Secrets of the Night
DISCLAIMER: I Do NOT own Pokemon!
Chapter 72: Fleeting Encounters
Eastern Skies of Semira
Heading back to base, Faye Lin glided over the white clouds that floated over the green and mountainous island of Semira. Her long golden hair with flaring crimson highlights and white scarf billowed in the wind as she inhaled the refreshing air. With the rush of the open sky, she felt her earlier sadness fade in the exhilarating breeze, but a single sad thought lingered.
Aeron… where did you go? She asked silently as she looked to the far off blue horizon. At the sight, she recalled a memory during her training days and before the sky race.
Aeron and Faye Lin were resting after a private flying lesson. They settled at the top of the grand ancient tree of Torterra Ruins, the area where Faye Lin had her week-long wilderness training.
After Aeron ushered his shiny Flygon and Faye Lin's borrowed Altaria to roost, he returned to Faye Lin who was sitting on a thick branch, her Togepi in her lap, Aeron's Noibat hanging upside down above her and his Servine scampering closeby.
"You're getting better," Aeron complimented as he watched her and their pokemon. "Just don't get distracted too easily."
Faye Lin turned her gaze towards him and nodded with a bright smile. "I will try but I can't help but be amazed by the feeling of flying freely in the air."
Aeron bobbed his head in understanding before looking towards the western horizon where the sun was setting, a purplish tint begging to stain the golden sky. Soaking in the coolness of the passing breeze, he closed his eyes and relished in the final slivers of warm sunlight.
Faye Lin watched him quietly and intently, not wanting to disturb the moment of peace. Unfortunately, Aegis, her Togepi didn't share that notion.
"Togepriiiii~" She squealed and waved her arms.
Aeron glanced at their direction just as Faye Lin flinched at Aegis' act and waved her hand dismissively. She then ducked her head slightly and apologized. Aeron shook his head before maneuvering around the treetop and settling beside her, scooping up his Servine in his arms.
"How are you getting along with the other juniors?" He inquired.
"Quite well, considering I'm a tad behind," Faye Lin replied, feeling glad that Aeron started a conversation with her. "How about you? You don't seem to interact with them that often."
Aeron averted his eyes as he absently stroked his Servine. "I talk with them when I have to."
Faye Lin frowned in concern. "You should try to let them get to know you. You're a nice person, as well as a good teacher." She smiled encouragingly at the latter. "I'm certain that many would want to be closer to you if you let them."
Aeron pondered deeply, casting occasional glances at his two pokemon. "I'm fine with Rozalia and Kirian, besides Noir, Vivi and Zircon are also with me." He looked to the blonde who flinched under his his silvery gaze. "And there's you too."
Faye Lin smiled. "That's correct. But you're still quite the mystery." She swung her legs as she took in the comfortable and tranquil ambiance.
"What do you want to know anyway?" Aeron asked bluntly.
Faye was taken aback by his direct tone but quickly made up for it with a friendly smile. "N-Nothing in particular. Just common things that friends know about their friends. Like, per se... Your favorite color?"
"Blue."
Faye Lin stared at him in mild surprise. She didn't expect Aeron to answer, given his usual disinterest in small talk. Nonetheless, it presented her with a good opportunity to get to know him better.
"Like the sky." Faye hummed thoughtfully. "I like red because red roses signify love. How about your favorite pokemon?"
At the question, Aeron's three pokemon, Noir, Vivi and Zircon looked at him expectantly before two deflated when he answered.
"Pidgey."
The Noibat gaped while the Servine only looked mildly disappointed. Zircon, on the other hand, seemed visibly pleased as the shiny Flygon buzzed his insect-like wings and swung his tail contentedly.
Faye Lin pondered at his choice. It was a fairly common bird. "Any particular reason why?"
Aeron shrugged his shoulders, much to his Noibat's utter dismay and his shiny Flygon's amusement. "I just like them. That's all."
The blonde heiress nodded, understanding that some tastes don't have much explanation other than a simple because you just do. Besides, this was Aeron she was talking to.
"I like Togekiss," Faye Lin added and looked down at the squealling Togepi on her lap. She giggled at her reaction and tapped the tip of Aegis' crown. "Milotic and Fennekin are a near second and third. I am also quite fond of other fairy-types. How about favorite food?"
Aeron didn't answer right away but seemed to really consider his response. "That bread with the white stuff. The one in Nimbasa City."
Faye Lin's ocean blue eyes lit up at that. She could hardly believe that the dessert she chose for him had become his favorite. "You mean the Custap Cream Pie?"
The boy nodded.
From that point until it became too cold, they shared each other's likes and dislikes as well as little tidbits about their lives. Faye Lin told him about her life in Kalos, before and after her mother died, leading to her separation from her half then told her about how little he could recall about his own childhood which saddened Faye Lin a bit but was quickly made up for when Aeron told her the story about the time when Noir hatched.
Faye Lin docked at the upper levels and took off the saddle on the Altaria. She then then fed it some treats and led it out where it circled back towards the aviary. After watching its cottony form vanish from her sights, she entered the halls and walked towards the dorms.
A while later, she noticed she was walking near the familiar path that led to Aeron's room. Unable to ignore the pang in her chest, Faye Lin proceeded down the adjacent hall and stopped in front of a plain oaken door. It wasn't her place to intrude into another person's private quarters but she couldn't help but feel wanting to be near him, even if only meant feeling his lingering presence.
Hesitantly, she turned the doorknob and found it to be unlocked. Stepping inside, she was greeted by an empty and hollow atmosphere. The bed was made, sheets folded, desk cleared and even the hole in the wall where Noir usually slept seemed cold.
Faye Lin sent out her Togetic who beamed when she recognized the room but her cheerfulness was quickly replaced with wonder and then worry when she noticed the lack of the room's usual residences. Turning towards the blonde girl, she chirped in inquiry.
"Aeron's not here, Aegis," Faye Lin informed her kindly. "I have no idea where he is nor if when or if he would come back."
The Togetic frowned and looked around the room, floating about and checking every nook and cranny. Faye Lin let her be so Aegis could confirm for herself of Aeron's absence. She sat in front of the desk and brushed the wooden surface with her hand.
"Toge-toge~" Aegis chirped gleefully, drawing the girl's surprised gaze when she hovered towards her with a small white envelope and a Snivy keychain.
Faye Lin accepted it from her hopefully, holding the small memento in one hand and opening the letter with the other. Other than a small wooden whistle rolled out, she learned that it was addressed to her. Taking a deep breath, she read the rest of the content.
Faye,
Sorry. There are things I have to do on my own and I can't get you involved. I'll be okay. Noir, Vivi and Zircon are with me. I can't explain much, even I don't know what I'm trying to achieve. I just feel like I have to.
Sorry for not telling you this in person and if this not how letters are supposed to be. I'm not good at it.
Take care of yourself and thank you.
Also, that whistle is for you. If you're in trouble, blow on it. The pokemon in the Aviary will help.
-Aeron
Faye Lin clutched the letter tightly, worry and tears welling up in her eyes. Realizing how heavy the burdens Aeron was carrying on his shoulders, she couldn't help but worry about him even more. As her mind filled with thoughts of him, her Togetic hovered down and nudged her gently. Faye Lin cast her a gentle smile and inhaled deeply, shoving back the heavy feelings.
"I'm alright Aegis. Let's continue our preparations," she said and stood up, pocketing the Snivy keychain, the whistle and the note. "Afterwards, how about we pay a visit to the Aviary and say goodbye to all of our friends?"
Senka Island (Black Scythe base)
After a whole day of cleaning up and a few hours of rest to eat and breathe in between, Kiba resumed training his pokemon. His Hitmonchan and Scizor were locked in hand-to-hand combat, his Nidoking was crushing several pieces of metal debris into cubes, his Fearow was cleaning his feathers and finally his two latest pokemon were on a log, sleeping.
"That's enough, Champ... Bane." Kiba cued his Hitmonchan and Scizor before turning to the slumbering Noibat and Slakoth. It was understandable to let Noir rest more after the ordeal but as for the furry brown sloth, Kiba needed it to become a Vigoroth. "Your turn, Wrath. Let's see what you've got."
The Slakoth peeked out of a single eye before he continued to snooze away. Noir, on the other hand, fluttered his eyes open and yawned widely. He cast Kiba a sleepy look before the assassin-in-training told him to go back to sleep. Noir nodded and flopped onto the back of the sleeping Slakoth, much to Kiba's dismay.
Kiba approached them and carefully picked up the Noibat who stirred awake at the motion and scaled up the boy's shoulder and fell asleep once again on his head. Before Kiba could even groan or sigh, the Slakoth coiled its long arms and used him as a jungle swing to once again take a nap.
Three out of four of Kiba's pokemon laughed at the sight just as a familiar female redhead walked over to them, giggling as well in amusement.
"You should open a petting zoo, hubby," she quipped. "Anyway, I did find some old gauntlets in the storage." Leiko tossed Kiba a pair of blue leather gloves with a protective metal band on the knuckles. "I think they're Walrein hide. The metal is sort of worn out. Good for practice but I wouldn't recommend them for blocking sharp objects." She brandished her chakrams. "Don't want to accidentally slice a few fingers off now."
Shuddering inwardly at the calm tone, Kiba removed his excess baggage and slid on the gauntlets. It was a slightly loose fit but was still useable. "So, are we going to spar, darling?" He asked curiously.
"Nope." Leiko shook her head and tilted it towards Kiba's Hitmonchan and Scizor. "Your partners over there will do just fine. Champ, right? He'll help you work on defense. And the red metal insect can defend and you attack. Fair enough?"
"Champ and I have spared before," Kiba said, casually looking towards the Hitmonchan. "But how does sparring with Bane work?"
Leiko absently spun one of her chakrams before she suddenly flung it at the Scizor. Bane instantly raised his pincher and deflected the sharp projectile with Metal Claw before taking on an alert stance. Unfazed, Leiko caught her weapon once again and looked to Kiba. "Simple attacks can work. It's not like you're gonna dent a steel-type. You can work on your own style or whatever. And since I'm no member of the Warrior division, I can't really coach you in that area. Your two pokemon are better qualified."
"Huh, well I guess it beats having those Arcanine blast at you, huh Bane?" Kiba asked as he warmed up for a sparring match with Champ with a few simple stretches. "Do you ever train like this with Yue?"
"Oh, we do~" Leiko beamed. "When he was just an Eevee, it was usually frisbees. Now…"
Without skipping a beat, the redhead flung her chakram just as her Umbreon appeared from the shadows of the dense trees. Yue fired a Dark Pulse attack that was absorbed by the spinning metal ring, surrounding the projectile in an aura of dark energy. The powerized chakram then struck a tree where the dark energy burst into a mild shock wave, causing the bark where the blade embedded to become scorched and the leaves above to fall down like rain.
"We train speed and accuracy before. Now, we utilize our timing to make combination attacks like that," Leiko informed as she walked over and retrieved her weapon, casting a grin at her dark-type in the process. "Eventually, you'll find your own style and who knows? You and your partners will make a deadly combination."
"But in the meantime," Kiba said after cracking his neck as he looked towards Champ. "Time to go a few rounds." He smirked as he raised his guard and gestured for the Hitmonchan to approach. The boxing pokemon returned the smirk as he stood up and rolled his shoulders as he raised his fists as he stared at his trainer.
The two bumped fists briefly before Hitmonchan launched a punch that made the wind part as it was launched. Kiba met the punch with the back of his hand and rolled beneath it before aiming several jabs at Champ's chest. The attacks were easily blocked and Champ reacted with a round punch that forced Kiba away.
Before Kiba could counter Champ was already on him as delivering an uppercut, forcing Kiba to arch backwards. And at that moment, Champ punched again at his stomach, forcing Kiba to the ground to minimize the damage as he kicked out to sweep Champ from below, only for his target to leap over the kick.
"Very nice," Kiba said as he got back on his feet. "Keep that foot work going, don't stay in place for too long."
Champ responded with another series of jabs that Kiba was barely able to block or dodge as the Hitmonchan continued to press on the offense, forcing Kiba to keep moving as he had just told Champ to seconds ago. They continued to fight and while it was clear Kiba was no novice at fighting than his Hitmonchan was well trained in close combat.
After several exchanges, Leiko glanced at the golden sky and ended the sparring section. "It's getting late. We have early dinner and it's off to wherever you want to sleep. I, for one, want a soft bed for tonight so I'm heading to the underground. If you decide to sleep out again, don't blame me if you end up a clinging post for the pokemon here."
"Not like they'd sleep anywhere else anyways," Kiba retorted as he looked towards Wrath and Noir. "Besides, at least outside I can count on something wanting to kill me, and not get jumped by a Rayquaza."
"Alright then, hubby~" Leiko waved as she walked off, her Umbreon trailing at her heels.
As soon as they were out of sight, Kiba's Fearow squawked and opened his wide brown wings. The two slumbering pokemon then shifted awake, stomachs rumbling at the same time. Kiba's other three pokemon were also feeling hungry after the workout. All of them looked to Kiba who sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Alright, I guess we all could use some food," he relented as his own stomach rumbled.
After getting their fill, Kiba and his pokemon proceeded to find a good tree to sleep on. His Fearow was flying overhead, Noir and Wrath were back to clinging on the boy while the rest were in their pokeballs. Kiba trudged through the surrounding woods, eyeing the nth tree he passed. So far, it seemed like the usual tree inhabitants had returned. Nincadas were chirping nonstop and other bug-types were making their home in the canopy.
"Seems a good place for the night," Kiba said with an approving gaze at the area. Just then, his Fearow swooped down and squawked, back turned and wings spread. Arrow turned his head at Kiba expectantly and motioned to his back. "You know a better place?" The bird nodded.
Trusting his pokemon's choice, Kiba climbed on his Fearow's back, carefully as to not disturb Wrath and Noir. Once secured, Arrow took to the air and flew over the surrounding woods, passing the pagoda and heading eastward, much to Kiba's curiosity. They soon passed a huge building carved in the midst of a stone gray mountain which Kiba guessed was the Main Fortress.
As they continued east, Noir perked his ears up and squeaked eagerly. Following his gaze, Kiba saw an earthy pillar rising in the midst of a lush green forest. With the lights along the surface, he guessed that it was a base of one of the divisions. A massive horde of bat pokemon then erupted from the summit like black smoke from a volcano.
"Please, tell me we aren't sleeping in there?" Kiba asked worriedly as he tried to ignore the hundreds of Zubat bites he'd find in the morning. If they didn't drain him in his sleep first.
His Fearow squawked and banked towards the forest area where several towering trees stood in every direction. Several species of flying-types flew around them, taking refuge from the coming night in the safety of the canopy. A while later, they landed on a thick branch of a huge tree with a wooden house like the ones in Hoenn.
Kiba whistled impressed by the house's apparent sturdiness and Arrow's skill in finding it as he looked to his avian with a coy smile and patted his long neck. "How'd you know about this place?" He asked curiously.
His Fearow merely squawked and motioned to all the other bird pokemon who were roosting for the night. It didn't really serve as an answer to Kiba. However when Noir flew off and slid inside a purposely made hole in the house, Kiba had a few hunches. The place might have been where Aeron took Arrow before.
As Arrow comfortably settled on the branches, Kiba opened the door to the small house and found Noir fluttering around as if searching for something.
"Noir?" Kiba asked curiously with a hint of worry. "You alright, pal?
The Noibat didn't answer as he grabbed a long blue scarf with a wing insignia from the ceiling. Settling on the wooden flooring, he fidgeted around with it and wrapped it around himself. It was kind of long for him but it seemed to really please the fuzzy pokemon. Kiba walked over to Noir and sat down besides him as he took a corner of the scarf into his hand.
"This was his, wasn't it?"
Noir looked up at him and back at the scarf. He let out a low whimper and fell silent once again. Frowning, Kiba surprised Noir by yanking the scarf away from him. Noir was about to recoil but stopped when he saw Kiba folding the scarf several times until it was roughly a third of the size. With steady hands he gently tied it around Noir's neck leaving a small corner hanging in front of his body while the rest rested on the Noibat's back like a cape.
"Now you don't have to worry about losing it," Kiba assured him as he settled onto the floor trying to get comfortable.
Noir stared at the act with a tinge of disbelief before he pounced on the boy's face, squeaking with glee. Kiba managed a small chuckle as he pried Noir off of his face and put him on his lap, petting him behind the ear with one hand and gripping his dog tags with his other hand.
"I know what it's like to miss your friends," Kiba admitted as his other Pokemon went towards them. Arrow settled itself behind Kiba giving him somewhere warm and soft to lay on while Wrath managed to make it onto his legs before falling asleep again. "But at least we can find Aeron right? And hopefully this time he won't be so dumb as to run off without ya this time," he added jokingly.
Just before Noir could reply, a pair of footsteps sounded from outside. Kiba and Arrow immediately tensed as the former shot up from his spot, grabbing one of his pokeballs, as he warily stepped away from the doorway moving just out of sight of anyone who would enter the room.
"Is anyone there?" A soft and cautious female voice called out.
At that moment, Noir beamed and slid out the hole once again. A short surprised scream followed. Kiba frowned and signaled Arrow to remain in the tree house as he quietly walked towards the door and opened it slightly to see who had caused Noir to fly off so excitedly.
There was a young blonde girl wearing a blue and white modified dress standing outside. She seemed to be catching her breath as she hugged the Noibat in her arms. "Noir, you gave me a fright. What are you doing here? Is Aeron with you?" With hopeful blue eyes, the girl looked towards the door just as Kiba unconsciously closed it. "Aeron, are you there?"
Kiba hesitated for several moments. But after adjusting Wrath to rest on his back instead of his arm, he opened the door revealing himself to the young blonde girl who was half-disappointed and half-surprised as she took a step back, her arms wrapped around the Noibat more protectively.
"Who are you?" She asked, wary eyes looking him over.
"Names Kiba," he replied plainly. "Kiba Makino, and you clearly already know Noir there," he mentioned further, pointing to the zubat dragon.
The blonde girl looked down at the Noibat who looked back at Kiba with a wide grin. Releasing a deep breath, she relaxed a bit and bowed her head slightly. "My name's Faye Lin Azril." She then looked him over again, unsure of how to address him. "How do you know Noir?"
"Met him a while ago when I first arrived to Semira, him and Aeron," Kiba recalled as he thought back not to fondly of his first night on the island. "As of now I'm watching over him until he can find Aeron."
"Do you know what happened to him?" Faye Lin asked almost immediately.
Kiba shrugged as he felt Wrath stirring on his back. "Hell, if I know," he lied easily. "I was told Noir's pokeball was destroyed and that I could do what I want with him. When Aeron disappeared I took in Noir so no one could capture him until we found Aeron."
Noir squeaked and looked to the young blonde expectantly. Faye Lin tried to smile but she couldn't erase the sadness in her face. "I'm sorry, Noir. I haven't seen Aeron all week. I heard from senior Ren that he may have gone off the island."
The Noibat gaped in shock and shifted his gaze back and forth from Kiba and Faye Lin, a state of panic flashing in his golden eyes.
"Hey," Kiba said with a stern yet gentle tone. "I told you I'd help you find Aeron, didn't I? Him being off the island doesn't change that. We'll find him pal," He promised.
As the Noibat settled down, Faye Lin looked to Kiba and once again bowed but she had a sincere smile on her face. "It seems you've been very kind to Noir. Thank you for that. I'm certain Aeron really appreciates it."
"Well I'm not doing it for him," Kiba replied as he walked back into the tree house, the Slakoth just now visible to Faye Lin.
The girl giggled at the sight and walked over, just standing outside the wooden structure where she caught a glimpse of the huge Fearow inside and slightly shrunk back. "So uhm… which division are you from? I haven't seen you around in the Sky division."
"Huh?" Kiba grunted with a frown as he looked towards Arrow. Realization dawned on him. "Oh, I'm not in the Sky Division, I'm with the Black Scythe group."
At that name, he heard a held back gasp before a series of fading footfalls. Then when Kiba turned around, the girl was gone and so was Noir. Rushing out, he caught a glimpse of the blonde girl at the end of a branch, ready to fly off on an Altaria.
"Whoa-hey! Slow down! Was it something I said?" Kiba said hurriedly as he grabbed Noir's pokeball in case he had to return Noir from the girl's grasp.
Faye Lin didn't bother to reply as the Altaria floated off the branch. As soon as she was airborne, she looked back at Kiba. "You're one of them, what's more to say?"
"Well, hey how about 'I have a problem with your group, how about I start our relationship weary of your actions?' And not steal my friend from under my nose!" He added angrily as he watched the girl fly off.
Kiba grumbled just as Arrow came flying to his side. Mounting on his Fearow's back, he took to the air in pursuit of the girl. He saw her heading towards the pillar of earth he saw earlier and urged Arrow to pass her, intercepting her path.
"Look, Faye Lin, I don't know what your beef with the Black Scythe unit is but I've only been on the island for a few days now. Whatever your problem is it isn't with me! And besides, would Noir be with me willingly if he didn't want to be? Think about it!"
Faye Lin stared back him, keeping a firm hold on Noir with one arm and using the other to hold on to the Altaria. "If you're from the Black Scythe, then you're one of them. An assassin. Even if you've only been here for a short period, it doesn't change the fact that you'll eventually become a heartless murderer."
Kiba scowled at Faye Lin's words as he felt Wrath look up from his nap as he frowned at the aerial battle that was going on around him. Noticing Noir in the arms of the blonde girl, he called out to him curious as to what was going on. The Noibat calmly squeaked back and looked up at Faye Lin who met his gaze before turning towards Kiba.
"I'm not sure if I should trust people like you," she stated firmly. "I'm going to have to report this to Master Altair," Faye Lin added like a threat.
Kiba could feel the cold sweat on his back immediately at the comment as Wrath looked worriedly to his trainer's distressed expression. "He just sent a Rayquaza to destroy the homes of the Black Scythe unit because he thought Tristan was involved- do you think he won't try to kill me once he realizes I have his son's pokemon? Is that any better than what the assassins do?"
Faye Lin paused a while to contemplate, but still keep a cautious look on Kiba. "Master Altair is a father and I know he cares very much for Aeron. All the more reason he should know. Any judgement he passes is in his authority. Furthermore, he's not an assassin like any of you."
Kiba fidgeted atop of Arrow's saddle as he struggled to consider what he should tell Faye Lin. If he says too much she'll suspect he knows about Aeron and tell Altair, effectively ending his life. If he does nothing, she still tells Altair and he still dies. With an angry sigh, he inhaled deeply and looked back at Faye Lin.
"Look, I'm here because my life was threatened if I didn't come. It was either join the Black Scythe or let some brat's Darkrai put me into an eternal sleep. So yes, I'm with the assassins and yes, I may have to eventually kill a person. But I'll do anything to keep myself, my pokemon and my friends safe. And right now, you not only kidnapped my friend but are effectively threatening my life. So congratulations, you're just as bad as the assassins are."
Faye Lin flinched as the corners of her eyes started to water. Still, she did her best to be brave. "Aeron is one of my closest friends. He and Noir were the ones who saved me when I was in a ship where people were being killed in every direction. I know firsthand what assassins are capable of and I'm not going to hand Noir over to people like you."
At that, the Noibat whimpered and tugged the girl's arm with his little claw. Faye Lin looked down at him and Noir gave her his best babydoll eyes look. The blonde calmed down a bit and glanced at Kiba once again.
"I-I could keep quiet about this since you took good care of Noir." It sounded like a really hesitant suggestion.
Kiba looked at the young blonde and sighed hearing the nonverbal 'if only' in her nervous tone. "I'm hearing a but in there somewhere," he stated tiredly.
"Tell me what you know about Aeron," Faye Lin blurted out almost unconsciously.
"That's almost as bad as me letting you go to Altair now," Kiba said with a hand over his face before he looked back to Faye Lin. "You realize that if word gets out that I know anything, I'll definitely get attacked by Altair and his flying unit and will probably be tortured by the Black Scythe for having loose lips. How can I trust that you won't just run to Altair once I tell you anything?"
"Uhmm…" Faye Lin looked around doubtfully.
"Or better yet, how can I trust that you won't let something slip around the wrong person? This is my life on the line here," Kiba said defensively.
"I'm leaving the island the day after tomorrow. I… just want to know what happened to him. He barely said anything in his letter, other than he had to do things on his own." Faye Lin looked down, rather lost.
Kiba looked down at her for several seconds before sighing in defeat as he nodded his head submissively.
"Alright, fine. Whatever! It's not like I like living anyways. Get back to the tree house and I'll tell you what I can about Aeron."
"Really!?" Faye Lin beamed brightly before she caught herself. "I-I mean… Thank you very much."
The two soon returned to the small wooden house. Faye Lin occupied the corner near the door as Kiba stood a good distance across her. Their avian mounts stayed outside and kept a look out on their surroundings.
Before Kiba started however he was surprised to see Wrath crawl off of his back and actually walk towards Faye Lin, not getting to close but standing about a foot way. What surprised him even more however was that Wrath was growling at Faye Lin. The Slakoth did little more than sleep, eat, and laugh at his own jokes since he had been caught, but this was something new altogether.
Faye Lin eyed the brown mammal as she inched further back, her one arm still wrapped around Noir while her other hand hovered over her pokeballs. "C-Can I help you?"
"Wrath, what's gotten into you?" Kiba asked curiously. Wrath didn't respond to his trainer but continued to growl at the girl. Frowning, Kiba sent out Bane who looked first at his surroundings, then to Faye Lin being cornered by Wrath and then to his trainer, awaiting orders. "What's wrong with him?" Kiba asked gesturing towards his Slakoth. Bane listened to Wrath's growling for a few moments before tapping onto the wood calmly.
Girl threatened you. Scared you. Wrath doesn't know why, he's trying to protect you. Kiba's eyes widened at Bane's statement as he looked back at the Slakoth in front of him before gently picking him up and putting him on his shoulder.
"It's alright," Kiba assured him. "I'm not worried, alright? But thank you; just calm down a bit alright?" Wrath nodded his head and rested onto Kiba's shoulder but stayed wide awake as he watched Faye Lin. Kiba also looked back to the girl as he stroked his pokemon's head. "What do you want to know?" He asked quietly.
Faye Lin continued to be tense as she pondered for a bit. "Do you know why he went to Lord Tristan?"
"Yes he- wait, how did you know about that?" Kiba asked curiously.
"Isn't that why Master Altair went there in the first place?" She answered nervously.
"Oh right... good point. Well, apparently they had made some deal. Aeron held up his end of the bargain, and no, I don't know what it was, and Aeron went to Tristan to have something returned to him."
"Which is?" Faye Lin fidgeted anxiously.
"A memory," he replied ominously.
Faye Lin was taken aback for a moment before she nodded. "Aeron did say he doesn't remember anything about his life before Master Altair took him in."
"Well, lucky him." Kiba sniffed as he returned Bane to his pokeball. "I wish I could forget my childhood."
"Hmm?" The blonde girl looked at him with a curious eyes.
"Look, long story short I had a crappy childhood, but we're not here to discuss me. We're here to discuss Aeron, and unfortunately for you, that's all I know. Tristan caught my Scizor eavesdropping on the exchange and came to speak with me afterwards. Thankfully, he had Aeron's dad to plan for so he let me go without any punishment. He told me to do what I wanted with Noir and twenty minutes later the tower was attacked."
"...I see." Faye Lin looked down. "I hope Aeron is alright. Everyone here seems to be worried." She looked at the distant trees from the corner of the room. "A lot of the bird pokemon have been really anxious since that night. Do you think it had something to do with that ability of his?" She added unintentionally aloud.
"I dunno maybe," Kiba responded absently. "The way I see it at least with Aeron gone, I won't have to walk everywhere anymore when I piss someone off." Arrow made a strange cawing noise from outside that Kiba recognized as laughter as he shouted at his Fearow to knock it off, only making the brown avian chuckle to itself more quietly.
Faye Lin eased slightly at the sight of the laughing pokemon. As a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, she bowed her head. "Thank you for telling me." She then glanced at the Noibat who was still in her grasp. "As for Noir… I would've liked to watch him in Aeron's absence but since I'm departing soon…"
"I'll look after him," Kiba promised.
Faye Lin nodded hesitantly and met the Noibat's gaze. "You be good, alright Noir?" As the purple bat nodded, Faye Lin pulled out a Snivy keychain from her messenger bag and gave it to the beaming Noibat. "I think you need this more than I do."
As the girl hooked the accessory to the blue scarf, Kiba saw a brown envelope on the floor. It must've fallen from Faye Lin's bag when she took out the keychain. Picking it up, he stared at it for a few moments before he heard the girl yell and made a frantic grab for the envelope.
"Woah! Easy there, spunky," Kiba retaliated as he managed to keep the envelope out of the blonde's reach. "Was this that letter Aeron sent you?"
"N-No! Give it back!" A crimson hue streaked Faye Lin's face as she released Noir and tried to snatch the envelope from Kiba. The thought of Aeron's letter made her all flustered but she couldn't let that distract her from the importance of the envelope that contained her mission. "That's confidential!"
Kiba grew more curious at the 'confidential' contents of the envelope. "Confidential like what happened to Aeron confidential?" He asked as he easily kept the envelope out of her reach.
"This doesn't concern Aeron or anything you assassins would want," Faye Lin protested as she grabbed Kiba's vest and made a desperate reach for the envelope, only for it to be inches away from reach. "That was given to me by Master Altair. If he finds out…"
"Since when does talking about Altair make you blush like a galloping Ponyta?" Kiba asked with a teasing smile. "So Aeron isn't your boyfriend after all, huh? So whose contestant number two, I wonder?"
"Stop it!" Faye Lin was red as a Tamato berry as she took out a small wooden whistle. "Or else!"
Kiba merely chuckled as he lowered his hand and offered the envelope back to the blushing blonde as she furiously put it back in her bag. "You need to relax more, kid. I've seen gamblers not as wound up as you."
Faye Lin gave a girly huff as she glared at Kiba and Wrath, who was laughing at the display. She fidgeted the whistle in hand before she pocketed it as well. As soon as she regained her composure, she exhaled deeply and turned to Noir.
"Forget what I said about being good. Do whatever you want, alright Noir?" The Noibat chirped and plopped happily on top of Kiba's head, causing the girl to giggle at the sight. "Take care of yourself, Noir. I'm sure Aeron will turn up soon enough. If he does, make sure he doesn't fly off on his own again."
The Noibat gave a salute and waved Faye Lin good night. The blonde girl walked towards the door, casting occasional glances at Kiba before leaving on the Altaria. Kiba sighed as he went back to the corner of the room and slumped to the ground tiredly, desperately needing sleep. Wrath was already asleep on his shoulder while Noir snuggled into Kiba's hair causing the young man to look up at the bat dragon pokemon.
"Maybe next time you could fly away and save us all the trouble, huh?" Kiba asked as he poked Noir's nose playfully. The Noibat snorted and slapped his hand away. Chuckling briefly before yawning Kiba scratched Noir's head before yelling out to his Fearow before he fell asleep. "Arrow... First watch."
"T-That brutish, o-ogre-ruffian!"
Faye Lin paced in her room, fuming and spouting insults and french words since the encounter. She had never felt so angry and riled up in her whole life, and all because of a random stranger, an assassin-in-training nonetheless. The mere recollection of his cocky grin was enough to make the young blonde red in the face.
Her three pokemon sat on her bed, watching their human partner walk back and forth from one side of the room to the other. Isis, the Braixen was the first to give up and lean back against a pillow. She then absently fiddled with her stick as her bushy tail swung from side to side. Aegis, the Togetic and Touya, the Meowstic were left to watch with worried and curious looks, respectively.
After tiring herself out, Faye Lin sat next to her trio of pokemon and gave a long sigh. Amidst the irritating encounter, she found out why the deed was so important to Aeron and why he went on his own. The only piece she didn't understand was why Aeron left Noir behind. Faye Lin knew how important the Noibat was to him. The two were inseparable so the situation just wasn't right.
"Aeron... please be okay."
End of Chapter 72
Lol. Faye Lin and Kiba meet and Faye is all annoyed with him. (Thank Arceus she didn't say that in his face)
But it seems Faye Lin is changing from a nervous and naive lady to a spunkier and tougher lassie.
She still retains that optimistic and sweet air though~
She's a book-loving noble from Kalos, course she knows French. She just doesn't use it.
Basing on Aeron's letter, he had the intention to bring Noir with him. (lol. leave the rabid arcanine)
But what happened? Dun dun dun duuuuun...
Next up, we have Kiba's part and some serious bromance. xD
It's awesome. It'll might completely twist your opinion of him, once in for all (if this chapter didn't)
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