Act 2

Changing Tides

~~Azaelia - Study - Castle Arkos~~

The door to the study was opened for the first time in what felt like months to Azaelia. The wooden entry was relieved and opened up to her sanctuary- unchanged since that night. The balcony door was even still open. She hesitantly entered the lightly dusty room.

"Oh, man. Did the maids not think to come here?" Joltier swatted some of the aforementioned dust before it landed on her nose.

Azaelia found the sight somewhat amusing. "I wouldn't think so. I am usually the only one who takes care of this place. Father and Mother care not for these musty tomes." She took care not to mention the other member of her family.

Joltier read the spine of one such tome, titled: One Thousand Ways to Brush A Fennekin. "Yeah, I wonder why. What are we doing here, anyway?"

The Princess walked through the aisle of books. She scanned them up and down to make sure nothing had inexplicably moved or been shaken out of place in her absence. "I'm looking for a book."

"Wow, really?"

Azaelia ignored the sarcasm. "A special book. Actually, one Veraloe has taken an interest in." She swatted a small cobweb away from one corner before moving on.

"Vera?" Joltier decided to help a little by brushing the dust off of a shelf. "I didn't know she read." Azaelia shot her a stink eye. "What? Do you know how many people from the boonies I see that can't read?"

"If I recall, aren't you and Rainbow also from said boonies?" Azaelia tried a comically-charged comeback, but the dark look that had overtaken Joltier's eyes made her regret it.

"My mother was a smart person." Came the response after a small silence. It would seem they both had trouble mentioning their siblings.

Azaelia stopped her advance through the room as she came across a book face-down on the dusty floor. Seeing its title did not bring back good memories. It was most likely thrown aside as the reader ran out of the room. As solemn as the thought was, her armband still felt comforting on her pelt.

"Ouch!"

Pain flared up through the Ninetales' shoulder as she tried to lift the book off of the floor. She retracted her outstretched limb to gently rub the pain point.

"Are you okay? Do we need Vera?" Azaelia's ever-present guard suddenly came to her side in an attempt to aid her. This caused the Princess to frown.

"I'm fine, thank you, Joltier. Really."

Joltier observed her charge with care. The wound had now scarred over, but the pain seemed to persist somewhat whilst doing an extraneous activity, or in this case, a mundane one. "Are you sure? I can go find Vera if you really need-"

"I said I am fine. It was just a small pain, that's all." Azaelia retorted quite abruptly. "If I need help I will call for it. Besides, I hardly think this is an appropriate situation to call upon Xerneas's Blessing."

Joltier wanted to continue but decided to back down instead. She silently agreed with Azaelia on that point. Perhaps she was overreacting.

"Right. I apologize, my Lady." Joltier responded with a rare politeness. "It just- if anything were to happen to you…"

The understanding of Joltier's current position was not lost on Azaelia. She realized that both Joltier and Benit were specifically assigned to protect her, and yet they failed not a day after their assignment was given. The only reason they had not been thrown out yet was because Azaelia had taken full responsibility. It was she who had dismissed them after all. Still, the two were on thin ice within the castle.

"I'll be more careful from now on." Azaelia sighed, missing the appreciative glance shot her way. "Would you mind checking the second row on the left for me, then? It should be near the bottom."

Joltier responsively followed the directions. She leaned down and squinted at the small print on many of the spines. "Man, I don't understand how people can read these old things. The writing looks like another language. Which one are we looking for, again?"

"Legendary Tales. I've read some of it before, it's just a collection of short stories meant for children." She looked up and thought "I wonder what exactly Veraloe needs of it."

Jotier continued her search. "Some of these spines are starting to fall off. Just how old are some of these?"

Azaelia gazed over the study with a fond emotion. "Some books here predate the Arkosian rule. Stories that tell of a different time within a much different world. A world with different politics, different Kings, different foods, and words. And yet we all look up at the same sky! We may be different, but I think we can still learn so much from those who lived before us."

"I hate to interrupt… whatever it is you're experiencing, but the book's not here."

Azaelia's bubble popped. "What? Are you sure? I'm certain that was the spot."

Joltier frowned, looking at a noticeable space on the shelf where the book should alphabetically be. "Um, nope. Not here. It looks like someone took it."

The Princess tilted her head with equal parts confusion and slight shock. "Nobody ever comes in here."

Just then, the door to the hall was thrown open. This caused Azaelia to jump, almost losing her balance and knocking over a shelf.

Joltier confronted the Gastly newcomer. "Hey, be careful! My Lady doesn't need any more shocks!"

The Gastly guard looked sheepish. "My apologies, Princess. I have just come to inform you that you are needed at the Prism City Dungeon as per the King's request."

A cold dread filled Azaelia from top to bottom. If her scar had stung earlier, it now started to ache. Joltier scowled.

"The dungeon?" she asked rhetorically. "Does that mean-?"

The Gastly nodded before she could finish her question.

"Dammit," she said under her breath. She felt the fear coming from Azaelia's body. As much as she would like to send the Gastly away and continue their search, the King's orders are final, no matter how much it may hurt Azaelia. Joltier solemnly looked at the now-frightened Princess.

"I'm sorry, but the book is going to have to wait, my Lady."

Chapter 29:

Meet with the Devil

The walk to the dungeon was both silent and tense. Gastly led Azaelia quickly through the streets of the great city with Joltier following closely behind. There was no acknowledged fanfare from the people, but the ones that did try to greet the Princess were quickly run off by Joltier's menacing frown.

The dungeon itself was very nondescript. It was just a simple stone building with bars over the windows. The three knew that was just the entrance, as the expanse of the dungeon continued in a vast network of tunnels under the city itself.

Gastly went to greet the entrance guard and confirm their arrival. While he did that, Joltier stood by Azaelia's side. She noticed the fearful look on the Ninetales' face.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? I'm sure the King will understand if you don't."

Azaelia inhaled sharply as if she had just been broken out of a stupor. "It was an order. Not even I can contest. I have a responsibility" she gulped to try and wet her dry throat. "As the heir to the throne. Even still, I need to know something."

"Well, I'll be! The Star of Arkant herself!" An Abomasnow arrived on the scene with Benit leading him. He bowed before the princess.

Benit followed suit. "I have returned with Baron as per the King's request, my Lady."

"Oh! Uh, thank you, Benit. You may rejoin us now." Azaelia had no idea this was where her second guard had been. "Baron Glacious, it is so nice to see you again. What brings you here so soon? The council isn't for another few days."

The Baron of the North raised himself back to his towering height. "As soon as I heard the news of yer injury, I came as quick as I could." He eyed the fresh scar still seen along her pelt. "How goes the recovery?"

"It is a little… spotty here and there, but I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern. If I can ask, why has my father requested you for this?"

The bipedal snowman crossed his lumbering arms. "Well, really it was a request from me. I want to see the one bold enough to break into Castle Arkos and attack royalty. I find ones like that to be interesting."

Azaelia shifted on her paws. "Well, I hope you get what you're looking for."

Just then the door opened up, revealing the Lombre prison guard strutting anxiously out.

"Garland, buddy!" Joltier approached the nervous guard with some buzz. "Congrats on the transfer!"

Garland's nervousness was quickly replaced with irritation. "Oh great, what are you doing here?"

"Special assignment." She pointed to her two-of-a-kind pale blue armband.

He stared blankly at the band for a moment, obviously not even knowing what it meant. "Good for you, I guess." Joltier deflated instantly. Garland then noticed the two most important ones in the group. He bowed. "Princess Azaelia, Braon Glacious, thank you for coming. The King is already inside."

Glacious clapped his hands together creating a thunderous sound. "Great! Let's get to it!" He was the first to follow Garland in. After a quick look, Benit followed.

Azaelia gave a long and slow breath to calm herself. She nodded assuredly to Joltier before also plunging into the darkness.

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The dungeons of Prism City were rarely used. One always thought twice when committing a crime in the capital of Arkant- especially considering the reputation of the city's warden: Captain Stonerook. Many of the bleak cells were empty- as they have been for a long time. It was a little surprising to Azaelia to see another cell being occupied, but they quickly walked past the criminal duo inside.

You wouldn't think a high-profile interrogation was happening with how quiet it was outside the room. Not a sound could be heard coming from inside. In all honesty, this did nothing to quell Azaelia's heartbeat, which threatened to break from its bony cage. The group of six funneled through the single-door entrance.

Captain Stonerook the Golurk resided with his arms crossed next to the door. His eyes never left his prisoner even as the guests arrived. King Fiero sat in the center of the room, doing the same. The room itself was slightly rectangular with most of the space dedicated to the free area. On the opposite side of the doorway sat a wall of metal bars that separated the room in two.

Synphony donned a Cheshire-like smile from his side of the room as Azaelia walked in. He was expecting her. Even with multiple guards here, as well as the added reassurance of the Suppression Cuffs he wore, her scar still started to burn.

Glacious wasted no time in joining the King's side, the two nodding to each other with an acknowledged greeting. Azaelia took a seat a few paces behind her father, flanked by Benit and Joltier. Garland closed the door behind them and stood with Stonerook. He tried to look as confident as his captain, but his face betrayed his feelings.

The same could be said of both Azaelia and Joltier, who both knew better than to feel comfortable with a Pokémon like this. Though it seems Synphony had eyes only for them.

"Talk, cretin." Fiero instantly demanded of the prisoner as soon as the newcomers settled.

"What, no introductions?" The Zoroark tried to widen his arms with a showboating gesture, but the cuffs disallowed him.

"I've brought my daughter, that is the only compromise you will be getting today."

"Come now, King Fiero," Glacious said. "Surely this will go more smoothly without this frigid atmosphere."

"I will not treat the worm who almost murdered my daughter like a common house guest. He will speak now." Fiero's tone was final.

Synphony leaned back against the wall as casually as he could. "Shoot then, Your Highness."

Fiero pursed his lips from the Zoroark's overall tone. "Where is the Flame Plate? What did your coconspirator do with it?"

Azaelia frowned. Even after their argument, her father still believed that Rainbow was involved with Synphony.

"Heh, my coconspirator?" Synphony amusedly raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't a father keep more tabs on what his children are up to?"

Glacious looked confused at the response while the King just growled. "The Eevee."

"Rainbow?" the Champion of Giratina burst out laughing. His hoots and hollers were the only sound in the room as his onlookers watched on. He regained his composure after a minute. "I think you've got things all wrong here. That guy's my rival, not my subordinate. He does what he wants, I presume."

"Hmph." the King scoffed. "Why should I believe you? You could merely be covering his tracks."

"Believe what you want, Your Highness, but I'm only telling you the truth here." he pointed two claws in Azaelia's direction. "You've got two people here who'll prove me right."

Fiero released a long sigh, expecting but not liking the answer. "Then where is my daughter?"

Synphony shrugged. "Who knows?"

The King lurched forward so fast, banging his fist powerfully against the bars that now protected Synphony. "You will answer my questions now or face death, do you understand?"

The Zoroark did not look that affected by the sudden act of aggression. In fact, he welcomed it. "Come now, should a Pokémon in your position of power act out like that? I have only answered every question so far without falsehood like I said I would. I really have no idea where she's gone off to."

"Then what use are you to me? If you do not give any useful information, I will be moving up your execution." Fiero calmed himself.

"Then you just need to ask the right questions."

Fiero looked like he was about to step up again if not for an interruption from someone unexpected. He felt a small tug on his shoulder. Azaelia was the one who had gotten his attention. "Yes?"

"Let me try." An unsure response came.

He was about to refute her request. After all, she had only been brought here because the Zoroark would not cooperate without her. They had been here for a few hours previously, trying to get him to talk, but no amount of threats opened the worm's mouth. That is until he requested Azaelia specifically.

He had no intention of letting his daughter interact with her attempted murderer, but there was something in her eyes. Her body looked small and cowardly, her paw rubbed her bracelet to calm herself, but her eyes had a shine that revealed a glimmer of confidence.

It seemed she had some things she wanted to ask. He had already lost his temper after only talking to the prisoner for a minute, would she fare better? Well, as the new heir, he guessed she had to.

"Go on."

Slightly relieved from the blessing of her father yet still dreading the conversation, she met Synphony's eyes.

"Is that Hippowdon with you?" Azaelia piped up from the back, surprising those in the room. "The one from the tournament?"

Synphony smiled. "He is."

"Do you know where the other ones are?"

"I know just as much as you."

Fiero was somewhat astounded with his daughter's newfound resolution, but also concerned with the vague questions she was asking. "Daughter, what are you talking about?"

Joltier approached the King tepidly. "Please let her speak, your highness." She whispered.

The Pikachu guard shared his daughter's feelings, it seemed.

Azaelia took the silence as her right to continue. First, if anything, she wanted to test how far Synphony would go with telling the truth. "Are you the one responsible for killing Baron Arteno?"

"Guilty~"

Most were shocked at just how easily the Zoroark had just admitted to murder- especially the murder of the leader of a province. That kind of crime would already fast-track him to an execution. That easy admission reassured Azaelia just a little bit that he was indeed set on telling the truth.

"Why did you kill him?"

"Hmm…" Synphony scratched his chin. "It doesn't make much of a difference to me whether he's dead or not."

"That's not an excuse to end someone's life." Joltier snarled.

"Is there ever a just reason to kill someone?" He responded quickly. "Would there ever be a reason I could give that would justify it to everyone here? I had no use for him, so I got rid of him, simple as."

Azaelia guessed that this was why the Zoroark unnerved her so. The absolute apathy towards another life scared her. Nothing seemed sacred, untouchable. She didn't feel any net of safety around someone like him, even when they outnumbered him seven-to-one in the small room. It started to feel a little claustrophobic. Even so, she still had the floor.

"For what purpose did you attack Glass City?" She asked him.

He gave a toothy smile. "Want me to spill my guts to the popcorn gallery? Alright, I'll bite. I wanted the Mind Plate."

"Another plate? What are ya, some kind of collector?" Glacious curiously inquired.

"Of sorts. I am looking for the full set."

"Figures." Fiero squared his shoulders. "Criminals like you are worth a dime a dozen. Upstarts who think those plates are easy money."

"Slow down there, chief. Who said anything about selling them? I'm trying to save the world here."

Glacious's intrigued expression morphed into one of disinterest. "Ugh, yer one of them savior types? The 'I'm making the world a better place so give me everything ya have'?"

"No."

"And what exactly makes ya so different?"

"Because unlike those idiots," a spark ignited in Synphony's eyes. "I have the power to make it happen."

"To make what happen?" Azaelia wanted it plain and simple, the end goal of Synphony himself. They had learned what exactly Giratina wanted, but everyone had their ends they wanted to meet.

Synphony leaned forwards- as far as he could. "You all don't know just how bad it is out there. Pokémon in the thousands starve. May need to kill, lie, and steal just to pay off your taxes to pay for your regal festivals and elegant parties. Either that or get protection from less savory individuals.

You sit here in your ivory walls and behind an army of Pokémon thinking everything is perfect. That 450 years of rule has created a perfect country. Maybe perfect to your kind, but not to mine. Far from it. Just ask the many who suffer under the same system that keeps you safe and happy. Give their strength and endurance a voice, and yours will crumble like dust."

Those in the room mulled over his words. To most, Synphony had pictured himself as a self-righteous lunatic with little respect for life or property. He killed because he could and wanted the plates for easy money. Nothing lay behind his veil of anarchy.

Two of them thought differently. Synphony was a lunatic, but not a mindless one. He did not kill for fun or pleasure, but rather because it suited his goal. He was still crazy alright, but he was crazy with a plan. And that made him extremely dangerous.

"My King." Stonerook broke the silence. He bent down in Fiero's ear and whispered something. The King let out a breath through his clenched jaw. He stood, straightening out his regal cape.

"To say that was informative would be an overstatement." He looked at Garland, who still watched the events with agitation. "Guard, keep him in here for now. I think a little less legroom is what he deserves for now until he's executed."

Garland saluted. "Sir."

Fiero took one small look at Azaelia before exiting the room. Stonerook followed closely after, then Glacious. This only left Azaelia, Joltier, Benit, and Garland left in the room.

"When does it all stop?" Azaelia quietly said after a moment. "When will you finally think you've done enough?"

Synphony seemed quite excited that his talk wasn't over just yet. "An end?" He asked wistfully. "I haven't thought that far ahead just yet. Maybe after Arkant has changed, or I'm dead. As long as the plan still requires me."

Joltier crossed her arms. "You'd be satisfied with dying before you've even seen your plan through? You're a coward."

He crossed his legs. "Those who have lived their lives in the comfort of this city have no reason to judge me. Someone who has not seen just how bad things have gotten outside city walls, how complacent Pokémon in power have become with governing this nation."

"Is that the world my sister saw? So much so that she betrayed her own country?" Azaelia's voice was small now.

"Would you like to see it, too?"

Joltier sneered at his offer. She gently nudged Azaelia. "Come on, my Lady. I think we're done here."

Before Azaelia left, she just had to ask one more thing. "Do you… truly not know where my sister is?"

He smirked. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Who's to say? I know!" His smirk grew long and wide, like a sickle. "I'm tired of giving you freebies, so let's play a game over it, princess." He raised his wrists, showing off his suppressor cuffs. "The rules? Take these off, and I will show you everything you want to know."

"Absolutely not." Joltier briskly shot down the idea. "We're not stupid enough to let someone like you walk free again."

He gave no response to Joltier, his cold eyes only stuck on the princess. "Well?"

"...there is always a risk to these games. What is it now?"

Joltier was flabbergasted. "My Lady, you are not seriously considering-?"

"Trust." The simple answer came. It was just one word, but it carried a heavier weight than most.

Azaelia quietly and abruptly stood. She said not a word as she walked to the door. Garland quickly opened it for her to walk through. Before she exited, though, she stopped for a second.

"You will never leave this cell." She met her shaking eyes with his steady ones. "And your world will never come to be."

The door was slammed shut after all those in the room left, leaving him alone in the dark cell. He chuckled to himself, shifting his position and pulling something out from under him. He unfurled a small piece of parchment that he had been sitting on. In it was a hastily written note with a simple message:

The Council of Five will meet soon.

He crumpled up the parchment and ate it whole, getting rid of the evidence.

"Let's see just how quickly your tune changes, princess."

~~Hector - Somewhere in the Western Province~~

Hector observed the city that lay a distance away. The towering monolith that was Castle Arkos was now only a puny stick from this distance- a speck on the horizon.

He figured he would be waiting here another few hours at least while his companion dealt with things. Seeing how a Pokémon like him was much too large and inconvenient to utilize properly in this mission, she opted to leave him on the hill for now.

Losing interest in the city, he instead extended his senses under him and into the ground. He could feel the spontaneous pockets of air and water somewhere beneath him. Ground types like Diglett burrowed deep in the crust, going unnoticed by most Pokémon but not to him.

He also felt something a little strange. A light trembling in the earth that left a specific impression on his senses. It was an oddly straight line of earth that vibrated slightly. Most rumblings in the earth extended in a circular pattern surrounding an epicenter, not a direct line.

"HOW DARE HE!"

The serene, almost empty hill's silence was suddenly disturbed by a very angry-sounding newcomer. The Hippowdon who was the area's previous only occupant lazily eyed the now-recognized Ninetales. Hector ceased his sensing and nonchalantly watched as his companion went eerily quiet.

Blazeira stood silent. She glared at the tiny Prism City in the distance. She could see Castle Arkos standing tall and proud near the city center. She didn't vocalize it, but just looking at the abomination was pissing her off.

Her claws dug into the cool ground under her. Her face formed into a nasty snarl. Bright orange embers escaped through her pristine teeth. A glow of fire emanated from the depths of her throat. With every deep breath she took the amount of embers and the fiery glow grew more intense.

"Blazeira," Hector gained her attention before she inadvertently started a fire. She glared at him. Her pupils flared with the blaze of fire. "Steady yourself. Strength over emotion."

For a brief slice of time the fire that raged from within her flashed an azure color- but only for a moment. Her snarl morphed into a more neutral expression and the fire faded. Without another thought, she turned her back to Prism City and walked away.

Hector eyed her back whilst following closely behind. "What happened?" He simply asked.

"I was handling things."

Hector was not put off by her cold response. "I see. What is the plan now?"

"Get far away from here."

Hector's eyebrow twitched. "Blazeira." He said, more forceful than his previous statements.

Blazeira halted. She took a deep breath before responding. She gestured to the small town she had infiltrated a few hours ago in search of supplies. "Look at that, Hector. Pokémon left abandoned to the wayside by the monarchy. People who can barely afford to feed their own families yet still are forced to pay tribute every year to my father."

"And?"

The ex-princess spat. "They still trust him- trust the Arkosion rule. Even after all the pain they're being put through."

Hector sighed. "I assume you did not get any supplies to last us the journey."

"I will not tax them any more than my father already has."

Hector did not speak to this as he had already expected this would happen, especially since it's been a repeat of the last village they had gone to. "Then what is your plan? We still do not know where Groudon is."

The silver Ninetales rubbed her temple. "I do not know. Why a legendary would ask for us without giving away his location is beyond me. Without Synphony's contact with Giratina, we are sitting Ducklett." She amusedly huffed. "Heh. That Zoroark is both our informant and our leader. We have put too much faith in his abilities. Pathetic."

"We are his soldiers. Those are not our responsibilities."

"You may think of yourself like that, but not me. I was the heir of Arkant only a few days ago, I should be more than this."

"Then be more." Blazeira morosely met eyes with the Champion of Groudon. Hector resolutely stared back. "A squadron without a lead is like Torchic without its head. I am a soldier; I take orders, and I do not wish to be more than that. But you have the drive- the desire- to become greater than the follower. Turn that drive into strength and act."

Blazeira was somewhat bewildered at the surprisingly encouraging message from her usually stoic associate. She closed her eyes and thought. Her previous knowledge of the layout of Arkant came back to her.

"We'll go Northeast, into the Eastern Province. The town near the foot of Ashen Mountain."

Hector raised an eyebrow. "I thought Amber Town burned down last year? No one has rebuilt it since."

"We are not going for the town, but rather the mountain." She hopped onto Hector's back for a ride. He let her. "We need information. We need guidance. I need to find my patron."

"Lady Reshiram?"

Although the Hippowdon couldn't see, Blazeira nodded. "The legendaries know many things, they'll have information I hope we can use. I met Lady Reshiram years before on that mountain, I hope she'll still be there."

Hector hummed in thought. "It should take a week to arrive. I can move for a few hours tonight."

"That will be fine. We'll stop once we reach Cross Divide. That should allow us some cover while we rest. Hopefully, I can find some food in the next village. I wish not to scavenge for much longer."

Although Hector could hope for that, he knew the same thing that happened today would happen again. He could only prepare his stomach for wild berries and feral meat.