21st Noble Lion Moon, 908 – New Chariot Camp, Nightfall

"Serell! I'm leaving you to report back to Sir Matthias when he gets back from his mission!"

"Report? Wait, what are you—"

"In war, you have to take out the enemy's biggest advantage! Leave their teleporter to me!"

It wasn't a decision he second-guessed himself on. Knowing the stakes of letting the Claydol escape, Gaufroi grabbed his axe and rushed Janus down right as he started passing through his own portal.

"What—" Janus, who was caught off-guard by Gaufroi's bold assault, recoiled back into the portal from a full body tackle, sending both warriors careening into the realm of psionic energy. The entrance became unstable, collapsing and sealing them both inside the tunnel as they plummeted endlessly through the unknown.

Gaufroi kept a death grip over Janus' head and pressed his claws into his earthy body. "You better hope we don't end up in one of your camps. The second we exit this space, I'm taking as many of them as I can straight to the afterlife with me!"

Janus' eyes blazed in teal light. "Die." He conjured Ancient Power, bombarding the Ursaring on all sides, but Gaufroi maintained his death grip. Janus punched his sides, but he lacked the physical strength to break through the armor. At this close a range, he lacked the power to overcome such a physical titan.

With his options limited, and knowing that the exit to his portal would lead them straight to his allies, a risky maneuver was required. He raised his arms over Gaufroi and charged Hyper Beam through the tips as well as his eyes.

"Plummet to your death, Sir Burchard!" Janus roared, blasting into Gaufroi with the combined might of five Hyper Beams.

"GAAAAAH!" Gaufroi recoiled, the beams swallowing his body in their concussive light. His claws dragged along Janus' face as he felt his grip waning.

If he fell, or if the teleportation was severed in any way, there was no predicting what may happen to either of them. This form of teleportation wasn't instantaneous, but allowed advanced travel across the region by his analysis. To perform such a technique, Janus had to have a lot of practice and power at his disposal.

Removing him from the fight…was worth any potential sacrifice on Gaufroi's part.

Right as he lost his grip over the Claydol, he made his final move. Clutching his battle axe with all his strength, he swung and sliced across Janus' face. The blade shaved under the foremost eye, the one of which fired Hyper Beam upon him, and cleaved it clean off.

Psychic backlash exploded over Janus, his eye socket erupting in a geyser of stored energy that made him scream out in pain. He and Gaufroi separated from each other, crashing along the walls of the transport tunnels. Their bodies dematerialized on contact, sending their molecules scattering across space to be reformed somewhere else.

To where, though?

? ? ?

A crack in space split over the air, ejecting Gaufroi back into his plane of reality. Seeing the earth below, he hardened his muscles and leaned into the direction he was falling. Upon connecting his shoulder to the ground, he broke into a roll and halved most of his momentum before collapsing onto his back.

"Agh…" Though spared of a lethal fall, the Ursaring lay sprawled over the grass with the wind briefly knocked out of him. He spent a minute collecting his breath, lightly panting as the shock washed away.

Once he felt his breathing settle, he sat up and massaged his head, wincing from the throbbing headache. He shook his head and took in his surroundings, finding himself on grassy terrain beside some trees and a small cliffside that sat directly under a road. He sniffed the air a bit, hoping to get some clues on his location.

Petrichor. And the grass has remnants of dew. It rained here recently. He glared. The air's warm. Not as hot as this morning. He glanced at the night sky. No obvious changes to the time. Based off the temperature, I'm somewhere further north. So, I did teleport quite a distance away.

He picked himself up, dusting his armor off. He grunted, noticing he lost a couple of pieces after the Hyper Beam assault. His pauldrons and helmet were missing, and most of his right side was exposed. The tunic underneath was burnt to ash, too.

"That didn't go quite as I was hoping." He scowled. "Still, if I'm stranded out here, that means he must've been thrown off course, too. Of course, because he's the teleporter, I've only put him out of commission temporarily."

As he patted himself clean, a spark of teal caught the corner of his eye. He tilted his head and spotted something sparking under the grass. He reached down and picked up what appeared to be some kind of red stone with a crack split over the middle.

However, upon closer examination, it wasn't just some stone.

"…It's his eye."

Thinking back, his final attack appeared to do significant damage to Janus, hence why he was also thrown back during the teleportation. It likely acted as a setback for the Claydol, but any advantage was better than none. At least he managed to slightly cripple New Chariot's teleporter before he got away.

Gaufroi slid the stone inside his armor before turning his gaze up to the cliffside road. "Better start walking. Hopefully the others are fine without me." He sheathed his axe and proceeded onto the road, hoping to find answers and safe passage home.

Meanwhile…

"AAAAAHHHHHH!"

After appearing back into reality, Janus covered his foremost eye socket and tried to control the psychic backlash that plagued him. When Gaufroi had struck his eye, the recoil did something to Janus' technique that caused him to lose control. It was a blunder he wouldn't allow himself to let down.

However, simply being ejected from his only portal wasn't the issue at hand. Even as he got his injury under control, his body randomly flickered across the grass field he landed in, teleporting beyond his control. His arms even briefly displaced from his body and fell several meters away from him before teleporting back to him.

Janus summoned a chunk of stone with Ancient Power and used it to clog up his eye socket. With a moment's rest, he allowed himself to breathe and finally take in his predicament. Staring at his hand, he saw his body flickering in and out of teleportation. Even as he concentrated, he couldn't stop himself relocating a couple of meters in one direction or the other.

"Sir Gaufroi, once again you've brought a great blunder upon my name." Janus huffed, quelling his anger. "I cannot return to my men like this. I cannot keep myself from teleporting sporadically. My eye. I must retrieve my eye. If I can, perhaps I'll be able to mend my position in space."

He closed his eyes and tried to focus in on where his displaced eye was. Fortunately, since his body was made from clay, its severed state didn't mean it was disconnected from him. After intense concentration, he zeroed in on its location. It was a vast distance from where he was, normally a few minutes' journey had it not been for his current handicap. Teleporting in short bursts will have to suffice. Fortunately, he didn't require food or sleep.

He paused for a moment, sensing that his eye was on the move. "Someone has found it?" He glared. "Sir Gaufroi, no doubt. Curses. I don't think he can make much use of my latent energy in its current state, but best not to take chances."

With great strain, Janus focused his attention on his missing eye's location and jumped through space, appearing only several meters away from his position. He rapidly flickered across the grass plains before realigning his position and jumping forward in space again.

This…was going to take a while.

22nd Noble Lion Moon, 908 – Morning

"…Well, that answers that question."

On his way to the closest town in sight, he walked along a winding road built into the side of a mountain where he stumbled upon a road sign. He couldn't read it due to the foreign characters written on it, but he recognized it as Johtonian.

He was in the Great Gate Empire.

He winced. "That's a problem. Someone like me is going to stick out the moment they see my armor and hear me speak. Ugh. What am I going to do?"

As he continued down the road, he spotted a wagon parked off to the side. They appeared to be transporting goods between towns by his guess. They also seemed to be taking a small break from travel, peering down the cliff to get a look of the view.

Gaufroi passed by their wagon and spotted a cloak and what he believed was a bamboo hat. Seeing as the travelers and their steeds didn't seem to notice him, he eyed the items wearily before groaning to himself.

Lord, forgive me.

Though he felt bad about stealing the cloak and hat, he hoped the remains of his chest plate he left behind would serve to repay them. He kept the bamboo hat adjusted over his eyes as he made his way into town, passing through the wooden gate at the entrance.

It felt strange walking among the people of the east. Gaufroi only familiarized himself with their warriors, but was a novice when it came to the lives of their people and culture. Most towns in the Senbo Kingdom had at least a couple noble houses and people of upper middle class living amongst each other, but everyone appeared to be within the same social rank. For that matter, the town felt fairly compact. There were buildings towering high over him, some with connecting rope bridges to traverse above the streets. Everyone seemed to be heading in one direction and the next, the motion of life never stopping.

Worst of all, the local delicacies wafted through the air and assaulted his nose, triggering a most discomforting grumble from the pits of his stomach. Having gone into battle and not sleeping since his displacement, he hadn't been able to eat. He didn't have any rations on him, and he wasn't one to test his luck stealing after already absconding with someone's cloak and hat.

Gaufroi pulled on the brim of his bamboo hat and sighed. Without access to the local currency, my options are limited. I can't even hope to find quick work without revealing my background.

Seeing his limited options, he opted for the only available strategy. Upon reaching a less dense part of town, he found a spot beside a building and sat himself down, placing his hat in front of himself. After that, he held his head down and feigned sleep.

A part of him felt guilty resorting to begging, but it was his only shot. At the very least, sitting down for the time being will allow him to conserve energy.

He would manage. He survived worse in the frontlines of war. This was what he was trained to do: survive by any means necessary. That's why Gaufroi was so respected among his peers. Many referred to him as Gaufroi the Ruthless. His relentless determination to succeed no matter how many stands in his way. He earned his name on the battlefield. There wasn't anything that he hadn't seen.

Has it really been that long since his days in basic training?

Year 860 – Senbo Capital

"HA!"

The Garchomp held his own for as long as he could, striking back with his clawed gauntlets, but failed to keep up with the raw strength of Gaufroi Burchard. The eighteen-year-old Ursaring was a natural born prodigy for combat, wielding a two-handed great axe with the skill and precision of a one-handed axe. Swinging it like a mighty hammer, he barreled through the land shark's defensive stance before delivering a critical blow that sent him flying onto his rear.

"Agh!" the Garchomp cried.

Gaufroi settled the axe atop his shoulder and smirked proudly. "Not a bad effort. I actually broke a sweat that time."

"Dammit…" Garchomp grumbled. However, he calmed down as Gaufroi held a hand out, helping him to his feet. "Thanks."

"Man, Gaufroi is so strong," another trainee complimented.

"My arms are still shaking from our sparring match."

"He's definitely Sir Rainfroy's son."

As Gaufroi relaxed from the afterglow of his consecutive victories, an older Ursaring clad in armor walked up behind him. A long scar ran diagonally through his right eye to his left cheek, which left a ragged tear that exposed his teeth. He placed a hand on Gaufroi's shoulder and said, "Excellent work, son, but don't let it get to your head."

Gaufroi turned and laughed at the older man. "Come on, Pops, I can't help how strong I am—YOW!" He winced as his father seized him by the wrist and effortlessly twisted his arm. "Agh…! Point…taken…"

Rainfroy released his son and smirked. "You're indeed strong, but you mustn't overestimate yourself. War is as much a mental game as it is physical. Remember that."

Gaufroi bowed. "Of course, Sir Rainfroy."

Rainfroy glared at the rest of the recruits. "That's enough training for today. Next week, we'll be going on a scouting retreat to teach you zygotes the ways of the land. Pack only the essentials."

"Yes, Sir Rainfroy!" As soon as the older Ursaring left, the recruits made their way back into the castle to clean off.

Gaufroi sheathed his axe away and started on his way when a Darmanitan recruit stopped him. The fiery ape snickered and pointed to the nearby courtyard. "Don't look now, Gaufroi, but I think your secret admirer has been stalking you again."

Gaufroi tilted his head and spotted a young Pyroar maid reading a book by the flowerbeds. However, her gaze seemed to be pointed in his direction, and she looked away the moment he caught her staring. She had a cheeky smile on her face as she closed her book and walked off with a flick of her tail.

Darmanitan laughed. "Guess she likes what she sees."

Gaufroi laughed softly. "Come now, she was just taking a break from her duties. Perfectly normal."

"And yet her break always seems to end around the same time as our training. And she always seems to be around when you're around. Too many coincidences, my friend." He nudged the bear's side. "If you ask me, you have a chance with her. It'll be some time before we see the battlefield. I'd say humor the invitation and get to know her."

"…" Gaufroi smirked. "Well, I suppose I could at least make sure she's keeping up with her responsibilities."

"Mayhaps you can help her clean the guest rooms—" Darmanitan quipped, earning a firm punch to the shoulder.

"Oh hush," Gaufroi said through his laughter.

"Returning home for the day, miss?"

As she left the castle grounds, the Pyroar maid smirked over her shoulder as Gaufroi stepped into view dressed in his casual wear. She chuckled softly and continued down the path. "My home isn't too far away, so I leave the castle around this time usually. Was there something you need, Sir…?"

He smirked. "Ah, so you have been spying on me. You know I'm a knight."

She laughed. "You're not that clever. Who else would someone of your stature be in Castle Talbot? It's as plain as the rose-colored skies that fade into the umbral canvas of shining jewels."

"A quote from My Endless Night, I presume?"

She purred. "Ooh, and he's a scholar. I didn't take you for a reader of fine literature, Sir Gaufroi."

"And you appear to know my name, yet I do not know yours." He bowed to her. "My dear lady."

She faced him and bowed back. "Joia Vivas." She hid her maw behind her paw, obscuring a faint blush. "I hope my presence in the courtyard didn't disturb you. It's just such a wonderful place to read, and I happen to be around when you knights are training."

Gaufroi shook his head. "No disturbance at all, though you'll be happy to know there will be no training for the rest of the week. My fellow recruits and I will be going out on a retreat, so you will have the courtyard to yourself without our noise."

She pouted. "Oh. How wonderful." She sighed dramatically and sauntered away. "What fun. The meager silence to absorb myself into the endless paths of literature. I best not read any adventures novels. I found the accompaniment of swords clashing quite atmospheric to the more intense scenes."

Gaufroi smirked. "You could just say you'll miss seeing my handsome face."

She laughed. "Don't flatter yourself." She flicked her tail in his direction. "Still, I suppose you do have a certain…ruggedness I've come to admire."

"Do I now?" He smugly massaged his chin. "Well, thank you."

She narrowed her eyes and grinned. "I was going to pass by the local bookstore before I head home. Now, I have no reason to fear for my life on these streets, but I would feel much safer if a knight were to escort me home."

Gaufroi bowed. "How could I refuse such a request? And perhaps I could…escort you through the city tomorrow? If you have any plans, that is."

"Hmm. I think I do now~."

Gaufroi juggled the gul he managed to collect in one hand, his eyes roaming the conjoined buildings for a suitable eatery. Unfortunately, because he couldn't read the signs, he didn't even know what he was going to step into. He wasn't terribly familiar with Great Gate's cuisine. He doubted it would be anything that gives him food poisoning…

He sighed and mentally slapped himself. There's that Senbo bias again.

Moving with the flow of the crowd, Gaufroi's search for lunch eventually pointed him to someone sitting just outside a small diner. They were dressed similarly to him, bundled up in a cloak with a hat sitting in front of them. There didn't appear to be any gul inside. Pokémon just kept walking past her.

"…" Gaufroi sighed, tossed half his coins into the hat, and continued on his way.

"…Heh. First time I've seen a beggar offers up half their spoils."

Gaufroi stopped and looked back as the vagrant stood up. Readjusting their cloak, he recognized them as a Greninja, and their tone of voice indicated they were a woman. She dumped the coins into her hand, placed her bamboo hat back on, and tossed the coins back to him.

"You amuse me," she teased.

"You speak English."

"That, I do."

"How did you know I wasn't from around here?"

She smirked under her tongue scarf. "I've seen a lot, and I can tell you're not ordinary traveler. Hmm, no. I mean you're no ordinary traveler. Sorry. Not my first language."

Gaufroi looked around, noticing the odd stares they were getting from the other Pokémon. The Greninja chuckled and nodded her head to the nearby eatery.

"My treat. Let's get out of the crowd and talk."

"…Sure."

"What's your name, stranger?"

"Gaufroi."

"Definitely not from around here." She snickered. "Well, I guess I'll comply to your customs. Call me Megumi."

Taking a seat in the back corner of the eatery, Gaufroi and Megumi received bowls of fresh hot soba. Megumi got to work slurping down her bowl while Gaufroi struggled to wield the chopsticks between his claws. He watched Megumi's handling of the wooden utensils, attempting to mirror her movements until he had a rough grasp over them. He lifted the bowl close to his face and carefully picked up the noodles before slurping them up.

Megumi chuckled. "Feel free to eat directly from the bowl. No one will judge you."

"It's fine," he mumbled, his grip over the chopsticks wavering.

Megumi leaned her cheek into her fist and glared. "So, you said you're a knight of the Senbo Kingdom, and you wound up here after fighting one of New Chariot's soldiers."

"A man named Janus. I've faced him in combat decades ago. I have no idea where he is, but as long as he's far away from my allies…"

"Hmm. What nobility. Very different to the ways of the east."

"I've heard the soldiers of Great Gate are quite brutal."

She shrugged. "Some have their principles. The samurai employed by house lords will typically fall in accordance to their laws, but the duels that transpire rarely end in pleasantries. Though, it's a festival compared to some of the upper elite clans."

"Is this information you should be telling me?"

"I know you have no connection to my targets. They despise those outside Great Gate…as far as I know, at least," she mumbled. She shook her head. "Are you familiar with the Takigawa Clan?"

"I'm familiar with a criminal named Takigawa."

She nodded. "Takigawa Makiko of the Takigawa Clan. One of the many children of its lord. Considering the relation between Great Gate and New Chariot, I advise caution if their names are ever whispered on the battlefield. They are cruelty incarnate. We don't know what happened to Takigawa Makiko other than she disappeared may years ago."

Gaufroi glared. "And you have a connection with them."

She smirked. "You could say I'm being hunted by them."

"Why would you tell me any of this?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, correct? I'm only warning you to be careful should you ever confront Great Gate's elite."

"…Who are you exactly?"

"Heh. You ask a lot of questions. I only tell you all this because I can sense your heroic resolve, and I hope it'll lend you some advantage in your war. It's not my place to get involved."

"Hmph. Well, thank you for the warning. And the meal." Gaufroi finished his bowl and started to stand up. "If you'll excuse me—" Megumi held her hand out, blocking him off. He glared and sat back in his seat.

"I only came here to do some recon on a member of the Takigawa Clan. My mission is over, but I could spare some time to escort you in the right direction. You need someone who knows the layout of the empire."

"…" Gaufroi sighed. "What's your price?"

"Once we part ways, you never saw or heard of me."

"…Deal."

25th Noble Lion Moon, 908

Gaufroi and Megumi traveled along the winding path deep within Great Gate's territory, aiming for the border between there and Senbo. It was a great journey away by foot, but getting to Senbo will allow Gaufroi to use their teleporters to return to his allies.

They passed through a small grove decorated in trees with blue flower petals that blew in the wind. Megumi shielded herself under a decorative parasol while Gaufroi kept his hat over his eyes.

Their small trek eventually led them to a shrine sitting off the side of the road. Megumi stopped and knelt before the shrine. Curious, Gaufroi peaked over his shoulder and saw the Greninja placing a gul coin in a box before praying to the abstract statue of who he presumed to be Ho-Oh.

"A little luck on our journey," Megumi explained.

"Hmph."

"Do you believe in faith, Gaufroi?"

He looked at the path ahead and huffed. "Somedays I do, somedays I don't. I've been taught to rely on my skills alone. I've seen a lot of good men fall in battle. It wanes on one's faith wondering why good men have to die so young." He sighed. "Then again, as I've gotten older, I've seen a lot of reckless fools who don't understand the weight of our titles. Being a knight means something."

Megumi nodded. "The ways of the gods are indeterminable, but I like to think I carry the best of both worlds. My skills and my faith allow me to protect the ones I love."

"That so?"

She chuckled. "I'm a lot older than I look, and I've had to instill that fear of death into my children at a young age. That's how we get by in our profession."

Gaufroi chuckled softly. "Never explained that to me. I assumed you were a spy."

She smirked. "Something of that nature." She stood up and pulled a gourd of sake out from under her cloak. "Not a very reasonable one." She took a swig from her gourd. She sighed and handed the gourd to him. "Want some?"

"I don't really drink."

She snickered. "Come on~. You only live once~."

"…" He sighed and took the gourd from her. "I suppose one sip wouldn't hurt."

"That's the spirit~."

Year 862

"Is something wrong, Father?" Gaufroi asked after being led to the empty courtyard. "Is this going to take long? I promised I'd meet Joia at the theatre. She really wants to see the play they're hosting."

The older Ursaring looked up at the orange sky as the sun dipped just above the horizon. "You've progressed masterfully in your training, my son. One day, you will inherit my title as captain of the Senbo Knights. You will take on a great responsibility to your people."

Gaufroi nodded. "Of course, Father. It would be an honor to take on your mantle."

"Indeed." He sighed. "Your mother and I are proud of the man you've become. You remind me of myself when I was a young man. Bold, eager, and full of righteousness. My own father was tough on me, pushing me to my breaking point each time, but it made me stronger than anyone. Strong enough to protect the people I love. That love gives me strength."

Gaufroi frowned. "Father?"

Rainfroy finally faced his son, presenting a locked box in his hands. "Our family has always had a spiritual connection to Lunala. Do you know why?"

"Uh…"

He sighed. "Well, I never raised you strictly on our religious background, so I don't blame you. The moon to us is a symbol of our evolving strength. The moon brings us prosperity in the darkest nights, and it brings us salvation at our lowest. The peak of our strength comes from when we are at our lowest."

"Father?"

Rainfroy handed him the locked box. "I want you to have this. It is a memento from my father. A special something that's hard to come by. It's not found in Virdis."

"What is it?" Gaufroi tried to open the box, but it was predictably locked tight.

"Something that will turn the tides of battle should it be required." Rainfroy pointed toward the setting sun. "When the moon is at its fullest, take hold of that item, and you'll be endowed with power far beyond your imagination. You will become a beast unlike anything ever seen in our land."

"Why not use it now? Get the benefits here?"

Rainfroy smiled. "You could, but what use is a secret weapon if the enemy knows about it ahead of time?"

"…I see."

"Our duty is to protect the Talbot family, my son. If given the chance, when the time is right, unleash your full strength upon this unforgiving world. We of the Burchard family have a history of being beasts, and I know one day you'll become a monster that'll protect everything."

"…" Gaufroi tucked the box under his arm and bowed. "I promise, Father. I'll protect Senbo to my last breath."

26th Noble Lion Moon, 908

Gaufroi and Megumi camped out by a river until morning. As the Greninja cooked up some breakfast, Gaufroi was bathing himself in the river, scrubbing out the mud and grime from his fur.

"Hope you don't mind mixed vegetables," Megumi said. "I can tell you they taste divine went cooked."

"That's fine," Gaufroi said back as he stepped out of the water, retrieving his clothes off a low tree branch. He shook the water out of his fur before pulling on his trousers. "Almost feels nice being back out in the open. Reminds me of my training days."

Megumi chuckled. "I could offer you a spar to reminisce."

"Heh. I rather conserve my energy."

"Fair enough." Megumi pulled the portable frying pan off the campfire and set it on a bare patch of dirt. "No plates, so feel free to eat whatever out of the pan."

Gaufroi walked over after slipping his burnt tunic on and sat down across from her. She handed him a pair of chopsticks, which he gradually got better at wielding. Afterwards, they started picking cooked vegetables out of the pan and eating.

"You picked out all of this just from the plants around here?" Gaufroi asked.

"You have to learn to survive off your environment."

"This definitely tastes better than the rations they supplied us with." He sighed. "Kind of miss the taste."

"I'll be sure to grind some chalk into our dinner later."

"Heh. Thanks."

The sun beat down on the land as it reached its peak in the sky. Gaufroi and Megumi pressed through the scorching weather, shielded under their cloaks and hats. Megumi cast a bit more shade over herself with her parasol.

Gaufroi wiped the sweat off his brow. "This takes me back…"

Megumi laughed. "This is why I do most of my work at night. Much quieter. Much cooler."

"Your spy work?"

"A little bit of this and that." She sighed. "I'm only willing to disclose so much to you."

"How ominous. If you're saying you left a trail of bodies in your lifetime, don't feel shy in front of someone like me."

She smirked. "A bloody history of your own?"

"I've massacred a good number of invaders. Some of them were even Great Gate soldiers." He pinched the brim of his hat. "I'm, uh…sorry."

She shrugged. "I hold nothing against your kingdom. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the men you killed during those times was my own grandfather."

"I'm…sorry."

She shook her head. "I've made peace with what happened to him. Besides, I was really young when it happened. Barely knew him. If you did kill him, I hold no ill will against you."

"…" Gaufroi sighed. "It hurts sometimes. The easiest way to take another life is to see them as lesser than you. You can't think about the friends or family that are waiting for your enemy. I was taught to shut off all empathy for the enemy. Either you capture them, or you take their life. You can't show sympathy at those critical moments."

Megumi nodded. "I understand that. These hands aren't free of blood. That's why I never wanted my children to get involved in war. We much prefer operating in the shadows." She chuckled. "Exactly how I got involved with my husband. It was an arranged marriage at first, but we've grown fond of each other's company, so some good came out of it. We had an…equal disdain for the way the elite of Great Gate uphold power."

Gaufroi sighed. "Seems we all carry a heavy burden."

"Indeed. War can divide a world's trust in itself. The current generation leaves a lot for the young to fix. A shame, really."

"Hmph." Gaufroi shook his head. "That's why I train my underlings to understand the importance of life. I don't want them experiencing the same hardships I did. Or committed. Even at my age, I want to do everything in my power to give the youth of today a safe world to live in. I never want to see another war in my lifetime."

Megumi smiled. "Hence why you recklessly threw yourself in the line of fire with that teleporter. You are one crazy knight, Sir Gaufroi."

"Heh. Crazy is the only way to get this far."

"Oh, I agree. I agree."

Year 863

With both of them having the day off, Gaufroi and Joia took shade under a tree in the capital park. Gaufroi rested on his back while Joia lay on his chest with a book propped open against the Ursaring's open hand. She lazily skimmed the text, nearly drifting to sleep by the soft drum of Gaufroi's heartbeat.

"Gaufroi?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you ever have dreams of becoming anything other than a knight?"

He smirked softly. "Concerned by my career choice?"

"I'm concerned over anyone foolish enough to think they have a chance at even pushing you," she joked. She shook her head. "I mean like a hypothetical, or even when you were young."

"Hmm, not really. I've always admired my father, so I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a knight." He lifted his head. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. I…I was actually thinking of becoming a schoolteacher."

"Joia, that's wonderful."

"Problem is, I'm not sure if I'm qualified for the task." She folded her forelegs under her chin and sighed. "There's a lot expectations for a teacher in the capital. I could easily find a job in another town, but I've grown attached to the capital. I'd hate to move."

"I would miss you," he said, stroking his claws through her mane.

She purred. "As would I."

"I'd say you're more than qualified."

"Kind words doesn't get me through examination, but they're appreciated." She shook her head. "Senbo's capital has high expectations for excellency. If I want to become a teacher, I better know what I'm talking about."

"Do you plan on teaching first level classes?"

"I was thinking second level. Older children to teach about the themes of literature. Plus, I wouldn't do well with younger children."

He laughed. "Don't plan on having kids?"

She snorted. "Welllll…" She tilted her head toward him, showing her flushed face. "I never said that."

"Heh."

"Would you be opposed to getting married, Gaufroi?"

"With the tension between Great Gate and us, I'm…hesitant to settle down. Especially with a child."

She smiled. "That's fine. I'm just throwing it out there. I don't mind staying like this." She looked aside and frowned. "I would miss you. I know those frontline missions can preoccupy you for several months."

"If that bothers you—"

"Nah. Believe me, my sister once cheated on a knight who was away on duty for several months. I'd wait for you as long as I need to."

"…" Gaufroi sighed. "I've heard the stories from my father. I wonder if I'll ever be ready for an actual battle."

"Heh. I'd say you're more than qualified."

He smirked. "That's my line."

She leaned over and pressed her nose against his. "I know."

27th Noble Lion Moon, 908

Stopping for a short rest, Megumi inspected her map while Gaufroi refilled both their water canteens in a nearby stream. "There's a road that'll lead you directly back to the Senbo Kingdom, though the area will be treacherous from here on."

Gaufroi finished refilling the canteens and walked back over. "New Chariot?"

"Since we've given them access to our land for the war, they've been using it to get around your kingdom. The road I'll be showing you should take you around the border into the Great Ruins."

Gaufroi glared. "I'd feel more useful crushing their frontlines directly. Those are my men they're fighting against."

Megumi shook her head. "This deep into enemy territory, I wouldn't recommend it. You're more useful leading your men than launching an ambush on your own, right?"

He groaned. "True." He glared. "Though, Sir Matthias was ordered to help with the fighting near that area. Perhaps his efforts put a hold on their advances."

"I wouldn't know, but here's to hoping." She crossed her arms, glaring down the path. "Actually, this is the reason I've been hunting down the Takigawa Clan as of late. They've been secretly providing resources and manpower to New Chariot, and Lord Takigawa's children are the ones spearheading the operation."

"That's the reason you were willing to tell me everything you knew?"

"Like I told you before, the Takigawa Clan is dangerous. They work directly under Emperor Amano. Lord Takigawa will do anything to ensure the longevity of his clan. The very embodiment of malice."

"…" Gaufroi glared at her. "You have a personal history with their clan, don't you?"

"…Of the sort." She sighed and looked away. "The situation for my clan hasn't been great, and they're partly to blame. The things I've learned about how their clan thrives…it disgusts me."

"…" Gaufroi nodded. "I understand."

Megumi nodded, then stepped back onto the path. "We're burning daylight. Let's hurry."

Year 864

"RAAAAH!"

Great Gate invaders attempted to Senbo's territory and weaken one of their towns, but knights from the capital were called in to quell the attempted invasion. Among the knights who bravely charged into battle and fended off the soldiers, Gaufroi was at the front.

With a swing of his mighty axe, he brought down wave after wave of samurai attempting to cut him down. He broke through their swords and shattered their armor in single strikes. The long-range bowman trained their arrows on him alone, but his armor deflected their shots, allowing him to charge on through.

The samurai were forced to retreat with only a few staying behind to fend off against the rampaging bear. They dodged around his heavy swings, and one managed to stab into a gap in Gaufroi's armor, piercing through his shoulder. However, Gaufroi simply snapped the blade off with a palm strike and cracked the back of his axe across the soldier's helmet, snapping it in two and leaving a sizable dent in the creature's skull.

More and more of Senbo's forces flooded the battlefield, forcing the Great Gate invaders to retreat from the battlefield. A few arrows were fired at them, but eventually they were out of sight.

Letting the adrenaline flow out of his system, Gaufroi pointed to his troops and yelled, "Gathered the wounded, ally and enemy. Secure the civilians first and make sure they weren't harmed."

"Sir! Yes, sir!" his knights obeyed, breaking off into teams and inspecting the battlefield.

Gaufroi sheathed his axe and gazed out over where the invading soldiers fled. "They've been getting bolder as of late."

"Or perhaps they're merely testing us." He saw his Darmanitan compatriot waltzing up to his side. "Perhaps they're worried we'll launch a strike against them."

"If they keep this up, we may as well." Gaufroi huffed. "What do you make of this, Folquin?"

The Darmanitan smirked and shrugged. "Who knows? Still, they only sent a hundred soldiers. I doubt they were planning anything serious."

"My father always says to never underestimate your enemy. It is a fool's error."

"I'm not saying they're lightweights on the battlefield. It's just a harmless observation."

"…" Gaufroi looked at his shaky hand. "That temptation is hard to overcome."

"Still having trouble taking a life?"

"It's hard not to see them as just men fighting for their kingdom. I did everything I could not to end their lives."

"You came pretty close with that guy," Folquin mumbled, pointing to the Gallade the bear clubbed across the head.

"Father will be ashamed of my weakness."

Folquin shook his head. "Nah. He wouldn't let you on the battlefield if he thought you were soft. If anything, I'd say he recognizes your kindness. You're not a mindless killer, and there weren't any casualties today. It's a difficult barrier to overcome, but just remember we're here to protect our home. No one will fault you for that."

"…" Gaufroi sighed, his gaze turning somber. "Right…"

27th Noble Lion Moon, 908 – Sunset

By Megumi's guidance, she and Gaufroi ascended the rocky path of the low mountains, keeping to a high enough elevation to avoid detection from those below. Just as she warned, a New Chariot camp had been established in the mountains, using the terrain as a means for cover should the western forces attempt to invade.

Gaufroi and Megumi stepped carefully, knowing that one wrong step could give away their position. Unlike the stealthy Greninja, every step Gaufroi took was sluggish and heavy. He winced whenever pebbles came loose on the mountainside, plinking between rocks before landing on ground level. Fortunately, the abundance of activity in the camp drowned out such sounds.

Gaufroi scowled as he observed New Chariot soldiers gathering their weapons and preparing cannons for what may be a future invasion on Senbo. He tempted himself to jump down and smash their forces to dust with his axe, but fought against it, remembering Megumi's warning. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't shoulder the burden of facing an army on his own.

It's funny how little he has changed since his youth.

Megumi suddenly stopped, causing Gaufroi to follow suit. She shushed him before peeking down at the camp, attempting to listen in. Gaufroi pricked his ears and focused on where she was staring, spotting a Hippowdon talking to a Cofagrigus wearing armor similar to Janus, implying he was the chief centurion of the unit.

The Hippowdon, however, looked different to the rest of the army. Unlike the soldiers, his armor covered a majority of his body with only his head giving away his species. However, unlike knight armor, it appeared to be made up of individual iron plates, protecting vital areas all across the body. He wore an elaborate helmet with horns and iron plates around his snout to protect the face.

Gaufroi glared. "Great Gate soldier?" he whispered.

"Worse," Megumi whispered back. "He's a son of the Takigawa Clan. My target."

The Cofagrigus centurion crossed his arms and said in a clear enough voice for the hidden pair to hear, "These armaments should prove useful in our assault. A few days from now, we may stand a chance to push back against the westerners."

Takigawa shook his head. "You may also thank the head of the Himura Clan for these weapons. Their black powder is an invaluable resource. You'll find these cannons more effective than your catapults. As long as they are kept concealed before you storm into battle, you'll take your enemy by surprise."

Cofagrigus bowed. "Emperor Nero will be pleased with these advancements. How may we repay both clans?"

"Continued support is all that is necessary. After my father's business deal with your emperor, we will supply you with everything available to us whenever we are summoned." He raised his foreleg. "That said, if you could put in a good word for us, you could convince your emperor to send any worthwhile slaves to the Takigawa Clan. Preferably strong women for my father."

"Hmm. I'll see what I can do. If these cannons work out as intended, I'm sure I can convince the emperor to trade a few slaves as compensation."

"Hmph. And my elder brother said you monsters couldn't be reasoned with. Clearly he doesn't understand the ways of negotiation."

Gaufroi narrowed his eyes. I've been on the battlefield long enough to sense evil from my enemy. That man defines the malice I've faced from the most ruthless of soldiers.

"…I've seen enough." He watched as Megumi continued sneaking along the rocky path. She waved him along, thus he followed, his eyes lingering on the meeting below a little while longer.

After about an hour getting around the mountain path, Gaufroi and Megumi stopped on a fork in the path. Megumi pointed down the left path and said, "It may take several days on foot, but you'll eventually find your way to the border."

He glared. "There is still the matter of those soldiers. They may come down this path."

Megumi shook her head. "Oh, I highly doubt you'll run into them."

"…" Gaufroi faced her. "You knew we would come through here, didn't you? You led me all the way here because this was the same direction you were heading."

"…" She shrugged. "Perhaps."

"You're no ordinary spy."

She chuckled softly. "You're not the only one shackled in bloodstained chains, remember? Or did you assume I'm helpless?"

"I can smell the blood in your aura."

"Hmm. A good judge of character." She crossed her arms. "Listen, I know the kingdom and the empire doesn't have the best history, but I meant what I said before. I hold no ill-will against the Senbo Kingdom, or any of the western kingdoms. We have our own problems to fix here in the empire." She glared over her shoulder. "There's…a lot my clan knows that led to our exile, but that doesn't stop us from fighting the good fight."

"You're more noble than I gave you credit for."

She scoffed playfully. "You wouldn't say that if you knew the bodies I've buried."

"You clearly haven't seen my own handiwork."

"True." She smiled, then bowed to him. "I wish you luck on your journey home, Sir Gaufroi. I can tell your allies are lucky to have someone of your resolve on their side."

"…" He sighed and faced the path ahead. "I do what I do for their sake. Youth is wasted on the young."

Megumi frowned. "What does that mean?"

"…To me? A lot." He adjusted his hat, then started down the dirt path. "Take care, Ms. Megumi. And thank you."

"…" She sighed with a smile and turned back to the road behind her. "[You westerners and your pride.]" She shook her head, then started on her way back to the mountains with her gourd of sake in hand.

As night fell, Gaufroi found his way over to a tree off the side of the road. He dropped his axe down before plopping himself against the tree, allowing himself to relax. Much to his fortune, he happened to be sitting under a lum berry tree. He gave it a swift hit with his elbow, causing a berry to pop off and drop into his hand.

He took a hearty bite out of the lum berry before casting his gaze up to the stars above. He wondered how the others were doing without him, no doubt fretting over his sudden disappearance.

In all the excitement, he nearly forgot something. He reached inside his tunic and pulled out the dormant stone that was Janus' eye. He gently grazed it with the tip of his claw, sensing a faint energy laying within. It reminded him of his time in the war against New Chariot about forty years ago. The last time he faced Janus.

He wondered what had become of the teleporter. He hadn't given it much thought since first winding up in Great Gate.

Then again, with so much time alone with his thoughts and traveling with Megumi, his mind had been drifting to the old days. So much had changed since those days, once filled with glory and vigor, holding himself up with the status of hero to protect the Senbo Kingdom.

What a proud, stubborn youth he was. He had slapped his younger self if he could. Too blind to see the world for what it actually was until it was too late. The duties of a knight were far from glamorous, and he despised seeing so many who took the position for granted.

Perhaps that's why he took a special interest in Linota, Serell, and Rikmai. For all their quirks and issues, he saw a potential within them they either struggled to accept or were waiting to excel in.

And despite being the captain of the royal guard, he took an invested interest in watching over the shrewd prince himself, wondering what kind of king he would become.

Youth was wasted on the young.

By their own fault, or by circumstances out of their control.

Gaufroi drifted his eyes up to the light of the full moon, its shine twinkling off his eyes. The source of his strength, according to his father. The shining beacon that'll lead him to glory.

"The war never stops," he mumbled. "How much longer…will I allow myself to shoulder their burdens?"

Meanwhile…

"Alright men! Start turning in for the night! We leave before daybreak!" the Cofagrigus centurion ordered, signaling his soldiers off to their tents.

Takigawa stretched his legs and yawned. "Best I turn in for the night, too. I have to report back to my father."

The centurion bowed to the ground hippo. "Give me sincerest thanks to Lord Takigawa, and I'll be sure to put in that request with Emperor Nero."

Takigawa smirked. "How kind of you. See you in the morning, my good—"

PLINK!

Takigawa froze as something tapped off his armor. "Huh?" He looked over his shoulder blades and saw something poking into the fabric under his armor plating. It looked like a…purple needle. "Wha…?"

Storm clouds rolled above the campgrounds, and rain began to shower over it. However, this was no ordinary rain. Takigawa kept his head covered as a shower of purple needles rained down over the campsite, pricking the confused soldiers as it came down in heavier numbers.

"What is this?" Takigawa asked. "What kind of rain is—"

"Wooooooo~." His eyes widened as the Cofagrigus centurion, who was covered in needles, started swaying in a delirious state. "Ooooooh, that's some…ooooh…" He collapsed onto his back, his face flushed red.

Takigawa looked around the rest of the campsite in alarm as more and more soldiers started dropping, each of them swaying and stumbling over themselves with flushed faces. Only the Poison and Steel-Types of the army were unaffected, confused as to why their comrades were dropping.

"This rain," he mumbled. "It looks familiar—" An icy haze started to roll in under his feet. He glared and took a deep breath, ready to activate his Sand Stream ability. "Whoever you are, you picked the wrong day to launch an ambush. Do you know who I am? I am Takigawa Masato of the Takigawa Clan! I have killed hundreds who dared try to act in defiance. Show yourself, and die with what little honor you have—"

"[My, my. So dramatic.]" Masato's eyes widened, detecting the invader's presence directly above him. Craning his neck back, he stared up at the cloaked Greninja standing atop his back, drinking from a gourd. She sighed and wiped her lips clean. "[Exaggerating doesn't spare you, Takigawa.]"

His eyes shrank to the size of pinpricks. "[You? YOU?!]"

She smirked as she formed an energy blade glowing in a toxic purple. "[I'd say send a message to Lord Takigawa, but…well, I think he'll get the picture when I send you back to him.]"

"[You…You are one of our targets! Of the Mochizuki Clan! You're the one…who tried to assassinate Lady Amano all those years ago!]"

"[Hmm, what a poor choice for your final words~.]"

Try as he might to get the first hit in, Takigawa Masato was not fast enough. The conscious soldiers of New Chariot would be the only witnesses to the brutal execution that stood before them: a single slash across the next and geyser of blood silhouetted under the cover of darkness and shroud of toxic rain. Masato's body collapsed into a pool of poisoned rain and blood.

And now, her sights were set on them next.

The assassin who brought forth rain created by the gods of festival and liquor.

The matriarch of Great Gate's exiled clan made up of the most elusive ninja to turn traitor.

The Drunken Frog of the Mochizuki Clan, Mochizuki Megumi.