Chapter 35

A Fleeing Chance

Seliph stared at the window, his eyes fixated on the distant horizon amid the rows of buildings of this town. The faint blue contrasted between them, heralding the morning's coming. He shifted to the side a little, taking his head off the wall he glanced over at the other two on the other side of the room.

The Garchomp was browsing around, his eyes glowing a solid purple with no trace of a pupil nor iris. His comrade was just standing there, arms crossed and eyes shut.

I guess they're using whatever gifts they have. Must be useful for detecting intruders. He looked back at the window. I don't like meeting in this hospital, but I suppose it's impressive this room is as quiet as it is. That or I'm already deaf and don't know it.

Seliph's musing was cut off as the door to the room opened. Instantly, he and the Norfarions turned to see Zebzenna enter with Dolly right behind her.

"I really think we should wait some time, just to see if Humphry wakes up." Dolly shut the door behind her.

"Sadly, we don't have time. We need a plan of action right now," Garon said, his eyes reverting back to their normal black with white iris.

Seliph turned his attention back to Dolly, who was leaning up against the wall akin to him but looking much more unsettled and irritated. I guess hospital work would do that to you. I doubt I could last an hour doing such things.

"Correct," Zebzenna said as she walked behind the hospital General Manager's desk and sat down. "I would rather have Humphry here too, but this is just the hand we've been dealt."

"I know, I know." Dolly sighed and sat down in a nearby seat, practically slacking about in it as if her muscles had vanished from her legs.

I wonder what kind of healer she is? If she has a healing move that would be good to know.

"Alright. So." Zebzenna's stare turned to the two Norfarions. "Introductions aside, what can you tell us about what we're dealing with?"

"That these Red Eyes are strong and we need to lay low," Garon replied and Swift nodded.

"Look, I'm going to need more answers than-"

"I'm sorry, we aren't trying to keep you in the dark. We just don't know the answers to those questions." The Heliolisk crossed his arms and looked at the bookcase. "My best guess is that Haxorus was a Red Eyes Enforcer. Enforcers are pretty much trained for warfare."

He did mention that over the com. Seliph rubbed his chin.

"And this one had the intelligence to approach through water to avoid Wary. I have no doubt he'll return soon since he knows we've been weakened," Garon added, gesturing his talon out. "Which is why we need to get the boys out of here. Find someplace to lay low till we can-"

"Vragon is in no condition to be moved." Dolly sat up in her chair, prompting Garon to face her. "His hands have puncture holes in them and need immediate treatment. The examination also revealed traces of him suffering from a seizure."

A seizure? Seliph raised a brow. I guess so given what I saw. Seliph paused as his eyes widened. Wait. Vragon was using his gift to stop Ciecro's Death Wrath. At least, I think it was. He crossed his arms and looked at the floor. How did I miss that? His gift was for healing, so then how did it stop Death Wrath? Father's wasn't stopped by healing and Ciecro's should be exactly like his.

"He had a seizure? When?" Garon asked, his and Swift's eyes widening with surprise.

"It was during the confrontation. Sometime during it, I wasn't there."

Seliph glanced at Dolly and then at the Norfarions. They might have some insight, but I don't know. He pressed a fist to his chin as his eyes narrowed. I've got a bad vibe about those two. I'm not sure just telling them about what I've learned is wise. I can wait a little bit, but I need to make an outlet for plausible deniability, just incase. Seliph raised his hand. "I was, but I didn't spot the moment exactly. One moment he was staring at his wounded hands, the next he was lying unconscious at Ciecro's feet."

"So Ciecro might know then?" Zebzenna inquired, but Dolly shook her head.

"If he does, he wouldn't say. He's…" Dolly pressed a hand on her forehead, mumbling something to herself, before continuing. "Not in a good mental state right now. I think we shouldn't burden the boy right now."

"Agreed," Swift said with a nod, making Seliph raise a brow in surprise. "Has he had these seizures before when using his gift?" The Heliolisk inquired.

"Only once. When he was healing a pretty bad wound."

Swift and Garon looked at each other with a serious look.

Seliph's eyes narrow. They have to know more. He looked up at the ceiling . Still, until I know for sure that healing won't undo the effects of Death Wrath, I cannot assume anything about Vragon. Sadly, those two seem to be my quickest access to that knowledge. I don't want to give them any hints though, just in case they do have ulterior motives. I'll ask them about it later when it can be in casual conversation.

That wasn't all that was troubling his mind. He thought back to the soul link he had with Vragon. What is the correlation? This odd gift, that white light he saw, and just… He shook his head. Stop trailing off. Speculate after we're on our way. Seliph gestured his hand out and added, "As much as it is risky, leaving Vragon here is not an option."

Garon nodded. "Agreed. The Red Eyes were clearly well coordinated and their leader very strong."

Swift moved his arms behind his head, tilting to the side as he crossed his left foot behind his right foot's ankle. "Yep. These guys are tenacious. I wouldn't be surprised if they attack in broad daylight now that they know a lot of the defenses are beaten back."

Dolly's head lowered.

It's obvious, even you get that. Seliph's stare narrowed slightly, feeling his patience wearing thin. Getting off the wall, he said, "Maybe he can get some quick treatment here? Just enough to make the trip for him easier?"

"Yes, we can treat his hands to keep them from getting infected or bleeding on the trip. It's just the seizure I'm worried about. He may be unconscious for days or worse, have some kind of internal damage. Supplying him with constant synergy is important when a subject is like this. Then there's the question of where would we even take him?" Dolly leaned on the side of the armrest.

"Commissioner, what towns are near here exactly?" Swift rubbed the back of his head, expressing a weak grin as Dolly and Seliph stared at him unamused. "My Triacalian Geography is a bit rusty."

Zebzenna sighed. "No town is really close to us like Perion, but the river runs eastward to the mountain ranges, so you could go up the river a ways and then head on foot to Bantal Town. You would make it in decent tim-"

"No!"

Seliph pulled his head from the wall, not at the mention of the town that was close to his old home, but because Dolly and Swift both objected simultaneously. In fact, their timing was so perfect, both stopped mid-talk and looked at each other confused.

About three seconds later, Swift nodded and stepped back giving Dolly the floor.

She kept her eye on him as she stood up and then looked at the Commissioner. "I don't know much about why, but I do know Humphry doesn't like Bantal Town."

"He doesn't?" The Tsareena tilted her head before her eyes lit up in realization. "Oh, is that why he didn't invite them for the testing?"

Dolly nodded. "Likely. He must have his reasons for distrusting them. And knowing Humphry, he doesn't hold a grudge unless he has serious reason to."

"But like you said, Vragon needs treatment and too long of a trip could cause problems. Plus, a good amount of my ranger force is either in the hospital or dealing with the aftermath. Even Tork has to rest for a few days and he's as tough as they come out here."

Seliph tuned out Zebzenna's words to think. Humphry has something against Bantal Town? That's news to me. He glanced over at Swift who was listening in silence, then at Garon who seemed to be listening more intently than his teammate. Guess they're not fond of Bantal either. He scowled and leaned his back against the wall, crossing his arms. Well, it was their turn to visit. Maybe they had a look around and found something ugly. Just another nugget of information I'll have to tactfully pry from them. Seliph sighed softly to himself. Back to planning.

He closed his eyes, imagining a picture of the map of the Travail Region of Triacal. Let's see…Bantal is out of the question for asylum, but the river is a good suggestion. We just need somewhere close by… Seliph focused back on the conversation.

"Plainier Town would be a good place to lay low, but it's too far of a trip for Vragon. We'd have to go through the Oran Forest and then around halfway through the Apple Woods to get it. There's some drop-offs that could interrupt our pathway too," Dolly said shaking her head.

"No road?" Swift inquired.

"No road," Dolly answered. "And if we go around that'd easily add two days or more."

"Well, shucks." Swift rubbed the back of his head.

"I could make a trip like that, but I do agree the tedious pathing may add too much time. Though, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Orenty Town in the Oran Forest? Perhaps I could take him there. I could make good time."

"Problem is Orenty is a very small town. They only have three rangers in their guild. Plus, they have a medical doctor, but no hospital. It's just so remote and the pathing tedious so supplies can't get there too often."

Garon nodded. "That's still better than no doctor."

"I don't like that." Dolly sat back down. "It would still take you more than a day to get there."

Swift shook his head. "Not Garon. He's almost as fast as I am." Garon nudged the Heliolisk with his leg. "Hey!"

"Just as." He winked at Swift before looking at Dolly with a serious face. "I promise no harm will come to him while he's under my guard. I can make it in less than a day from a close point on the river."

Dolly looked skeptical but also fearful. She sagged back in her chair as her stare drooped towards the floor. "I just…I'd like to hear Humphry's input."

"He's still unconscious." Seliph pointed out, shrugging at her scowl. "And the more time that passes the more likely we get attacked here in this town who's defenses have been exhausted. Unless you can conjure up another ranger guild and force, I say we move as soon as possible."

After about a minute of silence, she stood up. "Alright. But I and Jasmine are coming too. And I want to be present for everything. The harness, teaching you some medical actions to take in case something goes wrong, the works."

"Yes, ma'am," Garon said with a nod.

"Good. Then the rest of us will head there on foot," Swift said with an upbeat smile, quite the contrast to Seliph's silent scowl.

I guess I shouldn't complain too much about her coming. She's got skills, even if she doesn't have tact to match the Red Eyes' maneuvers. Though… The Greninja closed his eyes. This might be my best chance. It's a bit risky and would put off some other research, but I think if I get the answers I'm anticipating. He opened his eyes and got off the wall. "Wait," he said, holding his hand out as all eyes turned on him.

"Huh?"

Seliph walked to the window so he could look at everyone without having to turn his head. "They were able to track us here to Vergium Town. If we lead them to Orenty Town, we'd be in no better shape."

Dolly raised a brow.

"Remember," Seliph laid his hand on the desk. "We took a raft from Perion to here and they still followed us."

"Well…yes, but-"

"I could see that. That enforcer could be an expert in a tracking role." Swift rubbed his chin.

"So, hear me out." The room fell silent as Seliph spoke, "Garon can take Vragon directly to Orenty Town that much should stay the same. However, what if we take some additional rangers with us. We go about a reasonable distance before stopping and dropping off the group that will take the kids to Orenty Town. Then, we have a fake group that continues onwards to lead them off the trail."

Zebzenna rubbed her chin. "That's not a bad idea. But how do you intend to get them to follow this fake group?"

"Simple. We send out a message requesting provisions. Make it look like our merry band is heading through the mountains."

"How would that convince them though?" Dolly inquired.

Seliph did his best to hide his smile. "I would go with them and be visible in the message."

"Huh?" The room said in unison.

"I can handle myself. And me being there would make it much more convincing. I won't go all the way, just enough to send a message and then head for Orenty Town."

The room fell silent to ponder this.

Seliph crossed his arms and leaned against the wall again, confidence emanating from his posture. "Well? What do you all think of that?"

"It's sound," Zebzenna said with a nod. "I have no objections. We should have some rangers we can spare, and maybe some townsfolk that can-"

"One, minor suggestion."

Seliph glanced at Swift, who looked back at him. For a second, Seliph could feel the warm smile of the Heliolisk penetrate his being, a look that seemed to know and took pleasure in informing Seliph of that fact.

"I should go with you."

"What? Why?"

"I'm fast, duh." Swift shrugged. "I've got my gift too. If the Red Eyes are coming, we can book it off that raft and hurry onwards. Hell, I could even lead them off the track if needed."

Seliph's mouth shut as his stare shifted to one of irritation.

Swift, however, just kept a friendly smile aimed at Seliph, unfazed at the Greninja's change in mood. "Like I said, Garon is almost as fast as I am. Keeping those Red Eyes busy will be child's play." He pressed his hands on his sides, puffing out his yellow chest, and bore a proud look on his face.

Meanwhile, Garon just rolled his eyes and said with a soft tone, "If only your reflexes were faster than mine. Then maybe you wouldn't keep running into things."

"Liar." Swift chuckled.

"Can we focus please?" Dolly crossed her arms. "We have a plan now so we need to set things up."

But Seliph wasn't focused on the conversation anymore. His eyes were fixated on the Heliolisk with a narrow gaze. Clever little bastard aren't you. His hand slowly moved to clamp on top of his belt pouch, almost feeling the vial inside through the fabric. And covering it up with sound reasoning too. Well, good move, either you want that information too or you want to keep an eye on me. If the latter, then well…the feeling is mutual, Uncle Swift.

O

Muffled snoring filled a small room. Light from the recently risen sun shone down through the slits of the window and onto the wooden bed frame. Underneath the bland cloth a hand was poking out, hung over the wooden side and dangling. It was covered in black fur with sharp, red nails. It gently swayed back and forth in tune with the snoring of the mon sleeping. Suddenly, the figure stirred, snorting as he pushed up off his stomach and shook his groggy head.

"What?" He rolled onto his bum and rubbed his face, slowly waking up. "What time is it?" He leaned over and grabbed an orb from the random items lying on the dresser next to the bed. As soon as he twisted the orb to project the time, he became enraged. "What? Two hours before my alarm!" He threw the orb across the room. "Apparently, sleep is overrated to my-" He paused as his eyes narrowed.

He started looking around, feeling the covers and checking the items on top until he spotted a red flashing light coming from under the bed. "Stupid." He leaned over and felt down under until he felt a hard, diamond-shaped stone. He sat in his bed and stared at the red crystal in his hands. "Whoever is trying to talk to me better have a good reason to wake me up." He shut his eyes as the Red Crystal stopped flashing the red light and instead held the gleam at a constant glow. It lifted itself from his hand and hovered.

His body became lighter and more alert as he found himself standing in darkness. "Alright. What is it?" He asked the vast beyond as he started rubbing his face.

"Is that how you talk to everyone that contacts you, Plageues?"

"Daemon?" He took his hand away and looked to the side, seeing the Dusknoir staring at him with a stern gaze. He swung his arms wide, saying with a smile on his face. "Daemon, how nice to see you. About time you make room in your busy schedule to-"

"I'm not here to chat. I'm here to give you an assignment."

A heavy sigh came from the Zoroark as he crossed his arms and shook his head. "Business, business, business. I'd say to take a moment to relax if you weren't deathly allergic to just being idle for a few seconds," he said with a cheeky chuckle.

"Amusing, given your laziness almost cost you your life already."

Plageues's smile went. "My, you are in a bad mood today. What's up?"

"None of your concern. Now, please give me your undivided attention. We have a bit to go ov-"

"Daemon, Daemon." Plageues spoke, with a teasing grin as he strode over to the Dusknoir and put his arm around the ghost's shoulders, feeling the stiffness as he touched. Plageues drank the awkward tension he felt from the Dusknoir until finally the ghost spoke.

"What?"

He shut his eyes and with an innocent smile said, "I'm better at listening when I'm this close."

Daemon shoved him back as the Zoroark laughed. The ghost brushed his arms as if to cleanse them of the contact. "You really are a fool."

"And you're really bad venting." Plageues crossed his arms and gave Daemon a stern look. "Now come on, fess up. What's eating you?"

Daemon pressed a finger to his shut eye. "Plageues, just please stop being difficult. Let me just get this over with."

"Nope." He shrugged and chuckled. "I know you too well. It's my duty as a friend to mitigate the explosion your temper will make if you keep focusing on your work."

"You aren't my mediator." Daemon crossed his arms, his eye narrowing with anger.

"But I'm your friend. So what's wrong? Your experiments not goin-" Plageues gasped as Daemon swung a backhanded fist at him. He pulled back, but not before Daemon stopped his arm a mere half an inch from Plageues's snout. "Woah, what's your deal?" He inquired asked, his tone now taking a more serious, more defensive articulation. I wasn't mocking him. I know better than to mock his situation.

"My deal is that you keep playing mind doctor instead of being silent. I remind you that in the Red Eyes, I'm your superior and you will not ignore my command to listen to the mission."

"Fine. If that's what you want." Daemon snarled as he looked to the side.

Better to let him have his way. He'll be more open that way. He softened his scowl and glanced at Daemon. "Alright, so you mentioned you had a mission for me?"

"Yes…you are now being assigned to capture a target as well as retrieve one of our formula samples from Seliph Almkin."

Plageues smirked and rubbed his chin. "Ah, I see. And if your highness might be so kind as to allow me to pose one inquiry." He felt his mischievous joy building up inside as he saw Daemon grow irritated by his satirical reply. "I was under the impression that someone else was handling that. We received your message about the plan. So did something go wrong?"

Daemon crossed his arms and looked to the side. "It was ordered by the Red Eyes Lords."

"Lords?" Plageues crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Or Lord?"

"That is irreleva-"

"I'm sorry, I can't do this." Plageues pressed a finger to his forehead and said. "Daemon, tell me directly. Who gave that order?" Before Daemon could retort, Plageues looked him square in the eye and said, "For old times' sake, at least."

The Dusknoir paused as his single eye lowered. "Lord Azazel."

Instantly, Plageues felt a rush of dread filled his body. "So then…the mon leading the mission is Trishula." Upon seeing Daemon nod his head, Plageues's anger burned. His fists clenched and his eyes narrowed. "So he finally let out poor Trishula from whatever cage he made for him, only to put him right back in. What a deranged collection of scales and poison."

Daemon gave him a stern gaze but didn't say any retort. It was clear there were mutual feelings Daemon shared with that statement.

After a calming breath, Plageues looked at his friend and said, "I assume he had you tell Trishula and our friend didn't take it well."

Daemon turned to the side, staring off into the darkness, the contrasting colors of red and blue in his eye never being more visible to see than now. "He didn't."

"I'm sorry." Plageues looked to the side, feeling a mix of sympathy for and anger for the Red Eyes Lord in his heart. No, it won't do us any good here. If Daemon doesn't want to foul mouth our dear Lord Azazel, I shouldn't bring it up. I know he hates that stupid mon's guts. "Sorry for interrupting. If you're ready, go on."

Daemon nodded and continued, "Based on Trishula's report, two Norfarion operatives were assisting the target and the rangers defending him. We've ID'd them as Swift Rubris and Garon Rob Rubris."

Instantly, excitement filled Plageues as he raised a brow and with a teasing tone said, "Ohhh? How interesting. I can see why you picked me now."

"Yes. Your tracking skills exceptionalism aside, you know them well enough. I'm confident you will handle this situation."

"Oh most definitely." Plageues looked at his claw. I don't know what I look forward to more. Tearing through that Heliolisk's body as your 'friend' watches or telling you, dear little Swift, that your image was instrumental in your teammates' death. Oh this will be an encore I've been worried was canceled.

"Ahem…"

"Sorry, sorry, daydreaming, you know me." Plageues shrugged and rolled his wrist. "But yeah, track the target and formula down, kill or maim the Norfarions and anyone in the way, blah, blah, blah."

"Not all of them."

"Oh?" Plageues crossed his arms. "Who else is so important that they get the 'do not kill' privilege, hmmmm?" He leaned over, raising a brow as he stared into Daemon's unamused eye.

"I presume this won't bother you too much, but your earlier report about Seliph being an only child was incorrect."

The Zoroark's face went blank. If his fur didn't obscure his skin, it would have shown his face going white as a ghost.

"Seliph apparently has two siblings. Both seemed to be friends of your Fraxure target."

Plageues turned his back to Daemon and looked at his hands. He didn't respond to Daemon saying his name, instead he raised his right hand to touch his cheek. His face vibrated from a memory of the overwhelming feeling he had felt eight years ago. From the time he had been mauled by a feral like Feraligatr and beaten down by a blinded, bleeding out Blaziken. His head jolted up as he felt Daemon touch his shoulder.

"Plageues, are you alright?"

The ends of Plageue's mouth began to turn upwards as a soft, slow laugh followed. "Oh no, Daemon. I'm not alright. I'm beyond elated." He turned his head slightly, so he could look at Daemon with a crazed look of glee. "Tell me, is one a Totodile?"

Daemon's eye widened for a second before settling back to a calmer state. "Croconaw."

"That'll do," Plageues darkly chuckled to himself as he looked back to the darkness at his feet. "That'll do nicely."

Daemon coughed. "Before you get any ideas. You are supposed to capture them alive. In the event we fail to retrieve the formula from Seliph, they will be bargaining chips to get it."

Plageues placed a hand over his eyes and laughed. "Yes, yes, I understand." Eyes wide with imagination, Plageues raised his head. Oh, what horrible fate dost thee have, being a sibling of that fool, being a son of that creature. Tis truly sad for you how glad you'll make me when we meet. "What's his name?"

"Focus Plageues."

The Zoroark sighed, his emotions pulling down and being annoyed all the way back to stableness. He rolled his wrist and said, "Fine, fine. I'm listening."

"Good. They were last confronted in Vergium Town about an hour ago. I've instructed Trishula's operatives to remain nearby. Those operatives being a Gallade and a Gengar. Both have suffered injuries, however, so pursuit from them alone is unideal."

"That's fine." Plageues cracked his fingers above his head. "I was planning on getting more help anyway."

"Anyone specific you can tell me to request for?"

"Just anyone local. In the nearby towns of that region." The Zoroark rolled his neck as he smiled. "I'll give them more direct orders tonight once I arrive in Bantal.

Daemon tilted his head. "I was informed you were serving Chenoo in the South."

"I am." Plageues glanced at his claws' nails.

"How are you going to get there so quickly? And why Bantal Town?"

"Easy, I'll just ask Chenoo to get the rangers to make a false resupply for Bantal Town and smuggle me there. Bantal should have everything I need for a good start," Plageues moved his hand on his hip and tilted his head same as Daemon. "It's close enough and entirely cooperative with us so I won't have to waste time laying low."

"I see." Daemon nodded. The ghost's head lowered to the side for a second, pondering something before facing the Zoroark again.

What followed was a strange silence, confusing Plageues as Daemon just looked at him calmly. "Anything else?" He asked, flinching a little as Daemon floated up to him a second after he asked this question.

"One last thing."

"What?" Plageues froze as Daemon put his hands on the Zoroark's shoulders. The blue pupil stared into Plageues's soul with an intensity and sincerity that had been absent this entire conversation.

"Please take this mission seriously. Don't underestimate them like Trishula did, and more importantly, don't play around."

Plageues grunted and put his hands on Daemon's arms, slowly pushing them off. "I'll be fine, Daemon, I-" He stopped as he felt Daemon resist his attempts to free his shoulders. The ghost's fingers clenched tighter to the point it actually hurt a little.

"Listen to me," Daemon spoke in a low, almost threatening tone. "I know you don't care if you stay some remote grunt for our outer operations forever. I don't care about your lack of ambitions, but I do care about your well-being. Seliph has killed Red Eyes before and out of our entire organization, you are the one he would seek to destroy the most. Swear to me that you won't play around with him."

Plageues's expression softened, but retained some of its confidence. "You know me, I won't promise something dull like that. But I'll…be careful. For your sake."

Daemon sighed and removed his hands. "I suppose that's the best I can hope for." His tone held a sense of aggression, but Plageues knew better than to hold it against Daemon. The ghost turned around and put his hands behind his back, the typical poise of this formal Dusknoir. "Contact me once you land. I will inform you of any updates."

Plageues scowled slightly as Daemon slowly faded away, leaving him alone in the darkness. The Zoroark slowly reached his claw up to his cheek and closed his eyes. I'll be fine, Daemon. Besides. He felt his body grow heavy, he felt himself sitting up in bed rather than standing, and he felt the sensation surge further in his cheek. His eyes opened to stare at the wall past his footrest. I have no intention of spoiling my food. A sadistic smile spread across his face as his hand shifted to cover the entire front of his head, left eye staring through the hold in his fingers. I want to savor every second of that Croconaw's last moments. I want to imagine the agony that son of a bitch would have wherever he is at seeing his son in such a sorry state, powerless to stop me. I've always liked brutish antagnoists suffering painful tragedy. Something appealing about seeing the strong become powerless for once. His eyes lowered as the voice in his head became more somber. If only Lord Azazel could suffer in agony like you, Norfarion. His eyes shut. But maybe this will have some opportunity. I hope so. But even if it doesn't… The smile returned from beneath his hand. I get to tear into his face this time through that offspring.