Chapter 5: Journey to Celadon

It wasn't long before the palace was swarming with soldiers, who at the moment probably weren't even sure what had even happened. Even Lucario was still trying to understand what Dresden, or rather the creature that imitated Dresden, was trying to gain from all this.

Fortunately, they were able to make their way out of the castle in time and were now on the streets following an Umbreon who, at the moment, seemed their only way of escape. "So, you went to all this trouble just to save our necks?" Syrenne asked.

"Let's just say a friend asked us a favor," Marcus said. "And with her, you can never say no."

"Well in that case, I think I may like this girl," Syrenne said with a slight grin.

"And you're sure we can trust him?" Dagran asked. He was referring to their guide, who paused and listened to make sure it was clear.

"He's her closest friend so he won't steer us wrong," Marcus said. "He's leading us to a small bar in town. Trust me, no one's even going to bother with a bar that crowded."

"I'm getting the sense it usually is, but in this case, it's currently a rebel hiding spot?" Aaron asked.

Marcus grimaced. "You really are making us sound like the bad guys… whatever. We're here now." He opened up the door and the group went in. The bar was indeed small and there were some patrons inside but both Lucario and Aaron, not with their aura but with their eyes, could tell it was just for show as the alcohol in their pints were still full to the top.

"Don't even ask it Syrenne," Dagran said.

"Aw…" Syrenne pouted, knowing she was probably going to have to wait til morning to even get a decent meal.

"Okay, you brought us here, so what exactly is it that you all want?" Aaron asked.


(A/N: For this next part, the song I'm using is "Lady Eboshi" by Joe Hisaishi.)


There was a pause in the room as everyone seemed to look to one another. "My apologies for the sudden turn of events." Everyone then looked over as a hooded figure, accompanied by a woman who looked as if she worked as a maid of the castle, walked in through the back door of the pub. "I had heard rumors from the guards of your coming and when I heard the plot behind it, I thought it best to make sure you escaped unscathed. This problem shouldn't have involved the Aura Knights of Cameran Palace, but I had no other choice…"

"You're very perceptive," Dagran said. "Just who are you anyway?"

Some of the patrons looked upset and were about to get up before the figure lifted a hand to calm them. "My apologies again, I have not introduced myself. Marylyn, my cloak."

"Yes, m'lady," the maid, Marylyn said, as she went behind the figure and took off her robe. *Now stood a young woman with long black hair, wearing a navy blue dress that ended down above her knees. She had also had a sword, a saber attached to her side. "I am Princess Mirania of the kingdom of Viridian," she said, putting a hand to her chest.

All the people inside the bar got up and bowed in her direction. "Now would be the time to bow," Marcus said heatedly.

The others, meanwhile, weren't so convinced. "So the rumors were true then," Aaron said. "You really are part of the Rebellion."

Mirania looked down slightly as the Umbreon went to her and nuzzled her leg. Bending down to scratch his ears, she said, "To be honest, up until this evening they weren't but I suppose that doesn't matter. Yes, you are right but you have to understand I am not doing this for power. The past six years I have seen the many people of Viridian struggle to get through each day, while the rich waste away their money because they have nothing better to do with it.

"I have tried to convince my stepmother Vestara to do more for our citizens but still she did nothing. And now these same people, because of others who are fed up with her, are being threatened and locked up. I couldn't stand it any longer. That's why I've made the uneasy choice of joining the Rebellion and forcing Vestara off the throne, not by violence but by the people themselves."

"If you want to do that, you'll have no support from your military," Dagran said. "Even if they may not agree with her, they swore an oath to protect the queen."

"I know, and to be honest I thought there was one who I could trust, General Dresden," Mirania said. "But I fear someone may have gotten to him first."

Aaron and Lucario looked at one another. Slowly the pieces were fitting into place, or at least some of them. If Dresden was sympathetic towards a regime change, obviously the queen must have been behind his death. "So what will you do now?" Aaron asked.

"I may come off as selfish asking you all this, but now more than ever I need your help," Mirania said. "I need to speak to King Hector of Celadon. He was a close friend of my father's and he may be willing to help us."

"Princess, forgive me for saying this but I cannot decide on behalf of my kingdom," Aaron said. "If Queen Rin chooses to stay out of this conflict, I am obligated to follow her."

"I hate to say it mate, but I think we're already involved," Syrenne said. "I'm no soldier, but any attack on a soldier of a kingdom qualifies as an attack against the kingdom."

Aaron smiled grimly. "I suppose that is true… what do you think Lucario?"

Lucario was silent for a moment. He would follow Aaron without question but he swore an oath to Queen Rin as well. "I think by coming here we already got ourselves involved," he said. "However, I also think its best we alert the queen and Raul about what happened."

"I agree," Aaron said. He then sighed. "Now I wish Pidgeot were here… does anyone here have a messenger bird I could use?"

"You can use mine," Marcus said. He whistled and then through the open window came a Pidgeotto. "I happen to have some paper and a quill too if you need it."

"I guess that's twice I owe you now," Aaron said. He quickly wrote his message to Cameran and rolled up the paper, tying it to the Pidgeotto's leg. "I'm sure you know the way?"

The bird stared at him and then took off through the window. "He's been around Kanto more times than I ever will," Marcus said. "My lady, I'm afraid we can't stay here though. Once they find out you're missing, the entire kingdom will become even more chaotic."

"I agree," Mirania said. She then turned back to Aaron and the others. "I understand if you say no, but I fear if nothing is done, Viridian will be doomed as a kingdom. Will you aid us?"

"I think you know our answer," Aaron said. He then looked to Dagran and Syrenne. "You don't have to come with us if you don't want to."

"Are you kidding, I haven't had this much fun in years," Syrenne said. "You know I'm in."

Dagran sighed. "I guess I don't really have a choice… I won't be getting paid soon anyway."

"Then we leave at once," Mirania said. "However Marcus… it may be best if we split up. As I remember there are two paths that lead to Celadon. Even if we are followed, at least we can split their party up as well."

"I suppose you'll be going with them then?" Marcus asked.

"They'll need a guide," Mirania nodded. "Marylyn, you go with them as well. I promise I'll be in good hands."

"If you say so, m'lady," Marylyn said, nodding slightly.


The two groups were able to sneak out of the city quietly and once they went east, soon enough they came to a fork in the road. "And this is where we part," Mirania said. "It will take almost half a day to get to Celadon, so we can walk for a few hours and rest, as long as we reach there by nightfall."

"Please do take care of yourself Lady Mirania," Marylyn said as she and the others started going down the right path.

"You as well Marylyn," Mirania said, bowing her head slightly.

The journey for the next hour was quiet except for one. "You know, if I knew instead of playing bodyguard I'd be walking all night, I would've gone for that last pint. Maybe some bread too; Arceus I'm starving…" Ema just sighed, shaking her head.

Up ahead Mirania smiled. She then looked behind her. "I can tell from your friend you must have quite the appetite."

"Hey, a girl's got to stay fit you know."

Actually, what Ema really had said was, "If you ate and drank as much as you complained…" But it was satisfying to see the look of surprise on Ema's face nonetheless.

After another hour, Aaron slowed his pace and looked to the others. "If we really need to, we can keep going but perhaps we should rest here? There's a lake nearby and wood around to make a fire."

"Might as well," Dagran said. "We'll need to keep our strength up as well."

Syrenne happily collapsed onto the ground. "I never thought the grass would feel so comfortable."

"I think our companions need to rest as well," Mirania said. "Although I can tell by your friend he's ready to go on a hunt."

"Who, Wrex?" Dagran asked. "Of course he is, that's what he does."

"I know, but he's been complaining about it for the last half hour."

That got everyone's attention, Wrex especially. "Okay, and how would you know that?" Dagran asked.

"Like I said, I heard him talking about it," Mirania said. "You see… well, there's really no easy way of saying this but… I can speak to these creatures and understand them."

There was an awkward pause. "So you're saying you can understand anything Ema says?" Syrenne said. "Alright then… Ema, say something completely random, nothing she would be able to know."

Ema looked uncomfortable and then said something almost quietly. "Oh my…" Mirania said. "I… really don't think I should say that…"

"Oh come on! Just saying that makes you sound unbelievable!"

Mirania sighed. "Ema says one time you got so drunk you somehow found yourself with a man from the second ward and you were just about to go to his house when-"

"Bloody hell stop!" Syrenne freaked. "There's now way you could have known that… unless you're psychic."

"She just said it," Mirania said simply.

"I have to admit I'm impressed," Aaron said. "Is this a family trait?"

"No, as far as I know I'm the only one who can do it," Mirania said as she went up to a log buried into the ground and sat on it. Revan went up to her and she petted him. "Revan was the first one I ever talked to. I think that's how we became so close, because he could actually tell me what he was thinking." She smiled shyly. "I hope it doesn't bother anyone."

"No one here except maybe Syrenne," Dagran smirked.

"Now listen you," Syrenne was pointing at Ema. "You tell her anymore stories and I'll-"

"Dagran, how about you, Syrenne and I go look for some berries and firewood?" Aaron suggested. "Lucario, you can stay here."

Dagran understood and nodded. "Come on Syrenne, you said you were hungry…"

Once the three of them were far away enough, Mirania let out a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry for dropping that onto you all like that," she then said. "Most would probably find it… strange."

Lucario and Ema looked at one another. "So…you can really understand me?" Ema asked.

"Indeed," Mirania replied. "I know with Lucario he's using telepathy but the rest of you are speaking in your native tongue."

"I promise she doesn't bite," Revan said.

"So how many people know?" Lucario asked.

"No one, except you all," Mirania said. "To be honest, I don't know if my father knew for sure but I doubt he didn't have any suspicions. I consider it a blessing because in a way, I can be friends with you all and be able to understand your feelings."

"Well, if you can be friends with Wrex, I'll be most impressed," Ema said, glancing towards Wrex, who was sitting near the lake, watching everything in his view. "He's not the social type as you can tell."

"Hmm… perhaps I can change that…" Mirania said, getting up.

"Uh, I wouldn't suggest that," Ema quickly said. "He's not mean but if he doesn't want to talk to you he'll let you know right away and he only warns you once."

"Believe me, I've handled worse in my childhood." Lucario and Revan both watched with interest, although with Revan he was ready to make a move if he needed to.

As Mirania went over to him, Wrex didn't make any sudden moves but he said without looking at her, "For one who says you can speak to creatures like us, you obviously didn't understand Ema very well."

"Ah, I see your hearing is as good as ever. Do you want me to go?"

"What do you think?" Revan's ears popped up as he started to look more concerned.

"I think your master, Dagran was it, doesn't give you enough attention," Mirania said, rubbing the back of his head. Any other person wouldn't have dared approach, not even touch the Mightyena but Mirania could tell he wasn't being defensive and she would've known right away.

"…What are you doing?"

"I know you all like it behind the ears," Mirania said, smiling as she rubbed his ears.

"That…wait… stop…"

"Oh come on, I know you're a big tough guy on the outside but deep down you're still a little Poochyena at heart, aren't you?"

Meanwhile, Aaron, Dagran, and Syrenne were returning back and Dagran stopped in his tracks. "I must either be hallucinating or dreaming," he said.

"Why?" Aaron asked. He followed where Dagran was looking and suddenly he saw it. Wrex was on his back, his tongue hanging out happily as Mirania was rubbing his belly.

"Right there, right there, keep going!" Wrex was saying that but all Dagran and Aaron heard were barks and grunts.

"Well, how about that?" Syrenne said. "Only known her for a few hours and he loves her already."

"She's very fortunate," Dagran said seriously. "Anyone else would have lost at best a finger, at worst an arm." Still, as he watched her, she no longer represented a princess but a regular girl. Even before ever meeting her, he had a slight biased opinion of her but maybe, or at least he was starting to think, she was someone special after all.


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