Thank you DuplicataData for beta reading and finding my stupid little errors lol.
ART LINKS!!!
Vlg-official on Tumblr somehow managed to make Buggy both badass and a goofball at the same time and I'm still not sure how they managed but it's too cute not to share. EVERYONE LOOK AT IT AND GIVE SUPPORT!
https/vgl-official./post/691087202298494976/nasty-boi-turns-into-the-nastiest-boi-i-wanted-to
If ya'll are inspired to make art/writings related to this fic be sure to link them to me so I can gush over it and share!
XxxxxxxxxxxX
The hunt was awful.
They killed five Luxrays in the Fieldlands, the rest captured by Mai and Lian. She really wished Akari hadn't been assigned elsewhere. They could have used her help in capturing more.
Worst of all, she learned of Rei being out in the Fieldlands by himself AND getting attacked by the real Man Eater.
While they were out slaughtering innocent Luxrays, the true culprit was trying to murder another one of their own, and based on Mai's story, Lord Kleavor is the only reason he survived. Lian supposedly gave chase, but the Pokémon disappeared before he could catch up.
Vanishing into thin air.
Like a ghost.
Not even Lord Kleavor could catch that demon.
It made no sense.
At least Ingo came through and captured all ten Luxrays in the Cornet Highlands. It meant more innocent blood was spared, and they could redouble their focus on finding this particular scarred Luxray. Still, the question remained on how it managed to appear and vanish so quickly, and how could they capture it?
Zisu approached the front of Galaxy Hall, just in time for Rei and a guard to exit the building. He looked directly at the ground, fingers splinted and eyes puffy from crying. She knew Cyllene would put him under house arrest at the very least, which was more of a kindness than anything at this point.
Rei needed to grieve his lost friend, and re-evaluate his own actions in going out alone. He refused to tell Zisu why he was out to begin with. Mai and Lian didn't have any information either.
His stubbornness was irritating, and Zisu didn't have the patience to deal with it.
As the two passed each other, she noticed a flicker of purple light wafting towards the sky. Zisu spun on her heels, nothing but Rei and the guard's back facing her.
Odd.
Perhaps she was seeing things after a night of no sleep? It was difficult to say, though she didn't have much energy to think more on it.
Her current plans included a debrief with Commander Komodo before taking a short rest herself.
Well, after visiting the Professor at least. She heard the good news just a few minutes prior, and was eager to learn what exactly happened to him.
She entered the medical ward, finding her friend sitting in a chair by the table, Rowlet in his lap and Oshowatt on the table.
"Glad to see you among the living again, Laventon." Zisu smiled with genuine relief.
"Y-yes," Laventon croaked, clearing his throat. "I must say, waking up in the infirmary was jarring to say the least."
"You don't remember what happened?"
Laventon ran his fingers through his hair, eyes focused on the wall. "I know I was working on that Pokeball… then I stood up to grab some tea… next thing I know, I woke up in here."
The Captain frowned. That wasn't good at all. She hoped he would confirm that Pokeball was the source of all this, but if he couldn't remember, who's to say what the cause could actually be?
The Professor turned to Rowlett and Oshowatt. "Do either of you remember anything?"
Both Pokémon looked at each other, shaking their heads.
"Well, this is just great," Zisu crossed her arms. "I was hoping to learn if that Pokeball was safe or not."
"What do you mean?"
"Cyllene and I suspect that busted up Pokeball is the culprit, and we're hoping you could provide more details."
"Is it still here?"
"No. I buried it outside the Village walls. Ingo will need to come retrieve it himself."
"That's terribly cruel!" Laventon frowned. "At least let the trapped thing out first."
"I wanted to, believe me," she glanced at the door to Cyllene's office. "But others disagreed. The good thing is, since it's been removed from the village, nobody else has fallen ill."
The Professor shook his head. "Still, I would like to release that Pokémon even if it must be done outside Jubilife-"
"Oh no you don't," Zisu shoved him back down as soon as he started standing. "You are on strict orders for rest until tomorrow at the earliest." She didn't care if Passelle said anything about him needing rest or not. She would put the order in place just for her own peace of mind.
"But this needs further investigation! We may be condemning an innocent Pokémon to suffer! And if it really is alive in that ball, imagine the discoveries we could make!"
"That will wait until Ingo stops by Jubilife again," Zisu pinched the bridge of her nose in fresh frustration. She should have escorted him back herself, but was honestly too grateful he caught all those Luxrays to even consider it. It was a blunder on her part, especially since the situation with that strange Pokémon in the utility closet wasn't resolved. "Do I need to restate that you were unconscious for two days?"
"But I am feeling much better-" an angry glare from Zisu shut him down. The man crossed his arms and pouted, but she was happier he actually listened for once.
Until something small and yellow crawled up the back of his shirt.
"Uh, you have something on your back?"
"Really? Where?" Laventon tried to look behind himself, the Captain grabbing a teacup and paper. With a quick scoop she managed to trap it, everyone gathering around her new prisoner. Slowly removing the paper revealed a fuzzy yellow creature stuck on its back, light brown stomach facing the ceiling and four tiny legs flailing. It eventually managed to right itself, seeming more curious of the humans that trapped it then anything else.
"Extraordinary!" The Professor was already wide eyed. "I've only seen something like this in that sparse Unovan Pokédex!"
"Wait, if they aren't native to Hisui, do you think this thing-"
"Look! More are over there!"
Indeed, several tiny creatures crawled into the room from the door, sticking to walls or dark corners.
Screams echoed through the hallway, some easier to understand then others.
"What are these things?!"
"They're getting out of the door crack!"
"Shove something under there!"
Zisu paused, Those sounded like the two men tasked with guarding Galvantula.
"Wait, that's coming from down the hallway," Laventon instantly got excited. "This means the eggs must have hatched!" He made to stand up again, quickly getting shoved back down.
"I will check on it. You stop moving." She quickly jogged outside the room, just in time to see both guards rushing around, one with clothing articles trying to stuff them tightly under the door crack, while the other was holding his straw hat, picking up tiny yellow creatures from the floor and stuffing them inside as they escaped Galvantula's prison.
"What is going on?"
"Captain! I think the eggs hatched! These things are everywhere!"
Zisu leaned in to get a better look. They were all extremely tiny just like the one from Laventon's back. Fuzzy with four legs and bright blue eyes.
Absolutely adorable.
"AYYYYYYEEEEEE!!!!"
"Cyllene!" Zisu rushed to her office, finding the woman sprawled out on the floor.
Her eyes were rolled back, fingers twitching every so often, and several little yellow fluff balls scurrying across her face. Abra was floating around her in complete panic, clearly waiting for an order but not getting any.
"That's it! Everyone climb off!" Zisu kneeled down and swatted the little creatures away, picking up Cyllene and heading for the medical ward. The woman mumbled, mostly unintelligible nonsense, but some words like "disgusting" and "horrifying" did slip through.
"Cyllene! Wake up already." Zisu slapped her face, finally getting a response.
"DEMONS FROM THE PITS!" She shot up, hugging Zisu's head in a bear hug.
"Cyllene! Get a hold of yourself!"
"AAAAAA!" Her Abra couldn't take it anymore, teleporting all of the yellow fuzz balls inside the room to parts unknown.
"Abra no! You bring those back right now! Where did you send them?!" Zisu demanded, but the Pokémon was more concerned with his human, who was still writhing in her arms. "Get a hold of yourself woman! I need to hunt those things down!"
Her words went unheaded. Cyllene was a mess and Zisu couldn't tell if she was having a stroke or not.
She could now see the little critters crawling on the outside of the windows, their little brown bellies on full display.
Abra didn't send them very far, apparently.
"I'll put you with Laventon. He'll watch-"
"SO HORRIFYING!" Cyllene barked.
"Uhh-"
"T-THOSE DISGUSTING TINY LEGS! THEY WERE TRYING TO EAT ME-" her words stopped as soon as she spotted Laventon.
Crouched on the floor covered in at least ten of those insects, looking like a school boy in a candy store.
"Zisu! Cyllene! Look at this amazing specimen!" He held up one that sparkled. "It's slightly lighter than the others in color! I believe we have a rare "shiny" in our midst!"
Cyllene let out a high pitched noise and went limp again, unable to handle her friend covered in bugs. Zisu could hear people rushing in and out of Galaxy Hall too. They were shouting about tiny insects covering the building, somehow managing to dodge any attempts at crushing them. The loud thuds of random objects against the windows wasn't reassuring.
Kamado came downstairs soon after, face serious though also covered in little yellow puffballs.
"Sir! This is out of control! We need a plan!"
Kamado looked her, Cyllene and Laventon over, glancing back at the newborn on his shoulder and scratching it gently.
"Who was the idiot that approved letting these stay here?"
"Uh…. You?" Zisu stammered. The man hummed, leaving the medical bay and walking down the hall. He returned with Galvantula soon after, the large Pokémon chirping and sparking. That got every little creature's attention, the mass of them suddenly abandoning their current exploits in favor and latching on their mother's abdomen. Kamado opened the two doors to the outside, Galvantula once again calling her offspring with squeals and sparks, collecting the ones that wandered even further. Soon their Commander returned with Ingo's Pokémon, the thing looking larger than normal thanks to the hundred little babies latched onto her.
Zisu gawked, Laventon squealed and Cyllene remained unconscious.
"H-how did you do that?!"
"I asked Ingo for any advice in case something like this happened. He even left me a checklist," Kamado held up a folded piece of paper. "Zisu, I am still awaiting your report from the hunt last night, and why you did not bring Warden Ingo with you."
"Right. I'll be ready for that momentarily." Zisu groaned. Kamado nodded and took his leave upstairs, Zisu dumping Cyllene on one of the beds before turning to exit.
"A mother's call may summon the offspring now," Laventon mumbled. "However, as the young grow older the chances of them responding decrease substantially. We may have an infestation soon."
"It's a little late for that now, don't you think?" The Captain frowned. "If you had complaints they should have been brought up far earlier, like before they hatched."
"Still, we most definitely need Ingo back, as he's the only one with knowledge of Joltiks."
"Joltiks? Is that what they are called?"
"According to the Unovan Pokédex I have," he scratched his chin. "That and an illustration was all it provided. I will begin researching more into them as soon as possible.
"Not until after you're cleared." Zisu added, a dangerous tilt in her voice.
"Yes yes. I'll wait."
Good. Because I don't want to be the one dealing with Cyllene when she wakes up." Zisu took the chance to bolt before Laventon could stop her.
"Wait! Zisu, how could you!?" She could hear him shouting, making her way up the stairs to finally have her meeting with Kamado.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Ingo shuffled slowly behind the two Wardens accompanying him, too lost in thought about the recent news they received. Despite a calm, emotionless exterior, he was fuming under the surface.
Rei was attacked by Man Eater:
The Galaxy Team did that stupid culling in the Fieldlands while the one responsible for all this death and panic was there all along.
Hunting while being hunted.
No care in the world.
Monster.
That was the only way to describe it.
An honest to god monster. He was glad Rei survived, but that creature escaped again, and not even Lord Kleavor or Wrydeer could keep track of it.
Were the rumors true? Were they truly dealing with a ghost or demon?
A creature worse than a Zoroark. One that can't even be killed?
He didn't have answers, nor solutions to suggest. All he could do was try brainstorming and hope an odd idea might lead somewhere.
Letting out a long held breath, Ingo reached for his satchel and pulled out his beat up journal and a piece of charcoal. Flipping through the pages, he stopped on the last one with writing.
Jotting down even the smallest traces of memory, or even the events that happened around him, gave a good sense of security. A source for things that could trigger lost memories, or even an archive in case he forgets anything that happened more recently. This one was a page of words and phrases only, one he liked to review at least once a day.
He'd recently added a few more words to the page, hoping another review would lead to some connections.
'Purple flame.'
'Luring light.'
'Man that looks like me.'
'Terminal.'
'Train.'
'Tracks.'
'Metal.'
"Cave.'
'Galvantula.'
'Butter.'
'Snowflake.'
He paused at the last word, mind going to his fellow Skyfaller.
Even if he claimed not to know Ingo, the Warden couldn't help but feel that was wrong.
He had an odd way of speaking too. One that felt far too familiar, yet just beyond his capacity to link it anywhere.
"I am Snowflake…"
Ingo mumbled the words over and over.
It was a weird thing to say more than once as an initial greeting, but Snowflake would slip it into normal conversation too occasionally.
'I am Snowflake.'
'I am Snowflake.'
'I am…'
'I am…'
"I am?"
The first two words felt so familiar, but the last one was wrong. 'Snowflake' didn't belong at the end of that sentence.
But why wouldn't it? It is his name, yes? At least his nickname since nobody knows his real name.
It was relevant, causing a burn in the front of his brain just thinking about it.
He didn't want to forget this.
Steadily and clearly he wrote out 'I AM' with a blank space at the end.
'I am…'
'I am…'
A flash of white.
A wide smile with the rest of their features blurred beyond recognition.
"What I say…"
Ingo froze completely, quickly jotting the words down as they rolled from his tongue.
'I am…'
'What I say, always the same.'
That was important too. He could feel it in his bones, even if he didn't understand why.
He waited for anything else to come forward.
Another odd word or sentence that made no sense to the current residence of Hisui.
…
…
…
Nothing.
It was frustrating, sending him looping back over the page multiple times seeing if any other words would jog something.
'Tracks.'
'What I say,'
'Always the same.'
Tracks were always the same too. A permanent route from one place to another, either looping back to their original station or ending in a terminal.
'Terminal.'
'Terminal.'
He hadn't thought about that word in a long while.
The end of the tracks. Trains needed to reverse when they reached the end of a line.
"…. Line…"
Ingo grumbled the words, tapping his charcoal against the page.
Curvy lines like a river, or even straight ones. All connecting to each other in some form or another. Even a few lines crossed paths on multiple occasions, all leading to a perfect circle in the center. Not putting too much thought into the motion, he started pulling the dark piece of coal against the page, the soft material slowly crumbling as a mark was left behind.
An odd design. One circle with multiple lines branching out, all snaking relatively straight away from the center with sharp bends every so often, all ending without meaning.
It felt familiar, yet foreign.
All these paths from a central location. It must be important…
But why?
"We can stop if you need." A soft, feminine voice suggested. Ingo looked up to see Palina and Calaba both watching him carefully.
All the Pearl Wardens were summoned to the Settlement for that strategy meeting with Irida, where they learned of the most recent Man Eater attack. Afterwards the three Wardens decided to travel together, at least until they reached the Highlands. Both women were acting oddly, staying close to each other and Ingo. Gaeric mentioned it was related to the fate of their previous Sneasler Warden, which Ingo recalled quite well. Granted, he could hardly speak the local language so everything was learned through observation.
The mangled state of the body, how the other Pearl Wardens mourned his death, and the vengeful villagers going out to try hunting the culprit down.
He became the new Warden for Lady Sneasler almost a year after, and that was a story in and of itself.
He asked Irida when he finally knew their language better, and supposedly he was introduced to Lady Sneasler because she hadn't accepted any other clan members, and Ingo happened to share some physical traits with her previous Warden. He was living confirmation that Lady Sneasler had a "type" given how quickly she took to him.
Male, Middle aged, grey hair, and good with children.
"Do you need to sit, Ingo? You look pale." Palina continued, already ushering him to a boulder despite his protest. Her Growlith companion walked on his other side like he would try and escape or something.
Well, he had considered it, but he wouldn't be rude!
"I-I apologize for the delay. My thought process was temporarily derailed, but I am ready to depart again!"
"So you just ignore your Lady when she drops her kits off for fun now?" Calaba added, straight faced.
"Kits?" Ingo blinked, now noticing the two Sneasels tugging on his tattered coat. Lady Sneasler's twins, one dubbed Ash Cat by Snowflake, and the shiny recently nicknamed Little Lady by Ingo.
The off colored sister had potential to become a future Lord, so it seemed fitting.
"My apologies, little ones," He tipped his hat, embarrassed. "I didn't even realize you were here." He must have been really out of it.
"Ingo, is there a reason Lady Sneasler seemed so distant?" Palina took a seat further back in the shade, Calaba soon joining her. "The Lady always seemed fond of you."
"I fear we had a disagreement in terms of her treatment towards Melli and Snowflake. She knows I want her to apologize, but has yet to do so."
"Unless that bundle of sticks in her basket was part of that apology." Calaba mumbled.
"She has been collecting extra firewood lately, wanting my return to help babysit," it came out sounding more annoyed then he meant it. "At least, I'm pretty sure that's what they are all for."
"It must have been serious. I know she despises Melli, but I don't know what the new Skyfaller could have done."
"It's a… long story, and I'm not privy to all the details. Basically she took Snowflake from Moonview against his will, and Melli climbed after her nearly freezing to death in the process."
The old woman let out an odd, winded bark. She tried to hide her face with her hand, despite the small grin being obvious.
"W-was that a laugh?" Palina gawked.
"And if it was?" Calaba was back to looking bored, as if they both imagined her reaction.
"It's nothing, I just… don't think I've ever heard you laugh before."
"Hmph. You pay poor attention if that's what you think."
Palina gave Ingo a questioning look, a shrug his only answer. He considered Calaba a friend of his, but her face rarely showed emotion. In all honesty, he couldn't recall ever hearing her laugh either.
"Snea!" Little Lady nudged him with her knuckle, making grabby motions once his attention switch to her.
"Yes yes, I have room if you want up." Ingo set his notebook aside, grabbing her under the arms and placing her on his lap. Ash Cat was quick to crawl on his other leg, making herself comfortable across from her sister and gently digging her claws into his thick pink shirt.
Arcanine's Warden giggled at the display, eyes drawn to the little booklet by his hip.
"What do you have there?"
"It is a journal I keep cronicling important events, and the occasional memory of my previous life that surfaces."
"You keep track of everything?" She looked surprised.
"With how I forgot my former life, it seems probable a similar instance could happen again…" he didn't like considering the possibility. "But it includes other things too…" he paused, recalling the strange shape he recently sketched.
It was unlikely they would recognize it, but asking never hurt.
"Have either of you seen a symbol like this before?"
Clumsily Ingo shifted his arms around the kits and flipped to the appropriate page, passing it off to the other Wardens. Even Calaba leaned in, brows furrowed at seeing his design.
"I've never seen anything like that in my life," Palina frowned. "Calaba?"
"There are designs of a semi similar shape decorating some ruins in the Mirelands, but they are all symmetrical. Nothing quite like this."
"I was afraid you'd say that." He reached forward and took the booklet back from Palina.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful."
"Do not fret, Miss Palina. I am sure answers will come about soon enough." If he was patient, though he wasn't sure how much patience he had left.
Being in the dark all the time just made him feel frustrated and tense.
"What of all those symbols on the other page? Was that writing? I don't recognize the script." Palina continued.
"Galarian. It's the only language I've known until coming here."
"Perhaps you can teach me some," the red head smiled. "I'm very curious about other languages, though I don't have much use for them in my position."
"I am not the best teacher, but I will try. When things have calmed down at least." Ingo added. "With the Man Eater situation, I don't wish to be distracted by reading lessons."
"Of course," Palina nodded in agreement. "We have other priorities. Though I wish our meeting had been more productive."
It had felt like a colossal waste of time in his opinion. Irida said she needed ideas on how to track this thing, but nobody had any suggestions.
How does one hunt a ghost?
The only way to appease spirits, according to the elders at least, would be offerings, perhaps even sacrifices. Nobody was willing to take that extreme action just yet.
If attacks continued, however, the villagers may be persuaded.
Palina's Growlith perked up, head swiveling to the side like it was listening for something. Even Calaba's Bebaril came out of hiding, sniffing the air in anticipation. All the Wardens went quiet, straining their ears with hands hovered over their short sword. Ingo had his other hand over Probopass's Pokeball.
If this was Man Eater, they would be ready.
The sound of multiple footsteps and rustling grass slowly grew louder, sounds of familiar voices going from faint mumbles to something they could understand.
"You really like doing laundry, huh?"
"I wouldn't so often if you didn't smell so terrible!"
"I-I don't smell!"
"Please! I don't know what it is with you people from the west, but there are precisely three humans I've ever met with that distinct odor! You, that nutty professor, and- INGO?!"
The three spotted Melli rounding some vegetation, shirtless with several towels and vials, Snowflake right behind wearing his old hospital clothing. He was lugging what was presumably a bag of dirty clothing.
Laundry day then.
Melli's eyes widened as soon as he spotted Ingo, grabbing Snowflake and yanking him behind a bush. Caboose and Skuntank followed next, both partially hidden in the shtubs with their backsides sticking out.
The ladies stayed in place while Ingo investigated, setting the twins down and creeping a little closer. He could understand Melli saying a few sentences, though Snowflake's voice was too soft to make out.
"Don't let him see me like this!…. What do you mean by that 'thing we practiced?'….. the weird posing thing? I thought you were making fun of me!… no?… Ingo will just laugh at us… fine, but if we look stupid I am blaming it all on you!"
The Pearl Warden quickly straightened up when their discussion came to an end, looking off at a rock face pretending not to have heard anything.
Suddenly they jumped out of hiding, standing back to back with their supplies abandoned.
"Warden Ingo! I see you are slacking off as usual!" Melli started, left hand over his heart. Snowflake did his best to mimic, not having the same motion range on his right side, but able to reach his lower sternum. Their other arms mimicked each other's movements perfectly.
The Diamond Warden was putting on extra bravado today. Usually he was full of himself when they spoke, but this felt almost forced.
Irida did explain the incident that happened in Diamond Settlement between these two and Adaman. He hoped the behavior wasn't related.
Regardless, their symmetry they maintained was awe inspiring, and deserved to be praised.
"Super bravo! Your synchronization is amazing!" Ingo clapped at how great they looked mirroring one another.
"I told you he'd mock us!"
"Keep going! He thinks we're cool!" Snowflake encouraged.
Rolling his eyes, Melli continued.
"I'd wish you a proper good day, but as you can see we are actually busy doing productive things instead of standing around in corners all day."
"Good morning to you too, Warden Melli and Snowflake." Ingo tipped his hat. Several Pokémon hung back observing the spectacle, including Caboose the Sylveon, Melli's Skuntank, an Alpha Growlith, and a familiar shirt feathered Sneasel looking more interested in their laundry bag then what was happening.
"That's Junior Assistant Snowflake to you." Melli corrected. Snowflake dropped the pose for a moment, smile falling.
"I thought we agreed on Assistant Warden Snowflake."
"Not until you can successfully lead more then one Voltrob away from that stupid cemetery path without getting distracted and letting them all roll down!"
"I saw a Bronzong though. I had to battle it."
"There are always Bronzongs!"
"I apologize if I interrupted anything," Ingo spoke over their banter. "I didn't mean to stop your route."
"Ah yes, you have always been good at interrupting me, even on laundry day." Melli huffed. "Perhaps we'd be willing to throw your laundry in too, but no stinky Ingo garments aren't allowed to soil my linens!"
"Yeah, no stinky Ingo."
"Snowflake, shut up! You smell just as bad!"
"I do not!"
"That was our entire discussion on the way here!"
The two bantered, Ingo taking a moment to sniff himself. Sure he'd been sweating some on the way back to Sneasler's territory, but he'd gotten cleaned up back in the Pearl Settlement hot springs. He even washed his clothes!
"Stop being so self conscious. Nobody cares how you smell." Calaba made her way over, noticing how flustered Ingo had gotten.
"I-I don't smell that bad… Do I?" He looked back at Palina for answers. She glanced off to the side with an odd hum, scratching her ear.
"N-no! You smell fine."
"…You're lying… I can tell." The woman was a terrible fibber. It's not his fault they don't have… the stuff that makes someone smell better? Was… was that a thing? It sounded right, but what was that called again?
"I'm sorry!" She waved her hands, flustered. "It wasn't until Jubilife Village was founded that I started noticing a lot of settlers have… unique odors. I initially figured you were a lost settler by smell alone- please don't step away! I really don't mind!"
"I apologise for offending you in any way." He hid his face under his hat brim, trying not to show how red his cheeks were. Calaba actually busted out in full blown laughter, which just made him feel worse.
The first time he hears this woman cackle is over his body odor.
How did this conversation turn so awkward?
"I don't mind at all! Iscan always smells like fish, and it's not nearly as bad as that!" She forced her way closer as if to prove her point, face also red.
He responded by stepping away again, the twin Sneasels deciding to step between them like body guards. Little Lady's growl was enough to get her away, though she kept apologizing..
Melli and Snowflake finally settled their argument, going back to holding their arms high cupping the air with the other hand near their hearts, back to back.
"Anyway, you can do your own dumb laundry-" Melli's eyes went wide, finally noticing the other two Wardens. "Where did you two come from?!"
"We've been here the whole time." Calaba gestured to the spot they had been sitting.
"N-no you weren't! You just showed up!"
"I suppose you are far less observant than I thought," the elderly woman huffed. "I'm still amazed you've survived this long."
"You didn't see them, right Snowflake?" He turned to the other wanting answers, but Snowflake just looked nervous. Palina was looking straight at him with a hand over her mouth, seeming more shocked than anything else.
Snowflake's mouth twitched, trying to find the words before realizing he didn't have a hood on his shirt.
Finally, Arcanine's Warden broke the silence.
"… Snowflake? Was it-"
"I'm not a Zoruark I swear!"
"Z-Zoruark?" Palina stammered, but Snowflake already dove back behind his bush for cover.
"Hey! Don't you dare leave me out here on my own! How dare you betray me!" Melli's angry pleas went ignored, except for Skuntank being unceremoniously shoved out from behind the bush to take the other's place.
"Palina, you should know better than to stare at people," Calaba chided. "He's self conscious about his scars."
"T-that's not why I was staring!" She stammered. "He just… he looks just like Ingo." She looked to said Warden for confirmation. "Do you know him?"
"… I thought I did at first, but Snowflake doesn't recognize me, so our resemblance is likely a coincidence." Which he still wasn't completely sure about, but not wanting a bigger mess in case his incline was wrong, remained quiet.
Palina frowned, while Calaba huffed and shook her head.
"I am surrounded by fools," the old woman cleared her throat. "Snowflake. Did Melli give you a Celestial Flute yet?"
"No?" He peered out from his hiding spot, a funky little Vulpix sprawled out over his head like a makeshift hat hiding more of his scaring and ears. It took a moment to connect the tongue lolling out of its mouth with a little orange Zorua that bit him not long before. "Was he supposed to?"
"Wait!" Melli interrupted. "You don't know what your doing-"
"It's a good thing Irida had you in mind then," she ignored Melli's pleas and gestured for Ingo to hand her something.
It took him a moment, finally remembering what Irida had given him before they left.
"M-my apologies!" He sputtered. "I lost track of my thoughts with all the… excitement." Pulling out a brand new Celestial Flute, passing it to her for delivery.
"Irida wasn't sure if Melli managed to get you one before the incident with Adaman, so she requested we give you this. It's far safer to have one out here." She gave it to the new owner, none of his Pokémon blocking her approach.
"Breee?" Caboose sniffed the carved piece of wood, Melli slapping his forehead with a loud groan.
Why was he so upset?
The loud sound of multiple notes at the same time answered his question. Snowflake pulled away and snickered. It was a familiar sound, giving Ingo pause.
Something big made a noise similar to that…
"We can play together now, Melli!" Snowflakes soft voice broke through his thoughts.
"You only make that awful sound on mine! We can't play to that!"
"It's hard with one hand."
"I don't care about your excuses!"
"If you are ever in the Mirelands again, I'll make sure Lord Ursaluna is familiar with your sound, in case you ever need assistance." Calaba continued as if Melli didn't exist.
"Thank you, Calaba! You are a verrrry nice person." He smiled genuinely, not expecting the twin Sneasels to rush over for a flute inspection. "Ash Cat? What are you doing here?"
"Snea!"
They both poked and prodded, despite the "Vulpix" on his head snarling the whole time.
Ingo's focus switched back to Melli, now that Palina was approaching him.
"How is the Alpha I left with you? I hope he hasn't been too much trouble."
"He's somehow less troublesome than Snowflake, which is really saying something…" He grimaced at another sour note played by Snowflake, Calaba clearly having a great time with the whole situation. Coal took his chance to step out from hiding, standing behind Skuntank but still wagging his tail happy to see a familiar human. "Him and Skuntank are… uhhh… I'm sorry, I really don't know how to explain this."
She watched how Skuntank nuzzled his friend reassuringly, giggling at the sight.
"You finally have a partner I see. I'm so happy you found someone at last."
"Bork!" The Growlith panted in agreement.
"Thank you for taking such good care of him. I had a feeling it would work out."
He gave her a sceptical look, though Paulina either didn't notice or care. She smiled all the same, letting her own Growlith companion interact with the other Pokémon.
Ingo couldn't help but chuckle, pulling his hat further over his face.
"Warden Ingo! You should visit us sometime and we can play flute together!" Snowflake waved trying to get his attention.
"No he won't! He's already neglectful enough to his Lady! I won't have a slacker playing flute with me!"
"O-oh. Right. Never mind, Ingo." The other Skyfaller smiled apologetically.
Ingo chuckled. He honestly didn't mind if Melli was purposefully excluding him. The boy had a good friend he could finally count on. A relief in itself. Melli always gave him pause, though he hoped thing were better for him in back home. With that being disproved, seeing him finally open up this much to someone lifted a weight he'd nearly forgotten about in these past few months.
A sad groan made him pause. Glancing to the left, seeing that thieving Sneasel longingly staring at their dirty laundry bag, looking back at his completely oblivious trainer yet too nervous to try anything. He whimpered and tapped the bag with a knuckle, sighing longingly.
He had to admit the change in its demeanor was astounding, and it hasn't even been that long since they last saw each other.
Perhaps he'd ask for Snowflake's training secret one of these days.
For a second, he even thought something yellow and fuzzy moved around the folds of that bag, though he choked it up to seeing things.
More important matters were finally being addressed.
Palina and Melli had gone from chatting semi normally to low whispers, the Diamond Warden in particular looking shocked.
They hadn't been notified yet of the Man Eater attack.
Not a surprise, given what happened with Adaman and the apparent attitude of his Clan members right after.
He's half surprised they haven't tried hunting these two down yet.
Perhaps it's more of a mutually agreed upon exile? Whether Adaman knows or not.
"Rei was attacked…" Melli's face went pale at Palina's words.
"T-that… Galaxy kid….?"
The woman nodded sadly, Melli's face looking green.
"He is fine, if you were curious," Ingo stated, stepping slightly closer now that the conversation turned serious. "He managed to escape with minor injuries, though his Staravia wasn't so lucky."
"I see… thank you for letting me know." His previous fake bravado completely evaporated. "So I was right all along. The Luxray culling was a mistake."
Palina whispered in agreement. "I still can't believe it happened, and a Man Eater attack right in the middle of it all."
"It was either angry with the Galaxy Team's actions, or it was mocking them," Ingo stroked his goatee, the others looking to him for more of an explanation. "I don't know if I buy that it's a demon just yet…" he glanced at Snowflake still trying to follow Calaba's instructions on flute holding, the false Vulpix laying against his scalp falling asleep.
False Vulpix…
"… What if it isn't a Luxray?"
"Yeah, we already agree it's a demon." Melli stated slowly, like Ingo was losing his mind.
"No. I mean, what if it's another kind of Pokémon masquerading as a Luxray?"
Palina's eyes widened, hand going to her mouth. "Like a Zoroark casting illusions?"
"That's precisely what I'm thinking. Perhaps it didn't vanish when being chased by Lord Kleavor, and simply took on a different illusion?"
"That can't be right." Melli shook his head. "Man Eater knows electric attacks. It can't be a Zoroark."
"Perhaps the electric moves were part of its illusions? For instance, if it uses the move Bounce that can leave a target paralyzed. However, it created an illusion to make it appear like an electrical attack."
"That would make sense…" Palina pondered. "They seek vengeance against the humans that wronged them, and what better way to escape punishment than to take on another form."
"Using the Luxrays as escape goats." Ingo nodded. This made the most sense to him. They couldn't find the scarred Luxray because there wasn't one. It was an especially violent Zoroark wishing to harm as many humans as possible.
Perhaps multiple Zoroarks.
"It can't be a Zoroark," Melli stated more firmly. "I know what I saw, and I work with an electric type Lord. I know what a real electric attack looks like. I know what it feels like. How the air changes itself changes right as the sparks fly. That thing used electric attacks."
"Melli, we are just considering all possibilities," Palina tried reassuring. "If it disguised its attacks-"
"I know what I saw!" He snapped. "In fact, if your so convinced, why don't you ask someone that actually WAS attacked, like Snowflake!"
"I am Snowflake-"
"Not now!" Melli's growl stopped any further commentary, everyone's attention drawn to the yelling.
"I know, why don't you ask your Lady's former Warden! But you can't, because he was Paralyzed by a damn Thunder Fang before getting his neck snapped!"
Palina gasped, shaking at the memory.
Ingo stepped between them. This had gone too far.
"Melli, that's enough-"
"Apparently not, because everyone keeps doubting me! I know what I saw, what I FELT! It could use genuine electric attacks!"
"Melli-"
"But it was an electric attack that hurt me."
Everyone froze, turning to a rather nervous Snowflake. He was looking at the ground, Caboose held in his arms. He squeezed her a little tighter, trying to continue.
"I-It felt just like all those Voltorbs discharging at once… Verrrry hot and tingly, a-and hair standing up. Definitely not a physical move…"
Ingo considered protesting, but he could tell by the look on Snowflake's face.
He completely believed it was an electric attack that paralyzed him during that brutal assault, and they were only making things worse by questioning it.
Ingo didn't want to see him upset anymore.
"Very well. I trust in your judgement," he conceded, pulling his hat brim lower. "I apologize for disrupting your transit."
"Hmph! Whatever! We have actual important things to get back to. No more time for such stupid ideas," Melli huffed, grabbing his vials of soap and their bag of laundry. "Come, Snowflake! We are leaving!"
"Wait up!" Melli was already walking while Snowflake scrambled to herd their Pokémon along. "Goodbye Calaba, Ingo, and whoever you are! Full speed ahead!"
He rushed off towards the river, their gang of Pokémon following close behind.
"Ingo…." Palina finally said after an awkward moment of silence.
"I know. He was very adamant it was indeed an electric type."
"N-no, I was going to say you don't have to stand that far away."
Ingo blinked, looking at the seven foot distance he left between them.
"I was simply sparing your senses."
Palina sputtered in embarrassment, Calaba cackling hard.
"Sinnoh almighty, you youngin's will give me a heart attack at this rate."
"I-Ingo? Are you really still mad at me? Or is this a joke?" Palina questioned. "I am so sorry for offending you, please!"
He couldn't help but smirk as the old woman shook her head calling them both fools through her laughter.
The twins were confused by the whole thing, rushing back to Ingo for reassurance.
"It's alright little ones. You aren't in trouble."
"Snea!"
"Snea!"
They both echoed each other, the old man leaning down to pat their heads.
"Yes, yes. Snea indeed."
XxxxxxxxxxxX
Double post to make up for taking so long to post the other (I'm sorry I seriously forgot to post it).
So I learned that many Chinese people have a recessive gene that makes it so they don't smell like body odor, which plagues the rest of the world. Even in Japan some people are so paranoid about the foreigner stink they won't sit next to them on trains.
Deodorant is a foreign concept.
We got two New Yorkers in what is essentially old world Pokémon Japan with a few other westerners. People gotta notice they smell different from the locals XP
The Joltiks are here! Chandelure is on her way! And Snowflake has a new instrument (rip Melli's eardrums. Emmet was not the musically inclined of the twins).
And yes, I totally imagine Snowflake playing it like a train whistle, despite it not being a train whistle (Irida had to give Ingo many, many lesson before he could play his like a sensible adult).
Thanks to my one friend and a comment by nyacat39 I have officially decided Lady Sneasler's type, so I guess if you wanna try picturing her former Warden, imagine a grey hair middle aged man that isn't Ingo XP
Snowflake and Melli are now close enough they do posing together (at least, Snowflake is verrry good at mimicking Melli). The kitty is out on how Melli feels about it, but he's will to try if Snowflake is so insistent. And the gang has a new Man Eater theory?
Are they correct? Where will Chandelure end up next?
Sorry for the long end note. Leave a comment if you have the time! After life in the real world being rough I love seeing everyone's thoughts.