Chapter LVII

Nova sat on the beaches by the north of Sunnyshore, watching the waves carelessly dribble onto the sand. Owl was in the water, drifting behind some rocks with Leila on her back, while Bailey cawed above them. Tatiana and Tric were making a castle out of sand, and Rhys lay down next to her, lazily staring at the languid flow of the tides.

It was strange thinking that, only months ago, she had been in Twinleaf without any Pokémon – without any knowledge on how to hold a sword – and trying desperately to scrabble for food for her blind friend and mother.

And here she was. Eight legionary crystals. A castle only an ocean away from her.

And that blind friend could be the next king.

The dusk came with a soft breeze, the wind stroking her face as night crept in.

What now, though? Barry wanted to explore the castle, and of course she would go with him – if only to make sure no one hurt him on the way there.

But then? What of her Pokémon? Could she really drag a warrior like Rhys to Twinleaf, to rebuild it and perhaps go back to scrounging for food every bloody day? Would Rhys want that? Would her mother even want that?

Nova's head ached just thinking of it.

Perhaps, once Barry was king, he could make her a legionary – the thought had crossed her mind. Oreburgh, Veilstone and Canalave needed new legionaries, after all. At least, that way, she could keep her Pokémon fighting – could keep them doing what they loved to do.

Though, she couldn't help but notice that every single damned one of them kept glancing over, past the horizon, where the peaks of Sinnoh's castle rose up. And she most certainly didn't miss the way their gaze skipped back over to her, with wonder in their eyes.

They wanted to go in that castle themselves.

Arceus.

"…so, about that island you said you would give me…"

"Piss off."

"…extremely difficult when i am your shadow…"

"You know what's more difficult?"

"…i believe that you may find walking on water quite difficult…"

"Aye, but even that's easier than giving you a whole fucking island."

"…that sounds awfully optimistic of you…"

Rhys snorted. And with a roll of her eyes, Nova dragged her hand into her coat, pulling out the stone plate her grandfather had gifted her. Her hands brushed over the engraved letters, those words that so many people had whispered to her over the past few months.

A will of steel…

She didn't realise how tightly she had been pressing her fingers into the stone until she felt a pinch, and glanced down to find some of the small cuts from the legionary fight yesterday reopen along the palm of her hands. The blood dribbled down onto the stone, and Nova frowned.

Duke Rowan had told her that she didn't have to do anything about that throne – he said he would never ask her to earn it back for their blood. So kind, even though she had trapped his son – and her father – in the Distortion World.

But anyways, even if he did want her to be a freaking queen, how could she? She couldn't even hold a bloody cup of tea—

Rhys's growl made her jerk up.

He was staring at the plate, at her hand on the plate, his lips bared back. And, as Nova followed his gaze—

Oh, Arceus.

Her hand no longer had skin along it. It was just silver metal, sparkling in the sun, pale yet brilliant against the tan skin above her wrist.

"What the bleeding—"

Using her normal hand – the one that hadn't touched the plate – she felt over her left hand, fingers dancing between the metal knuckles and fingers. And it was moving higher and higher, climbing over her wrist and towards her elbow, the steel itself reflecting the ripples of the ocean.

"Nova, you there?"

Nova's head snapped up as she caught Barry ambling onto the beach, his Empoleon close by his side. Instinctively, she threw her metal arm behind her, even though she knew he wouldn't be able to see a thing.

"Barry," Nova said, clearing her throat. She shot a warning glance over at Rhys, urging him to stop staring at her bloody arm, regardless of how heavy and silver it looked, before adding, "Ready to go to the tavern?"

Barry's face lit up with a smile, washing away all the hesitance that had been there a moment before. "Aye. I've been ready for hours – Pen and I just couldn't work out which bloody beach you told us to find you."

The Empoleon made a small sound, and Nova caught it staring at her arm – where the slightest hints of steel were beginning to roll up to her shoulder.

"What was that, Pen? Nova's arm is—"

"My arm is recovering," Nova cut in, shaking her head at the Empoleon. "It hurt like a bloody churl up the arse after that legionary battle."

Barry frowned, but nodded nonetheless. "That's usually how it feels to be around ye, Nova."

"Oh, go to hell."

With a brief laugh, Barry stuck his elbow out. "Shall we head off, then?"

Nova glanced back down at the arm again.

No way in hell was she getting into a tavern with that.

"Give me a few minutes to call Owl back from sea," she said quickly. "Tell Pen ta take you to the one by Volkner's home. I'll find you."

With a brief nod, Barry was turning on his heel, his Empoleon giving Nova one long, pointed stare before joining him. Even Rhys was glaring at Nova, gaze narrowed on her arm.

Nova dropped the plate onto the sand, scowling.

It didn't hurt – but her arm felt so bloody heavy. Like her bones had suddenly turned into a bag of bricks.

And she just knew if Darkrai was out of her shadow, drinking all her fear, her heart would be pounding at the thought of it spreading more and more, covering over her heart—

"Stop," she hissed at her arm. "Stop."

Owl and Leila were coming closer to the shore, and she heard Bailey's wings swoop lower and lower. Even Tatiana and Tric were done, and they were beginning to move towards her.

She didn't need any more of them seeing. She didn't need them worrying.

"Fucking stop," she pleaded at her own bloody arm. "Just…"

"Fern?"

Nova glanced up at Tric, who was gesturing excitedly at the castle. Nova tried to edge her arm behind her, glancing over at the castle and smiling so sweetly that it hurt her cheeks.

"It looks great," she lied, for, in all truths, it looked more like a bloody heap of sand than anything. "It looks like a real castle."

"…aye, one that's been burnt down…"

Tric scowled at the shadow, and Tatiana grinned. Then, the Garchomp caught sight of the Luxray, who was snarling at Nova, at the arm hidden behind her.

With narrowed eyes, Tatiana gestured towards Nova's arm. The gladiator only frowned.

"Nothing's bloody wrong. It's just…"

Rhys didn't give a damn, though. He moved right behind her, and dragged her arm before her.

Only for both of them to find that her arm was completely, perfectly normal.

Nova and Rhys exchanged a glance. Then, both of them stared down at the plate beneath her boots.

Duke Rowan had said that it seemed more powerful than just a normal stone.

But this?

The gurgling and the gushing of the waves brought Nova back to the present. She glanced over at the golden sand, the jagged cliffs, the light castle beyond.

For now, it didn't matter.

What mattered was the future king.


"What are ye doing?"

"Teaching you how to hold a cup of tea."

"This feels like a whiskey glass, Nova."

"Same thing, are they not?"

Barry sagged back against the booth, clenching and unclenching his fists around the glass. "Nova, I really don't think this is what it means to be a good king."

"Well, it ain't gonna hurt to know, is it?"

"Aye, but I don't really think I would make a good king."

Nova nearly dropped the glass in her own hand. She glanced to her side, where all the Pokémon lurked by the bar – or at least where many Pokémon were glaring at Tric for taking up the whole water bowl. Then, turning back to Barry, she scowled. "How the hell not? I think you'd make a great king."

"But I don't want to be king. Isn't that reason enough?"

"Barry," Nova said with a sigh. "Sinnoh needs you. You're smart, good at fighting, and—"

"And I have no interest in wearing a bloody crown."

"Then don't wear the crown!"

"That's me point!"

He left the glass, folding his arms and scowling. Nova stared at him – at the way he felt for the scarf around his neck, the way he bit his lip.

"There's more to it," she said. "Isn't there?"

"Nay."

"Aye."

"Nay."

"Nay?" she repeated. "Fine. Hold the bloody whiskey glass again and lift your pinky—"

Barry threw his hands up in the air. "Aye, alright, there is more!"

Nova arched her brow and waited for him to lower his hands back to the table and sigh.

"How can I rule a kingdom that I haven't seen?" he asked, his voice ever so small.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"What do you mean?"

Nova pressed her hands to her temples. "You've seen more than most! You've breathed in the bloody shithole that was Twinleaf. You bloody fought in every arena in every bloody place here. What more do you need? Oh, aye, you don't know what a tree looks like – but what does that matter?"

"Nova—"

"And I'll help you! I can tell you whatever you need to know! If an old man comes in and asks you to shake hands, I'll tell you if he has a knife. I'll tell you if how long his bloody beard is. I'll tell you what Pokémon he has."

"Nova—"

"I'll even yank his pants down and tell you how long his bloody—"

"Nova!"

She went quiet, her face mottled red, heat simmering behind her cheeks.

"I don't mean see with my eyes," Barry said carefully. "I don't think I need to know what a tree looks like or how long a man's dong is to be a king."

"Then what do you mean?"

Barry shrugged. "When I moved around Sinnoh, I went as a gladiator who just wanted to fight and have fun. I didn't care about bloody politics or queen Cynthia or wanting to change things."

"You didn't?" Nova cut in. "You don't think Sinnoh should change?"

"Of course I think it needs to change. Anyone with half a heart thinks that." He then leaned closer, propping his elbows along the table. "But I haven't walked around Sinnoh thinking about how I want to change it. Because that's never been my main, I dunno, aim."

"It's not too late to start, though," Nova pointed out softly.

Barry smiled thoughtfully. "Aye, but why bother when I know other people who started long before now?"

Nova squinted at him, that slight flush to his cheeks. "You mean, Joy?"

"Oh, aye, let's make Joy a gladiator now and make her fight just to make her a bloody queen."

"Well, if not Joy, then who?"

Nova might have laughed at Barry's face – the way he stared at her as if he thought she was genuinely stupid. But, instead, she just arched her brow and waited.

"Riley," he answered.

"Riley?"

"Aye," he huffed. "Why bother challenging him when he makes a bloody fine king on his own?"

Nova snorted. "Oh, I dunno, maybe because half the folk in the castle want him dead?"

"He's Sir Riley. He can handle it."

"Barry—"

"Come on, Nova," Barry cut in. "You know Riley makes a damned good king. Why do you want it to be me so badly?"

"I—"

"Is it because ye fancy him?"

Nova felt that redness seep back into her face, that burning embarrassment. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"You fancy each other. But you think he won't wed you if he becomes king, or if Cynthia comes back."

"Well—"

"Or you're scared he will wed you, and you'll become queen."

Nova sat back, frowning.

She hated how he could do that – read through her without having to even glance at her face.

"Well, aye, I would make a shitty queen."

"Aye? Why?"

"Look at me, Barry!" she snapped. "I'm a wretch."

Barry fell silent, but not with anger. He was staring thoughtfully towards her, a smile on his face – one that was almost haunting with how sly it was.

"I'm looking," he told her. "I can't see. But I'm looking."

"And what do you see?"

He stood then, reaching over to find her face. She let him place his hand on her cheek, let it linger there.

"I see someone whose been wanting to change Sinnoh for a lot longer than Riley himself."


Nova's fist landed into the sack of sand, the sound of her knuckles against the rough material louder than the sweep of the tides, but not even close to the sound of her curses.

"First of all, fuck Barry for not thinking he'd be a good king."

Another punch into the bag, making Leila the Roserade, who was holding the bag up with her vines, flinch back.

"Then fuck Sir Riley for making an entire castle want to kill him."

Another punch. Another wince from Leila, who was glancing at the few houses by the beach where people were supposed to be sleeping.

"And also fuck Cynthia for disappearing."

"…are you quite alright?..."

"And fuck you for asking terrible questions."

"…i'm glad i no longer feel left out…"

Nova's growl tore through the air as she launched a kick at the bag. Her boot caught on the fabric, and she swore again as sand spilled from the new hole – turning the bag into a limp sack within seconds.

Leila frowned, sitting on the grass and using her vine to yank Nova down with her.

"I know, Leila. We'll go to bed soon. I'm just pissed."

Leila offered a gentle smile, and Nova nearly laughed. Here she was, in the middle of the night, on a beach, about to ramble all her problems to her Roserade.

Instead, though, she sighed.

"I know Riley makes a good king," she said. "But I can't wed him if he's a king. I don't belong in a damned castle."

Leila tilted her head to the side.

"Why? Ain't it obvious? I'm different."

Once again, Leila gave a hesitant smile and made a small sound.

"Well, aye, Barry is different, too. But there's a difference between being blind and being a bitch."

Another small sound.

"Ye can't be a bitch and a queen at the same time, Leila!"

This time, Leila didn't say anything. She just raised her vine to Nova's heart.

A bitch with a heart.

Then, the Roserade started to draw on the sand. Nothing too extravagant – but still, her vines stretched longer than Nova had ever seen them stretch, crawling along the very edges of the sand dunes.

Nova had to stand to see what her Roserade had traced all around her.

A heart.

A heart big enough to cover the whole length of the beach.

Nova fell back down on the sand, reaching out to touch her Roserade gently on the head.

A bitch with a very, very big heart.


Nova heard the knock only minutes after lying down on her little cot. She rolled out of bed, the stone cold beneath her feet as she reached the door and cracked it open.

It was almost painful hearing the way her heart pounded at the sight of the silhouette.

"Riley, how the hell—"

"I followed the smell of—"

"Of shit?"

"I was going to be kind and say berries, but whatever you feel suits."

Lips dry, she stepped aside. Riley looked up and down the hallway, no doubt looking for Flint – making sure there was no chance they would go after him there. But he knew what would happen the moment he stepped into the room. They both knew. And with a breath that seemed to last forever, he stepped inside.

Nova gestured for Tric to light up the lamp, and it flickered, a warm red glow blooming in the glass. Riley was behind her – she could feel him. Feel his shadow. Feel his fear at being there. And, holding her breath, she turned and looked at his face.

A picture, as always. Only a few scars, pale and thin, on his cheek. A smooth tan beneath. Cheeks defined, hollows around his eyes more filled than before.

"You know, I'm starting to see why they call you a pretty face around here," she said.

Riley ducked his head to hide his smile. "And I'm still wondering why they aren't saying the same about you."

There was tension crackling between them, and Nova could feel it thrumming in her fingertips. Even as she reached out to punch him playfully, she saw his skin prickle, heard his breath catch. Her face just inches from his.

She wasn't sure who moved first – her or him. Only that they came together with a crash, her eyes closed, her mouth finding his as if she'd always known the way. Warm skin and even warmer lips. Strong hands and hard muscle. His fingers wrapped in her hair. Her nails clawing his back. His mouth crushed against hers, both of them tasting whiskey.

Even afterwards, she couldn't have been sure who broke their kiss – she just remembered feeling breathless as he stepped back, feeling far too desperate for more.

Silence reigned in the shivering dark. The dark in the room swayed and rolled as Riley stepped forward, gathered her into his arms and kissed her brow.

In that moment – that tiny moment that hardly lasted a second – Nova let herself go. She listened to his heart against his ribs, feeling the warm glow of the lamp dwindle, and smiled.

"Do ye greet all gladiators like that?"

He snorted. "I usually make sure it lasts longer than that."

"Oh, aye? You slack off with me, then?"

"Well, usually, I'm not in a room of Pokémon that look like they want to rip my face off."

He was right. Through the dim lamplight, Nova could see that Leila and Owl were the only ones who looked glad to see Riley. The rest of them, Rhys especially, looked ready to tear him limb by limb.

Nova rolled her eyes at them.

"They're jealous that you're not greeting them with a good ol' smooch as well."

"Well, they'd only have to ask."

Rhys made a face, as if he'd been insulted. Nova didn't blame him.

"Well," she finally said. "You can smooch him next time. I'm going to sleep. What're you doing here, anyways?"

Riley sighed, sitting along the edge of the bed. "I'm making a big announcement in a few weeks. Once the Gladiator Games are over. I'll be making it here."

"An announcement?" Nova repeated, perking up. "Cynthia is dead?"

"Why do you sound so happy about that?"

She flushed. "I'm not happy. I just wanna know."

"Well, you'll find out in a few weeks, then."

"What? Just tell me now. Who am I gonna tell?"

Riley reached out for her hand. She let him take it, watched as he intertwined their fingers.

"I love you, November," he told her. "But not that much. You can wait with everyone else."

"You're a pain in the arse."

Hr grinned. "It's rich coming from you."

"Oh, shut up and get in bed, will you?"

She made space on her cot for Riley, and they laid there, pressed against each other's skin with her cheek to his chest. Her hair was strewn across him like a blanket, and their hands were still locked together when she whispered out to him.

"I love you too, by the way."

She waited for his reply. Moments stretching into minutes. Finally, she raised her head and realised he was dead to the world, his gentle breath slipping through his parted lips.

Nova smiled, shaking her head. Wrapping her arms around him, she closed her eyes with a sigh, and at last, fell into sleep.

Her Pokémon watched her, silent like a grave, as Darkrai moved away from her shadow and moved beside Bailey by the window. Waiting for the nightmares, for her to begin to whimper and whisper. What would she dream of tonight? Bebe drowning in poison? Her father's legs kicking, face purple, as Giratina grabbed a hold of him?

Any moment, the nightmares would come. They knew it. Darkrai never needed to make it happen.

But, for the first time since forever, the nightmares never arrived.

November was not afraid.

She was happy.


I feel like I'm just teasing every chapter by saying "We're so close to the league!" but never actually taking us to the league. But, for real, next chapter will be the start of Victory Road, and I'm super excited for it! I hope you are, too.