Sillage: the impression left behind when something is gone


"In the history of Unova, there were certainly times where something large disappeared. Close evaluations of the histories of other regions also show the same. However, the two most drastic histories belonged to those of Unova and Kalos. It appears that the two regions are closely connected; various statues of the legendaries in the myths of Unova were found in a castle in Kalos, suggesting the two kingdoms may have had contact with each other despite Unova being completely isolated..."

She could hear a voice inside her head questioning why, in the history books, Kalos was such a crucial correspondent to Unova. Historians had called it simple trade connections and cultural diffusion; they couldn't be any bit less inaccurate.

"...Should I help them?"

The last ferry bound for Unova left without a trace; and everyone on the boat knew that they weren't coming back; at least, not until someone had died.

"Professor, we shall do our best to help our juniors win this war."

-The question was, which ones?


"The princess, to whom I have been the maid to for such a long time, was a quiet child. She rarely uttered a word; the only ones who she had ever were delighted with the sound of her voice were her mentor and I. Truly amazing; the mentor had the uncanny ability to transform anything with a couple of decorations, or 'props', as she had named. It was her made-up word, because she decided that 'decorations' sounded too formal and belittling for something to be used with the most marvelous of abilities. However, after all this time, the mentor has still not told anyone her name except for Milady...and she made the princess vow to do so as well."

"Red?"

"...Yellow?"

"Do you think Cheren and Bianca are the ones right here? Professor Oak told us that we had to help them..."

"..."

The ferry sounded, on the last trip to war-torn Unova, and Yellow slid her hat further down her head, shading her eyes, as she walked towards the gate. Security was extremely strict these days. The leader of Team Plasma, Ghetsis, now had a new head to join him. Yellow wasn't sure why a Pokedex Holder would be the head (or co-head, if you wanted to be technical. Yellow was always a technical person; it helped with her documents) of a previously evil monarchy/organization, but she had this feeling that this Dex Holder was a certain someone from her past... And he was doing a fine job of creating paranoia in the region. All around, banners and posters proclaiming "Bring down the Heroes of Truth and Ideals! The new Heroes of Justice shall prevail!" were hung up, and Yellow wondered who exactly was wrong and who was right.

The persons overseeing the immigration had to check for identities. She had her journal; nothing more, nothing less. If she had brought any Pokemon, she would be suspicious. So she smiled and showed the Team Plasma entry-men her journal, which stated nothing more than facts on the history of Unova. The grunts nodded and let her through.

She took her first steps onto Unova's soil; well at least this Unova.

The previous one hadn't left much sillage behind. Her lost journal was proof.


"I honestly am worried for the dear princess. For days, her mentor, the blessed and gifted (albeit not as handsome as the princess) mentor, has been teaching her the magics of voice deception. It is amazing- Mrilady now can imitate almost any voice she hears, except for the deep, sombre voices of those madly-in-love pining. The mentor seems distressed, however- apparently our foes can do the same and Milady needs to better herself to save herself. The mentor has been stressing these days, and I doubt that she has been keeping a blind eye to the situation around us. The poor girl, only two years older than milady, has been through much; although what exactly the poor girl has been through, I am not sure of. It appears the kingdom has been in turmoil recently; I have heard rumours, from the townspeople and peasants, that famine is raging throughout the kingdom. However, it appears Milady has not heard of the news or does not care. I honestly do not blame Milady for her emotions; sometimes, I just want to overthrow this corrupt monarchy myself- however words like these shall not result in good will."

"Gramps said that we had to search for a professor named Professor Juniper."

"What town is she in? It is this town, right?"

"...This is Nuvema, right!? Oh Arceus, what if this isn't where the professor is and-"

"Leaf, can you say something for once? Please help Yellow calm down."

"..."

"..."

"Not you again, Red."

Somehow, Cheren, Bianca, and Professor Juniper knew they were the first Pokedex Holders. And somehow, Yellow noted that none of them looked sad over losing the first two Unova Pokedex Holders when they were mentioned. Compassion for Rosa and Nate, who were also brought up, was not present. Yellow's eyes dimmed. So they were the same as the rest, were they not? Trying to keep themselves afloat by pushing the only ones who could swim down?

She smiled at the three, noting their false concern for their Pokedex Holder rivals, and she notes that maybe, just maybe, they didn't deserve any saving.


"This whole kingdom is full of liars- oh! But I must not say out loud. For mercenaries are all around us-and the kingdom in havoc. Milady is as cold as always to the outside world; and indeed, the outside world does not even deserve Milady's coldness. For the peasants are rowdy- n'where to blame, they blame her- the lords are avaricious and wish to have her power (they could need some of her knowledge as well; only Lord Mew shall know what's right or wrong)- and the commoners are unfeeling. They wish to make themselves look a higher power- Milady's is overwhelming and they must destroy it. Today, Milady's mentor pulled me aside to talk to me. The girl said that she heard from one of the gods we look up to- Zekrom- that Milady shall be executed soon. I am worried deeply over this- a simple maid cannot make a difference."

"...So you are saying that Team Plasma is good?"

Yellow watches the boy with spectacles (is that what they're called these days? My, my, my, she had been caught up in history that she had missed, hasn't she?) push them up to the bridge of his nose. She finds it a horribly arrogant gesture; one that in olden times, was certainly considered disrespectful for anyone but the queen. The boy had an impatience around him, and Yellow finds herself looking down on him. If this was the reason why Rosa and Hilda (it was strange, her name, but Yellow had a feeling that this wasn't her name the last time they had lived) left, she certainly wouldn't have blamed them. However, Yellow noted that the boy's eyes were strange.

"Yes."

"-Pardon me, but what say you of your eyes?"

And Yellow found herself speaking in the olden tongue. Cheren tilted his head, deciphering her words, while Red explained briefly Yellow's tendency to speak oddly-

"She's a history major."

The answer was unexpected to the question, but Yellow found that she still didn't care. After all, Hilbert clearly had a reason why he had done so. She could tell. Hilbert was not one to do things like that without a motive, if he really was the one who she thought he was. Yet here this boy was, claiming that they used to be friends? How foolish does one have to be to not realize their own misgivings? Were they truly friends to not even realize this?

"My eyes were damaged in a fire that Hilbert set to the town."

This boy, Cheren, deserved it no matter what; he believed in the wrong side, because he was afraid of getting hurt any further. Yellow bit back a scathing remark as she smiled full of pity for the boy, and the two people beside him. Everyone brings shame to the word "humane".

A loyal maid, indeed. Or perhaps; the true bringer of justice?


"All around my ears bring sound of war. Torn cries in anguish and the most disgusting yells of those who do not deserve to live. These rebels shall never taint Milady and Mi'lord. Imagine my surprise when Milady proclaimed that all this time, she had been conversing with the very person she was meant to kill! But that is the genius of Milady and her mentor; her mentor also has a counterpart with very much the same relationship as Milady's. It is strange, to see people who obviously care for one another to act like bitter enemies, but I must admit, it is a very effective method of staying alive. There is some strange sort of entertainment enjoyed by those four and a certain way they look besotted with each other that makes me wonder how moronic and despicable these supposed 'humans' are to possibly claim those four are at fault. The rebellion, led by a man with hair like flaming waves and a handsome, lowly, actor, makes me just shudder with their audacity. How dare they try to overcome the monarchy!?"

"They said to explore the region, Yellow. Why do you look so pained? I'm sure Gramps wouldn't send us to an asylum or something."

"...I know. It's just..."

"Just...?"

"...Different..."

Indeed, this new region was different from the old. Falls stained with blood cascaded where before there were hills rolling with wildflowers, and Pokemon everywhere were hiding, fearful. Bakers were out of honey and requested Yellow to help them, to which she complied, and even fishermen longed to see water Pokemon, to the point where they gave free Dive Balls when they saw one. The region was truly at ruins; yet they were daring enough to believe that things would be better after all the blame was gone.

The only reason why there was hope was because there was a scapegoat. When that goat is slaughtered for harvest, will the village starve?


"...Today is the last day, and this is the last entry, my beloved journal, that I shall be with you. For the monarchy has been overthrown, and I must accompany Milady and Mi'lord to safety. There is no time to dally; I am currently applying what I learned with Milady's mentor and disguised myself as homely boy, while Milady and Mi'lord used theirs to dress like said mentors. I am afraid for their current condition. Milady seems close to breaking down as I have ever seen her, and Mi'lord is desperately trying to cover his face, like he can't bear the torture the world has thrown at him. But it matters not. I shall protect Milady and Mi'lord like their mentors wished me to; and what brave and valiant heroes they were! Why, all dressed up in royal clothing, they smiled with horrifying precision of a madman and said that line which was so dear to Milady and Mi'lord: 'Oh, 'tis tea time.' My, I can't ever describe the anguish made present on Milady's and Mi'lord's faces. Close to screaming, I had to drag them away, before they made their mentors' sacrifice useless..."


A/N

So...I'm sorry for not updating for like two weeks. XD I had midterms and my computer broke, so...

I tried typing in old-speak. I failed. I imagine Yellow (if she was actually in the games, of course) to be a little quirky and love history for some reason. Was this chapter okay? :/ It seems kind of iffy to me.

Also, the word "sillage" is used mainly in perfume...but there are other, rarely seen definitions of it...and this is one of them. XD It relates to the perfume thing a bit, because "sillage" in perfume means "the trail left behind by a smell", so it is kind of an imprint left behind when something leaves. xD