Draco: Oh, come on, let's finish this.

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

Ransei: The End To The Conquest

Silence permeated the air atop the Tower of Infinity.

The golden fire in Evia's eyes slowly dimmed, replaced with the voltic blue that Oichi knew and loved. Even with their wounds healed, the remnants of Nobunaga's army were weak, recovering from the shock of facing that kind of power. The Sky Demon was still collapsed around them, and Nobunaga himself stood unarmed, his gaze on the floor of the tower.

Arceus stood with its hooves against the peak of the battlefield, its gaze locked on Nobunaga.

Oichi was the one who broke the silence, her staff tapping the floor as she stepped towards her brother. Her body was weak from the way the Alpha and Rekkūza had fought, but when Evia moved to aid her she only shook her head.

She arrived before Nobunaga, her gaze firm.

"Brother... Why?"

Nobunaga closed his eyes, his head shaking slowly.

"Do you not understand?"

His voice was broken, yet at the same time composed.

+x+x+x+

Throughout the land, Warriors fought endless battles, driven by the quest for the legendary Pokémon.

These conflicts continued for years...

And more and more Warriors began to treat their Pokémon - their partners - as little more than tools.

Many Warriors lost the ability to feel love for their Pokémon.

It was for this reason that Nobunaga sought to unite Ransei.

If he could prove to all that he was the most powerful Warrior in Ransei...

Then perhaps all of the fighting would cease...

+x+x+x+

"The legendary Pokémon is just that," Nobunaga forced out. "A legend! A story, made up to frighten children! People went to the ends of the earth in search of it..." He scoffed angrily. "And yet, even if they managed to get their hands on it... its fearsome power would shatter their minds!"

He raised his gaze to the Alpha, raised a hand with his palm facing it; and Rekkūza, unbidden by Nobunaga, lifted its body from the earth, raising its head to meet the Alpha's gaze.

"That is why I intend to destroy this fantasy! The legend that has stolen the very heart of my beloved Ransei!"

For that horrific moment, it seemed the duel between Sky Demon and Alpha would resume; then Nobunaga lowered his hand, turning his gaze to Evia, who stood between him and the Alpha.

"And yet, Evia... Even before Arceus, you have retained your clarity. Perhaps you..."

Evia closed her eyes... and shook her head weakly.

"No."

Her voice was broken, as though she stood on the verge of tears.

"That I still stand here, sane, alive - I consider a miracle." She raised her hand before her - the mark of the Alpha's ring no longer shining, yet still etched into her palm. "This Link - this fragment of a Link... The moment you called your Sky Demon to challenge the Alpha, it overcame me. I had to slack my grip on reality to avoid facing death itself. When I spoke to you... it was like bathing in flames. That you could Link with Zekrom, let alone Rekkūza... I am in awe of your control."

That heavenous light shone from behind her; and in shock, she spun to face the Alpha, her expression one of horror. Everyone's gaze was torn from Nobunaga and Evia to face the deity that stood at the battlefield's peak.

Brave Warriors...

Arceus' words were there, and then gone - Evia knew it would be another miracle if she did not suffer nightmares about this night.

I have seen how much you both care for Ransei.
I therefore entrust it to your care.

Nobunaga and Oichi exchanged astonished glances, as did the fragments of his army; yet Evia's gaze was locked on the Alpha as it continued.

Evia...
You are still young.
That is why you will not see me again...
Until you are worthy of me.

Evia fell to her knees, astonished, and raised her hand before her - and the Alpha's ring etched into her palm began to fade.

Arceus raised its head further heavenward; and a sound, an echoing, dimensional cry tore around it as the light began to intensify. Everyone moved to cover their eyes as that heavenous glow reached its peak.

Farewell.

When it faded, Arceus had vanished.

+x+x+x+

After that...

Evia returned all the captured castles to their original Warlords.

They, in turn, agreed - after some discussion - to draw up a set of rules designed to protect the Pokémon of Ransei.

+x+x+x+

"You fought so hard to capture these castles," Shingen mused idly. "Feels like a bit of a waste just giving them back..." A hearty laugh emerged from him. "But that's the way Evia does things, I guess."

Kenshin nodded, turning to the Auroran. "I hope that one day we may share a battlefield again, Evia..."

Shingen raised a hand in salute. "Farewell."

Then both Warlords turned, taking off from the arena between Terrara and Illusio - the field upon which Shingen and Kenshin had clashed upon five hundred and ninety-eight draws.

+x+x+x+

"Evia! You beat me, fair and square!"

Hideyoshi and Evia were parting on far friendlier terms than she had ever thought would happen, Glaceon and Infernape at their sides. "To be honest, though," the Ignisan admitted, "I knew from the first time we met that you were gonna do big things. And I know what I've gotta do now, too..."

Evia raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Head back to Ignis - and start again from scratch!" Hideyoshi explained.

At that, he boarded his blimp, taking off from the castle of Pugilis.

+x+x+x+

"Doing battle with you has taught me a great deal, Lady Evia..."

Ieyasu had been astonishingly wiling to speak with Evia once more before he departed. "The love of a Warrior for their partner Pokémon... The bonds between friends and llies... These are priceless treasures." He bowed in deference. "I shall return to Valora and attempt to adhere to these principles that you embody."

Then he stepped aboard the ship upon which his Aggron waited, taking off from the harbour of Fontaine; and Evia only waved him off until his ship vanished.

+x+x+x+

"Lady Evia..."

Mitsuhide had met with the Auroran at the edge of Greenleaf, Lapras at his side. "Peace has returned to Ransei... Just as Lord Nobunaga desired." A smile rose on his face. "Thank you. I wish you the best in your future endeavours."

Evia bowed to him politely, granting him only a smile as he stepped aboard his blimp and took off back to Nixtorm.

+x+x+x+

"I thought I should drop by to offer my congratulations."

Mitsunari had quite literally fallen out of nowhere, Kiyomasa and Masanori ever at his sides, as Evia had arrived in Ignis on her way back to Aurora - taking the scenic route by intention. At Mitsunari's words, Kiyomasa only shook his head. "I just can't believe you did it!" he cheered.

"I..." Masanori was literally resisting the urge to cry, he was so amazed. "I can't stop these ears..." A heavy sniff drew his gaze upwards - and straight at the aloof of the trio. "Wha-!? You're crying too, Mitsunari?"

"Hm?!" Mitsunari glanced at him. "Of course not!" he insisted, the break in his voice not helping his defiance. "Now come on!"

+x+x+x+

And so, Ransei was filled with the laughter
of people and Pokémon alike.

And from the top of the Tower of Infinity...

Nobunaga looked down upon it all, a smile on his face.

+x+x+x+

It was noon when Oichi woke. For a brief moment she was astonished at the duration of her own slumber; but a brief movement near her caused her to turn as Evia pulled herself upright, her own eyes still drooping with sleep.

"What the...? Why are...?" Oichi's confused expression slowly faded into a smile of realization. "Wait, we didn't..."

Evia turned to her, momentarily confused for herself; then a smile rose on her own face, and she slowly reached down and caught Oichi's lips in her own for a fragment of eternity.

When they parted, it was with a whisper from the Auroran.

"Yes, we did."