A/N - Here's chapter 11. It's a little longer than previous ones. I hope it satisfies until Friday's update!
Disclaimer - I do NOT own Pokemon or any of its critters!
11- An Assassination Attempt
Night had fallen, and something was watching, leaving Cleo and her companions with no choice than to stay outside.
None of them dared sleep. They sat sheltered in the dry foliage, not daring to use their tent. It was too much risk. It was like waving a flag while shouting 'Here I am! Come and get me!'
The three of them sat silently, trying to keep their breathing as quiet as they could, watching through the space between the large leaves that masked them from view. Nothing moved, nothing made a sound, but that ever present feeling of being watched hung over them like a heavy frost, chilling them to their bones.
Time seemed to drag past as morning showed no sign of drawing closer. Spark peered out of Cleo's neck fur, keeping her large black eyes on the sky while her ears twitched back and forth at every sound the Dedenne thought she heard, occasionally startling Cleo who was beginning to doubt if her hearing was as good as Spark's. Mischief sat beside them, as tense as a tightly coiled spring.
Nothing moved.
Even the wind barely stirred the tree branches or foliage around them. The almost non-existent wind wouldn't be carrying their scent to waiting predators, betraying their hiding place.
But that ever present feeling of being watched was becoming too much to bare. Instinct was starting to kick in, and it was starting to win.
Cleo wanted to flee, all previous urges to fight knocked out of her. If it were a dark Pokemon, she had no moves to take them out. It would be pointless.
But that's where her friends came in.
She glanced at Spark, then down at Mischief. She had to remind herself that Whimsicott took out a Noivern, memory of it or not, he did it. Also Spark took out three Weavile, and that wasn't even the extent of her abilities.
Whatever was waiting, they'd give them a run for their money.
She relaxed and diverted her attention from the sky, settling on waiting out the inevitable calm before the storm. Playing out scenarios in her mind wasn't going to get them anywhere. They just had to wait. Wait for what may or may not happen.
Crack!
All three of them leapt to their feet, Spark landing on the ground between Cleo and Mischief.
Something rustled in the dead, dry grass behind them. They span on the spot. Then it moved to the other side. They twisted again, Cleo unfurling her ears to ready an attack.
An explosion of snapping brittle twigs sent Cleo leaping sideways, narrowly avoiding a dark shape as it cut through them, snipping several strands of fur from her tail. A flash of discharged electricity from Spark lit up their little hiding spot, gleaming of the surface of the shadowy form's body, but not enough to reveal it as it zipped out of sight, narrowly avoiding the Dedenne's attack.
Another cut through the brambles, followed by a flurry of white cotton as Mischief span out of the way with a surprising amount of grace. As quick as it appeared, it was gone.
They braced themselves for another assault, desperately trying to calm their erratic breathing to hear any sign of movement.
It was deathly quiet.
Whatever that Pokemon was, it was gone.
None of them said a word, all likely wondering the same thing. Should they stay, or move on? Was that Pokemon trying to draw them out by making them feel unsafe? Would it come back?
All of them were shaking.
It was too dark for Cleo to examine herself for injuries. She didn't hurt anywhere, but whatever that Pokemon was had sharp claws. Too small for a Weavile. A Sneasle maybe?
Whatever they were, they clearly had the advantage at night. Blending in, with incredibly quick, agile movements and amazing speed. It was a flawless strategy.
You can't hit what you can't see.
...
"They didn't come back."
None of them had spoken since nightfall, so when Spark spoke, it startled both Cleo and Mischief. More so the latter, as the Whimsicott's feet actually left the floor.
It was morning now, and they'd set off as soon as the sun began to rise. It was now clear in the sky, with barely any clouds. This made it deceptively colder than it looked to be. A dusting of frost coated the dry leaves, which was swiftly melting under the sun's rays. But it was still chilly, and Cleo's fur was damp from the morning frost.
"No, they didn't," said Cleo. "I'd like to know what they were planning."
"I think they were trying to draw us out," said Spark.
Cleo nodded. "I think that too. I also think they took that Pachirisu's body."
"Maybe it was just a warning?" Mischief suggested. "Like... we know you're there. Stay out of our business."
"We?" Cleo looked at him.
"There were two." He shrugged.
"How do you know that? Did you see them?"
"No. But one came from the other side too quickly. One Pokemon can't be that fast, can they?"
Spark raised an eyebrow. "Oh... I don't know. Some Pokemon are exceptionally quick."
"I'd say they were an assassin," said Cleo. "And if their claws had hit us, we'd be dead."
She indicated to her tail. The damage wasn't visible to the naked eye, but one small area had received a bit of a trim. Mischief clearly didn't notice. He just followed her paw then went back to watching where he was going.
"I'm glad we waited that out," she went on. "I no longer feel like we're being followed, and if we'd kept going we'd have likely led them the whole way back."
She kept her voice low just to be on the safe side, but she was convinced that the Pokemon had left. They were no longer under any immediate threat.
Despite being tired and hungry, they covered ground quickly. Before they knew it, they were traversing the rocky surface that led up the side of the dry river, ending at the cave mouth. Despite Cleo's unsteady paw work over loose rocks, they reached the cave in no time.
But they weren't alone. Milling around the cave lugging heavy rocks were two Breloom and Skipper.
"Well, whadaya know! It's Cleo!" The Marshstomp gave them a friendly wave.
"Are you clearing the river?" Cleo asked.
"Aye, that we are!" He leant against the cave wall and nodded to his companions. "First we build another dam, an' then we clear the mess! Afore ye know it, the river'll be back to flowin' clean as ever, aye?"
"Oh good!" Spark poked her head out of Cleo's fur. "Because I'm pretty thirsty! I was licking frost off my paws this morning!"
Skipper let out a deep, throaty laugh. "Ahh, right enough. Ye get in there. Tinker's been worryin' himself sick, he has. Wondered where ye all got off te. I take it ye dinnae go where he asked, aye?"
"Not quite." Cleo moved passed him into the cave. "But I'm sure he'll be satisfied with what we found out."
"I think he'll just be satisfied ye still alive'n'well, Cleo."
Cleo could see Spark's massive grin out of the corner of her eyes.
"Stop it," she hissed at the Dedenne.
Spark just chuckled and hopped off her shoulder. "Well I'm hungry. Let's hit the dinner hall."
Cleo used her badge to open the sliding stone panel in the wall. The three of them slipped inside before it clicked back into place. The tunnel that lay before them was a long, winding one that led down into the depths of New City, lit up by candles running along the walls. The end of the tunnel opened up into a wider corridor that took them past the doorway to a large room, shouts and cries coming from it.
"What's that?" Mischief asked.
"The training room," said Cleo.
She didn't elaborate, focusing instead on getting to Tinker as fast as they could. Spark on the other hand was focused intently on getting to the dinner hall, skipping along ahead of them, humming to herself.
The corridor ended at the main hall, the room filled with the bustling noise of chattering Pokemon visiting the various market stalls, and the laughs of little ones playing, oblivious to the outside world.
"Cleo!"
She turned sharply. Tinker was running over to them, a look of relief on his face.
"Ahh, we were just going to your office," she told him.
"I wasn't," said Spark. "I'm gonna go to the dinner hall. I'll meet you there." She turned to leave.
"I wouldn't bother," Tinker told her. "Dinner isn't served for another two hours yet."
Spark looked at him, her mouth open and eyes so wide they seemed to fill her face. Words clearly failed her, instead coming out as a long whine.
"Sorry." Tinker smiled. "I do have some berries in my office though."
"Seriously?" Cleo raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I didn't make it to breakfast this morning so Skipper bought me some while he was on his way to the river. Did you see him on your way up?"
"Yes. He explained what they're doing."
"Good. Saves me the job." He turned and led them to his office, the noise of the hall fading behind them. "You can tell me what you discovered instead, in detail."
Once inside he let the door close fast behind them. Spark made a beeline for the tray on a portable table beside his desk.
Tinker flopped down in his chair and turned to face Cleo and Mischief.
"I trust Mischief was blindfolded when you came back here?"
Cleo froze. "Ah-"
"Cleo..." Tinker sighed and closed his eyes.
"Well, he knew about that entrance anyway," she said. "Let's face it. You and Skipper went in and out of it while we were investigating that 'dam'."
Tinker clasped his paws together and fixed her with his eye. "We may have to hold him here until we decide who's side he's on. Even knowing one entrance is a risk."
"And you can't fault your own oversight on this?" Cleo's voice almost came out as a hiss.
"I'm on your side." Mischief spoke up, drawing all eyes in the room.
"How can we be so sure?" Tinker asked. "You have no memories, your life is a mere mystery. You're an outsider to the Guild, you have no badge to show you belong here so where is your allegiance?"
"With you," Mischief said bluntly.
Tinker shrugged. "Evidence?"
"My word should be enough."
Tinker chuckled. "If words were enough, we'd have a lot of trouble with the enemies we hold in our cells."
"Look." Mischief took a step towards Tinker. "If Grey couldn't find any hint of where I'm from in my memories then I clearly don't have them. None. Nothing. It's where I am now that matters, and where I am is here on your side."
Tinker merely stared at him.
"I've seen too much out there, and I don't like it," Mischief went on. "I've seen enough to know I want to fight against it. I want to help Cleo and Spark, and I want to help you. If you don't trust me, then that's your decision. But I can give you my word I will not ever, no matter what happens to me, reveal New City to any Pokemon outside it."
"Not even to other Outcasts?" The Riolu gave him a hard stare.
"No. I won't even breathe its name outside these walls."
Tinker's demeanour didn't change. He fixed Mischief with such a cold stare that Cleo practically felt it.
"Come on Tinker," she said. "He even told me he wants to be a Guild member. Even after all he's seen, he's still willing to help."
Tinker closed his eyes. "This coming from the Meowstic who refuses to take another companion?"
Mischief turned his head to look at her.
Cleo said nothing. She hadn't considered that. But now he'd mentioned it, she wondered why. Was she really willing to travel with Mischief? Yes, but what had changed?
"If you see potential in this Whimsicott," Tinker still kept his eyes closed, "someone like you who refuses to travel with anyone you fear you have to carry, then clearly there is something about him that's intrigued you?" He opened his good eye to look at her. "What is it, Cleo? The fact he can take down a dragon? Or any of Hydreigon's henchmen?"
The room was silent for a moment while Cleo let this all sink in. Spark had even stopped eating, clasping a berry between both paws, staring from one Pokemon to the other in sheer bewilderment.
Cleo finally looked up at Tinker. "You're right."
Both Tinker's eyes snapped open and he stared at her with mild amusement.
"It's because I don't have to carry him," she said. "I know he'll watch my back, and I'll watch his. I can't speak for Spark, but if she's happy with him on the team-"
"Yeah, I'm good with that." Spark stuffed the berry in her mouth.
Tinker smiled and looked at the Whimsicott. "All right. Mischief, you are a probationary Guild Member." He reached out to his desk and turned a key in the drawer, pulling out a shiny sun-shaped badge which he handed to Mischief. "Wear it where others can see it. Cleo wears hers on her bag. Spark has hers on her scarf."
Mischief took it and turned it in his paws. "I guess I can wear it round my neck like Spark but I don't have a scarf."
Tinker waved a dismissive paw. "Pick one up at the market. Now. To business. What did you three find?"
Cleo had been mildly dreading this. She licked her lips and clasped her paws behind her back.
"Well, we didn't make it to the forest."
"No?" Tinker stared at her.
"No. We followed the river, in case there were clues to the Noivern's presence down there. Maybe if he'd caused it or-"
"So you went against my orders?" Tinker narrowed his eyes. "That isn't what I asked, Cleo."
"No but hear me out!" Cleo implored. "We found something very important down there."
Tinker sighed. "Go ahead."
The three of them explained the events of the previous day – finding the Pachirisu and what it might mean, to the events of the night where they were assaulted.
At the end, Tinker was silent for a moment before finally speaking up.
"I can't say what you discovered lacks importance. If that Pachirisu really wasn't an Outcast – I won't rule that out as its badge could have been looted from it – but it could mean there are indeed peaceful Pokemon out there. If this is the case, I would like to investigate it further. But!" He added this before any of them could speak. "I want you to find out why that Noivern was out during the day. If at all possible, that is. Look for evidence, ask around if need be. That is your assignment for today. Do not fail me."
The three of them nodded.
"Okay," said Cleo.
"Now, Skipper and I found where the river was leading out, and I feel obligated to tell you that there are Heretics living in the mountains. Or there were. There are some left, desperately trying to clean up the river. It may be them that attacked you last night, or it may have been some of Hydreigon's henchmen. Whoever it was I am guessing they had something to do with poisoning the river. As such I am ruling out the Heretic group who we ran into yesterday, as they were deeply distressed at the river being poisoned. Keep an eye open, just in case it happens again. You did the right thing not coming back last night, and I thank you all for risking your lives to keep New City safe."
"Heretics in the mountain?" Spark shook her head. "This close to New City? Oh, that can't be good."
"Trust me, we'll be keeping an eye on them." Tinker turned to his desk. "Now, I will look into this matter concerning the Pachirisu you found. You please stick to your assigned task. Oh and before I dismiss you!" He leapt off his chair and scurried into the adjoining room marked 'keep out'. This prompted the others to exchange glances before Tinker came back out, clutching an odd gadget in his paw.
"This will allow us to maintain contact." He handed it to Cleo. "Press that red button and speak into it. We can stay in touch this way, but only within the vicinity of New City. If you go too far out of it, the signal won't carry."
Cleo stared at the odd, white, plastic box with its huge read button and long, black antennae. She looked up at Tinker.
"This? I've never seen anything like it."
"As you know, I like to mess with gadgets." He gave her a smile. "I have one myself, so I can reply to your messages." He indicated the large, white band around his wrist. "It's a bit of an upgrade and I only have the one. In the meantime, use that if you need to tell me anything urgently."
Cleo tucked the device into her bag. "I can't help but think your giving me this to make sure I do my job."
"I'm not denying it." He turned back to his desk. "Okay, now you're dismissed. Grab any supplies you need and be on your way."
Cleo and her friends left the room and the door closed behind them, giving a firm sense of dismissal. As they made their way down the hallway, Mischief turned to her.
"What did he mean by probationary Guild member?"
Spark folded her paws behind her head. "It means if you put a paw wrong, you'll be removed from the Guild and put in the cells with the rest of the bad guys."
Mischief paled. "But I'm not a bad guy!"
Spark grinned. "Then you should have nothing to worry about."
...
The route back down to the Moorland's Forest felt shorter than it had done a couple of days ago. Cleo attributed this to the fact she'd had to carry Mischief all the way there while keeping an eye open for enemy attacks.
Once at the forest, Tinker was proven right. The body was indeed gone, all that was left was a large patch of dried blood and a scattering of black feathers. The sight brought back unwanted memories, chilling Cleo to the core. She tore her eyes from the scene and moved away from it, pressing through the trees.
"Where are we going?" Spark asked from her shoulder.
"Keep your ears and eyes open," Cleo told her. "We're looking for clues."
"Away from that spot?" Spark pointed behind them. "Wouldn't clues technically be in that spot?"
"We looked. There's nothing there." Cleo paused, her ears twitching. "I think there's something in this forest," she added under her breath.
Mischief paused beside her, fiddling with the newly acquired badge on the orange neckerchief he now wore.
"You think we're being watched?" He asked.
Cleo nodded. "Let's keep moving. If we stand still, we're sitting targets."
They moved on, putting the morbid spot behind them. The forest was quiet. Like the rest of the areas surrounding New City, very few Pokemon lived in them. The next Outcast town was more than a two day's walk away, so any Pokemon that passed through the woods were either travelling Guild members or dark Pokemon looking for prey. The Heretics in the mountains were the first to be discovered in this area so they clearly kept a low profile.
As for clues, there were none. No more black feathers littered the ground. The forest was silent, causing Cleo to wonder if the feeling of being watched was nothing more than paranoia.
A Noivern. A Noivern out during the day accompanied by Murkrow. It was an odd combination. Why would one be out during the day? Where was it going? No... where was it coming from?
Cleo looked up at the canopy. Barely any light came through at this point, so she had no view of the sky. Where was the Noivern going? She turned to look back where they'd come from. She could no longer see the spot the Noivern had fallen, but she could see it in her mind.
Where was it going?
"He was going home." Cleo's voice was quiet as she mulled this over.
"What?" Spark stared at her from her collar.
"He was going home. The Noivern." She turned to face where they were going. "He came from this way. The way he was headed was the Shadow Lands. He spotted us and targeted us, but he was going home. He wasn't looking for anything."
"But he attacked us. Why?"
"An opportunity." Cleo hopped over a large root protruding from the ground and pushed her way through a thick patch of foliage. "To be out during the day, he must have been travelling without a break to get home faster. All we can assume is he was in a hurry."
"How can we be sure he was even heading home?" Spark asked. "He could have just been flying about for fun."
"During the day with escorts?"
Spark made a thoughtful noise. "Good point. Noivern. Of course." She retreated back into her collar and sighed. "It does make sense. But why would he be rushing back?"
"That's what we're going to find out. Maybe he found something in this forest?"
"Found something." Mischief's voice almost startled Cleo. "You mean like what we found yesterday?"
Cleo glanced at him. "Exactly. Maybe there's peaceful Pokemon living in this forest."
"Why would that concern him?" Came Spark's muffled voice.
"It would point to who poisoned the river," Cleo explained. "If this is indeed the case, we're on to something."
Spark's head shot out of Cleo's neck fur. "I think we need to run."
Cleo froze, her ears twitching once more. Spark was right. Something was in this forest with them, watching. No... moving...
She dived to the side, twisting in the air as a black blur shot past them, vanishing like smoke into the brambles. Within moments, it was back. But they weren't aiming for Cleo.
Mischief leapt aside, his light body floating as he threw a flurry of cotton balls at their assailant. The blur slowed, shaking its head wildly to remove the irritating cotton spores from its eyes.
Cleo's eyes widened. Their assailant was a Zorua, and not just any Zorua. Their markings were blue rather than red, and held in their mouth was a large, purple horn mounted on a wooden handle.
Blue...
She'd heard of this Zorua. They were a feared assassin that Hydreigon only allegedly sent out under special circumstances. So why was Mischief their target?
She tutted. There was nothing she could do to a Zorua long range, and to get in close would put her in striking distance of that horn, and if it was what she feared it was, that would be suicide.
"This isn't good," Spark muttered.
She leapt from Cleo's shoulder and shot into the trees, unleashing a sharp jolt of electricity at the Zorua. They calculated this and leapt out of the way, but with less grace and agility than they had previously been displaying. Whatever Mischief had done had worked in their favour.
Before the Zorua could land, Mischief sent an energy ball at it, knocking them off their feet. They scrambled back up quickly to dodge another jolt off Spark and snarled, turning their attention entirely onto Mischief.
"Why, aren't you a nuisance!"
The Zorua's voice, as muffled as it was around that horn, was distinctly high, taking Cleo by surprise. She hadn't come across many female Pokemon from Hydreigon's army. His soldiers and assassins were usually male.
The Zorua narrowed her blue eyes and she prepared herself to pounce. Mischief moved away just in time, directing that dazzling purple light at the Zorua. She didn't manage to dodge in time, the attack connecting with her rear legs and tail. She let out a yell and dropped the horn, then went sprawling to the ground.
Spark took this opportunity to launch a well timed thunder wave, crippling the Zorua where she lay.
Cleo adjusted her bag and took a few steps towards the fallen Pokemon.
"Right. Maybe you can answer some questions?"
The Zorua chuckled.
Wait no... it was Mischief.
Cleo paused and looked back at him. Her eyes widened and she darted out of the way of a series of consecutive energy balls. The Zorua's body was launched into the air, followed by Mischief who connected with it in a full body tackle, ramming the Zorua back into the ground. He grabbed her ruff in one paw and raised the other, a look of pure mania on his face.
"Mischief, stop!" Cleo wailed, racing towards him.
"Cleo no!" Spark shot past her, hitting Mischief full on, electricity sparking in all directions.
The Whimsicott's body shuddered a couple of times, all fury leaving his eyes as they focused on the trees. He said nothing. His body went limp.
Cleo looked away from the two Pokemon and ran a paw over her face. She feared the worst, not wanting to look.
"Spark, are they both alive?"
"Yup." Spark hopped onto the Zorua's chest. "Just paralysed."
Cleo let out a sigh of relief and joined the Dedenne's side. She looked down at the unconscious Zorua. She couldn't exactly get questions out of her while she was unconscious, and she didn't really want to wait around in the forest for her to wake up perchance she didn't come alone. She grit her teeth and pulled the device Tinker had given her out of her bag. She hadn't wanted to use this so soon.
She pressed the button and spoke into it. "Tinker?"
A buzz came out of the speaker, followed by, "Cleo? Is that you?"
"Yes. We've ran into a bit of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?"
"We were attacked by a Zorua. I wanted to ask her for information once we took her down, but Mischief went mad and knocked her out."
"Are you okay?"
"Spark and I are fine, but the Zorua and Mischief are both unconscious. I don't want to lose an opportunity like this, but I can't leave the Zorua here and I think Mischief might need treatment."
"He'll wake up in due time, I imagine he's exhausted himself like before." Tinker paused. "But you can't bring the Zorua back here."
"No... I don't really want to. But it's a long journey to the next Outcast town and I really want to ask her about that Noivern. Do you know anywhere nearby that's enclosed?"
A long 'hmm' came out of the speaker, muffled by a buzz. "We do have some cells. Bring her to them."
"Cells?" Cleo was aghast. New City had its own cells? "Where?"
"It's a hidden place separate from here. I've never told you about it because I've never had to. It's a secure location where we keep the worst of the Pokemon we catch for information purposes. You can get there if you search for a large tree in the forest. It's west of where the Noivern was defeated. Keep going and you'll see it."
"A large tree," Cleo spat. "Is that really a safe spot, Tinker? I assume we also get inside the usual way?"
"It's perfectly safe, I can assure you. And yes, you get in the same old traditional way."
Cleo closed her eyes. With the badge. Like any other entrance to New City. Secure location... she stuffed the device back into her bag and looked down at the two fallen Pokemon.
The first challenge she had to face was how to transport the both of them. Her psychic powers wouldn't work on the Zorua.
She sighed.
This wasn't going to be easy.
...
Please R&R! =D