Character: Angelo Bedivere Acuity/ Light Evergreen
Species: Flareon
Age: 16
Nickname: White Star, Angel 0
Year of character creation: 2012
Story: A genetically modified clone of Guinevere Acuity capable of using Candor, after approximately 11,000 runs of trial and error. He lived as a simple pickpocket on the streets of Valor, but after discovering the Acuitan blessing, he made an effort to experience life rather than observe it. His fellow Angels have been charged to return him to Castle Olympus for the Ascension, where Lancelot Acuity plans to use Candor to weaken the willpower of any who would retaliate.
Seven thin stone pillars stood over a sea of clouds that hid a blue sky, viewable through a glass floor. They sat, dormant. A cushion rested on each.
One pillar, taller than the rest, seated an Eevee with white patches of fur spread across her body. She sat on the cushion, waiting. She stared down at the sky. She came early today. They had a lot to discuss. She glowered off in all directions
Lights flashed at the tops of the pillars, behind each cushion. On each pillar, a white Eevee sat down. Two's dry, reddened eyes sparked to life.
None of them made eye contact. Two's gaze fell.
"You look sleepy, Two," Six said. Her tail fluttered in disgust. "How unbecoming of you."
"Aw, it's not that bad," said Eight, smiling. "She's been hard at work. We should learn by her example!"
"P-please focus," Three pushed up her glasses. "W-what do we know about Jonathan?"
"The sunnuva bitch blabbed!" Five yelled. "Do you know how much flak the World Peace Organization will give us? Can't he get a hint!?"
"It's not like they can do anything," Four said. "Pipe down. They have one Scion. By sheer numbers alone, we still win."
"No need to fight," Eight said. "It's a problem, for sure. Two, you got something for us?"
"Father says that we should reclaim our brother in the Abujan wilds," Two said. "We will send two-hundred Angels before they reach Zulu, and stop them from creating glass weapons."
"Glass weapons would be pretty rough on us, huh? We should do our best."
"Isn't Galahad supposed to deal with this bullshit?" Five asked. "It's his special destiny, or whatever."
"He can't deal with Scions alone," Two said. "Both Chinyangs, and Marciel too… Not to mention Uncle."
"Ooooooh," Six hummed. "Uncle. How 'scary'."
"H-he has a Sacred Treasure," Three mentioned. "Please, we have to be careful…"
Seven smacked her paws together, smiled, and lifted her face up. "When shall we punish the sinners?"
"We're not going in the unit of two-hundred," Two explained. "We're going after Galahad ascertains their combat ability, then countering them. Father wants the Chingyangs and Marciel alive. For study."
"Bastard," Five spat.
"Astute observation," Four said. "Three, did you complete that project you were so diligently working on?"
"O-of course," she mumbled.
"Good. We'll need those drones."
Two coughed, hard. Her brown and white paw flew over her mouth. It warmed. She pulled it back. Red stained it. Her jaw quivered.
With a shaky, weak arm, she reached for a syringe that laid next to her. She jabbed it into the top of her arm and sighed.
"It's not like you to forget your medicine, Two," Four said. "You should stay out of this for now. I'll sweat the details."
"Yeah," Eight said. "Stay here. We'll go start the plan. You can always swoop in later."
"We don't have time!" she yelled, voice hoarse and wet.
Two's gargled scream silenced them. She sighed.
"Father is losing his patience," Two said. "He said that Reshiram should have been destroyed ages ago. He discussed using our trump card the other day."
"Uh… Mind spelling out which one?" Eight asked.
"The eclipse."
Their faces sparked as they gasped. Two rubbed the sides of her head.
"That will show the entire planet who we are," Four said. "Is he mad?"
"With the goal so close, I can see why," Six said. "Tripping at the finish line."
"This does not bode well," Seven insisted. "Olympus is the world's final chance to escape the clutches of the Peacekeeper. It cannot be revealed. We mustn't let it."
"We must hurry," Two said, silencing them all. "The experiment in Valor, our progress with our brother. It all has to go faster from here. Much faster. By Christmas… It's over. I checked Stargazer Castle myself. About a quarter of the Unown are red-eyed now."
"Then it's time to make our plays," Eight said. "Which Saint are we sending to lead the first squad?"
"Eighty-eight. We're sending him with units ten-thousand to ten-thousand two-hundred."
"Why younger Angels?" Six said.
"To test the waters, of course," Four said.
"Idiots," Five hissed. "Most of them haven't even deviated. Why the hell are you sending them?"
"The White Star has deviated very quickly," said Seven. "It must be because of Chingyang. How unfortunate for it to be driven by craven lusts. He'll end up like Five at this rate. Poor lost souls condemned to eternal suffering…"
"Oh boo hoo."
Two cut right to the point. "Because undeviated Angels won't hesitate. You all haven't convinced me yet."
All of them used to act the same, before their desire to be different from each other manifested into a reality. Undeviated Angels were easy to predict. They went with the motions, like she did, for years. They didn't think much about right or wrong, maybe because the Acuitan blessing made them cold.
They were barely even alive.
"Three and I will go to observe," Four volunteered. "Everyone else, stay here. You loudmouths would be the death of us."
"You talk more than anyone, Four," said Five. "Buzz off already."
"Away from you? With pleasure."
Four stepped back. In a flash of light, he vanished.
"Please take care of yourself, Two," Seven said.
Two stared down and nodded.
One by one, they backed out of the room. Except for Three.
She stayed, and stared at Two with a nervous glimmer visible through her glasses. Her body charged with white energy, and she leapt from her own pillar to her's. Two shifted to give her more room, without eye contact.
"Two," Three said. "You can't forget to take your medicine. Please… What's going on?"
"I'm tired," she said in a low voice.
"Two, if you were tired, you could've let me help you…"
Three liked to see herself as the cute cheerleader. Two had to indulge her on this. It kept her stable. Whatever worked.
"Alright," Two said. "I can't stop thinking about that report. That Guinevere is alive."
"Does she scare you?" Three asked.
"No."
Maybe.
She couldn't help but wonder, what did it mean to be the best version of herself?
If she wanted to delve deeper into her technical interests, she would've ended up closer to Three or Four. If she spoke her mind, Five and Six. If she kept positive, maybe Seven or Eight.
If she wanted to embrace love, maybe she'd be like the Angel with Candor, the weakest of them all. And as for Guinevere, she had no idea.
Three hugged her from behind.
"I have to go," she said. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?"
"Yes. Go."
Three hugged her from behind and kissed her forehead. Two hunched over. She watched as Three leapt back to her pillar and stepped on the warp panel.
It was a cloudy day, in more ways than one. She couldn't see very far underneath her own paws.
Flareon Light's eyes fluttered open. He realized he was awake and shifted around.
He laid warm and cozy under blankets, and a massive forearm.
Sky Shaymin Ariel smiled. Light yawned as he saw her face. Her eyes seemed bright, to his relief.
"Hey," Ariel whispered. "We'll be leaving out in a carriage soon."
"Where's Jonathan?" he asked. "I need to…" He yawned again. "I need to ask him some questions."
"I already did."
Light's ears flicked. "What'd you find out?"
"Unfortunately, he knows about as much as you do."
Light's lie detector went off.
"We have our own carriage," Ariel said. "Breakfast included. I'll wait for you outside."
"Thanks, Airy," he said. "What did the others say? About what happened?"
Her gaze fell away. "They were just as confused as you were. But we'll figure it out, okay? We have to keep focused."
"Alright…"
With that, Ariel floated from his side and towards a metal door. She flashed him another quick smile before she closed it.
Most of the room lay empty, save for a circle of cushions and a drawer by his bed. Outside his window, the sea ripped towards the beach. A second presence in his mind came forward.
"I always advocate for truth," Reshiram said. "She knows something, but has decided not to tell you. I think she feels that it'd only distract you."
"What is it?" he asked aloud.
"I think she's right to spare you of it for now. It will distract you, and your goal hasn't changed. You must destroy my body as quickly as possible."
"As quickly as possible sounds new…"
"It is. As your host, I can still see and hear when you are sleeping. I can explain it to you at a later date, when need be. I've stored the memories for you. It would appear that my memories before I split off to you were… manipulated."
That reminded him.
So much happened yesterday, he nearly forgot what Reshiram said about his memories.
"Can I see that Flareon from yesterday? Galahad?"
"Of course."
It all rushed back to him.
In fine detail, Light could see Galahad from the first time he took off his helmet, on a dark street covered in silver armor with that flying machine on his back. He stood frozen, along with him. He couldn't move his body or viewpoint.
"You can only view your memories from your own perspective, of course," Reshiram said.
"Is it possible for me to rewind and watch a memory over and over for something?"
"What is your intention?"
"I need to get stronger."
"You intend to emulate his attacks? It will still take the same effort to learn and master them."
"We were lucky no one was hurt. I can't let Ariel down in the future."
"You really do think she's the best thing since sliced bread…"
"...What?"
"You did not battle Galahad Acuity enough to learn enough. While he demonstrated some combat capabilities that would be more than compatible with you, you'd need more data for substantial change. You should emulate Ariel's or Zhen's combat to learn from. In addition, you can gather more from your grandfather."
"I don't think Ariel likes me watching her train with my grandfather. She gets embarrassed…"
"You can cheat. It won't have to be a regular occurence. All you need to do is watch every move and maneuver he does in combat once, and it will belong to you. Like… a video you can playback at any time. You can do that for any memory you have."
"So all I need is one demonstration of everything he knows... "
"It will take lots of time and effort to learn it, but yes. All you'd have to do is talk to one of your family members without needing Ariel to do it for you."
"I… can do that."
"At your current speed, maybe you'll be comfortable wishing him a good morning by winter."
"I'm not good at it, okay?"
"Just do what you do with Ariel all of the time and think of her perspective and her wants and her needs and her favorite things… Just…" Reshiram huffed. "All the time… Without rest..."
"How could I not? She's like a goddess. She's smart, and beautiful, and…" Light's fur bristled. "S-so strong…"
"I promise you, she is not smart."
"Shut up. She's the smartest girl in the world."
"Your preferences are yours, but Ariel is as dumb as a rock. And so are you, in most ways. I wish you were passionate about anything else."
"But-"
"Just let it go before this becomes a whole thing… I'll already have to endure this enough today. I have to endure enough of it everyday."
Light walked out of the hospital. In his mind, he sensed the aftermath of Reshiram's rants as quiet mutters in his thoughts.
Sunlight beat him over the head. As he shielded his eyes, a commotion unfolded itself in front of him. The Wayfarers formed a sort of horde in front of a mess of carriages splayed out on the gravel road ahead, but something stole their attention.
That Prinplup, Shu. He stood in the middle of them, behind the carriages, in Light's line of sight. The entirety of the Wayfarers gathered around him, some still with bags in their hands.
Or was it Sheng? Did Ariel mix them up the other day?
As Light walked closer, Prinplup pointed his way.
"Ay," he said. "White Star guy. You're a Guild, ain't you?"
Light shared confused glances with Mienfoo Robin and Drizzile Kenta on the side.
"I know I'm a pirate and tried to sink you all with laser cannons, and I'll prolly do that again," he said. "But, I'm asking you guys for sum help on behalf of people about to get shanked."
"You mean you?" Heliolisk Jonathan asked.
Prinplup rolled his eyes. "Okay, listen." He lowered his voice. "You guys remember how that Kirlia Bao got her hands on that dramatic sword back in Nǚxìng? The, uh…" He rolled his flipper in a short circle as he recalled. "The Bloody Sacred Treasure? Swine Butcher?"
"Yes," Ariel said, floating over his head. "Real fun. What the hell do you want?"
"She went nutso. Not the normal kind of nutso, like the 'please help me' kind of nuts. She nearly killed Shu with that damn thing."
"Shu?" Light asked. "Her friend?"
"Yes!" he said. "Her best friend, since childhood. That weapon's freaking cursed or something."
"I've heard tales of that weapon."
Butterfree Marciel floated down from the sky. He landed on the ground between Flareon Light and Prinplup Sheng, trading quick nods with them both.
"They sealed it away in Nǚxìng Monastery because of stories that pokemon who wielded it went insane," Marciel said. "Taking it out was a mistake. If anything, it belongs in a research lab."
"I don't want anyone to die," Sheng said, "or go through overdramatic pain. I need your help."
"Why didn't you help yourself?" Light asked.
"That weapon will cut our ba… I mean… Remember how it's very strong against dudes cuz of its chi patterns and whatnot?"
"I mean… Even if you weren't planning on blasting us with laser cannons, we are kind of busy…"
"I think we should help," Meowstic Markus said. "We wouldn't want that weapon to fall in the wrong hands…"
At this, some faces hardened. Haxorus Gareth and Umbreon Amadeus passed a message through their eyes. Sky Shaymins Ariel and Mei did the same. The rest seemed unfazed, though Light imagined a flicker in Heliolisk Jonathan's eyes.
"There is a problem," Marciel said. "Most of the Wayfarers are indeed male. It wouldn't be safe for even the strongest of us. I'm afraid to say it, but not even I would prefer to do that."
"We could investigate with Candor to find the effects on her mind," Reshiram said.
"I'll go, along with every female Guild member we have," Light said.
"Unwise." Marciel turned to him. "We can't risk your safety with that weapon in play."
"We might not be."
Heliolisk Jonathan drew eyes as he stepped forward and raised his voice.
"It's based on the energy pattern of male pokemon," Jonathan said. "But, if for some reason, a male pokemon had a female's energy pattern, then it would be safer."
"I'm confused," Dewgong Nathan admitted. "Are you saying Light has the energy pattern of a female pokemon?
"I am. If you don't believe me, you can check it yourselves."
This was news to Light. Why would he have that? He couldn't really say it wasn't. Bao didn't hit him with the weapon last time, and his fear could have distorted his perspective.
"I have just the thing!"
Leafeon Charlotte emerged from behind Arcanine Zhen and Roserade Storm, with a small, white device in her paw. A strange, spicy scent wafted in Light's nose as she stepped closer and took his arm.
"We use this to tell if a pokemon has anomalies in their energy for health readings," Charlotte said. She looked up and met his gaze. "You have your mother's paws. Oh, so cute…"
Charlotte wrapped a plastic band around his arm. He flinched. It tingled a bit. Once she connected it, she hit a few buttons and peered at the small display.
"It's not unheard of," Charlotte said. "This is the first time I've seen it in person, though. The energy pattern right here is distinct in female pokemon, usually."
"It's still a risk," Marciel said. "The blade is still strong, and has all of those small edges. I don't feel like a good person letting you go."
"Well, if he doesn't, no one else will," Prinplup Sheng said. "I'mma keep it real with you, I wish I could help. I only came here cause I have to put the greater good over my pride and stuff…. Not that I'm getting rid of my pride."
"Why don't we just arrest this guy now?" Galarain Ponyta Nadia asked.
Sheng spun around. "That'd be dishonorable as shit! Even I play fairer than that!"
Light looked to Marciel, who shrugged.
"Maybe I'd feel worse about it if you didn't constantly feel the need to blow us up," Nadia said.
"What's even up with that?" Mienfoo Robin asked.
"We're some of the only pirates in the world left thanks to that killjoy." Sheng raised a fin towards Marciel. "And you guys are the only Guild. It's destiny."
"That sounds stupid."
"Seems like he sees it as some sort of game," Reshiram said. "Must be bored, or insane."
"We'll help you," Light said. "But, in return, you need to help us."
Sheng nodded. "Bet. What with?"
"We want you to make miniaturized laser cannons as part of a counter strategy against Reshiram."
They had to be able to make it. They may have stolen a military ship (somehow), but Light researched enough to know that laser cannons weren't actively all put together because they were so dangerous. That meant they put them together by themselves.
They'd be decent against Reshiram, but he really wanted them for those weird pokemon in jetpacks. Something they could carry as a countermeasure would be nice.
"Deal," Sheng said. "I'll make two for each of your dumbasses. That means Guild members, by the way."
"Marciel," Sky Shaymin Mei said, "are you just going to let him deal with pirates?"
"I don't know what I would even call this," Marciel said.
"Do I need to remind you they stole one of my ships?"
"They are about to make it more useful than it ever would have been… Let's do what we must to survive."
"Psh, you make it sound like I'm the worst guy ever," Sheng said. "If you knew my dad when he was alive, your head would've exploded. I'll get you your laser cannons by tonight. We last saw Bao heading off towards the rainforest. Shu went after her."
"Then let's hurry," Light said. "I'll need all of the female Guild members to come with me. It might be safer for us… Uhm, me, and you… gals…" He glanced away. "But it's still dangerous. We need to be careful… Uh, as in, you all, and I, need to be careful."
"Are you always that charming?" Reshiram asked.
"For everyone else," Light continued, unfazed, "set up so that we can leave for good and a few of you stay in the general area of the rainforest in case anything else happens. From what I saw on the map, the rainforest is on our way, so we'll continue on after we're done there. We should be there around sunset."
"And just a gentle reminder," Sheng said, "she's not in her right head. You can look in her eyes and see it, plain as day. There's something pretty sinister going on here. So, I appreciate the spot."
"A spot?"
Sheng turned to Light with an eye roll. "Clearly, you're not the one who goes to the gym between you two."
Light squinted his right eye.
Though the plan changed, everyone settled into their carriage of choice, except for Flareon Light.
He had an uninvited guest.
Prinplup Sheng sat across from him and Sky Shaymin Ariel, munching on a bag of potato chips. Light and Ariel shared a cushion to themselves. On one paw, Light couldn't be unhappy under Ariel's arm, but on the other, Sheng kept staring at him… He wished he'd let up so he could cuddle in peace.
The floor of the carriage vibrated from traveling dirt paths. Combined with the slow, methodical pace Sheng ate potato chips, it weighed on his nerves.
"Why are you staring at me?" Light asked.
Sheng swallowed. "Don't know," he said. "I imagined my rival would be more like me."
"I don't know you."
"Fair."
Come to think of it, this would be a good chance for questions. Maybe Sheng knew things he didn't.
"How did your pirate crew come to exist?" Light asked.
Sheng smiled, and bared his teeth. "Y'see, all of us were actually kids to families involved with the Kyotan yakuza and Lao Shen crimelords."
This would be more dramatic than he expected.
"One day, we all got sick of their shit and laced all our houses with explosives. While they were at a meeting in Kyoto, we blew up our entire village and skipped town, stole a ship, and shut down their supply line by stalking their patterns and tipping them off to authorities. Now, they're all behind bars, and we're better pirates than they'll ever be."
"Why is this story so metal?" Reshiram asked. "And why is metal in that context in your vocabulary?"
"Dude, aren't most of you guys, like, twelve?" Ariel asked. "Why would we believe this?"
"Considering one of you's a prince and the other's a mini Empress, you'd best believe my story is real," Sheng said. "Because, yeh, most of my boys are twelve, but they also all know how to operate laser cannons."
"Is he lying?" Light asked.
"I'm amazed because he's not lying."
"Well, that's all well and good," Ariel said, "but if you don't mind, me and Light like to have our me time."
"Maybe if your dumbasses were fine with me hitching a ride with them, then you could. Not exactly my idea of the best day trip."
"Fine. Then you'll just have to suck it up. Because I can barely contain myself when my schmoopsy, woopsy goofy wittle gummy bear looks so cyyyyooot…"
Ariel shifted. She spun Light around to face her with his back against the carriage wall. His chest warmed. Her green eyes pierced right through him
"I could just eat you up today…"
With a wrinkled chin and twisted contorted beak, Sheng rose to his feet.
"On second thought," Sheng said, "it'd probably be more interesting if I rode on the roof instead of inside…"
Sheng walked to the back door and pushed it open. He reached his flippers up for the top of the carriage and pulled himself up. As the doors closed, Ariel set her enormous paw on the back of his head.
Three hours went by fast. They could be sure they arrived when Sheng's footsteps went to the edge of the carriage and fell off to the side.
Sky Shaymin Ariel opened the doors. Flareon Light followed her out.
Warm air rushed over Light's body. He expected the heat to be stronger, but a canopy of unfamiliar green blocked out the yellowing sky. Many leaves were shaped like long, shallow crescents, others like flower petals. Tangled vines hung down from the trees. Small plants on the ground spread over a tight pathway, surrounded by moss covered stones. The dark, wet dirt coated Light's paws in seconds. He grimaced.
He'd get dirty here within minutes. No wonder Ariel told him to leave his clothes in the carriage.
"It's okay," Ariel said. "We'll reach Zulu tomorrow, and you can get cleaned up there."
Prinplup Sheng stepped from behind the side of the carriage.
"The rest of your merry band stopped following us outside the rainforest," Sheng said. "The path ahead only gets thinner. Ya'll have to go on foot."
"Do you know anything that can help us find them?" Ariel asked.
"They both liked rivers growing up. I heard them talking about it. They go there whenever they feel scared to be alone with themselves."
"Okay. We'll do our best."
"Thanks. I'll stay here and watch your stuff."
Light's head whipped around. Sheng smiled.
"You have literally nothing of value," Sheng said.
The rest of the Wayfarers walked from the line of carriages. Manaphy Jewel, Mienfoo Robin, Galarian Ponyta, Nadia, Sky Shaymin Mei, Ribombee Xiang, and Leafeon Charlotte .
A tingle of electricity wafted through the air when Diancie Jasmine approached, and another when Umbreon Amadeus followed behind her. After a while, Light had gotten used to the feeling.
Amadeus strapped Courtain to his back, without a word. The silence didn't seem awkward. He spoke whenever he had something to say. He got that now. For him to be careful was a given.
"Jewel," Sky Shaymin Ariel said, "you're not coming."
Jewel stopped walking, which put distance between her and the others. She gaped and slammed her hands on her hips.
"Why not?" Jewel asked.
"You're twelve," Ariel counted off on one digit. "You're immature." She added another. "You're special." And another.
Right, the Veritan royal blessing. Chad was gone. They'd have to protect her from now on, and her secret, since she was apparently really bad about keeping it.
"This girl?" Reshiram asked. "What?"
"You can see my memories, can't you?" Light asked.
"Yes, but I don't observe every waking moment of your life. Let me see… Seriously? She just blurted it out? Have mortals gotten dumber?"
So much had happened, Light actually figured most people forgot. Besides, it was easy to lose track of Jewel, with her speed and tiny height.
"And we're literally going against a weapon so angsty there are movies about it," Ariel finished.
"I won't get hit," Jewel argued. "C'mon! Why can Kaleb go, but I can't!?"
Kaleb?
Light tossed his head around. After a moment, he found Pyukumuku Kaleb lurking underneath Sky Shaymin Mei's shadow.
"Kaleb," Ariel said, "you can't come either."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because you're a dude. If that sword touches you, you will literally die or be in pain for the rest of your life."
"That's fine. I'm not a bitch."
Light creased his eyes. When did he recruit Kaleb again…?
Ariel's eyes fell. She looked like Mei for a second. "That's an order," she said.
"Okay," Kaleb said. "But let the record show I am ready to die."
"We know…"
"Uhm… Auntie?" Light asked. He grimaced at hearing himself say that. It felt unnatural.
"I can fight," Leafeon Charlotte answered him. "Or at the very least not get hit."
"Why is that our only plan?"
"Because you didn't say anything else yet," Mei said.
"Uh… O-kay…"
Light stared down at the ground. They needed to find running water, and the river. Tropical rainforests had some of the biggest rivers in the world. It should be easy to see from the air, at least while they still had daylight.
"Mei," Light said, "can you fly up and look around for rivers?"
"Basic," she said, "but fine."
"We should bring lights for when it gets dark."
"Got it," Ariel said.
"And against Bao… Jasmine, can you take the front?"
"Yes," she said. "Of course."
Svalin could take hits, and if not, then Jasmine's diamonds could. After that…
"And, let's not get hit," Light said.
Everyone seemed to agree on that. Flareon Light caught a glimpse of all their faces.
Sky Shaymin Ariel stared back at him. He blinked first. She curled her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
They all stayed quiet until Sky Shaymin Mei dropped back down.
"There's a river in whatever direction that is," Mei pointed off the beaten path. Her eyes glazed over when she saw them. "Can you stop being lovey dovey for one day? Please?"
Ariel lifted her face up. "No."
Light nuzzled her side. "Let's move fast," he said. "We don't want to be in the rainforest at night."
"To be perfectly real," Mienfoo Robin said, "I don't want to be in the rainforest at all, ever."
"Me neither, but Bao needs someone, and it looks like it has to be us."
"Does it, thooooough?" Nadia hummed.
"Unfortunately…"
The weight of the heat grew as they continued. After Light stopped for the tenth time when foliage caught his fur, Ariel picked him up and carried him on her back. She hovered over the mess of vines and dirt on the ground.
Leafeon Charlotte led the way. With a green Leaf Blade protruding from her arm, she cut aside vines, bushes, and growth that got in their way, including a massive spider web that made Light's skin crawl. Diancie Jasmine hopped alongside her. Galarian Ponya Nadia and Mienfoo Robin followed their trail
"It's been way too long since us Valkyries did something together," Robin said.
"If we were doing literally anything else, it would be nice," said Nadia.
Robin smacked her lips. "Yup."
"You should review your memories of your last encounter with this 'Bao'," Reshiram said. "A Kirlia, right? She stole your energy last time and turned it on Ariel."
"I don't get why it was so strong when she did that," he said.
"Sheer power is easy to come by. You should use Helping Hand and remove yourself from the equation as a useful hostage."
"That's the plan, but it feels like nothing can help against that sword. You made me shoot glass out of my paws before, right? Somehow?"
"Your body doesn't have enough sugar right now. I lack the raw materials to make anything strong enough to take a hit."
"Sugar?"
"The glass isn't made out of pure energy. It takes some raw material."
"Is that why I've been craving sugar this entire time!?"
"Your biology changed in plenty of ways, and more changes are dormant."
"I had a feeling," Ariel's voice cut in. "I, uh… Tasted the glass once. And Charlotte made note of it, too."
"Of course you'd taste it, you dull idiot…" Reshiram groaned. "In any case, let's be more careful with this whole mess of Sacred Treasures and spells. Ariel, as repayment for what happened, I expect you to do a better job of protecting my Scion. Don't let Bao anywhere near him, is that clear?"
"Like glass," she said.
Reshiram hissed.
"That hurt me on many levels," Mei said.
Ariel turned her head towards Mei. She floated along nearby. A branch thick with leaves obscured her smile.
How could she hear this?
"No one asked you, Mei," Ariel said. "So shut the fu-"
Light scratched her neck. She purred.
"Alright then," Mei huffed. "By the way, I can hear because our host is letting me hear. Though that ability of yours no doubt has something to do with why this is possible."
The quiet noise of the rainforest played in their ears. Water rushed in the distance, possibly from some waterfall. Light considered a change of course in that direction, but he chose the river first. They would come back for it if Bao wasn't there. By sunset, Mei guessed aloud that they were three-fourths of the way there.
Light suggested that they take three or so minutes to breathe and handle their stress. They all sat down in a circle under the shade of a kapok tree; a tree with sprawling roots, thick branches that pointed in every direction like a flower, and vines that hung down all the way over their heads.
They all sat in peaceful silence. Light sat under Ariel and enjoyed her company, like he always did. He held her right paw while her other arm curled around his mane.
He noticed with ease when she began to shiver.
"Hey," Ariel said. "Light, why are you shivering?"
"But, you're shivering," he said as he tilted his head up.
"Brace," Reshiram said.
A lightning bolt ran up through Light's stomach. He and Ariel stood up together, and Mei. They all took stock of their surroundings: foliage, the ground, the tree, for attackers.
"Guys?" Mienfoo Robin asked. She glanced between them all. "You good?"
Light had no clue why the answer was no. His body stayed anxious no matter what he tried to tell it to do.
"A… Adrian… I'm… Sorry… Gah!"
"Reshiram!?" Light asked.
"Find Bao… Quickly! Nearby… A Scion has come. They're too strong. Hurry!"
"We need to find Bao fast," Light said. "Let's go."
Only Sky Shaymins Ariel and Mei seemed to register what he said right then. Ariel hefted Light on her back. Jasmine stood up next, then Nadia, Robin, and Charlotte.
"Where does… the wind blow from… Mother…"
A sharp headache kicked Light across his forehead. Ariel must've felt it, too. She wobbled back and forth in the air and had to resteady.
"Look out!"
Light lost his grip. Ariel snagged and held him close as they rolled on the dirt. Her back slammed against a tree root, but not hard.
Mei had tackled them out of the air. Light stood up and turned to where he heard the snap of tree bark.
A Snivy fell flat on the dirt. The Wayfarers ran over to her. She coughed a few times. Her eyes didn't open.
Scattered cuts and gashes layered across her whole body. None of them looked brutal enough to be from the sword, thank goodness, but she needed help.
"Nadia," Light said. "Take her back to Xiang and the others. Everyone get ready."
Mienfoo Robin helped to lift Snivy Shu on top of Galarian Ponyta Nadia's back. With that, Nadia turned back to where they walked from and ran.
"Light."
Diancie Jasmine's sharp call drew his eyes.
On her arm, the round shield Svalin lit up. White smoke rose from its surface. Light pulled the sword Courtain from his back.
It hissed and smoked, It grew a tip of white energy, just like when it was close to Reshiram. His arm burned. If he swung it, even a light jab, he had the sense he'd cut a tree down and start a wildfire. Again, it threatened to swallow all of his strength whole.
"Everyone behind me," Jasmine said. "Light, try not to use that. Don't panic. Let's get close, nice and steady."
"Right," he said. "Right."
Light found himself surrounded by Sky Shaymins Mei and Ariel, and Diancie Jasmine from the front. He cowered under their long shadows. After all they'd been through, he still couldn't do much compared to them. He hadn't even had a chance to change that yet. His only training came between fits of his body not working properly and their travels.
He'd at least help this time. He would make sure of it.
The river's hum finally reached their ears. Light took note of a long path of broken foliage, scattered branches, and broken wood. Whatever attack launched Shu, it hit hard.
At the end of the trail, they gained a clear view of the river. As far as Light was concerned, it seemed to stretch on forever. The other side seemed miles away.
It didn't matter though, they could see their target clear as day.
Kirlia Bao staggered along the edge, parallel with the river. In her right hand, the fuzzy-edged sword dragged along in the dirt. Her green hair stuck out in a messy bush, marred by twigs and leaves Her red eyes shivered.
"The first comet strikes to draw her attention," she said. "The second comet follows against prior intention."
Light touched Ariel's arm and triggered Candor.
She had no clue, either. She just wanted to turn and leave, if only it weren't for Bao. She looked like she was in cosplay for a horror movie. It just had to be Bao, of all people.
Should he try to use Candor on her?
Was that a bad joke? Of course not. They had to try something.
Not so hasty. Ariel had some tricks now, and Jasmine was strong. They'd be fine. He had no reason to stress. They'd be fine.
"I smell you over there," Bao croaked.
They would not be fine.
Diancie Jasmine approached. She kept on a sleek, fake smile while the others hung back.
"Do you remember when we fought?" Bao asked.
Jasmine's face fell. "Excuse me? Fought?"
"Over which one of us would be the god of a new world?"
"Uhm, Bao, your friends are worried about you. Drop the sword."
"To the Valorian royal family, I grant, to you..."
One look at Bao, and Light could tell she didn't register when she entered into a conversation. She failed to make eye contact, except right back at him.
Ariel gripped his shoulder. Leafeon Charlotte stepped forward and blocked her view of him altogether.
"The angel with Candor," she said. "You. I've waited two-hundred years for you. I need you to kill me, please. I'll help you. I'll give you a Sacred Treasure. You'll help me, won't you? I saved her sister. You'll help me save my brother, won't you? Angelo!?"
Jasmine formed a white ball of energy in her fingertips and fired. Bao sliced it in two.
The severed halves of the Moonblast flew over the river. Two water geysers blasted into the air. Speckles of water, smaller than strands of fur, landed on his face.
Bao threw one back. It flew past Jasmine.
Charlotte took the hit. She gasped and clutched at her face. With a clear line of sight, Bao threw her hand in front of her.
Light flew off of his feet. A blast of Psychic energy burned his chest and face.
A distinct pair of footsteps pounded against Flareon Light's head.
He lay flat on his back. He stared straight up at a hole in the tree cover, dotted with speckles of white and gray fur; his fur.
He'd been blown to smithereens.
Another pair of footsteps ran to his side. Mienfoo Robin's head popped into view. Her eyes got closer as she lifted him up.
"C'mon Light," she whispered. "Pull it together. We gotta move."
Robin hoisted Light up over her shoulder and ran. The ends of his tail scraped against leaves on the ground. Despite his best effort, he couldn't move.
"What happened?" Light whispered. His words came out through labored breaths.
"They're taking care of it. We're getting you out of here. Dammit… Why do they all have to go after you?"
"The Scion from before is closing in,"Reshiram said.
"What can I even do?" Light asked.
"You're useless in combat. If you get close, you'll just be a burden."
"That can't be true. I have to do something."
"Ariel wants to keep you safe. Why don't you let her?"
"I'm not going to let the people around me carry me to victory."
"Light," Reshiram said. "You need to grow up past this now. I only have scraps of memories, but I know that people have always protected each other. You're too weak to be on the front lines."
"Shut up! No, I'm, not!"
Light flew up again. Robin lost her grip on him. His back slammed into a tree. As he hit the ground, he heard Robin grunt in time with a tree's groans. She collapsed in the dirt nearby, still.
He reached for Courtain, but it wasn't strapped to his back anymore. He must have lost it when he blacked out for a few seconds. He pushed on the ground with all his might, but couldn't support his weight.
A metallic clank popped in his ears, and then an onslaught.
Jasmine had approached Bao. The clash of the sword and shield sent miniature heat waves across the forest. As he stood up, he gasped for air. All of their strikes looked like blurs.
The canopy overhead broke. Light flinched.
Sky Shaymin Ariel landed in front of him, and stood as a barrier between him and the action.
"Can I get a Helping Hand?" Ariel asked.
"Right," he said.
With his scraps of focus, Light touched a paw to her hind leg. He forced everything he had into the light flowing out of his body. He only left himself enough strength not to pass out.
Ariel had a plan. She needed to separate Bao and the sword. She needed to cheat one time to make it happen.
It might leave a scar, but she had to.
Ariel rushed forward to help Jasmine. She focused almost all of her chi in her right paw, and the rest in her left.
She ignored all the laws of fighting an enemy with a weapon and reached her arm straight out. Bao took a slash at it.
She grabbed the blade. Fire shot up her arm. She bore it. Ariel howled and pulled on the blade. Bao stumbled forward.
Ariel slammed her fist in Bao's gut. Bao flew off, without the weapon in hand. Ariel let go.
She screamed out while Jasmine and Robin ran up from behind her and gave chase. A dark red line creeped up her arm. On top, her blood literally boiled.
"Airy!?" Light cried. "What happened!?"
"It's okay!" she said, both to him and herself. "I'm okay!"
It hurt like hell. Tears fogged her vision.
A scream hit her ears; Bao's. Ariel hobbled forward.
The sounds of fighting stopped. Mienfoo Robin and Diancie Jasmine stood back from Kirlia Bao, who held her head as she shook violently.
"Get that thing away from me!" she pleaded.
"Airy!"
Ariel whipped around.
Light was gone, and so was the sword. His scream came from beyond the trees.
She broke into a sprint.
"Light!" she yelled.
"Airy!"
His voice changed directions, and so did she. Every step spun agony around in her arm, but she couldn't be slow. Vines and thorns scratched at her fur, but failed to pierce her skin.
Light continued to call out, but his voice drowned under the hum of a waterfall. As Ariel approached, her anxiety spiked. Her heart lurched with every step closer. Mud caked her paws.
The waterfall was tiny, no bigger than an Onix. It split off into a web of tiny trickles of rivers that no doubt combined with the large one.
She recognized the feeling all at once; that dangerous Scion.
A Riolu stood in the water. In his raised right hand, Light dangled by his gray mane. In his left, he held the Swine Butcher, by the blade, callously.
It didn't hurt him at all. Her vision of his eyes distorted. No matter how hard she looked, her brain wouldn't let her make out details, just that he was a Riolu.
"You should keep the things you want to protect close to you at all times," Riolu said. "Eliminating the threat isn't enough. Don't you remember what happened to your sister on Mount Ài? I can't keep saving the people you love for you. I'm running out of time."
The hell was he talking about?
Riolu dropped Light down in the shallow water. He held up the sword horizontally with both hands. His eyes scanned up and down its blade.
"I wanted to make something special," he said. "A weapon of justice like Lobera. I made it for someone who had suffered great evils, but, by then, I'd already been corrupted, and it turned vile, even in name."
"I can't make Sacred Treasures like I used to."
Riolu squeezed.
The blade cracked, snapped, quaked, and broke apart into pieces. An invisible poison left the air. Ariel breathed easier. Chunks of metal splashed in the water.
"The worst thing I ever did was abandon my loved ones," Riolu said.
A gold ring manifested behind Riolu, under the waterfall. Within the ring, she saw what looked like dilapidated buildings from an odd, empty city.. The light of a sunset reflected off of the water. He turned and walked away.
Ariel couldn't bring herself to speak back. Every time she formed words, a million thoughts shot them down. She watched him walk through the ring, and how it closed itself shut like it had never been there.
She gasped for breath. It freed her up to break for Light and get him out of the water.
A thick layer of mud covered his face, and every inch of his fur. She checked his breathing; all normal. From his closed eyes, he must've passed out. His flow of chi pulsed weakly, but also as normal.
At least they avoided the worst.
Ariel hoisted him onto her back. As she did, a buzz wormed in Ariel's ear. She turned around.
The source of the buzzing flew off over the waterfall. Some weird bird?
"Three, I don't like the mud as much as you do, but, seriously?"
Eevee Three sprawled out on top of a hovering metal box with four spinning propellers, a drone. Eevee Four tried to get her attention, but she paid him no mind. Her eyes were locked onto a tablet she held over her face. With two digits, she swirled around two circle pads, one for height, the other for movement.
Four stared off at the ground again, until a buzz hit his ear. A second drone flew down in front of him. He closed his eyes before the blown air dried them out.
"You know, it could be more optimal to use our Wilderbeast abilities for surveillance," Four said. "We could have a simple bird or something follow them, and get which direction they're moving. It would be more discrete."
"B-but…"
"What?"
"Birds don't have 4k…" Three exasperated.
"Why are so many of us obsessed with that?"
Three didn't answer. She continued to finagle with her tablet.
"So," Four said, "what's your hypothesis about that weapon?"
"It was a Sacred Treasure corrupted by Madness," Three said.
"But aren't you surprised the Peacekeeper himself came to destroy it?"
"He has a lot of willpower. The Madness is slow-advancing, but it'll catch up. By Christmas, according to Two."
"I do pray there's no more of those corrupt weapons lying around."
"I doubt it. The Peacekeeper probably destroyed most of them."
"Let's hope."
"Hey, didn't the White Star seem to deviate pretty heavily to you?" Three asked. "I mean, when I was his age, I was only just starting."
"Of course he's deviated a lot. That's to be expected."
"Are we really doing the right thing…?"
Four sighed. "Would you sacrifice yourself so we can accomplish what we need to?"
"Of course," she defended.
"Then so would he, right?"
"We don't know that. He's deviated. And either way…"
"You're too soft," he affirmed. "Reshiram's only the start, and it's trampled over three Sacred Treasures. He's literally one of thousands. He's not some special sacrifice."
"Four… Why are you talking about yourself that way? We're not more expendable than anyone else."
"It's just reality. We need to go report back that Adrian was sighted here. Two needs to know."
"Alright…"
Four dug his claws into the bark and climbed up the tree, towards his pegasi wings. Still on her drone, Three floated up after him.
