Secrets of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!
Chapter 67: The In-between
The tangerine sun slowly settled in the western horizon, darkening the shadows while shrouding the rest in reddish amber light. A chilly breeze blew through the air, heralding the coming of the cold ominous night.
Aeron left the sky division base early with Itzal and Noir. He was heading towards his meeting place with Lord Tristan after sending him a message earlier that he was ready to receive his end of the deal. He had taken precautionary measures with Fenrir, drugging his water bowl with Sleep Powder from Kirian's bag of tricks that he had asked for beforehand. Vivi and Zircon were in their pokeballs, tucked away in his bag along with other necessities. He feared that after the meeting, his whole life would change, including his place in Semira.
As he landed on the rooftop of the Main Fortress, much to Itzal's bewilderment, Aeron dismounted and stroked the giant wyvern's head. Meeting his gaze with the Noivern's, he hesitated but then he gave his instructions. "Continue patrol on your own. Avoid the Main Fortress…" He leaned his head gently against him as he whispered, "I'm sorry."
Aeron watched the form of his father's Noivern disappear in the red sky and he turned to look at his Noibat who wasn't sure how to react in the situation. "Noir. I appreciate you delivering my message, even if you did mess up with that outsider…" The purple bat lowered his head in shame. "I'm not mad. I… just don't know if I should bring you along."
Noir jolted and latched himself to Aeron's hair, kicking and screeching like a child with a tantrum. Aeron frustratingly attempted to pry him off but had little success. He grabbed the Noibat's collar but froze when he heard Noir whimper. Groaning in defeat, he patted his head.
"You win."
Noir fluttered off his head and circled around before clinging to the back of his shoulders. Aeron inwardly sighed. After all the years they spent growing up, his partner had yet to grow out of his childish shell. As much as he cared for Noir, the Noibat was his most precious connection to his adopted father and to the island of Semira. If the truth changed him, what would happen to his partner? He shook his head. Noir will always be and forever his partner.
The two continued onwards, walking silently along the catwalk that lined the outer side of the vicinity. As soon as they rounded a turn, they found a redheaded man with round black glasses, dressed in a suit with a well-known white top hat with a bright red ribbon. He was standing tall, golden pocket watch in hand, his back facing the scenery of the black pagoda that stood in front of the burning sunset.
"Right on schedule, dearest child." The Black Scythe assassin leader closed the old pocket watch and tucked it inside his pocket located on the front of his grey vest. "Shall we begin?"
Aeron took an unconscious step back as he eyed the man warily. "Begin what?"
"Why-Restoring your memories of course," Tristan explained with a wide smile as he raised his arms. "Now, if you would set aside your partner," he instructed with a small hand gesture.
Noir clung to Aeron protectively and stubbornly as he glared at the red headed assassin leader. He had agreed to deliver the letter because of his human partner's plea but it didn't mean he trusted the man.
Aeron placed a hand on his head to settle him down as he considered his decision. He had come too far to back out at the last minute. "Noir could you…?" He nearly whispered.
With a reluctant pout, Noir flew off but settled upside down at the rafters of the building's eaves in order to keep an eye on the conversation between Aeron and the head of the Black Scythe division.
Aeron took a deep breath and then met Tristan Fenikkusu's gaze. "I'm ready."
The smile of the man with the blood red locks widened. "Good."
As soon as he uttered the word, Aeron felt a presence behind him. He didn't have time to look. Different colored lights flashed from the corners of his eyes and then from that point on, there was only pain. Aeron felt like something was boring into his skull. He dropped to the floor, unaware of his own screams and that of his partner as his blurry purple form flew in front of his line of sight. Noir's screeching turned into blood curdling shrieks that couldn't have come from a Noivern, let alone a Noibat. Aeron gasped for air as his vision was slowly enveloped in darkness and soon a nightmare.
Bane watched from the rooftop of the adjacent building, his red armoring camouflaging against the burning red orange sky. He noted the redhaired man stand before the fallen black haired boy as the purple bat positioned itself protectively on the latter's shoulder.
There was also another pokemon floating behind the spot where the boy once stood. It was brown with an oblong head and its arm had three finger digits with different colors, the lights of which had died down after utilizing its psychic powers on the victim.
Bane's eyes narrowed at the psychic-type. His instincts flared as if to urge him to attack the pokemon but before he could launch into action, another part of his instincts sent him a warning. He ducked down just as a stream of fire surged past at the spot where his head should have been. Eyes narrowing coldly, he turned towards the attacker and saw a snarling four legged beast with fierce black stripes, a regal pale golden mane and a vicious set of fangs where flames were accumulating.
Fenrir leaped onto the rooftop with a soft crash and fired another Flamethrower at the crimson mantis.
With a flutter of his wings and a leap of his powerful legs, Bane lept over the jet of fire and positioned himself directly above the Arcanine before launching a full powered Hyper Beam down at the massive orange brown canine while also gaining a boost in altitude that would put him out of range for another fire attack while he recharged from Hyper Beam.
Fenrir leaped to the right, his side singed from the devastating stream but he showed no signs of pain. With quick aim, he shot another round of Flamethrower, furiously intent on turning the mantis into charcoal.
Once his energy had returned Bane immediately spun at high speeds in mid air as the flames from the attack parted to the sides doing minimal damage to the Scizor, before it crossed its pincers and dived down towards the Arcanine slamming into his side and knocking him off of the building. Fenrir crashed against the outer railing and snarled angrily at the Scizor.
"Aren't we the rude bunch?" Tristan spoke up, coming in to watch the battling duo with a feigned frown of disapproval.
Fenrir turned his sights on the redhead and lunged instantly, fangs crackling with yellow sparks. Tristan stood in place as he snapped his fingers. A second later, a pale blue glow outlined the ferocious Arcanine and held it in mid leap.
"Isn't it time for you to go back to your pokeball?" The leader of the Black Scythe assassins scolded with a finger wave. At his gesture, a Banette appeared with a worn out pokeball littered with scorch marks. "Fear not, your task to guard the boy is still valid. He's alive. Not too sure how he's faring with the memory though."
Fenrir growled and snapped at the man but he couldn't fight the psychic restraints. After a few futile attempts, he was recalled to his pokeball and the Banette phased a sinister claw at the trigger mechanism, sealing the canine and preventing it from breaking out.
"Now, where were we?..." Tristan turned his attention to the Scizor but it conveniently escaped. With a quiet exhale of air, he took the Arcanine's pokeball and slid it in the boy's bag which lay beside his unconscious form. The redhead then cast a glance at Aeron's pained expression as the Noibat continued to loom over the boy protectively, snarling and ready to lunge at a given moment. "What ever to do with you?"
Kiba had remained awake, unable to sleep as he awaited the return of Bane. Champ was by his side having decided to take the first watch tonight so that he'd be with his trainer throughout the next day. Several hours had passed since the scheduled meeting time and Kiba was beginning to worry that something had happened to Bane. His worries were immediately sent away however as he heard a familiar tapping on the window.
He opened the window with haste and immediately noticed Bane steaming. He only did that if he had been deflecting fire attacks with Sword Dance.
"What happened?" Kiba asked quickly as Bane situated himself by a wall.
Attacked, Bane answered with Morse Code as he tapped on the wall quickly. Came from nowhere. Must have been looking for boy. Attacked red man.
Bane proceeded to tell Kiba everything he had seen from Aeron's arrival to Tristan trapping the Arcanine in its pokeball while he escaped quickly. At the sound of Tristan using psychic Pokemon to 'settle his deal' with Aeron, Kiba began to consider if staying on Semira was a smart idea after all.
"Were you seen?" Kiba asked worriedly as he grabbed Bane's armor from his bag and reattached it to the crimson insectoid's chest.
Yes, Bane replied immediately, causing Kiba to curse in anger. But he doesn't know you have me. I was wild.
"True," Kiba replied as he threw his vest off and tossed it into his bag with the rest of his meager belongings. "But I'm sure Leiko will have told him I have you since you can mega-evolve. I think we should lay low for a few days just to be safe-"
"Such a curious one, aren't we?" A dark chuckle reverberated through the room, causing Kiba and his two pokemon to jolt and take defensive positions. "Yet very resourceful... it's not everyday you see a pokemon use Morse Code." The sound of footfalls bounced off the walls. "But I do have to question your escape tactics." A hum. "A pokemon only capable of evolving through human intervention, using a TM move like Hyper Beam, not to mention using Sword Dance in a manner to deflect a move... well. Its pretty obvious, don't you think?"
Kiba stood cautiously behind his Hitmonchan and Scizor as the leader of the Black Scythe assassins ventured further towards the center of the room with a Banette and Beheeyem floating behind him. Kiba could only guess that they teleported into the room using the psychic pokemon's power.
"I..." Kiba tried to speak but otherwise was tongue tied from the situation.
"Honestly, you should have used a more stealthy pokemon, one that hasn't been seen in the tournament. Afterwards,your Scizor could have just translated."
"Yes, because a Nidoking hiding in a tree isn't conspicuous at all," Kiba said finally finding his voice and regretting his choice of words.
The lord of the tower chuckled in amusement at the humor. "That aside, on to more pressing matters..." He stared at Kiba expectantly through his round shades, awaiting an explanation for his actions. "Well?"
Kiba took a deep yet narrow breath as he wondered the possible consequences for what he did. Glancing at his two pokemon, he also analyzed the probabilities of him escaping. Then again, there was no way off the island.
"Aren't you going to tell me what you've learned from your little espionage?" The man's patience seemed to be dwindling, making the air less breathable.
Deciding to choose his words carefully, Kiba relayed what Bane had told him. "From what Bane gathered he overheard you saying you were going to... return Aeron's memories? And then your Beheeyem brought him to the ground in pain. From there he was attacked by a rabid Arcanine and was forced to retreat when you noticed them."
The leader of the assassins nodded thoughtfully. "That is correct. The repercussions of restoring such memories that have been sealed away does not come without a price. It was the boy's choice, I assure you."
"Right," Kiba replied, not caring in the slightest what Aeron had wanted.
"Then why, may I ask, are you so concerned about all this?" Tristan added, noticing the tinge of disinterest in the mention of the younger boy.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you weren't just trying to torture the kid by forcing your pokemon's psychic power onto him. But all I wanted was to learn something to get under that kids skin, maybe learn about the going ons of the island."
"Quite the eager one, I see." The redhaired assassin leader seemed impressed, much to Kiba's relief. But then his gaze turned serious. "But you have yet to understand who the boy is exactly. To you, he may just be a child, to others, he is more than meets the eye."
"Yeah, well, I know him as a know-it-all brat who looks down on someone without knowing their strengths. Given the chance, I'd like to take him down a peg."
"I appreciate such enthusiasm but one shouldn't carelessly pick a fight without knowing your enemy. That brat, as you had referred to him, is the adopted son of one of the island heads, my predecessor, if I may add," Tristan explained with a Cheshire cat grin.
"Great! He's off limits because of his daddy and Neo is apparently off limits because of his blasted guardian running the division! What's the point of becoming an assassin if I can't knock off people who piss me off?"
"Oh, that's right. You've met the sole survivor of the Takamoto family." An ominous flicker of interest flashed in the man's eyes as he let out a dark chuckle. "How is the child these days? I barely get detailed reports from Ikari."
Kiba scowled at the assassin's name but let it pass as he recalled the events that happened the final day of the tournament.
"Last I heard, he was sick and in a hospital in Saffron. Before I could learn anymore Leiko and... the other one, caught up with me and proposed I come here. Personally, I hope he croaks so I can take my Drapion off of his corpse."
"Well, it might be interesting to inform you that in due time, one or perhaps both thorns will be taken from your back, permanently..." The assassin leader turned to leave, his two levitating pokemon already making their way out.
"Hold on," Kiba called out stepping past his pokemon and standing behind Tristan. "If anyone is going to off that Neo kid I want first crack at him. I don't let anyone fight my battles and I certainly don't let anyone knock off my enemies but me."
The redhaired man in a suit glanced over his shoulder. "Personal vendettas aside, young one. There is a bigger plan in motion, one I presume you'd want to bare witness or perhaps have a taste of the power that awaits." He let the thought sink in and then chuckled at the look Kiba was giving him. "Should I be more blunt?"
"Only if you want me to understand what you're talking about," Kiba said plainly.
Tristan grinned and turned to face him. "What is your opinion on legendary pokemon?"
"They're the most powerful Pokemon in any known region," Kiba said curiously. "Just ask that Ikari brat."
"Quite. But as you may have heard, some legendary pokemon aren't easily tamed or controlled," Tristan indicated, giving a pause in between. "Some require certains items and the like. Others like Ikari, are in the smaller league of legendaries, so they can be tamed by normal means like those that one simply catches in the wild."
"Are those not powerful enough?" Kiba asked intrigued by where the red headed assassin was going.
"If you want to play in the big leagues with the titans and gods of the pokemon world, then you'd need the ability to control their power. That, young one, is what I'm gradually achieving. The ability to control such legendaries... but not only one at a time. I mean several at the same time without repercussions. Can you imagine that?" The leader of the assassins asked.
"So much raw power at your fingertips? The power to topple entire regions in minutes?" A cold, vindictive smile crossed Kiba's face. "Sign me up for the winning team then."
Tristan chuckled amusingly. "To tell you frankly, there is one who is capable of such a feat."
"And let me guess," Kiba said as the pieces started falling into place. "You just gave him a friendly reminder, didn't you?"
"You do learn fast." The redhead nodded with an approving grin and a light chuckle. "He was well aware of his gift, but what he wasn't aware of before is where his gift originated or the truth behind the people around him... those are what I merely reminded him of. Currently, he is still resting from the ordeal in another room."
"Why not just tell him everything?" Kiba asked. "Wouldn't that make things go faster?"
Tristan chuckled and motioned him to follow. Kiba did so with his two pokemon following close behind. As they crossed the narrow halls, the assassin leader continued to explain the details.
"Frankly, we were unaware of such a child ever existed until one of our own, my predecessor, encountered him. The previous head of the Black Scythe division brought him here for the purpose that I am now undertaking in his place… after a change of heart, as you would put it."
"So he Torchic-ened out," Kiba stated unimpressed.
"You could say that," the man agreed.
They shortly arrived at the main office of the division where Kiba once again stared at the intricate carving of the pokemon with cold sapphire eyes. The lord of the tower glanced at him briefly before opening the doors and stepping inside. Kiba followed him inside along with Bane and Champ.
Curled up in the lounge chair was the black haired kid that Kiba and the assassin leader were discussing about moment ago. His form continued to quiver as his face contorted in pain. His eyes were shut tight, his breathing was labored and beads of sweat rolled off of his pale face.
Tristan walked over, knelt in front of him and ran a hand through his feathery ebony locks. "Such a gift given to such a frail child, don't you agree?"
"I guess," Kiba replied as he looked to Aeron before turning to Tristan. "How do you even know if he'll help you? What if he sides with your predecessor?"
Tristan stood up and smiled at the younger man. "Oh, he won't side with us. That much I am aware of. He's a persistent and stubborn child. But he definitely won't side with my predecessor. Not after he learned the truth... well, half of it." He laughed slyly.
"And here I thought I wasn't going to like it here," Kiba said with a smile.
A screech pierced the atmosphere of the room followed by a clashing of metal. Tristan gave a sigh as Kiba and his two pokemon turned towards the source of the noise. At the corner of the room was a black cage with a furry purple bat inside. It was desperately trying to break the bars with Steel Wing but the metal material seemed to be not of the normal kind.
"Here's another equally stubborn thing," Tristan indicated with a small hand gesture. "I did try to return him to his pokeball but it wouldn't sit still and in the end, he broke his own capsule. The only option I had to prevent him from running off and telling my predecessor too early was to cage him. Although, other options were tempting…" He trailed off.
"So what happens now? Kiba asked bluntly.
"For now, I have to prepare for my predecessor's arrival. By now, he should have noticed his little bird missing from the roost." Tristan walked towards his desk and took out a pair of katars, one with violet claws and another with a blood red tint. "I'll have my hands full in the meantime. As soon as Aeron wakes up, he can do what he wants. The final details of my plan have yet to take fruit. As for the Noibat… you can do what you wish. With his capsule broken, he is nothing more than a wild pokemon."
"Yeah but does he know that?" Kiba asked looking up to the frantic Noibat slamming on the cage.
"The teachings of Semira are well instilled to pokemon here, especially the first partners." The leader of the Black Scythe slid the weapons on his hands, each gave an eerie glow every time he balled his fist. "Most likely, he's still attached to the boy. I don't know if it applies to the child, though. You see, that Noibat is a gift from my predecessor to him. Whether his feelings for it are separate is yet to be known."
Unsure of what Tristan expected him to do with Noir, he quickly grabbed the Noibat's cage and made to leave the office with his two Pokemon close behind. "You want any help handling the old guy?" Kiba asked carefully.
"If you want to be sliced apart in the first few seconds, then perhaps," the redhaired man chided but something told Kiba that the previous head was just as dangerous.
"You know it's been a long night, I should probably get some rest. Get ready for training and... what not."
"Very well. Tonight's conversation was enlightening." Tristan waved him off with a hand still armed with his crimson-clawed katar.
Not needing any more reason to leave, Kiba and his team quickly made it back to his room where Kiba put Noir's cage onto the desk as he slumped onto the floor as the realization of the night's conversation took effect.
"We're lucky he didn't kill us," Kiba said absently as he wiped his brow. He looked over to Noir who was still shrieking agitatedly as Kiba sighed and turned to Bane. "What's he on about?"
Wants out, Bane replied with a series of taps. Kiba went over to the cage and looked in at the panicked pokemon. "Look calm down, alright? Someone with a sword is going to come in here and try to shut us up when you wake them up."
Noir snorted and then let out a Screech attack, forcing Kiba and his pokemon to shield their ears as the glass panel windows cracked. He then relented and huffed exhaustedly.
"Look I can see you're upset," Kiba said trying to calm down the tired pokemon. "And I'm sure you're worried about Aeron, right?"
Noir lowered his head and abruptly struck the bars with another Steel Wing, but like before the metal was unbreakable.
"Look, I'll make you a deal alright? Once Aeron wakes up I'll take you to him myself, that way he can recapture you and everything is back to normal. Deal?"
The Noibat looked at Kiba skeptically but slumped back on the cage, arms folded, eyes weary yet still trying to show a fierce glare. Kiba sighed as he looked around the room making sure that all of the exits were closed in the room.
"Look, promise me you'll behave and wait in the room with me, and I'll let you out of the cage alright?"
Noir let out a screechy grumble and settled down on the floor of the cage, his back facing Kiba and his pokemon.
"Translation?" Kiba asked Bane.
Doesn't trust you. He's tired.
Kiba moaned at Noir's stubbornness and understood the trouble Tristan had had with him earlier. Deciding he'd have to take a chance, he grabbed a small pillow and slowly opened the door of the cage placing it besides Noir figuring he'd like something soft to sleep on. Deciding to leave the door open to his cage as well Kiba turned over to Champ.
"You take first watch, Champ. Bane you take the second watch once he gets tired. Keep an eye on the little guy too, alright? We all may be in for a rough night."
Noir inched the pillow closer but continued to turn his back towards Kiba and his pokemon. Moonlight seeped through the cracks of the windows, shrouding the room in a tranquil light but the atmosphere continued to remain tense.
Noir shifted slightly but then stopped. Champ glanced at him but shrugged off the small motion. Kiba laid his head tiredly on the bed but due to the tenseness in the air and the knowledge that something was about to happen soon, he found it difficult to sleep or even keep his eyes closed.
With a sigh Kiba sat up in his futon and looked over to Champ, a small smile formed on the trainer's lips. "Times like this make you miss Melody, huh Champ?" He said trying to change the thoughts in his head.
The Hitmonchan answered in agreement as the boxing pokemon took a seat next to his trainer. Bane rested on the other side of the room but he was listening intently to his trainer's words.
"I loved that one song she used to play in the evenings; it was so peaceful and relaxing. Made sleeping easier too." Kiba looked over to Champ and smiled as he ruffled the boxing pokemon's head gently. "We lost some friends that day didn't we? I know it's hard to talk about it but..." The Hitmonchan smiled to his trainer as he put his gloved hand on his chest endearingly.
A whimper sounded from the cage as the purple bat's form sunk deeper into the pillow. Noir shifted once again but this time he rolled over and his large golden eyes peered through the dim lighting, slightly narrowed with a sign of cautiousness but there was a glint of interest in his eyes from the mentioned pokemon.
"It's just... I should have known better," Kiba said in part to his Pokemon and in part to himself. "We'd heard Drapions were powerful, and had staked a claim to that desert in Sinnoh, but when had we ever backed away from a challenge?"
His Hitmonchan nodded in agreement while Bane's eyes suddenly opened as he listened intently to his trainer.
"We hunted in that desert in Sinnoh for almost two weeks before we found that Drapion colony- dozens of em, all fighting to be the leader of the pack." Kiba sighed as his two Pokemon looked at him sadly, knowing where the story was going from there. With intrigue, Noir inched closer to listen better.
"And then we found the Alpha."
Nine months ago
The shiny Drapion roared angrily at the foreign challengers as Kiba, followed by Champ, a pre evolved Tyrant and his Kricketune, Melody, faced off against the Scorpion Ogre pokemon. It didn't take long for things to go wrong though.
Really wrong.
What had been practiced as a regular swarming attack had been quickly destroyed as the Drapion shot out its limbs to grab its opponents. It got a hold of Tyrant first and threw him violently into a massive boulder as the Nidorino immediately went limp.
Champ was already utilizing his Afterimage trick just as the Drapion burrowed under the ground. Sending out a fully charged Electabuzz, Kiba thought they were ready when their target went after one of Champ's doppelgängers. It was immediately struck by a thunder bolt attack and a flurry of close range attacks from the other two active pokemon.
As the Drapion took a beating, it used Toxic on Champ and Melody, forcing them to the ground, while it charged at the Electabuzz striking with its front claws as they glowed with dark energy. Deep gashes were immediately opened on the Electabuzz's chest as the shiny Drapion released more toxic into its wounds as the Electabuzz roared in pain.
With Champ and Melody unable to move from toxics affects Kiba had called out his Rhydon to even the score. For a while, the Rhydon seemed to have gainied the upper hand, even giving Champ and Melody time to get up to prepare for another attack. As The duo charged the Drapion again, it grabbed Champ by the waist and tossed him at the Rhydon while it grabbed Melody in its mouth.
Kiba shouted out in fear as he charged the Drapion but he was too late; even with Melody struggling for freedom the Drapion bit down hard and with a quick shake of his head ripped Melody's arm off before spitting her onto the ground where he broke her neck.
Outraged, Champ and the Rhydon threw themselves at the Drapion, continuously wailing on him until it released more toxic on the group before turning its angry snarl towards Kiba.
"If Bane hadn't been with us we all could have died that day," Kiba said solemnly as the room went quiet. "You guys, Tyrant and Arrow are all I have left. Electabuzz and Rhydon were too poisoned to move on their own and Arrow couldn't get us to the Pokemon Center in time. Then there was Melody..." Kiba had grown silent as he relived the memory and scowled at the thought of Scourge. "He nearly killed us all and we're the monsters. I hope Neo realized what he has now; a blood thirsty killer."
A familiar plopping sensation cut Kiba's midrage. Champ and Bane were suddenly drawn from their thoughts as they looked up on their trainer's head. Kiba let out a long deep breath and reached for his head, feeling a clump of fuzz clinging to his hair.
"So we're back to this huh?" Kiba asked as he stroked under Noir's chin, eliciting a soft purry screech.
Just then a loud ear-splitting roar sounded in the air and a crashing noise sounded in the floors above. There was a mild tremor that shook the entire room; and immediately, the occupants got to their feet and traded alert looks.
"Someone sounds pissed,"Kiba mused as he looked around the room worriedly.
Making a tough call Kiba returned his remaining two Pokemon, much to their surprise, and hid all of his pokeballs in one of the dressers which was out of the way and nowhere near Kiba if someone was coming after him.
"Maybe you should get somewhere safe," Kiba suggested to the Noibat on his head but apparently it only made the purple bat cling tightly to his already messy locks. Then suddenly, sounds of running echoed in the hallway, drawing closer to Kiba's room. "On second thought, I feel safer with the Nidoking!" He said worriedly as he rushed to the dresser to grab his pokeballs and keystone.
The door flew open and a lithe figure of a woman with vivid red hair appeared. "Good. You're awake!" Leiko breathed in relief. Kiba matched her exhale as he put a hand on the dresser to help keep him standing.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack," he admitted as he pocketed his pokeballs and put on his dog tags. "What are you doing here anyways?"
The foundations of the building shook as a dark shadow passed the window, completely blocking out the moonlight. Kiba turned around but couldn't see what it was. He was only met with the view of the night sky.
"No time for explanations, hubby!" Leiko grabbed his forearm and bolted out the door and through the hallway, heading further downstairs. "Mass evacuation. Just think of it as a Fire Drill."
The walls and floor once again shook violently, knocking the two into a wall. Recovering quickly, Leiko jerked Kiba up and continued to head further down the floors. Other residents were also rushing down the hall, some escaping through the open window where they were carried off by their flying pokemon.
"I am never letting Arrow out of my sight again!" Kiba complained as he watched the others flying off away from the crumbling tower.
Just as soon as they reached another stairway, the wall in front of them exploded, flinging broken pieces of wood and metal into the air. Leiko reacted quickly, grabbing Kiba and pushing him to the floor seconds before a massive green tail swiped the stairway, decimating it entirely.
"Talk about your second night, huh?" Leiko chided between breaths as she wiped the dust from her face.
"Are you alright?" Kiba asked Leiko while checking on Noir who was still firmly gripping his hair with his claws.
"I'm tough as a Bastiodon, hubby~" Leiko winked as she stood up and peered through the large gaping hole. A Hydreigon hovered nearby with a familiar brunette with a cold stare and a white haired lolita on its back. "Great timing!" Leiko grinned as the seemingly most mature of the three females shot a groan. Turning towards Kiba, Leiko yelled at him."Hurry up!" With that she jumped on the dark dragon.
Not bothering to worry about if the Hydreigon could support all the weight, Kiba lept onto the dragon's back while keeping a supportive hand on Noir to keep him from falling. "Let's get out of here before that giant tail comes back!"
"Yay! Kiddie ride with Leiko-nee's hubby~" The smallest female threw her arms around the boy, threatening him to fall off the Hydreigon.
"Leave him alone, Alice!" Leiko scolded, grabbing them both and prying the two apart, shaking their ride in the process.
"ALL OF YOU JUST SHUT UP AND SIT STILL! BEFORE I PERSONALLY THROW YOU OVERBOARD!" The brunette yelled furiously as she steered the Hydreigon through the air, away from the tower and past the chunks of debris that were falling all around.
Alice pouted quietly on her side while Kiba instinctively held on to Leiko's arm as he looked back at the black tower that now had a massive green serpent-like dragon coiled around it.
"Holy Arceus- is that a Rayquaza?!" Kiba shouted in shock.
"Apparently, one of the former heads decided to stick around longer than planned," the brunette deadpanned.
"The one night I let my guard down and a legendary monster nearly kills us! From now on, I'm back to sleeping in the woods!"
"This is what happens when the heads go beserk," Leiko commented with a sigh as she inched closer to Kiba and away from the edge. "Seems like Master Tristan really struck Lord Altair's nerve this time around."
"How often does that Altair guy attack the tower?" Kiba asked worriedly.
"Well, last month, he didn't go so far as to bring the former head's Rayquaza," Alice answered. "He and master just had a short scuffle. Nothing major but… yeah. The two often argue especially when it came to Delibird."
"What's the big deal about a Delibird?" Kiba asked in confusion.
"She means Lord Altair's silver-eyed kid," Leiko explained as her eyes looked around at the other evacuees flying through the air. Her amber orbs soon focused on the the purple fuzzball on Kiba's head. "Since when do you have a Noibat?"
Kiba's eyes widened as his eyes wandered up to look at Noir who was still clinging to his head. "Master Tristan asked me to look after it," he said deciding it wouldn't be smart to lie to Leiko or the others but at the same time not sure how much he should tell them. "He told me that it was stubborn and that he didn't care what I did with him; so he's... kind of coming along for the moment."
"Oookay..?" Leiko looked at him skeptically but quickly shrugged off the subject as the Hydreigon came to a landing. Dismounting, she turned her sights on the tower. "Now, we just have to wait them out. Hopefully, they'll settle things soon."
"Agreed," the tall brunette replied as the rest of her passengers got off.
"My bet's till sunrise~" Alice chimed.
"I'd say mid morning," Leiko countered.
The Noibat on Kiba's head stared at the tower worriedly as little whimpers escaped his maw. Kiba noticed Noir's attitude and gently preened his fur the way he would for Arrow's feathers.
"I'm sure he's fine," Kiba consoled him quietly. "Nobody wants to hurt Aeron, alright?"
Kiba felt him shift above him, guessing for a nod. Noir then let out another whimper before an echoing screech. It was not as painful as before but the light shockwaves it made were nearly palpable.
"Should we make a camp site and try to get some sleep?" Kiba asked the group as he looked at them expectantly.
"You want to stay out in the open? Or we could head to the bunkers underground?" Leiko suggested with a smile as her two companions were already moving.
"At this point, I'll perch with the Hoothoot, darling," Kiba said with a small smile.
End of Chapter 67
That was intense. xD
What's gonna happen to Aeron? Dun Dun Dun Duuuun...
And Noir is with Kiba. They seem to be getting along.
Also, Kiba's backstory is coming into the light.
Flashback is by Dead Bones Sam
Morning will be somewhat of the aftermath.
We will then see how everyone else is faring so far.
And just to clear things up, squabbles (even violent ones) are common for the heads.
It won't cause a major war-thing between divisions. The rules of Semira still stands.
Assassins can't kill other members of Semira.
Anyway, Thanks everyone for greeting me on my birthday! :D
Read and Review! Please and Thank you!