Chapter 19

Capture at the Castle

The Umbreon headed toward the throne room. She passed by the kitchen to get a little snack, only finding the place filled with pokemon. They were cooking all sorts of food as if for a party. As far as Abbie was aware, there wasn't any party going on at all this weekend, but that was probably what Clariana wanted to talk to her about. She would probably be given a job to do.

Abbie pushed the door open and walked into the throne room. "Hello Clariana. Breo."

"Hello Abbie," Clariana greeted back. "Glad to see you got my message."

"Well it was delivered to me at six thirty this morning." Abbie sat down in front of the two, who were also sitting on the ground looking at a piece of paper in front of them. "What's this for?"

Breo turned the paper around for the Umbreon to get a better view. "It's for a birthday party tomorrow night."

"That explains why the kitchen was so crowded," Abbie stated. "So whose birthday is tomorrow?"

"Cyle's." Clariana answered. "But he doesn't know we're throwing him a surprise party, so don't tell him."

"My lips are sealed." Abbie pretended to zip her lips shut. "What do you want me to do for the party? Guard, cook, watch cubs?"

"Well we do need someone to watch the cubs at the party…" Breo mumbled jokingly, getting nudged in the ribs by his wife. He chuckled to himself. "Actually, we wanted you to distract Cyle for a little while tomorrow while everything is getting set up. Think you can do that?"

"Sure. I'll think of something to do." Abbie's eyes drifted to the paper, which was labeled 'guest list'. It was long, almost too long. "Is the whole kingdom coming?"

"Yes." Clariana answered. "They do every year."

"Wow. Then, I guess I'll see you tomorrow night."

Abbie said goodnight to the king and queen before leaving the room. She headed toward her own room, thinking about the birthday party. She was sure that all those pokemon being there would make Cyle happy. He loved talking to pokemon, and rarely ever disliked anyone. Even she became his friend after a while. Cyle was just a likable pokemon. The female Umbreon wondered what they were doing. She always thought that royal parties were chocked full of fireworks and dances.

Abbie started wondering what having a party felt like. Being an orphan, she never had one before. She didn't even know when her birthday was. It was another part of her childhood she had been denied. Now, being a little older, she realized just how much she wanted to have all those things everyone else had.

…

"Did you see all that stuff?" Cyle asked excitedly once he and Abbie were out of the marketplace and following the path in the forest. "That place is bigger than last year."

Abbie chuckled, even though she was just as amazed as he was. "I've never seen a marketplace that big. It's even bigger than the one in Wisp Town."

"So where are we going, anyway?" Cyle glanced all around the forest, expecting a surprise party to be hidden somewhere. "I don't think I've been in this forest before."

"I'm taking you somewhere for your birthday." Abbie replied simply, adjusting the brown bag around her neck. She wanted to make sure Cyle's present didn't fall out.

"Well I know that," Cyle sighed happily. "You said 'happy birthday' to me five times this morning when I walked into the kitchen. Where are we going?"

"You'll know when we get there."

Abbie continued walking, the scent of warm water filling her nose. She knew the hot spring was somewhere in this forest, and she only had to find it. That, combined with the present, was the perfect gift and distraction. They both left the castle at noon and looked around the marketplace for two hours. Abbie only needed to distract the prince for a couple more hours. The castle garden was, as King Breo put it, in desperate need of remodeling for the party.

Cyle's mind was everywhere. He listened for anything that gave hint to what his party was. Of course he knew that he was getting a party, that was a given every year, but he had no idea what his parents were planning. For all he knew, they didn't even remember, but they would never forget something like that. They loved him too much.

Abbie stopped walking, blocking Cyle's path. "Are you ready?" She asked with an excited smile on her face.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Cyle answered. For just a second, his heart forgot about where they were going, and focused on the girl in front of him.

The female Umbreon led her friend into the small, pokemon-made clearing. The heated water vapor tickled their skin and felt cold to the touch. The small pond was emitting steam as several rocks spat out perfect streams of water. It was no doubt that a pokemon had to make that happen. The only other pokemon in the area was a Torkoal, who was usually at the spring as Abbie found out, but he was asleep.

"A hot spring," Cyle whispered in awe. He had never been to one, but heard that they felt amazingly good. They were perfect for relaxing the muscles. "I never would've guessed that you'd bring me here."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Abbie placed a paw over her chest, pretending she was hurt at the statement.

Cyle laughed, knowing she was kidding. "I mean…it's just that…well, you don't seem like the relaxing type of pokemon."

"And what does that mean?"

"You're always so serious about battles, and I've never seen a pokemon not want to go to a spring after a battle."

"Battling gets your body going and the adrenaline rushing. I love that feeling you get in your stomach when going up against a strong opponent."

"I guess not everyone feels that way."

Cyle wasn't shy about getting in the soothing water. At first touch, his body shivered with delight and warmed up instantly. His muscles unloosened at the heat of the water, and sent his body into a temporary relaxation. A pleasant sigh escaped his mouth, and he sank deeper into the water. But something bothered him.

Actually, it was someone.

Abbie looked at the water weirdly. She dipped a paw in awkwardly and pulled it out when she felt a burning sensation. The hot spring water was unfamiliar, and she usually didn't like different feelings. Cyle's laugh came as he got out of the water, dripping wet. She backed away, raising an eyebrow.

"The reason you come here is to get into the water."

"I know that," she answered. Her eyes looked at the steaming water, and she couldn't help but wonder how it relaxed the muscles.

Cyle nudged her forward. "Just get in. You'll love it."

Abbie took her brown bag off, placing it at a distance so that it wouldn't get wet. Then, she waited while Cyle got in before approaching the water. But it was her mistake. The male Umbreon sprung up from the water and wrapped his front legs around her neck, yanking her into the hot water. Abbie wasn't expecting to go into the water that quick, but she felt a whole lot better doing it that way. Her body tingled at the first touch of the amazingly warm water.

She resurfaced and breathed heavily. "I should be mad at you for doing that…but this water feels amazing." Abbie slowly slid under water until only her head remained visible.

"I told you," Cyle stated. "It's too bad we can't be in here for a long time. It'll ruin our rings."

"You're starting to act like a responsible prince," Abbie said jokingly.

They sat in silence, enjoying each other's presence more than the water. Ten minutes passed before they got out to dry off by soaking in the sun. Abbie felt the ring on her forehead shine to get rid of any water that it soaked in. She hated how hot water could ruin the glowing asset of her power.

Abbie lifted her head from her paws, causing Cyle to do the same. "Oh, I have a present for you!"

Cyle got to his paws as his friend searched through her brown bag. "Aw, c'mon. You didn't have to get me anything. This is already enough."

The female dark type picked up the boxed present. "It's your birthday, and I know that pokemon like to get presents."

Cyle was actually just being polite, but he really wanted to see what Abbie got him. He opened the box to see a small pendent attached to a chain. He picked it up with his nose and let it slip over his head and onto his neck. The pendent was circular, outlined in silver and colored a deep blue to match the color of his eyes. The silver chain that held it up was thin, but very strong. It wouldn't break if he accidentally caught it on something.

"This is amazing. Thank you, but how did you afford it?"

Abbie smiled. "I have a job now and a place to live. It really wasn't that expensive anyway."

"Thanks, Abbie." Cyle smiled gratefully, his heart thumping in his chest. Abbie was an amazing pokemon. "I also have a present for you."

Abbie's smile dropped to an amused half smile. "No, I can't. It's your birthday, not mine."

"Alright then. I'll save it for your birthday which is…when exactly?"

"Oh…um…" The female Umbreon scratched the back of her neck nervously. "I, uh, don't know when my birthday is."

Cyle's eyes widened. "What? Why don't you know?"

"Cyle, I don't know who my parents are. They just abandoned me in the middle of the forest outside of Wisp Town. The last thing I would want to know about is my birthday."

The male dark type lowered his head a bit, sorry that he asked. "Sorry," he apologized. He hugged her gently, deciding to save his present for later, feeling stupid for even thinking about it.

…

A whistle filled the sky, followed by the sound of an explosion. Brilliant colors filled the sky, reflecting off the eyes of the many pokemon below. Several more fireworks shot into the sky forming the letters C, Y, L, and E. Everyone cheered for the birthday Umbreon as he walked into the garden. He smiled, recognizing many of the pokemon in the crowd. He wore the blue pendent Abbie had given him hours earlier.

Following the young prince was a female Umbreon. Abbie wore a white flower ear accessory that had a red jewel in the middle. It perfectly matched her Umbreon eyes. On her chest was the Head of Army and Law seal. She walked up next to Cyle and all the pokemon in the garden clapped and cheered, yelling 'happy birthday' to him.

Cyle and Abbie looked at each other and smiled as they started walking to greet other pokemon. Cyle introduced Abbie to his battling friend Tony and many other friends of his. The female Umbreon was very polite, as she was most of the time, and was a very good conversationalist once she started talking. It took Cyle a couple minutes to get her away from anyone she talked to, and that made him start to wonder why his uncle hated her.

Abbie loved the company. She had grown up without anyone so naturally she just loved being around pokemon. She was about to meet another friend of Cyle's when a familiar voice pricked her ears.

"Miss me?"

Abbie turned around and found a yellow furred pokemon. "Arron!" She cried happily. She ran at him and hugged him tightly. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"It's only been a few weeks," Arron stated. The Jolteon smiled and nodded nervously. "So no word about Cece?"

Her ears fell down. "No, nothing."

The male Umbreon ran up beside Abbie, seeing his friend Arron. The electric type wore brilliant silver armor decorated with a blue gem in the middle of the shoulder armor. "Arron, you're an Auras warrior now?"

"Yep. A lot has happened since the Wild One Tournament."

The three spent two hours together, chatting, catching up, and eating cake. Cyle was greeted by many of his subjects. Most of them said he would make a fine king in the future, or said they remember when he was just a cub. Abbie smiled, wishing she had pokemon who knew her as a cub, who could tell her what she was like. She wanted to know her mother and father, and know what traits she got from them, what evolution they were, and where her home was. She wished she had a birthday and a family to spend it with.

Abbie needed a break. She needed to be alone and think. She told Cyle and Arron that she was going inside to cool down, and went into the castle hastily.

Zen was checking on all the guards around the castle. He wanted to make sure that no one was going to interrupt the party. He finished his round and was going to go see how his nephew was doing when he saw Abbie slip inside the castle. He had done his best to avoid her tonight since she was Cyle's friend and it was his birthday, but now she was going into the castle to cause all kinds of trouble. He was still fixated on the belief that Abbie was going to steal the crystal. Zen remembered her reaction when she lost the tournament. She was probably determined to get it back.

Abbie walked through the hallways, trying to shake off the thoughts in her head. She had never felt sad before. Of course she had felt sad, but not this kind of sad. This kind of sad was more like a longing. She was fussing over something that couldn't have been helped. The female Umbreon was choosing to be alone when there was a yard full of pokemon, more importantly her friends, right outside. Yet, she was in here feeling sorry for herself. Abbie was prepared to turn back, but something stopped her. It tugged on her heart.

"Help."

Abbie turned her head to the side. She heard the voice come from behind the door right next to her. It was slightly open, and she could see something glowing inside of it. Suppressing her mind's warnings, she followed her heart and went inside the room. Right at its center was a small, marble pillar. On it was a four-pointed, white crystal attached to a brown band.

The female Umbreon was drawn closer, completely hypnotized by the beauty. She forgot about the Descending One, her test result, everything. The closer she got, the faster her heart beat. She felt the aura reaching for her, and it distracted her from all other senses. The glass container that was supposed to be shielding the crystal was now broken shards all over the floor around it. Abbie didn't even feel it cut the skin of her paws because the power emitted by the crystal was numbing any pain.

The shadows moved as Abbie slipped her head under the brown band. The crystal slid right onto her neck and tightened upon the pokemon's command. It was too loose before, but now fit perfectly and glowed lightly. The Umbreon smiled as the warm sensation of power filled her chest. Unbeknownst to her, the crystal shared its energy with the orb in her chest, knowing that someone was trying to take it. It knew someone unworthy of it was near. And not just one, but many.

Abbie's ears twitches as a slight scratching noise came from above. A Shadow Ball formed, bigger and faster than she could even imagine. She released it near the top corner of the room, and a boom came from within the shadows. Several stone bricks fell from their place, crumbled to nothing but pebbles. Abbie looked down at the crystal, wondering if she actually just did that.

Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach dropped as she realized the Crysti was on her neck.

"I knew it!"

Abbie snapped her head around to see Zen walking up to her. His rings glowed fiercely, slightly illuminating the otherwise dark room. She saw something back away into the safety of the remaining shadows, and Zen was the least of her concerns.

Zen stood tall in front of her, making her meet eyes with him. "I knew you were planning to steal the crystal!"

"Zen," Abbie tried to reason, "wait I…"

"You even broke the glass to get it!" Zen spat. He attempted to pull the crystal off her neck, but it held onto her. "Don't even deny it."

Abbie yanked herself away, finally feeling the slight pain of the glass cutting her paws. She looked down and examined the floor and everything clicked in her mind. "I came in here and everything was like this." She looked around, and the Crysti helped her sense where the shadows were different.

"Sure it was." Zen harshly grabbed her by the collar and yanked at her. "Now we're going to the king and queen to see what they have in store for you."

Abbie felt something from the shadows lunged. "Watch out!" She tackled Zen across the room and heard the sharp knife slice easily through the stone.

They looked back at the spot where they once were, seeing pokemon was on one knee in front of the two Umbreon. His shoulder and legs were protected by his natural, red armor. The same type of armor covered his head and a yellow blade stuck out from it. His arms and hands were steel with sharps knives extending from the forearms. The Bisharp smiled and chuckled, easily removing his knife from the ground.

"Well done," The Bisharp congratulated. His sharp eyes met Abbie's, which were locked on him. "Normally I would spare you for being able to sense me that easily, but I have orders to follow."

"Why don't you get the rest of your buddies out here?" Abbie growled with her teeth clenched. She stood and faced him, getting into an attacking stance. "That way you won't be able to sneak up on us!"

"You're a very smart girl. C'mon out boys." Bisharp commanded. Four large Pawniard jumped from their hiding places on the ceiling and took their place by Bisharp. "Now there's two ways of doing this. The easy way, or my way. Take your pick."

"I suggest you leave!" Zen barked, stepping closer. "Before I call the rest of the guards here!"

Bisharp chuckled. "I can't leave. Not without the crystal and you two alive in my possession. Besides, all your petty little guards are preoccupied with the party. They'll never hear you calling for them."

The Bisharp moved quickly. In a flash, he was in front of Zen. He slammed his arm into the Umbreon's side and sent him into the wall. Luckily, he was able to land on his paws and ready to fight, but Bisharp landed another hit in an instant. The four Pawniard distracted Abbie. They had to give their leader enough time to knock Zen out and then Abbie, if she was still conscious by the time they were finished with her.

The Pawniard stabbed Abbie with their dull knives, but all it felt like was a poke. She easily repeated her Shadow Ball from earlier. They all missed or were dodged, but kept the minions away. However, the Umbreon knew she couldn't keep doing that, not with Zen getting beaten to a pulp. She was distracted for a brief second, long enough for the Pawniard to attack. One jumped on her back, and the other three knocked her off her feet. Together, they all pinned her to the ground, but she wasn't down for long.

Instinctively, to protect Abbie, the Crysti lit up and commanded the shadows. They tore away from the ground, standing up like pokemon. One Pawniard raised his knife hand, preparing to sink it between her shoulder blades, and the Crysti sensed that. The shadows shot forward like Seviper, wrapping around the bodies of the three Pawniard. They pulled the Sharp Blade pokemon off Abbie, slammed them against the ground, and threw them aside like dolls. With their assistance no longer needed, the shadows folded back into the ground. Abbie, not realizing what even happened, jumped up and flung the other Pawniard away.

Her eyes focused on Bisharp, who had backed the tired and beaten Zen into the corner. As Bisharp raised his blade to deal another blow, Abbie bolted. She tackled him straight into the wall and growled defiantly as he fell to the ground. Zen collapsed as well, but was still conscious. Bisharp coughed, but easily stood. His eyes stared right into Abbie's. "You fight good, even if you do have that crystal around your neck. I didn't expect that much power."

He was suddenly in front of Abbie and slashed her once across the cheek with Metal Claw, and again on her side. She landed halfway across the room, but the adrenaline drowned out the pain. After getting back on her feet, she ran at him, jumped, twisted mid air and swung her Iron Tail attack at him. Bisharp caught it and threw her again.

The pain finally reached her mind, but she forced herself to get up. Abbie prepared another Shadow Ball with the dwindling energy in her heart. She was about to release it at Bisharp, but then her eyes caught sight of Zen in his hands. He placed his blade against the Umbreon neck and smiled cunningly.

"You can release that Shadow Ball, and your friend dies." Bisharp stated. "Or you can surrender, give me the crystal, and he lives. What'll it be?"

Abbie gritted her teeth and looked into Zen's eyes. He growled at her to say no. The crystal was far too important to just give up. Zen was only one life compared to the thousands that would be lost if the crystal was given up. But, the young Umbreon intended not to lose any lives. She let the energy of her Shadow Ball dissolve into the air and slowly pulled the brown band off her neck. Then, she threw it over to Bisharp, who nodded toward a Pawniard to pick it up.

"Uphold your end of the deal!" Abbie commanded, feeling weaker without the crystal and trying to make up for it with her words. "And release him!"

"Oh! I never said I would release him. I just said he would live. You should've been listening to me earlier when I said I needed both of you alive in my possession."

With a swift Metal Claw, Bisharp knocked Zen clean unconscious and dropped him to the floor. Next thing she knew, her world was black.