A Home Like No Other

Chapter 8 (Part 1)

While she lay fainted, Amy Miller had a dream.

Or at least she thought it was a dream. One moment she was losing consciousness under a tree, the next, she was standing somewhere else. So, maybe a dream? It could've also been a vision... or a good old-fashioned hallucination. Whichever one it may be, she hoped it would hurry up and be over with because it was giving her a terminal case of the heeby-jeebies just looking at it.

The world was gray and dreadful. Crooked, leafless trees surrounded her on every side from within the clearing she stood in, a forest of bare limbs reaching for a sky devoid of all but a sliver of a moon providing far more light than it should've. There were no visible trails leading out, meaning that the young woman would have to wade through thick brambles nearly half her height to get anywhere. For all intents and purposes, it looked like she was stuck. She began to walk toward the nearest edge to see if she could see anything more but stopped after only a few steps. Slowly, she looked down.

She was human again. Amy hadn't even noticed it, but there it was. She marveled at her body, clad only in a plain nightgown and matching slippers. She raised her hands, clenching and unclenching them several times before running her fingers through locks of chestnut hair and down the contours of her face. She couldn't help it, a smile spread across her lips at the familiarity. It stayed like that until she looked back down and finally noticed the lack of any belly she'd developed while pregnant. Now frowning, she looked back up and scanned her surroundings again, giving voice to the first and most pressing question.

"Where am I?"

On the path of danger.

Amy jumped, whirling around at the whisper in her ear. Wait, had it been a whisper? She didn't exactly have time to think about the question since it turned out that no one was there when the young woman spun to face the direction she thought the sound had come from. She swallowed hard and again began to scan the bare trees and tangled shrubbery for any sign of an acceptable exit. Something blew through the trees, then, the crackle and hiss of static pretending to be the breeze as the landscape around her stirred with movement. The trees swayed, the shadows danced—

And the voice whispered again, a sigh carried on the 'breeze'.

There you are.

Amy didn't jump this time, nor did she start. She didn't yelp, she didn't swear, she didn't even break out into a run. Instead, she stood there, stiff as a corpse. Then she began to quake, hair standing on end as every instinct told her to not turn around. Still, something more primal compelled her to do just that and she slowly turned to face the edge of the clearing closest to her. The wind had stopped blowing, yet that ear-grating sound of white noise persisted in the direction she now faced. Heart pounding, Amy stared into the darkness. Nothing seemed to have changed at first, so she stared harder, gazing deep into the abyss. Then she saw it...

The abyss was gazing back. Its icy blue stare watching her like a hunter would its prey. The darkness distorted and she realized in horror that it was coming.

She did scream then. The sound drowning out the static as she whirled around to flee, but where? She made it to the center of the clearing before skidding to a stop. More eyes glowed in the dark forest in front of her. Every which way she turned, they were appearing to meet her frantic looks. She was trapped.

The darkness was looming more than ever. Amy let out another cry as a shadow detached itself from the forest and began snaking its way along the ground in her direction. She turned to get away, only to find that, like with the eyes, a serpentine silhouette was waiting for her in every direction. Her heart was racing now, her breathing quick and shallow as a fear unlike any other began to worm its way into the young woman.

"G-get away! I don't know what you are, but leave!"

Her shrill cry did nothing to relent the approaching shadows as they writhed along the ground. Tears began stinging at her eyes as the wretched things stopped only a few feet away, the spindly shapes raising higher and higher. Amy could only quiver as the ends of the shadows distended into thin claws, reaching hungrily for her. It was only in that moment that what she could best describe as a fight-or-flight reaction dialed up to eleven went off.

Trying to run hadn't worked, so it chose to fight.

"I said get back!"

Amy snarled as inexplicable anger washed over her, the former human falling to all-fours as her vision lit up with Psychic-type energy roiling against the darkness. She didn't know how to use a move, but she would try anything if it meant keeping herself safe. The Espeon began pacing in circles, a low growl coming from her curled lips. The encroaching shadows seemed to waver in the mixed red and cyan glow coming off her. The things in the trees moved and the whisper hung in the air.

Forsake the nature He has cursed you with. Take my hand.

"Wha...?"

Amy hesitated, watching the claws around her reach out, palms facing up as if waiting to take someone's hand. She glanced at all the appendages, still snarling—and flinched when a deafening sound ripped through the forest. Everything brightened further and the young woman's head snapped up to see that the moon had changed. Now the celestial body was full, both larger and more luminous than it had ever been back home. Yet it still grew in both regards. An ear-piercing shriek rang out from around the clearing, and Amy watched the outstretched claws evaporate to nothing in the unyielding moonlight. In its stead came a rich, soothing sound of a woman's humming that gave her goosebumps. It was like stepping into a hot, steaming shower after a cold winter day.

Still, the thing whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

She has found us. Do not be swooned by her siren song. You are in grave danger. Wake up.

Wake up.

Wake—

"Wake up!"

Amy cried out as her eyes snapped open. For a second, the world was illuminated with her Psychic energy, but it sputtered out just as fast upon realizing she was back in her room at the patient house. The space was being bathed in a gentle green via the Luminous Moss, so she figured it was some time in the night. She glanced down to see her egg resting against her belly, remembered what had happened earlier—specifically how she'd thrown it out of the way of danger—and began rolling it over and over in the light to inspect for damages. She sighed at finding nothing wrong and let her head loll back into the pillow, her heart still racing.

"A-are you okay?"

Amy jerked at the voice and half-rose to turn her head. Pressed against a corner of the room sat a familiar raccoon. Lizzie stared in silence for several moments before the young woman remembered she was supposed to answer the question. Still a bit out of it, Amy gave a nod.

"Y-yeah. It was just a bad dream, I think."

Lizzie replied with a nod of her own, though a little more somber.

"I know. You were mumbling and squirming in your sleep. My grampa does the same thing when he has them..."

An awkward silence fell between the two. Amy shifted her position so she was sitting sphynx-style on the pillow. She cleared her throat.

"So uh, why are you here?"

Lizzie's gaze turned to the ground. Idly, she began pawing at the floorboards.

"...I'm being punished. After you fainted, Miss Gallia got angrier than I've seen her in a long time and started screaming at me and Scout. I don't know what his punishment is, but I had to go without dinner and stay here until you woke up and I apologized."

The little Pokémon looked back up, her face a mask of guilt.

"So I'm sorry. I didn't mean to knock you out and almost hit your egg with Scout. It won't happen again, not around you or your baby."

Amy blinked at the raccoon. Slowly, her mind was beginning to properly grasp the gravity of what had happened in those last moments before being knocked out and felt her fur began standing on end. Lizzie saw this in the light and quickly glanced away.

"Umm... do you forgive me?"

Amy was quiet for a moment, considering the offer. Slowly, she pressed her lips into a thin line.

"No."

Lizzie flinched, her entire body beginning to shiver with emotion. Amy elaborated before it could escalate any further.

"L-listen, Lizzie, what you—and Scout—did was a very, very bad thing. But what you did hurt me... and would've also hurt my baby if I hadn't reacted fast enough. I... don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to it."

"I know."

Lizzie croaked, fighting a sniffle. Amy let out another sigh; she was barely keeping it together herself, dealing with both this and processing a dream that, in her opinion, felt way too real. She probably wouldn't have had the heart for this if it wasn't for the idea that the child needed to completely understand something. She rose on unsteady legs, making sure her egg wasn't about to roll off the pillow, and padded up to the other Pokémon. Lizzie shrank further into the corner, looking up uncertainly, but Amy didn't do anything untoward. Instead, she just sat on her haunches and placed a paw between the little Pokémon's spikey ears, and began petting her.

It felt weird. Amy didn't have near the same range of motion in her wrist as she did as a human, she could do little more than wiggle the digits that had become of her fingers, and her paw pads had almost no feeling to them. But the sentiment was there. Lizzie closed her eyes as Amy clumsily stroked her head, leaning into the touch. A wry little smile came to Amy when she pictured herself swapped places with the child, being petted by Gallia as the Gardevoir helped console her. Oh, how quickly the tables could turn! She liked to imagine her tone was... motherly... as she did the same.

"I don't forgive you. What happened hurt me and could've been a lot worse. But that doesn't mean I won't accept the apology and forgive you later. If you want that to happen, though, you have to do something."

"What?"

Lizzie's eyes blinked back open and she stared up at the young woman, her gaze attentive. Amy let her paw drop and gave her a serious look.

"You need to prove that you actually meant it—your apology, I mean."

"How?"

The little raccoon straightened up, looking ready to do something, anything. Amy suppressed a smile.

"You need to... learn from your mistake. Think about what you did wrong, think of ways to do better next time, and do it. If you want me to forgive you, you have to show me that you've grown as a... Pokémon. It might take some time, but you'll get what you want if you do."

The child wilted at the proposal. Amy cocked a brow.

"Now why are you acting like that for? You don't exactly strike me as someone who would just shy away from a challenge. If you can hurl other Pokémon through the air, this should be a cinch."

"O-okay. I'll try."

Lizzie shifted some, the proud little Pokémon preening slightly. Amy couldn't help but feel proud too. She wondered if her mom would've been happy at how she handled the situation or if she could share such moments as this with her own baby. Then she thought too hard on the matter and felt her ears droop as another pang of sadness and guilt lanced through her heart. Crying could come later, though. For now, she should probably finish with regaining her bearings, deal with the zigzag girl now that her 'punishment' was over, and get another few hours of sleep.

Amy returned to her bed, plopping down beside her egg. Lizzie emerged from her corner and just watched her. Now that the moment between them had passed, that same appraising look from when she'd introduced herself had returned. It was obvious that she was thinking about something. Amy glanced over at her.

"What?"

Lizzie made a face.

"You're weirder than I thought you'd be."

Amy blinked.

"How so...?"

"You seem smart like a grown-up... but you're almost as weak as a hatchling."

Amy made a scoffing sound.

"That's a bit rude, isn't it?"

Lizzie seemed to catch herself and found immediate interest in the floorboards. Still, that didn't stop her from continuing.

"It's true, though. Being hit by Scout shouldn't have used up all your energy and fainted you. You saw what Miss Gallia did to Tiran. It'd make sense if you got hit by a strong move, but you didn't."

"Well... this was one of the first times I ever used my energy."

The child looked up, her face blank before it scrunched up in confusion.

"Why would you even do that? That's stup—uh, that's... not very smart."

"U-um, well... that's just how we did things where I come from..."

"That doesn't make sense. Even Pokémon who don't do any fighting still train their energy to defend themselves."

Going off of the confused and dubious look she was receiving from the raccoon, Amy knew right then and there that she had to tread more carefully in regards to not arousing suspicion. Lizzie wasn't Tiran—she seemed older by several years and was definitely more discerning than the Rattata. Amy coughed awkwardly into her paw.

"Say, let's put a pin in that conversation for now. You uh, still wanted to touch my gem, right?"

Somehow, that actually worked. Lizzie abandoned whatever train of thought she'd been riding and perked up. Pokémon she may have been, but a kid was still a kid.

In a funny turn of events, the human-turned-Pokémon hadn't actually woken up late in the night. Rather, it had been quite early in the morning. Not fifteen minutes later, the sky became gray with pre-dawn light and Merri began to stir. An interesting day was about to begin. Granted, almost every day since the human arrived had been more interesting to the village's residents than normal, but today was exceptionally... exceptional.

For Amy, it started with an odd nightmare and a child's apology.

For Gallia, it started with a knock on her doorframe.

The Gardevoir groaned at the sound, her voice muffled by the blanket over her head. She was exhausted. The guilt of being unable to stop Lizzie and Scout before they fainted Amy had kept her up half the night. More than that, she just wasn't a morning Pokémon. As much as she hated to admit it, it really wasn't that uncommon for her to sleep until later in the morning. The rhythmic sound abated and she was prepared to fall back asleep, only to be grabbed by the shoulder through the sheets and shook. Sirden called out, sounding uncharacteristically peeved.

"Gallia, wake up. We've got a situation on our hands."

Gallia shifted under the blanket and made a commendable effort to poke her head out. Blearily, she rubbed at her eyes.

"Ugh, I'm up. What's the matter?"

"It's Nedos and the rest of the caravan. I'm letting you know before I head to the clearing that they knew about Amy."

Gallia glanced up, brows furrowed.

"Of course they would. I bet the villagers were just dying to let them in on that bit of news."

Sirden shook his head.

"No, dear, they knew before they'd arrived. Someone is already spreading the news outside of Merri."

Gallia just stared at her husband for a moment, then she was practically tearing her way out of the tangle of sheets with a string of curses.

"Damn that—that son of a—Jirachi's stars and Giratina's twisted hell! It had to have been Leland! I knew that Herdier was going to be trouble from the very start!"

Sirden grunted neutrally. Word wasn't supposed to start leaking until the caravan did that of their own accord. Now there was even less time before the news broke and Pokémon, no, entire kingdoms started making moves! An Espeon on the border of Ridan was not a good look without proper context and Gallia frankly needed more time to think of a way to excuse Amy's presence that didn't invoke more questions.

Speaking of Amy, she needed to check and see if she'd woken up yet and, if yes, make sure that Lizzie had apologized. She also needed to start on breakfast if the Gallade hadn't eaten already, wash up, give that stupid Zoroark an update on Amy's condition, and of course, see what goods the caravan was offering this time around. Maybe she could finally buy a mirror and see if she had dark circles under her eyes. There was so much to do and so little time to rest.

Gallia and Sirden left their cabin together, the latter heading back to where Nedos had set up shop. The Gardevoir continued to the larger building where she normally housed anyone too sick or injured to move and made it to Amy's room without much issue. She stopped at the curtain and listened, exhaling in relief at hearing the former human speaking.

"...I have two names picked out, actually—one for if it's a boy and another for if it's a girl."

"What are they?"

That was Lizzie. The Zigzagoon didn't sound nearly as morose as she had the rest of the day following her and Scout's incident. Gallia chose then to pull the curtain aside and enter.

"Ah, I see you're finally awake. Good morning, you two."

She walked in on the pair, Amy half-curled around her egg, both sitting comfortably on the pillow as Lizzie ran a paw over the smooth shell. Her touch was delicate, treating the unhatched... human? Pokémon?—as if it were made of a fine crystal. Amy looked over and smiled.

"Oh, hey, Gallia. I was just about to send Lizzie to see if you were up yet. She said that sometimes you don't wake up until after lunch. Is that right?"

That only happened once, dammit! Gallia kept her face schooled and laughed it off... mostly.

"Ah, well, I do tend to stay up later than I should when I'm reading, but that's neither here nor there. How are you doing? Has Lizzie apologized to you yet?"

She shot a glance at the Zigzagoon and the little Pokémon fidgeted under her gaze. Amy gave a nod.

"Mhm, we got that all squared away. I'm doing alright, I guess. I still feel a little woozy and I'm uh, really hungry and thirsty."

"That's completely normal after fainting. I suppose I could fetch you a berry or two to sate you until I can get breakfast started. First, though, let me apologize for what happened yesterday. I put you and your egg in danger by not being able to control my students better."

Gallia gave a deep bow to Amy, whose smile became thin as parchment. She waved a paw.

"Don't worry about it. No harm, no foul, right?"

Gallia looked up sharply.

"No harm? Amy, you were slammed into a tree. You can't seriously tell me that you're fine with that; we literally just had a confrontation about trying to hide from how you truly feel."

She stared incredulously at the former human. Lizzie began to inch her way back from the two adults. Amy hesitated, then her smile vanished.

"Okay, I'm a little upset—there, I said it! But how else do you want me to act? Can we just skip another argument and be happy that it didn't end up being a disaster?"

Gallia pursed her lips before finally huffing.

"Fine. I suppose the blame doesn't lay solely with any one Pokémon. Let's just move on and get you back to the cabin for breakfast. Oh, and maybe cleaned up as well—you haven't bathed since you showed up and you're looking less than presentable after that hit you took."

Amy grimaced at the suggestion. Gallia could only imagine what was going through her head, unless... humans didn't take ba—

"I'm not going to have to lick myself, am I?"

If Gallia had been drinking anything, she would've surely sprayed it all over the smaller Psychic-type. She looked incredulously down at her.

"What the—no! I refuse to let you act like some feral! Have some dignity."

"...Guess that answers it, then."

Amy murmured just loud enough to be heard. Gallia rolled her eyes and dismissed Lizzie, the tiny Pokémon scurrying away without further incident. With that situation dealt with, the Gardevoir began getting everything together to move the former human to her house for the morning. Blanket, basket, and... that was everything she actually needed. Amy followed along as Gallia carried her precious cargo out of the room and into the hallway, the two opting out of any small talk in the meantime. They made it all the way through the front door before coming to an abrupt stop when Gallia nearly stepped on the Zigzagoon. She looked down at Lizzie, then back up to another Pokémon standing naught but a few paces away. She recognized him immediately and felt her breath hitch.

The Breloom blinked at Gallia, adjusting the large sack slung over what little shoulder he had to work with. She felt Amy rub past her gown and stare up at the Grass and Fighting-type in puzzlement. The two's eyes met and the Gardevoir felt her skin crawl at the gleam in the eyes of Nedos' most infamous merchant. He put his free claw up to his cap and made a tipping gesture.

"Oh, do pardon me, ladies, just wandering about. I thought I was getting turned around in this little village of yours—but it looks like fortune smiles on me yet again."

For Arzon, the day started... just like any other.

He and Zolkir had woken up just before dawn, as was routine. After a quick breakfast that was more field ration than food, his son wandered off and the Zoroark was left with the two guards'mon that had arrived. The three of them ran through the morning training drills that had been customary for them when they'd been serving in Ridan's army. Afterward, he sent the twins off on their morning patrols and inspected the progress being made on the palisades.

Regimented. That was the best word to describe what much of his day was. It had been like that ever since the first day he had left his pack and joined the military. Half an hour to do this, an hour to do that. So long as he held strictly to his schedule, everything was efficient and predictable. Few things bothered him more than surprises. In the line of work he'd become acquainted with, surprises could kill.

That was perhaps why he had reservations about Nedos. He was a pleasant enough Pokémon, sure, but Arzon couldn't for the life of him predict the Nidoking's next move.

He shook his head and crossed the bridge into the northern half of Merri.

This was the only time he could do such a thing without it technically being an invasion of Auristead. The clearing where traders and merchants gathered was located in this half of the village, ergo, any villager in Merri's southern half had to cross the bridge if they wanted to purchase goods. He'd considered it a matter of security for the Pokémon he watched over and insisted on being able to observe the clearing whenever merchants arrived. Sirden had accepted in what had surely been a bid to keep tensions from rising between them and the two had worked out a lengthy agreement.

With the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, the Dark-type made his way to the clearing. As per the agreement, he stayed on the path and made no attempts to "skulk around like some criminal"—the Gardevoir's words, not Sirden's. The trail wound between the stream that split the village and a large thicket of trees, heading upstream before terminating into the glade he knew was empty most days. Arzon stepped into the clearing and glanced around, drinking in the uncommon sight.

Several wagons were parked along the inner edges of the space, not a single two looking alike. Each one had a different purpose and offered different goods. Some of Merri's Pokémon were already out to buy something, what little coin they had burning a hole in their purse. A Furret with several Sentret children, that irksome Minccino, the Bibarel and Diggersby that lived further upstream, and a Swellow were some of what he saw nosing through what was being offered at the simple stalls. Sirden was there too, back to wearing that abomination of a scarf again and leaning against a nearby tree, presiding over everything. The Zoroark made to find a spot to do the same, only for his ears to flick at hearing that familiar, gruff voice.

"Well, look what the Delcatty dragged in! It's a little late for you to be up, eh, Arzon?"

He turned his head and saw Nedos strolling toward him. He was large for his species, having an entire head of height over most Nidoking, but interestingly, it did little to detract from the friendly aura he was giving off. Arzon couldn't help but raise a brow at the brigandine over the Pokémon's torso, the spines along his back protruding out between intentional gaps in the armor. From his understanding, the caravan leader didn't wear such things unless he was intending a serious battle... or trying to impress someone. So unless the Nidoking was intending to take on the entire village, he could only ponder as to whom had caught his eye. Nedos stopped at Arzon's side and clapped him on the back with enough force to topple anyone who hadn't been bracing for it.

"Arzon, it's been too long since the last time we've seen one another! I heard you were having problems with an Espeon?"

Immediately, the Zoroark's eyes sharpened. He grunted.

"You could say that. I suppose that's why you're all dressed up?"

Nedos gave a large, toothy grin.

"Naturally! I tried talking to Sirden about it but he was tight-lipped about the whole thing. What's got him so bothered that he isn't even willing to have a conversation?"

"That's what I've been intending to find out. He and that wife of his are both Psychic-types though, so you can probably guess how frustrating it's been."

Arzon cast another look across the glade at Sirden. The Gallade looked as though he wasn't paying them any mind, but that was probably far from the truth. Nedos growled thoughtfully.

"Mm, I probably can. But hey what if I could find out for you?"

Arzon gave the Nidoking a sidelong look.

"Going straight for the sale already, huh?"

"What can I say? I know you're a no-nonsense kind of 'mon."

"And why help me?"

He already knew the answer but let Nedos explain himself. The hulking Pokémon nodded and gestured for Arzon to follow. He obliged, walking beside the caravan leader to get out of earshot. For good measure, the Zoroark also cast his bubble of privacy around them.

"Isn't it obvious? We want our fair shake at her. The way I see it, the faster we can get this investigation of yours out of the way, the faster we can get what we want without stepping in your way. I'm not exactly keen on causing problems with you, Ridan's army, or the crown. So what do you say?"

Arzon was quiet for a moment. He wondered how Nedos had found out he'd been trying to run an official investigation on this issue, but figured he'd just talked to some of the villagers. He was also too aware that the Nidoking might also want whatever information was going to be gathered, hence why assistance was being offered. It was a risky venture given that all intel gathered could be proliferated by way of selling secrets, but on the other claw, he had a deep suspicion that every Pokémon in Merri's northern half was going to keep trying to give him the run-around in regards to the Espeon. Slowly, he nodded.

"Very well. Do what you need to... just so long as I get more information. I can even share what little I do know if you think it would help."

Nedos' grin widened. For the briefest of moments, Arzon almost wondered if he'd made the right decision.

Almost.

Before long the two were sitting in the caravan's lead wagon and getting comfortable. Nedos offered Arzon some wine but the guard captain declined to drink. The last thing he needed was to be inebriated on the job. He took stock of the room as the Nidoking returned the almost empty bottle beneath the desk. Countless cabinets and shelves full of parchment, papers, and other office supplies surrounded him from every side. Nedos pushed aside an abacus in the way and shuffled a few sheets of paper before steepling his caws.

"Well then, I guess we should get going with the info sharing. What do you know about her?"

"Very little. I wasn't even able to get a name until my kit heard it from Tiran—that's Itato and Ramori's son. Apparently, her name is Amy; it's a peculiar name even by eeveelution standards. Besides that? I know that she laid her egg with no complications and has quite the pair of lungs for screaming. That's all."

Nedos checked a sheet of paper and nodded.

"That's more or less what we got from asking around while setting everything up. There are rumblings that she also has a surname, but no one seems to know for sure except for Sirden and that Flareon of his. Neither one is giving a straight answer."

Arzon stirred. Something was definitely up if even the Fire-type was keeping quiet. The Nidoking pulled out another sheet of paper with a quill and ink at the ready.

"So what about your investigation? I don't mean to pry, but I'm gonna need all the information I can get my claws on if I want to help get to the bottom of this by the time we're ready to leave for Fangrove."

"That's... understandable. I'm reticent to discuss such things normally, but these are extraordinary circumstances. Still, can I be assured that what I'm about to let you in on will remain between us?"

"I can't promise much. News and rumor can be quite lucrative if you can find the right buyers and I have a whole caravan I need to keep above water. Still, I won't gab about anything that'll jeopardize your kingdom's security if that's what you're wondering."

Nedos was giving him a meaningful look and the Zoroark began to drum his own claws. That was probably as good a promise as he was going to get. He took a moment to make sure his illusion was still up before letting out a long sigh.

"In regards to the investigation, I've come to a standstill. As I'm sure you and your lot have pieced together, I'm trying to figure out exactly who this Espeon is, why she's here, and most importantly, how she managed to create the circumstances in which I found her."

"The... circumstances? What did you find?"

The Nidoking fixed him with a curious look. Arzon made an exasperated sound.

"You're asking the wrong question. It's what I didn't find that's losing me sleep. I was doing a patrol for signs of feral activity when I stumbled across her. She was unconscious and laying in the middle of the main road leading out of Merri. I tried waking her but failed to do so. I had my guards'mon come over for a preliminary search of the area and that's where all the concerns rise."

Arzon paused, his gaze falling to where the wine bottle probably sat behind the desk. He shook his head and continued.

"You see, Gnashalt and Malick are skilled trackers. I had them try to find the scent trail that the Espeon left to see where she'd come from and was met with our first problem: there was no scent trail leading up to her. It was like she'd just appeared in that spot."

The Nidoking stopped his scribbling, fascinated.

"Hm, that's unusual... but there are plenty of things that could've done that."

Arzon snorted.

"You don't think I know that? She could've been sent there via Teleport, but Espeon can't learn that move—it also only has a maximum range of fifty or so feet when not enhanced by a Psychic Gem. I had my 'mon thoroughly scent an entire circle around her and there was still nothing. A Ghost-types could also have phased her there, but that would take a lot of energy and several Ghost-types that would have been scented with Odor Sleuth. Again, we found nothing."

"Couldn't she have been dropped in by a flyer? I've met more than a few criminals who move around like that to avoid things like scent tracking. All the tree cover around here would've made it hard to spot them coming in."

Nedos added helpfully. Arzon nodded.

"I considered that an option too. That leads to the second anomaly, though: there was no other smell on her apart from her own scent."

"What? I don't know much about scents and even I know that's impossible. There has to be something."

"You're right, but that wasn't the case here. There was no scent of any other Pokémon, no scent of the forest or any other place, nothing but her own scent. It gets stranger, though, because my inspection of her also found that her body was... fresh. Not a hair was out of place except for where she lay and her paw pads were smooth and clean in the way that only a newly-evolved Pokémon's could be."

"Hah, I didn't take you to be a 'mon who had a thing for feet."

The Zoroark fumbled and cut the Nidoking a scowl. Nedos chuckled.

"Sorry, couldn't resist. Go on."

Arzon huffed.

"At any rate, you can likely guess the problem with this Espeon having just evolved. Think about it—she'd yet to lay her egg when I found her."

Nedos stopped his scribbling and took a minute to think. Slowly, the good-natured look left his face and was replaced with a frown of concentration, and then his eyes sharpened in remembering the detail that so many males paid little mind to.

"...Pregnant Pokémon can't evolve. The process would put the egg in danger with their insides shifting around and all that."

"Correct. Now you see the mystery for what it is. I consider these unusual circumstances a threat and want to confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that this 'Amy' isn't some threat."

"C'mon, Arzon, surely she isn't that. As weird as this whole thing is, she's still about to be a mother."

The Dark-type shook his head.

"That may be so, but Sirden and the Gardevoir getting in my way doesn't do that argument any favors. I don't want to risk not being paranoid and then have another Shrine Incursion happen."

A heavy silence fell between the two. Finally, Nedos grunted and moved his notes to the side for the ink to dry. He stood up and rolled his shoulders, Arzon following suit.

"That's fair, I guess. This should be enough to work with once Lyn shows up with our 'mon of the hour."

"You think you can actually get her to show up?"

Arzon eyed the Nidoking dubiously, but the other Pokémon only laughed, slapping a claw on the desk.

"Not me personally, but Lyn sure can! That mushroom-muncher is slick as oil! With me and him working together, we can get the info you want and earn a valuable asset for the caravan. It's a win-win if we play our cards right!"

The guard captain could only stare after Nedos as he shuffled past the Zoroark and out the wagon, barely containing his laughter all the while. Arzon followed him out in silence as he dispelled his illusion and looked about the miniature market that had popped up overnight. More Pokémon were arriving by the minute. And if the Nidoking was right, then that Espeon would be among them soon. Sure enough, his scanning was proof positive that the Breloom was nowhere in sight. Sirden must have noticed as well because he looked like he wanted to leave. Perhaps in search of the aforementioned merchant? The Gallade surely figured something was happening, but he couldn't leave so easily.

Arzon was here, after all, and the Zoroark realized with surreptitious glee that his equal wasn't willing to let him out of sight while being on his side of the village.

Oh yes, it was definitely an interesting day.

Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Here's the next chapter! I wrote this a lot faster than I thought I would, so... yay!

This hasn't been my favorite chapter to write, but it is the first chapter I've written entirely on-site as opposed to using a word processor. I think the streamlined workflow was what gave me the drive to do this so fast as compared to previous chapters. If that's the case then I might just start doing all my writing this way ;)

Part 2 of this chapter might end up being a bit longer in regards to word count, so it might take more time to write. In the meantime, I'm also hammering out something special for when Halloween comes around, still reworking An Eevee and an Ember, and doing something else that I'm not yet ready to talk about, so keep those eyes peeled!

Also, since this chapter was written on-site, I'm unsure of the quality of my proofreading. There might be even more typos and errors than usual, so be sure to leave a PM letting me know if you found anything!

See ya next chapter!