A/N:

Here's another chapter for the story. A bit quicker than I usually upload, but this one didn't take long to type out at all.

Special thanks to both Orthros and Fawkes Kleiffen for editing and pointing out several mistakes.

"…" - Spoken dialogue

Italics - Character thoughts

'Italics' - Telepathic dialogue

/\/\/\ - Lemon Scene

Chapter 20

— — — — —

Tristan

— — — — —

Dark clouds loomed overhead, and lighting stretched across the sky in wicked crackles. The thunder seemed to shake the very earth, though it was a regular occurrence in the area. The luxray of all people should know; this had been his home prior to joining Retribution. He had watched Liam and Selina with great interest when they had ventured past, being only a luxio at the time. Tristan had found himself unable to look away, and ended up following them for the larger part of the mission. They had subdued a tauros who had demanded ransom for a hostage, the two of them accomplishing the task as though it wasn't demanding in the slightest. Tristan had looked upon the fight with nothing short of adoration, and even he was a powerful inhabitant of the plains.

To his joy, the pair had accepted his request to join them. Looking back, it had likely come across as more of a plea. The luxray was desperate to join them after what he had seen, knowing that he had wanted more in life than what Amp Plains had to offer. And seeing as to where he was now - leading a party of thirty individuals through the territory that he had once called home - he would say that he made a good decision.

Lightning struck in the distance, crashing to the ground amid the darkness. It had been the third time within the past ten minutes in that specific location. It didn't take a particularly smart person to understand what would be waiting for them. "There will be at least one of the nomadic tribes over there," Tristan said to the crew. "We'll need to proceed with caution, but make sure not to come across as threatening. Many of the folks here don't take well to outsiders, and if we come across as a threat, then we may just ruin any chance of coming across with our proposition. Keep in mind this is already a long shot."

"Of course," a charmeleon stated. They did have one advantage, though, and that was Tristan. He was a former local, and his presence would most likely serve to ease things up a bit - particularly seeing as to how he was in charge of the group. That is, if the packs they encountered were members of his own species…

"I hope you're right about this, boss," a skarmory said. "This crew does not have many innate advantages against electric-types. If they attack…"

"Had I selected a large amount of ground-types, they may have interpreted it as a sign of hostility. That'd just as quickly lead to a fight, and that's the last thing we need. I'd like to have these people on our side…"

"I see. I apologize for not understanding…" the steel-type replied.

"Oh come on, it's not like that at all. It was a valid point. Y'all can always ask me if you question anything that I do. I'm not gonna be upset if you don't see eye-to-eye with me." He looked over at the skarmory, who nodded, with a slight smile from the bird. "As for the combat aspect of things, I feel confident that we will be able to take care of ourselves, even if a fight is to break out. But any chance of getting these guys to work for us is depending on something like that not happening."

A jagged streak of lighting stretched across the sky, and the winds were picking up. Tristan's hair stood on end in response to the tremendous electrical fields emanating from nearby. They were getting much closer.

"Tristan, didn't you come from around here?" asked another member of the crew, this one being a female sandslash. "There are definitely many within your species native to these parts…"

"Yes, I lived here prior to joining Retribution," the luxray replied. "Though I did not belong to a pack. I remained on my lonesome until Liam and Selina met me."

"Did you ever encounter these packs?" she asked.

"From time to time, yes," he said.

"What were they like?"

"Most of them were aloof. Very standoffish, but they were fine if you left them alone. I have encountered individuals from the packs when they were on their own and conversed with them. They were just like any other group of people, I would say. They were born into that clan, and so they would remain there. Just as anyone else, they wanted to get by." He watched as another bolt of lightning crashed ahead of them, and he could already hear the howling in the distance. "Speaking of which… I'd say we've found one of the manectric groups." He had heard the sound several times in the past, and generally wanted to avoid them prior. But this time, that wasn't exactly the goal.

"Didn't Retribution fight one of these groups awhile ago?" the charmeleon asked.

"Liam and Selina did - over three years ago. It was all resolved peacefully… in the end. But just to be on the safe side, I wouldn't mention Retribution at all - only Valmor. No doubt they've heard of the country by now," Tristan said. "…I was personally hoping to start things out with the packs of my own species, but we were going to attempt to recruit electrikes and manectrics sooner or later."

"How many belong to this pack?" asked the sandslash.

"It depends. There were four last I knew. Three of them had between fifty and a hundred members, but the last had well over seven hundred. That was when I lived here, at least."

"What the fuck?" asked the skarmory. "There are like… forty of us, Advisor…"

"I am aware of this. I doubt that all of those individuals will be in the same area at once. Also keep in mind that many of the females do not fight, nor the elderly, and the young ones are also included in that number."

"Still, don't you think we might just be getting into… I don't know… a situation we might not be able to deal with?" He noticed that several of the others were looking around nervously, some of them whispering amongst each other.

"No. Whichever pack we encounter, they all abide by the same hierarchy. In the worst case scenario, I can challenge the pack leader for his position. I do not wish to do so, as that is not the relationship I want with these people. But if their intentions are hostile, I will be left with no choice."

The Valmor crew approached the area of interest, and already he could see nearly a dozen electrikes heading towards the area, some of whom had taken notice of the visitors. Great, it's them… It wasn't exactly a secret that Tristan's species and theirs clashed in Amp Plains, often for access to optimal lightning grounds and feeding areas. He had already been prepared to put that aside, though, for the greater good. Packs would by far be the most ideal method to create a military, as the unison had already been taught. "If any of you are hesitant to do this, you may head back now."

"That's not gonna happen," a machamp said. "We're backing you on this, Advisor. I only hope that they may be reasonable."

"Me too," Tristan murmured. "Me too…"

They entered the woods, greeted by the piercing stares of multitudes. The luxray was already beginning to have second thoughts about this; there were far too many present for this to be anything but the largest of the manectric packs. Great… just fucking great… But he trudged forward through the heavily swaying grasses, his eyes fixed upon the powerful-looking manectrics in the center.

"Who do you think you are, trespassing into our territory?" the apparent leader snarled. Here we go…

"I mean no harm towards you or your people," Tristan stated, "and we have come here seeking to make an agreement."

"I do not care what your reason is for coming here, but you have brought your own pack into danger due to your ignorance. You are all surrounded, and yet you seem to have the audacity to remain in our presence. You are either a fool, recklessly bold, or both."

"Yeah, probably," Tristan joked. "But look, there is no need to be uncivil about this. If I had any intention of taking anything from your people, or held any sort of prejudice against you all, then I could have had this place overrun several times over. Your pack may be strong, but it pales in comparison to that of Valmor." The large manectric stepped forward, and those around him parted, making way for their leader. He stood several yards away from Tristan, very clearly sizing him up.

They were about equal in height, but it was clear that Tristan bore more muscle - a result of being one of the most effective bounty hunters in the entire continent. The manectric, on the other hand, seemed to be past his prime, but still bore the stance and sharpness of one who could hold more than his own in a fight. His eyes, though, lacked the fiery crimson color that most others of his species bore. Rather, his were a gentle brown, despite his mannerisms. "So then you represent that new force that has spread across the land. You have taken cities, from what I have heard. And now you have come to take over us, haven't you?"

"No - nothing like that at all!" Tristan said.

"Who is the leader of this Valmor pack? I find this intrusion most inappropriate," the manectric stated.

"I am," the luxray stated. "And we aren't a pack, exactly. We're—."

"I do not care. I have protected my people for over forty seasons now - from threats both nearby and foreign. You should have chosen this battle more wisely…" Tristan looked around, noticing his crew squaring off against the countless electric-types surrounding them, and was starting to believe that he had made a massive mistake. But there was still one other option.

"Then do not cower behind numbers, as I did not. I have over a hundred thousand members of my pack, and I could have obliterated every one of you had I wanted to. If you have an issue with me, then take it up with me - not my people."

"What are you proposing?" the leader asked.

"I challenge you for the position of leadership over your people." The electric-types looked at their leader, eager to hear what he had to say, and everyone present fell silent.

"I don't think you realize the predicament you're in," the manectric stated. "I have nothing to gain by accepting your challenge."

"If you win, then you'd take over my pack, right? The most powerful group that has ever existed in this continent. But if you refuse, then you will always carry your cowardice with you, not to mention the deaths of everyone who dies here today." The luxray stepped forth, staring his opponent down. "I came here with peaceful intentions - I wanted a resolution that would benefit both groups. But you've made it clear that you aren't exactly about to be diplomatic, so I'm not left with much of a choice."

"Tristan!" the sandslash stated. "Why would you risk such a thing?!" He didn't respond, but it was because there was no doubt in his mind that he would lose the fight.

"Have it your way," the manectric stated.

"You have no need to accept this request," a female manectric said, rushing up to the leader's side, seemingly his mate.

"I refuse to let this cat call me a coward in front of my people and not do anything about it," the leader stated. "I will prevail over him and take his pack in addition to ours." He walked past his mate, ignoring her pleas of reconsideration, and stopped when he was only a few feet away from Tristan. "I accept your challenge." Tristan heard the murmurs of the large crowds around them, even from Valmor's crew. The luxray had put it all on the line, and only for a few hundred new members.

"What are the rules?" Tristan asked.

"Nothing but claws and lightning. If any of your people interfere, you will all be killed without hesitation. This battle is between you and me alone."

"As it should be."

"You should've left when you had the chance," the manectric said, beginning to pace to the side, lowering himself in a hostile stance. "Your people will bear witness as I claim all that you have built."

"Over my dead body."

"That's the idea."

A chorus of howls sounded, taking over even the thunderous clashes. Everyone cleared the area, giving the two of them room to fight. It didn't have to be this way, you stubborn fool! His eyes were fixated on his opponent, and the two of them began to circle one another. Part of him couldn't believe he was doing this. But as he stared into the eyes of the manectric, the luxray knew that he had taken enemies far more deadly than him.

"What kind of leader are you?" Tristan asked. "The one people fear? Or one that people respect?"

"I'm the one that's going to end your life." Tristan bared his fangs, releasing a threatening growl.

"Not a chance."

He wasn't about to wait for his opponent to make the first move. Without warning, he lunged towards the manectric far faster than anyone had anticipated, slamming his weight into the foe. The tribe leader rolled over as he was sent to the ground, using the momentum to get back onto his feet before launching a wicked thunderbolt. Being as close as he was, Tristan had no chance of dodging it. He winced slightly as he took the attack full-on, but looked back at his opponent.

"What?!" the tribe leader barked in disbelief. Tristan sprinted towards the manectric, who leaped into the air, bringing his claws downward toward the large feline. The luxray pushed himself up onto his hind legs, intersecting his opponent as he felt the sharp points rake down his side, drawing blood. He growled as they went to the ground, pushing the other electric-type off of him with a powerful shove. Both of them found their way back onto their feet quickly, and this time, the manectric struck.

Electricity surged around his body, and the manectric snarled as he slammed himself into the luxray. Tristan was knocked off his feet, and the static surged throughout his fur, dissipating within his body. Tristan noticed his opponent swing for him once again and backed up, feeling the claws rake across his chest. He rammed into the manectric, causing him to stumble back for a split second - but that was all he needed. The static crackled on Tristan's fur, his eyes shining from the tremendous current seething throughout his body. Before anyone had known what had happened, the luxray released a tremendous bolt of lightning, striking his foe almost instantly. The leader of the tribe howled out in pain, unable to brush off the sheer energy that Tristan had pelted him with.

"There you go Tristan!" the skarmory shouted. The manectric stumbled back, but squared off against him once again. The luxray closed the distance between them, raising his paw and striking at his opponent's head. But the opposing electric-type ducked underneath the attack, then lunged up and shoved Tristan with whatever strength he could. He was sent to the ground, the manectric viciously clawing for his throat, and raised his forepaws to block the several nearly-lethal slashes. That's it!

Tristan slammed his head into the aggressor, completely halting the attacks on his end. He used his hind legs to throw the tribe leader into the air, and the manectric landed on his side. The luxray casually got back onto his feet, then began making his way towards the canine as he tried to regain his bearings. But the stumbling made it clear what was about to happen, and this had gone on for long enough. Before his opponent could do anything, Tristan leaped into the air, hauling back and bringing his paw down swiftly onto his head. A quick whimper, and the manectric fell flat on his belly, having lost the ability to continue.

He looked around at the multitudes of electric-types, all of them staring back at him - completely astonished by what they had seen. The lightning overhead branched across the sky, accompanied by a rolling thunder that echoed throughout the plains. Tristan stood proudly over his fallen foe, and lifted his head, releasing a reverberating roar that caused everyone around to stiffen up. He looked down at the manectric, who knew that he had been defeated, but was unable to move.

"Please!" the female from before screamed. "Please don't do it!" Tristan looked over in order to see her and a few others rush towards the two of them, and already several members of the luxray's own crew prepared to step in.

"I thought there was to be no interference," Tristan stated flatly.

"I'm begging you!" she continued. "I… we accept the results, but please… do not kill him!"

"He had no issue trying to rip my throat out just moments ago." He looked over the group of manectrics as they stood there, and they looked down, eventually laying prone before him, acknowledging his authority. "Why do the rest of you approach me? What reason do you have for defending him?" One of the male manectrics spoke up, and Tristan assumed that he was another higher-up member of the pack.

"Faramond has done everything in his power to protect us. It wouldn't feel right not to do the same."

"And if I refuse to spare him?" the luxray asked.

"Then… we will accept the decision. I just… I'm sorry that he came across as hostile. He has devoted himself entirely to our people, and… we've had issues with outsiders in the past. I hope you understand…" Tristan looked down once again at his foe, who had begun to open his eyes gradually, and it didn't take him long to recognize the situation he was in. The feline shifted his gaze towards his own people, and just like the electrikes and manectrics within the area, they looked upon him, anticipating what he was about to do next. He looked back at the female, who was crying softly.

"Help your mate to his feet. Had I wanted to kill him, I would have done so already." She wasted no time at all in rushing to his side, nuzzling up against the fallen electric-type.

"Th-thank you," she whispered. His gaze shifted once again towards the Valmor crew, and saw that several of them were nodding in approval. Eventually, the female was able to help Faramond onto his feet, though it was clear that he was beyond weak.

"Why?" he asked simply.

"Because," Tristan replied, "these people respect you as a leader, and I do not wish to take over your pack." He could feel the confusion around him, with everyone trying to figure out the luxray's peculiar mannerisms. "I came here to make a deal that would benefit both of our groups, and that is still what I intend to do. Are you ready to listen this time?" Faramond remained silent for a moment, but the manectric slowly nodded, unable to meet Tristan's gaze.

"…Yes." The feline stepped back, motioning over towards the crew he had assembled for this voyage.

"As I said before, we represent the nation of Valmor. The country stretches out over a third of the land within the continent. We've already brought in many groups much like yours - people who wish to have the benefits that Valmor has to offer."

"Which are?" asked Faramond's mate.

"Well, I'll say that no one within Valmor's borders is in danger of going hungry. Buildings are going up at incredible speeds, and trade routes have been created among various settlements for easier accessibility. We have done something in this continent that has never been done before: we've unified it. I want you all to be a part of that." The manectrics looked among each other curiously, and their leader was no exception.

"What is it that you have in mind?" he asked.

— — — — —

Selina

— — — — —

The two of them watched as Lapras drew close to the shoreline, having everything ready to go. It was kind of sad leaving the island after all this time - especially given what all had happened over the course of this trip. It didn't take him long to float up towards the edge where they were waiting. "Well you two looked like you enjoyed yourselves…" he stated.

"Oh, you could say that," Selina replied. "Right Liam?"

"Most definitely. Though I did have to go and lose the sleeping roll and all…"

"How'd you manage to do that?" Lapras asked.

"It's kinda a long story. But I suppose we've got nothing but time for the next couple of days." The two of them stepped onto the water-type's shell, and he repositioned himself before beginning their descent back down towards the waters. She gripped the protrusions from his shell, as did Liam, in order to feel more secure. Especially given the fact that she'd almost lost him in such a way. The lucario placed a paw on her back as they lowered towards the water, giving her a sincere smile. She placed her maw against his cheek, taking in the scent of her mate. Fortunately Lapras was focusing intently on the task at hand and didn't notice the pair, though he would inevitably find out soon.

"So how was Dialga?" Lapras asked once they contacted the water.

"He's been getting a lot better, but it's pretty clear that he's still recovering," Liam said. "But he estimates that he will gain his full strength back within a year or two. He wants to start visiting us, too."

"That should be interesting," the water-type said. "The god of time walking through the streets of Treasure City…"

"City?" Selina asked.

"Oh, that's right - the two of you had no way to know. Well, while you've both been on your little adventure here, things have picked up far more back home."

"How so?" the lucario asked.

"Tristan - that's how. It took him a little more than a month to put together a country…" Selina looked at Liam, who was equally surprised as she was. "Valmor is what they call it. When I had left, it consisted of almost sixty territories. Capim Town, Roseview, the Nest… even Desert Village joined in."

"How did he manage to do that?" Liam asked in disbelief. "I mean, I get Capim Town, but… Desert Village? And out to the Nest? That's a long way out there…"

"I would be lying if I said I understood it myself. But it appears that the wilderness is fading away. The world is always in a state of getting smaller. Tristan is just speeding things along."

"I don't believe it," Selina said quietly. "Tristan of all people…"

"It comes as a surprise to me too. But he has taken well to his position, and has accomplished far more than anyone thought possible. Tristan stands in charge of over a third of the continent. We have no idea how many people that is, considering a census of that scale has never been done before, but… we know it to be over a hundred thousand people easily, probably closer to two or three once all the uncivilized within the boundaries of Valmor are included."

"That… I don't believe it…" Liam said, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't either if I were in your place," Lapras said. "To think that within nearly a month, such a reserved person as him would have been able to pull such a thing off. I can hardly believe it myself."

"Well I'm happy to hear that it's all working out. Though the idea of such a place being a city is far beyond me…" Liam said. "I mean, the three of us were here when Treasure Town had only a thousand residents. I couldn't ever have pictured it being anything other than a small, country town. And now to hear that it's a city…"

"In any case, Tristan was the right person for the job. I heard recently that his approval rating was well over ninety percent. For an elected official, that's unheard of. And throughout all of the lands I have travelled to, I have never seen a nation built in such a short period of time. He is full of surprises, that one…" Selina nodded, feeling the same way. She just hoped that he wasn't overwhelming himself with all this, but the umbreon also supposed that he knew what he was doing by now and had learned how to cope. Way to go, Tristan! she thought.

They drifted along the waters, with the rising sun directly ahead of them. Lapras had gotten used to swimming with his eyes closed, knowing that he was going in the right direction. She nudged Liam, who looked at her curiously. "Should we tell him?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah, I think so. I mean it's not like we could hide it if we wanted to…"

"What are the two of you whispering about?" Lapras asked. Selina laughed in response to the water-type.

"Do you wanna break the news?"

"I guess. Did you want to?" Liam asked.

"Mmm, nope. I'll just sit here and watch his reaction." Liam looked forward, and the water-type turned his neck to cast his passengers a sideways glance.

"Lapras… Selina and I are mates now…"

"I see," he said. "Well congratulations! I had figured that it would happen eventually - this isn't exactly surprising, to be honest. But I wish you two great happiness. You both deserve nothing less after all you've done."

"Yep, we're happy alright," Selina said, nuzzling her partner.

"I'll say," Liam stated, before looking over at her with a wolfish grin. Oh no… "One thing led to another, and… well, she's pregnant."

"Liam!" she yelled.

"Oh! Well you two sure didn't waste any time," Lapras said. The umbreon smacked Liam, who could only raise his paws in defense as he laughed uncontrollably.

"That is not true, Lapras!" The water-type found great humor in the situation as well, simply shaking his head as she playfully assaulted the lucario. Liam tried his best to regain his composure, and the umbreon let off, shooting him an annoyed glare.

"Oh come on," he said, out of breath, "you gotta admit that was funny…" Her cheeks were still burning from embarrassment, and Selina looked away from him. For you, maybe! But he was having none of that, and put his arm around her.

"Liam, I love you, but you can be an ass at times…"

"And that's exactly why you love me," he said, nuzzling her cheek.

"Among other things," she murmured. But eventually, she made eye contact with him. You pest! she thought, seeing that playful smile. "I'm gonna get you back for that," she whispered.

"Alright then. I look forward to it."