Without the banquet table, Chingyang's throne room was empty. If Markus didn't know better, he'd think it was some sort of training space. It served little purpose without banquets or formal meetings, so it'd probably be a better use if he had his way.
Empress Chingyang just stood around in the middle of the room on the red carpet. It was early in the morning, but the Shaymin had already turned to Sky-Forme. Even though he had seen her for months now, her size kept surprising him. When she turned around, she looked down at the top of his forehead.
"Markus," she said.
Markus lowered his head, then brought it back up.
"Sup?" Markus asked.
"You are to join the Wayfarers as they leave for Mount Ài," she said.
"You're coming too, right?"
"Yes. But I don't think Ariel wants to be near me, so I'd like to ask you to keep an eye on them."
"Are you worried about Ariel?"
Chingyang's steady face broke. Markus accidentally struck a nerve he wasn't sure he should've hit.
"It's okay," Markus said. "It's Candor, right? That's what you're scared of?"
"Didn't you feel it, too?" she asked.
Markus nodded. Whenever Light spoke, his voice echoed in his head. He overheard the other guards talking about it last night, but he could only talk to Chingyang about it. Everyone else stayed in the dark.
"You think it's affecting Ariel?" Markus asked. "But, it's really hard to say for sure. I imagine anyone would feel torn up about it."
"What if she only likes him because of Candor?" Chingyang asked. "I mean, we don't know what it does. I know he's just an innocent boy, but what if he's manipulating her without realizing it?"
"Let's find out."
Chingyang's face cleared. Her eyes clicked onto Markus' eyes as she listened.
"Just split them up for a day," Markus said. "You can investigate Ariel, see what's going on. I'll talk to Light when you do. Let's put the pieces together."
"But I don't think Ariel wants to talk to me," she said.
"Just ease into it. You can do this."
Chingyang turned away and gazed at the tapestries on the wall. Her eyes scanned across it.
"She seems so happy," Chingyang whispered. "I don't want that to be fake."
"It probably isn't," he replied. "I mean, she saved his life. They trusted each other from the start. And if they're compatible, then yah. Trust me, it doesn't take very long."
"I just hope you're right."
"Well, I'm mostly right all the time."
Chingyang pushed her lips together. "Why does your fiancé love you?"
"Well, it's because I have this thing called 'Candor'..."
Chingyang's face soured. Markus grinned and shrugged.
"What?" he asked. "I mean, do you seriously think that's why? You just said Ariel seemed happy with him, right? And frankly, I don't even know how you see that given what happened last night."
"Videos," she answered. "It's just all over her face. Every time I look, she's just all over him."
"I really think you're overreacting, so let's just get it done."
"Fine."
Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel woke up early every morning. She always took half an hour to get ready for the day. First, she took a dip in hot water in the room's water pit. She spent fifteen minutes getting her head on straight for the day. Usually, she'd be styling the green fur on her head into the typical Shaymin's mohawk afterwards, but she didn't know today. Light stared at her extra hard after the water flattened her fur last night, and she hadn't tried anything new in a while.
Over in the bed, Flareon Light was still sleeping. He always curled up in an ultra tight ball when he slept. As she found out the other night, he also had a tiny, high-pitched snore. Since he was newly-evolved, he'd be sleeping a decent amount extra for the next few weeks. He definitely slept more than anyone else in the Wayfarers right now.
Meanwhile, Ariel rested her eyes. She took breaths in the steam.
"Cookies."
Ariel jumped. Her eyes popped open.
Light stood on the edge of the water pit with his eyes closed. His white fur was tangled and messy all over his body.
"Light?" Ariel asked quietly.
"Cook... ie."
Ariel squinted to get a better look at his face through the steam. His lips were parted, and his eyes were closed and inactive.
No matter how she sliced it, he had to be sleepwalking. His body never held itself still like it was now. She floated up and out of the water then landed next to him. He continued to stare straight on as she brought her mouth close to his ear.
"Hey," Ariel whispered. "You need more sleep. I'll go make cookies."
Light sighed something incomprehensible under his breath. As he turned around, Ariel fanned over his face with her ears to push him back towards the bed. He took slow, zombie steps back to the side, but didn't hop onto the mattress. As gently as she could, Ariel picked him up and set him in the crater of velvet blankets he made wiggling out.
"Airy, stop stealing my cookie..."
Light purred as Ariel pulled the blankets back over him. She floated off and pulled the pale white curtains back over the bed.
A knock came on the door. When Ariel looked, it was already open. Meowstic Markus leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed.
"Sorry," he whispered. "Don't want to bother you this early. Mei just wanted me to let you know she wanted to see you soon."
Ariel glared at him. "Okay. Is that all?"
"For now, yah. Was he sleepwalking?"
"Yeah? And?"
"That's an Acuitan blessing thing, actually."
Ariel blinked. She asked with her eyes for him to explain.
"Hyperactive mind and stress," he said. "I should probably tell you more about it, since only we know to watch out for him. There are actually-"
"No! Airy! No more mango!"
Ariel flinched at Light's voice. Markus froze mid-sentence.
"Uh, I'll leave you be," Markus said. "Take your time. We can talk more later."
Markus retreated and closed the door behind him with Psychic. Ariel sighed and floated back to the steaming water pit. Her low shivering melted away under the water. She looked over back to the bed.
"Mmm... Strawberries... Peanut... butter... brownies..."
A twinge of guilt went through Ariel's chest. Because of yesterday, Light didn't really eat much. She heard him mumbling in his sleep when she was watching him the night those pirates attacked, but it was loud and focused now. He'd wake up hungry.
Ariel stretched out under the water. She snapped awake and pulled the lever to open the drain. She floated up and grabbed a pure white towel on the floor next to the pit to dry herself off. She didn't bother with the mohawk today, opting to just let the green fur part around her face and fall to the sides and back of her head. Once she was dry, she went to the doorway and walked out of the room.
Sky-Forme Shaymin Mei stood in the hallway. She had frozen mid-step, then shifted her feet. The green fur on her head was nearly an exact match for Ariel's. It was only a little shorter. In Sky-Forme, Mei was still taller. Ariel had to angle her eyes up to stare at her face.
"Ariel," she said.
Ariel's eyes contracted. "I'm going to get Light some food."
"I'll have servants tend to him. I want to talk to you."
This was her chance. Ariel could shut her down here. She could say the only things she'd ever want to say to her again.
"You were right," Ariel said. "I didn't know what dying was yet. So the fact that you agreed when you knew what would happen is just... something I can't understand."
"Ariel, did you think I made the right decision?"
"Of course you did. You chose the 'greatest good' or whatever... but how could you do that to them?"
"It was for you more than anyone else. But, listen I..."
Mei's eyes went past Ariel's face. Ariel turned around to see what she was looking at.
Light stared right at Ariel with his eyes closed. His head swayed left and right.
"Sugar," he said. "Spice. And... things that are nice..."
"Is he sleepwalking?" Mei asked.
"I think stress has a little something to do with it," Ariel sassed.
"Stress..." Light repeated. "Mmm, stress."
"It's okay to wake him up, you know," Mei said. "I can call servants to tend to him. I want to talk to you."
"About what?"
"Anything."
Mei looked at Flareon Light again, then stomped her foot on the floor. Light's blue and white eyes blinked open.
"Where am I?" he asked. "What!? Where?"
Ariel wrapped her arm around him and tugged his gray mane.
"It's okay," Ariel hushed. "You were just sleepwalking."
"What did I do?" he asked. He noticed Mei standing in front of them. "Oh, uhm... good morning..."
"Good morning," Mei nodded.
"Light," Ariel said, "if you hated mango that much, you could've just told me."
"But it's your favorite," he said. "I didn't want to- wait. How'd you know I don't like mango?"
"You were talking in your sleep, too."
"Oh... What did I say?"
Ariel exchanged a glance with Mei. For the first time since she's seen her, a spark passed between their eyes. Ariel pulled her arm from Light's back and rotated her shoulders.
"Well," Ariel said. "Just... normal things. I mean, we're both that age and all."
"Wait... what!?"
"Oh, don't worry about it. It was... flattering in its own way."
Light turned to Mei with widening eyes.
"Yes, very flattering," Mei said. "I could hear it from all the way downstairs."
Light's fur started to steam, or more accurately, he began to sweat and it burned off of his body instantly. Tears beaded up in the corners of his eyes.
Ariel reached forward and pushed one of the tears off his face. She flicked it away with her finger and smiled.
"It's okay, angel cake," she said. "I'll get you what you want..."
Light froze and shriveled up in place.
"Strawberries," Ariel said, "and peanut butter brownies."
"Wait... is that it...?" he asked as his face lifted.
Ariel smooched his cheek. She wrapped her arm back around his back and hugged his soft fur and smooth skin.
"For now," she whispered.
Ariel purred into his neck. His body relaxed,
"You're just messing with me, right?" he asked.
"Heh, mostly. You asked for cookies, too."
Ariel could feel the energy start to tense in his body again. As always, it was towards the back of his neck. She put pressure and a small wave of energy through her paw on it. If she didn't, he'd end up in pain eventually.
"Ariel," Mei said. "Could we talk up on the balcony? I'll have plenty brought in for him."
Light turned up to Ariel expectantly. She shifted between his eyes and Mei's, reeling her head back from the pressure.
"Okay," she said. "You better feed him, though. Strawberries, cookies, and peanut butter brownies."
"Oh," Light mumbled. "That sounds nice..."
The two Shaymins Ariel and Mei went up to the balcony while Light stayed in the room. Ariel didn't appreciate how chilly it was, and Mei didn't seem to like it either. She rubbed down along her own arms as she stared out to the navy blue sky. The rising sun would continue to brighten it. The stone railing felt like ice to the touch.
"Is it about Candor?" Ariel asked, staring up at Mei's face.
"Well, that's one of the things I wanted to ask about," she said. "I just want you to be okay. This bounty isn't anything like the world's ever seen before. Why are you joining the Wayfarers?"
A small flame ignited in Ariel's chest. "I'm not just going to sit by and let someone else make the sacrifice for me this time."
"I understand that. But why would you risk your life for that boy? You only met him recently."
"I'd risk my life for my friends. What about it?"
Mei looked down and nodded. She took a breath through her mouth and looked back up at Ariel.
"I want to know about that Legendary pokemon," Mei said. "You are the only one who knows."
"I'm definitely not the only one who knows about Reshiram," she replied.
"No. Not that one."
"Why do you want to know?" Ariel questioned.
"This is for a battle strategy when we reach Mount Ài. In case we encounter it. You are the only one who knows what exactly it is."
"There aren't any stories about it like there are for Reshiram. You wouldn't know it."
"It offered you to become its Scion," Mei said firmly. "You know what abilities it would have given you if you had said yes. I need to know what they were."
"Fine," she spat. "I would've been able to ride a wind from one side of the world to the other, all while being higher than the clouds. It also promised that I would be able to have absolute control over the weather and create attacks like tornadoes."
"A flying-type pokemon with control over the weather."
Mei paused and continued to stare out.
"Come with me to the throne room. I meant to show something to you, but you left."
Ariel ignored the hint of poison in her voice. Mei hopped in the air and took to the sky, and Ariel jumped and followed her over the balcony.
Mei flew in an arc down over the palace grounds. Ariel flew with her down towards the front gate and empty plaza. She copied her sharp left to the throne room as she landed next to her. The dull, red metal doors were closed, but Mei shoved them open.
The throne room was empty without a banquet table. As the lights snapped on, they only illuminated the tapestries on the wall.
"Underneath the throne," Mei said as she stomped forward. "The ruler of Lao Shen sits on our history itself. Both figuratively."
Mei flew up to the golden chair's side. She shoved on the side with her arms. The entire throne slid.
"And literally."
Ariel floated up the two stone steps to see what she uncovered: A square shaped hole in the floor. Dust particles kicked up in the air, dwindling over it like a miniature blizzard. Ariel backed her face away from it and covered her nose.
"You still don't like it very much, do you?" Ariel asked.
"Of course not, but I do have people keep it clean at least."
"Then why all the dust?"
"It's been a while since spring, okay?"
Ariel let Mei hop down first. She followed once the yellow ceiling lights shined on the gray, cement bottom of the room.
The room was a maze of dusty bookshelves against walls with white paint falling off and fading away. Some seemingly random objects were on some of the shelves, mostly orbs and jewelry. A few lances and swords rested on the wall, along with wands.
The weapons were taken from villages as Lao Shen swept over the land, most likely from village leaders and chiefs. They became trophies that would stay down here forever, or until Mei decided to burn them. According to their history, Sacred Treasure Pangu overpowered every weapon that was raised against it.
Ariel wasn't very adept using weapons, herself. As she passed under their shadows, a cold chill ran up her back.
"I thought we didn't have much information on that dragon on our flag," Ariel said.
"Oh, we don't have much information. But there is something of it that we have. A secret crown jewel."
Turning the corner to the left, Ariel paused as Mei continued to walk. A gray stone podium rested under an enormous stone wall. On top of the flat surface, a sharp, green orb balanced on top with the help of a metal, black cage holding it in place. On the wall, a long dragon was engraved on the surface.
"This is our ancestor's first drawing of the dragon," Mei said. "And Lao Shen's first flag. They say that the Jade Orb dropped from the heavens and fell next to Sacred Treasure Pangu, prompting them to become the leaders of this land."
"How come I didn't know?" Ariel asked.
"It was all entrusted to me when our parents died. I didn't get the chance to show you this room."
"Then why show me now?"
"Our parents brought it up to Mount Ài. I think the dragon didn't appear to us by itself."
Mei took a step forward, hiding her face from Ariel. Ariel stared at the back of her head and wondered what was on it.
"Are you saying they called it on purpose?" she questioned. "With that orb?"
"Yes," Mei said. "I think they summoned that Legendary pokemon we saw. The evidence all adds up to that."
"What evidence?"
"I'll show you another time."
"So, you think you know what it is?"
"Our ancestors called it Quetzalcoatl," Mei explained. "In Kyoto, they called it the Feathered Serpent. But, in Bogota, they have an old story.
"Two Legendary pokemon were fighting over the land and sea, near the Equator just north of Bogota. A pokemon fishing saw a green, snake-like pokemon descend and stop them. They say it lives in the ozone layer, far out of reach forever. But of course, the writer of that story wouldn't ever know about satellites."
"So?" Ariel asked. "You know it exists?"
"Well, now that Reshiram has shown itself on camera, it's all but official. We named the species after what Bogota says it called itself: Rayquaza. The Sky High pokemon. Its chi is so vast, it can create winds and extend its ability to always keep the weather around it to its advantage."
Mei hated face to face confrontation when she wanted something. She always shriveled up when asking a favor.
"What do you want?" Ariel asked.
"I want you to take the Jade Orb to the top of Mount Ài to call it down like our parents did," Mei said. "And, as selfish as it is, I want you to ask for its help in the fight against Glass Reshiram and become its Scion."
"It killed my- our parents," she whispered. "And now you want to force me to be bonded with that thing for life?"
"Markus told me about that princess's power," Mei argued. "He said that without a doubt, Scions are the most powerful pokemon in the world, and that no normal pokemon could hope to stand against them if they had their true power."
"So," she hissed, "first, you want me to be some delicate princess that I'm not because our 'culture' needs to change. And now, you want me to be a monster of a brute because that's what you need me to be right now? So, when are you going to be satisfied with who I am?"
Mei didn't turn around. Ariel did, and walked away.
Meowstic Markus walked into the room with food floating behind him. Light sat up from lying down on the bed and pulled the pale curtains open.
"Hey, man," Markus greeted. Three floating plates with chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter brownies, and strawberries floated in front of him and landed on the bed.
"Hi, thanks!"
Light took a cookie and bit it. It crumbled in his mouth.
"You're newly evolved, right?" Markus asked.
"Yeamph," he said, choking down a bite.
"You want me to help you out later?"
Light stared at Markus as he walked over. He turned around and hopped on the velvet covers on the edge of the bed. His feet swung as they hung off.
"It was weeks before I could fight like normal when I evolved," he explained. "Your body changes dramatically, and for the rest of your life. I bet you feel pretty frustrated whenever you're trying to fight now."
"I'm just... weak is all," Light said.
"Nah. I can tell. You've just got a lot of mental baggage right now. And since you're a little different, that impacts you even more than you realize."
"I think the simpler answer is that I'm just not talented at it."
"I'm tellin' you no, so just shut up and agree, yah?"
Markus pushed off the edge of the bed and turned around. His face grew a cocky, thuggish grin.
"Tell ya what," Markus said. "You and me. Let's get you all better. Maybe it'll take more than a kiss for Ariel to get you next time."
Fire danced across Light's face. "Hey, shut up..."
"Exactly, you're frustrated. So come with me after you eat. Let's do it in the plaza."
"Okay, fine."
Light ate, but he didn't enjoy it as much.
Markus was right. He was frustrated, but rubbing it in just made him go ballistic. He wasn't even mad at Markus for it; he was just right.
After eating a little bit, Flareon Light retraced his steps outside. Without the stress and lack of daylight, he could notice more art on the palace grounds than he saw before. The top of the walls separating the buildings were curved and painted red, but they also had gold embroidering in swirling shapes that reminded him of wind and the ocean. They lit up more as the sky turned yellow with the sunrise.
Markus waited for him in the plaza between the front gates of the throne room and the front gates of the palace. Last night, Light couldn't see all of the open space past the carriages and darkness, but he could now. This could easily be the royal training grounds. They were surrounded by a square of walls that seemed stronger than the fancy artwork implied.
Right as Light walked up to Meowstic Markus, the doors to the throne room creaked open. Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel peaked her head out, then walked out of the sliver. She smiled as the red metal door closed.
"Hey!" she called.
Markus rolled his eyes. Light stared at him in confusion as Ariel bounced on her feet over to them.
"What's up?" Ariel asked. "Are you guys training?"
"Yah, but I need some time with him," Markus said.
Ariel's energy faded. She glared at Markus as her face fell. "Oh, so what? I can't join?"
"You can watch, but nope. Can't join."
"Why not?"
"Cause I'm the only one who knows what being newly evolved with a Trion royal blessing feels like."
"So?" she frowned. "I'm his girlfriend. Just because you two have genes that aren't even similar doesn't mean-"
"It's not that," Markus shook his head. "Acuitan blessing is psychological. He won't be able to try hard fighting you because you're his girlfriend."
"What? Of course he can."
"No," Markus squeaked. He sighed and lowered his head. "Look, I'm telling you that he can't. His body literally won't be able to because he likes you. It is a psychological affect his mind has over his body. So unless you two have an awful breakup right now, he literally can't."
Ariel still looked ticked off. Markus sighed again and turned his tired yes to Light.
"Hey," Markus said. You know Ember at least, right?"
"Uh, yah?" Light said.
"Hit Ariel with an Ember. Best one you can muster."
Ariel turned around and took a few steps away. Light faced her as she turned around and nodded. He ignited the fire in his chest.
Light spat an Ember from his mouth. It arced down and fell short of touching Ariel's feet, splattering against the ground and faded away.
Markus watched, then walked next to Ariel. Ariel moved further to the left of him.
"Okay," Markus called. "Now on me."
Light spat another Ember. Markus swiveled his head away as the flame whipped past his ear. It continued in a straight line and slammed against the throne room's building's walls. Flames crashed and fell to the ground, fizzling out. The wall itself didn't get a mark from the move.
"See?" Markus asked. "His psychological state affects his body more. That's why he can't fend off infatuation against you, it's why he can't attack you, and it's why if he needs to practice some fighting, I'm his guy."
"But... I want to teach him stuff..." Ariel said, her eyes trembling.
"And you can, you just can't have practice battles against him. Even if he was stronger, you'd always win. Besides, right now I just want to help him deal with the whole evolution thing."
"Can't I help?" she asked.
"You can give moral support."
"Kick his ass, Light."
"On it," Light said.
"Wait!" Markus called. "We're not battling now! Geez..."
"If Airy tells me to, then I should be able to do it well, right?"
Markus's lower lip folded under his top lip. He tilted his head from side to side. "Yah, sound logic. But right now, I want to get you used to being a fire-type."
"I just want to fight you, to be honest."
"Why?" he asked. "What'd I do?"
"Airy told me to."
"You know what? Fine." Markus threw his paws in the air. "I've been training in defense as a Valorian royal, and trained in offense as a police chief. I'm not going to get beaten up just cause Airy told you to beat me up."
"I mean, don't you want to see how good of a battler I am first?" Light asked.
"Yah, that's fair," he nodded, "but I'm not getting beaten up. Ariel, could you be the referee and stuff?"
"Yeah."
Ariel stepped back as Markus hopped in place and rolled his shoulders. Light wasn't sure what to do to warm up, so he just stood in place. Ariel started the countdown.
"Three, two, one, go!"
Markus used some sort of Psychic-type move. Light could tell from the blue color around his body, but he couldn't tell what it was. He decided to use Ember again.
Unlike last time, Markus didn't move out of the way. The fireball sunk into his body and vanished like it fell into a pot of water. It was the ability Flash Fire, which meant he had to have used Role Play to copy it from him.
"If only I could use fire moves, am I right?" Markus smiled. "You don't really like long range, do you?"
"No," Light said. "I hate it."
"Doesn't matter if you can get close. So c'mon."
Light dodged a quick draw Psybeam from Markus' ear. The purple ray of psychic power burned the ground where his feet were a second ago. After looking up, Light hopped to the right, then rolled under another Psybeam.
Markus' Psybeams were too fast to dodge, but too weak to make any impact. Light used Iron Tail and pulled his tail in front of him. They bounced off, but Markus held and charged one over his head. Light ignited his fire.
Once he fired, Light fired a small flame from his mouth. He knew the Psybeam would overtake his Ember, but the plan was to use the impact as a cover. He took a leap in the air over the small explosion. Markus was ready and already looking up. He fired Psybeam again, and it went through Light's chest.
He was grateful it wasn't his real chest. The illusion from Double Team faded. Light used Quick Attack and charged through while Markus' attention and arms were raised. He nailed him right in the chest with his right fist.
Markus gaped and stared down. He didn't move an inch. Light stared up at his eyes.
"So," Markus said, "you can do all of that and then hit like a leaf?"
"Sh-shut up..." Light mumbled.
Markus grabbed Light's and picked him up with one arm. He stared right into his soul with confusion tinting his eyes.
"I just don't understand," he said. "How on earth did this happen?"
"What do you mean?" Light asked.
Markus dropped him back down on the ground and put a paw to his face. "What were you before? What did you do?"
"I was... a thief," he whispered.
"You were a good one, weren't you?"
"Just... what are you saying?"
"It's the same deal. You just need to hit harder."
"Fighting and stealing aren't the same thing at all."
Markus scoffed and smiled. "Uh, yah, they are. If you add offense to stealing."
"Pretty sure that's called a mugging."
Markus huffed. He turned to Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel and gestured to her to come.
"Hey, Ariel," Markus said. "Come here, you can help."
Ariel fist pumped and hopped over. She smiled between them with her teeth shining.
"Yes, what can I help you with?" Ariel asked.
"You punch like a barbarian, right?" Markus asked.
Ariel's eyes twitched. "I dunno. Lemme check."
Ariel punched Markus in the gut. He flew up in the air, screaming out his lungs the whole way. Flareon Light stared in awe as she twirled her head to move her green fur from out in front of her face.
"Uhm, Airy..." Light said under his breath. "That was, uh... Really..."
Ariel glanced at him with a smirk on her face. "Yeah?"
"That was really... hot," he squeaked.
Ariel strut over to him and picked him up under his arms. He nuzzled his cheek against her lips as she smooched him. Markus landed flat on the ground and grunted a few paces behind them, but Light nor Ariel turned around. Warm air danced around in Light's chest.
"Okay, angel cake," Ariel said quietly. "We'll work on muscles later. How about we train chi this morning?"
"Okay," Light said.
"Cool. Now, we're going to try to have you learn Lava Plume."
"I can't use Lava Plume. I'm nowhere near being able to."
Ariel lifted her paw and pulled on the edge of Light's gray mane. A surge of energy shot through his chest and exploded.
The sun warmed the air. Even inside the throne room again, Meowstic Markus could feel it heating up. His tired muscles appreciated it, and his aching gut. Sky-Forme Shaymin Mei pulled the throne back over that square hole under it. He'd seen her move it before the night before the White Star arrived, but he never got curious enough to ask what it was.
"So," Mei huffed, lifting her paws from the side of the throne, "How are they?"
"I dunno if you guys have this, like, family engagement ring," Markus said, "but you might as well fork it over now cause those two are absolutely loopey." He spun a small circle in front of his forehead.
"Yeah... I noticed. But it's fine, though."
Markus smiled. Mei nodded back to him.
"Anyways," Mei sighed, "I devised a travel plan to Mount Ài. It's just the standard route."
"Are you alright?" Markus asked. "I'm sorry, don't mean to step on your feet or anything. But you seem off."
"Why wouldn't I seem off with everything going on?"
"I guess," he shrugged. "But, uh."
"I'm fine, Markus."
"You don't have to be 'fine' all the time. I know that look your sister gave you. My brother gave it to me. She still loves you, Mei. She's just hurt, and there wasn't anything you could do to help it. That doesn't mean it's your fault."
Mei turned away. Markus recognized her cold shoulder, and he knew not to keep pushing.
"Markus," she called as he turned away. Markus' eyes clicked back up towards her form. "Prepare me a traveling bag?"
"Okay," he said. "How far are you going?"
"Just need a standard issue. That will be all."
Flareon Light used Lava Plume five times, each weaker than the last. After Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel tugged on his fur, he was able to do it himself, but it remained weaker when he did. It lowered his confidence every time, it was weaker, only weakening the next one. The vicious cycle continued until Ariel called for it to end.
The ground became littered with a few burn marks. Ariel hopped over them and nuzzled her cheek against Light's frowning face.
"Why the long face?" Ariel asked.
"Well, I'm just annoyed," Light said.
"About what? That your mentality impacts how well you do?"
"Yes."
"O-kay. Let's take a break."
Ariel smooched Light's cheek again.
"And do what?" he asked.
Ariel didn't seem to hear him. Light wiggled, but Ariel put her other arm over his other shoulder. He thought about what to do next that might be productive.
Just as he was, he saw Meowstic Markus inching along the edge of the wall with his arms pushed up against it. When Light made eye contact with him, he shook his head.
"Markus?" Light called.
Ariel's head shot up. Markus rolled his eyes and walked forward from the wall.
"So," Ariel said, "how does that 'barbarian' punch feel right about now?"
"Markus," Light said. "Could you show us Pangu?"
Ariel looked down at Light's face. He glanced back, but kept his focus ahead. Markus blinked a few times and nodded.
"Uh, yah," he said. "Sure, dude. It's actually just outside the palace grounds, though."
"Yah, it's fine. I want to see it."
Markus nodded and waved for them to follow. When Light took a step forward, Ariel stepped on his paw. She nuzzled against his side one last time, then continued to walk next to him. He kept his tail draped over her back.
Unlike the other day, Light had a clear view of the front gates. They were made of metal, but painted red with Lao Shen's insignia of a long dragon painted on in gold. Markus knocked his paw on the surface three times fast, then backed up two steps. The doors pulled themselves open from the other side.
A refreshing wave of cool air pushed on Light's body. Without the crowds of people, the cobblestone road ahead of his feet felt relaxed. Bushes lined the path, alternating with black lampposts.
The tops of buildings poked up from the blue horizon of the ocean. Just in front of it all, light brown bricks created a circular wall around a small, marble podium that rested on the left side of the road. A glare struck Light's eyes when he looked at the top of it, and the rising sun. As he glanced back from it, he noticed a Rampardos and Wigglytuff closing the front gate behind them.
"You don't just leave it lying around, though, right?" Ariel asked. "It used to be inside the palace."
"Well, I don't usually come here," Markus said, "but there is a guard. He's also a tester."
"A tester?" Light questioned. "For what?"
"For whether or not someone can pick it up. Pretty important."
Angling his eyes down, Flareon Light noticed a Medicham sitting on top of the wall. It took him a second to register his species; he had the shiny gene. The usual pink that would be on his body was blue, but that wasn't the only unique property he had.
His right arm was missing. A small, red cape hanging over his side couldn't disguise the fact from Light. As he pushed up to his feet, his body's balance seemed different somehow. Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel leaned her face down towards Light's ear.
"Don't try to touch the Sacred Treasure," Ariel whispered, "okay?"
"Is that what happened?" he whispered back.
Ariel nodded back and lifted her head. Light's steps stiffened as they approached the altar.
Medicham turned and smiled at them. Light glanced at Ariel and Markus to see which one of them would speak first.
"Good morning, White Star," Medicham said. "You're here to see Pangu, right?"
"Y-yah," Light mumbled. "So, you're the, uh, tester?"
"That's right."
"How does it work?"
"Oh, it's simple really. Come. Hold out your paw."
Light walked forward and held up his paw to the Medicham. In response, he put one of his fingers right on the center of it. A strange pulse of energy rolled through Light's body. Medicham stared at his paw.
"Ah," Medicham said, "you are a very gentle person. Much too gentle for this Sacred Treasure. It simply doesn't suit you at all."
"So," Light said, "if I did try to grab it, what would happen to me?"
"Well, from personal experience, you'd experience pain shooting up through your arm and your entire body like all of your bones were shattering. And then, well,"
Medicham pushed the cape from over his side. The skin where his arm would be was pale and red. Light glanced away.
"I was a young idiot," he explained. "But, this is a surefire way to make sure people stay safe. They don't feel too bold after seeing this. I don't know if you noticed, but even the air nearby is tingling with excess chi."
"But if that's the case," Light said, "then why is it out here unprotected?"
"There's no wielder in the palace, and Empress Chingyang really wants to find another person capable of wielding it." Medicham turned his gaze up towards the top of the marble podium. "People trust the power of the Sacred Treasures to protect a nation, militarily speaking. The last wielder of Pangu died over forty years ago. Citizens want to feel safe having it on their side."
The glare stopped. Light was able to see the weapon without straining his eyes.
Pangu was a double-headed battle axe. The curved blades shined a silvery-white, and the steel holding it all together was a deep gray. The black handle barely contrasted from the gray color. After Medicham mentioned it, Light noticed the tingling on the edge of skin as if it was a small sun.
"But now," Medicham said, "everyone wants to find a wielder to fight against that Glass Reshiram. And they're right when they say the Sacred Treasures are the best chance. It's unlucky no one has been found to use it."
"Yah," Light said as his ears fell. "It is."
Medicham looked around Light's head. "Well, maybe one of your Wayfarers over there might have the answer. Who knows."
Light turned around. Slowking Chad, Manaphy Jewel, Roserade Storm, and Drizzile Kenta all walked side by side in their direction. Their eyes were already turned up towards the podium.
"Maybe one of you will be the lucky one," Medicham said. "Let's find out."
As expected, none of them were lucky. After none of them were the wielder, they all left to be replaced by another group. Every time, Markus directed them back to the throne room so they could talk about travel plans. The cycle continued until every Wayfarer had stopped by, except for the last two to arrive.
Mienfoo Robin and Galarian Ponyta Nadia came side by side. Both of their postures shrunk when they saw them. Robin took the lead as they walked closer.
"Hey..." Robin said. "We're here for the test."
"Right this way," Medicham said, "hold out your arms."
Light felt a bit confused. He glanced between Ariel's eyes and their eyes. Tension lied between them.
"No," Medicham said to Robin. Her arm was swiftly replaced by Nadia's hoof. "Oh, lord no. Sorry."
"Ah, well, that's okay," Robin said. "Okay, welp... We're heading back now."
Robin and Naida swiveled around and walked back towards the front gates. Light kept his head facing the ground. Once they were out of earshot, he leaned up towards Ariel's ear.
"What happened?" Light whispered.
"Not everyone has your chill game," she answered. "But even still, I knew them for years. They're, uh, not happy I didn't tell them."
"Do you regret not telling them?"
"Yeah, of course. I would have if I thought they'd ever find out."
Robin and Nadia's head's leaned towards each other. Ariel stared at their backs.
In the throne room, a square wood table was set up in the center. It was much smaller than the banquet table, but covered with a map larger than what Light had ever seen. Even still, tiny details and symbols filled every small area in it.
Sky-Forme Shaymin Mei took a cushion on the far end, just in front of the throne. Light and Ariel took cushions on the other end while the Wayfarers and Markus stood off to the sides. Zangoose Fernand and Dewgong Nathan seemed especially quiet to Light now.
"Mount Ài is on the other side of Lao Shen," Mei said. "So, we will find the need to use pit stops on our way there. In addition, we will need to traverse a mountainous region towards the end of our trip, which means we won't be able to use carriages. We'll have to finish the journey on foot. My first suggestion is that we separate into teams."
"Why's that?" Light asked.
"The Glass Reshiram could still be in a number of places. Mount Ài is just our best estimate. I wanted us to travel in different groups to be more spread out in case of emergency. That way, we can count on someone being there to evacuate nearby towns. I was hoping you all could help suggest teams for some paths that I have picked out."
"Okay."
"The first is along the coastline," Mei explained. "This group will be using your ship. So, Chad, I take it you would be in this team."
Slowking Chad nodded. "Yes. I'll take Jewel, Nathan, and Roxanne with me."
The Manaphy, Dewgong, and Talonflame all glanced up hearing their names respectively.
"Good," Mei said. "The second and third teams will be going through lots of plains and basins. They will primarily travel by carriage, so I recommend taking some books with them."
Light took a second to think. He should probably split them up between people who liked to talk and people who were quieter. That way, they'd all be a little more comfortable being stuck so close together. That meant Nadia and Robin would be paired together, along with Storm and Zhen. Kenta and Alisha would be tricky to figure out. Kenta had mad chill; he would probably be fine with Robin and Nadia. However, he couldn't see Alisha doing well with Storm and Zhen. Whenever he saw her on the ship, she was talking.
"What's the other groups?" Light asked.
"The last team will be going through plateaus and foothills. It's a very mountainous region, so there will be a lot of travel on foot. They will go through a moderately sized village and city as well for their pit stops. I would like you, White Star, to go with this team."
"Oh," Meowstic Markus said, "and just so you know, my fiancé is coming with me for whichever group you pick me for."
Light forgot all about Markus. A bold plan formed in his mind. He didn't know if they would all agree to it, but he wanted to try anyway.
"The second group will be Nadia, Robin, and Kenta."
Perhaps unironically, Galarian Ponyta Nadia, Mienfoo Robin, and Drizzile Kenta were already standing next to each other. They shared a satisfied nod.
"The third group will be Markus, his fiancé, Zhen, Storm, and Alisha."
Emolga Alisha leaned forward with grit teeth. Arcanine Zhen and Roserade Storm nodded to each other from across the table while Markus glanced at each of their faces.
"The last team," Light paused, "is me, Ariel... and yourself."
"Light," Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel hissed. "Screw that."
From across the table, Sky-Forme Shaymin Mei death stared Light. With her eyebrows all but fused together with her face tensed, it was like it came straight out of Light's nightmares, but he didn't give in to it.
Ariel being part of the Chingyang family wasn't something that could be changed. She wouldn't feel better about who she is by running from Mei for the rest of her life. Whether she chose to talk to her or be done with her, she had to make a decision eventually.
"Would you mind if I asked a question?" Light said.
"Yes," Mei gurgled.
"When I read about you online. I couldn't find your species anywhere. And, it also said that you had lots of husbands and were in your mid-twenties."
"It's just for appearances. My parents wanted to be worshipped, but I don't want to be taken seriously. It's for the culture."
"So, that being said, no one would recognize you or Ariel if you were to come with us?"
"That is correct," Mei said quietly. "But-"
"You said you'd be coming with us," Light said, "so, I think we have a baseline for our plan now. Okay, everyone but my group: disperse and start planning out the specifics with your group members."
Light continued to meet Mei's stare-down. The rows of pokemon on the side of the table became lines as they walked out of the room. Ariel's grumbling breaths shook in his ear all the way until the doors slammed shut.
"So, Light," Mei said. "Make your case to stop your execution."
"Have you ever been to these places we're going to?" he asked.
"Not recently."
"Then wouldn't that be reason enough to go? Don't you want to check up on how your culture is doing? With your own eyes?" Light glanced at Ariel. "Wouldn't you both want to?"
"Why would we have to do that together?" Mei asked.
"Because Lao Shen belongs to you both, doesn't it?"
Mei and Ariel locked eyes. As Light glanced between them, both of their stares seemed to ease a little.
"You can choose directions to go in," Light said. "Whatever they might be, you can just choose a direction."
"I'll play along if you do," Mei said.
"Yeah, fine," Ariel huffed. "Let's just make some plans for this route you mentioned."
Light nodded and accepted it. It was something of a start.
