A/N: Writing on a new laptop, had to get a new one after the fan bearing on my late mother's old one gave out. That and SV, and to a lesser extent, general depression are why this chapter was so delayed in editing. But here it is! Hopefully finally getting to Tactics Ogre Reborn doesn't result in further delays.
Haruto Kannagi had finished double-checking the tax paperwork for the property. With that, all his work for the day was in order. As if on cue, there was a knock at the door as he filed it away.
"Master Haruto," came the voice of Priestess Satomi Kurusu. "May I come in?"
"You may."
The elderly woman entered. She had a peculiar swagger to her every step, the kind only seen in the arrogance of youth or – in her instance – the absolute confidence of old age. No surprise, given she was one of their top priestesses. If the Kannagi Shrine was not led by blood, she would have become Master a long time ago. She was in many ways his mentor, and it pleased him to no end to see that Prema thought of her the same way.
She sat before him, letting out a heavy yet happy sigh. "So the young princess is off, well on her way to come of age."
"Princess?" Haruto inquired.
"Oh, just a little something Kaede likes to call her sometimes." Yes, Haruto recalled her making remarks to that effect during their training battle. Satomi shrugged. "Not that big a stretch, is it?"
"I suppose not." Prema certainly had the qualities of one, although it was not wholly accurate either. "I have utmost confidence in her success tonight."
Satomi chuckled as she leaned forward. "I remember when I saw you off to your own first task. And when I accompanied your mother on her own when I was that Yaznik girl's age!"
Haruto nodded at the mention of his daughter's friend. "She's been a big help for Prema." That was part of why he permitted her to attend the task tonight. That, and seeing where their friendship stood…
"She really has been. Don't want her turning out like you almost did."
Haruto could only huff in irritation. Among those in the shrine, he would only ever allow Priestess Satomi to so brazenly poke fun at him.
"It's good she has real friends." She tapped the bridge of her nose. "What about Carino? That free spirit of an official?"
Haruto leaned back in his chair. "The same, but in a different way." There was much to say about Nori Carino, but this was not the time to go over his thoughts.
"Getting back to business though, this is a bit unprecedented," Satomi remarked. "If something happens to Prema, the shrine will have no heirs left."
"That's why Maiden Kaede is with her."
"Better safe than sorry, eh?" Satomi huffed. "Can't blame you for it. You got a bad feeling too, huh?"
Haruto's eyebrows furled. "No, I did so only out of concern as a father. Kaede is there to step in if absolutely necessary." He paused. He had not given the situation as much thought as his elder had appeared to. "You think this spirit might be dangerous enough that she might have to?"
Satomi scratched her head. "I can't speak to that. Yet Prema's been a little…sheltered, I suppose."
Haruto paused at the shift in subject. He could not refute that. It was his biggest regret about Prema's upbringing, one he took full responsibility for. She had been studious in her training to become Master of the shrine, yet had little in the way of practical life experience. The head of the Kannagi Shrine pondered if there were any future Masters like Prema who started on their trials this late, barring exceptional circumstances.
"This will be the first time she's done something on her own, for a certain measure of being on her own here," Satomi added. "Might affect her performance, is what I'm saying."
Haruto sighed. "I understand that. Even so, she must learn. And I have confidence that she will."
Nariya had been in the old Magcargo Express warehouse many times in the past, when she was still with Youths Against Mistaken Society. Until the property was purchased, the protest group used the space outside as a meeting spot. They went inside whenever they needed privacy from potential eavesdroppers.
The others started setting up the moment they stepped inside. She was paralyzed by nostalgia as she approached Lady Prema. The tall teenager couldn't help but hover around for nearly a minute, uncertain of how to initiate conversation.
"Yes?" Prema eventually noticed and asked.
"This is where we…" she said, trailing off as she tried to find the next word.
Prema understood, folding her hands and smiling. "Yes, it is where we met for the first time. And where we met again."
"It is."
"Fate works in mysterious ways."
Kaede hopped to the side of them. Nariya jumped back, startled by her agility. "That it does. But don't forget, we're here on business."
Nariya shook her head. "I haven't…"
"And you know what the plan is, right?"
"I know."
Prema drew her gaze across all of them. Herself, Maiden Kaede, and that third person. A man in his twenties with periwinkle-colored hair. She didn't know his name, and was too meek to ask. Especially in case he was someone whose name she should know…
"My fellows of the shrine," she formally announced, bowing with grace and pride. "I am grateful for your presence and choosing to accompany me. With your support, I will see to it that the spirits inhabiting this building find peace tonight."
The other two bowed deeper in return, Nariya hastily following suit upon noticing. She was uncertain how she could help Lady Prema except by giving moral support through her presence. Yet if that was all she was capable of doing, she would do her best to otherwise stay out of the way.
Some amount of time passed. Nariya's mom and dad didn't let her have a cell phone, nor did she have another means to tell time, so she was uncertain of how long it was. Only that it was very late. The future head priestess of the Kannagi Shrine had taken to sitting cross-legged, near motionless in the dead center of the room. Kaede was pacing restlessly, and the third person was sitting on a chair with his head down.
Nariya did not know what the appropriate thing to do was. She was never much of a daydreamer, so when her thoughts ran dry, she simply sat quietly. The room was bland and dull. Just boxes and chairs and tables. She did see a broom on one of the tables, but thought better of touching it. Someone might have placed it there for a reason, after all.
"Gods, I'm bored," rasped Kaede, all of a sudden. Nariya froze up upon the realization she was speaking to her. "Know you are too."
"I'm…not…" she lied, unconvincingly. It would be improper to admit that outright, particularly when it was her decision to attend.
Kaede crossed her arms and sighed. "So this is the first of four major tasks Lady Kannagi needs to do to be worthy of the title of head priestess, the Master of the shrine."
Nariya was never good at socialization, yet even she was able to tell Kaede was throwing things out in an attempt to strike up conversation. Truth be told, what she had mentioned had caught her interest.
"What are the others?" she asked.
Kaede shrugged. "Dunno about the second or third, but everyone knows about the capital-r Rite."
Nariya glanced away. "I don't…"
She cringed. She knew she should not have said that, and felt the scrutinizing eyes of both of her shrine-mates upon her. The third person whose name she did not know rose from his seat and stepped forth, no doubt to give her a harsh lecture.
"Long and short of the Rite is," said the man, shockingly not upset, "Lady Kannagi will have to travel to the three lakes of Sinnoh and pray to each of the Essences of the Soul in their chambers. After that, it's off to the peak of Mount Coronet, the Spear Pillar, to leave an offering to the Original One."
Kaede raised a finger, adding, "Once she's at least sixteen. And completed her other training."
Nariya silently nodded. Prema would be sixteen come February, but she seemed a long way off from the other prerequisite. So tonight was the first step in a long and arduous path. "Um, do you know what the second and third are, mister…?"
"Just call me Jack," he said. "Don't know the specifics myself, just that one's more of a curriculum thing. Others can't be as wide-scale as a journey, though!"
He and Kaede laughed, with Nariya nervously joining in.
"Still remember my trip around Sinnoh," remarked Kaede. "Did Cool and Smart Contests, cleared Master Rank in both, but didn't win the big one in either." That came as a surprise to Nariya, given her talent for battling.
"I did Gyms," said Jack. "Did quite a bit of traveling back in the day. Made top 4 in the Kanto League in particular."
"Have you gone on one, Nariya?" Kaede inquired. "Or are you thinking of going on one?"
She shook her head. "My parents don't let me have Pokemon. Because…well. I'm autistic, and…"
The ninja smirked. "Heh, maybe Lady Kannagi's will be your big chance."
Nariya glanced up at the roof. She loved Pokemon, but a journey felt a bit much. Even if it was only accompanying someone else, that would be a lot of travel and time away from home. Particularly if she could not think of a personal goal for the journey that she felt comfortable with.
"So…" she meekly spoke up about something that had been on her mind. "Tsukimi, um, the festival, is on Sund–"
"My fellows of the shrine," announced Prema.
Nariya jumped, glancing away. Should they not have been speaking? It was wrong to talk about someone behind their back, and they were doing so right in front of her.
Her friend stood. "I am prepared. It is now time to call out to the spirits."
Lady Prema whispered something. Was this part of the process? Nariya glanced over to Maiden Kaede for verification. She was hoping to get it just from her expression, but she couldn't tell.
"Is it…" she tried to ask outright.
"Yeah, it's starting," came Kaede's reply. "Sit tight and get ready."
Nariya nodded. The tall girl was uncertain what good she would be, yet…she was here. Whatever she could do, she would do.
Prema clasped a palm over a fist and began chanting in Japanese. "Blessed spirits, I humbly request thee. Reveal your form to us," she followed up in plain English.
Nariya tensed up. She was about to meet a ghost Pokemon. Not something like a Gastly or Misdreavus, but one that had passed from the world. And one that had assaulted humans and their Pokemon. She had no Pokemon of her own to defend herself…or Lady Prema…if the worst came to pass.
Several long, agonizing seconds followed, which felt like minutes. Yet nothing appeared before them.
"Maybe…they're not here?" Nariya blurted aloud.
Kaede and Jack's disapproving eyes fell upon her at once, nearly crushing her under their gazes. The potential head priestess of the shrine shook her head. "No," came her soft reply. "I sense the presence of another besides we four. They are present."
Yet why would they not appear? Nariya did not want to ask another question, just in case it made her feel stupider or look ruder than she already did. Or if it made the others even more upset.
Prema was still. Even if Nariya was any good at reading body language, there wasn't any to see with her. Kaede was occasionally glancing over at a stack of boxes, and Jack was fidgeting and shuffling more than she was.
The green-haired teenager once again put her hands into a prayer position. "Spirits inhabiting this warehouse. If you are there, give a sign of your presence."
Once more, Nariya held her breath. Yet the only sound she heard was the others' breathing. If there was any motion or mystical thing, she couldn't see any of it. They waited a full three minutes, but nothing came.
"They will not answer…" Prema mused.
"Er, Lady Kannagi?" Nariya jumped and covered her head with her arms as a raspy voice spoke up. She glanced around, thankful that it was only Jack. "Mind if I uh, feed my Pokemon? Around their time. Sorry. Didn't think it'd go this long."
Nariya was taken aback. It had to be around 10pm by her estimation. That was an awfully late time for a meal. She was always in bed by that hour, and usually asleep.
Kaede crossed her arms and shot daggers out of her eyes at Jack. However, Prema smiled gently after several seconds. "By all means, Acolyte Jack. I simply ask that they do nothing to provoke the spirits."
"Don't worry, they're as tame as it gets, heh." With a bow of thanks, Jack went to the far left corner of the room to take care of his business.
Kaede sighed. "Lady Kannagi, you are way too nice sometimes."
"Maiden Kaede," came her friend's reply. "While there are moments where one must be firm, to do so without purpose is to be rigid. Each is its own circumstance. There are times when compassion must take precedent over regulation. Even when not necessary, to show it regardless, if of sound judgment, is a mark of good character. If you wish to flourish in your position, you may wish to keep this in mind."
She spoke with the same air of grace and power to the two of them as she would with hundreds of onlookers. It was enough to make them both shrink back, even though only one of them was being personally addressed. "Ah…" The ninja lowered her head. "Forgive me for stepping out of line."
Prema nodded. "Think nothing of it, Maiden Kaede."
"But…" Nariya took a deep breath, not wanting to come across as disrespectful as Kaede did. Her concerns had real merit. "Are you not concerned it could negatively impact, or even outright compromise the exorcism?"
"I would not have agreed if I felt it could." She smiled. "That is an understandable concern, however."
"Okay." If Prema was saying so, that was all she needed to hear.
"It cannot be helped if these Pokemon always eat at this hour. We must take the needs of all into consideration when we…"
Prema trailed off, much like Nariya might when speaking. It was unnatural for one such as her. "When we what?" she asked. She was not as good at finishing others' sentences.
"Something is coming!"
Right as she said so, a black laser zigzagged down from the ceiling, angled at Jack's Pokemon. It crashed into his Venomoth, sending it to the floor.
"What is this?!" Jack got up and looked around. A cross-shaped shadow came swooping down on his Banette. He jumped in the way to shield it, getting hit in the stomach.
"Jack!" Nariya shouted. That had to have hurt badly! He was rolling on the hard stone floor, clutching himself.
Prema was looking around above with intense focus. Kaede was running over somewhere. And Nariya had no idea what to do…but she saw it!
"Look out!" she warned.
Prema turned in time to see another black laser coming straight for her. Acting without hesitation, Nariya threw herself at her friend.
As she was getting ready to shield herself with spiritual power, Prema found herself hurled to the ground by something. She got out her hands in enough time to break her fall, scooting aside as soon as possible. She quickly turned to spot what had blindsided her, her heart sinking as she did so.
"Nariya!" She had taken the brunt of the blast, being thrown a few meters away. She was writhing, babbling incomprehensibly. Prema was about to go help, when someone shouted to her.
"Get back, Lady Kannagi!" It was Kaede. Halfway across the room.
Prema's body listened, even as her mind was screaming to check on her friend. Laughter boomed through the hollow building and her mind. She took stock of the situation. A Crobat and a white Zoroark were attacking Acolyte Jack's Pokemon. He was on the floor in a daze, but a cursory glance said he was otherwise well. Maiden Kaede was in a battle pose holding a sphere in her hands. There was no sign of Nariya's attacker, yet.
"I'll take care of this, Lady Kannagi!" shouted Kaede. "Get out of here!"
"I cannot–" she started, right as the woman wailed loudly. A mere kiai, thankfully, as threw something upward with all her might.
It only struck Prema after seeing the glow that Maiden Kaede was not fighting back with Pokemon. The ball exploded into a spray of flame, which flared up into a scintillating flash of light upon contact with the phantom lurking in the shadows of the ceiling. Prema briefly saw the humanoid-shaped Pokemon as it was hurt by the spiritually-supercharged ninjutsu.
Kaede promptly fell to a single knee, gasping and clutching at her chest. No doubt, thought Prema, she put her all into that.
Prema stood and stared down her adversary, remaining alert for any ambush or sudden attack. The clear leader of the group, the spirit of the warehouse. Despite the blow they had taken, they remained intact. Prema was unable to discern the exact species the phantom was, between the darkness and being unable to focus.
"Why do you do this?" she firmly yet politely asked the restless Pokemon.
In reply, the leader cackled. "How quaint…" he said. Prema's mouth went ajar. It was not rare that a Pokemon could speak the human languages, yet she had not been expecting this one to be able to. None of its victims had stated anything of the sort. "The priestess who hides behind her followers is speaking to me of morality. You're not good enough."
"Behind you!" Kaede shouted, reaching for her satchel.
Prema turned to see the pale Zoroark about five meters from her. A simple fake-out, or an attempt at one. They halted as she caught sight and flashed a toothy, malevolent smile.
Fohoshi materialized before Prema, waving her staff threateningly. The ghostly Pokemon didn't so much as flinch from the gesture.
"Pathetic. You waste my time, Kannagi," the leading Pokemon said, deadpan. He addressed the others. "Let's go."
The spirits started to float away. "Wait!" Prema called out.
The Zoroark sank into the floor, while the Crobat flew up to the ceiling and disappeared. The phantom flickered from sight, and Prema could not so much as sense their presence afterward.
At once, guilt came crashing down upon her. She surveyed the carnage.
Jack was struggling to stand, although he was more concerned about his unconscious Pokemon than his own condition. Fohoshi was ensuring her trainer was okay, which left…
"Nariya!" Prema rushed over and knelt down.
"I saw…it…"
"You saw what, Nariya?!"
"The…gh…ghoul…"
Her friend tried sitting up, only to fall unconscious. Prema put a hand to her forehead. A fever and spiritual damage. This was her fault. Her own shortcomings and hesitations led to her friend getting badly injured.
"Lady Kannagi, we still got company."
Prema was on her feet at once, eyes locked to where Kaede was gesturing. "Come out of there!" she shouted, tightly grasping Taiyoko's Poke Ball. If it was a person responsible for all this, she would make them pay dearly.
A figure darted out from behind the stack of crates. Acolyte Jack suddenly lurched into action, catching up and tackling them to the floor before they could escape.
The one responsible let out a disgruntled snort as she was yanked up. She was in a black shirt with a dark gray overcoat, with cargo pants and a small bag at her side. "This is assault, I say! You'll hear from my lawyers if I'm so much as bruised!"
Prema and Maiden Kaede both marched over, the latter standing in front. "Who are you?"
"Reporter Akari Schrader!" the woman declared, breaking free of the Pokemon caretaker's grasp and reaching into her pocket. She retrieved her wallet and flashed her ID as well as a proud grin. "And I just got some excellent footage!"
Kaede advanced upon her, grabbing her by the coat. "You'd better not publish it," she threatened.
"Too late!" the Schrader said, pulling away. "It's already out there! You can't stop the press!"
"If you put anything disparaging towards Lady Kannagi in it–"
"Maiden Kaede," she hushed, raising a palm. She went silent at once. Prema turned to the reporter. "Mrs. Schrader. I understand and respect your freedom of the press. I will not question your motivations or how you found out we would be present here tonight. However, I must ask why you did not raise a hand to help us when the spirit was attacking."
The reporter blinked. "Well, that's…" She chuckled, lightly shuffling her feet. "I didn't have my Pokemon on me, you see."
Prema folded her hands. "Were you not concerned for your own safety?"
Acolyte Jack at least appeared to understand where her line of reasoning was headed. "Yeah, look what they did to young Nariya and my Pokemon. You had to be staking the place out before we showed up, right?"
Akari tensed. Her eyes stretched wide, darting from place to place. Without warning, she shoved Kaede aside and made a break for it.
"Get back here!" The woman with ninja training crouched to pursue.
"Leave her be," Prema urged. "We have more pressing matters to attend to." She once more glanced worriedly over at her friend.
"I swear, though," the ninja grumbled. "Knew she was hiding there, but didn't think she'd do that. I'm gonna make sure she regrets it."
Prema was unconcerned about the reporter. The media would not open themselves up to a slander lawsuit, and her father would no doubt find a way to handle the situation. Even she was aware of a means to discredit Akari Schrader should the need arise.
Her only concern at that moment was Nariya. Even in the worst case, one could always recover from a scandal. As the saying went, however – life, once lost, can never be recovered. She walked over to check on her friend, again placing a hand on her forehead. Not as feverish. Breathing, but no sign of consciousness. There was bruising on both her arms, and on the forehead as well.
"Nariya…" Prema whispered. This was her fault. There was a part of her that wanted to yell at Nariya, demand to know why she would do something so rash. She had to take pause at that thought, aware it was an irrational thought. Lashing out would not help anyone, least of all the shrine.
Acolyte Jack approached. His Pokemon were back in their capsules. "What should we do, Lady Kannagi?" He scratched at his scalp. "Think my Pokemon will be fine?"
"Your Pokemon should be fine after some rest. But Nariya…" She could not bear to speak it.
The caretaker nodded. "Understood. I'll call an ambulance."
In life, failure is something one was inevitably bound to taste. Prema was no stranger to it. Yet she had never failed to this degree, when so much was on the line. She had not managed to contain the spirit, and her friend had gotten critically injured. Whatever it meant for her training meant little to her. How was she going to explain this to her father? The rest of the shrine? And Nariya's family?
