Chapter XXIII

The next morning, Nova found herself balancing on stacks of hay in the back of a stable, surrounded by Miltank and her own Pokémon. Leila the Roselia was twirling around, sprinkling petals everywhere, while the rest of them were playing some ridiculous game to see which of them could catch the most petals. Rhys the Luxio and Tric the Monferno had been tied, occasionally scratching each other in an attempt to steal, but then Bailey the Staravia had hurtled straight into them – making all three of them lose the petals in their mouths as they growled at one another (well, Rhys and Tric growled; Bailey just shrieked and flew to Nova's side for cover).

Which, of course, meant that Owl the Shellos was the victor with the single, lone petal in her mouth.

"…adorable, aren't they?..."

Nova glanced down at her shadow – dark enough that it seemed to eat up the morning light, rippling as though it was alive. "Care to join them?" she asked it, so quietly that even the Staravia next to her hardly seemed to notice.

"…i really would rather not…"

"What's this? Don't tell me that you're shy."

"…shy? don't be ridiculous. i simply would rather watch others make fools of themselves than be the fool…"

Before Nova could answer the Darkrai, she felt a shadow fall over her face and found Lucas moving into the barn. He still was out of his knight gear, and he seemed awfully boyish as he strode up to her and handed over a glass of Moomoo Milk.

"Barry's here," he told her, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he watched the gladiator drain the glass in barely a second.

Nova squinted up at him. "Barry? Where?"

"In Solaceon. I could hear him hollering from the kitchens."

"Let's go see him, then."

Lucas grabbed her by the elbow and shook his head as she jumped onto her feet. "Don't worry. He'll find us."

"How?"

"It's part of his training," he explained. "He has a Ponyta, and I always ask them to track things – and people – down together. He should be here in a few minutes."

"That's your training? That's ridiculous."

The knight only grinned. "You should have been there the other day, when I asked him to carry his Prinplup on his back while dangling from a tree."

"By Arceus, maybe it's a good thing that Duke Rowan doesn't give a damn about me and my training."

And she meant it. She was glad that the duke barely seemed to act as though she existed.

Because, after everything that had happened – with the Galactic Healers, Bebe and Joy, and now the Darkrai eating away the fear in her gut but not the pain in her heart – she had decided that she done with the gladiator rubbish. She had already screwed up one promise to look after a little girl; she was not about to screw up her own promise to her mother.

The best part was that Duke Rowan probably wouldn't even know if she ran back to Twinleaf. He would just think of her as dead.

"Speaking of Duke Rowan," Lucas was saying, "I need to talk to him."

Nova glanced up, alarmed. "About what?"

"Well, firstly, I need to make sure he got the gold that you earned him after winning your legionary crystals," he answered. "But I also need to talk to him about how his daughter wouldn't let you into the Spring Dance."

"His daughter? Fantina is his daughter?"

Lucas frowned. "Aye, Lady Fantina and Lord Byron are his daughter and son, which makes Roark his grandson. Everyone knows this, Nova. Have you been living under a Golem?"

"Bloody hell, I lived in Twinleaf, which is close enough-"

Once again, the lass's words were cut off as a boy stumbled in, a Ponyta by his side.

"Barry!"

The words had come from both Lucas and Nova, and with a little huff about how much easier it was when only one person spoke at a time, Barry moved towards Lucas and threw his arms around the knight – with only one snort of warning from his Ponyta as he nearly missed the knight and fell into a pile of hay.

"Say, Nova," Barry said as he hugged Lucas, "I have ta' say, you smell awfully nice for once."

Nova rolled her eyes as Lucas laughed. "That's because you're not smelling me, you nonce."

"I know. I'm just teasin'." Barry released Lucas from his embrace and moved over to the voice of his fellow gladiator. He didn't even have to feel for her; the second he was near her, she threw herself into his arms, letting him ruffle her hair, letting him whisper, "How're ya, Nova?"

It was an odd question for Nova to answer. She still felt a dull ache in her chest, still felt hollow in her head. But with all her Pokémon, with Lucas and Barry and even the bloody Darkrai, with the tattoo still stinging a bit as she remembered her friend…

She was calm. She was angry. She was hurt. She was on the verge of a breakdown.

But she could breathe again.

"I'm okay," she finally said. "How's Joy?"

Barry winced. "Could be better, that's for sure. She ain't strangling other lasses, so there's a start."

"Barry."

"And," the boy continued, "I asked if she wanted to come back and talk to you, but she won't. She wouldn't even go to Lost Tower with me. She just said that she's going back to the Hearthome inns for work or somethin'."

Nova sighed and took a step back from her friend. "She was like that when her father died, too. She didn't want to look over any of his stuff. She just wanted to move on."

Barry found her hands and squeezed them tight. "It's not yer fault, Nova."

"I know."

"…oh, so you listen when he says it, but not when i say it? you wound me, november…"

Nova ignored the Darkrai. Instead, she turned to Lucas.

"Where are you and Barry going now?" she asked.

Lucas's gaze took a quick sweep of Barry, of Nova, of the Pokémon that were currently choking on petals. "Now, we-"

He was interrupted by a sharp rap. Not on the door, but drumming softly on the roof like a hail of arrows, like-

Both Barry and Nova froze. Held each other's hands tighter.

"What's that?" Barry asked slowly.

Lucas eyed them warily. "It's just rain. Why do you look like you're-"

"Holy shit," Barry cut in, reaching out to slap Nova gently on the arm. "Am I losin' me hearing, too, or did he just say rain?"

Nova was already moving away from her friend, towards the barn doors, swinging it open while muttering, "If you're losin' yer ears, then I'm…"

The door flew open. Nova gasped.

"Holy shit, Barry, it is rain!"

And then, both of the gladiators were racing out of the barn and into the rain, leaving behind a very flustered and bewildered Lucas.

For, you see, rain in Twinleaf was a scarce thing. And, by scarce, I mean that Barry and Nova had only seen the rain once in their lives – about ten years back, when they were wee little snots. Everyone in Twinleaf had rushed out to see it or feel it, to live it and breathe it, to bathe and dance in it.

It was no different, even ten years later, when the two were carrying swords and armour with them.

They laughed at the first roar of thunder, as the rain mixed with their tears. They held each other as they danced in the silver sheets of rain, feeling it like mist upon their faces, Barry crying out as Nova slammed her boots into puddles and sent water and mud arcing onto his britches.

It was beautiful, even with mud oozing beneath their boots. It was peaceful, even with the lightning scowling down at them. It was perfect, even with the blood and death and pain they had lived through.

"It's raining!" Barry yelled out over the rain, feeling for Nova, patting her wet hair and her wet clothes and her wet skin. "Your hair… It's wet! You're wet! Nova, it's raining!"

Nova laughed. Even the Pokémon were having an absolute ball – Rhys was carrying Owl and Leila on his back, jumping in puddles so that water leapt at them. Bailey and Barry's Staravia were shrieking at the thunder, as if they were having a fine conversation. Even Lucas had sent out his Pokémon, and his Torterra and Clefable were laughing as Barry's Prinplup slid in the mud.

Only poor Tric the Monferno and Barry's Ponyta lingered in the doorway of the barn, hissing at the rain. With them was Lucas's Alakazam, but the more Nova looked, the more she realised that the psychic-type wasn't looking at the rain with suspicion etched on his face, but at her rippling shadow that seemed too dark – especially considering the lack of sunlight.

"Nova," Barry was saying. "What does the rain look like?"

Nova grinned. Closed her eyes. Breathed in the dampness and the cold. "It's like… a blur. Like, all the colours are smudging into… into… blue. But it's a different blue. It's like the first time you hear a baby laugh. It feels like wearing armour and having that one spot near your eyes that isn't covered. And it tastes like tea with no cream."

"Wow," Barry breathed out. "That's crazy."

"I know. It's beautiful."

The boy snorted. "Oh, I'm not talkin' about the rain, lass. I'm talkin' about how you sound like a poetic little oaf."

"Oh, go to hell-"

"…the boy has a point…"

"To hell with you, too!"

Barry frowned. "To who, too?"

Luckily, it was Lucas who rescued Nova from sounding like an absolute fool as she considered explaining that she had Darkrai lurking in her shadows.

"You two are going to get sick from the rain," the knight said, frowning as he hovered near the barn.

Barry clicked his tongue. "Don't be such a pantywaist. Come on! Join us – it'll be fun."

The knight considered this. Then, slowly, he grinned.

"I suppose it does make good training. That will be fun."

Once again, Lucas proved to Nova that his definition of fun was madly different to the regular lad.

"Too slow, Nova."

The flat side of Lucas's blade patted Nova's hip, and though she tried to move aside, she slipped on the mud and fell to her knees. Barry lunged with a fierce cry of his own, but Lucas was already twisting aside, bringing his blade down – but jerking it back before it actually struck the gladiator's forearm. Barry stumbled back into Nova, and a second near-swipe from Lucas sent the pair of them sprawling, lying in the dirt, drenched to the bones.

"I can't believe he thinks it's fun to kick our arses up and down Solaceon," Nova muttered.

"…well, i know i'm certainly enjoying myself…"

Nova wiped the rain from her eyes and dragged herself to her feet, pulling Barry out of the mud. Their Pokémon were also struggling – Torterra was launching vines at Prinplup and Rhys, battering them back across the dirt. Even the Clefable was grinning as Owl and Leila charged at her, twisting aside at just the right time, letting the pair fall into the wet grass.

But, by Arceus, the Alakazam was downright terrifying. He moved like water and struck like thunder, the light from his spoons catching the two Staravias with ease, moving in a way that could possibly bruise the air around them.

"And he says the Alakazam isn't the strongest," Barry whispered as his Staravia gave a particularly loud caw – a caw that sounded suspiciously like help.

They fought more – this time, against each other, rather than against Lucas. Their blades cracking, their boots tripping over one another as Barry struggled to hear her over the rain, as they both found themselves rolling in the mud.

Then, Lucas said, "What have I told you both about jumping like a bride at her wedding?"

Just like that, the two gladiators dropped their weapons and started dancing in the rain, instead. Laughing as Lucas protested, as they scooped their Pokémon in their arms and just twirled and let the rain pelt their faces.

Eventually, Lucas gave up trying to make them spar. And, after spinning Barry around and around, after grinning like a fool as he tried to twirl her around, Nova found herself glancing back at the knight – glancing back to notice that, despite all the laughter ringing around him, he had his eyes firmly trained onto her. Smiling softly. Glancing away awkwardly as soon as he saw her watching him.

And she remembered Barry's words. Words that felt an eternity away.

Poor lad fancies you, you know.

Nova paused and gently pried herself away from Barry. She moved towards the knight, bowed before him, and felt her own skin prickle with heat as she asked, "May I have a dance, Sir Lucas?"

Lucas's brows shot up. "You know how to dance?"

"Well, no, I can't dance, but-"

"Nonsense," Lucas quickly cut in. "You're Lady Vernia's daughter. Of course you can dance."

Nova took a deep breath. Lucas waited patiently, his hand outstretched, a faint smile on his lips as she finally slipped her fingers onto his palm.

Her dancing was even more horrendous with only the rain as music.

Lucas stepped forward, and Nova tripped as she tried to match the single step. They minced around the mud, Nova focusing on not stepping on his toes, Lucas moving with quiet grace. Nova was glad that other villagers were inside their homes, out of the rain – she was sure that they all would have laughed once they knew she was Lady Vernia's daughter.

"Stop thinking," Lucas muttered, pulling her into a spin that ended with her pressed against him. "The steps don't matter. Just close your eyes and listen to the rain."

Nova scowled and opened her mouth to swear at him. Lucas saw it coming and quickly spun her again, laughing as her words were drowned out.

Finally, when she was close enough for him to hear, Nova took a long breath.

"Look after Barry for me," she said softly. "I know you've been doing a fine job so far, and thank you for that, but once I'm gone, I need you to…"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going back to Twinleaf."

Lucas spun her again, but his eyes were wide as she came back into his arms. "Why?"

"I have to look after my mother."

"But your name…"

Nova shook her head. "I will change it one day. Once Queen Cynthia decides to show up again, or maybe when they appoint a new king or queen. But, for now, I need to go back home."

"You're not going to even watch Barry at the Veilstone Colosseum?"

Nova had forgotten about the dancing, and realised her body was acting without her mind, sweeping over the mud as if she had done it dozens of times before. For a long moment, she said nothing, lost in the rain and dance, lost in Lucas's beautifully blue eyes, spinning around and around.

Finally, Lucas pulled her into one last spin. They stood there, frozen in time, their hearts thrumming from the dance and more. The knight offered a tiny smile, leaned down, and pressed his mouth against Nova's ear.

"Maylene only hosts four legionary trials during the gladiator season," he whispered. "So, a lot of gladiators fight all at once. The gladiators are split into two groups – a red team and blue team – and it's a fight to the death. Once one team has no survivors remaining that haven't surrendered, the other team wins. We go from having thousands of gladiators to only a few hundred – sometimes, even a few dozen. It depends on how many surrender."

"… Shit."

"Aye. Shit."

Nova pulled herself away, but held firmly onto his tunic. "What about Barry? Hundreds of gladiators around him, and the lad won't even know if the person beside him is wearing red or freaking blue!"

"It would help if he had a friend beside him, aye?" Lucas mused.

"…touché…"

Nova cursed.

Oh, Arceus, how could she let Barry do that?

"Oi!" Barry was calling out. "Are you two talking 'bout me, or are you kissing already? It's getting harder and harder to tell."

Lucas grinned as he nudged Nova away from him.

"I'm not asking you to do anything," he said. "I'm merely stating facts."

Nova could only stare as he moved away from her and towards Barry, as her shadow chuckled at her stunned face.

"…see? i told you he was a pest…"

Though the rain had stopped by the time they had reached Veilstone, Nova couldn't help but feel as if she was still trapped in thunder.

There were gladiators and townsfolk everywhere, so many that their steps alone made the stone paths tremble beneath her feet. Their houses were so different compared to Hearthome; each home was made of wooden beams that held up white blankets as roofs, each one was buzzing with muddy children in sleek but simple tunics, each one had almost no space between neighbours.

Then, there was the colosseum.

It was huge – and, according to the whispering of gladiators around her, it could fit twenty thousand people. And yet, the stalls and bleachers were completely packed by townsfolk who had arrived a day early to secure themselves seats – just so that they could see the blood and glory from the front row.

Nova wished Lucas had come with them inside Veilstone. Instead, the poor knight had wished them a quick farewell before running to his next station – promising that he would be there to watch their legionary battle. Meanwhile, it was her job to roll her eyes as they passed by stall after stall of merchants selling salted meats and wines while she told Barry about the sandstone walls and granite peaks that made the colosseum.

Their Pokémon – five of Nova's, three of Barry's – stayed around them. Trying not to flinch at all the stares that came their way.

"Do I hear children?" Barry asked.

Nova sighed. "Aye. There are people walkin' into the colosseum, with their kids on their shoulders."

"…nothing like bringing the family to a nice afternoon of slaughter…"

As Nova and Barry moved around the colosseum, a voice cried out behind them. They whirled around, only to find themselves facing Legionary Maylene.

"November!" she called out. "Or should I say Lady Dawn?"

Without the Meditite mask, she seemed even younger to Nova – she hardly reached her nose, her hair actually looked like a nest made of pink hay, and her face was so small and sweet. Even her voice was bright and chirpy as she said, "I've been looking forward to seeing you, Nova! And, oh my, you don't happen to be Barry of Twinleaf, do you?"

Barry grinned. "The one and only."

"No. Way."

"Actually, you're right, I believe there was another lad I met in Jubilife who was named Barry-"

Before he could finish, Maylene had thrown her arms around them both, hugging them so tightly that Nova realised that, by Arceus, she was strong.

"I've been so excited to have you two battle in my colosseum!" she rattled on.

Nova squirmed out of Maylene's arm, frowning.

That was not happening. By the shadows, she would be mad to let Barry fight in the colosseum.

"About that, Maylene," she said, "I-"

"Don't worry," the legionary cut in. "I know exactly what you're thinking, and I'm one step ahead. I'll make sure you're both on the same team. Tell me: red or blue? I'm thinking red. It's more… fierce. Angry. Imagine it: the Twinleaf Twins single-handedly slay the Bastards in Blue, bathed in red!"

"Maylene, it's just that-"

"It's just perfect!" Barry chimed in. "Bloody hell, can we also add somethin' about us making the sands red, too, aye?"

Maylene clapped her hands, laughing. "Oh, aye! It'll be like Cynthia against Duke Rowan!"

And though Nova had to admit that she was honoured that Legionary Maylene cared so much for herself and Barry, she couldn't help but scowl.

It was hopeless. Barry was set on the legionary battle. And Maylene, too, wasn't making it any easier to convince him otherwise.

As Barry and Maylene continued bouncing off one another with their ridiculous plans, Nova's gaze wandered off to where the crowd lingered. Standing there were some of the legionaries – smiling as they greeted the townsfolk, offering kisses on their hands.

Among them – though he was certainly not kissing any hands – was Volkner.

"Prince Volkner is here?" Nova said – partly to herself, partly to Darkrai, and partly to Maylene.

Maylene shrugged. "That arsehole? I'd ignore him."

But it was too late – Volkner had already found Nova's gaze, and was strolling towards them, brows furrowed.

Oh, shit, shit, shit-

"I've seen you somewhere," he said curtly. "Where?"

"…tch. not even a simple hello..."

Nova ignored the hissing shadow and blinked slowly at the prince.

She couldn't possibly mention Twinleaf to him. If he remembered that she was the one who had spat in his face…

"The Spring Dance, probably," Nova finally answered.

Volkner frowned. "I don't go to the Spring Dances."

"Oh?" Maylene butted in, snorting. "But you once did, did you not? How else did you-"

"Shut up, Maylene. Legionary's oath."

Maylene narrowed her eyes and scowled, jabbing a finger into his chest as she hissed, "You shouldn't even be a legionary or a prince. If poor Roark had his royalty taken away, even though he did nothing wrong, when it was you who-"

"Shut up, Maylene."

Maylene didn't back down, even as Volkner felt for the sword in his belt. "You're lucky Queen Cynthia is your sister, and a generous one in that. Otherwise, you and your patron would have been-"

Volkner held out his hand to silence her, but his eyes had found Barry. The boy who wasn't making any eye contact. The boy whose arms were linked with Nova. The boy whose gaze was so blank and distant that he could only be-

"You're from Twinleaf," the prince suddenly said. "You two are the crips."

Nova felt her guts churn, felt her face simmer as she met Volkner's eyes. "Say that again, you bastard, and I will-"

"You'll what?"

Nova was met with a blade of steel as Volkner stepped forward, and as she staggered back, the prince twirled behind her, smashing her across the back of the head with the flat of his blade. Barry's cry rang in her skull, the whole world blurring into two as her legs were knocked out from beneath her and she fell to the stone floor. Her Pokémon shrieked, ready to attack, ready to rip at the prince, but Maylene was already hurling out a Pokéball, and out came a Medicham – holding up a wall of pink, stopping the Pokémon from racing to their gladiator's side.

"Volkner, stop!" Maylene demanded.

But Volkner only stood above Nova, blade poised to strike.

"I will not tolerate disrespect," he said coolly.

Nova's cheeks were spotted with rage. She was the one that had taken on Frazer the Onix. She was the one that had saved Legionary Gardenia from turning into dust.

And now, she lay on her belly like a whipped Shinx, hate boiling in her chest, the edges of her shadows rippling. With Darkrai eating her fear, she wanted nothing more than to stretch out and tear Volkner's arm off, or press her own diamond blade to his throat, or spit in his face again.

"…no, november…"

And that's when Nova realised that people were staring – gladiators and townsfolk and legionaries alike. Roark and Candice were rushing towards them, the sea of people parting just for them.

"Volkner," Candice snapped. "This is Maylene's territory. You listen to her, and she demanded that you stop."

The prince didn't move. He just stared at Nova – hate and rage like fire in their eyes.

"Really, Roark?" Volkner said suddenly. "These two crips managed to earn your legionary crystal?"

"Leave them be," Roark answered. "Don't you dare put a hand on her, Volkner."

And so, with a final roll of his eyes, Volkner pulled his sword back, spun on his heel, and – for the second time – left Nova lying in the dust.

"Don't mind him," Maylene said softly, crouching down to wipe the sweat from Nova's brow. "The lad can't keep his hands to himself."

"Nor can he keep his belt on his britches," Roark added. "Come, Nova and Barry. Let's show you the inns."

The two legionaries led the way, with Candice only steps behind them, scowling as Roark and Maylene linked arms. Nova let Barry loop his own arm around her, though she didn't walk until the Medicham released her Pokémon from the pink wall he had made with his hands.

When they finally did start following the legionaries, Barry sighed.

"Well, that was odd," he said.

Nova couldn't help it – she snickered. "Aye. It was."

"Say, do you think these inns feed well? I feel like I could eat a whole Steelix."

"Really, Barry?"

"Okay, nay, you're right. It'd break me teeth."

"…nice to finally see him thinking something through…"

Nova shook her head, exasperated, as Tric pulled out the armour from her bag and tried biting into it – only to have the rest of her Pokémon join in to see if it would break their teeth, too.

"You're insufferable."

And, as the words fell from her mouth, she knew that she wasn't just saying it to Barry – but for the five Pokémon and the single Darkrai following her around, too.

See? As promised, I had some mercy on you for Christmas – no death, and Barry returned! I told you I'm not a malicious troll. I mean, Volkner wasn't exactly in the Christmas spirit, but that's fine. We can forgive him.

As we wrap up the year, I just want to say a massive thank you to all my readers. To everyone who has followed or favourited or reviewed this story: thank you. I mean it. I honestly feel so giddy every time I read one of your mad theories, or hear your thoughts about the characters.

This story is definitely ambitious. I've done some crazy things here. And, for you to click on this story and continue to read it… well, let's just say that I honestly was not expecting any more than five followers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It means the world to me that some of you have lasted this long, and I can't wait to continue this journey with you!

Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it, and for those that don't, Happy Holidays! And brace yourselves, because the first chapter of 2020 will have Nova properly telling us – in her own words – her reason for wanting to change her name. In the chapter after that, we have our legionary battle.

After all, let's kickstart our 2020 with a bang, aye?