Chapter 29 – Peace, Safety, and Silence


"We've done all we can, but they have not turned up," said the chief abomasnow. "I'm sorry, Mister Trailblazer, but as of today, Pelame and Mori are dead."

"…I see…" Trailblazer said solemnly. "Thanks for trying." He then returned to the TIGHS HQ to let everyone know the bad news.

"Everyone… we've lost the two Summa Cum Laudes. Pelame and Mori have been declared dead."

The Guild's entire personnel gasped in shock.

"They have been gone for long enough for the Tradjan law to declare them dead. But that does not mean they really are dead. So, keep your eyes out for them whenever you're out Researching. Let's not give up hope for our friends."


"Well, this is it for me until next month," Torden said to Blessing and Snivy. "Good luck on your house search. I told the hotel to give you this room, so you can keep it for as long as you need it."

"Thanks, Torden," Blessing said. "You've been a really good help lately. We really appreciate it."

"No problem. Be seeing you."

"See you later, pal."

Torden left the hotel and drove off, beginning his trip back to Llyria County.

"He's a really nice guy, huh?" Snivy asked.

"Yep, though a bit goofy at times," Blessing responded. "You know, he did try to date me when we were going to college. He didn't find out about my… romantic incompatibility until the day we all banded together to stop Paras."

"How'd he take it?"

"He took it well. He was more ashamed of himself for not asking and he felt like he'd been stalking me. But I didn't. I enjoyed his company all the same. Funny thing is, for a while, I wasn't seeking out someone to date. But then I met you again after you got out of jail, and then… well… here we are."

"Mov—"

At that moment, the hotel's phone rang.

"Hello?" Blessing asked once she picked up.

"Ah, good, I finally reached you," said Professor Adorbs. "About time, too."

"Oh… uh, *heh heh* hey there, Mom. H-how are you doing?"

"I'm doing fine. Just wondering where you've been for the past more-than-a-week. Henry mentioned that Torden was going to the Ville, which I knew because it was brought up many times before, but then I heard you and Snivy tagged along for the ride, as did Weston to get tended to after he was accosted by that Demon."

"Yeah, we came here looking for a job for Snivy. We're still looking, by the way, but the Ville's Royal District Casino looks promising, and we're going in for an interview in three days."

"That's neat. I only wish you'd told me much sooner. This is literally the first I'm hearing about any of this."

"Uh… *hee hee* sorry I worried you. I was just busy, that's all. Life stuff."

"It's all right. Just make sure you keep me posted more often, okay?"

"Deal."

"Okay. At any rate, I'm happy to hear about all this progress you're making. Keep it up, Blessing."

"Okay. Thanks. I'll talk to you later."

"See you later. Bye."

Both Pokémon hung up.

"That was my mother. Wow, I feel like an idiot."

"How come?" Snivy asked.

"Until now, I mentioned nothing to her about where I was and what I was doing. I just heard it from her just now for keeping her in the dark about all that."

"Wow, Blessing. That's a huge slip-up."

"Yep. Well, let's go check out houses again, huh?"

"Sounds like a plan."


"…I agree," said King Kangaskhan II. "It's astounding how little time they spend on rescue missions."

"My daughter isn't dead, and neither's her friend," Pinna said. "The TIGHS staff knows it, too. They told me all about it."

"Yes. And I'm sure you know how important Pelame is to Pocketurn's safety, as she, much like you, has the ability to Purify Demons. She must be found. So, would you like to search for her?"

"Most definitely. I would like that very much."

"All right, then. Be sure to consult with Keldeo. I'll let him know about this, but you also should, too."

"Thank you, Sire." Pinna bowed to his king and then left to meet his captain.


"Demon activity's at a pleasingly low level," Keldeo said to Pugno and Benedict on the training grounds. "I guess they're finally learning not to mess with us of the Twilit Law, eh?"

"Definitely, sir," Benedict responded. "Or, should I say, Your Honor, considering your promotion."

"Go with whatever you're comfortable with. I still have my job as Captain, you know."

"With those two jobs, though," Pugno added. "You are basically the living form of the law here."

"Indeed, and criminals would do good to learn that. I'm getting another chance pretty soon since Hot Air's daring to return here. I'm not executing him, but he's likely gonna wish I would."

"Talking justice with the newbies again?" Pinna asked as he arrived. "Just like my Captain."

"That's what my sword is for. Hey, you know, that sounds pretty good. 'Keldeo, the Sword of Justice'!"

"Yep, that sounds perfect on you."

"Thanks. I'll just keep that made-up title, then. Oh, and Pinna, the King told me you were coming to consult with me about that mission you're going on. I'm granting you my permission to undertake that mission. Pugno, would you like to accompany Pinna to Tradja to search for Pelame and Mori?"

"Certainly!" Pugno answered in concerned excitement.

"Good. You'll be a party of three. Valkyrie will go with you as well."

"By the way, what's the mission, anyway. I know it has to do with Pelame and, Mori, was it?"

"Short for 'Morikain'," Pinna explained. "He's a friend Pelame made in TIGHS."

"Oh, I remember hearing about him. He's missing, too?"

"Yep," Keldeo continued. "And worse, the Tradjan police force local to the area they vanished from stopped looking for them, per Tradjan law. They're legally dead according to that ridiculous ordinance. But they're not going to be opposed to a search party from outside the country looking for them. I'll let them know, so they don't try to stop you. That's the gist of the mission."

"I see. Well, I'm ready."

"Me, too," Pinna added.

"Excellent," Keldeo answered. "Meet with Valkyrie, and you three will be good to go. Good luck!"


"What's next for you, eh, wild guy?"

Mustard Jr.'s next destination wasn't set, but after his killing of Poisonpore, he felt very confident.

"That pathetic umbreon was no threat," he answered his Dark Blessing. "But I'd like to get of those who are. They're keeping me from un-civilizing this world."

"Track them down, then. You can find them."

"No need to remind me."

Taking a moment to relax, he felt a strong Alpha presence originating north of where he was. He knew immediately who it belonged to.

"Destination set," he thought to himself. He then curled into a ball and used his Flame Wheel to speed off to his destination.


Back in Stepalas, it was the afternoon of a special occasion.

"Today's the big day, everyone!" Clarity said to his mouthless charges, overjoyed. "Stepalas was founded today five months ago, and we're having a big banquet to celebrate!"

Pelame, Mori, and Ogilvie all responded in silent joy.

"So, let's get going! Let's take a look at all the festivities we're having today!"

Clarity teleported himself and his three charges outside to the public center of the city-sized micronation. There, many little booths were set up, each selling many different kind of wares with the Imperators' likeness on them. Clarity went and bought six bandanas, three with Fuoco on them and the other three with D'Artificio on them. He put them on each of his three wards, who accepted them happily.

The next three hours were spent trying on new outfits decorated with Stepalas lore, tasting homemade snacks and baked goods, and spectating local sports events. At 6:30PM, it was time for the banquet to start. Pelame enjoyed every moment of this day, but something was beginning to perturb her. She decided not to bring it up out of courtesy. Not that she could, being as she was Silenced.

The banquet was held in the biggest building in the center of the micronation. The entire population of Stepalas was there, all 300 of them. All the seats were filled and everyone attending had their food ready for eating. Everyone waited for the signal to begin eating.

"Good evening, everyone!" Fuoco greeted. "Today is the fifth anniversary of the founding of Stepalas! It gives us both great pleasure to see such a big turnout!"

"We are grateful," D'Artificio added.

"We have both strived to hide us all away from the world outside this safe spot. The safety of Stepalas was nearly compromised on many occasions, but in the end, peace and safety prevailed! But neither my sister nor I hold grudges, so those of you who have ever transgressed on this nation's tranquility are forgiven. That concludes my announcement."

"Let's eat!"


The plane from Hamblin was halfway to the Ville Du Soleil Couchant, and so far, neither Hot Air nor Haigsfeld had anything to say. He didn't know it for certain, but he guessed Hot Air was still mulling over what had happened when Pelame and Mori were declared dead.

"How could this happen?" he wondered as he remembered what had happened.


Rudolph entered his house, where the members of the Riptide Fan Club who went to help rescue Selena were waiting along with Hot Air and Haigsfeld, eager to hear any good news of the two lost Pokémon. Selena took time out of her schedule to attend this impromptu meeting as well. Unfortunately, the news was not good.

"They're dead as far as the law is concerned." Rudolph said sadly.

Everyone was shocked to hear that as they responded with a big mixture of "It can't be!'s and "No!"s.

"They've looked all throughout the northern mountains, but they haven't been found. And now, the search has stopped."

"But they don't really know if they're dead!" Selena cried. "Can't we go looking for her ourselves?"

"Why?" Hot Air asked. "Pelame hated Riptide, and that Mori guy she was with didn't seem that excited about it."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Haigsfeld demanded.

"Why waste time looking for Riptide haters?"

The response to that was rightfully disgusted.

"What?!"

"Hot Air…" Castor said. "Two Pokémon could very well actually be dead. And the fact that they don't like a show you like is enough for you to wish for their death?!"

"Well… no, but I'm not gonna be sad if they are. And really, wouldn't our community be better off if they don't spread their hate of the show? That'd be as harmful as 'fans' who support the Twilit dub."

"No," Selena said flatly. "It would not. I work on Riptide. I act in it. And I can tell you that it is absolutely no skin off my back that there are Pokémon who don't like the show, or prefer a foreign dub of it. So why should it be any skin off yours?!"

"The version you act in is the true version and a national treasure. That's why."

"Not everyone sees it that way, and they don't need to. And honestly, it makes me sick to hear anyone think that others should see it that way. Hot Air, you should be very ashamed of yourself."

No one else needed to say anything, as Selena hit the nail on the head. Hot Air had nothing to say, so he left.


"To be dissed by an actress from the show… might as well just go back home."


Clarity found time to chat with fellow housekeepers. Pelame, Mori, and Ogilvie got to get acquainted with the other housekeepers' charges. Currently, Clarity was conversing with a kadabra who was with a Silenced golbat.

"So, those two finally got tamed?" asked the kadabra.

"That's right, Cosmo," Clarity answered. "It took Imperator Fuoco himself to convince them, if you know what I mean."

"Whoa… they got him that upset?"

"Yep. Not even Ogilvie here managed to do that. But all is forgiven. Life will be good from now on. So how about Flitter there? How's he been?"

"On his best behavior. He loves Stepalas life now. He's been looking forward to this for a long time."

"As anyone should. This has been lots of fun."

"Oh, definitely! I just heard fireworks earlier, so they must be putting together a really big surprise!"

"Fireworks?" Clarity was confused. "But the Imperators don't like fireworks…"

An explosion could be heard from outside.

"That sounded dangerously low to the ground!"

Pelame was feeling very apprehensive suddenly. Another explosion hit the front door of the building the banquet was happening in, blasting it away along with most of the front of the building. Pelame then came to her senses, as did Mori. She tossed a ball of Alpha energy at the front of the building, hitting Mustard Jr. as he was entering the building.

"I felt your power," Mustard Jr. said. "Thanks for leading me to another civilized gathering for me to destroy!"

"What's going on here?!" Fuoco demanded, standing up to the intruder. "Who are you?! Another outsider?!"

"You could say that…" Mustard Jr. let out a Flamethrower from his mouth, aiming at the Imperator. D'Artificio stepped up and blocked the attack.

"I'll Silence him!" she said.

"Good idea! Get the staff! I'll hold him off!" Fuoco responded. When D'Artificio left, Fuoco gave another order. "Housekeepers, get your charges back to their homes! Protect them!"

The housekeepers obeyed and left with their wards. Clarity was the only exception, as Ogilvie knocked him out once the order was given. He, Pelame, and Mori went to back Fuoco up.

"What are you three outsiders doing?!" Fuoco demanded.

Pelame said nothing, not being able to. She attacked Mustard Jr. with a Quick Attack.

"You're helping me?!" Fuoco asked, somewhat impressed.

Mori nodded in response before lashing out with a Leaf Blade attack. As the skuntank terrorist was knocked over, Mori turned to the Imperator and pointed to the foe's tail.

"What is it? What about his tail?"

Mori was attempting to pantomime an explosion to let the male meowstic know what Mustard Jr. was capable of. Fuoco got to see it for himself once Mustard Jr. raised his tail and pointed it at him. Pelame and Fuoco quickly put up an Alpha Barrier to block the explosion, but the force of it knocked them all back. Mustard Jr. was the first to stand back up and he advanced on them. At that moment, D'Artificio returned with the Orb of Silence and tapped the Demon with it, Silencing him as he was about to launch a Flamethrower attack. It proceeded to burn the area where his lips disappeared from.

"Good timing, sister!" Fuoco complimented.

"Why are these three here?" D'Artificio asked.

"They're backing me up against this intruder."

"And so am I!" Clarity added, regaining consciousness and joining the others.

"Shall I un-Silence them?" D'Artificio asked.

"That's a good idea," Fuoco conceded. "But re-Silence them after this is over."

"Consider it done." D'Artificio tapped Pelame, Mori, and Ogilvie with the Orb of Silence, restoring their mouths.

"Hmph…" Mustard Jr. mumbled. "Ymmm fffllll dmmmf fffdmm m dmmph mmgmm mph." He shook his fur, shaking out a liquid he wasn't even wet with.

"Who is this guy, anyway?" Fuoco asked. "Pelame, did you really lead him here?!"

"Not on purpose!" Pelame explained. "He has a Dark Blessing! Three, actually, and they all tracked my location somehow! He followed the signal here, so to speak! If you would've just let me and Mori go, this wouldn't be happening right now!"

Fuoco was about to retort to that, but he couldn't. He just focused on fighting the intruder. He blasted him out of the building with a Psychic attack.

"If we can just stun this guy for long enough, Pelame can banish that Dark Blessing batch out of him," Mori said.

"Wait, she can?!" Ogilvie asked. "Is she one of those Alphas I've heard about?"

"Yep, I sure am," Pelame answered.

"Then for now, we have a partnership," Fuoco summarized. He blocked an incoming Flamethrower. "Wait a minute… D'Artificio Silenced him! How is he using Flamethrower?!"

"His Dark Blessing lets him cheat, basically. He's firing it out of his tail!"

Mustard Jr. laughed even though he had no mouth.

"Shut up!" D'Artificio ordered as she lashed out with a Psycho Cut. He dodged it and aimed an Explosion at her. Fuoco pulled his sister out of the way, but couldn't save the Orb of Silence. Once it broke, Mustard Jr.'s mouth returned, as did the mouths of everyone else who was Silenced.

"That's better!" Mustard Jr. boasted once he regained his mouth. "Ah, and I'm detecting even more power from underground!" He then burrowed underground.

"Where's he going?" Clarity asked.

"Latios and Latias!" Pelame shouted. "He's after them, too!" She sent down an Alpha Cord that latched onto Mustard Jr., dragging her behind him. Mori and Ogilvie quickly followed. When Mustard Jr. reached the chamber the Eon Duo was held in, he went to attack with another Explosion. Pelame pulled his tail away and sent the attack directly above him, collapsing the ceiling onto him. She approached the Eon Duo and undid the bindings that were on them.

"I remember you!" Latios said in relief. "You saved us once before!"

"Well, I failed last time," Pelame answered. "But this time, I won't."

"Then let's go!" Latias said. The three Pokémon left the underground section. The Imperators and Clarity were waiting above ground. Mustard Jr. came out of the ground in flames.

"Can nothing kill this jerk?!" Pelame complained. Mori and Ogilvie returned from underground as well.

"Well, you can't kill me," Mustard Jr. boasted. "But I'll kill you now!" He very quickly approached Pelame and used Shadow Claw on her in an unorthodox way. Instead of slashing at her with it, he stabbed her shoulder with it. He then blasted her with an Explosion, which she blocked. Once again, the proximity to the blast sent her hurtling back. She had no energy to stand up anymore. All she could do now was lie there and watch helplessly as her foe advanced on her.

"Oh my goodness, I'm gonna get killed!" she thought in fear.

Mori attempted to slice the assailant in the back with his Leaf Blades, but the attack was sensed and retaliated with a Flamethrower, which he took directly to the torso. An Iron Tail then smacked him aside, rendering him down for the count. Fuoco, D'Artificio, and Ogilvie met with the same retaliation, rendering them down for the count. The Eon Duo fared no better as well.

"No more interruptions!" Mustard Jr. said, annoyed. He readied his tail to launch his finishing blow. Then he launched it. Pelame had no energy left to block the attack. Suddenly, something yanked her out of the way. The Explosion attack hit the house they were near, heavily damaging it.

"Ogilvie, take Pelame and get out of here!" Fuoco ordered, setting Pelame on the absol's back.

"Got it," Ogilvie responded. He immediately took off running. Mustard Jr. quickly gave chase despite the Imperators' and Mori's best attempts to stop him. The evil skuntank launched another Explosion which landed right behind Ogilvie and tripped him, causing him to drop Pelame. The rogue's patience wore very thin, so he decided it was now or never. He launched another Explosion right at Pelame. Seeing no other course of action, Ogilvie jumped straight up, obstructing the long-distance Explosion attack and taking it head-on. The others arrived in time to witness this. When the dust cleared, nothing remained of Ogilvie.

"…Ogilvie…?" Pelame quietly called out, voice trembling.

"Did he just…?" D'Artificio pondered in shock and disgust.

"How could he…?" Fuoco added.

"Your turn now, Pelame!" Mustard Jr. declared. "Say 'hello' to both him and that umbreon I detonated on the way here!"

Before he could launch another Explosion, Fuoco telekinetically picked him up.

"Don't you dare," he said in calm fury. "No one else will die here!"

"You should never have upset us!" D'Artificio added. "Now our true powers are revealed! Pelame, Purify him now!"

Mori mustered what remained of his stamina to carry Pelame over to the evil skuntank so she could do her duty as an Alpha of Grani's line. Before that could happen, Mustard Jr. shot a Flamethrower at the Imperators, breaking himself out of their hold. Before anyone could react, he sped off with his improvised Flame Wheel attack.

"…he got away again…" Mori said, frustrated.

"How could this have happened…?" Fuoco said in despair as he observed the damage that had been done by the Demon intruder. "Stepalas… it was supposed to be safe from all threats…"

"Ogilvie…" Pelame said in great sadness. "He's…"

"Pelame… I didn't want this to happen… it wasn't supposed—"

"You shut up!" Pelame screamed at the male meowstic. "How dare… how DARE you and that broad sister of yours call yourselves Alphas! You disgrace those Alpha Sigils on your eyes! A good Pokémon died on the property of this demented micronation of yours, and it's all your fault! Your stupid 'peace and safety' mantra and the underhanded methods of enforcing it got a good Pokémon killed!"

"…don't you think we know that…?" D'Artificio responded.

"I will never, ever, EVER forgive you for this! There is NO forgiving you for this! I hope you two feel bad about this for the rest of your lives! And I hope I never see you again! Do Pocketurn a huge favor and vanish from it forever!" With nothing left to say, Pelame took off running. Mori went to console his friend. Clarity remained with the Imperators.

"…she's right…" Fuoco said. "It is our fault Ogilvie died. I just wanted to protect as many Pokémon as I could from this kind of devastation."

"Me, too, my brother," D'Artificio added. "I share your regret."

"We made a mistake… Stepalas was that mistake. Let's disband it, give this land back to Kaiser Ottovon, and send these poor Pokémon away before anything else happens to them."

"Good idea. We can't protect them, and we shouldn't have tried to."


Pelame had nearly reached the gate when her adrenaline rush ended and her fatigue kicked in. She collapsed in front of the gate just as Mori caught up. The Eon Duo had also been heading in her direction. Latios used Heal Pulse on Pelame and gave her an item.

"That's our Eon Flute," Latios said. "Play it if you need us for any reason. We'll hear it no matter where we are."

"It's our gratitude for you saving our lives," Latias added.

"Thanks…" Pelame said sadly. "Actually, I need a favor now. Can you take me and my friend Morikain to Hamblin?"

"Sure! We'll have you there in just ten minutes! Hop on!"

Pelame and Mori did, and the Eon Duo Mega Evolved into their Mega Forms.

"We can only do this when we're near each other," Latias explained. "We're faster and stronger this way. And don't worry about falling off of us. That's why we put up a Psychic barrier around our backs. It works as a windshield, air bag, and railing. And also protection from the planet's atmosphere. Now, off we go!"

In ten minutes, they arrived in Hamblin's Airport. Suddenly, Pelame and Mori's bags appeared in their hands. Attached to them was a note reading, "From Fuoco and D'Artificio, who no longer rule Stepalas, as it does not exist anymore. Please return to your old lives."

"That's nice of them," Latios said. He then continued explaining. "We're required by law to land in airports. We telepathically let the Control Tower know we were coming. Anyway, we're here! Call again!" The Eon Duo were off.

"Whew… feels good to be back in Hamblin," Mori said. "I can't wait to see the looks on everyones' faces when we get back to the HQ." Mori noticed Pelame wasn't following him out of the airport. "You coming?"

"No," Pelame answered.

"What? Why not?"

"I can't. I just… just… just a moment. Wait here." Pelame went to the airport's shopping district and bought a piece of paper and an envelope for a total of two Pokéns. She wrote on the paper and put it in the envelope. She then returned to Mori. "Give this to Trailblazer when you get back."

"Why don't you do it?"

"I can't, Mori. Not after Ogilvie died. I can't face him or the others."

"Pelame, you did the best you could—"

"I can't take it anymore, Mori! I just can't! Ever since we left the Twilight Kingdom, it's just been disaster after disaster! I've had enough of this! I'm going home! So please don't try to stop me!"

"I won't. I understand. But Pelame, before you go…"

"What is it?"

Mori went up to Pelame and hugged her. "I want you to know that you've been a great partner to me. One of the best Pokémon I've ever met."

"Same here. I know we had a bad start, but… well… you turned out to be a great Pokémon, too. My time in TIGHS may have been plagued by constant disasters, but out of all the good things that happened in that time… Morikain, you were, and always will be, the best part of my employment with TIGHS. Thank you, Mori."

"You're welcome, Pelame. Whatever you decide to do from now on, I'll be rooting for you."

The two broke off from their hug. Pelame then climbed onto Latios's back.

"Goodbye, Mori," Pelame said. "Keep up your good Researching work."

"See you later, Pelame," Mori said back. "Good luck."

Latios and Latias flew off. Mori then made his way back to the TIGHS HQ. He went to see Trailblazer, who was very surprised and relieved to see him.

"I knew you and Pelame were okay!" Trailblazer said in excitement. "Great to have you back! By the way, where's Pelame?"

Mori didn't answer to that with words. He gave his boss the envelope. Inside was a note and Pelame's TIGHS ID Card.

"To Trailblazer,
Mori and I found Ogilvie in a small micronation called Stepalas. We tried to save him, but Mustard Jr. attacked, and Ogilvie died during the attack. He saved my life, but at the price of his. We broke our promise to you. I broke my promise to you. I'm very sorry. I don't have the right to face you after this incident, so I'm resigning from TIGHS. Thank you for this job, and I'll miss you and the others. Keep up your good Researching work.

Sincerely,
Pelame"

"…I get it," Trailblazer said solemnly. He looked out the window and up to the sky. "Ogilvie, my pal… thank you… for being a great friend to me, and to Pelame and Mori… go in peace." He then turned back to Mori. "I'll miss him greatly, and Pelame, too."