"What do you know of Aura?" the Whisperer asked, his voice coming from nowhere and yet everywhere. Medicham could not help it; reflex took over and she looked around, searching for the source of the voice. But the tan walls and red mat of the now-familiar arena held only her inside.
"It's…the source of my power," said Medicham, trying to remember what Korrina's Lucario had taught her about Aura; with a small jolt she realized that it was the same question that Lucario had asked her. Had that really been only a month ago? It seemed like a lifetime. "It's sort of…it's like Fighting energy, but more advanced? Like anyone can use it, but only those who know it's Aura can actually use it properly?"
"Correct," said the Whisperer, "and yet not. Yes, Fighting energy is Aura. But all that 'more advanced' rhetoric is nothing but a myth. The truth has been twisted over hundreds if not thousands of years; very few understand the real truth about such energies anymore."
"So what is the truth?" Medicham asked.
"The truth is that Fighting energy is Aura," said the Whisperer, "in every sense of the word. They are the same, and in a long forgotten time, they were regarded as the same thing. But with time came twists in mythology, and eventually Trainers and Pokemon alike wanted standardization. Thus, the existence of 'Fighting energy' came to be, and Aura became known as a more specialized power."
"What do you mean, standardization?" Medicham asked.
The Whisperer sighed. "There are eighteen types a Pokemon is capable of wielding," said the Whisperer. "Take a Fighting-type, for example. They were always known as that. But they did not wield Fighting energy; they wielded Aura. In a similar vein, Psychic-types wielded not Psychic energy, but Mind. To name a few more examples: Fire, Water, and Grass-types used to wield Blaze, Torrent, and Overgrow respectively. Fairy used Life; Dark used Oblivion; Ghost used Distortion; Dragon used Eterna. But those names became lost to time, and eventually, when the beings of the world sought standardization, they coalesced around the name for what Normal-type Pokemon wielded: Energy. So Distortion became Ghost energy, Life became Fairy energy, and, well, you understand. If you look hard enough, most if not all of the true names were kept in a different fashion; Blaze, Torrent, and Overgrow, for example, are now known as the default Abilities of Starter Pokemon, while Life has become practically synonymous with the Lifebringer, Xerneas."
"I…hate to ask," said Medicham, "but how does this make me stronger?"
A soft chuckle came from the surrounding air. "To quote a very overused phrase, 'knowledge is power'. But let me put it in a, say, different form. You know an attack called Fire Punch. Activate it."
Medicham concentrated. "Fire Strike," she murmured. At her command, her left fist flared with flames, washing over her knuckles, crackling hungrily yet not burning her.
"You are currently utilizing Fire energy," said the Whisperer. "Now I want you to try again. But this time, use Blaze."
"I don't know how to use Blaze," Medicham warned.
"A month ago, you didn't know how to use Aura," said the Whisperer. "Nowadays, you're a strong - if unoriginal - practitioner. Blaze is much the same way. And you remember how your advances in Aura allowed you to strengthen yourself, don't you?"
"Yes," said Medicham.
"You may release your attack," said the Whisperer, waiting to continue until Medicham had done so. "You are not a Fire-type. You are a Fighting/Psychic-type. Yet though you know how to wield Aura, you do not know how to wield Mind. For the foreseeable future, that is your goal. Mastery of Mind will give you a versatility most of your kind lack. Now…"
A strange Pokemon suddenly popped into existence. It was brown with tiny wings and some kind of brown halo over its head. It looked almost lifeless, staring at Medicham with dull, unseeing eyes.
"This is Shedinja," said the Whisperer. "It is known for its Ability, Wonder Guard. This Ability gives it complete invincibility against anything that is not supereffective against it. It is one of the most frail Pokemon in existence, and as such it will instantly fall to any attack that can properly affect it. Between all your attacks, you have one that can defeat Shedinja, Fire Punch. Now, though it cannot be hurt by your Psychic attacks, it can still be affected by them. You may toss it around as long as you like. Don't worry about it; it is a construct and not alive. When you feel as if you've had enough, use Fire Punch; I will return when you do so. Good luck."
The Whisperer's presence faded, leaving only Medicham and Shedinja. Medicham slowly turned towards the small brown Pokemon, readying a Psychic Blast. She tried to force Mind into it, not Psychic energy, but as she sent it flying at Shedinja, sending the little Pokemon soaring into a wall, she saw no difference.
But that was to be expected. It was only her first time. She'd taken more than a week to master Aura, after all.
Shedinja detached itself from the small crater in the wall, none the worse for wear, and hovered back towards the position it had started from. Medicham allowed it to assume its position again before hitting it with another Psychic Blast. And so Medicham practiced, hitting it with Psychic Blasts and Psychic Strikes until her head felt like it would split open from the psychic strain.
Tyranitar stepped into a small hollow in the ground, a crater surrounded by earth on all sides, dotted with earthen pillars. Drapion followed, noting that the pillars seemed spaced with surprising regularity, but some of them looked more newly made than others.
"You know what this place is?" Tyranitar asked.
Drapion shook his head. "No, but…it looks like some kinda Trainer path?"
"Indeed," said Tyranitar. "Trainers around here love to challenge themselves and their Pokemon by trying to cross the pit without falling in. Now, what with a Rock-type Gym Leader in town, these pillars are easy to replace, which makes this a good place for Pokemon battles, especially at night when no Trainers come down here."
"Ain't ya a Rock-type too?" Drapion asked. "Doesn't that give ya an advantage?"
Tyranitar grinned. "Figured you'd ask that. Truth is, not really. Some Rock-types manipulate rocks and earth. I just hit things with it. I've got no more of an advantage down here than you do."
With that, Tyranitar ambled towards the other side of the pit. Drapion remained where he was. The pit was shaped sort of like a misshapen oval, with one of the long sides shoved inwards to form a bean-esque shape. As such, Tyranitar and Drapion positioned themselves on each end of the shape, glaring at each other through the array of earthen pillars.
"You go first," Tyranitar growled.
"If ya say so," Drapion retorted. "No Escape!"
Drapion opened his mouth and expelled the familiar flurry of Dark-type rays, sending them arcing around the pillars, twisting towards Tyranitar. "Sand Stream!" Tyranitar bellowed instantly. A storm of sand erupted from the towering figure, streaking towards Drapion like a great tan wave.
"Battle Armor!" Drapion snarled, shifting his chitin reserves to better protect him from the biting sand. The wave hit and at once he could feel the flying sand swarming around him, seeking chinks in his armor. He could not see Tyranitar, nor did he know what had become of his opening salvo.
"Storm Claws!"
It was at that moment that Drapion remembered the full extent of Tyranitar's Ability. Driven more by instinct than anything, Drapion twisted, swinging his tail towards where the voice had come from. He felt a blow impact his swinging tail and knock it away with a grunt; a second blow slammed into his side, shoving him to the left and twisting him in a quarter-circle.
Through narrowed eyes he saw Tyranitar, his claws upraised and readying for another strike. "Storm Blade!" Tyranitar roared, unleashing a vertical blast of Rock energy at Drapion. A quick Block served to deflect the flying blade. Drapion lunged forwards, hurling himself through the dispersing remains of his Block. Tyranitar surged forth to meet him, half-dissolving into sand as he did so. It was almost as if he was flying, his lower body a swirling cloud of sand carrying him forwards at a shocking speed.
"Double Slam!" Drapion reared back and drove both his arms forwards at Tyranitar's chest. Tyranitar reached out and slammed both hands into Drapion's claws. At once Drapion felt himself being pushed back; Tyranitar looked to be straining as well, but with the sandstorm holding him steady Drapion could not hold on.
Drapion's control slipped and his front legs came up; in one swift motion Tyranitar grasped Drapion's claws tightly. His lower body reasserted itself; Tyranitar planted his legs deep into the earth and swung Drapion left, hurling him bodily into one of the many earthen pillars. Drapion flew, crushing the pillar under his bulk; he flailed ungainly for a second before he slammed into another pillar, one that collapsed under his weight but held just long enough to arrest his momentum.
"Storm Blade!" Tyranitar bellowed. Drapion was forced to leap sideways, evading the blade of Rock energy that swept across the pit. "No Escape!" Drapion snarled again, and this time he saw how Tyranitar evaded the rays; a flurry of Rock energy, small blasts one after the other, artfully aimed to intercept the rays and dissipate them.
"Storm Quake!" Tyranitar roared, slamming one massive foot onto the ground. A wave of Ground energy rippled outwards, scything through several of the earthen pillars. Again Drapion managed a Block, dispersing the Storm Quake. "Pierce!" he snarled, letting fly with a barrage of Bug energy-tipped spikes. They hadn't even reached their target before Drapion lunged, following along in the wake of his own attack.
"Rock Storm!" Tyranitar sent a wave of Rock energy at the incoming Pierce, dissipating it and continuing onwards. "Battle Armor!" Drapion snarled, raising his arm over his face and enhancing it with chitin. He bulldozed through the oncoming Rock energy, ignoring the pain that seared his arm from the hit, and bodily lunged for Tyranitar.
"Sand Stream!" Tyranitar growled, lunging out of the way as a non-solid cloud of sand. As he landed on Drapion's left, he twisted, claws flaring with Rock energy.
Drapion grinned. "Gotcha."
Tyranitar didn't have time to react before Drapion's tail slammed straight into his jaw. The Rock/Dark-type Pokemon tumbled straight through another earthen pillar, blood spraying from his mouth. As he landed on all fours, Drapion twisted and raised both arms over his head once again. "Double Slam!"
Abruptly Tyranitar, on his side, dispersed into a cloud of sand. In an instant he reformed, standing back up, and lunged before Drapion could do anything. Tyranitar's shoulder rammed into Drapion's mouth; Drapion tasted blood even as he felt his claws leave the ground.
Tyranitar charged, bearing Drapion before him. Pain burst across Drapion's back as Tyranitar rammed him through one, two, three, four earthen pillars, carrying him across the entire pit. A snarl came, almost involuntarily, from Drapion's throat as he felt a sticky trickle coming from his back.
But in his fury, Tyranitar had left Drapion's teeth unattended.
"Rip!" Drapion bent forwards and sank Bug energy-infused teeth into the side of Tyranitar's neck. Tyranitar howled, releasing his grip on Drapion. Drapion felt his rear claws touch the ground. Swiftly, he twisted around Tyranitar's body, moving so that Tyranitar's momentum carried him forwards, and lowered his head. "Battle Armor!" he snarled, forming his spare chitin along the top of his head. "Slam!"
Again, Tyranitar was not fast enough to compensate; Drapion's Battle Armor-enhanced headbutt drove right into his right side and sent Tyranitar staggering. But the behemoth was already twisting when the attack hit, and even as he stumbled a Rock Storm burst from Tyranitar's claws and struck Drapion's jaw. Drapion tumbled to the ground, his roll only stopped by the wall of the pit.
Tyranitar rose to his feet, chest heaving. Slowly, he raised one clawed hand to the side of his neck. It came away red; Tyranitar stared at his blood-soaked claws for a few seconds, before a savage grin crossed his face. "You're going to regret that," he snarled.
"Ah don't think so," Drapion growled, gathering a burst of Poison energy in his jaws. "Bla-"
"Quash!"
An unearthly wave of force slammed into Drapion, instantly driving him to the ground. His trembling legs could barely keep him upright as he crouched, snarling at the strain. He could see that Tyranitar was under the same effect, pinned in place, even his trunklike legs shivering under the stress. The sandstorm faded, Tyranitar no longer able to keep it up, so occupied he was with trying to stand.
A group of Pokemon, nearly two dozen from what Drapion could see, arose on the ledges overlooking the pit. He could see several Pancham among their number, a huge burly Pangoro standing behind them; they were the ones using Quash, working together to create the force necessary to pin both Drapion and Tyranitar down. Alongside them, though, were the figures that gave Drapion chills; an assortment of snarling Skorupi with another Drapion at their head, glaring straight at him with a mixture of glee, savagery, and just the smallest trace of fear.
"Finally," the Drapion on the ledge growled. "You may have cheated death once, Marked One, but your time in this world is done. I, Fang, leader of the Unseen Fist Swarm, will earn the Swarmlord's favor today."
Drapion forced his head to rise despite the strain, glaring up at Fang. "Are ya…so blind?" he snarled. "Ya know…if he wants me…he wants me…personally."
Fang grinned. "Oh, the Swarmlord made it clear he wants you," he growled. "He just never specified whether it was dead or alive."
"What…in Distortion…is this?" Tyranitar snarled furiously.
"Silence," Fang ordered. "I don't know who you are, and to be honest, I don't care. You're just in our way. Skorupi. Let us finish this."
The group of Skorupi smirked, claws flashing in the moonlight. Drapion continued to glare at Fang, trying to think of a way out. His ranged attacks could still work, as unlike Tyranitar he didn't need to actively move in order to use them, but there was no way he could take out all of these assailants with just those.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that."
Drapion's eyes widened as he beheld, of all Pokemon, Liepard stepping out from behind Pangoro. Judging by the Dark/Fighting-type's twitch in response, he hadn't known she was there. It was definitely the same Liepard from Medicham's forest - had she really followed them here?
Fang twisted to stare at the new arrival. "I'm sorry?" the wild Drapion growled. "I must have misheard you. What was that?"
Liepard sighed. "Oh, I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I said. Tyranitar. Use Earthquake."
Tyranitar managed to lift his head enough to glance at Liepard. "How's…that…supposed to-"
"Do it." Liepard's voice was harder now, more urgent.
Fang chuckled. "You three, deal with this." A trio of Skorupi began to advance on Liepard, Bug energy glinting across their claws and teeth.
"Storm…Quake…" Tyranitar managed to twist his foot. A grinding noise sounded as a small burst of Ground energy surged outwards from Tyranitar, not nearly enough to impact any of the watchers.
"Merci," Liepard said with a grin. "Farceur. Imitateur: Tyranitar."
A blast of Ground energy erupted from Liepard in all directions. The three Skorupi advancing on Liepard were sent flying, flailing uselessly as they soared through the air. Fang and his attendant Skorupi flinched, but the copied Storm Quake was not aimed at them; rather the group of Pancham and the Pangoro watching them all staggered under the sudden impact. All of the Pancham lost their balance; some merely fell to the ground, while others tumbled into the pit, screaming the whole way. Even Pangoro staggered.
Drapion felt the pressure of the Quash fade. He saw Tyranitar stand, absolute fury in his eyes, and saw Fang look back towards the clearing. The leader of the Unseen Fist Swarm gaped in shock. Drapion grinned.
"Fang!" Drapion bellowed. "Face me! Ah'll show ya why the Swarmlord fears me so!"
Fang gulped. "Get him!" he ordered to his Skorupi. Fully five lunged, hurling themselves down the slope of the pit, claws flashing.
Tyranitar let out a bellow of rage. "Sand Stream!" The charging Skorupi staggered as the sandstorm reasserted itself across the pit. In that moment, Drapion charged his opponents, firing off a swift No Escape that sent three of the off-balance Skorupi staggering back. The two remaining Skorupi rose to meet him, but Drapion twisted as he met them, catching one with a powerful Rip that tore through the Skorupi's weak armor and bowling the other aside with a tail swing.
Tyranitar lunged for the four Panchams that Liepard had knocked into the pit, disappearing into the sandstorm as he came. "Storm Claws!" he roared as he reappeared. A Pancham was flung bodily into the wall of the pit, gashes crisscrossing his face as he let out an agonized scream. "Rock Storm!" Tyranitar snarled, hurling a burst of Rock energy at the remaining three Panchams. One managed to dive aside, but the other two, still off balance, took the burst straight to their faces and dropped like stones.
At the top of the ledge, Pangoro lunged at Liepard, fist drawn back. "I'll kill you!" he roared.
"You can try," Liepard mocked. "Farceur: Raillerie."
Pangoro let out a strangled scream and threw a brutal-looking punch at Liepard. The smaller, lithe Pokemon nimbly ducked the blow. "Tranche de Ventouse!" she hissed, slashing Pangoro across the side. Pangoro twisted and swung again; again Liepard ducked and countered, swaying effortlessly away from Pangoro's wild punches.
Drapion sent a Blast straight into one of his three remaining opponents, knocking the Skorupi unconscious to the ground. A sharp pain struck his shoulder as another Skorupi leaped onto him, one he thought he'd dealt with. Damn it! This is no time to get sloppy! Drapion twisted, flinging his attacker straight into one of the few earthen pillars still standing. The Skorupi dropped to the ground with a nasty crunch.
"Die, Marked One!" Drapion looked up just as Fang, wild-eyed, leaped from the ledge straight at him. "Block!" Drapion snarled, intercepting Fang's leap with a swift Protect. The wild Drapion bounced off the barrier of energy and landed hard on the ground, groaning in pain.
Before Drapion could advance, though, the two remaining Skorupi flung themselves at him, one on each side. "Battle Armor!" he cried, shifting chitin to intercept their charges. Then he twisted, first right, then left, sending them both flying with individual Slams.
Tyranitar had clearly been pounced on by the rest of the Panchams and even a couple Skorupi, but was handling himself well, hurling Storm Quakes and Storm Slides in every direction to keep his foes off balance and using Sand Stream to escape any attempts at dogpiling him. Liepard, meanwhile, was still effortlessly toying with Pangoro, who by now was bleeding heavily, his swings growing weaker. Liepard now leaped backwards to evade a two-handed slam from her opponent. With a grin she sent a spurt of energy at Drapion. "Farceur. Aider: Drapion."
Liepard's eyes suddenly glinted oddly. Pangoro didn't seem affected in any way. Liepard sighed. "Leer? Really?"
"DIE!"
"Oh, right, you exist." Liepard ducked an overhead swipe from Pangoro. "Tranche Sournoise!" Her paw leaped straight between Pangoro's legs. Pangoro doubled over with a bellow of pain, hitting the ground with a loud and massive crash.
Fang rose from the ground before Drapion. "Take this!" he snarled, lunging forwards with claws tipped with Bug energy.
"Burrow!" Drapion growled. His claws struck the earth and Drapion plunged, diving underground as Fang's strike whiffed completely.
Drapion twisted underground and lunged upwards, cannoning out of the earth straight into Fang's belly. The leader of the Unseen Fist Swarm doubled over around Drapion, gasping in pain. Drapion slammed Fang into the pit wall, reared back, and drove a Battle Armor-enhanced arm, clublike, into the wild Drapion's jaw. A resounding crack shattered the air as Fang crumpled, two teeth broken, clearly on the edge of consciousness.
A sharp, pained cry heralded the fall of the last of Tyranitar's foes. The howling of the sandstorm faded as Tyranitar dispersed it. The area fell silent, disturbed only by Pangoro's whimpers from above as Drapion advanced on Fang.
Fang twisted to stare into Drapion's eyes. His own eyes widened. "No, wait!" he cried. "I just…the Swarmlord told us to find you! I was just following his orders!"
Drapion drove his claws into Fang's neck, forcing the leader of the Unseen Fist Swarm to his claws. "How?" he snarled. "How does he know? How could he have found me?"
"The…the Forest Spirit Swarm!" Fang cried. "They told him…that's all I know, I swear! Please…please don't kill me…"
"Ah ain't gonna kill ya," Drapion growled. "Ah doubt the Swarmlord will be so merciful."
With that, Drapion allowed Fang to fall to the ground. As the leader of the Unseen Fist Swarm lay crumpled in a heap, whimpering pathetically, Drapion turned to Tyranitar. "C'mon, let's get outta here."
Tyranitar just looked at Drapion.
"Now!" Drapion snarled. Without seeing if Tyranitar was following, he began to stride towards the pit wall in the other direction.
"Drapion."
Drapion turned to see that Tyranitar had indeed followed. "What?" he asked.
Tyranitar gestured to the carnage behind them. "I won't ask you to finish our fight now," he growled. "Not after that. But it seemed like you had some idea of just who that was. Who in Distortion is the Swarmlord?"
"Someone ya don't wanna deal with," Drapion growled.
Tyranitar sighed. "All right," he said. "I get it. You're not the only Pokemon with secrets. I've had my experiences with such things. And I get that you'd rather leave others out of this. I'm not going to interfere with that. It's none of my business."
The behemoth's eyes narrowed. "But if your secrets start affecting my friends, or my Trainer…then it becomes my business. So do both of us a favor. Keep this Swarmlord crap away from Connie. Keep it away from my teammates. Or I'm going to have to interfere. And I doubt anyone is going to enjoy that."
"Ah understand," said Drapion.
"Good." Tyranitar relaxed. "You're right. We should leave."
"If I may?"
Drapion and Tyranitar looked up to see Liepard standing on the ledge above them. "It seems we meet yet again, mon ami. Truly, we are inseparable."
"Yer followin' me," Drapion growled. "Ah told ya, ah don't want any of that."
Liepard smirked. "Did I not just save your life?" she asked.
Drapion stepped forwards, clambering up the wall of the pit. Liepard politely stepped back, giving Drapion space to stand atop the ledge, eye-to-eye with her.
"Thanks," he growled. "That's all ah'm gonna give ya."
Liepard chuckled. "One day, mon ami. One day you'll learn to see me for what I am, not for what I've done."
"It ain't about that," Drapion growled, but Liepard was already turning and walking away, head held high and tail upraised.
"So that's the Liepard your Trainer was talking about."
Drapion turned towards Tyranitar. "That ain't yer business either."
"Look, Drapion," said Tyranitar. "Sometimes, a Pokemon is…you know, not fit for being on a team. Not compatible, more dangerous than helpful. You understand?"
Drapion's mind flew back to Heliolisk. And even earlier, Kriesh, at least before the fight with Team Flare. "Yeah."
"In that case, it's good to chase them away," said Tyranitar. "But…if your Trainer decides he wants her as one of his Pokemon, what are you going to do?"
"Marcus doesn't want that Liepard," Drapion growled.
"From the way he was talking about her, I disagree," said Tyranitar. "Drapion, being a Trainer's Pokemon isn't always about going along with what your Trainer wants. But sometimes it is. If Marcus decided to catch that Liepard, would you really stand in his way?"
"Ah…ah guess not," said Drapion.
"So I'm sure you'd be glad to introduce me, mon ami."
"How long have ya been standin' there?" Drapion asked irritably.
"I never left," said Liepard. "Substitute. Wonderful move. Now shall we?"
Drapion glared from Liepard to Tyranitar. "Fine," he snarled gutturally.
"First Medicham and Kriesh, now this," Marcus grumbled as he applied a Super Potion to Drapion's back. "After today, no staying out on your own. We're going to wake up as a team and go to sleep as a team. Damn Wild Pokemon…is this because of Team Flare?"
"Maybe," said Connie, who had just finished dealing with Tyranitar's wounds and was sitting with her arm around the massive Pokemon. "I guess if I'd been taken captive by one of those evil teams, I'd be more aggressive towards strangers."
"And where did this Liepard come from?" Marcus gestured over towards the corner. Drapion followed his gaze to see that Liepard had not changed position; the lithe Pokemon was sitting daintily on the carpet, tail tucked over paws, eyes flitting across the room but focusing mainly on Drapion and Marcus.
"All I know is that she came in with them," said Connie. "Do you think it's the same one that you were talking about?"
"Can't be," said Marcus. "We're in Cyllage, that one was near Couriway."
Drapion sighed. "It's the same one," he growled, knowing that Medicham, in her Luxury Ball, would hear. Sure enough, Marcus paused, a sign of telepathic communication. Then he sighed. "Never mind, it's the same one. Medicham just said so."
"That's one determined Liepard," said Connie. "Why, though?"
Marcus sighed. "Medicham, I need you to translate."
Medicham was already staring at Liepard as she emerged from her Luxury Ball, eyes narrowed. Liepard stared back. "So-"
"I know who you are and what you want," said Medicham. "But why would you help Abomasnow attack the forest Pokemon?"
"It was merely a means to an end, mon ami," said Liepard. "And end that, of course, did not play out as intended. Understand that it was never about your forest friends. But that is in the past."
"And now you want to join the team?" Medicham glanced at Drapion. "Because you're…attracted to…him?"
"Well, that is a fairly archaic way of saying it," said Liepard. "But yes."
"And what happens if this doesn't 'play out as intended'?" Medicham asked.
"Trainers are different," said Liepard. "Wild Pokemon are fickle. Trainers are more enduring. If the Trainer is, say, killed, or captured, or decides to engage a Legendary Pokemon, then I will of course depart. But I don't intend to, say, run off if you lose a single battle, no. Ce serait idiot."
"Like what happened with your last Trainer?" Medicham asked.
Liepard's eyes narrowed. "Unlike with Abomasnow, I see a possible future here. That future is…potentially volatile. But I have every intention of giving your Trainer what he wants. What he wants is a team member, and I wish to be part of that team."
"How do you know what he wants?" Medicham asked.
"Spying," said Liepard. "Following. Experience. It's not difficult if you're not a complete idiot."
Medicham sighed. "Drapion, are you all right with this?"
Drapion looked over at Liepard with a sigh of his own, Tyranitar's words ringing in his head. He shook his head irritably, but he'd already made his decision. "Yeah, ah'm fine with it."
Liepard's grin made him feel slightly ill as Medicham turned to Marcus and delivered an abbreviated version of Liepard's intent.
Marcus smiled as Medicham finished her speech. "All right, then. Liepard, I'll get you a Luxury Ball as soon as I can, but you're going to have to go in one of these…" He checked his bag quickly. "Great Balls."
"Acceptable. For the moment," said Liepard. Marcus grasped one of his Great Balls and tossed it at Liepard; the ball did not shake at all and flashed with the indication of a successful capture barely five seconds later.
Connie grinned. "Congrats! Three Dark-types! Sure, it wasn't the Pangoro you were hopin' for, but a Liepard's always a decent option."
Drapion hid his scowl as Marcus slid Liepard's Great Ball into a slot on his belt, the blue-and-white ball looking decidedly out of place amidst the black-and-orange Luxury Balls of the rest of the team. He apparently didn't hide it well enough, for Medicham glanced at him worriedly. "You sure you're all right?"
"Ah'm fine," Drapion growled, keeping his head turned away from Medicham. "Ah'm fine."
"So, you said you placed a call?" Marcus asked as he and Connie stepped out of the hotel.
"Yeah, or at least tried to," said Connie. "See, the high-up Dark-type Trainers like to keep in contact. So Piers knows Karen, Grimsley, and Sidney pretty well, an' as such I happen to be off-and-on pen pals with one of Karen's trainees. Name of Theo. First showed up in the Indigo League three years ago. Reached Top 32 last year, said he'd be takin' a year off to train, then went radio silent. Haven't heard from him since."
"And you think Theo's a good pick for a Gym Trainer?" Marcus asked.
"Unlike everyone else I know, he ain't already occupied," said Connie.
"But he didn't respond to your call?" Marcus asked.
"No," said Connie, "nor my message. An' I don't happen to have Karen's number. But, there's a plane to Viridian City leavin' from Lumiose this afternoon, an' Theo lives in Viridian. If he's anywhere, he's there."
"I don't know," said Marcus. "If he's not returning your calls, maybe there's a reason."
"Maybe," said Connie. "But…gotta ask, Marcus. You've told me about Serena. You got anyone else?"
Mutely, Marcus shook his head.
"An' the next boat to Alola doesn't leave for a week," said Connie. "We'll be able to get from Lumiose to Viridian, deal with Theo, and get out in half that time. Worst case scenario, doesn't work out, we've exhausted an option an' nothin's been lost. So how 'bout it?"
"I suppose you're right," said Marcus. "Plus it'll give me and the rest of the team time to get used to Liepard, and I've always wanted to go to Kanto-Johto. It's fine by me. I'll get Kriesh ready."
Connie cracked a smile. "Perfect! I've never been on a flier before, save for the Flyin' Taxis in Galar, but those really don't count."
Marcus released Kriesh onto the ground; having heard the conversation, she was already ready, white energy flaring around her body as she made herself ready to use Fly.
"All right, Kriesh, think you can carry the both of us?" Marcus asked.
Kriesh nodded.
"After you," Marcus and Connie chorused to one another. Both chuckled. "No, seriously," said Marcus.
"Whatever," Connie responded. She stepped forwards, swinging her leg over Kriesh's back and planting herself in a position that allowed room for Marcus to sit in front of her.
"Oh! Marcus! A moment, please?"
Marcus, Connie, and Kriesh all twisted to see the telltale form of Grant standing a few feet down the road. The Rock-type Gym Leader was panting, one hand on his knee; clearly he'd been running for a while. "Sorry," he said. "Sycamore told me…Kamado's hatched, right?"
"You know his name?" Marcus asked.
"Of course, I'm a Gym Leader, I've got access to Psychics," said Grant. "Is it true?"
"It's true," Marcus affirmed.
Grant took a deep breath. "Look, clearly you're leaving, but before you go, I…brought his mother here. We heard you were in town, and she wanted to meet her son."
"No problem." Marcus withdrew Kamado's Luxury Ball from his pocket and released the small Tyrunt onto the ground in front of him.
In response, Grant released a towering Tyrantrum, looking very strong and exceptionally fierce. But there was no threat in her eyes, nothing but warm motherly affection.
"Mother," Kamado greeted, his voice unsure.
"Kamado," the Tyrantrum responded. "It…it is good to meet you out of the shell."
"And I am glad to be out of the shell," said Kamado. "I…I apologize for not staying longer-"
"There is no need to apologize," said the Tyrantrum. "You have your own Pack, your own Pack-Leader, and thus your own path to follow. I can do nothing but wish you luck, and express my love for you, my son. Serve your Pack well."
"I will, mother," said Kamado. He turned to Marcus. "I am ready to be recalled."
A short pause as Medicham translated for Marcus, and then Marcus recalled Kamado. Grant recalled Tyrantrum as well. "Wherever your life takes you," he said, "good luck, Marcus. It…" He began to chuckle. "I remember that Fearow. You and her have come a long way, haven't you?"
Kriesh shook her head in embarrassment as Marcus grinned. "Definitely," said Marcus. "And…thank you for Kamado."
"No problem," said Grant. "I'd better head to the Gym. Got some early battles today. Goodbye, Marcus."
"Goodbye, Grant," said Marcus. The Rock-type Gym Leader turned and stepped away, leaving Marcus and Connie sitting on Kriesh.
"Ready?" Connie asked.
"Definitely," said Marcus. "Kriesh, let's Fly."
The feeling of rising was more familiar. And yet even the second time over, it still felt magical to be rising into the air, Cyllage City growing smaller and smaller beneath them.
"Pathetic." The Swarmlord twisted his claws. A wet crack resounded around the cave and Fang fell to the ground, his neck broken. "The Swarm is better off without weaklings such as him."
"What of the remainder of the Unseen Fist Swarm, Swarmlord?" asked one of the Drapion by his side.
"Do the same," the Swarmlord ordered.
"And what of the Marked One?" the other Drapion asked.
The Swarmlord emitted a low growl. "Fang's idiocy has cost us any surprise we may have had," he snarled. "The Marked One will be cautious now. We must bide our time. Search for him, but now we must wait to engage until he has relaxed again."
"Swarmlord," said the first Drapion. "With…with all due respect, we have lost the Sharpclaw Swarm, the Forest Spirit Swarm, and now the Unseen Fist Swarm within the last month. Do you not think-"
"It is the Marked One's doing," the Swarmlord interrupted. "As always, his mere presence brings weakness to my Swarm. But fully seven Swarms still answer to me, and more will come once the Marked One is dealt with. For now, we must exercise patience."
The Swarmlord's expression darkened as he glared at Fang's body. "Now get this out of my sight," he growled. "And do not return until the rest of the Unseen Fist Swarm is disposed of."
The two Drapions left, dragging Fang's body with them and leaving the Swarmlord alone in his cave, white eyes glowing in the darkness.
There will not be a chapter on the 13th. I will be on vacation with no access to a computer. The next chapter will be in 8 days, on the 17th.