Chapter 6: Capture

After setting up camp, the group settled down for the next few hours in order to get some rest before continuing their journey. They decided to do half hour shifts, in order to prevent an incoming ambush. Dagran volunteered for the first shift.

He stood by the edge of the lake, watching the moon reflect off the surface as ripples slowly streamed across the surface. He didn't need to worry about seeing anyone coming; even if they were smart enough not to illuminate themselves, he'd hear them first.

Dagran eventually did hear someone getting up and walking towards the other end of the lake. He didn't look back; he figured whoever it was was trying to be as quiet as they could. Once the footsteps were gone, he finally did look back. He wasn't surprised to see that it was Mirania who had gotten up.

However, he did hear someone talking nearby. He wasn't expecting that. Curious more than anything, he got up and followed the sound of the voice. There were trees nearby and there Mirania stood, looking up into them and talking to them, whoever "they" were.

The Umbreon, Revan she called him, stood by, watching this with a blank expression. If what she had said before was true, then this must be nothing new to him. Revan quickly turned his head and once he saw Dagran he got up, turned around, and stared at him, almost as if warning him not to come any closer.

Dagran seemed a bit annoyed at this, but he didn't want to start any trouble. "Sorry, I'll be going then."

"Wait." Mirania was already walking towards them. "Revan," she gently admonished him. "Don't be like that; Dagran is our friend now." She smiled as she went down to pet his head and looked up at Dagran. "My apologies, he's like this to strangers. I mean, not that you are a stranger but… um…"

Dagran smiled slightly. "You know, you apologize too much."

"Sor- excuse me. It's a habit I suppose," Mirania said. "It's always in one's good nature to be polite, especially as part of the Royal Family."

Dagran chuckled. "Did you just make that up?"

"No, I certainly did not!" Mirania replied, blushing slightly. "Well… okay yes. Still, it's something I learned from my parents long ago. Anyway, was I being too loud?"

"No, actually I was curious what you were doing," Dagran said simply.

"Oh… I was talking to some of the birds," Mirania said, smiling gently. "I guess some of them were awake when I came by and were… surprised to see that I could actually communicate with them."

"Does it ever… seem strange?" Dagran asked.

"At first it was," Mirania said as she went over and leaned against a tree. "When I was younger, I found an injured bird out by the walkway. I took it to the infirmary and practically had to beg the doctor to help it. It told me the problem: its wing was injured. I told the doctor exactly that but he brushed me off, because how would I know? It turned out I was right but he never ever put much thought into why, just a lucky guess he thought."

"In a way it alienates you," Dagran added.

Mirania sighed. "I suppose," she said. "If I hadn't demonstrated it to you, you probably would think I'm crazy."

"To be honest, I kind of envy you," Dagran said. "I mean, I've known Wrex for a long time so I can tell what he was trying to tell me. Which reminds me: that was dangerous what you did before."

"Who, Wrex?" Mirania said, giggling slightly. "He was a tough nut to crack but he really is sweet, when he actually shows it. He never came close to biting me."

"Then perhaps you haven't seen his other side," Dagran replied. "All he has to do is latch to your throat and you're dead."

"I don't doubt that," Mirania said, her face now frowning. "He used to be in a pack I guess but something happened and now he isn't. Mightyena are a proud species so maybe with me he'll show his soft side but never to his enemies because of his pride."

"Oh when we first met he didn't go easy on me," Dagran said with a snort. "By the way, I noticed the sword you're carrying. Any good with a blade?"

"Well…" Mirania looked slightly embarrassed. "When I was younger I used to spar with my father a lot. He was a good swordsman and taught the Royal Guard himself. He didn't go easy on me either and I learned a lot. Sadly, after he died I kind of lost the interest to keep training."

Dagran was in deep thought as he looked around. "You know, this is a pretty open area. Trees might provide some cover too."

"What are you suggesting?" Mirania asked.

"I'm suggesting that perhaps I can help shake out the rust in your swordplay," Dagran said.

"Oh, so you're challenging me, is that it?" Mirania asked, looking slightly amused.

Dagran bowed slightly. "If the lady is willing to accept it, then yes."

Mirania paused for a moment and then grinned. "Then I would say, Master Dagran," she said as she drew her sword. "That you better prepare yourself."

Dagran smiled in return as he drew his sword. "Ladies first."


(A/N: For this next part, the song I'm using is "The Last Story – Kizuna" from The Last Story.)


*About twenty minutes later, both Dagran and Mirania fell to the ground near the edge of the lake, panting and laughing. "I haven't sparred like that in a long time," Mirania said, trying to catch her breath. "You're pretty good."

"I would say the same to you," Dagran said chuckling. "Your father trained you well. Who knows, maybe you could handle yourself in an actual swordfight."

"…To be honest, I'd rather not get into any fights," Mirania said. "Why fight when you can compromise? That's what my father believed in. He was always good about talking to people instead of trying to either rile them up or threaten them. No, he treated you as a person, as an equal, no matter if you were a knight or servant. I… if I ever reach the throne I want to continue in my father's stead."

Dagran turned to her. "You know, I think it's time that I apologized…"

Mirania looked to him in surprise. "For what?"

"I… I had the wrong impression from you at the start," Dagran admitted. "I didn't think too highly of your stepmother and when I heard rumors of you joining the Rebellion, I thought you did it just because you wanted power for yourself. And for that, I'm sorry."

Mirania said nothing for a moment and looked up into the stars. "I can't fault you for thinking that. To be honest, I do not doubt there are kings and queens that do think like that. At least, if there are I wouldn't know them. Now Queen Rin, I highly respect her and her wishes to stay out of conflict whenever necessary. It's not power she cares about, it's her kingdom and her people."

"You know, you may make a good queen in time," Dagran said.

Mirania chuckled. "After all this, I'm not too sure if that will still happen… but if anything I would just want to be remembered as someone who was putting her kingdom first before herself."

"Yeah, that sounds much better than Vestara," Dagran said. He then got up. "I think we better head back."

"You go on ahead, I just want to enjoy this view for a few minutes," Mirania said. "And Dagran?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you…"

Dagran just scratched the back of his head. "By the way… how did you come to be friends with your Umbreon?"

"Oh Revan? Oh, that's a whole other story. Maybe another time I'll tell you… if you're willing to train a little more."

Dagran laughed. "Okay, you got yourself a deal then. Perhaps tomorrow night then?"

"That sounds perfect."

Dagran nodded and headed back to camp. Knowing his shift was about over, he laid down in the soft grass.

"Have a nice time with the princess?"

Dagran suddenly had a sour look on his face. "Oh shut it Syrenne, nothing of that sort happened."

"Not yet at least," Syrenne said, looking over at him with a slight grin. "Hey, I'm not your mother or anything but you do realize what she is right?"

"Of course I know that," Dagran almost snapped.

"Then maybe it would be best to keep things simple between the two of you."

"You are unbelievable Syrenne," Dagran said. "Isn't it your turn by the way?"

"Hey, look, I'm serious Dagran. I'm not saying anything bad about her, I like her in fact. But what you are, and what she is, it can never really go together, know what I mean?"

"Yeah," Dagran said. "But part of me is hoping I can change that…"


Viridian Palace

Needless to say, Vestara was not too happy being woken up in the middle of the night, even if it was urgent news. Generals Revis and Roark of the Viridian Army were summoned to the throne room posthaste.

"General Revis, General Roark," Vestara said testily, wearing her royal sleepwear. "As you can see, it is the middle of the night so I would rather want to make this quick. Now, what is so urgent?"

Both generals looked to one another. "Your majesty, about an hour ago, there was an attempted break-in of the palace. Members of the Rebellion were apparently trying to kill you, or at least that is what I've been hearing," Revis said.

"Is that so?" Vestara asked. "And I'm certain they were taken care of?"

"Unfortunately your highness they escaped, but that is not the only problem," Roark said. "There was an Aura Knight with them, as well as two mercenaries. Apparently, General Dresden has been meeting with General Raul of Camaran Palace. They were supposed to help apprehend the rebels, from what I hear, but instead they fled with them."

"So you're saying that now Camaran is threatening my kingdom?" Vestara said.

"It's… possible," Roark said.

"The other issue is that Princess Mirania is missing," Revis added.

"So… after all I've done for her and this is how she repays me," Vestara said coldly. "It appears that Mirania has betrayed her people in joining in this rebellion."

"Y-Your majesty, with all due respect, it's entirely possible that the Rebellion may have kidnapped her for ransom," Roark said. "After all, they want you to step down…"

"Or rather she's with them because they want her to replace me!" Vestara snapped. "…I ask you both to leave me now. I need some time to think about all this…"

Both generals bowed. "Of course your majesty…" Revis said.

After leaving the room, both generals went to Revis' office. Revis brought out a bottle of wine and two glasses, pouring some for both of them. "To her royal majesty," Revis then said, making a toast.

"To her royal majesty," Roark repeated, except with disgust in his voice. They then sipped their wine. "So… these people from Camaran… they didn't just join this rebellion out of choice did they?"

"Not at all," Revis said. "It's unfortunate for Queen Rin, because I know she did not want to involve herself in this and that's exactly what happened."

"Attacking Cameran out of spite would be a costly mistake," Roark warned.

"Perhaps… or maybe not," Revis said. "Roark, I've known you for a long time. Certainly if I have a plan you trust me, right?"

"More than I trust Vestara, but yes I do."

"Then allow me to explain a plan I have in mind. I'm willing to hear your thoughts on it as well…"

Once he was finished, Roark spoke. "I admit it's risky, but also clever. And you are absolutely sure this can work?"

"Of course it can," Revis said. There was then a knock on the door. "Enter." The door opened and there was General Dresden. "Ah, we were just talking about you."

"I'm sure you were." Suddenly the general was gone and in its place was the creature from before.

Roark shuddered. "I hate when it does that…"

"Now Roark, show Zoroark some respect, she's going to play a large role in our plan."

"If you had let me, I could have finished them all off," Zoroark said.

"I don't doubt you could," Revis said. "But for now we'll leave them alone. I heard among the group there was a Lucario."

"Yes… he interests me…"

"Well, you two will meet again soon I'm sure."

"One other thing concerns me," Roark said. "What about the princess?"

"Ah, her," Revis said. "If she were willing, she could be very useful, but I know she's much like her father and would only do what she feels is right. She could prove to be a problem and as much as I don't want to involve her, since I actually respect her as much as her father, she will have to be taken care of." He then smiled. "But since we're all here, let's make one final toast for the night. To Viridian."

"To Viridian."


Once dawn appeared on the horizon, Lucario and the others got up and continued on their path towards Celadon. "Once we reach Celadon, we'll go to see Hector immediately. I do not know if Marcus and the others will be there already but let's hope they made it safely," Mirania said. "As for all of you, if you don't mind, you will be my official Guard. …I have to give some reason to let you in."

"It's better than most names thrown at us," Syrenne said. "But Aaron should get in just fine since he has a knight status."

"I'm… not too sure if Celadon really knows who the Aura Knights are to be honest," Aaron said, chuckling hesitantly. "But what about Lucario and the others?"

"Of course they're included," Mirania said, petting Ema under the chin, who happened to be sitting on her shoulder. "We all have a bond with our friends, and maybe someday in the future that bond will be recognized."

"So, what's so special about this King Hector?" Lucario asked.

"Celadon City is probably the largest kingdom in Kanto," Mirania said. "And as such, it holds a lot of power in this region, meaning that Hector is a powerful man. However, he is good to his people and I've known him since I was younger and has been a friend to the family. If anyone will listen, he will."

"We'll have to be careful then," Dagran said. "If Celadon is that big, it's possible that Viridian spies could be on the lookout for us."

"Agreed," Mirania said. "Luckily, because the amount of people going in and out of the city, it shouldn't be too hard to get in." She then looked ahead. "We should only be a few hours away now."

Suddenly, something went off in Lucario's head. It wasn't just his aura but his instincts as well. "Stop moving."

"What are you talking about?" Syrenne asked.

"Stop, now!" But it was too late. Suddenly, everyone save for Lucario was caught in a large net that hung from a nearby tree.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Syrenne said. "Who the bloody hell sets a trap in the middle of nowhere!? Ema, try biting us out."

But it was no good. The second Ema bit down, she winced in pain. "This entire net is made of platinum," Mirania said. "But why…?"

Lucario was about to give it a try but he stopped when he heard a rustle in the bushes. "Hunters…" They came out, as many as six of them with different creatures accompanying them. It was needless to say that Lucario was at a horrible disadvantage.

"Oh darn, we missed one," one of the hunters said. "Oh well, we still got a good catch anyway. So big guy, what are you going to do then?"

Lucario was ready for a fight but Aaron stopped him. "Lucario, stand down. There's no reason to fight now."

"Yeah, listen to your master," the hunter said. "Be cooperative and we'll try to be decent towards ya."

"You just wait til I get out of this and you're all dead meat," Syrenne threatened. "Who do you think you are anyway!?"

"We're just doing our jobs," the hunter said. "It seems we're all going the same way anyway. Sure hope you didn't have any major plans in Celadon City…"


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