A/N - this was an exciting chapter to write. It involves one of my favourite scenes in this story, so when it came to working on it I wanted to get it just right. Even while proof-reading the whole chapter, there were still changes I needed to make - re-wording things, adding little bits, taking bits away... it's taken a bit of work. It was a scene I'd had wanted to write for quite a while. I hope it's just as exciting for you to read as it played out in my head.

Interesting fact? I wanted to call this chapter 'Let Flygons be Flygons' but I think I've heard it somewhere - an episode title, internet meme... I dunno. So I changed it to 'Flygon Times' instead.

Disclaimer - I do NOT own Pokemon or any of its critters!

36 – Flygon Times

The training room was empty save for a lone target on the far wall. It was a shoddy design, nothing more than a mere sheet of metal with a ring motif on it.

Rio hadn't come in with Enigma. Neither had the Heliolisk. The chains had been thread through a metal slat in the door and the sound of a heavy lock falling into place cut through the silence of the room, echoing off the bare walls.

"As you can see," Rio's voice came through a hidden loudspeaker, "the only thing for you to attack in this room is that target over there. I'm not foolish enough to have you face off against one of my assistants. On the back of that target is a gauge that will record your attack power."

Enigma snorted and looked behind him at the blank wall. Was it a one-way window? Or was there a hidden peep-hole somewhere? Whatever, he couldn't see the foolish Meowstic. He dusted down his scarf and fell back against the wall.

"Enigma, are you going to use one of your attacks?"

It was more of a command than a question, but Enigma had no intention of entertaining that maniac. He'd stand here all day if he had to.

There was a long pause while they waited, and Enigma could almost picture the Meowstic's face twisting with impatience. He stifled a chuckle and crossed his arms, staring across at that lone, pathetic target.

A surge of burning electricity shot up his arms and through his body. He let out a yell and dropped to the floor. The attack stopped as suddenly as it had started and Enigma cursed loudly.

"That was just a warning shot," Rio spoke softly. "If you don't co-operate, the next one will be a lot worse."
Enigma struggled to his feet and shot a sneer at the blank wall.

"I refuse to play your games, Rio!"

"Oh, this isn't a game. This is a test. And so far, you're failing."

Enigma shook his head. "Test... who cares if I fail?"
"You will."

The constant tingling sensation from the cuffs worsened and Enigma flinched. He looked down at them, as if he were expecting them to be glowing.

"Now," Rio almost growled. "Aim an attack at that target."

Enigma felt a wave of nausea flow through his chest. If he didn't obey, he'd probably die here. But of course... if he was Rio's experiment, would the Meowstic really want that? He licked his dry lips and glanced back at the wall, narrowing his eyes.

"How far are you willing to go?"
Rio laughed. "Oh! I wouldn't provoke me if I were you, Enigma."

"Let's face it." Enigma crossed his arms and gave the wall a mocking smile. "I'm no use to you dead."

"Actually, you are," Rio said bluntly. "Without you around, I wouldn't have to worry about you. But you're held captive now, which as far as you're concerned is 'as good as'."

Enigma snarled.

"Now attack that target!" Rio's voice blared out of the hidden speaker, echoing around the room.

Attack the target... Enigma growled and lashed out at the wall, raking his claws down the immaculate surface. Long, deep rivets appeared in the woodwork, revealing the former oak colouring.

A violent shock wave shot through his body, crippling him and sending him dropping to the floor with a heavy thud. The attack didn't let up until Enigma started to cough violently. He lay on the ground, trying to desperately catch his breath.

"I warned you." Rio sounded disappointed. "You are of no use to me today. But you brought that on yourself."

The door opened and Enigma felt himself being dragged to his feet by the chains. He staggered out of the room, shooting Rio a vehement glare.

He'd had enough of this wretched Pokemon. With a flick of his claws, a large shadow ball flew towards the Meowstic's head.

Rio waved a paw and a light screen materialised just before the shadow ball struck him across his left eye. He staggered back, thrown off balance from the impact. The screen had significantly reduced the damage but a look of anger crossed the Meowstic's face.

His ears unfurled and Enigma was launched into the air in a field of purple light. It felt like his body was being contorted and crushed, then he was launched down the hallway. Ray had to release the chains to save himself being dragged along with him.

The Banette struck the wall hard, but he was immediately engulfed again. Rio twisted him in the air and marched him back through his office and into the cells.

"Open the cage!" he commanded.

Ray scurried past him and tugged the cage door open. The Raichu was already sat waiting to continue his shift, his tail stuffed under the base of the horrific design.

Enigma flew through the door and struck the back of the cell, once again receiving another nasty shock. Rio held him in place as his screams of protest filled the room, terrifying the other captive Pokemon.

Finally, Rio let him go, and Enigma slumped to the bottom of the cage. He turned his stiff neck to leer at the Meowstic as he backed out of the room, his left eye showing a slight bruise where the shadow ball had hit him.

"I'll be back in the morning," he growled. "It would be in your best interest to co-operate next time."

The Heliolisk followed him out of the room, closing the door and leaving Enigma alone in the electrified cage.

He struggled to prop himself up, his muscles stiff and sore and unwilling to obey. His eyes began to sting and water and a lump rose in his throat. He rubbed the back of his paw across his eyes and let out a defeated groan. There was not a single hope he'd get out of this place. He felt incredibly helpless.

...

"Oh dear," said Spark. "My stomach just growled."

"I wondered what that was," said Mischief.

"You can't be hungry already?" Faith chuckled. "We just ate."

"It feels like it was hours ago," Spark grumbled.

"It really wasn't," said Cleo.

"Yes, it was," Spark corrected her. "I'm losing track of time in this forest, so I've resorted to relying on my body clock."
"That's not exactly reliable since you are often hungry."

"We should be out of this forest soon," said Faith. "They're not exactly endless, are they?"

"I wouldn't be so sure," said Spark. "We could be going in circles."

"We're not," said Harlequin.

Cleo looked back at her. She was keeping pace with Faith, but had been exceptionally quiet since breakfast.

"I've been marking the trees," she said. "I've not seen any claw marks."

Spark crinkled her nose. "I'm not sure we can believe her, Cleo."

Harlequin flashed her canines, then sighed and looked away. "If you don't want to believe me, fine. But I don't want to be stuck in this forest any more than you do."

Faith gave Spark a smile. "She has been doing it. I've seen her."

Spark's eyes widened briefly. "Oh! Well... okay then. I guess we can believe her."

Harlequin shrugged and plodded along after them. "Whatever. I don't expect you to believe me. I was sent to kill you after all." She paused, raked her claws across a tree then trotted to keep up with Faith.

"I'm worried it's a bit counter-productive though." Spark looked back at her. "I mean, sure, it'll stop us going in circles. But what's to stop any enemies tracking us?"

Harlequin narrowed her eyes. "If you're worried about the Wildfires, they use their noses."

Spark gulped.

"The only assassin who would need to follow a physical trail is Enigma," Harlequin went on. "Pokemon that fly don't look for ground evidence, they just fly until they spot a target then swoop."

"Huh." Spark looked at Cleo. "Like that Noivern."

Harlequin smirked. "And that's one less you need to worry about."

Mischief glanced back at her and his pace slowed.

Cleo grabbed his paw and ushered him along beside her.

"Ignore her," she told him.

"I can't ignore her, it's my fault."
"We have one less assassin to worry about. I'd hardly say that's a bad thing." Cleo's ears twitched and she froze, turning her head left and right as she tried to pinpoint the sound.

Mischief was still talking but his voice faded out as he noticed the dull thrumming sound that filled the air, rising with intensity. Whatever he'd been saying hadn't registered to Cleo, she'd been too focused on trying to place the noise.

It sounded like the rapid flapping of wings, not entirely dissimilar to a Yanma. There had been a lot of Yanma living by the river near her old home, and when they moved in swarms over her house the sound of their wings vibrated through the air in a gentle hum. This was a lot deeper and vibrated against her eardrums.

Spark pawed at her neck and pointed through the canopy. There, flying above them, was a Flygon. It hadn't noticed them. Instead, it was fixated on something beyond the trees they couldn't see. What struck Cleo as odd was that it wasn't alone. Sitting on its back was a small shadowy form, barely noticeable between its shoulder blades. It was blurred out by the Flygon's rapid-beating wings but Cleo was almost certain it was a dark Pokemon.

"What do we do?" Spark whispered to her ear.

Cleo watched the Flygon move over the canopy until all she could see was its tail.

"Follow it," she whispered back.

"What?" Spark squeaked.

Cleo hushed her. "What if it hears us?"

"You want to follow it?" Mischief asked. "Why?"

"It's clearly going somewhere." Cleo crossed the path, moving onto untrodden ground between the closely-knitted trees. "What if its a new Outcast town?"

"I doubt that," said Harlequin. "I don't recognise him."
Cleo looked back at the Zorua. "You don't recognise him?"

"No. Which means he doesn't work for Hydreigon."

"You know all the Pokemon in the Shadow Lands?" Spark's voice was thick with scepticism.

"I don't know them," Harlequin scoffed. "But I recognise them. I can assure you I've not seen a single Flygon in Hydreigon's ranks."

Spark looked at Cleo. "I'm not sure I believe her."

Cleo shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

They scrambled over the thick weeds and knobbly plants, following the Flygon's tail as it occasionally became visible through the canopy. The vibration of its wings came to an abrupt end and Cleo feared they'd lost it. The trees thinned just as abruptly and beyond them was the familiar structure of the Heretic lab.

Spark had to stifle a yell, clasping her paws over her mouth and instead letting out a low squeak.

"I wanna leave," she whispered harshly. "Please... Anywhere but here."

Cleo searched the grounds for the Flygon. It wasn't easy to miss. He stood on his hind legs talking with the small shadowy Pokemon. Now it was off the Flygon's back, it was unmistakably a Sableye. The Flygon had his front paws inside a large messenger bag. He pulled out a pouch which he handed to the Sableye.

"I'll wait here." The Flygon's voice was unusual. It seemed to vibrate like his wings but what he said was still very clear. "I can't get through the door."
The Sableye nodded and scurried over to the door with strange, elaborate movements. He didn't keep his arms at his sides like most bipedal Pokemon, instead letting them flail around as he ran.

Harlequin shook her head. "There's no Sableye in the Shadow Lands either."

Cleo looked down at her. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Harlequin looked over at the Sableye. "The only ghost is Enigma."

Cleo felt her heart rate increase. That meant these Pokemon were...

"Outlaws visiting a Heretic lab.." She'd barely noticed she'd spoken out loud.

"Lab?" Faith whispered. She eyed the building curiously.

The door must have opened because the Sableye vanished out of sight. The Flygon decided to lie down in the meantime, curling his tail around him as he kept his large, red, glassy eyes on the building.

"They're delivering Pokerus," Cleo whispered.

Faith looked at her, confusion filling her violet eyes. She said nothing, but had clearly noticed Mischief tense up at Cleo's side. He bristled, looking anywhere but at the lab or the Flygon.

None of them said another word. They moved back into the trees enough to hide themselves but still keep the building in view. Spark was growing frustrated, fidgeting on Cleo's shoulder. She knew she wanted to get out of there. Mischief felt the same, standing stock still and staring down at his paws.

Cleo couldn't help but notice Faith's extreme interest in the building. She never took her eyes off it.

Whatever the Sableye was doing, he didn't take very long. Soon, the air was filled with the vibrations from the Flygon's wings as he took into the air, flying away from them. They watched as the slender dragon Pokemon moved away over the canopy, completely oblivious to their presence.

The lab was left in silence. No other Pokemon waited outside it. That meant all the members of the lab were behind the walls our out running errands.

If they were out, then they may find them.

"Okay, let's move on." Cleo gave the building one last glance and turned away.

"I wonder if he's still in there?"

Faith's voice drew their attention. She was stood staring at the building, scratching her chin with a claw.

"Who?" Spark asked. "The Sableye?"
"No. Enigma."

Cleo felt her eyes widen. "Wha-?"

Spark snorted. "Have you gone mad? He wasn't carried there on that Flygon's back."

"I know that," Faith laughed. "He told me he was going to visit a Heretic lab."

"Told you?" Cleo scoffed. "When?"

"Two nights ago."

Cleo raised an eyebrow. Words failed her.

"Two nights?" Spark didn't sound remotely impressed.

"Yes," Faith answered. "I knew he was there. He wanted my attention. So I got up to see what he wanted."

"Weren't you on watch?" Cleo asked.

"Yes." Faith's smile dropped at Cleo and Spark's expressions. "I realised my mistake. It was foolish."

Spark smacked a paw against her own face. "It could have been an ambush!"

"I know. I'm sorry." Faith rubbed her paws together and looked over at the building. "He didn't seem very well either. I'm a little worried."
Cleo, Spark and Mischief exchanged glances.

"You're... worried?" Spark said slowly. "About an assassin who wants to kill us?"
"She's right." Harlequin moved over to Faith and looked back at Cleo. "You're all right. But... those Heretics held us captive. If he's wounded, then... he can't exactly fight all of them." Her voice rose with panic and she looked back out at the lab. "And the sort of things they do in that place-"

The Zorua was cut off as Faith was engulfed in light. It expanded and shattered, and she stood there in her mega form. She looked over at Cleo then down at Harlequin.

"Wait here. I won't be long."

She turned and ran from the trees.

Cleo took a step forward and stretched out a paw. "Wait! Faith!" She sighed and let her paws drop to her side.

"Yeh, I know." Spark sat down on Cleo's shoulder. "She's a little bit barmy."

...

Faith paused to look up at the door. It wasn't especially tall, about four foot high at most. She considered knocking, but it was obvious she might not be welcome. Trying to open it might reveal it was locked, and then they would know someone was trying to get in. All that was left to her was to bust it down.

She shrugged and gave the door a hefty kick. It splintered and flew open, revealing a narrow corridor. A Sandslash stood on the other side, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Hi there!" She gave him a smile. "I'm looking for Enigma?"

His eyes narrowed and he flexed his claws, hunching forward causing his spikes to bristle across his back.

"Oh dear." Faith gave a small shrug. "I take it he's here then?"

The Sandslash ran at her, raising his long, sharp claws. Faith turned, bringing one of her jaw-like horns in an upward arch to connect with his chin. He was sent arcing back down the corridor, landing in a sprawled-out heap on the immaculate floor.

Faith strolled past him, pausing to check he was okay. Relieved he was merely unconscious, she stood and looked down the two corridor's that branched off from the main one. Voices were coming from her left behind a closed door. She nodded to herself. It was better to take the quieter route first, and if he wasn't there, she could come back here with questions.

She followed the corridor until it ended at another door. She tried the handle and it opened, revealing an office. It wasn't locked? She slipped inside and quickly scanned the room.

Empty.

This seemed a little too convenient. If it wasn't locked then why was no one in here?

She moved into the office, noting that it had clearly received a fire at some point. Soot trailed up the walls, and as she took it all in her eyes fell on a set of double doors in the left wall.

"Hmm..."

She moved over to them slowly. No windows, and again it didn't appear to be locked. She threw them open and let out a small gasp. It was a room filled with cells. What were these Pokemon doing?

She shook it off, turning her attention to the heavy cage hanging from a chain. Enigma sat inside it, eyeing her with confused curiosity.

She didn't have any time to exchange pleasantries however. A large Raichu was running at her, his tail raised above his head. His cheeks and fists sparked wildly and Faith didn't have much time to dodge. She twisted sideways as a jolt of electricity just skimmed her fur. She grabbed the Raichu in one of her horns and shook him from side to side before sending him skidding across the floor into the bars of an empty cell.

Faith turned her attention back to Enigma.

"I have to say, I'm a little surprised at how lax they are on guards!"

Enigma frowned. "It's lunch time."

"Oh!" Faith chuckled. "Spark was right!" She turned her back on the cage. "Stand back!"

Her right horn latched onto the cage bars, squeezing them together like a pincer. Static electricity tingled across it, spreading through her body. It didn't last long. She jerked her horn free from the cage, sending the mangled sheet of metal crashing to the floor, the loud clatter echoing off the empty walls.

Something else had caught her eye while she'd been fighting with that cage. One of the cells had several Pokemon in, watching her with frightened eyes. She rushed over to them and using the same method, chewed a huge hole in the criss-crossed bars.

Enigma slipped out of the cage, not taking his eyes off the Mawile.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

Faith gave him a grin. "I'm rescuing you!"

The double doors swung open and they both turned to them. A male Meowstic stood there looking from Enigma to Faith and back.

"What is going on here?" he demanded.

Faith moved over to him, opening her mouth to speak, but she froze as Enigma lurched forwards, his face twisted in a sadistic grin.

He grabbed the Meowstic by his ruff and rammed him up against the door.

"This is payback," he growled.

He slipped his right paw onto the Meowstic's chest. His claws became transparent, vanishing beyond the blue fur.

Faith's heart leapt into her throat. "Enigma, no!"

The Meowstic let out a blood curdling scream, reverberating around the room. It came to an abrupt stop as his body went limp. Enigma withdrew his paw, now coated in a thick layer of crimson blood. A trickle ran down the Meowstic's front and he slumped to the floor.

Faith had both paws clasped over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. Her focus had been shattered and she now stood in her normal form. All she could do was stare at the poor Meowstic, her breath coming in quick bursts as she tried to fathom what had just happened.

Enigma said nothing. He shook his paw, spattering red droplets onto the white floor, then moved out into the office.

Faith followed him, her mind still trying to process the situation. She paused as he stopped at the desk, eyeing up an open file with intense curiosity. He grabbed it in his blood-soaked claws giving it a skim over, then looked up sharply as the door clicked open.

A Grovyle froze in the doorway and all colour seemed to leave her face.

Enigma chuckled and advanced towards her.

"Leave her!" Faith grabbed his left paw and dragged him with her.

The Grovyle leapt aside, letting Faith slip through the door. Her cries followed after them, pained and filled with despair.

"Rio!"

Faith screwed her eyes shut briefly. She couldn't believe it. She'd not expected this. It was a simple rescue plan, there weren't meant to be any casualties.

Her heart lurched into her throat as a Vigoroth looked up at her from the stirring Sandslash. He narrowed his eyes at her and stood up.

She didn't want any more trouble. Her feet pounded the floor in a desperate bid to reach the exit, but the chink of sharp claws on the tiles caused her to look back. The Vigoroth was chasing after them, his claws raised and surrounded by an eerie black light. Her eyes widened with the realisation of the Vigoroth's chosen attack.

"Look out!"

She threw Enigma behind her, the Vigoroth's claws narrowly missing him. She used the momentum of the Banette's body weight to swing round and bring her horn up in an arc, colliding with the Vigoroth's face with a sickening thud. He grunted and flew sideways, crashing into the wall. He was mildly dazed, but still concious, blinking his eyes as he tried to fathom the situation.

Faith didn't hesitate. Still clutching the Banette's paw, she turned and dragged him after her.

"Thunder! Ray!"

The Vigoroth's voice echoed down the hall, fading as Faith managed to burst through the splintered door.

There was no way she was taking Enigma straight to Cleo and the others, but they needed to hide and fast. She moved past Cleo's hiding spot, heading for one several feet away. She dragged the Banette through the trees until the lab was no longer in plain sight. When she came to a stop she rounded on Enigma, keeping him between her and a solid tree trunk.

"Why did you do that?" she demanded. "Why kill him?!"

Enigma snorted and folded his arms over the file. "You know, they're probably looking for us."

She narrowed her eyes. "Tell me!"

"Maybe you could tell me why you bother to rescue a Pokemon with my reputation?" He smirked. "And maybe enlighten me on your elaborate appearance during the whole endeavour as well?"

Faith shook her head and gave him an exasperated look. "I was rescuing you. You didn't need to kill anyone."

"You weren't exactly easy on that Raichu."

"I was subduing him, not killing him!"
"You still attacked him."

"If I didn't subdue him, we'd have both been behind bars! Or worse!"

Enigma examined his bloodied claws. "And if I hadn't killed Rio, he would have gone on with his insane experiments." He fixed her with a cold stare. "Then we'd all be dead."

"Faith?"

They both looked over at the voice. Cleo moved through the trees towards them, accompanied by her friends.

"There's a group of them gathering outside." She looked from Faith to Enigma then raised an eyebrow at the Mawile. "What's going on?"

Enigma looked at each of the Pokemon and when he noticed Harlequin, he snorted. "I'm out of here. I've got stuff to do."

He tossed the file high into the air and warped, catching it as he landed in the trees. Faith watched helplessly as he skipped away through the canopy.

Cleo watched Enigma vanish out of sight then turned to Faith.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

Faith looked at her and seeing Cleo's concerned expression forced a smile.

"I'm fine. At least he's no longer behind bars."

Spark blinked. "If it weren't that Heretic lab, I'd disagree."

Cleo ushered the Mawile forwards and glanced back over her shoulder. "We need to move on, they're going to be searching the forest for you soon."

Faith nodded and followed after her. The slow footsteps behind her caused her to look back. Harlequin was staring at the floor with a solemn expression that filled Faith with concern.

"Are you okay, Harlequin?"

Harlequin looked up at her and gave a half-smile. "Yeh." She looked up at the trees. "I'm just glad he's okay."

...

Please R&R! =D