Ch.87: A Leader's Conundrum! The Pressure of Leading the Team!

The constant winds of the Snow Zone beat down on Team Ravenfield as they made their move for Ironworks Kingdom. Flint assumed the lead as he guided everyone with the map in paw, though with added assistance from Gwyn to keep it straight. Thanks to Ella's excess of clothes, they had some extra jackets, though Flint offered his away since he could tolerate the cold better.

Gwyn traced her finger across the map. "Ironworks is like…four days away from where we are."

"Should be easy to cross, so long as we stay out of any surprise avalanches." Flint sighed at the horrific thought. With their luck, he was readily expecting it.

Ella held her paw up and yawned into it. "I need coffee…"

"Will you take an energy bar?" Flint suggested.

Ella groaned. "If I must…"

Gwyn quickly rummaged through Flint's bag to get it, while the Flareon said, "The situation as of now is tight, but…maybe by the skin of our teeth, we can pull something off."

"I'm not staying optimistic," Griffin grumbled. "With the Shadow King back, we have to look over our shoulders for another attack. He won't be taking his time like his lackeys. He'll be coming for us."

"The pessimist has a point," Tony agreed. "That guy had us incapacitated by a strong breeze and demonic presence. I rather keep my blood inside my body."

Flint rolled up the map. "It's a shame what we had to witness, but we can't hang on the past. Our chances of survival are low, but…maybe we can pull something off."

Griffin reached into his personal void and pulled out his father's weapon. "Aside from Endless Regret, this may be the only thing I have that'll put a dent in him."

"Ah, Land Shift, right?" Ella guessed. "Haven't seen you use that thing, come to think of it. Why is that?"

"Because with great power comes destructive force." He gripped the hilt tightly. "I can't wield this thing senselessly. It requires a steep learning curve that no swordsman can just pick up on. Specific movements integrated into the blade activate its magic." He stuck the blade back in his void. "I've been practicing in secret to use it, but I'm still far from a master." He closed his eyes. "Perhaps if there were no bystanders or problems with destroying the landscape, I could take more liberties in how I fight with it."

Tony whistled. "Sounds powerful."

"Ella, catch!" Ella caught the energy bar thrown at her by Gwyn.

"Thanks." She held it and pulled it open with her levitation, then chomped down on it. "Well, we're not totally lost on option." She swallowed and psychically opened her bag. "Before Professor Geno…well, you know…" She paused as she felt some sadness saying his name before focusing. "Before he left us, he found something that might be useful."

She pulled out the spooky book handed to her before they were ejected from the library. A book supposedly about the shadows, from origins to weaknesses. Not that they wouldn't want to know where these creatures came from, but the section on weaknesses was their preferred chapter.

Of course, there was the issue with the book as Ella demonstrated. "We have the only source material that can help us and it's stuck together like paper slathered in syrup…while wrapped in an anchor!"

"Wouldn't that crumple the paper?" Gwyn asked.

"Not my best analogy, but you get the point!" Ella tried with her paws to rip it open, but nothing. She sighed exasperatedly and threw the book into Griffin, who caught it in his arms. "I've tried everything I could to open that stupid thing, but it just won't."

"I wonder who wrote it," Flint said aloud. "If they're still alive, they may know…"

"Something like this," Griffin started, displaying the book, "wouldn't have been written in our time, given how much society wants us to forget the shadows."

"So…it's a super powerful weapon we don't have the code to," Tony said dryly. "Doesn't beat hiding a magical idol with ten separated keys, I guess."

Gwyn took the book and glossed it over. "Maybe it's the same principle as the map. Maybe if I drench it in some potions…"

Ella patted the Mew's arm. "Sweetie, we would appreciate that, but let's not take chances." She glared at the book. "Besides, I don't think this book is secured by a potion. It's definitely magically bound."

Flint tapped his chin. "I think I heard something about objects being bound to the caster so only they could use them. Magically seal a book or make a weapon unmovable save for the wielder."

"What is the point of making a stupid book if you're not allowed to read it?!" Ella exclaimed. "That's like spending fifty years discovering the secrets of the universe before tossing them into the closest volcano! What was the point?!"

Griffin deadpanned at her. "Do you really want that information available for everyone?"

"…You got me there…"

Tony swiped the book and juggled it in his hand. "Obviously searching for the author will be a pain in the ass, so we'll have to open it ourselves." He glossed the cover over quickly. "Can't be too different from cracking a safe open. Just need a crowbar and I'm set."

Griffin rolled his eyes. "You're a life saver," he sarcastically mumbled.

Ella sighed and held her head. "Good grief…" She stared ahead for a moment, then narrowed her eyes as she suddenly had this nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Something was noticeably off throughout this trip.

Then it clicked.

One voice wasn't being as lively as the others. A quick look over her shoulder and concerned eyes fell upon the Umbreon trudging behind the rest of them. Perhaps the mood shift didn't make her immediately alert, but she should've realized Wes wasn't going about his usual duties as team leader. Her mind was too preoccupied that she failed to click Flint's takeover of duties.

The look of utter despondence made her feel worse for not saying anything earlier. She knew he wasn't feeling well after what happened, but to still see him like this…it was rough. Wes does foolish things when he's upset. He closes himself off, lashes out unprovoked, and generally acts like a completely different person. She understood the Umbreon didn't have top notch social skills, but even he would never act out so irrationally.

Perhaps his brief exchange with the Shadow King did more than send him spiraling into this taciturn depression.

She slowed up on her walking until she joined his side. He didn't look up to acknowledge her, only finding interest with the blank snow. Ella cleared her throat, keeping her eyes ahead.

"…Unless you've suddenly gone mute in the last couple of days, you might as well tell me what's on your mind." She didn't want to be blunt with him, but this was Wes.

The Umbreon's ears dropped even lower than they already were. His hat fell over his eyes, hiding them in the shade. "…" No sound given.

Ella sputtered an annoyed groan, then lit her gemstone up. She grabbed everyone by the backs of their clothes and stopped them. "Alright, break time!"

They turned around. "Eh? What's wrong, Ella?" Flint asked.

"We're not moving until we cheer up the sad sack here!" She gestured at Flint. "Come on, you can't tell me you haven't noticed the mood your own brother's been in!"

Flint's ears drooped, not as much as Wes'. "…Ella, of course I've noticed. I…just don't know what to say." He looked away. "I don't think any of us do." Some murmurs of agreement followed.

Ella found her own ears matching the state of the Ravenfield brothers. She sighed and rubbed her face. "Okay, okay, fair enough…" She faced Wes and gripped his shoulder. "But that doesn't mean we can sit around and mope! We're too deep into this journey to pawn it off on someone else! We're seeing this through, whether we like it or not!

"Furthermore, you're supposed to be the team leader, Wes! You acting all mopey and teary-eyed isn't doing us any better!" She huffed and crossed her forelegs. "I think it's blatantly obvious from Ava's prophecy that you're our Hero. You have the spirit that's supposed to rally everyone to fight, right? Is this how you're going to be if we face the Shadow King again?"

His pupils shrunk at his name, then he clenched his eyes shut. His teeth were bared into what looked like the start of a snarl, but only heavy breaths passing through the thin gaps. He was shaking, not from the cold.

Ella eased up and looked away, almost guiltily. "…Wes, this is going to be hard on all of us, too. I may not have been as close to Alex…or rather, Professor Geno as much as you and Flint, but I know you two got a lot from his teachings. You two respected him. Everything."

"…Even though it was all a lie…"

That was not the first words she wanted to hear through his half-snarl. "Wes, he-"

"How can I be sure the Shadow King wasn't just messing with me?!" Wes shouted in her face, though she was unfazed. "The Shadow King is a manipulative bastard who fed off the misery of others to get his way! What if this is what he wanted from me?! What he wanted from Flint and me?!" He stamped his paw down. "How can I know the truth for sure?! Was that really Alex Ghostwind talking to me?! A separate person?! Or was it that monster building me up to be taken down?!"

Gwyn held her hand out. "Wes, wait-" Flint held his foreleg up and stopped her, merely shaking his head. The Mew frowned and stepped back a bit, though still looked at the Umbreon with sympathy.

Wes clutched his head as tears brimmed through his shut eyes. "From the start of this journey to now, that bastard has been holding some sort of grudge against my family and I don't know why! What the hell did we do to him?! What did the Ravenfield name ever do to him to incite so much hatred onto us?!

"All this talk about me being the Hero…being a leader…! I hadn't realized what that meant until now! I'm just a treasure hunter who wants to be rich and get all the gold and treasure! I never wanted to be some hero! That's not who I am!" He plopped down in the snow and bashed the snow with his flailing forelegs. "How do you think I've been feeling?! Why do I have to hold the burden on my shoulders?!"

Tony crossed his arms. "You feel you need to hold a burden?"

Wes covered his head and sobbed loudly, thankfully they weren't in avalanche territory. Listening to it, though, was hard. "The history he left behind is coming back to haunt us! Haunt everyone! Look where it got us so far! Look what their numbers did!

"Gwyn's mother was forced to performed witchcraft and give up her life!" Gwyn gripped her arm and looked away. "Tony and his family have been the victims of Aeternus' evil!" Tony narrowed his eyes. "Griffin's village and people were wiped out!" Griffin closed his eyes. "Willow suffered through death, lost her father, and the man she loved! We lost an ally who was the enemy all along!" He gritted his teeth. "And because of that monster…I lost…I lost…I lost…" He arched forward and pressed his face into the snow.

"He killed my dad! He took my idol away from me! I never wanted Dad to go! Why did this all have to happen?! What did we do…to deserve being the targets of history's worst nightmare?! And why…am I the one who needs to shoulder this burden as a leader?!" He pulled on his hat and pressed his face further down the snow.

There was silence after that, with the team staring down at their leader with empathy. It'd be no surprise if these emotions were kept bottled up to the brim since they left the cave. They finally reached their limited and the cork came flying off.

If there was one thing to say about Wes Ravenfield, aside from his greedy, not-heroic nature…it was that he had a heart. A heart full of emotion. Wes was a kid at heart. An adult mind with a heart that took longer to grow up. And throughout his life, he wanted to be brave and strong like the man he cherished most: his father.

Wes never, ever wanted to burden his feelings onto others. He wanted to show everyone he was as tough as they come. In doing so, though, he shouldered all the burden onto himself, both his and the burden of responsibility.

In the solemn silence around them, Flint looked down on his brother with empathy. He inhaled, marched up to him, and sat down, patting the side of the Umbreon's head.

"…Why do you do this to yourself, bro?" Flint asked quietly. "Don't you trust us?"

Wes sniffled into his forelegs. "I do, but…I just love you guys too much to lose you…" He shuddered a bit, then pressed into Flint's comforting paw. "…I was devastated when we lost Dad. I'd give up on everything if I lost you, Mom, and…all of you guys.

"What Geno or…whoever he was said back there. He saw visions of us dying. That was the Shadow King's image of us. He was a notorious monster that everyone wanted to forget. Now we're those people back then cowering under him. We saw what he could do…if he wants to kill us, he…will…" He bared his teeth. "Guys…I don't want this to be the end of us…I care too much about all of you…it's not even my life I'm worried about.

"I'm willing to do whatever I can to become the best treasure hunter ever, even if I have to risk my own life. I just…can't bring myself to put my…friends and family in danger." He gestured limply at Ella. "I already got one of my friends hurt before because I was too stupid to see past my own greed…"

Ella's eyes widened, then narrowed sadly. "Oh Wes…"

"I'm not a leader…not like this…" He covered his head. "I don't want to be a burden…I don't want to be a failure…I don't want to fail at life, just like everyone has ever told me…"

A pang of guilt ran through Flint's heart. He was one of those people. He never outright called his brother a failure—he'd be the worst brother imaginable—but he said times before that Wes should stop while he's ahead.

The Flareon picked up and hugged his little brother. "Wes…you're not a failure. You're brilliant, clever, and talented." He closed his eyes. "And you're not invincible. You got to learn that you have friends for a reason. It's not just you who's in this. We're all feeling the same way. We're worried, too."

Griffin nodded. "You're a fool…but a fool who has his heart in the right place. Just like you said…we have our own issues to get through. We haves our vices we can't overcome easily."

Tony stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "Enough of that crap about shouldering the burden. You have to be an idiot to carry a mountain on your back by yourself." He smirked. "No matter the weight, we're carrying that same mountain on our backs, too. We can't have you being selfish for us."

Ella patted Wes' back. "This whole prophecy thing is eating you up, I'm sure." She looked down worriedly. "We all have a really real chance of dying if we continue on like this. However…think of it like this. No matter what, all of us have a real chance of dying if the shadows get away with this. It could've been anyone else who slid down a stairway and crashed through that wall. Anyone could've found that map and brought it to a different potion maker. Anyone could've gone on this quest. Why us, though?"

Flint smirked. "Because we're six stubborn fools who don't want our world swallowed in darkness. We're freaking out…but might as well put in the fight and try something."

Wes lifted his head and wiped his eyes. "But…the prophecy…"

"Who cares what the prophecy says?" Flint stood up. "Forget what Fate has to say what's in store for us? I've got my own prophecy!" He stamped his paw down. "We're going to find all those keys and banish the Shadow King so far away from anyone that he'll never harm a single soul ever again!"

Ella smiled. "We follow you because, out of all of us, you have that thrill for adventure that keeps us all moving. You're too stubborn to give up on anything, even if the odds are against you. I…think you're rubbing off on all of us."

Wes sat up and wiped his eyes again. "You…mean it?"

Gwyn clasped her hands together. "We care about you, Wes. It breaks my heart to see you like this." Her eyes watered tearfully. "We're sorry if you felt pressured as a team leader! We never meant to do that, but…we just know you are amazing! You CAN be a great leader!"

Flint pulled Wes into a hug, then sighed. "I miss Professor Geno, too. I don't know if he was or wasn't some form of Alex, but…don't let what he taught us be seen in vain. No matter the reason, what he said was true to you." He gripped his brother tighter. "I miss Dad more than anything…Mom misses him…if I could have just one wish above anything, it's for him to come back to us and erase that horrible day from existence. And I know…if he was here right now…he'd tell you that you can be a leader…and a hero."

The Umbreon felt his own forelegs rising and wrapping around his brother, barely noticing as he focused on the tears falling from his eyes. "You mean it, bro?"

Flint nodded. "…You're not perfect, but…in time, I know you will become something greater that we can all count on. That's what makes you great. You have an energy that can be felt all around. You're the brightest star in the night sky."

Wes' teary eyes were pressed into the Flareon's shoulder. He shuddered a quick sob, but, this time, there was relief in his cries. "…I have to trust you guys…if we want to get through all this…I need to work on being a better leader…and to learn to rely more on your support."

Flint pulled away and smiled. "That's what friends are for, right?"

Wes smiled back, wiping away the tear going down his face. "R-Right…" He looked at the others. "I'm…I'm sorry for the way I've been acting…" He closed his eyes. "I'm so selfish…"

"Yeah, you really are," Tony bluntly stated, earning glares at him. He smirked. "But hey, at least you're selfish because you care."

Flint helped Wes up. "I mean it this time, bro. Don't bottle up your emotions anymore. If you're hurt…you have us. You have our faith…we need yours."

Wes rubbed his eyes. "R-Right…of c-course…"

"Are you well enough to lead us to Ironworks?"

He looked at the Flareon for a moment, then shook his head. "I…I need some time to think…to clear my head…"

Flint nodded in understanding. "Of course…"

Tony held his hand up. "I'll lead the way for a little while."

"Sure, thanks." Flint handed him the map, then looked at Ella. "You won't mind keeping him company, right?"

She nodded. "I've been doing it for a while now. I don't mind."

Flint sighed, then pointed forward. "Alright, no more delay. We need to make it to Ironworks Kingdom, asap!"

"Aye!" Tony unfurled the map and began his march. "Don't slow me down, slowpokes!" Griffin grunted with a quick eyeroll, then followed along with the others.

Ella pressed herself close to Wes, allowing him to lean his head against hers. She smiled warmly, almost feeling nostalgic of these kinds of moments with him. For Wes, it made his cheeks burn to be so close to her. He regretted disregarding how comfortable he felt this close to her. He closed his eyes and tried to ease his aching mind and heart.

Gwyn couldn't help to look at the Umbreon with concern. She whispered to Flint, "Will he be alright?"

He nodded. "He just needs some rest. I'm sure he'll get better soon."

She trusted Flint's judgment, though she still felt like she could do something to help the Umbreon. She wasn't quite as close to him as the others were, so…maybe there was something she could offer for him.

There was so much wrong with what they were doing. The Desert Beasts have made mistakes they held with no regrets. That was the point of being a pirate. However, there was a line a pirate should never cross and they were inching up on the awaiting doom.

With the days passing since the takeover of the Immensus Library, they were essentially off duty for a couple days. Of course, not much liberty in getting back to their usual business for they knew they would soon be called upon by their suffocating bosses. Never had it hurt so much for Arid to address someone as his superior.

This time was different, though, as it wasn't a mission, but an invitation. Next thing they knew, the Wasteland was being guided into a spooky black portal and into a realm of horror and grim. Spires of black rock for miles with lightning shooting down. The space occupied by Count Aeternus, the realm he discovered and corrupted after centuries of making it his own. It felt like where dreams go to suffer.

The Wasteland landed in front of the count's castle-like home, where the doors were open for their arrival. The pirates lowered down and escorted themselves inside, all trying to convince themselves this is a terrible idea. It was a sentiment Arid wanted to voice, but their personal shadow likely would have words about it.

Ambrosine hugged herself and kept her head low. "It's cold in here…"

"It's the darkness swarming around these halls…" Arid grumbled. There was a dark haze in the air. The essence of the shadow's evil taking a tangible form. "I don't like it."

"Eh, it's not so bad," Cheshire admitted. "Feels like home, if you ask me."

Pain Train glared at him. "If you feel at home, why don't you join those sadistic freaks?"

"I'm a one-man disaster. I don't need evil magic to cramp my style."

'If we keep following orders like this, you won't get the choice.' Arid shook his head and grumbled. That deal with Aeternus still pang in the back of his mind.

He didn't know much about the heralds, other than they were far more powerful than any one of his crew. All he could say was this deal revolved around him making up for the lack of a missing ally. Not only did he have issues with their power, but he felt genuinely insulted he was nominated at the back-up herald.

For as tempting as the power sounded, would he really take it?

Indigo broke her captain's train of thought with an angry growl. "Where the heck are we going through this stupid castle?!"

"Allow me to assist." The crew jumped at the voice projecting into their heads. "I am Chantal, Dark Medium of my coven. You have been invited to have a special audience with the Shadow King."

Arid glared. 'The freak from back in the library.'

"I'd advise avoiding such language around the rightful king." Arid scowled at the invisible voice. "And there is no need for that obsene language of yours."

"Bite me, lady. Where's the damn king?"

They got their directions and headed down the correct pathway. Leigh narrowed her eyes after a while, feeling a pit in her stomach. "I sense him. His magic is so…consuming."

Arid bared his already displayed teeth, tighter than usual. "We all can, lass. Don't do anything stupid."

Tyrone gulped. "Wouldn't dream of it."

They came to a pair of doors, where the menacing presence could be felt seeping out the bottom as a visible fog. Arid glared, quietly wishing he could turn back and hope they could get away scot-free. Odds were against them, though. They had a mind reader and the most powerful beings in one place. They weren't escaping. Period.

Jones stepped forward and pushed the doors open, allowing his captain to walk in first, followed by the crew. They entered a throne-like room, with torches burning with purple flames all around the circular room. A regal, red rug with golden lines curving and crossing across the edges stretched out from the door to the throne in the back of the room.

Present were the main contributors to the Tribe of Shadows. The three heralds, Nightmare, Zaros, and Callista's coven. Standing between Reuben and Isidore was the Curse Weaver of the coven, a male Lombre with dark circles under his eyes. He had a weird smile, a mix between being content and planning on some horrific deed. It was creepy.

However, his smile was a warm welcome compared to the figure sitting on the throne. Cloaked in the darkness of his robes was the host of the malevolent being himself, with his piercing red glare seeping out from his hood. His Scrafty smirk was the only think that could be made out in light.

"…Come closer, Desert Beasts." His voice resonated like a symphony for a horror show. Cool, smooth, and fear inducing.

Most of the pirates backed away, but Arid breathed in and stepped forward. Jeffery was doing his best to maintain composure on his captain's shoulder, though he could feel some feathers falling off from stress alone.

Arid, much to his bitter taste, bowed before the dark ruler. "Shadow King."

"We finally meet under formal settings." His laugh was just as deep and menacing as his voice. "Puck has told me so much about you. Much desired from a soul like yours. So full of contempt and malice towards this…Wes Ravenfield."

Arid narrowed his eyes on the extra emphasis. "…Yes. Ravenfield is my sworn rival. I have battled him countless times, but have claimed little victories against him."

The Shadow King sighed. "As expected when facing a dreaded Ravenfield. They are souls that dare defy the Will of Shadows. He and his Flareon kin have brought me much fury. I'd have hoped the last of the Ravenfields died off with that Jolteon years ago, but…no, they continue to persist."

Jeffery laughed nervously, feeling the tension in the air. "W-W-Well, your excellency, they are m-mere whelps compared to your…o-overwhelming power. You should have nothing to fear from the likes of them."

The Shadow King's eyes lowered into a threatening glare. "Do not underestimate the will of a Ravenfield."

Jeffery felt like all his feathers fell off at once. "Y-Y-Yes sir…"

The Shadow King leaned back into his seat. "I've spent five hundred years in that accursed chamber, rotting away as the days ticked by. Days felt like months. Months felt like years. I've lost track of time as I only could be. Sleep was nonexistent to me. For the longest time, all I could do…was stop thinking." He slowly raised his fist and slammed it down on the armrest. "This world is rightfully mine. I conquered it, then had it stolen from me by those half-assed magicians. I will not go on to be bested by mortals.

"But now that I know of the Idol of Origin's relevance in this time, I will get my wish. This time, though, fifty years of conquest will not satisfy me. As with the worthless hero, Apollo, did against the great warlock who casted destruction onto the world, I shall spread my evil across the whole of this planet. Seven days of battle waged against both magicians. Now, when the idol is mine, seven days will pass until my conquest is complete."

Graham narrowed his eyes. "How…poetic."

Arid wasn't in any sort of agreement. Their ancestors couldn't handle fifty years of the Shadow King's rule. Seven days WITH the reality warping relic? Any hope of stopping this mad tyrant was snuffed out. To this point, pokemanity had no shot of victory. His only hope of survival would be to ally himself with these monsters—even if the thought outright disgusted him.

The Shadow King looked down at Arid and raised his smirk. "Don't think I know not what you're thinking." Arid resisted an involuntary flinch. "Puck made his proposal clear and concise."

Aeternus laughed as he hovered around in the air. "You hear that, captain? I'm the reason you're not already dead."

The Shadow King closed his eyes. "I have heard of the treachery of our own Assassin of Darkness. Wendrake was a valued ally among our ranks. I could not have asked for a more competent killer." He opened his eyes, glaring at the ground. "To think, after so long in my service, he climbed out of the comforts of the abyss and reached the light. No one should resist me once they fall into temptation."

Nightmare scowled. "And here I thought that annoying Grovyle who incinerated through our possession ability was abnormal. No one should be able to climb out of the darkness once they've fallen."

"It seems it's not as impossible as we hoped." The Shadow King glared at his heralds, specifically Aeternus. "Puck…didn't you say you sent assassins to end him?"

Aeternus snickered openly. "Oh, I did, but…it appears they won't be returning with success…or alive, for that matter."

The Shadow King huffed. "As expected of Wendrake." He closed his eyes. "…You three are in charge of ending him for his betrayal. Do not fight him alone. All three of you could easily overpower him as a unit. If he gets you to where he can fight each of you one-on-one at the same time…"

Voss gripped his sword. "He will not see another sunrise when our paths cross."

"See to it…" The Shadow King gripped his stomach and groaned. "What I hate most about these vessels is their need for sustenance."

Reuben narrowed his eyes. "I told you the surgery would leave you feeling drained, your highness."

Arid glared. 'I thought he looked more sluggish than last time.' "What surgery?"

The Lombre snickered. "After the library was captured in the name of the shadows, we immediately got to work on the king's puppetry surgery."

Reuben closed his eyes. "I improved his muscle fibers and organs to be far more powerful than any mortal's. Reactive to that of a shadow's aura, they will work with far greater potential and insure our king doesn't succumb to something as trivial as fatigue." He glared at the possessed Scrafty. "Of course, it'll be some time before he recovers from the operation."

The Shadow King gripped his shoulder and rotated it a couple of times. "I need to be in top condition soon. Once I'm back in top condition, we can begin the invasion."

Arid gritted his teeth. "Invasion?"

Chantal the Heliolisk stepped forward. "A glimpse into the future with my powers. I know where Team Ravenfield is going. Their destination is the hidden kingdom of Ironworks."

"A fine kingdom that exceeds the advancement of technology around Mysto," Zaros explained. "I've heard some of the greatest warriors were born from their worst. It is a place where the amateur becomes the skilled." He pushed his glasses up. "Team Ravenfield going there does mean two things. If they were to spend enough time there, we may see a growth in their above average abilities. They may become more of a pest than they already are.

"Of course, there's the second point. Wherever they go, they are likely to encounter another key for the idol." Zaros bowed to the Shadow King. "I've actually visited their kingdom a number of times in my earlier days. If I were to hide that key, I'd likely put it somewhere under constant protection that no bounty hunter or spy could ever reach unscathed. I'm willing to bet this is the handy work of the queen."

The Shadow King glared. "The Queen of Ironworks Kingdom…" He clasped his hands together and rested them over his mouth. "…I look forward to meeting her in person."

Banama raised his hand. "What does this have to do with us?"

The Shadow King narrowed his stare onto them. "Your loyalty is to be earned. I've only known you and your captain through Puck's recommendations. In the old days, when I decided the first of my heralds, I had to see them at their lowest. I wanted to know what kind of vile creatures I could lure to my side that will devote their loyalty to me and only me.

"Wendrake's will proved stronger than I anticipated. You, Captain Arid of the Sand, may just be in line as my new herald…if you can prove you have what it takes to be my minion." He raised his fist. "I don't just give this gift to anyone. If you want my power, then you'll have to prove your loyalty by wiping out the Ravenfield blood line." He glared. "Kill the Ravenfield brothers…and you will have my respect and my power."

Conflicting emotions hardly arose when it concerned his hatred for the Umbreon, but now the captain knew he was having second thoughts. What's worse, given his true intentions, it's a miracle the Dark Medium hasn't ratted him out yet. She must not have probed into any of their minds yet. If she knew he had every intention of betraying these guys should the opportunity arise, he'll take everything from them.

There was also something about killing Wes that…seemed off to him. He has expressed his desire to kill the Umbreon numerous times, but he never outwardly stated how much he enjoyed their battles. Was he actually feeling…guilt for the Umbreon he hated so much?

He shot a quick glare at Chantal, who thankfully didn't notice, then looked back at the Shadow King. He took a deep breath, then bowed his head. "I'll do whatever I can to eliminate the Ravenfield brothers."

The Shadow King smirked. "Excellent."

The pirates were just as on the fence about this as the captain, namely Indigo. If the brothers were targets, so was Tony. His words still stung deep. She had no regrets being a pirate, but this was not the life of a pirate anymore. That's how all of them were feeling.

Even with this promise of power, none of them felt free.

Nightmare flew over them. "You will return to the Snow Zone and prepare yourselves for the invasion. When we give the word, you are to head directly to Ironworks Kingdom."

Lyra pouted and crossed her arms, with her fur bristling up through her mood. Everyone blinked at her, confused, making Banama sigh. "She said 'Great, we get to stay in the cold again.'" She nodded firmly.

Zaros pushed his glasses up. "Just don't fail. We expect cooperation."

Julius scowled at the Watchog. "Like ye could do any better, shrimp!"

Zaros smirked. "I'd withdraw on the insults while I'm ahead. I will be attending this invasion alongside Master Aeternus."

Voss glared at Aeternus. "You said you trained him yourself, right?"

Aeternus smirked. "My own little protégé. Just you wait once he greets Team Ravenfield."

Callista turned to Reuben. "In the meantime…Reuben, you and Puck will be working on making new super soldiers for our shadow army. Make sure they don't die like the last bunch."

Reuben glared. "Oh, I'll make sure they're perfect. I want my soldiers to shred that Flareon to ribbons!"

Callista nodded, then glared at Isidore and the Lombre. "Isidore, Barrett, I have a special task for you. Per Puck's request, I need you to retrieve the body of Caesar."

"Any reason, coven leader?" the Ambipom asked.

Callista glared at Aeternus. For some reason, he's been awfully specific on getting corpses, though he wouldn't say why. Not even now as he held a finger to his lips. "Hehehe…we'll keep that a secret for now."

Callista rolled her eyes, then glared at her coven. "Just get it done."

The Shadow King leaned back into his throne. "Well, I believe everything's in order." He chuckled to himself. "It feels good to have control again. And this time…I'm not going anywhere. Mysto will soon beware my power…then the rest of the world." He clenched his fist. "Five hundred years sealed away in that prison…now we will bring about the eternity of darkness and wipe this world of the mortal coil. Do they think the pinnacle of creation itself…can be snuffed out by their magic?"

He raised his fist to the ceiling. "Let this be a start to our revolution. The darkness…shall reign supreme!"

His loyal minions cheered out, fists raised in celebratory fashion. This was a time of fear to be brought back into the modern age. The world of Pokémon shall come at an end.

For the Desert Beasts, it was the other way around. They were the ones feeling the fear. This'll be their big break into the new age, where they can reign…but this was all different from their ideals of freedom.

This was the start of a second war of the shadows…and victory was a blinking light of hope in the endless abyss of their presence.

With the days running by, Fernando and the bounty hunters have finished with their duty, more so the Monferno. The hitman was on his way to getting the information back to Hal so he could get on with a new assignment from a new client. He's been away for so long, there've probably been hundreds of requests to file through.

Fernando was finishing up with a call on his crystal orb while the bounty hunters mused over the situation regarding Griffin and his friends. It took a lot to scare them, but the Shadow King's presence on history certainly gave them a start. Fighting the shadows was one thing, but the ruler of them all wasn't a joke. For once, things were grim.

Mack scowled. "Our buddy is risking his neck out there while some murderous king is plotting to hack his head off…and we're all the way out here, doing nothing."

Holly sighed. "I know how you feel, but it seems this is Griffin's destiny, not ours. If he wanted out help, he should've said something."

"Destiny, schmestiny!" Mack stomped his foot down. "Like hell I should care about that bastard's pride! He's our friend! I don't care if he told us NOT to come! I'm not sitting by and doing nothing!"

"And what do you expect us to do about it?"

"We're in the Swamp Zone, right? The center zone of everything?" He raised his fist. "We can totally run all the way to Ironworks Kingdom if we go now!"

Holly glared. "Are you crazy? Getting from here to the Snow Zone is one thing, but do you remember the last time we went through there? We can't just run through hostile terrain and expect to meet up with Griffin before he leaves."

"We'll just shoot him a message and tell him we're coming!"

"They wouldn't waste time just for us to tag along. The second they're done getting the key, it's off to the next location for them. We'd be slowing them down."

Mack crossed his arms. "And what are WE supposed to do?! Go back to collecting bounties?! HA!" He jabbed her in the chest. "Don't try acting your way out of this! You want a crack at those freaky shadows as much as I do!"

Holly glared. "…You aren't wrong."

"Why should we care what destiny has to say? Who cares if a prophecy tells my buddy he needs to risk his neck? This is my home, too, an I'd be damned if I didn't do something worthwhile to protect it!" He smirked. "Even if it takes us forever, we're catching up to Griffin and helping him end Voss, the Shadow King, and the rest of those shitty losers!"

He didn't get a response for half a minute, as Holly stared at him with a hard-pressed face. She tapped her foot impatiently, struggling to keep her scrambled thoughts ordered. She really hated that stupid grin of Mack's. It was reeking with trouble.

She sighed, then threw her head back and shouted, "Alright, fine! I admit it! I don't want Griffin having all the fun!"

"Ha! I knew it!" Mack stood up and punched his branch fists together. "Next stop, Ironworks Kingdom!"

"I had a feeling you two were heading there." They were approached by Fernando, who had finished his call. "Only expected from a couple of troublemakers like yourselves."

Holly held her hip. "Done with your thing?"

"I called in a favor from someone to give me a lift back to Quartz Plain Village, then my place." He tilted his head. "I have much to get done. I wasn't expecting to hang around you two any longer."

Mack smirked. "Harsh."

Fernando rolled his eyes, then held his hand out. "For what it's worth…it was an honor working alongside both of you. You're both fine bounty hunters and allies."

Holly shook his hand. "Your company was refreshing compared to this idiot."

Mack pushed her out of the way and shook Fernando's hand. "Always nice to have someone around instead of this nagging witch!" Holly bonked him on the head. Hard. "Doooon't regret anything…" He stumbled back and shook his head clear.

Fernando shoved his hands in his pockets. "Perhaps our paths will cross again in the future, hopefully under better circumstances."

Mack laughed. "I'm hoping for worse! You get a lot out of the trouble!"

Holly rolled her eyes, then bowed to Fernando. "Take care on your duty."

Fernando bowed back. "And safe wishes in your journey to Ironworks. Regardless of Team Ravenfield's place in all of this, I wish all the best of luck in ending the reign of the shadows."

With acknowledgements given, the bounty hunter duo's next destination was clear. They turned their backs to the hitman and, in a burst of speed, sprinted in the direction of the Snow Zone. Their eyes burned with their respective animas. If there was one thing about members of the Grim Ash Clan that you should never underestimate…

…it was their overwhelming drive to win.