Weeks have passed.
Halcion continued to be inconsolable during the walk back.
There was nothing left of Calico Town, the true breadth of the devastation brought on by Nyarlathotep only became known days or weeks after. A whole third of the continent became twisted, distorted ruin. Those who did survive did so under the help of the Scholar's Guild to the south. They organised an entire relief effort, banding together fellows from Calico Town and the surrounding areas and leading them with the aid of many a map and tome through the quickest way to the north - the one side untouched by this blasphemous destruction.
On their way out they met with a caravan of evacuees. Its two operators, a Lycanroc and a familiar face were shocked to see them. Masters delivered the news to Leon of what happened, the mention of a Braviary causing his stern mask to fade momentarily, but otherwise he took it fairly well. They joined them. Upon Louisa suggesting they make it to the Society to the north the guildies threw aside their differences and asked they band as one.
The Guildmaster from the Scholar's guild would later make it official. One guild is better than two who do not even communicate over differences in policy, and the vast majority of the Scholars' library would eventually be brought north to the keep turned explorer hall.
According to the survivors from the caravan they - Masters, Louisa and Halcion - were the only people within Calico Town who survived.
The caravan led through halfway rock. The purple tent was nowhere to be seen, but a Prinplup and a "Mienshao" were. Halcion calmed once she was in the arms of her partner.. Leon took the comatose Prinn aboard only to find that for some reason, he was thousands of coins richer. Apparently a ghost left a little present, and the Krows, somehow, were still in operation.
One of these Murkrow, one Masters knew as Flaskk, would emerge as their natural leader. An event was to be held later which involved him ingesting a Dusk Stone and evolving to be their Honchkrow, an event Masters sadly won't be here for.
And of course, there is the matter of Sneasel. Who was brought back sometime during all of this, and returned spry and youthful, returned to the society with welcomed arms. She hugged poor Louisa so tight he probably broke something.
The integration is swift, clinically so. The Society's relatively empty halls were made into temporary bedding, and Leon was anointed head of external affairs - whatever this role means - to handle all of it. People from all walks of life came in, and Masters sent a message to all the Krows to relay that a safe haven was to the north.
Lapis Town, eventually, would become the central hub of the entire Continent, replacing the one lost in the south. The pathetic dock north of the town would eventually become a bustling port, burly water-types operating as ferry mons delivering wares and people from their grassy neighbours yonder.
Halcion, Louisa, Dexys and him would become a famous quartet within the society, much to his own chagrin.. They had their own little room, separate from all of them, a nicely furnished abode with a roaring fireplace and beds aplenty where they drank on the regular.
During one of these nights, Halcion and Dexys made their relationship official. They made it public - if it wasn't obvious, and they held a party. The Scholars' provided drinks, it was the best night he had staying here.
But the glamour, and praise wore on him. He had somewhere he needed to be, not here. The life of a famous explorer is too familiar, too grating, he needed to find his way out and it came in the form of a cloth he held dear.
Everyone knows, at least those who matter, know he is not to return for a while. Carrying a sack of things, mostly ales and trinkets, he ventures down the frozen river to where it meets the northern sea. The dock, now a bustling hub of infrastructure, is silent at this awful hour. Not a soul to be seen, no one to interrupt him with questions like"what he's doing" and "why are you leaving".
He holds the cloth overhead. The symbol glints, then a thin beam shoots out into the horizon. And by the numerous new docks, he waits, bag hoisted upon his shoulder.
A thought creeps in. Where are all the workers? Unsurprisingly, at least at this point, all of them lie strewn asleep, lying there in the cold and loose snowfall. He sighs, and glances behind him.
Tall, gaunt, appearing from the dark, Darkrai makes his presence known to him as he approaches on stilt-like appendages. He should be loading up his lanterns at the sight of him, but the fight has left Masters long ago.
"Darkrai." Masters speaks.
"Cole Masters, greetings." Darkrai approaches, his long, clawed fingers pulling an ethereal something or another out of a poor slumped fool. "You've been very busy. Mind the unsuspecting fools, it is the only way I can get us to speak one on one."
"Just don't hurt them." The Typhlosion spits. "You have a bad habit of making your problems everybody's."
Darkrai chuckles, stepping closer. His blue eyes meet with Masters' stern, crimson gaze.
"I have a proposal."
More of this, he heard this nonsense so many years ago. Masters turns around instantly, looking to the distance where a figure is seen emerging from the Sea of Time. He does not give Darkrai the time of day, he is not worth it.
"Would you listen to me, Cole Masters?" Darkrai continues to laugh. "It is rather rude not to face a prince when he speaks to you."
"I am listening whether I like it or not." Masters replies.
"Good, do so well. The Knight extends his hand of gratitude to thee for honoring him so deeply. You have come to encompass all he represents, and we would wish you to join our triumvirate in bis absence."
A role, a spot above everyone. The sort of thing leaves a wretched sensation in his throat. He turns around to greet Darkrai with a stern "no", but a phantom makes herself known without so much as a gust of wind. She smiles at him, welcoming Masters with all of her ghastly splendour.
"Taking credit again?" She chuckles. "T'was my idea to have thee as our is to guide the world to his dawn. I am certain the knight hath elucidated thee."
"Very certain." Masters grumbles.
He has had too much time to contemplate the words, Zekrom's words. They have kept it a secret to themselves.. He did not expect through his revival and death yet again, these two would continue their efforts, ever pursuing the happiness - the dawn Zekrom spoke of. He glances between them, focusing on the phantom who brushes Darkrai aside, taking his reins.
"You are one of a few who have witnessed me for what I truly am. I have nothing but the deepest respect and trust for you, and my former champion." She glances to the side, sighing. "My aims remain resolute, they are to save the masses from what is destined to happen."
"Zekrom regrets everything. He told me."
The phantom shuts her eyes, nodding.
"I've known. I was there." She speaks. "I extend my hand to you, and should you take it we will welcome you as our third - the one who stands in his the Knight's place."
The thought sickens him. In the distance the shadow looms closer, Lapras, coming for him to bring him back across the Sea of Time to where peace and quiet awaits. A dry sensation travels up his throat.
"Is this all that this has been? A way of recruiting me?"
A poignant silence befalls them. Darkrai turns away, walking off on his tall, tall appendages to leave the two phantoms to converse. Mismagius softens her expression, looking to Masters.
"Darkrai had always schemed to make you our third, but none of this, not I could have foreseen. I extend my hand to you because you understand Zekrom, our fellow, in the way his knights and I have. He is a man with a dream tainted by his ambition, but a dream we will help fulfill, for a world of darkness without our guidance is suffering with no meaning."
"I do not envy Zekrom's position, neither should thee. You abhor the thought of taking his place, don't you?"
Masters nods.
"I don't want to be a big honchkrow, anything of that." Master speaks. "Maybe I deserve to be but I don't want that control over everyone. It always goes wrong."
"And hence I have sought thee." She extends an appendage. "Take my hand, Masters. And we will continue to make this right.
He looks into the distance. A larger figure being trailed by one much smaller. Lapras and…Minstrel. He is alive, ready to spread his tales as he had through those fifteen years of silence. Masters turns back, Darkrais glare from a distance, and the serpentine gaze of this Mismagius thing looks to him with reverence.
Masters grits his teeth, and shakes her cloth hand.
And in a blink of the eye, both figures depart. He will have a lot of work ahead of him , anything to keep another calamity from befalling the world - all to secure a future a dead man dreamt of.
Masters walks to the end of the dock, Lapras pulling up to it with a welcoming smile, and Minstrel, standing on his shell, welcomes Masters with a chirp.
"Going back to the Grass Continent." The chatot asks.
"Nowhere else to go." Masters smiles. "Would you play me a tune?"
"It would be my pleasure. It's on the house, Cole."
To The Break of Dawn: END
Thank you for reading!
Honestly tell me what you guys think about this entire story and generally everything so far, I'm keen to find out. I got more works in the uh, works lol, they should be coming soon. The story of this universe is not finished, but there are things I need to fix with these older chapters as per usual. AO3's version of this chapter has a big artpiece you don't want to miss, and AO3 in general has a tonne of art which is worth skimming through. All future updates, corrections and edits will be on the AO3 ver because it's just that much easier for me to fix.
I cannot overstate how much I appreciate anyone who's ever read this, and especially those who read it through to completion, this has been a massive journey for me personally and as a writer. I couldn't imagine the story would get this so big from the start, and all the twists and turns Part 2 introduced I am so glad I took. While I still have some personal gripes myself with how things went, the way they went couldn't be better, tbh.
Again, thanks. Stay tuned for more in this universe!