Sorry for the wait, work has been taking a lot of my time, and I worked on a few big chapters. Luckily this chapter is a short one. So here's chapter 23.
Chapter 23
Naga's Voice And A Very Long Problem
After a couple days of walking, the Shepherds reached a massive tree with light shining through the branches, making it look mighty and majestic.
"Whoaaa. I don't think I've ever felt so small. Even with all the Gigantamax Pokemon I've seen." Lissa said to everyone. "I can't even see the top of it!" Basilio said to everyone. "Most impressive indeed… So the shrine hides all the way up in its branches?" Frederick asked everyone.
"I hate to ruin the moment, but how are we going to get up there?" Simon asked everyone. "There's a great staircase inside the trunk leading up. However, the empire has closed off the only route to the steps. Or perhaps "roots" to the steps, I should say." Say'ri said to Simon.
"Then we'll just have to break through. Come!" Chrom said to everyone. "This is going to be a long day." Simon said, as he let out Perrserker, Daniel letting out Greedent, Harper let out Appletun, Grace let out Milotic, Theo let out Passimian, Layla let out Lunatone, Madison let out Salazzle, and Ethan let out Shiftry.
Meanwhile a Valmese General standing in front of the stairwell, noticed the Shepherds getting ready for a fight. "So! They arrive at last, eh wot! "Yes, come closer" said the hairy spider to the flies…" the Valmese General said, as he looked at the Shepherds.
That's when a Valmese Soldier ran up to the Valmese General. "General Cervantes! Lord Excellus was right- The Ylissean League approaches!" Valmese Soldier said to the Valmese General. "Are you daft boy? Did you not hear what I was JUST saying?!" Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldier.
"A thousand pardons, sir!" The Valmese Soldier said to Cervantes. "Hmm… They must have some skill to make it this far… but no matter. We will show them the meaning of the word "fear"." Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldier.
"The meaning of "beard", sir?" the Valmese Soldier asked Cervantes. "Fear, you deaf ignoramus! FEAR!" Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldier. "Y-yes, sir! Of course, sir! Sorry, sir!" Valmese Soldier said to Cervantes.
"They are impressive, though, aren't they? My whiskers? Ha ha! I've not shaved since my very first battle. And have I ever lost? No! Not even once. Ergo, my mustache makes me invincible. It's science, my boy- science!" Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldier, as the battle started.
With Daniel, Hannah, Laurent, Kellam, and their Pokemon. Their Pokemon have no trouble moving around the tree's roots, with Daniel, Hannah, and Laurent being slower, but still keeping up, but Kellam was having a hard time keeping up.
Soon they ran into some Valmese Soldiers and they started to fight. "Greedent use Iron Tail." Daniel said to Greedent, as he blocked a Valmese Soldier attack, before finishing him. "Greedent." Greedent said, as his tail glowed sliver, and he slammed his tail into a Valmese Soldier, sending the Valmese Soldier flying off the roots
"Galvantula use Sticky Web." Laurent said to Galvantula, as he got ready to cast a fire spell. "Galvantula." Galvantula said, as he fired webbing at a couple of Valmese Soldiers. The webbing got all the Valmese Soldiers sticky and stuck together, making it easy for Laurent to finish them off with a fire spell.
"Rillaboom use Darkest Lariat." Hannah said Rillaboom, as she took out a couple Valmese Soldiers. "Rillaboom." Rillaboom said, as his sticks were set on fire, and he started to spin around like a top, taking out a couple of Valmese Soldiers as well.
That's when Kellam caught up. "Kecleon use Fury Swipes, and don't wait for me." Kellam. "Kecleon." Kecleon said to Kellam, running ahead of Kellam, jumping up into the Valmese Soldier's face. Then his claws grew and glowed white. Kacleon then started to scratch up the Valmese Soldier's face, allowing Kellam to reach them and finish off the Valmese Soldier.
Then a swarm a giant bees, with a small yellow body, a slightly bigger yellow head, a massive yellow stinger with two black on it, two very thin black legs, four insect wings, solid red eyes, black antennae that bend a right angle, and two skinny black arms with massive white lances or hands.
"Beedrill! Everyone Scattered." Layla said to everyone, as the bees fired a fury of needles at them.
"What are they? They're interesting.? Henry asked everyone, as everyone ran around, dodging the needles. "There Beedrills. Here." Layla said to Henry as she pulled out her Rotom Phone.
Beedrill.
The Poison Bee Pokemon.
Bug / Flying.
It Has Three Poisonous Stingers On Its Forelegs And Its Tail. They Are Used To Jab Its Enemy Repeatedly.
"What are we going to do?" Noire asked everyone, as Layla put her Rotom Phone away. "Noire, can you have Polteagest calm them down?" Layla asked Noire. "You hears her Polteagest use Sweet Scent." Noire said to Polteagest. "And Lunatone. help her with Hypnosis." Layla said to Lunatone.
"Polteagest." Polteagest said, as she let out a calming, pleasant smelling pink mist. "Lunatone." Lunatone said, as they let out pink energy waves. The combination of these two attacks made all the Beedrill relax and go to sleep.
"That takes care of them." Noire said to everyone. "But not them." Henry said to everyone, as they noticed a couple of Valmese Archers got closer, and fired their arrows at them.
"Honchkrow use Steel Wing!" Henry said to Honchkrow. "Honchkrow!" Honchkrow said, as his wings turned silver and he blocked the arrows.
"Good, now Castform use Weather Ball." Miriel said to Castform, as she, Layla, and Henry got ready to cast a spell, at the same time Noire got ready to fire an arrow at the Valmese Archers.
"Castform." Castform said, as she fired a clear sphere at the Valmese Archers, the same time the others fired their attacks. This finished all the Valmese Archers.
Then some Beedrill started to swarm Sumia, Cordelia, Cherche and their Pokemon. "Altaria use Sing." Sumia said to Altaria, as they dodged the Beedrills attacks. "Altaria." Altaria said, before she started to sing a gentle sound, making most of the Beedrill fall asleep and out of the sky.
"Talonflame use Aerial Ace." Cordelia said to Talonflame, as she dodged a Beedrill's attack. "Talonflame." Talonflame said, as she disappeared and reappeared, taking out a couple Beedrill when she reappeared.
"Hydreigon use Crunch." Cherche said to Hydreigon, as she took out a Beedrill. "Hydreigon." Hydreigon said, as his mouth bit down on three Beedrill, before throwing them to the ground.
Back on the ground, Valmese Archers charging at Nah and Nowi, and getting ready to attack them. "Flygon use Dragon Claw." Nah said to Flygon as she turned into her dragon form. "Druddigon use Dragon Claw." Nowi said to Druddigon, as she turned into her dragon form.
"Flygon/Druddigon." Flygon and Druddigon said, as they're claws became encased in purple energy.
Then Nah and Nowi fired a burst of fire at the Valmese Archers, taking most of them out. And those who weren't taken out by the burst of fire, were soon slashed by Flygon and Druddigon claws.
Meanwhile, some Valmese Soldiers started to attack, Chrom, Simon, Harper, Lucina, Anna, Virion, Say'ri, Basilio, Falvia, and their Pokemon. "Carbink use Dazzling Gleam." Anna said to Carbink, as everyone forced the Valmese Soldiers back a little. "Pyroar use Hyper Voice at the same time." Chrom said to Pyroar, as took out a Valmese Soldier.
"Carbink/PYROAR!" Carbink said and Pyroar roared, as Carbink let out blinding multi-color lights, and Pyroar let out a sonic roar. This caused the Valmese Soldiers to drop their weapons, and do their best to cover their eyes and ears. This gave everyone the chance to force the Valmese Soldiers back even more.
"Appletun use Dragon Pulse." Harper said to Appeltun, as she finished a couple Valmese Soldiers at the same time. "Appletun." Appletun said, as she fired a large pulse of purple energy with a dragon head on it.
The pulse traveled through the Valmese Soldiers and bit down on a few of the Valmese Soldiers in the back of the group, causing a small explosion.
"Perrserker use Iron Head." Simon said to Perrserker, as he locked weapons with a Valmese Soldier. "Perrserker." Perrserker said, as his head turned silver and rough. Perrserker then rammed his head into the gut of the Valmese Soldier Simon locked weapons, making the Valmese Soldier back up and unlock their weapons, and gave Simon the window he needed to finish the Valmese Soldier.
"Incineroar use Darkest Lariat." Lucina said to Incineroar, as she took out a Valmese Soldier, and noticed a few more charing at them. "Incineroar." Incineroar said, as his claws were set on fire, and he started to spin around like a top, taking out the Valmese Soldiers charging at them.
"Lurantis use Leaf Blade." Virion said to Lurantis, as a few Valmese Soldiers charged at him, at the same time he fired arrows at a few Valmese Soldiers in the back. "Lurantis." Lurantis said, as her pincers glowed green. Lurantis then started to slash and throw a few Valmese Soldiers that almost reached Virion.
"Toxicroak use Poison Jab." Say'ri said to Toxicroak, as they got ready to fight two Valmese Soldiers that charged at them. "Toxicroak." Toxicroak said, as his claws became encased in purple goo. Then they started to clash with the Valmese Soldiers and in a few seconds, they won the fight.
"Hitmonlee use Double Kick." Basilio said to Hitmonlee, as he took out three of the Valmese Soldiers with one stick. "Hitmonlee." Hitmonlee said, as he delivered two power kicks to two Valmese Soldiers' heads, sending them flying.
"Hitmonchan use Close Combat." Falvia said to Hitmonchan, as she took out a Valmese Soldier. "Hitmonchan." Hitmonchan said, as he attacked a Valmese Soldier with a flurry of punches, smashing the Valmese Soldier armor, before delivering a major punch to the Valmese Soldier's face, taking out the Valmese Soldier, before glowing blue.
For Panne, Yarne, and their Pokemon, they ran into a Valmese Knight, with a massive hammer. "Diggersby use Hammer Arm." Yarne said to Diggersby, as the Valmese Knight tried to attack. "Diggersby." Diggersby said, as his ears flexed, and grabbed the hammer.
"Cinderace use Bounce." Panne said to Cinderace, as she and Yarne turned into their rabbit forms. "Cinderace." Cinderace said, as he jumped into the sky and came down on the Valmese Knight's head, stunning the Valmese Knight, and making it easy for Panne and Cinderace to finish the Valmese Knight.
With Frederick, Sully, Stahl, Donnel, Ricken, Maribelle, Olivia, Kjelle, Connor, Therja, and their Pokemon, they were dealing with a group of Valmese Soldiers and Beedrill at the same time.
"Primarina use Ice Beam." Olivia said to Primarina, as she blocked a Valmese Soldier attack, and countered, finishing the Valmese Soldier. "Primarina." Primarina said, as she fired a light blue beam from her nose, hitting a few Beedrills, freezing them in ice, and making them fall out of the sky.
"Luxray use Thunder Fang." Frederick said to Luxray, as he used his spear to block attacks from a Beedrill. "Luxray." Luxray said, as his fangs glowed yellow and produced electricity. Luxray then pounced on a Valmese Soldier, taking the Valmese Soldier out.
With Sully, Stahl, and their Pokemon, they were taking care of a couple Valmese Soldiers, as a couple Beedrills flew down at them, but Bouffalant and Tauros used their horns to block the Beedrills attacks.
"Bouffalant/Tauros use Payback." Sully and Stahl said to Bouffalant and Tauros, as they finished the Valmese Soldiers around them. "Bouffalant/Tauros." Bouffalant and Tauros said, as they're horns glowed black and then slammed their horns into the Beedrill, sending them flying off into the distance.
For Donnel, he noticed a Valmese Soldier charging at them from behind. "Mudsdale use Double Kick." Donnel said to Mudsdale. "Mudsdale." Mudsdale said, as he used his back legs to kick the Valmese Soldier, and sent the Valmese Soldier flying into a Beedrill, taking them both out.
"Rapidash, I'mg getting tired of these Beedrill, so can you use Dazzling Gleam, and take care of them?" Maribelle asked Rapidash. "Rapidash." Rapidash said, as she nodded her head, and let out blinding multi-color lights, stunning all the Beedrill.
"Dodrio, want to help me finish them off with a Quick Attack?" Ricken asked Dodrio, as he and Maribelle used a wind spell to knock the Beedrill out of the sky. "Dodrio." Dodrio said, as he moved at high speed, and hit all the Beedrill that Ricken and Maribelle knocked out of the sky, finishing them.
"Stoutland use Play Rough." Kjelle said to Stoutland, as she forced a Valmese Soldier back, and knocked the weapon out of the Valmese Soldier's hands. "Stoutland." Stoutland said, as he tackled the Valmese Soldier, and let out white smoke.
Then pink hearts and yellow stars started to come out of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Stoutland was standing above a knocked out Valmese Soldier.
"Kingler use Crabhammer." Connor said to Kingler, as he slammed his hammer into a Valmese Soldier, forcing the Valmese Soldier down. "Kingler." Kingler said, as his large claw was encased in water, and he slammed his large claw into a Valmese Soldier, forcing the Valmese Soldier down.
"Cofagrigus use Body Press." Therja said to Cofagrigus, as she used a dark spell to drain the energy from a Valmese Soldier. "Cofagrigus!" Cofagrigus said, as he jumped into the air, stuffed his arms back into his body, and then came down on a Valmese Soldier, crushing the Valmese Soldier.
With Madison, Grace, and their Pokemon, they were dodging dive bombing Beedrills. "Okay this is getting annoying. Salazzle use Poison Gas." Madison said to Salazzle. "Salazzle." Salazzle said, as she let out a purple gas cloud. The Beedrill tried to stop themselves before entering the cloud, but failed, and breathed in part of the cloud.
This caused the Beedrill to feel very weak and slow down. "Milotic finishes them with Swift." Grace said to Milotic. "Milotic." Milotic said, as she whipped her tail, shooting yellow stars at the Beedrills, knocking them out of the sky.
Meanwhile Theo, Lon'qu, Ethan, Morgan, Robin, Severa, Gaius, Gregot, Libra, Vaike, and their Pokemon were pinned down by some Valmese Archers and Soldiers.
"Passimian use Fling." Theo said to Passimian, as he took out a Valmese Soldier. "Passimian." Passimian said, as he flung his ball at a Valmese Archer, taking the Archer out.
"Shiftry use Leaf Blade." Ethan said to Shiftry, as he used his magic to take out some Valmese Archer. "Shiftry." Shiftry said, as his fans became long green glowing blades. Shiftry then jumped around the tree, and slashed a couple Valmese Soldiers, taking them out.
"Medicham use Psychic." Lon'qu said to Medicham, as he noticed some Valmese Archers trying to shoot them with arrows. "Medicham." Medicham said, as his eyes glowed pink and a pink outline appeared on the Valmese Archers, freezing them. This allowed Lon'qu to finish the Valmese Archers.
With Robin and Absol, they were taken care of some Valmese Soldiers, when a couple of Valmese Archers fired arrows at them. "Absol use Quick Attack." Robin said to Absol, as they dodged arrows. "Absol." Absol said, as she moved at high speed, and hit the Valmese Archers knocking their bows out of their hands.
The Valmese Archers then tried to pick up their bows. "Greninja use Acrobatics." Morgan said to Greninja, as he and Robin got ready to cast a thunder spell at the Valmese Archer.
"Greninja." Greninja said, as he started to do many interesting flips, hitting the Valmese Archers, stunning them, and making it easy for Robin and Morgan to finish them with a thunder spell.
"Liepard use Fury Swipes." Severa said to Liepard, as she locked weapons with a Valmese Soldier. "Liepard." Liepard said, as her claws glew white. Liepard then started to slash the Valmese Soldier's face, forcing the Valmese Soldier back, and letting Severa finished the Valmese Soldier.
For Gaius, he finished a Valmese Soldier, before noticing more Valmese Soldiers charging at him. "How annoying. Thievul use Grass Knot." Gaius said to Thievul. "Thievul." Thievul said as he made the plant life on the roots form knots, and chased the Valmese Soldiers to trip and fall off the roots.
"Hawlucha use Flying Press." Vaike said to Hawlucha, as he took out a Valmese Soldier. "Hawlucha." Hawlucha said, as he jumped up into the air, and did a body slam into another Valmese Soldier, taking out the Valmese Soldier.
With Gregor and Lycanroc, a Valmese Soldier charged at them. "Lycanroc use Accelerock." Gregor said to Lycanroc. "Lycanroc." Lycanroc said, as he moved at high speed, and slash the side of the Valmese Soldier's left legs, making the Valmese Soldier trip. And before the Valmese Soldier could get up, Gregor finished the Valmese Soldier.
For Libra and Mimikyu, Libra was using his massive ax to block arrows from a Valmese Archer. "Mimikyu use Shadow Sneak." Libra said to Mimikyu. "Mimikyu." Mimikyu said, as she sank into the shadows.
Mimikyu then appeared in the shadow behind the Valmese Archer, and hit the Valmese Archer in the back of the legs, knocking the Valmese Archer down to the roots. This gave Libra the chance to move up and finish the Valmese Archer.
"These flies are getting deeper and deeper into the web. It's time to let the Spider out." Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldiers. "But we don't have a spider." The Valmese Soldier said to Cervantes. "I mean that big red centipede you idiot." Cervantes said to the Valmese Soldier. "Oh right." The Valmese Soldier.
A few seconds later. A man wrapped in red robes, with a small staff with a black stone in his right hand came walking up to Cervantes.
Being pulled out with him was a big red centipede, with yellow circles on the under half of it, two stingers on the side of its head and tail, yellow eyes, and four streams of flames coming out of its face and end. "Centiskorch!" The centipede, getting agitated.
"Now beast, change and lay waste to the Ylissean League." Cervantes said to Centiskroch, as the black stones let out Dynamax energy that flowed into the Centiskorch before shattering.
This made Centiskorch grow and become very long. He looked the same, but his under half was all yellow, and the streams of flames coming out of his face and end became very long.
"Now destroy them all!" Cervantes said to Centiskorch. "Centiskorch!" Centiskorch said, as he wrapped around the tree, his yellow side facing away from the tree and towards everyone. "CENTISKORCH!" Centiskorch yelled, before firing a swarm of giant multi-colored energy moths at everyone.
The moths scattered around the battlefield, causing explosions, and hit everyone. "Blissey use Heal Pulse." Lissa said to Blissey, as she healed a couple of her allies. "Hatterene use Heal Pulse as well." Sophia said to Hatterene.
"Blissey/Hatterene!" Blissey and Hatterene said, as they let out a pulse of pink energy healing the Pokemon.
"What is that thing?" Say'ri asked everyone. "That's a Gigantamax Centiskorch. Here." Harper said to Say'ri, before pulling out her Rotom Phone.
Centiskorch.
The Radiator Pokemon.
Bug / Fire.
While Its Burning Body Is Already Dangerous On Its Own, This Excessively Hostile Pokemon Also Has Large And Very Sharp Fangs.
"And with it wrapped around the tree, us going Gigantamax to stop him will only break the tree." Simon said to everyone. "Then what do we do?" Say'ri asked everyone, as Hannah and Rillaboom came running up with Madison, Grace, Connor, Theo, Layla, Sophia, Ethan and their Pokemon following them.
"Mom, I know a way to stop that. But I need you to Gigantamax Appletun, as I Gigantamax Rillaboom." Hannah said to Harper. "Appletun and Rillaboom? Against a Centiskorch. That's a bad idea." Harper said to Hannah. "Trust me it's our best bet." Hannah said to Harper.
"It's not like we have any better ideas. So let's do it." Simon said to Harper, as he, Madison, Grace, Connor, Theo, Layla, Sophia, and Ethan let Dynamax energy flow from them and into Harper and Hannah, then into Appletun and Rillaboom. Appletun then changed into her Gigantamax form, as Rillaboom grew.
But Rillaboom's body didn't change much, he became part of a massive tree-like drum set, with his hair becoming four massive vines with a lot of vegetation on it and a massive drum stick on the end of it.
"Okay let's rock this place! RILLABOOM USE MAX DARKNESS!" Hannah said to Rillaboom. "RILLABOOM!" Rillaboom roared as he played his drums, making two streams of black energy came out of the drum and slither in the air. The black energy moved under Centiskorch, and started to force Centiskorch off the tree a little.
"Oh I get it. APPLETUN USE MAX WYRMWIND!" Harper said to Appletun. "APPLETUN!" Appletun said, as she started to make purple wind gather under Centiskorch.
"CENTISKORCH!" Centiskorch roared, as a clear barrier made out of hexagons formed around him. That's when a purple tornado with dragon wings at the base circled the tree. But the barrier blocked the wind. A few seconds later the winds die down.
"CENTISKORCH!" Centiskorch roared, as his underside started to shine red. "RILLABOOM/APPLETUN USE MAX GUARD!" Hannah and Harper said to Rillaboom and Appletun. "RILLABOOM/APPLETUN!" Rillaboom and Appletun said, as a clear barrier made out of hexagons formed around them.
Then a surge of fire was sent shooting out of his underside. But the barriers blocked the fire. Once Centiskorch was done shooting out fire, he started to shrink and turn back to normal.
"Now that the Centiskorch is down. RILLABOOM USE G-MAX DRUM SOLO!" Hannah said to Rillaboom. "RILLABOOM!" Rillaboom said, as he started to play his drums wildly. This caused the roots of the tree to shake out of the ground and started to swat the remaining Valmese forces and Beedrill away.
Once Rillaboom was done playing, the roots moved back into their normal place, as Rillaboom shrunk down. "Now that most of the fighting is over. APPLETUN FIX THIS PLACE UP WITH G-MAX SWEETNESS!" Harper said to Appletun.
"APPLETUN." Appletun said, as she fired giant glowing apples all over the place. When the apples hit, they exploded, letting out a pulse of green energy that healed the tree and the roots from all the battle.
"Impossible, my plan was perfect." Cervantes said, looking at the tree. "I was only perfect if you won the fight in three moves." Daniel said, as he, Laurent, and their Pokemon came up.
"I command you to get this far, but you can't hope to defeat me." Cervantes said to them. "And what makes you say that?" Laurent asked Cervantes. "The science of my whisker. This science proves I'm invincible. It's a fact." Cervantes said to them. "Are you an idiot? Science of a mustache. That's not a thing." Laurent said to Cervantes.
"My whiskers are safe against you lot- victory is inevitable!" Cervantes said to them, as he got ready to fight, by pulling out a large double headed ax. "Such nonsense. Galvantula use Electroweb." Laurent said to Galvantula, as he cast a fire spell at Cervantes. "Galvantula." Galvantula said, as he fired webbing with electricity in the webbing.
But Cervantes used his shield to block the fire spell, and used his ax to cut the webbing. "Looks like we first need to deal with his ax and shield." Daniel said, as Cervantes charged at them, and tried to slash them, only for them to dodge at the last second.
"Greedent use Iron Tail." Daniel said to Greedent, as he swung his sword at Cervantes, only for Cervantes to use his shield to block the attacks. "Greedent." Greedent said, as his tail turned silver, and he charged at Cervantes. Greedent slammed his tail into Cervantes' shield and knocked it out of Cervantes' hands.
"Galvantula use Energy Ball." Laurent said to Galvantula, as he cast a fire spell at Cervantes. "Galvantula." Galvantula said, as he gathered green energy into a ball and threw it at Cervantes. But Cervantes used his ax to block their attacks.
"Greedent use Iron Tail again." Daniel said to Greedent, as he swung his sword at Cervantes, only for Cervantes to use his shield to block the attacks. "Greedent." Greedent said, as his tail turned silver, and he charged at Cervantes. Greedent slammed his tail into Cervantes' ax, sending that flying as well.
"Galvantula help me finish this with Burning Web." Laurent said to Galvantula, as he cast a fire spell at Cervantes. "Galvantula." Galvantula said, as he fired some webbing. The webbing soon caught on fire and landed on Cervantes, setting Cervantes on fire and burning him. Cervantes tried to get the webbing off him, but it was stuck to his armor.
"Nngah! But… How can this be? My invincible mustache! Blasted science, you have…. Played me for a… fool…" Cervantes said as he died. "It was no science that made you a fool. You were already a fool." Laurent said to Cervantes, before he, Daniel, and their Pokemon started to find the others.
"Marry! What fighting! I almost pity the enemies of Ylisse. I almost pity the enemies of Ylisse." Say'ri said to everyone, as everyone regrouped. "Say'ri, do you know the way up to the shrine?" Chrom asked Say'ri. "Aye, sir. Follow me- and let us be quick about it!" Say'ri said to Chrom, before they started to walk up to the shrine.
"Ugh… How many stairs are there in a case of stairs? Because I'm already sick of this stupid staircase!" Lissa asked, everyone started to feel the burn of walking up the stairs. "The Voice truly lives all the way up here?" Lucina asked everyone.
An hour later, they reached the top of the tree where they found a massive stone shrine. "Lady Tiki! Are you here? Prithee answer!" Say'ri called out. Then everyone heard a yawn. That's when a woman and a Pokemon came out from the other side of the stone shrine.
The woman had white skin, green eyes, long light green hair that as tired into a ponytail on the back of her head, with two strands of fair going down her shoulders, she was wearing a sleeveless leather dress that had a short skirt, long red boots with long pink stockings under it, red gloves, a long pink scarf wrapped around her waist, and pink cap on her back.
The Pokemon, was a big and round orange dragon, long arms with three white claws at the end on it, strong legs with three white claws, a thick tail, a tan bally with lines going side to side, small wings for its body with a teal inside, brown eyes, a tiny cone horn on the very top of it's head, and two tan string like antenna.
"Cool a Dragonite! She must be very important to have one of those with her!" Grace said to everyone. "Really?" Lissa asked Grace, as Grace pulled out her Rotom Phone.
Dragonite.
The Dragon Pokemon.
Dragon / Flying.
It Can Fly In Spite Of Its Big And Bulky Physique. It Circles The Globe In Just 16 Hours.
"That does sound impressive." Lissa said to Grace, as Grace put her Rotom Phone away.
"Ah, my lady… I'm so relieved to see you're all right." Say'ri said to the woman. "So you are Lady Tiki? She who speaks for the divine dragon?" Lucina asked the woman. "Marth? Oh, Mar-Mar, is that you?!" Tiki asked Lucina.
"My name is Lucina, milady. Though I did go by the name Marth for a time. Might we have met?" Lucina asked Tiki.
"Alas, no. I'm sorry… You reminded me of someone I knew. But he is gone now. Lost during my endless sleep." Tiki said to Lucina, making Lucina feel nervous.
"You and your father are of the exalted bloodline, are you not?" Tiki asked Lucina. "Yes, milady." Chrom said to Tiki. "Do you yet possess the Fire Emblem? It should have been passed down through your family." Tiki asked Chrom. "I… Yes, I have it." Chrom said to Tiki.
"Ah! What a relief to know it has not been lost. But where are the Gemstones? I see only Argent." Tiki asked Chrom. "Gemstones?" Chrom asked Tiki, pulling out the Fire Emblem.
"Yes, there are five of them- Argent, Sable, Gules, Azure, and Vert. Each holds a portion of Naga's power. When mounted upon the Emblem, they allow one to perform the Awakening." Tiki said to Chrom.
"The rite by which the first exalt channeled the divine dragon's power." Frederick asked Tiki. "The very same. With the Fire Emblem's power the exalt was able to defeat Grima. But such power was too much for men and so the Gemstones were scattered. I kept Azure here with me." Tiki said to everyone.
"My kingdom had safeguarded vert for generations. But the gem was recently stolen by Walhart's men." Say'ri said to everyone. "That means, we have two, and Walhart's got one." Simon said to everyone.
"Milady, do you know where the other two Gemstones might be?" Lucina asked Tiki. "The remaining gemstones, Sable and Gules, are no longer known to me. They may have been taken long ago, at the time of the Schism." Tiki said to Lucina.
"Regna Ferox was founded during the Schism. As were most all nations in the realm, I believe." Basilio said to everyone. "Wait- Does that mean you guys have one of the Gemstones, Basilio?" Lissa asked Bassilio.
"Ha! As if anyone would entrust the oat with such a thing!" Flavia said to everyone. "Actually, it's true- we did keep one: Gules. Did I never inform you?" Basilio asked Flavia.
"You most certainly did not." Flavia said to Basilio, giving Basilio a mean look. "Hmm… Must have slipped my mind." Basilio said to Flavia.
"But care to explain what you mean by "did"?" Daniel asked Basilio. "I mean the West-Khans once safeguarded Gules. But it was lost long before my lifetime." Basilio said to Daniel.
"Here. Take Azure, exalted ones. With it, you possess two of the five you must seek out the others and perform the Awakening. Our world must be defended from Grima at all costs!" Tiki said to Chrom, before passing him Azure.
"What does Grima have to do with anything right now? Our current fight is with Walhart, not Grima." Simon said to Tiki.
"Simon's right. I thought Grima's power was sealed away." Chrom said to Tiki. "Yes, but ever since, there have been those who would change that. Grima's life force grows even now, and with it, the long shadows of despair." Tiki said to Chrom, making Lucina and Hannah nervous.
"When will he return? And where?" Chrom asked Tiki. "I cannot know these things. But I can feel his presence… it looms, close and closer. This task is a heavy burden, but as he of exalted blood, it must fall to you, Chrom." Tiki said to Chrom. "I understand. Thank you, for all your help." Chrom said to Tiki, as he took Azure and put it in the Fire Emblem.
"We owe you a great debt, milady." Robin said to Tiki. "Ah! You… You have it…" Tiki said to Robin. "What?" Robin asked Tiki. "You have power… like mine." Tiki said to Robin. "I do?" Robin asked Tiki. "I… Ah… Forgive me… I am still groggy from my slumber. My words outpace my thoughts." Tiki said to Robin.
"Are you all right, milady?" Say'ri asked Tiki. I am fine… Just very tired. I haven't the strength to join you in the fray. Not yet. But I will call the people together, in prayer, for an end to this conflict." Tiki said to everyone, before she hopped onto Dragonite's back and flew off, letting everyone hear her call to arms.
After that they walked down the tree. Once they reached the bottom, they talked about their next destination. "Factions of the Resistance will soon unite in answer to the Voice's call! Soon bards will sing of this day… "They who conquered the Conqueror"!" Say'ri said to everyone.
"A tune I'm most anxious to hear." Chrom said to Say'ri. "I hate to ruin the mode, but we still have a war to finish before that song is made." Simon said to everyone. "He's right. A man like Walhart will not roll over dead at the first sign of trouble." Robin said to everyone.
"Aye, my lady… as you say. He will muster his forces to put down the Rebellion. Then his gaze will turn to us. Against his full might, we would not last long." Say'ri said to Robin. "Then we should start by taking away from those forces." Simon said to everyone. "Where are his armies garrisoned?" Chrom asked Say'ri.
"The Valmese Imperial Army is comprised of three main divisions: One controls the north, one the south and the third the lands between. Emperor Walhart commands the northern forces. Their might easily exceeds our own. The south is led by my brother, Yen'fay. His host is said to rival Walhart's." Say'ri said to everyone.
"Divisions, are they? Hmm…" Robin said, before getting lost in thoughts. "I see a plan brewing in those eyes of yours, Robin." Flavia said to Robin.
"If we could divide their divisions- disrupt communications, supplies, et cetera… then introduce misinformation to add to the confusion… a whisper here and there. The panic would spread on its own… all the quicker for their great number. Such a giant force could collapse under its own weight." Robin said to everyone. "Say'ri- the third division, stationed between the other two." Chrom said to Say'ri.
"Aye, sir, at Fort Steiger, halfway along the highroad. In fact, not so far from where we stand now. We might stand a chance against them… but it would take speed, and luck. I wager Walhart and yen'fay will hear of our exploits soon, if they haven't already. I suggest sending the bulk of our army to the north and south to mask our plan. An elite force, led by Sir Chrom, might then quietly slip through to Fort Steiger. What say you?" Say'ri asked Chrom.
"I say, "aye"." Chrom said to Say'ri. "Aye." Flavia said to Say'ri. "It may be risky. But if we win the fight and take that Fort, we deal a major blow to the Valmese forces. So let's do this." Simon said to everyone. "Aye." Robin said to everyone.
"Fie! We could all be dead before nightfall, yet not one of you so much as hesitates. Your courage is… an inspiration. Aye, we will win this war yet, by gods!" Say'ri said to everyone, before they all started to head towards Fort Steiger.
Hello everyone, I hope you like this chapter. Please follow or review if you like this story.
For the record, Burning Web is a fire spell plus Sticky Web.
