A/N - I almost forgot about this upload today! Too many distractions XD I opened the file to do some writing and was like "Oh yeh! It's Monday!"
Anyway, some facts on two side characters:
Skipper, for some reason, manifested with a Scottish accent. I have no idea why, but it kind of stuck. I always picture him with swimming goggles on his head, so after a while I went back and edited his debut to mention them.
Tinker I picture with a British accent, and quite a thick one. I think it's the sterotypical 'mad genius' thing that brings that one on. Nothing to do with the fact I'm British myself, no... =x
Disclaimer - I do NOT own Pokemon or any of its critters!
29 – Tinker's Concern
Tinker sat in silence, leaning on the table with his head resting on both paws as he took in everything Cleo and her friends had told him. The only sound came from Spark munching away at an apple while she sat on the table in front of Cleo, occasionally glancing at the Riolu as they all waited for him to say something.
Mischief hadn't said a word since they'd gathered in the staff room. He was clearly unhappy about having to leave the Fairy Garden, but Tinker hadn't enquired about his solemn demeanour. Cleo hadn't mentioned anything about him wanting to stay either. She didn't feel it was her place to put Mischief on the spot like that, so the situation remained unvoiced.
Finally, Tinker looked up.
"Well, I don't know what to make of all this."
Faith smiled. "I can imagine it's a lot to take in."
"The Fairy Garden?" Tinker shook his head. "You're seriously telling me this type has been around for years?"
Faith nodded. "For as long as any other type."
"And... Mega Evolution?"
"As old as the fairy type!"
Tinker sat back on the stool, being careful not to topple off it, and stared at the Mawile. He shook his head again and stood up.
"Well, I suppose I'd better show you what we've discovered since your time away frolicking amongst the flowers."
"Frolicking?" Cleo gasped.
Faith appeared as equally perplexed but said nothing.
"Yes. Frolicking. What else are you doing in that supposed garden? You're not out here defending us against the Darkness are you?"
"Actually we are," Faith explained. "Why else do you think I'm here?"
"Yes, you're here now." Tinker stared at her. "But where were you when Cleo and Spark's families were annihilated?"
"I-"
"And what about all the Pokemon in New City? They've also lost their homes and loved ones in all this chaos." Faith was about to respond again but Tinker cut her off with a wave of his paw. "You say there are hundreds of Pokemon in the Fairy Garden that possess this type. If that were the case then why haven't you put an end to the Shadow Lands if you possess that power?"
"It's more complicated than that!" Faith gasped. "We can't just run in there blowing on trumpets and running them down, it doesn't work like that. We'd be massacred ourselves!"
"But you're immune to dragon attacks!"
Faith just stared at him, dumbfounded.
"And what about Xerneas?" Tinker asked. "Where is he right now?"
"Out there," Faith answered flatly. "Helping those who need it."
"Really?" Tinker didn't seem convinced.
"He works through us as well," Faith went on. "We also leave the Fairy Garden in groups or pairs to help those who need it. Your reaction isn't exactly new to me, but no matter how many times I encounter it, it still makes me sad."
"Then be sad." Tinker stood up and turned to the others. "Follow me. I need to show you something."
"No!"
Tinker span to look at Mischief.
"You can't talk to her like that!" The Whimsicott practically bristled. "You have no idea how much hard work Xerneas puts into training up Pokemon like Faith to come out here and help us."
"The state of the world gives me an idea, Mischief. You've seen it yourself."
"Yes. And here we are, fighting."
"You mean arguing."
"No. Fighting. We're all together fighting the same thing." Mischief paused. "Doesn't that mean something?"
"No. You're spouting nonsense." Tinker moved past them towards the door.
"I think what he's trying to say," Cleo said slowly, "is that there's a little hope in all this."
"And that hope has to have come from somewhere." Faith smiled and closed her eyes. "I like it."
"You're reading between the lines," Tinker said flatly. "That is not what he just said at all."
"But it's what I meant!" Mischief snapped.
"No, they're putting words in your mouth." Tinker opened the door. "Are you coming with me or are we going to stand in here arguing all day?"
Cleo balled her fists. "We're coming with you but I'm seriously unimpressed with you right now."
"Then you're about to become even more unimpressed."
He closed the door after them and led them further down the hallway. A small grate lay just above the ground ahead of them. Tinker pulled it out from the wall and ushered them inside.
"You may have to wriggle," he told Cleo. "It's not designed to allow larger Pokemon inside."
"Where does it lead?" Cleo asked.
"New City."
"It's connected to the cells?" Cleo gasped.
"Yes, how else do you think we get here?" He gave Cleo a shove inside and followed after her, making sure everyone was inside before sliding the grate back in place.
"But what about the prisoners?" Cleo went on. "If any of them got out, they could find this spot and enter New City!"
"Already dealt with." Tinker nodded to a stone slab in the floor. He used his badge to unlock it and it slid into the ground, revealing a staircase. "Quick. Like the others, it's on a timer."
They trotted down the stairs before the stone slab clicked back into place.
"They could always get a badge off the guards," said Cleo. "This place isn't secure, Tinker!"
"I said it's already dealt with. The walls along here are equipped with sensors. If they detect a dark, dragon or ghost type Pokemon, it will send an alert to New City, then this floor and ceiling will give way, dragging them down onto a pit of spikes several miles down."
Faith gasped and placed her paws over her mouth, staring down at the floor warily.
"Nice set up," said Cleo. "What if it were to malfunction?"
"Then I'd be in a lot of trouble!" said Tinker. "I take this route quite frequently."
"I'd like to point something out," said Spark. "That trap wouldn't work on ghost Pokemon. They'd be able to slip through the rocks."
"Nevertheless, it's set up to go off if they enter," Tinker explained. "We don't keep ghosts in here, but it's best to be prepared."
"I still think its foolish to have this tunnel," said Cleo. "It's a weakness."
"You also thought the badge working as a key was a weakness," Tinker reminded her.
Cleo shrugged. "I still do. Any Pokemon could obtain it and put two and two together when they see those slabs."
"Don't go off on one," Spark whined.
"No, please don't." Tinker led them up a small stairway to another stone slab in the ceiling. He opened it and led them through.
It opened out into a narrow corridor where two Growlithe guards sat on duty. They eyed Faith curiously but neither said a word.
Tinker led them silently through the corridor until it opened up into a wider one. This part of New City was like a maze. Cleo found herself thinking that should any enemy Pokemon breach that security system, they'd be lost in these tunnels for days.
It finally ended in the massive marketplace where hundreds of voices buzzed through the air.
Faith stared at the Pokemon in awe then looked up at the high ceiling with its ventilation tubes and and criss-crossed pattern of thick tree roots that stretched across from the woods.
"This is where you live?" she asked.
"Yes," said Tinker. "This is where all these Pokemon live."
"You have to hide," she said sadly. "Underground..."
"It's not ideal but it works." Tinker nudged her along. "Come on. You can't stand here staring all day."
"This is heartbreaking." She looked back over her shoulder at the bustling market. "Pokemon shouldn't live like this."
Tinker bit his tongue and moved past Faith, leaving Cleo to usher her along. As much as Faith meant well, she was definitely pushing his buttons. Cleo placed a hand on her shoulder and steered her around the market to the little corridor that led to Tinker's office.
"It's not another one of your mad inventions again is it?" Cleo asked.
"Not quite." Tinker opened his door and stood aside for them to enter.
"Ahh, ye back!" Skipper waved at them from Tinker's desk chair.
"Yes, with guests," Tinker replied.
"Aye, I know these lot." The Marshstomp looked at Faith. "I dinnae this one though."
Faith looked at Cleo. "Dinnae?"
"Skipper isn't from here," Tinker told her. "He's from an island just off the coast. You've probably never heard of it. It's nothing more than a dry, desert wasteland now."
Faith's face fell. "Oh. I'm sorry."
"Ahh, don' worry yerseln!" Skipper waved a paw and laughed. "It was years ago. I dinnae remember the auld place."
A small chirp drew their attention to the desk. A small Swablu stood on it beside a plate of berries, scrutinizing them with its tiny black eyes.
"Oh my!" Faith trotted over to it and scooped it up in her arms. "A little hatchling!"
"Tinker?" Cleo looked round at the Riolu slowly. "Why is their a Swablu in your office?"
Tinker nodded. "Yes, that's what I wanted to show you."
"This is the reason I'm going to be even more unimpressed with you?"
"Yes. How is that looking?"
"It's looking like you're right." Cleo looked back at the Swablu. "How is the rest of New City reacting to you having a potential dragon?"
"Not too well, I must say."
"Cleo, wait!" Faith turned to her, still cradling the little Swablu. "This little one will become an Altaria. Don't you remember seeing them in the Fairy Garden?"
"Fairy Garden?" Skipper raised an eyebrow. "That's a folk tale, aye?"
Faith looked at him. "Oh not at all!"
"Wait! Faith?" Cleo moved over to her to look at the Swablu. "You're right, there were Altaria in the Fairy Garden, but there was also Reshiram. What's your point?"
"The Altaria back home are loyal to Xerneas," the Mawile explained. "What's striking is that you have one of their offspring right here in New City."
"Offspring?" Tinker scoffed. "I found that egg by the poisoned river! It was either abandoned or its parents had died!"
"I'm not saying its the child of one of our Altaria," Faith explained. "But as far as I'm aware, there are none in the Shadow Lands. The Altaria outside the Fairy Garden all apparently vanished."
"Vanished?" Tinker asked. "How?"
"Rumour has it they fled to the Fairy Garden and those that didn't were tracked down and killed for rebellion. But I don't know how much of that is true."
"Rebellion?" Tinker scratched his head. "Maybe that is why the river was poisoned?"
"Aye, maybe," said Skipper. "But it'd been deliberately sent flowin' th'other way, right?"
"Yes." Tinker sighed and crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. "I was actually going to part with that egg, but it hatched, solidifying my initial idea to keep a dragon amongst us. That way, we'd have something that could effectively fight against the Darkness alongside us." He paused and rubbed his ear. "Until Lily pointed out dragons are weak to their own type."
"Then things are drastically in your favour!" Faith smiled at him. "Altaria have a Mega Evolution."
"What?" The gasp came from Cleo, Spark and Tinker.
Skipper just raised an eyebrow. "I might need fillin' in 'ere."
"The Mega form of an Altaria is part dragon, part fairy. That makes them immune to dragon attacks, and completely capable of fighting against them." Faith beamed. "You have a potential fairy amongst you and you never even knew!" She lifted the Swablu to her face and smiled. "What's your name, little one?"
"We call him Starshine," said Tinker.
Faith looked at the Riolu. "Because he shines a little bit of hope into your life, am I right?"
Tinker stuttered. "Well... you could say that." He took the Swablu from Faith gently.
Cleo crossed her arms and gave him a half-smile. "You might come across as bitter but you're revealing your soft side."
Faith chuckled.
"Nonsense!" Tinker scoffed. He set Starshine back on his desk. "I'm merely thinking about what's best for New City."
"Whilst fathering a hatchling," added Cleo.
"Aye, a born dad, this'n!" Skipper nodded at Tinker, causing the Riolu to blush red under his blue fur. "Hey, Tink! He said his first word earlier, yanno!"
"Really?" Tinker looked at the Marshstomp sharply then turned away and cleared his throat. "He'll evolve in no time then."
Faith clapped her paws. "Ooh what was it?"
"Ask 'im." Skipper nodded at the Swablu.
The little hatchling had returned to the plate of berries. The Marshstomp leant over to him.
"What have ye got there then, Starshine?"
The Swablu looked back at him briefly. "Berry."
Spark clutched her stomach with laughter. "Ahh, that's my boy!"
Tinker covered his face with a paw. "Another Pokemon with an appetite the size of a Steelix? What will become of our food store?"
"You're gonna have to stock up!" Spark told him. "Cos we're planning to stay here tonight!"
"Yes, quite." Tinker turned to Cleo. "Your usual room is set up. I trust it will be comfortable for the three of you." He then looked at Mischief. "You, however... I may need to send you back to a cell."
Mischief's orange eyes widened. "Me? Why? I thought I was a Guild member?"
"You are. However, I'm still not completely sure where your loyalties lie. As such I cannot leave you unattended."
"Then leave me with Cleo."
Tinker narrowed his eyes. "Absolutely not."
Mischief looked away from him. "It's because of my condition isn't it?"
Tinker huffed. "When did you find out about that?"
Mischief balled his paws into fists but before he could snap back, Cleo cut him off.
"Tinker, Mischief has showed his loyalty countless times. I'm sure you can find him a room? And if not, he is perfectly fine to stay with us."
Tinker put a paw to his head and took in a long breath. "Cleo, you know full well our guest quarters are single-sex rooms."
"It's okay, I understand," Mischief mumbled. "I'll stay in a cell with Harlequin. I'm sure he won't mind."
The sarcasm was thick in his voice. Cleo looked at Tinker and gave him a glare that he took to mean he'd better sort this out fast. The Riolu gave a flustered sigh and turned to Mischief.
"Fine. We can find you a room. But at the first sign of trouble, my young fellow, you'll be permanently stuffed in one of our cells. Is that clear?"
Mischief gave a single nod. "Crystal."
"Now, please leave," Tinker told them. "I need to speak with Skipper privately. I'll see you at dinner."
Cleo opened the door and let her friends out before her. She looked back at Tinker and frowned.
"What is the matter with you?"
Tinker waved his paw to shoo her out. "Go. I have stuff to do."
Cleo grit her teeth and shook her head. She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Each of her companions wore a different look – Spark one of amusement, Faith somewhat concerned and Mischief looking incredibly miserable.
"I am so sorry he treated you like that," she told Faith and Mischief.
Mischief shrugged. "Whatever. He's never liked me."
"That's because he's jealous," Spark said a little too loudly.
"He's not jealous!" Cleo gasped.
"Jealous of what?" asked Mischief.
"Oh come on, Cleo, he's had a crush on you for years! He's obviously jealous that you're spending so much time with..." Spark nodded at Mischief.
"Oh my!" Faith covered her mouth and chuckled. "I hadn't picked up on that!"
"Because it's all in Spark's head." Cleo nudged the Dedenne playfully with her foot. "Come on. We can't hang around in this corridor all day."
Mischief plodded behind Cleo as they headed back to the market hall. He looked down at Spark.
"Is he really jealous of me?"
"Oh please!" Spark laughed. "It's so obvious!"
"Oh." Mischief gave a small smile. "I thought he just didn't like me because I'm... you know... mad."
"Nah!" Spark waved a paw. "He's mad himself."
"Really?"
"You've seen his contraptions! Plus, anyone who plucks out their own eye for an experiment must be mad."
Cleo looked back at her. "Spark! There's no evidence that's true!"
"He told me himself."
"He was joking."
"Oh." Spark's face fell and she shrugged. "Darn it, I'm curious again now."
"Well... maybe he'll come up with another scenario to shut you up again."
Faith chuckled and looked back at the office. "You three know each other quite well then?"
Cleo nodded. "Yes, we've been friends for quite a while now."
"That's nice." Faith smiled. "I can tell he cares a lot about this city and you two."
"Really?" Cleo was aghast. "After the way he treated you?"
Faith gave her a smile. "I'm used to it. Pokemon never really know how to react when they hear of the Fairy Garden. He'll come round."
Cleo laughed. "You're something else."
"So!" Faith clapped. "Where are these nest rooms? And how big is this place? Can you show me around?"
"Certainly!" Cleo moved on ahead, leading Faith back into the market with Mischief.
"Start with the dinner hall!" said Spark as she took off after them.
...
Please R&R! =D
