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Chapter 92

Part 1

Help me. Please.

Tallie woke with a start. It was the morning after Hunter had left the base and taken half the team with him, including the team leader, leaving her to take over all of Team Ember's operations for the foreseeable future.

There was a lot on Tallie's mind. Was she overwhelmed? Yes, but there's no way she'd ever show that in public. Running the team wasn't so different than what she'd been doing before. She just needed to keep assigning appropriate jobs to the appropriate Pokémon, and maybe occasionally make a difficult decision or two. As long as she didn't have a public meltdown, it was nothing she couldn't do. She could do anything, after all. She had a whole team of talents at her disposal. Nothing had to go wrong.

Tallie, are you there?

I need your assistance. It's important.

Tallie squawked at herself. She preferred it when the dreams stayed in her head while she was dreaming, and didn't have the audacity to jump out of her subconscious and bother her after she'd already woken up. It wasn't the first time this happened, and it was a nuisance. Tallie was a functioning, rational bird who was completely in control of her thoughts and actions – she didn't like to think of herself as a puppet of deep inner thoughts she couldn't see except when she was sleeping. Better to keep those pushed down where they can't bother you. The children of Team Ember were loud enough as it was…

Peering around the room, she found it to be ridiculously early. The torches were still blue. Too early for even the earliest of early-birds to take flight, unless the lack of sunlight was somehow absolutely necessary for the success of the mission…

Tallie. You're awake. I feel it.

They won't expect me to contact you. If only I can get your attention, we might still have a chance.

But it needs to be you. You, alone. I can't trust anyone else right now.

It occurred to Tallie that the voice might not be coming from a dream after all. It might be telepathy. Someone in the base was speaking to her. Tallie didn't particularly enjoy telepathy; she used it reluctantly only in mission-critical situations, usually with the likes of Eva. This particular telepathic voice didn't have the snide, slightly unhinged feel of Eva's mind, but she couldn't imagine who else would specifically want to be speaking with her.

Who is this, Eva? Tallie tried responding.

No, I'm afraid not, spoke the soundless voice in the silence of her mind. I need you to come to where I am. I can't risk sending too many telepathic signals. They might be intercepted.

Oh, come on, you really expect me to believe this isn't a trap? Tallie blasted back. This has all the clawmarks of a trap. I was not hatched yesterday! What do you want? Are you trying to threaten me? Are you trying to take control of Team Ember?

The voice fell silent for a moment as though to consider a reasonable response. I have more of a personal interest in protecting Team Ember than you will ever know, was the reply.

I feel like you're just proving my point, Tallie returned. You sound like you want to remove me from the picture and take control of Team Ember yourself. Sorry, but that's not happening. I've been appointed leader, and I take my job more seriously than I'll ever explain to you. Try harder.

The voice fell silent again, longer this time. There isn't much proof I have to offer you, from where I currently stand, came the late reply. I am powerless. That's why I need you. Something threatens Team Ember, and possibly the entire Gold Division as well. I need an ally. You are perhaps the only one I would trust.

Tallie ruffled her feathers. Who are you, exactly? she coldly demanded.

Xatu, of High Intelligence, replied the telepathic voice. I need you to trust me.

Tallie blinked in surprise. Could have led with that, honestly, Tallie shot. Could have said, 'Hey, it's Xatu, see me downstairs,' and I would have just said, 'Yes, boss, right away.' No need to get all melodramatic about it. Where do you need to meet, exactly? Down in the headquarters rooms?

No, replied Xatu. Below those rooms. In the dungeon.

The… dungeon? Tallie replied with a chill. We have one of those?

Yes, we do, Xatu said. We don't call attention to it, and we haven't had to detain any prisoners in at least ten years. At least, until now. I'm the first prisoner of the Gold Division in over a decade.

Oh… Tallie replied. Oh… I think I see where you're going with this. Oh, great blazing gods. Is this a coup? What can I do to help? How do I get to the dungeon?

You'll need to get past the headquarters door, Xatu explained. Dive-bomb into the first corridor and you should pierce the barrier ward. Try to fly fast so the secretary on duty won't catch you. Once you're in, take an immediate left… down the long stairs… make sure the chamber-lock switch is turned to the "off" position… Ah, we've already spoken too much. Can you meet me down here?

I can do anything, Tallie asserted, already feeling the flare of her fire. I'm on my way, Xatu. Say no more.

Wait… one last thing, said Xatu. There might be a Dusknoir nearby to you. You've likely encountered him before. If you find him, please bring him with you to me.

Understood, said Tallie, already kicking down all the doors of Team Ember's hall to check for the Dusknoir.

In one room, Gemstone and Dragonbane – or Dragonheart, as he was secretly called now, as ridiculous as it was. In another, there was Kerzek, Lyre, and Scarlet. In another, there was Leo and Adamant, who usually shared a room with Zona, who was still out helping to escort Char and his buddies somewhere. Asunder, Buddy, and Watcher shared a room of their own tonight. Brace shared a lonely room with himself, now that Otto was gone. Eva also looked particularly lonely tonight, sleeping in the master bedroom on Char's bed without Char being there.

And that was all she could find. Zachel was undoubtedly sneaking out to have a chat with a certain snake, like she did basically every night. Arcana usually slept in the hideout nowadays, so she wouldn't have to keep her illusions active all night. That was it. Tallie double-checked her mental list, making sure everyone was accounted for. No Team X, no Dusknoir.

No more time to dally. She torpedoed herself out into the Gold Division base, whipping up a fearsome tailwind to close the door behind her.

The High Intelligence secretary on duty, an absentminded blue Meowstic, did indeed make a brief protest as Tallie shot right past him. But the Meowstic likely wasn't expecting anyone to charge beak-first through the ward at breakneck speed. It felt like breaking through the surface of a frozen lake, sending a brief shock into her ember, but Tallie shrugged off the collision and swerved around the corner, down the stairs, and into the forbidden chambers where the Gold Division apparently kept their prisoners, a place Tallie had never heard about until now.

The row of twelve prison cells was arranged suspiciously similar to the bedrooms of Team Ember. Tallie spotted Xatu waiting patiently for her, and swooped around to lock the door behind her with the sheer force of wind, without even touching the ground.

Tallie came to rest before Xatu. The lattice of metallic bars in front of her clearly was not safe to touch; some kind of visible energy pulsed through it, almost looking like a mixture of electric-type and ghost-type energy. The unnatural static pull made Tallie want to heave just by being too close.

"What in the blasted blazes is going on?!" Tallie hissed immediately. "Who would throw you in prison, Xatu? This goes way over my head, doesn't it?"

Xatu merely sighed, looking just as calm and focused as ever with her wings folded close to her body. "Unfortunately, I do not even understand what is going on," she said quietly. "That's why I will require your help. Team Ember is the only team I am willing to trust at the moment. Speaking of which, Tallie, I need you to look into my eyes…"

Tallie's first reaction was to glance away, fearful of some sort of treachery. She was fearful of getting hypnotized – something that had regrettably happened to her once before. But when she finally brought herself to look Xatu in the eye, she saw a simple, honest, and confident expression staring back at her – a kind of confidence which made her feel jealous.

"Tallie," said the Xatu, plainly and simply, "I need you to understand something. I am on your side, wholly and completely. I always have been, and I always will be. If nobody else in this base can be trusted, you have me. I will always do whatever necessary to act in the best interest of Team Ember, and those who command it. You do not need to understand my reasons. I only need you to know that it is true. I ask that you trust me and do not doubt my intentions. Can I trust you, Tallie?"

Surprised by this gesture, Tallie set a fearsome mask of determination, which she hoped would not be mistaken for indifference. "Fine," she replied. "I have no reason to distrust you. Not yet, at least. But I won't forget what you said. Now, with that out of the way, I'd love to know how you expect me to help."

Xatu gazed down at the lower metal bars of her cell. "Ah… to begin with, I will tell you about a particular encounter I've just had, only hours before…"


Xatu sensed a presence at the door, she sighed and closed her eyes, hanging her head in resignation.

"Do what you must," she spoke. "I've already won…"

She felt the presence enter her room, knowing the correct encryption key to breach the powerful wards. She felt its psychic-type aura behind her, drawing nearer – an aura she knew so well.

Once it stopped walking, she waited for it to make its move. To attack. To ensnare her and pulverize her with a hundred spells. To break her mind and attempt make her spill all her secrets.

She was ready. Nothing could take away her victory. Char was safe. The human… was safe. His secrets and plans had been well-guarded beneath her wings.

But the entity behind her did not radiate so much malice or frustration.

"Xatu," said the mighty voice of Alakazam. "I assure you that I am not your enemy."

Xatu turned to meet his gaze, surprised by his assertion. Still, she suspected trickery. Surely, the head administrator of the entire Gold Division would not find it beneath him to tell a few little lies if that's what it took to challenge the Overseer.

"Why have you come, then?" Xatu softly spoke. "If not to dispose of me?"

Alakazam's eyes flashed with shock and pity. "To help you," he stated. "Xatu… something has breached these walls. Something has slipped past our notice. I've ignored the signs for too long… but lately I've come to the conclusion that our base has been compromised, and there are malicious actors hiding in the shadows… those who are trying to turn us against one another. Which is why I've come to say… I am not your enemy."

"What are you talking about?" Xatu said skeptically. "Surely you know by now that I am the one who has compromised the Gold Division. Surely you've puzzled it out…?"

Alakazam shook his head softly. "Xatu. You are the Gold Division," he replied powerfully. "Just as I am the Gold Division. I am well aware of the ways in which our best interests are not entirely congruent… but this is by design, and we are stronger leaders for it. I think we could not have ruled at one another's sides for as long as we have, if I did not wholeheartedly trust in your machinations… even if they are at times meant to deceive me. I can only guess at the nature of your strange business with Char, but right now, that is nothing of my concern. Listen to me, my dearest friend and partner, when I say that we. Are not. Enemies. I believe someone or something has been trying to make us enemies, because it is their only option. They know that our minds together are too much for them. Even if you have committed actions I would object to – I am calling a full truce on such matters until our current issues are resolved."

Xatu was wary of believing it, but every twinge and pulse of Alakazam's aura screamed that he was telling the truth. He was either trustworthy, or he was evil beyond any of Xatu's expectations, to make himself seem this trustworthy for the sake of deceiving her.

Though it made her feel strangely guilty, as though she were possibly betraying Char, she let her guard down and decided to trust him. "What's on your mind, then?" she asked tentatively.

"A bad actor has infiltrated the base," Alakazam stated. "An actor who particularly understands how to deceive us and play us against one another. That is my strongest theory at the moment. We let someone in. We trusted someone we should not have trusted. Perhaps a new recruit we hired. But they are here, and they have unknown means and motives."

"Perhaps a shapeshifter, or a Zoroark," Xatu suggested.

Alakazam shook his head. "This was the first test I ran," he explained. "I had a full scan performed. As of last hour, there are no Mew, Ditto, Zorua, or Zoroark harbored within our walls and wards. Though I question where Domo has gone at the moment – the test has always identified him, but he is apparently not within these walls as we speak. No… I'm afraid that whatever Pokémon is working against us, they are something that we would not think to expect. They could not have recently infiltrated the base – they have been here for several seasons, at the very least, playing a longer game."

"Have you spoke with Team Cog?" asked Xatu. "Perhaps they've identified recent anomalies in the mind-probing process."

"Team Cog would have caught it already," grumbled Alakazam. "This frustrates me to no end. If someone's going rogue, or if we've got a typical turncoat in our midst, Team Cog would have already addressed the issue. Their technology is designed specifically for circumstances like this. No… I'm afraid, whatever vermin has gotten in the base, they are skilled, and deliberate, exactly the right Pokémon for the job. There are no two ways about it: I cannot defeat them on my own. And I cannot defeat them if my greatest ally has become my enemy."


"And then he threw you into Gold Division Prison?" Tallie squawked through the cell bars. "After you had such a stupidly sappy talk about how you're weaker when you're apart? Um, is there something I'm missing here?"

Xatu let herself chuckle, and her eye glinted in Tallie's direction. She nodded her head. "Yes, but that is the first part of our gambit," she explained. "We are trying to provoke the unseen actor to attack, or to otherwise make some sort of mistake. So Alakazam has staged an argument with me earlier this night, and locked me behind these bars for the time being, giving the enemy a window of opportunity. Meanwhile, as we speak, he performs some machinations of his own. I will not be here for long. Truth be told, the security here is more for my own peace of mind, rather than to keep me detained. But while I am here, I hope that our unseen actor will not expect us to be having this talk. Unfortunately I cannot teleport outside of these bars, which would have made it easier to hold a conversation such as this one. So… can I trust you, Tallie?"

Tallie ruffled her feathers and flared her wings, nearly backing into the open prison cell on the other side of the hall. "Wait, wait, slow down," she hissed. "So let me see if I've got this right. There's some mysterious enemy, or enemies… they're inside the base… and they're seemingly competent enough to make you and Alakazam think that you're enemies… so… what do you want me to do about this, exactly? That's the part I'm not exactly following. What part do I play?"

"I want Team Ember to be my secret eyes and ears," Xatu spoke quietly. "And I want you to know the truth of what's going on, so that you will exercise the caution necessary to keep your team safe. The enemy will be expecting High Intelligence to investigate them. They won't be expecting Team Ember. They won't be expecting you to be my secret weapon."

Tallie took a few tentative steps forward, and nodded lightly. "Hey. Nobody's gonna hurt the kids under my watch," she said boldly. "I promised Char I'd keep them safe, and I'll promise you too. Yeah. You can trust me, boss. Let me know if you need anything else. I think I know what I gotta do."

"My greatest thanks," said Xatu, bowing in the Talonflame's direction. "It is strange… I have the strangest feeling that despite being surrounded by my friends and allies… I might need to be deeply worried about this. So I suppose the best comfort is to bring some of my friends and allies even closer."

Tallie turned to leave, but hesitated and swiveled her hawk-like head back at Xatu. "Just one more question for now," she said quickly. "Um… what do you think the intruder is trying to accomplish, exactly? Like, what's the motive? I feel like if they got this far, they could have blown up the Gold Division by now if they really wanted. So what else?"

Xatu closed her eyes and sighed. "Ah… that, unfortunately, is obvious to someone such as myself," Xatu said sadly. "Seeing that the intruder has yet to act destructively, it is clear that they want to use us. They want to control us – the power and influence of the Gold Division – for some sinister means… without us knowing that we are under their control."