Act 2

Changing Tides

~~? - Hallways - Castle Arkos~~

The stone walls were cool to the touch as the creature slithered across them. It cautiously avoided the well-lit areas as it continued down its current path through the hall. It had no need to use the floor like normal Pokémon, as its species naturally lent itself well to stealth by sticking to the ceilings and walls instead. It didn't nearly feel as comfortable, though.

The creature crawled around a window and transferred to the ceiling. Traveling across glass may leave a trail, and it didn't want any trace of its presence in this unwelcoming territory. It had to be quiet, and careful.

The creature parked himself just above a certain door. This one entryway was special as it had a guard stationed just outside of it, a small Machop. This specific guard had a duty to stay here all night by himself, and no others should be crossing him until morning. He glanced down either end of the hallway, making sure no one was coming just in case.

He crawled down slowly, carefully, and detached his arms from the wall. Like a flash of lightning, he lurched down and wrapped an appendage around the Machop's throat. He lifted him back up a few paces and into the darkness of the upper wall. There was a small struggle while the Machop tried to fight his unseen enemy from his unfortunate position. Though it was lucky for him that the creature needed him alive. A quick Sucker Punch to the temple knocked him out instantly. He quietly dropped his prey back to the floor.

The creature was amused. The bravado these Pokémon had to station someone so weak to guard them while they slept was comical. They felt perfectly safe here. Well, they were going to learn otherwise tonight.

The creature crawled down a little further and reached for the doorknob. He turned it down lightly then pushed the door open- just a creak. A sliver of candlelight escaped the room and painted an orange glow across the darkness of the hallway.

But before he could push it enough to enter, he heard sudden footsteps coming from down the hall. He couldn't see who it was, but he didn't want to take any chances. He hastily grabbed the unconscious Machop's collar and pulled him back up into the darkness.

The Pokémon came wearily down the hall. They seemed tired- not surprising considering the time of night it was. Normal guards usually turned in much earlier. The creature didn't expect a straggler to the schedule.

The Gardevoir yawned as she came into view. She rubbed her eyes as she trotted into the faint light. "What a slippery prize that book is…" she took a second to yawn once again. "I wonder where it could have gone off to." She stopped once she noticed the door that was slightly ajar.

"Oh, dear, isn't that…?" She whispered. "Perhaps they forgot to close the door. I should give them some privacy."

The creature tensed as the Gardevoir stepped ever closer to his position. It prepared to do the same to her as it did the Machop, but the tenants inside might hear the struggle now with the door open. The creature decided to wait for the newcomer to close the door first before making its move.

"I told you it was a bad idea!" Came a whispered shout from inside the room.

"I thought we could trust her. I didn't know it would lead to this."

"We always knew it would lead to this. Since the beginning."

The Gardevoir hesitated while her hand rested on the doorknob. She knew that eavesdropping would be incredibly disrespectful to her hosts, but…

"It was one outing after ten years. It should have been perfectly fine. Maybe we're just overreacting."

"Our daughter is missing, Fiero." A pause. "She betrayed us."

"We do not know that for sure. We need evidence."

"How much more can we get before you realize what has happened? We need to right this wrong as soon as possible before it gets out!"

"...perhaps. But it's our daughter and my heir. I cannot lose her."

"You've already lost her. We have to think of the future. We have another one."

"She deserves a trial at least."

"Think! She cannot go back, not after this! We need to keep going, no matter what, to protect the peace! That's what the past ten years were for! This all started because we gave in! Because you lost control."

"I am still unsure…"

"Fiero, you are a king. You cannot be unsure- not at a time like this. If the people see your hesitation, doubts may arise within them. We need to be united."

A moment of silence came from the room. Then a long sigh, like one after a heavy thought.

"What about Azaelia? What do we tell her?"

"Keep her here, like before. We do not let her out anymore. Maybe then things will quell. This won't go according to what that thing said."

"Right. You're right as always, Ophelia. Thank you. I… haven't been of sound mind recently."

"I know. Just get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow."

The Gardevoir slowly retreated from the door, a hand over her mouth. She shuffled away quickly, trying not to make any noise that would alert the royal couple of her presence. It was only a minute or two, but she heard too much- not that she was supposed to hear anything in the first place.

The creature, on the other hand, felt delighted. There was a bigger picture going on here, one that caused it to postpone its plans for the evening. It could work with this, and its plan would have a much grander effect than it could imagine. It lowered the guard's body to the floor, causing a small thump once he landed. The creature crawled away using the ceiling once more.

Before the creature was out of earshot, he heard the occupants of the room open the door once they heard the sudden noise. He heard them awaken the unconscious guard, admonishing him for falling asleep while on duty. All the guard could do was come up with excuses.

Chapter 30:

A King's Duty

~~Azaelia - Council Chamber - Castle Arkos~~

The chamber was quite roomy, with enough space for multiple Pokémon of varying sizes to move around comfortably. A long table rested in the center with multiple large chairs placed around it. One throne-like chair lay at the head with a smaller version beside it. Four other, and less remarkable, chairs flanked the sides of the table with two on each side.

A huge stained glass window sat behind the throne. It was the only source of lighting for the room, causing the room to be forever splashed with a light orange ambiance. Opposite the window were two large doors of comparable size- large enough to accommodate any Pokémon that walked through them.

The large and open room had the opposite effect on Azaelia. She felt stifled, and out of place. The orange hue set her on edge. The large chairs towered over her, making her feel so small and weak. She felt as if she wasn't supposed to be here because, well, she wasn't.

She sat in the small chair next to the throne. Obviously, the throne itself was occupied by her father. None other would be allowed the sense of privilege and power the head of the table brought. He looked as stalwart as ever.

One chair to her right was filled with the Abomasnow Baron of the North, Glacious. He looked bored, resting his head on one of his massive arms. One of the other seats was also filled already. On the left rested Katrine the Gorebyss, who was here on behalf of her husband. She represented the East, coming from Prismarine City. Her demeanor gave nothing away from her thoughts, or whether or not she knew, or cared, where her son Poleleto was.

A small creak from the doors grabbed everyone's attention. A sheepish Tangrowth stumbled into the room. He jumped when the door behind him slammed shut. A smirk of amusement lit up Glacious's face.

"Alright there, partner?"

The Tangrowth jumped to attention. He saluted Fiero, who looked unimpressed.

"Captain Bartholo reporting in, sir!"

Fiero frowned. "From Glass City? Where is Nera?"

Bartholo bowed his head as an apology. "Baron Arteno has sent me to represent the Western Province. She says she has more important matters to attend to."

"Heh," Glacious chuckled. "I told ya, choosing that kid was a bad decision."

"No respect for the position," Katrine grunted. "That's the problem with these new Barons, just like the South."

"And where is yer husband, exactly?" Glacious mocked.

"Hmph. I am every bit as capable as Harve is. We both agreed that there was no need for him to join us here when I could represent the East just as well." She smiled. "Something I'm sure a simpleton like yourself will struggle to do, I'm sure."

"Enough." The King silenced the crowd. He gestured to Bartholo, who was still awkwardly standing by the door. "If Baron Nera will not join us, then you will be here in her stead." He side-eyed the last empty chair. "And since a representative from the South refused to join, then this council will commence."

Fiero tossed a stack of papers, parchment, and a large map onto the table. Azaelia and the Barons all picked up some of the papers as Fiero spread the map open over the center table, revealing a detailed drawing of Arkant with each Province sectioned off from one another.

Azaelia read some of the words with an increasing feeling of disturbance. Accounts of missing families, killed religious leaders, and houses being burned. Some of the most heinous crimes she could think of were all present.

"What is this?" Katrine asked as she scanned some of the papers. "Arsons, kidnappings, killings? How barbaric."

"There's so many…" Captain Bartholo was astounded by the sheer amount of reports being sifted through. "Are these all connected?"

"Very much so," Fiero confirmed. "From what we can tell, these crimes all seem to be committed by one group."

Katrine noticed the multitudes of red markings on the map, all concentrated within the Northern Province. "I assume those markings are where these crimes were reported."

Fiero nodded. "Yes. Dozens, all happening within the last few months, all in the Northern Province."

"The Sunset Stars."

All eyes turned to Glacious. He was also scanning the papers, albeit without the surprise or shock the others in the room had exhibited.

"You sure look unsurprised." Katrine noticed.

"What do ya want me to say?" He retorted. "This ain't news to me."

"How have you allowed this cancer to spread so much under your rule, Glacious?" Fiero questioned.

"Look, I'm handling it." He shoved a stack of writings away from him. "It may have gotten a little out of control, but it'll be dealt with."

Captain Bartholo looked a little closer at one report he was holding. "This assault only happened last week. The number of crimes reported keeps increasing every month with no sign of slowing down."

Glacious bristled. "These things take time, Captain. If I'm not careful- if I make one misstep- I could blow this thing way out of proportion."

"Like it hasn't already?" Katrine dryly chuckled. "Are you using this 'carefulness' as an excuse for your inaction?"

Glacious slammed his fist into the table. Azaelia jumped at the sudden noise. She was so engrossed in reading that the bang made her drop the papers by accident. She quickly scrambled to pick them back up.

"I have been ruling the North for over 20 years! I don't need some Eastern floozy to tell me how to run my Province!"

Azaelia shrunk back into her chair as the room heated up. Captain Bartholo did the same, feeling way over his head with this meeting.

"You will calm yourself this instant, Glacious," Fiero said with a certain steadiness that demanded respect. "There will be no more disrespect while we are under this roof, do you understand?"

Katrine smirked at the admonishment as Glacious calmed himself. He seemed annoyed at being talked down to like a child, but he tried to not let the feeling get the best of him. "My apologies, my Lord. It won't happen again."

Satisfied with the response, Fiero brought back the topic of conversation. "What is your plan of action here, Glacious? I'd rather not have this 'movement' spread any further than it already has."

Glacious released a breath. "My thoughts exactly. I haven't just been sittin' on my ass these past few months. I've been information gatherin'."

Bartholo regained the confidence to speak. "Information on what?"

"The head of the snake." Glacious rose from his seat and took up an overheard position over the map. "These types of movements need a leader, someone to organize their actions. Without that Pokémon, they become chaotic and easier to take down."

He pointed to a small circle drawn on the map. "I've narrowed their base down to two locations. Either Snowdrop Town or," he shifted his finger to a small star. "Diamond City. Either way, they've been smart to stick close to Kyurem's Spine. Not many travel that far up North, which allowed them to work uncontested for the first few months of their operation."

Fiero hummed in thought. "But that veil has now only betrayed their position. Such an obvious hiding place only serves to point them out."

"Right." Glacious agreed. "I just need a few more weeks to hone in, then the stroke will come. All that's left will be to clean up the rest."

Fiero rubbed his chin. "A clean assassination? And you are sure the people will fall apart?"

"Like I've said: without a leader to guide them and think for them, they'll lose hope. Without hope, well, they'll fall just as quickly."

Katrine thought of the Baron's words. "I'll admit, it is a clean plan."

Bartholo crossed his arms. "As good as I can think of, at least. Especially with a movement on this scale."

While the room acknowledged Glacious's pitch in a somewhat positive light, Azaelia had silent reservations. She thought back to the interrogation room, and the words that stuck out to her more than anything.

You all don't know just how bad it is out there.

Azaelia's face must have shown signs of her discontent, as Fiero seemed to notice her feelings. "You seem unconvinced, Azaelia."

The Aloloan Ninetales felt her fur stand on its end as all eyes converged on her. Not expecting the sudden attention, she fumbled out her next words.

"Well, I just t-think that, uh, maybe w-we should consider why the people are doing this in the first place? Maybe?"

"Yer green, princess," Glacious answered her though matter-of-factly. "Ya don't know these types."

Katrine joined in. "These are Pokémon who have lost all hope for redemption. They've chosen to ally themselves against us, which cannot go unanswered."

Many need to kill, lie, and steal just to pay off their taxes to pay for your regal festivals and elegant parties.

"Maybe not unanswered, but perhaps we should consider their point of view at least?" Her tone rose quite high near the end of her question, showcasing her inexperience against this type of crowd.

"That type of thinking is what let the Sunset Stars grow in the first place." Glacious summoned an Ice Spike in his large palm. "Cultists like these need to be snuffed out, thoroughly and ruthlessly." He stabbed the Ice Spike down dramatically, piercing Diamond City on the map. It was an extravagant way to prove his point, but it got his message across cleanly. "For the peace of Arkant."

Fiero took one last look at Azaelia, who had now slumped back into her chair. "I agree. These Pokémon are radical followers of a cult, there is no more reasoning with them. They must be dealt with."

And that was that.

Azaelia averted her gaze from the gathering.

But we didn't even try to reason with them…

Azaelia felt even more uncomfortable to be sitting at this table than she was initially. Shouldn't a leader care about their people no matter what? Even if they are led astray, they should be doing all they can to help them, not toss them aside like yesterday's trash! Was that so wrong to think?

In her dejected mood, Azaelia didn't notice when the topic of conversation moved towards the general status of Arkant. Other than the Sunset Stars, the North wasn't facing anything out of the ordinary. The same couldn't be said for the East, as Katrine told of a mysterious trembling in the earth originating from the northern part of the Eastern Province. Also, the Great Kyogre Sea seemed much more restless than usual. More storms were coming in that were uncommon for this time of year.

"Perhaps the South could elaborate more if they even bothered to show up." Katrine hissed.

"I'll send out an envoy to Sapphire City. They have been rather unresponsive lately." Fiero suggested before moving on.

As usual, ferals from the Southern Great Feral Forest were getting rowdy before the winter. Glass City had the walls to keep them out, but with the gate broken they had to manage with 24/7 guards stationed out front. It seemed like the new Baron had work cut out for them.

"Not to be disrespectful, my Lord," Bartholo started after giving his report. "But I thought your heir was meant to join us today?"

Katrine jumped in. "I was wondering about that. Where is Princess Blazeira?"

"Ya haven't switched yer heir this late into yer rule, have ya?" Glacious asked.

The father and daughter duo at the head of the table were quiet. Azaelia tried not to look any of the Pokémon in the eyes. Her head was hot and her body was frozen. The questions dug deep, although they did not know it yet.

Fiero took a moment before responding to their questions. His voice carried a certain practiced stoicism that did not reveal any underlying feelings. "That brings us to our final concern for this council."

Fiero rose from his chair for the first time during the meeting. He strode over to the large glass-stained window and oversaw his city as the evening overcame it. The street lights all started to glow as the sun set, and he could see the busy crowds start to clear up. His crown was slightly off-center on his head.

"During one night of the festival, the Flame Plate was stolen."

To Glacious and Katrine, this was a shocking revelation to have. To Bartholo, this situation felt all too familiar. In just a few months, both the Mind Plate and the Flame Plate were taken from powerful families that have kept them for hundreds of years. Bartholo saw the sullen expression on Princess Azaelia's face, and how Princess Blazeira was missing from the position, and he came to a conclusion that gave him deja vu.

"Princess Blazeira, she wasn't…?" He did not finish the thought, as the ending was all too obvious.

"No." Fiero quickly shot the thought down before it could fester. "But… from the accounts of Azaelia and other witnesses, I believe she aided in the act."

Glacious was the first out of his stupor. "Is Princess Blazeira a traitor?"

"It would seem so."

Katrine spoke daintily to not say anything too disrespectful. "What is to be done, my Lord?"

Azaelia watched her father cautiously. Their arguments over the last few days had never ended in an agreement. She did not know what Fiero was now planning to do about this, but the pit in her stomach did not give her much hope.

After a few seconds, Fiero turned back to face the gathering directly. His face held no discernable emotion as was the norm for the last few hours. He spoke with full confidence and with a planned resolution.

"I want you all to notify your provinces immediately. The Flame Plate and the Mind Plate must be found earnestly."

"But my Lord, the ones responsible for stealing the plates won't let them be found so easily." Bartholo voiced his concern.

"You will not be searching for the plates, but the one who stole them."

It was then that Azaelia's gaze tightened. She could tell where her father was going with this, and it wasn't going to be good.

"I'm sure you've heard the rumors. An Eevee with incredible power. One that can manipulate his own evolution at will."

Katrine recognized the description. "That was the Pokémon who won that tournament, correct? The one that defeated my son?"

Azaelia hung her head low.

"Rainbow the Shifter." Fiero finally said it. "He was in both Glass City and here at the time of the thefts. He pillaged them and moved on. We need Arkant on the lookout for any member of the Eevee clan, no matter who it is."

"Won't be difficult," Glacious said. "There ain't many of them left. And the Princess?"

"Blazeira may not have been the one who made off with the plates, but she is still partly responsible for their abduction. And even without The Shifter there, she had the intention of taking the Flame Plate for herself."

Fiero took a breath and steadied himself- his infallible demeanor exiting his body for just a moment- and finished his thought.

"I want them both brought to me as soon as possible. They will be punished with what befits a traitor."

Azaelia inhaled sharply. "Father, you don't mean-"

"Execution."

That word hung in the air like a shadow looming over Azaelia. It brought a cold sweat that broke out all over Azaelia's body, and she suddenly found it increasingly hard to breathe with every passing second. She met her father's cold eyes with her own trembling ones. She gathered the courage to open her mouth and argue, but something in her father's gaze froze the Ice-type to her core. It was the subtle uncertainty, but also a desperation that screamed something to her:

Do not.

Azaelia cursed her nerves. She couldn't get a word out, at least not here. She closed her eyes to try and calm herself down.

"Execution?" Katrine spoke softly. "I understand for the Eevee, but for the Princess? Are you sure this is the best course of action?"

"He's thought about it." Glacious defended the decision. "Princess Azaelia wouldn't be here if he didn't." He leaned back and mulled over the King's words. "I'll have to agree with it. There are no compromises when dealing with traitors to the crown, after all."

Katrine was less sure. "Maybe for any common Pokémon, but this is the Princess, your own daughter. Surely there must be an exception?"

"No." Fiero denied any hope of that thought being true. "As Glacious said, traitors must be dealt with most ruthlessly and effectively. They do not deserve our understanding after they have already abandoned it. No matter who it is."

No one else argued after that. Azaelia focused on her trembling paws, too afraid to say a word. Recognizing the silent agreement coming from the rest of the Pokémon in the room, Fiero decided it was time to draw the meeting to a close.

"I want all available eyes searching for Blazeira von Arkos and Rainbow the Shifter. Their capture will lead us back to the plates. Glacious, notify me once you are ready to go through with your plan. I may have available forces to lend once the time comes to strike."

With that, the two Barons and the Guard Captain guest all stood and made their exit. Katrine had one last look of faint disgust at the King before she closed the door behind her.

Suddenly it was just Azaelia and her father left in the council chamber. The sun was almost set, so only a small amount of light made its way into the room now. Covered in shadow, Fiero looked almost unrecognizable to Azaelia.

The King placed his crown tenderly on the table. He rubbed his eyes wearily. He waited a few minutes, expecting Azaelia to say something to him now that the rest of the gathering had gone. After waiting with no apparent response, he picked his crown back up and walked over to the door. It was then, at the last moment, he heard a whimper.

"We haven't even tried talking to her yet…"

"My decision is final. There is no turning back from this. I'm making the announcement tomorrow morning."

"Why are you resorting to this so quickly? You're not even going to give her a chance to defend herself?"

"She aided in the theft of the Flame Plate. That is a crime that will not go unpunished."

Azaelia was beside herself. "It's just a Plate, father! Does that really matter more to you than our family?"

"She also aided that vile Zoroark in the murder of Baron Arteno. I suspect all those times she left the city of her own accord were for the same purpose. This is not a one-time offense, but a repeated pattern that will only get worse. She is not one of us anymore!"

"How can you say that?" Azaelia choked out. "It's Blaze…"

"I did not come to this decision lightly, Azaelia." The King's voice broke only for a moment. "I have thought about this ever since I learned of her treachery."

"Then why?"

"Because I am the King." He said with finality. "I must make the decisions no one else can, for the sake of the country. This is one of those moments where we have to set our personal feelings aside and do what's best for Arkant."

Seemingly done with the conversation, he left Azaelia to her post in the dark to sulk. She held her head in her shaking paws. The silver tiara that she wore for the meeting slipped off gracelessly and clanked onto the floor. She made no attempt to pick it back up.

"Prepare yourself for tomorrow." The King added before he left the room. "You have a lot of studying to do before you're ready to become Queen."

Azaelia was left alone as the door closed softly behind the exiting monarch. She crumbled under the weight of the situation. Small tears dropped onto the table with pathetic plops. Meager sniffles and quiet cries filled the cold, dark room. What was a place of debate was now filled with dreadful sorrow.

"What am I going to do?" She asked herself. "I need to find her, talk to her again, something. But how?"

Do you… truly not know where my sister is?

Azaelia tightened a paw into a fist. It was stupid, a completely idiotic move that only the desperate would turn to.

Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Who's to say?

But, in this position between her father and her sister, Azaelia was truly becoming desperate.

I will show you everything you want to know.

Tomorrow would be too late, and every day after that would only worsen the chances of seeing Blaze again. Tonight was the only time it could work. Tonight, or never at all.

Fearing where this path may take her, but the desire to find her sister burning brighter than even that, she tossed her Princess Tiara aside and wiped her tears against her forearm. She held her bracelet, comforting her and giving her strength.

"I'm sorry father, mother," she apologized. "But this time I must disobey you."

She wiped the rest of her tears once again and left the room to fester in the darkness. What she didn't notice, or rather what everyone didn't see, was a pair of eyes that sat unblinking attached to the ceiling. A creature had watched the whole meeting, and it liked what it saw.

It was glad it hadn't gone through with its strike this morning. Now, things may have a much bigger impact than the original plan would have. All it had to do was play its cards right, and the world will soon be turned on its head forever.

Now that it was finally alone, it had the opportunity to laugh.