Dawn Front/Story/Season 5

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Introduction

• (Luoyan City, on the border of the Cloud Empire. Ordinarily a small, peaceful town, infighting from all sides has put a visible strain on the tranquility.)
• (The streets are silent and empty, save for the dancing of the willow trees in the wind.)
• Orlando: Reid's subordinate has disappeared. It seems they are not intent on fighting an open battle.
• Bai Yongxi: He's waiting for an opportunity.
• Orlando: Is that person waiting as well?
• Bai Yongxi: He's remained more calm than anyone else since before the start of the plan.
• Orlando: If only I had found out earlier...
• Bai Yongxi: Don't feel responsible. Reid and Zhu Yuxian have been conspiring for a long time; if it weren't for you, he would have already been out of the country. We owe you our thanks.
• Orlando: Your highness, I only wish to avoid any more war or chaos, now and forever.
• Bai Yongxi: The people of Cloud will remember your actions. Now, we must remain calm and ensure that those who shouldn't be allowed to leave the Cloud Empire remain within its borders.
• Orlando: I only hope this conflict ends soon. The willows of Luoyan City are beautiful this time of year, but under these circumstances, even they seem to be losing their beauty.
• Bai Yongxi: The willow may seem weak, but it is a steadfast tree that always returns to its robust form in the spring after enduring the winter.
• (At the same time, in a manor on the outskirts of the city, two men look light-heartedly out the window, a chessboard with scattered pieces between them.)
• Reid: As expected, you highness' skills are top-knotch.
• Zhu Yuxian: Did you truly come here just for a game of chess?
• Reid: Not at all. Much can be expressed through a game of chess; it's why I enjoy the game so much.
• Zhu Yuxian: What of the design?
• Reid: Bai Yongxi's forces guard the borders; we are unable to break through. We must rely on you for what comes next, your highness.
• Zhu Yuxian: Taking advantage of the chaos within Cloud to smuggle the design out of the country is a felony. How could he possibly leave this to you?
• Reid: He may be the enemy, but his skill truly garners admiration.
• Zhu Yuxian: He is loyal to a fault. In turbulent times as these people such as he are always incapable of achieving their wishes.
• Reid: And you, Zhu Yuxian? Don't you wish to know how you stand in the eyes of others?
• Zhu Yuxian: Me?
• (Zhu Yuxian pushes the chessboard away, then catches a falling leaf from outside the window.)
• Zhu Yuxian: I have my own pride. I don't need the forgiveness of others.

Orlando - Federal Land Force

Will you join our army to protect the peace of Miraland?

• (Luoyan City, Cloud Empire. Under gnashing fangs, the bar's neon sign flashes the Apple Federation's insignia. Two foreign guests sit atop a minimalist redwood bench.)
• Orlando: As this is the border between Cloud and Apple, the design styles here incorporate fashion from both places. It's really quite interesting.
• I: Oh. Mmm-hmm. Yep.
• Orlando: Stop thinking about being undercover. You're acting way too suspicious.
• I: I've never accepted a mission like this before. I'm....not used to it...
• Orlando: Remember, you're an Apple merchant ready to make a fortune off the chaos. Just watch things quietly and cautiously, and relax a little on the outside.
• I: Alright, I'll try.
• Bar tender: Those two don't look like they're from around here.
• Orlando: Yeah, I hear the information in Luoyan City is top-quality.
• (Orlando talks as he pulls a folded business card out of his pocket, tucking it under his glass and pushing it to the bartender.)
• (The bartender glances at the card, and smiles inscrutably.)
• Bar tender: A friend, I see! And this is?
• Orlando: My partner.
• Bar tender: Then I'm relieved. Things have been getting restless lately. Those who steal in the midst of chaos wish to leave. The Azure Dragon goes unsated. It'll be difficult to contain them.
• Orlando: It appears things are quite serious.
• Bar tender: If you wish to leave, you should do so as early as possible. I fear once things truly become chaotic, none will able to leave.
• Orlando: How could I leave? The best merchants look for opportunities amid the chaos.
• Bar tender: How bold! How about having a drink with us, friend?
• I: A cup of fruit tea, please.

Bai Yongxi - East Cloud Noble

The great chance came. Cloud is in need of talents.

• Bai Yongxi: It's you?
• I: I believe my place may prove more useful.
• Bai Yongxi: Everyone in Cloud is in danger. Your arrival is truly a boon.
• I: What can I do?
• Bai Yongxi: Patience. First, a question: to come to me like this is tantamount to entering battle, and yet you still come. What do you seek?
• I: I'm not without my own fears, but someone must do this in times of danger. It may be insignificant, but I have no qualms with it.
• Bai Yongxi: Huh...
• I: It was you who taught me this.
• Bai Yongxi: Me?
• I: Even though Chaos reigns in Cloud, and the empress is still but a weak child, we must fight to turn the tides nonetheless. You feel this way as well, don't you Prince Bai Yongxi?
• Bai Yongxi: You are a very gifted speaker.
• I: ......
• Bai Yongxi: A toast! I know now that I was right about you all along.
• I: Were you testing me just now?
• Bai Yongxi: You admit that you are afraid, but you are willing to face that fear. This is a good thing!
• I: Ah, so does that mean it is right to be afraid?
• Bai Yongxi: How can anyone expect to face a troubled world when they can't even face their own fears? Those that can do so will always go much farther in this respect.
• I: Thank you, your hiqhness.
• Bai Yongxi: No need for thanks. If you are unsure of anything else, feel free to ask me for advice.

Kimi - Apple Apparel Group

Want to be an excellent designer? Welcome to the Apple Apparel Group.

• Kimi: Well? Are our supplies ready?
• I: Yes. We're ready to move out at any time.
• Kimi: Very good. We leave in twenty minutes.
• I: Are you okay, Kimi?
• Kimi: I'm fine. Even though I want to go to my father more than anything right now, Orlando's message is more important. I can't just sit by and watch.
• I: I'm sure Chairman Schiller is perfectly capable of ensuring his own safety.
• Kimi: I believe so, too. His situation must be fairly stable if he was able to send me a massage. Thank you.
• I: Thank me? Whatever for?
• Kimi: Having you fight by my side puts me at ease. I feel as though I've gained much from working with you and from the victories we've achieved these last few days.
• I: In that case, I should thank you as well, Kimi. I feel as though I have grown a great deal from enduring these hardships.
• Kimi: Then let us continue growing together. No matter how difficult the coming battles are, I'll keep pressing forward with all I have.
• Joe: My lady, someone is blocking the station entrance. They aren't letting our materials onto the cart.
• Kimi: What happened?
• Joe: I'm not sure. It's Shade...he won't say a word. He won't let us through...
• I: Don't panic. If he hasn't attacked, it must mean he has a reason not to do so.
• Kimi: But the shipment is an urgent matter! We must get it to Orlando as soon as possible!
• I: Let me try. If I can force him back, we can load up our supplies and send them to Cloud.
• Kimi: Alright. Let's fight together!

Louie - Nameless Order

You will have to forget your name forever once you choose this path. Are you prepared? My comrades.

• (In a dim, icy valley, the frigid winds whirl and slice through the air like a knife. Amid the blizzard, a troop of conquest-driven soldiers trudge along steadily.)
• I: I'm sorry...but I can't keep going...
• Louie: Here, lean on me. Don't give up!
• I: When will this blizzard ever subside?
• Louie: Just a while longer. Don't stop walking, or your body will go stiff.
• I: Pant...why can't we just rest for a little while...
• Louie: We're (sic) don't have time! We need to get to the border before Nidhogg if we hope to stop him!
• Louie: He wants to obtain help from outside the north. I refuse to stand by and watch him hurt any more people!
• I: I understand. Let me go, I can walk on my own now.
• Louie: Excellent.
• (The cruel blizzard gradually subsides. The clouds part, and the sky grows clear again. Up ahead, the black outline of the border outpost stands out against the glittering snow.)
• Louie: Rest here for now, men. I'll go and handle the transferral to the outpost. Good work, everyone!
• Louie: Are you alright?
• I: I...I can...
• Louie: Don't strain yourself, comrade. The Knights will always stand together in the face of any adversity till their dying breath.
• I: Louie...what is it that makes you so resolute?
• Louie: The Nameless Chivalric Order exists to prevent further tragedies. We will stop Nidhogg, no matter what he's plotting. We cannot allow any darkness to spread across Miraland.

Reid - Mercury Group

Mercury Group welcomes powerful stylists.

• Reid: Ah, so this is your new styling creation?
• I: Is there anything unsuitable about it?
• Reid: No, it looks great, but... don't you think adding a few classical elements would really bring out its full potential?
• I: If I add too much, the design will look to disorderly. At least that's my line of thinking.
• Reid: Letting an opportunity pass you by will only serve to make you lose your competitive edge, am I right?
• I: You're saying...I shouldn't be afraid to risk pushing my limits in battle?
• Reid: Exactly. We have a number design coming to us from Bai Yongxi of the Cloud Empire. I'd like for you to take them back with you.
• I: Me? Isn't there a better way?
• Reid: Some trade secrets just can't be revealed. But there's no need to worry; we'll wore together on this.
• I: You're right. I'll go get ready!
• Reid: Wait. I don't want my ally running off in such a hurry. Change your hairstyle and prepare some new clothes. Take anything you like from the new clothing line, if you wish.

Zhu Yuxian - Phoenix's Feather

Ills difficult to break through. Can you help me?

• Zhu Yuxian: My subordinate and I were just talking about how when the new members joined, I guessed it would be you. It looks like my guess was right after all.
• I: You remember me, my lord?
• Zhu Yuxian: I look a forgetful person?
• I: (Moved) N-No, I didn't mean it like that.
• Zhu Yuxian: My current identity doesn't demand any honorifics. As a member of the Phoenix's Plume. just my name will suffice.
• I: I don't dare to do so. I am still willing to do anything your highness bids me to do.
• Zhu Yuxian: Ah, that's no fun at all. Would you like to try this new tea?
• I: With things as grave as they are, do you really have time for leisure, your highness?
• (Zhu Yuxian puts down the teapot and turns to look at me seriously.)
• Zhu Yuxian: And you? You clearly see that I am standing at the precipice, and you are still willing to swear yourself to me. Why is that?
• I: I know your highness is actually devising battle plans. Would you mind teaching me a small portion of your strategies?
• Zhu Yuxian: Really? It seems you're not just another puppet, after all.
• I: I believe everyone has the right to make their own choices.
• Zhu Yuxian: Of course, but have you prepared yourself to weather the storm that is to come?
• I: Since I have come, I can't show fear now.
• Zhu Yuxian: How very bold...I like it.
• I: If you are still worried, your highness, feel free to practice on me.
• Zhu Yuxian: No need. I am fully aware of your strength. You only just got here, there's no need to be so serious. Can you play chess?
• I: Only a little bit,
• Zhu Yuxian: That's more that enough. Come, let's relax a bit with a game or two.

Shade - Invisible Blade

Invisible. Silent, Elusive. Join the Invisible Blade.

• Shade: You don't need to come along.
• I: That's absurd! We're partners, and partners fight at each other's sides!
• Shade: This mission does not include you.
• I: Is the mission to stop Kimi?
• Shade: I'm only issuing orders.
• I: Have you noticed? Your expression has changed, and you speak more than you used to.
• Shade: ...
• I: I'm merely stating faces. Fighting with a mind full of distractions will only result in defeat.
• Shade: My mind's distractions will all disappear once you decide to shut your mouth.
• (Kimi appears in the bustling crowd, and Shade's expression changes slightly. He puts a hand on his gun, but takes no further action.)
• I: Are you worried about her?
• Shade: That's none of your business.
• I: Very well. No matter what, I'll finish this mission by your side.
• I: I won't talk nearly this much when the battle begins.
• (Shade watches as the people come and go in the busy train station.)
• (Kimi's team continues to load supplies and personnel onto the train. In their busy work, they do not notice the shadow of a figure approaching.)
• I: Did you remember something just now?
• Shade: No.
• (Shade speaks no further, emerging from a tight corner of the station to block the entrance to the station. He silently draws his gun.)

Nidhogg - League Tyr

Do you want to join League Tyr?

• (Several strategic maps sprawl across a large desk. The coffee at the corner of the table has been cold for hours, a dark layer of grinds collecting at the bottom.)
• I: Have you been up all night, colonel?
• Nidhogg: Is this matter not important enough? Where's my coffee?
• I: Ah, my apologies, here's a fresh cup.
• (Nidhogg takes a sip of hot coffee, his brow relaxing if only just slightly.)
• Nidhogg: The situation is unpredictable. Those who wish to control it are fools for thinking they can do so. What would you do in under these circumstances?
• I: Me? If it were me, I would look for help in other places rather than attempt to mediate between indecisive fools.
• I: Those in control do not fear power tilting in one direction or another, but the complete and total loss of control.
• Nidhogg: I've made some progress.
• I: I'm sorry, have I said something irrational?
• Nidhogg: No, your analysis was quite astute.
• I: You must be flattering me...right?
• Nidhogg: Hmm?
• I: M-My apologies. I should be getting back to my work now!
• Nidhogg: Wait a moment.
• I: Yes?
• Nidhogg: A new mission that needs taking care of, and you're coming with me.