Chapter 168 – Rally and Recover
Claws of Shadow and Radiance slammed into Owen's ethereal shields.
The shockwaves left craters in the field. Sparks trailed through the dirt and singed the grass, darkening them with a strange blight or leaving them glowing with energy.
The flame of Hardscale's tail had taken on a similar glow. His eyes had a hint of frenzy that Mega Evolution always had, but with Red behind him, standing firm, Owen sensed the way their spirits were entwined. Hardscale was in perfect control of himself. The instability of Radiance and the spirit-plunging corrosion of Shadow were kept in check.
Red shouted and swept his arm forward. Hardscale roared and blew a jet of flames, spiraling with black and white embers, toward Owen's shield. He grasped it, claimed it as his own, let it snake around his shoulders, and shot it back.
Hardscale responded by shielding it with his wings and then spreading them out. The windblast forced Owen back a few feet, claws leaving ridges in the dirt.
The battle had a moment of silence. Mutually, they understood they'd done enough. Red tipped his hat forward in acknowledgment.
"I think," Owen said, "that… will do. Good job, Hardscale."
Light pulsed around his brother, his body returning to normal.
"It's so powerful," he said. "But… but I can control it now. Better than before…"
Owen grinned. "Well, that was a few weeks ago," he said. "You only hurt me a few times. I've had worse."
Blue's Pidgeot cawed and spiraled onto Zena, who parried the attack with an Aqua Tail. She struggled a lot more against her foe without Owen's ability to grasp and reflect attacks but she held her own enough. Mu, standing behind Blue, pumped her little fists in the air, cheering Zena on.
"Looks like your rival's doing well, too," Owen said. "I think… I think we're done here."
"You're going to another region now?" asked Hardscale.
Owen nodded. "I already said goodbye to Duos. He doesn't want to get involved in all this and I don't blame him. He deserves a quiet life now. Same for all the others… Blue sent word to them. And I wrote to them. Maybe when this all settles down, I can… try seeing them. But I guess what we have to do back home caught up with us."
"Home?" Hardscale asked. "I thought here was home."
Owen opened his mouth, pausing. Then he smiled and looked down. "Yeah," he lied.
Too much had changed. But… he understood where Hardscale was coming from.
"You've been on a lot of adventures even to other regions with Redcap, haven't you?" Owen asked Hardscale. "But here is still home?"
"Yeah! Because that's where I came from." Hardscale faced south where the lab was one town over. "It's important. Now more than ever, since Mom's gone…"
A little tightness in his chest reminded Owen that he still needed to heal from that. Perhaps he'd never fully heal. But maybe… she was resting now. He didn't know how it worked in this world. But surely, she was.
"It'll always be a home to me," Owen agreed.
"What are you gonna do in Alola?" Hardscale asked.
"Well… I was going to stop by for a way to get home. But now that Dungeons are appearing, we already have a way. Now, I want to go there to give information I know and maybe find ways to get information to help us too. Then… We're going to take a flight to Orre."
"Huh? How come? Isn't that… where you disappeared?"
A while ago, Owen had filled Harscale in on some of the details.
"Yeah. But I know that Shadow incidents happened there," he explained. "They might have a way to help us against our own Shadow problem."
"Ohh!" Hardscale nodded. "Now I get it."
He didn't, and Owen knew it. But that was fine.
"…Goodbye, Hardscale. I'm glad you found such a strong human."
Hardscale smiled. But that finality dimmed his flame.
Blue clapped his hands. "Well," he said. "You ready to go? That flight's waiting. Good timing, eh? Guess we trained a little extra with the spare days, but…"
"Yeah." Owen nodded. "Red, Blue, make sure you take care of any Dungeons that appear in this area. Pass on that power to others if you can with those extra stones I blessed. Only people you can trust, okay?"
"You got it. We know how dangerous this stuff can be." Blue nodded, as did Red. "You've got the eyes of a lot of big names on this. They'll help."
A Charmander abruptly appeared atop Owen's head, plopping between his horns. "Daddy!" Mu said, flopping down so her face rested between his eyes. "I'm bored!"
"But you were watching Mom fight!" Owen said, grabbing Mu with one arm. She giggled and wrapped her tail around his wrist, the flame simultaneously hot and cold as it glowed black and white.
"Perhaps she wants to fight, too," Zena commented with an encouraging smile. "You're still very young for that, Mu. Maybe later."
"Aww…" Mu flailed in Owen's hold.
It was concerning how quickly Mu was growing up, but at least it meant dealing with her early stages of life wouldn't be as tumultuous. If she was anything like his siblings growing up, that would've been a real handful.
"Let's get ready," Owen said after Red handed them their Poké Balls.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Kanto. Owen wondered if this time would truly be the last…
He thought of his father. How much longer would he live? Could he go back to see him again?
No… No. They'd already said goodbye, and he was ready. Daichi was satisfied. To return now… He'd only be chastised for wasting time.
It was time to move forward. Just as Red and Blue now had to pass on their training and blessings to save this world, Owen had to get back to work on saving his new home.
And so, they moved on.
Trina's army had been whittled down to a squadron after all that had transpired, but those who remained were training to become her elites. And at the top was, of course, the only quartet of Eon's old army, aside from the originals. The improved Team Alloy… the clones made to replace Eon's lost companions. A cruel existence.
At least they were more at peace now.
In Yotta Outskirts, where the fields were regrowing wheat after fires and mutant clashes had ruined them, Trina surveyed her remaining squadron of thirty. Their tendency to stick together meant that no set was without a unit, so their fusions were not disrupted. But there was a loneliness in the air regardless, so many others lost to the Void or their natural madness.
"I'm glad to still have you here," she addressed them. "I promise, when this is over, we will gather every one of our friends and save them."
Har crossed his arms nervously. "I'm really glad you're back, Queen Trina," he said, "but… a lot's changed since you were here last. Is it alright if I asked a few… questions?"
"Ask as many as you like. I'm… sorry I've been gone for so long."
"Only been a few days," Ax said, playing with his tusks. "It's just a lot happened during those few days."
Har breathed a sigh. "The mutants who aren't… with us anymore. Do you know what happened to all of them?"
The Serperior's coils tightened. "Some died and went to the Voidlands. They… may not be themselves or remember anything of their lives. But we can reverse that when we defeat Dark Matter. They can be at peace afterward. Others got lost and they are in the lab they'd been created in—Quartz HQ. Palkia is spearheading an effort of repurposing some of it and mutants there are helping after… Emily ruined a lot of it. Eon is also helping to stabilize them… The ones that survived should be in good hands by now."
"So… none are wandering around berserk anymore?" Har clarified.
"I don't… I don't know for sure. I don't know if the ones still missing are wandering or dead. I'm sorry."
At that, the other mutants shifted uncomfortably and nodded in understanding. Despite everything—despite how Trina herself felt about it—she didn't sense animosity from them. They didn't blame her.
It nagged at her.
"It's my fault," she said quietly.
"Nope. Nu-uh. We're not having that," Lygo said firmly. "Without you, we'd've been way worse off. Yeah, for the ones who went crazy, it was delaying the inevitable. Fine. But delaying is better than it happening immediately.
"You still saved us."
"Don't say it's your fault," Ami went on. The mutant Meganium's vines curled inward. "The person who really should be blamed is Eon. Not you. You saved us."
In a pocket of silence, she knew they were right. But still, she could not shake the feeling of guilt.
Suddenly, the squadron's eyes turned to something behind Trina. Moments later, a gust of wind alerted her to Gahi's arrival.
"Oi, Trina," he said.
"Oh! Gahi." Trina twisted her coils until she was facing him, shifting unconsciously. "Hello."
Gahi held a small package forward. It smelled like meat and spices. "Got y'lunch."
"Oh. I didn't… realize I hadn't eaten lunch. And I don't… need to, but…" She hooked her vine beneath the paper package's handle. "Thank you."
"Ehh, y'had a rough one, figured you'd like somethin'." Gahi glanced at the squadron. "Oh, hey."
"Hi?" Har squinted. "…Where's the rest of your team?"
"Owen's on vacation," Gahi said.
Ax squinted. "…Vacation?"
"Uh, he got shot inter Kanto."
"Where's Kanto?" Ax asked.
Gahi shrugged. "One universe away? He'll be back."
"Y-you don't just… get shot into another universe!" Lygo said as the others in the squadron murmured in alarm.
"Is he okay?" Har asked.
"Arceus said he was. I figure he's right. I mean, that was befer we beat 'im up fer goin' crazy, but like, Dialga said he was normal." Gahi picked at a few loose scales on his cheek.
Ani groaned, rubbing her forehead with a vine. "Your answers are raising more questions… We should quit before it gets worse.
"Get used to it," Har mumbled, sighing. "I think that's just how they operate now. Glad I'm away from that…"
"When're you gonna be done with this?" Gahi asked Trina.
"Er, Gahi, I'll… be done soon. I was just getting a rallying… conference."
By now, the mutants were murmuring to one another, eyeing Gahi and Trina curiously. Ani's brow was furrowed, inspecting the two of them.
"I think we're finished," Har said. "So… you know, it's alright if we dismiss here. I can handle the rest."
"Oh, no, we… I mean, yes, I suppose we were about done…"
Why was she getting so flustered? She sighed, calming herself. "Thank you, Har. That will be everything. Please, everyone, relax for today. We will get through drills and training for any imminent battles tomorrow. Dismissed."
The mutants stood straight, then relaxed and dispersed. Har and his team remained, though, getting a little closer.
"Yes?" Trina asked.
"Are you two…?" Ax gestured between Gahi and Trina.
"What?" Gahi asked.
"Feels like it," Ani said.
Har confirmed with a nod.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Trina said evasively. "…I'm… simply… thinking about things, that's all."
Not a thought seemed to pass through Gahi's head.
"I got some lunch fer myself, too," Gahi said. "I think I'm gonna eat with yeh. Make sure y'ain't neglectin' that."
"She doesn't even have to eat, does she?" Ani asked.
"Nah. Without too many spirits, that whole thing kinda falls apart er somethin'," Gahi explained.
Har looked between them again. "Um, My Queen, could I… ask something?"
"Of course."
"…Are you two courting?"
"Wh-what?!" Trina coiled tighter.
"Yeah," Gahi replied.
"WHAT?" Trina, losing her composure, whirled around to face Gahi in a lunging position.
Gahi blinked several times, completely unfazed. "I mean, it's kinda obvious."
"Gahi, courting is—that isn't—"
"That makes sense," Ani said.
Ax nodded, arms crossed. Har, too, looked unsurprised.
"I have a say in this, too!" Trina said. "Gahi! You did not… ask me!"
"Oh. Is that how it works?" Gahi asked. "That part's kinda foggy still, gonna be honest." He scratched at the side of his head, running a hand along his left antenna next.
"Do you even know what courting is?" Trina said. "Who told you we were courting?"
"The letters in my head."
"The—the letters. Do you mean the Unown?"
"Yeah."
"…And they told you about courting?"
"No, jus' that I was courting."
"…Gahi, please ask the letters what courting is."
Gahi stared at the sky. Trina wasn't sure how much he relied on those 'letters' anymore, but… he seemed to still be his own person. Though, in some ways, she wondered how those Unown could tolerate such a curious host, so unlike the Psychic associations.
"Oh," Gahi said. "Huh. Didn' know that was th' term."
"I can't believe we're related," Lygo deadpanned.
Ax patted Lygo on the back.
"So, you wanna?" Gahi offered.
"W-wanna? Do I… want… courting." Trina took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Thought about Har's observations.
Yes, he was right, she was comfortable around him. After all their time together surviving alone in the Voidlands, the way he understood her position as the leader of the rescued mutants, the fact that they could perfectly split dinners based on the ingredients they didn't like…
"I like you," Gahi said, tilting his head. "Courting is when y'figure out how much more, yeah?"
The sun was a lot hotter today.
Trina took another breath, held it, and finally relaxed her coils. She couldn't admit it now, but she had been… considering it, too. But Gahi always seemed so aloof, so focused on other things, and there was of course the whole ongoing Shadow War happening which was a little distracting. She hadn't gotten around to asking.
But after spending so much time leading mutants, being at the same level as one not associated with her subjects was… different. Refreshing. A little forbidden. But…
She did consider Gahi a friend. Yet, she considered many of their group friends. Something about Gahi stood out more.
Maybe it was how direct he was. So often, people were hesitant around her, afraid she might control them or impose something with her powers. Gahi never showed any of that.
And, admittedly, the way he was so unfazed about it impressed her. When she looked up at his eyes, through those red lenses… she saw, behind a casual façade, a fearful echo of hope in them.
Gahi must have lost interest in waiting for an answer because he was staring at the fields. She couldn't get a read on him anymore. Was he nervous? Being patient? Gahi wasn't patient. Maybe he didn't mind. Har, Ani, and Lygo were sharing nervous, awkward glances.
"I… may I demonstrate my answer?" Trina asked.
"Eh?"
"About courting."
"Oh. Sure." Gahi replied, though his wings had drooped an inch. Was he trying to play casual, and now he was interpreting that as rejection?
Well, she couldn't allow that.
Trina slithered forward and raised herself to his height. She leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek, holding it for a few moments. His scales were smooth. Unsurprising for their glossy, shimmering appearance in the light.
She pulled away and straightened herself again to look regal.
Gahi blinked again. "…What's that mean?"
Lygo looked like he was about to die.
"What does that mean? Gahi, that's a kiss! A means of affection! Between people!" Trina leaned forward. "Surely, you know what a kiss is?"
"I thought that was a mammal thing."
"Yes, well, cultures… some means of… Gahi, how do you show affection?"
Gahi seemed to be thinking. Then, in his usual, way too fast manner, he stepped forward and bit Trina on the neck.
"OW!" Trina whirled back before the sharp pain got any worse. "Gahi! You tore my leaf!" She nursed the wound with a vine.
"Wh—that's how Flygon do it, c'mon!" Gahi flapped his wings. "Aw, c'mon, I'll, uh, hang on, I'll get an Oran—"
"Wait, don't—"
Gahi left her vision for a moment. When she blinked, he was by her side with an Oran Berry and she had no idea where or how.
"Let's go," Ani said, apparently seeing enough. "They can enjoy lunch."
Trina took the Oran with a frazzled "Thank you," as Har's team departed.
"Geh… messed that one up," Gahi mumbled. "…Sorry. Jus'… never did this in a while. And kinda fergot when I did… I dunno, must've just been lucky th' times befer this."
"I see." The Serperior was calm enough that her coils left their defensive positioning. "…I'm… not familiar, either, admittedly."
They started through the fields, looking for a relaxing patch to rest and eat. Gentle winds blew the snow over a struggling crop. While Trina was the Bug Guardian, she did have powers over Grass as well. She channeled some of her energy into the fields to help them grow through the winter. It was a natural courtesy.
"You got amnesia, too?" Gahi asked.
"No. Well… yes. I don't know. It's more that, it's been a while." Trina sighed. "I used to… I was once a spirit that served under Arceus. My life before that is foggy not from anything like divine seals or special powers, Gahi, but… time. But I was told that with my power, I had to be ready to use it to purify the minds of those who had been warped by powers against nature. When I saw the first mutants… I knew what I had to do."
Gahi cocked his head. His antennae twitched. "Hang on," he said. "So ol' Barky knew there'd be mutants, ev'n back then? He got cogwheels?"
It took Trina several seconds to realize what he meant. "…Precognition. And, no, I don't think he does."
"Huh." Gahi reappeared several feet ahead. "Here's a good spot!"
By the time Trina caught up, Gahi had disappeared and reappeared with a red blanket, setting it down and plopping on the left side. Trina coiled on the right.
He'd bought a heavy, meaty meal, simmered in savory berries and drizzled with vegetables, spices, and rice. Trina wasn't sure how well she could eat it, but it seemed tasty.
"Here," Gahi said, offering a wooden fork.
"Oh."
"Helps pick stuff up easier without usin' vines and stuff."
Trina coiled around her plate and nodded. "Thank you," she said, looming over her meal and awkwardly holding the fork with her vine. It had been a while since she'd eaten… fancy. Was this fancy?
Gahi had ordered the same thing, but it smelled spicier.
"You can handle that?"
"Not the way Owen c'n handle spice," Gahi replied. He took a few small nibbles, grabbing the meat with his bare hands.
"Mm." She stabbed her fork into the meat, getting a few veggies and berries with it, and picked the whole slab of meat up, nearly as large as her head.
"You think he's doin' alright?" Gahi asked.
"The others seem confident, don't they?" she asked.
Gahi tore off a tougher piece, chewing on the thought. Trina stuffed the whole slab in her mouth and pushed her coils forward on reflex, tilting her head up. It was a mix of savory and a hint of sweet and bitter to keep the flavors balanced. It was a honey glaze on this meat, fatty and filling. The most satisfying part was the residual warmth through her body.
She sighed, easing her body down. Her instinct to curl up and rest was already settling in…
"I used ter do that," Gahi commented.
"Hm?"
Gahi leaned over and offered a piece of bread, dabbing it on her mouth, showing some grease. Trina took it, wiped her mouth, and downed the bread next.
"Eatin' big."
"Oh. Why don't you anymore?"
"Mouth got smaller."
"Oh. Trapinch." That made sense. "I certainly don't miss being a Snivy."
"Kinda liked Trapinch in hindsight. Like, Flygon's way better, yeah. But I liked the surprised look people had when I went an' dashed behind 'em."
"Still just as fast back then, were you?"
Gahi stretched his wings proudly. "Fastest peanut in the world."
"Peanut?" Trina giggled, wrapping her vine around her plate. "What does that make you now?"
"Hmm…" Gahi's tail flicked. "Asparagus."
"Asparagus? Long and green?" Trina tilted her plate into her mouth, pouring all the rice and extra fixings down at once.
Gahi nodded. "An' yer a banana."
Trina nearly coughed but managed to finish her food. "B-banana?"
Gahi pointed at her hood. "Serperior look like bananas."
"I…" She couldn't find a retort. "Green bananas aren't very good, though."
"Sure they are!" Gahi said. "Means they ain't gone bad yet. Y'ever see a banana in Hot Spot? Practically can watch the brown spots grow in real-time."
"Well, hopefully, if I lose this Orb, I won't brown the same way." Trina set her plate aside. Gahi wasn't even a quarter finished with his.
"Did yeh like it?" Gahi asked.
"I did." Trina smiled nervously. "Sorry if I went too quickly for you."
Gahi's tail flicked. "Nah," he said. "Jus' means I gotta eat faster next time."
Trina tittered at that, deciding not to point out that wasn't what he should've taken from that.
She watched him eat again, quickly but meticulously. He always changed from rice to picking at a veggie or two and then returned to the meat, no part of the meal holding his attention for very long.
Courting. How… funny. A year ago, Gahi was the last person she imagined she'd ever consider.
His simple honesty… grounded her. He didn't revere her like other mutants. He didn't need her.
For now, she had to focus on her army. They had to mobilize to support the fight against the "Fragments of Darkness."
But… having Gahi around for that didn't sound so bad.
A shadowy entity crawled across the floors of Destiny Tower, leaping between cracks and up the stairs like they were water. Spiraling up and into the operational Teleporter and reappearing at the fiftieth floor. The midway point, where Destiny Tower's physical presence transcended into the aether.
He slipped through without issue and continued up the spiral, finding a second divine Teleporter. So convenient. Barky did a good job.
Someone was talking in one of the strategy rooms on the… oh, what floor was this, somewhere in the nineties, now? It sounded like Owen, but he wasn't around.
". . . unknown, but with Alexander still recovering, and Nate handling Necrozma, it's clear that our best target should be Emily."
Nate tilted his head. He was handling Necrozma that well? Such a glowing compliment from not-Owen. Was it Har? No, he was training with Trina and the mutant army.
Hello?
"What was that?" growled the Charizard. "…Oh. Nate. It's you."
Hello, Darkness, my old friend.
"Mm." Diyem, the Charizard with a black flame, sighed.
You sound a lot like Owen.
"My body reflected his due to some entanglement issues. I could also be a Goodra, but there are… inconveniences."
Nate bobbed.
"How are you here? Aren't you busy with Necrozma?"
I'm everywhere.
"Comforting."
I wanted to check on everyone… like Hecto. And Willow.
"Wonderful, we have three multi-present people wandering around Kilo, and one of them is potentially an active threat waiting to happen."
I'm an active threat?
"No, you're just weird. I was talking about Willow. Xerneas was able to determine that Willow and Hoopa are the same soul. So, we're more or less waiting for that to blow up in our faces in a few days." Diyem pointed at a part of the left wall where 'WILLOW' was circled in red and connected to several other 'liabilities' on some kind of interaction map.
Oh. So you're going to go after Emily? I think she's wandering in the eastern parts of Kilo right now.
"Mm, thank you. That might be—wait. That's meaningless." Diyem punched forehead. "Dungeons are making the cardinal directions meaningless."
It's not that bad. Even though everything is shuffled, local areas are more likely to be where they used to be. Most cold spots are where Step used to be.
"Really?" Diyem asked. "Hmm. It wasn't always like that, was it?"
Nate shook his head and hopped onto the table, looking at all of their plans.
Barky eyed him warily.
In response, Nate tilted his gaze upward. Underneath the spirit cloth he'd conjured for himself, Nate curled his shapeless darkness inward.
"…I have memories of you," Barky said. "You only showed up to… consume the Tree of Life. I thought it was the end of the world. Yet then, you disappeared."
The Tree of Life is my home. I was protecting it.
Diyem sighed. "Well, I suppose that means we have two abominations that protect things by eating them. Wonderful. Speaking of which, if Emily is wandering in the east side, is there anything in immediate danger?"
No, but that could change overnight. She is searching for Tanneth, her other half.
"She's off the mark," Diyem said. "She seems to have a gateway on the island where Necrozma had once been, but that is very far removed from where she's being kept now."
"But hold on," Barky said. "I don't understand what you are, Nate. I did not create you. Are you like Diyem?"
I don't know what I am. I was here with the first souls of Kilo when it was still called Quartz. I heard all of the voices and thoughts of the people inside who wanted to make a better world. Their hopes and struggles… I felt them all.
"In other words," Diyem said, "he is my opposite. Where I am all the pain that Kilo feels, and all of its negativity, Nate gets the rest. Its hope and defiance to survive." He glared at him. "We're supposed to be enemies."
It doesn't have to be that way.
"We will forever be opposed," Diyem stated. "…But I suppose that does not mean we have to be at each other's throats. Only that we will always experience what the other doesn't… and we are both tied to the fabric of this universe. I think…" He looked at Star. "Yes. Nate and I were born from the same instant you created Kilo. Your fear and regrets… became me, and I became sensitive to all the world's flaws. Your hopes and desire to do better, to survive, to save people? That became Nate. He is the voice of the souls who want to persist in Kilo, despite all its struggles. He is Kilo's Voice of Life."
"Voice of Life…" Star repeated the term, staring at Nate curiously. "I like that…"
Diyem growled and crossed his arms. "I think it's corny."
"Okay, Darkness Diyem Dark Matter," Star quipped.
"Most of those were bestowed onto me," Diyem pointed out.
Star rolled her eyes. "Well, anyway… Barky, what's got you hung up on that?"
Barky stared at Nate for a little while longer. "Is there something you aren't telling us?"
…Is Owen safe to return soon?
"He is in the world Quartz originated from," Barky said. "He should return eventually, once we gather our strength to resummon him. It will be a few days. For him, perhaps a year to recover, and I hope he uses that time to train and not lose his strength."
Okay. That's fine. As long as he can come back, because… I still need to complete my part in all of this. I can still feel him over there.
"Huh?" Star squinted. "What… do you mean by that?"
Nate curled up. Um. Nothing.
"Wow, a literal void in a blanket can still look like it's lying," Star deadpanned. "C'mon, Nate. What's going on? I thought you weren't involved in any of this and are kinda just sitting by."
"Well, he does step in when truly large cataclysms are at play," Diyem said. "He took down my initial expanse as well as Necrozma's rampage himself. Not enough to defeat, but enough to suppress. And it seemed like you'd been preparing for that for a long time…"
…So Owen will be back soon?
"Nate, be honest with us," Diyem said. "Why have you been coming in to save the day at just the right moments, and sit by otherwise?"
I can only do my big attacks every few days…
"Yes, but…" Barky narrowed his eyes. "Why did you feel where Owen is? Do you have some kind of link to him?"
Er…
Rapid steps came from the main spiraling halls. "Your Radiance! Your Radiance!"
Their heads turned to see a breathless Turtonator.
"W-we have a problem!"
"What's wrong?" Barky asked. "We are in a key strategy meeting. How important is this?"
"Key strategy meeting?" called a new voice as Turtonator turned around, looking nervous.
"I'm sorry, Your Radiance. I couldn't stop them," Turtonator said. "They appeared in a Dungeon, and… I took them to the base of the Tower and told him to wait, but I… I couldn't disobey him! His words… compelled me!"
An Umbreon and an Espeon entered the area. The Umbreon had a silver visor on his forehead and a belt of Poké Balls on his thigh, each one wiggling as if the Pokémon inside were eager to look around their new environment. The Espeon didn't have the same decorations, though she was desperately trying to fashion some blue bands around her ear tufts, clumsy with her paws.
Barky and Star looked like they'd seen ghosts.
"Where are we?" Umbreon said with a glare.
"…Please don't tell me you're human," Barky said.
"Eek! Wait!" Espeon whispered, hiding behind Umbreon. "Is that… Are you…"
"Yeah, we are," Umbreon said flatly. "From Orre."