Days passed, and the group traveled almost nonstop through the rough country. Soon, they had come to the Great Storm, marking the halfway point in their journey. Traveling through the wet country was easier than it had been in the past, partly due to the good weather of late, and the gathering had soon left the roiling skies behind them.
The last leg of the journey ensued, and soon Aquamarine found that she recognized the forest about them. It was not far to the clan's homelands now. Dark remained vigilant with the help of his Shuppet friend, who continued to be sharp and mysterious on the entire travel.
Suddenly, Aquamarine spotted a footprint in the mud before them. She bent to examine it, and found that it was a Grovyle print. Around it was several others, and suddenly Aquamarine knew that they had reached the heart of her lands.
"What have we found here?" hissed a voice from the bushes, "A blue bitch returning from exile, I presume?"
"Stuff it, ass wipe!" snarled Aquamarine at the large male before her.
Streamer growled, but his voice was lost as Dark emerged from the bushes, teeth savagely bared in a wicked display of ferocity. The younger male balked and retreated into the trees.
"He'll warn the others..." whispered Slice as she came out of the trees.
"Let them be warned," said Aquamarine, "I'm tired of sulking in the shadows."
Aquamarine continued on, and the rest of the gathering concealed themselves in the dense brush all around. They came to the clan's shelter, a place deserted and in disarray, and still had not seen another Grovyle.
"I think this is a trap..." whispered Dark.
Suddenly, Image, Streamer, and five other Grovyle appeared from the trees. They growled and brandished their sharp-edges leaves at the two in the clearing, clawing the air with rage. Dark and Aquamarine answered this with loud snarls, baring their teeth and chirping.
Image walked forward, glaring at the two with malice. His back was adorned with a large, metallic cape, and he flourished it proudly.
"What are you doing here? We banished you weeks ago! Leave, or we will kill the both of you!" he roared.
"I think not, usurper! I have come to finally take my rightful place as Alpha and restore the land, prepare to die at my claws!"
Image laughed and shot forward, prepared to skewer Aquamarine where she stood, but she was ready for this and feinted his blow. He spun around, and gasped as he saw the group reveal themselves from cover.
"You're not so confident now, are you?" sneered Aquamarine as she blocked another blow from the leader.
Image growled and signaled for his followers to join the fight. They dove into the gathering, and all was chaos. Aquamarine only knew that she must defeat Image and become Alpha, or all was lost. She zeroed in on the metallic cape, slashing and blocking blows with a speed she had never reached before. She was oblivious to all wounds, barely feeling the pain as she was slashed again and again and her blue hide stained purple with blood.
She slashed and hit Image across the thigh with a sharp red leaf, but the cape deflected the blow with a clanging sound. Aquamarine suddenly realized that the metallic cloth was impervious to her claws, and she needed to remove it to defeat the false leader. She diverted her attention to the cape, and suddenly it was in her grasp.
Image looked stunned for a moment, and shot ahead to try to take the metallic cloak back, but Aquamarine snapped her head forward and suddenly clamped her jaws around his neck. The Alpha struggled as the shining Grovyle bit down, but he was too close to inflict much damage with his leaves or claws. Aquamarine twisted her head savagely, and felt the neck of her enemy suddenly snap. She let the limp body fall to the ground, and she roared her victory over the fallen Grovyle.
"I kept my promise, you piece of shit," she whispered at the dead Alpha.
The fighting suddenly stopped, and Image's followers looked on in stunned recognition. They quickly fled into the trees, and only the gathering was left standing, bemused, in the battlefield moments later.
Aquamarine tiredly regrouped her friends, but stopped in horror as she viewed the last member. Powder lay lifelessly in a puddle of her own blood, numerous wounds marring her green and tan hide. She looked up at them dazedly, her deep blue eyes far away, before falling back to the stained ground.
"Is she alive?" asked Aquamarine.
"Just barely," answered Quicksilver with a sad sigh, "We need to get her to a healer, and fast."
"There's been no healer around here since my mother was banished," said Dark.
The gathering of Pokemon looked around at each other, lost about what to do. They lowered their heads in mourning, keening at the imminent loss.
"I may be able to help..." hissed a voice in the shadows.
Aquamarine whirled, and was confronted by a Persian. The lithe cat moved forward with liquid grace, loping to sit beside the injured Pokemon.
"I was once a healer," she mused, "but that was before my land was burned; now I am a wanderer. This Breloom has proved her worth to me, and now I will prove mine to her."
The pale cat wandered through the clearing, picking leaves and berries off certain plants and crushing them in her claws. She finally ambled back to where Powder lay, spreading the salve on her wounds. The mysterious balm disappeared within seconds, leaving only faint scars where horrible gashes once lay.
Powder stirred, blinking in the low light. She looked curiously at the Persian resting beside her, and nodded in understanding. The Breloom struggled unsteadily to her feet, helped by the mystifying cat.
"Thank you," she said hoarsely, "May I ask your name?"
"It's Gem," answered the Persian, smiling slightly.
Mistress suddenly blinked in above the gathering, grinning broadly and flashing her blue eyes. The gathering gazed upwards at the ghost Pokemon, perplexed by the Shuppet's cheerful behavior.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Dark.
"I learned Spite!" answered Mistress happily, "Now I can feed my people without having to rely on other creatures!"
The gathering congratulated the Shuppet while she flickered joyfully around the clearing, rejoicing in her accomplishment. Aquamarine turned her attention to the metal cape, still resting on the ground where she had placed it, and watched as Slice gingerly lifted the cloth.
Suddenly, the clearing was bathed in white light. Aquamarine shielded her eyes from the radiance, squinting as she saw the others do the same. When the light cleared at last, there was a collective gasp from the group as they looked at their old friend.
Slice had transformed. What had once been twin scythes on her forearms were now double pincers, and her rough green exoskeleton had changed to a shimmering red. She looked at the others, astounded at her evolution, but suddenly smiled gladly.
"Good for you, Slice!" congratulated Mercury.
"Thank you," said Slice as other compliments came from the gathering.
Aquamarine looked around at her tired friends, sighing as she stepped forward.
"I guess it's finally time to go back to the clan. Whoever wants to come... can, but I won't make you," she said, looking sidelong at Dark.
"I'll come," he said, "It's time to face my past."
Quicksilver stepped to the fore, smiling slightly as she spoke.
"Mercury and I are sorry to say that we cannot meet your clan with you, my friend," she said, "We have decided to go on a quest of our own; a quest to purge both our species of the feud that consumes them."
"Very well," said Aquamarine, smiling. She turned to the shaky Breloom, "Powder, do you feel well enough to travel? We have places where you can rest."
"I believe I can walk... if someone helps me," answered Powder.
"I will, my friend," offered Gem.
"Then let's go," said Aquamarine, she leapt from the clearing and stood beside the trees, waiting patiently for the others to catch up. Mercury and Quicksilver waved as they parted ways with the group.
Soon, Aquamarine could see the tracks of the Grovyle clan. They followed haltingly, waiting every few minutes for Powder to catch her breath, before going on into the thick jungle. Suddenly, they came out of the trees to face a beautiful sight.
A great, hollow tree, covered in bright green vines, stood in the center of a small lake; its immense roots creating small bridges across the gently stirring waters that several of the chirping plant Pokemon easily crossed. The roaring of a nearby waterfall could be heard, and the agile forms of Grovyle darted here and there around the vast plant. Many stopped when they saw the strange assembly, dashing into the tree as fast as they could.
Soon, an old Grovyle appeared at the entrance of the sequoia. He slowly crossed the root bridges, always watching the small gathering. When he had come close enough to speak, he stopped, not bothering to contain his disdain for the newcomers.
"What do you want here, with a Sizor with you?" he demanded.
"I am Aquamarine, rightful Alpha of this clan come to take my title."
"We have an Alpha; take your leave before we kill you!"
"You don't have an Alpha anymore, old one, we have met him in the heart of the territory and defeated him." snarled Dark.
"Seer?" asked the old Grovyle, surprised, "My eyesight must not be what it used to be! I could have sworn that you left ages ago!"
"I did, for a vision beckoned me to seek out the truth. Now I return with the rightful Alpha!"
"You are the seer, and I must believe," stated the old one, bowing to both of the Grovyle, "but why have you brought so many others, of different species?"
"They have helped us, and are our friends. Do not judge what you haven't known." growled Aquamarine.
"Very well, Alpha. I will spread the news to the clan," muttered the old Pokemon.
He turned and shot over the bridge, belying a speed unexpected of one so aged. The group waited patiently, and within the hour another group of Grovyle had come. Aquamarine's heart fell to see Streamer at the head of the convoy.
"Hah! As if I would ever let you be Alpha, bitch. Since my father was killed, I have taken over his role. You will not find it easy to take."
"Very well," growled Aquamarine flatly, "Assemble the entire clan here, to see you try to exile me, bastard."
Streamer snarled and signaled for his followers to assemble the clan. Soon, there was a crowd of Grovyle and Treecko congregated in a circle around the two enemies. Aquamarine and Streamer squared off, ready for the battle of a lifetime.
Streamer moved first, darting to grip and tear, but the shining Grovyle moved to the side gracefully. She whipped her head around and ripped her teeth down the young male's tail leaves. Streamer yelped, whirling to face his adversary; one tail leaf swinging ragged and flaccid as a wilted fern.
Aquamarine snorted, waiting for Streamer to make the next move. He snarled and snapped forward, aiming for her neck. She twisted, and managed to take the blow across her shoulder. She winced as she felt hot blood run down her arm, and slashed out with her other limb.
A shriek from her enemy told her that her blow had hit her mark. She slashed again, but missed. Suddenly, a searing pain ripped down her flank; she whirled to face Streamer, who was bearing down on her with savage ferocity. She met him halfway, clawing and biting as her leaf blades became useless at such close quarters. She mentally noted how strong the young male had become, and determinedly dug her feet into the damp soil to unbalance him.
Aquamarine felt sharp teeth grip her neck, and snarled as she struggled to get free. The shining Grovyle clawed at her opponent, ripping long gashes in his underbelly. Unable to bear the pain any longer, Streamer swung his head around and released his hold on Aquamarine, sending her flying to the edge of the circle.
Aquamarine struggled to her feet dazedly, signaling for Dark, who was clearly agitated, to stay out of the fight. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, and turned to face Streamer once again.
She found that he was already streaking towards her, bent on catching her off guard. The shining Grovyle suddenly jumped, surprising Streamer as she bowled him over with vicious back claws. He rolled in the dirt, several new wounds leaking fresh blood as he rose.
Both battlers were very tired, but stopping now would mean certain defeat. They looked at each other, hatred flaring in their eyes; but Aquamarine saw something more in her opponents face. It took her a moment to place it, but suddenly she realized that he was looking at her with admiration. She was stunned, but the lull in the fighting had given her enough time to regain her breath to speak.
"It's time to end this, Streamer," she said.
The other nodded, and they resumed the fight. The battling was less intense, but still serious. Aquamarine suddenly saw an opening in her opponent's defense, and she took it. Streamer was slammed to the ground from her attack. The young Grovyle tried to struggle up, but fell back, fainted.
"You're the true Alpha now, my friend!" exclaimed Slice.
Aquamarine was shocked, but the realization soon dawned on her. The other Grovyle in the clan bowed to her, and she stood proudly in the center of the circle. She suddenly saw that Streamer was awake and struggling to rise, and bent to help him.
"Thank you, Alpha. I'll leave now," he said dejectedly.
"Why?" asked Aquamarine.
"You defeated me, so I have to be exiled. It's no less than what I would have done to you," he said.
"I am Alpha, and I say that you don't have to leave until you wish to," declared Aquamarine to the entire clan.
Streamer looked surprised, but nodded his thanks. He walked slowly back to the great tree, leaving the rest of the clan to their business. Each Grovyle in the clan walked before Aquamarine and bowed, pledging their allegiance to their new Alpha.
"Thank you all," said the shining Grovyle, "I have never felt more welcome. Now, would one of the clan please help my friend, who sits behind me. She is injured and needs a place to rest."
One of the clan, a large female, came forward to help the Breloom and Persian. Aquamarine stepped aside to let them pass, and resumed speaking.
"I will introduce those who have helped me on my travels and now stand as my friends. This is Slice, the Sizor who was the first to befriend me and help me on my travels!"
The gathering cheered as Slice stepped forward timidly and bowed. The Sizor made a face at Aquamarine as she passed, causing the shining Grovyle to stifle a giggle before being able to speak again.
"And Dark, whom most of you know as the seer of our clan. He has helped me more than he will ever know."
Dark stepped forward and nodded briskly, a bored countenance about him. He sighed and turned back to his spot after the initial cheering.
"Last of those who stand here, I introduce Mistress, the Shuppet leader. She has been a great help to both us and her people!" called Aquamarine, "Those who have left for treatment in the tree are Powder the Breloom and Gem the Persian. I am sure you will all meet them soon enough."
The cheering echoed throughout the forest, letting Aquamarine know that she truly was welcomed at last by her clan. She smiled and walked with them into their new home, seeing a new future dawn on the horizon for all.