command and mine alone." Sombron coldly scoffed. "Meant to be used and discarded. Deaths which mean nothing."

"Do not bother trying to understand him, Lady Veyle." Zephia remarked, before she then stepped forward. "I remember that there was a time that you told me that family is function and utility long ago. Blood goes in, loyalty goes out. That all children only exist to owe their lives, love and absolute dedication for birthing them. At first, I wanted to understand what it was like to have a child. But now I understand something."

"And what is that, traitorous Mage Dragon?" Sombron coolly asked.

"That children are far more than that." Zephia answered back, as there was a bite to her words. "I was a fool to believe that children are nothing but tools. After seeing the love that Lumera gives her child day by day, and how I understood that I envied it, because it was the same comfort my former family gave me, I realized that I didn't want a child because I wanted someone to fight with me. I wanted a child to love me back. And you are the one who twisted my way of thinking. I pity you, Sombron, to have thrown away your own love for the sole desire of vengeance."

"You dare…!?" Sombron growled, before Lumera then stepped forward.

"I understand now, why that Emblem left you." Lumera declared, as there was a expression of understanding, as she kept her animosity reined. "A solitary warrior like that Emblem is well aware of the burden of being alone. No human being is without regrets in living such a life, no matter how they act. That Emblem stayed with you to spare you the loneliness of exile… until you were able to find something good, people who would be able to care for you. They left you because they believed that there is nothing that they could give, more than what those villagers that you slaughtered, would have given you. Perhaps they didn't know how to give love, and believed that your obsession for them would drive you away from them. Because they couldn't tell you, their only course of action was to leave you, to let you make new bonds, and allow you to let them go."

"You wretched naive dragon. You know nothing, nothing at all about my Emblem." Sombron spat back.

"So what?: If your Emblem disappeared without a word… Then you are no better than us." Magina answered back, with a piercing glare in her eyes. "You do not know them any more than we do."

"All the more reason to be reunited! I will scour world after world, until the end of time, if I must!" Sombron growled.

"Sombron, the Emblem of Foundations would be long gone by now." Marth declared. "You can search and search, but there will be no point. You might meet the original here. But Emblems are not the same beings, we are not them. You will never be reunited with your Emblem, ever again."

"Be silent." Sombron hissed.

"I can only imagine how much resentment you feel. But to sacrifice so many others, in such selfishness that you'd destroy the world and others for this, and kill your own very children!? It's wrong!" Alear exclaimed.

"I said, be silent! You are speaking of things you do not understand!" Sombron declared. "If not for my Emblem, I would have died powerless. Small. That Emblem had the strength to stand alone! Unlike you, huddled together, whining like dogs. Such a warrior showed me the meaning of existence: fight alone, take revenge!"

"Are you done?" Richard softly asked, as Siege's and Alear's attention were turned to him, surprised that there was a neutral expression on his face.

"Richard, why are you asking that?" Alear asked.

"So what if I am. I will not let you stop me, or sway my intentions, not after thousands of years." Sombron growled. "So yes, I am 'done', as you put it."

"Glad we're on the same foot here, Sombron." Richard remarked. "Because I'm going to tell you straight: There are people that I would redeem, and there are people that I would leave be. And you are neither."

"What?" Sombron growled.

"Now you listen to me, you overgrown manchild of a dragon." Richard spoke, as his tone turned acidic. "All this time, all of this misery… is because you decided to be salty as fuck just because your Emblem left your side. And it was due to the fact that they left in the care of some good villagers, who you promptly decided to murder, and take the wrong fucking lesson from what good your Emblem tried to do."

"You dare-" Sombron growled.

"I fucking dare." Richard growled back. "You decide that your own fucking children aren't good for you, because they can't just die good like the fleshy puppets that they are to you. And I bet that your former wife, the one that birthed Veyle did not enjoy a single moment with you. Of course not, who would fucking sympathise with a man with a hate-boner bigger than the universe itself? I don't think that you were any better back in your world. I bet that your entire family were assholes exactly like you, and the reason that your damn war played out is because like you said, they all fought for the Emblem Ring. Perhaps your enemy are worse assholes than you, perhaps they're like us, trying to stop your people from fucking things up. But the point is: You think that talk about you being thrown into another world is going to garner a single shred of sympathy from me? No, it won't."

Richard then gestured towards Siege and Alear with open arms. "You had every fucking thing going good for you, and then you decided to throw it away. In my face, that is an absolute insult. You had your chance to get a happy life, while I had to bleed and cry my way into one. You killed Alear not once, but twice, right before her husband's eyes, and your entire religion involves fucking everyone over without any form of metaphorical lube. Everyone loves you, and you decide 'fuck your love, I want you all dead'. I've had a wife that I had to leave because it was the only way to save the world, from someone like you, and a child that I'll never see."

Richard then threw his arms down. "So, don't expect me to spare you. I'll fucking kill you as many times as it takes to ensure that you stay dead-" Richard remarked, as there was absolute hate in his eyes.

A feminine voice suddenly chuckled from a distance as a hooded figure approached, cloaked in leather garb, as walking into view was a feminine figure, hidden by her cloak, a spear and sword at her back… and a familiar looking dragonstone at her side, seeming to be dressed in a sleeveless, torn top revealing her midsection, which while it had a defined six pack, had a slash scar across it, a deep one. She wore black and red gauntlets upon her hands, and wore simple pants and boots of black and gold color.

"How long I've waited… for someone to finally get a gut full. And say that to the bastard." The female spoke, having a smile on her face.

"That voice… why does it seem so familiar…" Sombron remarked.

"Maybe it's because you should have paid a little more attention to your damn children." The woman said, before throwing her cloak down… revealing a woman with messy hair that reached her mid back. But there was a color to her eyes and her hair that was a color Sombron recognized.

Red. The color of a Fell Dragon.

"That… That can't be!" Veyle exclaimed. "Another Fell Dragon…!?"

"Wanna know why your Emblem deserted you after all these years, father? They came to someone more deserving, more fruitful, more alone than you ever thought possible. I may have been left for dead for centuries, but I came back. Ten times stronger than you could ever imagine!" The feminine voice exclaimed. "Burn us, Emblem of Foundations!"

And dropping down to her side was a woman in god-like clothing, righteous spears in hand as she exuded power and elegance.

"I. Am Zero Emblem. You may call me Arceus, creator of worlds, and one who wished to guide Sombron." The woman spoke. "I tried to guide you to a life of companionship, Sombron. I tried to help you. I thought I had, which is why I left you. …How wrong I was, you wretched, misguided soul." Arceus spat.

"No… This cannot be…" Sombron remarked, as he looked upon with true horror on his face. "You cannot be the Zero Emblem… And yet… And yet you speak with her voice…! What is this!?"

"This is retribution for your actions, father. She came for me at my lowest and guided me, the same child who suffered your similar fate, exiled by ones I cared for! Left for dead even as people tried to help me! Your firstborn… left to rot just like you did all my brothers and sisters!" The female yelled in anger.

"Who are you?" Alear asked the newcomer.

"I am Kezaniah. The firstborn of Lord Sombron. The first Fell Dragon heir, and exiled because I dared try to claim myself an heir to father's rule. How foolish I was, to cling to you as if you loved me, father. Mother was the only one who tended to me! And now… all these centuries… 1000 years… waiting… training… biding my time until someone opposed you and joined us here, in the crux between worlds… Now, it isn't you who gets your vengeance today. IT SHALL BE ME, FATHER!" Kezaniah yelled.

"Kezaniah…" Zephia remarked, as there was shock in her voice. "...So that is what became of her…"

"A sister more older than even Alear…" Veyle remarked. "...It seems that there is no way to talk until Sombron is defeated."

"No, it can't be…!" Kezaniah exclaimed. "You're not… are you…!? Alear!? Veyle!?"

"I… I don't remember you." Alear answered back. "Forgive me, if we have met, I don't recall much."

"But I do… even if it is only a little." Veyle remarked. "...When I was about to fall into slumber, I remember that you were there… or maybe I only imagined it, you gave me a kiss into slumber, as if blessing me to wake up in a better world. I didn't remember it wrong, did I?"

"No. You were right on the spot." Kezaniah said. "Alear… You don't remember me because I only ever saw you as a baby. The moment you came of age, father sent you on mission after mission… Because he wanted you gone and destroyed. As for me, the moment he caught on to the fact I knew you and Veyle would usher in a new era for us Fell Dragons… My father attempted to kill me… But you, Siege… You came in."

"...Oh shit. You're right." Siege remarked. "I only recall him about to strike you but, when I came in, he… Changed so quickly."

"Right after you left, I was exiled. Here, of all places. That's where I found Zero Emblem, Lady Arceus." Kezaniah nodded.

"So the Zero Emblem all along is Arceus…" Richard remarked. "...Creation from zero… it makes sense now."

"Wow, this will be a real shock to all of the Pokemon we brought along the journey." Mokou remarked.

"I see… so in the end, even the one I seek forsakes me." Sombron remarked with a low voice. "Very well, then I have been right from the beginning. If there is nothing left to seek for, then I shall eradicate all!"

"You won't succeed." Richard answered back. "You may have the power of the Emblems granted to you, but we have the genuine articles. And all the Otherworld Emblem Rings as well. You won't survive this, Sombron. And not a single one of us will allow it!"

"This is it, everyone." Alear declared. "Everything that remains before us is Sombron himself, alone as he wished for. Let us show him that the power that we have gained walking the same path is far stronger than this cruel power that he has claimed for himself!"

"Yes, sister! I'm with you!" Veyle declared. "I'll be with you every step of the way, I'm a royal Fell Dragon myself, and I will not stand by and allow my sister to ever fight alone!"

"And I shall obey the new Queen." Zephia remarked, bowing for the first time to someone other than Sombron, for a thousand years. "After all, when this is all and done, you might as well be considered the Empress for both Fell and Divine Dragons at this rate. I shall fight for everything to ensure your victory, and the Hounds will follow."

"Zephia… my most trusted and devoted friend…" Kezaniah smiled. "I promise you, that I shall treat you and your Hounds as if you were family to me. All of you."

"Even if we cannot compare to the legendary heroes gathered before you, we'll all be right there with you, because we have grown strong in our journey with you all!" Alfred declared. "You've done so much for each and every one of us! So this time, we're returning the favor!"

"I've never thought that there would be a day where I could sock the Fell Dragon for real." Morion remarked. "Well, guess I'm going to take this chance myself. Prepare yourself, Sombron, we're all coming at you with everything we got!"

"This one is for all the lives that were lost in the war." Diamant declared. "We'll avenge their deaths by defeating the Fell Dragon, once and for all!"

"I'm worried… but you don't need my support either way. I know you'll see us through this." Alcryst answered back.

"All flowers must bloom… For you, Divine Ones and Radiant Saviour. I will be a gentle rain and a ray of light!" Celine declared.

"Don't get discouraged! Heads held up high! We all believe in you, and we will win! Easy!" Timerra peppily declared.

"Haha, you think that we'll be able to make a clean sweep of this? Yeah, that's what I love about you two lovebirds. The power of love triumphs all, as it seems. Heh heh." Fogado joked.

"You have supported us from the beginning, and been the source of strength for me and my sister. Allow all of my faith, just this once to be yours." Ivy declared.

"I know that there has been a lot of sadness…" Hortensia remarked. "But we'll get everyone through this! I believe in you, to make sure that no-one will be truly sad again!"

"This will be the final battle. Everything's set for you, Siege…" Geina remarked. "Go for it!"

"Once we make it back, we're going to really celebrate everything we have gotten in this place. New friends, new bonds. I'm glad that I've stuck with you all from the day we met!" Quency exclaimed.

"Siege, we won't lose this fight. No matter what cruelties that Sombron, and Echo or Cataclysm pull, we'll make it through." Richard declared firmly.

"I'm at the verge of tearing up myself, witnessing such a unified front from all of Elyos, to defeat Sombron and his twisted ways, despite the wars that ravaged the land." Lumera remarked. "But my tears are best left shed when I witness Elyos returned to its former peace and glory.

"This will usher in a brand new age. A new age where even Fell Dragons live in peace… I never saw this coming, but I welcome it, with open arms!" Magina smiled.

"And that's not all of us either!" Alear declared, before she then raised her Emblem Ring, as the other ring-bearers did the same, with all 21 Emblems standing ready. "We 13 Emblems and 8 Otherworld Emblems stand against you with our allies. The future may divide us once more… But today, we are of one heart and one mind! This fight, this moment of time, is all that matters!"

"What nonsense. You are the flicker of an ember. A dying light in the void. You're nothing." Sombron growled. "The deeper the bonds, the greater your pain when those bonds crumble to dust. Why invite that inevitable pain upon yourself? Why allow such weakness to exist?"

"Because a true bond is one that will never perish." Siege remarked, stepping forward. "I have two such bonds. One that has been tested by you, with Richard, and the other by blood, Alear herself. The deeper the bond, the stronger the connection is, and the stronger the will drawn from it will be. That is the meaning of true power, to confide with one another, and gather strength to fight against the cruelest of fates, and the most evil of monsters. Together, a light of hope will shine across all of existence. No bond can truly die, so long as people believe in it. And that is what I will do, no matter how much it hurts, how much it takes, because a true bond is a treasure that no-one should ever cast away! So prepare yourself, Sombron. Let me teach you your parting lesson on what power bonds can inspire!"

"Father. For the sake of Gradlon's future, for the sake of my fallen siblings. With everyone else here… I WILL DEFEAT YOU!" Kezaniah yelled.

Victory: Defeat Sombron

Defeat: Siege, Alear, or Kezaniah fall

Special Condition: Defeat all Sombron phases with Kezaniah or Alear

PLAYER PHASE

"Unlike the two of you, I can transform into a dragon state if you wish me to." Kezaniah explained to Alear and Veyle. "Please, use it as you see it fit."

"I understand. But I ask that you save such power for now." Alear answered back. "If Sombron has yet to take such a form himself… he must be preparing something."

The group then advanced towards Sombron, as they battled against the Corrupted, which were still fairly strong compared to the ones Umbris had, but the Emblems fighting alongside their bearers evened the odds greatly.

Kezaniah, even without her draconic might, charged through the field with her large broadsword, cleaving areas of Corrupted into multiple pieces, and doing it multiple times.

Kezaniah Personal Skill: Chained Galeforce - When this unit defeats an enemy, unit can move again. If unit defeats another enemy, unit has a chance to move again, the chance decreasing in values equivalent to Luck/2%. (Ex. If unit has 10 Luck, chance for unit to move again decreases by 5% each time)

"Wow, look at her go." Mokou whistled. "You got competition, Nihilister."

"Heh, can't turn down a good challenge." Nihilister grinned.

Richard then shot down one of the Corrupted nearby Sombron with a Meteor spell, before Framme then warped Siege right before Sombron, to weaken him first.

"Sombron… at first I despised you for what you were doing to this place… now I don't even think despise is a proper word for the malice I feel towards you." Siege glared.

"Then what is the proper word then?" Sombron remarked.

"There is no word in any language that could ever encompass it." Siege growled. "...For everything you've done… I'll strike you down!"

"Fine then. I shall not waste any ounce of power in destroying you." Sombron declared. "Once you perish, I will make sure that you will be nothing but a fading memory. That is vengeance for all you have ruined for me."

Siege and Sombron began to fight, as Sombron proved to be a hardy opponent, even skilled enough to tag Siege with the same spell that Umbris and Veyle uses, as the dark flames singed the soldier. However, it was far from enough to down Siege, as he followed up with a series of double slashes, aided by Marth himself, which took the first of his health bars down.

As Siege backed away from the fight, Kezaniah managed to gain enough momentum to reach Sombron herself, as there was fury in her eyes, facing down the 'father' who abandoned her to die.

"Father… how long… how long I have waited for this moment." Kezaniah stated with a venomous tone. "To take this Molten Hellthorn greatsword you gave me… and plunge it deep into your heart, and then take my Spear of Hell, and plunge it through your skull." Kezaniah spat.

"You believe yourself strong simply because the Zero Emblem accepts you?" Sombron growled. "Folly. You were no less a traitor than that ilk called Alear, but while Alear had her uses, you had none. You did not get any rings, nor did you slay any foes for me. To me, you are less than nothing, you are a being that should have never existed. I have been alone for longer than you can believe. If the Zero Emblem will not acknowledge my strength, then I will strive for it myself."

"How sad you have become, Sombron." Arceus remarked with a solemn tone to her voice. "I tried to see the good in you, but I can see that you have lost yourself a long time ago. Perhaps it is a mercy to end you right here and now."

"Spare me your pity, and fight." Sombron growled.

"So be it. If you think me weak, father, then allow me to show you just what your isolation has forced me to become!" Kezaniah exclaimed, before she activated a critical, that burned through Sombron's defenses and health, as he even dropped his tome.

Kezaniah Personal Skill II - Wrath of the Forgotten - If unit lands a critical hit, inflicts Break! on foe. If critical hit reduces foe's HP to 0 when they have multiple bars, the attack reduces them to their last bar.

"Argh!" Sombron growled.

"Do you see now, Father!? Am I any inkling of the child you wanted me to be now!?" Kezaniah yelled in fury. "No matter! The time for reconciliation through strength is long past, you see my power, now kneel before it, and allow me to ascend as Queen of Gradlon, or I shall have you executed by my own hands!" Kezaniah proclaimed.

"Never. I shall not accept you, no matter what you shall do-" Sombron growled, as he attracted the tome back into his hand, before Alear rushed towards him, with determination in her eyes. "You… As if spurning me to be a Divine Dragon was not enough… You would slay me once again as an act of patricide? Unforgivable."

"I do not seek any forgiveness from you." Alear declared. "You killed your own children… tried to destroy the world for your selfish desires, and it is not enough for you!? You're the one beyond forgiveness."

"I already said that your world meant nothing to me. Its people, my children… you." Sombron said. "Once I end your lives, you will all be forgotten. Even if we meet again, I woild not recall any of your faces."

"In other words, you'll make the same mistakes over and over. So which of us is pathetic?" Alear remarked, before she then rushed forward, as Sombron tried to attack, although Alear was faster to the draw. "I won't falter!"

Alear then slashed right through Sombron, leaving a large blue and red scar right on Sombron's chest, as he let out a cry of agony, before collapsing onto a knee.

"It's over, Sombron. No matter what you have, we will prevail today." She declared, pointing her sword towards him, before Sombron began to chuckle maliciously. "What's so funny?"

"Foolish spawn of mine… this is far from over!" Sombron roared, before he then let out a dark pulse of energy that pushed the group away, as the shattered island that the entire battle was happening upon, began to collect rocks from the nearby surrounding, expanding it, as dark Emblem circles appeared on the edges of the field. "I tire of this charade! Bow before my true power!"

Sombron then transformed into his dragon form, as more Corrupted began to summon themselves, as Cataclysm and Echo appeared beside Sombron themselves.

"There you are…" Richard remarked, eyeing Cataclysm and Echo. "So then, this is the surprise that you're talking about, Echo?"

"That's right. You see, there's a little something you should obviously know." Echo remarked, before he raised his hand, as a obsidian black ring was right on his fingers, as Lumera gasped in shock upon realising what it was. "You know that Emblems are the embodiment of heroism and hope and courage? Do you really think that those twisted reflections of them are truly Dark Emblems?"

"So Sombron have the power to summon Dark Emblems now?" Alear remarked. "But that would mean…"

"That's right, these Dark Emblems are what we have gotten from our deal with Sombron." Cataclysm chuckled darkly, as he raised his hand, as there was a Dark Emblem ring on his hand as well, as it was a red ring adorned with black thorns and a black gem on top. "It's not just one Emblem in this ring, but the amalgamation of several of them. All of them the ultimate foes of each and every Emblem from the original 12, split between us both."

"You thought that I would sit idly by, waiting for you all to arrive?" Sombron declared. "If I could not bring back my Emblem. I summoned those of equal power, the nemeses of those Emblems you wield. Mortals and creatures who plunged this world into despair so many times."

"That presence… So familiar… Yes. These are the foes we fought in our original forms." Marth remarked, upon sensing a familiar dragon among those.

"Oh, you want to see Medeus so badly, Marth?" Echo chuckled. "Well,let me grant your wish. Annihilate all, Emblem of Destruction."

As a red glint appeared from Echo's Emblem Ring, two Corrupted appeared on the eastern and western magic circles, one of them being a dark shadowy dragon, while the other was a skeletal dragon, as Echo himself was covered with a twisted form of an Emblem Form, as his hair was red, as were his eyes, and there were torn dragon wings along his back, with a dark halo of energy that was in the form of a spiked runic circle.

"Duma too…!?' Celica exclaimed.

"And that's not all." Cataclysm remarked, before he then raised his ring. "Convict all, Emblem of Sin."

As Cataclysm took his Emblem form, which caused his eyes to glow blood red as his hair turned a sickening purple, demonic wings forming on his back, the northern-east and northern-west magic circles were occupied by two beings dressed in dark druid robes, one with a circlet that had a purple gem and dark brown robes, and the other with dark purple robes, and a flaming blue eye.

"That's…!" Leif exclaimed. "So Sombron truly intends to summon our greatest foes. Such a man being here… he must be destroyed!"

"To think that he would return…" Lyn remarked, looking at the druid with the flaming eyes. "Radiant Saviour, Divine One, allow me to be the one to slay him."

"And father is using them to shield himself…" Kezaniah said, as Sombron soon gained a shield. "Forgive me, Alear… Veyle… but I cannot allow Father this advantage!"

Cue: Dialga's Fight to the Finish - Metal Symphonic Cover by FalKKonE

Kezaniah soon transformed, as she gained a form resembling a huge dragon, as she had giant wings of dark flaming energy, and had an actual proper dragon body, as opposed to a serpent's. The power of such a form was enough to disrupt Sombron's barrier.

Victory: Defeat Sombron, Cataclysm and Echo

Defeat: Siege, Alear, or Kezaniah fall

Special Condition: Defeat all Sombron phases with Kezaniah or Alear

Battle Note: Kezaniah can only stay transformed for 10 turns, before a special story scene plays out that won't bode well… defeat the three bosses before 10 turns are up! On the same note, as long as Kezaniah is alive, Sombron's Fell Barrier is effectively negated.

PLAYER PHASE

"Kezaniah managed to keep the barrier down…" Richard remarked. "While it would seem that a direct attack would work…" Richard remarked, before he glanced at Echo and Cataclysm, sensing the immense power in them. "We try openly attacking, and Cataclysm and Echo will chew through anyone. I don't think that the Dark Emblems are only there to serve for Sombron's protection…"

"...I recognise this." Byleth remarked. "It is the same thing that Nemesis used with his 10 Elites to bolster his own strength. These Dark Emblems also feed power to their respective masters. Those two to the side belong to the mimicry of Richard, and the ones along the back belong to the one who imitates the Radiant Saviour."

"And the only way we will be able to defeat them soundly… is if we use the power of the respective Emblem bearer." Lumera answered back. "I do not know how the Otherworld Emblem bearers would be able to fight against these Dark Emblems, but for the sake of keeping them safe, we should have them focused on fighting Sombron, and his two allies."

"I'll clear the chaff ahead for you." Kezaniah remarked, before she then moved slightly, and unleashed a dragon-breath, which was powerful enough to destroy the Corrupted in the way. "Leave Sombron to me. My form should be enough to endure whatever he throws at me."

"Thank you, Kezaniah…" Richard remarked, before turning to the Emblem Bearers. "You saw how your Emblems reacted to those Dark Emblems. That should be enough of a hint to which ones are the ones that you should be fighting against. So that means that you've got Medeus, Siege, since you're the one with Marth's Ring. Griss, Duma's yours. Ivy, take care of Veld, and Quency, since we've passed Lyn's ring to you, Nergal's your target."

With the orders given, everyone began moving towards their targets, while Kezaniah moved for Sombron, but not without aid from Magina, Lumera, and Mirai to deal with Cataclysm and Echo.

"Oho, this will be interesting." Echo remarked, before Lumera rushed forward to engage Echo. "Well, well, the Queen herself fights on the front-lines. You don't seem like you have been de-aged much from your rebirth from the metaphorical ashes."

"Spare me your words. If you align yourself with Sombron, and would encourage such torment, you are my enemy." Lumera remarked. "You will not be left unpunished."

"Exactly as expected. I wouldn't have it any other way." Echo remarked, before the two of them traded blows, as Echo created an ethereal representation of Medeus's head, as it breathed fire upon Lumera, which she barely dodged, before striking Echo for considerable damage, even though it was meager due to the enhancements that he had. Mirai would be next to fight Echo as she transformed into her Divine Super Saiyan Dragon state beforehand.

"To finally come face to face with the enemies my father has faced for so long… it's no wonder he and his brother despise the both of you." Mirai said with a growl.

"Well, how else would we be truly such threats to your father and his battle-brother? Good that you at least know who your enemy is." Echo remarked. "Come on, I want to see that power you inherited from your father. I bet that it's going to be something quite interesting. After all, you're a unique one."

"Stop treating this like some kind of game. You're making me angry!" Mirai yelled as she would soon charge in, activating a crit which ensued a Kamehameha, as the attack almost wiped out Echo's health.

"Hoo, now that really hurts a lot!" Echo exclaimed. "I guess you really got the best of both worlds, don't you?"

While Magina began to engage Cataclysm, the bearers managed to reach their respective targets, starting with Siege and Medeus, as the Shadow Dragon bore over them.

"I sense you, Shadow Dragon Medeus." Marth declared. "I've defeated you before, and I will again, for I hold the exalted Falchion!"

"DO YOU PLAN TO... DEFY ME ONCE MORE... DESCENDANT OF ANRI...?" Medeus rasped, as his voice was cracked. "YOU SHALL… DIE… YOU… AND YOUR… ALLY…"

"Hrmph. You're just keeping me from the real target I want to fight. While I'm not one to be so cruel, especially bearing Marth and my love as Emblems, you're just a stepping stone. And I'm moving up in the world." Siege stated, as he, Marth, and Alear rushed in and attacked Medeus, the trio getting a critical blow as they all struck Medeus lethally, as Medeus began to crumble.

"GWA...! WHY... WHY HAVE I BEEN DEFEATED... SO EASILY..." Medeus croaked, before he then faded away into ashen particles, as Echo flinched slightly, as a red glow faded from him.

"It has ended." Marth remarked. "Medeus has been put to rest once more, and the power of his master has diminished."

Celica and Griss then managed to reach Duma, as the mono-eyed horned dragon bore his eye upon them.

"We meet again, Duma… though I'm not sure you are him." Celica remarked. "Please, do no more harm. Allow your great and wary soul the rest it deserves…"

"Foolish child. Only power holds meaning. Only strength holds sway. Call to me. Thirst for me. Thirst for power!" Duma roared.

"Well, someone needs to be knocked a few pegs down." Griss remarked.

Griss then used his tome to unleash an explosion that managed to damage Duma, before the war dragon's eye glowed, before firing a beam of red energy that hit Griss, hurting him badly, although Griss endured the hit, and prepared his own counter. "Rejoice!"

Griss then unleashed the spell, as the force of the empowered spell tore through Duma's body, shattering it apart.

"Where...did mankind...find...such power...?" Duma groaned, before he then faded away, as Echo's Emblem form began to waver strongly, as the glow faded from it.

"Oy vey, that's not good." Echo winced.

"Rest in peace, tormented god." Celica remarked, as there was a solemn look on her face.

"Huh, I thought that was going to be a better fight." Griss remarked. "But hey, what's done is done."

"Finish off Echo now, before he can summon more Emblems!" Siege exclaimed.

"Leave it to me." Kezaniah stated, as even though she wanted Sombron, she would more than happily take on Echo. "Wretched being. Down to your chaotic core… you're a plague to even this crux between the worlds, and deserve to be properly purged."

"Had worse, and fought worse." Echo simply answered, not even fazed, despite his powers temporarily weakened greatly. "Do your worst."

"Such simple, mocking words." Kezaniah growled. "Allow me to silence you!"

Kezaniah would crit, as she flew up high in the air, incinerating what Health Echo had left with a Fell Dragon beam, down to his last health bar.

"Urk, that's a lesson I'm going to take home…" Echo hissed in pain. "Fell Dragons really do dish the pain when they're in their full form."

Magina's clash proved fruitful against Cataclysm, as he was already down a health bar, as Quency and Lyn, along with Ivy and Leif, had managed to reach their targeted opponent.

"You radiate evil… but are you truly the dark bishop who I fought once before?" Leif remarked. "Is your intent to spread fear and despair in this world too? I will never allow that to happen!"

"Heh, heh, heh... You dare to cross me? Don't you know the power I wield? Let me show you just what a grave mistake you've made!" Veld cackled.

"The only grave mistake is the fact that you still exist." Ivy coolly retorted back. "Perish and never return."

Ivy then engaged with Leif, before then assaulting Leif with a quadruple attack, with sword, axe, lance and bow, as the combined physical attacks proved to be far too powerful for Veld to be able to handle, as he collapsed onto a knee.

"Gah... This is my... own folly…" Veld wheezed, before he then fell down, fading into particles, as Cataclysm felt the effects of losing power to his own Emblem.

"Once again, you have been foiled." Leif remarked. "Rest forevermore in the dark depths along with your accursed god."

"You will not come alone, for the damned will follow you down." Ivy added.

"Fate is full of surprises. Who would have thought we'd meet again." Lyn remarked. "Yet this, I'm afraid, is our final parting. Soon you'll only be a stain on my sword!"

"Little girl from Sacae... You'd do well to vanish. One such as you is no match for me." Nergal declared. "Your wretched partner will not save you from me!"

"Funny that, because I think that you're all hot air, and no power!" Quency remarked.

Quency then began to rush towards Nergal, managing to land a single strike that managed to damage Nergal, before the dark druid tried to cast Ereshkigal, as Quency with her speed, dodged the exploding blast of dark magic with ease, as it gave her the chance to strike Nergal at full force!

"This is my way to win!" Quency exclaimed, before she then stepped back, before then unsheathing Sol Katti, before slicing through Nergal several times in a single flash, as the dark druid crumpled down.

"Why? Why must I lose? More power... I must be...stronger... I…" Nergal coughed, before he then fell down dead, fading away into particles, as Cataclysm felt the Emblem power fade from him momentarily.

"Let this be your final end." Lyn remarked.

"That should help the others out. It's up to them now!" Quency remarked.

ENEMY PHASE

"Tch, damn them…" Cataclysm growled. "Not even a single opportunity to lay waste to them with those Emblems…"

"Well, since they couldn't finish us, guess that means a new set." Echo remarked, as he gathered his power, as two more Dark Emblems manifested on closer circles to the sides, with his form returning to normal. "Ah, much better. Now then, time for some payback."

"Indeed." Cataclysm smirked.

Echo then immediately began to summon an ethereal version of Duma's head, as it fired a beam that Mirai barely dodged, eliciting a click of a tongue from Echo.

Meanwhile, Cataclysm re-summoned two more Emblems on his side, as they too were on the closer sides.

The Emblems that had been summoned were further incantations of more familiar enemies to the emblems, consisting of Idunn, Fomortis, Anankos and the fully armored variant of Zelgius, the evil Black Knight.

"Zelgius…? Why is…?" Zendara had to ask, as Zelgius noticed his past self.

"By the gods… never would I have imagined seeing me like that again…" Zelgius remarked with a look of slight horror, ironically having been near Timerra and Ike as he spoke the words. "I assume… That is why you festered such ill will for me, Ike. I never realized just how… Ominous I was back in those days. I truly meant what I said, I merely wanted to see if you were as good as your father, nothing more…"

"I do not need your comfort to face your visage, Zelgius." Ike remarked. "There is already peace between us both, in those last moments of yours. If you cannot bear to face your twisted past, then let me be the one to put it to rest."

"Of course I can face it." Zelgius scoffed at Ike's words. "Don't believe for a moment that Alondite will fall so fastly behind Ragnell in terms of strength with feeble fear."

The remnants of the Corrupted began to attack the group, most of them prioritizing the Emblem Bearers, although it did not go well for them, while the Dark Emblem remained idle, as if they refused to throw themselves into the grinder.

As for Sombron himself, he let out a mighty roar, as a dark red cyclone of blades appeared around him, as most of the group were fortunate to be out of its range, and those who were hit were tanky enough to shrug the blow off.

PLAYER PHASE

Turns until Game Over: 9

"Nnh…" Kezaniah suddenly faltered slightly, the group noticing as if she was straining to hold her Fell Dragon powers.

"Sister!? What's wrong!?" Alear exclaimed, before Magina, Lumera, and Zephia immediately caught on.

"...No… you didn't seriously choose to hide this fact from us…" Magina said in horror. "Why… why are you sacrificing what little years you have left!?"

"I made a vow… even if I die, I would see father destroyed… I keep to that vow, here and now… My allies… I am sorry but… after this fight… I'm afraid my time will be up…" Kezaniah apologized.

"No…!" Alear exclaimed.

"Why… Why would you sacrifice your own essence for this!? We just met you!" Veyle exclaimed. "And now you want to…!"

"I don't want to… No. The very essence of this land… It takes many years off a dragon's life just to provide oneself with the needs to survive this barren wasteland… I have already used so many… This… Is sapping what little years I have left…" Kezaniah said, as she seemed to be shedding draconic tears. "Oh Alear… Veyle… I'm so sorry…"

"...Then we'll finish this fight as soon as we can." Richard declared. "The sooner we end this… the higher the chances we can save you. It might be minimal at maximum, but any chance is better than none."

"...Lumera, Zephia. I'll need you both once this battle has concluded." Magina told her dragon friends. "I refuse to see a dragon of such kind heart die on my watch. I've seen that too much from my past experiences, of kind dragons dying… I refuse to see another one meet the same fate."

"You have my power." Zephia answered back. "I owe my life twice already to you, for being there for me, and for sparing my life in making the temporal crystal."

"And with Richard's power in me, I will be of sufficient aid." Lumera added.

"Roy, Corrin, get your bearers to the ones that need to be put down." Richard remarked, as there was a hint of sympathy, as his eyes landed upon Anankos. "And since Zelgius wants to face his past self… that leaves only Sigurd to handle Loptous… Lumera, with my power, you'll be powerful enough to take down that Dark God."

The four emblem bearers immediately split off to face their Dark Emblem counterparts, as Roy was the first to arrive, as Diamant took the helm with the son of Eliwood, as the Demon Dragon bore over them.

"Idunn… why are you here, and in that form? We have no quarrel." Roy remarked. "So, I'll do my part to stop this. And I'll again free your soul from endless fighting."

"Help… me… Please… End me…" Idunn's voice rang from the demon dragon, as both Diamant and Roy could hear it, as the voice shocked them.

"...She speaks to us…!?" Diamant exclaimed. "...Such pain and misery… this form is a curse to her…"

"It's because… I've freed her before…" Roy remarked, as his expression turned solemn. "...Unfortunately, I do not have the Divine Weapons with me this time, and she is but a reflection of the tormented woman that lies underneath this draconic flesh… Death is her only release from her pain now. Diamant, strike true, and let her spirit be free."

Diamant nodded with a grim expression, before Diamant readied the Binding Blade in his hands, as it became wreathed with fire.

"May you be freed." Diamant declared, before he then cut down Idunn with a single burning slash, as the demon dragon let out a wail of agony, before collapsing down.

"I… I am alone… alone in the dark… but now… I can feel myself being free… Thank… you… I… I…" Idunn tried to say in gratitude, before her strength left her, as she faded away.

"Rest forevermore, shadow of the Demon Dragon. Know in your passing, that your original lives on to understand the world's beauty." Roy spoke solemnly, as if performing his last rites for the fallen dragon.

"...Despite her being a Fell Dragon by another name…" Diamant remarked. "...Such a fate… is not one that she deserves. Idunn, I may not know you… but I wish you peace wherever you are."

Meanwhile, Zendara and Zelgius would engage the Corrupted with the Black Knight, Timerra and Ike staying close to follow up if needed.

"What a fool to stand before me, bearing my armor and yet not my conviction." The Black Knight said in a stern tone at his lighter self.

"Indeed… how foolish I sounded before the Dawn Maiden enlightened my own heart." Zelgius spoke with a scowl on his face. "Zendara, I grow tired of looking at the foolish eyesore of myself."

"You and me both. Let's strike him down then!" Zendara smirked as she and Zelgius soon raised their blades up to the moon, gathering power for Black Luna, as it pierced the Dark Emblem's defenses and struck down the Black Knight in a singular swing.

"To fall to a pitiful image of myself… without even facing Greil's son… what a disgraceful end…" The Black Knight scoffed as he faded away.

"Greil's son is more worthy than you ever believed. That I now realize." Zelgius stated firmly.

As Corrin and Yunaka stepped towards Anankos, the stone-masked dragon regarded them in silence.

"I didn't want to see you… But if it's true that you are at the end of every path I take… Then I will stop you every time! I won't give up!" Corrin exclaimed. "For that is the dedication that is needed to carve my own path!"

"I am the forgotten god. The betrayed King. The buried dragon." Anankos declared. "You will die as you are born, and your allies shall fall with you!"

"Sorry, but I'm not letting that happen. I very much like the people who have been with me. They listened to me about my past… and they cared for me all the more because of it." Yunaka remarked, as her cheery tone was muted, showing the steely tone underneath. "So it doesn't matter if you're god or demon or dragon. You will fall, I promise you that."

Yunaka then summoned Yato to her hand, as she then lunged forward. "Time to finish the job." She declared, before she then swung Yato at full force, as she cut right through the stone mask, and Anankos' head, as the spherical orb that was the core of its being split into two.

"Why am I left to suffer? Why am I the one left to die? Why do humans flourish while I am buried here...ignored...forgotten? TELL ME WHY!" Anankos screamed, before the orb's halves slid apart, as purple mist exuded from it. "YEEEARRGGGHH!"

With a mighty cry of agony, Ananko's entire form dissolved into mist, as Yunaka brandished her blade.

"Farewell, Mad Dragon." Corrin stated. "May the world never force your own madness to consume the world once more."

"Target… down." Yunaka remarked.

Lumera and Sigurd managed to reach where Loptous was, as Sigurd at first did not recognise the serpentine dragon before him, until Tyrfing reacted to Loptous's presence.

"The divine sword Tyrfing is awakened. That marks you as… No, impossible." Sigurd remarked, as there was disbelief in his voice. "As a knight of Grannvale, and a descendant of one of the 12 crusaders, I shall be your end!"

"NAGA…. NAGA…!" Loptous ranted, with a demented tone, as he thrashed about. "I SHALL REND ALL THOSE INSECTS YOU SO CHERISH INTO ASHES!"

"Such madness… One look, and I see that the one called Medeus and you are kindred in arrogance and madness." Lumera remarked, before she then Engaged with Sigurd, with Tyrfing in her hand. "For the sake of not just Elyos, but the countless worlds, including the one that you torment… I will pass down your final judgment! Begone from this world, foul creature!"

Lumera then rushed forward, as the speed from Engaging Sigurd allowed her to hit Loptous with a series of rapid slashes, that left behind golden slash marks, as the mad dragon was immobilized, before Lumera then reappeared right where she was, her back turned from Loptous, before the slash marks exploded, tearing chunks from the dark dragon's body.

"GHARRGH... DIVINE DRAGON… HEAR ME WELL... SO LONG AS AVARICE LURKS STILL IN THE HEARTS OF MEN...I WILL RETURN... COUNT ON IT... THE HEARTS OF... GAAAAHHhhhh..." Loptous declared, before he then fell down dead, as he faded away.

"And as long as you exist, I will remain, so that my duty and legacy will carry on." Lumera declared with steel in her eyes. "As long as there are Fell Dragons like you, Sombron and Medeus, we Divine Dragons shall always oppose you at every step of your plan. We shall become your eternal nemeses, as you have for the mortals you terrorise."

"Lumera…" Sigurd remarked, at awe upon hearing Lumera's declaration to fight the evil dragons as her long-standing duty.

"Everyone's down, which is my chance to finish things up." Richard remarked, before he then Engaged, positioning himself to attack Sombron and Echo both with a Brynhildr Forest. "Honestly think that those Emblems of yours are going to win you this fight? Props for trying to use the ultimate evils to defeat us, but you forget that while they're strong enough to lay waste to our armies, they still bear the critical weakness to the same lords that slain them… or saved them, in Roy's case."

"Heh… so much for ultimate power." Echo bitterly chuckled, before he and Sombron were hit by the wide-range spell, as it bound both Echo and Sombron with the ancient roots, as the Fell Dragon was powerless, despite his so-called power, against the magical power of the spell.

"Everything you have done to the people here… and hurting the Hounds that I cherish… You will pay a dear price for this." Veyle remarked, as she stepped forward, with her personal magical dagger in hand.

"Blame yourself for being too weak. Had it not been for Siege and Richard, you would have never been truly free." Echo remarked. "And you wouldn't have been able to overcome your dark side."

"That's where you're wrong. I didn't overcome her…" Veyle remarked, before her eyes glinted red for a moment. "I accepted her, and shared my power with her. We're two as one now, and that power is something that you will feel at full strength!"

Veyle then threw her knife forward, as it then created a rain of knives, as Echo paled a little, before the knives hit him, destroying his Emblem Form, as he collapsed onto the ground, bleeding heavily from the knives embedded in him.

"Guess that's it from me." Echo remarked, as he shakily pulled the knives out, as they clattered to the ground. "...That's too much… even for me. I'm going to need to recover for a long time after this… but I know that since you'll follow Siege and Richard… know that we'll meet again… so you better not be lax…"

Echo then fell through a portal, as Sombron growled, seeing that one of his two main allies was forced to retreat. Suddenly, Cataclysm yelled in pain, having just been double teamed by Magina and Mirai.

"Damnit all… guess that's that for me too… tch… what an absolute disaster…" Cataclysm growled as he dipped out, as Kezaniah faced off with Sombron, dragon vs dragon.

"This is it, father. Finally, here and now… I can finally end you. Once and for all." Kezaniah declared.

"To think that you would be able to defeat everything I have… Even with all of the hatred I have for you, I can see that you truly take after me, with that kind of strength…" Sombron remarked. "A malicious child from a malicious father. A fitting lineage."

"That's where you're wrong." Alear answered back. "We are more than just malicious children of a Fell Dragon. We will become more, as we write a new tale upon the other worlds, starting from Elyos itself."

"I pass on my heir status, should my friends fail to save me, to Alear. Regardless of what the outcome is, Gradlon will stay risen, but instead of being feared by many… we shall make it a kingdom revered by all!" Kezaniah exclaimed. "For the sake of Gradlon. I, Kezaniah, future Queen of Gradlon for whatever time I rule, sentence you, Sombron, traitor of the good will of Gradlon, TO A SWIFT EXECUTION! ZERO EMBLEM, COME FORTH!"

Arceus Engage Skill: Judgment - Selects 5 allies within 10 spaces of unit to Chain Attack, then unleashes a torrent of splitting a singular attack into many. Strikes target 20 times, each attack dealing 5% of unit's Atk as true damage, also causing overgauge damage.

Chain Attack: Mirai, Richard, Siege, Lumera, Alear

"I got ya!" Mirai exclaimed as she launched a harsh kick on Sombron, to start off the 5 combo chain attack.

"You have my aid!" Richard remarked, before he went for a spell combo of Rexflame, Forseti, Arcthunder, Rexaura and Goetia.

"Right here!" Siege yelled, striking Sombron with Ragnell-Yato.

"I shall aid you!" Lumera exclaimed as she attacked with her sword.

"I'm with you, sister!" Alear exclaimed, dealing significant damage with her sword.

"Face Divine Retribution!" Arceus proclaimed as Kezaniah fired off a large Fell Dragon fire ball, as Arceus split it into 20 smaller fireballs that sped towards Sombron, all exploding on him and reducing every single HP Bar he had to 0.

Sombron let out a roar, before he then collapsed, as his entire dragon form began to fade away into particles, revealing the weakened human form underneath, as he was breathing faintly.

Theme End

"Then… I will be denied… my victory…" Sombron wheezed.

"Sombron… please…" Arceus would say as the battlefield slowly calmed down, as she descended down to him. "Listen to me. I never abandoned you because I held any resentment towards you. I abandoned you because I wanted to find you companions. You found companions, you loved the people of that village… I never left you… all you ever had to do, to see me again, was call upon my invocation… I would have returned." Arceus solemnly spoke to the weakened Sombron.

"...Perhaps I should have listened to that weak part of myself… the child within me." Sombron remarked, closing his eyes. "And because I did not do so, now I will never return home. And even if I do, I have lost all the power I have sought for revenge. Perhaps that is just as well. I am tired… tired of searching in every shadow for you, Zero Emblem… I looked in sunless woods, gloomy caves, the shade of a dead tree. In such places, I felt you faintly again. Now, that is all over."

"Sombron, you chose to be alone for Arceus." Alear remarked. "Why?"

"Perhaps I am no different to either that child of mine, Veyle, and that mortal child Marni." Sombron admitted softly. "Perhaps I wanted someone to appreciate how far I had come, all on my own. Someone to see me, who I am, after millenia of being cast away. But now, I have lost all connection with you, because I was the one ironically who severed the connection, when I believed otherwise. It is truly a pitiful sight."

"We could have been your connection, if you just believed." Veyle answered back. "Despite everything… I wanted to see you change, I wanted to make you realise that things don't have to be this way."

"I believed I needed no connection, not in your world." Sombron responded.

"...Even at the end, you don't want to be a father to us…" Alear remarked, before her eyes became sullen. "...Is this really what you want, Sombron? To be remembered as a mere evil that was slain for the good of Elyos? Only the Fell Dragon alone?"

"I have no intention to regret what I have done, for there is no purpose." Sombron declared. "I have been alone for a millennium, believed to be betrayed by the Emblem I carried. I have cared not for this world. So why should my death be different? What reason do you have to hold me close, when you have all the reason to cast me away? I do not ask for mercy or pity from you. If there is a sole wish to have, let me fade in solitude. It is my earned fate for my sins."

"Sombron…" Arceus said solemnly.

"Father… You…" Kezaniah said before she coughed up blood and collapsed on her knees, but she was now reaching to Sombron. "This… this was the kindness… the heart… I saw when you cared for me when I was… young…"

"What?" Richard remarked with surprise, as Sombron's expression froze for a moment.

"My daughter… The one daughter I allowed to see my soft, weakened side… Now I understand why you resented me…" Sombron remarked, as there was a pensive look on his face. "You… became no different than I… no, even worse. I was cast out by my enemy, but you were cast out by your own flesh… to be left to die…"

Sombron then bowed his head, as there seemed to slowly inching regret in his face and voice. "If there was ever a thing I could change… I…" He muttered softly.

"Father… what's done is… done." Kezaniah weakly remarked, as she lay down on the ground now. "But… my life is now fleeting as well… you… don't have to be alone… anymore."

"No… I deserve solitude, even in death… but perhaps… there is something I can give. A meager attempt for atonement…" Sombron remarked. "I do not expect forgiveness… but… I can at least ensure Gradlon has a proper heir…"

Suddenly, Sombron began to exchange what remained of his power from his own body, what was left, as it flourished into Kezaniah, as she gasped, feeling a few years come back into her, as strength returned to her.

"F-father!?" Kezaniah exclaimed.

"Enough power… to sustain you another 500 years… my precious… precious child…" Sombron stated as he became weaker by the moment. "...Zero Emblem…"

"Yes, Sombron!" Arceus exclaimed, tears in her eyes as she came by his side.

"Please… guide my daughter… as the rightful ruler of Gradlon… that is my final wish to you…" Sombron would say. "I will admit this: I am sorry… that I failed to see what you truly wanted… for me…"

"There's still time! There is still more time to change! For you to-!"

"I have no future… Not after what I have done… I now depart from this world…" Sombron said in resignation, as he soon began to fade away in corrupted particles, however, they had a small sparkle to them, as if a small bit of light had crept into Sombron in his final moments. "How truly pitiful… for me… to feel this way… so this… is what I have forsaken…"

Sombron then looked up, as he saw that there was a bright light behind Arceus, as it warmed his entire body.

"Oh… this light… Oh… at last…" Sombron remarked, as there was a genuine expression of joy on his face. "I see that light again, after so long… The light that gave me the will to live on… and it will be the light that shall guide me away into the realm of death… But I shall accept it… for I have no more to live for… Perhaps… there is hope that I shall be reborn anew…" Sombron remarked, before he closed his eyes, a peaceful expression on his face, before he vanished away, as the last of him was scattered into the void of the portal.

"Father…" Kezaniah could only say, as she began to shed tears. "Father… Oh, Father…" Kezaniah sobbed.

"Sombron's gone." Alear remarked. "...In his final moments, he finally understood what was wrong with what he had done, and used his own life to do the one good deed that his life could be remembered for: He sacrificed his own life for his daughter, in place for his."

"If only Father understood this sooner… then this would have never happened." Veyle remarked quietly.

"I suppose that even as one of the greatest evils we fought… there was still potential for good in Sombron." Richard remarked. "...And in his final moments, he found it and used his life to make it blossom. I wonder if he'll be allowed to reincarnate like most other mortals. Perhaps he'll find a much better life this way."

"Our fight is over. Let's go home, and shut this portal once and for all." Alear told the group.