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50 - A Village of Petals
Snowflakes drifted gently down, joining the thick white blanket only to be trampled under Enigma's feet. His breath came in heavy bursts, misting in the air. Snow clung to his mane and eyelashes, and frosted his black scarf. It peppered Harlequin's fur only to melt away as their small body burned with a rising fever. Enigma had to find help and fast.
He followed the bend of the river, slowing as the path narrowed. Enigma cursed as he was pushed against the cliff face, forced to walk slowly to avoid plunging himself and Harlequin into the river's icy grasp. The path widened again and he broke into a sprint, following the trail of wildflowers. They grew thicker along the river, poking from the crisp snow as though the cold didn't bother them. The trail of flowers veered away from the river, curving towards the mountain. Enigma kept to the river and faltered. Hoof prints followed the flowers, stepping around them as though the pokemon that had left them dare not crush the delicate blooms.
Hoof prints…
There was a pokemon here! Enigma just hoped they were still nearby and could help.
He followed the trail which wound around a narrow mountain path. It curved up a gentle slope and dropped again into a small village. Enigma's heart swelled. He didn't slow, racing towards the gate. He skidded to a halt as a large machamp stepped out from the gate post.
"What are you doing here, ghost?!" he roared.
Enigma clenched his teeth. If it weren't for Harlequin he could just march straight through the burly fighting-type. Two zangoose and a gliscor joined the machamp, eyeing Enigma with hatred and suspicion. The machamp clenched his four fists and glared at the smaller ghost.
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Enigma told him. "I'm looking for help! My friend-"
"Help?" the machamp spat. "A likely story."
"Don't think we can't spot a trap when it's right beneath our noses," said one of the zangoose.
"Please!" Enigma pleaded. "Harlequin has been poisoned! And it's not just him, you're all at risk! There's a nidoking carcass lying in the river!" He nodded upstream.
"I'll believe that when I see it." Regardless, the machamp nodded his head for the gliscor to go and investigate.
The large flying scorpion trotted out of the village but not without one worried glance back at Enigma.
"If you're telling the truth," said the machamp, "then we can only assume you put it there."
"Why would I…" Enigma trailed off. Harlequin was in his arms. These pokemon had every reason to believe they were responsible for the nidoking.
"You know what I think?" said a female zangoose. "I think you two were setting a trap and your little plan backfired." She nodded to harlequin.
The zorua's breaths were coming in frantic bursts, and their fur was slick with sweat.
"Look, believe what you want," Enigma told them. "Kill me if you will! Just help him!" He didn't hide the desperation in his voice. The machamp flinched at it and his face clouded with doubt. "Harlequin doesn't work for Hydreigon anymore, okay? He's joined the Outcasts! He's friends with one of their warriors, a meowstic named Cleo!"
"Never heard of her," said the male zangoose. "What else you got?"
"Get out of here, ghost." The female zangoose raised her claws. Black energy swirled around it. "Or you'll be tasting my night slash."
Her brother copied her, raising his claws above his head.
The machamp opened his mouth to speak.
"Stop! Lower your claws."
Feet crunched over the snow and the three guards looked back. A lilligant walked towards them, her eyes on the sick zorua. The two zangoose lowered their claws but the dark energy didn't fade.
"I'll take a look at him," said the lilligant.
"Elsa?" The machamp folded two of his arms. "You're seriously gonna help this assassin? I'll never understand you peace enthusiasts."
"Peace enthusiast has little to do with it. I can tell a desperate pokemon when I see one," she explained. "As for this 'Cleo', that name rings a bell. Think I've heard Tinker mention her once or twice." She lowered her head to examine Harlequin and placed a delicate yellowing leaf on their shoulder. "Hmm… this is serious. Bring him to my home and I'll see what I can do." She turned to lead Enigma into the village, but the machamp and one of the zangoose barred her path.
"Step aside!" She waved the machamp aside with a leaf, and he complied immediately. "What are you standing around for? Help Thorn remove the nidoking."
The two zangoose saluted, and the male glanced at his shadowy claws. The mist vanished and a glimmer of embarrassment shone on his face.
The three guards watched Enigma and Elsa go, silently.
Elsa called over her shoulder, "And so you are aware, so long as these two pokemon are in this village they are under my protection! Understood?"
"Y-yes, of course," the machamp stuttered.
Enigma thought he heard the two zangoose mutter something, but he didn't try to work it out. His priority lay in his arms, fighting for life.
He caught up with Elsa and cast a glance back at the guards. They were leaving the village. "I take it you're the boss around here."
"I'd hardly call myself a boss," said Elsa. "But the pokemon here do look up to me as one of their elders. If I was younger I'd be the laughing stock of the village."
Enigma's eyes trailed over the lilligant's body. He'd noticed the yellowing leaves and the croak in her voice, but he hadn't considered her to be old enough to be a village elder.
"This is me." She opened the door at the base of a tree. "Follow! Come on!"
Enigma complied, joining the lilligant inside the hollow of the tree. She closed the door behind them and lead him up a winding set of wooden stairs. Luminous algae and mushrooms clung to the walls, casting an eerie light that was just enough to see by. Elsa nudged open a door at the top, allowing bright daylight to flood into the stairwell. Enigma found himself standing in the middle of a tree house high up in the branches of an ancient mountain ash.
"Lay your friend down here." Elsa dragged some cushions onto the floor against the wall. "I'll go and see if I have any antidote. Has he been sick yet?"
Enigma set Harlequin down gently. The cushions rustled under the zorua's weight. Dread knotted inside Enigma's chest as he remembered that horrid retching sound. "No, not yet. I think he's tried."
"Then that will be our first priority." Elsa motioned for Enigma to sit down. "Make yourself comfortable. I won't be a moment, but if he takes a turn for the worse you call for me straight away!" She vanished into the back room, leaving Enigma standing beside Harlequin.
He let out a sigh and settled down on the cushions beside the zorua. They rustled and crunched as if they were filled with leaves. A gentle fragrance wafted up from them, almost calming. He leaned his head against the wall and let out a long, groaning sigh. The reactions he'd received were swirling around in his head. Normally his appearance would be met with fear. Pokemon can't fight what they can't see. But seeing how desperate he was, seeing his ally fighting for breath in his arms, they'd treated him like dirt.
A justified response, too. He was dirt. He'd taken lives left, right and centre. And there he'd stood, begging them to save the one in his arms. He was fortunate enough to meet only one pokemon willing to answer his cry for help.
Elsa came back in clutching a bowl under one arm. She set it down before Harlequin and removed from it a small bottle wrapped with a leaf. Enigma's nose twitched at the bitter scent as she unwrapped the leaf. She gently prised Harlequin's mouth open and forced the herb inside. Immediately Harlequin's small body lurched and they vomited into the bowl. Enigma looked away. His insides felt like lead. It wasn't the first time he'd seen Harlequin so distressed. It wasn't the first time things could have been so easily avoided.
After a moment that felt like an eternity, Harlequin flopped back onto the cushions, gasping for breath. Elsa didn't give the zorua any time to rest. She rolled them onto their back and uncorked the small glass bottle. A trickle of pink liquid dripped from it into Harlequin's gaping jaws. The zorua gagged, their blue eyes opening wide. Enigma leapt to his feet, clenching his paws at his sides.
"Don't worry," said Elsa as she rolled Harlequin back onto their side. The zorua's breathing was frantic, but their eyes were closed again. "It just doesn't taste very nice."
"What is it?" he demanded.
"The anti-venom."
"I thought that stuff was rare. How do you have it?"
"My husband, bless his soul, did a favour for the nidoking that lives nearby," she said. "He was given this anti-venom as a thank you. The nidoking told him he'd never know when it might come in handy. And what do you know." She flashed the seething banette a smile. "He was right."
"So he'll be okay?" Enigma's words were laced with a warning.
"It's hard to say at this stage." That wasn't what Enigma had wanted to hear. "The anti-venom is actually from a nidoqueen so it is very toxic, but if taken while the body is fighting off nidoking venom it works as an antidote."
"So… what does that mean?" Enigma prompted.
"It means time is of the essence. How long ago did he drink the water?"
"I don't know." Enigma sat down again, dragging his paws over his face. "Everything is a blur."
"Then I'm afraid it's just a waiting game." Elsa stood up and wiped her paws together. "I can't promise you your friend will survive. But I can assure you I've done what I can. You are welcome to stay here and keep an eye on him."
Enigma nodded. He watched the lilligant gather up the bowl and move from the room. "Thanks."
She paused in the doorway and smiled at him. "You're welcome. I'll bring you some water and a bite to eat."
Enigma wasn't hungry but he didn't want to offend the lilligant. He leaned back against the wall and sighed, letting his gaze wander to Harlequin. The zorua was still panting, their flanks heaving as they sucked in air. The whole ordeal felt like a bitter irony. Harlequin had always been so careful not to get poisoned by that nidoking horn. Enigma groaned and dragged his claws through his mane.
"I'm sorry, Harle," he said. "I shouldn't have let myself sleep. If I'd been keeping watch then I would have heard all that going on outside the cave!" He lowered his face into his hands and bit back a sob. "It's all my fault."
He felt something brush his leg and looked down. Harlequin had stretched out a paw towards him, falling short as it lay on Enigma's pillow. So small. Everything about Harlequin seemed so small. So fragile.
It was enough to make him wonder if he'd been playing the fool all these years.
'You do know Harlequin's a girl, right?'
A long, suffering sigh left Enigma and he slumped back against the wall. "Get out of my head, Faith."
As he relaxed against the wall he became aware he was aching along his shoulders and back. Not to mention he was exhausted. But there was no way he was going to risk falling asleep. What if Harlequin needed him? Enigma moved towards the zorua and let his paw rest on their chest. Harlequin's rapid pulse raced against his paw and Enigma let out a sigh. He would try to fight sleep, but if he failed he had to trust that if Harlequin stopped breathing, or their heart stopped beating, it would wake him.
"Please, Harle," he muttered. "You have to get through this. You can't leave me."
...
It had been a very long journey. The detour had wound well away from its original route thanks to the heavy rain and snow collapsing part of the underground tunnel system. Tinker shook dirt from his paws as he stepped through the door into New City. Sandpaw slumped behind him, carrying a sleeping Scout in her arms. She appeared to visibly deflate as she stared down the tunnel. Her face flickered with shadows cast from the torches hanging from the walls.
"Don't worry," Tinker assured her. "We're home."
Scout mumbled as he stirred, blinking bleary eyes at the passing walls. "Home?"
"That's right, Scout," said Sandpaw. "We're at our new home now."
The little sentret wriggled in his mother's grip. "We're living underground now?"
"Yes, along with many other pokemon." Tinker didn't look back. He picked up his pace as the voices from the market reached his ears. "You'll see for yourselves soon enough."
The tunnel turned, heading deeper underground. The walk felt deceptively long on weary feet. Tinker raised a paw to shield his eyes as the light from the market flooded into the dark tunnel. Sandpaw froze behind him, her breath halting in her throat.
"Wow!" Scout wriggled from her arms and landed on all-fours beside her. "It's huge!"
"It really is…" A tremble gave away Sandpaw's anxiety. "All this is going on underground… the Darkness really has no idea?"
"No, and we plan to keep it that way," Tinker explained. He placed an arm around the furret to steer her along beside him. "As a rule, only our warriors are allowed outside New City. They take an oath to never even breathe its name in the open air."
Sandpaw craned her head back to look at the massive roots knotted overhead.
"Wait!" Scout tugged at Tinker's paw. "So we're not allowed outside anymore?"
"Do you really want to go out there with Hydreigon's soldiers patrolling the shadows?" Tinker asked him.
Scout closed his mouth and shook his head.
"I guess it is a lot safer here," said Sandpaw a little breathlessly. "But it does feel a little claustrophobic."
"Believe me, I know," said Tinker. "But you get used to it."
Sandpaw stepped into his side as a busy pikachu herded a trio of distracted pichu through the crowd. The pikachu paused for a moment as her wandering gaze fell on Sandpaw. The rodent's eyes widened at the mark on Sandpaw's shoulder and she looked at Tinker with a start.
"I think I have an announcement to make soon," he muttered as the pikachu scurried away.
"Huh?" Sandpaw turned her head to look at him.
"Nothing."
He lead her away from the market towards his office and paused. Bringing a pair of former Heretics into New City wasn't the only announcement he'd need to make. He also had Starshine to consider, and he was about to introduce his two new friends to the soon-to-be dragon. Given Sandpaw's highly-strung nature he wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea anymore.
"Tinker!" The loud voice made him groan inwardly and he turned his head towards Lily as she forced her way through a crowd outside the bakery stand. A paper bag swung from her arm. "Yer back! 'Bout time n'all!"
"Lily!" Tinker dipped his head in a bow. "Good to see you! You don't have Tad with you?"
"'Course I dinnae have 'im wi' me. Tyke's playin' wi' your wee bairn." She paused and folded her arms, her gaze taking in the two newcomers. "Tinker…" Her voice lowered, carrying a warning note. "Why 'ave ye brought a pair o' Heretics into New City?"
"Oh!" Sandpaw rubbed her paws together and stuttered a little. "We're not Heretics, I can assure you. We just… lived with them for a while."
"I'm Scout!" Scout rose up on his tail and stuck out a tiny paw. "We're gonna live here now, like a pair of drilbur!"
Lily closed her eyes and laughed. She took Scout's paw in her massive flipper and shook it gently. "Well ain't you a lively wee nyaff!"
"A what?"
She laughed again and looked over the group, her gaze halting on Tinker. "So. Ye wanna come back t'mine? Skipper's there, babysittin'. He's probably run off his flippers. Ye wee one 'as become a reet blether."
"He's talking then?" Skipper followed Lily, leading Sandpaw until she fell comfortably into step beside him.
"Aye!" Lily looked back at him briefly. "Picked it up real fast. Makes ye wonder what they hear inside their eggs."
"You have a child?" Sandpaw asked Tinker, turning doe-eyed.
Tinker cleared his throat. "In a matter of sorts."
"Ye ain't told 'er?" Lily's eyes widened and she shook her head. "Well, yer in fer a reet surprise, hon."
Lily lead them away from the market into one of the nest tunnels. They passed an underground spring where water gurgled from the mouth of a stone arcanine. Sandpaw watched it curiously, her eyes following an invisible trail through the soil. The tunnel took them away from the spring as it wound further underground and Sandpaw began to tremble.
"So you have water… but where does the air come from?" she asked.
"Trees," Tinker told her, getting a glare in return. "I mean, we built vents into the trees. They are hard to see unless you're looking for them. It travels from the top of the tree into New City, letting air flow freely back and forth. They need regular maintenance but it works for us."
"But what if the Darkness were to find them?" she gasped.
"You could say the same for our doors, but there are security measures in place. No one can get through the vents, I can assure you."
Sandpaw didn't seem convinced. Her eyes wandered over the roots as if she was searching for a security breach. Tinker shrugged it off. Lily had stopped outside one of the nests and nudged the door open. Tinker followed the marshtomp into a large nest room, decorated with dried lily pads and flowers.
"Tinker!"
Two small bundles tackled him to the ground and he landed hard on his bottom. Sandpaw let out a surprised yelp and backed into the door, causing it to slam. Tinker shook his head, his ears flapping around, as he shifted Tad off his chest. Lily scooped up the mudkip before Tinker could place him on the floor.
"Come off it, both o' ya!" the marshtomp scolded. "Give 'im a wee sec t'get settled, aye?"
Skipper rumbled laughter as he plucked Starshine from Tinker's lap and offered a flipper to help his friend to his feet.
"Good t'see ya back!" said Skipper. "So, who's ye new friend?" The marshtomp punctuated it with a wink, receiving an eye-roll off his sister.
"This is Sandpaw." Tinker motioned the furret forward. "And her son, Scout."
Tad shuffled towards Sandpaw and craned his head back. "Hi! I'm Tad!"
Scout waved and wriggled from his mothers grip to land beside the mudkip. Sandpaw didn't object. She crouched down with her paws on her knees.
"Hello! You and your family aren't from around here, are you?"
"Dunno," said Tad. "I 'atched underground like th'rest o' th'hatchlings."
"And this…" Tinker took Starshine from Skipper and the little swablu gave a happy chirp, "is Starshine."
Sandpaw looked up at the swablu as if seeing him for the first time. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. "You… you have a baby dragon?"
Tinker clenched his teeth. He'd been dreading Sandpaw's reaction.
"Yes," he replied. "I found his egg while investigating a crime scene and I couldn't leave it there."
Sandpaw looked from the swablu to Tinker, then the two marshtomp. "Well… what do the other pokemon think? I mean… you're living underground. What if he decides to attack you all one day?"
Starshine wriggled restlessly and Tinker released him to the floor. He shuffled off to the back of the room with Tad and Scout in tow. Sandpaw stretched out a paw towards her son then retracted it, her face clouding with uncertainty.
"To be honest with you, Sandpaw, I'm hoping it never happens," Tinker explained. "I'm raising him here with our morals and beliefs. He's only a hatchling."
"But he'll learn what he is sooner or later," said Sandpaw. "He might decide to side with…" Her voice trailed off and she placed a paw over her mouth.
Tinker was lost for words. He feared that day more than anyone.
Skipper placed a paw around his shoulders. "Aye, one day th'tyke'll 'ave t'make that choice, sure enough."
Lily folded her flippers. "But if ye've raised 'im well enough, th'wee nyaff won't side wi' that rotten dragon." She paused and added in a growl, "If 'e does I'll be th'first t'give 'im a reet good skelpin'."
Tinker chuckled and turned to watch the three hatchlings. Scout had managed to find a screwdriver and Starshine was explaining to him how to use it. "How did my toolbox end up in your nest, Skipper?"
"Starshine wanted t'bring it." Skipper shrugged. "I din't see no 'arm in it. Yer teachin' 'im these things, aye?"
"Well yes, but it's hardly safe, Skipper."
"And what does this do?" Scout held a bolt up to his eye to peer through the hole in the middle.
"It's a bolt," said Starshine. "Holds things together."
"He's a very good talker," said Sandpaw. "How old is he?"
"About a week now I'd think," said Tinker.
"A week?!" Sandpaw gasped. "But he's talking so well!"
"Every species grows at its own rate," said Tinker. "Like Lily said, it makes you wonder how much they learn inside their eggs."
"Always list'nin'," said Lily. "I was darn certain Tad understood everythin' I said when 'e 'atched."
Starshine set everything neatly back into the toolbox while Tad and Scout rolled the bolt back and forth between them. He seemed to consider taking the bolt, but instead joined in much to the delight of the little sentret.
"So what do you think?" Tinker asked Sandpaw. "Would Starshine be a good playmate for Scout?"
Sandpaw rubbed her mouth with her claws. "I… I'm not sure. Maybe? I mean, I can't very well grumble can I." She rubbed the tattoo on her shoulder. "Okay. I want him to be accepted here, and if those two are happy to be his friend-"
"Ma!" Tad shouted, turning towards Lily. "C'n Scout stay 'n' 'ave dinner? Please?"
Lily chuckled and turned back to Sandpaw. "Well there's yer answer, hon." Turning back to Tad, she added, "Sure 'e can, if 'is ma approves."
"I'd love him to," said Sandpaw.
"You two are welcome 'n'all."
Tinker flashed the motherly marshtomp a grateful smile. "Thank you. And thank you for looking after Starshine while I was away."
"Was nothin'." Lily waved a paw and unwrapped the contents of her paper bag. She set various pastries and fruit on the table.
Skipper struck Tinker in the back. "Great t'ave ye back, Tink."
"It's great to be back. It was a long journey with the tunnels collapsing."
"Aye, I 'eard o'that." He motioned towards Sandpaw who had joined the three hatchlings. "Mebbe ye can fill us in on what ye've been up t'while ye were away?"
"It's a long story. I'll explain over dinner."
"Sure enough." Skipper nodded. "It's great ye've brought back a wee friend for Starshine. I guess t'won't be long afore ye introduce 'im t'New City, aye?"
"Most likely." The thought left a bad taste in Tinker's mouth. As he watched the little swablu play with his two friends, both as innocent as he was, he seemed just like any other child. But would New City see it the same way? A great sense of dread washed through Tinker, and he found himself wishing he could just keep the hatchling hidden. But he knew that wasn't possible. The swablu was growing up fast, and sooner or later he'd be wanting the same freedom his friends would undoubtedly have.
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