Two

Being a large crowd meant they couldn't move very fast, and I caught up with them fairly quickly. They recognised me by my uniform from afar, and greeted me with relief when I reached them.

"Harper!"

I smiled weakly to my comrades who had survived. Both Trevino and Mason came to my side, the latter slower as he struggled with his arm.

"It's good to see you safe." I said, genuinely. I felt a pang of guilt that I had not been there to protect them in the first place.

"You too." Trevino grinned, without the slightest concern in his face as he escorted me toward Jubilife. "We thought you hadn't made it through the attack, we searched the wreckage but couldn't find you anywhere."

Gallade grumbled at my side, and I nodded too. "We were hidden well."

"You're telling me." He chortled, far too happy in these circumstances. That was his nature though, optimistic to the end. Suddenly his face darkened, and he looked at me solemnly. "Did Lieutenant-"

I shook my head before he could finish, and sadness consumed him for a moment. I allowed him to mourn silently, as did Mason, who had been listening the entire conversation.

"Listen." I hushed my voice so nobody but my Generals could hear me. "I have a task that I need to do for him. One that isn't going to allowed by the forces. I need you to distract Captain Redmond, can you do that for me?"

"Why? What for?" Mason muttered, frowning.

I explained my situation, and it did not make them any more willing.

"We'll come with you." Mason said firmly, "You won't survive with a child alone in this world!"

Trevino hushed him and then shook his head. "No, you're injured. It would be best if I escorted them."

"No." I stopped walking, they stopped just ahead of me and turned. "I will not put your lives in danger anymore than I already have. You will stay here and do as I say."

"But-"

"That's an order." I snapped, causing a few looks from the citizens. I paused, waiting for them to turn away and continue walking politely. I lowered my voice even further, causing them to step in closer to hear me. "This won't be a hard mission, I'll return as soon as I'm done. I just need to get the kid out of here and the worst shall be passed. Now are you going to help me or not?"

They looked at each other and hesitated, but Trevino nodded to him and then looked at me. "We will, Serge."

Nightfall came, and the Canalave citizens were told to rest as the soldiers spread around the perimeters. The children's camp was in the middle, where they were surely the safest. I had been posted the furthest away from Captain Redmond, which was convenient as it would give me the longest time to find the girl and escape.

Mason rounded the corner of one the large tents and offered me two large packs. "I managed to salvage some of the remaining ration tins from tonight, and I filled three canteens of water for you each. You should last about three or four days on that."

I nodded, then clipped both packs onto me for the time being.

Trevino handed me his stock of magazines, and looked me in the eye. "Are you sure you have everything?"

"All the essentials." I told him evenly. "Thank you, both of you."

Mason looked around discreetly. "Redmond is still at his post for the moment, he should be doing his round in about ten minutes. That gives you about twenty to make your way and disappear."

Trevino frowned. "They're going to think you're-"

"You know I am staying loyal to Lieutenant Morgan. That is all that matters." I said surely.

"They will not hear a thing from us." Mason ensured me. "Now go, you have very little time."

I nodded, and clasped their hands tightly. "Thank you, friends. Stay safe."

"You as well, Serge." They said simultaneously, and stepped aside for me to head toward the middle of the camp.

I looked at the picture once more, and scanned over the children slowly. None of them matched this pretty child in the photo. She had long, wavy black hair and looked strikingly like her father, only the feminine version of him. None of the children in front of me had such dark hair, none had the exact green iris of a Morgan.

"May I help you?"

I spun around on my heels, slightly unnerved. I had not heard this woman approach, and yet she was inches away from me now. She obviously meant my no harm though, so I relaxed.

"I'm looking for Ivy Morgan."

The woman turned sad quickly, and put a hand to her mouth. "Please do not tell me you come with bad news."

I lowered my gaze, and did not need to say more.

She gave a quiet sob, and gestured for me to follow her into one of the tents. I ducked under the door, and she pointed to a young lady sat in the corner reading, her body language that of someone who had already admitted the truth. I looked at the woman beside me.

"You may leave, I shall talk to her."

It gave me the perfect opportunity, the woman did not refuse my offer. She left without a word, and I heard her cry a little more as she walked away.

"Ivy Morgan?" I asked, though I needn't have bothered, she was quite the image of her father. I had not expected a teenager when I looked at the picture of a young child, but she was most definitely Morgan's daughter. She looked at me with huge, round eyes and frowned.

"Who are you?"

"Sergeant Harper, I was in your father's division." I told her, saluting without a thought.

She eyed me curiously. "He's spoken of you before. A few times."

I smiled weakly and sat in front of her. "He's sent me here to fetch you, Ivy. We have to leave."

"Why? We're nearly at New Jubilife."

"I haven't the time to explain now, but trust your father and come with me." I offered my hand to her, and she looked at it.

"He told me never to leave the Canalave citizens and army." She said sternly, shuffling away from me.

"He's telling you now that we have to go. Now." I said quickly, taking her hand and hoisting her up. She dropped her book and inhaled sharply. I was too quick, and managed to muffle her scream. With my spare hand, I gave her the photo. She stopped resisting immediately and took it off me, looking at it with teary eyes.

"He's gone, Ivy, and you're not safe here. I'm to escort you out of here." I told her quietly, and I was already clipping her pack to her.

She looked at the back of the photo, something I had never thought to do, and gasped. Tears automatically fell from her eyes, and I could see he had written his goodbye on it in preparation for his death.

"Gallade!" My pokemon hissed outside the tent, and I took her hand once again.

"We have to leave. Now!"

She nodded firmly, and her grip tightened around mine. "Let's go."