How long was I prepared to write this story before realizing it's 'Ninetales' and not 'Ninetails'. I cannot believe I didn't see this mistake sooner. I really hope I'm not the only one lol.
This chapter was originally going to be one part, but I decided to split it because it would end up way too long. Longer than I'm comfortable with for one chapter, at least.
I still have full intentions to keep writing this fic. I'm just not really one for schedules and consistency, so it's a bit difficult to actually sit down and focus on writing sometimes.
~~Rainbow - Castle Arkos - Prism City - Western Province~~
Rainbow: Eevee
Looking upwards, and especially as an Eevee, Rainbow could not help but feel absolutely dwarfed by the sheer size of the castle. He wondered just how this massive architectural feat was only meant to accommodate the royal family. Speaking of…
"Azaelia are you completely sure about this?" The champion voiced his concern to his friend, who was currently leading them into the structure. "Didn't we just decide that the plate shouldn't be taken this way?"
The light blue Ninetales didn't turn back as they neared the grand entrance. "I don't believe we have much of a choice, do we?" She slowed her pace to line herself up with the smaller Pokėmon. "It has been in my family's possession for generations. My father is not one to give it up so easily, and it may be too late if we wait for either my sister or me to succeed him."
Rainbow lightly frowned. "I know, but it still doesn't sit right with me…"
Azaelia laid one of her large tails over Rainbow's back in reassurance. "I feel the same, but we can't take any chances."
"We?" He repeated the word. "You're not even a champion and yet you've become so involved." He sighed, lowering his head. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
It was now the princess's turn to frown. "The country and even our very way of life are at stake. I don't want to be the protected and sheltered princess anymore. If I'm given a chance to help you on your quest, I will gladly take it."
Rainbow raised his eyebrows in surprise at how forward his friend was being. A seemingly far cry from how she froze up in Glass City all that time ago.
He smirked. "Since when did you become so brave, huh?"
Her expression suddenly stiffened, and she hurriedly hid her face behind another of her tails. Her eyes shifted every which direction, though never meeting the Eevee's.
"I think it was when I realized I actually mattered to someone." She softly let out, just low enough so Rainbow couldn't hear.
He tilted his head. "Are you alright?"
She cleared her throat and regained her composure, although a small blush could still be seen through her shining fur. "Perfectly fine."
Rainbow brought his eyes down to the path under his paws. The news of Kyogre's request put a sense of urgency into the group of friends. If they were to meet the legend on time they had to leave Prism City the earliest they could, that being the next morning.
With the auction being a bust to all but Azaelia, the only plate left in the city was the one currently in her family's possession. Not exactly easy to obtain, but they no longer had the time to devise a good, or legal, plan to get it.
No one was very onboard with the decision to steal the artifact.
At least they wouldn't be if they knew they were going to steal it.
The two finally neared the grand entrance, spotting two guards flanking each side of the massive gilded doors.
Rainbow clicked his tongue. "Great. How are we getting past them?"
Azaelia knew how, but it didn't make it any less embarrassing. "Like this."
Gathering the courage she presented earlier, she walked directly in front of the small Eevee and wrapped her tails around him, completely obscuring him from any outside viewers. She ignored her companion's surprise as she approached the doorway, trying desperately to hide her deepening blush.
The guard on the right, an Arbok, nodded to her."Evening, princess. Not going to enjoy the show?"
She put on a faint smile and addressed him. "I'm feeling a bit tired from today, so I am heading to bed early."
The Arbok opened the door. The massive structure creaked and groaned even when being opened just enough for Azaelia to fit through. "Just don't stay up too late reading again."
Azaelia quickly walked inside, almost tripping when Rainbow walked a little too fast and stepped on one of her back paws. "I'll try not to. Enjoy the show."
The Arbok raised an eyebrow at her odd behavior but thought nothing more of it as he closed the door behind her. Azaelia wasted no time in releasing Rainbow from her hold and jumping away from the Eevee.
Rainbow gripped his chest and deeply breathed in and out. When he got a grip he turned to the still embarrassed princess with a blush of his own.
"At least warn me when you're gonna do something like that!" He intensely whispered to her.
"Sorry…"
"At least we made it inside." He sighed, letting the matter go. He took a moment to take in the new surroundings.
The room they now found themselves in was huge, with the ceiling so high that Rainbow could barely see the top through the darkness. Many paintings of the previous Arkos family members lined the walls, leading all the way to the end of the long room. It was constantly lit by more of those lights Rainbow saw in the streets, although these seemed much more compact than the other ones. And on the far side…
"Woah…" Rainbow stood in awe of the throne. A golden seat that could easily fit ten or more of his Eevee forms. Not unlike the Distortion Altar he saw in his dreams, it was engraved with many likenesses of the legendary Pokėmon.
Azaelia huffed at the sight. "Come on, this way."
They soon left the throne room, taking a hallway to the side that led them deeper into the castle. Rainbow's head started to spin at the number of winding paths and confusing corridors that looked the same.
"I don't think I'm ever going to understand how to get around this place." He mumbled, clutching his head.
Azaelia softly chuckled. "Trust me, it takes a long time to get used to. Most of these rooms are empty anyway, so you really only need to remember the places that are actually important." She stopped in front of a set of double doors. "Like here, for example."
Azaelia opened the doors and led them inside. It was drastically smaller than the throne room, but still decent in size. Bookshelves filled the room to the brim, making it almost hard to move through even with Rainbow's smaller size.
The small library was dimly lit with most of the lighting coming from the festival outside, which streamed in through the open glass doors on the far side. This in turn opened up to a small balcony overlooking the city.
Rainbow shuffled over to the balcony, trying not to bump into any shelves on the way. He reached the balustrade, standing up on his hind legs and resting his front paws on top. His mouth stood slightly agape at the sight of the rainbow-colored lights from the festival filling his view of the city below.
"It is quite the sight, isn't it?" He faintly heard the question from his companion as she joined him in his sightseeing.
"I didn't realize how far up we went." He switched to Umbreon to bask in the calming moonlight as well as to gaze upon the city more comfortably. His rings only faintly glowed. "Is this the view you see all the time?"
Azaelia didn't respond to the question. Rainbow furrowed his eyebrows at the silence, wondering if something was wrong. He looked at his friend in concern.
Her light-blue fur practically shone in the moonlight, being even more accentuated by the rainbow lights reflecting off of her eyes. Her expression held a small frown, apparently deep in thought over something.
Rainbow sucked in his breath and his eyes slightly widened. A warm feeling came to his chest. He wanted to ask her if something was wrong, but he also found himself not wanting to disturb the picture in front of him.
She seemed to shift back into reality as she took notice of his odd behavior. She met his eyes with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, what did you ask?"
Rainbow suddenly found it very hard to keep eye contact. "I-uh was just wondering what the plan was? For tonight?" He awkwardly stumbled his sentence out.
Azaelia tilted her head at Rainbow's odd behavior but quickly dismissed it to answer his question. "It's simple. I'm going to enter the treasury and take it!"
Rainbow's reaction held a sense of disbelief. "Just like that? Shouldn't there be guards around or something?"
She smirked smugly as if she had it all planned out. "Well, there would be if it were any other night. You see, almost all of the guards in the castle have time off for the show tonight."
Rainbow deadpanned. "Well, that's a coincidence."
"Right? It works out perfectly." She crossed her forearms over her chest while she sat on her hind legs. "Joltier and Benit are both off-duty while I'm in the castle, and all the attention will be on the festival. It really is the perfect time to do something as crazy as stealing from my family."
The Umbreon thought back on what the Arbok had said at the front entrance. "What is this 'show' I've been hearing about, anyway?"
Azaelia turned her eyes to the slightly-cloudy night sky. "It is a sight to behold. It's as if they make flowers bloom in the night sky."
He stared blankly at the statement. "Uh-huh. And after we take the plate, what then? I would hope they would notice one of the most treasured items your family owns going missing fairly quickly."
"Another reason why the timing couldn't be better. You three are already leaving in the morning. By the time my parents notice, you'll be long gone." Her eyes widened as she seemed to realize something. She suddenly lowered her head and released a sigh. "The morning…"
Rainbow could almost feel the gloominess rolling off of her. "You alright?"
She took a few moments before shaking her head. "I'm fine, sorry." She walked away from the balcony and back into the small library. "I should get going. The show is going to start soon."
Rainbow turned to follow her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Azaelia stopped. Rainbow took that as an invitation to get a little closer. Before he knew it, he was enveloped in a warm embrace from the Ice-Fairy type.
"Just wish me luck, alright?" She whispered in his ear.
It took only a moment for him to return the hug. "Alright then. Good luck." He released her. "And be careful."
She smiled in slight amusement, unwrapping her forelegs from him. "In my own house? I'll be sure to." She slipped outside the room and quickly closed the door behind her.
Rainbow observed the closed wooden door for a few seconds. The hug seemed to brighten her up, but why did she get so sullen at the thought of him, Vera, and Polelto leaving in the morning. She could always come with them, right?
Maybe not. After all, Azaelia is still a princess. It would make total sense for her to stay behind. The path ahead of him was extremely dangerous after all. She would be a lot safer in the capital.
He shook the train of thought away and walked back to the open balcony. He then noticed something on the balcony he previously had not seen. A small glass table sat near the edge, with multiple books piled on top as well as an open one beside the stack. He sauntered over to the table and curiously read some of the titles.
"A simple guide to the not-so-simple history of Arkant." He looked at another. "The evolution of elemental stone mining." Rainbow smiled at the titles. "She really does love her history." He said to himself.
He went on to the last book in the stack. "Arceus, Giratina, and other fairy tales to tell your kids." He frowned at that one. People really thought the legendaries didn't exist anymore. The hidden plates felt cold against his chest.
He wondered how Arceus was doing. It's been a long time since they last spoke. Ever since he started his journey, the creator had been silent.
Now that Rainbow thought about it, Arceus never really said what Rainbow had to do with the plates once he collected them all. His only mission was to prevent Giratina from getting them. Maybe Arceus would contact him once he accomplished his mission?
He mulled the thought over a bit more before disregarding it. No need to think about all that now. He still only had less than half of the plates, after all. He meandered some more until he noticed a passage from the open book on the table. It read:
"Although it seems to be almost indestructible, it's peculiarly only made from common white quartz and gold, an architectural quirk that was notably common in the late Eevee clan. One can assume this to be one of the many significant artifacts left by the legendary ancient species."
Rainbow was taken aback by the statement. "The late Eevee clan? Legendary ancient species? What is this even talking about?" He flipped the book over to check the title. "The mystery of the Eevees; a comprehensible guide to every ruin, relic, and riddle left behind."
He flipped back to the passage he read before and continued:
"Rigorous testing and experimentation were conducted, but no one could expose the true use of the so-called 'Distortion Altar'. Sadly, only its creator would be able to reveal that now. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, this curious relic now sits as a museum piece in Prism City for the public to enjoy."
The Distortion Altar… Rainbow remembered it from his meetings with Arceus. If he was correct, it was at the top of Prism City Tower. It was the end goal for Symphony and the other champions, as well as something Rainbow would like to avoid as long as he could.
Curious about the rest of the book, he flipped to a random page and read:
"Fervent protesters of the Arkantian Unification, the Eevee clan was silenced and ridiculed by the much more popular Arkosian party. Following the rise of Fiero von Arkos as well as the subsequent success of the unification plan, the Eevee species was quickly and efficiently persecuted by supporters of the throne.
With no outside support and a lack of political power, the Arceus-worshiping clan was ruthlessly wiped out. High King Fiero von Arkos needed no excuse besides the threat of an opposing party or a possible disbanding of the unification. Now all that remains are the remnants of this lost civilization."
Rainbow felt slightly queasy and lightheaded by the end of the section. Judging by the looks he was given and some of the questions he had been asked, he had assumed his species to be rare.
But not something like this.
According to this book, his whole species had gone extinct hundreds of years ago. But that couldn't be right. After all, his entire existence was proof of that. He went to read more until…
CRASH!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Rainbow was struck out of his thoughts as the sky suddenly lit up in bright orange and an explosion shook him down to his bones. He followed the orange light and found the source in the sky.
A gargantuan flower-like pattern burned in the night sky, lighting up the whole city in a beautiful warm glow. It sparkled and shone like the stars in the sky, its long petals covering most of Rainbow's field of vision. He felt like he could look at this for an eternity.
"AAAAAAH!"
A scream suddenly echoed down the hallway outside of the room. It was easily overtaken by the sound of the past explosion still rumbling throughout the land, but Rainbow still heard it loud and clear.
Azaelia!
He immediately turned his back on the wonderful sight and bolted to the door. Without even looking back he exited the room and followed his friend's scent, hoping he wasn't too late.
~~Azaelia - Castle Arkos - Prism City - Western Province~~
A few minutes earlier…
The Star of Arkant trudged slowly through the long hallway. She felt her stomach quivering and her heart racing. Even if she wasn't doing anything wrong right now per se, it was what she was intending to do that set her anxiety ablaze.
She had never done something so rebellious. She was always the daughter who listened to her parents and did whatever they said to do. Doing something like this made her bones quiver in terror, and yet it also filled her with anticipation.
She breathed deeply to settle her trembling. She couldn't freeze up again. Not now. This plan was her idea, and Rainbow needed it to succeed.
She needed to make it succeed.
She shook herself from her thoughts as she neared her desired location. The windows on her left bathed the hall in a pale blue glow, allowing her to see the large treasury door dead ahead on her right.
She breathed a sigh of relief as there were no signs of any Pokėmon guarding the door. Her lips turned upwards. That was good. This mission just became infinitely less complicated.
She casually strolled up to the door now that she knew there were no guards. That was until she heard a small noise. Her ears perked up and she carefully came to a stop. She didn't see it before, but looking closely she now noticed a slight creak in the doorway.
The treasury door was almost always completely shut. If the guards were not outside, perhaps they entered for whatever reason? Her expression tightened as she crept closer to the entrance. She needed to be completely sure the room was abandoned before going inside.
She gulped down some of the creeping fears coming back up. With shivering paws, she approached the slightly ajar door. She tilted her head to try and peek through the small crack…
The door almost smashed her snout as it was suddenly thrown open. Azaelia leaped backward a few paces just before it happened. She shrunk into a guarded stance. She held onto the bracelet she wore, Rainbow's present from the tournament, as she tensely waited for the Pokėmon to reveal themselves.
Her eyes widened at the identity of the Pokėmon. It was not just the fact that they were currently dragging the large, burning inferno that was the Flame Plate out through the doorway, but it was also the trademark silver that was unmistakable even in the moonlight.
Blazeira von Arkos huffed in exertion as she finally brought the plate to a stop. "That idiot better appreciate the trouble I'm going through." She went to continue dragging it away were it not for the fact that she noticed her visitor.
The older princess froze, but she made no change in her facial expression. If she felt anything seeing her sister there, she did not let it show.
After a few moments, the silver Ninetales lightly reared her head back. "Lia. How surprising it is to see you here. I would have thought you would be in your room, as always."
Azaelia's feeling of ice in her veins was only overpowered by the stomach in her throat. "Don't call me that." She managed to say, albeit very quietly.
Blazeira clenched her paws and a small frown graced her lips. "Ordering me around now?" She scoffed at the younger princess. "Please. Go to your room before you make a fool of yourself." She started dragging the plate towards Azaelia, seemingly aiming to walk past her.
Azaelia's heartbeat quickened as Blazeira neared. She stood frozen on the spot, unsure of what to do. She couldn't stop her sister, no way. Blazeira was always the stronger one, in spirit as well as physically. Maybe she could ask to have it after Blazeira was done with whatever she was doing with it…
"What do you think you're doing?"
Azaelia stiffened and her eyes widened. She hadn't felt herself doing it, and yet she seemed to now be standing directly in front of Blazeira's path.
Blazeira narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Move out of the way."
Azaelia's breathing quickened. Her forelegs started shaking and her mouth quivered. She tried lifting her legs, but they wouldn't respond. She was rooted to the spot. She knew she was putting herself into deeper trouble by going through with this. But her heart told her this was what she really wanted to do.
"No." She barely squeaked out.
"Excuse me?"
Azaelia squeezed her eyes shut and clenched her paws into a fist. "I…I said no."
Her older sister leaned in. "What do you mean 'no'? Perhaps I was not clear enough." She bared her fangs. "Get. Out. Of. My. Way. Now."
The younger Ninetales's body uncontrollably shook. She bit her lower lip to stifle a cry of fear. And yet, she did not move. "I w-won't."
Blazeira's expression darkened, the night sky causing her face to be partly hidden. "What, all grown up now? No longer taking the lead from your big sister?" Azaelia didn't respond, still choosing to remain in her spot. Blazeira scoffed.
Azaelia still kept her eyes shut. She knew what she was doing would only serve to deepen their existing rift, but she couldn't allow herself to let the plate go like this. She needed that plate, even if she had to go up against Blaze.
But what else could she do? It was taking all of her willpower to stay here, in this spot. All she could do was get in her sister's way. She didn't even know how long she could keep this up. She just knew that, no matter what, she shouldn't move.
"Sis… please." Blazeira's voice broke the silence. But something was wrong. It was no longer the stoic, intimidating, and demanding voice from before. Right then it sounded so… weak. Azaelia slowly opened one of her eyes.
Blazeira had lowered her head to look towards the floor. Her body posture was slumped forwards, looking so fragile. This was not the Blazeira that confronted her only mere moments ago. This was someone more vulnerable. Open.
"Blaze?" Azaelia timidly spoke out, unsure of what happened to change Blazeira's stance so drastically in such a short time.
Their eyes met, and the cold globes that Blaze's face once held gave way to soft yet empty ones. "Please, Azaelia. I do not wish to be forceful, I do not wish to hurt you. But you must move out of the way or we'll both regret it."
"Sister…" Azaelia's body started to relax as the tension left the air. She didn't know what spawned this change in demeanor, but Blazeira was being completely open and honest right now. "You've been acting so cold. You've been fighting with mother and father more and more with every passing day." Azaelia, blood started pumping as her hidden feelings were brought to light. "We were so close before, and yet you seemed to start casting me aside."
Blazeira cringed as Azelia continued her tirade of bottled-up feelings. "When I arrived back home I was excited to see you again. I thought you would have been back to the way you were before." Tears welled in the younger princess's eyes. "But you were even worse. You ignored me as if I didn't even exist anymore. Do you know how painful it is to watch someone you love and look up to turn into something so scarily different? You say you don't want to hurt me, but you're the one who broke my heart first!"
Azaelia had to catch her breath after her rant. Her feelings that she had been holding in since she arrived in Prism City were finally voiced for the world to hear. She felt no more fear or hesitation, only the adrenaline running through her veins guided her thoughts.
Blazeira locked her eyes with Azaelia's. They were wild and desperate. "Listen to me, Azaelia. I know we've been growing apart recently, and I have no right to command you like a soldier. But you are still my sister. I still care about you, and I always will. But you have to trust me here and now before it's too late."
The elder sister slacked her shoulders, dropping her guard. Through all the stress and feelings being brought to light, Azaelia could see it. No matter what Blaze planned to do with the Flame Plate, Azaelia needed to take it. It was now or never. So, acting mostly on a miracle impulse, Azaelia raced forwards.
Something curious happened then. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Her eyes focused on the blazing plate. Time seemed to slow around her. Blaze's eyes slowly peeked up from her downtrodden stance. She reached to protect the plate, but it looked like she was struggling through molasses.
But not Azaelia. The Star of Arkant felt fast. Like she glided through the air whilst Blaze could barely move. And before Azaelia knew it she was way past Blaze with the Flame Plate in her paws, hugging it to her chest.
Azaelia's heart sped with adrenaline and elation. She had done it! She has the plate! She felt a bit giddy given the current situation. She didn't freeze up this time. She was useful! But then exhaustion hit her like a raging Tauros. Her legs threatened to give out under her. She tried as hard as she could to keep on her paws.
Blazeira seemed shellshocked. "What did you just do?"
Azaelia looked in confusion when her sister took a step back from her. "Wha… what?" She asked between panting breaths.
"You moved faster than anything I've ever seen. And your body… " Blaze's eyes widened in a horrible realization. "No…you glowed." Her mind moved a mile a minute. "You need to listen to me, sister. You need to give me that plate. You're still safe right now. But if you stop me any longer I may not be able to guarantee that."
Azaelia's head grew hot at those words. "Was that a threat?"
"Of course not!" Blazeira practically barked out. "It's just-"
Whatever she was about to say was cut off by an explosion of orange light bursting through the windows. The warm hue illuminated the dark hallway, shedding light on the two confrontational Ninetales.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The sound of the explosion seemed to rock the castle itself. It rattled Azaelia's bones and threatened to topple her already shaking stance. Blazaeira, however, only frowned and slowly closed her eyes in cold acceptance.
"...never mind. It's already too late."
Before Azaelia could respond, a pool of darkness was amassed on the floor beside Blazeira. From within came a slender claw that latched onto the ground. The arm flexed, pulling something up from the depths. The tall figure fully presented itself from the blackness.
"The hell is taking so long, Blaze?" Azaelia's eyes widened. She knew that voice. "I mean, I'm all for building suspense but we got a schedule to keep!"
Blaze gave a low snarl at the illusionary fox. "Be quiet. I was dealing with a small issue." All vulnerability she once showed retreated back and was replaced by icy cold stoicism.
"Oh?" Syn chuckled, ignoring her antagonistic behavior. "What could possibly be an issue for the princess of Arkant?" He glanced around, his wild eyes landed on the now cowering Ninetales and the plate hugged tightly to her chest. "Oh. I see."
Azaelia could no longer move. She could no longer even move the muscles to speak. Against her sister, she felt as if she had some ground. But against Synphony? A Champion? A killer?
But wait, why was the Champion of Giratina even here? And why was Blaze not doing anything about it? She didn't even seem the least bit surprised at the trespassing. What they were saying to each other was as if they were… working… together…
Syn observed Blazeira a little longer. She remained still as a rock, giving Synphony only a steely glare. A silent conversation seemed to pass between the two.
"Ah well." Synphony sighed, scratching the back of his neck. He flexed his claws and regarded Azaelia. "You best close your eyes, princess. This next part will be over soon."
Just then the brilliant lights from outside cut off, soaking the hallway into a murky blackness that Azaelia could not see through. She suddenly felt a coldness run through her right side, smoothly gliding across her flawless pelt. Then it felt warm, a liquid running down her right side.
The lights shone through the windows once more. She didn't know how or when, but the world seemed to tilt on its side now. She faintly heard a scream, whether it was from her or anyone else she did not know. But now she was on the floor and her sight was blurring.
What had just happened?
~~Rainbow - Castle Arkos - Prism City - Western Province~~
Rainbow: Umbreon
Rainbow didn't know what to process first.
In the first second of arriving at the scene, he observed multiple things through the fireworks' light: A silver Ninetales stepping through a black vortex with a fiery slab being dragged behind her, the lean figure of a Zoroark stalking towards her, and…
Oh, Arceus.
An unceremonious lump on the floor, the shining fur only overtaken by a dark, liquid substance. He wasted no more time. As fast as he could he slid to her side, planting his ear onto her chest.
Bump…bump…bump…
She was still alive. That was good. That was really good. He looked the rest of her over. He dared to hope it wasn't bad.
That thought shattered at the sight of the large slash across the right abdomen. That wound looked anything but good. No, it was really not good at all.
His pupils shrunk in horror. His paws shook uncontrollably. His jaw trembled. His thoughts moved at an extreme speed.
He needs to get Azaelia to Vera as soon as possible. But should he really move her like this? The wound may agitate even further and cause more damage. Could Vera even be able to heal her out of this? No, he had to hope. But how could he get Vera here? Maybe if he moved quickly enough, he could find his friend and bring her here in time to fix whatever happened. What had even happened, anyway?
He shook his head. He couldn't think of that now. The only thing that mattered was healing Azaelia. Nothing else did. He faltered, feeling the body he was holding convulse. Was she breathing? He needed to check. He turned her face towards him.
His shaking stilled. His eyes steeled. His jaw was slightly agape. Half of her shining face was covered in the dark substance from laying on the floor. Her eyes were glazed over. Her jaw opened in exasperation of pain.
But what stung Rainbow to his core was the expression of pure heartbreak. Fresh tears still slowly dripped from her eyes and down her snout.
"...please…"
Rainbow froze, hearing the small and pathetic sound. He backed his head away, taking in Azaelia's fully disheveled and messy form.
"...give…back."
Her limp paw shakily rose to try and grasp the plate being dragged to an unknown destination. Rainbow knew she probably didn't even know what she was doing right now, and yet she was still trying so hard.
The other two in the hallway finally took notice of the newcomer. Blaze beheld the scene in blank curiosity. She halted only a few steps from the portal. Syn gave a toothy smile.
"The hero?" The Zoroark cackled. "I certainly didn't expect you to be here tonight." He threw his arms up in mock prayer to the sky. "This must be the work of some divine intervention!" The arms returned to his side. He snorted in amusement. "As if."
Rainbow tuned them out, his focus solely on Azaelia. "You tried really hard, didn't you?" He gently let her limp body down. She drifted into unconsciousness, all strength she had dissipated. "You tried your best, planned this whole thing out."
He shifted to Espeon, momentarily lighting up the hallway in pure white. When the light faded he solely burned a glare into Synphony, whose claw was still dripping in blood. "If only Pokėmon like him didn't exist in the world."
Syn whipped the blood off of his elongated claw. He placed a paw over his heart. "I'm hurt, hero. From my perspective, I'm doing something pretty good here."
That seemed to be the exact wrong thing to say. Rainbow bared his fangs, his eyes flashing with Psychic. One of the hallway windows instantly shattered. Rainbow strained his mind, using his Psychic to fire the individual glass shards at Syn.
Syn smirked readily at the challenge. He flexed his claws at the approaching projectiles. As they got close he slashed them down, deflecting any that got close. He laughed at the challenge even as he gained a few slashes from the attack himself. When the last of the shards were successfully deflected he smiled back at Rainbow.
"You're gonna need better than tha-"
Rainbow was no longer there. A pained grunt was heard from behind him. Blazeira was blown back by a powerful force. The Flame Plate was forcefully torn from her tight grip.
"No!"
She landed on all fours and bolted in Rainbow's direction, who was now diving for the abandoned plate on the floor. Before she got too far, however, she started to sink into a sudden murky blackness. She grit her teeth and struggled to pull herself out, but only sank deeper.
"Synphony!" She growled at the Zoroark. "What is the meaning of this!"
Syn slyly grinned. "Wait outside for me, will you dear? Destiny awaits me."
"What?!"
She fell completely through just as Rainbow touched the Flame Plate. Syn cut the blackness off. "Just you and me now, hero. How climactic."
Seizing the moment the Umbreon glowed white once more, his body shrinking slightly in size but growing much more fur as well.
"If only Pokėmon like you didn't exist," Rainbow started, getting used to the new body. "No one so innocent would suffer so unfairly." His large, black eyes blazed in rage he's never experienced before. "She did this for my sake, for something that barely even concerns her."
His claws mercilessly penetrated the floor, leaving scratch marks. The orange light of fire glowed behind his bared teeth, fire barely contained.
"I'll see it through, no matter what."
Black eyes met icy blue.
"I'm ending this. Right here."
A sinister smirk met the blazing inferno in turn.
"I'm looking forward to it."
To be continued...