A/N - Thanks for all reads, reviews, faves and follows! =D I hope you enjoy this chapter!

48 - A Surprise Visit

The wagons rattled to a halt and Old Red tapped his cane on the wooden frame.

"All right," he said. "We'll camp here tonight. If anyone wants to stretch their legs, I suggest we hop off. And quietly."

It surprised Cleo how many voluntarily left the wagons. The snow muffled any sound from their feet, and a few pokemon stopped to help those towing the carts from their harnesses. Cleo followed the pokemon from the wagons. Cold ice shocked her paw pads and she sucked in a sharp breath. Faith landed beside her, hugging her arms. The mawile's violet eyes reflected the moonlight as she looked around at the other pokemon. It wasn't long before the friendly fairy-type had found someone to help. Much to Cleo's surprise, the pokemon were setting up tents. The two rapidash spewed flames to melt away the snow, uncovering bare ground for the tents.

Old Red joined Cleo's side. "Pretty useful having a group of fire-types, isn't it?"

"Can I help with anything?" Cleo asked, puzzling over the method the pokemon were using.

The tents were nothing like hers. Pokemon threaded long flexible poles through loops in the blue fabric. A split ran up the front of the tent providing an entrance, which was laced shut to keep out the worst of the weather.

Old Red shook his head. "We've got all the help we need. You find somewhere to rest a while. You've been on your feet much longer than we have. You deserve a rest."

As thankful as Cleo was, she couldn't help feeling like a burden. She moved through the pokemon until she spotted the heatmor. Long tongues of flame snaked from his mouth, lapping away the snow before one of the tents. His warm body did a good job of thawing the ice and warming the ground. Grateful pokemon flocked to it, snuggling beside each other as they unfolded pouches of rations.

Cleo joined them, settling down near the gogoat. She was sitting a fair distance from one of the rapidash who had taken the position of a radiator. The little skiddo skipped towards the fiery horse, and his mother raised her head in alarm.

"Don't get too close!" said the gogoat. "Her flames might burn your leaves off!"

The skiddo skidded to a halt and fixed his mother with wide, terrified eyes.

The rapidash chuckled and shook her fiery mane. It flickered in the dark, sending erratic shadows over the other pokemon's faces. "You have nothing to worry about. We can control our flames. We won't burn you at all."

"Oh good." Spark bailed from Cleo's shoulder, clutching a berry in her paws. "Can I sit on you then?"

The rapidash laughed and nodded towards one of her hooves. Spark scurried towards her and huddled into the horse's warm chest. Cleo joined her small friend, leaning against the rapidash's side.

"Thank you," said Cleo.

"Don't mention it," said the rapidash.

"I can't deny I feel a little useless, though." Cleo rubbed the back of her head. "Like I should be doing something."

"Your stories have entertained us all," said the heatmor.

Cleo looked up with a start as the anteater settled down near the gogoat. He leaned his back against a tree stump he'd uncovered.

"It can get pretty dull travelling around all the time," he said. "Your stories have been valuable to everyone here. So relax, get warm and wait out the night."

Cleo gave him a warm smile. "What can we call you?"

"Torch," he said with a small blush.

Names echoed around the camp too many for Cleo to remember. The ones that stuck were the two rapidash - Flicker and Blaze - and the gogoat and her son - Clover and Dinkle.

Once the tents were all set up, Faith returned to them, drying her paws on her fur. She was followed by the rampardos, Stompy. Faith settled down gratefully beside Cleo and huddled into Flicker's warm fur. A soft snore came from the rapidash's hoof where Spark had dozed off clutching a half-eaten oran. Faith laughed, echoed by the rapidash and Cleo.

"So," said Stompy as he hunkered down beside Torch. "You're definitely set on heading to Fire Island? You don't wanna stay with us?"

"Oh, as lovely as that would be, we need to find this fire-type," said Faith before Cleo could answer.

Stompy cast Torch a sideways glance. "Sure it's not one of the pokemon here?"

Cleo met Torch's eyes. Flicker gave a nicker beside her and Blaze shifted uncomfortably a few feet away.

"No," said Cleo. "I believe it would be obvious when we find them."

"A likely story," grunted Rido.

Cleo hadn't even seen the tauros join them. He sat out of her line of sight near a few other pokemon Cleo hadn't caught the names of.

"You sure you'll find them on Fire Island?" Torch asked. There was a warning note to his voice that caught Cleo's interest.

"We don't know," said Cleo. "But if it's an island full of fire-types then our chances are high, right?"

Torch snorted and a tongue of flame left his mouth to fizzle in the air. "I don't know about 'full'. All the fire-types left that island years ago, back when my great-grandfather was alive. Rumour has it one remained, but if he's still there he'll be ancient by now."

Cleo's heart sank like a lead rock. "So… so there's no one left?"

"No idea." Torch shrugged. "Legends are just that, aren't they? But if you're set on going there, you might want to find a way to safely cross the sea first."

"So we need a boat?" Cleo looked at Faith. She'd not even considered how they'd get across.

"Either that or a strong, brave water-type," said Torch.

Faith looked over at the heatmor. "Why 'brave'? Is there something wrong with the water?"

"You could say that." Torch leaned forwards on his knees. "When Fire Island fell under attack, the pokemon fled to the mainland, by sky and by sea. Many of those that travelled over the water didn't make it. They say hundreds of years ago, long before Hydreigon's reign, the ocean fell under attack from a sinister being who drained the life from the coral bed. All that remains are the vengeful husks of corsola. If anyone tries to cross, their souls are snatched away by spectral claws."

A shudder ran through Cleo's body. Part of her wondered if the story was even true. No… part of her hoped it wasn't true.

"Yveltal," Faith gasped.

The heatmor fixed one eye on Faith.

Stompy raised his head, his face full of excitement. "That makes so much sense! The story you told us earlier ties in with that legend perfectly!"

"That's a bit of a stretch," said Torch. "It could have been anything that killed the coral bed."

Old Red tottered over from his spot beside Rido. He leaned his shivering body on his cane and beamed Cleo and her friends.

"I did enjoy that tale, Faith," he said. "Perhaps some more stories would warm us all up a bit before we tuck in for the night?"

"I'd like that very much!" The mawile tapped the grass beside her. "Sit with us. You're freezing."

The old kecleon chuckled and huddled into Flicker's side. "So how did you come to meet Cleo and Spark, if you don't mind me asking?"

Faith exchanged a glance with Cleo, and Cleo took the hint Faith wanted her to tell them of their journey. Cleo looked down at the sleeping dedenne nestled in the crook of Flicker's leg.

"Well, it's a bit of a long story," Cleo explained. "I might need to trim it down."

"There's no rush," said Old Red.

Cleo was suddenly aware of all the eyes fixed upon her. Many of the other pokemon had moved in around the camp, sticking close to the three fire-types.

Cleo cleared her throat. "Very well. It all started one day in the market, when a cheeky little grass-type mugged me."

...

Yurlik huddled into his body, fluffing his feathers out against the cold. Snow whipped up around him and he shook his body to remove it - a fruitless endeavour. The chilling wind bit through to the bone and he clenched his beak tight against it. He'd lost sight of the black cloud heading towards him, but he could still hear the cawing voices muffled by the oncoming storm. They grew louder, encouraging him to remain on his perch. Before long, he was surrounded by loud caws and beating wings as mukrow landed in the branches around him in an ungainly mass.

Yurlik tutted as he glanced around at them, his eyes falling on the lean form of Ilana.

The females.

He ruffled his feathers in agitation. He'd waited in the cold for this mob? He'd thought it was his own returning.

"This had better be good," he growled.

Ilana held her beak open as she caught her breath, sucking in the chilling air. Her feathers were fluffed out, hiding her scrawny body beneath a ragged, tatty cape.

"Oh, it's not you I'm meant to report to," she said. "I need to get this message straight to Lord Hydreigon."

"If it's for Lord Hydreigon then you go through me," he told her. "He wont see any females and you know it."

Ilana tutted and narrowed her ruby eyes. "Fine. Then you can deliver this rotten nugget to him yourself." The corners of her beak turned up in a smirk. "I'm sure you're used to delivering bad news anyway."

Yurlik stiffened. The note in her voice chilled him worse than the storm. "What is it? Did you lose that whimsicott?"

"The storm made me lose it," Ilana told him. "I had him in my claws." She tucked her wings in at her sides and raised her head. "The news I have doesn't concern him. It's about Harlequin and Enigma."

Yurlik glared up at her. "What about them?"

"They've deviated." She smirked at his gobsmacked expression. "I suppose you already feared as much, and I'm just confirming it? But Harlequin is with a group of Outcasts, helping them. As for Enigma, he also leapt to their aid more than once."

Yurlik's beak fell wide open and a strangled noise left his throat. How was he meant to tell Hydreigon he'd lost two more aces? Perhaps he should have allowed Ilana an audience with him after all.

Yurlik cleared his throat and smoothed out his feathers. "Very well. I'll show you to the throne room-"

"No need. I've delivered our message." Ilana spread her wings and let out a caw, mustering her flock into gear. "We've got a job to do. Come on, girls. Let's join the rest of the flock in the hunt for that whimsicott."

"Wait!" Yurlik barked, rising into the air as Ilana and her flock formed a black cloud above the trees. "I demand you to get back here and deliver your message!"

Ilana fired a smirk back at him then turned, leading her flock back over the Border Woods. The birds moved around each other, forming a shield against the storm. The cold tore through Yurlik's feathers, forcing him to land back in his tree. With a defeated sigh, he turned his back and headed towards the castle.

He landed neatly on the stairs and shook snow from his wings. Muttering under his breath he tapped the door with his talons. The face of a scrafty peered out around it and looked him up and down.

"Snowing?" the fighting-type asked.

Yurlik pushed the door open and shoved the scrafty aside with his beak. The reptilian pokemon yelped and rubbed his shoulder.

"What, are ya made of ice or somethin'?" he squeaked.

Yurlik ignored him, marching through the corridor and leaving behind trails of water as the snow melted from his feathers. Torches adorned the walls, radiating a delicious warmth through the castle that thawed Yurlik's frozen bones. It almost made the dread of delivering Ilana's message a little more bearable.

He stopped at the doors to the throne room and a thick lump formed in his throat. He cleared it with a dry caw and tapped on the door.

"Enter!" Hydreigon's voice boomed out.

Yurlik pushed the door open and froze. Hydreigon sat in his usual spot near the back of the room. Beside him sat Yveltal amid several stone statues, each one with its face trapped in a silent scream. His black feathers were streaked with red. A white ruff had formed around the bird's neck. But it was the hunger radiating from his blue eyes that froze Yurlik to the spot.

"What is it, Yurlik?" Hydreigon asked, tearing the honchkrow's eyes from the draconic bird.

Hydregion sat with his head on one pincer while the other one stared blindly at Yurlik.

"I've received a message from the female flock, my lord," said Yurlik. "I'm afraid it's not good news."

Hydreigon raised an eyebrow and motioned for Yurlik to continue.

Feeling a lot more placated that he hadn't been dodging a dragon pulse, Yurlik quickly relayed the message in a bid to get it all out before the dragon's mood darkened.

Once he'd finished, Hydreigon continued to stare at Yurlik, holding him in place with sheer fear.

"So you are telling me," Hydreigon began slowly, "that I have lost two more of my aces?"

"I am afraid so, my lord." Yurlik dipped his head in a bow.

"So that leaves me with… the Wildfires?"

Yurlik looked up and swallowed. Hydreigon was no longer looking at him, instead exchanging some silent conversation with his pincer.

"This news upsets me, Yurlik." The dragon looked back at him. "I want both Harlequin and Enigma dead. Arrange it."

Yurlik opened his beak to confirm, desperate to leave. But Yveltal shifted, turning his icy gaze onto Hydreigon.

"You should bring them back alive," he said. "Let me deal with them."

"They have no right to meet you," said Hydreigon. "Why give traitors that honour?"

"It's not an honour," said Yveltal. "I want them to see what they've lost. They were fighting for my revival, so betraying you means they die at my claws."

Hydreigon grunted. "Very well." He fixed one eye on Yurlik. "Release the Wildfires. Allow them to torch the Outcasts, but I want Harlequin and Enigma back here alive."

Yurlik gulped. "Howlinger takes no prisoners, my lord."

"That is an order, Yurlik."

Yurlik bowed and ducked from the room, closing the door swiftly. He flinched, expecting an attack to slam it shut.

"Oh, and Yurlik?"

The honchkrow raised his head from his ruffled feathers and peered back around the door. "Yes my lord?"

"Search Harlequin's and Enigma's rooms," said the black dragon. "I want you to find any sign that might point to their treachery."

"Understood. I'll get on that at once."

Still no attack came to slam the door.

The honchkrow smoothed out his feathers and turned from the castle, walking briskly back out into the cold. Something had changed in Hydreigon that he couldn't put his claw on.

No… he could. Hydreigon believed he'd won. He'd found his prize, revived Yveltal. Everything else now was an inconvenience. If he was releasing the Wildfires to finish off his job then he had no plans to bring back either traitor alive. His words had been a ruse to placate Yveltal.

Yurlik clenched his beak and shook his head. He spread his wings, making a beeline for the caves near the back of the Shadow Lands. Smoke curled from the small holes that dotted the rocky surface. Deep within the yawning entrance, Yurlik could make out the flicker of red and orange flames. Beyond them a pair of red eyes opened and a canine raised its shadowy head.

"I bring orders from Lord Hydreigon," Yurlik told it, trying to hide the waver in his voice. "He is sending you out to finish the job. You are to destroy the Outcasts and bring back the traitors Harlequin and Enigma alive."

"He knows full well we don't bring back prisoners." The voice was smooth and deep, like the distant rumble of thunder warning of an oncoming storm.

"I'm just repeating his orders," said Yurlik. "Do what you do best."

The red eyes flashed and flames leaked out from the canine's mouth, flashing orange against his sharp teeth. Yurlik stood aside as a loud howl shook the cavern.

Howlinger leapt from its mouth, his sleek black form bounding over the rocky terrain. The houndoom raised his pointed tail and threw his head back. Another howl left his throat, followed by a stream of flames. The smaller houndour copied him, their voices rending the skies of the Shadow Lands. Then they took off. Black howling shadows streaking through the night ready to leave a trail of flames in their wake.

...

Cleo brushed aside the door to her tent only to be assaulted by blinding light. She let it go again and the dark blue sheet leapt to her aid. She rubbed her eyes to try and remove the dancing spots that remained then tried again, more gingerly. The sky was devoid of clouds, letting the low sun shine its rays down onto the white landscape. It made the snow glow with blinding intensity. Cleo raised her paw to shield her eyes as she stepped out, the cold beneath her paws contrasting with the sun's warm caress.

A loud yawn came from her feet and Spark rubbed her little face with her paws. "Wow, that's enough to give someone snow blindness."

"I think that's just a myth, Spark," said Cleo.

"No, no. My grandpa had it once. I remember my Dad telling me one snowy day. 'Don't stare at the snow too long' he said." Spark blinked her black eyes and let out a sad sigh. "My memory of it is pretty vague now."

Cleo placed a paw on her chest and bit her lip. Her memories of home were also growing faint. She shook her head, trying to find a happy note to latch onto. Just a few feet away, Old Red sat with Torch and one of the rapidash - Flicker or Blaze, Cleo struggled to tell the two apart. Rido sat beside them tucking into a meal of berries and hay.

Old Red waved a paw. "Good morning! Did you all sleep well?"

"Like a log." Cleo joined them and sat down in a dry patch beside the rapidash. "Thank you so much. But we could have kept watch."

"Nonsense, there's enough of us here to give you a break," said the kecleon. "We all take turns, and no one here goes without a couple of nights of solid sleep."

"It must be nice travelling in such large numbers," said Spark, reaching into Cleo's bag for a berry. "I do like my sleep."

"You don't need to dip into your own rations." Old Red motioned to the heap of rations and berries beside them. "Help yourself, we've plenty."

"You don't mind?" Cleo asked.

"Not at all! You've got a long journey ahead of you. Hold onto what you've got and share with us a while."

Cleo thanked him profusely and helped herself to a juicy oran and a strip of dried fish. When she returned to her seat she spotted Faith emerging from the tent, her arms stretched above her head in a wide yawn.

"Wow, what a beautiful morning!" she said as she squinted out at the landscape.

"You've obviously cheered up the weather with your stories!" Old Red chuckled. "Help yourself to breakfast, my dear."

Faith thanked him and gathered a couple of berries. Torch waved her over and cleared a patch of snow with a flick of his flaming tongue.

As they tucked into their breakfast, Cleo, now adjusted to the brightness, cast a glance around the camp. Most of the pokemon were still asleep, and a couple emerged from their tents, squinting and ducking their heads against the brightness. A huge mound of white snow caught Cleo's eye and she swallowed her mouthful of fish.

"Wow, there must have been some wind!" she gasped. "Look at all the snow piled up over there."

"There wasn't any wind," said Torch. "Not while I was on watch, anyway."

Faith followed Cleo's stare and let out a gasp as her violet eyes widened. "That's not snow!"

The mawile leapt to her feet, sending her berries tumbling to the ground. She took off towards the mound and Cleo rushed to catch up with her. The crunching snow behind her told her she wasn't alone.

As she drew closer, the mound looked less like snow and more like fur and feather. Even lying down his shoulder reached above Cleo's ears, and a huge mammalian head lay resting on large claws attached to feathery forelegs. The dragon's back rose and fell gently and a soft snore came from his nose, stirring up what remained of the snow around his warm body.

Rido skidded to a halt, cutting Old Red and Torch off before they could reach the dragon.

"Reshiram?" Cleo gasped. "What's he doing all the way out here?"

"And in this weather?" Spark clambered onto Cleo's shoulder and shook snow from her paws.

Faith shook her head, speechless.

"Wait a minute." Torch pointed towards the massive white beast. "You know this dragon?"

"Yes," said Faith. "He's a friend from the Fairy Garden. Xerneas must have asked him to join us, but why?"

"Why don't we ask him?" Old Red lifted his cane and poked Reshiram in the nose. "Wake up, old boy! What are you doing out in the open in all this cold?"

Reshiram's nose twitched and he snorted, sending a flurry of steam and snow towards Old Red.

"Don't do that!" Torch swiped the cane aside, almost toppling the old kecleon. Torch grabbed his arm to steady him and gave him an apologetic look. "What if he attacks us? We'd never survive an attack from something so big!"

Rido pawed the snow with a hoof and puffed air from his nostrils. "If he attacks us, I'll give him what for!"

"He'd never do that!" Faith gasped. "He's one of the most gentle pokemon I know."

Rido only snorted in response, his eyes fixed on the sleeping dragon.

Faith crouched beside Reshiram and placed a paw on his wing. "Reshiram? Are you okay?"

The white dragon's blue eyes fluttered open and he blinked a couple of times. He poked out a large tongue to lick his lips, then stretched his jaws wide open in a huge yawn. A few other pokemon had gathered out of curiosity and they scattered with squeals of fright back towards the camp.

Reshiram's gaze fell on Old Red and the others and he beamed. "You're awake! Wow, what a morning." He rose to his full height, towering over the other pokemon. Torch stood trembling before Old Red who gazed up at Reshiram in awe.

"You look as bright as a daisy!" Old Red called up to him. "Faith here assures us you are a friend?"

"I sure am!" Reshiram lowered his head towards them. "I'm sorry, I appear to have spooked your friends."

"Of course you've spooked them! You're a dragon!" Rido lowered his horns and huffed steam from his nose.

Reshiram looked down at himself and laughter rumbled from his chest. "So I am! But I can assure you I mean you no harm."

"And we're meant to just believe you?"

Old Red placed a paw on Rido's shoulder and took a step towards Reshiram. "I believe you. But what brings you all the way to our camp?"

Reshiram motioned with a wing towards Cleo and her friends. "Xerneas asked me to help these lovely ladies across the Sinister Sea to Fire Island."

Cleo blinked at that. "You're going to help us?"

"We're gonna fly?" Spark squeaked.

Reshiram laughed again. "It's the best way to travel! Those corsola won't be able to reach us up in the sky."

"Corsola?" Cleo raised an eyebrow. "So it's not just a legend?"

"Ahh so you've heard about them? No, it's no mere legend, Cleo." Reshiram turned his attention back onto Old Red. "I'm really sorry to drop in like this. By the time I arrived, you were all asleep and I didn't want to startle your look-out, so I just crept into the snow and hunkered down!"

"I don't mind at all," said Old Red. "Any friend of these three is a friend of ours." He slapped Rido on the shoulder.

The tauros grunted and raised his head. "I suppose. But if you turn out to be a threat…"

Reshiram raised a wing to his chest. "I promise you I shall be on my very best behaviour."

"You heard him Rido!" said Old Red. "A promise is a promise! Now, will you be joining us for breakfast? We have berries and dried meats, and I think I've got a skin of berry wine somewhere in the back of my cart."

"Oh no, no. I shall have to refuse the wine," said Reshiram. "But some breakfast would be lovely if they don't mind my presence."

Reshiram's gaze went towards the camp. Everyone was awake and fixing the white dragon with a mix of fear and curiosity.

"Oh, don't mind that lot," said Old Red. "I'm sure they'll calm down once they see you're no threat! It's not every day one gets to entertain a dragon."

"I do hope so," said Reshiram. "I'm not used to this kind of reaction. I very rarely leave the Fairy Garden."

"It's certainly a surprise," said Faith. "Not that I'm not happy to see you. It must be dire if Xerneas has sent you to help us."

Reshiram nodded and steered Faith alongside him. "What he told me was worrying, but I shan't burden you with it. We'll have a spot of breakfast then be on our way."

"We need to make haste then?" Faith asked.

Reshiram didn't answer, but his expression told them enough. A sense of dread washed over Cleo. What did Reshiram know that they didn't? She exchanged a puzzled glance with Spark.

The other pokemon scattered as Reshiram approached the camp. Old Red went ahead of him and tapped his cane on the bare ground.

"Come on, you lot!" he shouted. "Reshiram here is a friend! He won't hurt any of you."

The gogoat, Clover, poked her head out of one of the tents. "Are you sure?"

"Can you really take the word of a dragon?" asked a herdier.

Faith cut in front of him and raised her paws. "I promise you Reshiram is a friend. He's from the Fairy Garden."

"Then how come you didn't mention him in any of your stories?" Flicker asked.

"That's very simple," said Reshiram. "Those stories aren't about me. They're about Xerneas."

The other pokemon seemed to calm, and the herdier and gogoat emerged from their tents. The skiddo followed behind his mother and looked up at Reshiram in awe.

"Wow!" he gasped. "You're so big!"

"Big enough to step on you!" said Clover. "Come here, don't get too close."

Dinkle let out an 'eep!' and skittered over to his mother.

"Oh, yes." Reshiram rubbed the back of his head. "I'm a little worried about stepping on any of you. I'm used to dodging around other pokemon, but they are also used to me. So please try to avoid my rather large feet."

He settled down beside Old Red and flicked his tail into his side. The other pokemon gathered around the food pile, keeping a wary distance from the dragon. Many of them trembled slightly, despite the sun's rays. It was still bitterly cold. With all the pokemon huddling around the three fire-types there just wasn't enough heat between them.

Reshiram made a thoughtful noise as he looked over them, and a strange rumble came from his tail.

"It's rather cold, isn't it?" he said. "Maybe I can help a little?"

"Are you a fire-type, old boy?" Old Red asked him.

"I most certainly am." Orange flames erupted from Reshiram's tail, startling the pokemon back to their feet. Even Cleo had jumped up, her eyes on Reshiram's blazing tail.

"There," he said. "Some extra heat for you all."

Cleo scolded herself and sat back down. The heat from Reshiram's tail washed over her, thawing her chilled bones. Spark huddled into her fur and purred out 'toasty!'

Gradually the other pokemon returned to what Cleo guessed was a normal routine. They chatted, some growing confident enough to settle beside Reshiram and listen to him tell Old Red about his work in the Fairy Garden's library. Soon the conversation turned to his training, drawing Cleo and Spark into the mix.

"Those moves have certainly come in useful," said Cleo. "We've been attacked by murkrow twice since we left."

"We showed them what for!" Spark added.

Much to Cleo's surprise, Reshiram didn't question their loss of Mischief, or of Harlequin. She was both glad and saddened by it. Either he already knew, or he didn't want to ask while they were surrounded by so many pokemon. She wouldn't be surprised if it were the former. Xerneas had known enough to tell Reshiram where to find them, so he must know Mischief and Harlequin had left them too.

"So how did you find your way into the Fairy Garden?" Old Red asked. "Were you born there like Faith?"

"Oh no, I found my way there many years ago," Reshiram explained. "It's actually a long story. You see, I have a sibling, a pokemon named Zekrom. We were both fascinated by stories of legend, and Xerneas wowed us both. We would often read of Yveltal's Fall and other stories about Xerneas and the origins of Estellis. But we both had very different outlooks. Zekrom wanted to learn more about them to apply his teachings and laws to Estellis. She was very distressed at the state of the world. She called the Shadow Lands a festering wound in the beauty of the world. While she liked the stories and wanted to learn about them she much more preferred the ideology behind it, where I wanted to discover more and learn the truth. Where had these stories come from? And had they been changed or altered over the years? We'd often lock horns in debates, much to my shame. After a while we parted ways and I set out to find out more.

"I spent a lot of time in Gleamgrove Abbey. It was very new when I came across it. I learned a lot from the gardevoir teacher there, and spent a long time in the library. I helped them to extend it as the pokemon added to the books, writing down all they knew of Xerneas. After a few years I left in search of more, with the hopes to bring it back to my friends at the abbey. Much to my surprise I stumbled across the Fairy Garden and - wow - I near fainted. In fact, I think I did faint. And I tell you, friends, I never left."

"That's amazing," said Cleo. "I never would have guessed."

"But what happened to Zekrom?" Spark asked. "Is she still alive? Did she find the Fairy Garden?"

"Zekrom wanted to heal the Shadow Lands," said Reshiram. "She went up that way and I never heard from her again."

Faith stared down at her paws.

Cleo looked from the mawile to Reshiram. "That's sad. So she never found her way to the Fairy Garden?"

Reshiram shook his head. "Sometimes, I wonder if she ever truly believed in it. It makes me think she only saw the stories as ideals to live by."

"And she took the news to the Shadow Lands," said Faith.

Spark looked up at the mawile. "Does that upset you?"

"No." Faith gave Spark a small smile. "It's great, just… how many don't believe it? The only dark-type who I've seen enter the Fairy Garden is Harlequin. If the stories were delivered there, then what happened to them?"

"It makes one wonder," said Reshiram.

"Look, Mum!" Dinkle's cheerful head rose up from the edge of one of Reshiram's footprints. "There's enough room to run around in here!"

The little skiddo ran in circles over the flattened snow.

Clover rolled her eyes and sighed as the other pokemon chuckled at the hatchling's antics.

"Well," said Old Red. "I think it's nearly time to pack up the carts and move on." He looked up at Reshiram. "Would you like to travel with us a little longer?"

Reshiram's smile fell and he shook his head. "That is a very kind offer, friend, but I'm afraid we really must make haste."

Old Red nodded sadly. "I understand."

"Please let us help you pack up?" said Faith. "It's the least we can do after your hospitality."

"Very well." Old Red chuckled. "I give in. But it will be sad to part ways." The kecleon took her paw in both of his and smiled. "Thank you so much, all of you." He looked over the rest of her friends, ending on Reshiram. "Perhaps we will meet again in the Fairy Garden."

"Oh I do hope so," said Faith.

"You remember how to get there?" Cleo asked.

Old Red nodded. "I know where the Endless Woods are. We're going to head that way, and all of us who truly want to go will find it. Is that right?"

Faith nodded, her eyes glistening with tears.

...

Yurlik cursed under his breath as he flicked dust from his feathers. Harlequin's room had been oddly barren. All he'd found was an empty vial tucked away beneath their bed. Enigma's however, was a different kettle of fish. Old books 'borrowed' from the barrack's store cupboard lay in a haphazard pile beside his bed. Empty food wrappers were tossed into the corners, spilling over the trash can. The hay seemed like it hadn't been changed in seasons. As for under the bed…

Yurlik clicked his beak as he flicked open dusty rags of black fabric. What on earth had that been? A vague memory flashed in his mind of a hooded cloak. This, however, looked like it had been hacked to pieces.

He tossed it aside and peered under the bed, narrowing his red eyes as dust tickled his nostrils. Something large and brick-like caught his eye and he reached his talons beneath the bed. It was out of reach.

Swearing audibly, the large raven pressed himself to the floor and wriggled beneath the stone bed. He nudged the item with his beak towards the opening and sneezed, sending up a cloud of dust. With a jerk of his head, the item he'd confirmed to be yet another book went skittering over the compact earth.

Yurlik flailed his wings as he reversed, sneezing, from beneath the bed. His entire body was caked with dust. He beat at it fruitlessly and turned his wicked eyes onto the book, then cursed again loudly. 'Assassination 101'. Yurlik kicked the book, sending it sprawling across the floor in a flurry of pages.

He marched towards the door with one last disdainful look around the room. His gaze fell on the book as he strutted past it and his beak fell open.

A huge illustration greeted him of a rainbow stag leading an army into battle against a huge black bird. That was no book on assassination. The honchkrow grabbed the cover of the book and tore away the dust jacket.

'Yveltal's fall'.

Something churned inside his chest. Excitement.

Hydreigon had instructed him to find evidence of their treachery.

He'd definitely confirmed one. Whether Enigma had shared this with Harlequin remained to be seen. But the book Hydreigon had believed had burned with the library had definitely survived.

A deep chuckle rose in Yurlik's throat. Not only had the information Hydreigon had been seeking been under their noses the whole time, Enigma had hidden it away.

Yurlik picked up the book in his talons as a grin split his beak. Hydreigon was going to love this.

...

Thanks everyone! =D Please R&R!