Chapter 28: An Ideal of Beauty!
The entirety of Polarna vatra sat in the community floor of the League Tower, engrossed in happy conversation. The first day of the Upper League had ended and many Upper League teams had gathered here to talk about their experiences, whether they were good or bad. For Polarna vatra, it was only the former. In the duel against their floristic opponents, they had mercilessly demonstrated their superiority. Latios, who served as referee for the duel, also seemed impressed by the performance of Polarna vatra, who had achieved a clear victory in moments. Their opponents of the day were also gathered here, along with around thirty other teams. Aurora thought about how big the Upper League actually was, which is why this number of teams present was actually quite small. Ranks 400 to 51 were all part of it, which is why Aurora was pretty sure that many teams simply hadn't had any duels yet.

What surprised her more, however, was that she couldn't see Team Slash anywhere. Somehow she had imagined that Zeraora had also mumbled something about their duel on the first day of play, which is why she had expected him to be there. Or had Team Slash lost and therefore didn't want to show up? She asked Latias, who had been the referee for this day along with her brother, Elementareon and Totodile. As champions, they didn't have to fight league duels, which is why it was common for such Pokemon to take over the watch in other duels.

"Have you seen Team Slash anywhere? I expected to meet them here."
Latias looked at the Ninetales in confusion.

"What? They're in Crowning, didn't you know?"

The name of the place meant something to Aurora, of course, but she didn't know what her rivals were doing there.

"Didn't you hear all the fuss last week? Although they only just qualified at Rank 64, Team Slash surprisingly won the tournament and relieved Team Mirror of their place in the King's League. The two had their first duel there today."

Team Slash, in the King's League? Somehow it made sense to Aurora, but at the same time it seemed strange to her. Had she really managed to ignore the results of last season in all her training?

She asked cautiously, but already knowing what the answer would be.

"And... what else was going on in the King's League? I must have missed it because of all the preparations."
"I can't blame you. But yeah, the fact that our team is here says enough, I think. We defended our title for the fourth month, this time against quite unusual opponents. Team Aralsa, simply named after their continent. Their team leader is an Grimmsnarl who calls himself Alpha, together with two dark-type Zoroark. As far as I know, they come from the rather notorious barbarian tribe of Aralsa."

Aurora didn't know much about this babarian group that Latias was talking to, but she had heard of them.

"Aren't they the warriors who determine the value of a Pokemon by its power alone?"
"Yes. Alpha is their highest rank, which is why their leader is called that. His two teammates belonged to their Beta class. So the second highest of their five."

Alpha and Beta... Pokemon that divided their kind into classes. And somewhere the class names also evoked something in Aurora. Five classes, Alpha, Beta... What would the other three classes be? From the Kasonic language, which is also spoken in Aralsa, they would have to be Gamma, Delta and... Epsilon. Epsilon. Could the barbarians be somehow connected to the Plot Emperor?

However, Aurora discarded this idea for the moment when she saw Elementareon leaving the hall. She still planned to talk to her in a quiet moment, and this one seemed quite suitable. Kel also caught Aurora's eye.

"What are you planning?"
"I have to talk to Elementareon. She needs it, even if she doesn't want to admit it."

Elementareon's team partner, who was present, did not seem enthusiastic about the idea.

"Are you sure she doesn't just need time for herself? She doesn't even want to talk to her own team, so why would she listen to you of all Pokemon?"
"Let her try."

Kel seemed to be recalling old memories.

"Aurora is right. I know the feeling... and Aurora was able to help me when no one else knew how to."

With the backing of her team partner, Team Polarna vatra's team leader left the floor. Only now did she realize that she had no idea where Elementareon had even gone.

"Are you looking for Elementareon?"

Tyrantrum's voice surprised Aurora and tore her out of her thoughts.

"Uh, yes... do you happen to know where she is?"
"I just saw her go up the stairs. From what I can tell, she wants to be alone, which is why she's probably on floor 50. And I also know that I can't stop you from following her, am I right?"
"You are. Thanks for the help."

She quickly ran to the elevator and left Tyrantrum behind without another word. Although it was actually forbidden to enter floor 50 outside of a major duel, Aurora knew, just like Elementareon, that no one would stop the champion herself. The same ringing sounded on the target level as it did every time on floor 47.

When the door opened, she could already see that Tyrantrum hadn't lied. Elementareon was sitting on the edge of the dome, opposite the generator, and looking out over the city through the glass.

"Elementareon..."

Without turning around, the leader of the strongest of all teams answered.

"What do you want?"
"To talk to you."
"But I don't want to talk to you. You can leave!"

Of course, Aurora skillfully ignored these words and sat down next to Elementareon.

"Say what you want to say and go back to your team. I want to be alone."
"That's not true, and you know it yourself. I had a similar situation just two weeks ago, I can imagine how you feel."
"No, you can't. Now leave me alone."

Just like with the conversation with Kel, Aurora would not let anything stop her from helping Elementareon, whether she wanted to or not.

"I don't even want to say anything. But I think you have a lot you need to get off your chest."

There was a moment of silence.

"You can talk to me, I'll listen. That's what friends are for, aren't they."

Again there was a brief silence, but Elementareon then started to speak, her voice filled with sadness.

"Do you think... do you really think that friendship still means something to me now? You have no idea how I feel! You haven't been through anything like that!"
"You think so? I was left to die by my own teammate. Don't you think there are at least parallels?"

It still seemed as if Elementara didn't want to reveal anything.

"You'd known him for just a few weeks back then! Darkrai was different... he's not without conscience..."
"And Kel is?"

Although Aurora didn't quite agree with her own comparison, as it equated Kel's desperation with Darkrai's malicious betrayal, she didn't mention this to her colleague.

"No... no, Kel isn't a bad Pokemon. But... I've known Darkrai for years. He's been with me from the beginning. I entered the Lower League with him, back when it was just the two of us, and he stood by my side until we became champions. It... it's not fair! Why would he do all this... just to betray me. I don't get it!"

"Elementareon... I don't think anyone would do something like that without any emotional attachment. That's exactly where Epsilon's danger lies. Just because someone follows him doesn't make that follower a bad Pokemon. They all see an ideal of beauty in something corrupt. No member of Epsilon's fighters does what he does just to be evil. And that includes Darkrai, I'm sure!"

In fact, Aurora spoke with conviction, even if she saw the Plot Elite as mortal enemies.

"He just wants to create a better world. But he's going down the wrong path."

For a moment, Elementara seemed to think about these words.

"Aurora, be honest with me... do you really think that Darkrai was actually part of Team Nordika to fight at my side, and not just to be able to destroy this league from the inside?"

"I don't just think so, I know it to be true! You've gotten to know him more and more over the years. No one can hide their true self for that long."

Again, Elementara was unconvinced.

"So why did I have no idea that he was on Epsilon's side? If apperantly it would be impossible to hide?"
"You trusted him. But from what I've seen, in those years you also got to know a Pokemon that deserves trust. And you never doubted that. And that only proves to me that this assumption is the truth."

Again, Elementareon turned away, looking out the window.

"Then... answer me one more question. Do you think it can be possible for him? Do you think Darkrai can still change?"

Aurora spoke less to encourage Elementara than to actually convince herself.

"Epsilon will fall! He is the source of all these lies, all these false ideals. If their master fails, then his followers will also start to think anew. I'll tell you honestly how I think it is: As long as Epsilon terrorizes our world, we will not be able to convince anyone. No follower of Epsilon would question his ideals under the influence of an emperor like him. But we will destroy him and then not only Darkrai, but all of Epsilon's followers will see their wrongs! And only then, then should you talk to him again and then form your final opinion."
"Probably... you're right. One day I will see Darkrai again, no matter how. And whatever happens then, I will find out the truth. If I at least have certainty, whether good or bad, then I can hopefully move forward."

Aurora was pleased to see that her words and this entire conversation had obviously actually had the effect she had hoped for. Aurora was just about to say something when she was interrupted by a flash of light. Another Plothole. But when she didn't notice any changes in her surroundings, she continued.

"Until then... Elementareon, you still have friends and teammates who care about you. You mustn't let this incident break you. Even if you're having a hard time trusting right now, you shouldn't lose your trust in them. They're still your teammates and you all are still Team Nordika. The strongest of all teams in the league."
"Yes... you're right. And we want to keep that title, whether with Darkrai or without him. You're right."

Both of them remained silent for a moment.

"Thank you Aurora. That really helped me, even if I didn't want to admit it..."
"That's what I'm here for. As I said, I don't know exactly how you feel, but I understand that you're not well. And I know better than anyone that you need help in situations like this..."

Elementareon looked at her friend with interest.

"How come? Are there any particular reasons for that?"

Aurora paused for a moment. She had just praised openness and help so much, but now... old memories welled up in her, memories that she had tried to suppress for too long.

"I... I'm just not ready to talk about that yet. I'm sorry."

Her counterpart seemed understanding.

"I understand. There are things that you can only tell very few people."

Aurora added sadly.

"And there are Pokemon that can't find anyone they trust enough. They are... very private matters, you get me?"

Elementareon just nodded.

"Yes. Don't worry, I won't ask any more questions. But when you feel ready at some point, I'm ready to listen to you, OK? I owe it to you..."

Somehow Aurora felt guilty that she was now the one who refused to talk, but... it was as Team Nordika's leader had said. There were just things that you couldn't just tell anyone. One day, she hoped, Aurora would be ready to face her past. But more had to happen first, she had to truly get over it. But could she ever do that, as much as she was still attached to the Plot in order to be able to move forwards? All her thoughts were interrupted, however, when the entrance door to the floor opened and a Pokemon rushed in frantically.

"Kel? What's going on?"
"I need you to follow me! Quickly! As long as it still lasts! I... I know who Epsilon really is!"