Hello, everyone! Duffle here with another chapter of Tales of an Eevee Pack! Sorry for the lack of uploads recently, things have been real crazy in my life and I haven't had the time to upload, so I won't keep you waiting any longer. Let's get into the chapter!
Chapter 16: Civil Wars are Never Civil
The Eevee Group approached the village as they finally got down the mountain spiral. Tucked in a crevice in the mountain, this village's location was very advantageous. You could see both the Grass and Plains Villages from here, making it an excellent place to look over both villages. It was very clear that there were two factions in this village, with one side being inside the mountain and being home to many rock and ground types, while the other side was more in the open and had the Electric and Flying types. The pressure of electricity coursed through the entire area, being supported by the strong magnetic field being produced by the metals within the mountains.
Espeon was the first to walk into the village, and after she took a quick look around, she knew this was a mistake. "Guys… We have a problem…"
Statues of rock and ground type Pokemon were scattered across the town. You couldn't go anywhere on their side of the village without seeing their shocked or horrified expressions on their statues. It was incredibly unsettling, and an aura of fear hovered over the entire group as they walked through.
Leafeon was shivering. "Oh gosh… T-This is bad…."
"This… I can feel the fear emanating from these statues… These things were alive at one point…" Sylveon started to shiver.
While the group was distracted with the statues, a group of Electric Type Pokemon were looking at them from the distance. They were varied in species, and seemed to be speaking through some sort of communicator.
"I want those Eeveelutions out of the picture before they become a problem, do you hear me? You have the tools to do so, use them!"
The leader of this group, seemingly being the Luxray, nodded. "Understood, sir. They won't be moving within the hour." The Luxray clicked his headpiece and jumped out of hiding with his crew and fired a Thunderbolt at the group. They covered their eyes as the blast landed in-between all of them.
"Augh! What the hell?!" Jolteon looked over and saw the Luxray, with a Raichu, Manectric, and Ampharos backing him up.
"So you're the Eevee Pack that Aerodactyl told us about? Heh, you don't seem too tough. What d'you say we have a little battle before we take you out?" Luxray grinned, showing off his fangs to the group.
Jolteon got into a fighting position and smirked. "That's fine by me. I'll even let you take the first shot!"
Espeon hit him on the shoulder, looking exasperated. "Jolteon, no! We can't afford to start a fight here, we have to retreat!"
Vaporeon shook her head and blasted the ground the Electric Types were on with Hydro Pump. "Sorry sweetie, but they started the fight, so I'm gonna roll with it and fight them! That's the code of a fighter, you must always fight when challenged!" Vaporeon ran towards the Ampharos and engaged him, while Jolteon started fighting the Luxray. The Manectric and Raichu came to the other 5, but they were knocked away by a Rock Slide attack. Espeon looked back and saw a Nosepass, Graveler, and Boldore behind them.
"Lady Espeon, we know about your mission, please retreat to the Grass Village! We can take care of these Electric types!" Graveler boomed as he said this, rolling into battle.
Espeon nodded and turned to the other 4. "Guys, they're right, we can't afford to have a battle here, we risk the enemy bringing in reinforcements to come take us out! We must retreat immediately!"
Vaporeon was knocked away but shook her head. "I refuse! If we're already in the fight, I'm not going to retreat! We can take care of this!" Vaporeon used Surf on the Ampharos and blasted it into one of the houses. As she did this, Luxray got up after one of his attacks.
"Luxray, you have a perfect shot of Vaporeon here. Fire the laser."
Luxray nodded and his headgear started to glow a strange color. This color culminated inside of Luxray's mouth before he blasted it straight at Vaporeon. She had no time to react before this beam hit her directly. That face of shock stayed there… as she was turned into stone. Espeon looked on in shock, but it quickly wore off as she hurried the others down the path. Espeon turned to Jolteon. "JOLTEON, WE NEED TO LEAVE NOW!"
But it was too late. Another beam was already fired and it was a direct hit. Jolteon was now immortalized as a statue. Espeon cringed and turned away, running down the path. However, much to her shock, Glaceon started running the other way. "Wha- Glaceon, what're you doing?!"
Glaceon yelled the loudest she ever had. "I'M GONNA GO DOWN THE EXACT SAME WAY FLAREON WOULD!" Espeon turned away. She heard the whir of the headgear, and didn't even bother to look on, as she knew exactly what had happened. The group was down to 4 members.
As Flareon walked alongside Venusaur, he couldn't help but have a terrible feeling in his gut. Ever since the battle with the Aerodactyl, he's been having strange lapses in his ability to control himself, as if he were going to snap at any moment. Venusaur could tell that he was on edge and decided to address the issue.
"Flareon, I've noticed that you've been quite shaken ever since we started walking towards the Meeting. Are you feeling alright?"
Flareon sighed. "Yeah, it's just that… I'm worried about my friends. It's not that I don't have trust in them, but I like having my eyes on them at all times, to make sure they're alright. Not knowing what's going on with them makes me incredibly worried…"
Venusaur chuckled. "No worries, my fluffy friend. Alakazam has told me that they're strong in their own right, I'm sure that they will be able to overcome the challenges that will come their way. After all, they're on your level correct?"
Flareon gulped and nodded as the two of them finally came onto a hill and looked over the Plains. As Flareon looked over, he couldn't believe what he saw. He saw… Pokemon of all types and sizes running around, having a great time. Playing games, smiling, laughing… It was hard to believe this area was at war. There were no statues or anything!
"What in… This place looks so happy, so peaceful… It's hard to imagine that this place is at war. Shouldn't this place be littered with statues like the Forest Village?" Flareon looked over at Venusaur with a look of confusion, while he gave him a solemn look and head shake.
"They are, but they're trying to maintain their image of peace. All the statues of those who have been attacked were moved away. This is supposed to be a neutral ground for all those who want time to relax, but even they were not safe. Because of that, the Village Elder and I have tried our hardest to make this place one of peace, which is why it's the safest place to hold the meeting."
Flareon nodded and followed Venusaur into the hut where they said they were meeting. As Flareon walked in, he looked around to see a wide variety of types sitting at a table. He saw what looked like a place for Venusaur, a Machamp, a Magmortar, an Empoleon, and… a Golisopod?!
The Golisopod seemed to recognize Flareon right away. He sneered at him and used an aggressive tone when talking to him. "You…"
Flareon seemed a little intimidated by the look that Golisopod was giving him, as he gulped and sat down at the table. He glanced over to Golisopod who was glaring daggers at Flareon, and Flareon quickly turned his attention away. Luckily, the meeting was about to start as Venusaur cleared his throat.
Ahem "Now then, everyone, I'd like to thank you for coming to this meeting. I'm sure all of us are aware of the issues that have been plaguing our land, as the taxes that we have been struck with are crippling the innocent people of this town. Not only that, but it seems that the village on top of the mountain has also been working with the enemy that has caused great terror throughout the land."
Flareon reacted to that last statement as he thought to himself. Great terror throughout the land…?
Venusaur continued his speech. "It is because of this that I have gathered you all here. All of the base villages, along with our special guest who has come from the swamps of the bugs, are ready to fight against this threat and try to take control over our destinies once more. Also, we have brought our guest, Flareon, in a mutual agreement with us, has decided to help in exchange for information on how to defeat his own enemy. We should expect some powerful reinforcements as his Pack comes down the mountain to join back up with him. Now, does anyone have any questions?"
The Golisopod immediately raised his hand. Venusaur nodded and Golisopod stood up. "It might not be in place for me to say this, and I apologize if I seem rude, but I don't think Flareon and his Pack should not join us in this fight."
Flareon turned to the Golisopod with a shocked expression while the others gave him a sideways look. Machamp was the first to step up and counter Golisopod's point. "Are you crazy?! Are you telling me that you'd willing force those who are offering help to us away? There'd better be a good explanation for this…"
Golisopod seemed annoyed. "Think about it, this guy fell down from the mountain and he immediately integrates into our army? Did it never occur to you all that he and his group may be spies?"
Venusaur stamped his arm onto the ground. "That is enough! Flareon and his group is a group of trusted fighters who have been working to save the world, and a close friend of mine has confirmed this fact himself, so I will not allow this type of slander to continue!"
Golisopod merely nodded and sat back down as Magmortar leaned over to Flareon and started whispering to him. "Venusaur must have a lot of faith in you… I've never seen that much emotion from that old coot in a long time."
Flareon chuckled and turned his attention over to Golisopod, who seemed on edge. Do I… Know her? What does she have against me and my group? Did I do something wrong?
Venusaur cleared his throat once more and addressed the rest of group. "Now then, I believe it's time to make a plan of attack. Golisopod, I want your group to take care of the Electric types in the Crevice. Your squad is going to have the best chance, as your small size can easily dodge the lasers and take out their Electric attacks. Empoleon, I want your squad to go up to the Summit and do a frontal assault on the rock types guarding the area. I'll give you half of my squad to give you a better chance at dealing with it. Machamp, I want you and your squad to surround the perimeter and make sure reinforcements don't arrive, as we're not going to be able to cover our backs once we're in town. The rest of you, which includes the rest of my squad, Magmortar's squad, and Flareon's Pack will go into the town and charge the castle. No matter what, everyone must beware the Aerodactyl that is guarding the town. That Pokemon will get extremely nasty, and is way more powerful than you could imagine, so don't try to do anything foolish. We're going to win this battle through numbers, so we must stick together. All in favor?"
"Aye!" said the entire group, as they excitedly rose out of where they were sitting. Flareon was still stuck in thought as he sat there, contemplating the battle that had taken place on the Summit.
Aerodactyl… You're a fearsome opponent. It's like I can still feel your presence, even when you're not even here…
Machamp noticed that Flareon was stuck in thought, so he decided to walk over and have a chat. "Flareon, was it? It's good to see you! Everyone on our side is a friend of mine, good sir!"
Flareon blinked and left his own thoughts, glancing over at Machamp. "Oh… Hi, good to see you, too."
"What seems to be troubling you? You look mighty troubled about something!" Machamp looked at Flareon with a concerned expression.
Flareon bit his lip. "It's about Aerodactyl… the one at the top of the Summit. When my Pack and I engaged in battle… His strength was incredible. I don't know how he did it, but he managed to put himself on a level that's so far out of my reach that I couldn't even imagine…"
Machamp scratched his chin. "Yes… He does seem to be a formidable foe, but worry not! With my Flashing Fists of Justice, I shall destroy this adversary and save the great Village of the Plains! Gwahaha!"
Flareon blinked before starting to chuckle. This guy was a total superhero! He kind of… liked it, if he was being honest. But that moment was not very long, as a few figures entered the Hut. Flareon turned over and looked in shock as Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, and Sylveon entered the hut. He smiled and ran over to them.
"Guys! You're safe!" Flareon was ecstatic to see them, and Espeon looked at him with a baffled expression.
"Wha- Flareon? You're alive?!" Espeon stared at him wide-eyed as Flareon nodded his head.
"Hehe, yup! No lousy landslide is gonna take me down that easily!" Flareon looked between the group. "Wait, are you the only 4 here? Where's the other 3?"
Everyone's expression darkened, with nobody willing to respond to Flareon. Flareon's expression also fell, turning into one of malice instead of the joyful one he had a minute ago.
"Where is Glaceon" Flareon said, in a voice that did not seem close to his own at all. Espeon could sense that, but she decided that she'd have to step up and take the blow.
"Flareon, I'm sorry to tell you, but she… She…" Espeon gulped and looked down. "She got turned into a statue…"
Flareon's expression turned into one of shock as he felt his heart shatter. His entire mind was filled with conflicting thoughts as a wave of sorrow overcame him, but that sorrow was quickly turned into one of hatred. Hatred that was boiling throughout his whole body, so much so that he even started to glow.
Yes… Yes…. Good! Feel the hate in your heart, feel it release out in full force! SET ME FREE WITH YOUR HATRED!
Flareon let out a loud scream as his entire body flashed in a blinding light, morphing into what seemed like a new shape entirely. As the light died down, Flareon's physique wasn't very different, but it was larger and more muscular, along with his eyes being much darker. He also had a strange mark on his forehead that no one seemed to recognize, and this "new Flareon" began to chuckle.
"Hereeeeee's Johnny!" The new being said as he started to laugh like crazy.
End of Chapter 16
Whoo boy, that was a long time coming! Sorry for not updating in a while, I've been slammed with work recently and I've just now gotten the time to finally work on this. Anyways, if you liked the chapter leave a review, yatta yatta you know all that stuff. I'll try to be consistent with chapters going forward, but it'll be tough with my schedule. See you guys then!