Hello everyone, another chapter here for you. Apparently I'm an asshole, and hadn't credited my fic's picture yet. It was made by my friend Fusion! Thank you!
Chapter 3: The Return
She awoke with a heavy sensation on her leg. The Normal type looked down and noticed a pink bump attached to the back of her knee, and her mouth stretched into a grin. That smile disappeared when she realized her arms were too stubby to remove him, and she sighed before shaking her leg.
"Quintus, it is time to wake up. I can not move while you stay there."
The Whismur sighed and curled around her even more. "Go away Ferrous."
Sonata failed to stifle a giggle. "No, my name is not Ferrous. Come back to the world of the living, so that we can discuss what happened last night."
This made the Whisper Pokemon detach and sit up, wiping his eyes and shaking his head. "Good morning, Sonata. Looks like you're feeling better."
"I feel fine for the most part, although my stomach aches and my throat is parched. Something you will notice, Quintus, is that our line will drink much more water than many others. I'm sure your king drinks far less than you do, even at twice your size."
"I've noticed, but thought it was because he doesn't talk nearly as much as I do."
"In a way, that is the reason, but it is also more than that. Since we mostly use sound based attacks, our species has highly developed lungs and throats to make up for it, and-"
"I would still say the reason is his mouth is never closed." A deep voice echoed from the entrance to the room.
She stood up and bowed to the Lairon. "King Ferrous. I do not mean to intrude, I was merely-"
"I was the one to find you, little knight. I saw the wound upon your head, and the blood that accompanied it. Seems as though you woke something in the Forest."
"Do you know what it was that attacked me?"
"Oh, I remember the tales of the Forest Fossil. A creature that is long extinct, but still lives to this day. Long, blade-like arms, and it soaks up water as though its life depended on it. Sound familiar?"
"To the last detail, king. Do you know anymore than that?"
The dual type shook his head. "Nothing more was ever told to me. Elder Torkoal might know more, but even then, it was always a myth. I never imagined it would be a real phenomenon in the Forest. The fact that you survived such an encounter is astounding."
"It stopped following me to stand in a stream, where it seemed to regain any lost energy it had. It was a Wild, through and through. I ran once I realized it was gonna stay there for awhile, and by the time I got here, my energy was all but used up."
"Why were you in that forest? I told you to tell your queen that her invitation was rejected."
"I came here of my own accord, King Ferrous. Since young Quintus has little memories, and no training from his own, I decided it would be in his best interests to have a fellow member of his species to teach him the skills that you can not."
"Are you saying I am not teaching him properly?" The Rock type growled.
"No, no, not at all. But can you teach him anything with his hands? Or with his voice?"
"I taught him how to Screech."
"Yes, that is useful. But he can put pure energy into his mere voice, and that is not something you can do, so therefore I would need to teach him the technique. You have taught him things I could not; and I can teach him things you can not. Is that not the best for him, to have both of us as teachers?"
The Iron Armor Pokemon grumbled under his breath and shook his head. "Very well, knight. You have my permission to stay to teach Quintus. However, if I do not see real progress with his learning, I will have to send a new messenger back to your kingdom."
The Big Voice Pokemon felt shivers crawl down her spine, and she nodded to the monarch. "Yes, my king. I will teach him many new things."
"Well? What are you waiting for? Training waits for no one."
The Normal type nodded again and turned to her smaller counterpart. "Come. The first thing I have to teach you has to do with the weather, and there are no holes big enough here to learn. Would you like to accompany us, dear king?"
He narrowed his eyes and motioned to the entrance. "Lead the way, Pasirian."
The trio arrived outside the mountain, Ferrous and Quintus squinting at the sight of the sunlight. Sonata, however, basked in the heat, her eyes slightly closed as she took in the light. "Ah, the warmth of the stars. Why you hole up in a mountain, away from this sensation, I will never understand."
"Do we need the Sun to perform what you have in mind?"
"Yes, actually. It is a technique my queen once taught me. The name of said skill is Sunny Day, and you will be drawing out the power of the Sun."
The Whismur started and rubbed his eyes. "What? I'll be using the Sun itself?"
"In a way, yes. You are going to feel for its energy, and draw down to the ground. Let me demonstrate."
The Loudred put her hands above her head and closed her eyes, and the entire area brightened up. The temperature rose to the point where Ferrous kneeled down and dug into the ground, coming back up when he was covered in dirt. Quintus didn't have that luxury, so he withstood the heat, and when his counterpart let go of the energy, he sighed as the tension left his body.
"You couldn't have done that a little...weaker?"
Sonata giggled and shook her head. "I can make it much harsher than that, it was merely a demonstration. After you master it, it will be as easy as a Supersonic for you."
"Supersonic?" Questioned Quintus.
"Have you never met a Zubat?"
"I've met plenty of them, but they normally fly away from other 'mons. Is that something they know?"
"...Yes, that is a technique they can use. It is a weaponized version of how they see without eyes. We can use it as well, and it is a good way to cause a Pokemon to flinch or get confused in a tight space."
"Maybe we should focus on one thing at a time. Let me try the Starry Day thing."
"Sunny Day." She corrected her evolutionary predecessor.
"Sure. You said I just need to draw the energy out?"
"In a way, yes. You will know when you are able to do it." As she finished speaking, the temperature rose as it brightened up, and the trio started sweating as the move was used.
"Good job Quintus! In no ti-"
"It wasn't me. I didn't even try yet."
The Normal type duo looked over at the dual type panting in the dirt.
"Yes? It is a simple technique, and one I could have taught him myself if we had ever bothered going outside."
The Loudred sighed and shook her head. "We can leave that one for later then. Time for you to learn Supersonic."
The Nidorino awoke wrapped in fur. He blushed as he heard Celeria snore and curl tighter around him. He wasn't sure how his spines were avoiding her until he reached with one of his paws, finding a mass of fur to push through before he could even feel his mate's skin. The pair were up close to the entire night, and it was safe to assume it was well into the afternoon. Perhaps the king was even looking for him. The Poison type leaned his head forward and nuzzled the bottom of the Arcanine's neck, smiling at the purr that left the sleeping Fire type.
Which, of course, immediately woke her up.
"Fil? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing, I had meant to keep you asleep."
"It'd be nice if you could stop being so formal for once. You should relax and speak like everyone else does."
"I am- it matters not. How did you sleep?"
"Well, little prince. Although it would be nice if you wouldn't poke me every time you moved."
"I-i am sorry, I-"
"You didn't choose where your spikes are, right? Then don't worry about it. I happen to be pretty fond of the way you look, even if that means I'm a little uncomfortable sometimes." She nuzzled the Poison Pin Pokemon and licked his forehead.
The Ground type blushed and looked away. "Thank you, Celeria. I believe I needed to hear that."
The Arcanine nibbled on his ear and got up from the ground, sitting back against the wall as she attempted to stay awake. "It's probably time to go. Let's go see your father, my little prince."
He rose to his feet and stumbled for a moment before righting himself, yawning and stretching his front legs. The duo made their way out of the sandstone structure and onto the street, where vendors were already setting up and haggling prices. The Fire type smiled and took off in a flash, forcing her new mate to run as fast as his small legs could carry him.
By the time he had arrived at the gates, Filius was out of breath and sweating more than an Ice type in the desert. The Legendary Pokemon was sitting on the bottom of the steps, a playful grin on her face, and she giggled when the prince came into view.
"This isn't funny! You could have at least waited for me…"
"Oh, you're right, it's not funny. It's just so cute, I have to laugh."
He blushed and shook his head, walking past her and up the steps. It was only a moment before she caught up with the smaller 'mon, and he leaned his head against her soft fur. The pair walked into the throne room and stood in the middle as they watched the monarch slumber in his elegant seat.
"Father?"
The Nidoking started awake and gripped the arms of the throne as he looked around the room. His eyes settled on the pair in front of him, and sighed.
"Perhaps I fell asleep here. Where did the two of you end up last night?"
The duo blushed and looked at each other. "We-"
"No matter, what you do alone is your own business. We have other matters to discuss."
The Arcanine bowed, and her companion followed suit. "Yes, my lord. What are your plans?"
"We are in need of an advance party, a group of subjects who will take land near the mountain to monitor it. I need a commander to make a team, and someone to supervise the team. I have decided the two of you are perfect for these roles, and I trust you can establish a base."
The Fire type's eyes widened as she looked to the Nidorino beside her, and then back at the king. "You wish for me to put together this team, my lord?"
"Yes. And my son will be overseeing the operation. The two of you are in charge of making this a success, and I am counting on you. I have much to show you on the maps of the region."
The duo bowed, speechless by the appointment. The king made his way out of the room, and into a smaller room with training dummies and a table in the middle. The map sprawling the table showed a gray area in the shape of two spires, with green surrounding them.
"These represent the mountain range, and the grasslands around it. You will be heading near the Denaid Forest, but out of sight of the entrance of the dungeon. It is a direct path to Pasir, and I need your group watching it at all times. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, father. We will make you proud."
"Good! I want your team to be completed by the end of the moon's cycle. That means you have four days. Meanwhile, I have some errands of my own to run…."
The younger 'mon looked at each other and then back. The Arcanine opened her mouth before deciding against it, and bowed again when the Nidoking turned towards her.
"Yes, my lord. The group will be together by then, you have my word."
"Get a move on. I eagerly await your decisions."
The Diggersby glared at the Pokemon surrounding him, struggling in his chains as the queen's head tilted on the throne.
"What brings scum like you to my kingdom?"
The Ground type did his best to spit at her, but it fell a few inches short and the Grass type simply glanced at it. "Open the package he had with him. I wish to see what the king of Agni had to send one of his generals for."
The Bellossom walked over and untied the string to the bag, recoiling when a pile of rotting meat came streaming out. The Flower Pokemon picked one up, and turned it around.
"Well? What is it, Tansia?" Asked the monarch.
"It, it…"
"Yes?"
The little Grass type turned around and presented what appeared to be the severed head of a Turtonator.
The Poison type glared at the Digging Pokemon, and released a cloud of spores his way as her guards stepped away from the captive Ground type.
"The rumors were true then! King Ceratot murdered the Agnian Council!" A soldier exclaimed, and the group started talking amongst themselves.
"Silence! I will hear no more of this conversation, and neither will anyone outside of this room! If I or anyone else find that any of you spread these rumors, I will put you down myself. This will not leave the throne room!" Shouted the dual type, crossing her roses as the guards stared at her.
One, a Stoutland, walked forward and dipped his head to the floor. "Your will is our command, my queen. The council is still alive, and the Agnian threat is false, isn't that right boys?"
The soldiers looked towards their commander and nodded their heads, some visibly sweating.
"Good. Take this scum to the dungeon, and dispose of this delivery. If anyone asks, it was an attempt to prank the throne. I want nothing of this incident spoken of to outside parties, be they your spouse or your friends."
"Yes, my lord. My men and I will keep quiet, don't you worry about us."
"On your way, soldier. I wish none of you had to witness this atrocity."
The soldiers bowed again, and the group split in two as some carried the general to the jail, and the rest took the bag. When they were gone, Aster sat down on the throne and sighed.
"I was of the understanding the king had kept the Council alive. This is an open declaration of war, is it not?"
"I am afraid so, my queen. I can not see why else King Ceratot would send us their heads, or why he would send an important general to do it. Although the latter seems to be counter intuitive…"
"That barbarian has no cares about his people, only himself. Nothing matters to him, besides land and power, and this was a powerful way to send a message. It shows that he thinks his kingdom will win, even without its leaders. That Nidoking disgusts me."
"We must prepare, Queen Aster. We can not be taken unawares, he would overwhelm us. We need to hurry along this plan of yours involving Knight Sonata, and-"
"There is no hurrying war, Tansia. And there will be no hurrying the king of Hennal Mountain. We will be forced to wait for Sonata to finish the job, even if it results in our untimely deaths."
"How can you be so calm, my queen?"
"I am terrified, dear Tansia. I have no faith in my plan, and if the kingdom comes out of this unscathed, it will be a miracle given to us by the legendaries themselves. I would give my own life if I thought it had even the slightest chance of deterring that monster from laying waste to Pasir and its people."
"My queen?"
"I have considered it, many times in fact. If making the ultimate sacrifice would save this land, then I would do it without hesitation. What value does my life hold in the face of thousands? Why would I be spared if no one else would?"
"You are the most important Pokemon in the kingdom, queen Aster. You should not-"
"I am no more important than you, or the soldiers that brought the Agnian to me. No more important than the farmers who grow food, or the merchants lining the streets. I make decisions on their behalf, but I will never consider myself above anyone that lives under my rule. There is no kingdom without the subjects, or without royalty. We rely on each other, no matter what any other monarch will tell you. Agni and the mountains might be ruled by terror and strength, but I am no tyrant. Damn anyone that attempts to say anything different."
"..."
"I know, it is unlike me to use such language. Fear not, I will not throw my life away, my dear Tansia. Every life matters, including mine, so if it can be avoided, I would enjoy continuing my life. That being said, I would always give my life so that you, and every other Pokemon in Pasir, could live their own."
"Aster…."
The Roserade looked at her advisor, eyes half lidded and glistening. "If we can, that Nidoking needs to be put down like the Wilds he resembles. I hope that Ferrous can see that we need each other before it is too late, and Ceratot conquers us both. Even if he arrives when Agni is on our doorstep, it will be enough to turn the tide."
"Do you think he will come around?"
The dual type turned away from her companion, a rose under her chin. "Perhaps, perhaps. One can only hope that the Monster of Hennal Mountain will see reason for once."
It didn't take particularly long for Quintus to learn Supersonic, and before long he was sending his mentor into a fit of rage with headaches. The monarch quickly got back at the duo by making crude jokes, and they blushed as the Normal types attempted to convince the laughing king of his mistake.
"You don't understand, it isn't like that!"
'I have heard enough, little one. You can not convince me otherwise."
The Whismur crossed his stubby arms and muttered under his breath, causing his companions to laugh. He looked at them momentarily with a stubborn expression, but then busted into laughter as the trio headed through the entrance of the mountain. He watched on as his mentor and counterpart laughed and talked on their way through the cave, smiling at his friends as the light died around them. The Whisper Pokemon glanced behind the group as the day ended, the trees melting to black as the night sky came out from hiding. The daylight ended as he rounded a corner, and all was dark in the corridor. And, after a sudden turn into another hallway, his surroundings were covered in glowing crystals, in a myriad of colors. For the first time since his mysterious arrival, Quintus looked at these gems in awe, amazed at the beauty all around him.
Surrounded by the prettiest rocks in the mountain, and by his two closest companions, the Normal type was in paradise. Nothing could ever shatter this, right?