A/N - Thanks for all reads, reviews, faves and follows! =D I feel like this is a humdinger of a chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

63 - A Shocking Evolution

"Tinker!"

The door to Tinker's office flew open, bouncing off the wall behind it. Tinker almost fell back off his chair as he spun it around to face the gasping marshtomp. Tad stood doubled over in the doorway as papers cascaded around it. His heavy breathing filled the office, and his bandanna hung lopsided over one eye.

"Whatever is the matter?" Tinker asked.

"It's Starshine!" Tad gasped out. "He's evolvin'! But somethin' ain't right."

Tinker blinked with surprise, his mind still processing the first part of Tad's explanation. Then the severity of it hit him. He leapt from his chair and rushed past the marshtomp.

"Where is he?" he demanded.

"Th'trainin' hall," Tad explained as he trotted to keep up with the riolu. "I'm worried, Uncle Tinker. He keeps screamin' like 'e's in pain or somethin'."

"What's he doing evolving already?" Tinker asked half to himself. "He's much too young!"

"That'n might be my fault." Tad brushed his bandanna back from his eye as Tinker glanced at him. "We wanted t'join Scout 'n' 'elp 'im 'n' 'is ma find th'Fairy Garden! So… we decided t'train 'arder."

Tinker let out a flustered breath and picked up his pace, his legs pumping over the well-trodden earth. The crowd in the market parted as he hared through it, muttering a quick apology as he almost bowled over a servine and her hatchlings. Tad had to sprint to keep up with him, adding his own apologies as he hopped around one of the little snivy. Tinker could already hear the wails before he rounded the corner towards the training hall.

Pokemon were gathered outside it, Guild Warriors and denizens alike. Tinker's heart sank as he could already separate them into two groups - the fearful and the enraged.

A combusken fixed his eyes on Tinker and spat embers. "So it's finally happened, has it?!"

"It was inevitable!" a female togedemaru added. "He was letting the wretched thing train!"

Tinker pushed through them, shoving the combusken aside. The screams had stopped, having been drowned out by the rabble of voices. The training hall was empty, save for a lone altaria lying on the floor. His black eyes were wide, and his flanks heaved as he gasped for breath.

Tinker's heart lurched and he took a step back. He thought he'd prepared himself for it, but the shock took him by surprise. Starshine's fearful gaze found his.

"Dad?" The altaria's voice shook with fear and exhaustion. "I don't… feel too well…"

Tinker held the dragon's trusting gaze for a moment. It was still Starshine, there was no doubting that. And despite his sudden change in size he was still a hatchling. He still needed Tinker, now more than ever. Despite his racing heart Tinker felt himself relax and he dropped down at the altaria's side. He placed a trembling paw on the dragon's fluffy wing and trailed it along it's length as if searching for a broken bone.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked.

"Everywhere," Starshine whimpered. "I ache all over."

Tinker let out a lone laugh. "That's because you've evolved." He met the altaria's eyes. "Your body has just gone through a dramatic change. You look nothing like that little round bird anymore."

"Huh?" Starshine raised his head, his long neck curving as he looked down at his body. His gaze fell on the long ribbon-like feathers that formed his tail, and his beak fell open as he searched for words.

"Och, Starshine!" Tad's voice made Tinker's body jerk, and he lunged forward as Tad's heavy flipper struck him on the back. The marshtomp sank down beside him with a long sigh. "Was that all? I mean, I know it's a reet shock 'n' all, but th'ain't no reason t'scream like that! Ye 'ad me thinkin' ye was dyin' or somethin'!" He laughed and shook his head, drawing a small smile from the altaria. "'Ad me scared 'alf t'death ye did!"

Tinker shook his head and gave the marshtomp an exasperated look. "It might not have caused you much grief, Tad, but you didn't have to grow a new neck." He turned back to Starshine and cleared his throat. "Can you stand?"

"I think so." Starshine pushed himself to his feet. His long wings flailed as he stumbled, his head swaying in a bid to remain upright.

Tinker wound his arm around the altaria's shoulders and steadied him to his side. "I think we should get you to bed. Your body needs rest."

"Aye!" Tad nodded, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ye wobblin' 'bout all over th'shop like th'berry souffle me ma makes!"

Tinker shooed Tad aside and lead Starshine towards the door, but the altaria stiffened.

Starshine's gaze was fixed on the doorway. "Why is everybody staring at me?"

The crowd had grown as the word had flooded through New City, each member vying for a spot to gawk at the altaria. Mixed expressions of fear, anger and disgust leaked into the room, making the air feel cold despite the number of bodies. Starshine cowered under Tinker's arm, his wide eyes flashing over each glaring pokemon.

"You've got some explaining to do, Tinker," said a ninetails.

The togedemaru's cheeks sparked. "Yeah! We told you we didn't want it here, but you kept it anyway!"

Starshine's beak gaped. "Huh?"

"Sure, we might have tolerated it when it were a swablu," the togedemaru went on. "But look it at it now!"

"You let it train!" another voice added. "Now look what's happened! It will-"

Voices rose from the crowd as more pokemon added their complaints, fuelled by the anger of their companions. The words seemed to blend together with too many to voices to pick out, making Tinker's head spin. He felt his fur prickle along his spine, and his paws turned slick.

"Alreet, back it up!" Tad raised his flippers and shooed his way through the crowd, trying to clear a path. "I know th'lad's got nice, pretty feathers 'n'all, but ye can stare 'n' oggle at 'im later!"

Many voices lowered to mutters as Tinker lead Starshine through the path. Pokemon stepped aside, their glares burning into the retreating pair. Tinker felt relieved as they left the thick of the crowd and turned towards the market.

"This is outrageous!"

Tinker stiffened and looked back automatically. A luxray stared back at him, her amber eyes burning. A shinx cowered behind her, peering over her lashing tail.

"We said we didn't want that thing here!" she went on. "We knew this would happen! That it would evolve." She nodded at Starshine.

"That's what happens when you train," Tinker told her.

"Then you shouldn't have let it train!" the combusken warrior spoke up. He narrowed his eyes. "Have you even told that beast it would evolve into a dragon?"

Starshine's spine stiffened and he jerked his head towards Tinker.

The combusken snorted. "I thought as much."

Other voices rose up from the crowd.

"Disgusting!"

"A dragon in New City!"

"…thing should be exiled!"

"It's not coming near my kids anymore."

Tears welled in Starshine's eyes and he broke away from Tinker, bolting from the jeering crowd towards the market.

"Starshine!" Tinker raced after him with Tad hot on his tail.

Yells and screams came from the market as the altaria skittered through it, his wings flailing as he tried to take tight turns through the crowd. Pokemon leapt aside, whisking children out of the way. Pastries and berries tumbled from market stalls as pokemon crashed into them in a bid to get out of the dragon's way. Tinker and Tad skipped around startled pokemon, shouting Starshine's name as they rushed to catch up. The altaria's blue and white feathers vanished into the tunnel to the nest rooms, blocked out as pokemon crowded to watch the young dragon flee.

Tinker shoved his way through the crowd, ignoring demands for an explanation. Their voices faded away as Tinker pressed on through the tunnel. Curious eyes peered at him from the safety of their nests. Tinker came to a fork in the tunnels, and soft snuffles drew him down the right one. He stopped two doors down at Starshine's familiar room and leaned against the doorway. Starshine lay huddled up in his nest, his body shaking with sobs.

Tinker let out a long breath and rubbed the bridge of his muzzle. Despite knowing it would happen, nothing could have prepared him for this day. It had come much, much too soon. He stepped into the room, opening his mouth to speak.

"You knew, didn't you?" Starshine didn't look up from his nest.

Tinker sighed and sank down beside him on the hay. "Yes."

Starshine watched him through bloodshot eyes, his beak buried under his wing. "Then why didn't you tell me?"

Tinker crossed then uncrossed his arms, his mind searching for an answer. With another sigh he sank back against the wall and rubbed his forehead. "Truthfully? I… I was scared."

"Scared." Starshine spat the word and raised his head to glare at Tinker. "You were scared of me."

Tinker met the altaria's livid gaze.

"You're just like them!" Starshine jerked his head towards the door, and Tinker felt his heart shatter. "You think I'm a monster! A beast! That I should be exiled!"

"No, I don't." Tinker was startled at how calm his voice sounded.

Starshine stared back at him and tutted. "You're lying." He snorted and ruffled his feathers. "I saw you hesitate when you entered the training hall!" Fresh tears filled the altaria's eyes. "You're scared of me. You're scared I'm going to join Hydreigon and kill you all."

Tinker rolled his head back against the wall and rubbed the bridge of his muzzle. "Starshine-"

"Just leave." Starshine lowered his head back onto his nest and tucked it under his wing. "I don't want you here."

Tinker shifted on the hay, considering whether to leave Starshine to seethe on his own or stay with him. His mind whirred as he tried to find something to say that would placate his adopted child. But as he listened to the muffled sobs from beneath the altaria's wings he realised dusting over the truth wasn't the right move anymore. Perhaps it never had been.

Tinker sat back against the wall again. "I'm not scared of you, Starshine. I don't think for a minute you're going to join Hydreigon." He paused and looked up at the door. "If I had ever thought that was a possibility, I wouldn't have kept you."

"Then why did you keep it from me?"

"Because…" Tinker swallowed back bile and stared down at his paws. "Because… the irrational side of me was worried I might be wrong."

Starshine raised his head, his eyes burning holes into the side of Tinker's face.

"When I was your age," Tinker went on, "I had a friend." He sighed, waiting to see if Starshine would tell him to leave again. But instead, the altaria's silence told him to continue. "He was a pancham. I was friends with him and his sister. They were called Rough and Tumble, and we grew up together in an Outcast town north of here. We were training to be Guild Warriors. Since my father is one of the founders of the Outcasts Guild, I was recruited in while I was still in my egg! But Rough and Tumble were excitable and very keen to join. We'd go on all kinds of imaginary adventures where we'd beat down dragons and defeat Hydriegon himself."

"Like me with Tad and Scout," said Starshine.

Tinker looked at him then, and a smile played at his lips as he met warmth in the altaria's eyes. "Yes. Much like you three. We'd often get told off for running through the corridors. Although this is before New City was formed. It was much in its younger stages then, and my father had to go off frequently to help build it, leaving me with Grey.

"The three of us were inseparable. Rough was the louder of us, always coming up with silly scenarios for us to play out. His sister was a bit quieter, but still quite boisterous. When we got older we'd train together to get stronger, and it would often devolve into an argument between the two siblings that I'd have to break up. I was quite close with Tumble and I think Rough was a tad jealous. Sometimes I wonder if that was what sparked the whole thing off."

Tinker sighed and rubbed a paw over his muzzle. It had been a long time since he'd relived the scenario. He could already feel his pads turning clammy.

Starshine nudged him with his beak. "So what happened?"

Tinker took a long breath to steady himself. A cold chill had fallen over him as he forced himself to revisit such a dark memory. "During one of our training sessions, Rough evolved." He twirled his everstone pendant in one paw and sat back against the wall. "We don't have any pancham here, so you won't have met any. But they evolve into a much larger form that is both fighting- and dark-type. Tumble and I were very happy for him, but Rough became a lot more rambunctious and his snarky comments seemed to carry too much weight compared to the playful jibes he'd thrown our way as hatchlings.

"One dark day our little town found itself under attack. One of Yurlik's scouting patrols had found us, and he'd brought a mob of murkrow along, backed by weavile and an army of soldiers lead by a massive krookodile. With a large number of the guild out helping to build New City we didn't have enough warriors to protect the town. We were soon overwhelmed. It was my first taste of a proper battle, and I stuck by Rough and Tumble. As a krokorok fell at my paws I felt that we might actually stand a chance. Tumble was putting up a good fight of her own. Then a murkrow flock fell on her. I tried to fend them off, but their wings beat me back. I shouted to Rough for help, and he rushed to our side. As he reached for the murkrow I cheered him on, fending one of the birds off myself. But it wasn't the murkrow he was reaching for. He picked up his sister and slammed her into the floor. I dropped at her side and looked up at him, asking him what he was doing. The next thing I know he was on me, slamming his fists into my head.

"I flailed at him until he finally backed off. Everything was silent. For a second, I thought I'd gone deaf. I hadn't heard Yurlik call his army off. The murkrow had retreated to the rooftops, and I couldn't see any of the other dark-types. Then the massive honchkrow loomed over me. I still remember his words. 'You trusted blindly. Perhaps this will help you to see a little clearer.' Then…"

Tinker placed a paw over his glass eye, his words trailing off. He lowered his paw and sighed, fiddling with his everstone. "They left me for dead. I don't remember what happened next. The only thing I remember was waking up in a hospital ward, with a gauze over my eye and a thorn in my heart. Despite the nurse telling me to stop, all I could do was cry. I've always remembered Yurlik's words since. I never understood what had turned my friend against me. Perhaps he was never my friend to begin with? A seed sown by the Darkness? I've often wondered if he was the one who lead the army to us. But… I suppose I'll never know."

Starshine was silent, his gaze flashing back and forth as he let Tinker's story sink in. Tinker's heart was racing. The only other person he'd told that to was Grey. Even Skipper didn't know. Tinker wound his claws into the hay, trying to bring himself back to the present.

"So…" Starshine finally broke the silence, drawing Tinker's attention back onto him. "Do you think I'll do the same? Turn on you all like Rough did?" There was a harsh edge to his words as his eyes glazed over with sadness and anger once more.

Tinker met his eyes and shook his head. "No. Because you are nothing like Rough. The friendship you have with Tad and Scout is genuine. Even a fool like me can see that."

Starshine looked unconvinced. His blue feathers bristled at the base of his neck.

Tinker pushed himself back from the wall so he could turn to face Starshine properly. "What Yurlik told me has stuck with me ever since. I don't ever trust blindly. What that honchkrow doesn't realise is that when he robbed me of my eye, I became able to see much more clearly. Nobody is perfect, and I am far from that myself. But I know that you, Starshine, are a good pokemon." Starshine's gaze softened and Tinker melted back against the wall as the tension left his shoulders. "I just wish others would see that too."

Starshine's eyes shone with tears. "Does Tad hate me now, too?"

"Of course he doesn't," Tinker said softly. "He was worried sick about you!" A chuckle escaped his chest. "I've never seen him move so fast!"

A smile cracked Starshine's beak.

Tinker placed a paw on his shoulder. "Others will see it in time. They just need to learn to accept you, and see you for the good pokemon you are."

"They will. I'll prove it to them." Starshine raised his head and met Tinker's eyes. "I want to train, and fight the Darkness alongside them."

"That's what I was hoping," said Tinker. "I won't deny that. When I found you, I thought that perhaps if we had a dragon-type on our side we could exploit the Darkness' greatest weakness - itself." He paused and ran his paw over the back of his head. "Then Faith told me that altaria can mega-evolve into a form that is part fairy-type."

Starshine leaned towards him, his eyes sparkling. "Wait, I can change form like Faith?!"

"Apparently." Tinker rolled his eyes. "I admit I'm not that fond of Faith, but if she comes back here I can ask her about it in more detail. Perhaps she could show you how to do it?"

"I'd like that." Starshine settled back into his nest and tucked his wings in neatly at his sides. "The fairy-type can't be hurt by dragons. I could really help you all."

Tinker smiled at him and pushed himself up from his nest. "You'll be an asset, Starshine."

Starshine watched him. "They'd like me then, right?"

"You might need to prove your loyalty to some," Tinker told him. "But given time, I'm sure the pokemon here will love you." He paused and placed a paw on Starshine's head. "Now get some rest, son. You've been through a lot today."

He turned from the room and slipped into the corridor. Skipper and Tad stood a few feet away, the former gazing towards the market. Angry voices echoed down the tunnel, setting Tinker's fur on end.

Skipper glanced at him. "Take it 'e's evolved then, aye?"

"Yes, he has," Tinker said as he joined his side.

"But 'e ain't takin' it too well, is 'e?" asked Tad.

"No." Tinker sucked in a breath through his teeth, his gaze wandering towards the market. "And neither is New City."

...

The sun was high above them as Cleo lead her friends across the moors. Mischief walked so silently at her side it was easy to forget he was there. Scout followed behind, quietly chatting with Scratch and Claw. The pawniard twins had opened up a little to the friendly furret and seemed a lot more at ease than they had been at first. Faith stuck by them, smiling as she listened to the three youngsters chatter on. Sandpaw walked beside Cleo and Harlequin, casting the occasional glance back at her son. Every small sound set the furret on edge, and her eyes often flicked towards the branches of the trees that framed the edge of the Moorlands Forest.

After all her time travelling, even Cleo struggled to differentiate the sound of the breeze rustling the trees from that of a murkrow hopping along it. She'd learnt to remain on edge for the sake of survival. But she'd never encountered anyone as twitchy as Sandpaw. She hoped she'd be okay travelling to the Fairy Garden. They would be parting ways very soon, as Cleo continued north towards the Border Woods. Her mouth turned dry, a sour taste curling her tongue. The Border Woods… never had she ever assumed she'd end up there, let alone by choice. What dangers awaited them at the end of the journey were unfathomable.

Her gaze wandered to the horizon. It would be hours before the sun set, yet she half-expected the sky to be painted red.

"Nervous?"

Harlequin's voice startled Cleo and she jerked her head down towards the zorua. Warm, blue eyes gazed up at her.

"A little." Cleo bit her tongue and grimaced. "Okay, a lot."

"Good." Harlequin carefully stepped around a wiry plant, its leaves barely brushing her fur. "I'd be worried if you weren't."

Cleo adjusted her bag over her shoulder. "I've walked these moors many times in my life, and I've been further north than most warriors. Yet the journey has never carried such an air of foreboding."

She felt Harlequin's cool gaze on her fur.

"That's because Yveltal hadn't woken then," came Faith's gentle voice.

Cleo glanced back at the mawile. "No. Never once had I thought I'd be fighting a pokemon stronger than Hydreigon."

"He's a flying-type, right?" Spark asked from her shoulder. "You ask me, he just needs a right good shocking."

Faith burst out laughing so hard she doubled over. "Oh Spark. You do add colour to the darkest of situations."

Even Mischief cracked a smile, his glance lingering on the little dedenne.

Spark puffed out her chest. "Just doing what I do best."

"Besides eating, you mean?" Scout jibed.

Spark looked back at the furret, silencing Sandpaw's fury at her son with a jibe of her own. "You're one to talk! Who took all the cheri berries this morning?"

"You," said Scout truthfully.

Spark sank into Cleo's ruff and muttered under her breath, turning her back on the youngster.

Sandpaw chuckled and shook her head. "You two. You walked right into that one, Spark."

As they reached the tree-line, Cleo stopped and stared up at it. The canopy was bare, letting the early warming season sun kiss the cold ground.

Mischief stared into the forest, a distant look in his eyes. "It feels so long ago we were last here."

"You ain't kiddin'," said Spark.

"A lot has happened since then," said Cleo. Part of her expected to hear the distant howls of the tyranitar. A chill ran down her spine as she remembered that awful laboratory and she shuddered.

Sandpaw shifted beside her, rubbing her paws together. Cleo cast her an apologetic glance and cleared her throat.

Faith placed a paw on the furret's shoulder. "You'll be fine."

"But it's so far away," said Sandpaw.

"You'll be there in no time." Faith gave her a warm smile. "Just keep following the forest path, and you'll reach the glen. From there, head towards Gleamgrove Abbey. Then-"

"The Endless Woods." Sandpaw met the mawile's violet gaze. "I know. We can do it."

Faith nodded and retracted her paw.

"I can't believe we're parting ways already," said Sandpaw. "It feels so soon."

"You can always go back," Cleo told her.

Sandpaw shook her head. "No. We're going to the Fairy Garden." She turned her attention to the forest path and straightened, forcing an air of confidence. "Follow the path to the glen, then head to Gleamgrove Abbey. From there, head to the Endless Woods and we'll find the Fairy Garden."

Faith nodded, her smile widening.

"Don't worry, Mum." Scout joined her side and waved a sheet of parchment at her. "Faith drew us a map. We'll find it."

For a fleeting moment Sandpaw looked uncertain, but she forced a nod. "Yes, we will."

"Take Scratch and Claw." Harlequin's words made the pawniard jump.

"What?" Scratch rubbed his claws together with an ear-piercing screech.

"You want us to go with them?" Claw looked from Sandpaw to Harlequin. "But Harbinger told us to stay with you."

"Yes, and you've been a huge help," said Harlequin. "Don't worry about me. Harbie will be at the Fairy Garden by now. You should go back to him, and there's safety in numbers."

The twins still looked uncertain, their yellow eyes widening as they looked back at the furret and her son.

"Yeah!" said Scout. "We can all look after my Mum!" He moved to stand between Scratch and Claw and waved a fist at the canopy. "Any bad guys who try to stop us will be sent running back to the Shadow Lands with their tails between their legs."

Scratch seemed to pale at Scout's enthusiasm, while Claw let out a little chuckle.

"Sure," said Claw. "We'll send them running."

Scout rolled his eyes but the smile never left his face. "I might have to teach you a thing or two if you're both gonna join Team Heroes."

Fear crossed Sandpaw's face and her fur rose along her spine. She gave a nervous glance into the forest, her gaze scanning the canopy perchance Scout's threat had reached a lurking murkrow.

"I know they'll look after you," Harlequin told Sandpaw. "They've looked after me for more than a moon. They're strong, kind pokemon." She looked back at the twins. "I trust them with my life."

Sandpaw seemed to relax and she folded her paws in front of her. She looked to the twins and closed her eyes in a smile. "If you really don't mind. I'd be glad to have you with us."

"We'll have so much fun!" said Scout, placing a paw on Scratch's shoulder.

The twins closed their eyes in matching smiles.

"All right," said Claw, turning back to Harlequin. "I guess we'll see you in the Fairy Garden."

Harlequin nodded, her eyes misting. "Yeah. We will."

Faith broke away from Cleo to embrace the twins one at a time. "Do take care. We'll miss you."

The pawniard stood back and Scratch wiped his eyes on his arm.

"We will," he said.

"Look after each other," said Scratch.

"We will," said Cleo. "Thanks for everything."

The twins joined Sandpaw as Scout took the lead, and the small group headed into the forest.

Harlequin took a step forwards. "Say hi to Harbie for me!"

The twins looked back and Claw raised his arm in a wave. The group vanished beyond the bracken, leaving Cleo feeling a little empty.

"Sweet kids," said Spark. She sank into Cleo's ruff with a sigh. "I'm gonna miss that little furret."

Cleo turned from the forest and Faith fell into step beside her. "I'll miss them too. But I have faith they'll reach the Fairy Garden."

"They will with Scratch and Claw at their side," said Mischief.

"Seconded. I feel much better sending them with Scratch and Claw," said Harlequin. "They're strong fighters, and I think Sandpaw will feel better having them along."

"It was a good idea to suggest," said Faith.

"I'd been thinking about it all night," said Harlequin. "I wasn't sure how they'd react to the idea." She took in a long breath and picked up her pace. "Now we just need to focus on our next step."

A lead weight weighed down in Cleo's chest. She'd seen how the two pawniard could fight. Part of her regretted letting them go. She gave a glance back at the forest, but Sandpaw and her companions were long out of sight. She turned and pressed on, listening to her friends talk. She tried to ground herself as she focused on the horizon, and the inevitable fight against the Darkness that lay beyond it.

...

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