Sorry this took a while, but I had to make sure the flow worked properly.
Gary ran through the data in his possession a dozen times more and tried to comprehend what he was seeing.
As far as he could tell, there was an… anomaly out in the ocean that every time he got too close, he ended up teleporting to someplace else, up to hundreds of miles away. There were no discernable rules as to why this happened or what triggered the teleport. The teleportation is also near seamless, with the person unaware that they had been moved at all. If it wasn't for the fact Gary had a GPS locator and an odometer to tell him he performed several impossible movements, he would have simply thought that he made a wrong turn.
The boy rubbed his eyes, exhausted from having spent the last week gathering information and running experiments. He had very little to show for it, but he had learned several anomalous properties.
For one, trying to counter the force teleport by having Alazakam teleport him only accomplished in an even more erratic teleport. Once you got too close to… whatever it is, communications equipment ceased to function until you were out of range. It also moved, though he wasn't sure if there was any pattern he could find. All that he could be certain of was that the anomaly did not linger in the same location for long and that he had to chase after it near daily to stay on its trail.
Eevee rubbed her body against the boy's leg, demanding attention.
Gary sighed. He scooped up the fox into his lap and rubbed down her back. "I don't even know why I'm doing this," the boy spoke to his Pokémon. He didn't really know if Eevee could comprehend everything, but it felt right to talk. "Ash is supposed to be dead by now, but here I am, lingering here when every other lead has gone cold."
The fox's eyes lit up. She inclined her head in a motion Gary felt like she wanted to ask for more.
"It's just, maybe I want Ash to still be alive and that he's in… whatever this thing is," Gary said as he patted the fox's head. "It's weird and unexplainable, but it's close to where the blimp crashed. Maybe I just wanted to pretend that I'd found a new lead."
"Ee? Eevee Vee vee!" Eevee said enthusiastically.
Gary couldn't understand Pokémon that well, but he wanted to believe that was a vow of support regardless of his decision. But what was he supposed to do? The boy knew he was smart, but even he knew that he was in way over his head. He didn't have the tools or the knowhow to tackle this strange unknowable object. Granted, he had a hard time imagining what kind of doctorate would be relevant.
The boy mulled over it some more. "You know, if this thing has nothing to do with Ash, it's probably a notable scientific discovery." He cupped his chin. "Like, I don't think I've heard of anything like, even from the stories that Gramps and Mrs. Ketchum liked to share about what Ash sometimes goes through. Maybe there's something worth checking into… for someone more qualified."
Eevee tilted her head. Then, she giggled and then leapt up to lick the boy on the cheek.
Gary laughed, glad that Eevee seemed happy for this change in outlook.
The boy idly looked over to his personal phone and considered his next action. His sole investor wouldn't be too happy, but that lady was crazy.
After some thought and some fox petting, he made his decision. "Hey, Gramps, mind picking me up?"
ZZZZ
In the past few days, something had changed about Brock. Vulpix could see it every time the wolf would bite at himself to relieve an itch, or how he found comfort in smelling the earth around him.
Then, one morning, Vulpix found the lycanroc digging through the dirt out in the training yard, with the only part of him visible was his shaking tail. It didn't seem to be training, since the wolf didn't seem to use his innate power to shape the earth to simply burrow through the ground. No, Brock dug through the earth the slow way.
The fox approached slowly, unsure of how to proceed. Her trainer was still a friend, but his actions lately were difficult for her to get over.
The wolf then pulled himself out of his small tunnel and turned to face the fox. "Hey, Vulpix!" he barked, obvious excitement in his voice.
"Uh, hey Brock!" she answered back.
The lycanroc loped toward her and then promptly licked her in the face.
The action startled the Fire-type slightly. She shook her head and brought a paw to one of her eyes.
"Oh. Sorry!" the lycanroc gritted his teeth in an awkward smile.
"It's fine, really," Vulpix answered back. Honestly, she didn't know to take on this latest habit the former human had just developed. Licking was a sign of affection, one that she and most other quadrupeds engage in; it wasn't even intimate. She had even licked Brock on numerous occasions and it hadn't been weird. And yet, somehow it bothered her to receive a lick from Brock.
The lycanroc seemed to pick up on the distress. "Are you sure?"
"I mean, maybe a little." Vulpix sighed. She knew she needed to talk about this. "It's just… you licked me. You didn't do that before."
The wolf frowned. "Did I do wrong?"
"No!" she insisted. "I mean, it's a little weird. Like, I just… never expected anything like that from you, having known you for so long."
"It's… new to me, too," the wolf admitted. The lycanroc then raised one leg to scratch the back of his neck, something he had never done until relatively recently.
Vulpix stared at the lycanroc's new habit. Before, he simply rubbed himself against something hard like trees or stones to scratch himself. Now he just… did what most other four legged canines did when they got an itch. "Brock, are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," he said, lowing upper body and raising rear in a stretch. Like most other canines. "Honestly, I kind of feel great."
"You do?" Vulpix said, almost not believing it. But it made perfect sense. Ever since the priestess had that private session with him, Brock seemed at ease in a way that she had seen before.
Brock nodded his head. He narrowed his eyes and looked down at his paws. "I mean, yeah. Like…" He frowned. "I know, I'm… different now. I know it's weird. I know it's a big change. It's just… I don't know how to explain it."
Brock was aware of his own change? That bit of information at least made it seem he wasn't unknowingly doing things because of some spell. Vulpix decided to probe further. "I can try to understand, if you tell me."
The lycanroc bowed his head. "It's just, everything kind of felt natural to do."
Vulpix squinted an eye. "Natural?"
"I'm not human. No matter how much I wish I was, I'm not that anymore." Brock bowed his head, ashamed. "When I was a rockruff, I hoped to evolve into a Midnight lycanroc just so I could have hands again and at least pretend that I was sort of human. Hairy, but human."
"But that's what you are?" Vulpix exclaimed.
Lycanoc shook his head. "Vulpix, I haven't been able to do anything like a normal human could. I have to pick up stuff with my mouth, I have to walk on all fours. Kyuko made it very clear, I was a lycanroc. I had to act like one. She may have meant it in the way that I had stopped being a rockruff but what said still applied."
The lycanroc shed a tear. "Since then, since the exercise she pushed me through, I think I… accepted that that's what I was. I am a Pokémon and there's nothing wrong with me acting like one."
Vulpix blinked as she digested the lycanroc laying his heart bare. Suddenly, Brock's new behavior made perfect sense.. He has allowed himself to act the part, to let himself be a lycanroc. It even made perfect sense, given the fact that actually being human was impossible for the time.. He had given in and seemed happier for it. "I…. understand now," she said.
The lycanroc smiled at her, his tail wagging behind him.
Vulpix didn't know what to feel about Brock's decision, but she supposed that there might have been no harm. The lycanroc had simply chosen to relax and… be a lycanroc. Perhaps she might have been less concerned if it were anyone else and not the boy her mother had loaned her out to.
"Yo!" Geodude's voice boomed. "We've been looking all over for you."
Brock and Vulpix turned to face the living geode as he hopped over. Zubat and Goldeen flew in the air above him.
"Hey, Geodude," Brock greeted, his tail violently shaking.
"Hello," Vulpix answered. "You've been looking for us?"
"Uh, yeah?" Geodude shrugged. "Remember what we were supposed to do today?"
Vulpix blanked, trying to remember. Clearly, she had forgotten if she couldn't even think it through.
Brock turned to her, also confused. "Uh, I don't recall… anything."
Zubat giggled. "Seriously? Neither of you recall?"
Goldeen hushed her, flicking her tail for emphasis. "It's entirely easy to forget, but for reference, we're supposed to go out of the house."
"... Right." Vulpix felt her head ache slightly, mostly remembering being something… talked about last night. She recalled some bits, but not necessarily everything. "Why are we leaving the house? Not that I mind, but why?"
"Because Mister Tajiri wants the house cleaned by professionals." Geodude stated dryly. He pointed at his digits with his other hand in a counting motion. "Also, he's also taking Ash and his group to uh… meeting some important people. So, we've got the day to ourselves. Maybe we can go shopping or hit a theater or something."
"Oh, right!" Brock barked. He bounced on his feet, his excitement obvious."Yeah, that sounds kind of fun."
"It does," Vulpix agreed. There were all sorts of attractions in the Capital that she had heard of and was interested in seeing. Between the theater, the historical monuments, and stores, she was spoiled for choices on what to do or where to go. Plus, she'd have friends who would share in the moment with her.
"Right, so that's two down," Geodude tilted his body forward. "We've got some time before we have to leave, so better take anything you don't want to lose."
"Hm, I think I want to look my best," Vulpix mused. Oh, it had been ages since she had been a proper tourist. Maybe she should get her mint green bow that Brock gave her at the start of this adventure? It would make her stand out.
With soldiers flanking the path, Ash couldn't help but feel a little intimidated. Each soldier didn't so much as look at him, but the riolu could feel them judging him, as if expecting him to do wrong. None of them moved, but the jackal knew that if he moved out of line, they'd be on him very quickly. Or maybe they were judging his choice in clothing…. He couldn't blame them for that.
Ash quietly steeled himself as he put foot in front of the other and made his way to his destination ahead.
At the very end of the walkway stood the Imperial Palace, the building at the heart of the Capital City. Stony terraces acted as the foundation, raising the building itself an entire floor above ground level. Solid wooden walls served as the main framework, capped off with a thickened roof supported by equally thickened pillars. The building itself looked quite flat, but the sheer area it covered made it hard for Ash to see it all at once.
The riolu turned over to his grandfather, hoping to find answers. "Hey, Gramps," he managed to say. "Do you know why we've called by … uh whoever it is?"
"Emperor Gaozu is… someone you can trust." Gramps answered with a warm look on his face, as if recalling something from long ago. "I suspect it might have to do with the fact I named you my heir and he wishes to meet you."
"Oh, that's good, right?" Ash hoped. From the way his Gramps talked about the Emperor, he sounded like a friend. Which made it all the more important he didn't screw this up. What if someone figured out he was human or had Pokéballs or something? "What's the Emperor like?"
"Very wise and knowledgeable." Gramps said again. "He'd be willing to discuss plenty of topics with you if you could interest him. He might know."
Suddenly, Ash started to see the ways this meeting could end well. If the Emperor was as wise his Gramps said he was, maybe he could have helped him get home.
"So, like, does this mean that the Boss is going to be working for him?" Squirtle asked.
"When Ash is older, hopefully, but that is for when he is older." Gramps said. He made a thoughtful look at his grandson. "For our household, that usually meant being a warrior or a commander."
Pikachu snickered, elbowing his trainer. "He'd be good at that."
Ash smiled back at his partner. He didn't know much about actual war or the kinds of fighting, but a part of him liked the idea of taking the skills he had already developed and applying them here; he was already good at fighting and he thought he wasn't that bad at commanding other Pokémon. Maybe it'd fit him?
Yet despite that, Ash knew he was out of his element. He barely even knew who the Prime Minister was, let alone knew what he should be doing here. "So, uh, Gramps, how does this work exactly? Like, what do I do when we meet the Emperor."
"Simply be polite and respectful. You and your retainers will likely be asked to introduce yourselves and may be asked a few questions, because you are the newest members of the court and of the Tajiri family," Gramps said. "While I do not know anything about the Emperor, himself. That will suffice for any situation you will find yourself in."
Ash nodded his head. It seemed simple enough.
Charizard then abruptly asked. "Wait, when you say we're part of the Tajiri family, what does that mean?"
"You aren't of the bloodline, but you are still a member of the household," Gramps answered and scrunched his face. "At least, if you desire. Although, I believe that my grandson already treats you as his retainers, so think of it as formalizing what was already true."
"Oh." Charizard scratched his chin. "I just never really thought about being in a family before."
"In short, it's just… a legality," Squirtle said. He smiled as he turned towards Bulbasaur. "Course, does this mean I can call you my brother or what?"
Bulbasaur rolled his eyes.
While Ash paid attention to the conversation, he focused on adjusting his outfit to make himself more presentable. He felt a little overdressed, but maybe it was because he had gotten so used to wearing almost nothing at all. Or it could have just been the jewelry, that stuff felt heavy.
The riolu wore a white linen tunic, with a golden belt over his waist. A silver bracelet on his right arm mirrored the Looplet on his left. Ornaments decorated the tufts of hair that fell from the riolu's head. And then to top all off, a weirdly shaped bronze sword was strapped to his back.
Ash would have preferred if he had a kimono that fit him, since that was more familiar, but apparently this funny outfit was something of a family tradition.
Not a moment later, they hit the stairs and began to climb up into the Palace. No one said anything, but Ash could feel the subtle beat of his friends' worries seeping into him. It wasn't an explicit or a strong fear, but everyone was afraid of something going wrong with all those looking eyes at them. The riolu felt like he had to step forward, to lead everyone through this. Oddly, that feeling made it easier for the Fighting-type to control his own fears.
At the top, a marrill greeted them. "Follow me. The Emperor is expecting you." He silently read from a scroll and then gestured.
"Thank you," Gramps said with a slight bow.
"Thanks alot," Ash added next.
Marill nodded and then stepped through the door of the Palace, beckoning everyone else inside. No one refused.
A long, red carpet led into the main chamber. Brass gongs lined the walls, whilst ornate pillars were situated in neat rows. Several Pokémon stood watch by the pillars. At the very back of the room, what looked like a sofa without armrests stood against a golden backboard. Was that the throne?
However, what sat on the throne Ash hadn't expected. When he had been told that he'd be meeting the Emperor, the riolu had been primed to think that he'd be meeting a Pokémon that was both powerful and knowledgeable, probably fully evolved.
A very young pancham was the furthest thing in mind.
"Hey!" the bear cub practically shouted.
Ash found himself raising his hand in a wave. "Uh, hey, to you, too!"
The pancham giggled.
Even Gramps seemed at a loss for words. He wordlessly turned towards Marrill, expecting an answer.
"Uh, right!" Marill said. He gestured with one arm. "Presenting Emperor Gaozu!"
"That's me!" the pancham shouted.
"... But you're… so young…" Gramps sputtered. "And you're not… the Emperor I know."
"Maybe he's related?" Pikachu suggested. He turned towards the pancham. "Hey, are you named after your father?"
"Yup!" the young boy said with a cheer. "I'm fifty… and a quarter Moons!"
Ash had to admit, ruling a whole country before you were five had to be an achievement. "Wow, that's pretty cool. So, like, you're in charge of everything?"
"Sure, am!" the young pancham giggled. Before he frowned. "Well, not really. I have to attend classes, training… and duties…. And all sorts of boring stuff before I get to do anything fun!"
Ash felt like he could relate. You had to do so much school before they'd even let you be a trainer.
Gramps squinted toward Marrill. "How did the Emperor succeed his father? Why was he selected?"
Marill gave the lucario an awkward expression. "Well, you see, the previous … candidate, the Emperor's brother, was disqualified on count of being disinherited for a number of reasons, including murder. He also died after he tried to take revenge on the courtier who exposed him." The rodent frowned. "The previous Emperor Gaozu passed away of illness not too long after his son was hatched, leaving his son as the only claimant."
"I see. Thank you for telling me." Then, Gramps turned to his grandson. "I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't pay attention to the goings on of the world while I was… in mourning. I didn't expect this to happen."
"It's fine," Ash said. If anything, the situation was better than what he had been expecting. While he would have been okay meeting an older and wiser Emperor, the younger pancham just felt more approachable. Besides, meeting someone closer to his age was its own sort of fun!
"Hey, you're a really small Charizard!" Gaozu pointed at Charizard.
"Hey, I'm not small!" the Fire-type complained. Ash didn't need his ability to sense to know that Charizard was flustered.
"Yeah, you are!" Gaozu insisted. "I've met lots of bigger charizards and you're the smallest I've seen."
Squirtle chuckled beside him. "Yeah, you're kinda smaller than the norm, I think."
"Yeah!" Gaozu insisted. "Like, that's really weird! Why are you so small!?"
Charizard groaned. "I don't want to answer this."
Ash nearly stepped forward to do something to back up his friend, but Pikachu spoke first. "That's because he's the youngest Charizard, you've ever met!"
The pancham titled his head "Wait, really? How old is he?"
"I don't actually know. I never counted, but, I think I'm somewhere near fifty?" Charizard said, scratching the back of his head.
"Wooah!" The pancham's eyes lit up in awe. Ash felt a surge of excitement radiation from the young bear cub. "That's so cool! You must have been really strong and stuff! How'd you get so big so fast?"
Charizard turned towards Ash and gave the young riolu a smirk. "I had plenty of help. I had friends who helped me reach that."
Ash returned the gesture with a warm smile.
"Oh, you gotta help me evolve, too!" Gaozu shouted at the top of his lungs.
Marill coughed. "My Emperor, please remember decorum. Address the heir."
"I know," Gaozu practically groaned, arms crossed. He turned towards Ash. "So, uh, who are you?"
"My name's Ash. Ash… Tajiri, I guess." It felt a little strange to say that was his last name, but it didn't seem right to use his human last name. "I'm from Pallet Town, which is from Kanto."
That seemed to catch Marill's attention. "That's… nowhere I have ever heard of. Where in Citrine is that from?"
"It's not in Citrine?" Ash said, almost confused.
Marill squinted his eyes, not quite processing what was said. "But, wait if you're heir to the Tajiri family by blood… how are you from outside Citrine?"
Ash froze as he suddenly remembered. It hadn't come up much since he hadn't discussed it since he had arrived, but Pokémon in Citrine for some reason did not believe it was possible to leave the islands. The only way the riolu knew to escape was to ask Legendaries to help you escape; but for some reason, no one in Citrine knew that.
"It's not important and not relevant to you," Gramps interjected, his tone stern and commanding.
Marill backed away, lowering his body into an apologetic bow.
But Gaozu wasn't intimidated at all, instead he looked at Ash with a renewed sense of awe. "You're from outside? You're really from outside?" He then turned to the other Pokémon in Ash's group. "Are the rest of you Maiju also from outside Citrine?"
"Uh, yeah?" Charizard said.
Squirtle nodded.
Pikachu raised a hand.
"It sounds like you're interested." Bulbasaur commented.
"I don't leave the Palace much, so I like to hear about what things are like outside. And you guys are from outside Citrine so you're like… Outside, outside!" The pancham leapt up off his oversized throne. "So, do you guys like to run away from humans because they enslave you? Are you like part of a resistance movement where you try to overthrow the humans? Or you from Maiju kingdoms who are at war with them? "
"No? "Ash nearly choked, completely taken aback by what he just heard. Gaozu had said all of that with such vigor and gusto, but it was clear that he had no idea what things were actually like. "It's not like that at all."
The pancham eyed the riolu skeptically. "It's not?"
"Grandson, please be careful with what you say," Gramps whispered in Ash's ear.
Ash nodded his head. He heeded the warning, but also knew that this was a chance to set things right. "I mean, there's plenty of humans who are awful, but… most aren't like that."
"They're not?" the young pancham spoke.
"Yeah," Charizard grumbled. "So, like, I actually spent a lot of time under an awful human, but I've also met plenty who were nice and helped me out. One even helped trained me up til I evolved!"
"And similarly, I was encouraged by one human to evolve at my own pace, even when others of my kind tried to force me to undergo the Blooming my kind are known to do," Bulbasaur said. "The human aided me, despite having nothing to gain."
Ash felt a proud smile dot his face, his friends' words warming his heart.
"Why would a human do these things?" Pancham said, legitimately confused.
Marill looked uncertain, whilst Gramps simply stayed at the back, his expression neutral.
Ash wondered if what was being said was going to convince his grandfather, but he instead focused on trying to sort out the Emperor's misconceptions. He searched for a way to convey what he wanted without revealing too much. "Because… being nice isn't something that's exclusive to Pokémon?" Ash shrugged.
"Huh?" The pancham seemed to give that some serious thought. He turned towards his advisor and requested. "So, like, is what he says true?"
"It can't be verified!" Marill insisted. He turned towards Ash and gave him a squint. "And besides, it's not like we have a human to ask.."
"Yeah, that's a shame," the pancham said.
Ash quietly decided to take a step back, not willing to expose himself.
"Hey, Mister, what do you think about this stuff?" Emperor Gaozu turned towards Gramps. "Like, you're old and stuff. So you gotta know alot! What do you think about humans?"
Gramps sighed. "I feel it… would be better if humans didn't exist," he said.
Ash felt a dagger twist in his heart. He knew that his grandfather had disliked humanity, but he didn't know it went that far. Did that mean that if his gramps knew what he was… Gramps would prefer he didn't exist?
The room shuddered as everyone looked at Gramps with startled expressions.
Even Gaozu seemed taken aback by this. "Oh….uh." he shifted where he stood uncomfortably.
Sensing this, Gramps bowed his head. "Perhaps I said too much. I apologize."
"It's… okay," Ash said. Yet he didn't feel okay. He still reeled over his gramps's declaration. He fought to not breakdown and just tell him everything then and there.
Gaozu nodded. "Yeah, what he said."
"Be that as it may, would you excuse me?" Gramps bowed his head in submission.
"Uh, sure?" the pancham agreed. "Uh, just make yourself useful."
Marill sighed and visibly slapped his forehead.
Gramps then nodded his head and departed to a different room.
Once he had left, Gaozu turned towards Ash again. "Hey, so, if you didn't go to war against humans, what did you do?"
"Well, we're something of adventurers, I guess?" Ash held up his Looplet. "I've actually been in a tournament before! Why, me and my team took eighth place!"
"They have tournaments outside, too?" Gaozu's eyes widened in excitement. He practically drooled. "Tell me more! Tell me more!" he demanded.
"Well, you see…" Ash began.
"It all started when I met this silly human boy!" Pikachu leapt in front of his trainer and stole the show.
Ash snickered. He supposed there was nowhere better to start than at the beginning. He just had to make sure that the parts about him being human weren't brought up. "And how he had an incredibly unhelpful mouse!"
One of the weird quirks of having a society where so many people had different sizes was that seating arrangements had to account for it. For instance, the theater Misty found herself visiting determined its entry fee entirely on how big you were. Not only that, but each "seat" designed around fit an onix or gyarados. The seats were then progressively divided for smaller and smaller Pokémon, with the smallest customers being given raised platforms to sit on.
Misty didn't know how to feel about being in the smallest size category, but she supposed that it made things easy since it allowed her to sit on the same platform as most of her friends… and Team Rocket. Onix took up an entire seat to himself, where everyone else fit in the seat right next to him. Brock, Cyclizar, Victribel, Vulpix, Arbok, and that priestess sat on the floor, whilst everyone else fit in a single tower platform.
The entire theater was still an uproar as visitors conversed amongst themselves. Jessie and James were caught up in another dispute over who was supposed to pay for the snacks, whilst Meowth took care of it before them. Zubat talked with Goldeen over the show's summary, whilst Psyduck bothered Geodude. Vulpix had trouble seeing above the row in front of her, but she definitely tried.
"This is so exciting!" Togepi squealed in delight. "I love the theater!"
Misty patted her little girl on the back. "You've seen plenty of shows like this."
"Uhuh!" Togepi smiled. "I wanna do that when I grow up, too."
Misty still felt a little embarrassed about the fact she had been made into a mermaid, but at least her adopted daughter enjoyed it.
"Hey, quiet down," Staryu hissed in a whisper. "The show's starting."
Misty didn't protest. She saw the lights in the theater get snuffed out one by one, the Pokémon conversing rapidly wrapped up their conversations all at once.
A dedenne announcer walked onto the stage and illuminated herself in electricity. "My dear audience, the show is about to begin. Please be quiet and please do not emit too much light so that our performers would not be distracted."
The audience adjusted awkwardly in its seats, but complied.
The dedenne nodded her head. She buzzed with more electricity before she spoke again. She bowed her head. "Brothers and sisters, my audience. We here at the Ironwood Theatre would like to present The First Gift!"
Smoke burst from the floor and she disappeared into the background.
What Misty saw enthused her.
An espurr that was dyed pastel pink pretended to be Mew. As the main character, she wandered a world that was only inhabited by Legendary Pokémon. Yet despite this, Mew felt alone, as the other Legendaries, were often so busy they didn't have time to play with her. The only animals seemingly present were fish and insects, represented by cardboard cutouts and figurines, though that might have been more to do with the fact Citrine seemed to lack any other animals.
"Mommy, I feel sad for Mew," Togepi asked, obviously depressed by the opening act. "Why does no one want to play with her?"
"Sometimes, it isn't because they don't want to. Like… Groudon and Kyogre are busy building the world. And then Xerneas and Yveltal have their own responsibilities." Misty explained. It might have been a little inappropriate to speak during a performance, but as long as it bothered no one, it shouldn't be too bad. "They would if they could."
Togepi nodded her head, accepting that.
"The special effects are quite fascinating," Staryu said in a low tone.
Misty nodded in agreement. She had to had to hand it to the writers and the stagehands; they used all sorts of neat tricks to make things work. Puppets animated by telekinesis, vine adjusted props and moving decorations, and earth shaping was even used to quickly transform the stage so quickly. She didn't know if anything like this existed in such technical detail back home.
At the middle act, Mew resolved to change her lot. She took the advice one of her friends gave of making new friends too literally.. She settled upon a forest and then bathed in a faint glow. Instantly, the creatures and objects changed, transforming what had to have been the first Pokémon that weren't Legendaries. Rocks became animate, trees gained the power to speak, animals gained magical abilities.
"Is that why Pokémon exist?" Togepi asked so innocently.
"I don't know," the buizel honestly caught Misty off guard, since she hadn't expected the performance to go this direction. She supposed that like everyone else, the Pokémon of Citrine had to explain where they came from. Then again, maybe it was the story the Legendaries gave to the people of Citrine.
"It might just be a story," Goldeen assured Togepi. "No one actually knows."
Espurr-Mew addressed the Pokémon she created, how she had given them a portion of her Essence and had given them a small measure of her power. This gift gave them not only magical powers of the elements, but also greatly expanded their minds, to make them more like the legendaries.
The Water-type found that specific part of the story interesting, since the way the story framed it made it seem like that without Essence, a Pokémon was no different from any other animal. So, then where did humans fit into that? Did humans have Essence? If so, why couldn't humans use moves, unless they were oddities like Sabrina.
For the final act, it started with Mew enjoying her stay among her new children. Only to abruptly fall sick. The new Pokémon went to the Legendaries, trying to save their creator, their mother, but found no help. They explained that each act creation involved giving a piece of yourself and that Mew had gone too far.
The only way to save her would have been to undo her creation. Many of the Pokémon were willing to do what was necessary, but Mew stopped them, instead saying that no mother would want to do that to their children. As she grew weaker, the Legendaries raised her up into the sky and turned her into a star, perhaps a euphemism for her passing on. Tears were shed, both on and off the stage. Mew did not return, but her children moved on without her.
At the conclusion, the light returned to the theater room. The audience all began to converse what they had seen, some openly weeping at the finale.
"Why did Mew have to die!? Togepi practically bawled.
Misty held onto her little one. She honestly thought the production would have been more uplifting, but it was too late for that now. She didn't have an answer and simply held on tight.
While Misty handled Togepi, others instead grilled Kyuko for answers, since she was the only native from Citrine present.
"The gods created us the first mortal Maiju by instilling us with Essence. In this version of the tale, the great progenitor was first Mew, who took what she saw and gave it life and intelligence," the fox said, as she stretched her body forward. "Others instead state that she or some or the other gods laid eggs which became the first mortals. Though, we don't actually know the full story."
"Do all of them involve… Essence?" Misty asked, still thinking about the idea Pokémon were created.
"Most of them, yes," the priestess said. "Essence is a universal trait of Maiju. All of faiths had to come up with a reason for why we have it, but no other beings do."
Some of the guests started to leave their seats, but Misty and her friends were far enough away from the exits that it would be simpler to just wait for everyone else to clear out first.. They decided to spend that time conversing further.
"It was quite an enjoyable film." Staryu stretched. "It certainly seemed a little passive, for my tastes."
Goldeen snorted. "Of course, you'd prefer the television. Not enough special effects or fighting for you?"
"I have never claimed otherwise," the starfish tilted his body up.
Misty gave her first Pokémon a side eye. "Is that why you have those weird habits when you fight?"
"Well, I haven't had much opportunity since we started traveling the road." Staryu traced the floor of the platform with one of his appendages, in clear embarrassment. "But I was inspired by my favorite shows."
Before Misty could dig further, she overheard a conversation nearby that snatched her attention.
Two elderly nidoqueen spoke in barely hushed voices. It was almost surprising no one told them to quiet down.
"I heard the Tajiri heir has a gold digger! Someone who has followed him since he's been announced!" said one.
Ordinarily, the buizel might have turned away and dismissed the entire topic out of hand, but it involved Ash. She focused in on the conversation, curious about what was being said about their group.
"Uh, Misty?" Staryu said.
The buizel raised a digit to her lip to signal silence.
Staryu got it and focused on the conversation as well.
"It's fascinating really!" said the other. "I heard the young lady is pretty nice looking, but is definitely only interested in the money and the prestige."
"Word is, she came from a noble family, too! One that has fallen on hard times!" said the first.
"Maybe she wants to use the fortunes and status to bring her family to prominence once again?"
"Possibly. I heard she was quite pretentious and arrogant!"
Misty guessed they might have been talking about Cinder. Her family was not in the best of places and she was basically a princess? Being a Sensei seemed like a noble title. Either way, she didn't like the idea of people spreading horrible rumors about a friend. She almost reached over and spoke with the nidoqueen to sort out the misinformation, but then one of the nidoqueen said something that the Water-type had a hard time trying to process.
"She's a buizel, isn't she? She's been seen around the Heir quite often."
The Water-type leaned back in her seat and tried to parse the revelation she had just heard. Surely, this had to be a misunderstanding, right? She wasn't nobility…. Though her friends called her "Mistress" for the longest time. And she did come from a family that had fallen in hard time… and she did kind of want to bring her family prestige and relevance… Oh, what if it was true?
"Misty?" Staryu called out to her and waved his arms.
"I think she's in shock," Goldeen muttered. "I hope she realizes we are clear to leave."
"Can you go over it again?" Scholar Hemlock asked.
Dexter served as his translator, his body right in front of Raichu.
The rodent frowned, wincing under the pressure.
"I know it's stressful.," the noctowl spoke once more as he approached, his tone gentle as it was serious.. "I know you're scared, but we need to know more."
"Do you really?" Raichu winced under the strain. She was close to crying. "I already told you."
Cinder quietly observed nearby, empathizing with Raichu's unwillingness to speak up out of fear. The treatment had stabilized her condition, returning the large rodent to a reasonable standard of health. She could even stand on her own now. Though nothing could be done about her inability to comprehend other Maiju speak, she had gotten used to having Dexter serve as a translator. Unfortunately, when it came to interrogations, the frightened rodent often slurred her words or said something unclearly.
"Raichu, please," Scholar Hemlock pleaded his case. "I know it's hard for you, but we need to know what you have gone through, in as much detail as you can give us."
Raichu lowered her body in clear display of submission. "I… I…" she gulped. After a moment of hesitation she spoke once more. "I… I remember being dragged to somewhere dark and damp. There was very little light and it stunk…"
Cinder quietly transcribed that for others to read later. While the Ernite Thicket was a coastal city, the specific combination of darkness, dampness, and odor narrowed it down considerably.
The zorua did not have time to consider it for too long, as while she scribbled away, one of the other alchemists, the aromatise, walked over to her. "Alchemist Cinder, have you seen where my current research papers are?"
"No, I haven't," the fox replied.
"Really? Are you sure?" the Fairy-type asked, a skeptical tone in her voice.
"No, in fact, I've lost some of my own parchments and observations as well," Cinder admitted with a frown. "It's… honestly quite stressful keeping track of everything." This collaboration with so many other alchemists was nerve wracking as while all of them tried to work on the same goal, each of them wanted their own projects and barely worked together. Ironically, the time she spent as a barely trained apprentice felt more organized.
Aromatise sighed. "I certainly hope it isn't one of the other alchemists stealing notes to claim it as their own deduction. We're supposed to have gone past the rivalries of old."
Cinder nodded in compliance. Hopefully, they just misplaced their notes or they were displaced, rather than having been stolen.
As the Fairy-type walked away, the fox turned back to Raichu and Scholar Hemlock.
"Me and some of the other prisoners, we tried to escape, but before we could try, our captor fed us something awful." Raichu began, a tear in her eyes.
"It was this… darkened sludge. It tasted awful, but we had nothing else to eat." Raichu's ears flattened. "Once we started eating, we started feeling weak. First, we started to lose our ability to use magic. Then, everyone's words just… stopped making sense." She shook her head. "I thought it was some sort of curse that only afflicted us, but…"
Cinder blinked at that. Something Raichu had eaten had resulted in her being unable to access something so fundamental to herself?
"How did you escape?" the owl asked again, not missing a beat.
"I… as we got weaker, our captor would beat us up. He… she… it… was so angry and frustrated. And they'd only get angrier and angry," Raichu frowned. "One day, he… got angry at one of the prisoners and threw our cages around. Mine was smashed open in the fighting. I didn't think I could fight back… so I ran…" Water started to pour from her eyes. "I… I wonder if I should have gone back to see if I could have saved some of the others and-"
Scholar Hemlock raised a wing and placed it over her mouth. "No. Don't talk like that. You did what you could and there is no shame in that."
Raichu whimpered. "But…"
"No buts." Scholar Hemlock replied.
"Raichu?" another voice called. "Raichu, I think it's time you return home."
Cinder turned head in that direction and found Sensei Tungsten walking through the main door. The ferrothorn had earlier that day been called to the Imperial Palace for a meeting with the Empress Dowager. It seemed like he had returned sooner than later.
Most of the alchemists in the meeting room who were unoccupied turned to meet the Sensei. They gave the owner of the establishment a bow of respect. Cinder, likewise, did the same.
Dexter relayed the Steel-type's words.
Raichy eyed the Steel-type and nodded her head. "I… I would like to go home."
"Are you certain?" the owl tilted his head. "Our patient is not fully recovered. And she's currently unable to care for herself. And we still have plenty of tests on the schedule."
"I'm positive," Tungsten answered. "We're already learned what we can from our observations. Now, it is time to move on to other plans."
Cinder frowned. She shut her notes and walked over. "Sensei Tungsten, did something occur while you were away?"
"It is quite simple. The Emperor has declared that we should prioritize other avenues of investigation, where we'd be more useful." Sensei Tungsten replied.
Cinder tilted her head. Didn't the Emperor just start school recently? She doubted he could have said something so eloquent. Perhaps the Snesei meant that the Dowager Empress or one of the other advisors had actually given the order, but mentioned the Emperor to lend it legitimacy?
Sensei Tungsten turned back towards Raichu and lowered his body. "Miss Raichu, if you follow me, we can take you home."
Dexter related that, prompting Raichu to nod.
The Pokédex floated in front of the chief alchemist. Should I come with you?
"I can make due with my own feet. Thank you." The Ferrothorn walked forward and out of the building, under the careful watch of the guards.
Scholar Hemlock made a sigh. "It is unfortunate, but perhaps it is for the best." He turned to the rest of the room. "Everyone, gather around the table. We must summarize what we know for when Sensei Tungsten returns."
As the person with the highest rank present, Scholar Hemlock sat at the head of the table, with his actual seat left empty for when Sensei Tungsten returned and claimed his rightful place. Others filled in after the owl. Dexter floated away, along with the other assistants, as none of them had the standing to be present.
Cinder walked over to the table and took her seat far away from the owl. Since her arrival some days ago, the zorua had largely faded into the background; she considered that a victory.
Scholar Hemlock spoke to the group. "Alchemist, what have we learned since our last meeting?"
"During Raichu's treatment, I have reason to believe that our suspect may not be fully trained in alchemy," Alchemist Aromatise volunteered. "The poisoning she suffered from was largely due to the presence of toxic substances in her body. The substances that were improperly transmuted and retained their toxic properties."
"This would be consistent with the testimony we had received," Scholar Hemlock noted.
Cinder felt an ugly feeling in her stomach. The person who did all of this had been an incompetent? Then, what was the goal with all of this? Why was this kidnapper capturing Maiju to experiment on?
Noivern pulled out a scroll and placed it onto the table. It was a list of all of the Maiju who had been gathered, as well as their species. "I had attempted to discern if there was a pattern in the abductions using partial records." She frowned and shook her head. "I had considered a familial or hereditary effect, but not everyone belonged to the same egg group. I then considered if there were a shared Aspect or feature that I could find, but no avail. The only thing I can be certain of is that the abductor is not targeting Maiju who are of the same exact species and evolutionary stage as a previous victim, as there have never been repeats."
"Even simply knowing what our suspect isn't searching for allows us to refine our methods." Scholar Hemlock replied. Alchemist Noivern's scroll was passed around, each of the other alchemists getting a turn to review it.
Cinder had to admit, that was a sound idea. Though what Alchemist Noivern did was not alchemy, it was still a good idea. If a pattern could be deduced, then that meant that they might be able to determine who was at risk and perhaps even plan to capture the kidnapper before they took even more lives.
"From the testimony we've gathered from Raichu, I suspect that she might have been held in the sewers," Scholar Hemlock provided.
That sent all sorts of disgusted expressions all through the table.
"Now, we don't know for sure," Scholar Hemlock said apologetically. "But that is my first assumption for where Raichu was held captive based on the apparent stench and dampness she described. I certainly hope that isn't the case, but thankfully we aren't the ones who will be sent to investigate."
Cinder digested that bit of information. The sewer seemed a likely option. It was all over the Capital, though most did not enter. As long as one didn't care about the stench, it provided both security and accessibility to a would-be abductor.
As the scroll from Alchemist Noivern made its way to Cinder, the zorua turned her attention away from the conversation and looked over the details one more time. Though she had read similar lists before, she noted that it was kind of odd how some of the victims were of a similar evolutionary family as some of her friends: flareon, vaporeon, raichu, pichu, koffing, bellsprout, ekans, starmie. The list went on, but Cinder felt like she needed to think about this further before she presented this bit of information for others.
"…Why are you having a meeting without me?" Sensei Tungsten's voice filled the room.
All other conversation ceased as the whole room turned towards him.
"Welcome back," said Scholar Hemlock. He got up out of the head of the table to present it to the ferrothorn. "I take it Raichu's home wasn't very far."
"What do you mean?" the Steel-type tilted his head in confusion. "I had just returned from my meeting with the Dowager Empress; Raichu wasn't with me."
"But… if you didn't take Raichu, then who did!?" Alchemist Noivern shouted.
The entire room rang abuzz as everyone tried to resolve what happened, each trying to ask the others if their eyes were playing tricks on them.
Cinder rose from her seat as she told them the answer. "That was the Ditto, that was our kidnapper!" she felt compelled to shout.
"But… how? The guards would have seen through the disguise!" one of the alchemists said.
"They never encountered a ditto before," the zorua said coldly. "None of us have, none of us have seen the signs." Her kind were known to be naturally deceptive, especially those in more shadowy employment. As a result, there were a number of checks to ensure that people were not being impersonated by an illusionist. The simplest check was to simply tap the suspect to see if the illusion broke.
For once, Cinder wasn't the only one afraid. A few of the alchemists rushed out the door, hoping to recapture Raichu before it was too late. Others ran inside the dormitories and shouted for their assistant to come and aid them. The last group went to call the guards for the emergency.
Cinder was paralyzed by indecision and her own thoughts. She wasn't particularly fast, nor was she much of a fighter. She wanted to contribute, but… she was just one incredibly shy fox.
There is also the fact that the kidnapper had seemingly known when Sensei Tungsten was both away from this location as well as who was in what role given how he acted. Imitating a person's physical appearance was simpler than consciously emulating and acting as that person…That meant that they had been infiltrated for some time.
"Lady Tanzanite," Sensei Tungsten walked over to her. He was far too slow to get anywhere quickly. "Can you give me a summary of what was discussed as everyone else has left?"
"That was an interesting story," Brock began as they walked out of the theater and onto the streets.
"I had a good time," Vulpix said as she walked beside her trainer and educator. A part of her wondered if she might have ended up being on stage in front of a live audience like those actors, either here in Citrine or back home in Kanto. She was meant to be a show Pokémon, after all.
"I'm left with so many questions!" Zubat cried. "Like, why did everyone group based on Type and not their egg group at first?"
"Egg groups not known." Onix provided as he slithered in the back. "Did not know. Until very end. Did not know. About eggs either."
"I guess that made sense," Brock said as he stretched himself and yawned.
"In the story, the first Maiju had to come to terms with their own creation and divinely given impulses and desires." Kyuko, that priestess, walked beside Brock. "They made mistakes, but found it best when they learned to work with the gods instilled in them."
"Yeah…" Brock said.
Vulpix closed her eyes and tried not to growl. When she had been told that the mansion was being evacuated, she hadn't expected the priestess to come with them. It was the priestss fault that Brock had changed. Then again, Vulpix had encouraged it. And Brock was happier for it.
It's just…she knew that she was outclassed. Brock had become fully evolved and his interests were in more mature and evolved Pokémon.
Goldeen floated over head and came to a stop right in front of everyone before calling out. "Look there!" she said, pointing to a sign that advertised a large marketplace. "I think we should visit while we have the time."
Vulpix's eyes lit up. She had almost forgotten, but Goldeen's words reminded the fox of her plan. She had been discreetly saving up leftover money for it.
"That sounds like a good idea!" Misty shouted.
Others nodded in reply.
The group took a detour through one of the major roads and towards the market square.
It resembled something like a series of upscale stripmalls that had been welded together. Waterways ran between each road, small patches of bamboo and trees lending the area more natural feel. Venues and boutiques of every sort dotted the area, some of which were specialized towards specific Pokémon; such as the avian centric outfitters or the reptilian skin care vendor. Vulpix had to admit, going by the signs, she hadn't heard of any place in her time among humans that had such variety.
"Hey, ya think we can get da last components here?" Meowth began as he talked with the rest of his team.
"I don't see why not," James admitted. He then pointed out a fabric store. "Aha! Hey, let's get some of that! I want to make some new costumes for myself!"
"Only if you promise to make me clothing, too!" Jessie countered.
Losing interest in Team Rocket, Vulpix moved over to the others.
"Can we get toys, Mommy?" Togepi pleaded, her eyes wide as she looked over at Misty.
"Think we can use a deck of cards?" Goldeen asked Onix.
It seemed to Vulpix like everyone had their own ideas of where they would like to go and what they'd like to buy on their own. It was such a stark contrast to how things used to be, where at most the Pokemon on the group would have to pantomime or gesture to their trainers on what they'd like to have; and often, the trainer either didn't understand or refused to make the purchase. Now, Brock and Misty trusted them to do their own shopping with a small allowance.
"Where are we going to meet up?" Vulpix asked everyone. "Like, it seems like we're going to split up, so I don't want to get completely lost."
"There's what sounds like a food court." Geodude pointed at a sign. "We can regroup there."
Everyone agreed to that.
With a rendezvous established, Vulpix darted into the crowd and ran around. She didn't have a shop in mind already, but the few minutes later, she saw the sign.
ENCHANTING EVOLUTIONS
Transform your life today!
It was a small, quiet store huddled between a much larger clothing store and a musical instruments shop. It was a simple booth with a counter at the front, with a room that led to the back. A poster beside the vendor listed every evolution item up for sale. Presumably, a customer simply requested what they wanted and were then given the item.
Vulpix walked over to the counter.
A lone espeon eyed the fox. "Will this be for yourself or another?" she asked.
"Myself," she answered. She unslung the small purse of valuables she carried with her and threw it over the counter. "I want to finally evolve," she answered.
Espeon nodded her head. "How soon do you want it?"
"Immediately."
"Very well then. Please wait," Espeon said. She then walked through the back door and into the store proper.
Vulpix's heart raced. The little fox knew that whatever happened now, there was no turning back. It would be a big change, but one that she had been considering for a while now. She was ready.
"Ah, I see my guess was correct," a voice called, her tone almost teasing.
"Kyuko." Vulpix didn't need to turn her head to know who was speaking to her. "You were expecting me?" she replied, dryly.
"Of course! I knew you were up to something and lo and behold, I was right." The other fox walked over and positioned herself by the counter. "So, you want to evolve, no doubt to impress a certain lycanroc?"
Vulpix stared back, trying to hide her reaction behind a hard glare.
"Oh, don't look so surprised, it's fairly obvious, given how many other girls can fall for that… perfect lupine physique," the priestess laughed. "There's no shame in wanting that."
Vulpix paused, not expecting that response. What was her angle? "... That's awfully nice of you to say."
"I am a priestess. I was born and raised to serve." the older fox said simply. She then shook her head. "Which is why when I say this, bear in mind that this is for your own benefit; cease your pursuit of Brock."
"What are you saying!?" Vulpix growled.
"Brock is far beyond you, elevated to a high station." Kyuko shifted tails outward, almost surrounding Vulpix in the process. "You don't even have a name of your own, nor do you have anything that denotes you as anything special."
"My… mother is… relatively important," Vulpix stammered, though she knew that bringing up her human mother wasn't really going to help her case here.
"Perhaps." Kyuko didn't seem to buy that. She furrowed her brow. "But one thing I can be certain of; you are simply too young for him."
Vulpix growled.
"Are you even half as many Moons as Brock?" Kyuko said bluntly. "You might be able to evolve yourself, to rush ahead a bit here and there, but you're not going to compensate for a lack of experience, of maturation."
Vulpix glared. She… knew there was a small bit of truth to the priestess's words. She wasn't that old. She was basically given to Brock to raise because the two of them were both young and in need of learning from one another. And yet, despite these weaknesses on her part, she wasn't without counters of her own. "You don't know who he is!"
Kyuko narrowed gaze, her tails raised in frustration.
"Yeah, you heard me!" Vulpix spat practically in her face. "Would you even care for Brock if he wasn't this… twilight whatever?"
"A hypothetical that does not exist nor is relevant," Kyuko deflected.
Vulpix huffed. Fine. She had more ammunition. "And yet all I know about you is that you've just barely met Brock and you're already taking steps to court him!"
"That… is quite accusation." She looked around, looking if others in the marketplace paid attention to their dispute.
Vulpix however, didn't care as much for impropriety. She snorted. "Ever since we met, I've seen how you moved around him, how you spoke to Brock. You want to court him and you don't even know who is!"
"And that's a problem?"
"You don't know where he came from! What he's dreamed about doing!" Vulpix continued, drawing on from her memories. "You don't know how he's struggled to find a date, or how he's had to take care of his whole family by himself because of his parents! You don't even know that he's-" the smaller fox cut herself off before she let that secret spill.
Kyuko stared at Vulpix for a solid minute before responding. "I would admit to not knowing any of that, though I… I would strive to correct this mistake."
Vulpix panted and tried to regain her composure. She had to admit, at least Kyuko seemed honest about at least wanting to know who Brock was. She decided to be blunt. "If you really want to… court Brock, you have to know what it'll cost you."
The Ninetales raised an eyebrow.
"More than anything, right now, Brock wants to go back home to see his family," Vulpix said. She patted the dirt. "And that means leaving Citrine."
"But no one has left Citrine," Kyuko responded, almost disbelieving.
"We know Hanako Tajiri did. We know she asked the gods to spirit her away" Vulpix said coldly. "That's why Ash was born outside Citrine."
"But… but that means…" The priestess's eyes widened. "I knew she and her father had a falling out but… to go that far."
Vulpix didn't let up. She had a point to prove and she wanted to say it. "If we succeed, there's a good chance that Brock is leaving Citrine." She shook her head. "And out there, your duties, his blessing, my status, none of that really matters."
Kyuko sat there, contemplating that for a moment. She eventually stiffened her body and righted her posture. "I see. I was not aware of the… costs."
"It helps to talk to people about what they want.," Vulpix replied dismissively.
The sound of a door opening signaled Espeon's return. "Sorry, it took so long, but I finally found it!" she declared and sat a small metallic box onto the table. "It's right here. Now, are you still sure you want to do this?" she seemed unaware of the conversation that transpired mere minutes ago.
Vulpix turned to glance at the priestess, waiting for an interjection.
The priestess furrowed her brow. "I meant what I said earlier. Honestly, if you're so insistent on rushing ahead, then I cannot help you."
Vulpix noted her objections and decided to ignore them. "I'm ready. Hit me."
Espeon went to count the money, levitating currency out of the sack to take what she was owed. In turn, she fetched a key and brought it over to the box and…
"Help me!" Vulpix's ears twitched as she picked up a muffled voice, the words barely intelligible over the natural ruckus of the market.
"Did you hear that?" the small fox asked.
"Hear what?" asked the espeon shopkeeper. She slowly spun the key to unseal the lock box.
"I… did hear something, though not exactly what," the priestess spoke.
"Save me!" the voice called again, though slightly weaker.
The fox noted that no one nearby had picked up on the sound, so it had to be near. "Someone is calling for help. Sounds like they're in trouble."
"We should perhaps find the guards and have them deal with the matter," Kyoko responded.
"And by that point, we might not be able to help," Vulpix said as she tried to determine where the voice was coming from.
"Shut up!" another voice said to the first.
The smaller fox traced the sound towards the side of the road, in a distant alley way. She heard muffled sounds of foot steps ahead.
"Excuse me, Miss!" Espeon cried out. "Your stone."
"I'm sorry!" Vulpix said, thinking that she had very little time to intervene. Besides, if she evolved before getting into a fight, she'd have to learn how to move in her new body, rather than knowing its ins and outs already. "I'll be back for it later."
"Oh…. uh… right…" the shopkeeper stuttered.
"Please, inform the guards," Kyuko ordered.
The purple haired canine nodded her head.
Seeing that that matter was resolved, Vulpix walked deeper into the dusty alleyway.
Kyuko loped behind her. "We should not be here. It's likely you heard some thugs roughing up some unfortunate."
"And that doesn't concern you?" Vulpix replied.
"It does, but it happens so often in this city that it's not feasible for us to go after every individual crook just because we're nearby." the priestess muttered.
Vulpix turned the corner and found herself facing a shack with a ramp that led downwards into the darkness. An awful stench drifted out. "Ew. What's this?"
"Sewer access. Meaning that this is a typical affair."
Vulpix thought it was a little weird how this sewer access isn't a ladder like she thought sewers should have, but she supposed that most Pokémon couldn't really use a ladder without difficulty.
The small fox felt a real temptation to just leave, but the pained moans from below made her reconsider. "No… no… spare me… no…"
Vulpix took a step forward and down the ramp. She felt her nose itching from the foul odor, but she had to press on.
"You can't seriously be thinking of going down there." Kyuko balked. She gritted her teeth and ran in front of Vulpix. "Fine, out of the way."
The smaller fox snorted. "So, why are you coming?"
"If this is your way of proving a point, I will not let myself be upstaged," the fox said dismissively. "Especailly since all we will be threatened by is the common bandit."
That wasn't the intention, but Vulpix was glad for it. And hey, at least, the ninetales was willing to put her money where her mouth was. "Come on, I can hear crying this way. And try not to talk too much."
They walked down into the sewers. A river of sludge drifted past them, kept at bay by concrete footpaths and metal grating. Dim lighting came in the form of faintly glowing stones instead of candles and torches.
The two foxes spent a good minute following distant footsteps and struggles ahead of them.
When they got within striking distance, Vulpix dashed forward to confront the brigant… only to find herself face to face with a wounded, but vaguely familiar raichu.
The electrical rodent turned to face her, tears streaming down her eyes, "...Run!" she called out.
Vulpix didn't have time to process that as she felt acrid, burning against her sides. Poison seeped into her body and burned at her flesh. She was knocked down and her vision blurred as she tried to manage to sudden pain.
"Ah…. so we have interlopers…." a voice hissed as something slithered by the smaller fox.
"Unhand her!" Kyuko launched a purplish psionic haze at Vulpix's attacker. It struck home and knocked him away from the smaller fox.
Once free, Vupix shook her head and reoriented herself. She saw a snake with oily black scales and a venomous blade on its tail. A seviper, wasn't it? She didn't recall the type, but she knew that it wasn't resistant to fire. She drew in flame to conjure up Flamethrower, yet in that instant… Seviper changed and transformed
Slowking waddled forward and then with a wave of his hands sent a wave of putrid water right at Vulpix and Kyuko. With nowhere to go, the two foxes found themselves flung several feet backwards, only stopped when the wave subsided.
"Unintended, but fortunate." Slowking said as he walked over to them. "You two will do nicely."
Vulpix tried to stand, but the injuries in her side ached and burned. Her legs shook unsteadily as she tried to let herself stand.
Kyuko was in slightly better shape and managed to get up. Though it was clear that this was a strain for her.
However, Slowking noticed this as well. "Do not struggle," he said as he brought his hand to his crown and then let loose a beam of psychic light at Kyuko.
Panicking, Vulpix summoned what strength she had left and leapt in front of the beam. More pain wracked her body and she found herself blown into the wall.
The older fox was stunned.
"GET OUT!" Vulpix barked, as that was the only thing left she could do.
Slowking went to make another beam of psychic force, but Kyuko took her junior's advice and ran. Slowking didn't have the speed to keep up as the fox ran out of the sewers. He smashed his hands the wall, howling in fury. "SLOPPY!" he shouted.
Vulpix's eyes felt heavy. She was so weak. She knew she was fading.
Slowking walked over to Vulpix. He bent down and looked her in the eyes. "Regrettable, but salvageable. Would have preferred both." He kept muttering to himself before he shook his head. "No matter. Was always planning on acquiring a vulpix."
With whatever strength she had left, Vulpix tried to kick her body away, to nudge herself just another step closer to freedom. She didn't know who or what her attacker was, only what he kept saying.
The last thing Vulpix saw before she blacked out was the slowking reaching forward with one of his hands and covering the fox's eyes.
Had a bit of trouble filling in the activities for this chapter. Eventually resolved that since this was technically an Empire, Ash would necessarily meet the ruler.
"Gaozu" is a funny name given its translation refers to having a tall stature.
Also, we're out of the slice of life section and now heading into some real problems