We walked in the snow for a bit and taking random paths. Surprisingly, walking aimlessly lead up to the top of the mountain. When we reached the top, I noticed the shrine of Suicune. Next to the shrine was the others sitting there. We ran up to them.
Shock: Huh, so you all made it to the top too?
Scorch: Yeah. At least we completed the challenge, huh?
Shock: Um… I guess. But I am more focused on getting attacked than beating this.
Ember: That Charizard knocked us into nearby brush. After it launched you two away, it simply flew away. I… Have no idea what happened.
Shock: I did tell Autumn about it. He sent someone to help out and he will look into the attack… He never heard of such a Charizard.
Ember just shrugged and sighed.
While the others spoke, I just stared at Suicune's shrine. It still looked very clean and maintained. I was actually wondering if Suicune is still here but gone at the moment.
Shaymin: Huh… Been a while since I saw him… Wonder what he's been doing…
Sitting down at the shrine, I just waited. The night passed and as the sun began rising, we decided to head down again. It took an hour, but we made it back to the base.
Ember: So much for our rescue… Lets just go home…
We all agreed and off we went.
After the long walk, we made it back to Hexa. We were pretty tired from the walk and staying up most of the night.
Shock: I'm exhausted… While you all do whatever, I'm gonna take a hot bath.
Shock yawned and headed off. Scorch looked over to me and shrugged.
Scorch: I'm gonna talk to Autumn. See what happened to our rescue and what he plans on doing with that attacker.
Shaymin: N- not sure what Autumn can do…
Scorch: Eh, as long as he protects the town or something, I don't know. That Charizard was pretty aggressive for no reason which worries me… A- anyway, I'll see you at home?
Nodding, I watched as Scorch left. Rubbing my head, I still felt some pain and walking that distance didn't help. My legs were sore and I just wanted to get some sleep. So I went home and fell onto the bed. Closing my eyes, I gave a soft sigh.
Shaymin: Suicune… Now that I'm thinking of it… He never really leaves that place. Why wasn't he there this time?
Rolling onto my back, I stared at the ceiling and was a bit confused. It was strange for Suicune.
Shaymin: Oh well…
Closing my eyes, I fell asleep.
A Few Days Later…
Nira: Damn…
Alk: And another win for me. Have fun with the closing shift, eh?
Nira: S- shut up…!
Staring up from a crossword, I saw Alk walk off while chuckling. Nira groaned and pulled his ears down. He fell back into a chair.
Shaymin: Um… Nightly thing…?
Nira: Ugh. It's just a stupid game to determine who stays longer.
Nira inhaled deeply and shook his head.
Nira: A- anyway… How are you recovering?
Shaymin: A bit sore, but I'm okay.
Nira nodded. A second later, I heard the door chime and I was surprised to see Topaz. He noticed me almost instantly and gave a small grin. He was carrying a massive rucksack as he walked up.
Topaz: Now this is a surprise to both of us, huh? I have wondered where you left to after our last encounter.
Shaymin: O- oh… I joined here a bit ago.
Topaz: Eh, nothing too surprising. A lot seem to join up here.
Topaz dropped the large bag and sat there, stretching and groaning softly.
Topaz: That walk nearly killed me. Been on the road for nearly three days and did nothing but walking.
He sat back in his chair and looked at Saz who just left the backroom.
Topaz: Ah, one shot of Vodka, thanks.
While he was ordering stuff, I returned to my crossword. That didn't really last long though because after he received his drink, he looked over to me and sighed.
Topaz: Well, I would like to stay and talk, but I still have quite a journey ahead of me… I only stopped by to try and find a place to sleep tonight.
Shaymin: Huh? Err… Where are you even heading?
Topaz: I was called to a site in Brightstar to help with extracting gems and all that. Job is pretty tiring needing to travel every two or so weeks, but it's worth it. I get to collect a few fragments of them and that's perfect for me.
Shaymin: H- huh. I never met a gemologist.
Topaz: My name not giving it away? Heh. I've been studying gems since I was very young, so I know a thing or two.
Topaz smiled and downed the drink before getting up. Grabbing his bag, he looked at me.
Topaz: Well, was kinda nice meeting again. Perhaps we'll meet again.
Topaz continued to smile and headed out. Saz then turned to face me while cleaning some wine glasses.
Saz: Never really seen a Braixen here before. Anyway, you should get going, it's already very late and I plan on closing up soon.
Shaymin: O- okay.
Standing up, I walked towards the front door and left the bar. Stepping out into the chilly night, I began to make my way back home.
Right before opening the door to the house, I heard footsteps approach me. It was Bolt when I looked.
Bolt: There you are… Can you give this to your team?
She said while holding out some papers. I looked at them, a bit confused before taking them slowly.
Bolt: Autumn and I have been investigating this attack. It is some information that I am handing out to warn others.
Shaymin: O- oh, okay.
Bolt: We weren't sure what this was at first… But after looking into it a bit more, we noticed this team is dangerous. Pretty dangerous… You should be careful on explorations for now while we look further into it.
Shaymin: O- okay. Good to know. I'll… Tell the others.
Bolt nodded and rushed off, pinning the papers to other doors. Looking at these papers, I walked into the house. Placing the papers on the table, I walked into the bedroom and fell onto my bed.
The next morning came and I was eating. Nira was over messing with a small drone and Scorch was preparing to set out on some sort of adventure with Frost. This is when Ember walked into the house, having returned from a small shopping trip. He dropped the bags in the kitchen and walked up to me. He crossed his arms and stared at me.
Ember: Hey, Sky somewhat ambushed me in the darkness just to tell me he wants you.
Shaymin: Sky…? Why didn't he just come by?
Ember shrugged.
Ember: Guess he still dislikes being out in the open during the day. Anyway, he said he'll wait for you at the beach.
Nodding slowly, I stood up after finishing eating. I then left the house to meet up with Sky. After a quick walk down to the beach, I noticed Sky who sat near the shore. He just stared out towards the ocean.
Shaymin: Sky…?
Sky looked up and gave a soft sigh.
Sky: Hey, was hoping you'd come by.
He slowly stood up and turned to face me.
Sky: I've been thinking a lot lately. And well… You are the only one I can really talk to. Don't ask me why… I just feel… Different around you unlike others.
Sky lowered his wings and crossed his arms.
Sky: So, um… I don't want to worry you or the others… But I think I'll head on a small journey tomorrow. Hope you don't mind. It's just… Something I want to do. Something that's been on my mind for a bit now.
Shaymin: Huh? Want me to tell the others?
Sky: Best if you do so… I don't want them to wonder where I went. But don't worry. I'll be back after a bit.
Sky turned to face the waters again and looked up to the sky. Clouds were forming and looking somewhat dark.
Sky: I can sense a heavy snowstorm coming… Be careful, alright?
Nodding, I watched as Sky spread his wings and launched into the air. Sky flew over the waters as I turned back and walked back to Hexa. I did wonder a bit of what Sky had to do. He seemed a little distracted. But I guess I shouldn't think much of it. I just headed back home and told the others who shared the same feelings. Sky often stays at his shrine. So we weren't so sure until Ember spoke up.
Ember: Eh, probably just wanted to take some time off.
Ember then looked at us.
Ember: Ah, right… Damn it, nearly forgot. Autumn and Bolt assigned us on a mission.
Nira: This early after the attack?
Nira said as he sat up, holding his drone.
Ember: I said the same… But the two seem to really need us to do some work since most other teams are already busy with their own stuff.
Nira: Well, hell, can I come? I really want to head out again after our last time.
Ember: Um, I guess it won't be much of an issue.
Ember grabbed his bag and stretched.
Ember: We are suppose to head out around night. Autumn's request to us is to head out to Moon Dazzle. He didn't tell me much other than more recruits came in but weren't in the best condition. Some kind of attack I think… He wants us to head out to collect some herbs that grow in the darkness of this area.
Nira: I've been there for a few times...
Nira sighed softly and shook his head.
Ember: Yeah, it isn't too far. Maybe a few miles out… So we better get ready if we want to make it on time.
Everyone nodded and headed off to prepare. Nira didn't really move however, he just stood quiet while messing with his drone. Walking up to him, he stared up. His ears lowered as he looked away slightly.
Nira: Hey…
Shaymin: Something wrong?
Nira: Huh? Yeah, I'm okay…
Nira however sighed a moment later. He shook his head.
Nira: D- don't worry about it. My ex team used to explore there.
He fell silent and closed his eyes. He didn't really seem to want to talk about it, so I just slowly backed up and waited for the others to get ready. Twenty minutes passed and the others were all ready. So we opened the front door and started to head out.
Ember: If we're fast enough, we can beat the storm. Rather not get stuck in another blizzard… So lets rush, alright?
Ember lead us to our destination with haste. Nira walked next to me and no one spoke a single word for a good while. It was a very quiet walk and after a bit of time, we reached our destination. A large forest so dense and thick that no natural light could pierce through. It was very dark inside as Ember pulled a flashlight from his bag.
Ember: Don't worry, I came well prepared.
This bulky flashlight Ember brought flickered to life and this thing was as powerful as a floodlight is seemed.
Ember: Well, lets head in, shall we?
Ember lead the others into the forest, but Nira stopped me before I could head in.
Nira: Hey… I'll… Stay back here.
Nira fired up his drone and flew it up.
Nira: I never really explored this place before… Y- yeah, my team and I came here often, but they only entered it. I stood behind to use this drone to guide them. I had night vision installed, and I would navigate them. So… I- I'll do the same for you. I know this place is very dark and hard to know where you are going.
Shaymin: I'll tell the others.
Nira nodded and smiled softly. I then rushed off to catch up with the others to tell them while Nira's drone followed us...