Draco: The homecoming isn't a denouement this time, it's just a turning point. It feels weird.

Pokémon and protagonist © Nintendo. Character designs © Koei. Ransei © somewhere in the middle.


Dragnor: The Call of Legends

"Does that crystal seem... different, to you?"

Nobunaga's inquiry as he and Hydreigon soared back to Dragnor earned a nod from the Brutal Pokémon. A crystal was indeed standing in Dragnor, and Nobunaga reckoned he had seen it before during his flight with the Black Yang - but now that he was seeing it from close by, he could see that there was something different about it. It seemed to be broken, and the hollow obscured by the pieces.

Hydreigon's reply caught Nobunaga off-guard. "It wasn't like this when you left?" he mused. "I wonder..."

His train of thought was derailed when he saw the figure standing at the edge of town - and heard the singing of her dress. Without needing to be told, Hydreigon quickly descended; as soon as they touched down, Nobunaga leapt off, stumbling as he charged forward.

"Kichō!"

Nō opened her arms as Nobunaga got near. "There you are...!"

The two embraced, heedless of who saw; tears were pouring down Nobunaga's face as he held his wife in his arms. "I'm so... I'm so glad you're alright..."

"And I you," Nō insisted. "I heard of what you did."

Nobunaga realized what was happening a moment before it did; Nō pulled away from the embrace and swung her hand, her nails raking across his cheek as his head jerked to one side.

"You imbecile!" she scolded. "What in the Alpha's name were you thinking!? There's nothing to be gained from standing in defense until you yourself perish from it!"

"Forgive me," Nobunaga pleaded. "I saw the crystals rise... They said you were in the castle when it happened... I thought you dead!"

Nō seized him by the chin, holding his jaw shut as she looked into his eyes.

"Do you think me so selfish, that I would die and want you to hurry after me? So impatient, that I would not wait for you in Distortion, however long it took? Do you think I would condemn you for continuing to live, with the rest of your family? What of Ranmaru? Of Oichi?"

"...Forgive me..."

With a sad smile, Nō pulled him into a long, slow kiss.

"I'm told there are plans to unmake this," she proclaimed when they finally parted. "To fight back against those responsible, and restore Ransei. I followed you atop Infinity to challenge the Alpha. I will follow you into the unknown, to oppose whoever would do this to our home." A grin rose on her face. "And when Spectra Castle is back in its rightful place, I'm taking you to the dungeons. I'm gonna break out the good shackles, the machines, the Ninetales lash. I have some new imports from Kitakami that Okuni has helped me test out. I will fill you with pain enough to dispel any doubts that you are still alive, make you kiss your bones in relief that they still anchor you to this world."

Nobunaga closed his eyes and nodded. "There is no greater motivator than having something to look forward to after victory has been claimed."

+x+x+x+

"When I said you and Kaguya should spend some time just the two of you, I didn't imagine it would be anything like this."

Evia put her arm around Oichi. "Nor did I," she admitted. "But I'm glad we were able to make some good memories from it."

Oichi sighed. "Are you sure?" she asked. "When we're done here...?"

"I'm sure," Evia insisted. "Seeing Sinnoh for myself... It lifted that weight I've been carrying, ever since my time with the Nihilego." She raised her gaze. "For the first time, the idea of visiting a new land, of experiencing new things... it doesn't fill me with dread anymore. It's not something I need to force myself to do, to achieve something. It's something I want." She turned to her wife. "But I want to do it with you and Kaguya at my side."

"...I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to see it for myself," Oichi admitted.

She turned her gaze back to the area ahead, where Mitsuki and Kaguya were sparring - both dressed in proper protective gear. Salamence was settled down on one side, and Gardevoir was watching from the other, seeming to keep track of their blows; as Kaguya landed a strike on Mitsuki's ribs, the Embrace Pokémon raised a hand with a cry to halt them.

"Jeez," Mitsuki groaned, stepping away and lowering her weapon. "How'd you get so good so fast?"

Kaguya shook her head. "Come on, you're not bad!" she insisted. "It's not like you have to be- Lord Nobunaga!"

Her words confused Mitsuki until she realized Kaguya wasn't looking at her; she followed the young Warrior's gaze to find a familiar figure in purple approaching. "Lord Nobunaga!"

"Mitsuki!" Nobunaga greeted as the young Warrior charged after him. "It is good to see you returned."

"It's so good to be returned!" Mitsuki insisted. "Did Lady Kichō tell you how we got back?"

"Indeed she did," Nobunaga confirmed. "It was brave of you to make that journey. I'm proud of you."

The armoured footsteps drew his attention to find Evia approaching. "Brother," she greeted.

"Evia," Nobunaga returned. "I trust the others have filled you in on the situation."

"They did," Evia confirmed. "These giant Tera Crystals are the result of some machination - by Takatora's new master. If we can stem the tide, then we can march in counteroffensive." She crossed her arms. "And I think we have our dam."

Nobunaga started. "What do you mean?"

Oichi spoke up. "Look there." The healer was pointing towards the crystal where Dragnor Castle had been. "Zekrom struck that one when we were trying to stop Takatora from fleeing. But in the three days since, no Pokémon have cleared it away, nor climbed over it, nor even been heard from inside."

"I see," Nobunaga mused. "Then we have our means to stem the tide."

A ringing in everyone's com-crystals, as though someone were tapping on it; Nobunaga reached for his ear, and Evia turned to Oichi accusingly. The healer mouthed an awkward 'sorry', moving close enough for Evia to hear from hers as a voice spoke from it. "Lady Oichi, do you copy?"

"Loud and clear, Yukimura," Oichi insisted. "And I've got good news - Evia, Kaguya, Nō, and Mitsuki are all back safe."

"Really!?" Okuni's eager exclamation interrupted whatever Yukimura was about to say. "Oh, thank Alpha..."

"They're not the only ones," Yukimura insisted. "Lord Shingen and Lord Kenshin are back, too - and they've brought Magoichi, Kai, and Hanzō with them."

"Please tell me he didn't bring a paramour," Masamune groaned.

Ujiyasu chuckled into the line. "I figured you had enough fire to burn through this, Kai."

"Hanzō!" Nene sounded almost scolding. "What were you thinking staying behind? One of you, give him a crystal-!"

"No!" Oichi protested, giving the crystal at her ear a fierce strike with her finger. This resulted in a loud and painful screech that caused equipped to pulling the earpieces off -they had to be a full foot away before the sound bearable. "You guys can all catch up in person," she insisted once the resonance faded out. "I have news regarding our counteroffensive."

"Ha..." They could hear the grin on Kotarō's voice. "Then our time as hosts has come to an end at last."

"It has," Oichi confirmed. "We managed to damage the Tera Crystal at Dragnor. The rubble is currently obstructing the point of egress. Not only have no Pokémon come out, but we haven't even heard anyone trying."

"As wonderful as that sounds," Ginchiyo argued, "we tried attacking the crystals shortly after they appeared - Warrior and Pokémon - and couldn't cause any noticeable damage to their structure."

"Which is why we're not going to have any of our usual Pokémon do the damage," Oichi insisted. "Tell me you all didn't think I wouldn't put two and two together from all your stories about suspicious happenings getting you out of the castles."

Silence fell on the coms.

"The legendary Pokémon will help us on this," Oichi proclaimed. "Have them target the crystal's structure above the hollow. Some of them are more skill than strength; if your kingdom's power can't do it, call for someone who can. Keiji, make sure Aurora's crystal is left alone; we need a road to strike back on."

"Yes, Lady Oichi!"

Evia took Oichi's hand in hers, bringing the bracelet's crystal to her own mouth. "We'll all meet in Aurora when we're done. Last one there is Softboiled."

"Yes, Lady Evia!"

+x+x+x+

"Alright, you all heard the Aurorans!" Ginchiyo commanded of her Warriors. "Get away from the hollow! We don't want anyone getting caught in the crossfire when we bar their road."

Muneshige took a headcount as the Warriors and their Pokémon withdrew to the encampment that had been set up. "That's everyone accounted for," he confirmed.

Ginchiyo nodded. "Right then."

She drew her lightning-bladed sword, and thunderclouds converged in the skies above as she thrust the weapon forward, and then turned it in hand to drive it into the ground.

"Come forth! Zapdos, on wings of levin!"

From the dark clouds descended a golden-feathered figure, its every surface seeming jagged like a bolt of lightning. Zapdos spread its wings as it neared the earth, giving a loud cry as a suspended itself in the air above; Ginchiyo knelt before her fallen blade, bowing her head in respect and raising one hand towards the Thunderbird, and a silent understanding passed between the two of them.

Then Zapdos rose with a whirl, voltage dancing around its wings as it ascended to an equal level with the peak of the structure. Ginchiyo got to her feet and pulled her sword from the ground, and thunder gathered around the blade as she swept it out to one side. Muneshige pulled his claymore from his back, and as wind howled around the blade as he brought it forward to close both hands on the grip. Both powers gathered around Zapdos with the roar of a typhoon and a crack of lightning, and the Thunderbird gave a vicious cry before soaring towards the Tera Crystal.

Its talons closed on the ridge as it loosed a vicious Discharge, and the voltage ripped through the air around it with force unlike anything the Pokémon of Violight could muster. The structure of the Tera Crystal began to give, and Zapdos tightened its grip to shatter it, sending shards tumbling down.

+x+x+x+

"There you are, Masamune!"

The Avian company came to a halt, and the Warlord turned with a grin when he saw a familiar man and Sceptile approaching. "Magoichi!" he praised. "Alpha, but I never thought I'd be happy to see you. At least you came back with the same number of ladies as you left with."

Sceptile cackled as Magoichi sighed. "Oh, give it a rest," he groaned. "How have the weapons been treating you in my absence?"

Masamune set a hand on one of his sabers. "Still getting used to having a cutting edge," he admitted. "Haven't had much cause to practice with the pistol, yet... but I gotta say, it was pretty satisfying to shoot the crystal where Avia Castle use to be and then watch Lugia wreck it."

Magoichi started. "Then that ravine that appeared within the mountain..."

"You bet," Masamune confirmed. "We found the Silver Stormbringer lurking in there. Came out from behind a waterfall when we came down."

"I'll be," Magoichi mused. "Then let's wrap up with these 'Tera Crystals' and see what he can do on the field of battle."

"Now that's the Magoichi I like having at my side," Masamune admitted. "Where is this man's weapon?"

One of the Warriors tossed something to Magoichi - a rifle with a bayonet mounted on the end.

+x+x+x+

"No luck?"

Cobalion shook his head, earning a sigh from Yoshihiro. "Well, Oichi warned us that it would be a gamble," he observed. "Seems we rolled low, this time."

The Sword of the Depths glared at him.

"Oh, don't be like that," Yoshihiro insisted. "It's not an insult. Different situations call for different strengths. The fact that major structural damage isn't one of your strengths is hardly a bad thing." He propped his hammer over his shoulder. "Life's a game of chance. You play your cards, and Fate plays hers. Win or lose, your hand is nothing to be ashamed of."

"Especially when you're not the only player at the table."

The voice from nearby drew the Warlord's gaze, finding the combined forces of Illusio and Terrera approaching. "Lord Shingen! Lord Kenshin! I see you've brought some mighty allies with you."

Shingen gave a hearty laugh. "I had a feeling that any Legendary Pokémon who would Link with a Pugilan might be more 'adept' than 'destructive'," he admitted. "Shall we fill in the gaps?"

He glanced at Groudon, who gave a triumphant roar.

"Excellent!" Yoshihiro praised. "Let's even up the deck!"

+x+x+x+

"Come back by your lonesome?"

Driftwalker nodded at Keiji's inquiry. "I did," she confirmed. "Oichi wanted some time alone with her family when they got back."

"So I'd heard," the wanderer admitted. "Evia and the others found their way home to Ransei, and figured out how to stop the flow in the process."

The masked Warrior glanced at the Sword of the Cavern standing at Keiji's side, opposite Bastiodon. "Seems you've picked up another ally."

Keiji smirked. "Seems you've dropped one," he countered, glancing at Hatterene. "What happened to Valiant?"

"Worn out from the journey," Driftwalker replied. "I let him find somewhere to rest and recover." She sighed. "Things are coming to a head. I don't want him to wear himself out before the battle truly begins."

"And how much do you know about what that battle's going to be like?" Keiji asked.

"Leave her alone, Keiji." The voice from nearby drew both Warriors' attention to find a boy who seemed to have puffy white hair approaching. "We don't want to start the war council until all of the Warriors are assembled."

"Yeah," agreed a reckless-looking boy sporting sunglasses. "Nobody wants to hear the same ramble twice."

"Not if they can avoid it, anyways," mused a silver-haired boy in armour. "Sometimes you've got no choice but to repeat yourself, and anyone who happens to be there both times is out of luck."

Driftwalker smiled. "Spoken like someone who's been in that situation before."


Draco: Oh, it would have been nice to showcase every legendary Pokémon working with every kingdom's ruling Warlord in this chapter, but I have to do tricky workarounds for Chrysalia and Valora. I'm gonna give you the gameplay details for everyone who isn't already in Conquest and hasn't been in a previous chapter, and you guys can try and figure out who's Linked with who.

Zapdos
-Range: 3
-Move: Discharge
-Ability: Sequence

Lugia
-Range: 2
-Move: Aeroblast
-Ability: Hero

Cobalion
-Range: 3
-Move: Sacred Sword
-Ability: Justified

Keldeo
-Range: 3
-Move: Secret Sword
-Ability: Justified

Regirock
-Range: 2
-Move: Stone Edge
-Ability: Clear Body

Aeroblast (Flying)
-Attack area: three tiles ahead (i.e. Dragon Pulse)
-Effect: increased critical hit ratio

Secret Sword (Fighting)
-Attack area: three tiles in front (i.e. Icy Wind)