Episode 22: On the precipice of conflict
The tall Dewott stared at Leos in rigid silence. Annoyed, Leos stepped forward, clicked his teeth, and drew his scalchop. "Well? You want your diary back, don't you?"
"What are you doing here?" Dewott finally replied in his deep tone. Dewott was totally unfazed by Leos' aggression, which only made him get even madder.
"Answer my question first," Leos demanded.
"Hmpf. Keep it, it's outdated. And you've read all the embarrassing parts already, anyway," Dewott replied with a small smile. He finally folded his arms.
"Wait a minute, diary- is this? Are you Dad?" Prem cried.
"Look at the sword he's carrying. That's the Sword of Earthly Elements," Leos pointed to Dewott's cape, which failed to hide the sword. The others gasped and joined his side. "What are you doing here? Why did you go missing for all this time?"
"I answered your question, but you now won't answer mine. I didn't realise this was an interrogation," Rune sighed and shut his eyes. "I won't play coy anymore. Stop what you're getting yourself involved in. You won't investigate this any further."
"After coming this far out? Why should I?" Leos raised his voice.
"You're going to accuse the Tapu of the missing body, aren't you?" Rune asked. Leos glanced back at the grave, reminded of the clear evidence he had to it being Tapu Lele's doing. "Think about what you're doing and how it affects others. I'm sure Ariala raised you with that thought process. You'll be putting yourself and many others in more danger than you realise."
"So what, I should just sit here and let them get away with something so callous?" he said.
"You're still a child. You should leave it to the adults," Rune said. Leos showed his teeth now.
"To hell with that! I've known you for less than five minutes and I can already tell that you and Mother are the same," he cried. He formed his double-sided Razor Shell. "I'm not going to sit around and do nothing. I'm not a child!"
Rune opened his eyes and hid a deep sigh behind his stoic pose. "Are you going to fight me? Is that your solution?"
"Uh-um, think about this one, Leos. It's not good for family to fight," Prem squeaked.
"Plus, this is Prince Rune we're talking about. I mean, I'd love for the chance to spar with him, but is this really worth it?" Ida added.
"Aren't you guys with me? We're going to stop a war from breaking out our way, no matter who gets in the way," Leos said.
"I like that attitude. Let's give it our best, yeah!" Griselle replied with a bit of a laugh. She posed with her lance. "I still don't have my armour, but I should be alright!"
"I hope you have a plan, my lord," Blossom said, mimicking Leos. Her own double-sided Razor Shell formed from her imaginary scalchop, which glowed with pink energy.
"Griselle and Blossom are already here. So that's why you're so brave," Rune muttered. He withdrew one of his own scalchops, but didn't form a Razor Shell with it. "Very well then. I will show you just a fraction of the power that you're planning to challenge. Strike me down, and you win. Take a fatal blow, and consider yourself dead."
"I'm not a child. Don't expect me to just sit around and do nothing!" Leos shouted as he charged a Water Pulse around his left arm. He fired it with a thrust and immediately sprinted afterwards. He chased his Water Pulse attack to slash at Rune once he got close enough, but before his mind could register it, Rune had vanished.
What the? he gasped in his head. He was sure that his Water Pulse had hit something; it exploded in front of him. So why didn't his Razor Shell hit? A quick glance to the left showed him that Rune had avoided both attacks, but was frighteningly close. Leos let out a cry and swung at him again, not seeing even a flinch of attempt to block or dodge.
Once again, he nearly toppled over from swinging his Razor Shell at nothing. A mere instant ago, Rune was in the spot he clearly saw, but was now behind Leos. He growled as he spun around and swung his Razor Shell once more, this time continuing to attack afterwards. Every single swing he made, he was sure he hit, yet Rune was somewhere else. It was almost as if his eyesight was playing tricks on him, telling him his target was in one spot, while it was actually in another.
"This- I- guys, can you see him?" Prem stammered, frozen in shock. Blossom and the others had stayed back to try and survey the battle, but to them, Rune was just as illusive.
"I can't!" Griselle rubbed her eyes.
"There can't be that big of a difference between us – going up against him is a death wish!" Ida hissed, angry at her hesitation to join the fight.
Before long, Leos ran out of breath and had to stop to reconsider what was going on, where Rune suddenly appeared behind him. The Dewott's single Razor Shell poked his back, giving him a sharp spike in his senses that made him shiver.
"Do you know what this is? This would be the time to surrender, lest you suffer great damage," Rune said.
Leos growled and chose to disobey. He stomped one foot on the floor to surround himself in water for an Aqua Jet attack, and shot straight forwards to escape this supposed inescapable position. Less than a second after he boosted however, he felt his neck get struck hard enough to choke and fall over. He couldn't breathe for a few moments, causing him to panic and spasm on the floor, all until he realised what had happened. Rune had appeared in front of him, making he ram directly into Rune's Razor Shell.
"And if you had pulled that in a real battle situation, your enemy would not hesitate to kill you from there. Your life would be over, your future stolen from you," Rune pointed his Razor Shell down at Leos' chest.
Leos was livid, but more so speechless at what he had just experienced. Was this really the end of their battle? He didn't even last a minute. If Rune was really some ruthless scoundrel in a war battle, would he really have died that easily?
Rune revoked his attack and sighed. "You know, it was my leniency with Diantha that caused her death so. She hadn't nearly understood the danger that she was putting herself in, the danger that I was willingly allowing her to be part of. We both paid the price for it. I'm not going to let that happen to you."
"Wh-why don't yo-you just- te-tell me what's going—" Leos said, unable to stay upright. His neck ached so much he couldn't stop rubbing it.
"You've seen that Diantha's body has been dug up from the grave. That is as far as you go. Do I make myself clear?" Rune said with a furious tone. Leos didn't answer. "I said, do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes- ahem, yes Father," Leos replied with the same bitter fury.
"Leos," Griselle muttered.
"Return to the Tower of the Tapu at once. I do not expect to see you at a place like this ever again," Rune said, and put his scalchop back on his hip. He walked over to everyone else. "Try to be better role models, okay? He's only sixteen; stuff like this he shouldn't be exposed to."
"Don't treat them like children," Leos spat.
"Wa-wait, Mister Dad- Rune- I mean your highness sir—" Prem squeaked.
"Just Rune is fine," Rune replied. Prem paused.
"Rune, at least tell us where you've been and what you're doing!" Prem begged. Rune didn't answer. "O-only if that's alright and all that."
"If I tell you, will you keep it a secret?" Rune folded his arms. Leos' eyes widened.
"O-of course! No really, I mean it!" Prem said.
"You have my word," Ida bowed.
"I've been working with Ariala from a distance. We're the reason that neither army has made a real move to attack each other yet," he answered. Leos gawked. "If you start trying to spark things by accusing the Tapu or the Constellars, you could mess up our plans. So don't get involved in these affairs. Children need to stay at home."
"Wait, if you're really stopping war, then let me help you! I'm—" Leos cried.
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Rune lowered his tone. The stern look on his face silenced Leos. "Children need to stay at home. That's an order. Ida."
"I understand," the Purrloin replied and put away her lance. "Gotta admit I hate to do this, but come on everyone. We're going back to the Tower of the Tapu."
"Father," Leos growled, watching him while his allies were rounded up.
Just as they left, Rune crouched down at Diantha's grave. The messiness of his head fur and some ripped parts of his cape caught Leos' attention the most. He hadn't noticed it right away since he was so overwhelmed by his Father's sudden appearance, but the way he looked now said a lot about him.
His head fur was so messy and dirty, unlike Leos' own. Sure, Leos didn't care too much about his appearance, but at least his head had no black marks and was smoothed out to look orderly. It was so long as well; it was almost as if Rune never had the time to care for it. His cape was just as aged and weathered, falling apart with holes, loose threads, torn slits and more. Burns, bits of fluid, coloured stains and all sorts told of the many battles it had been used in. Why didn't he ever get a new one?
Unknown feelings flared up inside of Leos, just from staring at his Father like this. He didn't know what they were, but they were making him regret everything he had just said to the Dewott. He wasn't glad to see him and he knew it, so why was he so hesitant to leave now? Why did he want to say he was sorry?
"Leos?" Ida called. The others were all a good walk away already, so he cursed himself, shook his head, and joined them.
"Um, I don't know if this is a bad time but, I'm starving," Griselle said, rubbing her belly.
"It is a bad time," Leos said as he took the lead.
"Is it? I don't believe we've eaten in a while, either. It's a good call, my lord," Blossom replied. Leos growled and smacked his forehead.
"I'm sorry I'm sorry, I can't help it!" Griselle cried.
"It's technically my fault since I was in charge of you during this trip, anyway. Since we're heading back, it'll be an easy diversion," Ida smiled.
…
About an hour or so later, the group had found their stop to rest and refuel, but Leos couldn't bring himself to eat a morsel. Those unknown feelings lingered, and now that he was in a calm enough space to think about them, they became clearer to him.
As he stared across the mess hall of the Stardust Treasury's dining district, the image of Rune's battered appearance melted in with the friendly faces of all the other public Pokémon around. He hadn't seen his father in real life at all, or maybe once when he obviously wasn't old and aware enough to get a good look. To only know him now as this old, gruff adult with an obscene level of combat experience over his own, hurt him.
That was his first real encounter with his father. He would never admit it, but with the way his Mother always acted, he wanted his first encounter to be a cliché family reunion. He wanted to meet Rune by surprise in a sunset field of flowers, and to run up and hug him without a care in the world. He wanted to be embarrassed by their comments towards the way Prem and Griselle acted. He wanted to show off his knowledge of moves and history that he had spent years researching and for them to praise him for it. He wanted them to be parents to him, just like the family of Pikachu sat a few tables across. The child was crying over spilt juice, the mother was comforting them, and the father was roasting a pie with his electricity.
He didn't believe Ariala and Rune's wishes to stay out of royal affairs. He knew too much, and it hurt too much to just sit and watch. But without being able to come close to Rune's powers, what could he possibly do? Could he challenge Ariala instead? Or was it simply fate, and he was actually wrong to get involved? He shook away that thought as it only made him angrier.
"U-um, I know you're paying, but it's alright to go for another round, right?" Griselle asked as she piled another plate in the centre of their table.
"Another one? That was your fourth! How can you still eat?" Prem gasped.
"I dunno. This is nothing compared to Mama's cooking, but it's still good. It makes me have to eat more to feel full," she said with a giggle.
"That doesn't make any sense, but help yourself. Between you and me, Queen Magearna pays for it all," Ida snickered.
"Swe-eet!" Griselle cheered. Blossom was the one to get up and purchase more for her. "My prince, aren't you gonna eat? It's best when it's hot!"
Leos turned to her, unable to smile at all. "Just going to remind you that Tapu Lele has my Auntie's dead body. That Goddess is physically holding her dead body. Think about that."
"Leos," she replied, going quiet. "C-c'mon, don't say things like that."
"There's nothing you can do right now. You've been spoken to by your Father, you lost a duel, and in my case, I have direct orders to keep you safe. Whether you like it or not, I have to return you home," Ida stated, her legs casually crossed as she swirled her paws around some leftover sauce. She made room on the table for Blossom who returned with some plates. "You said you wanted to observe Griselle as a hybrid, right? Why don't you focus on that for a while?"
"I did, didn't I," Leos muttered, and looked up. He immediately caught sight of some Mawile soldiers jogging towards them. "Faernian soldiers?"
"Commander Ida!" the duo saluted at the same time.
"Sheesh, what is wrong with you both? Don't come barging into a public diner and call me that! You're scaring everyone."
"A-apologies, but it's an emergency! We just received word from a messenger back at the Tower of the Tapu," the soldiers reported. Everyone sat up. "Tapu Bulu has returned to us, but has taken control of Faernia's combat divisions. He's preparing to mount a massive attack on Eris as we speak."
"What?" Leos kicked away his seat. The others lost their minds as well.
"Apparently even Queen Magearna emerged to order the attack off, but Tapu Bulu and his followers refused. They have a fleet of airships at the ready. Something about getting revenge."
"The news of Tapu Fini's death," Leos whispered. He slowly turned to his friends. "I knew I should've kept challenging him. Rune and Ariala can't stop this. Guys, we need to—"
"Leos, no!" Ida snapped right away. "Damn, this has really put me on the spot. What're the orders from headquarters?"
"They ordered an evacuation of the capital. The centre of the city is entirely Tapu Bulu's fleet now," the Mawile soldier reported.
"They're that aggressive towards their own Pokémon?" Leos said.
"Send the message that I'm on my way. All units attack the fleet, keep them in Faernia's airspace. We can't let them leave!" Ida instructed.
"Roger!" the Mawile soldiers saluting.
"Wait, you two. I have a task for you two as well. This group here are Ariala's son and his allies," Ida said, surprising the two knights. "They need to get back to the castle. I'll send the message and head back, but can I trust you to keep them safe here?"
"Are you serious? Ida, my Mother's in just as much danger!" Leos growled.
"Regardless, orders are orders. It's my duty to protect you, and my responsibility for bringing you out this far when I shouldn't have. You're staying out of this," Ida argued. "Please keep these guys safe. I'm counting on you."
"Roger! Our lives depend on it," the soldiers saluted again.
Ida charged off after that, but Leos still tripped in petty effort to give chase. She was out of sight in in no time. Surprising, since she wasn't that fast when they battled the Constellars.
He was made to flinch by a sudden blast of electricity that struck one of the soldiers from behind, knocking them out instantly. Blossom and Griselle were the first to react, and stood over Leos as they scanned the diner for their potential attacker, but no one was an obvious threat. Everyone else was thrown into a panic.
"Who?" Leos whispered. He flinched when another electric blast struck the other knight, this time directly on the head. The knight almost fell on top of him if not for Blossom yanking him away, but at least he could follow the attack to find the aggressor now. "Up there!"
"Ah!" Prem squeaked as he hid behind Leos' group. A Togedemaru was latched to the ceiling with his spines, and wiggled himself free to bounce off the fallen Mawile.
"Well that was easy. I honestly don't feel safe knowing our planet is protected by such incompetent fighters," he said with a bored expression. "No time to waste though, huh? You sure you're up for this, kid?"
Leos didn't realise that he was the one being addressed. "Hmm? Who are you?"
"Just a bored guy looking for some action, really. But now's not a time for a backstory about me. You wanna go up against Tapu Bulu, God of Earth and nature, right?" Togedemaru replied with an implied a shrug. Leos tensed up. "I can get you an airship. But I'm only gonna do it if you're planning to go all the way with it."
"Wait, you can?" Leos said.
"Master Leos." Blossom smacked her forehead.
"You don't have to come," he said.
"It's not that. Ariala taught you to not to trust strangers, right? Especially not ones that openly attack the royal army," she groaned, hands on her hips.
"Then don't come," Leos said. He turned back to Togedemaru. "I can't begin to express just how annoyed I am about all this. I'm not going to sit around and do nothing while some self-righteous gods do whatever they want with our world."
"You said it. I'm with you all the way, my prince!" Griselle cheered.
"I-I don't like fighting or disobeying family, but I do trust you more, Leos. We'll be okay, won't we?" Prem joined in.
Togedemaru stared at them with a bored expression. "Hmpf. Don't say you didn't get warned. The name's Shouta. I've had my fair share of crisis aboard airships, so you don't need to worry about me."
"Can you really get us an airship, though? What's the plan?" Leos asked. Togedemaru hesitated again.
"That's the thing: you're the leader, here. This is your plan, so you should be the strategist, right?" he replied, and walked off. Leos exchanged sceptical looks with the others, who shrugged and followed.
Shouta sped up after he left the diner. He led the group through the crowded streets until they reached a damp alleyway. They were away from the public here, but he still scouted the area before revealing a heavy manhole sat in between them. He had to glow in the dark with Flash, brightening dung covered walls to their left and right.
"Is that stench?" Prem coughed.
"I just ate, too," Griselle said, jerking away from helping him open the manhole.
Shouta snickered a bit. "Well pardon me for picking a spot. The poor have gotta go when they've gotta go, you know?"
"Pokémon without designated restrooms could at least litter the grass, couldn't they?" Leos complained, holding his nose. Shouta stopped partway down, now annoyed.
"Tell me, kid. Since you got here, when's the last time you saw grass?" he asked. Leos didn't reply.
To their surprise, a sewer system ran beneath the city, but this one was higher tech than anything seen above ground. The area was still dark, but unlike the alleyways, was a little lit up by the pipes of energy along the walls. Leos was immediately drawn to one and dared to touch it, and flinched at how hot it was. The yellow energy flowing through was hotter than an iron.
"There are different colours, too," he muttered. "These are terrain extenders? Underneath the Stardust Treasury?"
"Yep. Keep up and you'll learn a bit more" Shouta's voice echoed. He wasn't waiting for them at all.
Thankfully Shouta didn't take them too far. A few turns left and right and the group found a room amongst the sewer's square twists. It was clearly intended to be a maintenance room or something, well protected by a heavy metal door with a huge warning on it. A massive padlock had previously been in place, but had been mashed up and now hung attached to the handle.
"'Kay kids. Time to throw a party. I brought 'em," Shouta announced as he stepped into the room. He immediately made for a beanbag and sunk into it.
"Shouta please, you scared me!" a Sylveon cried. "Is this really them? Prince Leos and his group?"
"You can see the hybrid, can't ya? Sheesh," Shouta replied. Sylveon groaned.
"Er," Leos said as he warily examined the room. The variety of Pokémon here had no clear connection, as did the operations taking place. There was a single table littered with wrappers and newspapers, many different kinds of seats, and the left wall had a map on it. The map was plastered with notes and scribbles.
"Pardon the messy setup. The lazy hedgehog there likes to treat this place like it's his bedroom," a Greninja said. "We don't have much time, so I'll get to the point: we've been looking all over for you, your highness."
"Is this a trap?" Blossom tensed up.
"Far from it." Greninja shook his head. "We're remnants of an old battle. We've all suffered from that battle and didn't get the things we were promised – we lost those things instead. So now we're part of our own division, separate from the two planets. Instead of raging war against the royalty that did us wrong, we've banded together to fight battles against the wrong and simply build our own world – to deliver justice to all. We are the Deliverance."