A/N - Thanks for all reads, reviews, faves and follows!
41 - Sunset Dance
Sunlight leaked through the cracks of the door, dancing over the bare wooden walls. Cleo rubbed her eyes with a paw and yawned, then stretched languidly until her spine popped. The hay had been comfortable enough, and the shack had been warm despite the rain that had fallen overnight. It had certainly kept the weather at bay, especially once she'd found a way to keep the door shut. An iron thorn poked out from the door's clasp, wedged firmly in the wood. Cleo tugged it free and pushed the door open.
A gentle, cool breeze washed through the shack, ruffling her fur and causing a few wisps to rise from Mischief's fluffy fur. He was curled up against the wall, his cotton-like coat almost burying his brown body entirely. Spark lay on the hay beside where Cleo had been, huddled into Faith's side. The only pokemon who wasn't still asleep was Harlequin. The zorua opened their mouth in a wide yawn and pushed themselves up.
"I've not slept like that in moons!" Harlequin scratched behind an ear with a hind paw and yawned again.
Cleo caught the zorua's yawn and shook her ears. "It certainly feels like it. Wow, how long have we slept?"
Harlequin glanced over Cleo's shoulder at the open door. "It looks like noon."
Cleo stiffened and twisted to look outside, her eyes going to the high sun as it ducked behind a cloud. Her fur fluffed up with alarm. "We've slept all morning?!"
"Apparently." Harlequin dug their claws into the floor and arched their spine in a stretch. "I have no regrets."
Cleo's fur flattened back out as she took in a steadying breath. "No. You're right. We all needed a good night's sleep." She scratched behind her ear and looked back at her friends who were stirring. "I wonder if Tinker showed up?"
Harlequin snorted. "I doubt it. If he did would he really have left us asleep?"
Cleo had to silently admit he most likely would not.
Mischief rubbed his orange eyes as he stared at Cleo with confusion. "Is it really noon?"
Cleo gave a nod and looked back out at the high sun.
"Wow." Faith chuckled. "It won't be long before the party starts."
"Noon?" Spark licked her lips. "Then that explains the hunger."
"Then it must be perpetually noon," Harlequin snarked.
"Careful," warned Spark. "I'm so hungry I'd eat you."
That drew another chuckle from Faith, but Harlequin bared their canines as they watched Spark drag herself from her nest.
The dedenne stretched her arms over her head and waddled from the shack. Her paws splattered through a puddle and she froze, knee deep in water.
"It clearly rained…" She looked up at Cleo. "I think I might need a raft."
Cleo scooped her up in one paw and turned back to her friends. "Usually we'd go to the Guild Hall for breakfast, but… well."
Harlequin caught her eye and pulled their ears back. "You could just chain me up outside. I won't be going anywhere."
"How about we find another cafe?" Cleo suggested. "We saw a couple yesterday, and I quite like the sound of that pancake place."
"Ooh pancakes!" Faith hopped to her feet. "My breakfast of choice!"
They left the shack and followed the alley onto the main road. As they passed the Guild the door opened and Tinker stepped out, followed by Sandpaw and Scout. Cleo froze, her ears pricked and trained on the riolu. She hadn't been expecting him to take Sandpaw into the Guild after his initial reaction to her.
"Tinker?" Cleo's voice almost acted on its own.
Tinker turned his head towards her and gave a warm smile. "Oh! Good morning, Cleo. Well… afternoon now, I guess."
He led the furret and her son down the steps, almost tripping as Scout cut past him to bound towards the Outcasts.
"The Guild is so cool!" Scout squealed as he skidded to a halt. "It's so big! And there are so many strong pokemon! I've never seen so many! Do you really work for them?"
Cleo chuckled and lowered herself to his level. "Yes, we do."
The sentret's large eyes sparkled. "So you've been on loads of adventures and beaten lots of bad guys, right?"
"That we have," said Spark, puffing out her chest. "Loads. They quake when they hear our names."
Harlequin snorted and looked away, but they had caught Scout's attention.
Sandpaw joined Cleo's side, keeping a close eye on her son. "I'm really sorry. He's been full of questions all morning."
"He's inquisitive," said Tinker fondly. "It's a good quality in a budding warrior. Shall we get some breakfast?"
Sandpaw had paled at the masked suggestion of her son becoming a warrior, but she nodded briskly.
"We were just getting some ourselves," said Cleo.
"Pancakes," said Faith. "Would you like to join us?"
"Oh!" Sandpaw's face lit up, but Tinker looked unsure. "I'd love to! Shall we, Tinker?"
The riolu cleared his throat and glanced aside. "If you wish. It… would be nice to catch up. You've had quite the journey here I gather?" he asked Cleo.
Cleo nodded and moved on, and Tinker kept pace beside her. "I can tell you all about it over breakfast."
"Yes, let's not delay," said Spark. "I've already missed one meal. I think I might be shrinking."
"I don't think we want that," said Mischief rather seriously. "We wouldn't be able to see you."
The dedenne swivelled her head around and narrowed her eyes at him. Her whiskers crackled, tickling Cleo's neck fur. "Really, Mischief? Really?!"
Harlequin lagged behind as they followed Cleo through the large town. Scout's attention was still fixed on the assassin. He walked backwards beside his mother, his large eyes wide with wonder.
"You're a funny colour," he said.
Harlequin's ears pricked and they raised their head sharply.
"Zorua are meant to be grey and red, right?" Scout went on. "But you're black and blue. My mother says that can happen but it's really rare."
Harlequin narrowed their sapphire eyes and Sandpaw braced herself to scoop up her son.
"That makes you special, right?" said Scout.
"Sure." Harlequin smirked. "I'm real special."
Scout didn't pick up the sarcasm in the zorua's voice. He seemed satisfied by the answer and bounced backwards on his tail, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"And you're an assassin too, right?" His question earned a quick glare from Harlequin. "Have you killed lots and lots of pokemon?"
Harlequin's hackles rose, and their fur bristled along their spine.
"Because you have to fight to evolve, right?" Scout went on, oblivious to Harlequin's discomfort. "And you're still a zorua."
"I've won my fair share of fights," Harlequin growled.
"So why haven't you evolved?"
Harlequin didn't answer, looking up over Scout's head.
"I can't wait to evolve," he went on. "My Mum says I'll be stronger as a furret. But you're already strong, right? So why haven't you evolved yet?"
Harlequin's eyes flashed. "Because I don't want to, okay!"
Sandpaw twisted around to scoop up her son. All eyes were on the bristling assassin. A look of regret softened Harlequin's eyes and they turned their face away.
"I'm not gonna hurt a hatchling," they said flatly. "So you can stop worrying."
"I think that's enough questions," said Sandpaw, hurrying to Tinker's side.
"But I've not finished interviewing the bad guy!" Scout protested.
"I'm not a bad guy!" Harlequin sighed and waved a paw. "Whatever. Think what you want."
Tinker huffed through his nose and placed a paw on Sandpaw's shoulder. "You're an assassin for the Darkness. That makes you a bad guy in my books."
Cleo glanced back at Harlequin. Their ears were flat and their blue eyes were fixed on the ground as they followed sluggishly behind them.
"Tinker," said Cleo turning back to the riolu. "Harlequin found a cure for this whole town. Does that still make her evil in your eyes?"
"One good deed doesn't correct a thousand bad ones, Cleo," he said.
"But a change of heart means everything," said Faith. "Repentance offers anyone a clean slate."
Tinker fired the mawile a glare and moved on ahead, steering Sandpaw along with him. "You'll be singing a different song once you lose someone you care about to the Darkness."
Cleo stared at the back of his head for a moment, then turned back to Harlequin. The zorua had stopped, their nose low to the floor.
Faith sighed and her shoulders sagged. "He can be pretty blunt can't he?"
"He's right," Harlequin looked up at Faith briefly. "Just because the Fairy Garden accepted me doesn't mean other pokemon will. I mean, what reason do they have?"
"Like Cleo said," said Faith. "You've helped this town."
"Meredith even invited you to the party later on," said Spark. "So chin up, all right?"
"Okay." Harlequin met Cleo's eyes. "So if you lot trust me, why am I still in this collar?"
Cleo bit her lip. Her paw idly went to the bracelet around her wrist. Did she really trust Harlequin enough to release them? Helping Stonehaven could easily be a ruse.
But the zorua managed to enter the Fairy Garden. If it was really true that only those seeking sanctuary from the Darkness could find it then surely Harlequin's heart had changed?
She glanced around at the stone buildings, the bustling streets. One of the few remaining towns before the war started. And standing on its streets, a member of the Darkness - former or not. Could Cleo really be certain?
She sighed and let her paw relax at her side. "You're right, Harlequin. You have done good. But… I can't let you off. Not here in Stonehaven."
Harlequin snorted and looked away. "I expected no less."
Cleo met Faith's eyes, noting a hint of disappointment in their violet depths. But the mawile said nothing. The group continued on in silence, breaking away from Tinker as he led Sandpaw and Scout down a different fork in the road.
...
The square was teeming with pokemon by the time Cleo and her friends reached it. The sun was a good couple of hours away from setting, resting just above the mountain peaks in the distance. Its warmth spread across the square, drying up what remained of the previous night's puddles.
"I'm glad the weather held up," said Spark from Cleo's shoulder. "It would have been pretty sad if the rain had ruined it all."
"We need it though," said Cleo. "It's not rained properly for a long while. One night won't be enough to feed the fruit trees."
She glanced around at the variety of pokemon finishing laying out the tables and setting up the square. She was surprised to find most of them were normal-types. A loud boom came from the far corner where an exploud and loudred duo were setting up the stage. A glameow sat beside it grooming her fur while two kittens scampered around her, rolling about on the damp cobblestones. A group of linoone and zigzagoon set various meals on the table, assisted by a likitung wearing an apron.
Cleo couldn't see many other pokemon of other types. Mulch stood at the end of the table with Fussy, and Cleo found herself wondering if the little trubbish was his grandson. Fussy's friend Dusty stood nearby, sweeping under the table with his bushy tail. Cleo couldn't see any sign of a cinccino and deeply hoped the little minccino wasn't an orphan.
The two mienshao were helping themselves to the food alongside a few other pokemon, but they kept a careful eye open on the goings-on of the square. Cleo wondered if the pokemon of other typings were keeping a watch over Stonehaven, standing vigilant on the streets. She joined the two guards who gave her and her friends polite nods, and picked up a plate. Spark bailed from her shoulder to land on the table and immediately helped herself to a slice of berry toast.
One of the meinshao looked down at Harlequin and nervously cleared his throat. "I heard you helped to find the cure for the poison? Th-thank you."
Harlequin gave a stiff nod and licked their lips, glancing out at the square.
Word had spread that the zorua had been the one to suggest the cure. During the afternoon, only a couple of pokemon had paused to thank the zorua. Cleo had begun to have her doubts that Harlequin would be welcome by most of Stonehaven, but throughout the square, the looks of gratitude towards Harlequin far outweighed suspicious glances. A lillipup let out a bark of surprise and broke away from the crowd to scamper towards the assassin.
"You gave us the cure?!" she yipped. "Thank you! My mother isn't dying anymore! Thank you so much!"
Harlequin stuttered a reply, not quite forming words. But the lillipup was soon dashing back to her father.
"Wow!" said Spark. "Quite the reception! Something makes me think you're going to be quite popular tonight, Harlequin."
Harlequin's breaths turned frantic and they ducked under the table. Their sapphire eyes stared out, wide and anxious.
Faith ducked down to peer at the zorua. "It's okay, Harlequin! Everyone here is just grateful to you, that's all."
"It's too much," said Harlequin. "I… I just want to leave."
Faith's lips turned down in a sad frown and she nodded. "Okay. Just stay there for a while. We can make sure no one harasses you."
"We might not need to." Cleo gave the square another glance. There was very little hostility towards their prisoner, but pokemon seemed to have taken the cue to give the zorua some space.
Cleo turned back to the table and reached for a plate.
"There really doesn't seem to be much variety in pokemon types here." She caught her friends' eyes. "The only fire-type I've seen is Meredith. Do you think he might be the pokemon Xerneas asked us to find?"
"It would be amazing if he was!" said Mischief.
"He is the only fire-type," said Spark. "To me, that makes it pretty obvious."
Faith pursed her lips. "I don't know… I've been thinking about this and it doesn't really add up."
Mischief's smile fell, replaced with a look of confusion.
"I mean, he's part psychic," Faith explained with a shrug. "A psychic-type fighting the Wildfires? I don't know. It seems rather unlikely. He'd be at an extreme disadvantage."
"Wouldn't a fire-type though?" Spark asked. "Fire doesn't really work well against itself, so what difference would it make?"
"I don't know." Faith leaned back against the table. "I just feel like it would be really clear to us, you know? Like… we'd just know it was the right pokemon."
Cleo made a thoughtful noise and exchanged glances with Spark.
"So we should keep looking?" Spark asked.
"I think so," said Faith. "It doesn't feel right to me to ask Meredith. What if he agrees and it's not right? He could end up seriously hurt or worse."
Cleo bit her lip. She hadn't considered that. She'd just been so excited to have encountered a fire-type.
"But fire-types are pretty rare to begin with," said Spark. "What if he's the one and we never even asked? We'd have missed our chance. I think we should at least mention it."
"Maybe." Faith turned thoughtful. "Let me think on it."
The silence that followed was brief as the exploud announced the music was about to start. All eyes went to the stage. The glameow, now finished with her grooming, climbed up onto it and reached for the microphone.
"Ooh!" Faith clapped her paws. "We're going to have some music!"
Her voice was almost drowned out by the band as the exploud and loudred began producing a cacophony of noise akin to musical instruments. The glameow's satin voice rang out across the square, and a few of the surrounding pokemon moved away from the table to start dancing. Dusty and Fussy scampered among them, joining the glameow kits.
"It doesn't hold a candle to the celebrations in the Fairy Garden," said Spark with her mouth full. "But it's really nice to be celebrating without worrying about the Darkness."
"Oh, I'd worry," said Harlequin.
The zorua's companions looked down at them with raised eyebrows.
Harlequin shrugged. "What? Do you expect them to hold off an attack just because pokemon are celebrating? I thought you were warriors."
"It doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves though." Faith didn't take her eyes off the stage. They widened as she spotted the instruments stacked against it. "Oh! I wonder if they'll let me join?"
Before Cleo could encourage her to go and ask, Faith trotted across the square towards the stage.
Mischief watched her with amazement while clutching a plate in one paw. "Is she going to play with them? She was very good in the Fairy Garden wasn't she?"
Cleo didn't need a reminder as she watched Faith pick up a violin, much to the delight of the glameow. Soon, a beautiful harmony came from the violin as Faith joined the glameow on the stage. Even without any sheet music Faith seemed to join in seamlessly with the band.
More pokemon flowed into the square, their voices mingling with the music and laughter.
"Cleo!" Tinker's familiar voice rose above them and she looked up as the riolu ran to join her.
Sandpaw and Scout weren't far behind, but instead of joining Cleo they went further along the table to investigate the food.
"There you are!" Tinker came to a stop beside Cleo and helped himself to a plate. "I've been looking for you."
"What do you want?" Cleo asked.
"A dance, probably." Spark took another bite of her toast.
"Actually…" Tinker scratched his ear with one claw. "I've been talking more with Sandpaw, as you know. I didn't get much chance yesterday as both her and Scout were pretty exhausted. But she's told me quite the tale."
Cleo looked up at the furret. She seemed much more relaxed, but she was avoiding coming near to Cleo and she knew why. Sandpaw's glance wandered to Harlequin more than once, and she steered her son away as he clambered along the table helping himself to the cakes.
"She's told me exactly what that lab was doing," Tinker went on. "It's left me feeling rather surprised."
"Surprised how?" asked Spark.
The riolu leaned back against the table and fiddled with his everstone pendant. "The lab there was created by former Heretics who'd grown tired of the way Heretics revere the Darkness. The were creating biological weapons but not for use alongside the Darkness. Their plan, albeit somewhat dangerous and convoluted, was to send those weapons into the Shadow Lands in a bid to overthrow Hydreigon."
"What?!" Cleo and Spark gasped.
A loud thud shook the table as Harlequin leapt to their feet. The plates clattered with the impact, sending berries rolling to the floor.
Harlequin shook their ears and blinked up at Tinker. "That's insane!"
Tinker chuckled and stooped to gather the berries. "I believe I had a similar reaction myself."
The riolu had Mischief's full interest. The whimsicott placed his plate back on the table and stooped to help him pick up the berries. Spark had already dropped from the table to assist, although one or two went straight into her cheek pouches.
"What exactly were they doing?" Mischief asked Tinker. "Were they making this pokerus themselves?"
"I can explain more tomorrow," said Tinker. "I don't want to cause a fuss at this party when pokemon should be celebrating. I just wanted to let you all know that after speaking with Sandpaw I have decided it's safe to take her back with me."
"You're taking them back?" Cleo gasped.
"Their tale checks out." Tinker set the berries neatly back on the table. "I think taking them with me is for the best. They'll be safer there and having Scout around will give Starshine an extra friend to play with."
Cleo nodded and picked up a strip of dried fish to nibble on. Tinker wasn't foolish. He wouldn't have made such a decision without thinking things through. But Cleo hadn't even dreamed he'd take Sandpaw and Scout back to New City after his initial reaction. Not if he thought they were a threat. He'd had reasons for keeping the swablu hatchling. If Tinker thought Sandpaw was safe then Cleo wasn't going to question it.
Mischief edged closer to Tinker. "I really want to know more. Please, can you-"
Tinker raised a paw to silence him. "Trust me, Mischief, I'll explain more tomorrow. Just focus on enjoying yourself."
Mischief took a step back and looked out at the crowd of pokemon. Many of them were dancing, leaving their meal for later. A bibarel tottered by, swinging a giggling pachirisu around in his arms. Mischief's orange eyes followed him and Cleo felt him take her paw. With his free paw, Mischief pointed and opened his mouth to say something to her.
"Since Spark did mention it…" Tinker rubbed the back of his head and avoided Cleo's gaze. "Perhaps you wouldn't mind-" He looked up at Cleo and, seeing Mischief, he snatched his gaze away and waved a paw. "Oh never mind. I'll just…" The riolu looked up at Sandpaw who was slowly shuffling over to him. "Sandpaw! Would you care to dance?"
The furret's eyes widened and she almost dropped her plate. Scout caught a berry as it tumbled towards the floor.
"Oh, I…!" Sandpaw's cheeks flushed as she stuttered. "I'm not sure. I don't really want to leave Scout."
"I'll watch him!" Spark waved from the table. "You lot go and dance and enjoy yourselves."
Spark gave Cleo a wink causing her face to heat up.
"I don't really know what I'm doing," Mischief said close to her ear. "I'm just gonna copy the other dancers okay?"
"That's fine." Cleo's whiskers twitched and she cast a glance at him. She was very concerned that her white fur wouldn't be enough to hide her sudden bashfulness. "I don't know what I'm doing either."
Mischief moved ahead to lead her into the crowd and she felt a sudden tug at her bracelet. She looked back at Harlequin who was trying to fight to remain beneath the table.
"You do know," the zorua sad slowly, "that wherever you go I'm forced to follow?"
"Ahh." Cleo clicked her tongue and looked back at Mischief.
"That's fine!" Mischief beamed at her, closing his eyes. "We can dance by the table!"
"Oh goody." Harlequin ducked back beneath it and rolled their eyes. "I'll just stay under it then."
...
After three songs in a row, Faith decided it was time to set the violin aside and let the band return to their usual sound. The three band-mates thanked her profusely for her help and even tried to encourage her to stay, but Faith politely declined. A look around the square at all the pokemon mingling and enjoying themselves was an opportunity she didn't want to miss. As she climbed down the stage she scouted the pokemon before her searching for someone who might be easy to engage in a conversation. The dancing couples and groups of nattering friends seemed very tight almost as if the town had its own private cliques.
Faith hesitated for a moment then gave herself a mental shake. She was usually very confident. She shouldn't let it put her off. As she cut through the crowd a wave caught her eye and she found herself looking up at Meredith. The delphox stood with Mulch and a young female pikachu.
"Good afternoon, Faith!" Meredith beamed down at her. "Thank you for assisting the band! That was such a delightful surprise!"
"Oh, it was my pleasure." Faith waved a paw at him trying to repress a blush. "Thank you for throwing this party. I can't get over how many pokemon are here."
"I believe most of Stonehaven is here," said Meredith. His ears drooped slightly and he looked over at the gentle slope of the village. "Some have had to work this afternoon. We can't be too careful, can we?"
Faith felt a pang in her chest as she silently followed his gaze. The sun had almost vanished beyond the mountain peaks, casting Stonehaven in a light shadow.
"One day there won't be anymore war," she said.
Meredith gave a dry chuckle. "Who will have won though?"
"We will."
Meredith looked over at her, his mouth open slightly. Mulch and the pikachu both chuckled and the old garbordor shook his head.
"That's some fine confidence you have there, m'lady," said Mulch. "I'd love to have your positivity."
"You're already pretty positive, Mulch," said the pikachu.
A small smile spread across Meredith's muzzle. "Well, someone should be. Perhaps it'll be catching?" He paused, reading Faith's expression. "What makes you so confident if you don't mind me asking? Surely you're aware we're being pushed further and further south. I fear it won't be long before the Darkness is upon Stonehaven and we'll also be forced to move."
Faith shook her head, keeping her smile. "I just have faith it will one day be over and we'll have won." She paused for a moment as she thought over her words. "I didn't grow up in Estellis. I grew up in a place called the Fairy Garden. We learned from a young age that the fairy-type would one day defeat the Darkness."
The three pokemon stared at her silently. Faith struggled to work out if they were confused or surprised.
Finally, the pikachu twitched her ears before asking; "The fairy-type?"
Faith let out a sad sigh. "So it's true. Pokemon really are forgetting about it…"
"We were meant to know about it?" The pikachu turned to her friends. "Have either of you ever heard of such a thing?"
Mulch rubbed the back of his head with a tendril. "Not me." He looked back at Faith. "I'm sorry, m'lady. You've lost me."
Meredith straightened and folded his paws behind his back. His eyes softened as he looked down at the mawile. "What does the fairy-type do exactly?"
"It's very effective against both dark- and dragon-type pokemon," Faith explained. "I'm part fairy myself, as is Mischief."
"Really?" The delphox turned his head to seek out the whimsicott in the crowd to no avail. "Well. You have my full attention, Faith. Please tell me more."
"You believe her?" the pikachu gasped.
"Why wouldn't I?" said Meredith. "She's given me no reason to assume she's lying. After all, she did aide Cleo and her friends in delivering an antidote more affective than mere pecha berries. If it weren't for Faith and her friends here, Stonehaven would still be full of sick pokemon."
The pikachu flinched and looked away. Faith wondered if perhaps someone close to her had been very ill with the poison. The pikachu shuffled her paws on the cobbles then quietly excused herself as she moved away from them.
Meredith watched her sadly then turned back to Faith. "I'm really sorry."
Faith shook her head. "It's okay. I'm used to many different reactions." She added a laugh to remove the tension.
"Well I certainly want to hear more," said Mulch.
"Me too," said Meredith. "If you wouldn't mind, Faith?"
Faith's face lit up with delight. "Of course not!"
She fell into a full, detailed description of the Fairy Garden, culminating in a recital of Yveltal's Fall. Before she knew it, more pokemon had come forward to listen, although only a very small number stayed. Even the pikachu ventured over once more, but Faith couldn't tell if she believed it or not.
By the time Faith had finished, the sun had vanished beyond the mountain peaks but the blue sky indicated it hadn't yet set. The pale shape of the moon poked out beyond the clouds, waiting its turn to light up the sky.
The group of pokemon stood in silence, almost as if they expected Faith to tell them another story. Meredith broke the silence with a clap of his paws which a few other pokemon joined him in.
"That was… well, it was fantastic," he told Faith.
"You really believe that?" The pikachu's question wasn't tainted with malice.
Faith nodded. "It's true. I've met Xerneas many times."
Meredith made a thoughtful noise. "Well you've certainly given me something to think about."
"And a little hope too," said Mulch. "Things feel… well, brighter, I have to say."
"I think I know how you feel, Mulch." Meredith gave Faith a small smile. "Thank you, Faith."
Faith beamed up at him. "Any time! And if you have any questions-"
"I will not hesitate to ask." Meredith nodded his head in a bow. "I need to check on some other pokemon. Social beautifly, if you understand."
"Absolutely!"
Faith watched him go then turned to look at the other pokemon. They'd begun to disperse, but the pikachu hesitated. With one lingering look at Faith, the pikachu vanished into the crowd. Faith turned to glance over the happy pokemon, finding herself in much the situation she'd been in before she encountered Meredith. She turned and zigzagged through the crowd, not managing to catch anyone's eye.
She cut around the edge of the square, hoping to encounter a wallflower to talk to. A shadow caught her eye at the mouth of an alleyway that opened onto the square. Her heart picked up. Was it a guard, or someone lingering outside the party? Whoever it was, they didn't seem to want to join in with the crowd. Perhaps they'd appreciate a little company?
She ventured closer, squinting into the dim alley. Very little of the lingering light reached it, making it impossible to see who it was. As she passed it, the mouth of the alley was empty. Just her imagination…
She turned back towards the crowd, but claws fastened around her arm. Her gasp was stifled as her muzzle pressed into heavy, coarse fabric that smelled faintly of occa berries. The tinkle of a bell reached her ears as she was whisked aside behind a trash can. Faith placed a paw on her assailant's chest to push herself away, but her paw was snatched up in one of his. Another warm paw settled on the low of her back, giving her enough time to look up into a pair of crimson eyes.
"Enigma?" Her breath was snatched away from her as the banette spun her away further down the alley. She glanced back at the square, or what she could still see of it over his shoulder. "What… where are you taking me?"
"Hmm?" He inclined his head on one side. "Is it wrong of me to steal a dance?"
"When it involves actually stealing me, yes!"
He chuckled and twirled her around until she reached the end of his arm, then flashed her a boyish grin. "You're not exactly putting up much of a fight."
He tugged her back into his body and spun her away down another narrow side-street.
She pushed back so she was looking into his face and asked, patiently, "What do you really want with me?"
He laughed at that and Faith found herself struggling to keep up with his expert footwork. The tinkling of his bell echoed off the walls with every movement. She found herself wondering how the guards could miss it.
"I don't really want anything," said Enigma. "I just saw you wandering around looking for a partner. You looked so lonely so I thought I would offer you a bit of company."
He twirled her to the end of his arm again, releasing her as he vanished into the shadows. Before she'd even stopped moving he caught her, and pulled her into his chest as he whisked her into another alleyway.
"I was hardly lonely." Faith swept a long strand of fur from her mouth and met his eyes again. "I think you're the one who's lonely."
He lowered his head so his nose was brushing hers. "Oh no. I'm just bored."
Faith made a thoughtful noise. "Somehow I don't think you're merely looking for a dance." Her words were interspersed with gasps as the quick imaginary beat he was dancing to lead them further up the incline of the mountain. "For one thing you're taking us well away from the square."
"You think I'd really be welcome there?" he grunted with amusement.
"I think you'd draw more attention to yourself dancing through the streets."
The banette pulled her into him and spoke quietly into her ear. "I've been here since last night exploring, watching who comes and goes. I know these streets like the back of my paw, so I know how to avoid the sentries."
Faith's violet eyes widened and she dug her claws into his scarf. Something about the way he'd worded that unsettled her.
"I don't want to think badly of you, Enigma," she said, keeping her voice level. "But are you planning on killing someone?"
Enigma closed his eyes and chuckled. "My interests merely lie in that furret that joined you."
"Sandpaw?" Faith glanced back towards the square, but he twirled her around until the streets were nothing more than a dizzying blur. "What do you want with her?" she managed to gasp.
"She worked at that lab," said Enigma. "I want information."
Faith's words were stifled as he kept his pace up a steep slope. It was impossible to speak as she tried to keep up with him. After a few seconds he spun her towards the end of his arm with such force she was launched through the narrow street. He warped ahead of her and caught her in his arms. He held her for a moment, his quick, short breaths tickling her muzzle. As she caught her own breath she glanced around at the trees around them. They were no longer in Stonehaven. She turned her head to look back the way they'd come. The narrow street ended at a small open gate. One she'd expect to find a guard situated at, but there was none. Why was it open?
She licked her dry lips and turned back to Enigma. He still had hold of her, but as she pushed back his claws slipped harmlessly from her shoulders. He didn't take his eyes off her, watching her every movement as she turned to look back at Stonehaven.
From where they were stood the sharp slope gave them a view of the square. The pokemon looked like ants, but Faith could make out the table and the shapes of Cleo and Mischief beside it. A flash of blue told her Harlequin was still lurking beneath the table, poking their head out occasionally. The crowd made it difficult to pinpoint the furret that had taken Enigma's interest.
"Please tell me you're not going to hurt Sandpaw," she said.
Enigma grunted and leant back against a tree, folding his paws. "I'll do what I have to for that information."
Faith rounded on him and narrowed her eyes. "She has a child."
Enigma returned her glare and flashed a canine. "He'll survive."
"You can't just take his mother away from him though," said Faith. "That's cruel!"
"You think I'm no stranger to that?"
Faith stuttered as she bit back a retort. Enigma wasn't looking at her anymore, his attention focused on the square. She brushed her fur back from her face and took a steady breath.
"They kept you in that lab," she said. "What did they want with you?"
He was silent, avoiding her stare.
She took in a ragged breath as her eye wandered back to the fuzzy tiny shape of Mischief. "That lab was using mutated pokerus…" She paused, not getting a reply. "Did they infect you?"
"I just want to know what they were doing." Enigma turned to face her. "Did she tell you?"
Faith shook her head slowly. "Not in much detail."
"Don't keep it from me, Faith." He narrowed his eyes again. "I'm not in the mood to use force."
"I'm not keeping anything from you," she said. "All Sandpaw told me was that they were cultivating pokerus, and took her in when she was looking for somewhere safe to raise Scout. That is all she told me."
He spat air and turned back towards the square, reclining once more against the tree. "So I'll have to ask her myself."
"Leave her alone." Faith's words surprised herself. She caught a raised eyebrow from Enigma and shook her head. "Listen. If I learn anything, and I think it's safe to tell you that information, then I'll give it to you." She met his eye. "But I'm not going to give any information that would benefit our enemy."
"And what makes you think I'm your enemy?"
"Seriously?" Faith's eyes widened. "You've given me plenty of reasons! You work for Hydreigon for one thing!"
He snorted at that and looked away.
They stood in silence for a moment, the faint music from the square washing over the edge of the mountain forest.
"I just want to confirm a few things," said Enigma slowly. "I overheard a fair bit in that lab. There was stuff in that folder that would turn your stomach." He looked over at her. "Do you know they were planning to use infected pokemon to invade the Shadow Lands?"
She jerked her head towards him. "No…?"
He gave a small laugh. "I guess she's not told you that much then. What a pity. I guess you're telling the truth after all."
"Were you just testing my reaction?" Faith shook her head at his smirk. "Whatever they were doing, Enigma, you don't need to harm Sandpaw. She's innocent in all this."
"She worked there."
"Was she the one infecting others?" Faith asked. "Or was she the one looking after the captive pokemon?"
Enigma jerked his head away, but Faith thought she caught a glimmer of doubt on his face.
"You don't know how she felt about all that," Faith went on. "She's frightened enough as it is without you going after her. I've told you I'll tell you if I find anything out I think you need to know. In the meantime I need you to give me your word you won't hurt her."
He turned his head towards her, and in the setting sun his eyes reflected the dim light. Just like any other nocturnal pokemon.
"And what use is my word to you?" he asked. "You shouldn't trust so blindly."
"Really?" Faith flexed her paws at her sides. "Then why did you approach me? Because I really doubt it was just for a dance." She gestured to the table where Cleo was still dancing with Mischief. "You could have caught any one of my friends. Did I just pass you at a convenient time?"
"You were less likely to cause a fuss." He took in a deep breath and toyed with the hem of his scarf, but his eyes remained on the square. "And I want to know what Harlequin sees in you."
"Harlequin?"
"He's…" Enigma waved a paw as he tried to pluck the right word from the air. "Changed."
Faith bit her lip as she glanced back at the blue flashes beneath the table. "Enigma… you do know Harlequin's a girl, right?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Enigma spat. "There are no female assassins. That rule came into place while I was there." He hugged his arms around himself and glanced up at the sky.
"Really?" Faith caught his eye. "Was Harlequin already there?"
He held her gaze for a moment then turned his attention back to the square.
"You've been feeding him lies," said Enigma, dodging the question. "All this about the fairy-type and Xerneas."
"They're not lies."
"Come on, Faith. Open your eyes-"
"They are open," Faith told him calmly. "I've met Xerneas many times, and so has Harlequin and her friends."
"Then you're all deluded."
Something in his expression indicated he wasn't entirely sure he believed his own words. He dodged her gaze to stare blankly back down at the village. Whatever it was, she felt it was pointless arguing with him.
"If you want to know what's changed about Harlequin," said Faith, "it's that she's realised she's been fighting on the wrong side."
"Hydreigon is trying to change this world for the benefit of both dragon- and dark-type pokemon," said Enigma. "Harlequin is a dark-type."
"The Darkness is no one's friend, Enigma," said Faith. "It turns on those who think they can trust it. And you've just said yourself who he's claiming to be benefiting. Where do you fit in that?"
Enigma's spine stiffened and Faith saw his fur bristle. But he didn't say anything.
"The Darkness is evil," said Faith. "It corrupts hearts and minds with lies and makes you believe you don't belong. It tears apart families and friends. It turns children against their mothers. It kills and destroys. What about that is good?"
Enigma clenched his fists at his sides and closed his eyes.
"You're realising just what Harlequin has," Faith told him. "You're on the wrong side."
He muttered something but Faith didn't catch it.
She inclined her head on one side. "What was that?"
"I said I'm not on anyone's side!" He fixed her in a crimson glare. "I've never been fighting for anyone but myself."
"Then why do you obey Hydreigon?" Faith asked with desperation in her voice. "If you need to fight for anything, then fight against the one wiping out the ghost-types, don't assist him!" When Enigma didn't respond, she paused, following his gaze back down towards the square. "Or do you stay because of Harlequin? I mean, she is your friend right?"
"I don't have any friends."
"That's ridiculous!" Faith laughed. "She sees you as a friend."
"The Darkness took something important from me," Enigma said flatly. "Then so did the outlaws. And now you have taken Harlequin." His eyes flashed and he raised his head, but all energy seemed to leave him and he flopped back against the tree. "I don't know what I'm fighting for anymore!"
Faith stared at him, speechless. His words rang around her head, bringing back an earlier comment that made so much more sense to her now.
'You can't just take his mother away from him though, that's cruel!'
'You think I'm no stranger to that?'
Had the Darkness taken Enigma's parents? Or the outlaws? If it was the former, then why work for Hydreigon? Faith shook her head and moved closer to him, placing a paw on his shoulder. He looked up at her but she directed his gaze back to the square.
"We've not taken Harlequin away," she told him. "She's right there. The only change is that she's fighting on the right side. And if you're against Hydreigon too, then you're fighting on the same side as us." She paused, trying to catch his eye with a smile. "Fighting for what's right."
"And what exactly is 'right'?" He turned to meet her gaze, and the ice she saw sent a chill through her spine. "When you see someone you care about killed before your eyes by those who are 'fighting for what's right', it can give you a pretty sour outlook on things."
Faith let out a long sigh and shook her head. "That's what the Darkness does." She felt him tense beneath her paw. "I'm really sorry you've had to go through that. We're not meant to kill each other. Death isn't right."
"Then neither am I." The ice behind his eyes had melted, but the expression he wore was impossible to read. "You don't want someone like me on your side, Faith. Death is all I know." He paused. "You should do the world a favour and just kill me."
Faith's violet eyes widened, remaining fixed on his. "Are you kidding?!" When his expression didn't change Faith felt a heavy weight tugging down inside her chest. "You're not kidding…"
He turned away from her but didn't shrug her off. Faith gave herself a mental shake and cut in front of him, placing both paws on his shoulders in a bid to hold his gaze.
"Is this why you lured me out here?" she pleaded. "To ask me to kill you? Or…" She swallowed as something clicked in her mind. "Or was it what I said?"
"It's not what you said." He looked past her over her shoulder, and his paws brushed her fur as he let them rest on her arms. She realised he was trembling. "I'm not a hero, Faith. My powers only allow me to kill others." He took in a shaky breath. "I can't take anyone with me when I warp. And I've broken our law not to phase through another pokemon more times than I can count. Every life I've taken has been fuelled by anger and hatred until I don't even feel anything anymore. If my kind hadn't been wiped out I'd be put to death anyway." His voice cracked and he closed his eyes as they welled with tears. "I'm nothing but a monster." He whispered the last words. Faith wasn't sure if he meant her to hear it, or if he even realised she was still there.
She stared up at him as she processed every word he'd just said. The pain behind his voice caused her heart to break. This pokemon had seen so much death and destruction, and he'd caused a majority of it. It was no wonder he thought so little of himself. She took a steadying breath and tightened her grip on his shoulders.
"You're wrong."
His shoulders rose and fell as he sighed but he didn't look at her.
"Your powers aren't just for destruction," she said. "I can name two ways you could use them to help others right now. Your ability to warp allows you to cover ground faster than those who can't fly. You could reach a critical situation much faster than I could! And as for being able to phase through solid objects, you can get through a barricaded door to help someone while others try to break it down!" She paused, waiting for some sign he'd acknowledged what she'd said. "You're not a monster, Enigma. I don't see you as one, anyway."
He opened his eyes to stare blankly over her head. "Then you're a fool."
"A monster would have killed me."
He looked down at her then, his eyes widening with surprise. He shifted his paws to relax his hold on her and she felt his claws brush against her skin, but she didn't flinch. She'd spent so long wandering through the square looking for pokemon to talk to about the Fairy Garden, seeking those who were laughing and dancing. And here was this assassin lurking in the shadows hiding so much pain inside him behind a mask of sadistic laughter.
And not once had he told her to go away.
"You want to change," she said. "I can hear it in your voice. You regret everything you've done. And you can change. It's possible."
"But who would forgive me?" he scoffed. "I'm a murderer."
"Xerneas would in a heartbeat," said Faith. "That's what matters most."
He took in a deep breath and looked past her again, but she noticed his eyes glistening in the rapidly diminishing light. She followed his gaze back to the square. The band had finished playing and were tidying up the stage, but the party was still going on.
"I need to get back to my friends. They'll be wondering where I am." She turned back to Enigma. "Will you be okay?"
He was silent for a few seconds, then he released her. "I'll be fine."
He didn't meet her eyes. She couldn't tell whether he'd meant those words or not.
"If you need me, I can stay?" she offered.
He hugged his arms around himself and stared down into Stonehaven. "No. I want to be alone for a while."
She nodded and turned back towards the village. She paused to look at Enigma over her shoulder, a shadowy figure standing silently in the shade of the tree. If she hadn't known he was there she would probably have overlooked him.
"You know where I am if you need me," she said. "Stay safe."
He didn't look up at her, but as she followed the path back towards the village gate she could feel him watching her. The crushing feeling in her chest as he'd relayed all his pain didn't lift. She deeply hoped he'd taken what she'd said on board.
...
I hope you enjoyed this chapter =D The next few chapters will be a multi-part 'special' that dives into Enigma's past.
Thanks for reading! Please R&R! =D
