Wow, it's been, like…months, huh? I feel like there's less point in me acknowledging how terribly long these gaps have become. "I won't be like the other fanfic writers, I'll update." Pfft.

But hey, this is an updated chapter, so hooray for that much! And it comes out on Valentine's Day because that's my little tradition with this series! Spoilers: This isn't a very romantic chapter, oops.

Last chapter was about plot development, and we learned stuff about the world lore. This chapter entails character development for a whole bunch of characters, because it's better if everyone matters…so long as they're named.

Ok, before I spoil anything else here, let's get into it! It's also insanely long, so set time aside and enjoy!

...

[Greninja]

Back in the main hall, I scratched my head, still trying to memorize where each of the doors led. I turned to Weavile and opened my mouth to question it.

"If you're going to ask me which way to go to find someone, I have no clue." She shrugged. "This place is huge, and I've got ideas for where the others might be, but nothing definite."

"Why don't we start with Froslass?" Chesnaught smiled and folded his arms. "She's a friendly face for anyone."

Weavile's shoulders shot up and she jolted back a bit, narrowing her eyes at us. I tilted my head and blinked at her.

"You two are friends, right?"

"Sort of…"

"Oh." Chesnaught rubbed his arm. "Sorry, I thought…you two seemed close, so I assumed—"

"We're the only females on the main royal army," explained Weavile. "She was here before I was, so I think it's mostly that she wants to get close with another lady around here, and I'm her only option."

"That's…not friendly, then," I noted.

"N-no, it's not just that," corrected Weavile. "We are friends, it's just…we're really different, I guess. She likes feminine things, like dresses and make up, which I don't really care for myself." She smirked and crossed her arms behind her head. "She loves teasing and scaring the nonsense out of anyone she can though, and that can give me a laugh or two. And she respects my skill as an archer, and tries to get me to socialize more, so…I guess we get along fairly well."

"Have you two been socializing more lately?"

"Um. I'm not very social, so…not exactly. But, she's usually good at finding me from time to time anyway."

"So, would she be busy with anything now?"

"Not likely. I mean, probably, since she's in her study, but she wouldn't mind any of us dropping in."

"Then let's drop by and spend some time with her," decided Chesnaught. "Um…which way do we go for her room?"

"The study is this way."

Guiding us, we followed Weavile across the room. I peeked at the throne room behind the staircase, and thought I caught a glimpse of the door cracked open. Another door opened ahead of us, and I returned my attention to following Weavile through.

Quagsire yawned, and dropped behind us. Mewtwo gazed around the hall, checking the different portraits and ice sculptures that lined the walls. They featured various scenes of the Iceberg Empire, or at least, some of them depicted frosty sceneries and characters.

"It's down this way," uttered Weavile. I had barely heard her, as Chesnaught tugged me along after the archer around a corner.

At the end of the hallway, we slowed as Weavile approached a door. There were purple flames that lit the door's sides, but the ice around them remained frozen, as if nothing burned around it.

Knocking, Weavile stepped back and waited. She tapped on her dagger and sighed, slouching back by the left wall. A click sounded and the door creaked open. Giggling rang out from within the dark room.

"Well, let's head in," ushered Weavile. She stepped forward, but stopped quickly. "If any of you haven't been here before, don't touch any purple flames. It doesn't have the same properties of usual fire, so ice won't melt, but…well, you definitely won't feel good if you touch it, ok?" She continued ahead, and all four of us folded our hands in front of us.

Inside, the room remained dark, and I watched as Chesnaught's figure bumped into a bookshelf, and then a desk. Something slid roughly against the floor, and I glanced back at Quagsire's form, while he rubbed behind him, likely his tail.

"Uh, Weavile?" I slowly stepped further into the room. "Are you still there?"

"Nope. The darkness swallowed me whole." I lowered my eyes at her sarcasm, and she laughed a bit. "Sorry. I gathered it'd be hard to see me. I'm trying to find Froslass so she'll light this place up."

"Ooh? Is that so, my dear?" The ghost maiden's voice echoed around us, making it near impossible to locate her by sound. "What if I like to leave it dark and spooky, hmm?"

"Froslass, even you have limits to staying in the darkness," called Weavile. "Besides, I thought you were trying to be more social."

"But I am!" She giggled, and it seemed to faintly sound from the shelves around us. "Finding me in the dark makes for a fun game, doesn't it?"

"Not really."

"Aw, are you sure? Anyone else?" No one responded for a moment, and Froslass sighed. "Fine, fine. Here."

A heavy gust billowed through the room, and my arms shot up to cover my eyes. As I lowered them, I blinked, the room still darker than most of the palace, but visible under faint light. I glanced up, watching purple flames dance overhead. Weavile walked ahead, waving us on to follow her, and rounded a bookcase to the center of the room. I blinked at a few vials that were crammed into the shelves and desks, but shrugged and continued ahead.

"Eheeheehee! Welcome, everyone!" Froslass twirled around and drifted about. "I'm not used to visitors of my little potion cabinet here, ahaha!"

"You specialize in potions?" Mewtwo blinked and tilted his head.

"Huh? Oh, uh, no, I wouldn't call it my expertise, exactly," admitted Froslass. "I just, you know, have the vials for it, so…that's what I called this place."

"Ah, I understand now."

"Huh. You've been here a while, and you never visited this room yourself." Froslass sighed. "Sorry, I guess I should've brought you over here. You are a mage like the rest of us, after all."

"Am I?"

"Uh…got me there, ahaha…" Froslass floated lower to the ground. "You're…actually unique in your own way, and you don't know quite as much in regards to spells like we do. But, Psychic power typically works well with it, so I'd imagine that you could muster that one pretty well!"

"Yes, I do suppose so."

"So, what have you been up to?" She turned to me, and I blinked as her yellow and icy blue eyes locked onto mine. "Um…you know, besides reviewing spells and…uh, crafting potions, right?"

"Just tapping into hexes and dark arts in general." She grinned while I scratched behind my head. "It's a half-joke. I do that sometimes, but that's not the extent of what I do."

"Right."

"Yeah, it's not as funny anymore, I know." She tumbled across the air and floated away from us. "Besides playing fun tricks on everyone, I haven't had much to do lately. Empoleon typically asks me to be involved with rather, um, gruesome tasks. Not that I mind much, it's just, well, when we haven't had many folks dying as of late, it gives me less to do. I can sometimes determine how they died, or explore any remaining properties in their life force that can be extracted and used in magic."

"Um…sorry?"

"Oh, no, don't be. It's a good thing, when people aren't dying, that is." Froslass smiled. "I also love shopping around town, so I have that to look forward to! And around here, I've been practicing to become a better mage! So, those two are good. I guess I read sometimes, but every mage does that, so it's a little more boring when I go over it, huh?"

"Not really." I placed my hands together and glanced around the room. "You've got a lot of scrolls and books to choose from, so I guess that's something that many mages could take interest in. You all end up learning different kinds of material."

"True, you raise a good point." She smiled and nodded to me. "Pretty nice insight there, ninja frog."

"Thanks?"

"You're welcome!" She swayed about and continued to stare at me. "Hmm. We're asking all about me, but what have you all been up to?"

"They're just showing Mewtwo around and getting to know the rest of us better," divulged Weavile. "So, talking about you is pretty intentional."

"Ok then!" Froslass clapped her hands together. "Any questions for me on me then?"

"D-do you often practice hexes?" Chesnaught shuddered, and backed a few steps away from Froslass.

"Ooh, I forgot that you Fighters get freaked out over Ghosts." She chuckled and glided over to him. "Not too spooky for you, am I? Afraid of a little dark magic, some twisted hexes and spells?"

"N-no."

"You're about as good of a liar as that Delphox," deadpanned Froslass.

"That doesn't answer my question!"

"Yes it does." Froslass twirled around before Chesnaught, fluttering her eyes at him. "I practice various kinds of hexes, sinister spells, and what you fellows consider dark magic, curses. You're lucky that I do, after all."

"But…some of those…involve really bad stuff," piped up Chesnaught.

"Killing, that's what you mean," pointed out Froslass. "At least, that's the typical thought or baseless assumption from knights like you. And it's true, some curses and spells dip into that." She shook her head and backed away from him. "Why do you think that I'm the one who goes off to examine fallen folk around here? I don't go around committing murder myself, but getting energy from the dead works just the same for a lot of dark magic spells that require it."

"S-so…you, uh—"

"No, Chesnaught, I don't go around murder sprees." Froslass rolled her eyes, but then giggled. "All of you knights get so frightened from the mere mention of a hex. You'd be doomed if there weren't good to come from such dastardly magics."

"Like what?"

"Curing certain diseases, for starters," answered Froslass, turning back to me. "Usually, medicines and salves are the proper direction for those. But, to cure some more deadly things, you have to go a little deeper along the dark side of the world. Countering curses, likewise, involves being versed in curses." She grinned and swirled back to me, floating to match my height. "Ghosts can fend off one another, you know, and curses work in much the same way."

"Right, I think I've heard of that. Ninjustu dabbles in otherworldly arts and abilities, so ghostly techniques are bit known, like being a solid counter to itself." I nodded. "That would be pretty useful to make use of such abilities, then."

"Talk like that must be why Emperor Empoleon took a quick shine to you," noted Froslass. "He's always looking to find the strategy in things, looks for everything useful, no matter what."

"Greninja's been giving him ideas since day one," murmured Quagsire, and Froslass nodded. My face flared a bit and I tapped my hands together.

"Any other questions?" Froslass swayed away from me and danced around between the five of us. "Weavile, dear?"

"Huh? N-no."

"Hmm, ok then." She grinned and floated to Mewtwo. "You then?"

"Um…did you have to be so eager chasing me, before I was brought in?"

"Huh? Oh, the ice spell and tracking part, right." Froslass blushed a bit and giggled nervously. "Sorry, that…I was, you know, eager to help out my emperor. Nothing personal, really, and I…I hope we can become friends in time."

"Perhaps so…I would like that." Mewtwo smiled, and Froslass mimicked him. "So, what is it like being deceased?" Her smile dropped straight to a frown after that.

"Dead?"

"Correct."

"Um…I'm not."

Mewtwo blinked and tilted his head. "But…you are a Ghost."

"Right, but I'm not…" She shook her head. "Ok, you're right that some Ghost Pokemon don't come into existence until they've died once before. But, not all of us are like that."

"I do not understand."

"Uh, well, being a Ghost doesn't exactly mean that we're dead," explained Froslass. "Some Pokemon evolved and gained a spiritual energy through their core." She swayed slightly back and forth. "It's…different for each of us. There are legends that insist that another Pokemon had to die for me to come into existence. Which isn't true, since I evolved from exposure to a Dawn Stone." She shrugged. "I exhibit a lot of similarities to otherworldly beings, and can channel similar energies myself, hence my being a Ghost. But, I'm still alive, I still eat and rest, and I still feel."

"Oh, I…I see." Mewtwo nodded, still studying Froslass. "I have not studied enough notes on the different Types of Pokemon yet, so this helps. Thank you."

"Eeheehee! You're more than welcome!"

"So, you're not dead, but can extract the energies of the deceased," reviewed Chesnaught. "That's…still pretty eerie, I can't deny that."

"…Yeah, I'll give you that." Froslass raised and dropped her arms, annoyed at Chesnaught. "I don't know what you want me to explain now."

"It's just…you're somehow still really cheerful in spite of that," pointed out Chesnaught. "Isn't that…a little cruel?"

Though he was a bit blunt, I had to agree with him on that thought. Turning to look at Froslass, however, I realized he had taken it too far. Her expression soured immediately, eyes narrowed into a glare.

"Oh, I'm sorry that's so much of a contrast for you," she bitterly mocked. "It must be really shocking, someone so cheery and taking gleeful delight in scaring people, while she also works so closely with the dead."

"That…doesn't sound strange to you?" Chesnaught shivered a bit, but he wasn't catching on quick enough. I motioned my hand across my throat, but he had missed it. "It's…awfully unsettling."

"Do you honestly think I'm an invalid of some kind? Or do you really think I'm just that twisted inside?"

"W-wait, I didn't—"

"Of course I know how sickening that sounds! Do you think I'm that comfortable with looking over dead beings just because I'm close in nature to one?!" Her eyes had tears form in them, but the ferocity in her tone made it hard to notice otherwise. Weavile winced and dropped her head. "I hate it, ok? Working on the dead in order to be able to utilize that for the better of our empire is hard. It's emotionally crippling, because I get to stare at lifeless bodies while sucking away whatever use they have remaining. But I'm good at it, and I need to do it." She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, but shook her head, and flew to Chesnaught's face. "Have you ever had to look over a dying friend before?"

"Y-yes."

"Really? Did you have to wait for their life force slip away, and then, to keep someone else alive, have to extract their remaining energy from their lifeless corpse?! Because I'll bet not, knight!" She darted away from him, retreating back to the middle. Deflated, she sank lower to the ground. "You heard those stories about us losing knights here, didn't you? Quagsire, they've heard them, haven't they?"

"By now, yes." I shuddered at Quagsire's quick response, devoid of his usual sluggishness. "Or, I think so."

"Who do you think gets to look over all of them, once or if we found the bodies?" Froslass couldn't prevent a tear from sliding out. "I desecrate my fallen allies to use my curses and hexes. I do that so I can hopefully stop looking at my friends on the ground. And having a level head about that is part of what helps me get through it." She shook her head. "Only Alakazam and Weavile, besides Empoleon, have ever seen or understood the use in that. Every other knight here has been horrified or afraid of ever knowing that I can just so carefully do that, that I can just up and lift…do that. So much so that it scares them more than a delightfully spooky ghost that enjoys silly little pranks and giggling too much."

Chesnaught's shoulders fell and he frowned. He stepped forward toward Froslass, but hesitated, and I watched as we waited.

"So I put on that much of a show, and I keep up a cheery, positive, almost stereotypical face. Because it keeps everyone more relaxed than the truth." She shuddered and lowered her head. "More than that, though, it helps me cope! I can actually fool myself into believing that, if I act silly enough as I better our forces with dark spells, that I just maybe can deal with having to extract shreds of energy from those that die around me. Doing that helps me keep it together." Froslass raised her head and glared at Chesnaught. "So, yeah, it's not a pretty sight. Yeah, it's scary, more than you even understand. But I do what I have to."

"Froslass, I…I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well…how would you have even known? …I shouldn't have exploded like that myself, especially not on you." She shook her head and folded her arms together, gazing down at the floor. "Besides, it's not like I talk about it anymore…not since…not for a long time…"

"Huh. So that's what the charade is for."

She jolted up and everyone turned toward the front of the room. Delphox and Mienshao walked from behind the shelves and stared ahead at the rest of us. Delphox, in particular, smirked a bit.

"Here I thought you just enjoyed all of this cryptic nonsense for your own sheer joy." He nodded. "It's nice, hearing a little past that cheerful façade."

"Why?" Froslass's frown fell. "What, do you like knowing how I tormented I am? Does that make you feel better? Or do you like having someone to pity?"

"No. Neither of those." Delphox straightened his face and posture. "I pegged you as similar to a friend of mine, cheery in her own right, but usually falling on that to be a mask. I thought you were the same, but it's nice to actually know that you are now."

"I doubt your friend deals in the same kind of misery that I do."

"Not exactly, but she has her insecurities." He stepped forward and softly smiled to her. "Ones that she tells me about, and ones that I help her cope with. And I've been meaning to get you to do the same." Froslass turned away from him, but Delphox continued forward. "I know teasing me means that you like me, because that's how my friend acts around me. And she's closer with me than anyone else. So…please, accept my help. Anytime you need a shoulder, let me know."

"…You have your own struggles to deal with." Froslass sighed. "I appreciate it, though. And Alakazam already offered the same. So…maybe, being at least this open with my fellow mages…" She smiled again and giggled her usual laugh. "Maybe I can be a bit closer to the friendly ghost we all loathe!"

"That's the spirit!" Delphox grinned as Froslass laughed with him. "So, do we have anything to work at now?"

"No, I…I can use Quagsire's help." She smiled to the salamander knight, as he nodded. "You're the only one that really changed your mind on me."

"It still scares me," admitted Quagsire. "But only because it's not a fun topic, not because of anything about you."

"Good. Anyway, we have ingredients to go hunting for, and as nice of an offer Delphox has, I doubt he has the physical strength that I need." She grinned as Delphox seethed. "There's that fuming fox we love! Now, you're all welcome to play around in here, if you like, but if you break anything, then I'll consider using you for my next hex!"

"Actually, they have more parading around to get to," intervened Weavile. "So, uh, we'll be off."

"Well then, off we all go!" Froslass giggled and swayed around. "Nice of you all to visit, and thanks sharing them, Weavile! I haven't gotten that out in ages!"

"Uh, yeah. You're, um, you're welcome."

"Eeheehee! You're welcome to come with us, Weavile, dear." Froslass winked to her. "I could certainly use a sharp eye out there."

"Pretty sure you'll be fine with Quagsire."

"Ah, yes, that's true." She twirled and scooped up Quagsire's hands in her own. "Come on, then! Let's get going!"

"Um…ok." Quagsire yawned. "Can we consider napping soon after?"

"You can rest when you're dead!"

She laughed as they left, with Froslass dragging Quagsire off. Weavile waited and scratched behind her head as they took off.

"So, that…wasn't what I expected," she confessed.

"No kidding." Delphox chuckled a bit. "She's…certainly more complex that I had anticipated." He smiled to Weavile. "I'm guessing she relies on you to help her feel something close to normal?"

"How'd you—?"

"We're two sides of a coin, you and I." He nodded. "My friend has a perfect appearance, but deep down…well, she needed me before, but I'm sure she's fine now."

"Somehow, I don't believe that."

"To be honest, that's more what I need to believe." Delphox frowned and shrugged. "But that's neither here nor there. Mienshao and I have our supplies gathered, and we're off, so—"

"Would you like to join us?"

Delphox winced and slowly turned to Mienshao, who grinned at him. Twitching a bit, Delphox glanced back at the rest of us, with Weavile nodding.

"Yes, of course, you're…welcome to join us."

Sighing, Delphox started off, while Mienshao chuckled and followed right behind him. I shot Chesnaught an inquisitive look, as he shrugged back to me. We ambled after them, with a smirking Weavile and an undeterred Mewtwo in tow.

Stepping close and into Chesnaught, I tugged his arm to get him closer down to me. He blinked and raised an eyebrow as I cupped my hand around my mouth.

"Are you ok? That was—"

"Kind of deserved," quietly interrupted Chesnaught. "…Froslass and I are more alike than I realized."

"More alike?" I pulled back and studied Chesnaught. "What does that—?"

"See, I told you they'd start whispering to each other in under a minute." Delphox pointed back at the two us, and Mienshao smiled. "They're all over each other, more than any other couple that I know, sans my former king and his general."

"My, my, so they are," concurred Mienshao, and my face burned. "Though, I still do believe that Alakazam and Machamp are already at that level themselves, if not beyond it."

"Please." Delphox shook his head. "They're getting close, but these two are worse."

"True, that the sun and the moon do dance so well together," recited Mienshao. "None, however, match the bond of a rose and its petals."

"…Had to go for the imagery, didn't you?"

"But of course."

"It doesn't make sense."

"They're so close that they're one being?" Mienshao flopped his arms out and down. "How doesn't that make sense, may I ask?"

"Let me rephrase: that makes a poor analogy."

"But one nonetheless."

"Must you be so…you?"

"Who else would I be, exactly?"

"Ugh." Delphox shook his head, and I could picture him rolling his eyes. "Why are we even friends?"

"Because you find my mediations soothing, of course," pointed out Mienshao. "Naturally so, as it helps you find your center, relax, let loose from worldly attachments—"

"Yes, yes, how therapeutic," cut off Delphox. "But I'm certain friendships must run on more than just that. And before you bring it up, no, our mutual feminine appearances do not justify it alone either."

"Well, most guys like me because they think I'm cute," noted Mienshao. "Then I tell them that I'm a male too, and that ends it, so long as they don't have to associate with me."

"Typical."

"Aside from that, maybe it's just because I'm more optimistic than you," Mienshao determined. "You need a source of positivity, since you're weighted down by your separation from your friend, combined with your typical magical frustrations, plus Froslass's…unique training methods, on top of having no significant other—"

"That's irrelevant."

"Could've fooled me." Delphox shoved Mienshao, who laughed and strolled back over to him. "Well, you tell me. What do you like about me?"

"It's honestly astounding," came Weavile's voice before Delphox could reply. "How can you two talk about other couples being too invested in each other, and then proceed to ignore the rest of us being here since we followed you?"

"You were invited to come with us," contended Delphox. "We're doing what we always do, and the rest of you just happen to be around for it."

"So you two basically bicker like an old married couple?"

"We engage in completely complex conversations, thank you very much!"

"Right." I watched as Weavile smirked and rolled her eyes. "So what are you two up to anyway?"

"On our way to resolve a bet between the brothers," revealed Mienshao. He deflated and shook his head. "We're not proud of condoning to such."

"A bet?" I blinked and tilted my head. "What's that about?"

"Oh, they want to see which of the two is more resilient with the attacks that they can take," explained Mienshao. He shook his head and tugged a bit on his mustache. "They want to see how they do with consistent physical and magical barrages."

"But today isn't supposed to be a training day." Chesnaught folded his arms and frowned. "Can't they just wait until tomorrow to check on that?"

"Unfortunately no. They got into another argument over who was more capable of undertaking attacks, and one thing led to another before Delphox and I walked in." Mienshao shrugged. "One thing led to another, they goaded us into testing our abilities, and now we're caught in the middle of it."

"How did they pull you in?" Chesnaught scratched his head. "Delphox is easy, you just have to insult him or pepper him with compliments until you get him to bend whichever way you want him to."

"Excuse me?!"

"Yeah, that's kind of true."

"Don't you dare help him, Greninja!"

"Sadly, I must admit that I have something of an ego like Delphox," disclosed Mienshao, and chuckled as Delphox glared at him. "Careful, don't walk into that wall. Anyway, those two know how to sway me over easily."

"How?"

"Hm? Oh, easily. They touted my past, mentioned how impressive I am based on individual strength, and presto, I've joined their silly schemes."

"Your past?"

"Of course. Everyone knows—"

"Mienshao, they don't."

"They what?" Mienshao blinked and slowed to a stop, turning back to Chesnaught and Greninja. "Ah…have we not had much time to talk, then?"

"Honestly, in the month we've been here," I recalled, "Chesnaught and I have probably spoken to you and Carracosta least of everyone."

"Goodness, that's just embarrassing." Mienshao slouched and let his arms hang. "I thought…but I know so much about you two. How did—?"

"That's because I told you everything," pointed out Delphox, a smug grin stuck on his face. "You've spent so much time around this bitter fox that you think you know his friends better than you actually do."

"My apologies, Chesnaught, Greninja. I do believe that he's correct. So, let's see what I can amend before we resort to the brothers' shenanigans." Mienshao straightened himself up and cleared his throat. "Well, you must not know much of it, but I actually come from a temple in a region known as the Glacial Peaks. It's located between the Mountain Monarchy and the Iceberg Empire, though easily closer to the empire, as you'd imagine."

"The where?"

"It appears that I've missed explaining far more than I realized." Mienshao dragged his hands across his face, exhaling in exasperation. "No matter. The important detail is that I was originally a monk from a mountain temple." He smirked. "Shocking, I know. At any rate, I more or less grew up there, honing my body and abilities to their maximum." His face soured as he smirk wavered away and his eyes narrowed. "One day, however, a terrible incident occurred, and the temple was left devastated. Remaining monks relocated to other temple locations, but some of us attempted to fight back that day, and, well, the emperor wanted one of us brought here, after the tale was recounted to him."

"…Wait, so—"

"Long story short, I impressed Emperor Empoleon with my skills and became a knight, similar to sōhei, for the Iceberg Empire." He winked and chuckled. "Nothing too special, though I suppose defending your home from wicked spirits would be something to impress, yes?"

"Spirits?" Chesnaught's arms dropped to his sides. "You mean…ghosts?"

"Presumably, but they weren't…like anything we've ever seen." Mienshao frowned again, twisting his mustache in his hands. "They were…very unlike the Ghost Pokemon that we interact with. Froslass, for instance, unnerved me at first, but she showed characteristics like those that any other Pokemon displays, namely emotion." His eyes narrowed again. "What I saw that day…those spirits had a single minded ruthlessness about them. Why else attack a temple? We had nothing for them to gain."

"So…if they weren't Pokemon, what were they?"

"No idea." Mienshao scratched behind his head. "Furthermore, they might have been Pokemon, for all that I know. Maybe I just couldn't identify them, and maybe I had been prejudiced." He lowered his arm. "All the same…it was frightening."

"Still, you managed to fight back, and that's impressive when facing an unknown threat," I commended. "It makes sense as to why you were sought out afterward."

Mienshao grinned to me, though I shuddered upon seeing it. Something about his smile was just…particularly unsettling, and appeared different from his other grins. He must have noticed me falter, as it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Thank you, Greninja. I must admit, I do take some pride in that." His gaze shifted back to the floor. "Though…the day itself still haunts me, to be completely honest."

"So, I've seen you fight, and you mentioned meditating with Delphox." Chesnaught folded his arms behind his head. "But…what else are you interested in?"

"Besides not being mistaken as a female?"

"Like Delphox, yeah."

"And besides the proverbs?"

"Those suck anyway."

"Thank you, Delphox! I was missing Carracosta."

"Guys."

"Sorry, sorry." Mienshao chuckled again. "Well, let's see here. I do enjoy reading sometimes, though not nearly as much as Alakazam, and I'll admit that Delphox likely outclasses me. From what I've gathered, Emperor Empoleon can be invested in reading as well."

"As am I," voiced Mewtwo.

"Ah, you too? Goodness, maybe I'm not as much of a reader, then."

"Please, of course you are," insisted Delphox. "You don't have to out-read someone to like literature. You just enjoy what you do read, plain and simple."

"Fair enough." Mienshao smiled. "Another thing that I do enjoy would be calligraphy. I do love art, but I'm not quite as good at painting as others might be. But illustrating words, that's soothing in a way that I can't quite describe."

"He makes words look pretty, and has the indecency to not call himself an artist," Delphox scoffed. "Such audacity."

"Come to think of it, I've had you attempt it before," realized Mienshao. "Tell me, what do you think of it?"

"Calligraphy? I need to learn it better."

"But your stylizations look so nice."

"Those are just based on spells and incantations that I've practiced," admitted Delphox. "It's not specifically stylized as yours is."

"Isn't it?" Mienshao smirked. "You point out that I should call myself an artist, but refuse to do the same for yourself, and your artwork?"

"Well…I…ok, that's fair." Delphox folded his arms and rolled his eyes from Mienshao's beam. "Don't be so smug about it."

"Finding a crack in a outwardly perfect structure yields its share of delights."

"Now you're just being annoying on purpose."

"Didn't we have to go watch the brothers kill each other, or something?" I turned to Weavile, as her eyes lowered. "Not that watching you two bicker isn't cute, or anything."

"Piss off."

"Maybe Mienshao needs to share more meditation techniques with you, Delphox."

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

"If you want."

"She has a point," intervened Mienshao. "We do need to carry on with this…uh, I don't even understand why we're doing this anymore, actually."

"Because hitting them sounds like fun?"

"Delphox."

"What? They literally asked us for it!"

"Should we attempt to talk them out of it?" Mewtwo blinked and shuddered as everyone turned to him. "It…seems wise, and does avoid unnecessary violence."

"As nice as that would be, I doubt we'll be able to," informed Mienshao. "Politoed and Poliwrath enjoy arguing with one another. And, unlike Delphox and I, their banter isn't always playful." He blinked and scratched his chin. "Actually, it's usually not. It starts petty, but typically erupts into something extreme between them."

"They seemed happy to be back together after our time in the Frozen Fields," I noted. "What happened to that?"

"Some habits die hard," suggested Mienshao. "There's a bitter clash between the brothers that goes fairly deep, one that's never been settled as years have passed. Sibling rivalries in general are hard to break out of, as some persist throughout life."

"Siblings should get along," insisted Mewtwo. "I understand there were wars between such throughout history, but today, could they not simply express themselves in a calmer setting?"

"Not all of them have the luxury of that option," Mienshao explained. "Sometimes, siblings may compete to outdo one another, like Politoed and Poliwrath. It can be worse, however, if the pair or pairs in question have a deeper, more antagonistic nature with one another. They may have been raised different, to the point of even having opposing environments that cause them to clash as only foes would." He shrugged. "Siblings fight even today, and will continue to do so, I suppose."

"That…sounds horrible." Mewtwo folded his arms in close to himself, shaking his head, and frowned. "Family belongs together, and should not spend the time over their differences."

"Not all family members get along, and sometimes it's better if they stay away from each other." The practiced words fired from my mouth before I could stop myself. I bit my tongue as Mewtwo turned to me, a bit hurt by my addition.

"Just because it is does not mean that it should ever be," persisted Mewtwo. "I have dreamed of having a family, and I do not like to think of them ever hating me, or the other way around."

"Maybe yours would be better then," I offered, and forced a smile. Mewtwo seemed to pick up a bit from that, but remained glum overall.

"Wait, do you not have a family?" Delphox folded his arms. "I find that possible, given your circumstances of being alone out in those frozen wastes, but you've never had anyone, ever?"

"As far as I am aware, no." His heavy purple tail swayed lowly around him, just above the ground. "I do not recall my early life, so I cannot be certain. But, I…have no memories of parents, siblings, or any other relations."

"Oh." Delphox roughly scratched his arm. "Um. Sorry, Mewtwo. That sounds lonely, to have never known anyone for family."

"It is a desire of mine to have one, but I suppose that I truly would not recognize its absence if I never had one." Mewtwo smiled, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he held a forced tone, posture even. "Thank you for your concern, Delphox."

"Ah…sure." He nodded and tapped at his wooden wand. Delphox had more on his mind as well, but spoke no more.

"We may as well get to the brothers now," reminded Mienshao. "After all, regardless of what we do, they'll need to be dealt with. Plus, they might be trying to kill each other if left alone for too long." He glanced at Mewtwo, who has clasped his hands over his mouth. "Figuratively, that is! They, ah, they wouldn't actually kill each other, ha! Uh…I hope." He watched as Mewtwo relaxed slightly, and then nodded. "They'll be outside, southern courtyard."

Leading us through the halls, I ambled after Mienshao, but slowed as a heavy weight held my arm back. I glanced back to Chesnaught, and his widened eyes studied me. Anxious.

"What is it?"

"Just…about before—"

"Everything ok, lovers?"

"Fine, Delphox," called Chesnaught. He stared quietly at me for a moment as we walked a bit to catch up. "Maybe we'll get back to it later," he relented.

Continuing after the others, we filed through a room filled with banners and tapestries. As we shuffled through it, I glanced at some of the depictions. One detailed a hall of swords with different colors of light around them. Another portrayed a large, glowing stone between mountains, perhaps at a valley's end. After those interrupted the Empire's sigils of strange creatures, the gods, with snowflakes and water droplets around them. Beyond that, there was a tapestry that was a distant illustration of several lands, the kingdoms, and a few islands just a little away from them. I glanced across the room at another, one that included a war scene between two rather hefty dragons. Before I could investigate it further, a door creaked from further ahead. Bellowing erupted from outside.

"Oh, they're already going at it." Mienshao groaned and rubbed his temples. "Let's get this over then."

Everyone followed him outside, and I gazed around the southern courtyard. A fountain sprayed from the center, coming from a sculpture of an orca, and poured into a basin that spread into smaller ones that traveled around the perimeter of the court, almost reflecting a miniature moat. Pillars decorated the sides, filling the space around the ends.

Past the fountain, Poliwrath and Politoed glared at one another, and I listened as we closed in.

"You and your blasted, pompous ass—"

"This again!"

"Yes, this again!" Poliwrath slammed his fist into his palm. "You always think you're some kind of a tactical master, just because you're careful about silly nonsense—"

"Magic isn't nonsense, and it's important to be prepared against it!" Politoed fiddled with his hair curl. "Just because we have a higher natural guard against special abilities doesn't make us invulnerable!"

"Ha! You're the one claiming to be concerned with defenses, yet as I recall, your actual guarding is poor!" Poliwrath folded his arms. "You think you're so damned important just because of that stupid crown—"

"See, here you go again with the crown!"

"That's where all of your loftiness comes from!" He jabbed a finger at his brother. "You think that just because mother gifted you with that stupid thing—"

"You're just jealous that she gave it to me, instead of you," fired back Politoed. He placed his hand on his hip and laughed. "What, you thought that because you worked hard like father that she'd gift it to you?"

"I could care less about it entirely!" Poliwrath massaged his biceps. "These are hardworking arms, and I'm perfectly proud of them!"

"Now who sounds vain?"

"There's a difference!"

"Uh-huh."

"Should we interrupt?" Chesnaught's whisper fell on deaf ears, as Delphox shrugged while we continued toward them.

"Besides, I'm a truer, stronger knight because of it!" His glare narrowed as Politoed laughed again. "Just because you weren't as skilled as I was—"

"Oh no, you don't get that line!" Politoed growled. "I'm far more skilled than you'll ever be!"

"I'm sure you think you are," snapped Poliwrath. "But let's be realistic: I'm the one with the power behind my punches."

"This is exactly why you're not better, and why I was given the King's Rock!" Politoed slammed a foot against the ground. "You think brute force is all you'll ever need!"

"It has a lot that one needs to survive!"

"And that's by far not all you need!"

"This will go right back to that stupid bouncing crap—"

"That's right, I can bounce all around," mocked Politoed, hopping back and forth. "The kind of skill you and your precious fists lack in."

"Don't need it."

"Oh, of course you don't!" Politoed darkly smirked. "Remind me, who was it that had that bird's affections?"

"She certainly wasn't interested in you, the airhead!" Poliwrath huffed. "Remind me, how did things go with that lotus dancer?"

"That idiot was dumb enough to actually confuse us for one another," snapped Politoed. "He was a buffoon if I ever knew one."

"He was cute! Cuter than her!"

"She was much more elegant."

"And the first?"

"The best of all, and she wanted me."

"In your dreams, she was smitten with yours truly—!"

"Is that what you tell yourself?"

"That's what I know!"

"Why are we looking to get involved with this again?"

Both knights spun around to our group, and Weavile groaned; I think she might have cursed under her breath, but I couldn't quite make it out. The pair stormed over, pointing at Mienshao and Delphox.

"About time!"

"Apologies, Poliwrath—"

"Save it, Mienshao!"

"You have your tomes to test this, Delphox?"

"I told you I was gathering scrolls, Politoed—"

"Whatever, same difference."

"And what's with the audience?" Poliwrath folded his arms. "You come to watch me beat the stuffing out of this lowly lord of the frogs?"

"Ha! If anything," countered Politoed, "they're here to clean up the mess that you'll leave across the courtyard, once I'm through with you."

"Is that so, you little pest?!"

"Yeah, you big jerk, it is!"

"Guys, come on," started Chesnaught, taking a step forward.

"Please," murmured Mewtwo.

"You always hold the stupid height thing over me, but you're just quicker to fall—!"

"That help you feel better, buried down there by the ground—?"

"Cool it!"

Both brothers jerked up and blinked, turning their attention to me, as did the others. I shuddered and deflated a bit, biting my tongue over my outburst.

"Sir, yes sir," purred Poliwrath, and he winked to me. "With that kind of command, I'd stop for you anytime."

"Don't listen to him," insisted Politoed, flicking his hair and lowering his eyes. "You deserve someone more elegant."

"Ha, you mean a twerp like you?"

"Watch your mouth, you oaf!"

"As I recall," interceded Mienshao, "Greninja is quite content with Chesnaught, and they're still very much dating. Would either of you two prefer to have a go against him, hm?" He folded his arms and grinned. "If I have this right, Chesnaught survived out in the Frozen Fields, in spite of his type's distaste for this cold world. Oh, which, coincidentally, that same type happens to have a significant advantage over yours, right?" Neither Poliwrath nor Politoed answered, but instead seemed to sink to the ground. "Gracious, I don't think I've ever quieted you two that quickly myself. What a treat!" He tapped his foot. "I believe, however, you do speak at this point, yes?"

"Our apologies, Chesnaught," murmured Poliwrath. "Didn't mean to disrespect you at all."

"Same to Greninja, sorry," chimed in Politoed. "We're easily captivated by another frog around here."

"Better." Mienshao nodded and dropped his arms.

"Did you and foxy here get what you needed, or not?" Poliwrath stretched his arms, twisting them around and forcing them out.

"Yeah, we're ready to get this show started." Politoed split his legs, and reached at the ground, tapping it before hopping back up.

"We certainly got what we needed," snapped Delphox. "This show is over, however. Mienshao has no interest in beating you to a pulp for sport, and as much as I'd enjoy it myself, I have to agree that it wouldn't do much."

"What?! It's like training," thundered Poliwrath, slamming his fists together.

"Yeah! What gives, you two agreed!" Politoed waved his arms around.

"Coming off like a training exercise seemed helpful upon initial suggestion, in spite of the day off," recounted Delphox. "But hearing you two before, and more importantly, listening to our friends, on top of your little screaming match just now, it's beyond clear that this isn't to practice anything." He lowered his eyes, but they remained full of disdain. "Catering to your little blood feud on our day off is certainly wasting time best concentrated on more important matters."

"But—"

"But nothing." Delphox folded his arms. "We're of a sound mind on this matter. If you want to kill each other, go ahead, but you're not using us."

"We don't want to kill each other!" Politoed sank down a bit more. "Look, we're competitive and are nasty about it, but I…I'd never want Poliwrath dead."

"Same," chimed Poliwrath. "You were with us out in those frozen wastes too, Delphox. You know that we're not completely twisted."

"No?" Mienshao shook his head. "It's easy to fool those not accustomed to such behavior. Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught wouldn't know otherwise, even after the time they've spent here, let alone your own comrades." He lifted his arm and pointed back. "Poor Mewtwo there doesn't even know if he has a family. And not that every relationship should be perfect, and sometimes, family just can't get along." The knight shook his head. "But you two, in spite of all your hatred, still don't want each other dead, and still can stand being around one another constantly? You care about the other's wellbeing? That's a familial bond, how it should be." He glared at the pair. "So start acting like you love each other, and appreciate what you have here."

Politoed and Poliwrath remained silent, and only nodded in response. They glanced to one another, but I wasn't quite sure if they were looking for support, or placing a silent blame.

"Hey." Everyone turned to me again, and I stumbled in place. "Uh, we've had off from training today, right? We should…do something fun. Um…as a group, I mean."

"Yeah, we've still got a few hours left," agreed Chesnaught. He smiled and I softly exhaled, relaxing a bit. "We might as well do something together."

"Hmm." Delphox grinned. "How about we watch Mienshao's skill at calligraphy?"

"Absolutely not."

"Isn't that the pen art thing?" Poliwrath scratched his arm. "That sounds interesting."

"Yeah, I'd like to see what you can do, Mienshao," chimed in Politoed.

"See? That would help the brothers cooperate," persuaded Delphox. "That will make everyone else feel great too…and you can show off a bit, huh? How about it?"

"…Fine, fine, you've twisted my arm enough." Mienshao puffed out a cheek and glared at Delphox's snickers. His eyes lit up quickly, though. "One condition: you get to help me and showcase your work."

"What?!"

"And you're bringing it to life with some magic," furthered Mienshao. "I've seen you create illusions of words popping off the pages. Show it off a little."

"B-but—"

"Yeah, Delphox, you help too!" Chesnaught grinned. "It'll be nice for us to see you two make literal magic together!"

"Why would you…forget it, fine." Delphox blushed and scratched behind his head. "But you better not tease me about any sloppiness."

"Sloppy magic making then, it's settled," joked Mienshao, chuckling as Delphox folded his arms.

"Froslass won't like us doing that without her," murmured Weavile.

"She can join in when she gets back with Quagsire," I suggested. "And we should try to go grab Alakazam and Machamp. And, uh…is anyone else around?"

"We'll waste our last few hours trying to find everyone," noted Mienshao. "Better to just find them, grab Froslass and Quagsire when they return, and just leave it open if anyone else wants to join in."

"Ok then." Chesnaught clasped his hands together. "Now, let's go find the happy new couple and get a real show rolling!"

"Do…do you know where they are?"

"Not a clue!"

"Uh-huh…we'd better get searching then." Mienshao glanced at everyone and nodded. "It's likely best if we split into pairs and spread around the palace. We can cover more ground like that." He frowned and turned to the brothers with lowered eyes. "That is, if a certain pair is willing and able to get along."

"We'll play nice enough," insisted Poliwrath.

"Yeah, promise," added Politoed.

"Good. We'll try to cover it based on directions, then. You two can take the southwestern areas of the palace." He tapped his hand against his chin. "Delphox and I might as well explore the northwestern end, and can get supplies while looking around. Greninja and Chesnaught can go to the northeastern side, toward the bedrooms." Delphox burst out laughing. "They will strictly be searching for their friends, right you two?" Chesnaught and I nodded through our blushed faces. "Good. That leaves Weavile and Mewtwo. Hmm." He scratched behind his head. "You two are comfortable enough to work together in the southeastern end, right?"

"Sure, as long as Mewtwo's ok with it."

"Yes, I am, and we can."

"Great. We'll take around a half hour or so to roam around, and meet back in the main hall." Mienshao clasped his hands together, and pointed back to the palace. "So, let's get going."

Together, we went back inside and through the corridor. I tried glancing over the tapestries again, hesitating at scenes depicting four kings meeting in a large palace that I was unfamiliar with. I couldn't take the time to observe it, though, and hurried along with the group.

Back inside the main hall, everyone split apart into the respective pairs and ventured off. Chesnaught and I climbed upstairs and made our way to the bedroom halls. It guided around in a wide loop, and I scratched my head.

"It shouldn't take long to search around here, right?"

"No, but it might be better if we cover more ground between us."

"Wait, we're splitting up?" Chesnaught frowned. "But…we're already apart from the group." He scooped my hands up and brought them to his chest. "Plus, everyone already knows that we're the most likely to waste time together, so…why don't we?"

"We could, right?"

I smiled as he brought me in close for a kiss. Our lips met and I shuddered as his arms left my hands at his chest and went around my back. I rubbed his soft fur and I moved into him, but paused for a moment. We could, but shouldn't. I reluctantly pulled back, leaving my hands on his chest, and stared as he blankly gazed back at me.

"While I'd like to…I'd really, really love to," I started, but Chesnaught placed his hand on my lips.

"Nah, you're right. We'll take too long and get nothing done." He grinned. "Besides, we need to go bother Machamp and Alakazam, already. We haven't seen them all day."

"Can I make it up to you later?"

"Depends on if we're making out later." Chesnaught laughed as our faces flushed red. "It's fine either way; we'll find plenty of time together, even if we have to wait until after training tomorrow." He winked. "For now, you check in here, and I'll check around ahead. But first…"

He scooped my face into his and we kissed again. I pressed into him as his tongue slipped into my mouth, and I already wanted to go back on our decision. But he pulled back a bit, and we broke apart again. Nodding, he walked through the hall, making his way to scope out other rooms.

After I watched Chesnaught leave, I shook my head and wandered through the hall. Alakazam and Machamp's rooms were on the opposite end. Turning left, I ambled ahead and glanced at a few ice sculptures of the mythical creatures between vases with the empire's sigil and busts of Empoleon. Some blue banners with the crest distracted me a bit further before I shook my head and turned right around the next corner. Their room was just a little further ahead at the end.

"Well, well."

I froze in my tracks and my heartbeat picked up. My fists tightened and I didn't even want to look through the open door next to me.

"It's rare to see you completely alone, Greninja!" Golduck's cheer made me want to punch him immediately. I turned my head at his approach and glared as my hands trembled. "Where's your big bodyguard?"

"Cut the crap, Golduck," I snapped. He ignored me, glancing back and forth through the hall.

"Ooh, you are completely alone after all!" His stupid grin fired me up as my breathing became sharper, quickened. "What, did you get lost?"

"Just shut…wait." I shook my head. Control it. "Have you seen Alakazam or Machamp?"

"Quite often. They're just a few doors down from me, after all."

"As in recently, like nearby."

"Hmm…you know, I can't recall." He smirked. "Why don't you come inside, and give me a minute to recollect—"

"You're a disgusting waste of space, you know that?"

"Oh ho! Not holding anything back, are you?" He nodded. "Good, I like that."

"If you haven't seen them, then we're done here." I pivoted away and started back down the hall.

"Aw, wait a minute, my precious Greninja!" I kept walking. "Come now, that's no fun." His footsteps rushed up and I wanted to hurry away. "What, we can't just talk, like civilized adults?"

"No, because you wouldn't know how to be civil if you were given the best teachers for things like manners and decency!" I spun around and stormed over to him, as he stopped and waited. "You're scum, and we both know that!"

"So, you're still hurt, obviously."

"Piss off." Punching him was the least I wanted to do. "You left me."

"But we were good before that, right?"

"Not even close."

"No? As I recall, you seemed, what was it? Oh right, happy." He smirked and I threw my hand out. He caught it. "Not quite that way now, though. Ooh, your pulse is racing!"

"I could break your arm right here and now."

"Right, I'm sure you could. And you've learned dozens of techniques to kill me, too, I'd imagine." Still, Golduck smiled, enjoying every second. "But you forget: I could do just the same to you, couldn't I?"

"Yeah." I ripped my arm out of his hand, and held my glare. "You could have been better though."

"Honesty? Does it hurt admitting that?"

"That's not the part that hurts at all. You were supposed to be an elite ninja. You were one of the best that we had, and you could have risen up through the ranks easily." My eyes narrowed. "But you didn't. Instead, you took off."

"After we had a lovely night—"

My hand smashed right across his face this time. Sloppy, and it hurt me a bit, but worth some pain to make him feel worse. He grasped at his cheek and stumbled back, holding onto it. I waited, watching to see if he'd attack back. But he steadied himself, and straightened back up again.

"Damn, you're strong." He chuckled, the bastard. "That's definitely going to bruise, and I think I can taste some blood from my cheek already."

"Good."

"Ha!" He rubbed it, but still smiled at me. "Yeah, I deserved that."

"You deserve a hell of a lot worse."

"…Would it be any consolation that I struck out in the city today?"

"No."

"Huh. I thought you would've like to hear that."

"I don't give a damn, Golduck."

"That hammering heartbeat tells otherwise."

"It's anger, ok? You make my heart race because I despise so much as seeing you now." He deflated a bit from that. "What, haven't you noticed?"

"How could I? You and I have hardly had any time together."

"And I fully intend to keep it that way!" I twisted away from him, but he reached out and grabbed my shoulder. "Let go, now!"

"Just wait a minute, please—"

"There is nothing more to talk about, Golduck, don't you get that?!" I spun around again, ready to hit him harder. "You left me. I loved you, and you left. And you not only left me, but you went out of your way to make sure that I wouldn't follow."

"That's not—"

"You left my father a trail," I thundered. "I told you that I wasn't ready to tell him, but you went right ahead, decorated the floor with withered lily petals, and led it right back to my room." He sank lower, and I stormed closer to him. "You knew how it looked, you knew what would happen. And yet you went out of your way to do that."

"I did." He shrugged. "The roses were fresh, right?"

Again, I punched him, right against his arm. A clean hit this time, and he grabbed his arm right after, wincing in pain.

"Someone back home warned me about you," I rambled on. "They told me that you were a deviant, that you would never be interested in me for long." I dropped my arms. "But I was young and stupid, thinking that you were actually interested."

"You were right, I was—"

"No, you weren't."

"Yes, I was. I still am, in fact."

"Go to hell."

"Been there already." He shrugged and waited, but I didn't lash out again, as much as I wanted to. "Greninja, I am still interested in you, honestly."

"That's disgusting to know, thanks."

"Come on, don't act like you wouldn't entertain the thought—"

"I wouldn't—"

"Now, no. But if we met again, and you were single?" He let out a quick laugh. "You and I would be back together instantly."

"You're beyond delusional." I shook my head. "I would sooner die than be with you ever again."

"Don't talk like that—"

"It's true!"

"If you want to believe that, fine." He looked me up and down, and I raised my hands again. "What?"

"Get away from me."

"Look, it's not because—"

"Back away, and leave me alone!"

"I was scared."

"What?!"

"I was scared," he repeated. "Everything, ok? It was everything."

"You don't—"

"Please, just let me get this out." He clasped his hands over his bill and shook his head. Before I could open my mouth again, he started back up. "I just couldn't handle it. Becoming a top ninja, my reputation in town, dating you in secret—that was too much to handle, and I realized it all too late."

"Commitment issues?! That's your excuse?!"

"It's not an excuse, it's just…ok, I can see how you'd label it an excuse—"

"You used me, and you want me to accept your fragile explanation as—as what, exactly?!"

"Nothing, you don't need to accept it." Golduck shrugged. "Just so you understand. I felt like I had too much pressure to live up to, and I wanted to get away from all of that." He finally frowned. "It's not easy, especially having so many others eye you over—"

"Over your strength, you bastard! They wanted you to be strong. I wanted you to be strong with me." I shook my head. "But instead you played with my head, got me twisted enough to actually open up to you. I trusted you, and you blatantly betrayed me!"

"And I'm sorry for doing that." Liar. "I didn't want you following me, because…I knew that you would. You'd follow me wherever I went, and you'd try to convince me to stay behind with you and everyone else's expectations."

"So because you needed approval of the world around you, that's why you couldn't stay? On top of your asinine fear of commitment, you needed constant appraisal?"

"Yes." He rubbed his arm and face. "I knew that your father would stop you from following me. It wasn't right, but it was the only way to make sure you wouldn't come after me."

"You're beyond despicable."

"That was how I was back then." He smiled again, and…ugh, it looked genuine. "But I've changed. I'm stronger, I'm one of the best knights here—"

"Super, that's all the opposite of what I care about from you!"

"But I'm better now, Greninja!" He stepped toward me, towered over me, and I stepped back. "I can be better for you, out here."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I am." He stepped forward again as I retreated. "I couldn't stay with anyone after I left you. Truly, I tried, but getting with anyone else just wasn't the same as being with you, having what we had." He paused and looked into my eyes, as my stomach twisted in painful knots. "I love you. Let's do what this empire best offers, and let's start over."

He held out his hand, but I batted it away immediately. Golduck frowned again, and I glared at him.

"You don't get it, do you?" My heart still raced, but I refused to hold anything back. I didn't care how loud I was getting. "Do you really think I'd fall right back into your arms because you told me all of that crap? You left me! You hurt me! Get it through your thick skull: I don't love you anymore, and I never will again!" He backed up and I stepped forward. "Chesnaught is great on many levels, and I've already been dating him longer than I did with you, but guess what else he has over you? He's selfless, and he's courageous." Golduck glowered at me at last. "Why would I want to be near a coward that went to lengths to break my heart, when I'm with the best boyfriend I could ask for? What kind of a stupid trade would that be?"

"Hang on, I'm plenty brave in a fight—"

"That's not where I need it." I folded my arms. "Chesnaught came out at a ceremony in front of an entire crowd from the town, and in front of his fellow knights. Do you know why? Because he didn't want to hide our relationship." I narrowed my eyes as Golduck shifted and stumbled back. "Mind you, this was after I told him that I was ok with keeping it a secret until he was ready. And do you know what happened when his fellow knights stabbed him in the back? He stayed the course, stayed with me." Golduck swallowed hard, and I watched him twitch as I continued. "When faced with moving up here, he didn't want to be separated from me, but would do so out of duty. Lucky for us, our former king was willing to send me along. I told him about a friend of ours that was interested in me, and he was jealous, but trusted me. As I recall, you never wanted others from home looking at me for too long. And that brings us to here, with you dropping back into my life—"

"Don't act like he's been a saint about that."

"He stood by me," I snapped. "Every time you make me feel awful, he's quick to comfort me. Whenever you make me uncomfortable, he protects me." Golduck fidgeted and his knees buckled just slightly, as I stood up straight. "I don't care if you love me anymore. That's behind me. I love Chesnaught, and I'm happy with him. So don't stand there and try to make me to give that up, because you already ripped it away from me once."

For a minute, I waited as he lowered his head, studying the ground. Golduck's eyes wavered and twitched as he silently poured over everything. He had to have known that he had no chance with me, so what was it that he was piecing together?

"Well?!"

"…If you're actually happy then…"

Golduck's bill closed and he winced as he gazed behind me. I turned as Chesnaught, Machamp, and Alakazam walked up.

"Again, though, that's only if you think you'll stay happy with him," mocked Golduck. He smirked, and his armor went back up. "Doubtful though. Give it time; all good things end, don't they?"

With a forced laugh, he strode away from us. My shoulders dropped as I exhaled heavily, and turned to my friends.

"How long were you there?"

"Long enough to see your boyfriend grin over you seamlessly defending him." Alakazam smirked as Machamp elbowed my blushing Chesnaught. "He wasn't kidding about being invited to a show."

"That wasn't a show, that was the execution of our fellow knight," joked Machamp. "I thought we were going to see magic writing, not outright murder!"

"Oh, we'd better get going for that, actually," noted Alakazam. "Chesnaught here told us that the others were wandering around to search for us."

"We have some time," noted Chesnaught. "If only a little."

"Right, time, Alakazam." Machamp wrapped his arms back around his boyfriend. "So, you and I have another few minutes—"

"Ah, I think we've spent more than enough, um…" Alakazam dragged Machamp in for a kiss. They broke apart quickly, but both grinning. "So, anyway, we'll give you two a minute to yourselves and meet you outside."

"We will?"

"Yes, now come on."

"Wait, are we being polite, or are we doing something—ow, what?"

Alakazam dragged Machamp around the corner as they made their way outside. Chesnaught scratched behind his head, while I lowered mine.

"Sorry. I wasted my time instead of just—"

"You defended yourself. And me." He smiled to me. "There's no need for you to apologize at all."

"…Ok, yeah." I nodded as he pulled me in for a hug. His steady heartbeat eased mine, and I held him close to me. "I can't stand him."

"Neither can I." He lightly kissed the top of my head, and nuzzled it. "I don't even understand him being a knight. He's anything but honorable."

"Not all knights are." I pulled away from his embrace.

"True, I learned that the hard way."

"No, that's not—"

"It's fine." His smile faltered a bit, and I frowned. "Don't worry about it, honestly. Do you have anything else that you want to go over with me?"

"After all that, no." I had my outburst for the day, and what I wanted to be for the month. I started down the hall. "Let's just get back to the main hall and enjoy the rest of the evening."

"What about your father?" I turned my head back to Chesnaught, and he frowned. "You told me that Golduck is the reason your father found out about you, but…is he really that…the two of you, are you—?"

"Before I left home, I didn't get to bid my father farewell," I recounted. "Just whatever stood in his wake, and neither of us cared much by the time I left."

"Greninja…"

"Again, I'm sorry."

"Don't. I shouldn't push you." He walked alongside me and held my hand. "You're right. Let's focus on having a good night."

Once more, I nodded and we smiled to each other. Together, we walked out of the bedroom halls, and tried to enjoy the rest of our night with our friends.

It wouldn't last.

[Later]

Behind the palace, Delphox whipped a ball of fire around, staring off into the distance. He gazed out at the vast white of the Frozen Fields, much darker under the night sky.

"Careful," cautioned a voice behind him. "Someone will think you almost miss it out there."

"Ha, please, Mienshao." Delphox spun around, smirked at the stoat, and jumped from the short wall he was perched on. "I'm amazed that we actually survived out there."

"You and everyone else," muttered Weavile, walking outside to the duo. She watched Delphox's fireball and shuddered.

"Sorry." The fox mage cast it away and let the orb dissipate.

"It is nice that we were able to pull together," agreed Mienshao. "Machamp and Alakazam have been especially happy to be together again."

"That? They're literally inseparable," noted Delphox. "Honestly, I think they do everything together now."

"Well, of course!"

Froslass popped up from a mound of snow beside Weavile. She grinned at Delphox and Mienshao, but frowned at their lacking reactions.

"Um…one of you two should have freaked out from that."

"That would work if you didn't do it so often, Froslass," pointed out Weavile.

"Mm." She rolled her eyes and curled around the archer's back. "You know, while you have a point, maybe I just need to change it up." She slid her arms across Weavile's, to which the weasel gasped and shivered. "Perhaps spread my targets out a bit, change who I scare each day."

"Or maybe you should just take a little time off from being a ghoul," teased Mienshao.

"Hey, do I criticize your meditations and monk rituals?" Froslass twirled away from Weavile and glided over to Mienshao, glowering at him. "No, I don't. So, you keep your practices, and I'll stick with mine."

"There's a difference between which is harmful," pointed out Mienshao. "Though, I suppose you would ignore that."

"Honestly, you have such nerve—"

"Hey, what's the commotion going on out here?" Poliwrath stepped outside and blinked at the group before him. He folded his arms and nodded. "What are you all arguing about, anyway?"

"Just Froslass making the issues," declared Delphox.

"It is not just me!"

"Sounds like you and I on a good day, Poliwrath," chimed in Politoed as the frog emerged behind his brother.

"Are you two getting along?" Weavile rolled her eyes. "It's not going to be like earlier, is it?"

"We behaved for the calligraphy show," insisted Politoed. "Which was pretty fantastic, so good job on that, Mienshao and Delphox."

"And we're trying not to fight as often, anymore," revealed Poliwrath. "We did mean it, out there, and we'll follow what Mienshao told us before."

"As you should." Delphox folded his arms and glanced around. "Where are the double couples, anyway?"

"Greninja and Chesnaught wandered off with Mewtwo and Quagsire, but I think they went separate ways from each other at some point," explained Weavile. "Machamp and Alakazam slinked away on their own, still tangled up together, whispering and kissing the whole way out."

"Figures." Delphox rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I'm worried about Mewtwo, though. He should want to spend time with other mages. He barely joined in with our show, as captivated as he was." He rubbed his wand. "Plus, he's constantly around Greninja and Chesnaught."

"He just needs to grow more," pointed out Mienshao. "And he gives them space."

"Not enough, and three can be such a crowd."

"It wasn't with the bears," contested Weavile. "I wonder how they're doing in your kingdom, now that I mention it."

"Hopefully well," murmured Delphox. He sighed and walked away from the palace again, gazing out to the few city lights in the distance. "Hopefully everyone there is."

"Got a girlfriend or boyfriend, over there?" Poliwrath unfolded his arms and walked over to Delphox. "What's your type, anyway?"

"Honestly, I'm still asking myself that," decided Delphox. He chuckled. "It's been years, decades, and I still can't decide."

"You just want to find someone that loves you," mused Mienshao. "We all want that."

"Yeah, that's true." Sighing, Delphox leaned over the frozen railing and shook his head. "As for who I left behind, she was a very special individual. We've spent a good portion of our lives together, and I…I really miss her. Every day."

"So, it was a girlfriend?" Politoed tilted his head. "…Is she?"

"No, she has a boyfriend," murmured Delphox. "Well, at least when I left she did."

"Do you really think much has changed?" Froslass floated over to him. "We haven't had too much that really shook things up here."

"Everyone acts differently now," countered Delphox. "Plenty changed here, in just a few weeks." He flopped his head against the ice and sighed. "Who knows how much changed back where I came from…?"

"Change can be a good thing," eased Mienshao. "The stream flows though its path, but the water must pass all kinds of obstacles to get to its destination. Water adapts, after all." He patted Delphox's back, and then chuckled. "Just ask these frog knights here."

"Water changes a lot."

"A whole lot."

"Not always good, either."

"Bad currents give bad days."

"Thank you," snapped Mienshao. "You're kind of devaluing my point."

"It's fine, I understand," insisted Delphox, picking himself back up. "Anyway, I don't know about any of you, but it's late, and I should probably get to bed soon. Mages are practicing early tomorrow."

"Everyone's practicing early tomorrow," grumbled Weavile. "Even these two."

"Wait, what?" Politoed's mouth dropped open. "When did you hear about that?"

"He mentioned it the other day." She rubbed her nose. "Weren't you paying attention?"

"Forgot about that myself." Poliwrath stretched. "Even a day off can't be spent without having hell to pay after. We'll be woken before sunrise."

"Better get some sleep then," advised Weavile, as she walked back into the palace. "Night, everyone."

"Yes, goodnight," chimed in Delphox.

Weavile and Delphox trudged away from the group outside, and then separated from one another inside. Poliwrath and Politoed watched for a moment, but then shrugged to one another.

"I've still got equipment to put away from yesterday, so I'll probably sleep after that," decided Poliwrath.

"Well, you better hurry, then," complained Politoed. "We're probably going to be paired off tomorrow, and the General will probably put us together, again, so you better be well rested!"

"Ha, you're one to talk, midnight croaker!" Poliwrath nudged his brother before heading back inside. "Night Froslass, Mienshao."

Politoed watched his brother walk off, and then waved to his friends before following him inside as well.

"Not that I'll need much rest, but I guess staying out here doesn't do much good," decided Froslass. "What about you?"

"In a moment, I'll retire for the night," decided Mienshao. "Everyone came out here to breathe again, and I'd like some time to admire the stars before bed."

"You know what? I changed my mind; I'm going to start criticizing your habits."

"Goodnight to you too," laughed Mienshao.

"Goodnight. And, about before, in my study?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Mienshao smiled. "Talk to myself or anyone whenever you need to, Froslass."

"I should." She nodded. "We'll see. Anyway, night!"

"Again, goodnight."

He watched Froslass float back in before going over to the railing, gazing down at the fading city lights below, disappearing as the citizens went to sleep. Pausing, he turned and looked back at the windows of the palace, searching for his friends, before turning back to the night sky.

[One]

Delphox walked through a long hallway, shivering a bit as he went. He glanced around at the designs in the hall, which appeared sharper, more sinister at night.

"Figures that I would be in the creepy part of the palace, he muttered."

He walked along, glancing outside to Mienshao, who stared quietly away from the palace. Delphox hesitated a moment and watched his friend, before shaking his head.

"He's fine alone."

As Delphox continued, something cracked behind him. Whirling around and whipping out another fireball, the mage stared ahead, finding nothing.

"Well…this goes against every horror tale that I've read," he muttered. Louder, he called out, "Hello? Anyone there?"

Scanning the hall, he noticed nothing. Shaking his head, he turned back and walked along again.

[Two]

Weavile sighed as she stomped down a flight of steps, grumbling through the stairwell.

"All I had to do was relax," she berated. "But no, I tensed up, and then completely shut down. Again."

Scratching behind her head, Weavile sighed. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, the archer stalled while looking at the banners.

"Definitely overdid it when they decorated that," she decided.

Faintly, she heard a giggle. Jerking up, Weavile returned her attention back up the stairwell.

"Froslass? Is that you?"

Starting back up, she froze upon hearing something clatter down the steps, one by one.

[Three]

Poliwrath reached the armory, lining lances against the wall. He brushed his head as he gathered a pile of clubs, and then dumped them into a barrel.

"General didn't tell me it had to be perfect," chuckled Poliwrath. "Wonder if I can speed up the rest of this."

Grabbing a few swords and daggers, Poliwrath flung them into a chest and kicked it closed. He nodded and brushed his hands together.

"Easy work after all!"

Observing the room, he checked each set of weapons. Staffs were stacked up against a wall, while smaller knives and blades for poles were organized on a nearby table.

"Huh. I was expecting those to be a mess too." He shrugged. "No matter, at least everything's in here and accounted for."

Something smacked down behind him. Whirling around, Poliwrath raised a fist, only to find a fallen lance.

"Ah, my nerves are shot," he grumbled.

He jumped at hearing something else smack down outside of the room. Eyes widened, Poliwrath quickly checked around the room, but failed to find a missing weapon.

[Four]

Politoed quietly clapped his hands together, watching the door before him. He groaned and flopped back on his bed.

"Can't Poliwrath just hurry up already?" He heavily exhaled. "I don't need him slamming the door shut just as I'm falling asleep."

Shifting his gaze around, Politoed giggled quietly. He then let out a soft croak, and giggled again.

"Well…while he's not here…"

Again, the toad croaked, and laughed to himself. Yawning, he tried to croak a third time, but slumped over.

"No…come on…just one more…"

Once more, Politoed opened his mouth, but was interrupted by a sharp crash outside of his room. Jumping up from his bed, he shook his head and hurried to the door.

Throwing it open, he gazed out into the hall, but noticed nothing.

"P…Poliwrath?"

Looking up and down the hall, Politoed waited to find a fallen portrait or sculpture. Everything appeared to be in place.

[Five]

Froslass floated through the halls and entered her study. She glided around and giggled as she grabbed a book from the shelf.

"Going through my motions today was certainly unusual. Maybe I can start to open up to everyone more."

She flipped open the tome and scanned several pages, turning each one as she read over more incantations.

"These curses…they can be useful, when applied properly. If I embrace that much…"

Quietly, she studied the next page, when several books spilled out from the shelf behind the wall.

"Weavile?" Froslass paused, but shook her head. "She's not that clumsy. Alakazam shouldn't be either, but…oh!" She flew past the wall. "Nice try, Machamp, but…"

Silently, Froslass stared at a pile of fallen books. She huffed and shook her head.

"Great. I guess I'll just clean this up then."

Grabbing one book, she halted upon hearing a low whispering. Blinking, she spun around.

"H-hey, who's there?" She nervously giggled. "Come on, guys. You can't spook a Ghost, got it?"

The whispering continued, and chanted from behind the book shelves. Growling, Froslass pulled out several books and tomes, flinging them about.

Once the whispering had stopped, Froslass shuddered, staring at piles of fallen books, left alone with her in the room.

[The Next Day]

"All right, you lollygaggers, time for practice, let's go!"

General Abomasnow clanged two swords together, getting the army's attention. Everyone charged off to their assigned matchups, except for five soldiers. He glared at Delphox and Weavile, who rubbed their eyes.

"Wake up you two, come on now!"

The duo glanced at one another, then wearily to Poliwrath and Politoed. Both frogs blinked slowly, and checked Froslass, who shuddered quietly to herself.

"What's with you?" General Abomasnow folded his large arms. "None of you rested up for today, huh? You'll pay for that, then."

Each of the five exchanged unnerved glances with one another. They nodded as General Abomasnow barked at the group to liven up.

"Same old nonsense," muttered Golduck to Delibird. "A few of us are up too late, and then the General will give them hell all morning."

"Wonder what kept them up," pondered the penguin.

Both birds watched the five carefully, but gave in after Abomasnow yelled at them for a fifth time.

After all, it was just another normal morning.

...

Guess what the end means? Besides that I'm terrible at writing for horror plots, that is.

It's means the closing arcs are finally beginning for this story, hooray! The beginning of the end has begun! And we can pretend that I can actually get through this by next year, hahaha! Haha. …Ha. …Yeah, I won't get my hopes up either.

So, since I'm not writing fast enough, one common complaint I get is the lack of development on everyone that isn't the main pairing. It's valid, since I hadn't really had time to focus on writing the others out as well for the story itself. Particularly, this chapter focused on Froslass, Mienshao, Poliwrath, Politoed, and Golduck. They were flexible enough to share the spotlight, I believe.

Froslass's problem was that she was only coming across as a cheerful ghoul, whereas I had specific plans for her to be someone that treads the morality line. It's not completely her choice, either, which makes it more challenging for her. So, here displays her at a raw and vulnerable state. Also, for everyone that is going to point it out: yes, I know that the source material for Pokemon, the Pokedex, states that numerous Ghost types are deceased, or that their basis is on mythological spirits. The general assumption is that if one Pokemon that isn't a Ghost type and evolves into a Ghost basically dies. That's…kind of weird, though, that evolution triggers death, but not really. Further, Ghost type Pokemon are also treated normally under many various circumstances, and if you're a good hunter, there's a specific instance in Pokemon spin-offs where a Ghost type Pokemon wails about not wanting to die. So, I played with the idea that not every Ghost type Pokemon is dead, but channels mystic and mysterious energies, thus earning them such a typing, but still being among the living. As such, Froslass's behavior and explanations are, well, more depressing to think about. Oops.

So, anyway, Mienshao! His background was finally added in, because I think he was one of the most requested characters that readers wanted to learn more about. He also gets to have some fun in this chapter, because mood whiplash is good at alleviating tension. His relationship with Delphox is more fun, and they have a good friendship established, I believe.

Poliwrath and Politoed have more reasons for arguing, yay! It's because of parent issues, romantic triangles, and oodles of sibling rivalry! One thing I wanted to establish was that, while they're kind of jerks to each other, they're twins that care about one another, little as they show it. Not every sibling relationship is a positive one, that's worth noting, but some are merely strained. A common issue in stories that feature siblings either ignores one over the other, forces them to pretty much hate each other to a point that they're more enemies than anything, kills off a sibling as a plot device, or otherwise just treats the siblings as friends or co-workers. So, these bicker brothers are rivals, but they're not enemies; they do love each other, but fail to show it. While they're not going to be the ones to fully realize it, I do like the idea of more detailed sibling relationships, if only slightly.

Golduck had the latter portion for the chapter, because more mood whiplash. So, big surprise, he's still totally in love with Greninja. Bigger surprise, Greninja wants to be done with him. What a development! But yes, another common subject in romance stories is this "hot ex-lover" that pops up and suddenly throws the main relationship for a loop, because the one with an ex-lover still has feelings somehow. And while I know that some relationships have nice, soft closures, with folks getting along after the fact (good), there are a lot of friendship and romances that end with bitter rage on one or both parties (yikes). Holding a grudge is pretty unhealthy, but it's not exactly something that you just magically let go of, especially after being personally hurt.

Hence, when Golduck thinks that he and Greninja can get back together, Greninja is very adamantly against that notion outright, and stomps out the idea. And Golduck was basically a jerk about the break-up, as finally detailed in this chapter, so Greninja very much should not be ok with it. Still, commitment issues are a thing, and it's fairly reasonable as to why Golduck would do it, though…there are nicer ways to go about it. If you haven't learned already, Golduck typically does not take the "right" route, but rather, the strongest. Sure, he could have just left without telling Greninja anything, but that wouldn't have stopped Greninja like a tedious plan to keep him back home could! Yikes indeed.

…Ok, the parts where Greninja punches Golduck are basically fan service, because I think I've had that suggested repeatedly by several people. If you have or had have a bad break-up, please don't go beating on your ex-lovers. That's assault and can get you into serious trouble in the real world! Plus, it automatically puts you in the wrong, no matter how awful they were.

Other stuff: I like picking on Delphox. Greninja and Chesnaught are a cute couple together, aww. Alakazam and Machamp originally weren't going to be in this chapter, but made it in anyway! Mewtwo is precious. Weavile is cool. Quagsire is tired and hungry. I relate to Quagsire.

And just like that, I've written far too much at the end of the chapter again. And all of this was probably just me reiterating what I did in the chapter, which shouldn't be needed to go over in depth unless I'm terrible at writing. Which…well, I'm far from perfect.

Feedback is cool, since it helps me learn which things I should go over more, and helped me with this chapter! Comments and questions are welcome, as are criticisms, so send me a message or leave a review. I've got plans out for the remaining chapters, but feedback helps me understand if I should modify those, so please do share thoughts!

If you noticed glaring absences in characters, which include Empoleon and Carracosta, that means they're up for the next chapter for development. Yes, everyone's favorites getting development finally, how exciting! (I think literally no one remembers Carracosta for anything. That'll change!) This is probably the last "slow" chapter that has little to no action for a while. I miss my fight sequences, after all. It all comes together by the end.

Finally at the end of my author's notes. I'm exhausting, I know. Thank you for reading once again!