Chapter 3. The Shard
"Good morning, Team Banshee." Ezra and Carys were wakened by a musical voice.
Ezra opened her eyes to find Meloetta standing in their doorway.
"Hi, what are you doing here?" Ezra asked, rubbing her eye. She seemed to have only one, since wax covered the area where the other would be.
"Waking you up before Franziska does." Meloetta said wryly.
"Yeah, thanks for that." Carys winced.
Last night after dinner, everyone in the building went to relax in the commons room. Carys had indeed bought all of Neal's remaining candy and spent the entire evening eating it slowly in front of the temperamental Dewott, savoring every bite. Needless to say, Carys and Franziska were not on good terms.
"Breakfast should be ready soon. I'll see you two in a few minutes!" Meloetta danced out of their room.
"That was nice of her." Commented Carys, popping a Purple Gummi in her mouth.
Carys had also borrowed an encyclopedia on Pokemon from Sora, and Ezra had spent her evening studying it. She had also learned about the 18 flavors of Gummis, all corresponding to a different type. Purple was for ghosts, red for fire, and grass for, well…grass. She found that Purple Gummis tasted like candy (much to the joy of Carys) and Red tasted like cinnamon, spicy in a comfortable way. Ezra had tried a Grass Gummi, and found it tasted like peas. It was tasty, but she preferred Purple and Red. Carys had found Red Gummis to be too spicy for her taste.
"It was. Let's go see who else is up." Suggested Ezra. They went out to the common room to find the Bravo Specials playing a card game.
The Bravo Specials had arrived at the Lofts when Team Banshee had returned from Gleaming Woods. They were an exploration team dedicated to fighting crime and outlaws, like Team Dauntless. They were the only newcomers there. The leader, a Chesnaught named Roman, had explained that most of the other exploration teams were too busy dealing with trouble elsewhere. "Unfortunately not many Pokemon can spare the time and energy to come watch the Hooded Brotherhood," He had said with a sigh.
"Hey, Ezra and Carys!" Roman greeted them with a wave.
"Yo, Team Banshee!" Grayson, a Zangoose, nodded.
"Morning." A Greninja named Ambrose said.
"Sup?" Mercury, a Noivern, asked.
"Hi guys! Ready for the show today?" Carys grinned, cheerful as usual.
"You bet!" Mercury laughed.
"Morning, all." Yawned Vaporeon, entering the room with Sylveon.
"Morning, Dauntless!" Greeted Grayson.
"Do we get a 'good morning' too?" Asked Macargo, his team entering from another hallway.
"Of course! Good morning, Geo." Ambrose said.
"Siren should already be in the mess hall." Roman added.
"Breakfast is ready!" Franziska called from the mess hall.
"Punctual as usual, she is." Chuckled Sylveon.
The four teams entered the refectory, where Team Siren were indeed waiting.
"Toast today, from the smell of it." Grayson said, sniffing the air.
After everyone had arrived, Franziska had indeed made toast for everyone.
"Oh! Rose, I hear Team Valkyrie is coming to see the show today." Said Noibat to Rose, who perked up at the mention of the name.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Rose beamed as Franziska took everyone's finished plates.
"How so?" Asked Ezra.
"The leader of Team Valkyrie is my sister!" Rose grinned.
"Wow, really? That's awesome!" Said Carys.
"The show should be starting soon. I say we go out and get the good spots before they're taken. If there are any left." Ambrose said.
"Good idea." Agreed Vaporeon.
Everyone, even Franziska, left the Lofts and headed towards the main courtyard.
"Rosie!" A voice shrieked.
"Chrysi!" Rose shouted in joy as a tall green Pokemon ran and embraced her. On closer inspection, the Pokemon was a Lilligant.
A Vespiquen and a Nidorina followed.
"Rose! Long time no see!" The Nidorina laughed.
"Team Banshee, this is Team Valkyrie." Rose introduced after the sisters finished their embrace.
"Hi!" "Hello." Carys and Ezra said.
"Morning! My name's Chrysanthemum, but that's a mouthful, so call me Chrysi! I'm Rose's adopted Lilligant sister." Chrysi said.
"I'm Trina the Nidorina. Nice to meet ya." Trina nodded.
"And I'm Milana the Vespiquen." Milana said.
"Ready for the show?" Trina asked.
"You bet! C'mon, let's go get our seats!" Roman suggested.
Team Banshee found themselves seated near Ben and Lafea.
"Morning! Lovely day, isn't it?" Ben smiled.
"Sure is! Is that candy I see, Lafea?" Carys inquired.
"Yep! Neal makes the best Pecha Berry gumdrops. Would you like—"
"Yes." Carys interrupted.
"Carys!" Ezra exclaimed.
"No no, it's okay, really! I don't mind sharing." Lafea laughed, nudging the box of candy over to Carys, who at least had the restraint to take a few and move the box back to Lafea.
Ezra sighed at her friend's insatiable taste for candy. Maybe Franziska had a point about wanting to wean her off of the sugary treats.
"It's starting!" Carys shrieked.
Fireworks were being shot off, creating beautiful explosions of color against the cloudless sky.
A light mist settled over the stage, and when it lifted, three Pokemon had appeared.
"Hellooooo Lily Town!" The one in the middle cheered. The crowd responded with similar enthusiasm.
"We are the Hooded Brotherhood! I'm Sips the Marshtomp!" The one in the middle went on. He had a blue hood on and a brown bow tie.
"And I'm Cave the Golem." The one on the left said. He had a dark brown hood and a green tie.
"And I am Sky the Staraptor." The flying one said. He had yellow sunglasses and a sky blue hood.
"And our leader is the legendary Blue Hood, but he won't appear unless someone can defeat all three of us. Does anyone think they can?" Sips challenged. A few Pokemon called out their challenges but most of the audience stayed silent, knowing they could never take on such a powerful team.
"I see we have a few takers! But first, let me tell you a little bit about us. We are a guild dedicated to fighting crime. We allow no mercy to those who think they can get away with breaking the law. If anyone would like to join us, please see Cave after the show. But keep in mind, our training is not for the weak-hearted. You have to be swift!" At this cue from Sips, Sky suddenly launched himself high in the air.
He then began to dive straight for the ground. When it appeared he would crash, he made a 90-degree turn at the last second, flying centimeters above the ground. The audience went wild, and Ezra found herself cheering too.
"You have to be strong!" Sips went on.
With this, Cave jumped high, then landed hard on the ground, creating an earthquake strong enough to displace a few items but carefully weak enough to not destroy the town.
"My candy!" Carys screamed in rage, her candy having been flung far away from the stage by the jolt.
"And you have to be able to think on your feet!" Sips finished.
Sky and Cave suddenly dove at Sips, but the Marshtomp used a Water Gun attack to launch himself high above the two. Everyone cheered.
"So. Who thinks they can take us on? Don't be shy!" Sips invited.
"Can we do it again?" Ranna asked mischievously.
Sips got a look of horror on his face.
"No! That was embarrassing, being put to sleep not even a second after the match began. I still have that Sing attack stuck in my head. No, Team Siren, one embarrassment is enough. But come up on stage." He said. They did.
"Can I go again, then?" Franziska asked with one raised eyebrow.
"NO!" All three of them screamed in terror.
"My left wing still hasn't fully recovered from that Razor Shell." Complained Sky.
"And that Aqua Tail left me in a full body cast for weeks." Added Cave.
"Franziska, you are too powerful for us. No second go-around for you either. But join Team Siren up here." Sips said. She did.
"These here are the four Pokemon who've been able to defeat all three of us and our leader, Blue Hood. They've done the impossible, so give them a hand!" Sips shouted, clapping with everyone else.
"Would any of you like to try and join them?" Challenged Cave.
"We'll do it." Chrysi said.
"Awesome! If everyone could move back from the battlefield, we'll get this show going." Said Sky. Everyone moved well back from the intended battlefield.
"This will be a 3v3 battle. Franziska will be the judge. What are your names, ladies?" Asked Sips.
"We're Team Valkyrie! I'm Chrysi." Chrysi said.
"I'm Trina." Trina nodded.
"And I'm Milana!" Said Milana, flexing her arms.
"Well, Team Valkyrie, prepare to get beaten!" Cave exclaimed.
"Begin!" Shouted Franziska.
Immediately Chrysi planted seeds on Sips. They grew to entrap him completely, and glowed red.
"Hey! Get this Leech Seed off of me!" He shouted, trying to free himself.
Milana and Sky were having a sky battle. Milana was Slashing at Sky, but the Staraptor was too fast for her. Suddenly he moved next to her and began striking quickly with his wings.
"Ooh, Close Combat. Nice." Whistled Carys.
Trina was busy dodging Power-Up Punches from Cave. She then turned to bite his arm.
"Ahhh! That Poison Fang poisoned me!" He roared in pain, clutching his arm.
Meanwhile, Chrysi was busy draining energy from a still-bound Sips. One last Giga Drain and he was down.
"Sips is unable to continue!" Franziska shouted.
Chrysi turned just in time for Trina to be knocked out by an Earthquake. Chrysi was affected too, but didn't seem overly hurt.
"Trina is unable to continue." Reported Franziska.
"Wanna see power? Then try my Petal Dance!" She taunted, sending a storm of petals onto Cave.
"Oh yeah? Try my Explosion." Cave said with a wicked grin.
What?!" Chrysi gasped as Cave glowed white, then sent out an enormous amount of energy.
Chrysi tried to shield herself with Protect, but the blast was too strong and it failed.
"Ahhh!" She cried as she and Cave went down.
"Cave and Chrysi are both out of the match!" Shouted Franziska. It was up to Milana now.
She had been taking heavy hits from Sky, who knew that she was weak to flying-type moves.
"Any last words?" He asked, circling around her.
"Yes…" She panted.
"Do tell me." He said.
"Destiny Bond." Milana said simply. She glowed purple for a second, and then Sky glowed purple as well.
"No! You fool, this means that we tie!" Sky protested.
"Better than me losing." Milana replied.
"What's Destiny Bond?" Asked Ezra. She had been studying moves, but she hadn't read this one yet.
"If Milana faints, then Sky will too." Carys said back.
"We're at a stalemate, as per Milana's Destiny Bond. This match is a tie!" Declared Franziska. The crowd cheered for both sides.
"Nice job, sis!" Rose said, hugging her sister.
"Wait, you're Rose's sister? Wow, cool." Said Sips, walking up to the trio.
"Good battle. We haven't had a challenge like that in a long time." Cave said, shaking the trio's hands.
"I just came back from speaking with Blue Hood. He says that next time he expects to face you three in battle." Sips added.
"Tell him he won't be disappointed." Trina grinned wickedly.
Sips, Cave, and Sky climbed back on stage.
"Well! That was an intense battle! Would anyone else like to give it a shot?" Sky offered.
The crowd remained silent.
"Really? Okay. Well, we'll be here all day, so if anyone changes their mind, come and see us!" Sips said. With that, the crowd began to disperse. A few remained to speak with the Hooded Brotherhood.
"That. Was. Amazing!" Carys shouted to Team Valkyrie.
"Thanks. It was a lot of fun." Said Chrysi.
"Team Banshee!" Ben cried, running up to them. He looked worried.
"What's wrong, Ben?" Ezra asked.
"I just got word from Ivysaur that a friend of mine is trapped in a dungeon." He said.
"Whaaat? Who? When? Where? Why?" Demanded Carys.
"My friend Torchic went to explore Parched Plains a little after midnight. But he hasn't returned. I hate to ask, but can you make sure he's not in any trouble?" Ben asked.
"Of course!" Ezra exclaimed.
"I'm coming too, like I said I would." Meloetta said, coming over.
"Then it's settled. We're going immediately!" Declared Carys.
"I know where Parched Plains is. It's not that far from Lily Town. Let's go, Torchic could be in serious trouble!" Meloetta said.
"Good luck, you three." Rose said as the three raced off to Parched Plains.
A/N: Forgot to do this yesterday (whoops) but thanks to: Ckbrothers for the Hooded Bortherhood Guild; Luckylugia for Lafea; ExorCrasher for the Bravo Specials; and Gara316 for Ben! (The rest are mine)
The next chapter shall contain: a rescue mission, a pond, and a mysterious relic.