The Lordless Island : Chapter 7

Commander Kamado wanted Sylvern to debrief the mission immediately after she came back, but he had no choice but to wait until the child can wake up to do that.

Sylvern broke the record by sleeping for 3 days because of Lilligant's powder before she can fully functioned again. Ingo was informed about it by Irida when she knew it from Calaba and now, Ingo stationed himself again in Sylvern's quarters at Jubilife Village with Luxray as his constant companion on keeping their eye on her progress.

On the 4th day after she came back, Sylvern slowly opened her heavy eyes. Her muddy foggy mind was still rather sleepy. She wanted to sleep again, but Ingo moved to her line of vision and smiled warmly seeing her awake. She missed him, she wanted to be awake.

"Here," Ingo helped her sat up when he noticed her struggle. He put up blankets and pillows behind her back to prop it while Sylvern's silver grey eyes slowly opened more. She noticed her pokemon were all there and Ingo. Her muddy mind was still feeling under she can barely think of anything at all.

That's why when she caught Luxray was telling Ingo about her 'dark aura', she thought nothing of it. She can't remember.

Sylvern tried her voice first, "Un-cle.. Ingo?.." thankfully it doesn't sound that bad, it's just small and quiet.

"I'm here Young Sylvern." Ingo answered her readily, "Do you still feel drowsy?" when Sylvern gave him a confused look, he simplified, "Do you still feel sleepy?"

"Oh.." her response was slow but it was there, "I guess.. but I want.. I want awake.."

"Don't worry, Healer Tomma made some remedy for that. It will wake you up through the night later but that will be an easier fix. It's a little bitter, but Luxray got you some honey to sweeten your tongue after you drink it. Are you ready?" Ingo asked.

Sylvern just nodded and Ingo helped her drank the medicine from the small pot. Sylvern wanted to just threw it out again but if it helps her awake, she'll endure it.

After she was done, Ingo gave her the promised honey which she immediately drank as well. Ingo chuckled when Sylvern complained, "You're wrong Uncle Ingo.. It's not little, it's so bitter."

"I'm sorry." Ingo said still with a small chuckle. Sylvern just gave him a small pout before laughed when Luxray nuzzled her with Dartrix and Vaporeon not far behind him.

A few moments of comfortable silence then it was broke by Rei's knocking on the door, "I'm sorry Warden Ingo but.. the Commander called Sylvern to his office if she can already do a comprehensive conversation. I would've call you later but.. the Commander isn't in a good mood and he wants that report now." He said apologetically.

Ingo wanted to protest but Sylvern already nodded, "I'll be right up there Rei, thanks." She does feel refreshed, but she felt like she was missing something, but what?


After Sylvern left for debriefing, Ingo and Luxray continued their previous conversation, "You said there was some kind of dark aura coming from within her?" Ingo asked.

"Yes." Luxray said firmly, "It triggered Dartrix as well, like he's responding to it. He becomes more merciless in battle and he was ready to end the Toxicroak if no one interfered with him and Sylvern. Especially Sylvern."

"Hmm.." Ingo hummed in thought. He knew there were a few trainers in his recovered memories that were ready to hurt others even if it's not necessary. But usually they were adults, children were more innocent in their battles and more passionate. So why Sylvern reacted that way? Yes, Luxray was hurt, but it wasn't supposed to trigger Dartrix to hurt the other pokemon that badly.

Was Sylvern pure anger cause it?

Ingo won't have any answer with this if he doesn't see it for himself. But he hopes there's no repeat of the incident.

Being angry was normal. Frustrated? Yes. But if the pokemon reacts that badly about said emotions of their human? Ingo didn't know if the problem was within Sylvern or her pokemon, because from what Ingo recalled, Luxray told him Vaporeon was an inch from attacking as well.


Sylvern was debriefing the mission with Irida and Commander Kamado. Commander Kamado didn't really have another mission for her but Irida requested that she checked on Warden Palina at Cobalt Coastlands who just recently lost her lord pokemon there. It was a simple mission, Irida just asked her to check on Palina's condition. But Sylvern suspected that there was more than that.

But even that, she doesn't have enough stars to travel there. She should have at least three stars in her rank. So off she goes to another research mission.

This time, it wasn't that hard to asked permission from Ingo, even though she noticed he looked rather worry than usual.

But Sylvern can't dawdle with it, Irida's quest seemed rather urgent and the Commander will scold her again if she's not hurry.

So off she goes to Crimson Mirelands.


Sylvern didn't have much luck at Crimson Mirelands.

She really tried, but the pokemon there didn't stand and hear reasons, they just outright attacked her with mud and poison which made her ended up trembling in fear even after she came back to the Professor with only little things to be add to her pokedex.

Professor Laventon looked so worried and took pity at the sight of trembling Sylvern, "You don't have to research at Crimson Mirelands if you're not up to it yet my dear. You can just continue researching pokemon at Obsidian Fieldlands to raise your rank."

Sylvern slowly looked up at him with so much hope in her silver grey eyes, it broke the Professor's heart, "R-Really?"

Professor Laventon smiled kindly to the child, "Yes. You probably have to come back here sometime later, but for today why don't you take a break to Obsidian Fieldlands? There are still many pokemon there that you haven't research yet."

"Yes! Thank you Professor!" Sylvern smiled widely with relief. Wyrdeer who was standing behind her after she came back to report to the Professor just snorted in amusement and mild concern before nudging the child to get on his back. Professor Laventon helped her this time and they were off to Obsidian Fieldlands.


After going back and forth around Obsidian Fieldlands to cover more after her 'failure' in Crimson Mirelands, Sylvern was too focus on her work she didn't watch where she was going after the sky started to get dark.

She took a stumble and rolled down into the river near Horseshoe Plains.

Luxray, Dartrix, and Vaporeon were so shocked they froze for a moment. The shock and fear for the safety of the child sent Dartrix to another evolution.

Luxray and Vaporeon stared in disbelief at the newly evolved Decidueye before someone threw Sylvern back to the river bank. It was a Floatzel.

The three of them quickly ran to Sylvern side when they heard the Floatzel scolding up a storm to Sylvern whom was too busy coughing the water out while the Floatzel rubbed her back firmly to help her out.

"You can just run around like that without looking. What if you drown? Hm? What then? I see you can't swim either. Where are your parents? Guardians? And you three," she directed her pointed glare to Sylvern's three pokemon, "Are you her guardians? Why did you let her fall to the river? Did you even know the child can't even swim? Why are you-"

Floatzel directed her scolding to her three pokemon before Sylvern can finally saw her surroundings clearly again. In fact, she can see all the Buizels and some Floatzels around them were watching them. Some look amused, some just look at them with pity, probably because the female adult Floatzel was infamous for her overprotective nature which Sylvern found amusing if she's not the one who's on the receiving end.

"And you-" the Floatzel looked at the child again seeing that the girl was clearly alright other than the shivers from the cold water, "Are you always so reckless like that? You have three guardians and they almost can't keep up with you? What-"

"Okay first of, I didn't catch some of that, you were storming up way too fast." Sylvern said with placating hands initiating for the Floatzel to stand down for now since the pokemon clearly knew Sylvern could understand her speech somehow, "Second, Luxray is more of my guardian, just one. Dartri- uh… I don't know what your evolution called, hold on." She pulled out her Arc Phone and noticed it says 'Decidueye', "Okay, Decidueye and Vaporeon here are young pokemon, they're not responsible for what happened because of my clumsiness, not even Luxray." The three pokemon wanted to protest but Sylvern already moved on since she's afraid the Floatzel will just continue her tirade, "Third, it's my fault that I fell. Fourth, I.. don't have any parents here or official guardians. Fifth, I just noticed Dartrix evolved again, how come you evolve so fast?" she directed the incredulous tone to the now taller pokemon whom shrugged, "Sixth, I'm fine." She directed to all of them who were in hearing range and looking at her worriedly, "Seventh, Hi I'm Sylvern. Nice to meet you all." She let out an innocent wide grin that was genuinely happy to see them.

Many of the Buizels looked at her like she was out of what their minds could comprehend, while the other Floatzels let out snorts of amusement and some even go as far as to laughed amusedly at her words. At least no one wanted to attack her since they noticed she was just a young small child.

Also because the Floatzel who saved her has taken the child under her protection after knowing how much of an accident prone the child was and no one wanted to mess with protective 'Mama Floatzel'.

Sylvern didn't know this of course so she stood up and smiled gratefully to the taller Floatzel, "Thank you for saving me. You saved my life. Bye bye for now-" Sylvern was waving, but Floatzel took her hand and pulled her closer to embraced the child close, "Uhm.." Sylvern tried to look at her three pokemon whom knew what just happened and tried to smother their laughs of amusement at her predicament. Sylvern though tried to looked up confusedly and finally asked, "You know I can't stay right?.."

Floatzel snorted. Of course she knew.

"Okay.." Sylvern caught Luxray's gentle amused gaze who just motioned with his head as if to say 'go on', before Sylvern dare to asked, "So.. you wanted to come with us?"

Floatzel gave a cry of agreement and nuzzled the girl for finally figuring it out. Sylvern laughed at the affection, "Okay, okay. Let me just get- here we go." She pulled out a pokeball and Floatzel touched it before she was sucked inside.

Mother Floatzel officially joined Sylvern's little research team.


Professor Laventon was waiting near the camp when he saw Sylvern waving enthusiastically to him, "Professor! Professor! You can't guess what just happened!" Sylvern was actually reluctant to tell the Professor that she almost drowned in the river but knew that he probably figured it out later and start asking questions after seeing her come back soaked. So she decided to just tell the news brightly while adding the bigger news in the end. It will helped her not to get a lengthy lecture.

Which she was right. Professor Laventon just lectured her slightly about being more careful before he was completely enraptured with her story about Dartrix evolving and getting a new friend.

But Sylvern didn't take the account of Professor Laventon telling the story back to Ingo whom was in Jubilife Village at the day.

Ingo was not lenient to Sylvern like the Professor and pressed firmly of how important safety precautions are while exploring the wild. Absolutely no running around in the dark.

"But how about if I'm still far from the base camp?.." Sylvern somewhat whined at the new rule, "It's not like I can just walk back.. I need to run to get to the camp faster Uncle Ingo."

Ingo was not deterred, "It's better that you walk back to safety by avoiding accident and reach the safe destination rather than running but doesn't manage to get to your destination safely."

Sylvern clammed her mouth at that. He's not wrong.

Ingo sighed. No matter how long he's going to lecture her it's not going to work long if she didn't understand why safety is so important, "Sylvern, you know I care about you right? Just like Rei, Professor Laventon, Luxray, Decidueye, Vaporeon, and Floatzel do."

Sylvern nodded still with a slight frown on her face.

Ingo hold her shoulders gently while kneeling to her level, "Then you know how much it hurts us to see if you get hurt Sylvern. We would like to prevent it with every safety precautions there were because we love you. Do you understand?"

Sylvern looked down at that and nodded. She felt guilty, she didn't mean to worry them that much.

"Regardless," Ingo took her chin gently to looked at her wide silver grey eyes that were pretty much like his own and smiled softly, "That doesn't mean you can't have fun while you are exploring. I just want you to understand how it's important to be safe while doing your work. It doesn't hurt every now and then to be more careful while still also having fun. Do you?"

"It is fun to explore.." Sylvern admitted, "But so far I can only explore around Obsidian Fieldlands.. I want to explore other places to, but the pokemon there are not that nice.."

Ingo smiled sadly at that, "Yes, it is quite dangerous and not all pokemon can be friendly, but even so, you still managed in Obsidian Fieldlands. That doesn't make it impossible to do the same with the other places."

Sylvern perked up, "Speaking of other places.. What's Coronet Highlands look like Uncle Ingo?" she asked curiously.

Ingo's smile brighten a little at that, "It fills with high cliffs and lands, hence the name. It was quite windy there as well colder, but there are many unique pokemon there. It also the living place for Lady Sneasler and Lord Electrode. When you are ready to visit there I will personally take you around."

"Really?" Sylvern's eyes brightened as well as her smile. Ingo smiled softened and nodded, "Of course."


Sylvern has took another two trips to Obsidian Fieldlands to eventually get her third star. Now that she did, it's time to go to the new island.

Cobalt Coastlands.

The island where there is no more Lord because the last Lord pokemon died after saving his son.

For strange reasons Sylvern can't understand, she can relate to the 'die' part but not knowing why. She told this to Ingo before departing but Ingo decided not to tell her anything for now, just looking at her with sad eyes and bid her a safe trip.

Ingo knew for even if Sylvern has her memories back, she doesn't really remember her father.

Her father died after serving military mission when Sylvern was just 2 years old.

That was part of the main reason why he and another person who looked like him become her father figures.

Ingo can't tell her anything until he can regain his full memories. Not yet…

He has a bad feeling when that day comes later..


Arriving at Cobalt Coastlands, Professor Laventon and Sylvern met Irida there who was looking like she will burn somehow after standing in this hot.. sunny day.

When Sylvern asked this, all she offered was, "My clan's settlement was far far colder than this. I am more used to cold weather than hot sunny ones." And that's that.

"When you check on Palina," Irida started, "Can you somehow persuade her to try get the former Lord's son to step up as the new Lord?"

Sylvern was confused, "You know her better than me.. she's your clan member. Why asking me?"

Irida looked uncomfortable by the question but answered, "I.. have tried, the others had tried. But.. Palina won't listen to reason because she said the former Lord's son still not ready. He might never be ready.." Irida looked rather nostalgic and sad at the same time but Sylvern didn't dare to comment. It seems cruel of her to force the Lord's son to take up his father's footsteps when he's not ready, but Sylvern has a feeling Irida knew what that feels like and she seems to go through it a lot.

So Sylvern didn't agree or disagree.

"I'll.. try and talk to her. But I can't guarantee she'll listen to me. I've never met her before." Sylvern said honestly.

Irida though smiled gratefully, "It's okay. Thank you so much Sylvern."

Sylvern nodded and asked where she can find Palina.

Irida this time looked somewhat worried and sheepish at the same time, "Palina usually at Veilstone Cape right now. Up at the end point of that cliff." Irida pointed to a high cliff at the distance.

Sylvern's eyes widened in disbelief when she saw it.

"It's so high up!" she immediately whined in complaint, "It will probably be midnight before I reach there!"

"But.. you can call Wyrdeer to help you get there, right?" Irida asked confuse on why Sylvern looked somewhat annoyed.

"He takes a day off." Was Sylvern's short answer.

"What?" Irida and Professor Laventon asked.

"I'm serious. He told me that yesterday. His mate is going to have a baby. Mai's with him today to help." Sylvern wasn't annoyed about Wyrdeer, but the walk up the cliff will be a nightmare for her short legs. She just glad Rei wasn't there to tease her more about her short legs.

"Oh.." Irida sighed.

"Yep." Sylvern agreed whole-heartedly, "Well.. I think we should get going.." Sylvern glanced at Luxray who was out of his ball whom nodded.

Professor Laventon suddenly gasped, "Oh! I almost forgot, Commander Kamado asked you to go to Firespit Island to investigate some disturbance there Sylvern. But you have to meet Warden Iscan first, because to get to the island, you'll need Basculegion's help."

Sylvern was highly confused, "Why? And what's a Basculegion?"

"The island is in the middle of the sea. As for Basculegion.."Professor Laventon smiled, "It's better if you see it yourselves. The surprise of the ride was always better than knowing before."

"O-kay.." Sylvern just agreed. She has to get going if she wanted to arrive before tomorrow. Luxray is a good climber but they never tried it with Sylvern on his back. Obsidian Fieldlands cliffs were not that high and Sylvern usually travels on foot with Luxray trailing behind to keep an eye on her.

Well- new experience means learning new stuff, time to gear up.


Arriving at the end of Veilstone Cape, it was already midnight and both Luxray and Sylvern were dead tired.

Sure the pokemon here weren't as aggressive as the ones from Crimson Mirelands, Sylvern didn't even have to let anybody else out from their pokeballs. But that just mean Luxray dealt with the ones they accidentally met and that alpha Drapion near the beach was a crazy opponent.

Luxray leave from that battle almost unscathed but he was tired, not to mention the route ahead was all up hill and all climb. Sylvern also has to dealt with curious Aipoms trying to steal from her satchel, not to mention the Murkrows around were creepy enough to made Sylvern almost teary eyed from their furious cries. Luxray dealt with those with the same amount of anger when they threatened his cub.

The real obstacle though were the cliffs. Sylvern had tried to climb on her own since she knew Luxray was already tired from battle with the alpha and to not be a weight burden. But Luxray quickly vetoed the idea when Sylvern slipped and her palm was sliced from the sharp rocks. Sylvern stayed on his back the whole way after that.

All in all, Palina immediately worried when she saw the state Sylvern and Luxray came to her. Her Growlithes were looking worried as well when they sensed the two tiredness and frustration.

"Please tell me you are Palina from Pearl Clan that Irida asked me to find." Sylvern asked almost desperately when seeing the tall woman.

Palina can't help but chuckled slightly and nodded, "Palina is my name. Now, what did Irida asked of you to send you all the way here to find me?"

Sylvern started to get nervous before she looked at the smaller Growlithe. Both of them stared at each other's eyes searchingly and Growlithe reached the conclusion while Sylvern looked frustrated.

Growlithe realized they both has almost the same kind of history about their fathers.

Sylvern didn't remember any of it, but there was a tiny thing tugging on the back of her mind that she felt she should've remembered. It was getting frustrating so she shook her head and said, "Irida asked me if the island former Lord's son will be able to step up to his father's position anytime soon.. Hold on, you're the former Lord's son, aren't you?" Sylvern asked the smaller Growlithe whom she got into staring contest just a minute ago. Her tired mind made her sound somewhat accusing and it made the Growlithe step back a little. Luxray admonished the girl almost immediately by cuffing the back of her head with his front paw. Sylvern whined at the slight pain and protested that she didn't mean anything about it. Luxray just cuffed her again and Sylvern muttered an apology to the smaller Growlithe.

The smaller Growlithe got the sense that the child was not a harm to him. Even the bigger Growlithe didn't react much and just looked with amusement at Luxray and the child arguing. Palina's reaction was not far from him.

After Luxray and Sylvern were done arguing, Palina explained why the former Lord's son was not ready yet. Deep inside, Sylvern agreed when she compared it with her survey works. Sure it wasn't exactly forced, but if she didn't work she'll probably get thrown out of the village.

Sylvern remembered how lonely and afraid she was when she first arrived and told to earn her keep. For as far as her feelings go about her memories, she never had a feeling she had worked so hard like this before.

Sylvern unconsciously looked sadly at the smaller Growlithe which surprisingly he returned.

"Okay.. so obviously Irida's request is a no for now and for the near future. For Commander Kamado's request though.. he wants me to go to Firespit Island to investigate but Professor Laventon told me to see Warden Iscan first so I can ask for Basculegion's help. Do you know where Warden Iscan is?" Sylvern asked. Palina told her she can find Iscan at Aipom Hill but suggested that they took a rest first. Sylvern assured her that they are fine to keep going. Sure it's midnight already, but after sleeping for days Sylvern was very much awake aside from the tiredness. She was worried with Luxray, but Luxray was almost like Sylvern's condition. He never stray far from Sylvern so when Sylvern spent those days sleeping, he was resting as well so both of them has the energy to keep going. Besides, downhill routes are faster than uphills and less tiring. They can do this.


Finding Iscan was the easy part. Talking to him was the harder part.

He had thought they were ghosts at first when he saw them on dead night looking tired and everything at the front of his hut. Honestly Sylvern can't blame him for that but she didn't feel all that guilty either.

"You need to find a Dusc- I mean a big floating pokemon with one giant eye in the center and two big hands on their sides." Iscan finally said after she told him what they were coming for.

"I'm sorry, a what?" Sylvern asked. She knew he asked for a pokemon since he said Basculegion's snack is covered with one of their moves, but Iscan refused to elaborate with the full name more than he already did and Sylvern never heard the description of such before so she wasn't that sure she could find it in the night almost dawn.

"Oh don't worry, you need to go out at night if you want to catch one of them, they are g-ghost type." Iscan shivered a little before hinting it out more to help the young girl, "They're usually found in Deadwood Haunt. Do you have a map?" Sylvern showed him a map and he pointed to the hand-shape like island.

Now, to find the pokemon called Dusc- whatever it is she needs to check on her Arc Phone later.


After reaching Deadwood Haunt, Sylvern understands immediately why Iscan was so scared of them. The pokemon were literally milling around there and scared other pokemon away.

Luxray stayed in his pokeball so Sylvern can sneak up on one and was ready to throw the pokeball when Dusclops turned to her direction.

The pokemon doesn't have a mouth, but Sylvern was sure he was grinning maliciously then.

"There's darkness hidden deeply inside you. It was starting to leak out though. Hmm, ever wonder why they send you here in the first place? Your darkness is so delicious, maybe a lure? But a lure for what?" Dusclops sneered whispering close to her ears that he practically was beside her.

Sylvern threw the pokeball hard on instinct and it sucked the Dusclops inside, catching him. But Sylvern was never more terrified in her life.

Sylvern trembled in fear thinking about what he just said to her…

What is he talking about?


When Iscan asked her to get Dusclops do the move, Sylvern was very reluctant to let him out of the pokeball. Luxray who's already out was confused. He didn't hear anything because the Dusclops whispered it to her ears. She didn't want to tell them. She promised she won't lie at least to her pokemon, but this- she didn't want to say anything.

Sylvern finally with trembling hands let out the Dusclops whom easily do the move and smirked evilly at her before going back to his pokeball.

Sylvern wasn't sure she wants to interact with him more than that.

Iscan felt more easy now that the Dusclops business was done. He prepared Basculegion's snack and Sylvern officially didn't sleep at all because hey look, that's the morning sun.

Luxray was afraid she will set back her recovery, but Sylvern assured him she was okay. Even if she was tired, she wasn't sure she could sleep. Dusclops' words rang in her ears for quite a while it's very hard for her to concentrate on anything.

Iscan took Sylvern back to the beach and summoned Basculegion with his flute. Basculegion appeared for his snack and took a curious look at Sylvern. He never had a rider as young and small like her. There would be some adjustments for her saddle but other than that, Basculegion willing to give the girl a try so he took a remembrance of her flute sound.

Basculegion was sure the flute's sound wasn't supposed to tremble that much. He expressed his displeasure by splashing water right to Sylvern's face.

Iscan sputtered bewildered, Basculegion never done that to anyone before, "Why are you trembling Sylvern? Are you cold? I mean- before now?"

Sylvern cough out some water before shaking her head. She won't tell anyone. No, not now. So she played the flute again, this time with minimum trembling that she tried so hard to hide. Basculegion didn't like it but he relented when he saw the deep fear in her silver grey eyes. He knew she was unsettled with something when he saw deep into the child's eyes, but he won't pry. The child obviously wasn't comfortable and he's not that close with her to asked for more.

He was extremely pleased that the child could understand him though.

Palina came at some point with the two Growlithes who were happy to see Sylvern again but noticed that the child was deeply troubled with something. They tried to asked, but Sylvern's mouth was tightly shut so they didn't dare to pry further.

Iscan was instructing Sylvern on how to ride Basculegion when suddenly smokes were everywhere.

Everyone coughed since the smoke was a bit too much, but Sylvern dreaded the feeling of deja-vu in her stomach.

True to her instincts, it was the three bandit sisters. They noticed the child and Coin unconsciously took a step back at the reminder of their last battle. Sylvern grimaced when the memory of the battle started to flood back into her mind. It was unpleasant, but now she has some kind of idea what the Dusclops was talking about and Sylvern didn't like it.

Clover and Charm didn't have any issue with Sylvern yet so they were the braver ones to suddenly grabbed the bigger Growlithe and smoked them all away after declaring they're taking the former Lord's son to Firespit Island and will use his powers.

The smaller Growlithe barked and whined, not knowing what to do. His best friend was taken away but he was so afraid of the sea after his father died saving him. Sylvern noticed and heard his scrambling spoken thoughts but for the sake of it Sylvern has her own troubling thoughts as well and she can't think of both at the same time.

"Basculegion, please, can you take me to Firespit Island? I'll play the flute better next time I promise but we need to go after them." Sylvern suddenly pleaded to Basculegion. She doesn't know why but there was a pit feeling in her stomach that this will not go well, her 'darkness' was leaking after all according to Dusclops, but she rather takes the chance than staying and hearing the smaller Growlithe's fears and spoken thoughts. She can't take it.

Basculegion immediately agreed knowing the urgent situation and in just seconds, Sylvern was having her first ride on a Basculegion in the great sea of Hisui.


"Thanks for the ride. I-uh.. I'll try play the flute better next time." Sylvern said awkwardly to the Basculegion who just looked amused but annoyed at the mention of her flute's sound. From the apologetic looks in the child's silver grey eyes, her flute's sound wasn't usually like that. He'll have to ask Wyrdeer and Ursaluna about it before he was completely sure, but for now he was just content to wave goodbye to the child and wished her good luck before diving back deeper into the sea.

Sylvern wasn't sure if she could run all the way up the mountain in time, but she fears the 'darkness' will interfere again after she sees the bandits. She didn't want to see her pokemon become like what Dartrix did in his previous battle with Toxicroak. Her 7 year old mind can't comprehend this 'darkness' but she knew Dartrix was closed to killing the other pokemon that day.

And it was solely because she was angry.

So Sylvern decided not to let any of her pokemon out of their pokeballs yet and started running up the mountain.


"Come on! Why don't you evolved?! We brought you here and everything!" Clover furiously shouted at bigger Growlithe when Sylvern came and quickly hide in the corner of one big rock. What are they doing?

Bigger Growlithe was whimpering and took a step back. Sylvern knew why he can't. He's not the true heir.

"Maybe some motivations will trigger it." Charm spoke while letting out her Rhydon who gave a roar to the frightened Growlithe.

"Yes, that will do." Clover smirked letting out her Abomasnow and Coin let out her Toxicroak.

Three versus one, Growlithe tried to growl but his growl was trembling in fear and it sounded more like a whimper.

Sylvern's blood boiled at the sight. She was trembling in pure anger. Red dark anger.

She didn't noticed the smaller Growlithe was beside her when he raced ahead to get to his friend first before Palina and Iscan.

That was when everything went wrong.

The dark anger Sylvern felt swirled around her aura and it unconsciously affected smaller Growlithe.

There was a blinding light.

An evolution.

But it was a dark and angry one.


Palina and Iscan ran with all their speed and strength when Growlithe ran ahead of them. But when they arrived at the top, their eyes widened in disbelief and fright.

Smaller Growlithe had evolved into an Arcanine just like his father. But his aura was dark, black swirling around him while he bites and furiously swiped and hurt the three pokemon whose belong to the bandit sisters.

Sylvern was found unconscious behind a rock, her pokemon were all out to try and wake her up while protecting her from the new Arcanine's rampage.

"Sylvern!" Iscan and Palina quickly went to the girl and splashed some water to her face from their supplies to wake the girl up.

When Sylvern awake, her anger was forgotten. She was as confused as everyone else when they asked her about what happened.

But then Sylvern took one look at the rampaging Arcanine and knew at once it was because of her.

It was starting to leak out,

Your darkness is so delicious,

A lure maybe?

LET ME OUTTT

"NOOOO!" Sylvern screamed and grasped her head tightly when sudden pain exploded in her head at her answer. Arcanine gave a mighty roar before dealing the last move to the three pokemon rendering them useless.

Charm was about to let out Gengar and fight Arcanine but Sylvern screamed with agonizing voice when battling her deep dark thoughts that starting to get out, "Don't you dare.. Don't you dare! NOOO!"

The desperation fuelled the pokemon around her. But instead of anger, there was a deep protective feeling instead.

Luxray, Decidueye, Vaporeon, and Floatzel were shining, but instead of the dark aura, this one was a blinding shine one and they started to attack the Arcanine to calm him down.

Sylvern can't give any orders, they were moving by their own instincts and the protective fuels. She can't do anything else except kneeling down clutching her head tightly in her hands while her forehead was down meeting the ground.

The pain was agonizing. Sylvern felt like screaming but she can't let any sounds out.

The now free Growlithe tried his best to help eased Sylvern's pain down with Palina and Iscan. But there was nothing they could do except to wait it out.

At last, the 4 pokemon managed to bring down the Arcanine. When Arcanine grunted at the impact, it knocked out his breath and fortunately the dark aura as well. When the dark aura from him was gone, the pain and sounds were gone as well from Sylvern's head.

It whispers one last thing into her mind though,

Not the right time.. I'll be back…

After the pain subsided and then completely gone, Sylvern sat up while rubbing her head and swiped the sweats with her sleeves. Her 4 pokemon had returned to her side and were doing their best to give her space but also took care of her by helping cleaning up her sweats and dirt from her face.

"-vern, Sylvern! Are you okay?" Warden Iscan asked with worried frown. Palina's expression was not far from his and neither was her pokemons.

Sylvern tried to stand but her legs seemed to lose their energy before she falls back down again. She tried to get rid of the blurriness in her eyes and saw the bandit sisters were gone from the scene while Arcanine was still down on the ground.

"..I'm fine.." Sylvern managed to muttered out. The worst lie of the year when they knew she was anything but fine.

"You should rest-" Iscan scrambling to get Sylvern sat leaning to a rock at least comfortably while Palina regards her state quietly.

"I see you seems to be at least okay for now.. I'll check on Arcanine first, okay?" Palina finally said softly and gentle to the small child who nodded quietly.

"Sylvern?" Luxray was the first to asked.

"Please.. not now.. not now.." Sylvern looked like she was ready to cry in tears of frustration so they let her be for now. Alas, they stayed close to her side while Iscan tending to their child and Palina was tending to the slowly awaking Arcanine.


When Arcanine was awake he was dubbed the new Lord of Cobalt Coastlands when Palina deemed that 'little Growlithe is finally ready'. It seems Irida and her people got their wish after all.

It wasn't the end of it though, Arcanine wanted to talk to Sylvern alone.

And Sylvern can't help but looked at him guility and full of remorse.

"You know, it's not your fault." Arcanine started.

"Don't lie, it was fully me. That.. darkness was from me." Sylvern stated. This was the most honest truth she has stated so far after she refused to talk to her pokemon or anybody about it. She didn't think she could tell this to Ingo either.

Arcanine hummed, but he wasn't done, "You were angry. Everyone felt angry once. There's nothing wrong about that."

"It was frighteningly wrong when that anger turned someone else for a desire to kill." Sylvern stated hollowly. She didn't want this conversation. Arcanine was not that close with Sylvern either.

But he was so far the most understanding of what it did to him. Aside from Dartrix, Arcanine was the second to be fuelled by her anger and he is a giant Lord. The effect was bigger on him than when Dartrix was affected.

"The desire to hurt was there, yes. But it was not fully from you."

Sylvern flinched. She didn't tell anybody about the strange voice in her head earlier. How?

Arcanine chuckled slightly at the bewildered look on the child's face but he sombered quickly to explain, "I was affected. I felt the aura energy. To be honest, yours were probably tiny compared to that other thing."

"Tiny?" she wondered if it's because of her size, but Arcanine quickly caught on to her innocent thoughts and chuckled again while shook his head.

"No, I don't think it's because of your size. Whatever it is, it overwhelmed your aura quite easily, and possibly you as well." He looked worriedly to the child whom avoided his gaze before he inquired, "You should tell this to someone you trust."

"No." Sylvern shook her head vehemently, "I-I can't."

Arcanine looked at her sternly, "You have to Young Sylvern. You can't do this on your own. You need help."

"I'm not going to endanger anyone with something I don't even know what." Sylvern snapped but regrets it immediately when it shocked the new Lord, "I.. I need to investigate it myself first. When I know what it was, I'll tell them."

Arcanine regarded her quietly before sighing in relent but full of apprehension, "I hope you know what you're doing and won't get hurt in the process Young One. I hope sincerely it won't be too late for then."

Sylvern didn't fully understand what he meant at the end but she asked what's been nagging on her mind for a while now, "How do you overcome your fear and ready to become the new Lord of the island?"

Arcanine smiled ruefully, "It was your anger that awakened me if I may say so myself Young One." At Sylvern's surprised look he elaborated, "I may have still be afraid, but sensing your anger and the bandits, I realized that this island needs it's protector. And that protector.. is me. I have to step up to it. Regardless, your anger and that darkness were two different things Sylvern. It was very different."

He didn't elaborate more but that brings small relief to Sylvern's stiff posture, "You know.. after meeting you and talking, thinking about stuffs, I just realized some of my small memories had come back to me."

Arcanine was intrigued, "What memories that had you obtained back?"

This time, Sylvern smiled sadly, "It was my dad. I remembered that I don't exactly remember having one because he died when I was 2 years old. For.. military reasons I think. But I don't think my mom elaborate more on that matter. Funny how I recalled my dad's memories but I can only barely recall my mom's." she said bitterly at the end. This amnesia business was frustrating, not to mention this whole darkness thing.

Arcanine smiled sadly, "I know from the first time I gazed into your silver grey eyes you are alike like me." He sighed, "From the fathers and straight to the responsibility we bare right now."

Sylvern neither agree nor disagree with him.

A.N : Dartrix evolving so quickly here is based on my real experience playing the Legends Arceus, I fed mine with rare candies I have obtained and it instantly evolved to Decidueye. So basically I have Dartrix only for a short amount of time :)) Hope you all enjoy this! And I don't know if it's that obvious or not but I think some of you could probably figure out what the 'darkness' thing is for later :)