Chapter 10: No Substitutes

"Hey! Up here!" The man's voice echoed through the canyon.

Sylisa, Daphne, and Rapunzel looked to the top of the cliff. Near the edge was ashen-haired York with his partner, Hyde. York's uniform appeared scuffed up, but judging by his content gait he didn't look any worse for the wear.

"Imagine seeing you again!" exclaimed Sylisa. The surprise caused her to nearly drop Nia who had been resting in her arms.

Hyde peered down, stretching his neck over the cliff as he gazed into the basin, blowing big bubbles upon seeing Sylisa.

"You're alright Sylisa!" York grinned. "Had Hyde worried for you."

"AH-HA!" Daphne snapped her finger and pointed her closed parasol at Sylisa. She wore a victorious smile, spreading ear to ear. "I knew it! You DO have a name!"

Grumbling, Sylisa swatted her sunbrella away. "What are you doing here?" she asked York.

"Investigating." He put his fists on his belt proudly. "Thought I lost you when I took a dive in the river. Luckily Hyde's a good swimmer."

You idiot, I shoved you in! He's so far up there, I can't tell if he's just pretending it was an accident. Still, something doesn't add up. Why didn't he travel back to town after getting knocked into the river? Maybe heading back wasn't his plan after all. "That's nice, but you didn't answer my question, York."

"Right to the point." He gave a satisfied laugh. "You know how it goes. Always another lawbreaker at large, meaning I'm always the case. What about you? Didn't expect to see you around here again."

"I—" she paused "—came back here when I heard there was a man-eating Pokémon in the river. But I see you're okay so that's good."

"So that is why you wanted to come back! How scandalous!" Daphne puckered her lips. Then she began chuckling into her hands. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend, SYLISA!"

"He's not my—" Sylisa started to say, realizing her obvious taunt a bit too late. "Shut the hell up, flower girl!"

"You alright?" York asked.

"We're alive." Sylisa shook her head. Her damp hair flopped about, so she pulled it back out of her face as she spoke. "Had a run-in with trouble."

"Trouble? Hyde ran off in this direction. I heard a commotion and the sounds of battle from a distance." York peered further over the edge to see the remnants of Drampa. "…Hell! What a mess!"

"Come down from there and I'll explain," said Sylisa.

Daphne called out, "Mind yourself on the way. The slope is unstable from the battle."

Once York and Hyde made it down from the steep incline adjacent to the river, he formally introduced himself to Daphne as a young officer while displaying his badge with the iconic profile of an Arcanine roaring to the sky.

"You know, you've got some sense of timing, I'll give you that." Sylisa shrugged. "Maybe even too good."

"That's thanks to my pal." The young man beamed. "Hyde's got what you'd call a sense for trouble and I'm usually running close behind."

"If I didn't know better I'd say this lil water weasel was stalking me, looking for trouble," she replied.

Hyde scurried up to Sylisa and rubbed his collar against her leg. His floatation sack popped open against her knee. However, this time it didn't startle her.

Sylisa's shoulders slumped as the tension in her body evaporated. "At least you're cute," she said.

"Hello there!" Daphne excitedly waved as she greeted Hyde as well. Kneeling down, she clutched onto the back of his head in a forceful caress. "How MAR-VEL-OUS! Your coat is so soft, yet water-resistant, ideal qualities for a gorgeous fur coat!" she exclaimed.

Hyde shivered and tried to scurry away from Daphne but Rapunzel cut him off.

Daphne stood back up. "I can hardly believe my eyes! A detective and his loyal partner, true fighters of crime and pursuers of justice! Is the profession truly romantic as the countless novels I've read portray?" she asked in starry-eyed enthrallment.

"What sort of question is that?" York nervously scratched his neck, taken off guard by Daphne. "I do work mostly to help people in need." He regained his mojo with a confident smile and pointed to his badge. "I'm still a young officer, but well on my way to making it as detective!"

"A junior officer." Sylisa scowled. "Not even a legit detective yet. Had me fooled. Thought you were the real deal."

Making a sheepish grin, York said, "Well, with any luck, Hyde and I will make the grade. Won't we, buddy?"

"Bwee!"

"We all start somewhere!" Daphne buoyantly bounced up and down as did her Pokémon. "I'm delighted to make your acquaintance! And oh, so is darling Rapunzel!"

"I've seen your face around before…oh! And your rose!" The young man sniffed the air. "Ah, yes, of course! I'd recognize that fragrance from anywhere! You must be Daphne, the florist who moved here not long ago. Tundara was it?"

Daphne winked. "Goodness, your sleuthing skills are rather impressive, detective." She raised her arm into the air, her flourish followed by a gust of colored petals from Rapunzel's bouquet.

York and Hyde both recoiled, the wave of petals flying right in front of their faces.

"Daphne Abagail Gates!" she said, blowing an effeminate kiss. "And this of course is the star maiden of the tale, Rapunzel. Our team's name is Blossom Gale, so don't you forget it, mister." She chuckled as Rapunzel curtsied.

"Quit gloating." Sylisa tapped her foot impatiently. "Remember, we're here on business."

"And this is Misfortune, the sinister Miss of Rift Fortune! It seems you two have already met!" Daphne giggled.

"The name of our team is Fortune Rift actually," Sylisa clarified. Gosh, it's such a stupid name but anything is better than being called Misfortune. I hate that. "We're here on the guild's orders. Had to deal with a man-eating monster named Orcus. Turns out Drampa was the beast, but there's something not right about it—"

"—Hang on a sec, you joined the Audernaut Guild?" York asked with a slightly puzzled look.

"Right, right." With a snap of her fingers Sylisa said, "That'd be the one."

"No kidding," replied York. "Heard they were understaffed after a series of mishaps. They've been around forever. Seriously, I figured you didn't know anything about my hometown. Now you're working for them? Crazy. I mean, Hyde's happy you're sticking around."

Hyde nuzzled close to Sylisa's leg. He curled up affectionately round her tall boot with his long and slightly damp body.

"I needed a job," Sylisa explained, "so I'm not unemployed. And with her in this condition…anything would do." She squeezed Nia's unconscious body close.

"Wow, and you even got a 'mon!" York beamed at Nia. "See? I knew it when I told you you'd be making friends in no time."

"She's a real bundle of joy." Sylisa sighed, holding Nia's worn body tightly against her beating heart. I wish I could remember her name! Why she devolved! She's really hurt because the devolution made her weak. As Sylisa thought, her head began to hurt. Upset and helplessly worrying, she looked at Hyde and asked, "How's he doing?"

"This champ is fine! Aren't you, Hyde?"

Hyde rubbed his collar and nodded.

"Righto!" York gave a thumb up. "His swimming skills are second to none!"

Sylisa lowered her voice, feeling the pangs of guilt deep in her gut. It could've been them instead of the bandit who got eaten. "So, he got you out of the river before it carried you off downstream?"

"In no time. Turns out we found an important clue while on the bank. Talk about a stroke of good luck."

"A clue?" Sylisa asked. Could it be related to our mission to uncover the man-eater?

"Yep. Has to do with our investigation. Classified, I'm afraid. We made camp last night after exploring the caves on the opposite side of the river. We're thinking about heading back to town soon to make a report." With a tired hand, he rubbed his stomach between two buttons on his collared shirt. "And get some food too."

"Detective, you and Hyde appear a bit peakish," said Daphne. "Luckily, I made sure to bring along some provisions. Oh, oh! I have a brilliant idea! Why don't we all share a meal together before returning to town?"

"Bweee!" Hyde's forked tail spun happily around.

"For real? We're famished!" York exclaimed.

Daphne pointed with her parasol over at the collapsed half-eaten bandit. "But first you're going to have to work for it!"

"Huh?" York looked over at the bandit that had fallen out of Drampa's open innards. "What?"

"You're a would-be detective, why dontcha figure it out?" sneered Sylisa.

"It appears Drampa nearly ate this man…"

"Bingo," said Sylisa.

"Aw c'mon, you can't call that detective work, it's blatantly obvious!" replied York as he studied the scene. "However, there's more here than what meets the eye. Those wounds, and those claw marks. It's that type of blood. I see it now."

"Y-You do?" Sylisa felt small beads of sweat on her forehead as York studied Nia. Her arms clutched her fainted Pokémon closer to her heart.

"An attack like that is incredible coming from such a small 'mon—" York shook his head "—is she alright?"

Sylisa looked down at Nia, and some of Sylisa's hair covered Nia face. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow. "She's going to be okay," Sylisa insisted. "She's just really tired. With a bit of rest and a trip to a Pokémon Center to heal I'm sure she'll be fine."

York gave her a confused look. "Uh-huh, sure thing."

"Helloooooo! What about my poor darling Rapunzel!" Daphne complained. "Isn't anyone worried for her glossy, succulent sheen?"

Sylisa huffed. Attention whore.

York walked over to them and his Pokémon followed. Hyde playfully sprayed Rapunzel's face with water.

"Zeala!" squealed Rapunzel as her cute face blushed. She put her flowers on her leafy hips and chided Hyde.

Seeing the two Pokémon playing together like cheerful friends brought a smile to York's gaunt face. However, there was still a hint of prolonged worry in his weary, set-back brown eyes. "What I want to know is why a peaceful 'mon like Drampa is eating people to begin with."

"That's the million Pokédollar question, isn't it?" Sylisa sighed. "I dunno. Starting to think maybe it was just hungry."

"But why only men?" asked Daphne. Gracefully, she picked up Rapunzel. "Drampa didn't desire to eat the two of us because we're girls. Our friends are too."

"Correlation doesn't imply causation," York replied. "Might be another reason."

"C'mon, aren't we overthinking this a bit much?" Sylisa shrugged. "Like…maybe Drampa doesn't like the taste of girls."

"Tsk! Stop it with your devious sexual innuendoes!" Daphne admonished.

"W-What!? N-No! I-I didn't mean anything lewd—" Sylisa's face turned bright red.

Daphne laughed very loudly. "You're so easy to embarrass, you perv."

Sylisa growled. "Dammit! I didn't mean it like that, you idiot!"

"Hmm." York scratched his unshaved chin in contemplation. "It's quite the mystery. There must be some evidence explaining Drampa's behavior. I wonder if it's related to—" York broke off, his stomach growled obtrusively.

Hyde sniggered at the noise, but then held his own tummy too.

"Haven't eaten in such a long time, I can't think clear," admitted York.

"Well, detective, the food is back with our ride, stashed in a hidden compartment so no wild monsters can get to it," said Daphne. "We'll need your help to carry this bandit back."

"Yep." Sylisa nodded. "How's this for a coincidence, he's one of the bastards who had me locked up back when you sprung me from their hideout's prison cell."

"Is that's how the two of you met? Ah, what a lovely fairy tale! It sounds like you were rescued by a knight in shining armor!" Daphne inhaled the aroma of Rapunzel's petals. "So romantic…" She exhaled airily.

"Get real." Sylisa scoffed. "York's way too clumsy to be a knight. Couldn't even handle cracking open a simple lock with the friggin' key."

"How do you suppose I could have cracked the lock without the key?" he asked innocently enough.

"Erm, forget it," Sylisa replied. Her palms felt wet. Can't let him know I'm a thief. "Y'know, I was really worried when I was in those chains," she said, twisting her mouth into a nervous grin. "That's all."

York looked down at the unconscious, slime-covered man. "I see. It's all starting to come together. He looks terrible, but I guess he's fortunate to have come out the end he did."

"Out the butt would've been totally gross," said Daphne. She stuck out her tongue. "Bleh."

"Did he have any 'mons with him?" York asked Sylisa.

She shook her head. "No, didn't see any before Drampa swallowed him whole. Woulda seen a big guy like Machoke."

"Okay, so no reinforcements, that's good," said York. "Still, the battle was loud enough to attract attention. We must be vigilant."

Sylisa squeezed Nia's body in her embrace. "What's the plan?"

"You mentioned a vehicle. I'll carry him with Hyde's help." However, as York and his Pokémon tried to lift the man up, they struggled quite a bit. "Oof, geez, this guy's like three-hundred pounds of dead weight," he said out of breath. "Covered in Dragon-goo too."

Hyde splashed river water to rinse off the muck.

"Heeey." Daphne's heels clapped on the pebbles ever closer. "Oh, Syyyliiiisssaaa!"

I bet she's up to something. Sylisa, who was staring at Drampa's carcass with a worried expression, put on a neutral mien and turned around. "What do you want?"

"Gotcha!" Daphne snatched Nia out from Sylisa's arms.

"Whoa! What the HELL are you doing?!" yelled Sylisa. "Give her back!"

"Shh. Shh." Daphne hushed. "Hey, no need to shout, you'll disturb her while she's trying to rest. I'm going to help her."

"Aw hell no!" Sylisa leered at her, waving a fist. "You are not stealing her again with your flower voodoo!"

"Take it easy," said Daphne. "I'm going to apply some of my Roselia balm on Nia's wounds so they don't hurt as bad when she comes to. It's the least I can do after she saved us from Drampa with her attack." Then she tilted her head crookedly to the side. "I have an idea! You go be useful. Why don't you go help the detective carry the loaf?"

"Fine, you're gonna be like that huh." Waving Daphne off, Sylisa walked over to the boys.

With a strained grunt, Sylisa hoisted one of the bandit's tree trunk arms over her back. York looked embarrassed that she was helping him, but she refused to let it bother her. Hyde kept the bandit's legs from dragging while York took the man's other arm over his shoulder. Together the three of them pulled the deadweight along the winding riverbank.

"It's not too far!" Daphne said, skipping ahead with Rapunzel by her side, holding Nia like a small child in her other hand under the shade of her sunbrella. "Oh goodness, I can't wait for our splendid picnic! It's going to be so MAR-VEL-OUS!"

Sylisa was winded by the time the beaten-up DPV came into view on the rocky shore by the palm trees. I can't take another step. This is so heavy. My whole body is about to collapse… I … can't… I can't go on…

They set the bandit's body in the cargo trunk with a loud thump. Sylisa groaned, bashing her fist against the side of the convoy to dissipate the aching pain in her back muscles.

"Thanks for the help, Sylisa," said York.

"It… was nothing," she replied, trying to pretend she was not completely winded. "Besides, you offered to help out. If you hadn't show up, would've left him there for dead."

York shook his head in disagreement. "Then how would you get any answers?"

"Fair point," she said. I know my stuff is in the cave, but this guy is going to be unconscious for a while. Need to get the Armadas, her Dusk Ball, and the treasure we stole from the mansion. One less bandit guarding my loot, Sylisa thought, rubbing her sore arms. She then folded her hands and said, "His story will prove we accomplished our mission."

"I'd vouch for you too." York smiled.

"The Guild and the Bureau aren't on good terms," said Sylisa, recalling what Bennet had told her.

"Heard about that, huh." He exhaled and scratched his temple. "Guess there's no sense hiding it. This gang of bandits, calling themselves the Dune Devils, have been on the wanted list for a while. His interrogation falls within our jurisdiction for investigating their ongoing crimes."

Tugging anxiously at her slightly sweaty black collar, Sylisa said, "Don't feel like arguing with you. If he doesn't cooperate your police friends can put the pressure on him."

"Maybe he'll rat out his other buddies too," said Daphne, mashing a closed fist into her other hand, chuckling in a devilish fashion. "I love it when little piggies squeal." Rapunzel also wore a devious expression, smacking the earth with two barbed roots.

Wide-eyed, Sylisa asked, "W-What are you, a sadist?"

"Hmm? Me? A sadist? Goodness, not a chance!" said Daphne. "Why would you insist on such an accusatory thing?"

"That wasn't very convincing at all…" she gulped.

"I'm still worried about Drampa," said York, interrupting their exchange with a serious expression.

"Why? It's dead now," replied Sylisa. "Can't eat people anymore, even if they're scumbags."

York shook his head. "No, it isn't that. It's just strange. Every story I've read about Drampa has them portrayed as friendly to humans. For one to start eating humans alive is beyond unusual."

"Maybe the stories you heard were all wrong and you got duped," Sylisa supposed. I sure felt that way when Bennet told me Drampa ate people. That shattered my view of the world.

"The folklore about Drampa's kindness isn't easy to dismiss," said Daphne. "Drampa is one of the closest and kindest to humans from the Dragon Tribe. Their strong bonds with humans have been well-documented for centuries."

"Exactly. I'm worried there's a serious reason for this dragon's contrary behavior," said York. "Was there anything unusual about it when you fought it? Anything at all that stood out?"

"Sylisa's new to battling," explained Daphne. "I doubt she's ever fought a dragon before."

"No. That's not true. Another dragon. Just like before. However, this time I didn't see a shadow aura—!" Sylisa covered her mouth and anxiously coughed. "It's troublesome all the same, I agree."

"Shadow aura?" York repeated. His glare was like ice.

Dammit. I gotta keep a lid on it around this guy. Sylisa shook her head and said, "Nothing really."

"What did you see?" he asked.

Glaring back, Sylisa said, "I told you, I saw nothing." At least not this time.

Daphne jumped between them. "Hey, hey! No more worrying allowed you two! Now is not the time for arguing. You're both tired and hungry, let's enjoy our well-earned banquet!" Chuckling gleefully with Rapunzel, Daphne swiftly gathered the provisions from a stowed basket under one of the panels by the passenger seat and organized an appetizing spread.

The shade from the palms coupled with the cool splashing of river water flowing nearby made a very pleasant oasis. Sylisa helped Nia lay down on a cushion stolen from the inside of the DPV. Then she took heed to her sore back with a few stretches she had learned from Mathias so she could stay nimble. She couldn't help but feel like York was glaring at her, she was far too uncomfortable to say anything. Instead she walked toward the riverbank and proceeded to finish her stretches there.

"Isn't aromatherapy lovely?" Daphne sighed as Sylisa returned from her exercise. "It can turn a simple meal into a kingly banquet! The sense of smell is intimately tied to the perception of taste."

Sylisa sat down at the picnic and rubbed a resting Nia with her hand.

A feeble smile came to Nia's mouth as Sylisa stroked her feathers.

"No kidding." Sylisa's mouth watered from looking at all the food and taking in the fragrance of Rapunzel's pleasant bouquet. Geez, I feel so hungry. I wonder if I can force Nia to eat even though she's asleep. She rubbed her belly.

Nia made an endearing purr and opened an eye under her scuffed-up crown feather.

"You should eat something, Nia," whispered Sylisa. "You need to regain your energy."

Nia let Sylisa feed her small portions of food, mewing with content.

"Eating is truly the most fundamental element of life itself!" Daphne grinned. "And look at how beautiful the weather is! Those hills in the distance make for a pictorial view. Why I'm sure an artist would be swept away with passion at seeing that pretty sky of purest blue!"

Sylisa raised a brow. "I had you pegged for an artist. You fit the bill. Eccentric enough."

"Do you paint, Daphne? Or is 3D more your thing?" asked York.

"No, no! I am neither a painter nor a sculptor! Flower arrangements are my specialty!"

"What's the difference?" said Sylisa. "You get paid money to make people things."

"How uncouth! Art is about more than merely making money," replied Daphne. "It's about finding beauty, love, the aesthetic! Anyway, there's a vast difference, a canyon of varying talent between the arts, which no soul can possibly cross."

"Yeah, yeah, okay, you think you're someone special." Sylisa grumbled, eating some roasted berry fruit dip. "Mmm. Good for you."

"Indeed, I am someone special. I'll have no substitutes! Because I am one of a kind!" Daphne vociferously insisted.

"That's a relief." As Sylisa chewed a thought came to mind. Nia forgot how to use Substitute, but I remember teaching her with a TM on the train before our mission. She used it back at the manor just fine to dodge those fireballs from Darmanitan. How come she forgot? She asked Daphne, "Do your 'mons ever forget the moves you taught them?"

"No," answered Daphne. "We train to use more powerful techniques, but older skills can serve a purpose in a pinch. It goes beyond the dogma that some moves are good, others not so much. In the right situation, all moves have an advantage to capitalize on. For example, a strong opponent can be mitigated by a weaker move used properly. The same way Nia used Icy Wind to change the battlefield instead of as an offensive strike."

"Makes sense I guess," said Sylisa. "Is that the way it's always been?"

"Of course! You're talking to an expert after all!" she bragged.

Sylisa snorted. "I wouldn't go that far. But what you're saying is if a 'mon uses a technique, they can use it later?"

"Don't see why not. It might not be as strong as techniques it practices with most often," she explained. "However, under the right circumstances, an old technique could be the linchpin of a proper strategy. That's why training is so important, experience brings with it more options."

"People on the Battle Subway always bragged about their 'mon's battle potential 'cause of their options." Sylisa's shoulders slumped. "I never gave it much thought. Wasn't ever a battler. Figured they could handle fighting on their own, same way she used to hunt on her own. The move I had her learn that night… I thought she mastered it, and then I was sure of it when she used it flawlessly to avoid a fire attack. And now it's like she never learned it. I can't figure it out. It might be linked to what happened to her when she lost her strength."

Daphne gasped. "She forgot how to use a move? I didn't think Nia had Amnesia in her repertoire!"

Sylisa glared at her. "That's not funny."

"Aw, lighten up." Daphne frowned. "I've never heard of a 'mon forgetting how to do a battle move."

"Me neither," said York. "However, a serious injury could cause problems with using the move."

It must be because of her devolution! "That has to be it. She became weak very suddenly."

"She didn't seem very weak when she used Punishment," Daphne pointed out. "Rather frightening such a little critter could cause such carnage. Yet the consequence of using it seems to have left her crippled."

"That's true." Sylisa worriedly considered her best friend's condition, and felt her head spinning. There's no other explanation, her "injury" is her devolution! But how…? How come she could use Punishment like Dare and Mathias? Why the Punishment assassination technique and not the Substitute TM I taught her? It doesn't make sense. How…? How is this possible? Sylisa hugged her knees. "I want her to become strong again. How can I help her?" she asked in a weak voice.

"Why don't you train together? Then you'll master new skills," suggested Daphne. "Maybe she'll even learn it again one day!"

"You'll become stronger too," interjected York. "Because you're their partner, their techniques are related to your will."

"My…will?" Sylisa spoke unsurely.

Daphne snickered. "Yeah, like, your soul – or whatever it is you've got as a Shade. You get that magical thing attuned to your knifekitten in a fight and you'll improve tremendously!"

Sylisa wore a puzzled expression. "I don't get it. During the fight, I was just telling Nia where the openings were. There wasn't anything magical about it. And quit callin' me a Shade!"

"Oopsie daisy! Forgot being a Shade bothers you oh so much, must have slipped my mind," Daphne mused before humming a carefree tune. "Shay-dy and not a proper lay-dy."

"Well, I don't know about Shades, but I can tell you about battling alongside a friend." York, in his deep baritone, responded more seriously. "When you work with a 'mon long enough, you'll start to fight on the same wavelength. At least, you try to. No one's perfect at it. You'd have to be a mind-reader or something to really ace it without effort. Key is: Anyone can get better at communing with their partners over time. Experience, that's what counts. Battle moves are one part of it, a really important part, the difference between life and death. Your will is what brings your spirits close in the thick of combat to overcome impossible odds and adversity!"

Sylisa scratched the side of her head. "Um… Now I'm even more lost."

"Put simply: Strengthening your bond toughens you both up. In different, yet related ways," he said with a hand on Hyde's head. "By working together, you both become stronger than if you were alone."

"Gee, that seems obvious," muttered Sylisa. "Why'd you have to make it all complicated-sounding?"

"Mmmhm." York went back to stuffing his face with food. "You can tell that this bread was made with the best ingredients. The flour is perfect and the water must have been pristine to deliver such a delicious flavor!"

"Oh ho! A gastronomic connoisseur, are you?" Daphne grinned happily. "That fills me with joy to hear! Making appetizing edible arrangements is just as challenging as creating pleasantly aromatic flower arrangements. Palate! Fragrance! Emotion! It's all in how the individual parts blend together to make a better whole."

"Hyde sure loves his Sitrus and Tamato Berries," he said indulging in the food, "and so do I!"

Daphne shook in distress, rustling Rapunzel's leaves. "Were you even listening to a word I said? Don't you see? There's an ancient formula to provisioning! It's the everyday alchemy of modern life!"

"Mhmhmm, whatever you say," he said, piling food in his mouth.

A relaxed smile formed on Sylisa's lips as she ate some fresh bread with salted meat and cheese. "I dunno about callin' it alchemy," she replied between bites, "this is a good recipe. I prefer to cook heartier meals for us. Y'know, she's a big girl, she sure loves her meat. …!" Her expression froze and she dropped the bit of crust she had been holding between her fingers, realizing what she said did not make sense. I never cooked a meal for Nia as a Sneasel! Only when she was a Weavile!

Food in his mouth, York asked, "Something wrong?"

Sylisa shook her head. "No. Just had a strange thought."

"What kind of meat dish does she like to eat?" he asked.

Sylisa felt her lips form into a smile, and her cheeks warmed at the thought. "My signature Pasta Carbonara with extra meat is her favorite."

"SYLISA!" Daphne exclaimed. "Don't tell me! Are you a sous chef as well?!"

"Sous chef?" She rolled her eyes. "You kiddin' me? Do I look like someone who wears an friggin' apron and works in a royal kitchen?"

"Not at all, but the fact you can cook and enjoy it speaks volumes about your unique personality!" Daphne rubbed her palms together. "You know, some people wouldn't be bothered to cook, considering it a task too beneath them. I'm surprised you're not like that to be perfectly honest."

"Why would I be? Everyone's got to eat. Bet those types go hungry a lot on their own," Sylisa remarked with a scowl.

With little warning, Daphne burst into a genuine laugh. She clutched the flower hand of Rapunzel as she chuckled. "Your slights are as sharp as a proper cooking knife. The fundamental tool and arsenal of any chef worth their seasoning salt! If you have the aptitude, you can certainly achieve your flavorful dream! Tell you what, from this day forward, I shall be your cooking cheerleader every step of the way on your road to the culinary championship!"

"The heck are you going off about?!"

"Place all doubt on the side," she winked, "and stay true to the main course!"

"Ugh. You are the worst. Think I'll pass." Sylisa arched her back and firmly tapped on her stomach with both her hands. She had done her best to get Nia to eat, but she was still too tired from the fight to be as active as Hyde and Rapunzel. Nevertheless, it meant Nia was close in Sylisa's arms and she liked the sensation.

"Oh man, I'm stuffed." York rubbed his stomach and Hyde rested leaning on his side, both of them worn out from eating the food. "Got any desert, Daphne?"

Daphne's blue eyes glimmered with excitement. "As it just so happens, yes," she replied. "For what is a meal that lacks that climatic finality of savory sweetness? Alas! That is no meal at all I tell you!"

Looking down at Nia, Sylisa said, "I don't particularly care for sweet stuff. She loves to eat that sugary cereal they make for kids. What's it called again? Sneaky Stones? I don't know, Something Pebbles, marketed as bad as it sounds. Bleh, I don't know how she does it."

"How could you not fancy a delectable strawberry crêpe in the morning with frosted sugar and syrup?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah…Nah," said Sylisa. "Sounds sweet to the point of gross!"

"Humph! What do you know about eating anyway?" Daphne stroked Rapunzel on her head. "You and Nia are much too lean; maybe a bit of Rapunzel's pleasant aroma administered around mealtime would fix that."

"Um. No thanks."

Together, they continued to enjoy the pleasant picnic out in the wilderness. Everyone seemed to forget about the troubles of the world as they shared a happy meal with each other's company. Eventually the food ran out and their idle conversation turned serious once more.

"We have two options," he said, "either head back to town now or see what those bandits have been up to."

"I'm going to the caves," Sylisa resolutely declared. "Need my equipment. My cell phone is my lifeline and I gotta get her Dusk Ball back." The Armadas too. Mathias will kill me if I lose that. And the lure for Charizard, the mysterious treasure the Night Dragon is after. That's what got me into this whole mess in the first place.

"Oh boy." York's answer revealed worry on his face. "You're planning on going straight back into the den of demons?"

"Demons don't scare me." Despite Sylisa's pertinacious statement, her voice sunk from the weight of what she had to do without Nia. "I don't have a choice. You two can hightail it back to town if you want. I got unfinished business to take care of."

"Ooooh, now I'm waaaay too curious to leave!" said Daphne, excitedly bringing her palms together and clapping. "You simply must include us on your adventure! And before you say it, we won't take no for an answer."

"Likewise," replied York. "Hyde and I will lend you our assistance since this is an ongoing criminal investigation. Hah. We're fueled up and ready to go, aren't we pal?"

"Bubbbweee!" Hyde blew extra-large bubbles to express his enhanced vitality.

"I…erm thanks." Sylisa felt her stiff shoulders relaxing in relief. "It would be tough without Nia to back me up."

"You bet it would be!" Daphne scolded. "It's terrible that you'd even think of doing something so dangerous on your own!"

"Reckless and irresponsible." York added, "Especially after Hyde and I rescued you from them!"

"Sheesh, okay mom and dad," muttered Sylisa, rolling her eyes. They're treating me like I'm their darn kid.

"Goodness, now that's settled, what shall we do about the half-eaten man?" asked Daphne.

"He's hardly of use to us here. Mm. Maybe use him as a hostage?"

"No way, Sylisa," said York. "We're dealing with bandits, I doubt a hostage would work. Besides, he's too dang heavy to easily move around."

"Then we'll leave him here?" she said skeptically. "What if he wakes up?"

"I'll have Rapunzel use her Sleep Powder to keep him in wonderland," Daphne suggested. "Should give us at least a few hours to explore the caves while he's busy exploring fantastic dreams. I wonder: What do thieves dream about?"

"Treasure, obviously," Sylisa answered automatically. "All the time."

The two of them looked at her suspiciously.

"Err, isn't it obvious? C'mon, use your noggins. Anyway, the last thing we need is for this jackass to escape with our ride."

"We'll take the keys just in case," proposed York. He also grabbed some rope from the side of the cargo hold. "And tie him up for good measure."

"Bondage! Lovely!" Daphne exclaimed with wild excitement in her voice.

Sylisa flinched. It's impossible to tell whether she's serious.

After York had tied his wrists up behind his back, Rapunzel splashed the already unconscious bandit with a flower hand filled with sleep-inducing spores. She smacked her arm's petals in a forceful kiss right up into the bandit's face causing him to groan and snore all the louder.

"Sweet dreams!"

"Nia will be staying here too. There's no other way. She's out of stamina." Sylisa stroked her velvet fur, curled up into a ball under the shade, her body resting in a little nest of cushions and supplies where she could keep an eye on the tied-up bandit while recovering. "You're going to be fine, girl. I promise to be back soon."

"Nyyyaaaaah!" Nia yawned, sleepily pawing her claw over her crown feather. To everyone other than Sylisa her purring signified a drowsy content. Unbeknownst to them, her gentle purring expressed more of an endearment for Sylisa and a wish to return safely.

"Okay, time to move out," said Sylisa, taking charge.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"What is it now, flower girl?" asked Sylisa, impatiently crossing her arms.

"A-HEM!" Daphne coughed. "We require a cryptonym!"

"The hell is that? A crypt toe what?"

"Good God, please, no mortuary digits! Hm. I suppose it would be similar to last offices tagging a cadaver by the toe. But never mind that, Sylisa! I'm talking about a name for our mission! You know, something special."

"A special name…" Dammit Daphne! Nia has a special name, but I can't remember it! Sylisa wanted to shout. Suppressing her inner concerns about Nia, she said, "Grown-ups don't need code names."

"No, no, she's absolutely right," said York. "Considering this is a joint venture between the Guild and the Bureau, our mission needs a name for my status report when I return. Our operation needs a good name!"

"Operation?" Sylisa shook her head in frustration. "Are you for real? Listen to how ridiculous you sound! Like a bunch of kids trading around nicknamed Pokémon on the playground. So childish."

"How rude! I am eighteen years of age!" said Daphne, proudly puffing out her chest. "An adult in full bloom, thank you very much!"

"Seriously? We're only a year apart." Sylisa raised a brow. "Why do'ya dress like a little girl?"

"So judgmental!" Daphne booed, "You're no fun, Sylisa."

"When did our responsibilities as guild agents become having fun?"

"Can't you see how important this is?" York asked. "This is our first collaborative mission between the Guild and the Bureau. A historic undertaking. It's quite significant, so let's be sure to give it a special name we all can remember fondly!"

"God!" Sylisa huffed. "Who the hell cares what you call it! We're stealing my stuff back from those jerks!"

"Ah-ha! Perfect, let's call it that!" said Daphne, snapping her fingers and squeezing onto Rapunzel tightly enough so she let out a faint hum.

"I agree. "We're stealing my stuff back from those jerks!"" York joked, doing an impression of Sylisa much to her chagrin.

"Argh! Quit foolin' around!" Sylisa ran ahead to lead the way.

"Even better," snickered Daphne from behind. "We'll call our mission into the caves full of nasty bandits Operation: Fool's Errand!"

"I like the sound of that one too," laughed York.

Their teasing is really annoying me. I should be angrier, Sylisa thought. That's odd. Does that mean we're friends? Can I have friends and run with the Shadows? No. Someone might end up getting killed. Still— she stealthily raised her hand to touch her warm heart —this feeling inside is almost…nice.