Chapter 6: An Entirely Skippable Chapter (just trust me on this one)
Nory and Kind decided to have lunch in a small patch of forest near the side of the road that had less trees than most. They then released all of their Pokémon, save for two, who were released with a flourish and a well-aimed toss, respectively.
"Guys and girls, this is Buckets! He will be joining us from now on, so get used to him." Nory announced as Buckets waved at the group, although his attempts may have been impeded by his own physiology.
"/Oh shucks! I don't need such a splashy introducktion! I'd much rather stay anemoness!\"
"/...Anemoness?\" Sev asked, although it was hard to make out over Chol's laughter.
"/A portmanteau of anemone and anonymous.\" That one made Shootaf bury his head in his paws.
This motion did not escape Kind's gaze. He thought it over and was certain he had formulated the appropriate response. "Shootaf, you do not need to be scared," Kind said softly. "I know that the last time you saw a Scyther you got hurt, but that happened under much different circumstances."
"/You got beat by a Bug. What, did you forget what type you were?\" Amp teased.
"/It's not my fault I lost! Master wasn't there, so I had no one to battle with. I could have totally burnt that giant roach to a crisp.\"
"/If I recall correctly, my king and father defeated you with a single attack.\" Charev so helpfully added.
Shootaf shot Charev a poisonous look and said through gritted teeth, "/Thank you for the reminder, your o so great majesty.\"
As soon as there was a lull in the Pokémons' conversation, Kind said, "It is very nice of you all to comfort Shootaf." Only Nory caught the Pokémons' suppressed giggles. "This is Charev. He the newest member of our team."
"/Hurray!\" Chol shouted as he ran toward his surprised teammate. Before anyone could do anything, Chol had grabbed the ends of Charev's blades and started energetically twirling. "/New friend! New friend! I have a new friend!\"
Charev did his best to remain composed as he said, "/You are quite excitable, small Larvitar. What is your name?\"
"/New friend! New friend! I have a new friend!\"
Nory decided to take pity on the confounded Pokémon. "Lunch is ready," he called out.
Chol immediately released Charev and charged at one of the bowls Nory put down. "/New food! New food! I have some new food!\" Amp walked over to the bowls, glaring at Charev while she walked.
"/Sorry about that,\" Sev said. "/Amp can be a little… competitive at times.\"
"/I am aware. We have met before.\" Charev replied while keeping his eyes on Amp.
"/Jee, what's with the anemonesity? We just adived!\"
Sev felt this particular Barboach will make this journey far longer than necessary. "/If you are going to keep doing that at least keep it fresh.\"
"/Fresh, as in fresh water?\"
"/No. Fresh as in fresh seafood is my favorite meal.\" Sev said while licking her lips.
"/Whale I guess that makes me chum, because chumone ate all your food!\"
Sev cocked her head in confusion. "/What are you talking about? My lunch is right- HEY!\" Everyone's attention turned to Amp, who was eating out of Shootaf's bowl while several empty ones stood strewn about.
Being caught red handed, the offender was uncharacteristically [i]sheepish[/i]. She was blushing deeply when she blurting out, "/...E-Evolution makes you reeeeeeealy hungry. Okay?\"
"/I suppose we will need to forage for food now,\" Charev observed. He proceeded to walk over to a tall maple tree by the side of the road and swiftly used his blades to peel the bark off of the tree.
"/Hey, stop that!\" Shootaf yelled as he ran over. "/I get it, you're angry with Amp, but that doesn't mean you get to take it out on whatever you want.\"
"/I am sorry Prince Shootaf. I do not understand what you mean.\"
"/Stop hurting the trees for no reason.\"
"/Ah, I understand the confusion. I was not attacking the tree out of malice. My people eat the bark of trees.\"
Lil' Sev looked at him with great interest in her glare as well as her voice: "/Really? I thought your kind would be much more in the meat-eater department. Because of your blades.\"
"/O goodness no!\" The stunned Scyther stumbled backward a little. "/What a horrible thing that would be! What kind of monster would do someth-\" Charev interrupted himself when he noticed Lil' Sev squinting at him, amused. After clearing his throat, Charev continued, "/Well, yes. I suppose that may be how some choose to derive their sustenance, but violence is not the Scyther way.\"
"/I have several cuts and bruises that beg to differ,\" Shootaf muttered under his breath.
Charev turned toward Shootaf and respectfully bowed his head. "/I am sorry, Prince Shootaf.\"
"/What are you apologizing for? It was your dad, King whatever, that did it.\"
Charev shot up straight at the mention of his father and proudly announced, "/I am the son of Jara Hamee of the Hork-Bajir swarm and Ket Halpak, a swarmless.\"
"/How could she not be part of a swarm?\" inquired Amp. "/I thought all groups of Bug Types were called swarms.\"
"/Th- They are. My parents meet each other under... usual circumstances. At the time they were both- What I mean is there were these humans and- \" Charev could not stop himself from diverting his gaze and coughing mid-sentence.
"/Now now, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to,\" Sev said in a soothing tone while patting Charev on the back with the tail blade.
"/Yeah!\" Chol piped-up. "/Let's talk about something way awesomer, like how you're royalty!\"
Charev looked at the youngster with amusement. "/You know very little of Scyther society, even as a group, do you?\"
"/Not really,\" answered Amp. "/Scyther never showed up around the farm Sev and I grew up on, and Chol is only a month old.\"
"/Then it would my honor to educate you. The leader of a swarm is given the title 'King'. The king appoints princes to deal with the day to day needs of the swarm. They are the ones who assign give us our daily tasks, such as patrols or guard-duty to the warriors and training or food collecting to the youngsters.\"
"/Wait,\" interrupted Shootaf. "/Is that why you called me a prince earlier?\"
"/Yes. It is clear from our group's demeanor that you are the second in command.\" Amp was about to object, but Charev continued before she had a chance. "/Although any member of the swarm can challenge the king for the title, it is unusual for anyone besides a prince to do so. This is because only a prince has proven their loyalty to the swarm enough that everyone knows that they are not acting out of a hunger for power.\"
"/Sorry to cut your super interesting lesson short,\" Amp cut in rudely, "/but it appears that Nory and Kind are just about ready to get going.\"
Written by Kindoflame of FanFiction and NgamerS of AO3