Chapter 8
It seems it's time

Mt. Coronet was a frequently visited area; passing through the lower caves was much faster than going around, so it was common for people to pass through. This wasn't true as one got higher up, however. It was essentially only trainers who went higher, this decreased as one got higher and higher. The Spear Pillar was visited only very rarely. Laresa found it very unlikely that anyone but Cain would ascend all the way to the Spear Pillar while she was there, although she did, of course, have a cover story ready in case she was wrong.

Upon reaching the Spear Pillar, Laresa found a spot to set her bag down, then released all six of her Pokemon. "Okay, everyone," she said, "we've got a little something to take care of here. Unfortunately, we may be encountering a little opposition. Cain may very well not be willing to do what needs to be done. So there are several ways this could play out. First, the easiest. If Cain doesn't know what's really going on, there won't be a problem. But we have to ready if he does know.

"Now, it's possible that he'll know what's really going on and yet be willing to do his part anyways, in which case there's also no problem. But I'm expecting that he'll come here in opposition. That's why we're here instead of waiting for him in Oreburgh. This way, he has to come. And although he could leave his object behind, I doubt he will. He can't be sure he won't need it to counter something I'm doing here-which, of course, is also what ensures he'll come at all.

"We're not going to do anything until and unless it becomes clear that Cain's against us, but if he is, I intend to strike first. And I intend to be ready for anything he may try against us. So we've got some work to do."

Back inside the caves, on the path up to the Spear Pillar. Okay, this is a good spot. There's only the one straight path from here to the top, and it's long enough to allow for a good level of warning. "Okay, this marks our watch point. Absol, Luxray, you'll be exchanging watch duty. Alternate watches and all that. Your job is simple. When you see Cain, get your ass up to the top and let us know he's on the way, and we'll get into position. I'll have positions ready for you two. When you get up, I'll tell you what they are, and you'll take them."

Further up the caves, closer to the top. This is a good spot. "Espeon, this is your spot. When we get the signal that Cain's on the way, you'll take position here. Your job is to stay hidden as Cain passes, then follow him without being seen. He may set up some kind of surprise, have a Pokemon tunnel up to take us by surprise or something. If he does leave a Pokemon behind, wait until he's moved on, then make your move. If you think you can take whatever's been left, do so. If not, pass it by and follow Cain up. Which is also what I want you to do if you do take out who he leaves behind, or if he doesn't leave anyone behind. Do remain out of sight, though. Follow him up, and if a fight starts, join in. I'll be overt."

Back at the Spear Pillar, a spot behind the cave exit. Perfect. "Sceptile, this is your spot. I'm hoping that Cain will cooperate, but if not, your job is to grab his object. I'll use signal two. When you hear it, wait for your chance. As soon as you get a chance, move in and grab the object. Give him a cut and make sure some of his blood gets on the jewel, then get the object to me.

"That just leaves you two, Tyranitar and Nidoking. I'll have to think a bit about how to place you, but you'll be up here, ready for a fight. Now, if there is a fight, it's not going to be a trainer match. It'll be a full fight, us against Cain's team. If a fight does happen, the focus will be on the objects. Cain will be trying to get his back, and will doubtless go after mine as well. We'll have to make sure he doesn't get both. If I'm right about how things will happen, after starting things up, all we'll need to do is keep them away from him for long enough. It's okay if he gets one, but if he gets both, he'll doubtlessly go for replacing the seal. Which is fine after a certain point. We'll just need to make sure he doesn't get a chance until that point."

Laresa did all she could to keep herself busy, checking and double-checking everything, and planning as completely as she could. She was on her way back to the top after updating Absol and Luxray when...

"Well, hello there."

"What do you want, Illusion?"

"Oh, not much," Illusion said. "Nothing from you. I'm just checking on something. And I decided to say hi as long as I was here."

"Bullshit. What do you actually want?"

"You know, you really need to be less aggressive."

"Well, excuse me for showing hostility to someone who threatened to kill me last time I saw him."

"I told you," Illusion said, "that was only to force you to battle."

"Yeah? Well, you still owe me an explanation as to just what the hell all that shit was, anyways."

"Do I?"

Laresa took a step forward. "You're really starting to piss me off, you know that? Now tell me why you're here, or this just might end up hurting."

"And you think that'll work? Do you really think it's possible for you to touch me?"

Laresa hit him in the forehead with a thrown rock. "I don't know what the hell happened when I approached you during the battle, but I know rocks hit you. Now spit it out. What the hell are you here?"

"I told you, I came to check on something. The connection point, specifically. And even more specifically, the seal. And I suppose that, yes, this all does have something to do with you. I hope that by now you're aware of what you're supposed to do here."

"And what, you expect me to tell you anything? Not happening. Although if you're willing to answer my questions, then I'd be willing to answer yours. All I'll say is that I've known what needs to be done since before the first focus point. Oh, and that none of the information I've obtained from any source includes anything about you. Just what the hell is your interest in this, anyways?"

"What's my interest? What, you don't think I have an interest in what happens to this world?"

"I think," Laresa said, "that you've got a hell of a lot that you're not telling me. Such as just who or what you are."

"Which is not something I plan to reveal."

Well, let's put out a crazy possibility and see if maybe your reaction reveals anything. "Yeah? Well, what if I already have some idea? What if maybe my information does include everyone who's involved in all this? What would you think if I said you were Giratina?"

That clearly caught Illusion off guard. "If I was- you think I'm- why- okay, um, no. Not really a bad guess, though, now that I think about it. Not a correct guess, though."

"Then what is correct?"

But Illusion was gone.

Well, that got a reaction, Laresa thought as she started back up to the top. And not quite the one I was expecting, I don't think. The answer was honest, I think, but his reaction... I think that theory hit a little too close to home. It seems likely, I think, that you're connected with Giratina in some way. Which would make sense, seeing as how Ho-oh has me and Lugia has Cain. Although that wouldn't explain the crazy parts like all that shit during the battle. So just what the hell are you?

Laresa knew it had to happen eventually. She didn't want to do it, but refraining from doing it would be a risk. She hoped that she wouldn't need it, but she didn't want to be without it if she did need it.

She sat down and opened the quick-access pouch on her pack, taking out her knife. The last time she'd use it had been when... All right, fine, when I killed him. There. I said it-well, thought, but whatever. As soon as she'd gotten it back when departing the police station, she'd placed it in her bag, and hadn't used, held, or even seen it since. Until now. Okay, decision time.

She still didn't want to use the knife. Didn't even want to see it. But what if she needed it? She couldn't know how events would play out; it might be necessary. But she didn't want to use it. Didn't want to- Okay, you know what? Fuck it. That doesn't matter. She clipped the knife on in its usual spot under her belt. I don't intend to use it, but it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

It was just a couple days after Laresa's arrival at the Spear Pillar that Cain arrived. Laresa got to her feet as soon as Absol and Luxray emerged from the caves. "Is he here?" They both nodded. "Okay, then. Espeon, get down there! Sceptile, Nidoking, in position! Absol, Luxray, take position beside Sceptile. She'll activate on signal two and move as soon as she sees her chance. When she does, you two cover her."

Laresa's team moved into position. Espeon disappeared into the caves while the others hid themselves as instructed. Only Tyranitar didn't move. Laresa took a seat on a large rock. Good, look natural. Best if he doesn't know you know he's here. Just act like you've set up camp here and are waiting.

Okay, then. Looks like we're all ready to go. It seems it's time.