Two days after Sid's team returned from their mission, Jason organized a meeting between the Nature Spirits and his co-leaders, save for Zephora. They gathered in a special meeting room, seated at a long table. Jason took the end with Jet and Blitz seated beside him. The Nature Spirits took up the sides.
Jason cupped his hands and leaned his chin on them. "You all know why I called you in today, correct?"
Eadwulf nodded. "Yeah. Our supporters might be in danger, you said."
"Correct. Sidney, will you go over the mission report?"
Sid nodded and pulled her documents out from Rusty, who sat in the chair beside her. "Thank you, Rusty. As you all know, one of our providers in Wick Kingdom territory was targeted by a previously unknown assailant. Melissa, Lucient, and I investigated and discovered it was notorious bounty hunter, Amos the Sand Devil, now Amos of the Blind Luck. Melissa was unfortunate enough to engage with him, but she managed to subdue him with severe, but nonlethal injuries."
"Woo, go Melissa!" Valentine cheered.
Jet glared. "You do realize she's recovering from a gunshot, right?"
Valentine shrugged. "Yes, yes, I read the last chapter. I'm up to speed."
Sid rolled her eyes at the Spinda, then kept reading. "Anyway, we had Petra investigate Amos' status when we got back and he's currently residing in Grimebrook jail, said to be eventually transferred to Wick Kingdom's dungeons. He apparently amassed a sizeable bounty over the years, so he's pretty wanted."
"And Melissa insists he mentioned something about a partner?" Jason asked.
Sid nodded. "Supposedly, yes. Petra talked to the constable and they believe he's working with someone by the name of Pearl Bullet Marsaili. The constable said she was with Amos before disappearing."
"Who the heck is Pearl Bullet Marsaili?" Valentine asked.
Percival, after sipping from his coffee-filled canteen, explained, "Pearl Bullet Marsaili is what you would call a youngblood mercenary. Fresh in the game, started her career two or three years ago. I don't know much about her, but she has a notorious record for stealing and slipping away undetected."
"That just raises further questions," Eadwulf brought up. "For one, why is she working with an experienced mercenary like Amos? And two, why would Amos of all Pokémon work with her? Doesn't he have a record for distrusting women?"
Sid nodded. "That's what had me skeptical on the way back. Melissa swore she heard a 'she' mentioned, but it doesn't sound like a partnership Amos would take up."
"Then perhaps they're not partners, but teammates," Blitz proposed. "We can't rule out the fact Amos fell out of public view for some years. What else could he have been doing all this time?"
Jet glared. "So, we're dealing with an organized gang. How comforting, but who?"
Jason sighed. "That's as far as we go with evidence. We can't interrogate Amos now, but maybe we'll have better luck with Marsaili, if we can find her."
"Tch, what are the odds of that?"
"If she's hunting for Melissa just like any other mercenary, she'll come to us." Jason leaned back and crossed his arms. "She'll no doubt pull a similar stunt like in Grimebrook. She'll attack anyone who has any sort of connection to the Foresters to draw us out. And if we are dealing with an organized gang, best to isolate the situation and avoid putting the rookies or any other Foresters in danger."
"But what about tracking Althalos?" Eadwulf brought up. "We still don't know where he's stationed."
"We're at a dead end in the case for now, anyway. Best we put this issue to rest first."
"The real issue that needs bedrest is Melissa's," Valentine pointed out.
Jason glared. "Explain."
"Sure, she got lucky in one fight, but one guy with a gun who's sensitive to light is hardly a challenge compared to the other Freaks in Virdis. Didn't you hear? They got another sighting of Grim Deadlock cutting down a group of bandits. Rumors are saying he stole a part of their souls."
"Ooh, scary," Blitz said with a chuckle.
Jet rolled his eyes and grunted. "Sounds a bit farfetched."
Valentine shrugged. "I don't make the rumors, I just read them. Zephora would get a kick out of this if she were here."
"Actually, isn't Zephora in Crullfeld right now?" Sid pointed out. "She hasn't been informed about any of this yet."
"She's doing check-ups on the village kids and making sure they're still healthy. Bandits came into the village and caused a lot of trouble. Ransacked the farms and apothecaries."
Percival sighed and capped his canteen. "Shade really needs to get cracking on making medicine. Crullfeld can barely keep up with the kingdom taxes as is. They're too far out in Verde territory to get adequate help from the knights."
Jason sighed. "Still, Valentine's correct. We need to inform Zephora."
"Just send Petra," Blitz suggested.
"I have Petra running errands for me, so she's unavailable. I'll be sending Jet to Zephora instead."
Jet perked up. "Me, sir?"
"Zephora is strong. Scary strong, in fact, and I can't have her causing damage to the ecosystem just to stop one elusive target. I trust you to handle the situation and provide backup."
Jet rose from his seat and saluted. "Yes, sir! Absolutely, sir!"
"At ease."
Valentine smirked. "Hey, don't let this distract you from my previous point. Melissa got lucky in her last fight. She won't be so lucky next time."
"That's true." Jason glared off to the side. "She pulled off a miracle surviving as long as she did, but there's no second chances the next time. Perhaps we should reconsider having her do field work."
"She is apprenticing under Shade, so it might be beneficial," Eadwulf agreed.
Sid shook her head. "No way. Melissa worked super hard to defeat Amos. I say give her a chance to spread her wings first. She does have that fancy superpower like you and Jet, Jason."
Jason shook his head. "Inherited Will isn't a 'superpower'. It's essentially carrying the torch of our family through each new generation with a boost towards one of my moves. Just because it boosts my Thunder Wave to abnormal levels doesn't mean it's anything groundbreaking. Melissa's isn't any different."
"Depends on how she uses it, though," Valentine pointed out. "You saw her during testing. It's obvious her Inherited Will boosted her Copycat."
Jet glared, vividly remembering the experience and visibly disturbed by it. "I shiver at the memory, to be frank. For a moment, clashing swords with her, I thought I was looking into a mirror. She mirrored my mannerisms almost flawlessly. I'm almost scared to think what she could do if fully trained, or what her full potential is."
"Speaking of," Percival joined in, "you really should break down the basics of what it is to her."
"I barely know myself," Jason admitted.
"Huh? But didn't you tell her about the history?" Blitz asked.
"Though the history is factual, Inherited Will itself is still a mystery to me. I say it's a gift from the gods, but that's just the legend around the Laurus Vanguard. Who knows what actually went down when they first took that oath? All I know for certain is that their descendants carry a strong resolve and will. It's clear as day from their aura alone. How something like that can be passed down is beyond my knowledge."
"Could be an aura thing," Valentine guessed. "I mean, Riolu and Lucario in general are freakin' busted with the stuff."
Jason closed his eyes. "Perhaps a crash course is called for when she is released from treatment. I could use the time to see her resolve for myself."
"Anything else of importance?" Eadwulf asked.
"No, that's all for today. In terms of checking on our supports…" Jason pointed between the group. "Sidney, you're on medical leave for now, so you'll sit this out."
"Darn," Sid groaned, collapsing onto the table.
"Valentine, check in on Rainside Village. Percival, I need you in Dawsbury. Eadwulf, you can handle checking up on Ula'ree." Jason turned to Jet. "And, as we previously discussed, head to Crullfeld and inform Zephora of what's going on."
The Nature Spirits and Jet saluted. "Sir, yes sir!"
"And what should I do?" Blitz asked curiously.
"Well, with Jet absent for the time being, you'll be managing the training with the rookies and the new batch of recruits we're expecting. Get the rookies started on secondary training, then get the recruits up to speed on how we operate."
Blitz shrugged. "Sounds simple enough."
"Any questions? None? Good. You're all dismissed." They stood up and exited the meeting room, though Valentine stuck behind for a moment as Jason rested back in his chair. "Yes, Valentine?"
Valentine grinned. "Just thought I offer some of my worldly advice."
"Not interested."
The Spinda laughed it off. "Well, then how about another piece of news? I've been looking into Giles' notebook."
Jason glared. "Why were you going through his belongings?"
"Come on, you and I both know Giles was fixated on this big conspiracy we're investigating, more than any of us. He may even know more than us, just never had the right pieces to fit it all together."
"Where are you going with this?"
"Remember that Marlo fellow we interrogated? Big Pasco operated as a mob boss specialized in alchemy. Giles kept scribbling on about alchemy in his notebook even before we got information on Pasco. He might have caught onto something before us."
Jason looked down. "He was a brilliant mind, but why not mention this to me?"
"He didn't want to bother you with his wild theorizing, I guess. Still, one thing I picked up from his writing left an odd taste in my mouth. He kept referring to the kingdoms and trust no one."
Jason raised his brow at this. "What does that mean?"
"I don't know, I can't see what hasn't been written yet. Good thing, too, I'd hate to spoil the surprise for myself."
Jason groaned and pinched between his eyes. "Enough of your inane rambling."
"What I can gather, though, is that Giles may have realized something big is going on inside the kingdoms. This mysterious cargo trafficking might be hiding a much darker secret, and I think we'll understand everything once we find out what Althalos is transporting."
Jason closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "…Right." He stood up and headed for the exit. "If you figure out anything else, come to me immediately."
Valentine saluted. "Can do, boss!"
Jason marched out, hands tucked away in his pockets. Giles took a number of secrets with him to his grave. He was always running off and doing his own investigating. What on earth did he discover that forced Pasco to murder him? He glared. If he wasn't beaten into a coma, we might've gotten some answers by now.
He huffed through his nose and pushed the thoughts aside. We need to find this Marsaili chick and get those answers from her. For now, I should focus my efforts on a certain princess.
Shade finished applying a fresh bandage to Melissa's side and stepped back. "How are you feeling?"
Melissa swung her feet over the bed and smiled. "Better, actually. Thank you, Dr. Shade. Sorry I have been a burden to you."
Shade shook his head. "It's fine. I'm just happy you're safe. Anyway, you should be fine to leave. Don't do anything too strenuous or the stitches will come undone. Also, once the flesh seals itself up, we'll have to remove the stitches."
Melissa shivered in disgust. "They do not just dissolve after a while?"
"You're lucky I could stitch a wound at all. I would've had Adenine do it in my place."
The idea of a professional seamstress stitching her wound both disgusted and intrigued Melissa, but mostly disgusted her. "R-Right."
"Just promise me not to do anything too physical until that wound heals. That means no training."
Melissa pouted. "Aww, but that means I will miss out on secondary training."
"You crammed six months of training down to two. You can skip out on a week or two." Shade shoved her out the hut. "Off you go. Meet back with me tomorrow after lunch so we can get you started on crafting medicine."
Melissa sighed and saluted. "Aye, Dr. Shade." Once she was pushed out, she walked herself back to her hut.
She carefully touched her wound, grimacing from the memory. No words could've been expressed to her in her youth about the true pain of a gunshot. Even now, the words were lost on her. Though, she must admit, the experience was educational. Now she had more reasons to avoid guns.
Even so, she knew it helped her overcome herself and take one step closer to her goal. She felt stronger, mentally speaking.
She smiled and looked ahead brightly. I suppose not all bad things need to be bad.
"Rookie." By instinct, Melissa yelped and saluted to nothing. "At ease, no need to be tense." Melissa craned her neck and saw Jason walking up behind her.
She sighed and dropped her arm. "Sorry, sir. You spooked me."
"Am I that scary?"
Melissa winced, then raised her arms defensively. "N-Not at all! I meant that as a compliment! No, I mean, uh…not to say you are always scary, but…" Jason pressed his finger to her lips.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, lowering his hand afterwards.
Melissa gulped, then sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. "Well, Dr. Shade said I need to take it easy with training for the next couple weeks. Nothing to strenuous, he says. As long as I am not doing anything that could aggravate the stitches, I should be fine."
Jason nodded. "Good. I can work with that."
"Pardon?"
Jason walked ahead, gesturing her to follow. "My office, now."
Melissa blinked, then quietly followed. "O…kay?"
"Have you had any strange experiences ever since your fight with Jet?"
Melissa fiddled with Jason's telescope while he was busy searching through books. "Define strange," she said as she wiped some dust off the front lens.
"Your senses getting sharper, your awareness becoming more acute, etc."
"Hmm…" Melissa absentmindedly rubbed her cheek. "I suppose I felt a slight something when I dodged Amos' last gunshot. I honestly do not know what came over me, but I was not afraid of him for a moment. It might have been the pain, though. Took my mind off everything else."
Jason pulled a book out and flipped through the pages. "Since you come from a bloodline with Inherited Will, you're instinctively sensitive to danger. You possess a strong aura that carries the torch of your previous ancestors."
Melissa peeked through the telescope. "While I believe you, I would not say I have strong aura."
"Given your previous lifestyle, that does not surprise me. It's likely to surface once you conducted your training."
"Is that how I managed to catch up as fast as I did?" Melissa asked.
Jason shook his head. "Inherited Will isn't about strength. It's more of a state of mind. If anything, the ambition of your ancestors manifested through you, compelling you to work harder. Pokémon like us don't gain strength from aura like a Lucario, though it does boost our spirits. Through that alone, it can even boost our resolve through a single move."
"A single move? You mentioned my Copycat, right?" she asked.
Jason nodded. "Copycat must hold something special to you as a person, even if you never used it until now."
Melissa pulled away from the telescope and thought it over. "But what does that mean for me exactly? I already know how Copycat works. How much farther could I take it?"
"Depends on you as a person. You might be able to use it in ways beyond normal capability." Jason closed his book and set it back on the shelf. "And that's precisely what I'm aiming towards."
Melissa tilted her head to the side. "Eh?"
Jason turned to face her and leaned back against the bookshelf. "Melissa, considering what happened recently, I'm almost tempted to pull you away from field missions. Now, I was convinced to at least hear you out, but I am only looking after your safety. You're still new to all this, therefore I have to decide whether you're fit to fight or not."
Melissa frowned. "I am still a liability in your eyes?"
"Take no offense to it. It's mostly a precaution. Despite your isolation from public view, it would be risky if anyone were to recognize you. And frankly, given the…unique circumstances of your disappearance, the more astute may even rationalize this wasn't a kidnapping. If you're spotted and recognized, there's no telling what will come from the backlash."
Melissa sighed. "I see your point, sir."
"Which reminds me, Amos didn't recognize you, right? Given his terrible eyesight, I imagine not, but we can't be too sure."
Melissa shook her head. "No, I dispelled any doubt of that. As far as he is concerned, my name is Harlow."
Jason raised his brow. "Harlow?"
She nodded, smiling. "I figured an alias would do me some good. The name comes from my tutor's novel. I thought it would be appropriate. Plus, Amos would inform everyone of the Buneary who took him down, and who would believe Melissa Penworth could pull of a stunt like that?"
Jason nodded. "Guess you solved that little issue. Then I suppose comes the next challenge: how far do you intend to push your limits to achieve your goal?"
Melissa chuckled sheepishly. "If this injury is any indication of my feelings, you have your answer."
Jason smirked. "Perhaps I was too quick to judge you from the beginning." He glared. "Still, if you want to keep up with your team, you'll need to find your style."
"My style?"
"If there's one thing those within and outside the kingdom share, it's the art of battle. Since the early ages of time, Pokémon had a natural attraction toward battle. We learned to utilize our abilities, manifesting them into attacks. For the time, they were simple in what they did. Over the years, however, we realized we could push the limits of our moves to their absolute. Our moves and abilities are far more flexible than our ancestors believed. The power of enhanced moves."
"Enhanced moves?" Melissa scrunched her face for a second, then gasped. "Oh, yes! I believe I saw something like that during a jousting competition. One of our knights, Nathaniel, used some technique I was unfamiliar with. I thought he was just using Bone Rush, but he did something to it that made it way too powerful to be normal."
"It doesn't surprise me. Knights are practically required to have that level of attack mastery." Jason extended his hand and emitted sparks from them. "My moniker as the Fairy Knight was earned because of my speed. They say I move so fast, it's supernatural. Even your very own Black Knight Matthias earned his name because of how dangerously strong he is."
"Wow," she awed.
"The same applies to your team. They spent years perfecting their moves. I'm sure you will witness this in time. And in time, we'll find a style of fighting that suits you."
"I am so jealous," Melissa admitted bashfully. "To think everyone has their own unique way of fighting. I wish I could do something as cool as them." She sighed. "But I am a plain Buneary."
Jason shook his head. "You have variety to work with. Plus, you can make up for some of it with Copycat if used correctly." He approached her and set his hand on her shoulder. "No one starts out their best on their first day. While you will be learning most of this stuff in secondary training, it'll be beneficial for the both of us if we start working out your Inherited Will."
Melissa touched her chin and looked down at her feet thoughtfully. "It…would be nice to fight on par with you guys. When I was fighting Amos, I was stunned with the way he used his moves. I did not think anything like that was possible, even knowing what my knights are capable of."
"We hammer creativity, skill, and strategy into your head for a reason." Jason tapped her on the forehead. "So, here's the deal. Once you're healed up, I want you to meet with me after dinner every day so we can get you started. That includes day offs. We're going to use this Harlow identity of yours to its advantage and make you own up to it. We'll find your style and see what makes you tick."
Melissa smiled. "I would appreciate that."
Jason nodded, then walked towards his stairs. "We can start now."
"Now? But I am—"
"You need to find your center first. For now, light meditation. Think you can handle sitting still until dinner?"
Melissa chuckled nervously. "Hard to say."
Jason smirked. "I don't have all day, Rookie." He headed up the stairs.
She sighed and acquiesced as she followed him upstairs. "Yes sir."
The Next Day
The creaking of wooden wheels sounded through the empty grassy plains, carried over a dirt path stretching far into the horizon. A quiet atmosphere surrounded Godfrey's passengers as he moseyed along. Jet sat in the corner, arms crossed and head down, catching up on some sleep while Valentine and Percival sat in the back, conversing. Eadwulf had already been dropped off, so now they were on their way to Crullfeld.
Valentine flicked a card out of his sleeve and presented it to Percival. "Is this your card?"
Percival glanced at it with a disinterested look, then resumed sipping from his caffeine-filled canteen. "Nope."
"Ah." Valentine tossed the card down, then pulled out another. "Is this your card?"
"No."
"You're not even looking."
"It's still not my card."
Valentine looked at it and asked to himself, "How does Basil do this again? I'll have to ask him when we get back." Valentine dumped the remaining cards out of his sleeve. "Then what was your card?"
"Three of clubs."
Valentine grinned. "Oh, you mean…this one!" He reached behind Percival's head and flicked a card out from nowhere. "Tada!"
Percival squinted at it, genuinely amused by the Spinda's elation. "Heh, not bad. Looked convincing."
"Thanks!"
"Also, that's the ten of hearts."
"Darn it!" Valentine through the card down, then fell back against the cart. "I give up."
Jet groaned and peeked up from his half-slumber. "Could you two keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep."
Valentine grinned. "Someone's crabby."
"I need to conserve my energy."
Percival capped his canteen and shoved it away in his pocket for later. "I have to agree with him. You do seem grumpier than usual these days." Jet looked away, hiding the annoyance bellowing in his features.
Valentine, the ever observant jokester he was, decided to press his buttons for the time being. "Is this because of Melissa? Ever since she arrived, you've been a lot more hostile than normal." Jet grumbled and shrunk into the corner of the cart.
Percival opened his squinted eyes a bit. "I thought things were cool between you two."
Jet huffed, then replied, "Though I stopped treating her like dirt, she has yet to fully earn my trust. She has to prove herself down the road, whenever that is."
Percival and Valentine glanced at each other in silent discussion before the caffeine-addicted Abra replied, "You have a curious history, my friend. Even back when you were a Nature Spirit, you had this ironclad resolve. I think I've seen Jason smile more times than you, and I mean actual smiles. I didn't think anyone could rival Jason's coldness."
Jet closed his eyes and nestled into the corner of the wagon, pulling his hood over his face. "Melissa…brings back too many terrible memories."
Valentine glanced off to the side and winked. "I smell a backstory."
Percival leaned forward. "Jason did say you came from Lyngholm. I heard there's a lot of rich folk out there. How did a noble-hating guy like you end up in a place like that?"
"…I'm done with this conversation."
Percival sighed and raised his hands. "Keep your history to yourself. It's none of my business."
Valentine shrugged. "Eh, I'll wait a few chapters."
Jet looked over the wagon and rested his chin on the edge. The passing field of grass reflected off his weary eyes that were lost in a dense fog. The idea of ever returning to Lyngholm infuriated him. Unless ordered not to by Jason, Jet couldn't guarantee a peaceful reunion with the noblewomen he…associated with.
It's not like he didn't understand where the two were coming from…now, at least. He wanted to make an effort with Melissa, a genuine start, but years of not trusting anyone couldn't just go away with one pure saint opening arms to him. It's a problem he'll have to deal with for a long, long time, whether he liked it or not.
He admitted to being impressed with Melissa's performance in Grimebrook, but it did nothing to sway his neutral stance on her. He didn't feel concern for her either. He genuinely didn't care, and a part of him wished he could. Something was missing, the final puzzle piece that would allow him to find the truth.
Sad as it was, though, his past left a permanent scar on his mind.
He sighed and casted his gaze ahead at the road. He raised his brow at a cloaked figure wandering alongside the road, walking toward their direction.
Odd, I kept checking ahead for bystanders. How did I miss them?
Godfrey must've been focused solely on walking, not even taking a passive glance at the wanderer. This was important, because Godfrey didn't slow down when the wanderer teetered closer and closer into their direct path as they drew nearer.
Jet jolted from his seat and shouted, "Hey, what the hell's wrong with you?! Get out of the—" He gasped as the figure lurched forward at the wagon. "Godfrey, stop!"
Godfrey snapped out of his trance and put the brakes on. Percival and Valentine staggered forward with only Valentine falling on his face. Jet hopped over the wagon and pulled out his scalchop, scowling furiously.
"You idiot, why did you jump in front of our…wagon?" Jet's fury turned quizzical as he inspected the front of the wagon. Though he clearly saw something jumping in front of them, no body lay at the wheels or beside the hulking Mudsdale transporting them. "What the—"
His thoughts were interrupted by Valentine's annoyed groans. "Yep, that one broke my nose."
Percival levitated up and glared at Jet. "What happened?"
"I…don't know." Jet put his scalchop away. "I could've sworn I saw someone jump in front of our wagon."
Percival glanced at Godfrey. "Did you see anything?"
Godfrey shook his head. "No. Pulling wagon. Eyes on road only."
Percival crossed his arms and looked back at Jet. "Are you sure you saw something?"
"I…" Jet scratched his head. "I thought I saw someone. I really thought I did."
Valentine sat up and cradled his aching nose. "Maybe you do need to sleep. We'll be nearing Crullfeld soon, anyway."
Jet glared sternly at the front of the wagon. "I'm not crazy, I swear."
"Hey, I don't judge crazy."
Percival sighed. "Jet, you're tired. I would've sensed if someone teleported or disappeared into another space. I can't think of many other ways someone vanishes into thin air."
"You can't sense anything?"
"Nothing obvious, at least."
Jet closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Maybe I do need some sleep." He climbed back into the wagon and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry, guess I'm stressed."
"If it has anything to do with what I asked earlier, I'm sorry."
"It's whatever." Jet pulled his hood up again and closed his eyes. "Sorry to disturb you, Godfrey. Keep going." Godfrey snorted and continued down the path while Jet tried to catch up on his sleep. He scratched lightly at his neck, visibly irritated.
I swear, if I start hallucinating about Brinley again, I'm going to strangle the next living thing in sight.
