13th Winter Moon, 908 – Avestoia, Echo Bell Kingdom

"(Thank you! Come again!)"

With the war between Senbo and Wick ramping up as of late, concern washed over the noble kingdom of Echo Bell in fear of being swept away in the flames of war. Armies from opposing sides crossing through Echo Bell territory to engage in combat often times led to conflict within the open fields. Some resistance was met by the Echo Bell military to dissuade further combat on their land, with the likes of Evangelina Visconti heralding the negotiations in place of the king.

The disturbances of late caused issues for local businesses, raising prices in response. Though not demanding in price, civilians were becoming more frugal with what they spent as a result, making businesses that didn't sell basic necessities take the hardest hits.

Not so much for a small business known as Inigo's Puzzles and Games Shoppe.

To quell the dread looming over their small town, the shop opted for a big sale on their many trinkets and toys to bring levity to the youth most affected by these times. Business wasn't booming, but just enough to keep them afloat.

The Wigglytuff at the front counter, after finishing up with her most recent customer, folded her arms under herself and lay her head down. She groaned. "Slowest day ever…"

A Poliwrath roamed the shop, restocking shelves. "Inigo said we'd be closing up early today, so hold off for another couple of hours, Marsaili."

Despite the hardships they endured, a silver lining found its way into the lives of the former black-market gang, the Dukes of Buzzard. After narrowly escaping the wrath of The Ghost via the Senbo-Wick train system, they traveled into the depths of Echo Bell and settled down to recuperate in hiding. Times were tough, especially when the New Chariot Empire invaded, but they managed to find steady employment under the graces of a kindly nobleman.

Marsaili pulled a book from under the counter and flipped to the last page she was on. "How long do you think it'll take the Wick Kingdom to realize they're already defeated? I'm getting sick and tired of all these knights marching through town."

Rogier scratched his cheek. "Eh, they're a stubborn bunch. I actually talked to a few of the Wick knights who were retreating from battle. Even they're getting impatient with the fighting."

"Says a lot about the powers that be when they can't see what's right in front of them…" Marsaili lowered her book just as the front-end bell rang. "Hmm? Oh. Hey, Hapi."

The Pignite hung her bag on a nearby rack. "I just finished my deliveries for the day. How's business been?"

Marsaili grunted. "Slow. Had to chase some brats out of the store. Tried to swipe supplies off the shelves when I wasn't looking."

Rogier laughed. "I scared them good!"

Hapi glanced warily at the hole in the wall by the front entrance. "That explains the half-melted Ice Ball outside. And the traumatized kids I passed earlier."

"That'll show them!" Rogier exclaimed.

Marsaili rolled her eyes. "It's a miracle you lasted as long as you did in the constabulary."

Hapi scratched behind her ear. "Well, seems you two have things covered here, and Inigo didn't give me much else to do today. Mind if I take off early?"

Marsaili shrugged. "Eh, I don't see why not. Got somewhere to be?"

Hapi rubbed her arm awkwardly. "Uh, something like that. Yeah. Uh, thanks. I'll see you all back at the house!" She turned and exited the shop.

Rogier tilted his head. "Huh. She's been running off a lot recently. Wonder what that's about."

"None of my business," Marsaili mumbled, flipping through her book.

"…You think she's seeing a boy?"

Marsaili slammed her book down. "We are not having this discussion."

"What?"

"This. This…This thing you are insinuating. We're not doing this. She's her own person. She can do whatever she wants and doesn't need us following her around. And she certainly doesn't need us making up weird rumors behind her back."

"You're not curious?"

"Why do you automatically assume she's running off to see a boy? Why does this even matter?"

"Well, she is fourteen. That's usually an age girls start liking boys—"

"She's known us for nearly a year, and she's still afraid of physical contact. She isn't seeing a boy, and I'm not gossiping about a teenage girl's love life just because you're bored." She groaned and went back to reading her book.

"…" Rogier picked up a broom and started doing a bit of sweeping. After a moment of silence, he pondered something. "…You think he'll be a good influence on her—"

"She's not seeing a boy, Rogier! Arceus' sake, why are you even going on about this?"

"Well, I just figured we should know what's going on in her life in case she needs our guidance. After all, a young girl like her needs good role models, and it's our responsibility as her guardians to make sure she's—"

"Okay, first of all, we're not her parents. Second, do not talk about this like we're her parents because the last thing I want is to entertain the idea you and I are married!"

"Well, I was thinking we were the fun uncle and grouchy aunt—"

"Third, we are criminals who could get in a load of trouble if anyone finds out we've been harboring a minor while we're trying to lay low. And fourth—grouchy aunt?!" She slammed her book down. "Why am I the grouchy aunt?!"

He shrugged. "Well, Ainsley isn't with us anymore, and I'd say she fits the fun aunt dynamic—"

"Hell no! I am not being lowered to the status of grouchy aunt just because the serial killer is more fun than I am! I-I'm not even her aunt, period!"

He shrugged. "Even still, we should make sure she's being treated well by her boyfriend—"

"SHE IS NOT DATING ANYONE, YOU SIMPLE-MINDED BARREL OF LARD!" Marsaili fell back in her seat and rubbed her temples. "Arceus almighty, it is a miracle you remember to breathe every morning. Look, we have two hours left on our shift, then we can close up shop for the day. I just want to finish my book, go home, get some dinner, and sleep. Please! Just please drop it."

"…Okay."

"Thank you! Sweet Mew…" She reopened her book with a heavy sigh and furiously returned to her reading. Rogier went back to sweeping the floors.

A tense silence lingered in the puzzle shop with only the sounds of hardened bristles scraping across the wood floor and the occasional turn of the page. Neither side made eye contact, focusing on the task in front of them as the wall clock above ticked by with the passing seconds.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…" Rogier turned and asked, "Do you think she's afraid to introduce us—"

"OH, FOR THE LOVE OF…!" She slammed her book down and hopped out of her chair, marching past the Poliwrath. "I swear…dumbass knight…filling my head with nonsense…strangle that stupid…" she grumbled aloud, walking over to the open sign and turning over the closed side. She pulled two coats off the wall rack and threw the other at Rogier. "HERE!"

The coat landed and draped over his face. "Uh—"

"Are you coming or what, idiot?!"

Inigo's Private Manor

"Four…three…two…one…alright, stop!"

In the backyard of their generous employer's manor, Althalos sat in the shade of the patio with a pocket watch in hand. As he called time, the Winter-Form Sawsbuck who was running laps around the manor finally came to a stop, his legs quaking from stress and exhaustion.

"So…tired…" he groaned, collapsing to the ground. "So…thirsty…"

"Well, I say you deserve some refreshments." Althalos glanced over his shoulder as a well-dressed Pangoro stepped out onto the patio with glasses of lemonade. "Help yourselves, gentlemen. It's a personal blend of mine. I always make sure to have lemons stocked up for the winter."

Althalos waved his hand, possessing the glass with Poltergeist and lifting it near himself. "You're too kind to us, Inigo." He waved his hook hand to the Sawsbuck. "Terrick, that's enough for today! Come get a drink!"

The Sawsbuck weakly lifted himself off the ground and limped over to the patio. He collapsed into a chaise lounge, curling his legs up. "Can I get a—"

Inigo picked up the glass and placed it on a side table by the lounge, inserting a straw into it. "With a straw? Certainly."

"A thousand blessings." He lifted his head and sipped on the lemonade. His body shuddered from the rush of sweet and sour hitting his tongue. "Mmmm. That hits the spot." He rested his head back down and sighed. "I'm beat."

Althalos set the pocket watch aside. "You managed a whole two minutes longer than yesterday. You'll be back to full strength in no time."

"I hope so. I'm…still having trouble using my Ground Dance Art." He massaged his forehead, wincing from a brief, yet sharp pain. "Ugh. It's been months, yet I can still feel the sting of Dr. Underhill's attack. I thought for sure I was dead."

Inigo set his tray aside and knelt near Terrick, patting his head. "You have good friends, Terrick. They kept you going even in your vulnerable state. I'm just glad I was able to help you in your time of need."

"Aye. Thank you, Inigo. I owe you a life debt." The Sawsbuck grimaced. "Uh…you did wash your hands, right?"

Inigo laughed while Althalos shook his head. "Even after all of that, you're still a germaphobe."

Terrick sat up. "Hey, it may have been months for all of you, but all I remember was getting knocked out and floating in a dark abyss for several hours only to wake up in bed!"

"How can I forget? The first thing you said when you woke up was 'Good lord, whose bed is this?! Has it been disinfected?!'" He and Inigo turned away, hiding their snickering faces.

Terrick stomped his hoof down. "You're laughing now, but you won't be when the next plague rolls around these parts!"

Althalos laughed, wiping a tear from his eye. "Heh. Sorry, Terrick. It's…It's just that you have no idea how happy I was to hear you freaking out like that. I was starting to worry we lost you, too."

"…" Terrick looked down. "Ainsely, Amos, and Frank gave their lives to save us. I…I'm still having trouble adjusting to that. It was all so much to take in at once."

Althalos shook his head. "We still don't know what happened to Amos, but…I choose to believe he found a way to escape. He's a fighter. Takes a lot more than a punch to the face to take him out."

"True." Terrick grunted as he sat up a bit more, managing to rest on his haunches. He carefully picked up his lemonade between his hooves and sipped on it. "I'm…not sure I ever asked, but…what now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, is this it? Are we just going to live here for the rest of our lives?"

Althalos shrugged. "Well…"

Inigo laughed, placing a hand on the Dusknoir's shoulder. "If you're worried about living off my fortune, don't. I can always help you lot find your own place around here if that'll help. Besides, you've been more than enough help with the shop."

"…" Althalos grabbed his lemonade out of the air and twirled it gently. "We haven't been found yet, so…perhaps."

"…" Terrick sighed. "I suppose I'm not against it. Better than our previous work at the blaaaaaaa—" He cast a wide-eyed look at Inigo before clamping his mouth shut. "Uuuuuh…the bland library…place we used to work at before that horrible, horrible incident we went through. Nailed it."

Althalos facepalmed, then sighed. "If things do go our way, we could make a living here. Honest work. I…may have to enroll Hapi into a school at some point."

Inigo grinned. "I have some connections. I can get her into the best academies in Echo Bell by next autumn."

"Might do her some good hanging out with kids her own age." Althalos glared. "The kid shouldn't be hanging out with people like us."

Terrick frowned. "Well, that's how we ended up in this business. You always start young, right? All it takes is one tumble, and you're down a slippery slope of regretful decisions."

"…In the library business?" Inigo questioned.

The Sawsbuck grinned nervously. "Y-Yes! Hehehe, once you start reading those old tomes, you're addicted for life!"

Althalos glared. You are lucky this man is terrible at picking up social cues, Terrick. He sighed. Still, the idea is tempting. A normal life. Hmph. Imagine that.

Meanwhile…

As ordered by her father, Ignacia took off and arrived in Avestoia at the agreed upon meetup date. She landed, casting on a cloak to conceal herself, and walked among the townsfolk. Her eyes skimmed lazily across the streets in search of the Dukes. While she never encountered them personally, her own reputation might not get past their boss. A fight escalating between them would put innocent lives at risk, so both parties would have to pick and choose how the conflict would go.

However, her concern for now was meeting with the bounty hunter group she was assigned to lead, much to her chagrin. She glanced at the files in hand, grimacing at the notion she would be working with a strange group. They were a relatively new team, even having acquired their fourth member sometime recently according to intel.

Their backgrounds were wildly different, making her wonder how any of them found each other or even started the group.

A former New Chariot soldier. A retired Verde knight. An Algusian jewel thief. An Outlander from the Great Gate Empire. These four don't mix at all. She groaned. Maybe I'm overthinking it. The rumors might just be hyperbolic. It's happened before with some of Dad's hired help.

She perused the town for a few minutes before finding herself at the local tavern she was supposed to meet the group at.

"Alright, this is the place." She stashed the files away and pulled her hood down. "Now, where are they—"

"AHA! You made it!"

Ignacia jolted as a thunderous rumble erupted behind her as if something massive fell out of the sky. She spun around, reaching for her scimitars, but relaxed in dismay. Oh no…

Before her were four wildly different Pokémon, each brimming with personality of varying shades.

The first was a Darmanitan who was dressed in bronze armor pieces above dark red coat and black trousers that looked to cost a small fortune. He had a prominent scar over his left eye, leaving it noticeably blinded. His grin carried wild enthusiasm.

The second was a Blastoise dressed in full-plated armor and helmet with the visor lifted, showing off the glasses resting on his face. A green cape billowed off his shoulders, bearing the emblem of the Verde Kingdom. He looked off to the side, a coldness in his eyes.

The third was a Frosmoth dressed in a luxurious purple coat with her wings protruding from the back. The fluff around her neck was positively voluminous, flowing like a Pyroar's mane. She floated elegantly by her team with an aura of sparkles shimmering around her despite not being a shiny variant.

The fourth and last member of the team was a massive Steelix, likely the main source of their thunderous entrance. He had little in the form of attire, only sporting a brown cloak that could double as a grand dining table's tablecloth and a strange bronze patch welded to his forehead. What stood out the most about his appearance was the black stripes around his face. He seemed the most curious of the group, eyes roaming the town he towered over.

The Darmanitan pointed at Ignacia and exclaimed, "You! You are our contact, aren't you? It is an honor to finally meet you!" he exclaimed. "You have heard tales of our great exploits!"

"…" Ignacia narrowed her eyes. "Something like that."

"Wonderful! Then allow us the honor to properly introduce ourselves!"

She held her hand up. "No need. I already read up on your files." She gestured to the tavern. "Shall we proceed with the meeting? This tavern was chosen to accommodate large Pokémon, so we'll be able to—"

"Team! Roll call!"

Ignacia grimaced. Oh no…

The Darmanitan leapt into the air, fists burning with flame. "The hero of New Chariot! On a quest to avenge the fallen who bravely gave their lives in the heat of battle! I am the inextinguishable! I am the one who burns brightest! Let those who scurry in the dark fear the light of my power! I am Aelius the Sun Devourer!"

The Blastoise huffed, shooting jets of water from his cannons as he adjusted his glasses. "A knight on a quest, seeking to avenge a life that was wrongfully taken by a most disgraceful act. I am the fear. I am the one who drowns the guilty. Let those who flee justice be brought down in a torrential sea of regret. I am Raeburn the Rain Cannon!"

The Frosmoth twirled through the air, releasing a cloud of sparkles behind her. "The distinguished class act of crime who wishes to shine so brightly that the dark will go extinct. I am the moment! I am the one who rises above the inferior! Let those who dare steal away my spotlight be punished with a most beautiful performance! I am Iseult the Snow Princess!"

The Steelix spun his segmented body, whipping up a fierce storm of iron sand. "The spear and shield of the Outlands seeking to prove his superiority to the monsters of this world! I am the unrelenting! I am the one who never falters! Let those who value power be crushed under the weight of an inevitable death! I am Saichi the Desert Scourge!"

"And together, we are…!"

The team joined together, striking a dynamic pose as a wave of fire, water, ice, and sand erupted from behind them.

"The Four Faux Storms!"

An awkward silence lingered between the group and Ignacia, a brief wind rustling by. Ignacia's irritation could only be measured by the scowl creasing over her face as she resisted the urge to fly away.

The Four…Faux Storms. A group of bounty hunters from different backgrounds modeling themselves after the much more threatening Three Deadly Storms. Greeeeeeat. Once again, thank you for sticking me with these absolute losers, Dad.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of town…

"Huff…huff…huff…come on, you can do this…"

Hapi took a moment to catch her breath as her skin wafted with steam. She closed her eyes, relaxed herself, and tensed up her body as she concentrated. Her body flickered with the glow of heat. The wind stirred around her, and smoke emanated below her feet, burning the grass.

Unbeknownst to the Pignite, Marsaili and Rogier managed to find her, peeking out from behind a bush to observe her. "Huh. Guess she wasn't running off to see a boy after all," Rogier admitted.

Marsaili sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. The last thing I need is some jerk making moves on our kid—" She caught herself, her face turning bright red as Rogier looked at her. "Gah! I mean, o-of course she wasn't running off to see a boy! I flippin' told you!" she shouted in a hushed tone. She covered her face and groaned.

Rogier didn't think much of it and looked back at Hapi. "She seems to be…training."

Marsaili cooled down and peeked over the bush. "By herself? Does she even know how to fight? Wonder what brought this on?"

"Don't know, but she's not really doing anything. I can tell from a glance she has zero control of her energy's internal flow. She's just going to sprain something if she keeps tensing up like that."

Marsaili chuckled lightly. "Heh, I remember those days. I had to self-teach myself how to fight before I found my way into Harriet's discipline." She frowned. "It's a lot harder to learn if you never fought before. It comes less naturally the older you get, too."

"Do you think she's learning how to fight because of us?" Rogier asked. "Do you think after all that time together, she's picking up on some of our bad habits?"

Marsaili waved him off. "Oh come on, don't be…ridiculous…"

She didn't want to, but the Wigglytuff's mind wandered to the possibility. Her ears drooped as an Imaginary Hapi started dressing in darker clothes. Her eyes widened as the Imaginary Hapi started talking and walking tough, pushing people around like she owned the place. Her quivered as the Imaginary Hapi started selling street drugs with the Dukes, surrounded by piles of wealth. A river of sweat poured down her face as the Imaginary Hapi and the Dukes rode atop a train, firing guns in the air as they made off with a huge profit.

"GAH!" Marsaili shook Rogier frantically. "Our Hapi is turning to a life of crime because of us!"

"I thought you said I was overthinking things—"

"You are! I am! Stop dragging me down into your delusions, it's stressing me out—" She paused, a scent catching her attention. "Do you smell smoke?"

"OH NO! NOT AGAIN!"

Rogier and Marsaili gasped as the field started catching fire around Hapi. The Pignite frantically tried to smother the flames under her feet, but it seemed to magnify the size as her body glowed in a bright orange. She ran around in a panic, stomping on flames that only got bigger in her haste.

"Oh crap, OH CRAP! Hapi, hang on!" Rogier and Marsaili burst out of the bush and ran to her aid.

A half hour later, at Inigo's villa…

Hapi, Rogier, and Marsaili knelt in front of Althalos, their heads hanging in shame with ash and light burns covering them. By some miracle, Althalos managed to see the smoke and rushed over to investigate. He smothered them himself and took the three away before anyone from town could investigate.

Althalos sighed in his hand and waved Rogier and Marsaili off. "You two, go get yourselves cleaned up."

"Okay…" They stood up and dragged themselves away.

Althalos sighed and lowered himself to look at Hapi, who sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Hapi, what were you doing outside the town? Was your energy running rampant again?"

"…Not unintentionally," she admitted. She wiped her eyes again before looking up. "A-Actually, I was…trying to control it."

"By yourself?"

She wrung her hands together nervously. "I remember how I almost burned you the first time we met, and I remember…the horrible things I did when I let my flames run wild. I…I could never control it, and I always worried about letting loose. Once I start, I can't stop it on my own. It's…brought nothing but tragedy into my life. So, I wanted to surprise you guys by figuring it out by myself."

Althalos narrowed his eye. "And this is the first wildfire you nearly sparked?"

"It never got that out of hand." She clenched her eyes shut. "I don't know why, but when it gets really bad, I can't smother the flames no matter how many times I stomp on them. It just gets worse."

Althalos' expression softened. "Are you worried something like this is going to happen again? Are you worried you may end up hurting us with your power?"

"…" Hapi looked away. "You all have done so much for me. I'd hate to be a burden."

"…" Althalos sighed. "Even so, you shouldn't be training by yourself. It's too dangerous, especially with firepower like yours." He pulled himself up and held out his hook hand. "Come on."

She looked up in confusion, yet grasped his hook. "What?"

"Go wash up, then meet me outside in half an hour."

By the time Hapi finished washing up and changing into non-burnt clothes, she stepped out onto the back patio to find Inigo and Althalos finished setting up some strange contraption.

It was a carousel-like device with ten training posts attached to wired racks. The mechanism itself was connected to a stationary bike that the Pangoro sat on, waving down the confused Pignite. She stepped into the backyard, walking past the other Dukes as they enjoyed some drinks on the patio.

"What is all of this?" she asked.

Althalos floated up to her, stretching his arms. "I'm giving you a crash course on internal energy control. It's essential for manipulating type energy, and it should give us a starting ground to rearing in that unstable power of yours." He gestured to Inigo. "He'll be providing us with the training equipment."

Inigo laughed. "It's one of my early inventions as a traveling salesman. It's a training device that spins these training posts around so that Pokémon can practice hitting moving targets. All of it is powered by this here bike." He scratched the back of his head. "Only managed to sell like…five of them. Moved on to other side projects after that, but I kept a disassembled model in my cellar just in case I needed to make a sale."

Althalos nodded. "This'll put you ahead of most other Pokémon, and it'll help with aiming your attacks." With a wave, he ordered Inigo to start up the contraption. "Let me give a demonstration. Watch what I do."

Inigo grasped the handlebars and started peddling, turning the gears throughout the contraption until it started spinning. The once stationary training posts moved in a circle before the Dusknoir and Pignite.

"Keep at that pace," Althalos ordered. He pulled back his fist, channeling Abyss Cloud down his arm. "Watch closely."

Hapi shuffled forward a bit to get a better look. She watched as the dark clouds wrapped around his fist and concentrated into the center of his knuckles, condensing into a black sphere shaking with tension.

"Annnnd…NOW!"

Althalos threw a jab, firing a spear-like twister of darkness at the carousel. His attack sniped a hole through the center of a training post and dissipated through the air.

"Whoa!" Hapi gasped. "That was fast!"

Inigo whistled, slowing down on the bike. "Phew, that was something."

Althalos waved the lingering mist off his hand. "That's what we're hoping to accomplish: getting you to control the flow of that unstable power."

Hapi frowned. "But how is this any different to what I was doing earlier?"

Althalos raised his finger and explained, "From the way Rogier and Marsaili described it to me, you were trying to generate all that power at once through your body. Generally, it's not a good idea to do that as a beginner. Swelling up all your energy through a wide point from the body can often leave you drained. Think of it how a Pokémon uses Explosion. It's the immediate and spontaneous release of one's internal energy. Any Pokémon can technically replicate the effects, but it's generally more lethal to the body if done haphazardly."

Hapi yelped. "You mean I could've blown myself up?!"

"Well, with how much you were struggling, not likely. The point I'm getting at is that you have to learn to direct that flow. Since you are a natural born Fire-Type, that means your energy is generally accustomed to taking on that form. Pokémon have a higher affinity of control for their respective element."

Hapi looked at her hands. "So, how do I…control the flow?"

Althalos traced his hook along his arm. "It's mostly mental. It comes with practice. Think about how you use any of your Fire-Type moves without thinking. That's your energy naturally taking shape. Grasp that feeling, then try to apply the same principle throughout the rest of yourself." He held out his hand, summoning up a swarm of light-green insects from his hand and a field of gravitational force tinted black around it.

"Whoa…" Hapi gasped.

"This principle is also how you create enhanced moves and their various forms. By controlling the flow of those energies and intermingling them with each other…" The Infestation and Gravity swirled around in his hand, taking on the classic dark mist look that was his Abyss Cloud. "It, too, becomes second nature."

"Amazing," Hapi mumbled.

"The energy within us grows as we train, enhancing our bodies or creating powerful techniques to aid us. If we can teach you how to direct the flow of that flame, you'll never have to worry about hurting us."

"…" Hapi raised her fists and nodded. "Alright. I can do this!" She faced the training carousel and reared her fist back. "Concentrate…concentrate…"

Althalos dismissed his Abyss Cloud and hovered close to her. "Don't try to force it. Feel out the natural pathway of your energy and find its rhythm. You'll know it when you sense it."

"Feel out my energy's rhythm…"

The Dukes watched them contently as they enjoyed their lemonades. Rogier sipped his and said, "He was never this soft when we were working the markets."

Marsaili snorted, nudging him. "Don't let him hear you say that."

Terrick shook his head. "No. No, Althalos has always been like this. He's tough, but he's not cruel. He puts forth his subordinates before himself. Why else would he go so far for our sakes when we ended up in prison?"

"Eh, true." Marsaili sipped her lemonade, smiling warmly. "I hope Last Autumn's completely forgotten about us. I can get used to this."

Rogier nodded. "I think I want to take up pottery."

"You'll break anything you make."

"Rude."

Terrick sighed, folding his legs and laying his head in them. "After everything we went through, has Last Autumn forgotten about us?"

"With everything going on recently, do they even care that we know their secret? It's not much of one anymore."

Terrick glared. "Didn't you all say The Ghost took an interest in Hapi because of her heritage?"

Marsaili groaned. "Why'd you have to bring that up? Look, it's been nearly a year, and we haven't seen hide or hair of that psychotic mutt. He would've found us by now. Don't be so paranoid."

"…" Terrick shook his head. "Being paranoid is how you stay ahead in the game longest." He took a tentative sip of his lemonade and went back to watching Hapi's training. "Because the real fear is waiting for the day you end up being right, whether it arrives or not."

Meanwhile…

Every second left with her charges added another wrinkle to Ignacia's persistent scowl. Coaxing the four into the tavern was nightmarish enough as a good chunk of their team was made up of some of the loudest personalities imaginable. Getting them to sit down and stay put was another obstacle to overcome, and getting them to cooperate proved frustrating as they seemed more focused on what to order from the menu. They weren't even trying to act inconspicuously around the other patrons.

I am so glad Dad's paying for all of this, she thought irritably.

Aelius downed a tankard of ale, chortling with vigor. "To good fortune, my fellow storms! This will be our greatest assignment yet!"

Iseult huffed, flicking her mane elegantly. "It will be a most glamorous heist unlike our previous adventures. Truly tragic outcomes, those were."

"…" Raeburn groaned. "You mean the jobs you three screwed up because you were too busy trying to take the credit for the captures?"

Iseult glared. "How dare you! Blaming us for our failures? For shame, Sir Raeburn! Why, we would've securely captured the brigand had you participated!"

"They had hostages. I couldn't risk shooting down their getaway carriage." He glared at Aelius. "You nearly burned them to a crisp when the orders were to take them back alive."

Aelius waved it off. "Everything worked out in the end."

"They escaped." Raeburn glared up at Saichi. "Only because this idiot didn't think through smashing the rest of the carriage to smithereens and sending them flying over the horizon."

Saichi bowed his head and whimpered. "S-Sorry."

"I swear, including you into the team was a mistake," he grumbled.

Iseult huffed. "Spare us your criticisms, Sir Raeburn. Saichi's inclusion was absolutely necessary for the Four Faux Storms."

Saichi smiled. "Aww, thank you—"

"After all, we needed him to complete our aesthetic, and he was the only remaining candidate we had left."

The Steelix lowered his head, whimpering sadly.

"Besides, you're not entirely blameless yourself. You messed up our last job."

Raeburn placed his hand over his heart. "As a knight of the Verde Kingdom, my job is to ensure the safety of the innocent above all else. That takes priority over your lust for glory and riches. Justice is life's only reward—"

Aelius turned to Ignacia and explained, "He let half the gang slip past us with a wagon full of drugs because the women driving it didn't look like hardened criminals."

"…" Raeburn coughed into his fist, hiding his flushed face. "I…don't remember that in the slightest."

Ignacia groaned. "Look, I don't give a shit about what you idiots did or didn't do. My father hired you for a job, and you are expected to carry it out without fail. You want your payment, you need to honor your contract. If you can pull this off, you'll have a place in the guild."

Aelius slammed his tankard down. "Say no more, boss! Tell us what who we have to capture, and we'll get it done!"

Ignacia threw a scroll onto the table. "Your mission is to capture a girl named Hapi Northrop. Fourteen years old. Currently in the possession of a black-market gang known as the Dukes of Buzzard. You are to use any means necessary to get her, even if you must kill the Dukes. Once she is captured, she is to be brought to the Algus capital where you are to assist your next employer on special assignments."

Aelius scratched his chin. "Intriguing…"

Raeburn glared. "Vile fiends. Harboring an innocent life against her will. They will pay for their transgressions."

Saichi lowered his head and squinted at the file. "So, what kind of assignments are we expected to do afterwards?"

Ignacia leaned back in her chair, scratching her chin unsurely. Truth be told, her dad still hadn't given her much intel on what Harriet and Cain plan to do with Hapi. Though, it would be wise not to divulge any details that would lead to them sabotaging the mission. All they know for certain is that they're rescuing a girl and taking her somewhere safe.

"…This girl is part of a confidential assignment. All you need to know is that dangerous people will be after her once she has been rescued."

Aelius cracked his knuckles. "Sounds good to me! This'll be a piece of cake."

Iseult nodded. "Indeed. Why, once we've completed this mission, the Four Faux Storms will be famous throughout Virdis!" She glared. "That'll show that wretched reaper!"

Ignacia raised her brow. "Pardon?"

"The reaper! Grim Deadlock! How dare someone who hides in the shadows be more famous than me! I shine brighter than all other criminals, yet he's more recognized than me! Outrageous! I'll make sure I become so infamous that everyone forgets who that wannabe killer is!"

"…" Ignacia facepalmed. Oh boy.

Aelius laughed. "Intrigued by our group, Ms. Desierto? We each have a common interest."

"I'm not interested. Can we please just—"

"Since you insist on asking…!"

"Oh my Arceus," she groaned into her hands.

Aelius stood up in his seat, raising his tankard. "I was one a guard for New Chariot's mightiest fortress years back! It was an impenetrable stronghold that could withstand even the heaviest of blows!" He clenched his fist. "Alas, we were royally trounced by the arrival of that wicked demon, the Roar of the Wastes. He tore through the fortress like paper and slaughtered several of us in cold blood. Ruthless. I was among the survivors, and I vowed vengeance for my fallen comrades! I vowed I would one day take that monster's head and parade it to the emperor as a trophy! I would become the hero of the empire!"

"…Riveting," Ignacia grumbled.

Raeburn scoffed. "While I admire your dedication to justice, Aelius, I find your reach for glory abhorrent. There is no honor in seeking glory for glory's sake." He pushed up his glasses. "All I desire is to grow strong enough to take on the monster that slayed a valued member of the Verde Knighthood. My brother-in-arms, the man I served under the same unit during our training days. I will avenge the death of Sir Artur Blackfire and capture the notorious Fairy Knight. That is justice."

"…" Ignacia glared. These idiots all have some grudge against the Three Deadly Storms. Some more reasonable than others. She glanced up at Saichi. Knowing she would regret asking, she pointed up at him and asked, "So, what's his connection to the three storms?"

The group paused, glancing at each other unsurely, before shrugging. "Eh, well…" Iseult said. "Like I said, he just completes the aesthetic. We were originally the Three Faux Storms, but I suggested getting a Sandstorm user on the team to round us out."

Saichi glared. "Hey, I have a complicated backstory for being here, too!" He slammed his tail down, shaking the tavern. "I want revenge on the Machamp that one-shotted me!"

"Here we go…" Raeburn grumbled.

"What? It really hurt! I was a laughingstock when the constables hauled me away!" He pointed at the patch on his forehead. "They kept laughing at the dent he made in my head! I have a permanent scar in the shape of his hand under here!"

Aelius laughed. "That's embarrassing!"

"It's not funny! When I escaped prison, I retreated to the Outlands to get stronger! Took up some jobs when I first got the invitation to join." He shuddered. "Though, I had a…rather unfortunate encounter in Crimehallow last year. It was horrible. I can't eat spicy food ever again…"

Ignacia groaned. "Riiiiiight." She shook her head and waved to get their attention again. "Look, look…are we at least clear on what your assignment is? Can I trust you four to do this without screwing anything up?"

Raeburn saluted. "You have my word, ma'am!"

Aelius laughed. "We'll bring hell to those Dukes!"

Iseult flared her wings. "And we'll do it most elegantly!"

Saichi slammed his tail down again. "We're not going to be losers anymore! WOOO!"

"No, you'll still be a loser, buddy," Aelius cut in.

"Heeeeyyyyyy…"

Ignacia groaned as arguments erupted from the group again. She waved down a passing barmaid. Now I know why adults drink so much.

Inigo's Villa – Sunset

Progress was slow but steady. Over the course of the day, Althalos stayed by Hapi's side, helping her with channeling her energy. The rest of the Dukes and Inigo eventually went inside to get started on dinner, leaving the two to themselves.

"RAAAHHHH!" Hapi rushed down the stationary post and punched it, creating a brief spark on impact. She staggered back, panting with a smile on her face. "H-Hey. It didn't burst into flames that time."

Althalos nodded. "Good. You're getting better at managing the fluctuations."

She sighed, falling over onto her back to catch her breath. "This is…a lot more work than I expected…"

Althalos crossed his arms. "Now you know what I had to go through when I first started learning to fight."

"Who taught you how to fight?"

"…I'm self-taught."

Her eyes widened. "No kidding?"

He nodded. "I grew up in the ruins. Managed my own garden. Had to take care of my family when things got bad. Had to fight off some thieves from time to time. You learn some things just from experience." He whipped up his Abyss Cloud, spinning it in the palm of his hand. "It wasn't a happy life."

Hapi sat up and frowned. "You don't have family anymore?"

"Yes. I'm the last of my family. I…got into the black market because of an old acquaintance of mine. Big promises for change." He sighed, crushing the dark mist into nothing. "I held up his promises like gospel, and look where I am now."

"…" Hapi smiled. "Well, it's not all bad."

"How so?"

"Well, if it weren't for you, I…might still be wandering around on my own." She frowned. "Or worse, wound up back in New Chariot."

"…" Althalos sighed. "I suppose some good did come out of it."

Hapi smiled sadly. "I had to grow up fast when I was in captivity. The world seemed so scary to me. I thought I was just a harbinger for destruction. I…even hurt two people I cared very deeply about when they tried to help me. They probably hate me…"

"…"

"It's funny. Being around you guys, I'm not as scared of the world as I used to. Heh. Maybe it's because of how big and scary you all are." She snickered. "Or maybe after running from a deranged bounty hunter and getting thrown off a moving train, I've become desensitized to it all."

"…"

Hapi stood up, dusting herself off. "But if this is my life now, I'm fine with that. I like you guys. You're brash and a bit dysfunctional, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

"…" Althalos sighed. "We should probably head in for dinner."

Hapi nodded. "Right!" She turned and headed back for the villa.

"Hapi."

She stopped and spun around. "Yeah?"

"…" Althalos sighed and turned away. "Nothing. Never mind."

"…" She smiled a bit before running off again.

Althalos turned to the training carousel, moving closer and resting his hand against the burnt post. He glared at the scorched mark left behind by the Pignite's punch, the embers resting inside still crackling. He waved his hand over it, smothering them with Abyss Cloud.

"A normal life, huh?"