Chapter 14
'Confronting and leaving cold.'

The medical room, previously being the manager's office at the village hall, which was where Angel was taken after his injury from Karli's father. He was hit on the back, breaking what cold he had, sustaining his body and bruising the left side of his back. The weavile also received multiple scratches and a big denture on his head fins from impacting against the wall.

Dr Azul was tending to his wounds, leaving a large pack of ice on his back, whilst the weavile was advised to breathe in deeply. Judging by his pained expression, it looked painful just to breathe. Just opposite the weavile were Terri and Beryl, there to help if the audino needed them. They both seemed concerned, though the braixen was still a little annoyed about Angel tripping him up into the dirty puddle earlier. As it happened, the weavile could barely see the annoyance in his eyes, which made him smirk.

'Managed…' wheezed Angel, breathing heavily. 'To get yourself… cleaned up, Beryl?'

The eyes of Beryl squinted slightly. 'Yeah, speaking of that.'

The braixen suddenly struck the weavile's face with a swift slap. Making Angel tensed hard, clenching his teeth and grunt loudly, while Azul gasped, trying to hold him still.

'Please, please do not do that!' said Azul.

'Yeah,' panted Angel 'I just had my fucking... back wrecked!'

'Well it's not broken, thankfully. Your ribs are in one piece, but that attack from the dusknoir has left quite a bruise on your back.'

'Great.'

'So just keep to those breathing exercises as I said earlier, and let it heal for a couple of days, at least.'

The weavile interrupted. 'A couple of days? We intend… to get to Haine tonight.'

'Then you will have severe difficulty Angel. If you are going anyway, then please be aware that your stamina will be drastically weaker in this state.'

'Could he get better before then?' asked little Terri.

'Maybe, but I saw that attack Mr McGregor did to you, which looked massively lethal. So I wouldn't say it was likely.'

Angel stood up from his chair. 'Well, I'm going anyway.'

The weavile left the office, walking so straight and with tensed shoulders. The braixen and cranidos just watched, unsure of what they should do. It seemed that Angel was angry again, but needed help, something he seemed negligent for.

Back at the large, circular, soaked bus stop, Karli and her father stood metres apart, having stopped their fight to talk for a moment. Because of how noisy the hall was, they chose to return to the bus stop, in case it rained again. Just outside the bus shelter stood Glim and Shadow, unwelcomed to come any closer. However, the glaceon was refusing to leave and for that reason, his houndoom stayed with him.

Even though the kirlia and dusknoir were keeping their distance, they were more relaxed and actually upset, despite what they thought of each other. They continued to stare, roughed, wet and dusty from their fight over ten minutes ago. McGregor shook his head in disappointment, not with his daughter, but in himself, for what was a little more complicated. Was he down because he was refusing to let his daughter go, or because he was being fought back surprisingly well? He felt he should be proud of Karli, but just did not.

'How on earth did you learn to fight like that?' McGregor asked.

'What're you talking about?' replied Karli. 'We've always fought like that, whenever we came to some disa-'

'No- I'm mean… you've never willingly stood against me, for as long as that and manage to hurt me to the point of…'

The dusknoir paused, refusing to let his dominant nature get to him, but his kirlia knew what he was going to say.

'Dad… I'm a big girl now. I can handle myself.'

'Not from what I saw in my last vision. Karli, I saw you getting frozen by a family of murderers! If it wasn't for him,' he said pointing at Glim. 'And your weavile friend, you would probably be dead right now.'

Karli hoped that her father would not have seen that event from the future visions he gets.

'I know, but you have to understand dad. They would probably be dead if I wasn't there for them! Did you see any of the fights against Martyr?'

'Against who?'

'Typical! Whatever I do right, no one remembers, but whatever I do wrong, no one forgets.'

'Karli… I'm taking you home, whether you like it or not.'

'No, I'm, not.' she replied angrily, causing the eviolite on her neck strap to flicker.

Fearing they were about to start another fight, Glim hurriedly ran between them. 'No, stop!' he cried, joined by Shadow who was outran for once. 'Just stop for a second, please! Karli doesn't want to go home!' he said to the dusknoir before glancing back at the kirlia. 'And your father is worried for you!'

'You think I don't know that, Glim!' replied Karli. 'For eighteen years before I moved out, I had him stopping me at every desire I had, not because it was what he wanted for me, or that bitch queen of a mother would make him. But because I was deciding for myself, I wanted to be someone that they didn't want me to be, myself!' she paused, glowing red, feeling the rush of her emotions as there was no turning back for her. 'I'll never forget that time, she made you try to force me to evolve into a gardevoir… remember that dad?'

'L-look,' interjected Shadow. 'You two get some space, perhaps talk to one of us, before either of you decide what happens next, okay?'

Both father and daughter paused, before the kirlia turned round and stormed off, while McGregor sighed and nodded.

'I think, that would be the best action right now.'

Back in the hall, Angel returned to his tent, putting his trench coat back on, but also shoved the ice pack between his back and the coat he tightly pulled around him. It was not long before Beryl came by, claw in claw with Terri, who peeked into the tent, to see the weavile still adjusting his coat.

'Uh… Angel?' said Beryl. 'Terri and I are going to find Karli, okay?'

'Hang on, I'm coming with you.' he replied.

'But Dr Azul said-'

'My ass was pretty, shut up!' Angel blurted, standing and leaving the tent. 'I can take a bruise, Beryl. We've taken much worse shit, remember?'

The little cranidos was a little unnerved by the feeling of confrontation between the two before her, looking up at the braixen who only nodded sadly. Angel then patted Berly's shoulder and left, closely followed by the braixen and cranidos.

The dusknoir was sat on the circular bench that was at the centre of the bus stop, which surrounded a pillar to hold the roof. He looked out at the village, actually staring into nothingness, when Glim approached. The houndoom strode past the glaceon to turn and hold him back.

'Sweetheart.' whispered Shadow, shaking his head.

'Go and find Karli.' replied Glim.

'I'm not leaving you with him.'

'Just let me talk to him.'

'He was beating up his own daughter!' he paused, looking back at McGregor with an apologetic face.

'At least he was able to stop, and listen. Your "father" tried to kill you, and my father…'

Glim paused, receiving flashbacks of his own father, the slaking who grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against a cellar door. Compared to the frail, little eevee, the slaking looked like a colossus, punishing a devilish criminal, except, Glim knows he did nothing wrong, so he cried in fear, while his father continued to scream and threaten him. The flashback made the glaceon twitch in rage and agony, flaring up his cheeks.

'Glim, you alright love?'

'You can let him talk, houndoom.' answered the dusknoir. 'I wouldn't want to make my daughter hate me any more than she does right now.'

The little glaceon shook his flashbacks away and moved around Shadow to look up at McGregor. 'I don't think Karli hates you… she's just… well there's a big difference between anger and hatred. She's just angry you're trying to stop her and clearly, she really- I've never heard her talk about her mother before, but… I can relate to her feelings.'

'Do you have parent problems?' asked McGregor and Glim nodded. 'Do you hate them?'

'More than you know. I used to think all children would be beaten for wetting the bed. I used to think that they brought me to life so they had someone to hurt, who couldn't defend them self. I was just an eevee.'

'I'd never do that to Karli. But, do you think that's what she sees in me?'

Both the glaceon and houndoom answered 'no.'

'You came all this way because you cared for Karli,' replied Glim, then glancing at Shadow. 'Our fathers would have left us for dead. I know mine did.'

'And my father tried to kill me for… well, because of his beliefs.' said Shadow.

McGregor was unbothered about the coupling between the glaceon and houndoom, instead he looked out at the village again and a little relieved to know that he has not been as terrible as he thinks.

'What should I do?' muttered the dusknoir. 'I cannot just let her go to Haine, let her get killed, nor can I go all the way back to Stephanotis and tell my wife that I let her go.'

'Then… come with us.' replied the glaceon, like the solution was so obvious.

McGregor paused, thinking deeply again, while Glim and Shadow looked at each other. The houndoom nodded.

'I'll- I'll go find Karli, okay?' he said, looking at Glim, who nodded. Shadow then looked at the dusknoir. 'Okay?'

The giant, tattered ghost pokémon did not answer and just sat quietly. His lone creepy red eye frequently looked up and paced slightly left to right. He looked like he was in a maths exam, figuring out tough calculations. With no answer, the houndoom looked to his boyfriend again and left with a wink.

Glim stared back at the dusknoir, who was still looking up in silence. He felt a little wary and curious about his pausing.

'Um… can I ask what you're doing?'

Finally, McGregor shook his head and looked back at the little glaceon. 'I was just peering into the future. It's something I can do as a dusknoir.'

'Peering into the future…? Like… Karli's future?'

'Yes, although, it is far easier for psychic types. For any other type, there are always multiple "uncertain futures" we call them. But it seems, that you and your friends are in the majority. Karli has been easy to predict in my experience, for being my daughter you see. She may be caring, serious and determined, but she can also be headstrong and reckless sometimes.'

The glaceon nodded. 'True, but… she has saved me before and helped us along the way.'

'I figured. Though I would trust her more if she did evolve into a gardevoir, not that I have anything against her desires.'

'So… you know about that?'

'Of course I do. She wanted to be a gallade ever since she was just a ralts. However, her mother was never happy about that.'

'I know what that is like.' murmured Glim, cowardly.

The glaceon awkwardly paused for a moment, while McGregor stared. 'You do?'

'Can I tell you something? Which… might help you understand Karli's feelings?'

'Of course.'

Glim paused again, seeming shy and looking behind himself. 'This… isn't something I want just anyone to know.'

'And I sure do not tell of Karli's desire, as if it was some joke.'

'Well… I know what I wanted to evolve into, like Karli, but… it was my family and society that stopped me from becoming what I wanted to be most.'

McGregor nodded, his lone eye lacked emotion, seeming less intimidating and more curious. 'From my understanding, you "eeveelutions" get the toughest choice, since you have so many options.' the glaceon nodded. 'Did you not want to evolve into a glaceon?'

'I… didn't not want to be any the others… but I know, I really wanted to be sylveon.'

'Did you let your parents know this?'

'I was too scared to… my mother already had jolteon or umbreon in mind for me, my brothers were big-headed, sexist assholes. If I ever brought up my choices and mentioned sylveon, my mother would just laugh and my brothers would just beat me up for it.'

'What were they?'

'A flareon and a vaporeon.'

'And you're parents?'

'My mother was a sylveon… the angriest, chubbiest one ever, and my father wasn't an eevee at all. He was a slaking. No idea how I didn't end up chubby or fat like them… I hate them so much.'

'Did they… force you to evolve?'

'No, no, I was resc- well, abandoned as an eevee! Not like you though… you came all this way to rescue Karli, despite- despite she has her grudges.' he said, while the dusknoir looked down. 'You're a better father than mine.'

'But… I could have been much better to her. And I will.'

'Huh?'

McGregor levitated off the bench. 'It will be best for now, if Karli is seen by her friends before confronting me again. If you could, please find her and ask if it would be okay if I came along? Not that I-'

'O-of course! Where're you going to wait?'

McGregor drifted pass Glim, who moved aside. 'I'll be right here, unless you- her friends need any help?'

'I haven't checked on them yet. But I know Angel is tough as shit, so… I can't say I know.'

'Okay then. Go find Karli.'

'It doesn't bother you does it?' asked Glim, the dusknoir looks back at him with a questioning stare. 'A-about me wanting to be sylveon… will you keep that between us?'

'Of course Glim, I rarely tell secrets ever, but… in times like these, personal secrets are of less value. Even if people knew, do you think they would care? Would it change anything?'

The glaceon paused, remembering of all the gender stereotypes hammered into his head as an eevee. His older brothers and parents always pressuring him from speaking his feelings or letting him do anything that was seen as feminine. And of course, when Symphonia court laughed at him for getting him to put on a dress. How could he take the stand, to be himself, to become the sylveon he wanted to be, when the rest of the world always ridiculed the very thought of a boy crossing the delicate line of gender identity. It hurt so much for the little glaceon to think about it, so he did not answer McGregor and just left.

In the middle of nowhere, which was really just on top of the hill, to the right of Statice village, Karli sat on a metal fence. She was just looking out into what seemed like endless horizons of Verity countryside. The field which stretched before her was clean and green, but the crops were either blown over or dead. Whoever owned the land had clearly abandoned it, due to the revolution. Beyond the horizons was the usual blanket of clouds, blocking the sun, which would begin to set, but instead, it only left a dark orange tint with grey patches all along the sky.

The kirlia sighed, stuck in her train of thought, when a houndoom crept up the hill she climbed.

'Karli?' said Shadow, unnoticed by the kirlia. 'You want someone to talk to?'

'When do we leave for Haine?' she answered.

'Um… well. Well when it is sure to be dark over there. We still have like forty miles to travel, not to mention the county border between Verity to Acuity, right outside Haine. We still haven't figured that one out yet.' Karli replied with an angry sigh. 'Do you really hate your father that much?'

'No! I don't, it's just…' she said, clutching her hair with death in her eyes. 'I hoped he would have some faith in me. Even with what I just did back there! I fucking kicked him and still, he doesn't approve.'

'Can you blame him though, Karli?' approached the houndoom. 'He's your father, and you're trying to join a warzone. I know he was attacking you, but… he's a lot better than what Glim and I had. Seriously, my father in law tried to kill me, over his religious beliefs and god knows what Glim's father did to him.'

'Even if he is trying to protect me.' said Karli jumping off the gate, facing Shadow. 'I'm not a kid anymore!' she paused, firing a blazing glare at the houndoom, whose eyes showed a gentle care.

'That doesn't mean you have to escape him!' cried Shadow, which made the both of them pause. 'You might not understand Karli, but… I was a stray before Father Charles took me in. Not that my parents were dead either.'

'What happened?'

The two paused still and Shadow looked away.

'This was in the Moribund region.' he began to mumble. 'When my parent's pack were travelling across the Brickle ice plains. As a houndour, we don't have it easy to begin with. Quite regularly, whenever something went wrong or my parent's "prey" escaped, whoever was to blame, they would always beat the shit out of me. Why? Because I couldn't defend myself, being a full year younger than all my family. I used to think it was normal… like we all went through that. But when I turned four… my oldest sister was killed when she tried to kill a feral beartic. She took no consideration in to how fucking big that thing was and that I just was not old enough to stand up to it. I was too scared… they treated me like I was useless. But of course, when the beartic left, leaving me alone, my family came. They blamed me for her death! Saying I was just a cowardly rat to them… they then said if I didn't run then, I would be their next dinner, since the beartic got away. At first I didn't believe them, and walked off as they told me to. But in like one mile or so, I hear the pissy howl of my dad. In "hound speak" he said "we're coming for you", and it was no joke. I ran, and ran, and ran when I looked back to see the black figure on the horizon charging after me. I knew it was my dad and I could hear him growling as he ran, he would always do that when he was going to attack me. It was on top of some hill with a chasm, when my father caught me, he tackled at me, instead of the usual blasting of flames or scratching. From then I didn't know what he was doing, only that my neck ended up between his mouth, instead of killing me however, he threw me into the chasm we were just next to. Being just a puppy, I could only whimper, I was scared shitless. I landed in the lair of several ice types, one was a lapras, who I didn't see until my father peeked down into the chasm. That lapras shot him in the face was some water attack, which was the last time I ever saw him.'

'Your family were genuinely trying to eat you?'

'I used to think they were making that up to scare me, like they did every day. But… knowing all the other things they did, it doesn't surprise me.'

'What happened then? With those ice types?'

'There was that lapras, she never told me her name, her girlfriend, who was another lapras and they were taking care of multiple children who got lost in that area. Mostly ice types though, bergmite, cubchoo, snorunt, a glaceon and a dewgong. I didn't know any of their names, but they clearly knew I was injured and in danger of my family, so for the next few days, they took care of me. I was so lost, not because I was a houndour with a load of ice's, but… because they were just so nice to me. I ate like everyone else did, we slept together to keep warm. Not something I was part of with that family.'

'Hold on, those ice types sounded great to you. How come you ended up in Iris?'

Shadow paused. 'It was soon clear that I just did not belong in the cold, brutal region that is Moribund, especially in that county. A pack of houndour and dooms, maybe. But alone, I would eventually hunt their kind… the ice types I mean. Either that, or I would die when the proper winter came round, needing the most warmth. So the lapras' and their friends took me to some orphanage, I had no idea where… they were full. With Moribund being such a hostile region for anybody who wasn't ice type, the orphanage I think, found a way to get me sheltered at one of their sister locations. That's how I ended up in Hydrangea first, which I was then adopted by Father Charles.'

Karli looked depressed and shook her head.

'That's awful, but you know. There's always someone in the world who has it worse.'

The houndoom nodded in agreement. 'Mh, of course.'

'So what's happening between me and my father, you stay out of.'

'It's okay Karli, but I just want you to know. Being rash and fighting for your independence, could make you end up like my sister… dead. I'm sure Glim and especially your father wouldn't want that. In fact, he could end up like mine if he lost you, then we'd all have someone to run from, wouldn't we?' the kirlia remained quiet as Shadow turned round. 'Glim's trying his best to persuade your father to come with us. It's better than either of you going home, right? I'm heading back to the hall.'

The houndoom left, while Karli leaned back on the fence again. She gazed out into to clouded sunset.

Back at the bus stop, where McGregor remained looking out, a weavile suddenly grunted loudly before crashing across a long puddle of murky water. He quickly rolled onto his feet, staring back at the braixen who tackled him. Beryl did not seem any happier than before, despite achieving his revenge. The action only made Terri chuckle, who looked up at the braixen seeming shocked.

'Beryl!' complained Angel.

'We're even.' replied Beryl, passing the wet weavile.

'Be careful man, I got my back wrecked a minute ago!'

The dusknoir was already watching when the braixen boy and cranidos stepped into the bus shelter, looking round for any of their friends. McGregor looked ahead again, when Terri looked to the massive ghost pokémon.

'U-um, excuse me.' stuttered Terri. 'Have you seen Karli?'

'She will be around.' he replied.

McGregor's words were not of much relief to Beryl and Angel who approached warily. The weavile remembered what he went through because of the dusknoir and immediately had one idea in mind to what might have happened.

'What did you do to her?' demanded Angel. 'Is she alive?'

Angel's last statement hit a nerve for McGregor, but he did well to hide it. 'I said, "she will be around". What about you three?'

'You mean me of course.' replied Angel, rubbing his back. Beryl placed his paw on the weavile's shoulder in attempt to hold him back, but he shrugged him off. 'I hope you didn't bust her back too, asshole.'

'Angel.' murmured Beryl.

The dusknoir looked to his left to see the weavile, who appeared tiny compared to him, yet Angel kept his brave and angered expression. 'It's Angel, isn't it?'

'Yes.' he answered.

'You have no need to get feisty. Karli outdone me, surprisingly. She has gone for a moment and will be around.' Angel looked over to Beryl and Terri, sharing a look of concern. 'That houndoom and Glim have gone to find her.'

'Are you still gonna take her home?'

McGregor paused. 'I would like to, but I will give her the choice. If best, I may be coming with her.'

'If so.' said Angel, angrily pointing at the giant before him. 'Know that I don't trust you.'

The dusknoir shook his head. 'I've heard much worse already.'

'Yeah Angel.' interjected Terri. 'Leave him be.'

Angel sulked, turning to leave, as did his companions.

'Angel.' spoke McGregor and the weavile stopped and glanced back. 'I want you to know, that I, trust you.' he said looking back at him, making Angel raise a more wary expression.

'Can I ask why?'

McGregor look ahead once more. 'It would be better if I did not.'

The weavile left feeling more suspicious about the dusknoir than he did before.

Treading up a gravely road, Glim bumped into Shadow, who was making his way down. The houndoom hugged his little glaceon, without any warning.

Seeming surprised, Glim also became a little worried. 'Did- how was Karli? Are you alright?'

'Yeah, I'm fine.' Shadow replied. 'I just feel so cold without you around, y'know?'

'I'm a glaceon.' Glim said dully.

Shadow chuckled. 'Well, yeah, but-'

'Wait.' Interrupted Glim, looking past Shadow. Nearby further up the hill, Karli descended, approaching the two boys. She remained silent however and passed them. 'Uh, Karli?'

The kirlia continued to walk. 'Yeah?'

Quickly the glaceon and houndoom ran to her side. 'Have you…' paused Shadow. 'Decided?'

'Sort of, yeah, no.' she shrugged, still quite angry.

'So no then.'

'Well, I'm going to Haine, that I'm sure of. As for my dad… I'm either going to get him going home or kick his ass again.'

'What, why?'

'I've managed to persuade him to come with us, Karli.' interjected Glim.

'I'm not believing that yet.' replied Karli. 'I'll never forget the lies he told me to get me to do what he wanted.'

The glaceon looked ahead again, remembering the times his brothers tricked him or his own father lied to him, when he made innocent wishes. Hopes were turned into depressions, when Glim would ask to leave the house or travel somewhere nice. Joys were turned into confusions, when his brothers would tell him to run somewhere and watch a clock until the big hand fully circled the face, which he fell for twice.

Minutes later, the three were met by Angel, Beryl and Terri, only a corner away from the village centre bus stop. The conversation did not last long. Angel was keen to help Karli in her personally difficult situation, and secretly so did Glim, but chose not intervene any further. The glaceon had already said what he wanted to say to the dusknoir, so when the group split up once more, he and Shadow went with Beryl, back to the village hall. Terri insisted to stay with Karli, even when Angel said otherwise, convinced there was going to be another fight. The little cranidos knew of that possibility, but wanted to help anyway, she felt she had to. Something about McGregor desiring to take Karli home was hurting Terri. The braixen, houndoom and his glaceon left in the opposite direction, leading to the scenic ring route back to the hall, so they would not get involved with Karli's second reunion, which could get fiery.

When Karli and her companions returned to the bus stop, the rain began to drizzle again, as the sky increasingly got darker and with no electricity to run the streetlights, due to the revolution, the bus shelter was getting barely visible. Due to the weather, Terri rushed under the shelter, while Angel and Karli shared a tense and cautious approach. The kirlia stopped and paused as soon as she entered the dry. She could see the ghost giant sitting dormant behind the post, where the seats circled.

'You know I'm here.' called Karli.

The dusknoir opened his eye. He was actually unaware of his daughter entering, since he was using his lonesome eye to sight something that was not the present. Instead of looking back, McGregor drifted forward, floating off the bench where he had sat. He paused awkwardly, waiting for Karli to give some stuck up remark or an angry statement. It was what she normally did.

'I was just…' paused McGregor. 'Well, you probably knew what I was doing.'

She did know, he was looking into the future, at least what was most likely timelines to happen. 'Dad. I'm going to Haine, and that's that. I'm-'

'But why? Why must you join a war that is beyond our region's control?'

'That, is one of my reasons dad! Crio is falling at the hands of our own government, because they've decided to wreck their own country and execute… whoever they want! Iris got raided, and I lost almost all my friends in that attack. Only Gina survived with me, and now she's dead too! I'm going to join the Crimson Revolution, because whether or not they succeed in overthrowing the prime minister, I can help much more than to be locked up by that ignorant, paranoid, big-mouthed mother of mine! …And if you're worried about me being on the front line. I'll try my best to avoid that. I would rather help survivors, even if it was to remain underground. I would rather be there, than back at Stephanotis. I would hate myself… and god knows what would happen if I was to get stared down those glaring fish-eyes again.'

The kirlia paused, tensing her hands, referring to her mother as 'fish-eyes' who always tried to look scary to her children, but was only naïve in herself. Just having that gardevoir in her head infuriated Karli.

'Then… at least, let me come with you. Because I don't want to return home without you. I would hate myself too.'

'This better not be a trick.'

'Karli, we just fought, and that was how we reunited. If it was any normal family, we would have died to see each other again. I'm not going to be able to forget that was what I decided when I reunited with my daughter. I get it, I've done terrible things to you, but let me make that up to you, for the both of us.' Karli paused, finally looking up at the big eye of McGregor, though she still had her serious complexion. The dusknoir held out his hand. 'We'll go together, okay? Maybe then I can pay attention to you, while we both save Crio.' he remained there, holding out his hand, while the kirlia, weavile and cranidos just paused. McGregor then whispered, as his voice began to crack 'have I been a good father to you?'

Hearing his voice in that state sent the kirlia into a spiral of emotions. She had never heard her mighty, gigantic father breakdown like that. The dusknoir was stretching himself, challenging his own actions and wanting to help, all for her. For once, Karli could not willingly resist him, as she slowly began to tear up.

'No…' she stuttered, nudging the big hand away. 'But… I can forgive you, if you can forgive me.'

'Oh Karli.' McGregor descended further, letting his daughter embrace him.

Nearby Angel was denying what he was seeing. He could not shake the feeling that McGregor was going to disappear, dragging Karli to wherever Stephanotis was, which was the most southern-west village in Crio. How Karli and her father overcame their differences only confused the weavile. It just did not feel right to him, like reading a children's story about family, which in his opinion, were totally inaccurate. Terri meanwhile was in awe, relieved she would not have to get between the two if they fought. She really wanted the father to understand the feelings of his daughter, something Terri failed to do with her own parents.

Night began to descend, with the crew getting barely any sleep. Even for an hour, some rest was needed to prepare them for the harsh trip across the river boarder and even getting into Haine itself. The problem, was the vast level of heat, wafting all across the hall. Not such a problem for fire or most dragon type pokémon, but it was causing great agitation for so many survivors, persuading them to wake up or stay up, which also meant it was getting noisy.

Angel decided to sleep outside, because it was cooler, only with a provided blanket, to help his back heal. McGregor also stayed outside, so he would not take up so much room. Though nobody knew where exactly they was going to sleep.

After the rough morning and travelling they did, Karli and Beryl were stressed to want a little rest. But Glim was sweating like an ice cream, frequently drinking the bottles of water he brought to his side, feeling the vast heat. On his side, only facing the bright orange and yellow tent, he was comfortable enough just being on top of the sleeping bag. Being inside it and he felt he would have literally melted. For the reason of the heat, Shadow was trying to sleep away from Glim, to let him not burn to death. It seemed though Karli felt the same, just opposite the glaceon. She was turning more than the other five sharing her tent, trying to get comfortable, but the blanket of heat, felt like a heater just constantly breathing into the tent. She was more interested when they would be leaving for Haine, even without any rest. The kirlia was so uncomfortable, she became restless. Karli looked over to Glim once more, whose breathing was visibly fast.

'Glim?' whispered Karli, in case he was asleep. Predictably, the little glaceon rolled back slowly. His crown and face was shining in his own sweat. 'Are you alright? You look roasting.'

'What time is it?' panted Glim, who then uncapped a new bottle and began hydrating himself.

The kirlia leaned back, looking for Angel's coat at first, only remembering that he left hours ago. She then poked her head out of the tent to see any of the clocks hung up. What she saw only made her sigh in annoyance, slumping onto her back.

'9pm-ish.' she said.

Glim also sighed, keen to leave the sweatbox he was in. It was not until midnight they were planning to leave, which was also when the village hall begins to quiet down for the night, while the nocturnal were to whisper whilst inside.

The kirlia, being on her back could see that the braixen at the back and the cranidos on the elevated bed were both sleeping fine. Terri was likely cold blooded, being a dinosaur-like pokémon, while Shadow and Beryl were fire types, meaning they were most likely comforted by the heat. At least more comfortable than Karli and Glim. Having enough of the heat, Karli reached out and grabbed her white dress and stood. She did not even put it on, and just wrapped it round her.

'I'm going out.' she whispered to Glim. 'See if I can get anymore sleep outside. You wanna come?'

'Yeah, definitely.' replied Glim, quickly standing up and tried to shake off his sweat without shaking himself too violently.

Karli and Glim left their tent to let Terri and Beryl get as much sleep as they could. Being outside the tent somehow seemed hotter to the kirlia. Perhaps it was because the glaceon she stood next to was acting as a natural air conditioner for the tent. Very quickly, while Glim carefully zipped up the tent entrance, Karli redressed herself, as a kirlia's traditional white ballerina dress was an easy one-piece to slip on.

'I am so hot,' whispered Glim, having to speak closely to Karli due to the noise of the hall. 'I managed to wet my bed without needing a wee.'

Karli giggled, which put a smile back on the little glaceon.

'They're… over here.' said Shadow.

Hours after they left, Karli and Glim were found sleeping together under a tree. The kirlia had her back against the tree, partly leaning upright, while the little glaceon, hogging most of the blanket was partly snuggled on her lap. The houndoom was calling Angel and McGregor over, who were still waiting for Terri and Beryl to leave. He was quick to nudge the two awake, a little jealous that Glim did not ask him to come out with them.

'Hey, hey! Wake up.'

Suddenly Karli leaned forward out of her sleep, shaking her head while she did, though she was clearly dizzy and half-asleep. The sleeping glaceon on her lap did not seem to bother her, even though the outside was freezing enough. The chilling breeze with a thick and heavy blanket felt more comfortable than sweating to death for Karli and Glim.

The sleepy glaceon was the next one to raise his head. His long diamond ears had no power to point upward at all. However his eyes weakly fluttered open, quickly realising that Shadow was calling to him and seemed a little unhappy. At first Glim felt that he was under attack, forcing him upon his feet, only to realise that he had been sleeping on Karli which after a few seconds of drowsy staring, made him aware of what his boyfriend may have been annoyed about. He glanced at the houndoom behind him with a flustered smile.

'Oh no, no!' stuttered Glim. 'It's not what you think!'

'Wait, what's going on?' said Karli, looking around her.

Shadow only shook his head and exhaled. 'Were you two out here 'cuz it was hot?'

'Wait, is it midnight already?' Karli asked, glancing at Shadow and Glim seeming surprised.

'Y-yeah,' said Glim, answering Shadow. 'We came outside because we just couldn't sleep.'

'Oh my god, yeah. It was so, damn, hot in there, Glim was turning into a vaporeon. And neither of us could sleep.'

'Well, get yourselves ready.' replied Shadow, looking back at the hall. 'We're leaving when your father gets Beryl and that other girl.'

'Terri.' Karli and Glim both answered.

'Yeah.'

'What the hell are they doing there!' said Angel from a distance, approaching the large tree. 'Yo! We're supposed to be hiding, remember! What if that "Martyr" thing was here? Or any of those Republic bastards?'

'We're fine!' complained Karli, as the weavile came passed the giant tree. 'And we were hiding… under this tree.'

The kirlia awkwardly stared at the two dark pokémon, who both shared a look of doubt and puzzlement. Realising her defence was terrible, Karli stood, folding up the blanket she had brought out, whilst brushing the dust and vegetation off her.

Angel looked at Shadow next to him. 'I was speaking to a survivor from Haine-'

'We're coming!' called Beryl, running from the village hall, with McGregor floating behind him and with Terri on his armoured right arm.

'Sorry what?' said Shadow, glancing back at Angel.

The weavile continued, pointing at the hall. 'I was saying that I spoke to a survivor, who had come from Haine. She said to avoid all bridges over the Mesprit river, at all costs. Apparently, they are armed to the fangs with Republic mercs.'

'Really?'

'Yeah, and she was the only one of her group to get here alive. She also said to go underground, if any of us reach Haine.'

'But, how're we going to cross the river?' asked Karli. 'They're not only huge, but freezing in this weather.'

'Glim and I will be able to swim.' replied Angel. 'But unless we can find a boat or something, a lot of you guys will either get blown up at the bridge, or freeze to death. Suggestions?' he asked, not really looking at anybody. By that time Beryl had arrived with McGregor and Terri.

'What're we doing?' asked Beryl.

'Tactics.' muttered Shadow, looking down in thought.

As the houndoom spoke, so did Angel. 'I got word that the bridge-boarders are shit dangerous, and… just thinking of ways to cross over to Acuity. Obviously, some you guys ain't swimming, or you'll die.'

'Are we able to distract the guards?' said Glim and immediately, Shadow and Angel were shaking their heads. 'I mean, if we had to cross a bridge.'

'They're not stupid.' interrupted Angel. 'Even if we got their attention and they didn't see us, they would only send some of their troops out. They'll never leave it unoccupied.'

'What about shadow sneaking?' said Karli, looking at her father. 'Can we cross water in shadow form?'

McGregor nodded. 'We could, but it would only take us so far, in fact, it could be more dangerous.'

'How?'

'Because shadows always stick to the ground, meaning we would be right at the bottom of the river, which I hear are very deep.'

'Would you be able to stay like that all the way over?' asked Shadow.

'I would hope so, but the river Mesprit is still roughly a mile wide.'

'Well, that's better than swimming all the way across.' said Angel. 'What about underground trains?'

'Why would they make train lines under the rivers?' asked Karli.

'I'm asking!'

'If the bridges are reinforced, then any underground route would probably be the same.' answered McGregor.

'Exactly.'

'Wait.' interrupted Glim. 'What if we were to create a bridge, or a boat?'

'Out of what, leaves?' argued Angel.

'No, ice.' Glim paused, with everyone just looking at each other, waiting for someone to yell objection. 'I mean… I can only use Icy Wind, but… Angel, can't you-'

'I've only got Ice Shard, if that's what we call it.'

'I can teach you how to use Ice Punch.' said McGregor. 'In fact.' he clenched his fist, which simultaneously froze up and rapidly grew icicles. 'I can do it myself.'

Angel nodded. 'Alright then, we'll freeze ourselves a boat or something, yeah?' the others nodded or replied with a yes, other than Terri, who remained asleep. 'Show me how you do that on the way.' he said to the dusknoir as he turned to leave.

One by one, the crew followed the weavile, who still clearly had difficulty in walking after his back injury. Still, he took the lead like some sergeant, unafraid to die. Glim had his houndoom by his side, while Karli attempted to tail Angel, but also persuade her father to hurry up. McGregor seemed more occupied in waking up Terri, who was still snuggled on the giant ghost in armour.

Beryl meanwhile caught up to walk by Glim and Shadow, afraid to be left behind. Of all the friends, he showed the most anticipation. While leaving Statice, the braixen would frequently look back. He knew that the most dangerous part of the revolution was on the very path he walked. His concern was readable by the houndoom near him, who asked if he was okay at one point, but Beryl ignored his fears and proceeded, knowing he preferred to stay out.

Route 16 was a very obscure journey to Haine, being one of five long country roads to Crio's capital, located at the top left of the Acuity county. To even get to the capital outside of its county, one would have to cross at least one of Crio's famous rivers that snakes around the outskirts of the city. River Mesprit was considered the border between Verity and Acuity, while river Uxie which Mesprit joins onto much further south was used as the border between Acuity and Valor, where Glim's journey had started. Unlike the two very long lakes that skirt around the capital, there is a lonely small river that branches off at Crio's most centre point, which heads north, eventually splitting into the V-channel. The small river before the freezing channel is river Azelf, being the smallest border between the Valor and Verity counties.

Almost two hours had passed by the time the crew began to even hear the river Mesprit, it was surprisingly quiet. The journey itself was a long walk, but that seemed to be the worst of it. The creepy dark grey sky remained as haunting as ever, while the country they forged all down the route was merely silent of any living noises. All that was in earshot was the lonesome breeze, the trees nudging into each other and the frequent bickering of Angel and whoever he was talking to.

'Does anyone,' paused Angel, hitting away branches as they continued creeping through some woods. 'See or hear any border?'

'We can't see shit, Angel.' replied Shadow. 'And we're dark types.'

'We have travelled far off the path.' interjected McGregor. 'So it's best if we cannot.'

'That's why I'm asking.' said Angel. 'I can hear the river, but I don't know how active the current is right now, which also means I don't know how close it is.'

'Well just keep walking until you fall into it.' suggested Karli.

'Shut up.'

Moments later, the weavile passed through taller blades of grass, before suddenly slipping down and creating a loud splash.

'Whoa, Angel!' called Shadow.

Angel quickly glanced back to grab onto the bushy edge which he slipped off. The houndoom who was behind him quickly approached to help him up as he held onto the grass.

'I found Mesprit.' said the soaked weavile, trying to pull himself out, but due to his condition, his strength was lacking. In the end, Shadow had to bite down onto his coat collar and pull him out of the water.

When he was high enough, Karli also assisted with Angel getting back onto his feet, while Shadow let go gladly, wiping his mouth as he did. 'Oh god, that water is freezing!'

The river before them was just as dark as the country behind them. All that was visible to the crew other than Angel, Shadow and McGregor, was the dark grey tint of the night sky.

'Is this where you'll make that boat?' asked Karli.

'Yeah, yeah, hold on. Let me try it.' answered Angel, getting up and looking down the river.

'Oh wait, weavile!' sputtered McGregor glancing at Angel.

While Karli moved back to check on Glim, Beryl and Terri, the weavile tightly clenched his fist, forcing it to freeze up, creating icicles as McGregor demonstrated earlier. Immediately however, all the water that soaked into his coat and around his body simultaneously froze up at an instant, releasing a faint mist that used to be warm air. Angel grunted in surprise as his entire body became an icy cactus.

'Whoa! What just happened?' asked Shadow, looking around, unable to see Angel.

The dusknoir nearby slowly spun away, placing his big hand over his face.

Glim, Beryl and Terri meanwhile picked up the pace when Karli quietly called out to them. The braixen was at the front of them, using his wand as a light, guiding them through the pitch black woods. The kirlia then signalled for Beryl to extinguish his light, so they would not be seen.

'Oh my fucking god.' moaned Angel, while McGregor looked back at the still weavile. 'Are you kidding me!'

'Glim, we're going to make the boat here, come on.' asked Karli, having difficultly seeing Angel.

'Guys… I've just frozen myself!'

'What?' called Shadow and Karli.

The houndoom had sniff what appeared to be a statue next to him, which confirmed to him that Angel was completely coated in thick ice all around his body, except for his head. The weavile was stood like he was in some battle stance, still clenching his fist and unable to move.

'What- how the hell?' asked the very confused houndoom.

'Are you serious?' approached Karli, puzzling. 'How'd you managed to do that?'

'W-well- I-I fell in the water remember!' replied Angel, angrily. 'I tried to freeze my- and I think it froze up all the water I had on me!'

Before Angel could even finish, Karli broke down in hilarity and laughing into her hands. Her muffled hysteria also got Shadow chuckling.

A little late to the situation, Glim and Beryl seemed confused as the braixen felt the need to light his wand, desperate to know why Karli was laughing so uncontrollably. In one wave, a small flame glowed, difficult to see from a distance, yet revealing the weavile who remained solid in the stance he took when practicing to use Ice Punch. Angel himself was looking toward Beryl and those behind him with daggers for eyes.

'I-I tried to warn you.' said McGregor. Angel sighed as the dusknoir looked back to Glim who approached, worried for the frozen weavile. McGregor signalled Beryl next to the glaceon to put out the light. 'Okay Glim, we'll have to do it together.'

'But I can't use attacks that freeze things so well. At least, not as well as that.' he replied, glancing at Angel.

'You may not have to. You can make Icy Wind right?' Glim nodded. 'That can help me make the raft and spread the range of the freezing. Water in this temperature freezes quickly.'

'O-okay.'

The dusknoir took one last look down the river and could only see the same pitch blackness as before, as if the bridge they intended to avoid was already destroyed or perhaps left unlit to hide itself from anyone attempting a crossing during the night. With the river running as quiet as it was, the dark grassland where they stood felt as though they were in a void, separated from their world.

McGregor approached the very edge of the land, able to teeter over it for being a ghost that supports his own weight and floats slightly. He then tilted downward and punched the calm river, rapidly freezing up his hand as he did. Glim, just next to him was expecting to hear a loud splash, instead he hears a thick 'whump', followed by rapidly crackling as the water began to grow into ice.

'Glim, Icy Wind.' reminded McGregor.

The glaceon jolted, before blowing his icy breath at McGregor's hand, unsure how high the water was in that darkness, as he could only hear its oddly relaxing rippling. He could not see it, but the wind that stroked along the water past McGregor's fist slowly grew into a flat, oval-shaped iceberg. The dusknoir said 'blow harder', making Shadow chuckle as Glim took another breath to continue. McGregor looked like he was just leaving his fist in the water, but he was resisting to jitter, feeling the ice crawl up his arm as the water was immensely cold.

Beryl approached and crouched on the opposite side of McGregor, feeling the need to show them what they are doing by drawing out his wand again. The tiny light revealed the isle of ice to be surprisingly big by then, but also Glim could see the case of ice he had formed on McGregor's arm. Immediately he stopped.

'Whoa, whoa.' cried the glaceon, taking steps back from the dusknoir.

'Keep going Glim.' McGregor insisted.

'Whoa, dad.' interjected Karli, coming passed Glim and holding her father by his shoulder.

'I'm fine.' he replied, suddenly breaking his arm free of the ice.

The ice structure that remained afloat was long and spiky, influenced by the freezing wind Glim had exhaled. Under Beryl's light, some of the crew frowned, the iceberg did not look terribly comfortable, in fact dangerous since a lot of the surface pointed upward like spikes. McGregor meanwhile, repetitively shook his hand, flinging the ice off him.

'A certain blue sandslash would disagree with this idea Glim.' said Angel.

'Is there anything we can do about those spikes?' asked Karli.

'Yeah, hold on.' said the dusknoir, grabbing the isle of ice and pulling it into the reeds of the grassland edge, almost pulling it onto the land. 'Just hit'em off.'

McGregor quickly began hitting the icicles away, Karli and Glim joined afterwards. The braixen meanwhile held his light above the vessel so his friends could see all the icy spears, all of which were easy to break off. The finished result appeared to be a long floating slab with an uneven top half, very bumpy and jarred. It was as comfortable as it was going to get, because the ice would eventually melt and with that in mind, the little glaceon was the first to leap onto the raft. For once he seemed a little rash, telling his friends it would not last long in water.

'Right, everyone on, quick.' commanded Karli, poorly climbing onto the freezing raft of ice.

The kirlia almost slipped off before balancing herself by sitting down. Beryl would have been the next to climb on, but before he even began climbing McGregor grabbed him with one arm, while he had Terri in the other. He then lifted the both of them onto the ship and they took the same position as Karli, sitting just behind her. There was a lot of space, but there was also a lot of them, seven in total.

'Beryl, put out that light.' said McGregor, while the dusknoir moved aside for Shadow to climb on.

'Not until you guys get on.' replied Beryl, holding his light back.

Shadow climbed on, but being much bigger than his friends in front of him, his feet slipped, causing him to belly flop onto the ice, while his legs were spread down the sides of the iceberg. He grunted and panicked slightly, fearing he would slip into the freezing river. To keep himself still and steady, he held onto the braixen who was sitting behind the rest of the crew.

'Shit that's cold.' Shadow muttered.

'Whoa hey,' cried Angel, as McGregor was lifting him off the ground, still frozen in his posture. 'What the hell are you doing!'

'Getting you on board,' he replied, carrying the motionless weavile on his shoulder. 'We need some weight at the front, or we'll sink.'

The dusknoir leaned over the boat as far as he could, allowing Beryl and Karli to hold Angel over to Glim at the front, who struggled to keep him still on his feet. Being as still as a statue, the weavile was easy to keep still, but his unique frozen condition made him much more slippery and heavier. Worse still, Angel had his legs slightly spread out when he froze himself, the glaceon had to turn him to stand sideways.

By the time Glim had position Angel right, McGregor had taken the last little space at the back, squashing himself behind the houndoom and forcing him to float as much as he could. The giant ghost was ready to propel the raft, by pushing against the land, however something was needed first.

'Beryl, light.'

'Okay.' replied the braixen, wavering his wand, putting out the light.

'Here we go.'

None of the other friends on board could really propel the vessel across from where they sat, so McGregor had to give the strongest push he could muster. The floating ice began to drift quick enough for Glim and Angel to feel the light breeze, which became very short lived. The raft began to slow down already and the dusknoir only just managed to get himself onto the raft without falling into the water himself.

'Great,' said Angel. 'First I fall into the water, then I freeze myself and now I'm a fucking hood ornament.'

'Are we going to make it?' asked Karli, looking down at the pitch black water.

'Y-yeah, I think we're not moving.' added Glim.

'Aw you're joking.' sulked Shadow. 'Can anyone-'

'Anybody wanna paddle?' joked Karli.

The glaceon's ears sprung up. 'Oh, I could. I mean the cold water's not going to kill me if I swim.'

The kirlia looked back for her father, who she assumed to be thinking about Glim's proposal.

'Yes, do it.' answered McGregor.

Glim easily slipped into the water from the right side of the ice. The water was surprisingly calm, despite it was a little noisy when they first encountered river Mesprit. The current was difficult for the glaceon to feel and though it was cold, it was not nearly as cold as the water he was forced into by Martyr at the V-channel coast. He swam to the side which McGregor was sitting, who patted the edge of the vessel, signalling Glim where to prod. The glaceon forced his diamond crown and paws against the ice, as he began to paddle violently which slowly propelled the raft.

Angel's view down the river where the bridge would be several miles away, was pitch black. The river seemed so lonesome and eerie. It also made not only him, but some of his friends to fear something to be in the water. It only took an old fishing rod to find out.

Glim was getting tired and was constantly fearing that something underwater would suddenly pull him down, but then relief as the raft suddenly came to stop, passing through weeds and mud. Karli exclaimed and moved onto her knees as the boat sputtered and came to a stop. Beryl and Shadow, still holding tightly to the ice were also getting excited to get off.

'I'm tipping I'm tipping!' shouted Angel falling forward. Karli tried to catch him, but only scraped her hand against his claw and the frozen weavile face-planted in the cold soggy mud.

Karli giggled guiltily, apologising for not catching him and stood into the mud, while Terri waddled off, slipping down the front and onto the grass. Beryl and Shadow were a little more careful as the ice was fairly narrow by that time and they really did not want to fall in the freezing water. McGregor meanwhile shadow sneaked onto the grass on Angel's right, so he could help the kirlia help him up.

'Oh thank god.' sighed Shadow, looking for his glaceon. 'Glim?'

The weavile was lifted up onto his feet, still frozen in his stance and with his face entirely covered in mud, seeing it made Karli giggle more, while her father tried to wipe the mud off, so Angel could breathe.

'I've had worse days.' muttered Angel, as soon as his mouth was free of mud.

McGregor looked round for Beryl, knowing braixen are stereotypically enthusiastic groomers. 'Beryl, would you mind getting this mud off? I'm not much of a groomer.' he said, lifting Angel onto the grass.

By that time, Glim was out of the water, just behind Karli, who was getting out of the mud. The glaceon followed close behind her and Shadow waited with a smile.

'Jeez this mud is freezing.' said Karli.

'I'm not a lover of mud,' said Beryl awkwardly, as he licked his paws. 'Any leaves?'

McGregor looked left to right. 'Well… all around us.'

'Hold on,' interrupted Terri. 'I'll get some!'

The young cranidos waddled blindly in the opposite direction of river Mesprit, so she would not fall in accidentally. She and Glim nearby noticed the silhouette of the gigantic blades of grass ahead of them. It meant they were at the miles of swamp just between the river boarder and the capital city of Haine.

'Here Angel,' said Beryl, drawing out his wand and lighting it up. 'Hold this.'

'Beryl, I can't- did you just put your wand in my claw?'

The weavile's left claw, which was frozen unclenched had enough room to hold Beryl's special wand for him.

'Well yeah,' answered Beryl. 'I need to see wh-'

'Kinky!' blurted Shadow, immediately making Karli, McGregor and Beryl erupt in laughter.

'Oh shut up!' cried Angel.