Let's go! (-o-)
Zoey woke up, feeling very warm and cozy.
As her eyes took in her surroundings, she found herself tightly bundled up in thick blankets on a comfy bed, a battered wooden table next to her. The strange Hisiuan Zorua was sleeping on her chest, but stirred as Zoey awoke.
There was a strange rumbling sound, and an odd figure walked up to her holding a mug of steaming cocoa. Zoey felt very startled when she realized it was a clay sculpture, designed to resemble a butler of sorts.
It placed the cocoa on the table, and stood there, its solid white eyes viewing her silently. Zoey felt somewhat disturbed, but she sat up and took the cocoa. The Zorua leapt down and curled back up by her feet.
After drinking a bit, she said, "You must've been the one who saved me. Thank you."
"He helped. But I'm the one you should be thanking."
Zoey turned to see a young woman leaning in the doorway. They were quite tall and lean, with calm yellow eyes and long amber hair. They wore a dirty brown apron and clothes, and the woman's cocoa skin blended right in with them. Her hands were coated in clay, but the young lady didn't seem to notice - or care.
"Hello, stranger.", she greeted, "My name is Reesy, and that is Bob. Say hi, Bob."
The clay man waved.
"Um, hi.", Zoey replied, "My name is Zoey. So, uh...what IS Bob, exactly?"
Reesy replied, "A butler."
Zoey stared, and the woman laughed.
"I'm pulling your leg. I call him a clay golem. Not the Pokemon, obviously.", she explained, "Bob was the first one I ever made. He's been helping me run the shop ever since I crafted him. He'll do just about anything I ask him to."
"Wow.", Zoey replied, "I didn't know those things existed."
Reesy shrugged. "To be fair, I didn't know either until about a year ago. He was a total accident."
Zoey was intrigued. "Really?"
Reesy nodded. "Perhaps I'll tell you the story another time. Right now, I'd like to know why you were half-dead in the snow and accompanied by a Shiny Hisiuan Zorua."
"He's shiny?!", cried Zoey, looking down at him.
The Zorua seemed dismissive of her surprise, and just tried to keep sleeping.
"Of course.", Reesy replied, "I'm surprised you didn't notice that already."
"Well, I was dying at the time...", Zoey muttered.
She then went on to explain everything that had happened since the two giant Pokemon.
When she finished her story, Reesy said, "Interesting...I'm glad I found you when I did. But neither me nor my golems saw any ambushers."
Zoey shrugged. "Perhaps I just imagined it."
"Maybe...", Reesy replied.
She then asked, "Do you think your friends are still looking for you?"
Before Zoey could respond, there was a loud crash, and a gust of cold wind whipped through the building.
"Where is Zoey!?", yelled Rex's voice, and Zoey could hear the sounds of her friends moving around.
"She's in here!", called Reesy, "Be careful or you'll trigger the security! If you haven't already..."
Hurrying into the room were Zoey's friends, looking ready for a fight. However, when they saw her sitting on the bed, mostly alright (although Zoey realized her arms were both furry and ended with claws now), they seemed to relax.
"Hey guys.", Zoey greeted, "I'm all right now."
Victor asked, "Um...do I want to ask why you have Lycanroc arms? Because that doesn't look all right to me..."
Zoey winced. "Yeah...I haven't really been thinking about that, what with nearly freezing to death. But I feel fine right now."
"Well, that's nice.", replied Rex. He looked over at Reesy. "But who is she? And, uh, why is that statue alive?"
Reesy answered, "I'm Reesy, owner of the establishment you just smashed the door to, and the 'statue' is Bob. He's nice - I made him myself."
Cain seemed thoughtful on this. Kai asked, "Wait, you made him yourself? Like, with magic?"
Reesy held up her hands. "With these, although magic is definitely involved. I don't like talking about it though...people around these parts are very superstitious. They don't even know my golems exist. Too dangerous for me."
Victor nodded. "I believe I can relate..."
Seth said, "Wait a second...if I'm getting all of this straight...Reesy, do you remember seeing a strange Pokemon right before your first golems came to life?"
Reesy seemed a little surprised. "Hmm, actually I think I did. I had a dream of some ancient white giant the night before. It was weird."
Cain said grimly, "Okay then. This might be a lot to take in..."
"If you're about to say Legendborn, I am quite aware of that story.", Reesy replied, "And quite frankly I don't care. The stories say the Darkness arose from beneath the ice. I would rather not attract its attention, but I am willing to fight if anything comes after me."
"That won't be enough.", Seth stated, "We came here to rescue the Pokemon they stole from us terrifyingly easily. We've been through many hardships already, and things are getting worse. The Darkness will come for you eventually, and we need every Legendborn to get together and fight it."
Reesy replied, "My golems and I are tougher than you think."
"So is the Darkness.", Victor countered.
The room was silent for a moment.
Reesy finally said, "I really, really don't want to get involved in this. All I want is to stay here and work on my art. This heroic destiny thing isn't for me."
Suddenly a deep chill swept through the room, and the lanterns illuminating it were purged into darkness.
"Oh, little Legendborn...hiding will not save you from the master of shadows...", came the voice of the Darkness.
Reesy readied a pocket knife. "Where are you?", she demanded, "Show yourself!"
The Darkness chuckled. "I am everywhere. Each single shadow is a fragment of my power. You cannot hope to defeat me. There is no staying neutral here, Reesy. Or else you will die."
Reesy turned towards the others. "You led him here!"
The Darkness cackled. "Of course they did. Go ahead...unleash your rage..."
"He's trying to deceive you!", cried Seth, "If we fight, only he gets to gain!"
"Oh, you naughty naughty boy...", purred the Darkness, "Yet you can't even stand on your own feet."
A shadowy tendril lashed out of the wall, wrapping around Seth's leg and squeezing it tightly, causing Seth to scream in agony.
"Let go of him!", shouted Zoey, lunging at the tendril and using her magical shield to sever it. It vanished, and Seth fell to the floor with a pained gasp.
"Zoey...Zoey...how bold you are, yet you are doomed to life as a were-Lycanroc.", the Darkness said, "Do you even know what that entails? Do you know how you could harm, will harm your friends, your family? How you will become a mindless beast every full moon, one that obeys MY command?"
"Shut up!", screamed Zoey, slashing at the shadows around the room. The Darkness merely laughed.
"Cain!", Rex cried, "Do the glowy banishment thing again!"
The Darkness laughed once more. "Foolish children. There is only so many times you can pull a trick before I counter it. But very well. I'll leave you now...but I will be eagerly awaiting for your arrival beneath the ice. I can't wait to give you the grand tour..."
The chill left the room, and the lanterns flickered back to life.
"Holy Arceus.", whispered Kai, "What are we going to do? I'm not sure how long we can stand him popping up like that..."
"Well.", Reesy replied, "You have successfully convinced me to help you. Outside of town, the Ice Warden and his Noble guard an old ruin. Supposedly there is a treasure there capable of holding back the full extent of the Darkness's power...for some time. If we're going to rescue your Pokemon, we should probably try and get it."
"I'm all for that.", Rex replied, "Anything that will stop his little visits."
"Well, then, let's get moving.", Reesy said. (-o-)
AN: A short chapter, but an important one nonetheless! Reesy was a cool concept I came up with while trying to think of a less well-represented Legendary. I think the one I chose fulfills that purpose easily!
Next time, we're heading back to Azulia, but don't worry! I have plans for Glashear as well.
See you all next time!