The dungeons of Kumonohana, the lowest levels, were a tomb for only those who the emperor wanted to disappear, so to speak. So far down and disconnected from the outside world, only known by a select few within the capital. Of course, with the very nature of Makiko's crimes, it was hard to forget. As such, her current predicament merely served as a convenient way to keep her contained before trial could take place.

Whatever trial awaited her, however, wasn't going to look favorably on her.

She didn't put up a fight when she was brought down to the dungeon, resigning herself to her cell as she lay in the far corner with her head down. She occupied her time by rubbing her shackles together, unable to do much else with her hands locked inside. Not that she had any grand ambitions to pick the lock and free herself, or even just bust her way out with a simple poke to the bars.

She mainly let the time pass through brief sessions of meditation, relaxing her mind and maintaining a cold deposition. It wasn't much of an act, though. She felt virtually nothing regarding her imprisonment or the countless ways she would be tried. With an order to be brought back alive, they clearly wanted her for something.

The dungeon didn't bring back too many fond memories itself. She ventured down here more times than she could count. She recalled the faces of the many prisoners kept locked away in these cells. She even remembered the last prisoner who occupied the cell she was in. Some Pinsir who believed he found a bottle containing the legendary djinn, Hoopa. He broke into the palace and cornered Emperor Amano, threatening to unleash the djinn's phenomenal, cosmic power upon the capital.

The man was later realized to be mentally sick, and the bottle he found was actually just a discarded sake bottle. She never knew what happened to the man, though she wouldn't be surprised if Emperor Amano had him executed just to spare the trouble of the more reasonable solution of getting the man immediate medical attention from an apothecary.

Actually, most prisoners down here didn't see the light of day upon their imprisonment. Most either rotted away or were lined up for execution. As stated, this level of the dungeon was meant to erase a prisoner's existence.

She wondered if the same fate would befall her.

She sighed. "It's probably for the best the world forgot about me…"

"[Troubled, Ms. Takigawa? Perhaps I could lend an ear.]"

Marie cracked one eye open and glanced at the cell across from hers. Despite the lower levels being mostly quiet, she wasn't the only prisoner down here. Across from her, knelt on the ground in a meditative state, was a Golisopod. Massive for his species and weathered with scars across his hardened scales, he also carried elegance in his posture as if partaking in a tea ceremony. The provided prison rags didn't even fit around his massive frame, thus he only wore the trousers and some ripped cloth on his back.

She remembered this prisoner well. Another who was erased from the public eye.

She scowled and turned her head away. "[You wish to mock me, old man? Do you revel in my state of being? That a demon hound like me has finally been leashed and sentenced away to the depths of Hell where I belong?]"

"[I would not.]"

"[Tch. I don't need your sympathy, then. I deserve to be down here.]"

"[You don't believe that.]"

"[Try me. I can list off an entire decade's worth of crimes that'll make a few past wars look like minor squabbles.]"

The Golisopod narrowed his eyes sadly. "[Do you truly view yourself with such contempt?]"

"[It doesn't matter. What's done is done. I've resigned myself to my fate down here. Whatever trial they hold against me will be done without mercy. Nothing short of deserved.]"

The Golisopod leaned back against his bars and massaged his temples, a grumble of annoyance rumbling in his voice. "[By the grace of Ho-Oh, what has Hidekage been doing with you children? I knew the man to be mad, but every time I hear some new rumor about his children…]"

Makiko smiled bitterly. "[Father has no room for kindness or remorse in his heart. Time's have changed since your day, old man. Osorekaku has become the haven for all Takigawa. A breeding ground for only the strong.]"

The Golisopod glared. "[You don't sound particularly upset about it.]"

"[Absolutely livid, actually, but it can't be helped. My being down here was bound to happen, and now I wait to see what they'll do with me. What will they do with their precious masterpiece who forsake the family?]"

"…" The Golisopod glanced down at the floor. "[Takigawa Makiko, do you value your own worth? Do you value your life?]"

"…" Makiko glared. "[Why does any of that matter? In the end, I'm just a monster.]"

"…"

The conversation was dropped as they heard the hall door opening. Footsteps echoed off the walls, approaching their cells. The Golisopod shifted deeper into his cell, hiding in the dark. Makiko kept her head down, not bothering to look up as the figure stepped into view and stopped before her cell.

"…"

"…" Makiko closed her eyes and huffed.

"[Is that any way to greet an old friend, Makiko?]"

"…" Makiko grunted.

"[You will look at me as I address you. Now.]"

"…" Makiko cracked one eye open, finally acknowledging her guest.

A Gothorita who was dressed in a pink kimono stood before the cell, looking down on the Mawile with an unfeeling stare as frozen as the high north. She carried a certain elegance in the way she stood, one that also carried confidence and a demand for respect. Alone in a prison filled with monsters, yet she stood above them without wavering.

"[…It's been a while, Riko]" Makiko mumbled.

"[So, you can speak. I'm glad this won't be a one-sided conversation. We have much to discuss.]" She knelt in front of the bars. "[How have you been? Have you been eating well? You don't seem like your usual self.]"

"[Drop the nice girl act. What do you want?]"

Riko narrowed her eyes. "[Am I not allowed to reconvene with an old friend? It's been years, Makiko. Far too long to be separated from one another. I hoped you'd be happier to see me.]"

"[…You told everyone I tried to assassinate you.]"

Riko shrugged. "[Well, I suppose we left each other after a rough discussion.]"

Makiko scowled. "[Is that how you remember that? You're the one who seemed to take issue with my feelings.]"

"[I've always taken your feelings into consideration, Makiko. Did our love for each other not mean anything? Do you still feel that spark between us?]"

"[I rather not have this conversation.]"

Riko sighed. "[Maybe I told a lie here or there. You have to admit, I made a convincing performance.]"

"[Why the act? Everything happened so fast, I still don't know why—]"

"[I told you, I've always taken your feelings into consideration. The issue was that you were straying away from your true self. The version of you I actually loved.]" Riko narrowed her eyes. "[The version of you who was cold, calculating, and ruthless. Where's that Makiko? Did you leave her behind in Osorekaku after failing to kill your father?]"

"[You had a problem with me developing a heart?]"

"[I had a problem with you straying from my destined path for the empire. You should know better than that. This land wasn't built on goodwill. We've always strived to dominate our rivals and tear all that stood in our way to the ground. That's how my grandfather came into power, and that's how your father became the most feared man in the empire. Our fates were intertwined by their joint takeover against the previous emperor.]"

"…" Makiko huffed. "[You're as sick and twisted as before. I can't believe I actually fell in love with you.]"

"[It's not completely hopeless, Makiko. There's always a chance to redeem yourself.]"

CLICK!

Makiko raised her brow as Riko opened the cell and let herself in, approaching the Mawile. Hands tucked behind her back, she stood in the center of the cell and looked down at the assassin with loving eyes and a soft smile.

"[I would be honored to have you back as my bodyguard, my precious Makiko. Do you still want me~?]"

"…"

Makiko jolted off the floor and rushed Riko, attempting to bash her head in with her box shackles. However, before she could bring her arms down, her entire body suddenly locked up, frozen in place. Her whole body twitched with a long, uncomfortable shiver.

Riko dropped the façade and returned to her neutral staring. "[Do you hate me that much?]"

Makiko scowled, or at least tried to as even her facial muscles weren't responding. "D-D…Damn…you…"

"[I see.]" Riko created a ball of light in her hand, letting it hover behind her. She paced around Makiko's frozen body, making it so the light kept her shadow overlapping with hers. "[You had a good life under your father's rule. You had an even better one as my bodyguard. My hound to do with. But I thought we had an understanding. We were drawn together by our shared desire to…destroy everything.]"

"[Th-Th…That was…wasn't my—]"

"[Try not to speak. You'll hurt yourself.]" Riko wrapped arms around the paralyzed Mawile, holding her close. "[It wasn't your dream? You've always supported my dream when we were together. You never once voiced an issue about it. You almost seemed delighted at the chance to slaughter those fools from the west. Could you imagine if you just stayed by my side?]" She brushed her hand across Makiko's chin. "[With my ascension coming up, you and I could've had everything. You could've been my lady. My wife who served me diligently as I take the seat of power. We would've been unstoppable.]"

Makiko blushed. "[G-Get…off…]"

"[But you loved it when I held you like this. Have you become a prude after all this time?]" Riko nuzzled into the Mawile's neck. "[Do you remember those nights where we used to cuddle in bed? Those nights you would whisper sweetly into my ear about the ways you've killed your targets. Those nights brought me such comforts.]"

"[I…not…that…any…more…]"

Riko sighed, sliding her arms away. "[You don't remember those times together? Not even a little?]" She stepped in front of Makiko and held her chin. "[Not even this?]"

Before Makiko could protest, Riko claimed her lips in a kiss. Makiko's eyes widened briefly in surprise, wanting to fight back despite the full-body paralysis. However, she couldn't help the fluttering of her heart, a brief memory from long ago from when they shared their first kiss. For an emotionless assassin at the time, it was the first spark of emotion she felt.

She found herself returning the kiss, enjoying the brief moment of bliss after all the trouble she went through.

Sadly, she couldn't enjoy as long as she hoped, feeling Riko pull away from her. The Gothorita brushed her hand across the Mawile's cheek which bloomed a lovely shade of red. "[Do you remember that?]"

"…" Makiko nodded dumbly, still a bit loss in the moment.

"[…As do I.]"

Riko gently grabbed Makiko by the hair…and slammed her face full force into the stone floor.

"AAAGH!" Makiko cried.

"[But I don't remember you being this weak.]" Riko smashed her face into the floor again. "[Pathetic. Looking all dumbstruck over a kiss. How soft have you gotten? It took hours just for me to get a smile out of you before, and yet you're reduced to a puddle so easily. How bad was that last interaction with your bitch of a mother that you became this soft-hearted, sentimental fool who does charity work for a bunch of westerners?]"

Makiko lifted her head, scowling at the Gothorita. "[Don't you dare speak ill of my moth—AAAAH!]" Riko stamped on her bad leg, which was still healing from the other day. "AAAAAGH!" Riko then kicked her in the side, throwing her across the cell.

"[My vision of the empire will be made up of only the strong. I've always admired the Takigawa Clan. Your father was an inspiration to me. The way my grandfather spoke of him from when they were children, it was most moving. You and I were destined to rule the empire, carrying on the legacy of our family. That's why I intend to make it so the Takigawa Clan's influence is absolute. Making them into my enforcers all across the empire to secure my grip over them. Either they comply to the Takigawa Clan's demands, or they can be wiped off the map. There's no room for the weak in my empire.]"

Makiko, regaining control of her body, struggled to sit up. She growled at the mad lady. "[Like I said…you're just as sick and twisted as before.]"

Riko sighed. "[Why do you care? I gave you a chance, and this is how you repay me. You're breaking my heart.]"

"[Do you even have a heart to break?]"

She shrugged. "[A rich response coming from you. I wonder how well that soft heart of yours has been able to bear the weight of all that guilt. Do you feel proud of yourself? Do you loathe the person you once were? You just can't bear the sight of the monster that abandoned everything? Oh, I wonder how many wish for your head after the death you've spread. After all, you're nothing more than a dagger with a thirst for blood.]"

"…" Makiko bowed her head, growling through her hair. "[Why are you even down here?]"

Riko glared. "[To tell you not to fret over your trial. After that little display of violence, I've already decided you as guilty.]" She knelt in front of Makiko, forcefully holding her by the chin. "[In fact, your timing couldn't be better. You're the centerpiece to top off my ascension as Empress Amano Riko.]"

"[What the hell are you talking about…?]"

"[Lord Takigawa and I agreed we needed something to symbolize my rise to power. Something to show that I'm not to be messed with.]" Her eyes narrowed darkly. "[After all, this entire operation rests on the alliance between the Amano Clan and the Takigawa Clan. So, that got me thinking: what better way to show off my perceived dominance over your clan…than by publicly executing its deadliest member?]"

"…" Makiko glared.

"[It's a brilliant stunt, especially since you've become even more famous recently. You killed the emperor of New Chariot, and I'll be overseeing his executioner's own execution. This kind of brilliance writes itself as if it was made for me.]"

"[Y-You're going to kill me…as an example of what awaits everyone else?]"

"[Whoever controls the Takigawa Clan controls Great Gate. That's the new order.]" Riko dropped her and stood up. "[And once I've achieved true power, I'll take the rest of Virdis.]"

Makiko scowled. "[Do you honestly think Terrowin would give you the throne to Virdis?]"

Riko glared. "[You know more than you let on. You know about my dealings with Last Autumn?]"

"[I know your competition consists of a scheming Frillish and a Prinplup I would like to snap the neck of.]" Makiko scowled. "[But none of you hold a candle to her if you think any of you are the rightful saviors of Virdis.]"

"[…Her, huh? So, have you found someone else to toy with?]"

"…"

Riko sighed. "[Oh, I see. So, that's the reason why you've forgotten about me. You've fallen in love with this girl, haven't you?]" She shook her head. "[Well, whoever she is, I'll be sure to reunite you both. Your severed head would make a nice decoration over the fireplace.]"

"[…She's not a sadist like you.]"

"[Then she must be as weak as you. I would love to see how your dear beloved could possibly surpass me. I'll show Terrowin the true way to reign in an uncontrollable region. I'll stamp out all who resist me, and I'll destroy everything that disgusts me. He'll understand I'm the only one with the conviction needed to get the job done.]"

"…"

Riko stepped out of the cell, locking the door behind her. "[A shame we couldn't see eye-to-eye like old times, but you'll have your use soon. Sorry about your face, sweetie, but the blood looks so good on you.]"

Makiko sat up on her knees, wiping her face into her sleeve. She scowled wordlessly at the Gothorita.

"[Until the ceremony, my precious assassin.]" She blew a final kiss at the Mawile before taking her leave.

A silence hung in the air after the soon-to-be empress' departure. Makiko stared endlessly at the floor, ignoring the droplets of blood occasionally dripping from her lip. Her body still ached from the paralysis she was subjected to. It felt like someone was binding her muscles and nerves, pulling on them like puppet strings. It was a technique suited for someone as malicious as Riko.

"[…She's nothing like her grandfather.]"

Makiko lifted her eyes, glaring at her fellow prisoner across the way. The Golisopod shifted out of the darkness, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He glared back at her.

"[The Orochi I knew was a schemer, but a coward at heart. It's why he became so reliant on Takigawa. It's why they were able to take the empire for themselves.]"

"…" Makiko closed her eyes. "[I…really did love her back then. I was just as bad as her. Worse, even.]"

"[And you just let her have her way with you? Someone like you could've killed her even with those shackles on.]" The Golisopod's glare deepened. "[I know you Takigawa aren't afraid of death, but why are you so accepting of this execution?]"

"…" Makiko fell back against the wall, glaring at the ground. "[Because that's the reason I came here.]"

"[The reason…?]"

"[…To finally bury the past.]"

30th Wisdom Moon, 908 – Midnight Village, Arcania Kingdom

It didn't take long for Bellatrix to put out the fire. Once the villagers found her and brought her to Daarkston's shop, she held her hand out toward the flames. Her irises lit up, taking on a flickering orange glow resembling an inner fire.

"Extinguish."

With a clench of her fist, the flames smothered themselves under her command, wiping away the rising inferno in seconds. The smoke cleared away, leaving only the scorched earth and shop. Only the right wall was burnt. It was mostly contained to the one side, and the stone kept it from reaching the inside.

Daarkston let out a sigh of relief, placing a hand over his pulsating heart. "Thank goodness, that could've gotten out of hand fast." He smiled gratefully at Bellatrix. "You are a talent just like your father, Ms. Bellatrix."

The peppy Braixen spun on her foot and struck a pose. "There's no one around who can match my mastery of Pyromancy! Happy to help!"

Daarkston groaned, scratching at his nape as he inspected the damage. "How did that even start in the first place? I didn't leave any flammable material outside, did I?"

"Maybe some kids were playing with your potions."

"The children know better than to be reckless. Besides, no one else has been in my shop all day, or I would've known." He sighed. "Well, no harm, no foul." He clapped his scythe hands together, calling upon his apprentices. "Alright! Let's get this mess cleaned up!"

"Yes, Master Daarkston!" The apprentices produced mops and buckets from beneath their robes and got to work scrubbing down the shop.

Bellatrix dusted her hands off and waltzed off, feeling proud of herself. "Another day, another smile! Ooh, I should treat myself to some ice cream for a job well—"

FWOOSH!

A hand grasped her shoulder. She froze, then craned her neck to glance up at the weary-eyed Magmar floating behind her. "…Oh. Hey, Vauquelin. Did you need something?" She spun around and grinned. "Ooh, what's with that glum look? Oh, I know! You overheard me talking about ice cream and wanted some, too! Well, I suppose I can let you in on my secret stash—"

"We have a problem," Vauquelin stated.

She laughed. "I'll say! You need to lighten up every once in a while. Look, seriously, if you want ice cream that badly, you only need to ask. No need to—"

Vauquelin snapped his fingers, and the two of them teleported away.

"—act like a sourpuss over a little teasing." Bellatrix opened her eyes and realized she wasn't in the village anymore. "Eh?" She looked around, gendering at the stony interior she found herself in. She squinted. "Wait, isn't this Arcania's old underground prison? Why did you bring me…here—oh boy…"

Her eyes darted past Vauquelin and landed on the main attraction in the center of the room. Dangling off the ground bound in chains were Luna and Victoria, both of them gagged. Luna flailed frantically, screaming through her gag, while Victoria seemed to be endlessly chattering behind hers.

Bellatrix blinked twice, then glanced at the psionic Magmar. "Uhhhh…I'm going to take a wild guess and say this isn't because Victoria accidentally found the prison and got herself tied up again in the old equipment."

"Worse than that."

Bellatrix glanced over her shoulder as Zana stepped out of the shadows, glaring at their prisoners.

"We've been compromised."

Jason stared at Wisteria, his expression fixed with a cold glare that made the criminal underworld tremble in his presence. Wisteria wasn't intimidated by the Pikachu's scowl, though she carried a look of guilt, unable to meet his eyes.

"…What's been going on since I was last here?" Jason asked slowly.

Wisteria sighed. "It's not just since you were last here. Ever since the massacre. Arcania…it's dying. We're standing on the last legs of home, but we're all in denial of the inevitable. We cannot sustain the remnants of Arcania. We are on the verge of collapse. As such, desperate times call for desperate measures."

"You mean to say you made a deal with someone to keep Arcania active."

"This village is literally all we have left of our kingdom. It wouldn't take much effort to raze it. However, from the shadows, someone has been keeping us afloat from the likes of New Chariot and even the whims of Great Gate. As such, we were indebted to them, whether we wanted to or not. Why do you suppose we're so hesitant to accept help from others? There's always a catch, right?"

"…" Jason dropped his bag and crossed his arms. "Who did you make a deal with?"

"…"

"Ms. Dawnblite."

"…" She sighed. "Last Autumn."

His scowl deepened. He curled his fingers, digging his claws into his sleeves. "Excuse me?"

"They provided us the resources to stay afloat. However, we would soon realize they masterminded the Takigawa Clan's attack on us. They gave the order just so we'd be vulnerable. Desperate. They used our mistrust of the other kingdoms to force us into this silence, the promise of sanctity in exchange for our services. We've entered into a contract with Last Autumn to ensure our safety from what's to come."

"And what is this contract for?"

Wisteria narrowed her eyes. "A secret project being conducted by our head alchemist, Dr. Jonathan Daarkston. If we completed it to Last Autumn's liking, we would be spared from…well, something bad, I'd imagine. They're building something dangerous. I'm afraid I wasn't too involved with the project to know the details."

"What do you know about this project?"

"That we've sent them two completed devices for review. They were apparently satisfied with the results, and now we're in the midst of completing the full order. Someone from the Takigawa Clan will be overseeing the transaction sometime during the Winter Moon."

Jason's scowl deepened. "You've been helping Last Autumn build some weapon."

"It was either that or death. It came to a vote by the main clans. Zana's father…was among the few that agreed to deal out of necessity to the kingdom's protection."

"So, that means Zana's in on this, too."

"Aside from the children and a select few, everyone in the village knows about the deal. It's…a dark secret we harbor with resentment. We're not proud of what we're doing, but the alternative isn't favorable. We've had so much stolen from us over the last century that we've grown to hate those who show interest in our kingdom. The few times we've opened ourselves to help from others, we've been slighted."

The Echo Bell Kingdom's reconstruction offer, Jason recalled.

"But the truth is, our kingdom is dying. It can't sustain itself as is, but we choose to be in denial because we can't stomach the truth." Wisteria sighed. "You understand what that's like, fighting so desperately to maintain something you know you can't bring back. We are a kingdom in name only. The rest of Virdis just sees us as a spot of land playing fantasy. Soon, there will only be nine kingdoms in Virdis."

"…" Jason's glare softened, turning his eyes to the ground as a brief flicker of his parents' smiling faces passed through his mind.

"This is our greatest shame, one we stubbornly deny in favor of preservation."

"…Why tell me all of this now? Why not back then?"

Wisteria chuckled sadly. "You weren't the feared legend you are now. Just a Pikachu who wanted to stand up against the oppressive." She frowned. "But as for why now, I guess all this news about my son was the final straw. That day…that horrible day keeps haunting us, and now I'm afraid Basil is going down a road he can't come back from. I've…just given up pretending. I wanted to believe there was still a chance."

"…That's why you helped Harlow escape."

"I saw a brightness in her eyes I once saw in Basil. A passion to do good and bring hope into the world. I gave up believing such fantasy could exist, but she never thinks of the consequences. It's a bitter flaw, but she'll never stop fighting for a better tomorrow."

"…" Jason closed his eyes and sighed.

"So, with everything I've told you, what do you plan to do now?"

"…" He shook his head. "I don't like the idea of Harlow heading straight for Great Gate, but this needs to be resolved now."

"…" Wisteria narrowed her eyes in understanding. "Please don't hurt them."

"I'm not."

Jason turned back toward the village and followed the path. He gripped his sheathed sword as electricity coursed through his fur, spiking up, as his scowl shifted into the emotionless mask that made him the Flash of Lightning everyone feared. His eyes crackled internally with a storm brewing throughout his being.

"I'm just going to have a talk with Zana."

Zana paced around the trapped duo, activating her light sword. She pointed it at Luna, pressing the condensed solar energy against her cheek. Luna stopped squirming and scowled at the Thwackey, who kept up a stoic expression despite the situation.

"You owe us an explanation," Zana said. "If you don't comply to the interrogation, there will be consequences."

She pressed the blade against Luna's gag, burning it off. With her mouth freed, Luna immediately shouted, "HELP! SOMEONE! GET US OUT OF HERE!"

Luna expected for someone to slap a new gag over her or even bash her on the head to make her quiet. She was, frankly, glad it didn't resort to that as she was still aching from the ambush earlier. However, to her astonishment, the Arcania knights didn't seem bothered by her cry for help.

"Uh…" was all she could say, now feeling a bit awkward.

Vauquelin teleported over to the walls, knocking on them. "Don't bother. This is one of the prisons leftover from the kingdom's early years. The walls are thick, and we're too deep underground for sound to travel. No one's going to hear you."

Luna glared. "Then what was the point of gagging me?"

"Because you've been screaming for help for the last fifteen minutes, and she still hasn't shut up yet. It's annoying."

Luna glanced at Victoria, who was still having an entire conversation despite being muffled. Zana shook her head, burning off Victoria's gag as well to finally let her speak. "—property damage was a bit extensive, and Mrs. Mirthrun eventually forgave me for the accidental flooding of her house, but that doesn't mean I wasn't giving my all during basic training—" She paused, realizing she was ungagged. "Oh hey, I can hear myself again!"

Vauquelin groaned. "Why did we need to ungag her?"

Zana sighed. "If you keep ignoring her, she's just going to keep running her mouth."

Luna glared at the Azumarill. "They managed to capture you, too? What happened?"

"…" Victoria looked away awkwardly. "Uh, well…when a crowd started to draw, I decided to make myself scarce. I, uh…tripped over my feet and slammed my head into a tree. Next thing I knew, I woke up here."

"…Oh my Xerneas…" Luna wished she could facepalm right now.

Zana pointed her light sword at Luna. "Seeing as how you were the one snooping, I can only assume this was your convoluted plan."

Luna glared. "Maybe I wouldn't have needed to come up with a convoluted plan if you and Arcania weren't plotting behind our backs."

"We weren't plotting behind anyone. You're the one who stuck her nose into our business."

Victoria nodded sagely. "It's true. She's very nosy. That's actually how she joined the Foresters—"

"Shut. Up," Luna grumbled through clenched teeth. She shook her head and scowled. "When Jason finds out about this—"

"I already sent him on his way. He's probably halfway out of Arcania by now." Zana glared. "Look, don't get the wrong idea. We're not going to kill you or anything, but—"

"Buuuut, it would be best to keep you nice and locked up down here until our little deal with the Takigawa Clan is finished!" Bellatrix jumped in cheerfully. "After all, this is very sensitive information you're toying with here!"

"Tch." Luna shifted uncomfortably in her chains. "I can't believe this. The entire kingdom, or what's left of it, is allying itself with Last Autumn. Do you have no shame for yourselves? You understand the type of people you're dealing with, right?"

Zana's glare deepened. "You mean the people who orchestrated the massacre on our village? The people who stole more of our secrets and some of our clans? The people who are working with the Takigawa Clan, who have been assimilating members of our destroyed clans and making them into their newest generation? The people who still have a stranglehold over us? Yeah, I'd say we have a pretty good idea who we're dealing with."

Luna frowned. "Why would you sell yourselves out like this? You can't just let them walk over you. You have to fight back—"

"Spoken like an entitled knight from the west."

She recoiled. "Pardon?"

"Aside from your little jaunt in New Chariot months back, have you actually been in a war? For that matter, have you lost everything dear to you in the span of one day? You think we want to live like this? Constantly under threat of annihilation by the whims of Great Gate and their little shadow organization? We want nothing more than to fight back."

Vauquelin scowled. "But there's barely over a hundred of us left, and some of us can't fight. Our three clans are the only major powers left standing, and we're the last line of defense. We would be destroyed. Our culture is on the verge of extinction. Everything we're proud of dies if we step out of line."

Luna grimaced. "But we can help you. The Umbra Clock Kingdom—"

"How can we trust anything when they're just as guilty as the rest?!" Zana snapped. "You keep saying they want to help, but we've been screwed across two centuries all because of our alchemy! What makes now any different?! Because the king feels sorry for us? You think two hundred years of mistrust is going to change anything?! It's the same thing you see all over this Arceus-damned region!"

"…" Luna frowned, looking away unsurely.

Bellatrix touched Zana's shoulder. "Z, calm down. She's just trying to understand."

"…I never would've expected someone like you to be okay with this," Luna admitted.

Bellatrix frowned. "I wouldn't say fine. I just want to protect our kingdom. My mom and dad, they're both very busy these days. They have these special obligations, so they entrusted me to watch over everything in their stead. As my dad always says, there's some problems you can't solve by burning them to cinders. As much as we want, we can't do anything without being annihilated off the map."

Zana scoffed. "I don't expect someone who doesn't understand our culture to get the point."

"…" Luna closed her eyes. "My mom told me about how her parents left Arcania when the warring between you and Umbra Clock was getting bad. They wanted to start a family somewhere safer, so they went to the west. You're right, I don't have any connection to my Arcania roots, but that doesn't mean I don't understand what you're fighting to protect. I would want to protect it, too, even if it meant my life."

"…" Zana's glare softened.

"But even still, you're putting the rest of Virdis in danger by helping Last Autumn with…whatever this is. Doesn't that frighten you?"

"…" Zana sighed. "Has anyone actually cared about our kingdom beyond our alchemy?"

Luna frowned. "Someone does care, I'm sure. Echo Bell cared."

"They screwed us out of our deal—"

"That wasn't their fault!" Luna shouted. "The ambassador never made it to Arcania! She was killed on the way!"

"How convenient—"

"It's the truth!" Luna winced. "Look, I know Arcania doesn't trust anyone after all these years of warring, but you have to give us a chance. I know you've been giving nothing but chances for years, but how will you know the next time will be the same if you isolate yourselves from a helping hand?"

"And how do we know it won't end in another backstabbing?"

Luna frowned. "That's the problem with faith: there's nothing to show for it. Only trust. That's how it always ends, doesn't it?"

"…" Zana scowled, lowering her light sword.

Bellatrix frowned. "Z…"

"…" Zana shook her head and placed her stick back in her hair. "We can't take that risk again. Never again. I'm sorry, but this is the only way to spare ourselves from what's to come."

Vauquelin huffed. "I concur."

Bellatrix glanced apologetically at the trapped duo before shuffling toward Zana's side. "I…have to side with them on this."

"…" Luna glared over her shoulder at Victoria. "You've been mostly quiet. Did you know about any of this?"

"…" Victoria sighed. "I always…knew there was something going on in the background, but I guess I didn't want to believe it myself. Maybe I just closed my eyes pretending it would go away if I didn't pay attention." She chuckled weakly. "Doesn't always work out that way, I'm afraid."

Zana frowned. "We didn't want to get you involved, Victoria. For your sake."

"Heh. Is that why you were so eager to send me off to the Foresters? You were worried I'd be against this?"

"You've got a bigger heart than most of us, I'm afraid."

"…I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble during basic training."

"…" Zana looked away.

Luna shook around in her chains. "I still don't get it. What is Last Autumn getting out of this? What do those headbands do, and why do they need the Scarlet Flame to activate?"

"…That's none of your business—"

"It's a superweapon," Bellatrix spoke.

The Thwackey's eyes widened. "Bella!"

Bellatrix winced. "Z, you know what those things are capable of! If the worst does come, I'd rather the Foresters have a chance to protect themselves. Isn't that enough?"

"…" Zana groaned and turned away.

"Super…weapon?" Luna repeated worriedly.

Bellatrix sighed. "See, Arcania has access to some of the old records from the Great Kingdom. Among those records was their mythology. When the arbiters first came to Virdis, among the many gods they worshipped was Regigigas. However, he had an ancient name he used to go by. Talos."

Victoria's eyes widened. "T…Talos?"

Luna glared. "Is that something I should be worried about?"

"According to legend, before the Great Kingdom fell, there were reports of Talos roaming the earth and laying waste to towns. We don't know the reason why, but…those weren't legends. That actually did happen. They say it was Talos, who spewed flame that shot through the air like lightning. It had firepower that no Pokémon could match."

Luna frowned. "Firepower that couldn't be…oh no," she gasped, the dots connecting in her head. "You mean—"

Zana glared. "Talos was powered by the Scarlet Flame. Among the things that were taken from us in the massacre, the original schematics for Talos which were passed down through the now extinct Stillsong Clan was among them."

Luna's eye twitched. "All those headbands…wait, are you saying—"

"Last Autumn is building an unstoppable army, one where a single individual can puppeteer dozens of soldiers."

Luna felt her heart stop. Of all the possible connections to those headbands, she never imagined them being used to control a literal army of ancient golems. The thought of an army made in the likeness of Regigigas, who in legend could move entire landmasses and shaped the earth from the battles of Groudon and Kyogre, was more terrifying than anything she could think of.

Last Autumn wasn't just intent on seizing control of Virdis. They were prepared to exterminate anything that posed a threat to them.

"Are you…insane?" Luna muttered, choking on her words. "You're helping them build an army? Do you understand the collateral damage something like that could cause?"

"…" Zana turned her gaze down.

"I've only heard what the Scarlet Flame is capable of, but you can't possibly be okay with going through with this! Innocent lives could be at risk!"

"…" Zana glared at the floor, her clenched fists trembling.

"Do you understand what'll happen if you allow them to—"

"SHUT UP!" Zana snapped. "Of course we understand! But what choice do we have? It's them or us! It sucks, but we have to stick with the side that would kill us if we refused!"

"I can't let you get away with this!"

Zana scowled. "Well, you'll have to deal with it, because you two aren't leaving this place until we've completed our transaction with the Takigawa Clan. So, I suggest you keep quiet and—"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Everyone went silent as three loud knocks echoed off the interrogation chamber's door. All eyes fell upon the door, curious about the interruption. By the looks of the trio, Luna guessed even they were surprised someone else was down here.

"Was someone else supposed to be down here?" Vauquelin mumbled.

Bellatrix laughed nervously. "It's…probably Mr. Daarkston. Wondering how the interrogation's going."

"…I haven't informed Daarkston about Ms. Freia's snooping yet."

Zana grimaced. "Then who just—"

BOOM!

The door was slashed to ribbons, exploding off the wall. The girls gasped as rubble flew at them, but Vauquelin raised his hand and stopped all rubble ahead while the rest exploded off the walls. As soon as Vauquelin dropped the rubble, Zana armed herself with her light swords while Bellatrix pulled her wand from her tail.

The dust settled from the doorway, but no one was present.

All that lingered…were sparks on the floor.

The trio's blood turned ice cold.

"Oh no…" they whispered.

"Correct."

There were very few in the world who could bring about the visions of death with just their presence alone. The Takigawa Clan famously had bloodlust so potent that they could torture you just by standing in the general vicinity of the weak-willed. Those who stood at the top of Virdis' most wanted carried their own blend of unrivaled presence.

None could match the aura of one of the Three Deadly Storms.

The Arcanian trio cautiously looked over their shoulders and acknowledged the figure hidden in shadow behind them. He was only visible under the illumination of his electricity. The shadows flickered harshly around him as his sword and eyes gleamed in that potent aura of lightning.

"Now, we can either settle this peacefully…or I'll end it myself."