Flareon Light spent all morning in the throne room.
He walked around, stretched, and even did a few push-ups while Sky-Forme Shaymins Ariel and Mei flew around the smaller table with pencils in their paws. Mei suggested routes and compared them with another possible route, and Ariel disagreed every time.
Mei sighed and gave in, then the process repeated itself. During the long talk, her head servant, the Mienshao, delivered Light a cup of white frosting and a spoon. In the middle of taking a smooth, sweet bite, Mei stared at him as he sat on the white cushion. Their conversation paused along with Light's wagging gray tail.
"What?" Mei asked. "Why?"
"His body uses a lot of sugar, so he likes to eat cups of frosting," Ariel explained. "Another reason why we need to use the carriage route instead of walking on this leg. We need food, water, and some frosting."
"Fine." With a sour face, Mei drew one last line on top of the map. "There. We're done."
"Your Graces?"
Mei and Ariel turned to Mienshao. She stood just in front of the throne room's engraved metal doors with her arms up at her sides.
"What would you like for lunch?" she asked.
"Dumplings," Mei answered.
"Roast duck and braised pork balls in gravy," Ariel said.
Ariel glared at Mei. Light didn't understand the firestorm happening between their eyes, but he ducked under Mei's gaze as she locked back onto the Mienshao.
"Add shrimp," Mei said.
"Chow Mein," Ariel added. "That's funny, Mei. Eating your own kind?"
"Spring rolls," Mei said, glaring at Ariel. "Don't call me a shrimp, tiny."
"Spring rolls for me, too," she glared back. "Double what she's having."
"Actually, add everything she just ordered onto my order," Mei said. "It'll make for a lovely little snack."
"Add everything she ordered to what I'm having," Ariel said. "And then double it all."
"Can I, uh, take some of those spring rolls?" Light asked.
Ariel turned to Light. Her green eyes brightened "Of course, sweetiepie."
Her eyes returned to the same dark color as soon as she looked back at Mei from across the table.
"Your Graces," Mienshao said. "This currently adds up to be triple of each of your body weights at least."
"Triple of Ariel's, maybe," Mei hissed. "Not mine."
"Just because you like to throw your weight around doesn't mean you have more of it than me," she sassed.
"Uhm, isn't this competition supposed to be about who weighs less?" Light asked.
Ariel and Mei glanced at him with confused looks on their faces. Light tried to swallow his sentence back down his throat.
"Odd," Mei said quietly. "Is that what it's like where you come from?"
"U-uh, yah," Light said, voice weakening.
"What's the point of that?" Ariel asked.
"Uhm… I dunno…"
"Do you find us appalling?" Mei asked.
"No," he said sternly. "Of course not…"
Light wrapped his gray tail around his body. He felt a bit more out of place than usual.
"Your Graces, our cooks are rather tired after last night," Mienshao said.
"It's not a competition," Mei said. "Not even close. I'll just have smaller portions of what I already described."
"Me too," Ariel said. "Extra spring rolls for Light."
"Of course."
Mienshao left out through a crack in the door. As it closed, Flareon Light noticed Ariel's thinking face. His eyes were pinched closer together.
"What is it, Airy?" he asked.
The Sky-Forme Shaymin jolted up. "Oh, just, uh, I wanted to check on Jewel. See how she's doing."
"Sure, go ahead."
"Thanks, Light. I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay."
Ariel floated over the table. Before heading to the door, she nuzzled the green fur on her head against Light's cheek. Light pushed back as his tail wagged until she floated up and away. Ariel landed to open the door, then closed it behind her.
"I don't get it," Mei said. "I don't see why she likes you. You're so vanilla."
"What's that mean?" Light asked.
"Just so… unconcerned about everything. At least you seem so on the outside."
"Why do I 'seem' unconcerned?"
"When you first realized who my sister really was, I saw it," she said. "Your real reaction was under so many layers, it took me a little bit to figure it out. That you feel like you're distant from people that you're 'supposed' to be close to."
"Are you trying to play mind games?" Light asked, growling under his breath.
"No. I could if I wanted to, but I don't. Besides, it's not like I dislike you. I just enjoy 'solving' how people think."
"And use that to your advantage? Is that what you try to do for Ariel?"
Mei laughed and lowered her head. She forced her smile to straighten out.
"In order to understand Ariel, you need to think on the simplest terms possible," Mei explained. "Save a cute boy? Make him your boyfriend. Feel sad? Cry. Feel bad? Punch. Feel angry at your sister? Just disagree with her on everything."
Light's ears perked up. "You disagreed with her, but that was actually the route you wanted to take all along?" he questioned. "You just let her win every argument about it?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that a little manipulative? You want her to trust you, right?"
"Light, I want to do right by Ariel, but she's never been sharp."
"I think you're going to have to respect her a little more than that to do right by her."
Mei's eyes turned lower than the map. She stared off towards the floor. "Already tried doing that."
"But," Light said in a low voice, "I think all she wants is an apology. Or just… something."
"I can't apologize," Mei said. "If I apologized, that'd be the same thing as admitting I'm guilty for our parents' deaths, and I can't deal with that. It wasn't exactly my decision, anyway."
"But she wants something from you."
"I don't know what that 'something' is."
Light quieted. Mei took in long, deep breaths on the other side of the table as her eyes darted around areas on the map.
"I can tell what you're planning," Light said. "Airy told me about what you two talked about."
"The Jade Orb?" Mei asked, unbothered. "And you figured out that I plan to try and become its Scion myself?"
"You could be doubling an already bad problem. If that Legendary pokemon is like Reshiram-"
"Oh, without a doubt it is. That's why I want to kill it."
"Wait…" Light paused. "What do you mean without a doubt?"
"I researched it for years," she explained. "I've determined it's not in its usual state already. But it's contained to a sacred ground where no one lives, and we can use its power if we succeed."
"For some reason, I don't really like this whole 'more power' idea..."
Mei scoffed and gawked at him. "What? Do you think you can defeat Reshiram yourself?"
"No, but-"
"I'm not letting my sister die for you, or your cause. Even if I have respect for both. I'm taking the Jade Orb, and when it's said and done, I'm not leaving Ariel anywhere."
The table fell quiet. Light wafted his tail around his body to put his nervous energy somewhere.
"Besides," Mei said, "clearly, pokemon in power can become Scions, too." She sighed and turned her eyes down at the table. "So, are you sure that you still want to leave today instead? It probably doesn't matter, considering Reshiram's clearly waiting for you."
"Yah," Light said. "I don't want to keep it waiting."
"With the current plan, we'll be sleeping outside high on a mountain tonight. Might get dirt on your fur."
"Do I really seem like the type to complain about that?"
"Oh, you're fine. But, yes. Given how you look day to day, yes. That is definitely a quirk of yours."
"Yeah, that's true."
Light's head whipped around. Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel poked her head through the door, then closed it without a sound.
"We'll pack nice sleeping bags," Ariel continued, smiling as she walked in. "And brushes, so he'll be fine."
Light really didn't feel like he was some sort of clean freak. He vowed to try and pay more attention since they agreed that he was so easily, and they didn't agree very much.
For whatever reason, Ariel grabbed his ears. She sat down next to him, still twirling his left ear. He leaned on her side as she put her arm around his back and gray mane.
"How's Jewel?" Light asked through his low, grumbling purr.
"She's fine. A little bored, but she's pretty excited. She kinda raced off, that's why I'm already back."
"How about you?"
"Wow, I feel fine, Light," she said in a loud voice. "Thank you for asking and showing interest in how I've been."
Across the table, Mei rolled her eyes.
"Tell me I'm awesome," Ariel said.
"You're a total hunk," he said.
Ariel pecked Light on the cheek. His fur flared up as he nuzzled closer.
"Chad and Markus will be joining us over the mountain," Sky Shaymin Mei said, "then they'll part with us around the city to go back on their pre-planned paths."
"Why's that?" Ariel asked.
"There's a strong pokemon that's been up on that mountain recently. An entire group of illegal weapons traffickers was wiped out in a single night. They're at least at the level of strength as an Olympian."
Olympians were rather fearsome. After a battler collected eight gym badges from any nation, they challenged other Olympians for the title of being the strongest pokemon in the world in an enormous tournament held every two years.
To say that this pokemon was "at least" an Olympian was insanity.
"Normally, I'd feel comfortable with someone like Chad Longfellow on our side," Mei said. "But with Markus, someone can have his back other than one of us royals."
Light paused. "Uhhhhh…"
Mei's eyes brightened up. "Oh, right. You know, I really forget Markus is royalty. Well, in any case, he's coming, too."
"Sounds fine," Ariel said. "Markus is pretty tough. We'll be alright."
"Uhm, didn't you punch him earlier?" Light asked.
Ariel laughed and looked down at him. "And he walked away fine."
"No more punching Markus," Mei complained. "You already know why he doesn't have a filter. Be fair."
"Uh, why doesn't he have a filter?" Light asked.
"He has no social anxiety, ever. It's harder for him to think twice about saying things. So, while we're all traveling together, try and show some mutual respect."
Ariel pecked Light on the cheek again. He squirmed and smiled.
"And stop kissing each other every five effing minutes!"
Ariel's grip around him tightened as Light flinched.
"Just fix it already. Your entire Guild thinks it's annoying."
"Oh here we got with your two second fuse already!" Ariel screamed back. "I kissed him twice."
"In the span of ten seconds."
Their arguing had turned towards situations that must have happened years ago, especially with how many details they disagreed on. A lot of it seemed small, but it kept adding up. Once the piles of food on thick, silver trays came, they both went silent. Light grabbed a single spring roll in his paw and nibbled on it.
Ariel ate multiple rolls in single bites. Light stared a bit by accident as most of them vanished in what could've been just two or three minutes. Ariel glanced at him as she reached for fluffy, white dumplings.
"You good?" she asked.
Yah," Light said. "But I'm a little worried about that pokemon."
"Don't be. We've got you."
"Well, I was worried for all of us. We're kind of high profile."
"No one knows where we're going, when we're leaving, or which route you'll be on," Ariel reasoned. "Besides, there's only so much one pokemon could even do."
"And the area is completely clean of organized crime now," Mei added. "Thanks to that it's technically the safest route still."
"I mean, as long as you're both sure. I just have the feeling something bad will happen."
"We'll be ready when it does. Especially if you ate some more."
Light glanced at Ariel. She nodded and added, "Yeah, eat some more."
"Not trying to be stuffed or anything," he said. "Besides, it's not actually my food."
"What?" she questioned. "Of course it's your food."
"Uh, sorta? I mean, you just gave it to me, so I'm not going to take advantage of that."
Ariel leaned down to Light's face. Her ears wafted warm, floral air in his face. Her arm reached over the table and pulled something off of it.
"Light," Ariel said quietly, "Here. Please eat."
Ariel presented a dumpling in her grasp. Light held out his paw, and she set it on top.
Light took a bite. The outside tasted like a mild, sweet fluffy cloud. It was filled with meat he didn't recognize the taste of, but was tangy and smooth. Ariel pecked his filled cheek.
"O-kay," Mei groaned from across the table. "I'm going to eat somewhere else. I'll call you when it's time to leave."
Without Mei, lunch became a lot more pleasant. Ariel ate a lot slower, taking time in between to see Light try different foods. She seemed particularly curious about how he'd react to roast duck. He didn't want to disappoint her, but he couldn't feign an intense reaction. She saw right through it, but she waved it off.
Light wished Mei could see this side of Ariel. Past everything else, she was nice, funny, confident, and a million other nice things.
Then again, it was mostly about Ariel's disdain for Mei. With how much effort Mei took to make sure Ariel came, it had to mean something. Given that Ariel didn't completely give up, that meant it still wasn't too late.
After returning to the room, Light caught extra sleep for the trip thinking about it. He mulled over ways that maybe could help. He'd only ever trusted one other friend before like he trusted Ariel.
Flareon Light woke back up on top of the white covers. Shadows of daylight fell through the windows, but he could tell sunset would start soon. On the other side of a wall of pillows, Sky-Forme Shaymin Ariel had dozed off. Her phone rose and fell on her chest. As he shifted, the bedframe creaked.
That was all it took for her to open her green eyes. Light shifted his guilty stare away from her face. She stretched out her limbs and yawned on her back.
"Hey," Ariel sighed, flipping onto her side. "Sorry, guess I dozed off."
"How have Robin and Nadia been doing?" Light asked quietly.
Ariel's smile fell lower. "I haven't talked to them. They ghosted my texts."
Light's eyes tensed as heat pulsed through his body. Ariel reeled her head back, but her smile stayed as her eyes widened.
"It's okay," she added. "I talked to them. They're just weirded out, and a little... intimidated."
Light nodded, mostly to himself. He stood up and rotated his shoulders, cracking his back. Ariel lied still and watched him.
"What time is it?" Light asked.
Ariel picked up her phone and lit up the screen. "We leave in fifteen minutes," she said. "Everything's already packed. We just need to figure out what we want to do on the way there."
"Oh, okay."
"Have any ideas?" Ariel asked sitting up.
"I haven't gone on a long carriage ride in a while. I don't think so."
"We could watch a movie on my phone, read a book together, play chess… And we have a whole carriage to ourselves, so Mei can't complain at us."
"Is it that book about the explorers?" Light asked.
"Yeah. The rest of my stuff is just going to stay on the ship."
"Let's do that. And chess."
Ariel floated up in the air and flew in a small circle.
"But first," Light continued, "I want to talk to everyone before we head out."
"They're bringing all the carriages to the plaza," Ariel said. "Everyone will be there in a few."
"Okay, good."
Ariel settled down and landed on the floor. As she did, Light hopped down off the side of the bed. He glanced around at his things in the room.
His white coat and white star earring were both dangling on the edge of the bed, just next to Ariel's white cape. His white Lao Shen robe was back on the ship. Other than those things, he didn't really have anything else other than the jewelry and other clothes on the ship. With everything checked in his mind, he put on his coat and earring while Ariel tied the cape around her neck.
"We didn't pack that much for food," Ariel said. "Just enough for one night. We should be in the city by tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything that you want to bring specifically? We already have a bunch of cans of frosting. I'll text them."
"Uhm, could we bring egg rolls and some dumplings? Just for the start of the trip."
"Sure. Anything else?"
"Nope. All set."
"Alright."
Light walked with Ariel out towards the plaza. He caught her staring off in the distance multiple times, but her eyes always snapped back when he did.
In the open space, a line of carriages faced towards the front gates in front of the throne room. The doors were opened as different pokemon moved and mingled behind them, making final preparations with setting things inside. Unlike before, the carriages were simple wood, and all identical. They were all just about the same size, too.
From the crowd, Light picked out Slowking Chad. Even though Ariel was technically his partner, Chad was experienced and probably had an idea of what to say.
Or not. He should just say it himself since he'd been thinking about it so much already. Light walked to the doorway and in through the center.
Half a dozen beds lines the wall. There was a window above each, and a pokemon in each of them. Dim blue moonlight streamed in through the windows, flickering as clouds rolled by.
Everyone else snored away. Light couldn't sleep.
The white Eevee crept under his blanket and fell to the floor. He stalked to his bed and slid out a box from underneath. Despite how dark it was, he knew the contents like the back of his paw. Everything he owned was inside, or was lent from the library. He gravitated towards a history book this week.
At night, he didn't have enough light to read it inside. He had to creep out of the room to the hallway. The caretakers were all but gone, except for one that usually guarded the hallways at night. Tonight, it was a Watchog.
His gleaming red eyes scanned over the hallways all night. Light listened for his footsteps and moved in tandem, even matching them to his own to disguise the sound.
The rooftop was past a rampway that went to the second floor. The orphanage's classrooms were on the second floor, but he skipped it and went to the roof.
Opening up the door, starlight combined with city light. They worked together to illuminate the small words on the big page.
Whenever Light had questions, he went to the library to answer those questions. His question today was about historical leaders.
During history class, a lot of the actions people took together seemed insane in how single-minded they were. He wanted to understand why. The book gave him answers he didn't expect.
All of them were linked by desires. Common ground was the most precious resource in control. The most evil and beloved leaders both used it very, very well. Control was kept by giving people what they wanted, or by making them think they had kinds of obligations that weren't real. Obligations to fight battles that didn't belong to them, or obligations to the people above them that didn't exist. Light struggled to understand that kind of invisible power, but he was able to to some degree.
The caretakers at the orphanage pretended to be gods. They "deserved" respect for their existence and time being here. If he went against them, he was punished. If he did what they wanted, he was given shoddy "rewards" as they tried to train him to make his way in this world. In other words, obeying the power.
He did have to wonder if there could be balance without it. Of course, everyone in power would say no.
"Late night?"
Light's head whipped around. A Watchog stood with a smile on his face in the doorway. He sauntered closer.
With his head stuck in his book, he hadn't even noticed.
"You picked an amazing place to read," he continued. "What're you reading there?"
"History," Light said.
"You want to be a historian someday?"
"No."
"So, why're you reading a history book?"
"When I grow up, I don't want to be controlled."
Watchog paused, then grew a smile. His head swayed from side to side as he walked next to him. He stared off towards the city in the distance over the dark tree tops.
"You want to be the controller?" he asked.
"No," Light said. "I want to be free."
"So you want to be alone?"
"If that's what it takes."
Watchog nodded to himself. He sat down and groaned. He may have been young, but his face felt old and tired as his smile drooped.
"When you're close to someone, there's always a kind of effect you have on them. The same thing goes with people and their morals. You just need to make sure it's the truth. That the people you close to are who they claim to be."
"How am I supposed to figure that out?" Light asked.
"People are predictable. We all have these sort of detectors that help us see patterns the more of them we meet. And the more of them you meet, the better you'll get. You can try it with me."
Light's fur stood up. Electricity danced in his muscles at the cold realization.
"You stole from us," Watchog said. "So, now you've got to pay us back."
"Light?"
The Flareon snapped out of it. Slowking Chad and Manaphy Jewel rounded up everyone's attention. Mienfoo Robin and Galarian Ponyta Nadia hid behind Roserade Storm and Arcanine Zhen respectively as a circle formed. Emolga Alisha and Talonflame Roxanne were the last to look in his direction and joined on the outer edge of the circle.
Sky Shaymin Ariel joined him on his right. He nodded to her.
"I wanted to make sure that you're all here by choice," Light announced. "None of you are obligated to stay. And I'm not just saying it's a choice, I mean it."
Everyone stared. Light made sure to look back at each of them.
"We think the Glass Reshiram is in Mount Aí, but that doesn't mean that we know. Our first priority as a Guild is always civilians, and we're not looking to battle it yet. But, uh, those are things that you already could guess yourself."
Light glanced down at the floor and back up again.
"Some years ago, I mugged some pokemon who tried to mug me," Light sighed. "And uhm…"
Everyone's eyes started to wake up. Light didn't have the energy to meet them, but he forced himself to continue.
"After, the gang they were a part of came to the orphanage. Said I needed to pay them back, but the price always got bigger some way or another. During one of those times, I took a white stone from a mansion. Historians lived there, and… Well, that stone transformed into Reshiram one day. So, when we're 'fighting' Reshiram, I want you to record every detail of what effects it has on you."
A short quiet fell over the room. Light glanced around in case anyone had questions.
"So we're on the same page," Slowking Chad said, "what kinds of effects are we looking at?"
"Environmental, physical…" Light said. "Mental. And spiritual. Everything is on the table. That's why I want to tell you all that it's up to you if you are willing to put those at the risk of pressure. So I need you to know that you want to do this. I don't want to influence you."
"I understand," Chad nodded. "We've had some conversations about what we're getting ourselves into over the past few days. And, well, we're not trying to leave you out. So to sum it up, we're ready."
"My mind's already past it's expiration date at this point," Zhen added. "It'd be too hard for me to change my mind."
"It's true," Roserade Storm added, shifting his weight from leg to leg. "Studies actually show-"
"I, uh, think we get the picture," Emolga Alisha said, groaning under her breath. "So, what's this about a 'gang'?"
"I was a thief. In a group of thieves," Light said. "And before that, I was in an orphanage. What about it?"
"You think they knew what they were getting into?"
In his mind, Light expected some kind of statement or mockery, especially from Alisha. She was always sharp with him. Instead, he was given a question he hadn't given that much thought to.
If they knew, their actions up to that night would've made a little sense. They had enough of an ego to try and pull something. He'd have to dig through a million bad memories to think about it, though.
"I don't know," Light said. "But, I can't really say that they didn't for sure. But we'll keep trying to line the pieces up."
Light noticed Meowstic Markus next to a small Pachirisu. They held each other's paws standing shoulder to shoulder.
"Alright," Light said. "That's, uhm, all, for now. Try and keep calm as we travel, and no fighting."
"And eat your vegetables," Markus added. "And share the toys."
"Yah, pretty much. Stay safe."
As Light turned, the semi-circle broke apart. Zangoose Fernand and Dewgong Nathan walked past and nodded to him.
"Take care, Nathan," Fernand warned.
"You too, man."
Markus and the Pachirisu walked side by side out the doorway. Flareon Light walked out with Sky Shaymin Ariel next to him, giving everyone space to leave.
"Won't be long," Markus said quietly.
"That's why I agreed," Pachirisu hissed. "Be good."
"Yes ma'am."
Light leaned up towards Ariel's left ear. "Which carriage is ours?" he asked.
"That one." Ariel pointed to the carriage on the end. On the line to their right. "You ready?"
"Yah."
Light followed Ariel to the end of the line. Just like other carriages, the wooden doors were left hanging open for them to step in.
The outside looked standard, but the inside shone with the gold standard. A TV loomed over velvet carpet and two white cushions that seemed to have morphed into one. Sitting on top of each, two white plates with crispy brown eggrolls and white dumplings. Two large, brown backpacks rested under the TV.
"Wow," Light said. "Nice."
"Yeah," Ariel said. "I could see myself having a chill date in here."
"Was that your plan all along?" He turned his eyes up to her smug face.
"Yeah. Mei's not the only one good at mind games."
"Uh…"
"Irritated her on purpose so we'd get a carriage alone." Ariel turned down to him. "I told you she was stupid, right?"
"Uh… Yah. You, uh, told me that."
Light hopped up into the carriage. Ariel jumped behind him and closed the doors after he took a step forward. Right after, she flipped a small switch to turn on the dim, soothing orange light overhead. Light went to the cushions and picked up the plate of dumplings, then Ariel picked up the plate eggrolls.
When Ariel sat down, her weight caved in the cushion. Light slid on the incline and fell on her side. Her response was to wrap her arm around him.
"You were brave back there," Ariel said. "I mean, everyone kind of assumed that you didn't have parents that were around. But telling them that you had to steal was brave. I… wish I could've done that."
"It's about Robin and Nadia, isn't it?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah. I think I screwed up."
"I'm sure they'll be able to get over it."
"Yeah, but I still feel bad," she sighed.
"It's okay to feel bad. If anything, it just means your friends want to know more about you. And now that you know, it's something you learned."
"I just don't want to talk about things that embarrass me."
"One person's embarrassment is another person's inspiration."
The carriage started to move. Light was jolted against Ariel's side, but he didn't pull away. He rested his head on her shoulder. She returned by resting her chin on his head.
"Hey Ariel?" Light asked. "Are we really an annoying lovey dovey kind of thing?"
"Well, ah. Yeah."
"Oh."
"But it's fine. They can think whatever they want."
"Hey, Ariel."
"Yeah?" she asked.
"You never told me who your big inspiration was."
"Oh!" she realized. "My inspiration's an explorer. Laura Valkyrie from Volos."
Laura Valkyrie was a Servine. If Light had to put it simply from Ariel's hours long reading, her entire life was a romance novel juiced up with the largest mafia Volos had ever seen. She lived some three-hundred years ago, but it was accurate and detailed like a novel. Apparently, she had multiple journals she kept up with every day.
It made Light wonder if Ariel did the same thing. She probably did, all things considered. There were a lot of books in her treasure chest. It made sense for journals and diaries to be in there, too.
It took longer than Light thought it would, but her voice tired out. She decided to put on a movie for the rest of the trip. As he expected, it was a complicated romance movie. Somehow, he thought the sister was the main romance option for the main character the entire time, not realizing it was the sister. He was lucky he didn't say much, or Ariel would have called him out for not paying attention.
Thanks to Ariel, Light felt snug. With her cape wrapped around him like a blanket, only the bumpy carriage ride kept him awake. Ariel kept reading to herself. As time passed, his confidence grew for asking her things he'd been wondering.
"How many boyfriends have you had?" Light asked out of nowhere.
Ariel took a second, most likely to finish a sentence. "Oh, I dunno. Went on dates, but I've only had, like, one sorta kinda."
"What were they all like?"
"Well, sassy, sarcastic. Some were rich, some were arena competitors. A few tried to get too close, so I punched them in the gut."
"I'm impressed you only punched them in the gut," he said. "Do you, uh… do that often?"
"No, it was only two of the rich ones."
"Did you ever kiss any of them?"
"No."
"Did you meet them at school?"
"I went to school in Lao Shen," Ariel said. "Finished it fast. Most of it's not really useful in the real world. I met them through, uh…. Yeah, internet."
"Did you ever fight in the arena on Kaigan?" Light asked.
"No. I don't like to be a showoff. Just for you."
"Did you decide to leave home after all of the romance novels?"
"They're not romance novels… Yeah."
"What's your size ratio?"
Light wasn't sure if she'd answer this one, but he was curious. As a Flareon, his size ratio was point three, meaning he was seventy percent smaller than an average-sized Flareon. He could easily see Ariel's be at over one point three.
"Two point five," Ariel said.
Light froze. "Woah. That's awesome."
"Don't I get to ask questions now?"
"Oh, uh, sure."
The pressure from Ariel's head lifted slightly. She stared up at the ceiling as her thinking face turned back on.
"Okay," she said. "How many girlfriends?"
"None."
"Any crushes?"
"Just one."
"What was she like?"
"She liked explorers, too," Light explained. "She was polite, clean, kind, and the scariest person I've ever met. Made me question who I was with just glares. Actually, she was a mythical-class species, too."
Ariel leaned her head down. "Oh. Really? What're the odds…"
"Very small."
"Okay," she huffed. "How about the orphanage. Want to talk about that?"
"I think poets came to visit when they were trying to write grimdark."
"You must've had some friends, right?"
"I did," he said. "But it was so long ago. I don't remember their names."
"Maybe they remember you. Maybe you could try and find them."
Light's ears perked up. He could. It'd have to wait given that their current trip needed his focus, but he could.
"Yah…" Light whispered. "I could."
"Okay, you get to ask me something super personal now," Ariel said.
"Okay… Are you sure you're not feeling some kind of high from all the excitement and making decisions like dating me or joining the Guild based off of the rush?"
Arie paused. "Kay'. Didn't expect you to go for the head."
"Uh, sorry."
"I definitely am," she admitted. "I'm just trying to get some kind of satisfaction out of life that wasn't here or in Kaigan. Something I only get out of books. So, I'm just playing my cards for my feelings instead. I like you, so I want to spend time with you. I want to help people, so I'll fight."
"But what if it all suddenly ended?" Light asked. "Would you really be able to have a quiet life?"
"If I keep playing my cards by how I feel, I know I'll feel good in the end."
"Is that the truth?"
"What? That obvious?"
"So you don't know what will make you happy?" Light asked.
"Yeah," she sighed. "Yeah, that's the truth."
"We should make a club."
"Yeah."
Ariel picked up her phone from the floor. The screen lit up on top of her eyes.
"We'll be there soon," she said. "Anything you wanna do?"
"Nope," Light muttered. "Unless you want something."
"I'm good. Glad we had some time."
"Yah. Me too."
Fresh air poured in when Sky Shaymin Ariel opened the carriage doors. It was cool, moving air that couldn't be found in the city. The same kind Flareon Light would make time to find for himself back when he was younger.
The carriage stopped in front of a wooded path leading up. Light couldn't see how far up it led past trees he had never seen before. A handful had white, heart-shaped leaves. Others had leaves like needles. Deep green foliage on the deep brown soil occasionally shone with hints of lavender.
Light gazed at the path ahead with a backpack on as the other two carriages following them stopped. Not long after, Slowking Chad, Meowstic Markus, and Sky Shaymin Mei joined them from behind, calling out their thanks to the drivers as they turned around for home. Each of them had larger backpacks on, but Chad's blunt sword was slung over his back, protected by it's cloth sheath.
"We're resting towards the top at nightfall?" Light asked.
"Yeah," Ariel said. "We've got about two hours to get there, and it's not too far. There's an entire cave system in the mountain, so we'll have plenty of protection."
"Sounds like an obvious spot for that strong pokemon to be."
"That's why we're here," Chad said, joining him on his left side. Markus followed right next to Chad.
Light turned back to Mei. "Do you know what species they are?"
"None of the prisoners knew," Mei said. "They all said it was too dark. They did share that they felt a lot of Fairy-type chi, though. We weren't able to get much."
"If I had to guess, they probably live here or something. We can take short shifts looking out once we get there."
Light started walking. Ariel gravitated to his side while the rest formed up behind them. Despite the soil being dry and falling off of his paws, he wished he thought to bring socks to wear for this. Every few steps, he shook off one of his limbs only to have to set it back down again.
"Okay," Mei said. "I told you, Ariel."
"It could be worse," she bit back. "Just give him the things."
Light turned around to see what it was, and jumped in surprise.
There were four short white cloth coverings for his paws and feet. Mei shoved them into his paws.
"Oh, uh, thanks," he gawked.
"Thank Ariel. Now, shall we?"
Mei's oppressive aura dulled down. It may have been that she was walking behind him, but Light was grateful either way. After today, he needed a break.
The complete silence was a bit overkill, though. After talking with Ariel for a few hours, Light didn't have enough voice left to really help it. He settled for the wind whispering in his ear. It could have just been him, but he swore he heard the wind whirling around like there was a wide open space nearby.
As they continued, it only got closer. Light took a bound forward seeing the blue sky through a part in the trees.
Mist danced over the tops of steep, dark rock walls. A horde of green tree tops separated each of them. Trees with swirling, twisty trunks grew on the sides of the walls. In the shadows of the mist, Light could see a slope that was taller than the others. The path there would be to continue through the forest going right.
"Lao Shen is awfully pretty, Airy," Light said.
"I sure didn't do it," she replied. "Not a lot of people live higher up in the mountains. That's probably why."
Mei scoffed from behind them and walked forward. "I for one am fine with not living under a rock. Now let's make some progress before we're in the forest at night."
Footsteps acted as drum beats on the forest floor. The oppressive aura in the air had been replaced with a short tune playing on repeat. Everyone but Sky Shaymin Mei and Meowstic Markus joined in the song. Markus seemed to zoom in on the plants they passed by.
"Eighty cartons of the milk on the wall! Eighty cartons of milk! Take one down, open the spout, drinkity drink till the milk runs out!"
"Hey, Chad," Light said, "what other songs do you know?"
The singing settled down. Slowking Chad looked around in a daze.
"Uh, green eggs and ham?" Chad asked himself. "Wait, that's not a song…"
"Hey guys," Sky Shaymin Ariel called. "We've got an obstacle."
Flareon Light traced the path of Ariel's green eyes. A huge, gray, brown, and silvery rock wall stretched over the trees. The bottom of the surface was enshrouded by bushes, vines, and trees competing for sunlight. The top of it was hidden by the sun on its way down.
"It'd be way faster to go over," Markus said. "And soon. Before Mei gets her wings clipped."
"I can't see how tall it is," Light complained. "Do we have enough time? Is it dangerous?"
"Enough if we go right now. Your call."
"You three go on up. Chad and I will go around. I'll shoot up a fire if we're in trouble or anything."
"Alright," Mei said. "It shouldn't be too long of a detour. We'll wait for you at the top."
"Right. Stay safe."
Sky Shaymin Ariel nodded, then took the lead. Mei and Markus followed her up in the air. They disappeared in seconds behind a curtain of green. Slowking Chad's head stayed tilted up.
"You ready?" Light asked.
"Yes," Chad said. His head glanced from side to side. "Here, follow me."
Along the edge of the wall, Chad used Psychic to shove aside bushes that blocked their path forward. Light alternated between hopping up and down over small rocks that seemed like they came off of the wall and stepping to the side of tree trunks. They traveled on a constant curve.
"Hey," Light said, "what did you and Markus talk about?"
"Oh, plenty. But I'm guessing you mean about you?" Chad asked.
"Uhm… Not… necessarily."
"It was just about the Acuitan blessing, really. That an unconscious lack of confidence is making you weak."
"What do you think?" Light hopped down from a rock. Chad glanced back, but continued to focus on clearing another bush.
"The fact that you're so concerned tells me he's right. But few teenagers I've ever met have confidence in who they are."
"Well, did anything help you?"
Light must've struck a nerve. Chad's face grew dark, but not angry.
"I hunted my brother and brought him to justice," Chad said. "I was just about your age."
"Was that your first bounty hunt?" Light asked.
"Yes. I lived in a small village, and he kidnapped one of our elders after some… arguments. I was the only one able-bodied enough to face him. I gained my confidence from standing up against him."
"Did… he ever…"
"He eventually was released. I heard he became a small time bounty hunter, too, but I haven't seen him since. He became a ghost."
"It's not just me asking that got you thinking about him, is it? You think he'll come back?"
"If he ever will, he would be coming. But, you're probably wondering what you should do to tell your mind that you're strong."
"Yah…"
Chad turned around and stopped walking. Light was paralyzed from his stare.
"You have to train your mind to do what you want it to," Chad declared. "Otherwise, it'll be the death of you. Especially you. If what you're doing now isn't working, make a change. Are you just coping with your trauma, or are you adding it to the fire? Right now, it looks like you're in some weird crossroads."
Light looked down at the forest floor.
"You'll be alright, though," Chad smiled. "If you're going to face the Reshiram, you'll need a big fire. And plenty of people have plenty to add, if you let them."
"Thanks, da…" Light stared. "Chad."
"Don't worry about it," he said, turning back around. "I see some light up ahead. There should be a path up."
"R-right…"
Light didn't feel very confident walking up a hill with a cliff on either side. Chad offered to catch him if he fell, but that didn't help.
He caught a view of the sunset that was so large, it felt like he'd fall in. All of the green underneath them and mountain slopes in the distance blended together, but they were no match for the blazing orange clouds and lavender sky following behind them.
Up top, Sky Shaymin Ariel and Meowstic Markus both waited for them. Shaymin Mei had already reverted to Land Forme by the time they reached the grassy edge of the cliff. Markus took her backpack with how the size of it seemed to grow in comparison to her.
Opposite of the cliff, a small cave rested. The rest of the peak was over it, but the goal was never to reach the top. They all agreed to make camp at a safe distance away from the cliff, then sleep inside.
While Light and Chad had been catching up, Markus had already gathered firewood and stones to set up a fire. The wind threatened to kill any fire they made, but it was cut short by the cliff walls. They set up the fire close to the mouth of the cave. After, everyone picked a spot to sit.
Flareon Light picked sitting facing out towards the cliff with his back to the cave. He didn't feel comfortable with his back to the cliff. Neither did anyone else but Markus, who didn't even seem to realize why no one volunteered for the spot around the campfire he ended up taking.
Sky Shaymin Ariel sat on Light's right while Slowking Chad sat on his left. Mei sat on the side with her back mostly being towards the cliff. A tiny, deep blue mat was under each of them over the dirt.
"So," Light said. "This cave here. Is it part of that cave system?"
"Yes," Mei spoke up. "It runs under the mountains. It's not like a maze, but there are a lot of open areas we weren't aware of. We'll have to investigate further. For now, just stay at the entrance."
The campfire flickered. A small, red ember slapped against the inside of the rock circle.
"I'll take the first shift if you want," Markus said. "Caught a lot of z's. Might not even sleep at this rate."
"I'll take second," Chad volunteered. "Ariel, would you like third?"
"Yeah," she said. "That should be enough, right? I caught a lot of sleep, too."
"Sounds like it."
"Kay'."
Light continued to stare at the campfire. He pulled himself across the grass and dirt a little bit closer to feel the wave of heat surrounding it. The sun had disappeared, and the last speck of vibrant orange was moving over the horizon. The stars seemed even brighter than usual.
In the corner of his eye, a green paw held up a plastic box to his face. He grabbed it without thinking.
"Chicken and rice," Ariel said. "A lightweight classic. Good?"
"Yah," Light said, "thanks."
"Yo, Chad," Meowstic Markus blurted. "You asked about my love life earlier. How about yours?"
Slowking Chad looked up from the flames with a questioning half-smile. Eyes lit up as he looked around.
"Mine?" he asked. "Well, I'm not married now. Why assume I've had any at all?"
"Cause you're a gritty bounty hunter."
"Eh, well… I guess there are a dozen small stories. I've only really liked our Guild's old chef."
"What was she like?" Ariel asked. She managed to voice Light's question, as he was too busy taking a bite of chicken to answer."
"Oh, she was lovely. Smart. The kind of person you'd want on your side, really. And even with her soft side, she always had a sort of dangerous aura about her."
"Didn't think you'd like the dangerous type," Markus said. "How long has it been since you've seen her?"
"It must've been some twenty years now, back in my early thirties… Time travels fast…"
"Why didn't you go get her?"
Chad's eyes turned to Light when he answered, "Lack of confidence. It took a lot of happiness out of my life."
"You ain't dead yet," Markus teased. "So after you save the world from a dragon, you gonna go get her?"
"Well. Maybe. If she's not already married."
"Well, definitely sounds like you want to."
Chad rolled his eyes.
"I'm tired," Mei interrupted. "I'm going to head to sleep now."
"We should probably do the same," Light said. "But, uh…" he shrugged, "you could tell us a little more about her, if you want."
"Where to even start…"
Flareon Light went to sleep at the same time as everyone else. Even Mei stayed up a few minutes more to listen to Chad until they all turned in.
The forest not too far below them was noisy. As water poured down somewhere, insects and bird calls he didn't recognize echoed in the cave walls. Everyone slept on the same mats as they sat on, but Light couldn't manage to sleep.
From deep in the cave, he felt something lurking. His body tingled as it moved around, calling him.
Ariel's mat was just next to his. The Sky Shaymin wasn't snoring yet, so she could still be awake.
"Airy…?" Light whispered.
Ariel shifted, then flipped over onto her other side. Her eyes were half-open.
"Yeah?" she whispered back. "What is it?"
"There's something in here."
Her eyes stretched open a little wider. "What do you mean? In the cave?"
"Yes. Someone's in here."
The cave filled with shifting and sounds of movement. Slowking Chad, Shaymin Mei, and Meowstic Markus all stood up. Mei reached in her bag and fumbled around.
"Could it be Reshiram?" Chad questioned.
"I don't know," Light said. "Maybe."
Mei pulled out a pale blue orb from her backpack. Markus floated a round, dark object to Light. As he grabbed it, he realized it was a round, metal shield, the same as Chad's sword. It was hefty, but lighter than it looked.
"Tie it on your arm," Markus said. "We're going to have to look into it."
As Light tied the shield tight in his forearm, Markus accepted the orb from Mei. It lit up in his arms. The white light just barely hurt to look at, but it did the job of lighting up the cave well. All of the ridges and threatening, sharp shapes in the ceiling overhead became visible.
"If we find anything, do not engage," Chad said. "Let's stay close."
Light put his mat away at the same time as the others. He shifted into a walk as he slung his backpack on. Markus waited and walked from behind, keeping the rest of their eyes safe from the strain.
The tunnel went on for a minute, then stopped abruptly.
A large hole in the ground led into a straight drop down. With no words spoken, Meowstic Markus stepped forward and floated down first. He responded a few seconds later.
"Okay. Come down."
Chad hopped down first. His feet hitting the rock floor echoed as Shaymin Mei jumped down after him.
Before he could act, Sky Shaymin Ariel picked Light up and put him on her back. She floated down at the slow, careful pace of a falling leaf.
The space below opened up. In the corners of the round cave, water dripped down hairs away from the cave wall and collected into small puddles. A hole in the ceiling let a ray of starlight shine in on moss growing on the ridges of the cave wall. Gray boulders accented with moss were littered throughout the room.
As the sound of the water echoed in Light's ears, his head began to buzz. His paws and feet tingled as Ariel set him on the dark grass on the cave floor.
"Feel anything?" Ariel asked quietly.
"Yah," Light said. "It's getting closer."
"Us to it or it to us?"
"It's coming closer to us."
The buzzing changed directions as Light moved his head. When he turned to face it, it came from above the circular hole in the cave ceiling.
"Can you feel the hard pull of destiny?"
A woman's voice silenced them. As Light drew forward to the light pouring through the ceiling, the buzzing grew stronger, and more familiar. Ariel walked close next to him.
A shadow interrupted the silvery ray of light. Long, dark tendrils reached down through the hole, then spread out along the cave ceiling. Dust fell as they swept across the rocky surface.
"Who are you!?" Light called. "And why do you have the Acuitan blessing!?"
Beautiful, light blue mist rained down from the tendrils. It stretched into the entire cave, hugging the walls and filling the center. As the first of the dust touched Light's body, he recognized the effects of the move Misty Terrain. His body felt lighter, like he was dreaming.
Following after the mist, a single raindrop of white light fell. It glimmered like a star in the sky fell to the ground.
The veil of energy around it threatened to burn the edges of Light's fur.
"Get behind me!"
Ariel yanked on Light's shoulder and put him behind her. A green, wavy shield of energy formed in front of her.
The light hit the ground. It flashed, then fell silent.
Light's senses were blown apart in an explosion. Flying, gray chunks of shattered rock smacked against the shield and threw Ariel off her feet.
The terrifying heat from the attack advanced closer as Light rolled across the grass. The cave creaked and groaned as the heat died down, then went silent.
The blue mist covered Light's eyes. He pushed back up to stand and see.
The light from Markus' Luminous Orb had vanished, replaced with the shining mist. Gray boulders had been shredded apart and flung against the walls, clearing out the entire area. Anything that wasn't destroyed was hidden under the veil.
Through it all, his shield was still strapped tight to his arm. His arm hovered over the ground in anticipation for whatever would come next.
Rain came next.
A drop of water hit Light's nose, one that preceded more. Fake storm clouds from Rain Dance blotted out the hole in the ceiling. He took several steps forward as his eyes darted around, searching for Ariel and the others.
"I am One."
The woman's voice was right behind Light's ear. He could feel the heat from her breath.
"As in, the first of many."
Light turned and raised his shield.
Metal slammed against his arm. His entire body flew in the air.
He managed to stay up right on his feet. The sting passed through his arm and became a pain in his stomach. He bent his legs as he landed a few paces away from where he was hit.
Piercing, white eyes stared back. Pale, eggshell ribbons that reached up to the ceiling pulled back to a Sylveon's body. In her right paw, she held a shining, silvery lance. It was rounded in a long cone shape with a thick, flat tip. That at least meant it wasn't a weapon made for lethal force, probably.
The buzzing in Light's head focused on her. She stood upright with her left arm stretched opposite of her right to help her balance. Light glanced down at a scraping noise beneath his feet.
A piece of his shield dangled against the grass beneath the mist. The metal was torn through. A fourth of the round shield was missing.
Meowstic Markus and Slowking Chad popped out behind her from under the mist. Chad's sword rested on his shoulder for a swing. Markus claws glowed white with energy.
Sylveon's tendrils glowed pink with fairy-type energy. They were already positioned to entangle Markus in the air. She turned simultaneously and slammed the lance right back at Chad's sword.
A snapping sound echoed. Two metallic flashes fell to the ground. Chad's body fell limp into the mist. Markus was untangled from the pink ribbons only to get the second smashing blow.
Markus managed to land upright. He charged forward and swung his claw.
Sylveon caught it in her paw. Her eyes thinned as she stared at Markus.
"Sorry," Markus said, "I'm taken."
Her white eyes rolled to the top of her head as she bent her head lower. Using her grip on his arm, she pulled him into a swing of her lance. He flew off into the darkness and hit the cave wall.
She turned back to Light. A wind rushed against his back from behind as something flew past him.
Sylveon raised her lance and caught Sky Shaymin Ariel's charge. Light was thankful for the pause, then cringed.
Ariel crossed her arms and threw her strongest charge at Sylveon. In response, she didn't even have both of her paws on the lance to block.
She caught Ariel's full power charge whole body with one arm.
Ariel must've realized it, too. She flew off and used Air Slash from above. Just like her charge, she flourished her lance in one paw and cut through the blade of air. All the while, one of her long ribbons reached up under her.
The ribbon of Sylveon's ear snagged around Ariel's leg and yanked her to the ground.
As she fell, Sylveon put both paws on the lance. Flareon Light's feet raced forward.
He darted under Ariel before she fell and raised the shield. He anchored both of his arms together and aimed to catch the blow.
Flareon Light was on his side. At first, he was worried he'd gone deaf. He listened and realized it was quiet. His limbs were spread out on top of the same blue mat he tried to sleep on. Off to the side, his white star earring rested on top of his coat. He noticed a small tear or two, but it didn't seem like a lot of damage.
A ray of sunlight poured in through the same hole in the cave ceiling. It was swiftly blotted out by Sky Shaymin Ariel's head. As she leaned closer, Light saw dark bruises on her arm and one on her cheek.
She sighed in relief before he said anything.
"He's awake!" Ariel called. "Oh, thank heavens…"
Ariel bent down and kissed his cheek.
"What happened?" Light muttered.
Land Shaymin Mei, Meowstic Markus, and Slowking Chad came into view. Markus stomped with heavy legs while Chad and Mei walked with stiff limbs. They all had tiny dark marks across their bodies, but Markus had the most of them.
"You took a big hit for me," Ariel said. "Really big. Thanks to you, I could get a hit in and we drove her away. Barely. Somehow…"
"She seemed really concerned when she hit you," Markus added. "I managed to stand up in time to see it. She did not plan to do that. Was all over her face."
"What did she plan to do?" Light asked.
"Dunno."
Ariel's head whipped back to Mei. Chad shivered and stepped back while Markus stared.
"What?" Mei asked.
"Why did you give Light such a cheap shield?"
"It wasn't cheap," she hissed. "It was military grade, just like Chad's sword. And she broke that into pieces."
"Now it's a military grade pile of metal soup. So, clearly, you need to check your standards."
"That was the power of a fully realized warlord," Chad said. "We couldn't have expected something like this. Even in my prime, it would've been bad. I'm sorry, but I was outclassed. And so were our weapons."
"It had to be Acuitan tech," Markus said. "Her weapon had Acuity's fingerprint all over it. Not easy to make a built-in Grappler."
"What?" Light questioned.
"She had a built-in Grappler in her lance. That's how she escaped through the ceiling. Only Acuitan weapons innovate like that. And speaking of…" Markus turned his head down to Light. "You sure? Like a vibration in your head, right?"
"Yah," Light groaned. "She had it."
"Well, we'll look into it later. Probably ask your grandfather about it. Can you stand?"
Light flattened his white paw against the mat. Even putting a little bit of weight made it feel like his arm would snap.
"No," he answered, then looked down. "I can't."
"We already called for help," Markus said. "Everyone just chill out for now. We're going to get to the city and pull ourselves together. Ariel, just watch Light right now."
Markus glanced between Chad and Mei. They all seemed tired.
"C'mon guys," Markus said. "Let's keep trying to get some info. She might've left stuff here, or maybe there's a piece of her weapon lying around so we can tell what it's made out of."
As they walked away, Ariel bent down next to Light. One look at her eyes, and he could tell she didn't sleep.
"You didn't have to do that," he whispered.
"Yeah," she sighed. "I know. It's okay."
"Alright…"