The End (PG13)

[DeliriousAbsol]

51 – Cave In​

The Weavile threw open the doors to Hydreigon's throne room. The massive dragon let out a grunt of surprise and a low growl rumbled through the room, chilling the Weavile to the bone. He clutched the book to his chest and fixed his red eyes on the dragon briefly before looking back down at it.

“I found somethin' in Enigma's room,” he explained. “Something I thought you might wanna see.”

Hydreigon snorted. “What makes it so important you think you can barge in here like that?”

“Well, my lord, I found it underneath his bed, buried in some dusty rags.” He dropped the book to the flood and nudged it forwards with his foot. “It's some story about good overcoming evil. That's what I get from it anyway.”

Hydreigon lurched forwards, causing the Weavile to take a leap back. One of the smaller heads flipped open the book and his main set of eyes leered down at it. His large mouth twisted into a vicious sneer.

“You just... found this?”

“You recognise it?” The Weavile moved forwards, his claws clasped together. “I had a look through it. That Xerneas character overthrows the dark and dragon Pokemon so easily. I thought it might be relevant, considering the-”

Hydreigon slammed the book closed and turned his red eyes onto the Weavile. “Relevant?!”

The Weavile gulped, his entire body frozen in place under the dragon's wicked glare.

The rumble from his growl filled the throne room and he looked back down at the book. “Enigma's been hiding this... a book about Xerneas still exists in the Shadow Lands?!”

“You've heard of him?” The Weavile's voice came out weak and small.

Hydreigon snapped back to look at him. “I want you to pass a message on to Yurlik. Send his Murkrow to track him down if need be. I want that Enigma bringing back here. Now!”

The Weavile nodded and sprinted from the room, bolting out into the cold courtyard. He scanned the trees for any sign of the massive Honchkrow but there was no sign of him. He paused beneath a tree and screamed up into the branches, causing the sleeping Murkrow to let out cries of alarm, sending down a flurry of black feathers.

“Oi! Find Yurlik and tell him Lord Hydreigon wants Enigma back here alive!”

The flock of Murkrow rose from the branches and separated, spanning the Shadow Lands and several heading to the Border Woods. The cawing cries faded away into the distance.

...​

“Wow, this ground is harsh.” Spark hopped over a crumbling rock, zooming on ahead of Cleo and Faith. She paused to glance back at them. “Watch out for that one!”

Cleo didn't need the warning. She pressed herself up against the steep, rocky slope and kept her paws away from the worse of the crumbling outcrop. Slithers of stone fell away beneath her feet, falling with a soft clatter onto the ground below. It wasn't especially high up, but a fall would still be a rather unfortunate experience.

Once safely on the other side, Cleo paused to lift Faith over the crumbling obstacle with a purple bubble of psychic energy.

“Thank you!” said Faith as her feet touched the floor. She glanced around, spotting Spark a few feet away. “I'm not sure what I make of this island. I'm not seeing any sign that Pokemon live here.”

“Me neither.” Cleo moved on, catching up with the fast Dedenne. “But I'm not willing to give up quite yet.”

Spark looked back at her. “Well, you're not gonna like this!”

Cleo and Faith joined Spark's side on a jagged, jutting slab of smooth stone. Without realising it, they had scaled up the shallow slope of the volcano. Below them was another slope, somewhat steeper. It resembled a valley – a dry valley – as it rose up again on the other side. But where one would expect a river lay a long, deep, jagged crevice. A tattered rope bridge ran across it, and wide gaps lay in the surface where many of the wooden slats had fallen away.

“With the state of that bridge,” said Faith, “I think it is safe to say no Pokemon live on this island.”

“Or they're all trapped on the other side,” said Cleo.

Spark looked up at her. “Can you get us across?”

“I could certainly try! The only problem is I wouldn't be able to go with you.”

“That won't do,” said Faith. “I think we may need to find a way around it.”

“You mean try the other side of the mountain?” Cleo asked.

Faith nodded sadly. “It means backtracking a fair bit. But we'll get there!”

Cleo stared at the deep drop for a moment. It was a natural formation, but it wasn't unreasonable to believe the damage was done by a Pokemon. Many Pokemon specialised in using the ground to their advantage in battle. This crack may have been caused by a Pokemon using earthquake or fissure. If that were the case...

“What if this was done to protect the Pokemon on the other side?”

Spark and Faith looked at Cleo.

“It's not unreasonable,” Cleo went on. “And if it is to protect them, it will probably be the same on the other side of the volcano.”

“So what do you want to do?” asked Spark. “Go back?”

Cleo shook her head. “No. I want to have a look at it.”

“A look? At a giant crack?”

Cleo slipped past the Dedenne and clambered awkwardly down the steep slope. The ground was uneven and due to the volcano's activity, what rocks stuck out were pretty solid and coated in a slippery, black shell. Several times, Cleo almost slipped, landing on her bottom and struggling back to her feet. When she finally reached more level ground, her heart was racing.

Spark placed her paws on her knees and doubled over next to her. “I have to say, I'm not looking forwards to climbing back up there.”

Cleo looked back at the steep slope. The way they'd come down was the safest-looking option. The rest of the mountain surrounding them was dangerously steep and slippery. Her eyes trailed down it to the crevice. The slippery black stone flowed over the edge of the deep drop, coating the edges with a dark stone that shimmered in the sunlight. One would think it might still be wet, but it was solid and glassy to the touch. Cleo didn't know much about volcanic activity, but the different rocks on this island must have something to do with it. Some were brittle, some were smooth, most were dark but here and there were paler rocks, dusted grey with ash, that looked like they might be made from some spongy plant. This type of rock layered the deep crevice before it turned a rustic brown further down.

“Wow,” said Spark. “It's deep.”

“It sure is,” said Faith. “I'm not sure how we're going to cross, though. The bridge doesn't look remotely safe.”

Cleo looked up from the deep fissure to the ragged bridge that ran across it. The rope was held in place on either side with wooden pegs, all of which were singed black at the base. Close up, it looked incredibly unwelcoming and dangerous. The wooden panels lay haphazardly across the rope structure, and many indeed were missing. Those that were left were tinted black and grey like the ropes themselves. A little of the original creamy-white colouring showed through.

Cleo had to admit she didn't really want to chance that bridge.

“We can't just assume the Pokemon here are trapped,” she said. “There must be another way across.”

“Reshiram?” Spark suggested.

“He's too big,” said Faith. “He'd get stranded here.”

Cleo looked around them at the steep sides and nodded. “It might look spacious to us, but not to him. He needs room to take off.”

Spark sighed and sat down. Her large eyes were drawn to the massive crack and she twitched her nose in curiosity.

“Cleo... I don't think this break goes all the way through the island.”

Cleo looked over at her. “No?”

“No. I mean... if it did, the island would be in two, right? There'd be water down there.”

Cleo and Faith peered over the edge of the fissure.

“You have a point,” said Cleo. “But... what are you getting at?”

“It's a deterrent. Pokemon can't cross it because they'd fall to their deaths. But... what if there is another way across? The bridge is worn and battered, but think about it. We know some Pokemon live underground with a lot of exits and entrances. Wait...” She looked up at Cleo. “What if the Pokemon here live underground?!”

“Fire Pokemon...” Cleo stared at Spark for a moment then looked up sharply, her eyes going to the top of the mountain. “It's a volcano... they'd want to stay where its warm!” She bolted over to the steep surface of the mountain. “Spark, you're a genius!”

Spark leapt to her feet. “I am? What did I do?”

Faith laughed and followed after Cleo. “You gave us an idea!”

Spark darted after them on all fours. “You're climbing back to the top again? N'aww!”

The slope was much steeper than the one they'd come down, and the rocks were brittle in places, crumbling away beneath their paws. The slippery rock was equally as difficult and Cleo made a point of staying away from it. The shimmering trails marked the magma's path down the side of the mountain, pooling into the deep fissure below. Cleo couldn't help but think any Pokemon that survived that drop would meet a terrible end when the volcano erupted.

The higher they climbed, the more treacherous the rocks became. Stiff plants jutted out from the rock, splitting it and causing it to crumble effortlessly beneath their paws. The plants themselves provided a stable hold to hoist themselves up, or to hang onto when the ground crumbled, but with each slip, Cleo's heart lurched into her throat and the yells from her friends behind her caused her to look back. They were okay, but she received a clear view of the ground below and her head began to spin. She screwed her eyes shut and turned her face back to the peak of the volcano. One paw... then two... she forced herself over the dangerous slope and finally her paw touched level ground. She pulled herself up then offered a paw to Faith, pulling the Mawile up beside her. Spark had decided to ride on the Mawile's back and hopped off as Faith doubled over to catch her breath.

Cleo took a look around. A brittle, burnt tree stood a couple of feet away, its scorched and bare branches reaching down like black claws. The mountain rose on behind it, opening up into the mouth of the volcano. Their path, however, was still cut off by that deep crack.

Faith looked up. “Where are we?”

“Stuck,” said Cleo. “We can't reach the mouth of the volcano with that crack in the way.”

“You think we can get into their home through that?” Spark gasped. “What if it's live?!”

“If it's live, we'll know before we reach it,” said Cleo. “It will be hot.”

Spark shook her head. “Even a fire Pokemon wouldn't live in a volcano.” She paused. “Unless its a Magmar or something.”

“Spark has a point,” said Faith, still trying to catch her breath. “If the Pokemon here are living underground then they'd want to stay where its warm, but not right in the thick of molten rock.”

Cleo made a thoughtful noise and looked away from the volcano. Her eyes landed on the burnt tree and for the first time she noticed something was nailed to it. She ventured over, taking in the blackened piece of wood. Engraved into its surface were two words, barely readable beneath the years of damage and wear.

“What is it?” Faith joined her side.

Cleo squinted, trying to read the faded words. Then her heart skipped a beat. The words read a warning, giving her a clear idea of the nature of the island's Pokemon.

'Stay away'.

Spark made an audible gulp. “Well, I think I know when I'm not welcome.”

Cleo nodded and took a step back. “I agree. I think we shou-”

A loud crack echoed across the island as the rock beneath them split, caving in and sucking them down amongst the debris. Cleo landed hard on her back, and her body was pelted with the sharp, brittle rocks. It seemed to last an eternity, the debris falling in bursts as more and more of the land caved in above her.

When it finally settled, the noise faded, revealing a distinct clanging of metal. She sat up, coughing as dust filled her nose and throat. What was that noise? She fanned at the grey dust cloud and looked around at the pile of rocks and splintered wood. The mound shifted and Faith's surprised face appeared, small rocks falling away from her. She pushed herself free from the debris and fixed her wide eyes on Cleo.

“Are you all right?”

“Are you?” Cleo asked.

Faith nodded and looked down at herself. “I think so. Are you okay Spark?”

Spark's muffled voice grumbled a reply. Faith raised her horn and opened its massive jaws. Spark peered out and shook her tiny head before hopping onto the dusty rocks.

“What's that clanging?” she asked.

Cleo let out a sigh of relief. So Faith had thought fast and caught Spark safely in her jaws before the ground completely gave way... she stood up and looked around them. The clanging noise was fading away, along with the dust cloud. Beyond it stood an iron fence and three stone walls. Above them was a gaping hole, the light blocked out by that burned tree. It had toppled over, trapping them deep underground.

“Cleo,” said Faith. “I think this is a cell.”

Cleo looked out again at that iron gate and her heart sank. She ran over to it and placed her paws on the cold, unwelcoming bars. The walls joined it on either side. Faith was right.

They were trapped.

...​

The two Zangoose and the Gliscor were still working beside the river, trying to clear out as much poison as they could. As Enigma drew closer, he could make out the massive form of the Nidoking several feet away from them. The snow beneath his body was dyed a pale red and a streak of deep pink trailed down from under his horn. The chime of a bell cut through the sunset, causing the three Pokemon to look up sharply.

Enigma materialised beside the Nidoking's body and scanned it over with his eyes. The body was cut in several places, most notably around his horn.

“Hey!” The Gliscor rounded on him, and Enigma dodged, just barely moving out of the Gliscor's path as he flew towards him, his pincers glowing with an eerie black light. The large scorpion-like Pokemon landed in the snow, glaring at him. “You aren't welcome here!”

Enigma snorted and looked back at the Nidoking. “I'm only here to see if I can figure out who poisoned the river.”

“Well you're not wanted!” the Gliscor snapped.

He raised his claws to ready another attack and Enigma rolled his eyes at him.

“Threaten me all you want,” Enigma said, his voice bored. “But I think you'd be interested to know, I've figured this out.”

“You're joking.” The male Zangoose sounded surprised. He approached Enigma, keeping one eye on him as he looked down at the Nidoking. “None of us have a clue.”

“That's because the murder isn't from here.” Enigma pointed to the Nidoking's horn. “See those fine slashes? Only a Pokemon with blades can do that.”

The Gliscor glowered at him. “Who's to say you didn't do it using a blade?”

“Why would I poison my friend then ask you for help?” Enigma stared at him, but a surge of surprise caused his eyes to widen and he looked away. Friend? He shook off the shock and turned his attention back to the Nidoking. “I've also just spent an entire day in your town and spared you all.” He chuckled. “Right? I think it's clear to you now that this isn't some convoluted trick.”

The Zangoose stared at him for a moment then looked away. “He has a point, Kale. This isn't his doing, I'm certain.”

The Gliscor mumbled incoherently and went back to the river.

“So what Pokemon has blades?” the Zangoose asked. “Because all I can think of is a Scyther, and a Scyther would be poisoned itself.”

“A steel type wouldn't,” said Enigma.

The Zangoose let out a small gasp. “A Scizor? But they don't have blades!”

Enigma chuckled. “Come on, wrack your brain! I haven't got all night, I need to track this killer down.”
The Zangoose snarled. “Is this some kind of game to you?”

Enigma clasped his paws behind his head and gave the Zangoose a sideways smirk. “What dark Pokemon is covered in a steel body? Enough steel that they cut up whatever they carry?” He nodded to the Nidoking's torn body.

“Bisharp and Pawniard,” said the Zangoose. “But they were wiped out, weren't they?”

“One would think. But I've spotted two recently.” Enigma turned away from him. “They hang around with an Absol.”

The Zangoose gasped. “An Absol did this?!”

“They bring disaster, don't they?”

Enigma walked away, leaving the Zangoose to mull over what he'd said.

Yes, they bring disaster. And this one was only going to bring disaster on himself.

Harbinger... why would he have poisoned Harlequin if they were friends?

Enigma felt his face twist into a sneer and he launched himself into the branches of the evergreen trees. That Absol must still be lurking about somewhere. If Harlequin was his target, he'd want to make sure he was dead. Enigma needed to get high up enough to survey the area, and see if he could spot that Absol or his Pawniard comrades amongst the white snow.

He warped into the highest branches and the tip of the tree bent dangerously, the fine branches barely holding his weight. He cast his eyes quickly over the ground before warping across the treetops, adopting the same position in each tree, each one bending at the tip and flicking back up again as he left it.

The valley seemed empty, a stark comparison to the village he'd left behind. But he found his clue faster than he expected. In the snow were a set of three paw prints. Large, flat, clawed prints ran through the middle of a pair of small, sharp ones.

Enigma grinned.

Throwing himself into the lower branches, he followed the trail leading up to the mountain. His bell was ringing out like a siren. If the Absol heard it, going off his reaction the last time they'd met, he wouldn't be inclined to run.

If he was bold enough to poison Harlequin knowing Enigma was present, this Absol clearly didn't fear him.

But there he was. Running along the mountain, the Pawniard twins at his side.

Enigma laughed. So he was a coward!

With two swift warps, Enigma was on top of the Absol, bowling the feline onto his back. Harbinger lashed out with his claws and the two Pawniard rushed at him. Enigma placed his paw on the Absol's chest, reaching into his rib cage.

The Absol froze, his red eyes widening as they locked onto the Banette's.

Enigma looked up briefly at the Pawniard. “I'd stop if I were you. You don't want to be the reason I kill him... do you?”

The Pawniard froze and took two steps back, their large eyes going from Harbinger to Enigma and back. One of them ran his claws together uncertainly, the shrill screech of metal cutting through the air.

Enigma turned his eyes back on the Absol. The disaster Pokemon sneered at him, flashing his canines. Enigma just laughed.

“Well, what do you know. I caught you.” Enigma shrugged. “Are you going to tell me why you poisoned Harlequin? Or was the village really your target?”

“Of course it was Harlequin!” Harbinger snapped. “The village was just an added bonus!”

“Oh, really!” Enigma feigned surprise. “Well, the village is fine. Harlequin is also fine. But what I find surprising...” He fastened his claws around one of Harbinger's ribs, causing the Absol to flinch, “is that I thought you and Harlequin were childhood friends.”

“Friends?!” the Absol spat. “He abandoned me!”

Enigma loosened his grip, his eyes wide with surprise. “Abandoned you?”

“Yes! To go and work with you scum in the Shadow Lands!” Harbinger let out a low growl, his lips pulling back from his teeth.

“Funny... he told me you were dead.”

Enigma was expecting the Absol to be surprised at his words, but his muzzle creased in a vicious snarl.

“He lied!” Harbinger roared. “He lied to me, he lied to you! He's a liar!”

Enigma chuckled, affirming his grip and causing Harbinger to let out a groan as his face grimaced in pain.

“Oh, he didn't lie to me. Let me think... who told you he'd gone to work in the Shadow Lands? A fat Honchkrow I'm assuming?”

Harbinger was silent, but a look of recognition crossed his face.

Enigma chuckled. “Thought so. You see, that fat bird is a compulsive liar. He's the one who lied to you. He's the one who told Harlequin you were dead. Now... that poor Zorua has found out you're alive and is looking for you.”

Harbinger's eyes had lost the fire of rage, but his sneer still stood firm on his face.

“Ordinarily, I'd kill you for what you've done, but he's looking for you, expecting a happy reunion.” Enigma lowered himself until he was almost nose to nose with the Absol. “I'll let you go alive if you promise to me you'll give him one.”

A gritty growl escaped Harbinger's throat. “I'm not promising you anything!”

Enigma chuckled and sat back, staring down at his claws effortlessly nestling beyond the Absol's chest. “Pity... I really don't want to take your life.” He let out a sigh. “Harlequin would never forgive me.” He shrugged. “Oh well. At least I know the truth.”

Harbinger let out a howl as Enigma tugged at one of his ribs.

“Stop it!”

He froze, looking up at the Pawniard twins. One of them had approached him and stood protectively beside the helpless Absol.

“Please, stop...” He looked down at Harbinger. “You can't kill him. He's all we've got.”

Enigma stared at him, his grip on the Absol loosening. The Pawniard's words had been a little close to home.

He frowned. “You're just as responsible, kid.”

“We're sorry.” The Pawniard looked back at his nervous brother who nodded briskly. “If we'd known... if Harbinger had known... we wouldn't have done that... it was wrong.” He paused and shifted closer to the Absol. “Please... don't kill him.”

Enigma let out a sigh and released the Absol, letting his claws slide harmlessly back out of his body. He stood up and took a step back.

Harbinger flipped himself up onto his feet and snapped, his jaws closing around Enigma's paw.

The Banette let out a yell, snatching his paw back as Harbinger sprang away from him. The Absol's fur was on end, his tail held low. The two Pawniard scurried backwards to join him, their eyes not leaving Enigma.

He looked down at his paw, red blood coating his grey fur. He clutched it tightly as he watched the Absol turn away and sprint across the snow, vanishing into the mountains.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

52 – Tyrix​

Faith collapsed against the iron gate, the flames from her horn's jaws fizzling out as she slid down it, exhausted. A deep echoing clang reverberated through the ground and faded away, causing Spark to stare at the floor with a raised eyebrow.

“What are these things made of?” Faith gasped out.

Spark raised a claw. “I can try the lock again?”

Cleo looked down at the little Dedenne. Spark was perfectly able to slip between the bars, which a standard sized Dedenne would have had trouble with. However, she refused to leave them.

“Spark, do you want to see if you can find help?” Cleo suggested, and not for the first time.

Spark shook her head sharply. “I told you, Cleo, I'm not risking running around in here! These are cells. Why do they have them?”

“She has a point, Cleo,” said Faith. “We were told the Pokemon on Fire Island decided to keep themselves to themselves. They might not welcome strangers with friendly smiles.”

Cleo grit her teeth and looked back up at the hole in the ceiling. The dust had settled now, and a small ray of dim light trickled down between the branches of the fallen tree. The sun was setting. If the Pokemon on this island were nocturnal, they would probably find out very soon.

“What about Reshiram?” Spark asked.

“That's a good point,” said Faith. “I worry he'd get stuck trying to help us out, but we are really out of options now.”

“I agree.” Cleo reached into her bag for the long white feather. “If it comes to it, I can always lift him with psychic.” She stared down at the feather. She'd never lifted a Pokemon of Reshiram's size before, and she was doubting she'd be able to do it.

Her train of thought was interrupted by a jumble of clanging noises from deep in the tunnel. All three pairs of eyes looked to the right as the noise grew with intensity and faded away. It wasn't dissimilar to the noise they'd heard when they struck the ground. The same noise had reverberated through the cells with each attack Faith had thrown at the bars, ringing out through the tunnel like an alarm. As it faded away, heavy footsteps slapped the floor, growing louder as they moved closer and closer.

Shadows flickered up the walls, shrinking as an orange light moved with a swaying motion towards them. A dark shadow beneath it turned and fixed two ruby eyes onto them. It was difficult to make out the towering Pokemon's face, but the orange flames on its back lit up a pair of glistening canines as its face twisted into a sneer.

“Outsiders!” The Pokemon's heavily masculine voice boomed out, causing the three Pokemon to back away from the bars. A flicker of flames shot out from between his teeth, lighting up his face enough for them to make out the pointed muzzle of a Typhlosion. “What are you even doing here?!”

“We were...” Cleo's voice cracked as the Typhlosion's intimidating glare focused on her, and she paused to clear her throat. “We were looking for a fire Pokemon to help us.”

“Help you?!” He tried to mask an amused smirk behind a sneer. “Not enough fire Pokemon on the main land?”

Faith glanced back at Cleo then took a step towards the Typhlosion.

“Fire Island was suggested to us,” she explained. “So we came to search here.”

“A Mawile?” The Typhlosion's muzzle crinkled with disgust. “Some nerve you've got coming here, with that glaring weakness of yours!”

A stream of flames shot from his mouth and Faith took a small step back, her eyes watching the ground glow red for a moment before the intense heat flizzled away.

Cleo placed a paw on Faith's shoulder and gave her an apologetic look before turning her attention back on the snarling Typhlosion.

“We're sorry we disturbed you,” she said. “If you let us out of here, we'll leave. We'll go back to the main land and never return.”

“No.” Faith removed Cleo's paw from her shoulder, keeping her eyes on the large fire Pokemon. “He might be the one we're looking for.”

“You're kidding!” squeaked Spark with a nod at the Typhlosion. “This guy?”

The Typhlosion's ruby eyes snapped down to Spark. His mouth twisted into a huge grin and he doubled over as he exploded into a fit of laughter. His paws clutched at his stomach and he screwed his eyes shut, uncontrollable giggles shaking his body.

“Would you look at you!” he panted, fixing one eye on Spark. “I've never seen... a Pokemon so small!”

Spark frowned and small jolts of electricity danced over her whiskers.

The Typhlosion's laughter came to an abrupt stop as a dry cough racked his body, and large clouds of black smoke shot out of his mouth with each violent burst. The flames on his back went out with a flash, plunging the cells into darkness, nothing more than that weak light from the darkening sky making everything look grey.

Any attempt to shock him left Spark's mind and she looked up at Cleo and Faith.

“Are you all right?” Faith asked.

“Back off!” the Typhlosion snarled.

“Never!” Faith gripped the bars of the cell, fixing her violet eyes on the Typhlosion's. “You're clearly sick. We can help you.”

“I have all the help I need! I don't need it from some outsider like you.”

“I think you do,” said Cleo. “We have berries, and meat. I didn't see many of them on our climb through the mountains.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a sitrus berry, handing it through the bars to the Typhlosion. “Here. All Pokemon eat sitrus and oran berries when they need strength, and we have plenty.”

The shadow of the Typhlosion's large body rose up slightly as he fixed his eyes on the large, orange fruit.

“Are you trying to bribe your way out of here?” he growled.

“No.” Cleo pushed the berry forwards. “You can leave us in here all you want. Just take it.”

The fire Pokemon laughed bitterly and pushed himself to his feet. “I could take everything from you, even your lives.”

“But you won't,” said Cleo. “Or you would have done so by now.”

She paused as the Typhlosion stared down at them, his body hunched forwards as his breath came in quick, uneven bursts.

“I've met Pokemon who do want to kill us,” she said. “They don't exactly give you a chance to speak.”

“Unless they want information,” added Spark. She looked up at the large Pokemon. “Is that what you want? Information?”

The Typhlosion snorted and turned his head sharply away from them.

“Didn't think so,” said Spark.

A loud click echoed through the cell, causing the iron bars to vibrate. The gate lurched outwards, almost dragging Faith and Cleo off their feet. The Typhlosion stood in the open doorway, leering down at them.

“Go.”

The small group of Pokemon moved out of the cell and stood in the dimly lit tunnel, looking left and right. The Typlosion gave a small, exasperated sigh.

“Sorry,” said Cleo. “Which way do we go?”

“This way.” The Typhlosion turned and moved away through the tunnel.

Cleo, Faith and Spark exchanged glances before following after him. His movements were slow and sluggish, and his large paws slapped heavily against the floor. What had once sounded like a large, strong Pokemon stomping down the tunnel was now clearly the sound of a tired, sick Pokemon trudging along with what strength they had left in their body.

The tunnel turned sharply upwards, revealing a set of stairs carved out of the blotchy, grey stone that was prevalent in these volcanic mountains. The Typhlosion dragged himself up them, grunting with the effort. As he reached the top, he stood aside and pointed at a large opening just ahead of him. Another flight of stony steps were lit up with the dwindling rays of the setting sun.

“There,” he grumbled. “You're out.”

Cleo looked back at him to thank him, but her words froze in her mouth. In this light, she could now make out his appearance. His mouth hung open as he gasped for breath from the exertion of climbing the stairs. What alarmed her the most was she could count each of his ribs through his dull and dirty fur.

“Goodness!” gasped Faith. “When did you last eat something?”

He pulled his lips back from his teeth and let out a low, rumbling growl.

“Stop it!” Cleo snapped. She reached into her bag and pulled out their provisions. “I want you to help yourself. Take as much as you need.”

The Typhlosion stared down at the assorted berries and dried fish as Cleo unwrapped them on the dry ground. His eyes snapped back up to hers and flashed his canines.

“I don't need your pity.”

“It's not pity,” she said flatly. “Take it as a thank you for leading us out of here.”

“Yes,” said Spark. “And please take some back to your friends too.”

The Typhlosion looked at Spark and the flames on his shoulders erupted into life. He let out a roar, causing the Dedenne to flinch into Cleo's fur. But his voice cut off as his body swayed, the flames going out once more as he flopped into the tunnel wall. He struggled to catch his breath as he slid to the ground, his fur dragging up dark dirt from the dry, sooty walls.

Faith leapt to his side and placed a paw on his shoulder. She looked up at Cleo.

“Can you carry him? We need to get him somewhere more comfortable.”

“I can try.” Cleo unfurled her ears, watching Spark as she leapt onto the floor to safety. “But I don't know where his room is.”

“All we can do is try.” Faith quickly gathered up the berries and meat and popped them into Cleo's bag. “I'm not wanting to leave him though, he's in desperate need of help.”

Spark watched the Typhlosion rise into the air in a bubble of purple light. “It's just so sad he's got too much pride to accept it... and it's led to this.” She let out a wistful sigh. “I actually want to cry.”

Faith scooped Spark up in her paws, causing her to let out a squeak of surprise. She held the Dedenne to her chest and moved down to the corridor, letting Cleo fall into pace behind her as she checked each of the rooms and tunnels they passed by. Cleo thought for a brief moment she could see tears in the Mawile's eyes.

...​

The Typhlosion lay on a pile of stale hay. Faith had spotted the room as they navigated the complicated tunnels. The room was further underground than they had been previously, possibly on the same level as the cells.

Spark stood aside, her electricity lighting the room as Cleo searched for some sitrus berries in her bag. The Typhlosion was still alive, but Cleo was anxious he might not wake up any time soon. Reshiram was waiting for them, and she didn't want to make him worry if they took too long.

“It's a shame we don't still have Harlequin with us,” said Spark. “Her bitter herbs would wake him right back up.”

“I know,” said Cleo. “Depsite the bitterness, they're oddly invigorating.”

She pulled out two sitrus berries and set them on the ground, giving a look over her shoulder at Faith. The Mawile was stood in the entrance to the room, looking absently down the dark, empty corridor. She'd been silent since they'd found this room, and during their walk through the winding tunnels any words from her had been few and far between.

“Are you all right, Faith?” she asked.

“Hmm?” Faith looked back at her and let out a small sigh. “I've just been putting the pieces together. The emptiness of the mountains and these tunnels... his reaction when Spark suggested he take some food back to his friends rang out as clear as day. He's alone here.”

Cleo glanced down at the Typhlosion. Faith had a point. This Pokemon very likely was alone. They'd not seen any evidence to support otherwise.

“Do you think that's why he's been so aggressive?” Spark asked. “He's not used to company?”

“I think it might run a lot deeper than that,” said Faith. “He didn't seem to trust us.”

“No,” said Cleo. “But he was kind enough to show us the way out.”

“I'm not saying he's a bad Pokemon,” said Faith. “Quite the opposite. The thing is, he referred to us as 'outsiders'. All we know about Fire Island is what we were told – that they keep themselves to themselves. We've not been told why. Now we're here, and we find not an army of fire warriors, but a lone Typhlosion who's voluntarily starving to death.”

“Voluntarily?” Spark's exclamation of surprise echoed off the bare walls.

“It's not like he can't leave the island. There are many ways to come and go,” Faith explained. “I think there were problems with the main land. A fall out. Or a war. Something that's put a strain on the relationship between the inhabitants of Fire Island and those that live outside it.”

“But we were told the Pokemon here migrated to the main land,” said Cleo.

Faith folded her paws and leant against the wall. “We weren't told the reason why, though.”

A snort of laughter came from the Typhlosion and they looked round at him. He was pushing himself up with his forepaws, his eyes still closed as he choked between bursts of laughter.

“You want to know why?” He opened one eye and leered at the Mawile. “I want to know why you haven't left.”

“We weren't going to leave you in the state you're in,” Faith told him.

“Why not?!” he roared.

“Why?!” Spark almost screamed. “Because we're not heartless!” She picked up a sitrus berry and waved it at him. “Now eat this before I force it down your neck!”

Faith placed both paws over her mouth and looked from the Dedenne to the Typhlosion.

The fire Pokemon's face softened from rage to confusion and he let out a small, amused laugh as he took the berry from Spark.

“Quite a feisty little pipsqueak aren't you?”

Electricity danced across Spark's whiskers and she folded her arms. “If you weren't so weak, I'd zap you for that remark.”

He looked from one Pokemon to the next as he bit into the sitrus berry, the juices running over his chin and claws.

“I don't understand why you three are so insistent on helping me.”

“Because you're sick,” said Faith. “I already told you, we're not happy to leave you in this condition.”

He snorted and lowered the berry. “Don't you blame me?”

“Blame you?” Faith gasped. “For what?”

“All that massacre.” He waved a paw absently at the wall. “I thought you three, of all Pokemon, would bare the biggest grudge!”

The three Pokemon exchanged confused glances before looking back at the Typhlosion.

“Oh old Tyrix did it!” The Typhlosion went on. “Tyrix raised an army of fire! Run for your lives!” He snorted and leant back against the wall, taking another bite out of the sitrus berry.

“Tyrix?” Spark's nose twitched. “I thought he was meant to be really old. But... you're not old.”

“My grandfather founded this island,” he explained. “The name was passed on to my father, then to me.”

“I'm confused,” said Faith. “You say Tyrix raised an army of fire Pokemon. As far as we're aware, that's your grandfather. Why would you be to blame for any massacre?”

Tyrix looked from each of them as he licked the juices off his claws. “You two,” he pointed to Cleo and Spark, “are from the Sparkling Forest.”

Cleo felt her eyes widen. “Yes. How did you know that?”

“Because the Wildfires trashed the place.”

Cleo felt her heart hit her stomach and her paws balled into fists.

Tyrix looked over at Faith. “As for you... I believe they also trashed the Iron Canyon.”

“I'm not from the Iron Canyon,” she said flatly. “I'm from the Fairy Garden.”

Tyrix's eyes widened and the berry he'd picked up fell into his lap and rolled onto the stale hay.

“Fairy Garden?” He blinked a few times and shook his head sharply. “Argh, that old tale. Pull the other one, Mawile! I know you're here for revenge.”

“I am not here for revenge,” she said. “We came here looking for a fire Pokemon who can help us stop the Wildfires.”

Tyrix threw his head back and laughed, but it was soon cut off by a series of violent coughs. Cleo fanned her paws near her face to avoid breathing in the thick, black smoke that gushed from his mouth.

“The Wildfires?!” He covered his mouth and cleared his throat, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “You think I can stop them?!”

“I don't know,” said Faith. “Do you?”

“In my condition? You've seen the state of me!”

Cleo's claws were digging into her pads. She unclenched them and looked up at the Typhlosion.

“Why do you think we're here for revenge?” she asked slowly. “When it wasn't you who burned down our home?”

Tyrix let out a single laugh and closed his eyes. “This place is called Fire Island. Haven't you put the pieces together yet?”

A metallic taste filled Cleo's mouth. She stared at the Typhlosion, waiting for him to elaborate. He seemed to take the hint as his face split into a bitter smirk.

“Years ago, fire Pokemon fled this island for the main land. They were sick of war, wanting to live peacefully with the other Pokemon. My grandfather's old tales stirred them, and they wanted peace. All but a group of nasty Houndour, one of which went by the name of Howlinger.”

Cleo felt her jaw drop, but no words came out.

A loud exclamation from Spark cut into the sudden silence.

“You see, he's from here. We got the blame. I raised that foolish pup.” Tyrix threw his large paws into the air. “His mother died when she had her litter. He was the only one that survived. A foolish little power-hungry canine with a sneer that could put other Pokemon off their berries. He wanted nothing more than to raise his own army and fight for the Darkness. He spat at the stories my grandfather told, and one day, he left this island. His howling army blazed through the forests on the main land as he took off for the Shadow Lands. And who got the blame?” Tyrix pointed a long claw at his chest. “I did. All because I raised that pup.”

The room was silent for a moment. Cleo couldn't look at him. She seethed, her claws digging into her pads once more.

Finally, Faith's voice cut through the silence.

“It wasn't your fault.”

Cleo flinched and silently kicked herself. Had she seriously been blaming this Typhlosion for a war that he hadn't even started?

“So you raised a Houndour,” Faith went on. “One that didn't accept your morals. It's not remotely your fault! The damage he causes is his own doing.”

“That's not how others see it.” He turned his ruby eyes onto Faith. “I've had Pokemon come here looking for revenge. I can't even leave this place. Those cells you ended up in? Traps I had to set to save my own hide.”

“Yes, and you let us out.” Faith smiled. “You couldn't have hurt us if you wanted to, could you?”

Tyrix snorted and bit into another berry.

Cleo looked up at him. “Do you think you could take down the Wildfires, if you personally raised Howlinger?”

He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. “I don't know, little Meowstic. You've seen me?”

Cleo grimaced and clenched her paws into fists. “I understand. Maybe your not the fire Pokemon Xerneas asked us to find.” She turned away from him and marched to the door.

“Hang on.”

Cleo looked back at the Typhlosion. He stared at her with a look of utter confusion, then looked down at Faith.

“You said you're from the Fairy Garden. And you said Xerneas sent you to find a fire Pokemon.” He scratched his head as he looked at each of them. “Were the tales my grandfather used to tell me not really tales?”

Faith's face split into a jovial grin. “Of course they're not just tales!”

“Oh, wow!” He threw his paws into the air and let out a small laugh. “I'm not sure how to take this. I used to believe them as a hatchling, but after a while I thought they were just stories with good morals to get us to live good lives.”

Cleo moved over to him, her eyes not leaving the Typhlosion. “Then why did you start an army?”

He fixed his ruby eyes on hers. “Do you even know what the fire warriors were?”

She blinked but said nothing.

“They were an army,” Tyrix said slowly, “that was formed to help other Pokemon who needed it. My grandfather started it, and passed the torch down to my dad, who then passed it down to me. We went to the main land to help Pokemon who had fallen victim to the Darkness.”

Faith clapped her paws together. “That sounds like a very noble deed!”

“Aye, it was! You see, back when the war first started, my grandfather was still young, so I don't remember it. But after I took over, it got much worse. Our help was gratefully accepted for many seasons... and then the Wildfires happened.”

Cleo was silent, not looking at the Typhlosion. So this is where the Wildfires were from? Something so terrible was from a place that fought on the side of good?

“They sullied my name,” Tyrix went on. “The Pokemon on the main land knew that they lived here, but they accepted the fact that not all dark and dragon type Pokemon are bad. Not all of them fight for the Darkness. But Howlinger led his army of Houndour across the land, burning down villages left and right, trying to gain favour with that blasted Hydreigon. Then, of course, the blame was pointed at me. Armies flocked to Fire Island with a grudge, trying to wipe us out. Those who had sense left, but I was the general. I was to blame.” He let his paws fall into his lap and shook his head, laughing bitterly.

“That's why you stayed here,” said Faith sadly.

He nodded. “Yup, that's why I stayed.”

“And why you're voluntarily starving,” said Cleo. She looked up at Tyrix and met his eyes. “Eat and get your strength back. You're beating Howlinger and his wretched army.”

Tyrix snorted. “You think I can beat him?”

“You raised him,” said Cleo. “You know his weaknesses.”

Tyrix closed his eyes and chuckled. “Weaknesses?”

“He has them. We all do.”

The Typhlosion was quiet for a moment, his eyes glazing over as he drifted into thought. After a long pause, he focused his eyes back onto Cleo. “Aye, that he does. He has a big one.” He leant back against the wall and stared at her. “Can you guess what it is?”

“No,” she said flatly.

“His ego.” Tyrix shrugged. “He has too much of an ego. Let it get to his head. He wanted his entire army to be clones of himself, so he selected only the Houndour that met his criteria. They all had to have the same skills, the same attacks – long range fire, close range dark. Unfortunately for him that meant none of them could stand to be inside their own flames. Those that run through them get burned.”

“That's why they leave a trail of fire!” Spark gasped.

“Exactly! They burn things as they run through them.” Tyrix leant forward on his knees. “I, on the other hand, am completely able to stand inside their flames. Fire doesn't hurt me like it does them.”

Cleo blinked at him in confusion. “What does that mean?”

“Oh, very simple, little Meowstic.” Tyrix grinned widely. “Fire gives me strength.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

53 – Frozen Honey​

The young Mothim climbed up the cold bark of the evergreen tree. Lightning had struck it at some point in its life, and the top was entirely missing, giving the tree a squared-off appearance. Burnt branches spiked away from the trunk at dramatic angles, but despite having been almost entirely destroyed by a storm, green leaves still clung on to it here and there.

What the Mothim was after lay inside the tree's hollowed out top. A hive of Combee had once inhabited it, and even though it had been abandoned for a little while, he knew some honey still remained.

He poked his head through the hole and closed his eyes as he let out a disappointed sigh. Sure, there was honey, but the blizzard had crystallized it. It would take some time to carve it out into his bucket. Did he have that time?

He dragged his head out of the hole and looked back over his shoulder, and his heart almost froze in his chest.

Flying at him was a flock of Murkrow. Angry caws screamed from their mouths as his eyes locked onto them, causing his muscles to lock up. He clutched at the tree trunk like a life line, and his eyes slowly widened.

This was it.

This was how he was going to die.

He closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact.

But it never came.

A bright flash lit up the sky and he opened his eyes again. A large number of Murkrow dropped from the sky and hit the snow-covered ground with a series of soft thuds.

“Go!”

He looked up, but his vision was obscured by another bright flash of pink and purple.

“Go on! Get out of here!”

The Mothim shook himself and fell from the tree, spreading his wings and fluttering away into the mountains.

Ordinarily he wouldn't need telling twice.

However, he regretted not getting a good look at the Pokemon who'd saved his life.

...​

Harlequin checked through her bag one last time. Everything was intact – various antidotes, the mounted Nidoking horn, a selection of berries and dried meats... nothing seemed to be missing.

Satisfied, she threw the bag over her shoulder.

“Are you sure you're okay to leave now?” Elsa asked.

Harlequin fixed her with a sapphire gaze and nodded. “Yes, I am. Thank you again for helping me. I can't repay you enough.”

“Like I said, Harlequin, you owe me nothing.” The Lilligant gave her a warm smile. “I trust you're going to try to find Enigma?”

Harlequin nodded. “Yes. I don't know where he'll be, however. But our paths tend to cross quite frequently.”

“I hope you do find him. He'll probably be worried sick.”

Harlequin clenched her jaw and stared out of the window. Worried sick... she didn't really need to be reminded of his reaction. It had distressed her enough. Where would he be now? And why had he chosen not to come back for her? Had he gone on a mad revenge spree?

Elsa's voice cut through her thoughts, dragging her back to the present. “Before you leave, I want to give you this. Just in case.”

Harlequin stared at the vial held out to her in Elsa's leafy paw. Her jaw dropped and she shook her head slowly.

“No... I can't take it. What if you need it? The river... it's still contaminated, isn't it?”

Elsa continued to smile. “I've told you, we have a spring. We don't need to use the river. Besides, the Pokemon in this village are working on cleaning it up, and the ones that are aren't affected by poison.”

Harlequin was speechless. She looked back down at the vial, her mouth agape.

“I want you to take it, Harlequin. You don't have one, and it might come in use.”

Harlequin closed her eyes and gave a small nod. She took the vial in her jaws and deposited it carefully into her bag.

“Thank you,” she said with a smile.

Elsa chuckled. “Besides, you do carry a Nidoking horn on you. Whatever would you do if you caught yourself on it?”

Harlequin laughed and made for the stairs. “I've been careful enough so far.”

“I suggest you be extra careful now, and not just with your poisons.”

Harlequin looked back at her. “What?”

“The village. They were rather cold to you and your friend. You were both under my protection so long as you remained in the village, but now you are leaving, they might retaliate against you.”

Harlequin gave her a half-smile. “Don't worry. I have my illusion to take care of that.”

“I think you'll need to use it. At least until you are far enough away from here to move around safely.” Elsa paused and gave her a reassuring smile. “I believe you've changed your ways, but others will need some time to realise that.”

“I understand.” Harlequin gazed out of the window. “I want them to realise it but I understand it will take a while.” She paused, frowning as she listened to the sounds of Pokemon chatting outside. “The Zangoose are out of town, aren't they?”

“Yes, they'll be by the river. Why do you ask?”

“I'm going to borrow his form for a while.”

Harlequin cast her a glance, then allowed her illusion to distort her form into that of a Zangoose. The sudden change took Elsa by surprise and she covered her mouth with one of her long leaves.

Harlequin laughed. “Yes, it can be a little alarming. Thanks again, Elsa. Maybe I'll see you again?”

Elsa removed her paw and smiled. “Maybe, you never know. Take care, Harlequin.”

Harlequin nodded and trotted down the stairs, slipping out of Elsa's door. The Lilligant had followed her, and waved briefly as Harlequin moved away through the town, not looking back. Anything she did now had to reflect that of the Zangoose. Looking back at Elsa's house would only highlight the fact she'd just left it. She didn't know if the Zangoose visited the Lilligant or not.

She broke into a run and left the town gate. Not one of the other Pokemon gave her a second glance, probably assuming the Zangoose was on his way to help with the river, and had needed to return home for some reason or another.

Outside the village was quiet, like many of the surrounding areas. Finding Enigma's scent trail wasn't too difficult. It was faint, but clung to the trodden down snow, a repetitive trail leading from the gate to the river as the Pokemon had gone back and forth from their task. As she ran along it, it wasn't long before she spotted the group of Pokemon beside the river – two Zangoose and a Gliscor. Great, she couldn't exactly run by disguised as one of them.

She deviated off the path, heading for the mountain side. Unfortunately it meant abandoning the scent trail. If she wanted to find Enigma now, she needed to get high up enough to spot him. And there was no telling where he'd be.

She paused in the shade of an evergreen tree, staring down at the busy Pokemon. A fallen tree acted as a bridge across the river, the very one that had been hiding the Nidoking. There was no sign of the Nidoking's body, just a patch of pale red and diluted poison blemishing the white snow.

She took in a sharp breath and looked up at the trees on the other side, narrowing her eyes as she strained to see past them. If he'd wanted to find the Nidoking's killer, he'd have wanted to find the body. And if he'd got to it before they moved it, he'd probably still be on the other side.

Harlequin tutted and snapped her eyes away, looking up into the mountain. She'd need to either wait until that group of Pokemon went home, or find another way around. Staying here would only increase her chances of being spotted, and she couldn't hold onto this illusion indefinitely.

She let it fade, taking back the comfortable form of an oddly-coloured Zorua. With a small skip, she scaled up the side of the mountain, moving as carefully as she could to avoid alerting the Zangoose and Gliscor.

The higher she climbed, the more disheartened she felt. There was no other way across the river.

...​

Enigma had watched the group of Pokemon move the Nidoking's carcass elsewhere. Wherever it was, he hadn't seen. Between them, it had been a cumbersome task, taking all three of them to carry it away from the river.

He hadn't planned to move away, but his run-in with Harbinger had caused him some distress. That Absol had tried to kill Harlequin. Tried and failed.

And he knew he'd failed.

Enigma had been the one to tell him that.

If Harlequin's life was at risk again, it was his fault. If Harbinger tried another assassination on the Zorua, Enigma only had himself to blame. If he hadn't said anything, then that Absol would think his plan had succeeded.

Enigma leant back against the tree, covering his face with his paws.

He felt dizzy. His heart was racing. The desire to track down that Absol and put his nasty plot to an end warred with his desire to protect Harlequin's feelings.

He was Harlequin's friend... friend.

Then there was those two Pawniard kids... and they'd been a part of it.

His heart lurched into his throat and he clenched his fist, striking it against the thick trunk of an evergreen. The branches above him rustled and swayed, dropping a sprinkle of snow onto the ground beside him.

The dizziness subsided into a dull buzz, clouding his thoughts and masking his judgement. It was becoming difficult to make any rational decisions.

All he wanted to do was track down that Absol.

He grimaced and leant back against the tree, sliding down onto the ground. He groaned and placed his head in his paws.

Was his desire to track down Harbinger really linked to Harlequin? It didn't feel like it. He didn't like to think back at all those lives he'd taken, but it never felt anything like this. It had often been impulsive, or defensive, and at first followed by a sick feeling of guilt.

If he was to liken this feeling to anything it would be the urge to give chase, to go on a mad rampage.

Madness.

He retreated into himself and stared blankly at the mottled trunks of the opposite trees. Madness... this wasn't him. It was that ridiculous Pokerus.

He flinched and screwed his eyes shut, clasping at his knees. Images of that Tyranitar and the maniacal Whimsicott filled his mind. Was this what happened to them? Did this Pokerus take control of their minds?

If he went back to Harlequin now, he'd be putting his life at risk.

He took a few steadying breaths and dragged himself to his feet. There was no way he was going back to Harlequin like this.

No...

He was going back to Border Woods to find that laboratory, and put an end to their insane experiments, before it went too far.

He let out a small growl. The frightening question was... what was 'too far'?

...​

The green trees thinned out as the ground began to level out. Harlequin paused to look around at the landscape. After a trek down the rocky mountainside, having her paws on flat ground was a welcome change. She'd headed back up the river, putting the small group of Pokemon behind her, but there'd been no sign of another way across anywhere. In the end, she'd decided to venture back down it, but she'd not been expecting this.

Her eyes fell on the bedraggled trunk of a tree, weathered from a storm and its top completely broken away. There was evidence it had been struck by lightning, as the edges of the splintered bark were singed a dark grey. It wasn't the tree that interested her though. It was the Pokemon clinging to it, his upper torso stuffed into a hole. A pair of yellow and orange wings poked out, occasionally twitching, and he was muttering to himself.

Harlequin padded over to him, her paws crunching over the soft snow. The Mothim didn't seem to hear her, however. She stopped and sat down, inclining her head on one side.

“Excuse me?”

The Mothim's wings went rigid and his mutters came to a sharp stop. He dragged his head out of the hole and fixed a pair of orange eyes on her, his entire body stiffening as his large eyes became wider and wider.

“Do you know of a way across this river?” she asked.

The Mothim stuttered, his paws clutching the tree's bark with such intensity it started to peel away.

“I'm sorry, you clearly recognise me,” said Harlequin. “I should explain... I don't work for the Darkness any more. I'm just looking for a friend.”

“Friend?” The Mothim's pupils flicked from left to right as he checked the clearing for this 'friend' Harlequin spoke of.

“You might not believe me, and I can understand that. But I can assure you this is not a trick.” She paused, watching as the moth Pokemon began to shake. “I can tell you one thing, though. The river's poisoned. I suggest you stay away from it for a while.”

“The river?” He looked at her then fixed his eyes at a spot above her shoulder. “I don't use the river. There's more than one water source...” He trailed off and became fidgety. Of course... if he believed she was an assassin, revealing such information could result in his death.

Harlequin sighed. “I'm sorry. I've clearly bothered you. I'll leave you in peace.” She stood and turned her back on him, heading back the way she'd come.

“You mentioned a friend.”

She stopped and looked back over her shoulder. The Mothim still appeared fidgety, but he was now looking straight at her.

“Erm...” He glanced away. “Have you lost someone?”

Harlequin shrugged. “You could say that. I've recently found out he's alive, and I'm desperate to find him. I believe he might be on the other side of the mountains. Do you know how I can get across the river?” She sat back down and gave a small laugh. “Without going back the way I came?”

“A way across...” The Mothim stuck a paw back into the hole then dropped to the floor, clutching a small bucket to his chest. “I don't know the river that well, I live here. But I... I have found a lost, wandering Pokemon recently.”

Harlequin stared at him, her mind reeling with the possibilities. It was rather unlikely it would be Harbinger, but...

“You've found someone?”

The Mothim nodded. “Yes... he seems quite unwell. I... I'm not sure what to do.”

Harlequin felt her heart lurch. The river... “Is he poisoned?!”

“I don't know.”

She rose to her feet sharply, causing the Mothim to jump into the air. “Show me.”

He nodded briskly and flapped his wings, fluttering away from her. She trotted after him, struggling to keep up. The bug Pokemon was fast, and exceptionally agile. He managed to flit around trees at a hair's breadth. Without warning, he vanished into a hole inside a rocky mound.

Harlequin screeched to a halt and peered inside. The Mothim was stood looking back at her. He closed his eyes briefly and nodded to a Pokemon sprawled out on the ground, its fluffy head lolling to one side and its chest rising and falling steadily. She gasped and stepped into the cave, not taking her eyes off the unconscious Pokemon.

“Mischief?”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

54 – A Daunting Realisation​

“You know this Pokemon?” The Mothim fixed Harlequin with wide, orange eyes and raised an eyebrow.

Harlequin gave a curt nod. “Yes. He's friends with the Outcasts I recently parted from.”

“Is he poisoned?”

She watched the Whimsicott as he lay unconscious, breathing steadily. He didn't seem to be struggling, so she could rule out poisoning.

Although it was pretty clear why he was currently out cold.

She shook her head. “Where did you find him?”

The Mothim placed his small bucket on the floor. Harlequin glanced a pool of sticky, crystallized golden honey almost filling it to the brim.

“I found him after some Murkrow attacked me,” he explained. “I didn't get a good look at the Pokemon that saved me. I was told to run, so I ran. When I came back after all the chaos had subsided, all that was left of the Murkrow were some bodies and scattered feathers. And amongst them was him.” He nodded at the Whimsicott.

Harlequin moved closer to Mischief and nudged him with her paw. He didn't so much as grumble.

“When?” she asked.

“Just earlier this morning.” The Mothim fidgeted his paws together and looked out at the burnt tree. “I've cleared it up since then. I can verify what was left of the Murkrow were dead. As for him... I checked him over, but other than a small scratch he's not taken any injuries.”

Harlequin cast her eyes over the Whimsicott. The only scratch she could see was one over his right eye, but it didn't look new. She turned her back on him and made her way back outside.

“Where are you going?” the Mothim asked. “Isn't he your friend?”

“He's not the Pokemon I'm looking for.” She glanced back at the Mothim. “Don't worry about him. He'll wake up soon.”

“But it's the cold season,” the Mothim explained. “Won't he...?”

Harlequin stared at the Mothim as he glanced from Mischief to her and rubbed his paws together.

“Yes. How do you stay warm?”

He shrugged. “I don't know. I used to hibernate but that's not a safe option any more.”

“Plus you're alone.”

The Mothim closed his eyes and let out a small sigh. “I never used to be. But a little while back, a group of Weavile and Murkrow ran through this area and wiped out what was left of the Combee hive.” He pointed to the burned tree.

Harlequin sat down and stared out at the hollowed tree. A Combee hive... so the young Mothim was harvesting what was left of their honey.

“This will be your first cold season alone?”

The Mothim nodded. “Yes.”

Harlequin stared down at the ground and traced her paw through the snow. Alone... a young Mothim who'd just been attacked by a flock of Murkrow. If Mischief hadn't spotted them, then the poor Pokemon wouldn't have survived.

And now he was preparing himself to face the cold alone...

“Okay.” Harlequin stood and moved back into the cave. “Let's help Mischief on his feet. Once he's recovered, we'll move you on to the little Outcast village nearby.”

“Village?” The Mothim's large eyes widened. “Oh... I've never been to a village. I don't know...”

Harlequin frowned at him. “Do you honestly want to stay in this freezing mountain alone?”

He shook his head sharply. “No. But I don't have a choice-”

“You have a choice. You move on. Over the years, Pokemon have been grouping to live together behind walls. Out here alone, you're a target. And I think today proved that to you.”

The Mothim sat down heavily and stuffed his paw into his little bucket. When he removed it, it was covered in a sticky, lumpy honey which he licked off, his eyes unfocusing as he entered a deep thought.

“You're right,” he said finally.

Harlequin smiled. “What's your name?”

The Mothim turned to look at her. “Flutterwick.”

“Well, Flutterwick.” Harlequin moved over to Mischief and stared down at him. “You were right about one thing. This Pokemon is indeed sick, and he's currently looking for a cure. I'm wondering if you might be able to help him.”

Flutterwick stared at her wordlessly, his paw resting inside the little bucket.

“He has Pokerus,” Harlequin explained. “That's why he's fallen unconscious.”

“Pokerus?” Flutterwick closed his eyes as he laughed. “That's not a dangerous condition!”

“This version of it is. It causes the Pokemon that has it to go into bouts of madness. That's why he told you to run.”

Flutterwick's eyes widened slowly as he stared up into Harlequin's blue ones.

“Yes.” She looked away from him to cast another glance back down at Mischief. “He wasn't telling you to run from the Murkrow. He was getting you far away from himself.”

“Oh...” The Mothim's eyes went to the exit and he shifted his weight around, knocking over the bucket. “So I... I'm sat here with two dangerous Pokemon...”

“I suppose giving you my word I won't hurt you is pointless given my reputation,” Harlequin said quickly. “But it's there nontheless. As for him... well, he wouldn't have told you to run would he?”

There was a small clatter as Flutterwick corrected his bucket. “I'm sorry. I don't know of a cure.”

“I feared as much.” Harlequin turned and made for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I need some air. Keep an eye on him, will you?”

A long groan froze Harlequin in her tracks and she looked back. Flutterwick had rose to his feet, his eyes locked on the Whimsicott. Mischief rubbed a paw over his head and pushed himself up, blinking as he took in his surroundings.

“Where am I?” His eyes went to the Mothim then found her. “Harlequin?” His orange eyes shot wide open and he leapt to his feet. “Cleo?!”

Harlequin blocked Mischief's exit, keeping her eyes on his. “Forget it. She's not here.”

“What?” He stood staring at her then his jaw dropped and he took a step back, his eyes turning fierce. “You're free? What did you do with her?!”

“Nothing!” Harlequin flashed her canines and her voice caused Mischief's expression to be replaced by one of surprise. “She let me go. She had to, so I could save Spark.”

Mischief's paws fell to his side but he didn't take his eyes off the Zorua.

“Then... where is she?”

Flutterwick appeared at his side, looking from Mischief to Harlequin and back.

“I don't know,” Harlequin said flatly. “I left after you did.”

Mischief frowned. “So she removes your collar and you instantly leave them?”

“I didn't instantly leave them! Besides, I had to. I need to find Harbinger to return his mega stone.”

“Mega stone?” Flutterwick's eyes went to the stone around Harlequin's neck.

“Harbinger... you mean that Absol,” said Mischief.

Harlequin's mouth fell open and she stared at Mischief, not sure if she'd heard him correctly.

“How did you know he's an Absol?” she asked.

Mischief went quiet and looked away from her, his paws restless at his sides.

“An Absol?” Flutterwick scratched his chin. “I saw one in the mountains recently. I'm not sure if it's the same one, but...”

A huge smile split Harlequin's face and she bounced on her toes. “It might be! Thank you, Flutterwick! I... I have to go and look for him.”

She turned and bolted through the door, but Mischief's voice froze her.

“Wait! Harlequin! I... don't think you should go and look for him.”

She looked back at him. “Why not? He's my friend.”

“I didn't get that impression when I met him...”

“Wait...” Harlequin took a step towards the Whimsicott. “You met him? When?!”

“After Enigma attacked us.”

Flutterwick let out a small squeak of surprise.

“I woke up and there he was,” Mischief went on.

“Why didn't you tell me?” Harlequin hissed.

“Because he's not happy with you,” Mischief explained. “Like I said. I don't think you should go looking for him.”

“Not happy with me?” Harlequin laughed. “We're friends!”

Harlequin's smile fell at the stern expression in Mischief's eyes. She looked away from him and let out a small, “oh...”

“He's not happy at all,” Mischief told her. He hesitated over his words and averted his gaze. “He wants to kill you.”

Harlequin's mouth opened and closed feebly and she fell back down to her haunches. Wanted to kill her? But... they were friends... weren't they?

She closed her eyes and grit her teeth, a low groan escaping between them. Of course... she'd become an assassin working for Hydreigon. He hated that dragon. Friends or not, anyone who worked for him would be considered an enemy by Harbinger.

He wanted to kill her...

And he was in the mountains...

Her eyes flew open and she locked them onto the Mothim. He let out a yelp and took a step back.

“You said you saw an Absol in the mountains. When?”

“Ah! Erm... about two nights ago...”

Harlequin leapt to her feet and looked out at the frozen landscape. She couldn't see the river from here, but that was where she'd been camping out with Enigma. That's where the river was poisoned. A Nidoking... her mind drifted to the purple horn tucked safely away in her bag. Was this too much of a coincidence?

“He did it...”

The words had escaped her mouth no sooner had she thought them.

“He did what?” Mischief asked.

“He poisoned the river.”

Mischief stuttered. “The Seviper remains?”

“No.” Harlequin swallowed drily. That was right. There were two poisoned rivers. “Actually, I'm not going to dismiss that.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“The river in these mountains has been poisoned with a Nidoking's carcass,” she explained. “Nidoking poison is one I'm well known for using, as it's hard to find an anti-venom for. The body was thrown in the river, hidden behind a fallen tree, right near where Enigma and I were sleeping.”

“Enigma?” Mischief gasped.

Harlequin rounded on him. “Can we focus?” She sighed and turned away. “You're missing the point. You said he wants to kill me.” Her voice cracked and she took in a ragged breath. “Well he probably thinks he already has.”

...​

A soft whistling sound came from the feather in Cleo's paws as she blew through it. She stood with Faith and Spark on the top step leading up to a hole in the ceiling. It was wide enough for a Pokemon of Cleo's size to climb through, and Tyrix would have had to wriggle if he'd used this point as an exit.

“Do you think you'll be ready to leave tomorrow?” Cleo had asked Tyrix.

The Typhlosion shrugged. “I might be. I can tell you after a little rest.”

Faith looked at her. “Do we have enough provisions for all of us?”

Cleo checked through her bag. “For another day at least.”

Spark made a small squeak.

“I'd feel cheeky asking this of him,” said Cleo, “but if Reshiram could fit anywhere on this island we could reach him, we might be able to ask him to gather some for us.”

“That's not a bad idea,” said Faith.

“Reshiram?” Tyrix gasped. “There's a dragon on my island?”

Faith laughed. “He's a friend. He brought us here.”

“You're gonna tell me he's from the Fairy Garden next as well!”

Faith beamed. “Actually, he is!”

The Typhlosion chuckled. “All right. Well, if you need a space for him to land, there is the old Charizard training grounds a short walk away.”

It wasn't long before heavy wingbeats could be heard on the wind. This point, Tyrix had told them, would be suitable for a large flying Pokemon to land and take off again. His army had included Charizard, significantly smaller than Reshiram, but groups of them used to use this area of Fire Island for training due to the space it provided. It was obscured by large, rocky mounds that rose up in an erratic pattern which had hidden the training Pokemon from view of enemy dragon and dark Pokemon that may have been scouting the area. It wouldn't have been until they were right over the island that they'd see the training fire Pokemon, and by then they would be prepared to defend themselves.

A thud resounded through the ceiling and Reshiram's large white face appeared in the hole.

“Well hello! Have you found who you were looking for?”

“Actually yes,” said Cleo. “But he's in bad shape. Would you be able to fly back to the mainland and pick up some provisions for us?”

“Of course! Anything to help you! Just berries, or do you want meat as well?”

“A good mix I think,” said Cleo.

“And if you can find some cheri berries...” Spark grinned at him.

Reshiram chuckled. “I'll see what I can do! I'll be back here as soon as I can.”

In one swift motion, he had vanished from sight and the rumbling sound of his tail flaring up thrummed against Cleo's eardrums.

She caught a smile off Faith and the Mawile led them back down the stairs.

A sick feeling spread through Cleo's stomach. It wouldn't be long now. Soon, they'd be facing off against the Wildfires.

...​

“Not far now. It's just past this ridge.”

Harlequin skipped down the mountain side, Mischief's light-footed gait springing behind her. Flutterwick kept himself behind them, his wings whipping up the air as he fluttered at their pace.

“You say this village helped you?” said Mischief. “So they won't be surprised to see you?”

“Oh they won't welcome me,” Harlequin explained. “So I'll need to use an illusion. Something that won't arouse suspicion... so that rules out any Pokemon that live in the village, because if we're there too long, and they show up...”

She paused and glanced at the river. Where she expected the two Zangoose and Gliscor to be working, there was no one. Maybe they'd cleared the poison away already? With the help of the flow of the water, it wouldn't have taken anywhere near as long as it would to clear a lake, so it wasn't much of a surprise. That was encouraging. It meant the river was safe once more.

In two bounds, they were over the ridge and the cold snow met her paws. There had been a fresh snowfall overnight, but the ground was trodden down as though Pokemon had been moving back and forth from the village.

“They've been active recently,” she said. “They told me they use the mountain springs, so why would they keep going to the river?”

“Maybe they've frozen?” Flutterwick suggested.

Harlequin nodded. “Maybe.”

She looked up in the direction of the village and broke into a trot. The sooner she could drop Flutterwick off, the sooner she could return to her mission. However... something wasn't settling well with her.

All these paw prints. All this activity.

As she followed the bend in the river, the village came into view. Her heart began to race frantically, and her mouth hung open. The little wooden buildings lay in tatters, glistening with ice and dotted with sharp icicles. Bodies lay strewn across the ground, lying in pools of blood mingled with black feathers.

“No...”

“What happened here?” Mischief stood beside her, staring aghast at the gruesome scene.

“No!”

Harlequin raced into the town and stopped beside the body of the fallen Machoke. She nudged him and his head lolled uncomfortably to the side. Nothing. She shook her head violently and ran to Elsa's house, but her heart sank as she took in the state of the door, sliced to bits by sharp, frozen claws. She backed away, her blue eyes wide and stinging with tears. She didn't want to go inside... didn't want to confirm her fears.

“No... I can't believe this...”

“It wasn't just Murkrow was it?” asked Mischief. “It wasn't Enigma though... he didn't do this, did he?”

“No. It wasn't Enigma.” She swatted a frozen shard of ice across the ground and it shattered against the wooden wall of a little house. “It was Weavile.”

Flutterwick blinked back tears from his large eyes. “This... this is wrong. They didn't do anything...”

Harlequin grit her teeth. “Of course it's wrong. Everything about this war is wrong! They were good Pokemon!” She tore her eyes away from the scene and bolted for the gate. “This has to end!”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

55 – Blazing Battle​

Cleo climbed out of the hole, stepping onto the flat ground. Reshiram loomed over her, a huge smile adorning his face, as he watched the other Pokemon scramble out after her. Faith turned to offer a paw to Tyrix, but he ignored it, wriggling through the narrow gap, the rough rock scraping his fur. He stood up on his hind legs and looked up at the dragon Pokemon. His eyes widened briefly, but he stifled a gasp and dusted down his fur.

“Well!” Reshiram boomed. “Cleo tells me you're ready to leave this island now?”

Tyrix grunted. “I certainly am! I think I've recovered enough.”

“Are you sure?” Cleo asked. “It's only been two whole days.”

The Typhlosion shot her a sideways glare. “That's enough, believe me. Especially since you've been throwing sitrus berries at me throughout all my waking hours.”

“If that's the case, you've picked a good time,” said Reshiram. “News has been travelling that the Wildfires are active.”

“News?” Tyrix raised an eyebrow.

“The nice Munchlax I've been buying provisions off was quite talkative,” Reshiram explained. “Once he understood I meant him no harm, he was relaying information left and right. News certainly travels quickly through the Guild.”

“It needs to,” said Cleo. “We have to be ready to act.” She turned to the others. “Let's get a move on, before they destroy anything else.”

Reshiram lowered himself to the ground and Cleo followed Faith onto his back, keeping Spark between them.

“Did the Munchlax say which areas have been struck down?” Cleo asked.

“Hmm... he didn't say exactly. But going off their pattern, he believes it won't be long until they reach where I found you.”

Cleo's heart sank as she thought of Meredith and Mulch. “That means they might target the village by the lake.”

Faith stared down at her paws buried inside Reshiram's thick feathers. War bothered the Mawile full stop, but the thought of Pokemon she'd met personally being ruthlessly attacked by a murderous pack of Houndour had clearly distressed her.

Cleo lightened the tone in her voice. “Hopefully we can head them off before they reach it.”

“Of course!” said Reshiram. “We'll go at top speed! And we won't stop until we find them!”

A broad smile spread across Faith's face at Reshiram's encouraging words.

Cleo looked back at Tyrix, and he stood staring wordlessly at the dragon. “Are you climbing on?”

“I've never been in the air,” he explained. “Are you sure it's safe?”

“Oh absolutely!” Reshiram grinned.

“It's how we got here,” said Faith with a smile. “Besides... you get to see the world from the air! It's fantastic!”

Tyrix gave them a small smile and took hold of the dragon's feathers, dragging himself up behind Cleo.

“Hang on!” Reshiram told them. “The wind might not be in our favour this time around!”

“Wait!” Tyrix gasped. “What does he mean by that?”

Reshiram struck the air with his wings, shooting into the sky. The dragon's tail erupted and launched him forwards, and the Typhlosion screamed as the wind rushed past their ears.

“I'm going to get as high as I can,” Reshiram explained. “A good surveillance of the land will hopefully help us track down the Wildfires.”

“So we're looking for burning buildings?” Spark asked.

“Sadly, yes.”

Burning buildings... Cleo watched the world go past below. Everything seemed normal... from this high up, it wasn't even evident that Pokemon outside the villages and towns were scarce. Yet the image of a burning forest filled her mind... observed by a pair of eyes standing amongst lumpy rocks and long grass. Screams filled the air as Meowstic and Dedenne scattered through the smoke, but none of them made it out as yet more flames erupted around them and dark shapes ran from the trees, snapping at the fleeing Pokemon with sharp fangs and throwing them back into the chaos. Branches snapped and fell as fire consumed the forest, and as she drew closer, one small, feeble cry reached her ears...

'Mum... dad...'

It had been her own voice... echoed in the grass by a tiny Dedenne.

Two small, frightened Pokemon brought together by a terrifying disaster.

Families ripped apart. Two species almost entirely wiped out.

And yet the world below looked so normal.

...​

Angry screeching caws filled the canopy of the Border Woods as the Murkrow swooped at the Banette, raking their claws through his fur and beating him with their wings. Three shadow balls fired in quick succession struck home and brought down three of Yurlik's soldiers.

The Honchkrow watched the spectacle unfold from his perch in a large tree, ignoring the groan of the wood as it held his weight. He wouldn't be sat here for much longer anyway. Enigma was vastly outnumbered. There was no way he could win. With these numbers and their constant movements and aerial attacks he couldn't even use his trademark shadow sneak accurately.

“Don't go for the eyes!” he bellowed as one of the soldiers pecked at the ghost's face. “I want that pleasure myself.”

Enigma's glare shot to the canopy, noticing Yurlik for the first time, and he pulled back his lips into a sneer. The distraction was enough to allow the Murkrow to swoop in from the back, taking Enigma by surprise and colliding with his head. He keeled forwards, the jingle from his bell ringing over the frantic, bloodthirsty cawing from the angry flock.

Enigma sneered and turned his eyes back onto Yurlik. “How about fighting your own battles, fatso?!”

He let out a blood curdling scream and fired another of his shadow balls through the crowd of Murkrow to Yurlik. The Honchcrow leapt from the tree as the attack struck where he'd been sitting, shattering the wood into splinters. The heavy branch struck the ground, scattering some of the straggling Murkrow.

The look in the Banette's eyes changed and Yurlik frowned as he took this in. He seemed more... maniacal. His attacks became physical and he lashed at the flapping birds with his claws, scattering feathers and blood into the air as they flew backwards from him, their bodies raining down onto the ground.

And wait... was that a laugh? Was he... laughing now?

Yurlik clicked his beak in frustration as he watched his flock decrease rapidly in numbers. No... this wasn't right. The tables shouldn't be turning! The battle was going in his favour!

“Fall back! Fall back, now!”

He flapped his large wings and rose higher into the canopy, the Murkrow retreating after him. Yet more fell to the Banette's claws and he gave a squeal of glee as he chased after them, throwing a shower of shadow balls.

Yurlik was ready to give up and fly back to the Shadow Lands. Gather more soldiers and hunt the Banette down once more. But, as he cast one more glance at Enigma, he faltered, letting himself hover in the air. Enigma was staggering, holding himself up against a tree. And then... he dropped. Dropped like a bag of bones onto the undergrowth.

Yurlik let out a small caw of surprise. He turned and swooped to the ground, stopping a few feet away from the ghost Pokemon. If this was a trap, he was putting himself in dangerous range of a shadow sneak. But the Banette didn't even seem to acknowledge him. He just lay there, out cold. The Honchcrow nodded to one of his Murkrow.

“Go on. Check to see if he's still alive.”

“But... but boss...” The Murkrow looked from Enigma to Yurlik with sharp movements, trying to keep one eye focused on each of them. “What if it's a trap?”

“Since Lord Hydreigon wants him alive, it's a risk I'm willing to make. Now go over there and check!”

The Murkrow skittered across the ground and stopped at Enigma's side. He cautiously cast his eyes up and down his body then lurched forwards and struck him in the ribs with his beak. Enigma didn't so much as twitch.

The Murkrow looked back at Yurlik. “He's breathin'.”

“Huh.”

Yurlik inclined his head on one side, keeping his red eyes on the Banette. Well, this had worked out in his favour. What had caused him to collapse like that? Had he received too many wounds? He shrugged and marched over to him, grabbing the ghost Pokemon in the claws of his right foot.

“We're heading back,” he told the Murkrow. “Keep an eye open for rebels.”

He struck the air with his large wings and rose up into the canopy, doubling back to the Shadow Lands. Hopefully he'd get to play with Enigma for a bit once Hydreigon was finished with him.

...​

Reshiram hadn't needed to sleep. He kept on flying despite how dark it became.

The sun reached Cleo's eyes and she ran a paw across them, rubbing the grogginess of sleep away while clutching the dragon's feathers with her free paw. She became aware of the warmth behind her contrasting drastically with the cold chill of the wind and she looked back to find Tyrix still sleeping, his body pressed up against hers. She gave the Typhlosion a gentle nudge and he snorted, blinking his eyes open. He jumped slightly, steadying himself as he gripped tightly to Reshiram's white feathers.

“Wait? We're still flying?”

Reshiram laughed. “Yes, we're still flying!”

“Anything new?” Faith asked.

“Yes. I have spotted a trail of smoke a little away from here. I'm lowering us to the ground now for a clearer view of the Pokemon below.”

Smoke... Cleo squinted into the horizon. Sure enough, a thin trail of smoke rose into the air from beyond a forest's canopy. Which forest, she had no idea. From this distance, it didn't look familiar. But those rolling hills were long behind them now. They could be anywhere.

“Oh!”

Reshiram's wings jerked and they had to clutch on to save themselves from falling off.

“I am sorry!” the dragon gasped. “Just... look at that!”

Cleo followed the dragon's gaze. Not far below them, a fire had flared up, tongues of orange and red ripping through the green and spewing up a thick cloud of black smoke.

“That's them!” Spark squeaked. “It has to be!”

“Part of me hopes you're right,” said Reshiram. “And part of me hopes you're wrong.” He dipped his wings and streaked down towards the fire. “Because if you're wrong, that means this is nothing more than a slightly out of control camp fire, and the Pokemon beside it are likely safe.”

The green came closer and closer to them, the fire consuming it like a hungry beast. Any trace of snow melted away, and the chaos beyond the flames was hidden by the smoke. The source of the fire was confirmed by the angry war cries of the Wildfires. A chilling, terrifying howl that cut through the air like a siren.

“It's them...” Cleo's voice cracked and she gulped. “It's really them...”

A heavy paw pressed down on her shoulder. “You don't have to do anything. This is my problem, not yours.”

Cleo looked back at Tyrix. “But they destroyed my home. And Spark's.”

He gave her a half smile. “But what are you gonna do? You're a psychic Pokemon. Two bites and you'll be done for. Let me handle it.” He grinned. “At least I'm immune to their flames. All you have to do is sit back and wait for it all to be over.”

Cleo stared at him, her eyes narrowing. Sit back? Take it all in? Hadn't she been trained to fight dark Pokemon?

“We were told to find a fire Pokemon to deal with them,” said Faith. “The Wildfires can exploit our weaknesses. I can't handle a flamethrower, Cleo. And you can't stand up to their dark attacks.”

“But I can zap them!” said Spark.

Faith smiled down at the Dedenne. “We'll let Tyrix deal with it. If we are needed, we can jump in.”

“Sounds fantastic!” said Tyrix. “Now let me deal with those dogs.”

Reshiram's claws struck the cold ground. As he came to a stop, Cleo took in their surroundings. She didn't recognise it. They were surrounded on either side by a flat plain, the surface obscured beneath a thick layer of snow. She could hear water flowing nearby, but all she could see of it was a tiny, frozen waterfall poking up behind a snowdrift. Howls erupted into the air and her eyes snapped to the cloud of black smoke rising up from the trees a good run away.

“I'll wait here,” said Reshiram. “You run on ahead.”

“But we're not fighting.” Cleo looked over at the Typhlosion.

“No, they're not.” Tyrix crossed his arms. “They'll just hold me back. You wait here with Reshiram.”

Reshiram locked his eyes on Tyrix. “If they go with you, they'll know if you need help. I can't accompany them. I'll draw attention. They're small enough to hide. Go.”

He nudged Cleo with his large nose and she leapt forwards.

Tyrix gave a flustered sigh and turned away, marching towards the trees. He paused and looked back at the dragon.

“Thanks... for helping me.” He flashed a grin. “Maybe I'll see you again in the Fairy Garden.”

Reshiram returned his smile. “Go on. Win this battle.”

Tyrix vanished into the trees.

Cleo trotted after him, Spark nestling on her shoulder. Faith's heavy footsteps crunched over the snow behind her.

The forest was darker than they expected it to be, the light obscured by the thick cloud of smoke. Cleo clasped a paw over her nose as she ran through it, her eyes stinging as she squinted ahead. The trees parted, revealing a clearing and amongst it... the burnt remains of a wooden village. Treehouses crumbled to the ground and screams filled the air as the Pokemon fled for their lives.

She ducked behind a large tree and sought out Tyrix. She found him standing a few feet away, his back to them. And beyond him... was Howlinger.

...​

Tyrix frowned as he surveyed the destroyed village. The Houndour chased down the fleeing Pokemon, snapping at their legs and tails and grabbing whatever they could to throw them back into the burning rubble. Small families were cornered by snarling, vicious fangs.

And there... standing in the middle of it all and barking commands... was a large, lean Houndoom.

Tyrix took a step forward, placing his large paw on a thin, brittle slab of wood. It cracked under his weight, drawing the eyes of the Houndoom to him.

Howlinger's lips pulled back from his canines and he let out a fierce snarl.

“You!”

Tyrix snickered. “Well... aren't you proud of yourself?” He waved a paw at the burning wreckage. “Does this make you feel big?”

“What? Purging the world of the weak?” Howlinger threw his head back and laughed, and his pack copied him, their voices giving the whole place a sinister air. “I know I'm stronger than this rabble! Burning it down proves it to them, not me!”

Tyrix flashed his canines. This Pokemon was repulsive. Not a single good bone in his body. He took a step forwards and the Houndoom's eyes snapped onto his.

“What are you planning to do about it?” Howlinger asked. “Or are you just here to give yourself up? Because if it's a fight you're after...” He looked Tyrix up and down and laughed. “Let's face it, you've seen better days.”

Tyrix grinned. “Oh... I am here to fight you.”

Howlinger snarled, and the pack of Houndour gathered around him, abandoning the trapped Pokemon. Seeing their chance, many of them fled as the pack of dogs' attention was drawn to the Typhlosion.

“You?” Howlinger spat. “In your condition? Don't make me laugh!”

The fire spread over the burning building beside the Houndoom, its roof falling to the floor in a blazing pile of rubble. The Houndoom leapt back from it, landing amongst his pack.

“Laugh all you want. You're forgetting one thing, Howlinger.” Tyrix marched forwards, walking straight through the burning building. The flames on his shoulders flared to life, blazing with an intense heat that drew in the flames from the building like a magnet. “Fire gives me strength.”

Howlinger bared his canines and snarled, lowering his head to the ground. The Houndour copied him, their paws clawing with uncertainty at the snow, but their eyes remained locked on the Typhlosion.

Tyrix gave a small chuckle. The fire on his back erupted and he roared, heat blazing out from his body and consuming the Wildfires. The Houndour yelped, leaping back from him as their fur simmered in the heat. Many dropped to the ground, their tongues lolling out from their jaws. What was left stood gasping several feet away.

Howlinger stood with them, his eyes locked on the Typhlosion. The intense attack had hit him, but he was in better shape than the rest of his pack. He barked at the remaining Houndour.

“Don't just stand there! Attack him!”

The Houndour howled and lurched towards the Typhlosion, their jaws snapping and saliva flying from their mouths. One of them launched a flamethrower and Tyrix laughed as it struck him, feeding the flames on his back.

“What are you doing?” Howlinger wailed. “Don't use fire!”

Before the Houndour could strike their target, another wave of heat consumed them. They fell to the ground like flies, yelping feebly as the life left their bodies.

A pawful of them scattered away from him, moving into the shadows cast by the blazing trees. Tyrix stood amongst the flames, watching their shadowy forms as they changed their tactics, racing around him and looking for a way in. Their red eyes reflected the fire, not leaving the Typhlosion.

Howlinger joined them, keeping his head low. His movements were slow at first, pacing back and forth as the Houndour circled him.

Brittle wood snapped behind him, and Tyrix span to meet two Houndour as they aimed for his back.

A stream of flames flew from his mouth, knocking back the two small dogs. His yelp joined theirs as pain seared through his shoulder. He twisted and shook his body, sending the offensive Houndour soaring through the air and crashing through the roof of one of the burning buildings.

Paws struck the floor as the rest of the pack flew at him, smouldering ash rising from the ground and fizzling away in the heat.

Tyrix roared, letting another heatwave expand from his body. The small number of Houndour fell to the ground before they hit him, gasping in the intense heat.

The only one left now was Howlinger, pawing at the ground as he surveyed his fallen pack.

All of them, dealt with by turning their own power against them.

As the heat haze faded, Tyrix stood staring at the remaining Houndoom. Howlinger leered at him, his eyes going from the fallen Houndour to Tyrix and back as he tried to fathom his situation.

Trapped.

The clearing was now surrounded by burning trees.

If Howlinger wanted to flee, he had to race through them, and he hadn't the defences to survive it.

“What are you going to do now, Howlinger?” Tyrix asked him.

The Houndoom tried to hide an anxious whine behind a snarl as he took a step back.

Nothing to throw at him. Fire would only strengthen Tyrix's heatwave, and trying to reach him with one of the close-range dark attacks would only be met with an assault of flames from the Typhlosion.

As he watched the Houndoom retreat, it became very clear what this dog really was.

A coward.

He knew he couldn't survive fire, yet he'd shocked fear into the hearts of innocent Pokemon everywhere. He led his pack, leaving behind a trail of flames. Those that ran in fear were snatched up and thrown back into the terrifying blaze.

A blaze the dogs were too scared to run back into themselves.

Using the fear of others to make them feel strong.

Bullies. Cowards.

A sneer spread across Tyrix's face. He didn't wait for Howlinger to make a move. He was pretty sure one wouldn't come. There was nothing the dog could do. He marched forwards through the burning debris, stepping over the Houndour as if they were nothing more than mere pebbles. Howlinger took several steps back until his tail met the wall of a burning house. His eyes went up to it and he yelped as a flaming beam crumbled free and struck him square across his back. He crumpled to the ground beneath its weight, an ear-splitting wail screaming from his mouth as he tried to drag himself free.

Tyrix stared down at him, his paw clenched into a fist.

“You've been fighting on the wrong side, Howlinger.”

The Houndoom stared up at him, his red eyes wide as he watched the Typhlosion's blazing fist.

Tyrix brought his paw down onto the Houndoom's head. A crack split the air and the Pokemon fell limp, his struggles brought to a halt.

Tyrix stood back from him, looking over the burning remains of the village. It was now scattered with Houndour, joining the pawful of bodies of other Pokemon, but vastly outnumbering them. Hopefully the remaining Pokemon had made it out of the village to safety.

He'd done it. The Wildfires were gone. They were no longer a threat to innocent Pokemon. He laughed and a violent fit of coughs exploded from his chest in a thick cloud of black smoke.

He'd done it. Despite the odds, he'd done it.

He keeled forwards, all energy leaving his body. A large smile broke across his face and the world went black.

...​

Enigma was thrown roughly through the double-doors, his body sliding across the tiled floor. He gave a grunt as he pushed himself up, looking into the red eyes of Hydreigon.

“Here he is, my lord,” Yurlik half-growled. “He put up quite a fight the final stretch of the journey.”

Enigma flashed the Honchkrow a glare. If it weren't for the foul Pokemon's type advantage, he could have slipped effortlessly through his claws, but the wretched Honchkrow had prepared a night slash, making it impossible for him to pass through.

“It took you long enough to bring him here!” Hydreigon roared. “Now... get out of here while I deal with him!”

“Yes, my lord.” Yurlik backed quickly from the room, letting the doors close behind him.

Enigma turned his eyes back on the dragon Pokemon. All he needed to do now was vanish into the ground and slip away to safety.

“Explain this!”

Hydreigon dropped a book in front of him. The pages fluttered open as it struck the tile, landing at an image of a stag Pokemon addressing an army, each one of them submerged in a colouful light.

“This was found hidden in your room,” Hydreigon told him. “A book about Xerneas overthrowing Yveltal. Why do you have such a book?”

Enigma chuckled and pushed himself to his feet. “I found it in your library.”

“I burnt that library!”

“After I found it.”

“You work for me!” Hydreigon bellowed. “Now explain why you hid this book!”

“Because it gave me hope!” Enigma growled.

“Hope?” Hydreigon spat. “You don't need hope!”

“Oh I do... we all do.” Enigma glanced down at the book then locked his eyes on Hydreigon's. “Hope that one day you'll be destroyed.”

Hydreigon hissed and lowered his head so he was almost nose to nose with Enigma. His red eyes were narrowed into slits and Enigma could feel his breath on his face.

“I'll give you one moment to remember who you work for, ghost.”

“I don't need reminding.” Enigma grinned. “I work for Xerneas.”

A loud scream blared from Hydreigon's mouth and he brought his right head arcing down through the air, striking Enigma hard in the chest. Pain exploded through the right side of his ribs and he skidded across the floor, coughing violently. Every breath he took was met with a sharp stab, and he just knew the impact had splintered the newly healed bones. He removed his paw from his mouth, now coated with blood.

“Get him out of here!” Hydreigon roarded.

The doors flew open and Yurlik's wicked eyes locked onto Enigma.

“Get rid of him. I want this mess out of my sight.”

Yurlik grinned. “Gladly.”

He grabbed Enigma in his talons and threw him through the door, sending him flying down the hallway. Before Enigma could vanish through the ground, Yurlik was on him, raking his flesh with his claws as he opened the castle doors. In a flurry of feathers, he was dragged through the air, hanging awkwardly in the Honchkrow's grip. There was nothing he could do. He was exhausted, and blood flowed freely from a jagged wound in his chest. He closed his eyes. He couldn't look at it. Even breathing hurt.

His body struck the ground, and he had one small chance to glimpse a river beside him before Yurlik's grinning beak filled his vision.

“I've waited too long for this,” the Honchkrow purred. “First, I want to find where you hide that annoying bell. I think I'll start with your eyes.”

Enigma's heart was racing. He wasn't going to die like this. He wasn't going to give this foul bird the pleasure of finishing him off.

He'd rather let the river do that.

Besides... this idiot couldn't use two attacks at once. No Pokemon could. With what failing strength he had, he grinned as he let his body become translucent. Yurlik's beak struck nothing but earth as Enigma slipped away from his grip.

Cold water washed over him, clouding with blood as he sank beneath the current. Yurlik's screech of anger reached his ears, muffled by the gushing river.

Every river flowed away from the Shadow Lands.

It was like even the water itself didn't want to be there.

Enigma chuckled, bubbles rising from his mouth as his vision dulled. At least he'd die outside that awful place.

...​

When Tyrix opened his eyes, the burning had stopped, and the ground was singed, but he didn't see the fallen Pokemon. Instead what surrounded him was a spray of colourful flowers.

He looked up, and standing over him was a vibrant stag-like Pokemon.

“Xerneas?”

Xerneas smiled. “You did well.”

Tyrix laughed, and for the first time in years his chest felt clear. But he still had no energy. He was tired... exhausted.

“I only did... what needed to be done...”

He stared up at Xerneas, the smile not leaving the stag Pokemon's face.

Xerneas lowered his head and lifted Tyrix into the air, letting him fall across his back.

“Come on,” he said softly. “Let's go home.”

...​

The howls had stopped.

Was it over?

Cleo took a small step away from the tree, looking out through the smoke. The fires were still burning, and spreading rapidly towards the forest. After the fight started, she'd ran back, wanting to get away from it all, not wanting to be seen. The sheer sight of Howlinger had chilled her to the bone, and she couldn't bare it. If he'd seen her... if he'd seen Spark... or Faith...

She moved back through the forest, heading towards the clearing. Faith and Spark had been silent the whole time. Faith hadn't even tried to talk her around.

Cleo even strongly doubted whether or not she'd have been able to help Tyrix if he needed it. She was kicking herself. She'd left him... just left him.

“Why did I do that?” she asked herself.

“You were scared,” said Faith. “It's understandable.”

“I'm a coward.”

“You're not a coward!” Faith gasped. “Don't say such things!”

“I left him! And I let you follow me!” Cleo stopped turning to face Faith. “I am a coward.”

Faith shook her head. “When I look at you, I don't see a coward.”

Cleo clenched her paws and looked over her shoulder. “It's stopped. It must have. They've either moved on, or he did it.”

The wood blazed ahead of them, the fire quickly consuming its branches.

“We need to put out the fire.”

“But how do we do it?” Spark asked. “None of us are water types.”

Cleo searched her brain for a solution, but she was coming up dry. All she knew that could put out fire was water, or dirt... or air...

“Reshiram!” She pulled the feather from her bag. “He can put it out by flapping his wings!”

Faith looked up at the fire. “It's certainly worth a shot!”

Cleo blew on the feather, and in no time, Reshiram's wings could be heard above them. He hovered above the canopy, peering down at them.

“If you want to climb on, you'll need to get into the trees!”

“We actually want to know if you can put out the fire!” Cleo called up to him.

“Put out the fire?” Reshiram looked out at the flames then back down at Cleo. “I can give it a try! If I blow it back into itself, it's got nothing left to burn!”

He flapped his wings, sending a strong air current at the blazing trees.

Cleo gave a sigh of relief as she watched the flames go out and retreat across the branches, now blackened from the heat.

“Come on. Let's find Tyrix.”

She led the other two Pokemon through the woods, following the retreating fire. It wouldn't be long now... soon they would be back at the clearing. She'd be able to help Tyrix, to apologise for leaving him.

Snap!

“Cleo!”

Cleo screamed as her body was crushed into the ground, Faith's yell barely registering in her mind. Pain radiated through her leg and she forced her eyes open. There, lying across her left leg, was a heavy tree branch. She clenched her jaw and closed her eyes again, letting a long, pained groan slip out between her teeth.

“Oh, Cleo! Bare with me!” A flash came from Faith as she took on her mega form. “This is going to hurt. I need to lift it off you.”

“No!” Cleo fell back onto the ground, her arm flopping over her eyes.

“Yes!”

Cleo howled as the heavy branch was lifted from her leg. A loud crunch met her ears and when she opened them, she saw the branch had been hefted into the clearing. The smoke was now subsiding. Reshiram's shadow appeared amongst it and he looked down at her.

“What ever happened?”

“A branch fell off and crushed Cleo's leg!” Spark screeched. “I think she's broken it!”

“Oh!” Reshiram looked over his shoulder at the village. “The fire is pretty much out. I'll beat out the rest of it as we fly though. Get her on my back, and we'll take her to the Guild.”

Cleo moaned as Faith lifted her into her arms and carried her across the clearing. It hurt. Everything else was shut out. She didn't even know how Faith managed to get her onto the dragon's back.

The air rushed past them as Reshiram lifted them into the sky. Cleo opened her eyes long enough to take in the clearing below them. Where Reshiram had flown through it, the smoke had parted, giving her a clear view of the ruined village. Bodies lay scattered, but there was no sign of Tyrix. In one spot beside a wrecked house lay a spray of colourful flowers.

“He's gone...”

...​

Harlequin stepped out from the bush, Flutterwick's soft snores muffled by the green leaves. Mischief sat in the snow a little away from her.

She cleared her throat and he looked back at her, his face sullen.

“It's my shift now.”

He nodded and stood up slowly, moving past her to the bush. She took his spot, still warm from his body heat.

“Harlequin?”

She glanced back at him. He was stood with his back to her, one paw resting on the leaves.

“Have you ever been in love?”

Harlequin's eyes widened and she stared at him, before looking sharply away.

“Why are you asking me that?” she asked.

“I don't know.” He paused. “I guess I was hoping for advice.”

Harlequin stared at the ground, a lone blade of grass poking up from the surface of the white snow.

“This is about Cleo, isn't it?” she asked.

Mischief didn't answer. She glanced back to make sure he was still there, and he was. Still in that same position, but now he was running a paw over one of the broad leaves.

“Just tell her,” she said. “ Because the longer you leave it, the harder it will get.” She paused and looked up at the stars poking through the clouds. “You'll just regret it if you don't.”

There was a long pause, and Harlequin glanced back to check if Mischief was still stood there. He'd abandoned the leaf now but still had his back to her.

“But I left her,” he said quietly.

Harlequin shrugged. “Then find her.”

Mischief nodded and parted the leaves, climbing into the bush. When they fell back into place, she looked away, staring out at the mountains.

Since they'd left the little village, Harlequin had returned to her primary task of finding Harbinger. Flutterwick had stuck with them, since he had no where else to go, and his former home was too dangerous for him to stay in. As for Mischief... he was still looking for his cure.

Barely any time had passed when soft paw steps crunched over the snow. Harlequin looked round at the trees beside them. Three Pokemon moved through them – two Pawniard and an Absol.

A gasp escaped her lips and she stood up. She still wasn't sure how to deal with this. How long had he been lurking there? Had he been waiting for Mischief to leave so he could catch her alone? She was looking for him, but he'd tried to kill her. There was no saying he wouldn't try it again.

“Harbie?”

The Absol snorted and looked away from her. “So you still call me that?”

“If you remember, I was the one who gave you that name in the first place.” She sat back down, keeping her blue eyes on the Absol. “I don't know if you're looking for a fight right now... but I'm not going to give you one.”

Harbinger moved closer to her and her body tensed, but she refused to stand up or back away.

“I'm not going to fight you,” he said.

She felt her eyes widen. “You're not?”

“No. I'm here to talk to you.” He paused and glanced over at the bush before turning back to her. “I happened to run into a friend of yours.”

He seemed to spit the last words.

“Who?” It was a silly question. She knew the answer.

“Enigma.”

She nodded and glanced down at her paws. “Did he...?”

“What? Spare my life?” Harbinger snorted. “I'm stood here, aren't I? Anyway... he explained something to me.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.” He licked his lips and diverted his gaze. “He said you thought I was dead.”

Harlequin's heart lurched in her chest and she took a step towards him. “I did! I went back to get you and you weren't there! Yurlik – a Honchkrow – told me you were dead. You'd been chased through the Border Woods and killed!”

“Funny.” Harbinger looked up at the sky. “The same Pokemon told me you abandoned me to join Hydreigon's ranks.”

Harlequin looked away. “I never joined them willingly.”

“Well... unfortunately... I thought you had. And anyone who works for that monster is my enemy.” He paused and they sat in silence for a while, staring out at the mountains. Soft snow had begun to fall again, and it clung to the dark fur on his horn and face. “I tried to kill you.”

Harlequin stared down at her paw as she trailed it through the snow. “I know.”

He looked at her. “You know?”

“I didn't know it was you at the time, but it was pretty clear the target was me. You used a Nidoking.”

He nodded and looked away again. “And you're not angry with me?”

“Angry with you?” Her eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him. “I'm just relieved you're alive! You thought I'd betrayed you... and I'm upset you thought that, but... we're both here.”

Harbinger let out a small laugh. “You're a fool.”

“Maybe I am.” She looked away again. “But like I said... I'm just glad you're alive.”

She felt his eyes on her and her mind went to the orb around her neck. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.

“I'm sorry.”

She snapped her head round to look at him, trying to search for the words to respond, but none came out.

“I know it's not enough to apologise,” he said. “I did try to take your life.”

“It's okay.” Tears stung her eyes. She looked back down at her paws. “I forgive you.”

Whether or not he accepted her acceptance of his apology, she didn't find out. He was silent once more. She couldn't feel him watching her anymore, and for a small while she thought he'd got up and left, but his voice cleared any suspicion of that away.

“It wasn't just you.”

She looked up at him again, but he wasn't looking at her any more.

“I've been living up to my name,” he went on. “Pokemon believe Absol bring disasters and are quick to drive them away, so that's what I've been doing. I've caused landslides, fires, poisoned rivers.”

She looked away sharply. So her guess had been right. It was him who poisoned the river in the Silent Mountains.

“I...” She stopped and cleared her throat. “I didn't want to believe it but... Cleo had told me about the Seviper remains.”

He gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. “I don't think all those Pokemon affected would be so quick to forgive me.”

“Then stop.” She met his red eyes, but the look behind them was unreadable.

He looked away from her and a silence washed over them once more.

Disasters... he didn't need to bring them. She'd told him that before. Maybe a small, gentle reminder might spark that in him?

“You don't need to do this, Harbie.” She stared down at her paws, her voice meek and small. “When we first met, I'd told you to become a harbinger of good things. Can't you live up to that?”

Again, he didn't say anything. Silence, broken by the occasional grating of metal as one of the Pawniard rubbed his claws together.

The image of a frightened Absol hatchling entered her mind, racing through the Border Woods as he desperately tried to get himself to safety. Curiosity had overtaken her, so she'd stopped him. Happy that she'd found a new friend, one who wanted to get away like she did, she'd hidden him away in her den with the promise they would escape together.

She'd just needed more time...

“So you've finally left the Shadow Lands?”

Harbinger's voice made her jump.

She looked up at him and nodded. “Yes. I'm never going back. This world is a mess, and it's all because of him.”

He fixed his red eyes on her, but the look in his eyes wasn't one of surprise. He agreed with her.

“As soon as I heard you were alive,” she said, “I wanted to look for you and return this.”

She removed the mega stone and tossed it to him. It landed in the snow by his paw and his eyes widened slowly as he stared at it.

“You had this? I thought I'd lost it!”

“I found it in the den where I hid you. I couldn't just leave it there.” He didn't look at her, his eyes fixed on the stone. “I know it meant a lot to you. Please take it back.”

He looked up at her and placed a paw over the stone. “Thank you...”

“I found out what it is. It's a mega stone.” His head jerked up at those words. “It allows a Pokemon to take a stronger form,” she went on. “That one is for an Absol.”

“Where did you find that out?”

“A place called the Fairy Garden.”

He looked away from her and frowned. “I've never heard of it.”

“Neither had I before I came across it. It's ruled by a Pokemon called Xerneas. A place of peace.”

Harbinger grunted. “That sounds like something from a tale told to hatchlings.”

“Believe me, it's not. He's the one who told me you were alive, and to return that stone. He asked me to send you to him so he can show you how to use it.”

Harbinger picked up the mega stone and looped it back over his neck. “Fairy Garden eh? If it does exist then how do I get there?”

“It's in the Endless Woods.”

Harbinger's body stiffened at her words.

“That's where we found it anyway,” she went on. “You can only find it if you're seeking solitude. Any Pokemon that aren't will just find themselves in an empty clearing.”

Harbinger's red eyes were as wide as saucers. He looked over at the two Pawniard who reflected his expression.

“I was tracking you back there... and I lost you.” He looked back at her. “That's where you went?”

“You were tracking me? Back then?!”

He nodded and rose to his feet. “Yes.”

Harlequin was aghast. She watched as he rejoined the two Pawniard.

“Harlequin... thank you for returning this stone to me.”

“You're leaving?”

“You said you'd send me to the Fairy Garden to learn how to use it. So that's where I'm going. If it can make me stronger... strong enough to fight against the Darkness... then I want to learn how it works.” He paused. “It'll be strange suddenly fighting alongside each other.” He smiled and shook his head. “No longer causing disasters.”

Harlequin grinned, blinking back the tears that were filling her eyes.

He smiled. “I'll see you when I get back.” He turned and vanished through the trees, the two Pawniard running after him and leaving sharp prints in the snow.

Harlequin felt a weight lift from her and she looked back out at the mountains. What would be her next plan of action? To help Mischief find a cure to Pokerus? If she found that, she'd be able to save Enigma too, and many other Pokemon from that awful parasite.

A small caw cut through the air and her body froze. It became louder, until it was almost above her. She looked round to find two Murkrow perched in a tree, and beneath them were two Weavile and a Sneasel.

“Have you heard?” one of the Murkrow said. “Big news, I tell you!”

“Big news?” The larger Weavile crinkled his nose. “Spit it out, bird brain, and be off with you!”

The two Murkrow laughed.

“You'll be happy when we tell ya he's dead!”

“Who's dead?”

“Enigma!”

Harlequin felt her blood turn cold. She stared, transfixed, at the group of dark Pokemon.

“You can't be serious!” the Weavile gasped. “Dead?!”

“Yup! Rebelled against Hydreigon.” The Murkrow ruffled his feathers. “Yurlik finished him off, watched him drown.”

“He's gone,” the other Murkrow said flatly.

“Great, so how many aces is that now?” the Weavile asked.

Harlequin didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She limped away from the bush, walking blindly towards the mountains.

Dead... he was dead...

It felt like someone had reached into her chest and yanked out her heart. Tears stung her eyes and she threw her head back, letting out a mournful, agonized scream.

The sound of wings beat against her eardrums and she looked round at the small group of dark Pokemon rushing at her.

“Leave me alone!”

As she screamed it, a flash of pink and purple light flew from her mouth, knocking the Murkrow from the air and sending the Weavile and Sneasel rolling backwards through the snow. The Weavile duo rose to their feet and looked down at the other three before scurrying away from her, vanishing into the night.

Harlequin's legs buckled beneath her and she fell to the snow, tears streaking from her eyes, sobs shaking her body. She barely even noticed when Harbinger burst back through the woods, or when Mischief and Flutterwick joined her side, begging her to speak to them.

Gone... he was gone...

 

[Chibi Pika]

Hey there! It's been a while since I last dropped by, so I figured I'd leave my comments on all the recent chapters.

A lot of plot threads got tied up recently--from Enigma and Harle's reunion, Harle and Harbringer's reunion, and the quest for the fire-type, things are really moving along!

I gotta admit, it did feel a little disappointing to find out that apparently the reason Harlequin keeps others in the dark about her gender is all just to keep Enigma from falling for her. I mean, overall I've really liked their character arcs thus far, how they were unwilling to admit how much they valued each other's friendship, how their betrayal of the shadowlands has forced them into situations that reveal how much they really mean to each other. Heck, I don't even so much mind if it turns out they develop romantic feelings for each other. It just seems a bit cheap to have the entirety of Harle's gender ambiguity reduced to that, especially since there's a lot of other stuff from her past, how she views herself, her role in the shadowlands, her fears of evolution, and how she's prevented anyone from really getting to know her until now...it seems like there's a lot more interesting stuff there to be the source of it than just wanting to keep Enigma from falling in love. But perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions and there is more, after all, there's still a lot about Harle's character that has yet to be revealed, especially with the Zoroark dreams.

Still, I overall liked the subplot of Harlequin getting poisoned, and I've gotta say, the way that village was just unceremoniously wiped out offscreen was just chilling. There have been a lot of fights that didn't go well, a lot of suffering for the main characters, and a lot of evidence of destruction in the world, but that was a level that hadn't been seen yet. There wasn't even a fight, everyone was just gone, just like that, right after getting to know them.

Moving on to Cleo's group, who kind of took a bit of a backseat in this arc, I do really like the addition of Tyrix to the gang. His personality stands out and he's got an interesting past, what's not to like? His reactions to everything seemed appropriate, given what he'd been through. And it was great to finally get the backstory on the Wildfires, as well as the fact that none of them have Flash Fire since Howlinger wanted his team to be exactly like him. That said, I do think the Wildfire subplot was wrapped up too quickly! Now...the fight between Tyrix and Howlinger was really well done. But I think the buildup to the fight was way too short. They get Tyrix off the island, and then immediately jump straight to the final showdown. I think there could have been another chapter or so showing the consequences the guild has had to face with the Widfires looking for Cleo's group, as well as Cleo having the reconcile with that trauma from her past before having Tyrix bring it all to an end.

Oh yeah, one last thing! I really liked getting to finally see Harlequin and Harbringer reunited (it's been so long!) but I think his decision to live up to the role of disaster is something that really got glossed over. I mean, he hates the Darkness for what they're doing, but he's doing things almost as bad, and for what? I'm sure there's a lot of pain and anger and shame in his past that led him to follow that path in life, I want to see it!

I think that's about everything for now. A fair number of critiques this time around, but overall I'm still enjoying it very much. Can't wait to read more!

~Chibi~;249;;448;

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

...

Thank you so much, Chibi Pika, for your feedback. I value all feedback, and I appreciate your criticism. I will be honest - I agree that the battle build up could be done better. I actually went back and re-edited the battle long before posting it to the forums as I'd had some feedback it was rather lacking. This area of the story is one I will be going over again if I decide to do another edit. I'm mulling over the idea of posting it to Wattpad and there's a lot of editing I'd need to do regards grammar and such. Not any changes to the story, except fattening out Tyrix's arc a little.

As for Harlequin's revelation of her fears of Enigma developing feelings for her, there is a lot more to that which will be revealed later. She has her reasons. I've done some background history on some of the characters in the form of one-shots which go into even deeper detail, which I may submit here eventually. I don't want there to be too much spoiler risk lol.

...

Part 5

56 – Reunion and Heartbreak​

“Dad! Dad! Dad!”

Starshine raced out of the training room, his small claws clicking over the hard floor as he picked up enough speed to rise into the air. A Furret and Marshstomp trotted behind him, the both of them following his shouts with “Uncle Tinker!” as they followed the Swablu through the winding tunnels of New City.

Two guards were walking the opposite way, a Growlithe and Pikachu. The Pikachu raised a paw when he saw the hatchlings.

“Boys! Boys!”

Starshine landed gracefully beside them. He fixed them with his little, black eyes and smiled.

“Excuse me! Have you seen my dad?”

Scout stopped beside him and adjusted his blue scarf. “Yeh, we've got some news for him!”

The Growlithe tutted and shook his head. “You kids know you shouldn't be running in these tunnels.”

“Sorry!” The Furret clasped his paws behind his back and laughed. “It's kinda important.”

“Aye!” said Tad. “We wanna give 'im th'news before anyone else does!”

“Sorry. Not seen him,” said the Pikachu. “It's a while until the dinner bell goes, so he's probably still in the medical ward.”

“He's been spending a lot of time there,” said the Growlithe. “It's either there or his office.”

The Pikachu shrugged. “And if he's not in either... no clue.”

The Marshstomp scratched his head beneath his bandanna. “Aye, he does tend t'do a disappearin' act from time't'time.”

Scout folded his arms and nodded. “Right enough.”

Tad nudged him with his elbow.

“Okay! We'll try there.” Starshine flapped his wings and rose back into the air. “Thanks, sirs!”

The Pikachu waggled a claw at the three children as they prepared to speed off again. “And no running!”

“Okay,” the three chimed.

...​

“Well, Melody seems to think you're recovering nicely.” Tinker leant back in his wooden chair and eyed Cleo's bandaged leg. “Even if you're being a nuisance at not keeping it elevated.”

Cleo shrugged and swatted Tinker's paw away. “If she thinks I'm recovering then does it matter? I'm more comfortable this way.”

“You don't want it to heal crooked, now, do you?” Tinker resigned to keeping his paws to himself. “Honestly, Cleo. What were you doing running into a fire in the first place?”

Cleo closed her eyes and tutted. “You've been asking me that every day since I got back here.”

Spark peered at him from the foot of the bed. “And she's not over-exaggerating.”

A dull creak came from the wall as the elevator descended. Faith's slender form appeared in the hole in the wall clutching a plate of berries. Starshine and his two friends accompanied her. Tad, the Marshstomp, had hold of the rope in both paws. He released it and stood aside with a small bow.

“Milady!”

Faith smiled at him and stepped off the elevator just before Starshine sped past her.

“Excuse me, Miss Faith!”

Cries of “Dad!” and “Uncle Tinker!” filled the medical ward as they zipped by Faith, causing her to wobble and steady the berries on the plate and look on with amusement as the Riolu was bombarded by the three children.

“What's got into you three?!” Tinker exclaimed as Starshine hopped onto his lap.

The Swablu placed his fluffy wings on Tinker's shoulders. “We have news!”

“Aye! Big news!” said Tad.

“What news, exactly?” asked Tinker.

“Has it reached you yet?” asked Scout. “Because if it has, then that would kinda suck the fun out of it.”

Tinker let out a sigh and ran a paw down his face. “Are you going to tell me?”

Starshine hopped up and down, his eyes sparkling. “Three dark Pokemon just turned themselves in at the cells!”

Tinker's red eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“See?” Tad nudged Scout. “Told ya he wouldn'ta heard that fast, aye?”

“Hah! Yes!” Scout fist-pumped the air. “Team Heroes finished another mission!”

“I'd hardly call delivering a message you overheard to me when it would have arrived at some point a mission,” said Tinker. “But points for effort.” He rose to his feet, letting Starshine hop back onto the floor. “By any chance did they say who these Pokemon are?”

“Aye, an important one,” said Tad. “Some assassin named Harlequin.”

Cleo sat bolt upright.

“Harlequin?” she gasped at the same time as Tinker.

“My!” Faith placed the plate of berries on the table next to Cleo's bed. “I wonder if she's all right?”

“My thoughts exactly!” Spark helped herself to one of the oran berries.

“Why is she with two others though?” Cleo asked. “Did they say who they are?”

Scout shrugged. “Two Pawniard, apparently.”

“So he's mixing with dark Pokemon again?” Tinker grunted and crossed his arms, shooting a glare at Cleo. “I told you not to remove that collar.”

“She helped us!” Cleo told him.

“So you keep saying! And here he is, locked in the cells with two more dark Pokemon.”

“But they said she turned herself in,” said Faith. “Why would she do that?”

“That's the thing!” Starshine flapped his wings and hopped onto the bed to look up at Tinker. “She wants to see Cleo.”

Tinker's eyes shot to the Meowstic, and she returned his look with a firm stare. Pushing herself up, she lifted her leg gently over the edge of the bed.

Tinker folded his arms. “You're not going in your condition, seriously?”

“She wants to see me, so I'm going,” said Cleo.

“But you can't walk all the way to the cells!”

“Come on, it's been almost an entire season! As far as I know, flowers could be blooming up there!” She accepted the crutch Faith handed to her and stood up, wobbling slightly as she tried to avoid putting too much weight on her wounded leg. “Are you coming with us?”

Tinker moved over to the elevator and took hold of the pulley rope. “Of course I am. Hurry on in.” He turned to the three children. “Don't follow us, okay? I don't want to risk putting you in danger.”

Scout folded his arms and huffed. “We're Team Heroes! Heroes! We're supposed to be fighting evil, not watching you fight for us!”

Faith giggled and gave them a small wave. “I'm sure you'll make great heroes!”

Tad blushed and threw an arm around Scout. “Aww. Thanks, Milady!”

The elevator creaked and wobbled as Tinker pulled on the rope. It finally came to a stop in a quiet corridor.

“Like I said.” He turned to Cleo. “It's quite a walk.”

“I'll manage.”

Cleo moved past him, leaning on the crutch as she hobbled through the corridor. She didn't feel she even needed it any more. It mainly provided balance over the cumbersome cast. Tinker was soon at her side, causing Faith to walk on ahead of them and Cleo's right shoulder to almost brush against the wall. The Mawile had fortunately been able to explore New City during her time there so she knew her way around without having to keep looking back at them.

They moved through the maze of tunnels until they arrived in a narrow corridor that ended at a stone slab in the floor. A Meinfoo and Combusken sat on either side of it and they gave the group a small smile as they drew closer.

“We're going to the cells,” Tinker explained to them.

The Combusken nodded. “Questioning the new prisoners?”

Tinker said nothing. He unlocked the stone slab and led Cleo in first. He watched Faith steady the Meowstic then followed after them just before the stone slab rumbled back into place above his head.

Cleo was beginning to appreciate this system linking New City to the cells. It certainly was a safer means of travelling back and forth without having to go through the Moorland's Forest.

The musty smell of damp earth filled her nostrils and she was beginning to find the crutch was digging into the soil, making it a little harder to move along. She masked her struggles as best she could, in hopes Tinker wouldn't notice and say something.

They reached the end of the tunnel and Tinker wriggled through the group to unlock the stone slab. Cleo refrained from reminding him she had her own key, and instead just followed the Riolu through until they emerged through the iron grate leading to the cells.

“You're right!” said Spark. “It is a trek!” She hopped to the ground.

“A trek?” Cleo looked down at her. “You were riding on my shoulder the whole way.”

“Yes. And you did well!”

Cleo smiled and followed the Riolu until he stopped at one of the doors. He was talking with another Combusken who nodded at their unheard conversation and stepped aside so Tinker could unlock the door. Cleo followed him inside and her eyes were instantly drawn to the cell. Looking back at them from behind it were Harlequin's familiar blue eyes, accompanied by two pairs of large red ones. The identical Pawniard duo were sitting against the cold, damp wall, one of them huddled into the corner and rubbing his blades together, creating a ear-piercing screech of metal.

Tinker frowned at him. “I suggest you stop that before you give me a headache.”

The Pawniard froze, his blades clasped to his metal chest.

Harlequin looked Cleo up and down and raised an eyebrow. “What on earth happened to you?”

Tinker's attention locked onto Harlequin his eyes narrowed. “We should be asking the questions, Harlequin. Not you.” He folded his arms and stared down at her. “Turning yourself in... Now why would you do that?”

Harlequin's brow furrowed and she flashed her canines. “I'm not here to talk to you. I want to talk to Cleo.” Her face softened when she looked at Cleo and Faith.

Before Cleo could open her mouth to speak, Tinker cut her off. “The Combusken gave me this, which he confiscated off you.” He held out a sun-shaped Guild badge, identical to the one Cleo had on her bag. “Care to tell me how you got it?”

Cleo looked from the badge to Harlequin and back. She had no recollection of giving her one, so if she'd managed to get one it would have been after they'd parted ways.

“Mischief gave it to me,” Harlequin told him. “I told him I wanted to find Cleo, and he said I'd be able to get into New City with it, since you use it as a key.”

Tinker's face went from shock to anger in the space of a split second. He clenched the badge in his paw so tightly Cleo feared it might puncture his pads.

“I made a devastating mistake trusting that Whimsicott with a Guild Badge.” He spoke the words slowly, each one flashing more and more of his sharp canines. “He's just handing it over to dark Pokemon?!”

“Harlequin isn't our enemy,” said Faith. “Mischief knows that.”

“Don't even start!” Tinker rounded on her, both fists clenched at his sides. “I still don't even know what your motives really are! You act all friendly and go around spouting utter nonsense! The only reason you're here is because you can use that new fairy type!”

Faith's face fell, her violet eyes seeming much larger in her dainty face. Spark hopped up onto her shoulder and placed a paw on her horn.

“Ignore him. He's just a grumpy bottom.”

Tinker snarled and turned back to Harlequin, but Cleo nudged him aside.

“Let me deal with her. You've said enough.” She looked down at the Zorua and gave a small smile. “So... why did you come back to the cells of all places?”

Harlequin gave her a half-smile. “It'd be the best way to get your attention without risking my life.” Her smile fell and she looked away from her. “I need your help.”

“Help?!” Tinker barked.

A small sizzle of electricity suggested Spark had just silenced him.

“Help with what?” Cleo asked.

Harlequin looked back up at her, her expression serious. “Assassinating Hydreigon.”

Cleo felt every hair on her body stand on end, and the gasps behind her proved she'd heard her correctly.

“Assassinate Hydreigon?” Cleo rubbed a paw over her right ear. “How do you plan to do that?”

“I've been travelling back and forth since we parted ways. A lot has happened,” Harlequin explained. “I've been through the Border Woods and I've tried to search the walls. But what I heard while I was there caused me to run back here with my tail between my legs!” She clenched her jaw and locked her eyes on Cleo's. “Hydreigon wants to re-awaken Yveltal!”

“What?!”

Cleo span to look at Faith. The Mawile's paws were clasped over her mouth and her breath was coming in quick bursts.

“Yes... he wants to wipe out every Pokemon that isn't a dark or dragon type.”

Faith shook her head. “That will surely backfire! You know what happened the last time?”

“I don't know... I heard his plan and I recognised the name... it's a Pokemon Xerneas defeated during the last great war. And now Hydreigon wants to bring it back!”

“But... it's dead, right?” Spark asked.

“It's left in a cocoon state,” said Faith. “I don't know how he's planning to awaken it, but if he does... we need to stop him.”

“I know!” Harlequin whined.

“What were you even doing back in the Border Woods?” Tinker growled.

“Searching for a way in, I told you!” Harlequin shook her head sharply, blinking back tears. “I want to kill Hydreigon! He's done a lot of damage to this world. He's even killed Pokemon I care about! An entire village and even Enigma.”

A loud yell split through the room and all eyes snapped onto Faith.

“Enigma's dead?!”

Faith's violet eyes filled with tears and she took a step back, both paws clasped over her mouth again.

Harlequin's expression reflected the Mawile's. She looked away and hung her head, her canines visible as she let out a small growl.

“Yes.”

Cleo thought her heart was going to break at the pain behind the Zorua's eyes.

Tinker snorted. “Good riddance.”

Harlequin rose to her feet, the fur along her back rising as a vicious snarl came out from between her teeth.

Tinker stared back at her, completely unfazed. “It's one less assassin to worry about.”

“Hydreigon killed him because he rebelled!” she barked. “You already didn't need to worry about him!”

Cleo turned to the Riolu and pointed a paw at the door. “I want you out. Now.”

Tinker sighed. “I have you know, Cleo, I am in charge here.”

“Yes, but you're making this harder than it needs to be. Go.”

He shook his head and moved towards the door.

Spark cleared her throat and he looked back at her.

“Keys?” The Dedenne held out her paws.

Tinker tossed the keys onto the desk and slipped out of the door. When it closed behind him, Cleo turned back to Harlequin.

“Did you...” She trailed off as she tried to re-word the question. “Were you there?”

Harlequin shook her head. “No. I thought it might be a lie, or a misunderstanding, so I went looking for him. Our paths normally cross quite frequently, but... not this time.”

“Okay... what exactly happened?”

Harlequin screwed her eyes shut and fell back down onto her haunches. “I don't know! It's all happened so fast, I can't even think straight!”

Faith fell down at the cell gates and reached a paw inside, placing it on Harlequin's shoulder. The fur on the Mawile's face was streaked with tears, but she still managed to give the Zorua a reassuring smile.

“Start from the beginning.”

Harlequin nodded and swallowed audibly. “After I'd heard he'd been killed, I just fell to bits. The next thing I know, Harbinger is leaving Scratch and Claw with me in case any dark Pokemon decide to come after me.” She nodded towards the two Pawniard.

“You found Harbinger?” Faith asked.

“Yes. I returned his Mega Stone and he went to the Fairy Garden for training. He said he'd come back and look for me after, but I've no idea how long he'll be there. I don't even know if he's even made it.” She grit her teeth and shook her head sharply. “I've been going back and forth for days now, trying to figure something out. This is all I've got! A sneaky entrance and a plan to stab Hydreigon with the Nidoking horn.”

There was a long silence, interspersed with the occasional grating from the fidgety Pawniard's claws.

“That's your plan?” Cleo finally asked.

“It's the best I can do,” said Harlequin. “An outright confrontation would only end up blowing this whole thing into a massive war. This gets rid of the problem at its source.”

“But... what about the fairy type?” Faith asked.

“That's where you come in.” Harlequin looked up at the small group of Pokemon. “You stay by the wall, and pick off any dark Pokemon that try to stop me. Any that look like they're going to cause an uproar, distract them. Destroy them.”

“How do you plan to get inside?” asked Cleo. “Surely it's not going to be easy.”

Harlequin rubbed her paws together and looked down at the ground. “I'll take on the form of a Deino. There's a lot of those there, and they're blind so one wandering outside the walls won't be seen as unusual. With so many of them around, I won't stand out. If I can get into the throne room, I can rush him with the horn and use my illusion to run.”

Faith stood up and took a step back, clasping her paws behind her back. “It sounds a bit risky.”

Cleo was still staring at Harlequin. “It's the best plan we've got.” She grabbed the keys from the desk and unlocked the door.

Spark looked up at her sharply. “You're going along with it?!”

“Listen. We've been wanting to put an end to this war for a long time, and now we've just found out it's going to get a lot worse! If there's a chance we can stop Hydreigon before he wakes up Yveltal, we might as well give it a try!”

The key clicked in the lock and Cleo swung the gate open. Harlequin gave her a smile and moved out into the room.

“I agree with Faith,” said Spark. “It does sound rather dangerous.”

“Just stepping outside is dangerous,” said Cleo. “And it will get a lot worse if we don't stop him.”

Harlequin cast her eyes up and down Cleo's body. “Are you sure you're fit to walk?”

“I'm due to have this cast off tomorrow. I don't know if they'll want me to walk so much straight away, but to be honest I don't plan on sitting around much longer.” She paused and looked down at the keys. “I don't think Tinker is going to be too happy if you're walking around New City, though.”

“Then I'll wait in the cells.” Harlequin looked back at the gate and her eyes widened at Faith.

The Mawile was approaching the Pawniard twins, her paw stretched out to them.

“Hi there! So you're Scratch and Claw?”

The two Pawniard looked from Faith's face to her paw and back, slowly edging away from her.

“It's okay!” Faith told them. “You don't need to be afraid of me, I'm a friend!”

“They're not afraid of you, they're afraid of cutting you,” said Harlequin. “Their species was shunned for it since they're covered in blades.”

“That's awful!” Faith shook her head sadly and looked back at the two Pawniard. “Well, I'm a steel type, so it won't hurt me that much.”

This seemed to calm the two nervous Pokemon and their arms fell to their sides.

“Really?” one of them asked.

“Really!”

They jumped slightly as Faith managed to place a paw on each of their heads. She gave them a warm smile.

“See? You're not that dangerous, are you?”

The large eyes of the two Pawniard brothers softened and they looked up at her, small tears starting to trickle down their faces. They moved into her, burying their faces into her neck and letting out small sobs. She placed her arms around each of them and laughed.

A small smile played on Harlequin's face as she watched her. “She really has a way with others doesn't she?”

“She really does!” said Spark. “Now if only she could get Tinker to listen to her...”

Cleo looked at the closed door then back at the Zorua. The question that had been playing on her mind since she'd seen that badge crept back to the front and she shifted against her crutch.

“You said you got the badge off Mischief?”

“Yes,” said Harlequin.

“When?”

Harlequin licked her lips and looked away from her. “I know I shouldn't have done it, Cleo, but I took him to the Border Woods with me. I told him we might be able to find a cure there.”

“You tricked him?!” Cleo clenched a fist and took a deep breath to steady herself. Faith's eyes were on her now, along with the two Pawniard who were bracing themselves to leap to Harlequin's defence.

“I didn't outright trick him,” Harlequin told her. “I know I shouldn't have dragged him there. There was too much risk of him being caught! But the Heretics have more settlements that way. If they made the Pokerus, they might have a cure for it. Anyway, when we got wind of what was happening, we ran together. I parted ways with him yesterday, back in the mountains.”

Cleo narrowed her eyes. “Which mountains?”

Harlequin nodded towards the door. “The silent ones your city is built under.”

Cleo continued to stare at her, her eyes no longer narrowed as she took all this in. She swallowed drily and looked at the door.

“He's in the mountains?”

“Yes. But I don't know how much longer he'll be there, Cleo. He seemed pretty adamant on finding a cure after his last outburst.”

“Why?” Cleo felt her stomach tie in knots. “What did he do?”

Harlequin pawed at the floor and looked away from her. “He killed a friend.”

 

[Sike Saner]

“I doubt they're dark Pokemon,” said Faith. She narrowed her eyes to squint through the snow. “Why would they be dragging wagons?”

Because it's safer than wagging dragons.

I had to say it.

Old Red laughed again. “I thank you for your concern, but really, I'm -”

“Oi! Grandpa!” The Rampardos looked down at him again. “Get on board!” He grinned. “I'll walk next to Rido and be your extra pair of eyes for a while.”

It was at this point that I realized I'd been picturing this character as a cranidos rather than a rampardos. DPPt has been out for years now, yet I still get those two mixed up. XD; Ah well.

What at first glance had seemed like a snowdrift was in fact a body covered in white fur and feathers. A large mammalian head rested upon two claws attached to heavily feathered forelegs. The massive body rose and fell steadily as the large Pokemon remained in a deep sleep. Clouds of steam left his nostrils with each deep breath.

“Reshiram?” Cleo gasped.

!!!!! Well that was unexpected. And a good candidate for that fire pokémon they were after...

Reshiram turned his blue eyes onto Faith and Cleo. “I'm here to help you.”

“Help us?” Spark poked her head out of Cleo's fur. The Meowstic was a little taken aback as she'd not even noticed the Dedenne return to her shoulder. “Help us with what?”

“To reach your next destination, of course!” Reshiram laughed. He spread his massive wings. “I thought you'd appreciate a lift?”

“A lift?” Spark's large eyes widened. “We're flying?”

...Or for transport. That works too, especially given that they're looking at an island destination.

Old Red smiled warmly at the dragon. “If you'd like to join us for a little breakfast before you leave, I would be honoured to have you with us?”

Reshiram returned his smile. “And I'd be honoured to dine with you. That is... if you really don't mind? I mean... I am larger than all of you.”

Old Red laughed. “Your size isn't a problem, I assure you.”

And that's the story of how nobody else got any breakfast. The end.

Harlequin didn't answer. His frantic eyes were fixed on something in the river and he stretched out a paw to direct him. Enigma looked behind him. Just beyond the fallen tree was a horrific mass, its giant spikes sticking out from a frame of violet battle armour.

A Nidoking.

Enigma's eyes went to the water. Flowing beneath the tree's slick trunk was a pool of blood, mixed in with a sticky pink substance which faded into nothing as it flowed away from the Pokemon's body.

Ohhhhh dear...

Flakes of snow were starting to gently fall again, joining the blanket that coated the grass and leaves of the softly swaying trees. The flakes that were unfortunate enough to land in the fast current of the river were melted away to nothing in an instant as they were washed downstream.

R.I.P. Snowflakes
2016 - 2016

She'd clearly taken his message he didn't want to talk about it. His father, a brave Blaziken, had founded New City with Grey. He'd gone to extend the city beyond the Moorland's Forest seven years ago and not returned. Dead... missing... he had no idea. He'd left Tinker in charge, and he'd heard nothing since.

Something tells me we will hear something more of him, before all is said and done. I wonder how Tinker'd react to that.

Cleo threw her bag over her shoulder and looked up at the dragon. “If we're so close though, wouldn't it be worth to keep on flying?”

Reshiram shook his head. “Not in these times, Cleo. My tail would be like a beacon in the dark. We might find ourselves under attack.”

His butt is basically like an entire swarm of volbeat and illumise.

Harbinger let out a howl as Enigma tugged at one of his ribs.

OW. Ow ow ow ow ow. That's gotta suck.

Tyrix gave a flustered sigh and turned away, marching towards the trees. He paused and looked back at the dragon.

“Thanks... for helping me.” He flashed a grin. “Maybe I'll see you again in the Fairy Garden.”

Uh-oh. Uh... Tyrix? You're heading into battle. Nasty battle. And you've been in dreadful condition, and recently at that. You shouldn't be making plans for after like that. Tempts fate, in a story at least.

The Houndour howled and lurched towards the Typhlosion, their jaws snapping and saliva flying from their mouths. One of them launched a flamethrower and Tyrix laughed as it struck him, feeding the flames on his back.

“What are you doing?” Howlinger wailed. “Don't use fire!”

PFFF SERIOUSLY. Silly houndour.

The air rushed past them as Reshiram lifted them into the sky. Cleo opened her eyes long enough to take in the clearing below them. Where Reshiram had flown through it, the smoke had parted, giving her a clear view of the ruined village. Bodies lay scattered, but there was no sign of Tyrix. In one spot beside a wrecked house lay a spray of colourful flowers.

“He's gone...”

Dare I imagine he actually survived?

“Enigma's dead?!”

Faith's violet eyes filled with tears and she took a step back, both paws clasped over her mouth again.

Harlequin's expression reflected the Mawile's. She looked away and hung her head, her canines visible as she let out a small growl.

“Yes.”

And yet I can't help but wonder, is he really?

“Yes. But I don't know how much longer he'll be there, Cleo. He seemed pretty adamant on finding a cure after his last outburst.”

“Why?” Cleo felt her stomach tie in knots. “What did he do?”

Harlequin pawed at the floor and looked away from her. “He killed a friend.”

Ohhhh dear...

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

Thanks for your review, Sike Saner. The snowflakes comment tickled me XD

...

57 – Wisps on the Wind​

After their meeting with Harlequin, the small group of Pokemon arrived back in New City's tunnels.

Tinker walked silently on ahead of them, letting Cleo hobble along on her crutch beside Faith. The Riolu had been silently seething for the duration of the journey and had slammed the door to the cell closed with a hefty clang after Harlequin obediently went back inside it.

Cleo pawed at her bag. She hadn't left it behind in the medical ward, she didn't like to leave it anywhere no matter how safe New City claimed to be. Her mind was on asking Tinker one favour, hopefully one he would oblige to.

She moved past the elevator to the medical ward and Faith cleared her throat softly, drawing Cleo's attention back to her.

“Are you daydreaming, Cleo? The elevator's here.” The Mawile chuckled and nodded to the large wooden box.

“I know. I'm going to Tinker's office. I'll meet you down there shortly.” Cleo turned away from her and felt Spark leap from her shoulder. She looked down at the Dedenne and raised an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

“Yeh. I aint getting caught in the crossfire of a blazing row. He's all yours, sister.”

Cleo watched Spark waddle over to the elevator. She glanced back down the tunnel. Tinker had long since moved out of sight. She looked back at the Dedenne.

“What makes you think there's going to be a row?”

Spark gave a small shrug. “Let's face it, Cleo. He's been getting more and more riled up recently and I don't think you letting Harlequin out of her cell has helped matters.”

“Well I really need to ask him something. I want to head off to find Mischief tomorrow, and I need to make some preparations.”

“Mischief?” Spark gasped.

Faith scratched her head. “I don't think he'd be too happy about that. Mischief is the one who handed over his badge.”

“Yes,” said Cleo. “Because he knew Harlequin wouldn't hurt us. It's not as if he handed it to an army of Weavile.”

Faith clasped her paws behind her back. “Unfortunately Tinker doesn't seem to see it like that.”

“Well all I can do is try. I'll see you later.” Cleo turned away from them and made her way down the tunnel.

It wound a couple of times before she found herself standing before Tinker's closed office door. She gave it a sharp knock and pushed it open. The Riolu was sat at his desk and he had to turn his head fully to look at her with his good eye before grumbling and returning to his paperwork.

“What do you want, Cleo?”

“I need to ask you a favour.” She moved into his office, masking her nerves with a deliberate stride made all the more awkward with the cumbersome cast on her leg.

“Oh really?” Tinker dropped his pen and leant back in his chair. “What is it? You want a room in the city for Harlequin now, do you?”

The sneer in his voice caused Cleo to reconsider her question, but she really needed his help right now. She reached into her bag and pulled out the collar and bracelet she'd previously been using with Harlequin. Tinker didn't remove his eyes off it as she placed it on his desk.

“I need you to modify this.”

“Modify it? Whatever for?”

“I want to use it on Mischief. However, we still need him to be able to use his attacks.”

Tinker fixed his good eye on her, his mouth turned into a frown. “What good will that do?”

“You already know that the Pokemon this is attached to can't be hit by the other's physical attacks. That went for me as well. I couldn't scratch Harlequin when I tried to. I'm sure you could modify it so the special attacks won't hit me either. Am I right?”

Tinker scratched his nose and looked back down at the two objects. “The idea was that the Pokemon wearing it would be restricted. It was meant to be a mobile cell, in a way. A punishment, giving you the option to take a dangerous Pokemon with you without risking the lives of others.”

“Yes. I see that. But can you tweak it?”

“Why on earth do you want Mischief to help you? He's already proven he can't be trusted.”

“You're wrong. He's proven he can indeed be trusted.” Cleo fixed her yellow eyes on Tinker's. “Believe me, he wouldn't have sent Harlequin back here if he thought she'd pose a risk to New City.”

“How do you know that, Cleo? We still don't know his history, and he up and left you.”

“I know because I know him. And the only reason he left is because he thought he might hurt us!” Cleo choked back a sob and slammed a paw down on the desk next to the collar and bracelet, causing them to rattle on the wooden surface. “If there's any way I can convince him to help us again, it's with this.”

Tinker let out a long breath through his nose and picked up the collar in both paws. Cleo turned and hobbled back to the door.

“You do know,” said Tinker slowly, “that it won't be long until that Pokerus completely takes him over?”

She looked over her shoulder at him. He wasn't looking at her, but she could tell he was listening. He reached into his toolbox and pulled out a small screwdriver, still holding the collar in his other paw.

She placed a paw on the door handle and pulled it open. “Then... I'll do everything I can to help him.”

“You might not be able to.”

Cleo faltered in the doorway. Her heart felt heavy. Facing the reality of this fact wasn't something she really wanted to do.

“I'm not giving up on the hope that there's something that can help him. But if there's nothing I can do, I can at least be there for him.”

She pulled the door closed behind her, catching a last glimpse of Tinker, motionless as he stared down at the collar with the screwdriver clasped in one paw, his muzzle crinkled in thought.

...​

“Well! You're ready to go.” Melody the Audino tossed the scraps of Cleo's cast into the bag next to her. “I would avoid doing too much at once though.”

Cleo towelled off her leg with a scrap of cloth and dropped it into the bucket of water. “I'm afraid I'll be leaving this place today. I can't just sit around.”

Melody gave her a stern look. “I can't stop you, but so long as you take it easy...”

“We'll make sure of that.”

They looked over to the elevator. Spark was stood on it beside Faith with her tiny arms folded across her chest. Cleo cracked a smile and stood up. She was delightfully impressed her leg could hold her weight. Deep down, she'd been fearing it would give her immediate problems and slow her down.

Faith grinned widely. “Nice to see you standing normally! Are you coming to lunch?”

Cleo shook her head. “I'm going to see Tinker then head out and look for Mischief.”

Spark frowned. “Already? Without lunch?”

“I'll grab what I need. I really want to find him before sunset.”

“Cleo...” Spark scratched behind her ear and eyed Cleo's leg. “You're going to be scrambling over rocks while you should be waiting until you've fully recovered. You can't expect to find him so soon.”

Cleo glanced behind her. Melody had vanished into her little office. She grabbed the rope and began to pull the elevator back up.

“Well I don't think Hydreigon is going to wait for my leg to heal before he tries to revive Yveltal.”

Spark let out a sigh while Faith nodded.

“That's true,” said Faith. “Hopefully you'll be able to find Mischief soon.”

The elevator finally reached the floor above the ward and they climbed out. Cleo turned towards Tinker's office and glanced back at Faith and Spark.

“I'll try to catch you two before I leave.”

Spark's eyes opened impossibly wide. “You're goin' without us?!”

Cleo clenched and unclenched her paws, looking away from the two stunned Pokemon.

“I don't know how Mischief will react to a sudden audience. What I want to do is find him and bring him back here. Basically... if I'm not back at New City in two full days, I want you to come and find me.”

“Find you?” Spark raised an eyebrow. “Why's that?”

Cleo hesitated for a moment and looked down at her paws. “I'm fearing what Tinker said... about the Pokerus fully taking over.” She paused. “What if he's already reached that stage?”

The other Pokemon were silent for a moment as they thought over this. Finally, Faith's voice broke the silence.

“What you're doing might be quite dangerous. But hopefully he won't have reached that stage.”

Cleo nodded and looked back at them. “Hopefully. I'll pop in to the dining room to see you before I head off out.”

Faith gave a small wave. “Take care, Cleo.”

“Aye!” Spark nodded. “Look after yourself.”

Cleo watched the two Pokemon walk away down the corridor and then turned to make her way to Tinker's office.

She suddenly felt very lonely. She'd not been separated from Spark like this before, and knowing she was going to be moving through the mountains on her own, with the risk of dark Pokemon attacking, was a very daunting thought. Sure, she could handle herself now with the use of disarming voice, but it still left a heavy feeling in her stomach.

Tinker's door seemed rather foreboding. She knocked lightly and pushed it open. The Riolu was sat at his desk talking with Skipper. The Marshtomp grinned widely and waved a clawed flipper.

“Hey, it's Cleo! Lookin' well now wi' ye leg all healed, aye?”

Cleo returned his smile. “Yes. I plan to head out today, actually.” She turned to Tinker. “Have you fixed the collar?”

“I have.” Tinker pushed the collar and bracelet across the table without looking at her. “It should do what you requested.”

“Thank you.”

Tinker waved a paw and turned his back on her. “Don't mention it.”

Cleo stared at the back of his head and caught a raised eyebrow off Skipper. She shrugged and stuffed the combo in her bag. Before she reached the door, Tinker's voice froze her in her tracks.

“I just hope such a device doesn't hurt his already weak self esteem.”

She looked back over her shoulder. Tinker still had his back to her and Skipper was looking from each of them in turn, his eyebrow rising even higher. He looked as though he might be preparing to spring up and jump between them.

Cleo placed a paw on the doorknob and fixed her eyes on the back of Tinker's head.

“My guess is it could go either way,” she said flatly. “I won't know unless I try.”

She closed the door and marched off down the corridor.

...​

The Silent Mountains were as silent as she remembered them. Not a single Pokemon in sight, not even a Murkrow flying through the air or perched on a tree. It had always puzzled her why nothing seemed to want to lurk around these mountains. The Heretics Tinker had come across had been an odd occurrence, and there wasn't even any sign of them.

She wondered if it was something to do with the surrounding forest and moors. Did the mountains feel too exposed compared to the vast trees and shrubberies below? She shrugged it off and kept pressing on.

Her leg wasn't giving her too much trouble, but it was beginning to ache a little. It would probably be wise to rest soon, but the sun wasn't even setting yet. Rest or not, she only had just short of two full days to find Mischief.

If he was even still in the mountains...

She grit her teeth and faltered slightly. She hadn't really considered that. Harlequin had said she'd left Mischief two days ago now. He could easily be in the forests, and here she was searching empty cavities and scanning the crags below.

Her eyes fell on the river running through the forest. The trees were still empty of leaves but the snow had almost fully melted away now. Any sign of green ended long before it reached the river bank. The soil was still unhealthy, which meant the trees beside the river were definitely dead. A few of the weaker ones had blown over in the strong winds during the cold season, either lying across the river or leaning against the ones still standing tall beside them.

The sight made her heart ache.

The river was now clean, but it had been the first real outing they'd had with Mischief as part of their team.

Loneliness stabbed at her chest and she half expected Spark to say something from her shoulder, but nothing came. She grit her teeth again and tore her eyes away, pressing on through the mountains.

A light breeze picked up, followed by a small ray of sunshine poking through the thick, white clouds. The warming season was on its way, and soon all the snow would be gone. She looked up in the direction of the wind, and something caught her eye.

Blowing softly on the breeze were some white, wispy seeds.

Seeds... she jolted. It was much too early for seeds.

Scrabbling over the rocks, she made her way towards them. They danced beside a rocky outcrop covered with a thick layer of ice and moved through the air past her. As she drew closer, she could see many of the seeds clinging to the surface of the rock, and a thick layer of them clutched to a long, thick icicle that hung down over the opening of a small cavern.

She peered through it and there, lying sprawled on the ground, was Mischief. At first glance he looked to be asleep, but his breathing appeared to be shallow and rapid.

“Mischief?”

No response... she pulled herself back from the opening and stared at the large icicle looming from the top of the cavern mouth. The gap between the ice and the opening was much too narrow for her to enter, but a Whimsicott would have no trouble wriggling their way inside. She'd need to remove the ice first.

She clutched at the large icicle and dragged her claws through it. Her paw slipped against the surface, the cold penetrating her paw pads with a fierce intensity. She yelped and snatched it back, stuffing it into her mouth as she looked up at the ice. It was topped with a thick layer of snow, slowly melting and trickling down the icicle where it dripped onto the cold stones below.

She needed to get inside, but using her powers to strike or move the icicle could result in an avalanche. She searched her surroundings for something she could use, something to chip away the ice and make enough room for her to get inside.

There... lying a few feet away was a pile of loose rubble. She rummaged through it until she found a rock small enough to hold in one paw while being large enough to use as a tool. None of them were perfect, many of them being too blunt to make any quick progress against the ice. She examined the chosen rock with its lumpy, blunt surface and gave a shrug. It would have to do.

She chiselled away at the large icicle for what felt like an eternity. She had to be careful so as not to disturb the snow above it, and the sun was beginning to set by the time she'd done enough damage to actually remove the icicle. She hadn't expected it to break free, but it was a very welcome surprise.

She lay it on the ground next to her and blew on her paws to warm them up as she moved into the cavern. Her eyes remained on Mischief, scanning him for any sign of damage or hostility. She couldn't see anything visible. She dropped down next to him and placed a paw on his shoulder, giving him a gentle shake.

“Mischief? Are you...”

She looked down at her paw. His fur felt cold and damp, likely due to the humid air as the wind blew through the cave.

Cold... and alone. A lone grass type braving the harsh, cold weather.

She stuffed her paws in her bag and pulled out the old yellow sheet they used to use as a tent. She threw it over them both and huddled up to him, trying to warm him up with her own body heat. The familiar smell of pollen reached her nostrils and she looped an arm around his waist and pulled herself into him, burying her face into the thick fur on his chest. Her eyes stung with tears as she became overwhelmed with how much she'd missed him and she sobbed silently into his fur.

She had no idea how much time passed as she lay there. The mountains were deathly silent, and the cave was already dark as the sun set on the other side of the mountain. What was left of the fading light dwindled away with the setting sun.

Cleo actually thought she may have fallen asleep when a small mumble caused her eyes to flicker open. Mischief stirred in her arms and she felt his paw trail over her collar and ears. His breathing had become steadier, but she heard him gasp a couple of times as he pulled back to look at her.

“Cleo? … Are you... really...?”

She tried to meet his eyes but didn't get the chance as she was pulled back into him. His arm clasped firmly around her shoulders and she felt him nuzzle the spot between her ears as his body shook with sobs.

“Please tell me you're really here,” he said.

“I'm here.”

“Because I don't want it to be a dream again.”

“Mischief, I'm here.”

Her voice came out as a breath. A dream? Had he missed her too? She wriggled in his grip to look up at him and he moved back so he could meet her eyes. They were wet as tears streaked from them over his cheeks, but they were glazed over as though he wasn't actually seeing her. She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off as he pressed his lips against hers, catching her in a kiss that knocked her off guard. She looped her paws around his neck and kissed him back, the heat from his body warming through her fur.

Warm... he was too warm...

She pulled back from him and he protested, grabbing at her as she wriggled back from beneath the blanket.

“No! Don't leave me!”

“I'm not leaving you.” She ran a paw over her head and tried to catch her breath, distracting herself with her bag. “I couldn't leave you like this anyway. You're sick.”

He flopped back down onto the ground, keeping his eyes on her as though worried she'd vanish at any moment.

“I love you.”

She stopped what she was doing, her eyes wide as she stared back at him. He lay there watching her, his breath coming in quick, heavy bursts.

“I love you, Cleo. So much. Every day I've regretted leaving you.” He stretched out a paw to her as far as it would go and let it fall onto the blanket. “Don't go...”

Her heart flopped in her chest and she looked away from him. He loved her... Did he actually mean any of this? Or was it just a feverish delusion? If so, there was a chance he wouldn't remember any of this. She wasn't sure whether she should say anything back and risk embarrassing herself or leave it and explain later.

One thing was for certain. He definitely needed help. She rummaged through her bag, pulling out various berries as she searched through them.

“The cold has got to you,” she told him. “You have a fever.”

She scooped up two berries – a sitrus and a lum. She wasn't sure if he needed the latter, but it wouldn't hurt to rule things out in case any frost had affected him. She scooted over to him and he pushed himself up on his elbow, trying to reach out to her with his other paw.

“Come on.” She placed an arm around his shoulders and helped him to sit up, placing the sitrus berry in his groping paw. “Eat this.”

He stared down at it absently then placed it beside him, turning back to Cleo. She cut him off before he could speak, reaching across him for the berry.

“Mischief, come on!” She stuffed it back in his paw. “I want you to get better, now eat it.”

He stared back down at the berry and turned it in his paws. “You don't feel the same... do you?”

She crossed her paws over her knees and leant forwards on them, letting out a small sigh. “I don't know how much of this is coming from you or the fever.” She paused and looked away from him to the cavern mouth. It was completely dark outside now. “We'll talk in the morning when you've eaten these berries and had a sleep.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

58 – Worries​

Spark paced back and forth in front of the small room she'd shared with Faith. The Mawile was still sleeping soundly but Spark had barely slept a wink. It had only been one night since Cleo had left, and she was very aware Cleo had told them not to go looking for her until two days had passed without her return, but Spark was growing very anxious.

Two days... a lot could happen in two days... that's two day's Spark and Faith could have watched her back, helped her should any Pokemon attack.

Two days...

“If you're not careful, you'll wear a track into the floor.”

Spark looked behind her to find Faith chuckling in the doorway and smiling down at her. The Mawile stretched and covered her mouth as she yawned.

“I'm sorry,” said Spark. “Did I wake you?”

“I woke up to hear you talking to yourself, but you didn't wake me.”

Spark blinked. “I was talking to myself?”

Faith chuckled again and moved out into the tunnel. “I take it you want breakfast?”

Spark nodded slowly. “Yeh, but it aint the same without Cleo.”

Faith made a thoughtful noise and scratched the base of her horn. “I know. You two have been together since you were hatchlings.” She looked down at Spark and almost frowned at the Dedenne's worried expression. “Do you want to go looking for her?”

There was a little hope behind Faith's voice and Spark felt a little lighter knowing she wasn't alone in her worries.

“Thing is,” Spark began, “if we go looking for her, she might come back here and wonder where we are.”

Faith nodded. “I know.”

“On the other hand...” Spark stared blankly ahead as she thought this over. “She can't have got very far in one day, and she would have stopped to rest. We might be able to catch up with her.”

“How do you suppose we do that?” Faith asked. “She could be anywhere.”

Spark felt a grin spread across her face and she looked up at the Mawile. “We use Harlequin's nose.”

Faith returned her grin with a smile of her own. “That's a great idea! We can grab a quick breakfast and then we'll be on our way.”

Spark trotted to keep up with Faith. “Normally I'd feel a bit distressed at the thought of a quick breakfast, but I'm with you on this one. We need to get a wiggle on.”

The dining room was rather empty at this time, as most of the inhabitants of New City were still asleep, but the table was still set up ready with a small assortment of berries from the harvest gathered before the cold season. A mere pawful of Pokemon were sat at the table, but Spark's 'good morning' died on her tongue and she paused to take everything in. Sandpaw and Scout were sat with Tinker, Skipper and Starshine exchanging silent looks. Across from them sat another Marshstomp wearing a pink bow, rebuking Tad in her thick accent for causing trouble. Whatever the problem was, it went straight over Spark's head.

“Is everything all right?” Faith ventured to ask.

The Pokemon looked over at them for the first time, and the heated discussion between the Marshstomp and her child came to an abrupt end. Tinker cleared his voice and looked away from them.

“Yes, quite.”

“Faith!” Sandpaw leapt out of her seat and rushed to embrace the Mawile. “So nice to see you!”

“You've seen me every day since I arrived back here!” Faith chuckled and returned the Furret's favour.

“I know! But you're one of my favourite Pokemon here in New City.” Sandpaw took Faith's paw and led her to the dining table.

Spark hopped up on a stool next to her and helped herself to a small plate of berries.

“Oh no! Spark's here!” Scout gasped. “The table will soon be empty!” He quickly grabbed a couple of oran berries and shot Spark a cheeky grin.

Sandpaw nudged him. “Don't be cheeky, Scout.”

“Nah, he has a point.” Spark dropped some oran and razz berries onto her plate and dropped back onto her stool. “But we're havin' a quick breakfast today.”

“Yes, we want to be off soon,” Faith explained. “We need to find Cleo. So, just to let you know, Tinker, we'll be taking Harlequin and the Pawniard with us.”

The Riolu frowned. “I think not! Those Pokemon are prisoners.”

“By choice,” said Faith. “You should know by now that Harlequin isn't our enemy.”

Tinker leant forwards on the table and rubbed his temples.

“She gave Meredith's village an antidote,” Faith went on. “Defended Scout from a Murkrow attack, amongst other things, and now she's come back here to ask for help destroying Hydreigon. How much more proof do you need?”

“I don't trust dark Pokemon,” Tinker said flatly.

“I agree they have a bad reputation,” said Faith. “But not all dark Pokemon are bad. A type is just a type, it doesn't decide what side you are on. You should know that as well as anyone.”

Faith's eyes went to Starshine and Tinker followed her gaze. The Swablu looked up from his plate of berries to look at the both of them in turn.

“Why are you staring at me?” he asked.

Tinker looked up and let out a long sigh as he ran his paw down his muzzle. “Fine. Take the Zorua with you. I have enough to worry about right now. Letting you take him is much easier than dealing with Cleo demanding his freedom.”

Faith flashed him a smile. “Thank you!”

Tinker grimaced and looked away from her, prodding at a berry with a claw.

“So...” Sandpaw cast Faith a sideways glance. “You're leaving?”

Faith nodded. “Uhuh! Just as soon as we finish breakfast.”

“Oh...” The Furret stared down at her empty plate and ran a claw around the rim. “Can we... go with you?”

Spark dropped a berry and looked up at her. All eyes were now on Sandpaw, and Tinker looked less than pleased.

“You want to leave?” He tried to keep his voice calm, but it wavered non the less.

Sandpaw nodded briskly. “Yes. Now Scout is old and strong enough to accompany me, I want to find the Fairy Garden.”

“That place again...” Tinker leant forward with his head in his paws. “Fine. You can leave.”

Sandpaw shifted in her seat and looked at him. “You could come with us?”

“I can't. I've enough on my plate with New City, especially since the melting snow has caused several of the escape tunnels to cave in!”

Faith clasped a paw over her mouth.

“Wha?!” Spark abandoned her plate of berries again. “The escape tunnels?”

Tinker clenched his jaw and let out a low groan. “Keep it amongst yourselves, will you? I don't want all of New City going into an uproar.”

“Oh, Tinker!” The female Marshstomp shook her head sadly. “Tha's not somethin' ye can be keepin' from th'Pokemon that live here. They should know stuff like this!”

“Aye, I been tellin' 'im that, sis.” Skipper turned to Tinker. “But we got it under control in th'end, didn't we, Tink?”

“Yer sugar coatin' it.” The female Marshstomp stood up and made for the door. “Don't ye worry yerselves. I won't be tellin' a soul. But if it gets any more serious...” She narrowed her eyes at Tinker and Skipper, and the two Pokemon sank slightly into themselves. With a nod, she moved through the door.

“Huh.” Spark looked from the closed door to Tinker and Skipper. “Maybe she should be in charge of New City?” Tinker frowned at her and Spark returned it. “Now which tunnels?”

Tinker narrowed his eyes. “The tunnel to the cells is fine.” He gave a small sigh and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look. I can assure you, it's fine. This isn't the first time it's happened, and the excavation team are on the task as we speak, filling in the dead tunnels to re-dig later and patching up those that can be saved. Please, don't concern yourselves with this matter.”

“We won't.” Spark stuffed another berry into her mouth.

Faith gave a wistful sigh and shook her head. “Pokemon really shouldn't be living like this.”

...​

Cleo was woken abruptly as a firm paw gave her a violent shake. Her eyes snapped open and met a pair of frantic orange eyes. Mischief leapt back from her and huddled by the wall, letting out a loud whine as his body shook with sobs.

She pushed herself up and stared at him. “Are you-”

“What are you doing?!” he demanded. “I thought I...” He looked at his paws and shook his head. “I don't... I can't...”

“Are you still sick?”

He looked at her sharply and she glanced away and licked her lips. It was a poor choice of words. She tried again.

“You had a fever. The cold had got to you.”

She kept one eye on him as she gathered up the yellow cloth. It had been tossed across the cave during his frantic leap, and she was almost certain he hadn't noticed it.

The strength seemed to leave his body and he leant against the cold wall and closed his eyes.

“You shouldn't be around me,” he said. “I'm not safe.”

“Harlequin told me everything,” she said. “It's clearly been an awful shock to you.”

“Where is he?”

“Who?”

“Harlequin.”

Cleo stared at him for a moment and returned to stuffing the sheet into her bag. “In the cells.”

“He's lucky I didn't kill him too.” Mischief's words were choked with sobs and he wiped a paw across his face. He took in a shaky breath. “How long have you been here?”

Cleo looked away from him as the realisation began to dawn on her. “You don't remember me finding you last night?”

“No.”

There it was. Everything he'd said, he had no memory of it. She fastened her bag and let it fall limply at her side.

“I want to check if your fever's gone down,” she said.

“I don't have a fever. I'm just tired.”

“Well it was pretty bad last night.” She crawled over to him and he retreated into himself, making himself look incredibly small.

He raised a paw to his chest.“You can't touch me!”

“I need to check.”

“I'm too dangerous, Cleo!”

“Listen! You're not having one of your outbursts right now. You're not dangerous!”

“Stop!”

He swiped her paw away from his shoulder and she fell back from him onto her haunches. His wide, frightened eyes were fixed on hers, and he was breathing heavily. It made her heart break to see him like this.

He leant his head against the wall and closed his eyes. “Please stop.”

“Okay.” She let her paws fall into her lap. “I won't touch you.”

“I don't feel well. I keep going dizzy. It's happening a lot recently.”

“Because of the cold?”

“It's not the cold. It's worse when I get angry. Then I don't remember anything.” He huddled into a ball and sobbed into his arms. “There's no cure. I can't find it. And those who help me only get hurt.”

“You can't give up hope-”

“I told them to run! Harlequin managed to get away, but Flutterwick couldn't fly. The Murkrow had damaged his wing, so he couldn't escape. It was my fault he died! I killed him!” He wailed and his body shook. “What must he have thought of me? I was meant to be his friend!”

“He wanted to help you,” Cleo said quietly.

Mischief shook his head. “I'm a monster.” He took in another shaky breath. “Please go.”

Cleo sat there, staring down at her paws. They blurred as tears filled her eyes and she screwed them shut, shaking her head sharply.

“No.”

He looked up at her, his face wet with tears.

“I'm not going to leave you,” she said. “I can't bear the thought of being away from you again.”

“And I can't bear the thought of hurting you.”

“You don't have to.” Cleo reached into her bag and pulled out the collar and bracelet. She placed them onto the floor with a soft clatter.

Mischief stared down at them and his expression became unreadable.

“I had Tinker modify it,” she explained. “You can still use all of your attacks, but not one of them will touch me.”

He placed a paw on the collar gingerly. “What about everyone else?”

“I'll deal with that problem. Since you won't be able to leave my side, I'll make sure I get you as far away from them as possible.”

He was silent, but he didn't take his paw off the collar. The hardness behind his eyes softened as he thought this over.

“With this,” Cleo went on, “you can join us again and fight against the Darkness. We can look for a cure together as well.”

“You know...” He glanced away from her. “I came in this cave to die.”

Die? It felt like someone had reached into Cleo's chest and crushed her heart. She blinked back tears and looked away from him.

“I had really given up,” he said.

“'Had'?” She looked back at him.

“Yes.” He trailed his paw over the collar. “If there's still hope out there, then... I want to hang on to it.”

“Does that mean you're joining us again?”

He gave a small nod. “If you can guarantee this collar works, then yes.”

A small smile played on Cleo's lips. She picked up the collar and snapped it open. Mischief flinched at the sound and she looked from him to the collar. When this was on him, that was it. So long as she wore the bracelet, she wouldn't be able to touch him. Her paws brushed the soft, creamy-white fur on his shoulders and he raised a paw to her arm, hovering a mere hair's breadth away from her fur. Her heart leapt in her chest. Everything he'd said to her the night before came rushing back. Even if he didn't remember it, she did. And deep down, she was certain he meant it.

She shifted and his eyes met hers. No longer worried and frantic, he looked... sorry. There was a tenderness behind his eyes that stirred something inside her and her paws faltered as she prepared to close the collar.

He'd asked the night before if she felt the same way he did. She'd regretted not saying anything back, but doing so would only have affirmed it with herself, and it would have made this a lot harder.

His paw shook as it trailed up the length of her arm and her eyes shot to it.

“I'm sorry.” His breath tickled her face and she closed her eyes. “I just... you said once this collar is on that... I can't touch you.” He swallowed audibly. “I wanted to.”

Cleo's stomach tied itself in knots. She blinked back fresh tears and pressed the ends of the collar together. They snapped into place with a loud click.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

59 – Stalker​

Cleo sat looking out of the cave opening, what was left of the icicles looking like sharp teeth bared in an intimidating snarl. Water dripped from them, landing with a soft patter onto the wet floor. The sky outside was dimming as the sun set behind her. The only other sounds beside the patter of water was Mischief's steady breathing as he slept further back in the cave.

Cleo glanced back at him. He'd fallen asleep shortly after she'd secured the collar on him. The poor Whimsicott was still exhausted. His fever had gone down significantly, but his despair and anxiety hadn't helped his recovery at all. She thought back to what he'd said and his actions towards her. He seemed to be full of self loathing now.

She looked down at her paws and wound her claws together. There was no way she could relate to how he felt. There had to be a cure somewhere, there just had to. But even so, a cure couldn't bring back the life he'd accidentally taken. He'd probably never forgive himself.

Another noise reached her ears and her body tensed, the fur on her back standing on end. The patter of falling pebbles rolling down the mountain side, fading away into the distance. She waited for something else... anything... but nothing came. Regardless, her fur didn't settle back into place. Those pebbles couldn't just fall on their own, something must have disturbed them. That thought didn't bode well with her.

These mountains were silent, no Pokemon lived in them. The only thing that could have disturbed those rocks would have been a strong gust of wind, but the wind wasn't howling away out there. So if those rocks had fallen... something must have nudged them. It was the only other logical explanation.

Her paws itched for her to stand up and go and investigate – to at least get out of this cave. If there was a Pokemon out there, or worse – a group of dark Pokemon – then they would end up trapped in this cave. It didn't help matters that Mischief was asleep and too weak to fight. She looked back at Mischief, then down at her bracelet, then the cave entrance. Mischief, bracelet, entrance. She warred with the urge to remove it and check, but if she did that, and she ended up falling in battle, he would then be trapped alone.

She clenched her teeth together and grimaced. She had no choice. She needed to wake him up and take him with her.

She moved over to him and grabbed his shoulder, giving him a gentle shake.

“Huh?” His eyes fluttered open and he fixed her with a bleary gaze. “What's wrong?”

“I think there's someone outside.” She glanced back to the entrance. Those icicles were beginning to look a lot more intimidating, like they were trapped in a giant maw.

“Really?”

He rubbed a paw across his eyes and pushed himself up. Cleo's heart sank at the effort he had to put into it. So long as she got them both out of this cave and to safety, that's all that mattered. She stood up beside him and a dull ache spread through her leg. She visibly flinched and looked down at herself. Great. She'd almost forgotten about that. Neither of them were in the best shape to fight.

She motioned for Mischief to stay quiet and they crept to the cave's mouth. Cleo peered outside and searched up and down the mountains. The sun had very nearly set, making the rocks cast large shadows over the brittle vegetation and high crags. It felt a lot more sinister, amplified only by the still winds and silence that flooded the mountainous region.

Cleo couldn't see anything, but she knew all too well that didn't mean there was nothing there. She'd fought dark Pokemon enough to know they can hide in the shadows perfectly.

Her mouth felt very dry, and she tried her best to swallow and breathe as quietly as she could. There was every possibility that whatever it was had fled, worried it had given the game away by knocking those rocks out of place. However, it wasn't a risk she was willing to take.

It could just as easily have been a trick.

She didn't know what to do. If any enemy Pokemon knew they were there, they didn't need to lure them out. They could have trapped them easily.

Trapped.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She couldn't bear it any more. They needed to move.

She stepped out from the cave and climbed over the rocky ground, trying to avoid the long, stretching shadows cast by the crags above them. Mischief's light footing behind her made no noise whatsoever, but her paws over the rocks sounded too loud to her ears. Her limp was also visible. If any dark Pokemon noticed that, she'd be considered easy prey.

What she wanted to do was get back down to the moors, or the forest, and hide. There were more places to hide – bushes, trees, the tunnels leading to New City. Once inside, the enemy Pokemon wouldn't be able to get to them.

She searched around with her eyes, scanning the shadows as she tried to get her bearings. She knew where she was. She wasn't far from the river, the opening that led to the cave where they'd found the Seviper bodies. If they could get there, they could get into New City. Get to safety.

The only problem was getting there. With a sore leg and an exhausted Mischief, climbing down the steep mountain side wouldn't be easy.

“Cleo!” Mischief hissed.

She looked back at him. His head was turned, fixed on a dark shape slinking towards them. Cleo faltered, almost stumbling over the uneven ground. Those pointed ears, whip-like tail and lean body could only belong to one Pokemon.

Liepard.

The moonlight reflected briefly off a pair of green eyes and a set of canines flashed in a grin.

“Well, pretty kitty... looks like I've found you.” A velvety voice purred at her as the Liepard drew closer, his head held low and ears pulled back against his skull.

Cleo gulped, standing so close to Mischief that the bracelet on her wrist vibrated as it tried to keep the distance between them. Liepard weren't known to be accident prone. This Pokemon knew they were hiding in that cave. He had no intention of cornering them. He wanted the chase. He wanted to frighten them. Those pebbles falling while he lay silently in wait was nothing more than a mind game.

“Can you fight?” she whispered to Mischief.

Mischief didn't answer, but his body went tense. Want to or not, he'd fight if he had to.

Cleo braced herself. As the Liepard drew ever closer, she kept her eyes on him, looking for an opportunity to spring an attack.

“Why aren't you running?” the Liepard purred. “Are you really going to make this easy for me?” He snorted. “That's no fun.”

He flashed his canines and leapt.

This was it.

Cleo unfurled her ears and a flash of pink light followed an ear-splitting yell. The Liepard was send rolling backwards across the rocks. He leapt back to his feet in one fluid motion, the hair along his back bristling as he let out a low snarl.

Cleo took a step backwards, her heart hammering even faster in her chest. His smooth footwork over the rocks as he advanced towards them again showed no sign her attack had dealt much damage to him.

“What on earth was that?!” he growled. “Psychic attacks aren't supposed to affect me!”

“It wasn't a psychic attack.” Cleo's voice wavered and her eyes went to the Liepard's sharp canines. “And I'm not the only one who can use fairy attacks. My friend can too.”

The Liepard's green eyes locked onto Mischief briefly before snapping back to Cleo. “Then I'll just have to kill the both of you.”

As he sprang into the air, a flash of metal whipped up the mountain past him and he flinched, stumbling forwards with a grunt. His head snapped round to look up at the crag where it vanished. Cleo braced herself to strike him again, but a smaller black form landed at his side.

“Leave her!”

The Liepard looked round at the voice and his eyes widened as they instead went to his shoulder. Cleo could make out a vibrant red spreading out across his purple fur. Whatever that metal flash was, it had struck him.

Harlequin stepped out of the shadows towards him. She gave a snort and frowned. “Another assassin sent out on the hunt?”

The Liepard's eyes fixed on Harlequin, wide with fear. He snapped his head round to the crag above them. The Pawniard twins stood peering back down at him, their blades glinting in the moonlight. His eyes seemed to bulge out of his head and he gasped, his breathing turning raspy as his legs trembled. He looked back at the red patch on his shoulder and all strength left his legs as he collapsed to the floor.

“No!” He shook his head sharply. “No! Oh, no! Please! I don't want to die!”

Cleo placed her paw on her chest as she watched the whimpering Liepard. His eyes were screwed shut and his breath was coming in loud, frantic bursts. She'd never seen a dark Pokemon react like this. She took a step back from him and Harlequin's blue eyes flashed towards her, freezing her in her tracks, before locking back onto the Liepard.

“You might not want to die, but you wouldn't have hesitated killing those two?”

“I'm just doing what I was told to do!” The Liepard opened one green eye and fixed it on Harlequin. “You were the same!”

Harlequin's jaw stiffened. “Yes. I used to be.”

The Liepard snorted between gasps. “Yet you're just going to let me die?”

Harlequin stared down at him for a moment while he watched her through one eye. His mouth was slightly open as he struggled to catch his breath, his ribs rising and falling rapidly.

“You're just like I was,” she said. “Terrified you'd be killed if you put a paw out of line. You know you don't need to go back?”

The Liepard flashed his canines. “Not go back? Become a rebel?! You heard what happened to Enigma!”

Harlequin flinched.

“I was sent to find you, Harlequin. These two Outcasts are friends of yours. I was tracking them to find you.”

Cleo tensed and she looked from the Zorua to the Liepard. She heard a chink of metal grating on rock above them as the Pawniard prepared to strike. Silence washed over them, broken only by the Liepard's heavy breathing. Harlequin stared at him, her blue eyes narrowed into slits. She let out a breath and relaxed.

“And yet all you're doing is talking to me?” Harlequin asked.

“I can't do anything else, you poisoned me!”

A smile split across the Zorua's face. “Did I? I don't recall saying that.”

The Liepard's eyes widened and he raised his head to look at her. Harlequin raised a paw and examined it.

“You think because of my reputation I'd just poison any of my enemies. Your reaction is purely psychological.”

She looked back at him, the smile gone from her face. The Liepard's fur bristled and he rose shakily to his feet.

Cleo's ears hummed as she braced herself to launch an attack, but the Liepard's attention went back to his wounded shoulder.

“Like I said, you don't have to go back,” Harlequin told him. “Outside the Shadow Lands, you're free. You might be running from the eyes of the Murkrow and any other threats, but you'll be free from that oppressive dragon, no longer having to fight his pointless battles.”

The Liepard looked back at her, the fur settling along his back. “You really didn't poison me?”

Harlequin shook her head. “You'll be fine.”

He gave a snort through his nose and leapt towards her. Cleo let out a gasp and unfurled her ears, but instead the Liepard landed behind Harlequin and vanished down the mountainside. The two Pawniard were now standing beside her, their blades poised to strike, their large eyes searching the shadows for the Liepard. Harlequin gave them an apologetic look and stood up.

“Don't worry. He's gone.”

“You spared him?” Cleo asked.

“Yes.” Harlequin moved past her and led them away along the narrow path, keeping one eye on the ground below. “I've learned any Pokemon can change if given the chance.”

Mischief looked round at her and she gave him a small smile. The Whismicott was trembling, but Cleo wasn't sure if it was fear or weakness from the cold.

“I showed him mercy by sparing him, even though he planned to kill us,” Harlequin continued. “Look what happened. He went away and spared our lives. Who knows... maybe he'll find the Fairy Garden?”

Cleo looked back down the rocky slope. Two green eyes flashed up at them from the shadows. They turned away from her and she could make out the lithe form of the Liepard slinking away into the forest.

...​

The ground opened up, sloping gently downwards before dropping sharply towards the river. A stiff bramble bush grew out of the ground amongst some stiff, brittle brown weeds that had struggled to survive the cold season.

Harlequin came to a stop and Cleo followed her gaze to the bush where Faith and Sandpaw stood waiting. Cleo raised an eyebrow at them and her eyes went to the tiny form of Spark as she poked her head out of the bush.

“There you are!” the Dedenne hissed.

Cleo shook her head and waved a paw in the air. “I thought I asked you to leave it two days before looking for me?”

“I got worried.” Spark's head vanished back into the brambles.

“What if we'd gone back to New City and you weren't there? We'd be walking in circles looking for each other!”

Spark peered out at her again and nodded to Harlequin. “That's where her nose comes in handy.”

Cleo sighed and shook her head.

“We're sorry,” said Faith. “But I'm so happy to see you're both okay.”

The Mawile moved over to them and took Cleo's paws in hers. Her claws brushed the bracelet and she looked down at it and frowned. She looked back at Harlequin but Cleo shook her head sharply. This caught Faith's attention and a look of realisation crossed her face. She glanced over at Mischief and opened her mouth to say something but Cleo cut her off with another wave of her paw.

“I'll explain later. First, I want you to get some rest.” She aimed this at Mischief and he nodded.

She pulled the tent out of her bag and quickly set it up. Faith assisted her and Harlequin watched in amazement as the little tent was stood beside the bramble bush.

“Wow!” Sandpaw exclaimed. “I've never seen anything like it.”

Mischief peered inside. “Where did you get it?”

“It was a present off some new friends,” said Cleo. “A group of Outcasts who travel around in wagons.”

Mischief's shoulders drooped and he stared blankly at the ground. Knowing so much had happened while he'd been apart from them clearly upset him. Cleo made a mental note to fill him in on all that had passed to get him up to speed once he was rested.

She looked around at the group of Pokemon. Scout had climbed out of the brambles to see what was going on, his eyes bright despite the heavy rings under them.

“Maybe we should set up the other tent?” she suggested.

“I don't think it would work,” said Faith. “There are no trees here or anywhere we can prop it up.”

“I'm okay to stay in the bush,” said Scout.

“I'll stay in the bush as well,” said Harlequin. “And so will Scratch and Claw. They can take first watch with me.”

The two Pawniard nodded silently.

“Well that's sorted then!” Faith smiled. “I'll stay with them, and Sandpaw and Scout can stay in the tent with you and Mischief.”

“And Spark,” said Spark as she strutted out of the bush towards Cleo. She covered her mouth in a huge yawn and strolled into the tent.

Mischief stood aside to let Sandpaw and Scout enter before following after them. Cleo turned to join them but was halted in her tracks.

“Cleo?”

She looked back at Harlequin. She was sat staring at her and her eyes travelled down to the bracelet on her wrist. She frowned.

Cleo gave a small sigh and shrugged. “He wouldn't have joined us without it.”

Harlequin looked back up at her. “He's okay with it? It doesn't leave him defenceless? Because what we're about to walk into-”

“It's been modified.”

Harlequin stared at her silently.

“I can explain more later, okay?”

Harlequin nodded. “Okay. I know you wouldn't do anything drastic without thinking it through.”

Cleo looked away and gazed blankly at the mass of rock looming up towards the sky. Harlequin was silent again, staring at the tent. She stood abruptly and moved over to the bramble bush.

“Thank you,” said Cleo.

Harlequin froze.

“For helping us,” Cleo added. “I don't know if I could have fought off that Liepard.”

Harlequin looked back at her and gave a small smile. “Don't mention it. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Cleo watched Harlequin vanish into the bush. Once she was out of sight, she fell down onto her bottom and absently turned the bracelet round on her wrist.

Drastic... she hadn't really thought of it like that before.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

60 – Parting Ways​

“Tinker!”

Tinker twisted so sharply he almost fell off his chair. The door to his office had been thrown open with such ferocity it bounced off the shelf behind it and shook the contents about, knocking two files to the ground. Sheets of paper floated down after them, the rustle drowned out over Tad's heavy gasps.

The young Marshstomp stood in the doorway with one paw pressed to the frame, his wide eyes fixed on the Riolu as he breathed heavily to catch his breath. His bandana hung lopsided over one eye and he brushed it back with his free paw.

“What on earth is the matter?” Tinker asked as he rose to his feet.

“It's Starshine! He's evolvin'!”

The look of despair on Tad's face told Tinker this was hardly a reason for celebration. He felt his heart hit his throat. He pushed past Tad and bolted for the training room.

“He aint takin' it so well!” Tad gasped behind him. “Keeps screamin'!”

Tinker picked up his pace, his legs pumping over the well-trodden soil. Pokemon stepped aside as they heard him coming through the market place, their voices of concern drowned out by the rabble. When he hit the training corridor, a group of Guild Warriors were stood outside and by the looks on their faces alone Tinker could have separated them easily into two groups – those who were fearful, and those who were utterly disgusted.

When he pushed through them to enter the room, he found it completely empty save for a lone Altaria panting on the floor.

“Starshine?”

The Altaria opened his eyes to look up at him. “Dad? I don't... feel well.”

Tinker's face split into a smile. So that's all it was? “You'll be fine.”

A loud sigh of relief almost caused Tinker to leap out of his skin. Tad's heavy paw struck the Riolu in the back.

“Och, Starshine. Ye 'ad me thinkin' ye was dyin' or somethin'!” He crossed his paws across his chest and shook his head. “I know it aint exactly pleasant, but th'aint no reason fer all that! 'Ad me scared 'alf t'death ye did.”

Tinker chuckled and knelt down beside the Altaria. “It might not have caused you much grief, Tad, but you didn't have to grow a new neck.” He placed a paw on Starshine's back. “Can you stand?”

Starshine groaned and rose to his feet, his long white wings flailing as he tried to keep his balance.

Tinker steadied him on his arm. “I think we should probably get you to bed, lad.”

“Aye.” Tad gave a curt nod. “Ye wobblin' around like th'berry souffle me ma makes.”

They turned to leave the room and Tad froze in his tracks. Tinker looked over his shoulder at the crowd of Pokemon that had gathered in the door. They'd been so silent he'd forgotten they were there. The ones at the front fixed him with frowns and solemn shakes of the head while the ones behind peered fearfully over their shoulders.

“Alright, c'mon!” Tad shooed them aside to make a small path for him to lead Tinker through. “I know th'lad's got pretty feathers, aye? Ye can stare 'n' oggle at 'im later.”

They moved through the crowd and were no more than a foot away when a snort cut through the air like fierce claws.

“This is disgusting.”

Tinker looked back at the group. A Luxray leered at him while his son – a little Shinx – peered at them over his tail, his little body quivering.

“I'm sorry?” Tinker narrowed his eyes.

“I knew this would happen,” the Luxray went on.

“Of course. Evolution is inevitable when you train.”

Tinker turned away from him but another voice froze him in his tracks.

“I bet you never even told the boy he'd become a dragon?”

Starshine's body stiffened and he looked back over his shoulder. Tinker followed his gaze. The speaker was a Combusken, standing glaring at them with his arms crossed. The rest of the group became more vocal, their exclamations merging together, but they could pick out the odd one.

“I agree. Disgusting.”

“... thing should be exiled!”

“A dragon in New City!”

“He isn't playing with my child anymore.”

Starshine looked up at Tinker, his little black eyes filled with tears. He shook his head sharply and bolted down the corridor.

“Starshine!”

Tinker sped after him, Tad's heavy footsteps resounding behind him. The tunnel opened out into the market, and Tinker spotted the Altaria stumbling through the crowd as Pokemon leapt out of his way and mothers yanked back their hatchlings with yells of surprise and disgust.

Starshine shook his head again and ran down a narrow tunnel towards the nest rooms.

Tinker bolted through the market after him, ignoring the shouts and cries that filled the air. They dulled behind him as he wound down the narrow tunnel. Curious eyes peered out at him from various nest rooms when he finally came to a halt at a fork in the tunnel. Small sobs came from a room on the right and Tinker stepped inside to find Starshine huddled up on a nest of hay. He stared silently down at him for a moment, then the Altaria opened one eye to glance at him before he turned his back on him.

“You knew, didn't you?” he asked.

Tinker nodded. “Of course I did.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

Tinker crossed his arms and let out a flustered sigh as he leant back against the wall. He unfolded them again to rub his forehead with a paw.

“Truthfully? I was scared.”

Starshine made a noise that Tinker wasn't sure was a laugh or a sob. “Scared of me?”

“Scared of the trouble it would cause.”

“You're scared I'm going to join them, aren't you?”

Tinker closed his eyes and looked away from him. “I'll admit it crossed my mind before you hatched.”

Starshine was silent for a moment, and Tinker stared at his back, anxious as to what the Altaria was thinking.

“I'm not scared of you,” Tinker told him.

“Then you could have told me.”

Tinker rubbed a paw over his head again. “Would you have evolved if I had?”

“Of course not.” Starshine raised his long neck to look back at him. “Everyone hates me now!”

“Tad doesn't.” He paused. “And neither do I.”

Starshine laughed bitterly and curled up once more.

“Look. I wanted you to evolve.” Tinker shrugged. “I was hoping you could join the Guild Warriors and fight with us, give us an edge in battle by exploiting the dragon type's weakness – itself. However, Faith told me that you can mega evolve into a dragon that is part fairy type.”

Starshine looked back at him again. “Part fairy? You mean I can change form like Faith can?”

Tinker shrugged again. “I've no idea how, and I'll admit I'm not all that fond of Faith, but I can ask her if she comes back here. I'm sure she'll be happy to show you.”

Starshine sighed and lay back down, but this time he kept his eyes on Tinker.

“Why did you really take me in?” he asked. “If you knew I'd become a dragon type?”

Tinker sighed again and leant his head back against the wall, looking blankly up at the ceiling.

“You were nothing more than an egg.” He paused. “I guess... I wanted to prove to myself that it doesn't matter what type you are. It's something I've struggled with, this division. I needed to convince myself that it's just a type and nothing more. The type doesn't make a Pokemon good or evil.”

Tinker bit his lip and stared off at the far wall. It wasn't something he'd ever really admitted to himself, and certainly not out loud. He'd seen too much evidence to prove otherwise.

“I'm not evil,” said Starshine. “This place is my home. The Pokemon here are my family.”

Tinker smiled at him. “Hopefully they'll come to see you the same way.”

Starshine blinked tears back from his eyes and they ran in trails down his blue face. Tinker moved over to him and placed a paw on his back.

“Get some rest, son. I'll be back in a little while.”

He stood up and moved over to the door. As he left the room, he spotted Tad and Skipper standing at the fork in the tunnel.

Skipper raised an eyebrow at him and nodded towards the dull sounds of enraged voices. “Take it 'e's evolved then, aye?”

Tad's shoulders slumped as he peered over Tinker's shoulder at the little room. “He aint takin' it very well is 'e?”

“No.” Tinker looked warily down the tunnel towards the market place. “Neither is New City.”

...​

The moors were as silent as the mountains, but this made Cleo even more anxious. Her eyes flitted around as they crossed the uneven ground, back and forth from the trees. The forest canopy was still bare, and the shadows cast over them looked unnervingly like Murkrow perched in the branches. Every time she locked on to them, they turned out to be nothing more than the shadows of the swaying branches.

North... that was the direction they were heading.

A cold breeze washed over them and Cleo hugged herself, rubbing her arms briskly with her paws.

Harlequin glanced up at her. “Nervous?”

Cleo looked at her then nodded as she cast her eyes back to the trees.

“Good.” Harlequin faced forward. “I'd be worried if you weren't.”

Cleo licked her lips nervously and looked ahead of her. The sun was still high in the sky, no reddening with the sunset. Despite how many times she'd been in this direction, running errands for Tinker or helping out other Pokemon in the surrounding temporary towns, it had never been met with such a feeling of foreboding.

The group edged closer to the trees, keeping a watchful eye on the branches. Cleo had no intention of going into the forest. That would cause them to deviate too far off the path, and she had no desire to drag this out any more than she needed to.

Just like the moors and the mountain, it was silent.

“I think this is where we part ways.” Sandpaw's voice was quiet and wavered slightly, but despite this it still sounded oddly loud in the empty moors.

“Already?” Faith stopped to look at her.

“Well, I don't want to take you too far out of your way,” said the Furret. She gave them a warm smile. “Thank you so much for your help. I have no idea how we can repay you.”

Faith smiled back. “You don't need to. I hope you find the Fairy Garden easily.”

Scout reached into a small bag at his side and pulled out a map. “We'll find it. You even marked it for me on here.”

“I'm sure you will.”

“Faith's right,” said Cleo. “But even so, do take care.”

Sandpaw's eyes widened slowly but Scout puffed out his chest.

“Don't worry,” he said. “I'll take care of my mum.”

The two Furret waved and moved towards the trees.

Harlequin looked at Scratch and Claw then back at the Furret.

“Wait.”

Sandpaw and Scout looked back at her.

“What is it?” Sandpaw asked.

“Take Scratch and Claw.”

The two Pawniard leapt slightly and looked round at Harlequin.

“What?” Scratch asked, rubbing his claws together.

“You want us to go with them?” Claw rubbed the back of his head, the metal making an ear-splitting screech. “But... Harbinger told us to stay with you.”

“And by now he should be at the Fairy Garden.” Harlequin smiled. “Don't worry about me. I'm with Cleo and Faith now.”

Spark poked her head out of Cleo's fur. “And Spark.”

“And Spark,” Harlequin chuckled. “Those two need you more than I do. Go with them, and when you find Harbinger, tell him I'm okay.”

The Pawniard twins glanced at each other then smiled.

“All right,” said Claw. “We'll go with them.”

Scratch nodded and raised a blade in a wave. They moved over to Sandpaw's side.

She looked at them and clasped her paws together, then gave Harlequin a sideways glance.

“You're sure you don't want them to stay with you?”

Harlequin shook her head. “It's not that I don't want them to. It's just I trust they'll look after you.”

The Furret gave a small smile. “Okay. If you're sure.”

“Woo!” Scout leapt from foot to foot. “Come on boys. Let's be heroes and protect my mum.”

The two Pawniard saluted.

Sandpaw chuckled and placed a paw on Scout's back as she steered him into the forest. “Okay. Let's go Scout.” She looked back over her shoulder at the small group. “Take care.”

“You too!” Faith waved enthusiastically as they watched the Furret and Pawniard move out of sight.

“Okay.” Harlequin stood and moved on towards the edge of the moor. “Let's go.”

“That was a nice thing you did,” said Faith. “I'm sure they'll look after them.”

“Me too.” Harlequin looked back at Faith. “They looked after me when I needed them.”

Mischief's eyes went distant and he stared down at the grass. Cleo looked away from him and focused her attention on their next destination. She didn't know what exactly had gone down in their battle in the Border Woods, and part of her didn't want to know.

She just wanted to focus on her next destination.

Retracing her steps to where this all began.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

61 – Unsettling Familiarities​

Yurlik clicked his beak together as he perched in a tree, watching the Murkrow flit back and forth across the dark sky. The slinking shapes of Weavile pawed at the earth and clambered up rocks as they scaled the Shadow Mountains.

“Nothing.”

Yurlik looked up into the branches at the three Murkrow perched above him. “What do you mean 'nothing'?”

“There's nothing here,” one of them told him.

“But it's believed to be in the north,” Yurlik growled.

The Murkrow ruffled his feathers and hopped onto a higher branch, the other two following him. “Well it isn't here, boss.”

Yurlik sighed and looked back at the searching Pokemon. Not here... then where could this alleged 'cocoon' be?

“It doesn't help we don't know what we're looking for,” said the Murkrow.

Yurlik clenched his beak together.

“I mean what does this cocoon even look like?” he went on. “All we know is that bird thing is red and black. So we're looking for something that resembles that. But... what if we're wrong?”

“Shut up!” Yurlik beat his wings, shaking the branches and causing the Murkrow to dart out of them with frightened caws. “We've been told to look for it, now look for it! We'll move on across the mountains to the isle, then work back towards the Border Woods. And we'll keep searching until we find it!”

The Murkrow flapped around in the air, watching him uneasily.

Yurlik grinned. “Unless you want to become roasted dragon chow?”

The Murkrow cawed and turned away from him, darting back to their brethren.

Yurlik settled back into the branches and chuckled. That aught to keep them motivated.

...​

Faith was woken from a light slumber. She rubbed a paw across her eyes as she looked at the closed curtain of the blue tent.

Sobbing. That's what had disturbed her sleep.

She looked around at the tent's occupants. Cleo was curled up beside Mischief, and there was no sign of Spark but she could hear the Dedenne's soft snores. She scooted across the ground to the curtain and peered outside. Curled up on the grass with her back to the tent was Harlequin. Her body shook with each sob. The sound almost broke Faith's heart. She shook her head slowly and climbed out of the tent, her feet crunching over the soft grass. Harlequin didn't look up but her sobbing lessened as her ears flicked backwards to focus on the sound.

“It's me,” Faith said quietly.

She sat down beside the Zorua and placed a paw on her shoulders, brushing it over her coarse, shaggy fur.

“Did I wake you?” Harlequin croaked.

“I hadn't been asleep long.”

Faith looked up at the dark sky. The moon poked out from behind the clouds, and a scattering of stars were visible where they parted. As far as she could tell, it hadn't been long at all since Harlequin had swapped shifts with her. She looked back down at the Zorua.

“What's the matter?” she asked.

Harlequin was silent, facing away from her, but Faith could make out the tears in her eyes glinting in the moonlight.

“Is it Enigma?” she asked.

Harlequin closed her eyes and flinched, her ears drooping slightly as tears streaked over her black fur. She took in a shaky breath and adjusted her paws under her chin.

“Yeh... I was thinking about him,” she said.

Faith nodded and looked away from her. “I never really saw you together, but... I can tell you two were close friends.”

Harlequin's body shuddered and she retreated into herself. She took in another wobbly breath and made a noise Faith took to be a 'hmm.' She looked back down at the Zorua and inclined her head on one side.

“If you want, you can talk to me about it? It might help.”

Harlequin shifted and looked out at the landscape. The grass stretched on into the distance where it was swallowed up by shadows cast by the tough plants and trees that had sprouted up through the rocky ground, cracking the rocks and pushing them up into jagged mounds. Her breath came in shaky, audible bursts and she dug her claws into the ground as her body tensed.

“I miss him,” she sobbed. “He was... my only friend.”

Faith looked down at her and ran her paw up and down her back. “Well... I know it's not the same, and you've not known us as long but... we're also your friends.” She smiled warmly. “We're here for you.”

Harlequin nodded and gave a small laugh. “I know.” She paused and glanced up at Faith. “Thank you.”

Faith gave her another smile then looked away from her and stared off into the distance. A silence fell over them, interspersed with sniffles from Harlequin. Of course it wasn't the same. None of them could just replace Enigma. Those two had been friends for a long time, and not one of them could just make the pain go away.

“He was always scared of dying.”

Faith looked back down at Harlequin. Tears were flowing from her eyes again, but her sobs had come to a stop.

“You'd think... after what he'd been through,” Harlequin said, “that he'd be too depressed to keep going. But he just fell to bits. He changed.”

What he'd been through? Faith looked back out at the shadows. She remembered talking to him that night, seeing that pain behind his eyes. 'I'm no hero.' She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. What exactly had he been through?

“He became ruthless,” Harlequin went on. “Behind that mask was a Pokemon so scared of losing his life he used intimidation as his defence, and it worked. He'd just take lives, sometimes without even being ordered to. Pokemon began to fear him, so much so that they were too scared to even confront him. They'd quake in terror at the mere sound of his bell, and he knew it.”

Faith rubbed her arm absently as she stared off into the distance. “What exactly happened to him?”

Harlequin took in a deep breath. “He lost her.”

Faith looked down at her sharply, but before any words could leave her mouth, Harlequin spoke again.

“He was in love, and he lost her.” Her voice was strained and her breathing became wobbly again as fresh tears trailed down her face. “He might never have spoken about it, but he never let it go.” She paused to take in another breath. “He blamed himself.”

Faith felt her own eyes well up. It was awful. This war... it was ripping lives apart.

She shook her head slowly. “But it wasn't his fault.”

Harlequin gave a small shrug. “I know. I was there.”

Faith bit her lip and looked back out at the star-dotted horizon. A mind warped with fear from a broken heart... yet she'd seen him starting to change. She wiped the tears from her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest.

“This... is why I couldn't tell him.”

She looked back down at Harlequin. The streaks on her dark fur glittered in the moonlight.

“You couldn't tell him what?” Faith asked. “That you're female?”

Harlequin nodded. “The whole Shadow Lands think I'm male, so I used it to my advantage. Well... she didn't, but he wouldn't believe her. I wanted to tell him, but I couldn't... The thing is, after that awful battle, I was scared to lose him. I already thought I'd lost Harbinger... Seeing him fall to bits like that, it broke my heart. It brought it all back. I didn't want to put either of us through that pain again. Now look at me.” She screwed her eyes shut and tears flooded down her face. “I thought I'd wait and tell him when the war's over.” She buried her face into her paws and sobbed loudly. “When the war's over!”

Faith wrapped her arms around Harlequin's neck and pulled her into her chest. The Zorua's body shook with violent sobs.

“I miss him so much!”

“I know, Harlequin... I'm so sorry.”

Faith placed her head on hers and blinked tears back from her eyes. When her vision cleared, she could make out Cleo and Spark peering at them from behind the curtain of the tent. Spark's nose twitched and she wiped a paw across her face.

Cleo pointed to her chest then at Faith and Harlequin.

Faith nodded and pulled back from the Zorua. “Come on. Cleo's offering to take over your shift.”

Harlequin sniffed and looked over at the tent. “I... I think I'll be okay. I just...”

“No.” Faith placed a paw on her shoulder. “Get some rest.”

She nodded reluctantly and paced back to the tent. Faith followed her and passed Cleo in the entrance.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to the Meowstic.

Cleo smiled and sat down on the grass.

Faith let the curtain fall behind her and curled up beside Harlequin. She caught Mischief's gaze and he looked away from her and closed his eyes again. Mischief... Cleo... Spark... Harlequin... all lives torn apart by this awful war.

A lump rose in her throat and she closed her eyes, feeling yet more tears streak down her face. This awful war... it needed to end.

...​

The small wooden houses and market stalls slowly drew closer to them as the group of Pokemon trudged over the grass, damp with morning dew. Cleo's paws felt cold, and the wind that picked up didn't help matters.

The group chatted amongst themselves, and Harlequin seemed to be feeling better after a good sleep, although Cleo wasn't sure whether or not that was just a facade.

The berry trees they passed by were bare save for tiny green buds that dotted the thin branches. Cleo hoped that the town that drew ever closer to them might have some berries for sale on their markets.

However, her hopes were short lived.

“Argh.” Spark slumped forwards on her shoulder. “Just as I feared.”

The temporary Outcast town was empty.

The little wooden buildings stood tattered, beaten by the harsh weather of the cold season. The market stalls were scattered with wet, decaying leaves and the Guild headquarters looked as barren as the rest of the town. Not a Pokemon in sight, not even a paw print in the dirt.

“This is where we met.”

Cleo looked back at Mischief. His voice sounded oddly loud in the empty streets. He rubbed his paws together as he looked around at the abandoned town.

“You were at that stall.” He pointed a paw at a long table. A couple of smaller leaves blew across it in the wind. “I stuffed a rock in your bag hoping you wouldn't notice I'd stolen your coin pouch.”

A small smile played at Cleo's lips. “Subtlety wasn't your strong suit.”

Mischief let out a pained laugh. “Now look at it.”

They all stood silently staring around at the desolate town. The silence was unnerving. Cleo felt at any moment a Weavile might burst out of one of the buildings and rush at them, claws and teeth bared.

“This place was once filled with Pokemon,” Mischief continued. “Now it's as quiet as those mountains.”

“At least there's no sign of a battle,” said Harlequin. “So thankfully it's not met the same fate as that poor town I took you to.”

Mischief flinched. “I was really expecting this place to be no different.”

Spark grunted. “To be honest, I was hoping it would be exactly the same as when we left it. Sadly, in this day and age, it's not the case.”

“So this is normal?” Faith asked. “The towns I've been to with you seemed a bit more... stable.”

“The further north you go, the more temporary the towns become,” said Cleo. “The general idea is you keep heading south.” She wanted to add 'until you reach New City', but the nod Faith gave her showed the Mawile had understood the concept.

“I'm actually wondering,” said Spark as they moved on, “if there are actually going to be any Outcast towns further north.” She turned to look at Cleo. “I mean... it's been years since we moved away.”

Cleo shrugged. “It depends which way they get chased, sadly. Or... how clingy they are to the area.”

Spark sighed. “But it pays to have sentiments.”

Cleo gave a bitter nod. Of course it did. No one wanted to leave their homes. Even she'd had a hard time giving up her home in the Sparkling Forest, and Spark even more so. Spark had shocked her, bit her, scratched her, all in an attempt to get back to her family. Yet to stay there would have meant certain death. It hadn't taken Cleo long to console Spark and help her to see that their families would have wanted them to be safe, but despite that both of them had yearned to go back.

The one time they had, the forest had been reduced to nothing more than a burnt and barren wasteland with trees so black and dead they creaked in the wind, still blowing small clouds of ash into the air from their branches. Not even the Murkrow dared perch on them.

Tinker had told them it had been renamed the Forest of Ashes.

The little low wall stood before them and Cleo gave one glance back at the empty town. A wave of nostalgia flowed through her chest and her eyes stung as tears filled them.

The place they'd met... where all this had begun.

Seeing the town like this made it feel like so long ago, yet it had been little over a season.

Nostalgia... sentimentality... she needed to put it all behind her. She tore her eyes from it and hopped over the low wall.

...​

It was the soft sound of gurgling water tricking over rocks, cutting through the silence, freezing cold. All he could see was blackness.

Blackness.

Freezing cold blackness.

And then... a small burst of light spreading out across it and chasing it all away into unseen corners. A dazzling array of rainbow colours dotting the bright sky like magnificent stars.

He blinked his eyes a few times until the image cleared and looming over him was a large, stag-like Pokemon. His nose was pressed to his chest and when he looked up, he smiled warmly and took a step back. Tiny flowers sprouted up through the snow, leaving a trail wherever the stag Pokemon stood.

He recognised that Pokemon... he'd seen him in a book... Xerneas.

He must have said his name out loud because the stag Pokemon smiled even wider.

“Welcome back, Enigma.”

Enigma sat up, the water from the brook splashing onto the snowy banks. He placed a paw on his chest and looked down at himself. Not a single blemish marred his smoky-grey fur.

“You...” He shook his head in disbelief. “You saved me?”

Xerneas gave a small nod.

“But why?” Enigma stood up but he didn't take his eyes off the stag Pokemon.

“You said you work for me,” Xerneas explained. “And you meant it.”

Enigma stood in the snow and looked away from the stag Pokemon. He closed his eyes and flinched as a flood of memories came back to him.

“But... I've done some awful things.”

Xerneas was silent and Enigma thought for a brief moment that he'd gone.

“Do you regret them?”

He looked back at Xerneas, his eyes wide. He nodded. “Yes... I do.”

“Then come with me.”

Xerneas turned from him and led him over the snow, leaving behind a trail of colourful flowers.

Enigma rolled the mega stone around in his claws as he sat back in the branches of a tree looking out over the Howling Valley. That memory was still fresh in his mind, even after a whole season of training in the Fairy Garden.

It had taken him a while to realise that after Xerneas had revived him, not only had he healed his wounds and broken ribs, but he'd also cleared the Pokerus away. It had astounded him. After worrying about a cure, there it was all along.

He looked back over his shoulder at the expanse of trees, then placed the stone back inside the brooch on his scarf and folded his paws behind his head.

“How long do you think we've got to wait here?” he asked.

Harbinger looked up at him from the base of the tree. “Until they arrive.”

“It feels like we've been here for days.”

“They'll be here. Have a little patience.”

Enigma chuckled then covered his mouth in a yawn. “I've never liked waiting around.”

“Well, if you leave now you'll blow it all.” Harbinger looked down into the valley and narrowed his eyes. “We can't take that lot on by ourselves. So we wait.”

Enigma followed his gaze to a series of little wooden huts. The wind was starting to pick up, and a low howl moaned through the trees far below them.

“Do you think they'll notice us?” he asked.

“Not if we stay quiet,” said Harbinger bluntly.

“All right.” Enigma yawned again and shifted against the trunk. “I might try and grab a little nap.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

62 – Into the Howling Wind​

Cleo fired another disarming voice into the trees, and the remaining Murkrow scattered into the dark sky, flapping their wings and cawing loudly as they vanished into the night.

“It's a lot rougher around here now,” said Spark.

The little Dedenne hopped back onto Cleo's shoulder and the Meowstic gave one last look around the canopy before moving out into the open. The land before them stretched out into a rocky plain, tough tufts of various weeds poking up from the irregular ground amidst softer, greener grass. The mountains in the distance were connected to the Silent Mountains, only these were much less silent, and much closer to the Shadow Lands. The sky was tinted red above them as the sun finished setting.

“We're getting closer.” Harlequin's voice was barely a whisper.

Cleo looked down at her then back out at the mountains. “Yes. We are.”

Mischief's breathing was audible in her ear as he moved closer to her, keeping his orange eyes on the mountains. His paws were raised slightly and he gave her a quick glance.

“I think we should camp.”

Cleo shook her head. “I want to keep moving. I'm not comfortable around here.”

“Mischief's right,” said Faith. “It's dark. If we keep moving, we're exposed.”

“And if we camp we're sitting Duckletts.” Cleo narrowed her eyes at the Mawile.

Faith shifted under her glare and glanced away.

“Look, Cleo...” Spark huddled into her fur. “I know this place brings back bad memories. It does with me too. But we really shouldn't expose ourselves.”

Faith and Harlequin stared at the two Pokemon and Cleo averted her gaze to stare blankly at the trees to her right.

“Wait...” Harlequin pointed a paw at the mountains. “The Forest of Ashes is on the other side of the valley.”

“Yes, and the valley cuts through the middle of the Rocky Plains.” Cleo adjusted her satchel and took a few steps forward. “I want to put them behind me.”

Faith and Harlequin sat staring at her but Mischief had no choice but to follow her. She looked from his uneasy expression to Faith and Harlequin's bewildered ones. She clenched and unclenched her fists as she looked away from them, back out at the mountains. Two seasons ago she would have told them they could either stay on their own or come with her, but that thought made her feel sick now. She couldn't just leave them, they were her friends.

With a sigh, she pulled out the tent. “Fine. We'll camp here.”

“I'm sorry, Cleo.” Faith cupped her paws together and shook her head sadly. “I know you don't like it, but we can't put ourselves in danger.”

Cleo nodded. “I know.” She paused and looked out at the rugged landscape. The entire place unsettled her. There was very little chance she'd sleep. “I'll keep watch.”

Once everyone was tucked away inside the tent, Cleo sat in the entrance looking out at the mountains. The Rocky Plains were cast in shadow, lit up only by the moon and stars, which vanished periodically behind heavy clouds. The mountains were barely visible against the dark sky. She could only make them out because she knew they were there.

And on the other side... her former home. Burnt, destroyed, reduced to nothing but a skeleton in a blanket of ash.

The image of a little Espurr racing across the rocky ground while clutching a crying Dedenne flashed into her mind and she had to blink and shake her head to send it away.

Flashbacks. Something she'd been dealing with whenever she stepped paw in this place. That's why she normally went around them, going east or west, rarely north.

She'd raced across those plains, skirting around the edge of the Winding Woods where they were attacked by Murkrow. Spark had leapt from her grasp and tried to run, but seeing the wicked birds rake at Cleo with their talons, the tiny Dedenne exploded with rage. Lightning fired in all directions, causing the Murkrow's bodies to lock up and drop to the ground. That's when they rounded on Spark. Cleo did all she could, but Spark was beaten and bashed around before the Murkrow finally gave up and fled, their numbers decreased and electricity bouncing across their oily feathers. Neither of them were fit to continue. Cleo had been scratched to ribbons and Spark was bruised and battered. Regardless, she'd kept running. She just ran blindly towards the Moorlands Forest, cutting through a rickety little Outcast Town where she screamed for help. And there... that's where she'd met Tinker.

The Riolu wasn't much older than her, so he himself was only a child at the time.

He was also alone.

Once their wounds were treated, he'd invited them to come back with him to New City where they were trained up to be strong enough to defend themselves and help other Pokemon in similar situations.

Cleo felt a nudge at her leg and she looked down at Spark. She huddled up to Cleo and looked up at her.

“Can't sleep?” Cleo asked.

Spark shook her head and looked back out at the mountains. “I can't leave you out here to deal with all those memories by yourself.”

Cleo blinked tears back from her eyes and placed a paw on Spark's back.

Spark looked up at her again and patted her arm. “We'll deal with it together.”

...​

The meeting hall was filled to bursting with Pokemon, many of who were ranting in raised voices or shouting to be heard over the din, only adding to the chaos. Tinker's head was starting to throb, but he stood observing the crowd as several angry Pokemon at the front raised their fists at him.

“This is an outrage!”

“We want it out of here!”

“My child says he attacked him!”

Tinker shook his head and raised his paws for silence, but it failed. Of course it failed, just like it had the first time he'd tried it.

“I've told you, he's not dangerous! And I can assure you he's not attacked anyone!”

“Assure us, he says!”

“Are you calling my son a liar?!”

Tinker grit his teeth and rubbed his temples with his paws, letting a low groan escape his mouth.

“He's conspiring against us!” a female voice screeched. “He's brought a dragon in here to kill us all off!”

“He's a Heretic!”

The entire crowd was now filled with shouting as the Pokemon fired accusations at the Riolu.

Tinker's heart sank as he stared helplessly out at the crowd. A Heretic? They were accusing him of being a Heretic now?

A heavy paw fell onto his shoulder and he looked up into the wizened eyes of Grey.

“Go.” The Alakazam spoke softly, but Tinker could still hear him over the din. “Take the boy. I'll send message to you when everything has calmed down.”

“You... you trust him?” Tinker couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

Grey nodded and gave him a half-smile. “Of course I do.” He looked back out at the angry crowd. “A friend of mine gave his life to save mine. He was part dark type.”

Tinker's jaw dropped. “But... I thought you hated the Darkness.”

“I do. But it's not the Pokemon that makes the Darkness. It's what drives them.”

Tinker followed the Alakazam's gaze back into the crowd. “What drives them...?”

“You know what I see when I look into their minds?” Grey looked back down at him. “Fear.”

Tinker blinked and opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He was at a loss for words. He looked from the crowd to Grey and back.

“Fear drives them. Fear of losing their own lives. But not every dark Pokemon reacts the same way. Some have given up on the Darkness entirely and live outside the walls.”

Tinker flexed his paws as he felt the Alakazam's eyes on him.

“Take Starshine to them. The Outcasts won't welcome you, but they might.”

“Take him to the Border Woods?” He wanted to add 'are you insane?!' but as he flashed his canines he received a warm smile in return.

“That's where Cleo and Faith are heading. Maybe they can help you?”

Tinker felt his fur bristle at the Mawile's name but he took a deep breath and let it settle back in place. Grey was right. There was no place for Starshine amongst the Outcasts, and so long as he stayed with the Altaria, there was no place for him either. If anyone could help them, it would be Faith. She'd told him Altaria can become part fairy type. If Starshine could help them fight against the Darkness, and show his loyalty to the Outcasts, then maybe he might be accepted back here.

Tinker gave a curt nod. “Okay. I'll take him with me.”

The din in the meeting room almost drowned out his voice, but Grey's warm smile showed he'd heard him.

“I'll take Starshine out of New City!” Tinker barked into the crowd.

The noise ebbed for a moment as the Pokemon took this in. But it was only for a short while, as the voices rose again. Some with cheers, but many with roars as they threw yet more jibes and accusations at Tinker.

Grey placed his paw on his shoulder again and the room warped around him, the voices distorting and echoing as they faded into a dull drone. The scenery twisted again and he found himself standing with Grey in the nest tunnels.

Three hatchlings ran past him – a Pichu and two Lillipup – all of them drenched to the bone with water dripping off their fur. Heavy breathing followed the stamping of feet as Tad raced down the tunnel, his eyes narrowed into slits.

“Li'l punks!” He clenched his paw into a fist but his expression softened when he saw Tinker and Grey. “Oh! Uncle Tinker.” He inclined his head on one side. “Och, ye don' be lookin' so good. Oh boy. Ye not gonna be likin' what I'm about t'show ye, sure enough.”

Tinker's heart felt like lead. He followed the Marshstomp down the tunnel, and to the untrained eye it would usually be difficult to spot which nest room belonged to Starshine. However, the entranceway was marred with paint exclaiming various expletives and insults. One was painted in large red letters above the entrance – 'Go home, filth!'

Tinker clenched his teeth together and blinked back tears from his eyes. Starshine was huddled up on his nest, his blue face streaked with tears. Tad sat beside him with a paw on his back.

“Starshine?”

The Altaria looked up at Tinker and his eyes widened when he saw Grey standing behind him.

“We're going to take a little trip,” Tinker explained.

“A trip?” Starshine's voice cracked.

“Yes. A little journey to find Cleo. We're... going to help her.”

“But...” Starshine pushed himself up so he was sitting. “But I'm not ready... am I?”

“Aye, Tinker, 'e's still a kid. We're both still kids.”

Tinker cleared his throat and looked away from them. He could feel Grey's eyes burning into his back.

“Truth is, Starshine... neither of us are welcome here. We need to leave.”

Starshine choked back a sob. “I know.”

“So... we're going to join friends. Cleo, Spark, Faith...”

Starshine looked away from him and took in a shuddering breath. “If I learn to mega evolve... they might accept me.”

“Then that's what we're going to do.” Tinker held out his paw. “Come on, Starshine. Let's leave now.”

“I'm gonna come too, aye?” Tad leapt to his feet.

“No.”

The Marshstomp stared back at him, his eyes impossibly wide.

“But... but 'e's my friend. I ain't abandonin' 'im!”

“And that's noble of you. Maybe you can help convince the others to see what you see. You, Skipper, Lily and Grey all know Starshine is no threat to them.”

“But... Tinker, I...” Tad looked from Tinker to Grey and stamped his foot. “Fine. I'll stay 'ere.”

Starshine rose to his feet and looked down at the Marshstomp. “Thank you for being my friend, Tad.”

“Sure!” Tad whisked a paw across his eyes. “If ye see Scout, tell 'im hi from me, aye?”

Starshine nodded. “Of course. Please say goodbye to Uncle Skipper and Aunt Lily for me?”

Tinker watched the exchange between the two children, a lump rising in his throat. Not only was Starshine being forced to leave New City, Tad had now lost his two closest friends. How would the other children treat him knowing he was friends with an Altaria?

He looked up at Grey. “Please look after Tad and his family.”

The Alakazam gave a nod.

Starshine joined his side, and with one last look back at Tad, the tunnels warped around them and the last thing Tinker saw was Tad's sad face as he stood waving in Starshine's empty room.

...​

With the Rocky Plains behind them now, the ground rose up slightly before forming a dramatic steep drop to a dried up river below. The trees below them bent at odd angles, their roots pulling up the earth and their branches broken and warped. The wind picked up, howling through the valley and stirring the leaves of the trees, the branches swaying as the wind whipped through them before dying down as quickly as it had started.

“Howling Valley,” said Cleo. “Also known as the Valley of Hurricanes.”

Faith stared down into the valley and rubbed her chin with her paw. “It's a gigantic wind trap. That's why the winds are so much stronger there.”

Cleo nodded. “Yes. It's not a safe place to be.”

“There used to be a bridge across here,” said Spark. “That's how we crossed it years ago.”

The five Pokemon looked up and down the valley, but there was no bridge in sight.

“It was so long ago, I don't even know where to start looking.” Cleo ran a paw across her forehead and backed away from the valley. “I guess we keep marching up and down it until we find it.”

“Or until it falls dark again,” said Spark. “And I really don't want another night out here on these plains.”

Harlequin looked up at her. “Would you rather camp in the valley?”

Spark twitched her nose at the Zorua. “No. I have no intention of going down there at all.”

“We might have to.” Harlequin shrugged and stared across at the other side. “There's every possibility the bridge is gone. It was in pretty bad shape when I crossed it.”

“That's right.” Cleo stared at her. “You had to cross this valley to get here.”

“Yeh. And like you, I have no intention of going down there either. However, if we have to in order to get across, then we have to.”

“Do you remember where the bridge is?” Faith asked.

Harlequin looked up and down the valley again, her mouth slightly ajar as a look of uncertainty crossed her face.

“No... I don't.”

“Seriously?” Spark crossed her arms. “I thought you had a great sense of direction?”

“I have a great sense of smell. That's how I track other Pokemon.” Harlequin looked back over her shoulder at the plains and let out a deep breath. “I think... it was this way.”

She stood up and moved past them, following the valley as it wound through the mountains. The land was flat enough to walk on, and the group of them followed the Zorua until the sun vanished behind the mountains in the west.

A long groan came from Harlequin and she fell to her bottom, her eyes locked on the dip into the valley. Cleo followed her gaze and Spark mimicked Harlequin's groan and slumped into Cleo's fur.

The bridge had collapsed, its long ropes trailing down into the valley on their side.

“The upside is,” said Faith, “we can shimmy down the ropes.”

Harlequin looked up at her. “That's easy enough for you, but I'm not great with ropes.” She indicated her forepaws.

“Oh.” Faith nodded sadly. “That's a good point.”

“There might be good foot holds.” Harlequin peered down at the mountain slope. “But if that wind picks up while we're climbing down, we'll be whisked away.”

Cleo moved over to the rope. “Then let's do it before it picks up.”

“How?” Spark exclaimed. “We don't know when it-”

The wind howled below them, whipping up leaves from the trees. The long rope swayed violently, the end of it snatched up in the hurricane. It settled again, the rope moving from side to side against the sharp rocks.

“I'm not happy about this,” said Harlequin.

Mischief moved past her and grabbed hold of the rope. “Then I'll go first.”

“Are you serious?” Harlequin gasped.

“You can't do that!” Spark growled. “You're chained to Cleo! She'll have to go with you!”

Mischief looked from Cleo to Spark. “We want to get across this valley right? And this is the only way.”

“But-”

“At least if I go first, if I fall I won't be dragging Cleo down with me.”

“No.” Spark narrowed her eyes. “You'll just be hangin' by your neck.”

“I'm sure Cleo will pull me back up. Right?” Mischief looked down at the long drop. “We have no choice.”

He clutched the rope and threw himself over the edge, pressing his feet up against the wall as he lowered himself down.

Cleo felt a tug at the bracelet as he tried to descend further. He was right. They had no choice.

She grabbed the rope and copied Mischief, lowering herself down to the ground.

“Wait until we're at the bottom,” she called up to Faith. “In case it doesn't hold.”

The Mawile nodded and placed a paw on Harlequin's shoulder, watching anxiously as the two Pokemon shimmied down the long rope.

“This is bonkers,” said Spark from Cleo's shoulder. “There might be another bridge somewhere.”

“Well, it's either this.” Cleo paused to catch her breath. “Or camp in the Rocky Plains again.”

Spark grunted. “Bit late now. We're almost there.”

Cleo made that critical error of looking down. The ground below her span, and Mischief's form doubled and tripled as her eyes unfocused. She snatched her head round to look at the wall and clutched onto the rope tightly.

“Cleo?” Spark's voice sounded distorted. “Are you all right?”

Cleo tried to speak but her mouth had gone dry. Faith's voice above them called down to her but she couldn't make it out.

“Cleo!” Spark snapped. “Pull yourself together!”

The world slowly stopped spinning and Cleo could hear someone breathing heavily close by her. As the wall came back into focus, she realised it was her own breathing. She took in a steadying breath and nodded.

“I think I'm okay.”

“Good.” Spark let out a sigh of relief. “You had me worried sick there!”

Cleo gave herself a quick mental shake and kicked back from the wall, lowering herself further down the rope. The tension on her wrist lessened as she drew closer to Mischief. She heard him shuffling down the wall below her then a light thud as his feet hit solid ground. She followed him down and looked back up at the dizzyingly high slope.

Faith shouted something to them, but her voice faded before it reached their ears. Cleo could make out Harlequin as she grabbed onto the rope, followed by Faith. The Zorua seemed to have a lot of difficulty and as Cleo squinted to make them out, she could see she had hold of the rope in her jaws. Faith had wrapped part of the rope around Harlequin's waist and it moved over her body as she struggled her way towards them.

Cleo shook her head sadly. If her abilities worked on Harlequin, she could help her down towards them. Right now, she felt helpless as she watched the poor Pokemon awkwardly scramble down the rope.

The wind rose sharply, whipping through Cleo's fur.

She looked back up at Faith and Harlequin. “Guys! You don't have long!”

As the wind intensified, she jerked her head around left and right until she spotted a low branch from one of the warped trees.

“Grab that!” she commanded Mischief.

The Whimsicott leapt over to the tree and grabbed hold of the stiff branch. Cleo latched on beside him.

“Spark!” Cleo strained to see the Dedenne out of the corner of her eye. “You need to grab this branch!”

A mournful howl blared through the valley as the wind lashed at her fur and whipped up wisps of Mischief's cream coloured fur. She screwed her eyes shut tight and wrapped her arms around the tree's branch. She felt Spark clutch onto her fur and a painful stab shot through her shoulder as her fur was torn free, followed by a scream that quickly faded into the howling wind.

Cleo looked back over her shoulder, her heart leaping into her throat.

“Spark!”

The wind died down as quickly as it had started. Cleo let go of the branch and searched the trees with her eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

“What happened?” Faith cried out.

Cleo looked back at her. The Mawile was still clutching the rope, swaying gently as Harlequin tried to untangle herself from it.

“It's Spark!” said Cleo. “She got caught in the wind!”

Mischief shot to her side and stared helplessly into the valley.

Harlequin dropped from the rope and landed roughly on her back with a grunt. She flipped herself onto her feet and darted over to Cleo.

“Don't worry,” she said as she skipped towards the trees. “I'll find her.”

Faith placed a paw on Cleo's shoulder. “She'll be all right, Cleo, I'm sure. Come on.”

The Mawile trotted after Harlequin, urging Cleo to follow them. Spark... where was she? Cleo swallowed drily. Her shoulder felt oddly bare. She sprinted after them, half-dragging Mischief behind her.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

63 – Caught in a Sandstorm​

Houses and empty roads formed around Tinker and Starshine, and when they came clearly into view, Tinker realised where he was.

He blinked a few times as he took it in. Empty, desolate, abandoned.

“This is the safest place I could teleport you.”

He looked round at Grey. The Alakazam gave him a warm smile then looked out at the empty town.

“If I took you any further, we'd risk appearing amongst an army of dark Pokemon, and I doubt they'd have greeted us warmly.”

“No.” Tinker nodded. “I understand. We can move on from here. Thank you, Grey.” He gave the Alakazam a smile.

Grey smiled back and looked down at Starshine. “I know you'll look after each other. Take care. These are hard times.”

Starshine nodded and blinked back tears from his eyes. His blue fur was still damp from crying.

“Thank you,” he choked out.

“You don't need to thank me, Starshine.” Grey gave them a wave. “Hopefully we'll see each other again.”

Before they could answer, he vanished with a 'whoosh' before their eyes.

Tinker cleared his throat and looked around again. “Well. This town is quieter than I remember it.”

“You've been here?” Starshine's voice was still husky.

He followed Tinker across the dry, dusty streets towards the old Guild Headquarters.

“I've been here a couple of times. I knew they'd moved on, but I've never been in an empty town like this.” He scratched his ear and glanced around at the shadows the sun cast upon the walls. “It's rather surreal.”

Starshine ducked beside him and followed Tinker's gaze to the spot between the Guild and a rickety little building. His nervousness was to be expected. He'd grown up in the bustle of New City, surrounded by other Pokemon. An empty town like this would be a shock to his system.

Tinker hopped up the stairs to the door and reached for his bag... and his heart sank. He didn't have it. There'd been no time to grab it.

No bag. No Guild badge. No supplies.

“What's wrong?” Starshine asked.

“I just need to check my old office.”

He pushed the door open with a creak and strode down the empty corridor, keeping his eye open for any unexpected movement. His footsteps sounded oddly loud, seeming to echo off the bare walls.

His office was as he'd left it. Any important paperwork had been taken back with him, but hopefully he'd left something here that they'd find use for. A bag, a tent, even an old sheet would be useful.

As he searched the room, his heart sank even further. There was nothing. If the Outcasts had checked over the Guild Headquarters before they left, there was every chance they'd taken anything of use.

The last resort was to check the little room at the back of his office. The one marked 'Keep Out'. The only thing in it was his transporter. Still functional, but useless without the device he wore on his wrist. No other Pokemon would be able to use it. If he wanted to, he could send both himself and Starshine to the next Outcast town.

But any towns from here to the Shadow Lands were few and far between, and there was no saying they were safe, or that they hadn't already destroyed the transporter held in his office.

He gave a sigh of defeat and turned back to the Altaria.

“I'm afraid, Starshine, we'll have to go on without supplies.”

“Do we need them?”

He stared into the Altaria's bloodshot eyes. He was being completely serious.

“Of course we need them. But we can get along to an extent. It's a long walk.”

He moved past him towards the door.

“Walk? I can fly us there.”

Tinker froze. He looked back over his shoulder, his mouth agape. Fly? Starshine was barely the same height as him.

“I haven't had much practice,” Starshine explained. “But I'm sure I could carry you.”

“Starshine... I'm an adult. I'm full grown and probably heavier than you are. You've got...” Tinker waved a paw up and down at Starshine. “At least another year of growing to do.”

Starshine shrugged. “I can at least try.”

Tinker let out a flustered breath and turned away from him to step through the door.

“Come on!” Starshine trotted after him. “Let me be helpful! I'm sure I can get us there. All you have to do is tell me which way to go!”

Tinker paused and looked back at him.

“Please!” Starshine's eyes were wide as he looked up at Tinker. “Let me try to help.”

Tinker stared at him for a moment, then gave a curt nod. “Fine. But if you show any sign of struggling, I'm not going to let you force yourself through it. Understood?”

Starshine nodded quickly. “Yes. Of course.”

Tinker led him back down the corridor and out onto the streets. He looked up at the sky and squinted, searching the clouds and rooftops. Not a Murkrow in sight.

That wouldn't be the case for long. As soon as they flew over the Winding Woods, they'd flock up at them like a black, cawing cloud of beaks and talons.

“Are we ready?” Starshine asked.

He looked back at the Altaria. Starshine lowered his head and fluffed up his wings.

Tinker swallowed drily and climbed onto his back. He'd never done this before. He'd always had both paws on the ground. Even when he was being dragged through the dirt by Yurlik's talons, he'd never been lifted off the ground.

He grimaced at the memory and shook his head sharply to bring himself back into the present.

Starshine's tiny black eyes looked back at him, wide with concern. “Are you all right? You've gone pale.”

He gave him a smile. “I'm fine. Let's go.”

Starshine nodded and spread his wings. In two strong beats, they were rising up into the air. Tinker's breath was snatched out of him as the Altaria swooped forwards, gradually rising higher and higher towards the clouds.

Those white, fluffy clouds, interspersed with blue sky.

As he looked down at Starshine's long, blue neck and white, cloud-like feathers he realised that Altaria couldn't ask for a better camouflage. Maybe their journey wouldn't be too treacherous after all.

...​

Another gust of wind knocked Spark off her feet and sent her rolling back into the trunk of a slanted tree. She was blown up it until she managed to grab hold of one of its spindly twigs. When the wind finally died down, she grumbled under her breath and hopped back down it towards the ground.

“This is getting ridiculous,” she mumbled. “I'll never find Cleo again at this rate.”

“Need a paw?”

She looked back slowly into a grinning face set into a long muzzle. A Krokorok.

She gulped. Part ground... part dark. Her electrical attacks wouldn't work, but that fairy one certainly might.

She shook her head sharply. “Nope. No thanks. I think I can-”

The wind blew through her again and sent her rolling right back up that tree. The Krokorok laughed wildly and Spark found herself wondering how on earth he hadn't blown away. It finally dropped again and she rolled back down the tree to the ground with a grunt.

“Tiny rat's having trouble, huh?”

“Tiny rat?!” Her whiskers sparked wildly and singed the leaves on the branches arcing above her head. “Why, I'll have you-”

With one flick of his foot, a stream of mud struck her in the face and she was sent rolling backwards away from him. The electricity on her whiskers was stifled and she stood up and rubbed at her cheeks, trying to spark them back up again.

The Krokorok's gritty laughter sawed through the air and he doubled over with his paw clasped into his stomach.

“Ahh! I've not had this much fun in a fight in ages! You're so tiny! So tiny it's hilarious!”

Spark's whiskers flared into action again but she was soon struck with another stream of dirt.

“What's funnier is... you think you're so big!” He fell onto his back and kicked his legs in the air.

Spark lashed her tail on the ground. “What's funny is you're not aware I don't only use electric attacks!”

She threw herself at him, but he stood up and opened his jaws wide. Her heart hit her throat mid-jump. She was heading straight for them!

A flash of pink and purple shot through the air, sparkling as it struck the Krokorok and knocked him off his feet. He rolled into the sloping wall of the valley, his eyes spinning.

Someone chuckled behind her.

“Well.”

Spark yelped as she was hoisted from the ground by her tail.

“I don't think that would have gone down very well, do you?”

She flailed her arms and looked up at her assailant. The two red eyes of a Banette stared at the dazed Krokorok, his mouth twisted into a somewhat amused, sceptical expression.

“Enigma?!” she screeched. “You're alive?!”

He grinned at her. “I think we need to get you out of here. There's more of them on the way.”

“There's another wind on its way as well.”

Spark twisted to look behind Enigma. An Absol stood with his head on one side, his eyes distant as he focused his hearing on the wind.

“Grab onto a tree,” the Absol told him. “After it's over, get her back to Cleo fast.”

“All right!” Enigma grabbed onto the tree and flicked Spark into his free paw clutching her firmly.

“Do you mind!” She growled and flashed her teeth at him.

Enigma chuckled. “Do you want to blow away again?”

The wind swept over them, drowning out Spark's voice with it's mournful howls. It only lasted a moment. No sooner had it ebbed, Spark found herself flicked rather indignantly by the tail in the opposite direction of the wind.

She screamed furiously, but before she could even head towards the floor, she was caught in Enigma's paws.

“What are you doing?!”

“I'm sorry.” He flicked her ahead of him again. “I can't warp you with me.”

Spark roared. “Once we're back with Cleo, I'm going to shock you so hard!”

He chuckled as he caught her again, and popped her into his scarf before breaking into a sprint. “It might have to wait until the battle's over, I'm afraid.”

...​

Cleo braced herself against a fallen tree, struggling to see through the dust that whisked across her vision. Their attackers were still out there, engulfed in those howling winds. She could feel Mischief at her side as the branch he clutched onto swayed under his weight, his white fur joining the dust as it blew across the valley. When the wind cleared, the army of Krokorok, Sandslash and Fraxure came into view, and looming over them, fixing the small group of Outcasts with a leer, was a Haxorus.

All of them wore the Heretic symbol on their shoulder. And for some reason, the wind didn't phase them. All of them were stood in the same spots they'd been in before the wind hit, and it had been that way throughout the battle.

Two of the Krokorok and three of the Fraxure were unconscious. Getting any hits in at all had been a challenge. The Sandslash had whipped up a sandstorm as soon as the battle started, and had been near impossible to hit. Unfortunately for the dragons, this had been a hindrance to them. They didn't fare well in the sandstorm.

Faith stood a couple of feet away from Cleo beside the splintered stump of the fallen tree. She'd taken on her mega form, and one of her horns had been digging into the stump to stop her from being blown away. She released it and spun her two horns round into the group of Heretics, aiming for the Haxorus. He raised his arms and blocked her attack, allowing two of the Fraxure to burrow into the ground and leap out beneath her, knocking her off her feet.

She let out a yell as she was sent rolling backwards, bouncing into the fallen tree and causing the stray branches to sway across Cleo's already obscured vision.

The motion from the branches disturbed the sandstorm. Cleo could just make out some of the dark shapes of their opponents. She fired a disarming voice at the army, her voice surprising them briefly and striking one of the Krokorok. He was sent flying into one of the Sandslash, crushing him beneath his body. The Sandslash threw a series of expletives and dragged himself free from beneath the dazed Krokorok.

The distraction was enough for Mischief and Harlequin to fire their own attacks, and the air flashed with pink and purple light. Each attack missed the Sandslash but struck another of the Fraxure and two of the Krokorok.

Then the wind hit.

Dust from the sandstorm blew along with it, completely obscuring their view. Cleo shielded her eyes but it was no use. She couldn't just fire blind attacks into the storm.

As it lessened off, she began to make out the forms of the enemy Pokemon. They were all crouching closer to the ground, and as the sand cleared enough, she found they were all digging their claws into the earth, keeping their bodies as low as possible so the wind blew over them without lifting them into the air. They rose up quickly and Cleo found a dark pulse fired straight at her.

“Get back!” Mischief threw himself in front of her and took the attack to his chest. He flinched then narrowed his eyes at the Krokorok that fired it.

With a flick of his paws, another flash of purple and pink sparkled across the crowd. It hit the Krokorok along with two Fraxure side on, knocking them to the ground. The Heretics took a step back and looked around frantically, their eyes wide and their voices melding together. Mischief looked down at his paws in surprise then followed the Heretic's gaze upwind.

Cleo blinked at him then looked back at the army. That attack had come from the wrong direction... it wasn't from Mischief at all.

A wisp of flames flew into the Heretics, catching the Haxorus on his left shoulder. He howled and looked down at it, his face twisting into a sneer. More flames flew at them, catching several of the Sandslash and Krokorok and one of the remaining Fraxure.

A streak of white landed amongst them and latched onto one of the Fraxure. An Absol. But something was different about him. He grabbed the Fraxure in his jaws and shook him wildly before throwing him aside, unconscious. He then rounded on another one, treating it in the exact same way.

Another Pokemon landed amongst them, joining the Mawile's side.

“Hi there, Faith!”

Her eyes widened as she looked up at the Pokemon beside her. “Enigma?”

The Banette chuckled and looked out at the Heretics.

His differences were much more apparent. Zipper markings spread from the top of his head all the way down his front, and his fur expanded out to the sides like a cloak. His feet and paws poked out from amongst it, now a vivid purple. But that jingling bell was the one thing that gave his identity away.

And the Heretics knew it.

All enemy eyes were now locked onto the Banette. Some flexed their claws while others glanced around nervously, backing up behind their comrades.

The Absol leapt to Faith's other side, and Cleo finally noticed that one dramatic change. A pair of white wings sprouted out from his shoulders.

Harlequin stared at the duo transfixed. She shook her head, her mouth hanging open. Giving herself a sharp shake back into reality, she turned her attention back to the Heretics.

“We thought you could use some backup,” said Enigma.

The Absol snorted. “Don't get cocky.”

Faith laughed. “Your help is welcome!”

Enigma chuckled then fired a dazzling gleam into the group of shaken Heretics.

The wind began to pick up again, and the Sandslash who'd wanted to leap aside had to throw themselves to the ground in order to avoid being swept away. The ones that didn't were struck by his attack or caught in the rising winds.

Cleo pressed herself into the floor like the Heretics and let out a disarming voice. This struck the Haxorus on his nose and he howled, rising up as the wind blew over him. He dug his rear claws into the ground as he struggled against the wind.

“Do what they do!” Cleo shouted. “Hold yourselves to the ground and dig your claws in!”

As it howled over them, Cleo and her friends pressed themselves as close to the ground as they could get. The storm subsided and revealed the Heretics, now drastically diminished in numbers. A chunk of the Sandslash had gone, swept further into the valley. The Haxorus' eyes were narrowed into slits and he opened his mouth in a vicious roar, knocking Cleo off balance. She steadied herself against the toppled tree. Before she could counter attack, Faith rushed at him and struck him in the torso with her horns. He backed away from her, lashing down with his claws but none of his attacks so much as scratched her. His face twisted into confusion and he resorted to gnashing at her with his teeth.

Activity exploded from behind him as the other Pokemon became desperate to get rid of the Outcasts and their strange new allies. The Fraxure rushed at the mega Pokemon, the Sandslash dived in and out of the ground around them, and the Krokorok, unable to get close enough to use their teeth, fired their dark pulses onto Enigma and Cleo, missing their targets as the two Pokemon had to dodge blindly into the fray. The Fraxure began dropping like flies as they were struck with attacks from Enigma and the Absol. They then rounded on the Krokorok, keeping their attention on them and away from Cleo.

Sandslash popped up from the ground beneath them, missing Enigma but catching Faith and the Absol and knocking them off their feet.

The whole battle had blurred into a violent melee. The confusion of attacks threw Cleo, Harlequin and Mischief off, but she shook herself and went to work firing disarming voices into the Heretics. They were moving so fast she couldn't help but worry she might hit the wrong Pokemon. Harlequin and Mischief soon joined her, their own purple flickering attacks striking the remaining dragons.

A stream of dirt exploded from the ground beneath Faith's feet, followed by a Sandslash. The impact knocked her off balance and she fell backwards from the Haxorus as the large spiky Pokemon vanished back into the soil a few feet away from her. The massive dragon laughed triumphantly before lunging at her with his jaws. He lurched forwards and his teeth snapped shut beside her, missing his target. He raised a claw to his head and Spark leapt out of the way, striking him in the neck.

Cleo's heart leapt as she saw the small Dedenne.

She darted about swiftly, lashing at the Haxorus with her paws, feet and tail. He was thrown off balance as he tried to catch her, and with one firm kick to his jaws he toppled over and hit the ground with a hefty thud.

An eerie howl resounded above them, and what was left of the battlers clutched onto the floor. The fallen bodies were swept away onto the wind and Cleo and her group held on as firmly as they could, lowering their bodies to the ground. The merciless wind and sand whipped at their fur, and Cleo found herself worrying about Spark. What if she were to be blown away again?

A tug on her wrist was followed by a frantic scream. Her heart leapt and she tried to turn her head to look at Mischief. His screams became more maniacal and she felt her heart begin to race.

The wind subsided and Mischief fell to the floor. He flipped himself onto his feet and rushed at the remaining Heretics. When he reached the end of his tether, he slipped onto his bottom and roared. The Fraxure and Sandslash backed away from him and fired a chain of insults at the Outcasts before sprinting away into the valley.

Mischief gave chase after them and his feet shot from under him, causing him to land hard on his back. He gave another scream and rushed at Cleo.

Her breath caught in her throat and she ducked, bracing herself for impact. It never came. Instead, she watched as he was bounced away from her and she let out a long, slow breath. That collar... it certainly worked. The rest of the group backed away from her and watched as Mischief threw himself left and right in a desperate bid for freedom.

“What on earth?”

Spark's voice was strangely muffled. Cleo looked down at Faith and caught a small smile from her. The Mawile opened one of her horns and let Spark climb out before returning to her normal form.

“He's gonna hurt himself on that thing!” Spark sent a stream of electricity at him and Mischief's body locked and he fell motionless onto the floor.

Cleo stared down at him, her heart still racing in her chest. Tiny sparks of electricity ran over his fur and vanished into the ground.

“Was that really necessary?” Faith asked.

“It was mercy,” said Spark. “I didn't like seeing him like that. Give him a cheri berry. He'll be fine.”

“You've always had a strange way of dealing with things, Spark.” Cleo looked round at her friend and smiled. “I'm glad to see you're okay!”

Spark laughed. “I'm fine!” She paused and wiped a paw across her nose. “That lot sure put up a fight though, huh?”

“They did,” said the Absol. “I think we should move before the wind picks up again.”

Cleo looked over at him. “Erm... I'm guessing you're Harbinger?”

The Absol gave her a smile and nodded. He seemed smaller now without those wings, but he still gave her a sense of unease. She returned his smile, forcing back any memory of the unnerving legends that Absol were bad news. He had just helped them after all.

“Aye. This guy was in the Fairy Garden,” said Enigma. His bell cut through her thoughts as he giggled and folded his paws behind his back. “We happened to get paired up together. What are the odds?”

All this time, Harlequin had been staring from Harbinger to Enigma, her mouth hanging open. She shook her head again, tears forming in her eyes. She launched herself towards the Banette and struck him in the chest, knocking the wind out of him and sending him onto his back.

“You idiot!” she screamed. “I thought you were dead!”

Sobs shook her body and she buried her face into his scarf. He laughed and placed a paw on her back.

“I was. But Xerneas revived me.”

“What were you doing?! Why did you go back there?!”

“Hey, Harle, come on. Calm down.” He tried to push himself up with one paw, but Harlequin kept her claws entwined in his scarf.

“You were an idiot!”

“I know! But he revived me. I'm here now.”

“That still doesn't justify your actions!” She looked up at him, her face wet with tears.

“I know. I was foolish. But if I didn't go back there, I probably would never have found the Fairy Garden. And I'd likely be almost as bad as him now.” He nodded to Mischief.

Harlequin looked over her shoulder at the fallen Whimsicott, along with everyone else. Her eyes seemed to grow larger and bluer and everyone turned their attention back on Enigma.

“It's... gone?” Harlequin asked.

Enigma nodded. “Yes. He got rid of it.”

“But...” Cleo looked back at Mischief. “What about...?”

“He met him,” said Spark. “Why does he still have it?”

“'Your weakness is your greatest strength'.” Faith stared at the far wall. “He didn't mean the Pokerus exactly, did he?” She looked over at Enigma.

He shrugged. “I haven't a clue.”

“It's coming.” Harbinger looked up at the sky and everyone followed his gaze. A small whine flowed through the air and the branches of the trees swayed ominously. “Come on. We'll use their tunnels.”

He stood and led them across the valley towards the little huts and soil mounds. Cleo picked up Mischief in a bubble of purple light and followed after the group. Beyond the mounds was an opening into the slope of the mountain. As they entered it, the wind began to pick up behind them. Soon, it was howling through the valley, and they stared back out of the tunnel at as the remains of the sandstorm were whipped up into smoky spirals and whisked away on the wind.

“I didn't know there were tunnels here,” said Cleo. She looked over at Harbinger. “Where do they lead?”

“Out. Those Pokemon would have wanted to escape the valley at some point to gather provisions, so they dug these tunnels. If we follow them up, we'll find ourselves out of it soon enough.”

“Have you been here before?” Faith asked.

Harbinger nodded. “Several times.”

“Maybe we should rest here?” Spark suggested. “Until Mischief regains consciousness at least?”

“They might come back,” said Harbinger. “This is their territory after all.”

“Besides.” Enigma nodded at the floating Whimsicott. “That looks like fun.”

He chuckled and leapt playfully back from Cleo's glare, his bell echoing off the narrow walls.

Harbinger shot Enigma a frown then looked back at Cleo. “How long will that be?”

“I don't know,” she said. “It varies.”

Harbinger let out a breath through his nose and looked back over his shoulder at the long, dark tunnels.

“Okay fine,” he said. “There's a chance we could become trapped in here, but if we stay close enough to the entrance we can at least get back out.”

“Yeh.” Spark stared thoughtfully down at the ground then her ears pricked up. “Oh! Before I forget...” She leapt onto Enigma's scarf, causing a small squeak of surprise from him, and nuzzled his cheek, sparks flying from her whiskers and spreading across his body. He gave a sharp yelp and collapsed to the ground. “That,” she said as she leapt from his shoulder, “is for throwing me earlier.”

“Spark!” Harlequin gasped. She stared at the Banette as static electricity bounced off his fur to vanish into the earth.

“He had it coming,” said Harbinger, deadpan. “You don't throw a girl by the tail.”

“You certainly don't!” Spark agreed.

Harlequin closed her eyes and laughed. “Oh, Enigma, you buffoon!”

Enigma's body jerked and he looked up at Spark stiffly.

She flashed him a grin and leapt onto Cleo's bag, pulling a cheri berry from it. She bounded back over to him and held out the red berry in her tiny paws.

“Thanks for helping me, by the way. Other than a few needed lessons in etiquette, you did quite well.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

64 – Reaching the Borders​

The sun was setting too quickly for Tinker's liking. The world below them was becoming rapidly darker, and the Border Woods drawing ever nearer, the long, spindly branches of the trees sketched like black lines against a terrible red backdrop. Starshine was growing visibly tired, his beak partially open and his breath forming small puffs of steam in the cool evening air.

“We can rest now,” Tinker told him. “Feel free to land.”

“But we're not there yet.”

“But you're clearly tired, Starshine.”

The Altaria shook his head. “No. Not yet. Not until we reach the woods.”

Tinker looked down again at the vanishing plains. To his right was the dark shadow of the Forest of Ashes, quickly moving behind them. It wouldn't be long now until they were above the Border Woods, the largest woodlands in the entire region, spanning for miles until they opened up into the Shadow Lands. They covered swamps, dipped down into valleys, even had their own waterfall. One would enjoy exploring it and meeting the various Pokemon that inhabited it if it weren't for the dangers. Not to mention many of those Pokemon had long since left or been wiped out.

It had been a long time since Tinker had been in the Border Woods. It was a place he'd never wanted to go to again.

And there it was. The edge of the canopy drawing closer to them and spreading out into a shadowy, ominous mass. He could almost hear the wingbeats of the watchful Murkrow, almost hear the screams of their targets.

A chill ran through his body, putting his fur on end. His claws wound into Starshine's white feathers.

The Altaria glanced back at him. “Are you okay, dad?”

Tinker nodded. “I'm fine. Keep going.”

Starshine looked down. “I think we can land soon.”

The woods spread out below them now. Tinker swallowed drily, his one eye fixed on those threatening branches.

“I wouldn't land just anywhere, son. Look for somewhere safe, quiet...”

Safe and quiet? In this place? He flinched. What was he doing? He'd been hoping to catch up with Cleo, but there'd been no sign of her little group.

He looked behind him but everything was dark. He couldn't see the mountains anymore. The sun had gone. They were now flying blindly into danger.

His fears were quickly confirmed as a series of loud caws broke through the air and a mass of black, flapping wings rose up towards them. His heart shot into his throat and he grabbed at Starshine's fur, trying to steer him away from the snapping beaks of the Murkrow flock.

Instead of twisting away, Starshine reared back and Tinker had to wrap his arms around the Altaria's slender neck to stop himself from plummeting to the ground. A loud, ear-splitting shriek came from Starshine's mouth, blowing the flock of black birds back down into the treetops.

Tinker's eyes widened. Hyper voice! Where had that come from?

The Murkrow quickly gathered themselves, darting back towards the Altaria. Again, Starshine shrieked and several of the birds plummeted to the ground below. The ones that had broken through his attack were beaten back by his fluffy, white wings, causing him to lose altitude. The Murkrow took advantage of this and darted down from above.

“Hold on!”

He arched back upwards, and Tinker held on for dear life as he was briefly thrown upside-down until Starshine had the advantage again. Another shriek exploded through the air, blowing the Murkrow back down towards the ground.

But they kept on coming, growing more and more in number. Tinker grit his teeth, his red eyes narrowing. There was just no end to them.

Starshine readied himself for another hyper voice, but it died in his throat as a roar shook the canopy. The Murkrow were thrown off guard, and many of them were caught in the sound waves, losing their balance and dropping from the sky in a flurry of feathers. Their shrill caws warred with the loud roar as it split the air again. Surging through the canopy towards them was a Salamence, his mouth wide open as noise blasted from it, cutting through the Murkrow flock and causing them to drop like rain.

Tinker tugged at Starshine's feathers and the little Altaria swerved away from the Salamence, his beak open as he readied an attack.

Its massive body arced through the air as it rose above the Murkrow, swinging its powerful tail down towards them. Those that were struck by it were sent keeling backwards, crashing into their brethren and falling back into the trees.

The remaining Murkrow doubled back, shooting the group of Pokemon sneers before vanishing into the shadows of the canopy.

The Salamence watched them go then cast a glance at Starshine and Tinker.

“They'll be back, and there'll be more of them. Follow me.”

He dipped his wings and dropped towards the trees.

Starshine made to follow him, but Tinker yanked at his feathers, causing the young Pokemon to squeak.

“Wait.” He caught Starshine's questioning eye and shook his head. “I don't like this.”

Tinker stared after the Salamence, clutching Starshine's feathers tightly. Follow a dragon? This had to be a trap.

The Salamence looked back at them. “Do you want to die? Follow me.”

Starshine lowered his head and swooped after the dragon. Tinker cursed silently. This was madness. Why would a Salamence help them?

The large dragon vanished into the woods. Starshine kept after him, dropping below the canopy. There was little room for his wings and he was forced to land awkwardly, causing Tinker to fall off his back.

Tinker stood in time to see the body of the Salamence crashing through the trees into a clearing. He hesitated for a moment, bouncing on his toes as he warred with the urge to run.

They were here now. Exposed. In the Border Woods.

He cast his eye up into the trees. The branches here were bare. The Murkrow that had attacked them must have come from this area, abandoning it to report back about intruders.

Starshine nudged him.

“Come on. I think we can trust him.”

Tinker cast him a sideways glance. “He's a dragon.”

“So am I.”

Tinker grimaced. As much as he hated to admit it, that Salamence did just save their lives.

He placed a paw on Starshine's back and nodded, following the Salamence's trail into the clearing.

What Tinker saw made his breath catch in his throat.

In the centre of the clearing was a low, dingy building. Its walls had once been white but were now stained yellow with age. Around it lay several Pokemon – a Flygon, Sableye, Drapion and the Salamence.

He took a step back, his eye leaping from each of the staring Pokemon.

“You're all right,” the Salamence growled. “We're on your side.”

Tinker narrowed his eyes. “How do you know what side we're on?”

“Easy,” said the Salamence. “You ain't a dark or dragon type, are you? And we ain't never seen an Altaria around here.”

The Sableye chuckled, sending chills through Tinker's body.

“Are you joining us?” the Salamence asked.

“Yeh!” said the Sableye. “Stand there much longer, you might get snatched through the trees!” He laughed again and Tinker shuddered.

The Flygon nudged the Sableye and frowned. His voice came out as a buzz, almost impossible to pick out his words. The ones Tinker thought he'd heard were 'out' and 'scaring', but whatever it was had pacified the Sableye and his huge grin became more of a sly smile as his laughter came to a stop.

Tinker took a step forwards, glanced back at the trees, then looked over the group of Pokemon again. The Drapion was munching on what may have been the stiff stem of a plant, but with his mind reeling he couldn't help thinking it was a small bone from a helpless Pokemon. The Flygon had curled up, peering at them over the tip of his tail. The Sableye yawned widely and closed his eyes. The Salamence, however, wouldn't take his eyes off them. Tinker's eyes trailed over the large dragon's body and he jolted as he noticed his wing.

A long, jagged scar from a tear that had long since healed.

“Ripwing!”

The words came out as a snarl and the group of dragons jolted. The Drapion leapt to his feet, and a deep buzz reverberated through the clearing as the Flygon's wings beat rapidly into a blur.

Starshine leapt to Tinker's side, his feathers bristling.

“You're here to assassinate him?!” the Drapion growled.

“He's one of Hydreigon's aces!” Tinker roared.

“No he aint!” said the Sableye. “He's not stepped paw into the Shadow Lands in years!”

“What's going on?”

Tinker's eye was drawn to the building. A Grovyle stood in the doorway and a Vigoroth peered over her shoulder. When his eyes locked onto Tinker, he frowned.

“What's an Outcast doin' 'ere?”

The Sableye pointed a claw at Tinker and looked back at the Vigoroth. “Wantin' to assassinate Ripwing.”

The Vigoroth raised his claws and pushed past the Grovyle to reach Tinker. She grabbed him by the tail and pulled him back, causing him to fall onto his bottom with a grunt.

“Wait! This is probably a misunderstanding.” She looked at Tinker and Starshine. “What are you really doing here?”

Tinker frowned. “Looking for rebels. Those that have turned their back on the Darkness.”

The Vigoroth raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

He laughed and the dragons, Drapion and Sableye joined him.

Tinker felt his muzzle crinkle and he bared his canines. “What's so funny?”

The Vigoroth wiped a claw across his eye. “Outcasts lookin' fer rebels!”

The Flygon's buzzing voice rose into the air and the Sableye laughed hysterically.

“Yer right! It is ironic!”

Starshine looked down at Tinker. “What's going on? Why are they laughing at us?”

“Why?” Ripwing leant his head on his paw. “Because Outcasts can't stand dragons, boy. Or dark Pokemon. And here are two Outcasts looking for us. Running scared.”

“But... you helped us.”

“Of course I did.” Ripwing shrugged. “Difference is, we aint your enemies. The Outcasts just decided all dragon and dark Pokemon are. The reason we don't leave the Border Woods is because we aren't welcome amongst you.”

Starshine's head drooped. Tinker placed a paw on his back and looked over at the dragon, his expression softening.

“Found yerself in that situation, did ya?” the Vigoroth asked. “Outcasts don't want a dragon livin' with 'em?”

“No,” said Tinker. “They don't.”

Starshine wiped a wing across his eyes and looked away from them.

Ripwing leant his head on his paw again and fixed his black eyes on Tinker. “Well... let's just say you and your hatchling are among friends now.”

...​

“These tunnels are like a maze!” Spark crossed her paws and sank down into Harbinger's fur.

“You're not the one walking in them,” said Cleo. “So go to sleep if you want.”

Spark yawned widely and shook her head. “No. If I do that, my flash will go out. Besides...” She yawned again. “You might need me.”

“Then we'll wake you!” Enigma looked back at them from the front of the group, his arms folded behind his head.

“Don't wake a sleeping Spark,” she said with a frown.

Enigma chuckled and looked on ahead.

Harbinger sighed. “It's no wonder you get zapped.”

Harlequin walked between them, silently. She hadn't said much since they'd joined up with Enigma and Harbinger. Cleo could tell the Zorua had an abundance of questions, but for some reason she hadn't voiced them.

Mischief plodded along just behind Cleo, as equally quiet. Enigma's revelation that he no longer had Pokerus hadn't been relayed to the Whimsicott yet. Cleo didn't know how to break it to him, and neither did Faith. The both of them were a little puzzled as to why it hadn't been removed in the Fairy Garden.

Cleo sighed silently to herself. It was yet another thing they were keeping from Mischief and she hated it.

Harbinger came to a sudden stop and Cleo almost walked into him. Enigma paused just ahead of him and looked back with one eyebrow raised.

“What?”

“I can hear something.” Harbinger stood stock still, his red eyes locked on something beyond Spark's light.

The rest of them strained to hear it. Finally the soft patter of feet reached Cleo's ears. It wasn't the Heretics was it? She gulped, glancing back behind them. They'd not returned to their huts in the time they'd been waiting, and it was dark out now. Surely they wouldn't be travelling these tunnels at night?

Harbinger's fur bristled and he lowered his head, not taking his eyes off whatever was approaching them.

The footsteps grew louder, then out of the shadows strolled a Larvitar. His eyes widened when he spotted Harbinger and he took a step back, clutching his bag strap in his claws. He looked from each of them in turn and opened his mouth to speak.

Harbinger's fur relaxed and he lifted his head. “He's not a Heretic.”

The Larvitar shook his head. “No... I'm not.”

“But he's not an Outcast either,” said Spark. “I don't see a badge. And as all Outcasts know, you wear a badge.” She closed her eyes and puffed out her chest, tapping her scarf with a paw.

The Larvitar sniffed. “Not all of you are wearing badges.”

Spark nodded. “We're a special case.”

“That means she forgot,” said Cleo. “So who are you?”

The Larvitar looked at her. “I'm a... an outlaw.” He paused and backed away when he saw the Absol's glare. “I'm just passing through the tunnels to get to the other side of the valley. I'm not going to attack you. Besides... you're one aren't you?” He gulped and eyed Harbinger warily.

Harbinger stared at him for a while, causing the Larvitar to back further away from him. Finally he nodded.

“Yes.” He moved past the Larvitar and the small Pokemon backed up into the wall to let him pass. “It's nice to know some of you actually get out.”

“Get out of where?” Spark asked.

Harbinger didn't answer.

“The Border Woods,” said Harlequin. She sighed. “It's hard to leave. Especially when Outcasts don't want us around.”

Spark folded her arms and looked back at Harlequin. “Well. I like you.” She glanced at the Absol. “And Harbinger. Even if he is an Absol.”

Harbinger's fur bristled again but he kept his back to them.

Faith chuckled and the Larvitar's eyes instantly went to her.

“I'm sorry about this,” Cleo told him. “How do you get out of this tunnel.”

He pointed a claw straight ahead of them. “Just keep going. You're almost out.”

“Thank you.”

Cleo gave him a smile and moved past him. He kept his spiky back against the wall, watching them as they all passed. When they'd moved further away from him, she finally picked up his footsteps fading away through the tunnels.

...​

The sun was warm on the Rocky Plains. Cleo busied herself as she packed up the tent, collapsing the wooden tubes together and stuffing them into her bag.

“Eat!” Spark told her.

“I'll eat while we're walking,” said Cleo.

“What's her problem?” Enigma asked over a mouthful of dried meat.

“These plains make her uncomfortable,” Faith explained.

“Same here,” said Spark. “I wanna move on as much as she does, but I can't when I'm hungry.”

Cleo finished folding the blue sheet and looked over at the group. Spark was now ushering Mischief to hurry up, but he was warily biting into a berry, not taking his eyes off Harbinger and Enigma. The Banette flashed him a smile then noticed Cleo had finished what she was doing. He looked down at Harlequin who was wordlessly batting her meal back and forth with her paw.

“C'mon, Harle,” he said. “Cleo wants to get going.”

“What happened?” Harlequin asked.

Enigma seemed taken by surprise. He glanced away from her to exchange looks with Harbinger. Harlequin glanced nervously at the Banette and pushed her berry away.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“What were you doing?” Harlequin explained. “You were in the Border Woods, you got killed. And now we're going back there!” She pushed herself up until she was sitting and stared at him. “Why are you with us now? What is going on?!”

Enigma stared silently at her, blinking as he tried to process it all.

Mischief lowered his berry, keeping his orange eyes on him.

“Harlequin was really upset,” he said. “We went into the Border Woods to find some way to stop Hydreigon, and end this war.”

Enigma chuckled. “We've been trained and sent to help you stop Hydreigon finding Yveltal. Haven't we, Harbie?” He smacked Harbinger on the back.

The Absol's body jerked and he shot him a glare.

Harlequin narrowed her eyes. “But what were you doing there in the first place?”

Enigma sighed and ran a paw over his face. “Looking for a cure.”

Harlequin continued to stare at him. She finally let out a long breath and looked away.

“And now it's gone,” she said.

Mischief looked from Harlequin to Enigma. “What? The Pokerus is gone? How?”

“Xerneas got rid of it. Oh... that reminds me.” Enigma tucked his paw into his scarf and pulled out two tiny bracelets. “He gave me these to give to you. Said you might need them.”

He handed them to Faith. She looked down at them and inclined her head on one side, rubbing her chin with her free paw.

“Altarianite? I wonder what this is... Oh!” Her eyes shot wide open and she looked up at Cleo. “I think it's for Starshine!”

“Starshine?”

“Yes.” Faith fastened the two bracelets around her slender wrist. “With these, he'll be able to mega evolve.”

Cleo shifted uneasily and looked back at the Howling Valley. “But... Starshine's back at New City.”

“No!” Spark jumped to her feet, abandoning her berries. “No! We're not going back to New City are we? We've come so far!”

Cleo grimaced and looked back down at Spark. The little Dedenne had her paws clasped over her mouth and her large black eyes were impossibly wide. Never say it's name outside its walls... she looked up at the sky and searched the surrounding trees. This close to the Border Woods... what a foolish mistake. She couldn't see any Murkrow, but they needed to be careful.

“Are you all right?” Harlequin asked.

She looked over at the Zorua and gave her a small nod. Her paw was clasped tightly over her bag strap. She looked away from her and turned her eyes towards the trees on the horizon.

Border Woods.

They were nearly there.

“Why?”

She looked back at Mischief. He stared down at his paws, glancing occasionally to Enigma.

“Why do I still have it?”

Faith smiled and reached across to pat his shoulder. “That's what we're trying to find out.”

“He said my weakness is my greatest strength! But all it does is make me hurt my friends! And now I have to wear this!” He lifted his fur to reveal the collar. He looked over at Enigma and narrowed his eyes. “If Pokerus is my greatest strength, then how come you don't have it any more?”

Enigma's mouth opened but no words came out. He closed it again and looked away from Mischief, fumbling with the hem of his scarf.

None of them knew.

Cleo had racked her brain trying to work this out while staring at Mischief's unconscious body the night before. But nothing would come to her.

Faith was as equally stumped.

“I want to go back to the Fairy Garden,” said Mischief. “I want to see if he'll get rid of it for me.”

Spark looked at him and her ears drooped as she looked back out over the valley. “But... again, it's...”

“You don't need to come. If you take this collar off me, I'll go back myself.”

Harlequin gave him a firm look. “We need you.”

Mischief stared back at her and both of their stares became frowns. Mischief pushed himself to his feet and Harbinger stood, moving closer to Harlequin while keeping his red eyes locked on Mischief.

Enigma looked from each of the glowering Pokemon and cleared his throat.

“Well, this is quickly turning hostile. I think we need to get a move on.”

He stood up and moved away from them.

“I'm not going to fight him.” Harbinger closed his eyes and turned away from Mischief. “I don't believe in turning on my allies.”

Mischief's arms fell limply to his sides as he watched Harbinger move away from him. Cleo's heart sank. She reached out to him but her eye caught the bracelet and she faltered, letting it drop back to her side. Faith gave her a small smile and placed a paw on his shoulder to usher him to sit back down.

Harlequin's body drooped and she sighed. “Poor choice of words, Harbie.”

The Absol looked back at her then looked up at Mischief. He stared at him for a moment, his expression softening. He looked away again and sighed.

“I'm sorry.”

“Don't worry, Mischief,” said Harlequin. “We will go back to the Fairy Garden. Just first, we have stuff to do.” She glanced around quickly then lowered her voice. “After we've killed Hydreigon, we'll be free to go back to the Fairy Garden.”

Harbinger and Enigma both snapped to look at her.

“Erm...” Enigma cleared his throat. “Did I just hear you right?”

Harlequin looked back at him. “You came to help us didn't you? I assumed you knew.”

Enigma shook his head. “We came to help you to stop him finding Yveltal. There was nothing about going into the Shadow Lands and killing Hydreigon.”

“Well this is our plan. I go in there and -”

“Go in there?” Enigma dug his claws into his knee and narrowed his eyes at her. “I don't like this, Harle.”

“I have my illusion,” she told him. “And poison. I have a plan.”

“And what do we do while you're beyond those walls?”

“Wait.”

All eyes were now on Harlequin and Enigma. The Banette looked like he was about to explode at any moment.

“You'll be backup,” Harlequin went on. “If anything goes wrong, or if they chase after me, fight them.”

He looked away from her and let out a flustered breath.

“I don't like this, Harle.”

“Neither do we,” said Cleo. “But it's all we've got.”

Harbinger closed his eyes and shrugged. “I'm with Harlequin.”

Enigma shot him a glare. “What? Are you serious?!”

“Yes.” Harbinger didn't look at him. “When my clan was murdered I managed to escape the Shadow Lands, but I would have given anything to go back in there and destroy that dragon. If Harlequin has a plan to do that, then I'm with him.”

Enigma growled under his breath and looked away. “We all have reasons to want him dead.”

Cleo looked down at her paws. So much had been destroyed during this war. Just a couple of seasons ago, she'd never have guessed that even the dark Pokemon themselves had been effected in such terrible ways.

“Well this is the only plan we've got,” said Harlequin. “You don't need to worry. I'll be disguised, and if I succeed, he'll be killed. We won't need to worry about him any more.” She smiled. “We'll be free.”

Enigma gave her a glance. “And if you fail?”

Harlequin looked away from him. “Don't think about that. Assume I won't.”

The tension that had fallen over them felt like it could be sliced with their claws. Cleo absently wrung her paws together. If she was hungry before, she was rapidly losing her appetite. And she wasn't alone.

Harbinger pushed his berries away and frowned. “I'm done. Let's go.”

“Well I'm not!” said Spark. “And Cleo hasn't eaten yet.”

Cleo shook her head. “I told you I'll eat while we walk.”

“You can also eat while you wait.” Spark picked up a strip of fish and handed it to her.

Cleo admitted her defeat and flopped to the floor beside the Dedenne.

“Okay, fine.” Harbinger tucked his paws beneath himself and lay down. “Make it quick, before the sun sets again.”

Spark snorted and stuffed a berry in her mouth. “We have all day.”

Harbinger shot her a glare and she grinned.

“You know...” Harlequin inched over to him. “If you want to pass time...” She gave him a nudge.

Harbinger looked at her. “What?”

She leapt to her feet and turned to face him. “You can try and catch me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Where's this just come from?”

“We did it when we first met.” She grinned. “It'll make up for lost time.”

Harbinger rolled his eyes. “We're not hatchlings anymore, Harlequin.”

“Oh come on!” Harlequin nudged him again and he swatted her with his paw. “It'll help take our minds off things a bit.”

Enigma stared at them. “What? You're actually gonna run around like a pair of kids?” He chuckled and leant back against a tree. “This I've got to see.”

“Come on!”

Harbinger grumbled and looked away from her. “Lie back down. You're acting like a fool.”

She grinned and moved over to him. He watched her warily and she stuck out her tongue and licked his nose. He looked up sharply and she leapt back, giggling.

Harbinger shook his head and stood up slowly. In a flash he darted at her and she ran away in laughter. As he turned to follow after her, Cleo could make out a small smile on his face.

Enigma watched after them and shook his head. “Well, that's a side of him I've never seen.”

Faith chuckled and wiped berry juice off her paws. “I think it's cute.”

Harlequin raced past them with Harbinger on her tail. He swatted her with his paw and leapt away, and she doubled back and took off after him.

Faith laughed jovially and stood up, chasing after the two Pokemon. Harlequin span to face her and skipped backwards before bolting off to overtake Harbinger, nipping at his shoulder as she passed.

Mischief leant forward on his knees and smiled. “She seems like a different Pokemon now.”

Cleo nodded and leant back on her paws, watching the three playful Pokemon. Harbinger sped after Faith and Harlequin, their laughter filling the air and making it feel a lot lighter. After their recent discussion it seemed like such a tranquil moment.

But if everything went to plan, it would all change. By the time night fell, they'd be in the trees of the Border Woods... and by the time the sun rose, hopefully this awful war would be over.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

65 – A Fatal Error​

The news of Outcasts breaching the Border Woods had spread quickly.

Yurlik stood on the wall of the Shadow Lands, staring out at the desolate trees. The majority of his Murkrow flock had been split into three groups, each one accompanied by Weavile. One was in the Shadow Mountains, another was in the far north isle, and the third group had dissipated into the Border Woods searching for any sign of that cocoon.

The ones that had been left as guards had been almost entirely wiped out in a battle with two dragons, one of which was an Outcast. There weren't enough of them left to provide an army against another Outcast invasion. He'd have to rely on the remaining Pokemon in the Shadow Lands for that.

He frowned. Outcasts. Two of them. One riding on a dragon.

A dragon Outcast.

That was something he never expected to hear.

Yet it was hardly surprising given what had happened to two of their aces.

He didn't know what their plan was, but he didn't like it one bit. His eyes went over to a cave nestling in the side of a rocky crag. A pile of rubble had built at one end of the Shadow Lands from years of landslides from the mountains, and there were a certain group of dragon Pokemon who called that cave home. If he wanted to find those Outcasts, he was going to need some help. He beat his wings and rose into the air, swerving towards the cavern.

The cave was almost pitch black inside, but unmistakable winged shapes hung from the ceiling. Little Noibat flapped their wings as Yurlik landed on the lip of the giant cave mouth.

“Wake up,” he commanded.

Hundreds of yellow eyes opened and one of the larger Pokemon – a Noivern – leered at him.

“What's this about, Honchkrow?” he boomed.

The other Noibat and Noivern fluttered their wings, their shrill screeches filling the cave.

“I need your assistance,” Yurlik told them. The words caused his feathers to stand on end. “There's been some Outcasts breaching the Border Woods. Find them and bring them back here.”

The cave exploded into action and Yurlik ducked, using his wings to shield his head as the flock of bat-like dragons bolted from the cave, their shrill cries filling the air.

...​

Cold.

That's how it felt.

The moment Cleo and her friends were beyond the trees of the Border Woods, it felt cold.

The sun peeked through the branches and brushed its rays on the tree trunks and woodland floor, the sky turning a dingy red above the canopy as it slowly set. Yet it still seemed awfully dark.

Foliage crunched under their paws, and they kept their ears pricked and eyes open, bracing themselves for a Murkrow assault at any moment.

“It's odd that they've not noticed us yet,” said Enigma. “They're normally more vigilant than this.”

“Keep your voice down,” said Cleo. “And just be grateful about it.”

Enigma chuckled. “I am. I don't want a replay of my last visit here.”

“None of us do,” said Harlequin flatly.

“And we won't,” Cleo added. “So long as we're careful.”

Enigma glanced at Harlequin and frowned, looking away and folding his paws behind his head. It was obvious he still wasn't happy with the Zorua's plan.

Spark poked her little head out of Cleo's fur. “What do we do when night falls?”

Cleo grit her teeth. She hadn't really thought about that. “I guess... we just set up tent and stay awake.”

“Generally, we hide,” said Harlequin. “If you're not a member of the Darkness, being nocturnal in this place is just asking to be killed.”

“Then where do we hide?” Spark asked.

Harlequin glanced up at her. “Find a burrow, or a hollowed tree, a thick bush, something that is organic and not a tent.”

“Or find some outlaws,” said Harbinger. “They live in groups, and some of them have buildings.”

“Buildings?” Spark snorted. “That's not organic.”

“No, but when you live here permanently like they do, you want something that will withstand a Murkrow's claws.”

“Hmm.” Spark huddled down into Cleo's shoulder. “Makes sense.”

“It's what we've done,” said Cleo. “Pokemon left their normal nests and went to live behind walls.”

Faith gave a small, sad sigh. “It's awful that's been forced upon you.”

Cleo shrugged. “I grew up used to it. My family already lived in a tree house.”

“Me too,” said Spark.

Faith looked at each of them in turn. “All of you?”

Harlequin looked up at her. “I didn't. I lived beneath a tree.”

“Oh? Do you miss it?”

She looked away from the Mawile. “No.”

Harlequin fell quiet and a sombre look fell across her face. She picked up her pace and moved ahead of them.

Enigma shifted uneasily and looked back at them, fixing his eyes on Spark. The small Dedenne was staring at him with a fierce intensity.

“Don't look at me,” he said. “He never tells me anything. I suppose I'm fortunate enough he even told me about Harbinger.”

“Enigma.” Harlequin faltered, and the fur along her spine bristled slightly.

“What?”

She lowered her head and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. With a sigh, she shook her head slowly and moved on. “Nothing.”

Enigma shrugged and fell in pace behind her.

The rest of them had to walk faster to keep up with the Zorua.

“How big is this wood?” Spark asked.

“Huge.”

It was Mischief who'd answered. Cleo looked back at him, but he was staring at the floor, carefully stepping around brittle plants and fallen twigs.

“It goes on for miles,” said Harbinger. “And finally ends at the Shadow Lands.”

“Wow.” Spark raised both eyebrows. “How long will it take us to get there?”

“If we keep walking at this pace and don't sleep...” Harbinger glanced up at the sky through the canopy. “We should be there just after sunrise.”

“Wow.”

“If we do sleep... then just after sunset tomorrow.”

“Just after sunrise would be better,” said Harlequin. “Most of them will be asleep.”

“The only problem will be walking in the dark,” said Enigma. “Two of us don't exactly have a type advantage.”

“We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

...​

Cleo couldn't sleep.

They'd spent the night buried in a wide bush, and she'd spread the blue sheet of the tent over them so they couldn't be seen through the branches. The dark blue colour served well as camouflage in the night and Harlequin had confirmed it worked almost perfectly.

She didn't know if anyone else had slept or not. Faith looked a little tired but that could have been anxiety due to their situation. Enigma always seemed to have bags under his eyes, and Harbinger stated outright he hadn't slept a wink. He'd kept an ear open, and like Cleo, had been worrying about the voices he'd heard in the distance.

A small number of Murkrow had appeared in the trees above them overnight, but they hadn't seen them. They cawed periodically, receiving replies from more of their flock far away from them. By the time morning came around, they'd gone again.

“It's so strange.” Cleo hopped over a root poking through the ground. “I got the impression this place was always heavily watched by the Murkrow.”

“It is, normally,” said Enigma.

“I think I know what's caused this,” said Harlequin. “They're looking for that Yveltal.”

“So they abandoned their posts?” Spark twitched her nose. “Not that I'm complaining.”

“Despite how big Yurlik's flock is, they've taken a hefty beating in this war. Even if he split them up, he'd need to send enough out to search the entire region. One task would have to suffer.”

“Well, it's worked in our favour,” said Cleo.

A snap echoed through the trees and they froze, all eyes going to the thick foliage on their left. They stood staring, their breathing audible in the following silence. Harbinger's nose twitched as he sniffed the air and he lowered his head, his fur bristling.

“Dragon,” he whispered. “We don't know if they're a friend so ready your attacks.”

Cleo's ears hummed as she braced herself to fire a disarming voice at whatever lurked beyond those bushes.

“Wait!” A large, bipedal dragon stepped out from the bush with her paws raised in surrender. Her eyes were large and wide and a trail of slime dripped from her chin. “We're friends. Don't attack us, please.”

A slimy snail-like Pokemon followed after her, keeping his head low to the ground as he surveyed the odd group.

A Goodra and a Sliggoo. Cleo had never seen either Pokemon before, but she'd heard of them.

“You're outlaws?” Harbinger didn't relax his posture. He kept his red eyes locked and leering at the two dragon Pokemon.

The Goodra nodded. “Yes. We are.” She looked over at Enigma and Harlequin. “And I know you two are as well. Please believe us! We're not lying.”

“Why is this wood so quiet?” Harbinger asked. “And if you're outlaws, why were you spying?”

“We're hiding!” said the Goodra. “We heard you talking and hid.”

“Yeh. We're wondering the same thing,” said the Sliggoo in a high voice. “The last thing we heard, the Murkrow tried to fight off some Outcasts. Now this wood is oddly quiet. But... we've seen some Weavile and Sneasel flitting about at night, as though they're looking for something. We thought you might be them, up during the day.”

“Looking for something?” Enigma looked down at Harlequin and chuckled. “What do you know. You were right.”

“But it's not just the Murkrow,” Harlequin told him. She looked back at the two dragons. “Others are searching as well.”

Harbinger was still leering at the two dragons. “You think these are with them? They're lying?”

“Relax.” Faith placed a paw on his shoulder and smiled at the Goodra and her friend. “You need to learn to trust others a little.”

Harbinger snorted. “Trust? This is a war. That's how you die.”

The two slimy dragons shifted uneasily and the Goodra rubbed her paws together and glanced away from them.

“But they're scared.” Faith smiled at the dragons. “You don't need to worry about us. You might actually be able to help us.”

Harbinger shot the Mawile a glare.

“She has a good point,” said Harlequin. “The more numbers we have -”

“Numbers?” The Goodra looked back at Harlequin. “If you're wanting us to battle with you...” She shook her head. “I'm sorry, but we're not fighting the Darkness.”

“Fine. Then tell us. What is the state at the wall right now? Is it still guarded?”

“Of course it's guarded!” the Sliggoo gasped. “What? Are you planning to just walk in?”

“In disguise.”

The Goodra and Sliggoo looked at each other aghast and shook their heads.

“Madness,” said the Goodra.

“Well there's no other way,” said Harlequin. “I don't fly, I don't burrow.”

“Burrow? ...There... actually...” The Goodra rubbed her paws together again. “Come with us.”

Harbinger growled as the two Pokemon moved away. They looked back at him.

“Follow you?” he sneered.

“We might know another way in,” said the Goodra quietly. “If it's still open, that is.”

“Another way in?” Spark looked at Cleo. “I don't know what I think about this.”

Harbinger snarled. “Exactly.”

Harlequin looked from the dragons to Harbinger and shook her head. “I'm following them. If this works...”

Harbinger stared at her for a moment then snorted. “Fine. But I'm staying on my guard.”

Enigma gave him a nod. “So am I, big guy. Don't worry.”

The Absol leered at him then trudged through the foliage after Harlequin.

Enigma sighed and looked at Faith. “You try to be supportive, you get a leer.”

The two dragons didn't say anything else as they lead the group through the foliage. They walked for a long time as the sun moved through the sky, deviating away from the path they had been walking on originally. The trees grew further apart in this section of the woods, the ground covered with tangling weeds and crawling ivy. Thick patches of nettles sprouted up between the trees, snatching at their fur. Cleo had to pick a couple of spindly stalks off her body as she climbed through them, and as the plants grew taller they had to shield their eyes as the prickly stems snapped back after the dragons passed through ahead of them.

A stagnant smell rose into the air and Cleo crinkled her nose, trying not to grimace. The ground became boggy and thick mud stuck to her paws as they squelched through the earth. The plants began to thin out as they changed variety to ones preferring the wet conditions. Long bullrushes poked through the water beside a long fallen tree, rotting and covered with fungus and moss. It lay stretched out across the swamp to rest at an island in the middle of it. Its branches had long since broken away to nothing more than rotten, splintered ends. The sound of running water could be heard in the distance from a river Cleo assumed was hidden behind the mass of bullrushes and other tall, green plants protruding from the swampy earth. Beyond that, the forest continued on, the large, old trees spreading their sparse branches budding with tiny green leaves.

The two dragons didn't take the fallen tree. Instead they waded through the shallow, filthy water towards the sound of the river.

“We have to walk through this?” Mischief dipped a toe in the water and grimaced.

Enigma appeared from thin air on the rotting tree and when he caught Mischief's forlorn look, he sighed.

“Fine,” he said. “If it makes you feel any better, I'll wade through it too.”

The Banette dropped into the swamp and flinched as it soaked through his fur.

Harlequin chuckled at him and waded past, following after the two dragons who were now waiting patiently beside a thick spread of bullrushes.

The water splashed around them and muddy trails rose up Cleo's white fur. When they emerged at the other side, the two dragons eyed them cautiously as they shook themselves dry, and Harbinger returned their look with a fierce leer, his entire body dyed grey from the swamp.

“It's here.” The Goodra pulled the long plants aside, and beyond them was the river running down from a small waterfall beside a knobbly tree which grew up on the other side of the river.

“What? The river?” Harbinger asked. “You should know full well all rivers flow away from the Shadow Lands. You're suggesting we swim upstream?” His glare made the Goodra back away slightly.

“Look beneath the tree,” she said.

They followed her gaze to the tree. Beneath it was a large hole, running down into the ground.

“I don't know how safe it is,” she said. “But it runs all the way to the lake beyond the walls.”

Harlequin dived into the river, and Cleo raised her paws to shield herself from the water that splashed up onto the bank. The Zorua clambered out on the other side, her fur dripping wet. She sniffed at the ground around the tree and poked her head inside. Cleo placed a paw to her chest as she watched anxiously, expecting a nasty Pokemon to grab Harlequin and pull her out of sight into the ground.

She pulled her head back out and looked over at them.

“It's been dug by Toxicroak.”

She swam back across the river to join them and shook herself dry, causing Cleo and Faith to leap back from her.

“Toxicroak used to live in this swamp,” she explained. “It's where I got my poison training. They were obviously preparing themselves for an attack on the Shadow Lands before they were wiped out, and that there is our evidence.” She nodded at the tunnel.

“You got your training here?” Spark asked.

“Yes. A Zangoose trained me.” She stared across the river at the knobbly tree. “Going off the evidence, I think she wanted to use me to help them infiltrate the Shadow Lands, much like I'm doing now.”

They sat in silence for a long while, and Cleo's heart felt heavy. Any moment now, this battle would take a sudden turn. She could feel the tension of those next to her, and the Goodra and Sliggoo fidgeted behind them as they watched the group anxiously.

“Okay.”

Harlequin's voice made Cleo jump and she looked down at the Zorua. Her blue eyes were still on the tunnel. She glanced up at them and stood, moving over to the water's edge.

“I'm going in,” she said. “You swim across to the other side, and wait by the tree. Keep any dark Pokemon away. If I'm not back out by the time the sun rises tomorrow...”

“Stop it, Harle.” She looked up at Enigma and he returned her look with a frown. “You will be back.”

She stared up at him and smiled, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She appeared to be about to say something but instead she looked away sharply and dived into the river with a splash. Cleo's blood turned into ice as she watched the Zorua clamber back out on the other side and vanish into the hole, out of sight.

It was on. The plan was officially in action.

...​

Cleo's fur still felt damp from swimming through the river. She stood hugging herself as she stared anxiously at the gaping hole beneath the tree. Harlequin had been gone for a while now, and the sun was starting to set painting the sky in a vivid red.

That red sky had been a regular occurrence throughout Cleo's entire life. It was just something that happened when the sun set, but now it seemed ominous. Dangerous. They were stood in the thick of it. The Border Woods. A place of danger where the dark and dragon Pokemon patrolled regularly; where other Pokemon rarely left alive.

“It's getting dark.”

The words startled her as they came out of her mouth and she hugged herself tighter.

“We could hide in the hole?” Spark suggested. “That way, we'll be out of sight.”

The Goodra and Sliggoo stood on the other side of the river, watching them with wide eyes. They shifted uneasily and glanced away from the group, their eyes drifting to the sky.

“You don't need to wait with us,” Cleo told them. “You may as well hide.”

“That's what we're doing,” said Spark. “Come on, let's get in that hole and -”

With a splat, a glob of slime spread across the hole. Spark let out a squeak of surprise and snapped to look round at the two dragons. They backed away from them slowly, looking from the group to the now blocked hole. The Goodra wiped a paw across her mouth, scattering slime onto the floor. She threw her head back and let out a guttural howl. The Sliggoo copied her, the awful sound echoing through the woods.

Harbinger roared and lurched forwards, flicking his horn and sending a flurry of air at the two dragons. It struck the ground where they'd been standing as they leapt backwards and took off into the swamp, vanishing beneath the murky surface.

Shrill shrieks followed, and erratic wing beats vibrated through the canopy.

“Noibat!” Harbinger hissed.

A deep rumble shook the branches and dark, winged shapes descended upon them. Some small, some large.

Cleo felt her heart sink. Noivern... no one survived a fight with a Noivern. They got lucky once, but now it was dark. They were in their element. They couldn't fight them. No this many!

They moved so quickly, their bodies blending with the shadows. Wherever they looked, those bats were there. There was nowhere to run. Spark leapt from Cleo's shoulder, her whiskers sparking, but before her paws could hit the ground she was snatched up in a pair of sharp talons.

“I got a snack! I got a snack!”

The little Noibat chuckled as he waved the startled Dedenne in his claws.

The look of surprise soon left Spark's face and a flash of lightning flooded the canopy, engulfing the little Noibat. He shrieked and Spark plummeted back to the ground.

Cleo rushed through the darting bats to catch her, but pain shot through her back. She landed face first in the dirt as wicked claws dug into her shoulder and lifted her from the ground. Spark's tiny body bounced across the ground as a Noibat hit her with his head. The dragon clutching Cleo grabbed the Dedenne in his jaws and shook her violently.

“Put her down!” Cleo screamed.

The Noivern shot her a leer and chuckled.

Spark hung limply in his mouth and gave a small groan. One crush of his jaws and she would be gone. Cleo's breathing was heavy as she frowned up at the dragon, not daring unfurl her ears to strike him or any of the others.

The whole flock was on them now, darting about and shrieking, beating their wings and creating utter chaos. She saw Harbinger try to fight off hundreds of the little bats and Noivern, and one of the larger dragons tossed him into the air and caught him by his shoulder. Faith had taken her mega form, but two Noivern had hold of each horn as she flailed in their grip. Mischief hung flailing in the air by his neck as two Noibat beat him back and forth like a pendulum, their faces split in wicked grins as they laughed at the helpless Whimsicott.

Enigma was fighting off three Noivern while trying to avoid a cloud of Noibat snapping at his body. He vanished and reappeared a foot away only to be engulfed in bats once more. Another warp was met by a dragon breath from one of the Noivern and the massive bat was on him in a flash, his claws digging into the Banette's neck.

“Unless you want your friends to die, I suggest you co-operate, ghost!” His voice boomed, amplified by his large ears.

Enigma closed his eyes in defeat as the dragon raised him into the air.

His words seemed to ring through the rest of the group. The struggles from the other Pokemon came to an abrupt stop as their concerns went out to their friends. The shrill screeches from the Noibat stopped and the air was filled with the heavy, frightened breathing from the Outcasts.

“Made a stupid mistake, didn't you?!” the Noivern went on as he leered at the rest of the Outcasts. Cleo assumed this one must be their boss. A large scar ran down over his left eye which crinkled as he pulled his lips back in a sneer and laughed. “Can't trust a dragon. Not even a rebel. Funny what they'll do in exchange for their own lives, isn't it?”

Cleo's heart hammered in her chest. The ground seemed so far away now. Far away and deadly, should the Noivern drop her.

“Outcasts breaching the borders.” The boss Noivern looked over the group and his eyes rested on Mischief. “Oh ho! And there's the Whimsicott! I'm guessing the one that killed our Boomer?” He laughed, sending shivers through Cleo's spine. “That little runt gave him so much trouble? If I weren't obeying orders I'd pull him to bits myself!”

“No!” Cleo covered her mouth with her paws as the Noivern's eyes locked onto her. Her heart was hammering so much she was convinced the Noivern could hear it.

His face spread into a wicked grin and he gave one last look over the helpless Pokemon before turning his attention to the rest of the bats. “Bring 'em in! And if any of 'em struggle...” he chuckled drily and locked his eyes back on Cleo. “Kill 'em all.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

A/N - Warning - this chapter contains reference to a character's history of abuse.

66 – The Price of Poison​

The narrow tunnel spread out into a wide cavern. Harlequin sped through it, her ears pricked for any sign of danger. It had been a quiet journey, for which she was very grateful. The tunnel had been smooth, unhindered, and it had joined what appeared to be an old nest for a water dwelling Pokemon such as Floatzel or Swampert. Whatever it was, it had been big.

The ground sloped downward, becoming more damp the further she went. Water reached her paws and she paused, staring into the dark, shallow water. This was the lake. She had to keep her head above the water, and when it got too deep, duck and keep heading up.

She gave herself a nod and waded in until the water reached her chin. She took a deep breath and kicked herself beneath the surface, then darted upward. It was deep. That cavern had been dug deep beneath the lake and a small panic filled her chest. Her lungs felt like they were going to burst and she kicked harder, pushing herself closer to what she hoped was the surface.

But what if she was going the wrong way?

She panicked again, and a stream of bubbles left her mouth.

No. She couldn't panic. She had a job to do.

The pressure in the water lessened and her nose broke through the surface of the lake. She took in a deep breath and looked around her, gasping. The moon was high above her, its reflection rippling violently on the surface of the water.

Fortunately no one had seen her. The lake was surrounded by thick bushes and just beyond them she could make out a herd of Deino.

She let her illusion wash over her and pushed herself towards the bank. When she moved through those bushes, what they would see would be a disoriented, wet Deino. One that had fallen in the river after wandering blindly into the bushes.

The ground on the other side was wide and bare, and in the distance she could see that dark castle with its long flight of steps. Her heart began to race. She couldn't give up now. Not while she was so close.

She gave the herd of Deino a wide girth. If they smelled her, her plan would be over. Deviating away from the group wouldn't be odd behaviour, all things considered. Deino were blind. Blind and stupid. They might have a good sense of smell, but they couldn't even follow their own noses.

She stifled a chuckle and kept pressing on. Things were going well. If she managed to make it to those stairs...

A Weavile moved into view and climbed onto the staircase. He paused and looked out at the courtyard, his ears and nose twitching. His eyes trailed over the Deino herd, frowning at their foolish fight as they raked wounds onto the backs of their brothers. Then he spotted Harlequin – or a lone Deino – strutting with confidence towards the stairs.

Harlequin berated herself under her breath and turned sharply, moving off her path towards the Deino herd, then stopped, sniffing at the air. She then turned a full one-eighty and walked the other way. This seemed to satisfy the Weavile as he turned and went back to the castle door.

Harlequin smirked and turned towards the stairs again. They were so close now. Her heart hit her throat as her paw touched the bottom step. There was no sign of the Weavile. She assumed he'd gone into the castle to take on door duties.

She dragged herself onto the stairs and yelped, her illusion failing as a searing pain shot through her back. She felt herself lifted into the air and all wind flew out of her mouth as her back struck the hard, cold ground.

The leering face of a Honchkrow appeared above her and she choked as his talons dug into her throat.

“Well, well, well.” Yurlik clicked his beak and grinned. “Look who's come back!”

She screamed as he dug his talons further into her neck.

“I wouldn't be so worried if you hadn't shown up in disguise. That's where your little plan failed, Harlequin. I can practically smell the poison.” He lowered his beak to her face and she flinched away from him. “I'd heard there were Outcasts in the Border Woods. I assume they're friends of yours? I mean... why else would you be back here, rebel?!”

No... she closed her eyes, fighting back tears. She wasn't going to give this foul bird the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Enigma's voice echoed in her mind. 'You will be back.'

'I'm sorry.' She screwed her eyes shut and fought back a whimper. 'I've failed...'

Shrill screeches filled the air. Her ears twitched and she strained to follow the Honchkrow's eyes as he looked up in the direction of the wall. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she heard the beating wings of a flock of large, flying Pokemon.

He tutted and looked back down at her.

“Looks like they've found your friends. I guess I'll let him deal with you.”

No... she grit her teeth as Yurlik lifted her from the ground. The wing beats grew louder and louder, followed by a deep rumble that seemed to shake the very ground. Noibat landed on the castle walls, their upside-down faces leering at her. A series of thuds resounded behind her and she twisted in the large bird's talons. The courtyard had exploded into activity now as small Sneasel, Scraggy and other dark Pokemon left the barracks to see what was going on. Four Noivern stood out amongst them, holding captive Pokemon in their claws, pressing them against the ground.

Her friends...

Her heart sank.

She'd failed.

It was over.

Yurlik smacked his beak against the door.

“Open the door, rat!”

The Weavile opened the door and frowned at Yurlik. When he saw Harlequin and the group of Noivern, his frown fell and he leapt aside, letting the Honchkrow and the dragons enter. The Noivern shot the Weavile filthy looks as they passed, dragging their captives along the dirty tiles.

When Harlequin saw the double doors with their trident pattern of a Hydreigon, her heart hit her throat and beat against her rib cage.

This wasn't it.

It couldn't be over.

She closed her eyes as the doors swung open and she found herself tossed to the ground. The sound of gasps and yelps from her friends echoed in the room as they skidded along the ground beside her. When she opened her eyes again, she was sprawled before the massive Hydreigon. All three of his heads looked at her, and her heart almost froze in her chest.

“Harlequin,” he growled. He looked round at the rest of the Pokemon. “And Enigma?! I thought you were dead!”

He looked up at Yurlik and the Honchkrow gulped.

“I guess I was mistaken, my lord.”

Hydreigon growled, a deep rumble that shook the room. Harlequin could make out the shapes of Sneasel and Weavile, along with a couple of Scrafty, slink across the room.

“You've done your job, Noivern,” said Hydreigon. “And Yurlik... Get out of my sight.”

“Erm...” Yurlik faltered in the doorway. “What about those trainees who just snuck in?”

“Leave them. They were nosey enough to walk in. I want them to see what happens to those who rebel against me.”

The other dark Pokemon pressed themselves up against the wall as looks of uncertainty crossed their faces. Several of them looked to the door as it closed loudly behind the Honchkrow.

Hydreigon let out a single laugh and looked up at the group of captives.

“Well. Isn't this interesting. You've not only joined the Outcasts, you've picked up a filthy Absol along the way.”

Harlequin pushed herself to her feet, but one of Hydreigon's heads crashed down on her, knocking her back to the ground.

“Don't you dare stand! I'll decide what to do with you!”

She strained to look at her friends. They were lined up against the wall beside the Noivern. The small number of trainees cowered in the corners, and she could hear some shuffling against the wall behind her.

“I heard you were friends with an Absol once. One that Yurlik was sent to track down and kill. But it looks like that pathetic bird can't even finish a simple job!” The dragon aimed one of his heads at Enigma which was returned with a leer from the Banette. “Personally, I think I should kill you all,” Hydreigon went on. “But I think it would be much more interesting if I played a little bargaining game with you.”

He looked back down at Harlequin and her heart hammered against her ribcage.

“I don't like Absol,” he said. “I hate them. They're filthy Pokemon that bring disasters. Vermin.” He leant his large head on one of his smaller ones and stared at her. Her blood had begun to boil and she could feel the fur on her hackles bristling. “Here's the thing. I can simply kill all of you now. Or... you can kill that Absol.”

Harlequin gasped, her eyes widening slowly. “What?”

“Bring it here!”

Hydreigon's voice boomed around the room. The Noivern holding Harbinger leapt into action and dragged him across the room so he was standing on Hydreigon's other side. The room was filled with voices as the trainees discussed what might be going on, but the other captives were silent. Harlequin could see Enigma seething and Faith had covered her mouth with her paws as she watched the Absol dragged to his feet. He limped heavily on his left leg, the white fur of his shoulder coated with blood where the Noivern had grabbed him.

“Silence!”

The room fell into silence and Hydreigon turned his wicked eyes back onto Harlequin.

“I know you have a Nidoking horn. It's what your famous for. Now. It's quite simple,” he said. “You kill the Absol, or I'll kill all of you.”

“I...” Harlequin looked at Harbinger. He kept his head low but his red eyes were fixed on her. “I can't...”

Hydreigon examined one of his other heads boredly. “Do you want me to kill your friends?”

Harlequin looked over at her friends. She'd never seen them look so afraid. Cleo was hugging herself, while the Noivern above her held Spark's limp body. Faith was looking from Harlequin to Harbinger, her paws still clasped over her mouth. Mischief was visibly shaking next to Enigma who was no longer able to look at her. She closed her eyes and looked away, but Harbinger caught her gaze and she looked up at him.

“Well?” Hydreigon growled. “What will it be?”

Harbinger met her eyes and nodded. Then he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

No...

Harlequin choked back a sob and looked away from him. Then she reached into her bag, pulling out the Nidoking horn.

“Good. Now kick your bag over here.”

She looked away from the dragon and dropped her bag to the ground. She kicked it and one of the Weavile leapt out of the shadows to grab it.

No anti-venom. She had to do this right.

One chance...

One chance to spare all of her friends.

One chance to miss, and hope Harbinger would play along.

She clutched the horn in her jaws and closed her eyes tight, running past Harbinger. She felt the horn snatch and the Absol grunted.

Tears leaked from her closed eyes and trickled down her face. Had she missed? She hoped desperately she'd missed.

The following thud behind her caused her heart to leap into her throat as Harbinger collapsed to the ground.

“Excellent! Now...” Hydreigon laughed. “Get that filthy thing out of here! Throw him in the lake. That should finish him off.” He paused and a nasty smile spread across his face. “As for the rest of them... take them out of here and kill them.”

Harlequin's heart lurched.

Lies?!

She glanced back at Harbinger, lying sprawled on the ground. The claws of a Noivern fastened around his neck as he dragged him across the room.

Harlequin's blood boiled.

She turned the horn in her jaws and lunged at Hydreigon. The horn plunged deep into his side and he threw back his head in a thundering howl. The walls of the room shook and he opened his mouth wide, sending a stream of darkness across the room and striking the double doors. They flew open the wrong way, the hinges splintering and sending small shards of wood into the air. The Pokemon exploded into action, many of them racing for the open door, pushing through those waiting on the other side and bursting through into the hallway.

The Noivern beat the air with their wings, and a flash exploded through the room. Three of the Noivern were caught in the blast, electricity dancing across their wings as they faltered mid-flight.

Hydreigon turned his head towards Harlequin, his eyes flashing with fury as another dark pulse streamed from his mouth, arcing down towards her. She leapt into the air to avoid it, dropping the Nidoking horn onto the ground. Her claws skid across the tiles as she made for the door, her eyes not leaving the Noivern with Harbinger. She dodged a Sneasel and Scrafty as they rushed to intersect her, giving the latter a hefty kick as she flew over their heads, and before she knew it, she was out of the door and into the hallway.

...​

The room had exploded into utter chaos. Cleo lashed out with her claws as a Noivern lunged at her, barring their exit to the door. He reeled back and struck her with his wing, catching Mischief and knocking her feet right out from under her. She landed hard on her stomach. When her eyes opened, she looked up into the open mouth of the Noivern. A deadly blast of purple light flew from his jaws, aiming straight for her face.

“Cleo!”

The form of the tiny Dedenne appeared right in the midst of the blast.

Cleo screamed.

“Spark!”

Spark was engulfed in the dragon breath. Cleo's heart almost stopped as she stared at the spot the Dedenne had landed. Mere inches from her nose.

The blast washed over her like water. As it subsided she stood there, completely unharmed. She looked down at her paws as the Noivern backed away from her, completely perplexed.

Cleo's heart raced. What had just happened? Was Spark... part fairy?!

Spark's large eyes locked back onto the Noivern, and she leapt into the air, striking him on the nose.

He fell back with a grunt and she kicked him in the mouth before diving over him into the madness.

“Cleo! Get a move on!”

Spark was right. She didn't have time to think over this. She stood up and ran after her, hopping over the unconscious Noivern. Spark ran through the path created by Faith and Enigma. Mischief ran behind her, not daring to look back.

They burst through the front door, and the first thing Cleo saw was the fierce, gaping mouth of a massive white dragon. He roared, blowing back many of the smaller dragons and angry Sneasel. He swerved away, giving Cleo and the others space to run into the courtyard. Alongside him flew a Salamence, Flygon and Altaria.

The ground was teaming with dark and dragon Pokemon, so many species Cleo couldn't keep track of them all. A herd of Garchomp and Gabite rushed at them and from the left and on the right stood a pack of Mighteyena. Weavile flexed their claws and raised them as they rushed from the shadows alongside Sneasel and Purrloin.

Surrounded. They were completely surrounded.

“Grab Cleo!” Reshiram bellowed.

A wave of noise rippled through the air as the Salamence roared, blowing back the Weavile and their allies and scattering the Mighteyena. He dropped from the sky, grabbing Mischief, Cleo and Spark and throwing them onto his back. One of the Garchomp landed where she'd been standing and turned his head up to them in a blind rage. A dragon breath flew from his mouth straight at the Salamence. He swerved back, catching his tail in the attack, but he didn't so much as flinch.

She caught sight of Faith below, beating off Garchomp, Gabite and Fraxure with her dual horns. Fire attacks streamed from their mouths, singing the Mawile's fur. Cleo's heart sank as the Mawile's mega form failed and her attacks began to falter.

Reshiram shot from the sky and did a back-flip, flames exploding from his tail. The Garchomp herd was split in two as they scattered to avoid the attack. Many of them were caught in the flames and lay motionless on the floor.

The Flygon streaked from the sky and scooped up Faith in his claws and the Mawile looked up at him with a relieved smile.

Cleo let out a sigh of relief. She was all right.

The Altaria swerved past them, blowing back several more of the dragon Pokemon with a loud hyper voice.

“It's Starshine!” she heard Faith shout.

Cleo looked up at the Altaria. Sat astride its back was a Riolu, his attention fully focused on the battle.

Tinker?

The Salamence swerved to avoid a chain of dragon breaths fired from the Noivern and Noibat flock, and Cleo lost her focus on the Riolu as she ducked one, feeling the heat as it skimmed her right ear.

“We can't fight them!” she told the Salamence. “There are too many of them, and they're Noivern!”

“A dragon move will work,” he told her. “Besides, they're not going to use their signature attack within hearing range of their allies.”

He opened his mouth and screamed out a hyper voice. The Noivern flinched back and some of the Noibat lost their balance and fell to the ground.

“We need a ranged fairy attack!” Faith shouted. She looked up at the Flygon. “Get me close to the Altaria!”

“Really?” The Flygon's voice was drowned with vibrations, but Cleo could still make out its words even amongst the chaos.

“Trust me!” Faith unfastened the Altarianite from her wrist. “Get me as close as you can.”

The Flygon fired a dragon breath at a Noivern that got too close, knocking the giant bat from the sky to land on top of two Sneasel, crushing them beneath its body. He darted towards Starshine and Faith reached out to the young Altaria.

“Take this!” she told him.

“What are you doing, Mawile?” Tinker barked.

“It's Altarianite. Take it!”

Starshine didn't question it. He let Faith fasten the tiny bangle around his leg.

“As soon as your form changes, fire a hyper voice. Don't even think over it, just do it. Okay?”

Starshine opened his mouth, a look of confusion spreading across his face. A dragon breath exploded inches from his beak as the Flygon countered it with one of his own. Starshine shook his head sharply then nodded.

Faith raised her paw with the other bangle and Starshine was engulfed in light. The flock of Noibat heading towards him faltered momentarily as the light exploded from Starshine and he lurched backwards, causing Tinker to clutch onto his back, now almost completely hidden in a white, downy fluff.

Starshine opened his beak wide and fired a hyper voice at the Noibat. It engulfed them in a pink light and they screamed, dropping from the sky to land on the floor amongst the bodies of their fallen brethren.

One of the Noivern watched his flock fall then turned a livid glare onto the Altaria. The scar over his eye crinkled in disgust. He flashed his canines and opened his mouth, his ears beginning to vibrate. A dull throb filled the air.

“No!” The Salamance flapped his wings and flew backwards. He looked round at his comrades. “Quick! Get out of here!”

An indescribable sound filled the air. Cleo flinched, pressing her paws over her ears. She couldn't even see. The noise drowned out anything else around them. The ground seemed to give way below her and she felt like she was falling.

Her body lurched against the Salamence's back as a muffled yelp brought the awful sound to an abrupt stop. Cleo opened her eyes, steadying herself on the Salamence. He shook his head sharply and rubbed at his ears with his claws.

The Noivern had dropped from the sky, and Starshine was reeling back, trying to catch his breath. The numbers below them had dropped as many of the Pokemon were pressing themselves into the ground with their paws over their heads. The ones who were still standing rallied themselves and launched their attacks into the air at the disoriented dragons. Despite the lower numbers, there were still too many of them, and they were recovering fast. The ground was like a heaving mass of black bodies and flapping wings.

Their attacks came quick and heavy, the ice attacks from the Sneasel and Weavile mixing with the dark pulses and dragon breaths from the rest of their allies. The Flygon found himself coated in a film of ice which slowed his movements drastically and a dark pulse struck him in the stomach. He winced, almost dropping Faith from his frozen grip. She let out a yell of surprise and clutched on to his arms with her paws.

The Salamence swerved to dodge falling pillars of ice that struck the ground like rocks, leaving craters in the hard soil. A stream of fire flew from Reshiram's mouth and melted the attacks that followed.

The fallen Noibat and Noivern were rapidly gaining altitude, their shrill cries splitting the air. They dodged Reshiram's flamethrower and arced up towards them.

“Back up!” the Salamence ordered. His voice still sounded wobbly to Cleo's throbbing ears. “Back up! We're still outnumbered!”

“Come on, Mossfly!” The Sableye atop the Flygon steered him away from the ice attacks. “Get a wiggle on!”

The four dragons shot towards the wall. The Noibat and Noivern darted past them, firing an endless stream of dragon breaths.

“Hope!” Reshiram roared.

A flash of purple light flew from his shoulders, knocking back the flock of bats. A Gardevoir stood on his back, her eyes locked on the disoriented Noivern. Her balance was remarkable. Reshiram moved so he was flying over Starshine, the Salamence and Flygon.

The world seemed to warp around them, and in a flash they were hovering in a clearing. A low, dirty building squatted in the middle of it.

Silence.

It was almost deafening.

Cleo could hear her ears humming from the boomburst and she grimaced. Normally she was used to her ears humming with power, but this was nothing like it. She wished desperately it would stop.

The dragons landed, and Cleo slipped from the Salamence's back. Mischief landed next to her and looked around him.

“Where are we?”

“The lab,” said the Salamence. “We should be safe here.”

Hope was looking up at the canopy, her arms raised above her head. She gave a nod and looked at the others.

“They won't see us. This place will look empty to them.”

“You're back?”

The small voice sounded too familiar. Cleo looked round at the building. Standing in the doorway were two dragons – a Goodra and a Sliggoo.

“You!” Mischief pointed at them. “You! You tricked us!”

He advanced towards them, but Hope cut in front of him. “Don't! They're friends.”

“But... they tricked us! It's their fault we got attacked!”

The Goodra and Sliggoo ducked back inside the building, peering back out at them. Their entire bodies trembled, dripping slime onto the doorstep.

“It's their fault we failed!”

“You're wrong.”

Mischief looked back at Reshiram. The large, white dragon stared down at him with a look none of them had seen before. His usual jovial expression was intimidatingly serious, and he seemed a lot larger.

“Your plan would never have worked,” he said. “It's not their fault Harlequin was caught. You're fortunate only one of you has been killed. You're fortunate we heard of your foolish plan and leapt into action!”

Cleo and Mischief cowered away from him, not wanting to meet his eyes. Spark huddled further into her collar. Even Faith couldn't look Reshiram in the eye.

“What were you thinking?” His voice came out softer and he shook his head.

Hope placed a paw on Faith's shoulder and she gave it a reassuring squeeze. “We'll talk about this later. Right now, we have other matters to deal with.”

Faith followed the Gardevoir's gaze around the clearing and her eyes widened. She let out a gasp and span, looking back out at the trees.

“The lake...”

Her violet eyes were wide. She turned to look at Hope, and tears trailed down her face.

“Harlequin and Enigma aren't here!” She covered her mouth with her paws and stared up at Hope. “They were taking Harbinger to the lake. I think Harlequin went after him.”

Cleo followed the Mawile's gaze back to the trees. “And that would mean Enigma's gone after her.”

“What do you suggest we do?” Reshiram asked. “If any of us go after them, we'll be attacked.”

“He's right,” said the Salamence. “They're in an uproar after what you lot have just done.”

Hope narrowed her eyes at the dragon. “Calm down, Ripwing. I agree their actions were foolish, but there's no need to point blame. Especially when two of their friends may be in danger.”

Ripwing?

Cleo looked round at the Salamence, but her attention was torn as a snort came from Tinker.

He crossed his arms and leant back against the building. “I agree with him. There's no point going after the foolish assassins. I say we leave them. Lesson learned.”

The Salamence fixed him with a leer. “I never said that.”

“No. You're wrong.” Hope stared at Tinker for a moment then looked away. “I'll go and find them. The lake, you said?”

“Try the swamp,” said Cleo. “There's a tunnel there. But don't go alone. I can-”

“No. Take us.”

Cleo looked back at the building. The Goodra and Sliggoo stepped out of it, and the Goodra held her paws together as she gingerly approached the Gardevoir.

“We want to help,” she said. “We blocked up the tunnel. You don't need to touch it, we can clear it away.”

Hope nodded and smiled. “Okay. Show me where it is. We'll teleport.”

...​

The cold water was dyed an inky black by the night sky. Streams of bubbles came from Harlequin's mouth as she forced herself towards the sinking body of the Absol. Kick after kick moved her closer, but he still continued to fall deeper and deeper.

She surged forwards two more times and caught his ruff in her jaws.

With another kick, she rose upwards, forcing her eyes to stay open under the lake's surface. The black, gaping hole of the cavern was visible even in the dark depths. She kicked herself forward, dragging Harbinger beneath her. Her chest felt tight and complained with lack of oxygen, but she didn't care. All she wanted to do was get Harbinger into that cavern. To check him over and make sure that horn hadn't wounded him. She hoped desperately he'd just played along. Hoped desperately the only reason he wasn't swimming was because of his wounded shoulder.

Her paws met the lip of the cavern and she dragged herself inside. She turned and moved backwards, dragging Harbinger through the deep water and up the slope to safety. When his head reached the surface he coughed violently, a spray of water flying from his mouth and he pushed himself onto his front, bringing it all back up from his chest. He dragged himself the rest of the way out of the lake and onto the dry ground of the tunnel.

His coughs filled the empty tunnel, and in the darkness Harlequin could make out his body lurching with the effort. She moved over to him, trailing her nose over his body.

Poison.

She could smell it.

Her heart sank and she fell down next to him.

“I'm sorry, Harbie.” Tears leaked out of her eyes and she groaned as she groped for her missing bag. “I can't do anything. I don't have the anti-venom. They took it.”

“Forget about it.” She felt his large paw on her back. “I didn't expect to leave alive.”

“But... I don't want you to die.” Her voice choked and she moved into him, burying her face into his chest. “It's my fault. I made a stupid mistake!”

His breathing echoed off the walls as he fought to catch his breath. He fastened his paw around her back and she sobbed into his fur.

“We all make mistakes,” he said.

She wound her claws into his fur and sniffed.

“I've made a few,” he went on. “I thought you'd abandoned me, so I tried to kill you. That's two.”

She shook her head against his chest.

“What happened that night, Harlequin?”

Her eyes snapped open and she stared at her paw.

“You seemed so scared,” he said. “I thought you'd given me away. After Yurlik appeared, I'd assumed it was a trick. But you were terrified. Why?”

She screwed her eyes shut and let out a small whine. It wasn't something she wanted to relive ever. But she needed to tell him... If she didn't, he'd never know.

She took in a wobbly breath and tightened her grip on his fur. “My father.”

He didn't say anything, but his breathing still echoed around the cavern.

“I was only learning poison because of him,” she explained. “Alia was teaching me. A Zangoose who lived in the swamp. She was reluctant to let me graduate and take the Nidoking horn, but I was desperate. You see... my father hated me. He thought everything about me was wrong. I wasn't what he wanted at all, so he'd beat me. Every time I went home, if our paths crossed, he'd get so angry at the mere sight of me. But he never wanted me to leave the nest either. I had to sneak out, and I took those lessons with Alia to get rid of him.

“But that night was different. He went too far, and it frightened me. I was desperate to get that horn, so I planned to go into the swamp after Alia went to sleep and steal it. I went to see you first, then ran to the swamp. Two massive mistakes. I was seen. After I poisoned the water, I ran to the den to find you. Yurlik caught me as I reached it. You were gone, he told me you'd been killed. And so had Alia and the other Pokemon living in the swamp.” She sobbed and buried her face into his chest. “All because I wanted to get rid of my father.”

Harbinger's body stiffened and she felt his claws against her spine. She didn't want to look at him. The tears kept coming and her body shook with sobs.

“I don't understand,” he said. “Why would any Pokemon do that? In what way were you 'wrong'?”

She shook her head and took in a shaky breath. “He didn't want a daughter.”

Silence filled the tunnel once more, broken only by Harbinger's rasping breath. For a moment, she thought she heard a bell echo off the tunnel walls, but Harbinger didn't appear to hear it. Maybe she was imagining things. He pulled her closer and pressed his nose between her ears.

“Well... at least I now know the answer... to one of my biggest mysteries.” His breathing was growing more rapid and his paw began to shake.

Fresh tears leaked out of Harlequin's eyes and she huddled into him.

“I always wondered what had happened to you... now I know. You were the first friend I ever made... and I thought you'd hurt me. It's good to know how wrong I was.”

“I'd never hurt you.” She sobbed violently and fought to catch her breath. “That's why... I can't stand that I've done this!” Sobs shook her body and her voice strained. “I'm so sorry, Harbie.”

His paw shifted and she felt it brush against her neck.

“Keep that mega stone,” he said. “You looked after it well. I know you won't let anything happen to it.”

She grit her teeth together, biting back a sob. This was it. It was over.

It couldn't be over.

“Please don't leave me...” her voice came out as a whisper.

He gave her a squeeze and his grip went slack, his paw lying heavily across her shoulder.

Tears streamed from her eyes and she clutched onto his fur. She didn't want to go. She couldn't leave him.

He was gone.

He was really gone.

She had no idea how long she lay there. It wasn't until her sobs lessened that she finally pulled herself away from him. As she dragged herself up, something hit the floor with a clatter. Her paw touched the anklet he'd been wearing for his mega stone.

It felt so final.

She closed her eyes and looked away. She couldn't bare too look at him lying there on the dark, wet floor.

Her fault.

It was all her fault.

She choked back a sob and picked up the anklet, then limped down the tunnel, following its bend. It seemed to take an eternity. Every step hurt. Every step was putting her further and further away from the first friend she'd ever made.

She'd never cared he was an Absol. The day she found him, he was terrified, running from the massacre of his clan. He thought she'd fear him, but she didn't.

He'd had no name. It had been stripped from him because of some foolish mistake he'd made.

One mistake. And it had cost him his clan.

When she'd asked, he'd answered, “They call me a harbinger. Does that count?”

She'd grinned. “Harbie! I like it!”

“What?! You do know what a harbinger is... right?”

“They foreshadow things.”

“Yes. And Absol are accused of foreshadowing disasters.”

“Then prove them wrong. Take the name and become a harbinger of good things.”

She groaned and her paw caught against the ground. She tripped, landing face first in the mud, the anklet skittering away into the tunnel.

If she hadn't let revenge get to her head, if she'd just run like he wanted them to, all this would have never happened.

He'd still be alive.

A bell echoed down the tunnel, growing louder as it moved closer to her with each footstep. She looked up to see Enigma standing over her. His expression was unreadable, cast in shadow. She wondered at first if he was actually there. The tunnel was very dark, but he didn't fade away like some hallucination.

No. She hadn't imagined it.

He'd heard everything.

Tears stung her eyes and she pushed herself to her feet. She shook her head and looked away from him.

“I know... you probably have a lot to ask me... you probably hate me... but...” Her voice choked. “I really need my friend right now.”

He stared at her for a moment then nodded.

She sobbed loudly and threw herself at him, knocking him backwards onto the floor. She buried her face into his scarf, his familiar spicy scent filling her nose.

“It's my fault!” she sobbed. “It's all my fault!”

His arms fastened tightly around her and she let her tears soak into his scarf. He brushed the back of her head with a paw and she felt her sobs lessen. She closed her eyes and buried her face into his chest.

“Why?” she whispered. “Why couldn't I save him?”

“I know how you feel,” he said quietly. “I've been there.”

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

67 – Tension​

Enigma winced as pain seared through his shoulder. “Do you mind not being so rough?”

“I'm not.” Faith spoke from behind him. She reached over him for a cloth and wiped the mashed berries from her paws. “Are you sure those Noivern weren't fighting over you?”

He snorted and fiddled with the hem of his scarf. “I got caught by a Weavile while chasing after...” He drifted off and his eyes trailed to a room on his right.

Faith followed his gaze and nodded slowly. “You should speak to her.”

He snorted again. “I don't think so, Faith.”

“She's your friend! And she's devastated right now.”

He hugged himself and stared blankly across the room. Since Hope had brought them back here, Harlequin had wandered into that nest, refusing to speak to anyone. Faith alone had managed to drag information out of her.

He'd hung back, watching the others have their wounds tended to, but Faith had been on him as soon as she was finished with Cleo.

He grimaced again as Faith pulled his scarf back down over his back.

“Anyway.” He looked back at her over his shoulder. “How come you aren't more scratched up?”

“I'm part steel type. I don't scratch easy.”

He eyed the singes on the ends of the fur hanging down her face. “You look like you got caught in a fire attack.”

“I dodged the worse of it.”

He chuckled. “You should teach me some of your moves.”

“All right.” She shifted round to his side and beamed. “After you speak to Harlequin.”

He muttered under his breath and stood up.

“I'm not ready for this,” he said flatly.

“You can't stay mad at her forever. She's been your friend for years.”

“Yes. And she let me believe she was a male the whole time.”

“Really?” Faith raised an eyebrow. “I don't think you've been being honest with yourself.”

He stared at her, his red eyes narrowing. The Mawile was showing no sign she didn't believe what she'd just said. She'd been reading Enigma like a book. He'd had his doubts and she knew it.

When Harlequin had been poisoned at the river, he'd wondered if he'd been playing the fool, but instead he'd locked away any doubts he'd had in the back of his mind. He didn't want to believe the Zorua was female, but that didn't make up for the fact she knew full well what he thought and had made no effort to correct him.

If she was really his friend, then why let him believe that?

He bared his teeth and looked away from Faith. “Fine. I'll speak to her.”

“Good. She needs you.” Faith wiped her paws absently on the sticky cloth. “You know what pain she's going through.”

He stared at her again and raised an eyebrow. “She told you, didn't she?”

She looked away from him and he felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end.

“Well, the difference here is she didn't have feelings for Harbinger.” He crossed his arms and looked over at the closed door of Harlequin's room. “Yet she told him faster than she told me.”

“Feelings or not, it still hurts, Enigma.” She sighed. “Besides. There might be a reason for that.”

He frowned. “She's spoken to you about this before hasn't she? How much do you know?”

She looked back at him and pursed her lips together, winding the cloth tightly around her paw. “I think you should go and speak to her yourself.”

He huffed and turned away from her, marching across the grass to the room. The outlaw's hideout was built into a square with a courtyard in the middle. It served as a place to grow their berry orchard behind the protection of the low walls. Most of the trees and bushes were quite young and hadn't grown high enough to be seen over the walls of the building.

There were more Pokemon living here than he'd thought, including that Goodra and her brother. But there were still enough empty rooms should any extra Pokemon join their group.

It was still dark, and the moon cast its light down into the courtyard providing enough for what Pokemon still remained awake. Those who'd had their wounds tended had gone off to their nests. There was every chance Harlequin wasn't even awake.

He stopped in front of the closed door and stared at it. His blood was boiling. Harlequin hadn't outright lied to him, but she knew he thought she was male, and her refusal to correct him bordered on blatant inconsideration.

Why?!

He pushed the door open and there, looking small and helpless in a large nest, was Harlequin.

A female Zorua with blue markings.

The moonlight glistened off the tears on her face, but she wasn't sobbing any more. Maybe she wasn't actually awake? She'd probably cried herself to sleep.

The story he'd heard her tell Harbinger came rushing back, stifling the rage that had been building up inside him. Of course there had to be a reason she'd not said anything. Maybe she was too scared to. If she'd grown up in an environment like that, it was no wonder she'd been so jumpy when he first met her. And that nightmare she'd had... she'd almost bitten him. She'd worried about someone hiding in the water... it was so obvious now. It still haunted her.

If that was the case, then if she was scared of being hurt again then she'd take advantage of those around her thinking she was male and play along with it.

But did she really have any reason to be scared of him?

Did she really think he'd hurt her like that?

Frightened faces of cowering Pokemon filled his mind. He could almost see his own leering over them as they tried to dodge his claws. He fell back against the door and it closed with an audible slam.

Of course... of course she'd be scared of him.

“Enigma?”

He hadn't been aware he'd been hiding his face behind his paws. He looked over them at her. She'd lifted her head enough to look at him. Her blue eyes glistened in the dim light.

“You hate me,” he said.

“What?”

“You're scared of me. That's why you didn't tell me, isn't it?”

“No!”

“You must be! You've seen what life I've led!”

“I met you before we were forced to do assassinations, Enigma.” Her voice cracked and she looked away from him. “You don't even do that any more. Like me, you've changed. Even when I thought we were enemies, I knew you'd never hurt me.”

His fur bristled again. “Then what kind of game are you playing?!”

She stared down at the hay, avoiding his eyes. He couldn't tell, but he thought he saw a couple of tears hit the dry hay.

“I can't... do this,” he said.

She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide and her jaw dropped. “What?”

“I can't be around you.” He turned his back to her and reached for the handle.

“No! Don't...” Her words were cut off as a sob shook her. “Don't leave me...”

“I don't understand you!” He clutched the handle of the door until his knuckles turned white beneath his fur. “If you're not scared of me, then what reason did you have to not tell me?!”

He pulled the door open and stormed out onto the grass.

“Enigma, no!” Harlequin wailed and he flinched as he pulled the door closed after him. “I don't want to lose you too!”

It hurt.

“Enigma, please! Don't leave me!”

It really hurt.

He marched over the grass, not even seeing where he was going. A snatch at his paw brought him to a halt and he finally opened his eyes to look back.

Faith's violet gaze locked onto his and he looked down at her paw clutching his wrist.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Leaving.”

“You can't just leave her like that!”

He looked away from her and let the density fall from his paw. “I'm sorry, Faith.” It glided effortlessly through her grip as he walked away. “I need some time to think.”

She watched him fade away from view as he walked across the orchard. When he was gone, she placed a paw to her chest and looked back at Harlequin's room. The Zorua's cries of despair were muffled only by the closed, wooden door.

...​

Yurlik nudged open the double doors and peered inside. The large form of Hydreigon lay curled at the back of the room, but as soon as a trickle of candlelight seeped through the crack one of his red eyes fixed on the Honchkrow.

“Good evening, my lord.” Yurlik strutted into the room, leaving the doors ajar. “It's good to see you're looking a little better.”

Hydreigon's lips pulled back from his teeth and he let out a low snarl.

“I've brought Rumble, like you asked.”

A Weavile and a Scrafty jerked through the door, dragging a struggling Noivern. His muzzle was crinkled in disgust and his two yellow eyes were so wide open they made the long scar on his face look smaller.

Hydreigon raised his head to look at the panicked Noivern.

“So this is the one who cost us the battle?” he growled.

“I cost you nothing!” Rumble roared, his amplified voice shaking the walls. “Besides, I didn't see that fat Honchkrow fighting for us, did you?!” He fixed his yellow eyes on Yurlik.

Yurlik rustled his feathers. “I was with my flock looking for that cocoon!”

“Silence!”

Hydreigon's voice reverberated off the walls and all eyes went to the dragon. He'd lowered his head again, but his red eyes were burning with a fierce fury.

“You were stupid enough to use boomburst in the middle of a battlefield! You knocked down a huge number of my troops and let those rebels and Outcasts get away!”

“They vanished into thin air!” Rumble screamed. “I did nothing wrong!”

Hydreigon raised his head and Rumble cowered back behind the Scrafty.

“Really?” Hydreigon smirked. “Nothing wrong? Only wiped out half my troops in one foolish move?”

“They got up again.”

Hydreigon lay back down and yawned. “Kill him.”

The Weavile and Scrafty gave the Noivern an apologetic look and ushered him from the room. Yurlik puffed out his chest and made to follow them, but no sooner had he reached the door he felt his feathers stand on end.

“Yurlik?”

He looked back at Hydreigon. “Yes, my lord?”

“Have you found that cocoon yet?”

“Oh.” He hopped round to face him. “We may have done. We're just excavating what we think might be the cocoon on the Northern isle.”

Hydreigon raised an eyebrow.

Yurlik raised a wing and shook his head. “I didn't want to get your hopes up quite yet. We may be wrong.”

A low growl filled the room and Yurlik shuddered from head to foot.

“For your sake,” Hydreigon rumbled, “hope you're right.”

...​

Cleo sat between Mischief and Spark, nibbling away at an assortment of dried meats and a small helping of berries. The conversation at the table was sporadic at best. A lot of the Pokemon gave the Outcasts and Faith curious glances. With them sat Tinker and Starshine, the Sliggoo, a Grovyle who'd introduced herself as Mint, a Vigoroth, Plusle, the Sableye and a pair of Axew. Apparently there were more Pokemon living in this hideout, but a some of them had gone outside to accompany Reshiram who was too tall to enter the building, whereas others stayed hidden in their nests. One of those was Harlequin. The Zorua refused to get up and join them.

She looked out of the window at the Pokemon grouped outside. Reshiram was laughing as he chatted to the other dragons with Hope. A Drapion chuckled beside him and the large dragon struck him playfully on the back with his wing claws.

So Reshiram and Hope were still hanging around. There were so many questions flooding her mind. She hadn't even spoken to Spark about the revelation she had the fairy typing. The Dedenne had seemed shaken up after things began to cool down, and they'd all taken some pretty nasty wounds. It had all gone so fast, the battle seemed almost like a nightmare – hazy, frightening and distorted – and she wasn't even sure if Harlequin's plan had even worked. If it had... why would Reshiram and Hope still be here? Wouldn't they have gone back home?

There was one huge thing looming at the front of her mind, giving her no time to think about anything else. And she felt everyone else was thinking the same thing.

“This war isn't over is it?” she asked.

She could feel Faith staring at her. She looked round at the Mawile. Her face was solemn and her eyes lacked the normal cheerful sparkle she often had behind them.

“Enigma told me Harlequin's bag was taken. Apparently she had an anti-venom to the Nidoking poison in there.”

“She told us she didn't have one,” said Spark.

“Enigma wouldn't go into detail, but apparently she acquired it recently.”

Cleo looked back out of the window. “Where is Enigma?”

“Probably with Harlequin,” said Spark over her berry.

“He's not.” said Faith. “He's not been seen since last night.” She looked over at the window. “I'm a little concerned he might have left Hope's barrier.”

The Grovyle snorted and flicked a berry stone across the table. “Good riddance if he has! He has some nerve showing up here anyway.”

“I'm with Mint,” said Tinker. “I thought that ghost was dead anyway.”

“Oh don't be like that!” said Faith. “He's changed now.”

Mint leered at her. “Change doesn't bring Rio back.”

Cleo raised an eyebrow. “Rio? Isn't that the Meowstic from the lab?”

Faith nodded slowly, her face sombre. “I'm sorry for what he did, Mint. His actions were definitely not just, but neither were Rio's.”

Mint crossed her arms and leant back in her chair. “No. Rio was a complete nut case, but still, I...” She trailed off and shook her head.

The Vigoroth reached over to pat her on the back, and he looked over at Faith. “If it's any reassurance, Rowap claims to 'ave heard his bell on the roof this mornin'. Chilled him to the core n'all, right bud?”

The Plusle looked up at them out of the corner of his eye and nodded.

“Well that's reassuring,” said Faith. “But I think we all need to put our differences aside! I think this group alone proves that so many of us are on the same side, regardless of appearances or past histories.” She aimed the last statement at the Grovyle.

The slender Pokemon sank down in her seat and looked away from her sharply, her long leaf flicking round and almost catching the Sliggoo.

“I agree with Faith,” said Cleo. “Let's face it. Here we not only have three members from the Fairy Garden, we have three of Hydreigon's former aces – Enigma, Harlequin and Ripwing – who have all rebelled along with four other dragons including Starshine. We have Outcasts and former Heretics as well. We all have the same goal in mind. We all want to see Hydreigon knocked off his throne and bring an end to the Shadow Lands. Can't we all just set our pasts and differences aside to get along and work together?”

They all stared at Cleo, and Tinker looked over at Faith then sat back in his chair and sighed.

“Yes. I think we can, Cleo.” He stared pointedly at Mint.

The Grovyle closed her eyes and frowned. “Fine. But I'm also holding you responsible for Rio's death, Faith.” She cast the Mawile a leer out of the corner of her eye.

Faith gasped. “Why is it my fault?”

“You let Enigma out of his cage.”

Tinker frowned and shook his head. “I told you this Mawile is trouble.”

“Hang on!” Faith stood up and placed her paws on the table. “I only let him out because you had him locked up. And not only that, you infected him with Pokerus!”

Mint bristled. “Yes! And now he's a ticking time-bomb of madness! And he's lurking in this hideout!”

“Wait!” Mischief leapt to his feet. His orange eyes were livid and locked on the Grovyle. “You gave him Pokerus?”

Mint stared back at him silently. At some point during their outburst, the two Axew and the Sliggoo had slipped out of the dining hall, leaving just the Outcasts, Faith and the former Heretics. Mint gave Mischief a small smile and shrugged.

“I didn't. It was Rio's stupid idea.”

“Well he doesn't have it any more,” said Mischief.

The Grovyle raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Mischief struck a paw to his chest. “I, however, do.” He moved around the table towards her and she stood up to back away from him. When he reached the end of his tether, he jerked to a stop but didn't take his eyes off the Grovyle. “You might blame Enigma and Faith for Rio's death, but it's your fault my life has been destroyed! I have to wear this stupid collar because of you! I killed one of my friends!”

“What? You think that's my fault?!” The Grovyle shook her head in disbelief. “I didn't cultivate the wretched thing!”

“What's going on in here?” Ripwing poked his head through the door and looked at each of them in turn, his eyes wide with surprise.

The Grovyle pointed at him. “It's him you need to speak to. Not me.”

All eyes went to the Salamence. Mischief stood breathing heavily as he met the dragon's eyes.

A look of recognition crossed Ripwing's face and he let out a grunt of acknowledgement before backing out of the room. “I think I know what this is about. Come with me.”

Mischief didn't take his eyes off the dragon as he worked his way back around the table. Cleo stood up to follow him, Faith and Spark sticking close to her. She'd never seen Mischief act out of anger before. She didn't think he would have hurt the Grovyle, but she couldn't help wondering what would have happened if he hadn't been restrained.

Ripwing led them across the orchard and through another door. This one led into a small corridor that ended in a large room filled with files. In one corner stood a piece of intricate lab equipment Cleo couldn't even begin to work out. It was formed of glass tubes set in a metal frame, and one end looked like it was meant to be lit with a flame.

Mischief was staring around the room with a combination of curiosity and disgust.

Ripwing looked down at him. “If you're wondering where that Pokerus came from, it's here.”

“Yup!” Mint appeared in the doorway and leant against it with her arms crossed. “Before you start pointing claws, you should hear the full story.”

“Full story?” Cleo looked from Mint to Ripwing. “You created a monster parasite in this lab! And it's out there... infecting possibly hundreds of Pokemon!” She looked over at Mischief and her heart sank.

He had his paws balled into fists, but he wasn't looking at any of them any more. Instead he was staring at the floor as though he couldn't even stand to be in the room.

“I think the only reassurance we have is it's not contagious,” she said quietly. “Once those who have it die, it'll go away with them.”

Ripwing sighed and placed a paw on the desk. His claws rustled the notes strewn across it.

“If only that were true.”

“What?” said both Cleo and Spark as the Dedenne poked her head out of her fur.

“It's contagious?!” Spark added.

“It's mutating further,” Ripwing explained. “Quite on its own. You see – that madness is actually an effect of the parasite trying to pass itself on.” Cleo's frown prompted him to explain further. “I'll start at the beginning shall I?” He cleared his throat and released the desk, dropping back down onto all-fours. “It all started with an Oddish. We found this egg amongst a small berry bush and hatched it, believing it might be an abandoned dragon Pokemon. However, it turned out to be an Oddish. We didn't feel it safe to keep it here, but we were surprised at how fast she was developing. Her strength far surpassed that of another her age. So we sent her to join our other lab down in the Moorland's Forest. One you will be familiar with.

“We received reports back that it kept developing further, but the Pokerus didn't spread and eventually the effects wore off. It might surprise you to know that by the time we received that news, we already knew about it.

“The berry plant the egg had been resting under was contaminated with this parasite. We'd harvested some of the berries ourselves, since or orchard at the time was quite young. I myself contracted that strain of Pokerus along with the rest of my group, so we set about examining what was on the berries. We thought if we could make it contagious, and permanent, we might be able to increase our strengths as our numbers increased, and not only ours but all Pokemon outside the Shadow Lands. We might stand a chance of winning this war. When we got news from Rio about the progress of the Oddish, we took our plan into action. We sent him a modified version of the parasite and an outline of our plan.

“That strain brutally failed. It reacted badly with its host and the host killed themself in a fit of madness. We tried again, trying for something closer to the original strain. When Rio got his paws on it, he told us it was successful. It wasn't until Mint joined us that we found out how exactly this mutant strain reacted. Reducing the host to a permanent state of madness, completely at the mercy of the parasite's control.

“By this stage, it was too late. What was left of our sample had mutated so much so that it no longer resembles what it did before. It's desperately trying to evolve enough to multiply and spread itself on. As you know, Pokerus is passed on via contact. This parasite wants that contact. As such, it takes over the brain and turns the host into nothing more than a means of transportation. When it reaches the right state to become contagious, any Pokemon in contact with one infected will be subject to the same fate. Madness.”

Cleo stared at the floor. It was too much to take in. The room had fallen into silence as everyone tried to absorb the information. If it was trying to mutate... did that mean there was no hope to get rid of this parasite?

“So...” Cleo looked up slowly. “What are you going to do?”

Ripwing looked down at her. “We're trying to get the original strain back. Sadly we have no more samples left, but I think all of you are aware that originally, when Pokerus would just move on harmlessly, no Pokemon could contract the parasite twice.”

Cleo felt a small jolt in her chest.

“That's true,” said Faith. “But it's a different mutation now.”

“Even so, I've tried to give it to myself,” said Ripwing. “It wont take hold. I couldn't be a test subject for this parasite, as much as I'd like to. I'm wanting to save lives here. Lives like yours, Mischief.”

Mischief looked up at him. The fire of rage had gone from his eyes, and now he just looked completely perplexed.

“The hope here is,” said Ripwing, “if we can get the original back, then we can offer a vaccination.”

“What about a cure?” Mischief asked.

“We're working on that too. We've stumbled across a venom that kills the parasite, but it also harms the host in high doses. As you know, there is a poison Pokemon living in our hideout. A Drapion named Sniper. He kindly offered to be a host for the Pokerus, but it didn't take. It turns out the poison of a Drapion kills off the parasite instantly.”

“So that's the cure?” Mischief gasped. “It will get rid of it?!”

“Sadly, no.” Ripwing shook his head sadly. “Like I said. It kills the host in high doses. In small amounts, all it does is slow the growth of the parasite.”

Cleo frowned. “How do you know that? If the Drapion couldn't be infected-?”

Ripwing's eyes trailed to the door.

They looked around at Mint. She stared at each of them fixedly.

“That's right,” she said. “I have it.” She shrugged. “I offered. I wanted to find a way to stop this thing, and like your friend here, I too am a ticking time bomb.”

Mischief's face fell. “It's really permanent?”

“Sadly. I'm pretty adamant to find a cure myself.”

“You said... I'll go completely mad?” He looked up at Ripwing. “When?”

“How long have you had it?” the Salamence asked.

Mischief shrugged. “I don't know.”

“He had it when we found him during the cooling season,” said Cleo.

Ripwing's face became solemn and Cleo felt her heart sink again. She could tell he wasn't going to give them good news.

“I've started feeling dizzy,” Mischief explained. “Especially when I fight or get upset.”

“'Started'?” Ripwing raised an eyebrow. “Dizziness was the first thing Mint reported.”

Mint grunted. “Rio would have wiped his memories. Since he wouldn't know what 'normal' felt like, he probably thought nothing of it.” She sniffed and stared at the Whimsicott. “I'd say if he's noticing it now, it's pretty advanced.”

“Give me the antidote.”

Ripwing stared down at Mischief, along with everyone else. The Whimsicott stared blankly at the window, his body rigid and his paws clenched tightly into fists.

“I explained it wouldn't cure you,” said Ripwing.

“But it slows it. Right?” Mischief looked up at him. “If there's a chance I can keep going on long enough to fight this war, I might be able to help you look for a cure when it's over.”

Ripwing returned his stare and finally let out a breath and nodded. “Very well.” He reached into the desk drawer and pulled out a small vial. “Take no more than two drops.”

“Fine.” Mischief took the vial and stared at it. A strange liquid sloshed inside it, a yellow-green hue that looked so putrid it turned Cleo's stomach. “Two drops. How often?”

“Once a day. The same time is preferable, or you'll overdose and the results wont be pretty.”

Mischief moved from the room and Cleo stared after him. Her heart was suddenly hammering in her chest. Would he be all right? She grimaced and looked away.

“I must warn you,” said Ripwing, “that the poison will have some effect on you. You'll likely get stomach cramps and nausea. It's only temporary and will wear off provided you don't take too much.”

Mischief faltered in the corridor as he reached the end of his tether. He pawed at his neck and looked back at Cleo.

“If Ripwing's right, I don't want you to see me like that,” he said. “Could you release me for a while? I'll lock myself in your room.”

Cleo fumbled with her bracelet, turning it around on her wrist. There was little risk of a battle here. They were safe. And if he stayed in that room, things should be fine.

It was justified. She didn't want to see him suffering either.

She gave a nod and pulled it open. Instantly, she felt the tug on it drop.

“Thank you.” Mischief turned away from her and vanished around the corner out of sight.

“Will he be all right?” Faith asked the Salamence.

“Two drops is how much Mint takes,” Ripwing explained. “It's a appropriate amount for a Pokemon weak to poison like the grass type. A Pokemon without that weakness, or a resistance, could take around three or four drops without any adverse effects.”

Faith's jaw dropped and she looked back into the tunnel. “But... he's not just a grass Pokemon. He's part fairy too!”

Ripwing made a small exclamation of surprise and Mint stared at her with a frown.

“Fairy?” she asked. “That new type has a weakness?”

Faith stared open-mouthed at her paws. She looked back up at Ripwing. “How much would you suggest someone take if they were very weak to poison?”

Ripwing grimaced and his eyes flitted from side to side. “Honestly? I don't know … I think it'd be safest to err on the side of none.”

Cleo felt her stomach lurch. She turned and bolted from the room, winding down the corridors after Mischief.

Hopefully she wouldn't be too late.

 

[DeliriousAbsol]

68 – The Calm Before the Storm​

There was no sign of Mischief in the internal corridors. Cleo's heart was pounding as she searched left and right. He'd gone to her room... but the building wasn't that small. A growing dread spread through her as she realised he must have cut through the orchard. It wasn't a path she thought he'd take since he wasn't confined any more.

She was probably too late now.

By the time she reached her room she was gasping for breath. She grabbed hold of the door and threw it open.

Mischief lay sprawled on the floor, his paws clutching his stomach. His body convulsed and he screamed, curling into a tight ball.

She dived to his side and placed her paw on his shoulder.

“Spark? Go get Faith!”

The Dedenne hopped off her shoulder. “Okay. But just a head's up he's been sick, all right?” She skipped out of the room on all-fours.

Cleo looked over at the hay. A damp patch spread across it. She felt a flood of relief through her body. Good, he had been sick. That meant there should be less toxins in his system.

He jolted again and groaned. Cleo looked over him towards the discarded vial. Yes... he may have brought it up again, but what if he'd tried to replace it?

She dragged him into a sitting position and he whined in protest. She let him rest against her and reached into her bag.

“Eat this.” She stuffed a pecha berry into his paws but he pushed it away. “Mischief, please! You shouldn't even have taken that stuff!”

“I don't... want to be a monster.” He grimaced and doubled over, hugging his paws to his stomach.

She shook her head. “You won't be anything if you don't take this berry. Please.”

Those words seemed to stir something in him. He took the berry from her and bit into it. Convulsions took over him again and he fell forwards. Cleo couldn't watch. She looked away from him and closed her eyes, pressing her paws hard over her ears. It wasn't enough to drown out the screaming and wailing. She found herself curling up into a ball herself.

It was too much.

When the wailing finally stopped she waited a while before cracking an eye open. He was lay breathing heavily with his paw stuffed into his mouth. The berry was gone. Another wave of relief flooded through her and she pushed herself back up.

“How is he?”

Faith ran through the door with Spark on her heel. She dropped to Mischief's side and quickly checked over him.

“I don't know,” said Cleo. “I managed to get him to eat a pecha berry.”

“I can see that. That's good.” She pulled him up and let him lean on her shoulder. “We should get him somewhere more comfortable.”

“I'd avoid the hay,” said Spark.

Faith looked over at the hay pile and nodded. “I'll see if they have a fresh supply. I won't be long.” She lay her paw on Cleo's shoulder then moved from the room.

Spark looked up at Cleo and twitched her nose. “Do you have any more berries?”

Cleo stared down at her and raised an eyebrow.

“For him,” the Dedenne said. “Not me.”

Cleo shook her head and looked out of the door.

“I'll go get you some.” She watched Spark skip from the room.

It felt a lot quieter now. So much so it was deafening. The chatter of the Pokemon outside in the orchard had faded away. All she could hear was Mischief's breathing and the hum of power in her ears.

She also felt cold.

The whole thing had shocked her. Even though Ripwing had told them the possible side effects of the poison, she hadn't expected that.

She wrapped her paws around her knee and leant her head on them, taking a deep breath as she let the silence wash over her.

She didn't know what she'd expected.

“Cleo?”

Her ears twitched and she turned her head to look at Mischief out of the corner of her eye. He was sat limply against the wall, one arm resting on his knee while the other paw flopped on the floor.

“I'm sorry.”

Cleo looked away from him. “For what? Trying to cure yourself?”

He let out a long sigh. “I just want this to go away.”

“It will.” She scooted across the floor towards him and joined him against the wall. “When we go back to the Fairy Garden, we'll ask Xerneas to cure you like he did Enigma.”

“I know.” He trailed a paw over the dirt. “But... I want to be sane when I enter the Fairy Garden again. I don't want to be a risk to anyone.”

“You won't be. We'll get you there.”

“I keep asking myself why I still have it,” he went on. “I thought it was supposed to be my greatest strength and weakness, but I've realised it's not. That's not what he meant. He meant you... And Spark. And Faith. Everyone.” He fidgeted his paws together. “You see... I know I'm strong enough to protect you, but I'm also dangerous enough to hurt you. That's the weakness. I'm too scared that anything bad might happen to you, and even more so that I might be the reason. I've already killed one of my friends... It destroyed me. I thought I was nothing more than a monster.” He paused and looked up at her. “I have to trust that... you won't let that happen.”

He met her eyes and she felt her heart do a flip. His eyes were warm and inviting. She had to tear herself away and look down at her paws.

“I won't.” Her voice cracked slightly and she wound her paws together.

He nodded and leant into her, resting his head on her shoulder. His fluffy, white fur tickled her nose and that smell of pollen rose from his body. His body began to shake as though a sudden cold had come over him. She reached across and took his paw in hers. It was still warm, and he gave hers a squeeze as he shifted against her.

“I love you, Cleo.”

Her body jolted and she looked down at him. He tightened his grip on her paw as his breath came in shaky bursts.

“I don't know when it started. All I know is I do, and it frightens me.”

She opened her mouth but no words came out. Frightened? She looked away from him and fixed her eyes on the bare wall.

“Please put that bracelet back on.” His words seemed to cut her.

She released his paw and it fell limply on his lap. The bracelet felt so cold in comparison. She fastened it around her wrist and the snap seemed to echo around the room. When she looked back down at him, he wouldn't meet her eyes.

“Do you want me to go?” she asked.

He nodded and hugged his knees to his chest.

She blinked back tears and turned towards the door. She clutched her paw to her chest and looked down at the bracelet. “I can't go very far.”

He was silent but she couldn't look back at him. She bit her lip and pulled the door open. Before she could step outside, his voice froze her in the doorway.

“He said the parasite wants contact.”

She stared down at her paw resting on the handle. Her heart almost stopped. Contact...

“I thought they were my own feelings. But what if this is just another way it tries to get it?” He paused. “I really don't want to hurt you.”

She let the door close behind her and leant back on it, covering her face with her paws. That time in the forest when she thought he'd come back to her... it all made so much sense.

It wasn't him at all.

...​

Fluffy clouds rolled across the sky, the sun periodically showing through them to let its warm rays pour into the orchard. Voices rose up from the ground below as Reshiram tried to gather everyone together.

Enigma looked down into the orchard. The white dragon was stood in the centre of it, waiting patiently as Hope and Faith went knocking on all the doors.

“Are you all right, Cleo?” Hope asked the Meowstic.

Cleo shrugged. “I can't really move from here.”

“Well, we need Mischief too. Can you bring him?”

Cleo looked back at the door and shrugged again. She didn't say anything, but from the look on Hope's face he could tell whatever had happened that morning was worrisome.

The Gardevoir looked around the orchard at the gathering of Pokemon.

“Well, you have a little time,” she said. “At least until we find Enigma. Faith, how are you getting on with Harlequin?”

“She won't speak to me.” He couldn't see the Mawile from where he was lay, but she sounded rejected.

He raised an arm to rub a paw across his face, but the sun glinted off the bracelets and he paused, staring at them.

Two of them. One to activate the Absolite, the other for his own mega stone.

He'd retrieved it when Harlequin had dropped it in the tunnel. She'd been so devastated he wasn't sure how aware she was that she'd even been carrying it. She'd fallen face down in the dirt and it had rolled away to bounce into his foot.

Devastated.

He didn't know if she'd had feelings for Harbinger or not, all he knew was when he was in her situation, she'd been there. She hadn't shouted at him. She hadn't stormed off.

But he'd deserved it.

She'd put their argument aside and stood by him.

And neither of them had mentioned it again since.

Pokemon ran back and forth on the ground, trying to rally everyone together. He rubbed his paws over his face and groaned. Sooner or later there was going to be a massive battle. Was now really the time to be acting like a coward?

He pushed himself up and looked down at the orchard below. He couldn't see Faith anywhere, but Hope was still stood talking to Cleo. He warped to the ground, landing invisible before Harlequin's door. He slipped through and there was Faith, crouched over to her and talking in a reassuring whisper. The both of them froze as his bell rang into the room and they looked over at the door.

He let himself materialise and placed a paw on the Mawile's shoulder. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to say something, but instead her eyes widened at his stern expression. She nodded her understanding and backed out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Enigma looked down at Harlequin. She lay staring up at him as though not entirely convinced he was there and was trying to process the situation. He looked away from her, flexed his claws and let out a long sigh.

“I'm sorry,” he said. “I shouldn't have stormed off like that.”

She closed her eyes and wiped a paw across them. “No... but it's my fault.”

“How's it your fault?”

“I should have told you.”

He shrugged. “I should have took it better. Especially since... well, I've had my doubts.” When she didn't say anything, he looked back down at her. She was staring blankly at the door, fresh tears glistening in her eyes. “Why didn't you tell me?”

She closed her eyes tight and curled her paw into the hay. Enigma let out a breath and knelt down next to her, placing a paw on her shoulder. He looked up at the wall and shook his head.

“I'm not good at this kind of thing, Harle.”

She choked back a small sob and pushed herself up, placing a paw on his shoulder. She let her weight go, and he lost his balance, falling sideways onto the floor with a grunt of surprise. He was bowled over onto his back, and he found himself lying sprawled on the ground with her head resting on his chest. Her paw wound itself into his scarf and she took a deep, steadying breath as she tried to stifle any more tears.

He chuckled drily as he pressed the back of his paw across his eyes, and let the other one rest back on her shoulder.

“It's a girl thing, huh?”

She shook her head and buried her nose into his scarf. “I wanted to tell you.” Her voice was muffled slightly by the fabric. “But I couldn't.”

“They didn't want female assassins any more. Is that the reason? Were you scared of what might happen?”

“I thought about it. That maybe I might get away. But if the poison Pokemon didn't stand a chance, then what chance did I have?” She took in a wobbly breath. “That's not the reason, though. I wanted to tell you. I knew you wouldn't say anything.”

She went silent and he removed his paw from his eyes to look at her. He couldn't see her face, but her ear twitched and she flinched further into his scarf.

“It was easier to explain in my mind...”

Enigma looked over at the door. “Well, you can tell me later if you want? They're waiting for us out there.”

Her claws dug into his chest and he flinched.

“No,” she said. “No, I... I need to tell you this.”

He reached over to prize her claws free. Her paw seemed so small compared to his. Everything about her seemed smaller now...

“If there's going to be a massive battle,” she went on, “I don't want to leave things up in the air.”

“Harle...” He stared at her paw resting in his claws. “Were you using your illusion to make yourself look male?”

“What? No!” She pulled her paw from his grip and curled into herself. “I never lied to you! I just never corrected you! Let me explain, please!”

“Okay.” He fasted his arms around her and her paw flopped back onto his chest. “I'm sorry.”

She took in a couple of shaky breaths to steady herself. “I saw what happened to you. You were so devastated after you lost Kera.”

His paw wound into her fur and he stared blankly at the ceiling. Kera... that awful incident wasn't something he ever liked to talk about. Or think about.

“I couldn't bare to tell you I was female. I didn't want either of us to ever experience that kind of pain again.” She dug her claws into his scarf. “Letting you think I was male was the only option I had to keep a barrier between us.”

“Why would you need to keep a barrier between us?” He looked down at her and she flinched away from him, her claws digging back into his chest again. A daunting realisation fell over him, making his insides feel like lead. “Wait...” He shook his head in disbelief, and his paw fell away from her to land across his eyes as he let out a sigh. “You have feelings for me...”

Her body tensed and she gave a small whine. “If it's any consolation, I don't want them.”

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his paw. “I don't know about this, Harle.”

She huddled into him with a whimper.

“Everything's suddenly... changed,” he said.

“It's not changed! I'm still Harlequin! I'm still the same Zorua you've been friends with for eight years!”

“Yes. And I believed you were a dude for all of them.”

Her body shook with sobs as she clutched onto his scarf.

He pushed himself up, still holding on to her to stop her from falling onto the floor. “Listen.” He placed a paw on her cheek and turned her face to look at him. “Let's start over.”

She pulled away from him and shook her head. “We don't need to. I've not changed.”

He sat back on one paw and stared at her. Not changed? She certainly seemed different. Smaller... daintier... or maybe he was just seeing what had always been there.

“Nothing's changed about me at all,” she said. “All that's changed is you know the truth now. I don't want anything different. All I want is for you to still be my friend. But you're right.” She looked up at him and pushed herself to her feet. “Maybe we do need to start over. That way, you'll notice that.”

He continued to stare at her, but this time she wasn't looking away from him. Her face was still wet with tears, but she wore such a determined expression. He gave a curt nod and stood up.

“All right then. Fresh start it is.” He moved over to the door and opened it, then looked back at her. “Come on. We've got a meeting to go to.”

...​

They were all gathered around the empty dining table. Voices mashed together as everyone tried to discuss what might happen. Cleo kept drifting in and out of the mumbled, semi-incoherent debate, her mind a reeling mess. Mischief sat silently next to her, hunched over the table with his head on his paws. It wasn't until Enigma strode into the room with Harlequin that Reshiram poked his torso back through the window, slammed his paw against the table and brought the chaos to an abrupt end.

“We're all here now,” he said. “I think we can discuss this at length, in an orderly fashion. I know you all have your concerns. We all do. But there's something bigger going on here than just a simple war started by a power-hungry dragon.”

“That's why you're 'ere, ain't it?” the Vigoroth asked. “I'd never seen a Reshiram before, 'n' suddenly one drops in with a member of an extinct species?” He fired a glance at Hope.

“Oh, Gardevior are not extinct, Tantrum,” said Hope. “Right now, Kirlia and Gardevoir are assisting Xerneas in gathering an army together. I came here because I'd heard what Harlequin was up to.” She looked over at the Zorua.

Harlequin looked away from her and gazed out of the window.

Tantrum grunted. “We've 'eard a lot about this Xerneas. But not a whole lot about what's goin' on!”

The rest of the table chimed in their opinions with nods and Reshiram brought them to silence with another thud of the table. He opened his mouth to speak, but Tinker stood up so quickly he caused Starshine to let out a small squeak of surprise.

“I've had enough of this!” he barked. “I arrived here looking for help, since we were chased out of our home. This war has been going on for almost a decade! Why would you show up now?!”

Reshiram fixed his blue eyes on the seething Riolu. “Because this world is in such a state, it's come to it.”

Tinker stood breathing heavily, his canines bared and his red eyes locked on the dragon's. Hope looked at him and drew his attention.

“You see, everyone seems to have forgotten the fairy type even existed. Four of us are even sat in this room. Faith, Mischief, Spark and myself.”

“Spark?” Tinker's eyes widened and he looked over at the Dedenne.

Spark blinked a couple of times and twitched her whiskers. “Oh yeh. Man, so much has happened I kinda forgot!”

Faith chuckled and placed a paw on her back.

“Starshine as well,” said Hope. “His mega evolution allows him to take on the fairy type. It works much the same as mine. Yet all of you here had never even heard of it. Would it come as a surprise to you, Ripwing, or you, Jitters, that you both have mega evolutions?”

The Salamence and Sableye exchanged surprised glances.

“It's not just you two either,” she went on. “There are a couple more in this room who can mega evolve when they reach their final evolutions.”

Mint and Tantrum pointed at each other, then looked around the room at their allies, glancing over at Tinker and Harlequin.

“But anyway,” said Reshiram. “Mega evolution aside, the pressing matter at hand here is that Hydreigon is trying to obtain a dangerous power. There was once a Pokemon called Yveltal who, like Hydreigon, wanted dominion of the world and went at great lengths to get it. He was pure evil. Blood red with a body black like shadow, and he sucked the life out of everything around him. Everything that lived fled from him. He only wanted dark Pokemon in his ranks, and amongst them were some dragons, mainly those who could fly. He brutally killed Pokemon left and right, any that didn't fit into his warped criteria.

“This angered Xerneas. Unlike Yveltal, Xerneas brings life. He fought against the wretched bird and now he lies locked in a cocoon, never to be released. But Hydreigon is trying to find that cocoon to release Yveltal and control him.

“What we need to do is to get to that cocoon first and stop him.”

“And how do you suggest we do that?” Enigma asked. “None of us even know where it is.”

“It's location is secret,” said Hope. “But the fact is, Hydreigon is close to finding it.”

Cleo stared at her paws. Something about Reshiram's speech had unsettled her. Blood red... body like shadow...

Everything that lived fled from him...

A blood red sky... darkness...

Even the rivers flow away from the Shadow Lands.

'It's either obey, run for your life, or die!'

“It's in the Shadow Lands.”

Her voice even startled herself. All eyes locked onto her, but Hope, Faith and Reshiram were the only two who didn't seem surprised at her outburst.

“What makes you say that?” Tinker asked.

“When the sun sets, the sky is always red over the Shadow Lands,” she said. “Not only that, nothing wants to be there, so much so it seems even the rivers don't. Harlequin told me that much. They want to flee, but are too scared to.”

Tinker frowned. “I think you're over-thinking this.”

“No,” said Reshiram. “She's not wrong. It's in the northern isle, buried under a thick sheet of ice.”

“And that is where we'll be headed when the sun rises,” said Hope. “All of us. Every Pokemon across the region that is recruited into Xerneas's army will be heading that way to stop them excavating the cocoon.”

Tinker roared and thumped the table with both fists. “I don't understand! Lives have been lost because of that wretched cocoon! Why wasn't he destroyed in that massive war?!”

“Because the war was never over,” said Reshiram.

Tinker stared at him, his chest heaving.

Cleo looked from Tinker to the white dragon, much like everyone else was doing. Never over?

“Many if not all of you here have lost loved ones,” said Hope.

Mint looked away from them. “Yeh. We lost three of our members on the journey over here. You're not alone, Tinker.”

Rowap the Plusle cowered in his seat, blinking back tears from his eyes. Tantrum placed a paw on his shoulder.

“This war has been going on for many many years,” Reshiram explained. “You're all still fighting it.”

A silence washed over the table. Tinker stared, dumbfounded, at the white dragon, his mouth hanging open. He dragged his paw across the table and looked down at it.

“Well... if the fairy type and Xerneas are being forgotten about... I have to say things look pretty bleak for you.”

“What do you mean?” asked Faith.

He snorted. “If he's been forgotten about, then isn't your army rather small?”

Hope, Faith and Reshiram beamed.

“Not at all,” said Hope.

Tinker looked up at her, and she returned his stare with a warm smile.

“There are two sides to this war – the Darkness, and those who hate the Darkness. Which side are you fighting on?”

Tinker didn't answer, but he couldn't look at Hope. She moved around the table and placed a paw on his shoulder.

“Because those who are fighting against the Darkness are in Xerneas's army.”