Year 906 – Fort Lucus

Basil and Marie kept up pleasantries for the sake of the Foresters, feigning niceties and good tidings when in the company of others. However, the moment they were behind closed doors, the fangs dripped with venom.

Giles awkwardly sat between the two as they had their usual standoff, Basil wearing a false grin while Marie exuded an aura of death around her. He breathed a reluctant sigh and leaned back in his chair.

"Look, can we skip this part of the meeting and get straight to why we're here? This is making me uncomfortable."

Marie sighed, pinching between her eyes. "Fine, fine."

"I make no promises," Basil stated plainly.

Giles rolled his eyes before spinning back toward his desk, unfurling a scroll. "First things first, I got another message from Abel. It seems Last Autumn is pushing some kind of new drug on the market. They're calling it Wraith. Basil, do you know anything about this?"

Basil folded his arms behind his head. "Haven't heard of it. Unfortunately, I'm not close enough in Terrowin's inner circle to be let in on all the details. We may have to steal it."

"It would be risky to ask Abel for a sample, but stealing would pose another issue. With the way the Foresters operate, this would be for the Nature Spirits to look into. Still, it's new on the black market and hasn't made waves yet, so we'll have to wait for an official order. That's a later problem. What else do we know?"

Basil shrugged. "We do know they're allied with Great Gate and Wick. As it stands, they have allies in the Outlands to call upon and the Takigawa Clan as a vanguard for when they push their agenda towards invasion."

"And I've learned from Abel they have multiple contingency plans in the works. He'll eventually reach out to me over those." Giles glared. "The key to taking down Last Autumn is to remove all of Terrowin's weapons." He glanced at Marie. "The Takigawa Clan is a major priority."

Marie glared. "Killing my father would be a good start, but it's the older generation of children you need to look out for. The further down the line we get, the less issues we run into."

Basil shrugged. "We could always just kill all of them."

Marie glared. "That's still my family you're talking about, and some of them are innocent."

Basil laughed. "Yes, and my family was innocent, too. What's your point?"

Marie scowled. "Listen here—"

"Uh, that's enough, Marie," Giles chirped in. He faced Basil and said, "Listen, I know you have a grudge against the Takigawa Clan, but nothing is ever solved through mass genocide. Come on, you're better than that. After everything you endured in the circus, would you have the heart to kill innocent children, too?"

"…" Basil turned away, narrowing his eyes.

"I mean, despite the fact you were forced to kill to appease your old ringleader, I wouldn't brand you as a killer, Basil. You're a good person." Giles smiled. "It wouldn't fit the role of a trickster to cause death and destruction. Be a bit more creative than that!"

"…" He groaned, but relented. "Fine, fine."

"You have to swear to me, Basil. Our plan is to take out the leaders of this operation. Terrowin, Hidekage, and anyone else of their station. Promise me, no matter how much you hate the Takigawa Clan, you won't seek revenge against them?"

"…" Basil sighed, but placed his hand over his heart. "I swear not to take revenge on the Takigawa Clan."

Giles smiled. "Thank you!"

"He's lying," Marie grumbled.

Giles laughed. "I trust him! Basil may be a habitual liar, but I can tell when he means something."

"…" Basil closed his eyes and sighed. "Yeah…"

"Basil…what are you talking about?!"

The vigor of battle had Melissa's mind racing faster than she ever imagined, a myriad thoughts piling upon her focus as she tried to make sense of the reality in front of her. Between the near army of Takigawa standing between her and escape, plus Watora who lay unconscious by the feet of the clan, she had enough on her plate as was.

The last thing she needed was another obstacle getting in her way.

But why did it have to be like this?

Basil stepped forward, bowing to her. "No hard feelings, Harlow. It's just the way things are. Look, I've told you plenty about how my life started out, and…well, I've realized that ol' Terrowin has a point. Frankly, with the way Virdis is devolving right now, who am I to get in the way of the winning side? It's just basic logic."

Melissa clenched her teeth. "Stop talking nonsense." She trembled, stamping her foot down and shouting, "How can you say that?! You've opposed Last Autumn just as much as the Foresters!"

Basil twirled in place with a dramatic snap of his fingers, creating fireworks around himself. "And it was my best performance yet! A little bit of this and that, leading you all in circles just to make sure you didn't interfere with Terrowin's goals. Oh sure, you've caused some minor setbacks here and there, but…well, you've also helped out quite a bit. You helped me stop Itzal from going completely rogue, and you helped me kill Nero. So, in a way, you've done wonders for the cause."

"Basil, do you even understand what Terrowin has done?!" Melissa yelled. "The people he's aligned himself with! The things he did in the past! The things he did now! How can you agree with all of that?"

"Why not?" Basil flared his coat and laughed. "I'm a villain, Harlow! Always have been, always will be! I can't be good! There's simply no good in this region worth preserving." He smirked. "Why are you so frustrated? You're the one who wants to steamroll through the issues and make change through kindness. You're no different to Terrowin that way."

"Not like this!" Melissa shouted. "I would never ally myself with the Tetrarchs or literal war criminals!"

He laughed. "Why not? You seem to get along well with Jason, and he's one bad day away from being a serial killer!"

"Don't say that!" Melissa shouted. She stepped forward. "Look Basil, just help me escape so we can talk about this. You don't have to be afraid of betraying Last Autumn if you're worried about getting hurt."

Basil laughed. "Betrayal is a…funny thing, actually. Do you want to know what the harshest betrayal is, dear Harlow?" He tapped the tip of his dagger, then traced it over his heart. "It's when there's a genuine bond being severed. A spy doesn't betray the team he infiltrated. Just like how you infiltrated the Takigawa Clan to gain intel."

Melissa flinched, sensing the shift in emotion from their audience of assassins. Unsurprisingly, she got many hostile glares pointed her way, and some expressions seemed unreadable.

"It…It wasn't all a lie…" she mumbled.

Basil laughed. "Well, to put your mind at ease: the Basil you knew was just a mask for the performance. I have no love to share anymore. Itzal taught me well what a bleeding heart gets you: just blood loss." He sighed. "I used to be like you, Hars. Optimistic, compassionate, and a righteous sense of justice. All those wonderful, feelgood traits that everyone loves about you. Me?" He smirked. "I learned to be colder. Crueler. Deceitful. The kind of thing that got Terrowin to notice me. To become his spy for…troublesome thieves that may prove an issue down the line. Who do you think leaked information that the Foresters may end up crashing that little gala you went to?"

"…" Melissa suppressed the horrible memories of that day and took another step forward. "Basil, please talk to me."

"But we are talking."

"I mean really talk to me. I refuse to believe for a second that all we went through was just a lie. I know you better than that."

Basil tutted in disappointment. "Harlow, Harlow, Harlow. If you see the good in everyone, you'll go blind to the true evils of this world. I know this is hard for you to accept, but…I was never your friend. That was just a character I played."

"Stop it…"

Basil laughed, skipping and dancing over the rubble with sparks shooting off his heels with every energetic step. "Picture the scene for me! A runaway Buneary finds herself in the clutches of the dastardly Foresters. A strange new world for eyes unfamiliar with the world outside her sheltered walls. Derange maniacs, weirdos, and unfriendly faces all around. But then, a whimsical trickster of a Salandit enters the scene. Is he the comedic relief? Or is he a wise sage who plays the fool? Either way, he enters on stage and guides the young runaway to take up the sword and prove herself, taking on this new life to find herself." He grinned. "A classic in the making."

"I believed you!" Melissa shouted.

"That just means I put on a masterful performance. That fact that you believe me with all your heart that you delude yourself into thinking I'm lying…why, that is just a compliment any actor will swell with pride over—"

"SHUT UP!" Melissa snapped, stomping her foot down. "Stop pretending it was all a lie! That's not who you are, Basil! You're kind, supportive, and sweet! I refuse to believe any of that was just to trick me!"

Basil laughed. "Harlow, you wear your emotions on your sleeve, I swear. It's adorable, really, but that's not how the world works. Everyone lies. I mean, look at our dear Marie as an example. You can't delude yourself into thinking she wasn't the monster she was."

"But that's not her anymore," Melissa insisted. "I'm not going to pretend I'm not naïve about some things, but I know when someone is truly genuine about their feelings. I always felt there was something off about our last interaction. I want to know the truth. I need to know why her heart was crying when she left us."

Basil sighed. "Oh Harlow, lies can be genuine, too. Everyone lies, even you." He smirked. "Does Jason even know you almost considered Terrowin's offer when you were in prison?"

Her eyes widened. "H-How did you…?"

"You just told me." He snickered. "See, I'm better at reading people than you. Besides, it's fairly obvious. You two are alike in many ways."

"…" Her ears drooped. "Look, the idea entertained me, but I would never actually work with Last Autumn. His way of doing things is too cruel. Too extreme. I want to do things the right way by offering a hand of peace."

He gestured to the assassins standing behind him. "And does this jolly family look like the ideal tokens of peace to you? I'm sure you could've just waltzed up to Lord Takigawa and offered him a handshake, solving all of their crimes and sins in an afternoon. I'm sure somewhere in your heart, you would forgive him for turning his clan into a breeding ground for experimental freaks of nature—no offense, freaks of nature."

"Meh."

"I've heard worse."

"I like being a freak of nature."

"[Am I the only one lost here? What are they talking about?]" Hibiki chimed in.

Anko stamped her foot down. "Hey, can you two wrap up this little chitchat already?! You're ruining my dynamic painting with your…w-what is this, a philosophical debate surrounding depression? I don't know."

Basil waved her off and continued, "Your dream was cute for a while, Harlow, but you're never going to wrangle this region into peaceful resolution. And I think even some of the Foresters would agree with me."

Melissa glared. "Everyone stands behind me because they believe change can happen. I know they believe in me."

Basil smirked. "They believe in your ideal, but not the actual results. Life's a lot crueler that way. No good thing doesn't have a dark underbelly keeping the system afloat. Why do you think we even have the Nature Spirit Scouts? Jason knew there were some things that needed to be dealt with outside the general operations of the Foresters. There's always a dark truth to keep the ideal perfect."

"Are you saying I can't unite the region because I'm too soft?"

Basil smirked. "I'm saying it's because you're too kind, and they like that about you. They just don't believe you can handle the darkness surrounding Virdis. It could break you in two. You just can't handle the harsh truths, and they believe that, too."

"I've grown since last year! I'm stronger than I was before!"

Basil laughed. "If that's the case, why did Jason go behind your back to assassinate Nero?!"

"…" Melissa's ears drooped, a hollowness filling her eyes as the world became deafeningly silent. "…What?"

He slapped himself, laughing even harder. "You two come from completely different worlds! There wasn't a reality where Jason saw an alliance between the Foresters and New Chariot working out! But he knew you would never accept the truth. So, what better way to get what we all want by killing the God of War in battle as an act of necessary self-defense, right?!"

Melissa trembled, faltering back on her heels. "N-No…" Tears welled up in her eyes. "No, no…th-that's not true. Jason…Jason said he trusted me—"

"Of course he said that. He does trust you. He trusts you to be a shining star that everyone can look up to!" He sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. "And he would rather get his hands dirty than stain that shining beacon that gives them hope…and keeps him grounded. Because that's the difference between you two. You're a good person. Jason isn't, and that's why he needs you to stay as the ray of hope in their lives."

Melissa covered her face, tears streaming down her face. "Th-That's not…That's not true…"

And yet, it explained why the Nature Spirits were actually at the palace. It explained why it looked like they were so close to killing Nero before she showed up. If she had showed up a few seconds later, would she have stumbled upon a murder?

Did…Did Jason really not believe she could change Nero's mind?

After all the hardships they endured together, did he still not trust her?

She dropped to her knees, covering her eyes and sobbing. "N-No…no…"

Basil's smile twitched downward a bit, but he laughed it off. "Don't feel so bad. It's…just the way things are. But don't you worry, Harlow. I won't let that pain fester any longer."

She peeked out from behind her hands, watching as the Salandit lifted his hand.

"Because I do believe you're strong enough to interfere with Last Autumn's goals, and we can't have that."

SNAP!

BOOM!

A raging inferno ignited in front of Melissa, scorching the area around her in searing heat. The Takigawa shielded themselves from the blast of heat rushing at them while Basil cackled at the flames.

"Let all that heartache turn to ash, Harlow! Nothing cures like the cleansing power of fire—"

FWOOSH!

Dark clouds enveloped and suffocated the flames out of the air before dispersing, revealing Melissa standing untouched in the epicenter. She lifted her gaze, tears streaming down an angry expression.

Basil smirked. "That's a scary look."

"Basil…if you insist on pretending to be a villain, then you leave me no choice."

She shifted her weight forward and lunged at him at breakneck speeds.

"You and I are having a heart-to-heart, even if I have to punch your feelings OUT OF YOU!"

Year 907

"DAMMIT!"

Marie flinched as Basil slammed his fist through his table, flames crackling under his uniform. She watched him lift his hand out of the table, grasping his wrist with a few splinters sticking out of his skin. Despite this, he panted heavily, a rage simmering within.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit…" Basil dropped to his knees, quivering. "It was a setup. It had to be…"

Marie carefully reached out to him. "Basil—" She recoiled as he slapped her hand away.

"Big Pasco killed Giles? Yeah right!" He stood up, marching around his hut in fury. "Someone from Last Autumn found out. They're on to us."

"We don't know that yet," Marie tried to reassure.

"Are you kidding? There's no way that fatass pig could've killed Giles. Someone must've been staking the place out and found out the Nature Spirits were going to be there." He collapsed into his chair, dragging his fingers down his face. "Dammit!"

Marie groaned. She snatched him by the wrist and pulled his hand over to pull the splinters out. "Calm down. If anyone sees you freaking out like this before the funeral, we'll have a lot to answer for."

Basil growled, but reluctantly complied. He covered his face, relaxing back into his chair. "The only thing we got is a name on the guy Big Pasco's gang was supplying the Wraith to. We can't just tell Jason what we know, or we're going to get in a lot of trouble for keeping this stuff secret. And if that somehow gets leaked back to Last Autumn, this entire forest is going up in smoke before we have a chance to flee."

Marie glared. "That's only if they think you're turning traitor. They wouldn't risk drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. So, we just need to guide everyone along until they figure the truth out for themselves."

"…" Basil closed his eyes. "I still can't believe he's really gone…" He shuddered, balling his fist against his face. "Why did I get him involved in this? Why…?"

Marie sighed. "He would've figured it out on his own eventually. He was already face first into the conspiracy."

"…What are we going to do now? Giles had a plan and everything. If everything had gone right, we could've countered all of Terrowin's plans ahead of time. But now that someone knows there's been conspiring within Fort Lucus, I need to be extra careful with how I operate here."

Marie shrugged. "What can we do? All we can do is hope Jason pursues the truth himself. Even still, the Foresters might not be equipped for a mission like this." She frowned. "Poor Melissa is trying so hard to train for her exams, but this is way beyond anything she can handle."

"…" Basil narrowed his eyes. "Do you remember when I first told you guys about why Roscoe Fletcher was stationed here in Verde? I think Terrowin wanted Melissa to be raised as the perfect heir to Virdis. That obviously never happened."

Marie glared. "What are you getting at?"

"I don't know yet. There's clearly something about her Terrowin found worthy of inheriting the true throne." Basil sighed. "We'll have to figure things out the further we get into the drug trade. We still need to figure out what Wraith is and what he plans to do with it. For now, let's just do our part and get Melissa through her training. Who knows? Maybe she'll become a decent archer."

Marie snorted. "It would certainly frighten Last Autumn into surrender."

Basil laughed quietly. "If only it was that easy…" He frowned. "I hope you're watching over us, Giles. We'll make sure your efforts weren't in vain."

Quick on the draw, Basil dodged the flying bunny and snapped his fingers, setting the air next to him ablaze. Melissa, acting fast, fired Abyss Cloud and grappled herself out of the way before the flames reached her. She drowned out the cheering crowd of assassins above, pouring all her focus onto Basil as she sprung back at him.

Basil stepped back, dodging a flying kick. Melissa landed and sprung around immediately, throwing a punch his way. Basil continued to weave out of her range, each step he took resembling a fluid dance. Undeterred, Melissa kept flailing with punches, inching closer and closer in an effort to reach him.

Basil laughed. "Really now? Are we truly devolving to violence to solve our problems?"

"You brought this upon yourself!" Melissa snapped. She tried to grab him by the coat, but his form dispersed into a purple smoke. She jumped back, covering her face as the gas flowed after her.

"That's just who I am!" She looked over her shoulder, Basil appearing out of nowhere. He clapped his hands together and thrusted his superheated palms toward her back. "I was born to be the villain!"

Melissa tapped her foot down and barely managed to flip over Basil, dodging the explosive wave firing from his hands. She swung her leg and kicked him across the head, only to destroy another of his clones.

"So, quit trying to pity me, Hars!" Before she could land, Basil popped up and seized her by the collar. "I'm just a no-good, rotten villain at the end of the day!"

He tried to slam her onto the ground, but Melissa planted her feet down to catch her fall. She grappled Basil's arm and used her momentum to throw him off his feet. "Stop calling yourself that! You're not a villain!" She tossed him across the street.

He smoothly touched the ground, leaving a trail of flame behind him, and landed on his feet. "And you would forgive me for all the horrible things I've done? I was raised to kill in a madman's circus. I assisted in espionage and divulged secrets to your enemy. And I shot Blitz during my escape. Would you really forgive me—"

Melissa hurtled herself at him again, swiping her foot across the air. "Everyone deserves a second chance!"

He caught her leg and threw her to the ground. "I've expended all my chances! You can't keep hoping everyone will turn their life around!"

She spun and flipped back to her feet, throwing an uppercut that he sidestepped. "Not everyone can change after a second chance! Sometimes it takes four, five, or even dozens of chances! That doesn't mean we should give up on those who can change!" She threw herself at him again, throwing punch after punch.

Basil continuously weaved through her attacks, still laughing. "Would you offer that same chance to the people who wronged you? Would you even forgive Darby?"

She growled. "I would never forgive him for what he did!" She threw a feint, causing Basil to dodge into her grab. She twisted his shirt into her grip. "But there's a difference between forgiving someone and giving them the chance to redeem! I'll never trust that worthless penguin for the rest of my days, but I hold strong to my beliefs! If someone has the genuine goal to change their ways, they deserve that chance! He, however, is too black-hearted to ever change!"

She punched Basil across the face, once again destroying a clone. She heard his laugh echoing around her. "My, my, that's awfully noble of you~. Personally, I would watch him burn on a pyre!"

"This is about you, Basil! You can keep pretending all you want, but you're not evil! You are good, and you can be redeemed!" Melissa channeled Abyss Cloud and fired out waves ahead of herself.

Basil reappeared out of a puff of smoke just as the dark clouds descended upon him. He smirked and flicked his hand with a snap of his fingers, countering the darkness with a blast of flame. "You really can't take the hint, huh? I keep telling you, I love playing the villain! This is who I am!"

Melissa darted through the descending ash and flames, launching a kick at Basil. "And you can't take the hint that I don't believe you!"

Basil skipped back, dodging her kick by a hair. However, Melissa had activated her Adaptive Foresight, predicting the Salandit's intended movements. She landed on her hands, spun, and launched an upward kick at his chin. He dodged again, but failed to notice Melissa's shadow extended behind him.

"Itzal Style: Shadow Stalker!"

A shadowy fist emerged from the dark and struck Basil in the back. "Agh!"

Melissa sprung off her hands and followed up with a heavy kick to his chest, throwing him down the street. "Still think I can't reach you, Basil?"

He rolled back and flipped onto his feet, laughing. "Cute. Let's take it up a notch." He pulled out his dagger and rushed her.

Melissa raised her fists, predicting his movements ahead of time. She sensed his intended actions and ducked back as he went for a swing with his dagger.

…Except his dagger wasn't in his hand.

"Huh—" Melissa felt her world rattle as Basil suddenly sprung into an erratic cartwheel, nailing her with the back of his heel. Her eyes flickered in bewilderment, staring at Basil and his predictive actions as they were completely out of sync. He tricked my Adaptive Foresight?

Her eyes shot up to something spinning overhead. It was Basil's dagger, which he whipped with his tail straight at her. She barely moved her shoulder in time, the blade nicking her sleeve and striking the ground.

Basil spun on his hands and kicked Melissa in the stomach, knocking her back. He flipped back onto his feet and laughed. "Didn't Marie teach you not to rely on that little trick of yours?"

Melissa clutched her stomach, panting lightly. He…changed his rhythm on the fly. She winced, watching as Basil bounced in place and threw punches at the air. She was seeing multiple images of his predictive actions as she studied him, but they kept changing as he changed up his body's natural tempo.

Adaptive Foresight was heavily reliant on information based on a creature's natural movements. Marie told her that changing one's rhythm was an exceptionally difficult skill in combat, something even the most skilled of martial artists couldn't pull off reliably. Information was crucial in a fight. Knowing an opponent's range, speed, tempo, and habits played vital roles that could make the difference by minute amounts in a tense conflict. They were habitual movements ingrained within the body.

But for a trickster like Basil, changing one's rhythm was second nature.

"You're too reliant on that technique to keep up with stronger opponents," Basil stated. "But that's your style, isn't it? You don't have your own style, so you create one through bits and pieces with each fight you get into. An opponent who's highly unpredictable…is a terrible matchup for you."

"…" Melissa glared. "You're not going to make this easy, Basil."

He smirked. "Of course not. You're too dangerous~."

Melissa crouched down. "So, I can't even predict what you're going to do? Then try and predict me! Frantic Bunny Hop!" Compressing her leg muscles, she vanished with a sudden burst of speed.

All around the wreckage, all eyes tried to keep up with the brow blur zipping and bouncing off the ruined buildings. The Takigawa jolted as Melissa ricocheted just below them, leaving a sizeable dent with her powerful bounces.

Kiho stepped back, grunting in annoyance. [I can barely keep track of her. She's just as fast as Sakamoto Kanae.]

Watora, who remained motionless on the ground, cracked one eye open weakly. "[L-Lady…Harlow…]"

Basil lazily tracked Melissa's movements, keeping one hand raised in waiting. "Seriously? You think I don't know how to deal with speedsters like you?" His smirk grew. "When you're dealing with a hard-to-hit target, just scorch the air until there's nowhere to run!"

With a snap, the air ignited in flame, flushing the Buneary out of the air. Basil flicked his wrist, sniping the bunny in the head with a burst of flame. However, it turned out to be another of her clone's taking her place.

Basil laughed. "That old trick again—"

"Trick Switch."

Basil heard a clap, and he suddenly found himself where the burning clone was standing. He saw movement through his peripherals and barely produced a shock-absorbing cloud to tank Melissa's high-speed kick. They crashed into a wall with Melissa digging her heel through the cloud.

"Agh…!" Basil grunted, feeling the weight of her kick pressing against his arm. Even when he's not here, Lambert's technique is still a pain in the rear.

Melissa jumped off, but immediately bounced back before Basil could recuperate. She landed a heavier kick into his guard, breaking through the cloud and knocking him through the wall. She grabbed him by the shirt and pinned him to the ground.

"You hurt our friends," Melissa whispered. "Do you not care about what happens to them? How badly do you want revenge that you're willing to go this far?"

Basil glared. "You…"

"I met your mother, Basil. She's worried sick about you, worried about the kind of person you're becoming." She tightened her grip. "I promised her I'd bring you back. You still have so much to say to her, don't you? Don't you want to see her again after all these years? You haven't talked to your own mother since the massacre. Is revenge really that important to you that'd you throw away everything?"

"…" He sighed. "Why would she want to see me?"

Her eyes widened as she stared into his eyes. Cold, lifeless, and devoid of that charming spark they always carried.

"I'm not the happy little Salandit she raised. Not anymore. I'm just doing what needs to be done. Because at the end of it all, what's the difference between a hero and a villain?"

He bent his legs in and kicked into Melissa's stomach, throwing her off. She backflipped off her hands and landed at the edge of the damaged wall. Before she could get a word in, she froze as intense red flame ignited around Basil. He molded the flames, shaping them into a drawn arrow.

"You're the hero. I'm the villain. Aren't we both fighting against a society we're fed up with?" He narrowed his eyes. "The hero is just afraid to cross a line. A villain? They have nothing left to lose."

"Basil—"

"Ash Blossom: Red."

Year 908

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Marie ducked her head as Basil tossed a chair across his hut, smashing it into the wall. He slammed his hands onto his desk, flames bursting around him. He trembled, eyes shaking erratically as his face twisted into a scowl.

"Why, why, why, why?!"

Marie backed away. "Basil, you didn't know—"

"Didn't know?! That's not an excuse!" He swept his arm across the table, throwing everything to the floor. "I knew the type of people I got myself involved with, but to think Terrowin would even entertain the thought of that monster being a part of his precious heir system…!" He curled his fists, banging his head down. "I'm so stupid!"

"Basil—"

"He DRUGGED Melissa! He nearly took advantage of her, and I'm the reason she was even there in the first place!" He grasped his scalp, his vocal chords straining as he yelled. "I was so focused on trying to get more intel on the Wraith that I didn't even consider…!"

"Basil—"

He turned and jabbed his finger against her. "And you let her go with him alone?! Why?! You're supposed to be the cold-blooded assassin here! You couldn't tell there was something off about the guy?!"

Marie scowled. "I did get a weird feeling from him, but I didn't know love potions were even in the west!"

"That's not an excuse, you bloodthirsty psychopath! All we needed was an excuse to get into the Senbo Kingdom and draw out someone to test the Wraith on! You were supposed to keep an eye on her, but you just let her—"

Marie socked him across the face, throwing him back against his desk. She trembled, tears streaking from her eyes. "You think I'm happy with myself?! I was prepared to rip out his organs when I found out! If I didn't have to worry about Lillia and Pandora, I would've found and killed him before Jason intervened! Don't go acting like I'm not miserable over this!"

"…" Basil wiped the blood off his snout and huffed. "Pandora knows about the train now. She's definitely going to get that elementium core powering it. That'll disrupt Wick's secret Wraith trade. And now that Shade has someone poisoned by Wraith, the Foresters will eventually understand the scope of Last Autumn's objectives."

Marie managed to calm herself down, wiping her tears. "This would be going a lot smoother if you had more intel to work with."

"I don't have direct connections like Giles. I only have one ally within Last Autumn. I can only work with what I'm given. That's why I haven't lied in any of my reports to Terrowin. I need to play both sides just to get us closer to our endgame."

"Does that even matter right now? Didn't you say they might have plans to create an army?"

"It's a backup plan. It's not a guarantee, but it could happen. That's why we need our own army."

"With whom? Look, I get Melissa wants to step up and unite the region, but…with the condition she's in now, I don't think that usual optimism of hers will be enough. We need to support her in her time of need."

"…" Basil picked himself up. "I actually already have a plan in mind."

Marie frowned. "What…plan?"

"You know that carnival that'll be in Echo Bell next month? I learned through the grapevine that Itzal will be there."

Marie squinted. "Where are you going with this?"

"I heard he picked up a new alchemist in his traveling troupe, and supposedly this alchemist will be helping him with some grand performance for his next ritual. Some alchemy that'll make his rituals grander than ever." Basil glared. "I want to see what this alchemist is capable of, and I want to know just how potent that formula is."

"Basil, we're just scraping plans together with what little intel and resources we have. What's this special formula you've been hearing about?"

He rubbed his fingers together, creating a spark. "…I've told you that one of the core beliefs of my family's magic is to see our flames as acts of fortune. Everything that burns is good fortune to us. So, I want to try and harness the Scarlet Flame's power."

Marie raised her brow. "How? There's no way Itzal would give you the ability to wield it."

He touched his heart. "Every member of the circus has to undergo an initiation before they can officially join. Those conditions include making a binding contract with Itzal using the flame. A piece of it exists within my essence, and Itzal can use it in a variety of ways to…well, deal with traitors. Of course, that's only if I break any rules he sets, and I've always been pretty good at finding loopholes. He's not as clever as he thinks."

"…" Marie glared. "So, you want to use that tiny fragment inside of you to boost your power?"

"…I have a theory on how to solve all our problems. I just need the right setup and conditions. Once I figure out how to draw out the Scarlet Flame lying dormant within me…"

He clenched his fist, producing sparks that ignited into a wreath of flame around him.

"I'll use that power to burn the very thing that'll turn a war in the Foresters' favor: your hometown, Osorekaku. We're going to kill the Takigawa Clan. And I'll do it…as a Dawnblite."

Explosions ignited across the ruined street. Melissa was quick to vacate the destroyed buildings, barely escaping the initial blast as dozens of fire arrows fired from Basil's hands, each one containing tons of explosive power capable of incinerating stone. She activated Purified Luster to offset some of the damage around her, yet struggled against the sweltering heat that followed.

Basil took to the skies on a cluster of explosions and dove after the fleeing Buneary. "Life's full of tough decisions, Harlow! Some of us are more willing to cross that line just to see actual change for once! It's not too far off from your own goals!" He snapped his fingers, sending down waves of sparks toward the street.

Melissa leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the street as flames blistered it in scorching flame. She felt the crackling explosions flying past her and spun around as Basil condensed firepower between his hands.

"You justify it in the name of peace! I make no such excuses! All I see is a corrupt world that needs to burn!" He opened his hands, releasing a blast of heat straight at her.

"Abyss Clouds!" Melissa wrapped herself in a dense ball of darkness as the attack blasted her out of the air. She braced herself upon impacting the ground, bouncing in her darkness bubble. She leapt out of it, dodging another wave of Ash Blossom: Red.

Basil landed on a roof, firing a third volley of Ash Blossom. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of my way and just let this happen!"

Melissa scooped a rock off the ground and kicked it straight at him. "Lambert Style—"

Basil tilted his head, letting the rock fly past him. "That won't work!"

"Trick Switch!"

Basil snapped his fingers and blasted the rock the moment Melissa activated Trick Switch. However, to his shock, no switch was made. A fake out?

In the brief second of confusion, Melissa attached Abyss Clouds to the opposing buildings and stored up power in her legs. "Frantic Bunny Hop: Abyssal Slingshot!" She launched with a kickoff the ground, catapulting herself straight for the Salandit.

"Trickster's Escape!" Basil fired explosions under himself and barely dodged Melissa's attack. However, she tangled Abyss Clouds around his leg and pulled him with her.

"Got you!" She reeled him in and grappled him as they crashed into the next street over. They tumbled through the street before breaking apart. "HA!" She bounced forward and headbutted the Salandit before he could get up.

"Agh!" He stumbled back, then staggered as Melissa through a left hook across the face. "Ugh!"

Melissa trembled with tears in her eyes. "I don't want to fight you like this, Basil! Just tell me what's wrong!"

"There's nothing wrong!" he growled.

"Your heart is screaming, I can hear it! Just tell me!"

"Why is it so hard for you to get the point? I don't need saving!"

"You and Marie have been lying all this time over something! Whatever bad blood you have between you—"

Basil clenched his teeth. "Bad blood?" Just as the Takigawa spectators rejoined them, he exhaled a massive cloud of purple smoke, catching Melissa off guard.

"Agh…!" She stumbled back, fanning the smoke away and trying to cover her breath. But it was too late.

"This is more than just bad blood." She could hear Basil's voice projecting around her. She was trapped in an illusion that only she could perceive. "The Takigawa took everything away from me, and they get to live. How is that fair? How is any of that fair?"

Melissa flinched as a window opened within the smoke, giving her a look at Midnight Village with dead bodies littered across the grass. Takigawa swarmed through the night, cutting down and capturing fleeing villagers in the chaos. At the center of it all, she saw a Sneasler leading the army, a malicious smile decorating his face.

"Some of us…just aren't born lucky." Another window opened, and she saw a lonesome Salandit sitting in the rain, clutching a weathered tome as he sobbed.

"Some of us have to suffer just because that's what happens." She flinched at another window, a terrified Basil standing over a restrained Gardevoir with a dagger in hand and Itzal laughing behind him. She looked away as a red tint flashed over the illusion followed by a scream.

"And sometimes…you just have enough with the way things are." Another window opened, and Melissa saw a cloaked Terrowin speaking to Itzal. Standing behind a corner with rage flickering in his eyes…was Basil, who was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"But you can't handle the idea that your friends might just be bad people, huh?"

Melissa felt the world rumbling behind her. She looked up and gawked in fear as two giant sock puppets of Basil and Marie rose from the purple mist with a giant Basil wearing them.

"Oh, what secrets do you have to tell me, Takigawa?" Basil spoke for his puppet.

"Basil, I must confess something to you," Basil spoke for the Marie puppet. "A dark truth that I've come to realize as I've gotten to know you."

"What dark truth could that possibly be, fearsome assassin?"

"I…I confess. Your sisters, Clover and Rosemary. They were captured by the Takigawa Clan. They…They were placed into the training exams as hunting fodder for us."

Melissa's eyes shrank. "No…"

"I…I killed Rosemary. And Clover was killed afterwards."

Melissa stepped back, shaking her head. "N-No…"

Basil laughed, burning the puppets off his hands. "Oh, but it gets even better than that!" He raised his hands, unfurling marionettes of Shizuka and Hidekage. He made them dance and spin in front of the horrified Buneary. "Tell her, Hidekage! What did you do with their bodies?"

The Hidekage puppet bounced and contorted, speaking with a rather unpleasant voice. "Oh, I had no use with that useless Wartortle. But the Salandit? Oh, oh! I had ideas! Dearest daughter!"

The Shizuka puppet saluted. "Yes, Father?"

"Become my newest masterpiece. I'll cut open that Salandit and have her venom sacs transferred to you, giving you an experimental version of her Corrosion ability!"

"I will do as you say, Father, for I have no will of my own! After all, I'm a Takigawa. I'm just a useless puppet for you to mold."

Melissa's breathing hastened, backing away from the dancing puppets. "Oh my Arceus…"

The puppets and giant Basil collapsed into the mist, and Basil stepped out in front of Melissa. He scoffed. "I will burn everything that monster stands for. There is nothing I want more than to end this, and I'm not playing the hero to get the job done."

Melissa quivered. "I…I don't understand. All of this…but why would you be helping the Takigawa? Why are you helping Last Autumn if they…? Basil, I don't understand. Nothing you're saying lines up! Everything you're saying is just one massive contradiction!"

He glared. "That's…the point. After all, we tricksters tend to speak in metaphors. To me, burning is just good fortune." He raised his hands.

Her eyes widened. "Wait, no—"

SNAP!

The entire area in front of him ignited in a sea of flames, throwing Melissa out of the illusion. She screamed out in pain, activating Purified Luster to offset the damage. The blast carried her into a building, blowing it down in the explosion.

Basil stood in the receding smoke as the Takigawa stared at him in awe, oblivious to what transpired inside the illusion. He sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets and turning his back to the smoldering wreckage. "So, just take the hint already, Harlow. There's no stopping this." He shook his head, walking over to Kiho and her group.

"…B…Basil…"

He stopped and breathed a sigh before glaring over his shoulder. Melissa pulled herself out of the wreckage, a little burned but still moving. She panted, glaring back at him…but this time with that usual kindness that sparkled in her eyes.

"I'm…sorry." Her ears drooped over her face. "I'm so sorry you went through all of that. No one should have to deal with that pain. That's awful. I'm so, so sorry."

The Takigawa looked at each other in confusion. "[What are they talking about?]" Hibiki asked.

Ao scratched his head. "[I'm a bit lost myself.]"

Kohaku whined. "[Please, just let me fight already!]"

Kiho scowled. "She's still alive, Salandit."

He sighed. "Yeah, yeah." He turned and glared at Melissa. "Honestly, can't you just take the hint already—"

"BASIL!" Melissa screamed. "I promise…I'll forgive you!"

His eyes widened, a tremor shaking through his body. Wha…?

"Just tell me…everything!" she cried. "Tell me, and I'll forgive you! Please! I just want my friend back!" She staggered forward. "Please! Please! Just tell me! Tell me everything, and I'll help you ease that heartache!" Tears flooded down her face. "Don't you trust me?!"

"…" Basil clenched his teeth, now shaking with uncertainty. After all of that, you're still willing to…? He covered his face, willing himself to keep his own tears at bay. Dammit. Don't break the façade. You need to play the villain. It's the only way…to end this.

"Basil! Please! You can trust me! Just tell me!" Melissa pleaded. "Tell me everything!"

Kiho glared at Basil. "What is she blathering about?"

"…" Basil sighed, stepping forward as he dug inside his coat. "You really want to know why I'm doing all of this? Why I'm willing to go so far for my motives?"

Melissa nodded frantically. "Yes, yes! Just tell me what you're really—" Her eyes widened on the throwing knife he pulled from his coat.

He held the knife by the blade, swaying it around in the air. "If you want to know so badly…"

"Ask Marie."

Melissa's eyes widened. Wait, what was that—

"Find out in the next life."

She gasped, staggering back. "Wait, Basil, what was—"

Basil reared up his arm and threw the knife straight at her. With a click of his fingers, the knife propelled forward at explosive speeds.

STAB!

Melissa's eyes shook as something thumped against her chest. A splash of red erupted in front of her, staining her face. Her eyes shakily moved down, staring at the smoking knife that stabbed through her uniform and pierced…right into her heart.

"Guh…uck…" She stared straight at Basil as blood dribbled down her chest. She teetered back on her heels. "B…Bas…"

He turned his back to her. "Goodbye, Harlow."

"B…Basil…" The light flickered from her eyes, and she collapsed onto her back, a final gasp whistling from her lips.

The Takigawa stared at the scene in silence, some disappointed that the fight was already over, and others…feeling mixed emotions they weren't willing to openly share. Kiho, Hatsu, and Bansyou stared at the fallen Buneary, eyes fixed with cold glares.

Basil shoved his hands into his coat pockets, listening to his crackling flames burning out around him. His expression was unreadable, no triumphant or sadness to interpret. He didn't look back at the body as he walked away.

"There. I'd say I kept the damage to a minimum," Basil said as he walked past Kiho. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to in the morning—"

"[Hatsu.]" Basil froze, casting a subtle glare at the Miltank whose eyes remained focused on the fallen rabbit. "[Check the body.]"

Hatsu lunged down the street, landing perfectly over Melissa's body. Basil glanced over his shoulder, watching as the Passimian placed her fingers to the Buneary's neck. She placed her ear to the ground, presumably listening for a heartbeat. She even cast some of electrical threads over the body to see if it was truly unmoving or not a clone left in her place.

"…" Hatsu narrowed her eyes, then stood up, detaching the threads. She shook her head. "[Dead.]"

"…" Basil turned away.

"[Awwwww, and just when it was getting good]" Shion groaned.

Anko smiled triumphantly. "[Oh well, I managed to get an amazing painting out of it, so win-win for me!]"

"…" Midori hugged herself tighter.

Ouki frowned. "[Hard to believe she was a spy. I…sort of enjoyed her company.]"

Kiho snorted. "[Don't feel sympathy for the dead. What's done is done.]" She waved the viewing Takigawa off. "[All of you! Return to bed! Nothing left to see here!]"

Bansyou grunted, still reeling from his missing ear. "[Agh. S-So, what are your orders?]"

"[First things first, we take Zennami in and have him questioned tomorrow. He clearly had some ulterior motive being here.]" She crossed her arms. "[We might have to pay the Zennami Clan a visit.]"

Hatsu glared. "[What about the body?]"

Kiho groaned. "[Too much of a hassle for me to organize. I'll have someone pick it up in the morning. Who knows? Maybe Father will get some use out of it.]" She glared at the lingering Takigawa. "[Well?! Go to bed, you ingrates!]" The viewing Takigawa dispersed from the rooftops, returning to their homes.

Bansyou struggled to walk, relying on Hatsu to carry him. "[Uuuuugh. I don't feel so good.]"

"[See Tanzou tomorrow]" Hatsu mumbled, guiding her brother along.

Kiho stopped next to Basil, shooting him a glare. "[We didn't need your help, so don't get a big head over this.]"

He shrugged. "[I did less damage and got the job done quicker.]"

"[She was already weakened.]"

"[That girl…was going easy on you.]" Basil continued on his way, shooting a half-hearted wave back at the Miltank.

Kiho scowled briefly, but shook it off and headed off to collect Watora for capture.

Melissa's body lay in the ash-covered street, blood staining her uniform and dripping onto the ground around her. A shining beacon of hope had been extinguished. The heart of the Foresters had been slain. What was going on in those final moments of conscious thought? What was at the forefront of her mind when death took hold?

Betrayal? Sadness? Anger?

Or something else?

It mattered not what emotion she felt, for the worst possible outcome had come to pass.

Melissa Penworth, the Skill Hunter, has died.

…

…

…

…Unbeknownst to everyone who left, one Takigawa returned.

The body would not be collected in the morning.