COVELIGHT II: VALKYRIE

Written by SavageCaliber22 'Elysium'

Nightbring and its characters are owned by Evolution

Pokemon is a property of Gamefreak and Nintendo. No copyright infringement is intended.

This is an Alternate Universe of our own creation with its own lore and timeline, thus Pokemon's lore has been slightly altered to conform to this AU.

M for heavy language, violence, depictions of gore, and sexual references. No lemons are present.

Sorry for the long wait guys! Have an action chapter to make up for it!

CHAPTER 4: LIGHT AND SHADOW

Narrative Control: Violet

Downtown Aerocroft.

July 7th, 2210, 6:33pm

"Vi, what do you want?" Cobalt asks me as I stare out onto the street as vehicles of varying size and color pass by quickly.

I sigh, then match his gaze with my own. "Cobalt, about 5 hours ago I was pulling 9 Gs in a fighter jet. My guts aren't exactly happy at the current moment." I explain.

Cobalt places his hand against his tongue, imitating him clutching his chin or stroking a beard. Then points at me with a playful look on his face, "Well maybe they'd be happier if you weren't pulling 9 Gs on an empty stomach. So just go ahead and order something." he demands. I take a long sigh and glance at the menu.

"Fine, I'll just get something light I guess." I note, scrolling until I find something at least somewhat appetising, and punching it into the device on the table. I take a deep breath as I finally face my friend, "Even after all that, Jackson would rather stay behind and have a dick measuring contest with that Zoroark instead of coming and hanging out with us." I growl.

Cobalt hesitates in speaking, but then sighs. "I know, Vi. But he's finally found another chosen besides him and Rezala. So I'm sure he'll come back to us soon." Cobalt explains as an indeedee places an Allegory in front of Cobalt and a Limelight in front of myself. Limelight essentially being a Celatian Ginger Ale, crossed with your typical lemon-lime soda. Hopefully the ginger will help with this constant yucky feeling in my stomach.

I take a sip, "He didn't even ask how I was after we landed. He just got dragged away with Orion and then him and Shadow started-" I halt my speech to punch my chest as the liquid halts in my esophagus, slowly burning as it finally reaches my stomach. "Aaagh, sorry." I groan. Cobalt chuckles.

"Nah nah, it's fine that happens to all of us."

"...anyway, after coming back up with Orion, him and Shadow started blowing targets up with their magic."

"I don't think it's anything to worry about, Violet. I doubt Shadow's stolen him away from us, I had a chat with the bloke, and he and I got along pretty well I'd say."

"I just-"

"Hm?"

"I just feel like him and I have been drifting away, Cobalt."

Cobalt doesn't respond as our food is set down before us. Cobalt with some sort of Barbequed synth meat with roasted potatoes on the side, and me with some simple Avocado toast. Don't judge me! I said something light!

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'll talk to him next time I see him."

"Y-yeah…"

Suddenly both of our PDA's buzz, Cobalt shoves a piece of synthetic tri-tip in his maw, before setting his fork down and swiping on the underside of his left arm. "What is it?" I ask before he recoils slightly.

He swipes his screen out to the end of the table so both of us can see. "Seems I won't have to wait long." he notes.

SIM BATTLE: Jackson Alexander Chaser VS. Vision Nightbring. STARTING SOON. 16k viewers currently viewing.

I blink, before sighing.

"Oh for fuck's sake." I groan as I take a bite out of my toast.

Narrative Control: Jackson

Combat Sim.

July 7th, 2210, 6:40pm

The world materializes around me as I find myself dropped into the starting point of a simulated battleground floating above an endless void of code surrounded by pitch black mountains outlined only by jagged blue ribbons of light as the red simulated sun hovers just overhead with streaks cut out of the bottom. It seems this particular map features the retro Outrun aesthetic.

Fine by me.

A Synthesized announcer speaks from the void.

"SIMULATION BATTLE, JACKSON A. CHASER VERSUS VISION NIGHTBRING. REAL WORLD ABILITIES HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SCANNED INTO THE SIM.

GAMEMODE: FREE FOR ALL - MEDIUM.

MAP: OBLIVION, OUTRUN VARIANT.

FIRST COMPETITOR TO REACH 3 ELIMINATIONS OR WHOEVER HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ELIMINATIONS WHEN THE 15 MINUTE TIMER REACHES ZERO WILL BE THE WINNER OF THE MATCH."

I smirk as I stretch, observing my surroundings. There appears to be a large two story house directly in front of me, along with two other large buildings in front of that. I see three ground lanes I could take if I wanted to take on Shadow head on. I could go through the building, or through either side, one way takes me through an alley between another building that seems to have a fake entrance, meaning it's only decoration. The other way leads me to a clearing, but considering Shadow's tracking projectiles, being out in the open is a bad idea. I have yet to see the rest of the map so it makes it hard to strategize, but I know Shadow is just as unfamiliar to this map as I am.

As much as I wanted to show off my powers to him earlier, and vice versa, he got stolen away be Orion so they could scan his powers. So I've only seen his Phantom Salvo so far. The rest of his arsenal is completely unknown, but fortunately, the said could be said for Shadow. He's only seen my Flash Barrage so far.

Oh, and you only know of Flash Barrage and my Blast Saber. Get ready, I'm about to show you the rest of my new and improved powers! (Sorry Ely for breaking the fourth wall!)

(Just don't do it again.)

"MATCH BEGINS IN FIVE."

I huff as I flair my collar

"FOUR."

My markings now cover my body as I feel energy rush throughout my whole body.

"THREE."

I get ready to make a mad dash for the alley on my right.

"TWO."

"ONE."

"BATTLE BEGIN!"

The domed wall covering my starting area falls as I immediately see four black and white bolts of energy flying straight up in the distance, before curving in my direction, just as I expected. I sprint right into the alleyway, pressing my back against the wall of the main building as I hear the bolts impact the roof.

Okay, I need to figure out where he is. I simultaneously activate clairvoyance and squint my eyes, allowing the visibility of the full light spectrum to be visible. I smirk and clap my hands as a wave of light travels over the battlefield, impossible to see by the naked eye (Hence me squinting)

Suddenly I see a black mass with a white outline head upstairs in a large building on the opposite side of the map. Gotcha!

If you didn't just figure it out I've learned that I can use Clairvoyance to essentially see people through walls. It's really handy in a situation like this, but using Clairvoyance like this takes a toll on my light, so I have to use it wisely.

However I spot Shadow suddenly make a short hop, appearing to fall through the floor, before vanishing from sight.

"What?" I mutter as I look around, scanning the other buildings, no sign of him.

That being said, this ability doesn't work like a sonar ping, once I do the initial tag, I can see someone for the next 10 minutes! Where'd he go? I decide that my 'wallhack' is useless for the time being, guess I gotta find him the old fashioned way. I make my way through the right side alley, finding myself at the clearing in the center of the map, where two other buildings stand on the left and right sides. I peek the corner, flash barrage primed. No sign of him, that is until I suddenly see the shadow of a chimney on one of the buildings shimmer slightly, before Shadow suddenly leap out of said shadow (That's not confusing to say at all.)

So that's why he vanished...he can teleport between patches of shade! I guess it's his version of blink. He's a bit out of range for a Flash Barrage. I fade the Barrage and Camouflage myself, moving out of cover. He doesn't see me, but I notice him pull something out of the shade of the chimney.

Is...that a rifle made of shadows?

That's...interesting. I think to myself as I creep forward, before suddenly stepping into the shadow of a barrel beside me. Before I can realize my mistake, Shadow suddenly whips his conjured rifle and fires a burst directly at the barrel beside me. I recoil backwards, stepping off the shadow of the barrel. "Ohh~! You can turn invisible Jackson! Very interesting!" he shouts as I subconsciously back into the shade of a tree out of shock. This time he doesn't miss, as the shade bullets impact me in the chest, breaking my cloak and dropping my HP to halfway, I grunt in annoyance as I hit the ground. Shadow throws away his rifle.

"How the fuck did you see me?!" I shout as I pick myself back up.

"Well, you see, us Shade Chosen can sense disturbances in nearby shadows! Your cloak doesn't help against that it seems!" He explains, before another Phantom Salvo leaves his palm.

I smirk as a ball of light appears in my hand, which I throw at my feet, a dome of energy surrounding me from all sides as the Shadow's missiles harmlessly burst along its surface. What was once a curved barrier of light I could move around now has evolved to be a static bubble of protection. Unfortunately while nothing can enter the bubble, nothing can leave either, not even my own attacks. However, the upside is I can throw it at others if they need to be trapped or protected.

I drop the barrier and snap a flash, a white light filling the area and blinding the Zoroark as he roars in surprise, covering his eyes. I dive into the shade of the building he's on top of. Bullets of shade hit the ground near my tail as Shadow blindly fires in the direction he sensed me.

I blink inside the building, the only ability of mine that remains mostly unchanged. I huff in relief as I squint, spotting him through the ceiling as he now appears to be unblinded, he checks the area surrounding the building, before glancing down at his feet, he chuckles before suddenly I spot movement in the hallway in front of me.

I stop squinting as I charge up a flash barrage, my eyes darting between the doorways.

"That'll do you no good, Jackson. Turn around." I hear Shadow from above.

I quickly snap around to see a ghostly mass of shade lunge towards me, latching onto my chest before I have time to react. "Gah! What the-" I panic, collapsing backwards with a thud. I crush the barrage in my hand, forming a Blast Saber.

However, I start to feel weak, I can hardly lift my arm to slash this thing off of me. What is…?

I watch my Saber flicker out and fade just as Shadow suddenly stands over me. "I had this Oni waiting in here in case you tried that."

I growl as I try sitting up, only to groan and reunite my back with the floor. "This thing's really heavy for a mass of shadows." I remark.

Shadow chuckles, "Actually it weighs nothing, It's sapping the light from your body, and giving it to me, you see?"

I growl and immediately start struggling against the Oni sapping me. However my lethargic state has made my efforts fruitless.

"I'll put it to good use" Shadow jokes as my vision is filled with an eclipse colored mass. I brace as a Phantom Salvo tears through my skull, killing me as my vision turns to a third person perspective of Shadow running out of the building, smirking as a scoreboard fills the middle of my vision.

0 - 1

I respawn somewhere else, growling. So he can summon ghosts? Must come from the dark side of shade. Okay, I got careless. I need to be strategic about this, Shadow's another Chosen, and I have no idea what most of his abilities are. One thing is clear though, I have to stay out of the shade as much as possible. I Clairvoyance, he's nowhere to be seen in the direction he was last. Did my ping run out? Let me try again. I clap my hands, a burst of light covering the area. I look in all directions, where could he-

I see a shadow cast down on me from above, I quickly look up to see the dark type falling towards me, a two-pronged blade extending from his knuckles.

"Shit!" I shout as I suddenly dive forward just before he hits the ground, the blade embedding itself in the simulated dirt. I quickly right myself, "You get two blades per hand? That's cheap." I joke, the Zoroark smirks, before suddenly lunging forward, blade arm extended. I smirk, summoning a Blast Saber and quickly parrying his lunge, he follows with another swing with his other hand. I somersault backwards, avoiding his strike as I grin.

"Gotcha!" I shout as Shadow looks at me in slight confusion as inertia carries him into the trail left behind my Saber. I pump the juice a little bit and the trail starts glowing, Shadow glances downwards as the trail explodes in a burst of light, rewarding me with a hitmarker and causing him to be sent flying backwards and hitting the ground in pain.

"What…? Gah…" He groans as his body fades, text appearing in my vision

Killed: Vision Nightbring

+1 point!

1 - 1

I don't remember a single Blast Saber being THAT effective, oh well, it must be the simulation. Regardless, the score's evened!

He attacked right as I respawned, I say I give a taste of his own medicine! I enter blink state, the sim turning grey around me as I dash for the house Shadow was perched atop earlier. With having used it way more, the amount of distance I can cover in a single blink has been greatly improved. I make it to the base of the house before the blink ends.

I power up a Glistener, a single Glistener. Throwing it at the chimney, however, the Glistener leaves behind a thick thread of light behind it connected to my hand. I grip my hand just as it passes the chimney, the thread yanking me towards my glistener like a giant bungee cable. The Glistener disappears in a small burst as I reach it. After rolling on the roof to break my fall, I Clairvoyance ping him again, this time I can see him inside the barn to my left. I smirk and throw out a pair of Raycasters, pointing at the farmhouse and 'pulling the trigger'

After a quick charge time, the Raycasters fire large clumps of light before dissipating. Each projectile hits the ground near the doorway, before exploding into hundreds of small projectiles of varying size and shape, all ricocheting around the area. A few hitmarkers enter my vision as I watch the Zoroark's figure reel back in pain, before diving low to avoid the remaining flak.

"Cute, no that's real funny!" I hear him speak through comms. Before jumping into a patch of shade within the barn. I camouflage, checking any nearby shadows, I'm not stepping into the shade of the chimney, good. He shouldn't be able to know where I am. He jumps out of the Chimney again, gazing over the landscape, "Now where could he have shot those from..." He wonders as I grin wildly, biting my tongue to keep myself from letting out a chuckle and expose myself. I slowly creep up behind him. However, Shadow suddenly grunts and spins around to face me, kicking me in the snout.

"Gahk!" I grunt as I'm thrown onto the ground about 4 feet away from where I was, cloak broken. Shit, I think I stepped in Shadow's shadow…uuugh, that's weird to say. 'Shadow's shadow.'

I quickly right myself and form a Saber in my right hand, making a quick dash for the dark type, who makes a motion with one of his claws in adrenaline. "SUPRISE MOTHERFUCK-AH!" My battle cry is suddenly interrupted as I suddenly trip forwards, kissing the ground again. Shadow snickers, "Wow, that's embarrassing, huh?" Shadow insults. The sting of annoyance now filling my mind, I should've had the drop on him!

I try getting up, however I quickly notice that my legs now refuse to move. "W-what?" I grunt as I look down at my feet, only to find a grey...rope or something, is stuck to the insides of my legs, constantly pulling them together. I groan as I try to pull my legs apart to no avail, this cable feels like I'm pulling against the strongest bungee cord in the world. "The fuck is this?!" I shout as I turn back to the chuckling Zoroark standing above me.

"That my friend, is called Lashing. I can connect two points together and they'll constantly be pulled towards each other until I get rid of it." He explains. "I can even put one on myself if I want to, makes for a good way of getting around. Though, I seem to be the only one who can Self-Lash."

I grunt as I prop myself up with my right hand, forming a flash barrage in my left and aiming it at him "Well you should've Lashed my hands instead!" I shout as the barrage rings, signaling that it's about to fire. However, before I can unload into him, another lash suddenly yanks my hand to the roof, sticking it there and dispersing my attack.

"Oh yeah, and I can create as many as I want." Shadow states as he lashes my right hand down as well. Then my snout and tail, effectively pinning me to the roof face down. "This is bullshit!" I growl as Shadow grabs hold of my torso. "Here, you want off the roof? I'll oblige." Shadow jokes as he lift me off of the roof, the Lashes still pulling me tight towards the roof. "Don't worry, I won't drop yo-OOPS!" He shouts as he suddenly lets go, the Lashes pulling me headfirst into the roof at blinding speeds.

Ah shit!

The velocity from the lashes creates enough force that my skull bursts upon impact with the roof, painting it with glowing white liquid as my body suddenly disappears in a flash of code.

1 - 2

Shadow sucks the air through his teeth as he winces, "Oooooooh….that looked painful…" Shadow remarks before finally stepping off of the roof.

Grrrrrrrh! I'm behind again! If Shadow kills me one more time it's over! I respawn back in the alleyway, sighing. Alright, I hope I've seen the extent of his powers. Shadow struts into the Alleyway, opposite me, smirking. Gold meets Amethyst as my heart pounds in my ears, we stand there for a few seconds.

"Say, I'm curious. Do you have your unique ability yet? I know some get it a lot later than others." Shadow starts.

"Yeah, I can see people's souls even through walls, and draw the light out of em'."

"Ah, that explains how you're able to locate me so easily."

"Indeed...and what about yours?"

"I'll safe that for when we're tied. I believe each of us has 9 abilities each plus our unique abilities. You've shown me 7, I've shown you 7. I'll show you my last standards, and you use your last two to kill me, I want this last round to be all or nothing."

"You're just giving me a free kill?"

"If I saved the best for last and you ended up killing me it'd be pretty anticlimactic to have one more round, wouldn't you say?"

"...alright then. You first."

Shadow smirks as a large sphere of shade appears out of nowhere and suddenly flies toward me in a straight line, the front of it opening up as the entity growls and fires a projectile towards me. I enter Blink and dash towards the entity, sliding underneath it as Blink ends. Shadow blinks, "Wait, when did you-?" he exclaims, seeing how to him I've just teleported behind his ability. I then power up another Glistener, throwing it into the back of his ability, the giant needle of light tearing through the entity of shade as I suddenly rip my hand back, causing the Glistener to turn 180 degrees and fly in the direction of Shadow, who out of instinct crosses his arms over his shoulders, his body now covered in a casing of shadows. The Glistener bounces of of Shadow's protective shell, before the shell suddenly bursts violently, destroying the needle of light.

I blink "Huh. That's interesting." I note, before entering Blink and rushing him with a Blast Saber, Blink ends right as I plunge the blade of light into his heart. Shadow's eyes widen as grey blood suddenly gushes from his mouth as he coughs. "How's that for a free kill?" I joke. Shadow smirks, "See you...at the center of the map." he notes, before his body derezzes.

Killed: Vision Nightbring

+1 point!

2 - 2

I take a deep breath and cautiously make my way out of the alley and into the center of the map, in between the two big houses. I absorb a bit of light, those two blinks back to back probably made quite a dent in my reserves, fake as they may be.

Shadow jumps out of the shade of the building in front of me. "So, I can jump between nearby shadows, and you can...what? Move at lightspeed in short bursts?"

"Yup, basically."

Shadow smirks, "Interesting. Now then, Observe the hereditary power of the Nightbring family!" he shouts as he grabs an invisible handle in front of him, before a shockwave of energy suddenly pushes me backwards, causing me to somersault 3 feet behind me. I manage to land on my feet as I look up towards Shadow. The Zoroark now wields a large double edged Longsword. With a circular hilt and a V-shaped Crossguard coming from the bottom of the hilt, similar to a claymore sword. Shade energy coils around the edges of the sword, as the sword itself is eclipse colored. I can just feel the energy of the weapon in his hands, nevertheless, I steel myself. It is only a sword after all.

"So I can see people's souls, and you...just make a sword?" I joke. Shadow grins as he now holds the sword in one hand, running his free hand along the blade.

"This is not just any sword. My father had a sword of his own. Unlike most others, my unique ability is hereditary. His was called Calamity. But mine…"

He swings the sword in front of him as he brings the tip of the blade near his hip, a loud screech is heard as the energy cuts through the simulated air.

"...Is called Nemesis."

I smirk, then form Blast Sabers in both hands.

"Well then, Mr. Nightbring…"

I dash forward, "EN GARDE!" I shout as Shadow follows suit, clutching Nemesis with both hands.

I swing to my right, Shadow parries with a downward swipe, the weight of his sword knocking me off balance. He goes in for a lunge, so I roll in between his legs to evade his jab, taking a chunk out of his ankle on my way as I end up behind him. I quickly leap upwards, twirling with both sabers outwards as Shadow quickly holds up his sword to guard as I impact his weapon three times in quick succession as I land back in front of him. At this point I notice both of our weapons clang as if they're actually made of metal, instead of sounding like just energy.

Shadow now on the offensive takes a large step forward as he swings diagonally towards me, Nemesis now expelling a large wave of shade energy as that loud screech is heard again, I cross my Sabers to block, but upon catching Nemesis, a shockwave of energy knocks me onto my back as grey flames now cover my body.

You've been burned! My heads-up displays in the center of my vision. After taking a second to process what just happened, I have to enter Blink state as I watch Nemesis get a bit too close to me. I side roll out of the way of Shadow's stab and right myself as Blink ends. Shadow grunts as Nemesis gets stuck in the ground, I lunge and manage to get a large swing on his back before he's able to yank his sword out of the ground. He hisses as he stumbles a bit from the hit. "Damn, that wasn't a bad move." He notes as I smirk.

"I guess two swords are better than one!" I joke, Shadow scoffs.

"Alright then, let's even the odds…" he notes as he twists Nemesis' handle in opposite directions. A loud clang is heard as Nemesis suddenly splits from a large double edged blade of shadows to a pair of smaller, single edged falchions. One is white and glows with a comforting gold light, the other is pitch black and resonating with a purple, unnerving aura. My vision flashes red as I take damage from my burn.

"A sword of shade now split into two. One Light, Athena. The other Dark, Umbral." Shadow explains as he enters a battle stance.

"Whoa...that's actually...kinda cool!" I compliment the Zoroark as he chuckles in response.

"One minute remaining." The automated announcer speaks.

"Alright Jackson, what do you say we wrap this up?" Shadow starts, smiling.

"Took the words right outta my mouth!" I reply, blinking forward to gain speed as I quickly close the distance. I slide underneath the light sword, swinging my Saber at the ground in front of me, before detonating the Blast Trail a second later, stunning Shadow and propelling me upward. I dissipate my Sabers in mid-air and throw my Glistener at him. Shadow's eyes widen as he suddenly dives into a nearby patch of shade. The Glistener embedding itself in the ground where he vanished. I activate the bungee function and pull me back to ground. However Shadow jumps out of the same shadow...damn, he really needs to work on that nickname. Before I have time to react, the Zoroark leaps into the air, light sword drawn.

I panic slightly, "SHIT!" I scream as the blade plunges through my heart. The bungee now pulls us both to the ground as we both tumble upon landing. I open my eyes to see the blade embedded in my chest, but...I'm not dead? Shadow seems to notice this too as he stares perplexed. The corner of my vision flashes as I realise my health bar is at the max.

Ha..hahahahaha!

I form a Flash Barrage in my hand as I notice that it's now supercharged, as if I had the Radiance Crystal. I chuckle and look to the Dark type, "Well, how about that? Thanks for the pick-me-up!"

"I had no Idea I could do that. Probably not my BRIGHTEST idea." Shadow jokes as he discreetly starts Lashing.

"Was...that a pun?"

My eyes widen as Athena is suddenly ripped from my body as Shadow suddenly flings Umbral at me, filling the space that Athena just tore out of me, the darkness of the blade suddenly enveloping my body as I watch myself disintegrate in seconds. "O-oh…" I mutter as my vision goes black. Going from full health to dead in just under 10 seconds.

"Absolutely." Shadow confirms.

2 - 3

Vision Nightbring wins!

I awaken from the sim pod, looking out at the small crowd gathered outside the room, cheering as they were likely watching the battle on the screen above us. I sigh and step out, Shadow follows as he approaches me.

"Hey, good match, Jackson." he states as he holds out his hand to shake. After taking a second to process, I smirk and meet his hand with my own.

"Yeah, nice job."

Suddenly my PDA buzzes. I glance at my wrist.

Mayrum Covelight:

Jackson, while I'm sure that was a fun little scuffle you had with Vision, you greatly humiliated yourself in the process. Now get to the Tower ASAP, I have orders for you and Violet.

Narrative Control: Jasmine

Hargrove District Pharmacy, Aerocroft.

July 7th, 2210, 8:12pm

"Prescription for Leonidas Aileron, I assume?" The Wigglytuff at the desk asks, clearly recognizing me.

"Yup, Novena 12." I confirm as the fairy type boredly heads into the back room. I sigh quietly, peering over my shoulder to see everyone else in the pharmacy making glances towards me, typical.

"Really? They don't have it? Gaaahh…" I hear a familiar female voice come from across the store, but I can't seem to match said voice with a face.

"Here you go." Says the Wigglytuff as she hands me a sealed paper bag with a bottle of meds inside it.

I take the bag from her, and slowly make my way in the direction of the voice, who could that've been?

It isn't long before I spot a shiny Latias perusing through the beverage cabinets, an annoyed pout on her face. My eyes widen as I call out to the fellow Legendary.

"Holy crap, Lyra?!"

The mint green eyes of the gold dragon suddenly meets mine through a pair of eyeglasses.

"Jasmine? What're you doing here?!"

"I could be asking you the same thing! I didn't know you were back from Ironhol!"

"I just got back like 3 hours ago! I was gonna message ya! How're things?"

I pause for a second, "Well, I know you weren't around for this, but my uh… My Dad came down with Eon Disease a couple years ago."

"Oh no! That's Terrible!...is he...still alive?"

"He is, but he's getting worse every week. I'm here to pick up more meds for him."

"How's Zoe taking this?"

I look down at the floor, "I wouldn't know, a week after Dad got sick, she just...left...I haven't heard from her, I haven't seen her…she could be dead for all I know…"

Lyra leans down to meet my eyes again "So in the case of 'How're things?'...not great?"

I glumly nod.

The Golden Latias grabs an iced tea out of the fridge. "Well, If you wanna know what happened to your mom, I could probably help with that." Lyra states. My eyes shoot in her direction as she smiles.

"What?" I ask, dumbfounded.

"Sooo...I didn't end up becoming a police detective like I'd hoped, but I went in a different direction that I think you'd like."

"That is…?"

"Lyra Windsoul! Private Investigator!" she cheers, striking a heroic pose. Despite my enthusiasm, I can't help but chuckle a bit.

"You look like such a dork, Lyra."

"Probably."

"Doesn't it take a long time to become a PI though?"

She nervously laughs, "I'm uhh...not really a PI yet. But I am an apprentice to one of the best in Celatia! He's been saying that I need to find a case for myself and if I can do that, I'll be able to become one myself!"

"S-so you'll help me find my mom?"

"Heck yes! It'll be a win-win for both of us! You get closure, and I get to move up in the world!"

I smile, unfortunately I also notice a lot of eyes on us, fortunately more on my shiny friend, who doesn't seem to mind.

I sigh, "Thank you, Lyra. Really. But uhh…"

"I think this conversation could be held in a place other than a pharmacy."

"...huh...yeah, maybe."

Narrative Control: Violet

Covelight Headquarters, Aerocroft.

July 7th, 2210, 9:21pm

I idly fiddle with my balisong as I wait on the couch in Dad's office, who taps on his desk in impatience.

Finally the door opens, and Jackson steps in.

"Whoo boy, sorry about that, Rush hour on 380, you know how it is."

"Took you long enough Chaser." Mayrum growls as Jackson takes a seat next to me.

"You alright?" he asks me as he sits down.

"Well I'm not nearly as upset with you as I was 3 hours ago."

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad."

"Enough you two." Mayrum grabs our attention as both of us turn to the fire type behind the desk.

"I just got word from one of the Nightbring elites that they're going to be moving a large army of troops from Equinox to the Avenger tomorrow afternoon. The troops are going to be transported by a large land convoy as well as a squadron of air transports. Solaris, you're going to be grouping up with Spade Squadron to escort them to our border. Especially the convoy, as they'll be crossing the Veil River, they'll be completely exposed on the Avenger bridge for 20 miles. You'll be taking the prototype you flew today for its first combat test." Jackson nods in response.

"Understood, sir." he confirms.

"What about me, sir?" I ask. Mayrum sighs. Clearly he doesn't agree with whoever's running the operation.

"Elite General Void says that since you're the only one to fly Co-Pilot in the prototype, you're the only one qualified to ride with Solaris."

Both Jackson and I look at each other with wide eyes. "WHAT?! DAD, THAT'S NOT FAIR!" I shout to the Quilava who sighs, "I'd rather not you fly with Chaser either, but he does have a point. You were instructed how to use the systems, right?"

"...I mean..yeah...but…"

"So I don't see a problem, it's not you I'm worried about, it's Chaser's flying style."

Jackson holds his hands up, "Look, if things get rough, I'll protect her with my life sir, you have my word."

I quickly turn to the other Snivy, taken aback by that phrase.

"Your orders are to protect the transports with your life. I appreciate the sentiment though." Mayrum replies.

I sigh.

Arceus, why'd it have to be me?! I suppose there's not much I'll be able to do about this.

I just hope everything goes okay tomorrow…

Wow, this took a long time to come out, I'm sorry for taking so long, haha!

I figured I've gone long enough without a good ol' action scene, and what better way to show off Jackson and Vision's powers would be with a friendly duel, I'd stay tuned folks. This next chapter...well, let's just say things are going to get insane! I cannot wait for you all to see it! Action! Terror! New Characters! Our first glimpse at our main antagonist! OHOHOHO! Don't change your channel, it's gonna be sweet!

With that out of the way, this is Elysium, over and out!