I do not own anything

As Siegfried and Sophitia entered the Wolfkrone Castle area, specifically the garden, Kilik, Xianghua, Cassandra, and Pyrrha saw them immediately, and also noticed the bruises on Siegfried and immediately went to him.

"What happened to you?" Cassandra asked as she approached Siegfried and checked the wound on his head.

"Some idiots in the streets thought he was Nightmare and started throwing rocks at him." Sophitia said.

"Sophitia, they had every single right to be mad." Siegfried said.

"You were not harming anyone. They should have seen you were not the same person." Sophitia said as she looked for something to wipe of the small amount of blood in Siegfried's head.

"The princess wishes to see you." The soldier said as he took them into the castle.

As they entered the castle, they saw Hilde, sitting in her thrown, looking out the window, until she noticed them.

"Siegfried. Glad that you're here." The Wolfkrone princess said as she stood up and walked up to them.

"How many times do I have to answer you, Hilde?" Siegfried asked, having already turned down the woman's offers twice.

"You two know each other?" Sophitia asked.

"You must be Sophitia Alexandra, Kilik, Xianghua, and Cassandra Alexandra." Hilde replied. "Pleasure to meet you. I am Hildegard von Kron, princess of Wolfkrone."

"How do you two know each other?" Xianghua asked.

"I offered Siegfried mine and my army's aid in the battle against Nightmare. But he turned it down." Hilde said.

"Well, now that everyone has arrived, I guess I can summon everyone here." Hilde said. "Guards, please, bring our guests here."

Taki, Yoshimitsu, and Hwang were the first people to enter the room. Sophitia and Cassandra's face brightened in delight as they saw her.

"Taki!" Sophitia and Cassandra said as Sophitia went to hug her old friend.

"Hey. Sophitia, Cassandra. Didn't imagine seeing you here." Taki said.

"Why are you here?" Sophitia asked.

"We were heading to Ostrheinsburg, but then a guard came and said that we needed to come here." Taki said. "Didn't expect to see you here."

And that's when Taki noticed Siegfried, Soul Calibur on his back.

"You!" Taki said as she took out her kodachi and started heading towards Siegfried ready to kill him.

Siegfried remembered the girl from 7 years ago, when he'd faced her. He grabbed Soul Calibur and got ready to fight back.

"Taki, what are you doing?" Sophitia asked.

"He's dangerous, Sophitia. He has Soul Calibur. I need to kill him." Taki said. "You have no idea of the amount of destruction he can cause."

"He's my friend. He saved my daughter." Sophitia replied.

Taki looked back at her in surprise before looking at Siegfried. Could he really control Soul Calibur?

"I know that Soul Calibur is dangerous, but you can trust Siegfried. He can control." Sophitia said. "The sword won't be corrupted."

"It's as Siegfried told me. Soul Calibur's will is affected by that of its wielder." Cassandra said.

"…Fine. I just hope I don't come to regret this." Taki said as she placed away her weapon. "So, you have a daughter?"

"Yes, a son and a daughter. One of them is actually here right now. Pyrrha." Sophitia said, calling her daughter, who was beside Siegfried.

Pyrrha immediately went to her mother's side.

"I'd like you to meet an old friend of Mommy's. Her name is Taki; she saved my life a long time ago."

"Nice to meet you, Taki." Pyrrha said.

"Nice to meet you, too, Pyrrha." Taki said as she shook the little girl's hand, before looking at Sophitia. "She looks just like you."

Sophitia just laughed.

Taki then turned her attention to Siegfried, who was staring at her, remembering when he fought her 7 years ago.

"Well, I see you've grown up since the last time we met." Taki said.

"You two also know each other?" Kilik asked.

"Yeah, we had a battle 7 years ago." Siegfried said.

"I can see that you're no longer that same naïve, cocky boy I once met." Taki said.

At that moment, another group entered the castle, composed of Maxi, Mitsurugi, and Rock.

"Maxi!" Xianghua cried in delight as she went to hug her old companion followed by Kilik.

"Hey, guys. What're you doing here?" Maxi asked, confused as he looked at Xianghua and Kilik.

"We're supposed to be the ones asking that question." Kilik said.

"The princess asked me here. Not bad, huh?" Maxi said, swiping his hair, until he saw Hilde. "And I assume that's her."

Maxi immediately went to her, before getting down on one knee and taking her hand.

"Princess Hilde, I presume. It's a pleasure to meet you." Maxi said as he lightly kissed Hilde's hand.

"Come on, Maxi, get up." Kilik said.

"Fine." Maxi said as he stood up.

And then he saw Taki.

"Well, just one beautiful lady after another." Maxi said as he started walking towards her.

Taki glared at him.

"Sophitia."

The Greek turned to see Rock.

"Rock, hey!" Sophitia said as she hugged him.

"I've been fine, thanks to you. You helped me realize Bangoo was all that I needed all those years ago." Rock said.

"My pleasure."

"And I take it that's your daughter." Rock said, looking down at Sophitia, who was slightly scared of the man in Rhino mask.

"Yeah. There's no need to be scared Pyrrha, he's also another friend of Mom's. His name is Rock and he's a real nice guy." Sophitia said as she picked up her daughter.

"Pleasure in meeting you, Pyrrha." Rock said as she lifted his mask so the little girl could have a better look at his face.

Pyrrha timidly replied to the introduction.

"Well, what do you know? My three rivals, all here." Mitsurugi said, looking at Taki, Siegfried, and Hwang. He grabbed his sword, ready for what would be the best fight of his life.

"Didn't expect seeing you two here." Hwang said, looking at Mitsurugi and Maxi.

"Oh, you." Maxi said.

"You know him?" Xianghua asked.

"Yeah, I kicked his ass 4 years ago."

Hwang glared at Maxi.

"Can we all please just calm down." Hilde said.

As Hilde said that, Mi-na group, which consisted of Yun-seong, Talim, and Amy entered the room.

"Mi-na, Yun-seong." Hwang said as he headed towards his friends.

"Hi, Hwang." Mi-na said as she hugged her friend.

"Hey, Hwang." Yun-seong said.

"Hey, you two." Hwang said as he hugged his two friends.

"What're you doing with her…and him?" Yun-seong said as he looked at Taki and Yoshimitsu, and immediately knew they were Japanese.

"They're different." Hwang said. "We can trust them."

"Trust them? They're enemies of our country!" Yun-seong said.

"They're not even involved in the war. Believe me, you can trust them." Hwang argued.

"Fine. What about him?" Yun-seong said, pointing with his head at the Mitsurugi.

"Yeah, he's an enemy." Hwang said as he took out his sword.

"Great." Yun-seong replied as he also took out his sword.

Mitsurugi grinned as took out his katana to defend himself when Maxi's nunchaku intercepted Hwang's attack.

"Not so fast. That's my friend." Maxi said as he pushed Hwang back.

"Don't worry about it, Maxi. I've taken down armies. These two should be no sweat." Mitsurugi said.

Yun-seong and Hwang's narrowed their eyes at him.

"Would you all please just calm down!" Hilde demanded.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Yun-seong asked.

"She's the princess." Hwang replied.

"…Okay, I take back what I just said." Yun-seong said.

"Can you think about something that isn't killing each other for a moment?" Hilde asked.

"Sorry, princess, but if that's what you wanted, you shouldn't have brought three warring warriors into the same room." Yun-seong said as he got ready to fight Mitsurugi.

Until crystal spikes emerged from the ground in between Yun-seong, Hwang, and Mitsurugi, and everyone looked at Siegfried, who stabbed his sword into the floor.

"She said enough." Siegfred said.

For the first time since everyone entered the room, they seemed to notice Siegfried's sword.

"That's Soul Calibur." Maxi said, looking at the crystal sword.

"Well, looks like we nearly missed the party."

Everyone looked to the side to see Ivy and Setsuka. Sophitia immediately covered Pyrrha's eyes.

"Who's the inappropriately dressed woman?" Hwang asked.

"Shut up."

"I remember you." Mi-na said, looking at you.

"So do I."

"What're you doing here?" Taki asked.

"No way to greet an old friend, is it?" Ivy asked.

Taki glared at Ivy.

"So, the woman with the parasol is also here." Mitsurugi said, looking at Setsuka.

"And I still have a score to settle with you." Setsuka replied.

Hilde wondered if bringing them all at the same time was a good idea. They would most likely end up killing each other before fighting Nightmare's army.

"Ivy is my alchemist advisor. I heard she had some experience with Soul Edge, so I asked for her advice. She heard about my quest against Nightmare's army and offered to become my advisor." Hilde answered.

"Considering that her father, Cervantes, used to wield Soul Edge, it is no surprise." Taki said.

"That's one thing we share in common. Our hate for my father." Ivy said.

"I already knew she was Cervantes daughter." Hilde replied.

"And you trust her?" Taki asked.

"I do."

"So, what's Setsuka doing here?" Mitsurugi asked.

"I met Ivy while I was traveling." Setsuka said.

"I called all of you here for a reason." Hilde said, before something else interrupted her. "We are all connected, in some way or another, through the Soul Swords. I had my soldiers collect information on you."

Hilde revealed all of their connections, such as how Kilik and Mi-na were trained by Edge Master, and how Maxi was trained by Li Long.

"We were each chosen by destiny in the battle of the Soul Swords." Hilde said.

As Siegfried started to leave, Hilde called him back.

"Siegfried, where are you going?"

"I don't know when you'll get the message, or how many times I have to say it, but I have no intention of working with you."

"You seemed to have no problem with working with them." Hilde said, pointing at Sophitia, Cassandra, Kilik, and Xianghua.

"They're different. They I was just planning on going to Ostrheinsburg with them. I wasn't going to let them participate in my fight." Siegfried replied.

"Siegfried, I know who you were." Hilde said. "I know you were Nightmare."

Everyone looked in shock at Siegfried.

"What do you mean was Nightmare?" Yoshimitsu asked.

"When I defeated Cervantes 7 years ago and became Soul Edge's new host, I became Nightmare. That's when the Evil Seed was spread around the world. Eventually, I became the sword's host, Nightmare, but the man named Raphael freed me from the sword's influence. But I was only separated from the Nightmare. He still existed."

"So you were the previous host of Nightmare." Mi-na asked.

Siegfried nodded.

"Siegfried, I understand this must feel personal for you. But you have to let us help. You can't face him and his army alone." Hilde said. "We all have the same objective. We might as well work together rather than try to solve each on our own."

"She's right, Siegfried." Kilik said.

"We do have a higher chance of winning." Setsuka said.

"…Fine." Siegfried said, finally giving up after everyone tried to get him to join them.

"Great. It's good to have Soul Calibur's wielder by my side." Hilde said.

"Were you heading to Ostrheinsburg to stop Nightmare, also?" Siegfried asked, looking at Taki.

"Not only that. It was to stop Soul Calibur and Soul Edge from clashing again." Taki said. "I was there. At the Lost Cathedral. I saw what can happen when Soul Calibur and Soul Edge clash. It's dangerous for them to even be near each other. They have the power to demolish everything around them. They're a danger to the world."

"But Soul Calibur is also the only chance we have of winning this war." Yun-seong said.

"Then I guess everyone also agrees that Siegfried should be the leader." Sophitia said.

"No." Siegfried replied.

"Everyone in favor?" Hilde asked.

Everyone, with an exception of Siegfried and Mitsurugi raised their hands.

"Mitsurugi, you're against?" Yoshimitsu asked.

"I don't care. I just want to fight." Mitsurugi said in a bored tone.

"Well, the majority is still in favor, so Siegfried is the commander, along with me." Hilde said.

"What if the two of you have different opinions?" Maxi asked.

"Then do as Siegfried says, he knows best." Hilde replied. "The battle will only take place 2 and a half months from now. Nightmare is still building up his army. I also want to wait to see if more people will join my cause. I don't want to take any chances. If you want to stay in Wolfkrone, you can stay at a housing nearby the castle. I have made it so that your accommodations are free. If you want to go back home for the mean time, they you are free to go."

"Okay, see you later, Hilde." Siegfried said as he and the others left, accompanied by the guards to the housing, which also had a bar beside it.

After everyone left their items at their rooms they went there. Most of them were dispersed. Taki was looking out the window while Maxi tried to hit on her. Mitsurugi was on the counter drinking as much as he could.

"Excuse me, is there anything you'd like?" The waitress asked.

They all asked for their orders and the waitress.

"So, Siegfried, where are you heading now?" Cassandra asked.

"Not sure. Maybe I'll go back home." Siegfried replied.

"Why don't you come with us to Athens?" Sophitia suggested. "I…I think you'll like the place. You can stay for a few days."

"…So, what are you two, a couple?" Mi-na asked.

"No." Siegfried and Sophitia replied simultaneously.

"So, how does that crystal armor of yours work?" Yun-seong asked.

"Excuse me?"

"How does it work? How do you take it off if it's crystallized?"

"The crystal evaporates when I want it to." Siegfried said.

"Cool." Rock replied.

The waitress then came back with their orders.

"Listen, I have to go quickly to my room. I think I forgot something. I'll be right back." Siegfried said as he stood up and started leaving.

"Wait, I'll go help. I can check up on Pyrrha also." Sophitia said as she stood up and went with Siegfried.

"I see lovebirds." Cassandra sang when the two were out of the bar.

"Excuse me."

The group looked to see the waitress, standing there, blushing deeply.

"Um, I'm sorry for bothering, but what was the name of your friend?"

"Why?" Xianghua asked.

"Well, I noticed he didn't ask for anything, and he looked kinda cute…so…I was…" The waitress said, becoming even more red in the face.

And that's when they realized the food she was carrying.

"Oh yeah. He's name is Siegfried, he's in the housing right beside this bar." Cassandra said.

"Thank you." The waitress said as she left.

"I'm gonna love this." Cassandra said as she went to watch.

"Me too." Xianghua said.

A while after that, at the housing, once Siegfried had checked on what he came to check, he was ready to go back to the bar, he was just waiting for Sophitia. She had already checked on Pyrrha, but he was just waiting for her to let her daughter in the room, near Soul Calibur.

He heard a knock on the door and opened to see the waitress.

"Why are you guys here?" Cassandra asked, looking at Taki, Kilik, Mitsurugi, and Mi-na as they looked through the window, kneeling down so no one would see them.

"I think this will be fun." Taki said.

"Same." Kilik said.

"Bored." Mitsurugi replied.

"I think this is kinda romantic." Mi-na said.

"What are you doing?"

The others turned to see Hilde looking at them, and Cassandra and Xianghua quickly pulled her down.

"Watch, this is going to be fun." Xianghua said plainly.

"Oh, hey." Siegfried said, recognizing the woman.

"Hi. I noticed you didn't ask anything, so I thought maybe I could bring you this." The waitress said as she gave Siegfried some food. "On the house."

"Oh, thank you." Siegfried said as he ate a piece of the food and placed it on the table.

That moment, Sophitia arrived from the room where she left Pyrrha, but stopped once she saw the waitress.

"Actually, um. The reason why I really came here is because…I was wondering if by any chance you would like to go out." The waitress said.

"Oh…um…Sure." Siegfried said. "Do you want to go out for a walk? Or eat some other place?"

"Sure." The waitress said.

"…Horny bitch." Sophitia said a little louder and not so discreetly as she intended to.

Siegfried and the waitress looked at her, finally noticing she was there.

Cassandra had to cover her mouth not to burst out laughing and ended up rolling on the floor. Xianghua, Hilde, and Taki just smiled, finding it funny and cute the Athenian girl's reaction. Kilik was laughing so hard, he was fortunately not making any sound. As for Mitsurugi…well he was still waiting for a catfight.

Sophitia, finally realizing that they had heard her, reached for her sword and shield and started to act as if she was playing with them, making one call the other a horny bitch.

"Sorry for interrupting, didn't realize you were there." Sophitia said. "Well, go ahead. We'll be fine. Enjoy yourself Siegfried."

"Um…Okay then." Siegfried said, as the waitress grabbed Siegfried and pulled him out into the streets.

Once she was alone, Sophitia punched the wall, repeating the same lines over and over in her head.

"I am not jealous. I'm married."

"…That's it? Where's the fight?" Mitsurugi asked. "Man, this blows."

The swordsman got up and left, followed by the other's who were still laughing.

Well, I hope you liked the chapter. It might be a while before I update. Please review, and thanks to deathwing for reviewing.