We know, we know. Late again. The quick version? Nyx had an operation done and simultaneously, we lost all the data for the chapter you're seeing right now (and the progress of the next). So! To make up for it, we'll post two chapters for this week and hopefully, they'll be enough to satisfy you all :)

Shoutouts to the following for favoriting/following/reviewing: Pickles of dill and R. Moonstalker!

Thanks, you two! Really appreciate it :) Anyway, on to the story.

Chapter 10: Tension Rising

Somewhere…

It's great to see that you're still alive! the Gengar cackled. So, where have you been, friend? Haven't seen you for days!

I've been at my nest, our lords thought it would be best for me to rest for all the...punishment I've been through. the Latios replied. He winced and rubbed his neck where a dark bruise was healing. Actually, there were multiple sore areas on his body, though his neck in particular had been dealt a rather nasty blow and it showed. The Gengar noticed the bruise and grinned wider.

Look at that. The Gengar appraised the bruise with an approving nod. They sure did a number on you...Hm..

The Latios clenched his eyes shut and hissed in pain as the Gengar prodded the bruise. What is WRONG with you?! For Arceus's sake! Instantly, his companion's expression darkened. The Latios only sighed, knowing the Gengar's next words.

You'd better watch what you say here, they don't take too kindly to you uttering that name in their presences. You'll get another bruise or more if you don't! The Latios only snorted, he was honestly tired of the way things ran there.

When he'd first joined, the Shadowed Saints' main goal was to liberate all discriminated followers of the Dark and eliminate said discrimination. He wasn't a follower of the Dark, neither was he even a Dark-type to even attract scorn. People believed that if you were a Dark-type (Ghost, as well, though mostly everyone agreed that they weren't inherently "evil", unless provoked), you were automatically out for everyone's blood. And it was a known fact that most Dark-types were hard to keep in check as they tended to remain outside or isolated from others. They also tended to be more aggressive as well, and this wasn't a stereotype or anything since being in contact with the Dark, or being born with that typing, made one more prone to the negative emotions and habits. The Dark, while it could offer immense power, reached out for the seven sins of one's self. Greed, lust, sloth, envy, wrath, pride, gluttony, and all the negative emotions in between...While some can resist the Dark's ever so subtle siren's song, there were just as many, if not, more, who were enveloped in such emotions. Some, willingly.

With that knowledge, the Latios had hoped that the Shadowed Saints would help relieve those of the Dark from everyone else's disdain. But now, after being in their ranks for a few months now, the Latios wondered if their leaders were really planning to do as they promised-whether or not they really planned to liberate those of the Dark and hopefully make peace between them and the rest of the world.

What did you do to earn all this anyway?

The Latios shook himself free from his thoughts, wearily regarding the Gengar with shrug. I told them that one of our assassins failed in his job to eliminate his targets. Some Knights in training.

So they gave you an ass-whooping. the Gengar replied, amused.

Well, the Latios tapped his chin thoughtfully, they weren't really mad at the fact that he failed. In fact, we've recently figured out that all of the assassins that were sent were foiled in one way or another. He flew into the hall, ignoring the many pokemon, Originals, and even some humans, as he passed. The Latios made it to the other end of the large mess-hall and exited through large double-doors only to enter a room that was not even a few paces away. Shouts and the activation or explosion of attacks filled the air in this room. It only made sense, for this was where one could spar with others or train their bodies for specific tasks.

Then why were they angry? The Gengar flew over the Latios's head, avoiding a stray Fire Blast as the two made their way to the armory on the other end of the room. Changing into his anthro form, which was something he thought made him look really awkward, the Latios shrugged once more as he walked.

Deciding to keep their conversation private from their fellow S.S. members, the Latios stuck to telepathy. The one who stopped the Giratina assassin. he began.

What? The Gengar shifted into his anthro form as well and when the two finally reached the armory, they began surfing through a selection of practice weapons.

The lords have been trying to recruit him for a long time, he's supposedly a Fenrir...whatever that is. The Latios noticed in his peripherals the Gengar's confused expression, he only shrugged as he picked up a rifle complete with rubber ammunition. I'm in the dark just as much as you are. I asked around earlier, no one knows what the hell it is.

Maybe it's a newly appointed Legendary species, or a new species altogether. I wouldn't be surprised, I remember when I'd first met a Sylveon...The Gengar paused, shivering. I didn't know anyone can be so...fairyish. And cheery. And touchy-feely.

The Latios fought the urge to smirk as he completed his loadout. The rifle, a revolver, and a combat knife was all he figured he would need for his upcoming spar with his companion. The Gengar decided to go with a rifle as well. Well, he went with two and decided to forgo the use of a proper secondary weapon such as a pistol or SMG, complete with a combat knife.

All of the weapons in the armory had been procured through smuggling, the Shadowed Saints had many connections to arms-dealers and the black market. As for how they had the funds to buy said weapons...Well, the Latios would rather not question it. There were many different factors that could explain, not many of them he thought of were legal. Or morally right.

Well, what do you think they're going to do about this...Fenrir? the Gengar asked, his curiosity almost as high as his need to create some mischief.

I don't know much, but I've managed to hear them talk about trying to hold negotiations with the Fenrir. They seemed pretty confident about it too, and they were talking about it for the entire time I was laying on the floor beaten.

Interesting and ouch. Kehehe. The Latios rolled his eyes.

"You ready?" The Gengar nodded with a mischievous smirk as they made to way to an empty combat court, environmental pillars and such rising from the ground as they each settled to their respective sides.

If anyone were to look, they'd probably take in the sight of the entire room with a rather generous grain of salt. The several sparring fields, the constant shooting of guns (with the sound of the rubber bullets ricocheting off of whatever they impacted), and drills..It was all militaristic. There was near perfect coordination and organization, routines were followed almost mechanically. And to top it off, there were even shifts. In one increment, a pair would finish their spar and head to the firing field. In a later shift, the same pair would then run cardio workouts. All pairs or partners would follow this sort of regime.

Why, it looked like they were preparing for a full-out war.

…

With Hugh, about one year later…

"Roxanne!" Hugh exclaimed as a black blade sailed harmlessly over his chin. He let himself fall back, knowing that Alpha could instantly change the direction of his swing and cleave his sword through his torso. The blade was still tracing a deadly path above his chest as Hugh arched backwards, he hoped that he would be able to evade in time. Planting his hands on the ground, Hugh flipped back and successfully avoided Alpha's overhead swing. Too close! "Need support!"

"Can't help you when I'm in a twist myself, Hugh!" was the reply he received. Cursing inwardly, Hugh immediately blocked another swing from the Fenrir with his own weapon, a metal staff.

"I'd go on the offensive if I were you, Hugh." Alpha told him. Hugh, gritting his teeth, increased the pressure of his grip on his staff and a split-second later, his staff grew curved blades at its ends.

"If you want offensive, I'll give you offensive!" Hugh growled. The human's muscles tensed like steel fibers as he shoved the Fenrir back, following it up with a powerful discharge of lightning starting from within himself, down his arm, and out the end of his staff. Not even waiting for his attack to connect, Hugh charged forward as Alpha made to evade the bolt of lightning. Hugh smirked as Alpha barely avoided the bolt and tucked into a roll. Hugh took the opportunity and swung at Alpha as the latter came to a stand. Got you! Hugh thought victoriously as the bladed end of his staff managed to drag a red arc across the Legendary's chest.

Hugh wasn't surprised when Alpha ignored the attack, kicking Hugh's knee. Exhaling sharply, though not letting the pain deter him, Hugh charged his staff with electricity and assaulted Alpha with a flurry of swings.

He didn't let frustration grow as Alpha dodged the staff left and right, ducking and even hopping over a horizontal swing at one point. As he attacked, Hugh spotted Roxanne sending Aurora to the ground and creating a large crater. Her weapon released Aurora's ankle, the extendable blades slinking back to their handle as the chain that linked them retracted and wrapped itself around the hilt. As Aurora quickly got to her feet, Hugh returned his attention to his current opponent and whistled sharply.

Glad that Rift received his signal, Hugh watched as the Alakazam teleported to their position, covered in bruises and cuts though fine otherwise, and sent dozens of psychic bullets at Alpha. "Dance, Alpha, dance!" Hugh so very wanted to exclaim, though he decided to only chuckle as Alpha did his best to fend off the psychic assault.

"Hugh!" Hearing Roxanne's call, Hugh turned around only to catch a frozen Oculus who had been thrown his way from one of the Akirari's attacks, wincing as the ice bit lightly at his skin. "Aurora got him with an Ice Beam!" Roxanne cried out in effort as she deflected a ball of Light, Aurora sending one after another in order to wear her down.

"Rift, hold him off for just a little longer!" Hugh smiled gratefully at Rift's nod and with a thought, hardened his hand and struck the ice covering Oculus's upper body. The ice shattered on impact, and Hugh gave Rift a thumbs-up. "I'll switch in, take care of Oculus!" The Alakazam ceased pelting Alpha with psychic bullets and teleported himself, as well as Oculus, to another spot not too far away.

Hugh felt his staff get yanked out of his grip, leaping back some ways as Alpha threw it to the side. The Fenrir's sword dematerialized, and Hugh narrowed his eyes as Alpha brought himself into a melee stance.

Hugh blinked once. Only. Once. and the Fenrir was in his face in an instant. Retching up blood as Alpha drove his fist into his abdomen, Hugh felt himself double over only to for his face to become very acquainted with a backhand from the Fenrir.

"Aargh!" He felt his body creak, making him groan in pain, as he was slammed into the ground.

"Are you giving up?" Alpha asked after a moment passed. Hugh was tempted to nod right then and there, for they had been sparring for a couple of hours straight. However, knowing that he could keep going, Hugh groaned as he launched himself back onto his feet, kicking-it send painful tremors along his leg-Alpha in the chin and sending the Fenrir back a long ways.

When Alpha recovered, Hugh felt proud. The Fenrir was covered in numerous bleeding cuts and all, something that Hugh and Roxanne hadn't been able to achieve until recently in their training. He quickly gave himself a once-over, noting that the amount of injuries he had was actually considerably lower compared to the injuries he'd receive back then. Sure, they had not been as intense at the start as they were now, though that was only because the Fenrir and Akirari had long-since decided that the two could take a heavier beating, so it was progress in Hugh's eyes.

"You'd better watch out, Alpha!" Hugh turned to see Roxanne sprinting towards Alpha, throwing a Darkness-coated fist towards the Fenrir.

She's forgetting that he's immune to Dark-type attacks. Hugh thought with a quick sigh before turning around and catching Aurora's foot that was aimed at his head. Smiling confidently, as he knew that he had a type-advantage over her in a way, Hugh sent many electrical shocks up her body.

"N-Not..good enough!" Aurora managed to growl as she blew him back with her wings. Hugh struggled to keep his footing as Aurora regained her composure, nursing her wounds with healing droplets of water. She, too, had many cuts and such. All courtesy of Roxanne…

Because she's a heck of a fighter. Hugh thought as he absently rubbed his arm with a wince. She… "lightly" punched him in the arm for pouring salt instead of sugar into her tea the other day..It was only a joke…

Hugh gritted his teeth as he felt his body being charged with an electrical aura before he shot forward towards the Akirari at an amazing speed, sparks trailing behind him and charring the grass. Aurora simply flipped over him, Hug easily turned around and reinitiated his charge. This time, Aurora covered the ground before her in a layer of ice.

Holy-! Hugh yelped as he slipped on the path of ice. He sped down the path dangerously on a foot before Aurora slammed an arm across his chest. His head slamming on the ground...again, Hugh groaned as his body slowed to a stop as the ground beneath him wasn't frozen.

Aurora cursed, her arm spasming as electrical currents ran across it. It was also bruising around her forearm. As she tried to shake it off, Hugh slowly got back to his feet. He held his head, wincing and noting to get some painkillers later. "If I walk out of this without a concussion, I'd be really surprised."

"And if I can walk out of this without paralysis, I'd be just as surprised." said the Akirari. "Damn you and your Steel-typing." Hugh watched her smirk with a wince at the soreness of her arm.

"Sucks to punch something as hard as steel, doesn't it?" Hugh chuckled. He had hardened his body before the spar, the blows he had been dealt weren't as painful as they usually were.

The next thing he knew, his mouth was frozen shut. Aurora's smirk grew as Hugh glared at her. Not bothering to deal with the ice covering his mouth, a zap! Sounded as Hugh leapt at her, the distance increased by the little jumpstart. His fist crackled with powerful currents, Hugh let out a fierce cry as he aimed to strike Aurora down a good ol' Thunder Punch. Surprised by the sudden attack, Aurora quickly had the layer of ice over the grass melt only to freeze into a dome around her.

Hugh's punch shattered the ice dome, showering ice shards everywhere. Some of the shards managed to leave small cuts on their bodies, one of them left a cut above one of Hugh's eyes and he had to blink the dribbling blood away to clear his vision. He then quickly brought his hands up to defend his face from Aurora's flurry of punches, occasionally creating some distance between them as she attacked with some of her elemental abilities as well. Soon, his clothes were covered in frost, though was charred in some areas due to her Light. Biting his lip, Hugh tried to think up of a strategy to try and gain the upper hand for her knew that Aurora wasn't going to let up anytime soon.

Suddenly, Aurora paused. Confused, Hugh dropped his defenses, seeing her turn around. Walking to her side, Hugh blinked at the scene before him as his ears registered multiple blows of impact. It was repetitive, almost rhythmic. *bam-bam-bam-bam-bam!* and so on.

He and Aurora watched the blur of movement that was Alpha and Roxanne. The Fenrir was constantly shifting his position to block Roxanne's attacks as she relentlessly assaulted him with dozens upon dozens of blows utilizing both her arms and legs. Their limbs were too fast to register for Hugh to follow, though he head every single impact as Alpha blocked Roxanne's attacks. Eventually, Alpha decided to go on the defensive and soon, Roxanne was the one blocking his attacks. However, she had to resort to evasion a few times. She'd even took some hits, as evidenced by her slowly increasing number of grunts of pain.

This continued until Alpha suddenly dropped to the ground, one hand planted on the ground, and had Roxanne slam to the ground with a sweep of his feet. Ouch. Hugh thought. Righting himself, the Fenrir prepared to fire a ball of flame at her only for Roxanne to slip through the ground and into his shadow which had been casted over her body from the sun.

Alpha turned around as Roxanne reappeared behind him and met her fist with his own. Hugh winced as he heard their bones pop from within their hands, imagining how painful it would be for him. He then winced once more as Alpha grabbed Roxanne with his free hand and threw her over his head, sending her further out of the clearing and into a tree.

Had the two humans been as they used to be on the first few days of training, Hugh knew for a fact that they probably wouldn't survive that.

But Roxanne did. Spitting some blood to the ground and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Roxanne picked herself out of the tree, taking a second to admire the imprint she left in its trunk, before nodding and facing Alpha with a smirk. Cracking her neck, she crossed her arms and Hugh noted how much she was trying not to grimace at her wounds. "That all you got, Alpha? Alphy has much punch than you do and he has pincers." she taunted good-naturedly, referring to her hermit crab back at the house.

"Is it really a good time for her to taunt him right now?" Hugh deadpanned.

"I think that last hit might've knocked some screws loose." Aurora deadpanned back.

"As much as I'd like to challenge your claim," Alpha chuckled, the front of his bottom lip split and bleeding from Hugh's kick (Hugh inwardly celebrated at that), "time is up for today. It has been a couple of hours already." He then turned to look at the sitting Alakazam, who was currently still healing Oculus's wounds. Hugh noticed Rift nodding and figured that the Fenrir probably told the Alakazam something mentally. "We can all retire to the house now."

"So how did we do?" Hugh asked as Alpha went over to Roxanne and assisted her, the latter swinging her arm over the Fenrir's shoulders. The two walked over, Roxanne with a noticeable limp.

"You two did amazingly well." Aurora said earnestly and proudly. "The two of you just need to work on your team coordination. Perfect it and the upcoming test should be a breeze." At this, both Hugh raised an eyebrow as Roxanne snapped her attention to the Akirari.

Right, we're supposed to pass a test at the end of all this training. Then, when...IF we pass it, then we'll be tested again by Arceus by Jeanne before we're full on Knights. Hugh frowned. And then...if we become Knights, we'll have to go our separate ways. He knew that if they became Knights, that meant that they weren't going to be together all the time. Just because they joined together didn't mean that they would be able to continue to stick together. They would be oftentimes sent on different assignments or quests, they'd have to be lucky if they wanted to get assigned to something together.

Looking at Aurora, Hugh began to feel sad. To him, she was like family. Just like his two pokemon partners and Roxanne. She was nurturing and caring, always seeking to help him and Roxanne out when they needed it with whatever it might be. Also, she was a great teacher, along with Alpha. If he was confused about something, Hugh found that her words would always lay whatever it was out in his mind and make it seem quite simple.

Roxanne, he'd miss as well when the time came. Like a sister, she'd always have his back and made sure to pull him out of whatever mess he might walk in...Or, sometimes, lead them in (he winced at the thought of the Spinarak nest). She was also never afraid to speak her mind to him either. If she felt like something was stupid, she'd say it upfront and never beat around the bush. It was then Hugh remembered what Alpha told them on the day they went to the beach. Hugh smiled at the image of Roxanne showing up some beach jock and putting him in his place.

Hugh would miss Alpha too. Despite the Fenrir being incredibly blunt at times, though always being respectful about it somehow, Hugh never found an ill moment with him. Alpha was like that one guy you'd go to for anything. Of course, he trusted the others completely as well, but Hugh trusted the Fenrir with the extremes. Need help hiding a body of a person you accidentally killed? Go to Alpha, he would take the time to understand what happened and wouldn't tell anyone! Need someone to talk to about girl troubles with (Hugh laughed to himself thinking about this example)? Go to Alpha, spill your concerns, and feel better without feeling embarrassed about it! For some reason, Hugh found complete comfort around the Fenrir, his best friend.

As for his two partners, Hugh knew that they'd be able to accompany him everywhere on his days as a Knight. Where else would they go? Also, Aurora once confirmed it to Hugh that they'd be able to stay by his side and go with him on assignments should the time ever come. Hugh would rather not have it any other way, he, Rift, and Oculus were practically inseparable.

"And when's that?" Roxanne asked, looking between Aurora and Alpha for an answer. Aurora shrugged, causing the two humans to deadpan, and motioned with a hand at Alpha. The Fenrir looked thoughtful for a moment before answering.

"That would be in a couple of weeks from now. Should you two pass, Lady Arceus will assign you your final test in the form of an assignment." Not saying anything more, Alpha allowed Roxanne to sit down for a moment. Rift appeared next to her, with Rift settling next to Hugh mostly healed. The Alakazam took several minutes healing her before moving on to Hugh, then to Aurora though she told him that she could heal herself.

"Can you tell us what it is?" Alpha looked at Hugh. "I mean, you mentioned it before so I've been wondering what it is."

"Me too." said Roxanne. She stood up and took of her shirt, leaving herself in only a sports bra on her upper body as she wiped her sweat with her shirt. "Can't you tell us?"

"We can't." Aurora was the one to answer this time. "Lady Arceus ordered us not to reveal anything about the assignment, only that you two will be receive the order a week after passing your test." Hugh hid his frown at this, his curiosity piqued even more so.

...

Later at the house, Hugh and Roxanne stood before Alpha with apprehension. The Fenrir stood there, his expression unreadable. Behind him, a wall of many types of weapons were on display. Each type of weapon looked quite standard, such as a bland steel sword with no special features or the staff Hugh used earlier with the hidden blades. "I have evaluated your skill with each weapon the two of you have tried to use over the course of these past couple of months." the Fenrir stated as he turned around to face the wall of weapons, an arm tucked behind his back as he used his free hand to stroke his chin in contemplation. "Hugh, Roxanne,"

"Roxy." Roxanne corrected with a smirk, though it went away when she found that the Fenrir remained serious. Hugh only shrugged, the Fenrir was Alpha after all.

"Some of these weapons, you are not cut out for." Alpha continued. He glanced at them over his shoulder, gesturing to the weapons. "Others, you are mildly proficient with. However," Alpha actually allowed a small smile to crease his features. "I know which weapons are best suited for you. Which of you would like to receive it first?"

Roxanne glanced at Hugh, to which he responded with a slight motion of his hand. Ladies first. was the message. Nodding, Roxanne stepped forth and Alpha stepped to the side. "Which weapon will I be getting, Alpha?" Hugh wondered if she was going to get a sword, she seemed to be good wielding those. Even the greatswords, and she only needed a hand to grip them when most would need both. Albeit, it was most likely due to her Fighting typing, it most likely gave her enhanced strength among other attributes.

Wonder what I'll be getting...Maybe a halberd?..No, too slow in attack speed for my liking and I usually can't balance it. The staff then? I'm pretty good at using that, and charging it with electricity is a useful-.

He paused in his thoughts as Alpha produced gauntlets with the fingers cut off at the first metacarpophalangeal joints AN: We know, huge word XD. The joints are the first joints after the knuckles of each of your fingers, the halfway point. They were made of some sort of grayish metal Hugh couldn't make out, though they were definitely weren't of steel. Other than leather wrapping around the wrists of the gauntlets, it didn't stand out much like the rest of the weapons.

"Put them on, Roxanne." Alpha said, somewhat encouragingly. Hugh watched Roxanne do as she was told, flexing her hands after fitting her fingers through their places. When she returned her attention to the Fenrir, Alpha placed his hands on her gauntlets and in the next moment, they changed. Hugh blinked. Like, really changed.

The gauntlets were no longer...normal. First, its surface was raised in some areas in a vein-like pattern, resulting in her gauntlets developing an appearance that resembled a clawed hand (with no superficial details, so it looked like a 3-D clawprint) grasping the back of the gauntlets, colored a gleaming silver against the now black metallic surface. On the knuckles of each gauntlet were deadly thumb-sized spikes that made Hugh involuntarily wince.

He wouldn't want to be caught on the other end of that.

Completing the gauntlets' appearances, each gauntlet extended all the way up her arms, covering them in armor plating. Though, her left shoulder lacked a pauldron unlike her right shoulder of which, had a pauldron that was formed into a spear-tip. If Hugh wanted to be honest, Roxanne was really close to pulling off the Knight look, she just needed the rest of the armor plating.

"Cool." Roxanne smirked, flexing her hands once more. It was then when four of her knuckle spikes found themselves in the ceiling of the room, one of them managed to draw a line of blood on Alpha's face. "...That was an accident." she added as Alpha chuckled. Hugh did so as well, as these "accidents" happened among them all so many times since the beginning.

"Now, Hugh, for your weapon." Hugh only grinned as Alpha handed him...yes, the metal staff. As soon as it was in Hugh's hands, it shone a bright gold color before dimming down to reveal its new features.

Along the shaft were a few different grips, they would allow Hugh to initiate different stances and switch between being offensive and defensive. There were also two barely visible seams, and Hugh knew with a grin that he'd be able to swing around the staff utilizing the chain within and swing the ends of the staff around. Pressing where he knew the hidden button would be, out came sickle-like blades, one on each end of the staff facing opposite directions. Along the edges of the blades were teeth-like ridges, and along with those, the staff was certainly appealing with the glowing gold runic markings along the shaft (which cackled like sparks if one listened closely).

Oh crap! A little current of electricity jumped from one of the runes and traveled along the metal staff, all the way up to the bladed end closest to Hugh. He absorbed it, sighing inwardly as he felt his energy reserves grow just slightly. Hugh smiled brightly and gave the Fenrir a light punch to the arm in appreciation. "Thanks, Alpha. I'd bet we can seriously wreak havoc with these beauties." A thought suddenly hit him, and Hugh looked thoughtful. "Actually, where did you get all these weapons? Were they provided for us with the training?"

The Fenrir gave a casual gesture to the wall of weapons. "I pillaged them from the corpses of my enemies, I'd like to think that they don't need weapons in the afterlife."

"..."

"..."

"I only jest." Hugh and Roxanne heaved huge breaths of relief at his words. Hugh facepalmed, dragging his hand down his face as he gave the Fenrir a deadpan stare.

"I'm glad you are, but you really need to work on your sense of humor." Alpha scratched the back of one of his ears.

"I suppose I do." Alpha replied as he made to leave the room, the two humans following him out. "And I apologize for that, I thought that it would be amusing since they were actually still alive when I procured the weapons. Lady Arceus thought that it was at least resourceful."

Hugh took one look at his newly procured weapon and went pale as Roxanne let out a string of curses, quietly promising to sanitize her gauntlets when she got the chance. The two could hear the Fenrir ahead chuckling at their plight.

"I really hope that means he's just joking again. I really don't want to use these knowing that they were probably ripped off some guy's arms...maybe taking his arms too, knowing how brutal Alpha can be." Roxanne muttered. Hugh only shuddered at the thought.

That was something that took the both of them quite a while to get used to, the idea of eventually having to kill someone in their occupations as Knights. It actually came as a surprise to Hugh quite recently when he learned that his two partners had already came to terms with it, with Rift's reasoning being that it'd only be for the best in order to protect him and Oculus was for pretty much the same reason. Plus, out there in the real world outside battling other Trainers and all, it was eat or be eaten.

With that happy thought in mind, Hugh took a look at the metal staff, a naginata if he knew his weapons, before concentrating on dismissing it. It dematerialized as he went upstairs to the surface, closing the basement door after Roxanne walked past. In the living room, they managed to catch sight of Aurora stepping out of her portal from the Hall.

"Any word?" Hugh asked as she sighed wearily, laying herself down on the couch with a dramatic wave of her arms towards the ceiling.

"They tried getting some negotiations going with the Shadowed Saints by spreading word among the Council, to get word to whatever spies there might be-by the way, no one has an idea of who they might be-and set up a meeting at the Indigo Plateau for the past couple of nights. No one showed up both times, but there has been another assassination attempt." She pinched the bridge of her nose as Alpha handed her a steaming cup of coffee, the Akirari thanking him with a grateful smile before taking a sip. "They succeeded. He was only 16, and Lady Articuno wasn't there at the time so he didn't have any chance of surviving."

"They're targeting the defenseless now?" Roxanne growled, fists clenched and again, unintentionally sending another volley of spikes into the floor. She didn't pay them any attention, however, though Rift, who had been meditating a short distance away, went to pick them out as the Roxanne's gauntlets replenished themselves of their knuckle spikes. How, Hugh had no idea.

"They sent a message." Aurora continued as she nodded, "a note was left on his body. 'You could have prevented this, but it's not too late to prevent more. Join us, and aid us in liberating the rest of the discriminated from the Light.' was what it said." Aurora shot Alpha a quick glance, though the Fenrir seemed to be mulling over something. Hugh noticed it, though he wasn't sure if he wanted to ask since a glance like that, especially since she did it right after saying what the note said, it implied that somehow, the note was connected to the Fenrir in some way.

"So what's going on now up there? Are they going to make a move now? Because if they don't, I'd bet that they'll follow through with more assassinations." Roxanne said.

"Lord Arceus is trying his best to get some more information about the headquarters of the Shadowed Saints and Lady Arceus is planning some sort of counter to their future attempts, if they decide to try again. The Hall of Origins is also on temporary lockdown, no one but the Elders get to leave until further notice."

"To root out the spies?" Hugh asked. He felt sorry for those there that were actually innocent. It could take a while before the spies get apprehended, and to stay in an area for possibly hours when one can get several things done or go off doing whatever they'd like would be both irritating and boring.

"You guessed it." Aurora set her coffee down. "Luckily, I'm part of the Council, obviously. Otherwise, I'd be stuck there."

Hugh turned, they all did, as Alpha turned to walk away. Before he left though, he turned to his side and gave a short bow to them. "I have just been summoned by Lady Arceus. I will see you all later in the night, if all goes well."

"See you soon, Alpha." Hugh silently wished the Fenrir safe travels as the others told their goodbyes.

"You'd better come back safe." Roxanne added as Aurora nodded her agreement. Whether or not the Fenrir heard her, they didn't know as the last of the Fenrir's feet dissipated into black matter and joined the rest of his body, wherever he was. "I need him to teach me how to do that. Talk about an exit, am I right?"

Rolling his eyes at her, Hugh sank further into the couch. "You'd probably use it to make a dramatic entrance, you attention-craver." Smirking, though that quickly fell, Hugh yelped as Roxanne threw a punch to his arm. Hugh ended up on the floor, clutching his injured arm and sucking in through his teeth in pain. "I was...just...joking."

And from that point on, he would make sure he was at least a meter away from her before joking.

"Why do you think Lady Arceus called Alpha?" Roxanne asked, as if she didn't just pummel Hugh to the ground. Said male tried getting Rift to heal his arm or at least numb the pain, but the Alakazam refused since Hugh did provoke Roxanne.

"But...brother…." Hugh pleaded with his eyes. Rift only shook his head.

Perhaps you will learn your lesson this time, master.

"Traitor…" He wanted nothing more than to pass out. Oculus only shook his head at the scene.

"More of the 'wetwork', I think." Aurora answered Roxanne. The latter frowned, conflicted. "Something wrong?" Roxanne bit her lip, sitting on the spot Hugh was on before he hit the floor.

"How…" Roxanne sighed. "Are you used to killing, Aurora?" This gained Hugh's attention, and he momentarily forgot about the pain as he listened in on them.

"Yes." It was such an immediate answer, with little to no hesitation. Hugh balked at her answer, wondering just how anyone would get used to killing...Psychopaths and all excluded, of course. Was she numb to killing? Did she not feel guilt? "It's sad to say it, but I am." She closed her eyes and took a small breath. "I can't tell you or give you any advice on it, how to cope with taking a life whether or not it was out of defense or necessity, but I can tell you one thing." Her eyes became steely. "If you end up liking to kill or having fun..that's something to be wholly concerned about." Her expression became more compassionate. "You'll feel guilt and regret at first, there's no stopping that. Eventually, you'll come to find it more as...an obstacle, if it's either you or them living on in the end of the day. It'll be easier over time…" She didn't say anything further, and leaving them to their thoughts. Hugh figured they shouldn't ask touch the subject any more at that point, also realizing how the temperature in the room dropped just enough to notice.

…

With Roxanne…

She wiped the sweat from her brow, undoing the straps on her gloves (not her gauntlets) and tossing them onto her bed as she reached up to remove the chains from the hook hanging from her ceiling. Holding the sandbag with only a hand, Roxanne rolled it under her bed as it was surprisingly raised enough for the entire sandbag to lay underneath on its side.

Roxanne then took a look at her hands, shaking her head but laughing quietly to herself at the sight of her chapped and bleeding knuckles. "At least the calluses are gone." She knew that they most likely scraped off during her intense workout with the sandbag, they would probably return when the bleeding stops. "Now to shower…"

She later came out of the shower feeling incredibly refreshed and satisfied. She had been keeping to this routine for a while now. She'd train with the others and if she still had the energy to, she'd unleash hell on the sandbag (Aurora took her out to Cianwood City and they managed to buy one at the Gym) for a good half hour or more before finally relaxing for the rest of the day (after ridding herself of stink via shower).

Now in a simple gray tank top and shorts, Roxanne quickly dried her hair with her towel before hanging her towel on the rack in the bathroom wall. "Huh, and most people would just throw their towels in the laundry after using them just once."

"I never understood why." Roxanne replied, looking the mirror to find no one but turning around to greet the friendly apparition. Smiling, Roxanne shrugged. "Seems like a waste of usage to me." Daina laughed, deciding to just float lazily on her back around the room while Roxanne seated herself at her desk. Taking out a journal from the drawer, she began recording the highlights of the day's training and made sure to make key notes on certain details such as her rate of recovery for her stamina, making comparisons to the rate from the day prior. She took some time taking these notes, nonchalant as Daina began to hum a tune that seemed to fill the air.

Daina had been appearing recently, for around a few months to be exact. Roxanne had since gotten used to her presence, recognizing her as the apparition from that strange dream-no...vision she had on that one night. Daina had explained just who she was (or used to be?) and such and kept details regarding the vision behind tight lips despite the fact that Roxanne already knew that the vision had to do with Alpha. Every time Roxanne asked about certain details from the vision, such as the "chains and shackles" or the "collar" that was binding Alpha, Daina would either pretend she didn't here or just ignore her outright. Sometimes, she'd allow a little illumination on a detail, like how Roxanne managed to break through Alpha's "cage" and become closer to the Fenrir. As it was, Roxanne didn't know how she felt about it all. She didn't know what exactly she felt for the Fenrir, whether or not it was a great bond of friendship or something closer like being family. She was confused as to what could possibly erect so many trials when it came to Alpha, but was determined to heal him.

Daina usually only appeared when Roxanne was in her room, and occasionally when Roxanne was alone in the kitchen with no one in the living room. She had an agreement with Daina to keep the spirit as secret from the others, and in return, Daina would provide little tidbits of information about Alpha. Nothing personal about him, of course, but things such as his hobbies or dislikes. It wasn't really a fair agreement, though Roxanne figured that telling the others about Daina wouldn't really make much of a difference anyway.

Daina told her once that she saw the Fenrir as a brother, or "Nii", as she called him. Now with that information, Roxanne instantly caught on that the two were very close. Then again, it raised some questions. Why hadn't Alpha told them about her yet, was one of many that brewed her mind. But, Roxanne hoped that with more time spent with Daina or the Fenrir, those questions would gradually be answered.

Daina also revealed that it was due to her that Roxanne's senses were enhanced some. As for why, the spirit's reason was simply just because. Either way, Roxanne was thankful and knew that it would help significantly in her life. Already, she'd found her daily activities being much more interesting and easier than usual. For example, her enhanced hearing allowed her to detect movement during her spars against the others when her eyes couldn't help her. On the subject of her eyes, they helped her immensely with focusing in on faraway details and such as well as seeing more things in the dark. Her sense of smell was strong enough to make out differences in scents, and her sense her taste... She found herself eyeing a passing squirrel with hungry several times, the thought of cooking it never once crossed her mind in those instances. And finally, it seemed that she'd gained some sort of animalistic instinct. They took over her thoughts at critical moments and when she listened to them, they actually helped more often than not in many situations.

Daina joked at one point that Roxanne was becoming more like Alpha, that she was practically becoming a wolf...and Roxanne, for some reason, didn't find herself being objecting to the idea of leaving her humanity behind.

"Look at that." Daina teased, prodding one of Roxanne's arms. "No more flab, just muscle here."

"It's hard not to be fit in our situation." Roxanne smirked with a shake of her head.

"Be careful though." Daina jokingly flexed her arms and posed several times. "You don't want them to get too huge. Got to keep our womanly charms, you know?" Rolling her eyes, amused, Roxanne set her journal down and tossed her pen into the trash can. It ran dry. "Anyway, my nii's almost back here."

"How do you know?"

"I'm bound to his sword, remember?" Daina looked thoughtful. "I'm actually risking a bit wandering this far from it, the seal might weaken and I'd have to 'sleep' to recharge it if I don't want it to break."

"So go back to the sword or at least get closer to it then." Roxanne replied with a frown, concerned. Daina waved a dismissive hand.

"Did you not hear me? He's almost back."

"Did he leave to do 'wetwork'?" Roxanne asked, curious and honestly not afraid of whatever answer she might receive. Daina shook her head.

"Nope." Daina picked at Roxanne's hair though scowling when her fingers manipulated nothing as they were only able to phase through everything but not touch. "It was only a talk with Jeanne and he went for a quick run afterwards." Daina snorted. "Train, run, eat, run some more, sleep. Rinse and repeat. And if it's not that, it's train, think for a good hour for some reason, then run, eat, and run or think some more. You'd think he's obsessed with that routine."

"It's Alpha." Roxanne shrugged, sighing. Many, many times, she'd try to get the fenrir to open up more and be more outgoing with the group. But, seeing as the most she got out of him was when they went on the seashell hunt, and the night he allowed her to sleep against him not too long before, there wasn't much success in that regard. "He's a lone wolf...Stop smiling, I didn't mean that play on words." Daina dropped her "No duh, really?" expression.

"At least you two are as close as you are." Daina smiled as she clasped her hands before her chest. "It's so heartening to see my grumpy nii get along so well with someone, with all of you!" Daina hummed for a moment. Her humming turned to full-blown singing, Roxanne smiling as she listened. They didn't have to worry about anyone hearing, only Roxanne could hear and see Daina at the moment. After a few minutes, Daina looked at the floor towards where Roxanne knew the front door of the house was. "He's here, we'll talk later!" With that, Daina faded out of view and Roxanne got up to leave her room.

Walking downstairs, Roxanne greeted Alpha at the doorway with a smile. "Didn't you leave in different clothes?" she asked, seeing him in a short sleeved shirt and trackpants and pretending she didn't know the Fenrir went on a run earlier as Daina said.

"I decided to run several kilometers." the Fenrir replied with a small smile.

"Have some water then." Roxanne headed towards the kitchen and Alpha followed her without a word. She filled a cup with water before handing it to him. "So what did Lady Arceus call you for?"

"She wanted to know if I have anything scheduled for tomorrow other than the usual." Alpha thanked her as he drank some water.

Okay, now let's see if you'll elaborate. "For what? Anything serious?" Alpha regarded her for a moment, expression neutral. If she didn't know any better, he looked like he was bored with the way his eyes were half-lidded with seemingly lacking glows of life.

"Curious, are we?"

... Damn! He's onto me! "I was just asking, Alpha." Roxanne did her best to pull off a casual shrug, she followed it up with a yawn and made it sound as legitimate as possible since she was not at all that tired. "Wow, someone's being guarded." That someone's Alpha, but still.

The Fenrir eyed her blankly for a moment before chuckling, closing his eyes as he took another sip of water. Exhaling quietly appreciatively for the refreshment, Alpha sat down on one of the chairs and Roxanne sat across from him, noting that she'd have to water the flowers that rested in a vase on the glass table. "Forgive me, your question just struck me as odd since you all know that she usually calls me for an assignment or for a report." The Fenrir tapped his claws against his knee absently. "Lady Arceus was wondering if I could possibly help her with some dealings with the Shadowed Saints."

"Dealings?"

"We are still trying to establish a meeting with them." Roxanne frowned when his eyes narrowed, though not at her but outside through the window. "However, the plan is to have the meeting with just the two of us."

"That's too risky." The words left her mouth immediately, Roxanne didn't have to think much about his last statement to know that meeting the Shadowed Saints, an elusive enemy who were responsible for the current panic at the Hall of Origins, with just the two of them wasn't smart. Despite the two being powerful, there was no telling what could go down if the meeting was to take place. The S.S. could decide to bring all in their ranks knowing that it was just Alpha and Jeanne for one. "Strength in numbers" was the saying. And that was only one possible situation out of many that could take place and endanger the two.

"We know. But, the fact that it would just be Lady Arceus and I may just be enough to convince them to meet us and it may be one of the only ways. Should they accept, we planned for Lord Arceus to scry the entire meeting and make an appearance if things decide to go south. Also, I've gained permission to use complete lethal force if they intend to be hostile."

For some reason, hearing that the Fenrir was allowed to use lethal force, the fact that he had to gain permission to do so, Roxanne had to suppress the involuntary shiver that threatened to wrack her body. She thought about the ordeal involving the Giratina assassin that Alpha killed. She winced at the image of the Void eating away at the serpent's scales, flesh, and all. Alpha didn't have permission to kill him that time, did he?

He probably didn't need it since our lives were in danger and the Giratina attacked us first anyway. "So how do you intend to get word to them?"

It took Alpha a few moments to answer. He was hesitating to tell her, she knew. "I can covertly gather information from anyone's minds, dark thoughts specifically. Tomorrow, I will be at the Hall of Origins and root out the spies. I won't give myself away, but I'll plant the idea regarding the meeting into their minds and it'll be enough for them to go back to their base of operations and inform their leaders."

A lightbulb when off in Roxanne's mind. "Why don't you reveal the spies at the Hall of Origins now and lift the lockdown?" Alpha shook his head.

"That would mean everyone there would know of my ability to freely look into their minds without struggle or alerting them of my presence. Think about it, Roxy," Roxanne relaxed more at his use of her nickname, "If they were to find out I can do so, imagine the outrage and disorder it would cause. They would not take kindly to that. What's to stop me from invading their privacy and learn of their secrets? And I can't just do exactly as you suggested and lift the lockdown immediately after, someone would certainly figure out that their minds had been invaded in order to find the spies. It would cause distrust, suspicions among allies, and of course, chaos and fury towards the two leaders responsible for it being done. Lord and Lady Arceus would have a revolt in their hands."

Roxanne frowned but understood his reasoning, it truly wouldn't do any good to go through with her idea. So they'd have to find the spies, and still keep everyone under lockdown until they can figure something out or the spies eventually give up and reveal themselves. But, how long would that take? How long would it be until everyone who's on our side are allowed to finally leave to return to their duties? Or go home to their families?

"I see you understand the complications that would occur either way." Roxanne found that she couldn't answer, she was stuck and couldn't come up with anything that would suit the situation best. "Do not fret, Roxy." At the softness of his tone, she looked to see him smiling at her. "Everything will sort itself out sometime. We'll find a way to resolve this by tomorrow, I assure you."

Suddenly having more faith in the situation, Roxanne nodded with a renewed smile. "You're right, I shouldn't. You always find a way, Alpha, we can all rely on you if push comes to shove." The Fenrir chuckled, something Roxanne found she liked more and more with every time the sound reached her ears.

"I only do what needs to be done, and I prefer to be efficient about it even though my ways may not be seen as favorable by some." Alpha sniffed the air for a quick moment. "May I ask, where is Aurora and the others?"

"They went to Azalea for groceries and stuff." Roxanne took a sniff of the flowers in front of her, wrinkling her nose at their smell. It was too strong, so she decided to pluck one of the flowers and smell it on its own. I love roses. She thought roses were the perfect type of flowers. She thought they represented women well. Women can resort to being thorny if they wanted to, but they can be as pleasant as they wanted to be. And the smell wasn't too effeminate either, but it was still lovely and had the sense of being enticing without much effort.

Suddenly, the rose was plucked from her hands and she felt it being tucked in on her head under her hair above her left ear. She felt her face flush as she stared at Alpha in barely veiled shock. The Fenrir leaned back into his chair, looking at her before nodding as if satisfied. "The rose suits you, and the purple goes well with the gray in your eyes."

*beat-beat-beat-beat*

She felt her heart hammer in her chest as she swallowed her surprise and found her voice. "T-Thanks, Alpha." She found that she could smile without much trouble despite the situation. "Wait, why don't I feel any pricks to my head?"

Alpha answered her by holding out his hands. Roxanne almost gasped at the number of thorns he'd removed without her realizing. "I barely applied pressure." He sounded amused. Roxanne figured he must've slid his claw(s) along the stem as he placed it in her hair.

Gathering courage, and smirking, Roxanne raised an eyebrow. "Smooth move, Alpha. You'd impress a good amount of women with that, I'd bet."

To her surprise (though slight disappointment), he didn't appear to be flustered. Instead, the Fenrir good-naturedly chuckled once more and shook his head. Roxanne, in turn, laughed along with him, feeling as if they had not one single worry to be concerned over in that current moment in time. She would cherish this moment, along with a few others in the past involving him and the others, for as long as she could.