Despite her wishes for a peaceful night, Kari's dreams were once again invaded by unfamiliar people and places. She wandered through the blurred halls and rooms of an ornate stone temple. She couldn't make out a hint of detail anywhere through her blurred vision. Despite this, she still wandered the labyrinth, searching for something. Her body instinctively took her through a wide passage into a large room with a table in the very center – the same one as her last dream. Just like that last dream, a dozen silhouettes of pokemon sat around the table, all speaking over one another. Kari couldn't make out a word.She stared at the figures for a minute. Then a minute more, trying to hone in on a shape or sound. Before she could get a result, one silhouette turned from the conversation and looked dead at her. The figure remained staring, and Kari froze in place, too scared to even breathe. Ten more seconds passed, and the noises stopped in their entirety. Slowly, every figure shifted in their seat to look Kari dead in the eyes. She was overcome with dread. Her head pounded, her heart was racing, but she couldn't remember how to move. The first figure moved from their place at the table and slowly began approaching Kari.Then, a sound rang inside her head."Run," the voice squeaked out – but Kari still couldn't move. The figure was halfway to her."It's time to wake up," the voice called out again into Kari's mind. The figure was closing in."You need to wake up!" Kari braced for the figures' arrival, eyes closed in fear. She waited, but nothing came. The sound in her mind quieted. Kari was too scared to open her eyes until she overheard the creaking of a wooden door. She peeked out and faced the familiar room of the servant's quarters. She was awake.The door slammed shut as a new pokemon approached Kari, a gothitelle. The pokemon made straight for the zoroark. Kari's stomach churned as she imagined what she would have to go through today."Good morning, little pup, you are just as beautiful as I've heard!" the gothitelle said cheerfully."Where is Willow?" Kari croaked. Her throat was dry."Your loyalty is adorable. Willow's a lucky one, huh? You're assigned to me today. If you're good, I'll let you spend another evening with Willow." The gothitelle flicked her wrists, and Kari's chains instantly dropped to the floor. Kari's hands were unbound. Her mind immediately considered how she could take advantage of the situation. If she could just beat the gothitelle, she could free Juno."Don't bother trying anything. Everyone knows we're together for the day, and they know where we'll be. If you bite, I bite back," the gothitelle said with a wink."What do you want from me?" Kari said with a defiant glare."Oh no, no, don't you know better than to talk back? Well, we'll train that out of you. I'm Violet. Today, we need to gather supplies for the meal tonight. So pup, follow."Violet took no time in turning her back and walking out of the damp chamber. Kari was surprised by her nonchalant attitude. So far, most everyone has been vigilant around Kari, but not Violet. That worried her.Violet led Kari out of the quarters and through the field into the woods. They followed a small dirt footpath for a few minutes while Violet hummed a tune, void of concern. This was Kari's first time so far from Delli in days, so her mind was swimming with thoughts of escaping. Could she knock out Violet? She deemed the idea a possibility. Though, if she failed, she would surely be punished, and Willow might be as well. The fear of Willow getting hurt far surpassed her concern for her own well-being. She played with the idea in her head, trying to settle on a decision. She knew she couldn't give into the fear. She couldn't break. That would mean Delli wins. Violet stopped once the two reached a small pond in the woods. Violet looked around the nearby brush and nodded to herself. She stepped into the water, sat down, and reclinded. This was the first time Kari had seen a member of the coven so relaxed around her."Alright pup, there are plenty of berry bushes nearby. Gather what you can and put them into that basket." Violet pointed at a nearby stone, with a woven basket on top of it."Don't go too far," Violet continued. "I need to be able to see you. If you find any game, feel free to catch it. You look like a strong hunter. Oh, and if you try to run, well, we can just say Willow wouldn't like that much.""That's it? Gather berries?" Kari was taken aback by her consistent lack of concern."Yep, we have a few hours, so fill up what you can. I'll be here resting. The water is just too nice to ignore. If you do well, I'll let you wash off in here, too."Kari made her way to the basket, puzzled by the situation. She had a good chance to take Violet down here, but the threat she made against Willow loomed over her head like a dark cloud. Kari fought that fear and focused on the task at hand, picking berries. She was at the fringes of the coven's property, with only one guard. It was obviously a test, but it could also be a great mistake. Maybe they underestimated her.Kari moved in a circle around the pond, picking whatever was ripe. The basket was getting heavier by the minute while she was prodded at by every thorn in the area. Not once did Violet move from her spot in the pond. While she did glance up at Kari a few times, she remained totally unconcerned. Kari decided to test her boundaries and move one row of trees further back. As she scanned for berries along the ring, she also looked out into the distance. She determined which way the nearest towns were and her best routes of escape. Violet still did not react. Kari went another layer deeper into the woods, now almost fully blocked by Violet's view by foliage. Unexpectedly, Violet remained unbothered and continued to lounge in the pond. Kari followed the further ring around the circle, filling her basket as she went. Once she completed the ring, her basket was full. Kari glanced through the treeline at Violet. She was positioned behind her, just out of sight. Violet wasn't looking back. This was Kari's chance. Her heart jumped with fear, but she refused to succumb to it. She placed the basket on the ground and focused her thoughts on a new form.By the pond, Violet's gaze was fixed onto the water. She listened as the sound of shuffling leaves turned into heavy footsteps and deep breathing. Without rising, she turned her head behind her, noticing a large ursaring creeping through the brush. She didn't flinch as the beast raised a claw and prepared a strike."Kari!," Violet giggled. "That was a good one. You almost got me. What have you collected so far?"The ursaring stared blankly. The form flashed and dissolved into that of a zoroark, who stood there bewildered. Without a word, she turned and fetched the basket and presented it to Violet."Oh! Good job! There's plenty in here. More than most of the others would've gotten," Violet smiled. Her attention turned to the array of small thorn cuts on Kari's arms. "Looks like you've got a lot higher tolerance than the others, I like that," Violet said with a wink."Thanks," Kari said flatly, still bewildered by Violet's attitude."Since you did so well, I won't mind if you wash off. Normally, I'd never stay in the same water as a servant, but I'm working up a sweat, so I'm not one to care currently," Violet said in her usual sing-song tone.Kari approached the water. She crouched down, cupped her paws, and scooped up a handful. She poured it out into her mouth. It was cold and clean. This repeated until her thirst finally left. Next, she dipped a foot into the water. She flinched slightly as the cold shocked her. After a brief moment, the shock turned into a pleasant feeling. She made her way deeper into the water until it was just over her knees. She rubbed the water into her fur, from her ankles up to her waist. Violet watched the whole time with a smile. "Need some help with your back?" Violet sat up and walked deeper in until she stood next to Kari. "Sit here," Violet demanded. Kari obliged, not wanting to cause trouble at this moment. She found a place to sit where the water would go up to her hips. Violet sat down behind her, legs out to Kari's side so their bodies were touching. Violet began rubbing Kari's back with water, washing away the dust and dirt that accumulated on her fur. Despite her focus, Kari got lost in the sensation. As Violet raked her hands down Kari's fur, she leaned deeper into Violet's lap. Violet moved her attention to Kari's arms, playing with and admiring her muscles. "What a strong pokemon. I wouldn't be able to do a thing if you pinned me down. Good thing you're a good girl," Violet teased.Kari blushed, immediately moving her arm back against her chest. Kari had always picked up on Violet's nonchalant attitude, but only now did she feel like she was really being flirted with."On come on now, no need to be shy. No one else is here. We're all alone," Violet said.Kari's hair stood on end while Violet continued touching her. She ran her fingers up and down her back, through her hair, and along her sides. Her fingers moved slowly to her front. Kari shivered as Violet's hands made their way across the fur on her chest. Violet moved down, circling her stomach as she lay her head on Kari's shoulders. Kari was frozen. She didn't hate the feeling of physical comfort, but she couldn't shake the feeling that this was wrong."What's wrong, darling? We're just cleaning you up. There's no need to get worked up." Violet gently kissed Kari's neck while she continued playing with her fur. Butterflies churned in Kari's stomach. She was losing herself in Violet's touches. She focused her will and turned to Violet, breaking the contact."What's wrong, baby?" Violet said playfully, locking her gaze with Kari's."I shouldn't be doing this.""And why is that?" Violet said, smirking again.Kari stayed silent. She didn't have a good excuse."Well, it wouldn't be fair to Willow if I don't save any for her. We can leave now if you really want," Violet said, feigning sadness.Kari looked down into the water, confused and conflicted. Violet put a hand out and cusped Kari's cheek. She learned forward and kissed the other cheek, then leaned back. The kiss sent a shiver through Kari's body, but she couldn't bring herself to look back at Violet. Violet leaned back and stood up. She made her way out of the water and began wiping water off her body. Kari noticed she was trying to draw attention to her legs and hips in particular. Kari couldn't help but look until she got out of the water and started to press the water out of her own fur and wrung out her hair. The two took their time drying off, letting the sun do most of the work. "Well pup, time to go back. I'll take you to the kitchen if you carry the basket. Then, perhaps you can stay with Willow."Kari grabbed the berry-filled basket and followed Violet down the path back to the mansion. She had plenty of time to think about everything that happened on the walk. Violet, unlike the others, wasn't scared of Kari. She didn't want to chain her up, beat her, or force her into unreasonable conditions. On one hand, this was refreshing. On the other hand, it was unsettling. Kari wondered if this was a test or some technique to break her. She wondered if she could've beaten Violet if she wasn't so shocked her disguise didn't work. Those thoughts swirled in her mind for the rest of the trip back.Once they broke back through the treeline and into the field, Violet beckoned Kari to the mansion. The two made their way through the wooden door in the back and into the kitchen. Inside were three pokemon, all wearing aprons. An infernape was standing over a stove cooking something, who Kari presumed to be the chef. A sunflora walked up to Kari and took the basket from her hands."Thank you," said the sunflora flatly.Kari nodded. Violet nudged Kari and led her back outside to the field."That's all the time we get together today. Maybe I'll take you back out sometime soon. I'll get Willow for you," Violet said to Kari."Thank you," Kari replied.Violet walked back into the mansion. While she waited for Willow, Kari investigated her environment. She couldn't find her main target, Delli, anywhere. There were multiple others in the area anyway, coven and servant alike. Once a few moments passed, the door creaked open, and Willow shuffled out of the mansion. She smiled once she saw Kari and embraced her tightly. Kari hugged back, glad to have the comfort of her friend."Kari!" Willow said with a wide grin. "Did you get a bath today? Your fur is so clean."Willow ran her fingers through Kari's fur. The subtle warmth behind Willow's touch brought her peace. "Yeah they let me go out and pick berries. There was a pond there, too.""They didn't let you go out alone, did they?""No, Violet took me. She went easy on me, though. She was nicer than anyone else has been."Willow rolled her eyes. "Of course it was her. Did she do anything to you?" she asked."What do you mean? She was a little flirty but she didn't do anything to me.""It's nothing. She's just touchy. They're probably just trying to get to me. Anyways, you look well, I'm glad.""Thank you. You seem cheerful, is everything okay?""It's fine. Most people here are actually quite nice. Plus, they've been treating you alright. If you can keep your strength up, it's only a matter of time before we fight back," Willow said with enthusiasm."I'm happy you're hopeful. We will get out of this. Actually, I have a plan to make an opening to strike down Delli, I was wondering if you could help.""I'm listening.""Well we came here to have Delli enter my mind, right? If you ask her to do so, it can distract her long enough for us to attack. If it happens in the right place, that is."Willow stood for a second, playing with the idea in her mind before she responded."Hm, I suppose I can ask her, but I see a lot of problems. She might not agree at all. If she does it in the mansion, we would get surrounded too fast. If she does it in the quarters while you're chained up, then you won't be able to act on the opportunity. I'm not sure if this is smart.""I understand, but it gives us a chance that I can't ignore. Worst case scenario, nothing happens, and we try something else. Bring it up to her at dinner, and let's plan from there.""Okay, I can do that. Please, though, Kari, you really can't afford to be reckless here," Willow pleaded."I won't be. Let's just check out the opportunity.""Wait, Kari," Willow interrupted. "Won't Delli be able to see your plan the second you let her enter your mind?""It's a possibility," Kari paused. "But my intent for her to discover the source of the presence in my mind is real. If I show her that, she might not expect a secondary motive.""Maybe… If she knows you're plotting against her, you'll certainly be punished regardless.""I'm okay taking that chance, Willow. Don't worry about me.""This isn't just about you, Kari!" Willow exclaimed. "It's both of us in danger. Plus, anything you might do could reflect poorly on all the other servants. When I say you need to be careful, I mean it, for all of us.""I understand."The conversation came to a close. The two stood next to one another, watching pokemon wander the field until dinner was called. Upon seeing all the coven members pile through the door into the mansion, Willow's eyes lit up as an idea crossed her mind."Kari, I have a plan. Follow me."Willow started walking off in the direction of the servant quarters."What Willow? Why are we going here? You need to get to dinner.""I'm helping you make an opportunity," Willow said as she entered the servant quarters. "I'll bring you food afterwards. Usually, that's when servants get their meals anyway. I'll tell Delli I'll be spending time with you after dinner here, so she might come here."Kari grinned. "Smart girl indeed."The two entered the final room of the servant quarters, and Kari made her way to her chains. Willow gently cuffed her wrists and neck after taking a look around the room."This is where you get to live? This is horrible," Willow said."It's not too bad. They give us water buckets.""Uh huh, I'm sure that really makes up for it."Kari and Willow smirked at each other. Tensions were high, but the two found their way to remain hopeful."Okay Willow, get out of here. You don't want to be late for dinner," Kari ordered."Yes ma'am," Willow teased as she left the quarters.The moment Willow's presence left the room, a cold and lonely air seeped in around Kari. The silence settled. She would be chained here for at least another hour. Kari turned her head to the absol, Juno. She was scratching something into the floor before her."Hey, Juno. Did they let you out today?" Kari asked."No, they never do," Juno said with her head still down. "Well, that's a lie. They give me a couple of hours in the morning every week or so.""Oh. I'm sorry.""It's alright. They don't want me to live well, but they don't want me to die either. They bring me food every night and water around midday, assuming I haven't tried anything suspicious that day."Kari felt a hint of Juno's deep sorrow in her tone. She acted tough, but Kari knew better than to assume Juno could actually brush everything off so easily. Juno continued, "was that Willow, by the way?""Yeah," Kari replied."You're lucky. She's quite pretty."Kari felt a slight blush warm her cheeks."Oh, no, no, no," she chuckled awkwardly. "It's not like that.""If you say so, but the bonding ceremony says otherwise," Juno retorted with the slightest hint of a joking tone.Detecting Kari's slight embarrassment, Juno changed the subject "not going to lie, it's been nice having another pokemon back here. Usually, they get broken in less than a day or two and move up. I'm sure you don't like being back here, but at least I'm not totally alone.""I see where you're coming from. I think I'd rather be chained up here with you than on a bunk with a bunch of Delli's zombies.""It's a burden, being brave enough to resist her. Someone has to, though.""Speaking of," Kari stated. "Willow and I have somewhat of a plan tonight.""Oh?" Juno's ears perked up subtly, and she tilted her head to meet Kari's eyes. "What is it? Say it quietly."Kari lowered her voice, "Willow is going to try and get Delli in here to probe my mind. While she's distracted, Willow can open our chains, and we can take her down together.""Mind probe, huh? Well, if you can get her here, I'll do what I can to help. Still, I've failed a few similar attacks myself in my time. She is unlikely to come alone or have backup too far. I can hide my intent from her telepathy for some time, but I doubt you can if you're letting her wriggle her way through your head.""I've already planned for it. Either way, she might end up in this very chamber, and we would have a chance.""Alright, whatever. I'm not going to say no to a chance to take the bitch down."Kari took a closer look at Juno's scars. More questions came to her mind."Hey Juno, why has Delli kept you here for so long?""You really think that's something I want to talk about?" Juno raised an eyebrow. "Well, so be it. Delli was a noteworthy professor at an academy on the other side of the sea. She moved here to practice forbidden powers, though I didn't know that at the time. I found her as she was on her way here, and she employed me. I helped her build the mansion, I helped her gain authority in the local town, and I helped her recruit psychic types. At first, it was for academic purposes. Then, it became something elitist."Kari looked on, not wanting to say a word. Seeing Kari so focused, Juno decided to continue."She started forcing me out of her life. Found ways to pay me less, to feed me less. When she made these quarters she originally told me they were for my privacy, but I knew that wasn't the truth. She didn't want me around, she was a psychic type, and I was a dark type – evil to her. You must know what I'm talking about."Kari nodded, "she wasn't kind to me when I came here originally. Only Willow.""Exactly. With her growing strength and new cult members, she was able to push whatever narrative she wanted. Eventually, I couldn't leave, she wouldn't let me. I tried to attack her and end all of this, but she barely beat me because of her coven. She tortured me for that whole night. That's where I got most of these scars. I actually have her quite a few more, but she could just stitch herself together with her powers.""So you've been in here for years, always trying to find a way out?""Not a way out, a way to kill Delli. She can't get away with this. The strength of my will keeps her from breaking my mind.""Juno, that's awful," Kari apologized. "You've got to be the strongest pokemon I've ever met. We will stop her Juno, I promise.""Don't promise me anything Kari. I've heard those words before, and no one who's said them are still here. Hope is a powerful thing, but false hope kills."Kari nodded, and turned her head away from Juno and back to the door. She wondered when Willow would be back, and if Delli would follow. It was impossible to tell how long Willow had been eating for while Kari was stuck in the windowless room. Kari sat down, back against the wall, and rested until the door opened again.It took another half-hour, according to Kari's unreliable estimate. Still, an estimate was the best she could do. The wooden door creaked open slowly with Willow pushing through it. She was carrying two plates of food. She walked in, Delli nowhere to be seen. Willow placed one plate in front of Kari, who began eating immediately, and she placed the other plate in front of Juno. Juno didn't react, she must have curled into a ball and fallen asleep before Willow arrived."Hey Kari," Willow whispered. "South is outside the main exit so we should keep it down. I asked Delli to come enter your mind. She was happy to, she said she would come sometime after dinner. I'll hang out here with you until she's here.""Perfect Willow, thank you so much," Kari said between bites."Is that Juno?" Willow pointed at the sleeping absol."Yeah, she must've passed out.""No, I didn't," Juno stirred. "Willow, unlock my chains but keep them shut. I'm going to pretend to sleep."Willow didn't need to be told twice. She lifted her wand and flicked her wrists. Kari heard an almost silent click sound coming from Juno's chains. Willow returned her wand and sat down in front of Kari. The two made conversation while waiting for Delli's arrival, trying their best to not sound suspicious. Long after Kari had finished her meal and the conversation sputtered out, the door opened again. Delli entered the room with an authoritative stance and a vaguely disgusted grimace at the sight of the room.
"Well then," Delli said. "Let's begin."