George had hardly left the room before the arguing resumed. It resembled the rhythm of a marching band in a parade, wrapping up a song before starting the next. And this time, Hein was the first to beat his drums.

"What on Eravate are you doing?" he growled, his voice at its lowest "George was supposed to be here! Did you not listen to anything I have been telling you? He is the key!" The Dusknoir went from pointing a finger through Solhynin's heart, to pointing it towards the floor.

The two dragons let the Dusknoir ramble on for a while, letting him exhaust himself ranting about their indifference. Not the slightest twinge of any emotion revealed itself, whether through muscles tensing or faces souring. They were calm and collected in the Lone Eye's presence.
After a while, Terez got more than fed up, and grabbed onto his pointing arm, yanking it away. "Hein, stop this already! You're not helping our case, here!"

"I'm trying to, for goodness' sakes! We're been cheated, here!"

"Cheated?! Have you lost your mind? They're asking questions-"

"They shouldn't be!"

Now the argument shifted to internal conflicts, as Hein turned his ire onto Terez. The former kept one fist clenched while waving a finger around, while the latter cracked her knuckles behind her back. As the Dusknoir's voice grew all the more dire, and the Gardevoir's attempts to stop him weren't going anywhere, the dragons took their chance.

"Ahem." Morticia said, clearing her throat for good measure. "Mind stopping the drama and actually listening to us? I have no time for games. None of us do." The Garchomp went silent right after, eyes panning and glaring at all those gathered around her; she smelled blood.
In the blink of an eye, Terez let Hein's arm go; the Dusknoir swung it against his chest, nursing an imaginary wound. "Certainly," the Gardevoir said. "Do go on."

"This better be worth it," Hein grumbled, the tips of his fingers digging into his ectoplasm. "It certainly isn't worth getting this pissed over."

Solhynin clasped his claws, the scales on his arms clattering against one another. "Hoo boy, what a mouthful, eh? Wasn't expecting it to get this lively here. But take it away, honey!"

"Yeah, me neither," Morticia grunted, baring her teeth for a split second, then tilting her head away. "So then, Hein. Let's line a few things up, yes? You've come here in search of allies for… the Swords of Justice. 'Heroes' of their little island. You say it's crucial, and that we all join forces with them, and you give the boy as your reason why. A boy who you've been dragging around the world, by the looks of it. I'd be damned if I haven't seen bigger bags under someone's eyes." She spat beside herself. "But I digress. Let's address the Cufant in the room. If this Othersider boy is so important, then why are you doing the talking for him?"

Hein was slow on the move, folding his arms at a glacial pace. From the outside looking in, it looked as if his bulk was getting in the way. "He is shy. He prefers it this way," he said.
Upon hearing it said, Terez put a hand in front of her face."You never asked him."

The Garchomp clicked her tongue. "Cop out. You know it's one."

"Nonsense," the Dusknoir echoed. "I have watched that boy for almost a year. I know him perfectly well. He isn't out to-"

"Really now?" Morticia stretched out her talons, her feet sliding over the stones. "Then why did he walk out on his own volition? Don't give me that 'you made him' crap. He wanted to leave himself. We all heard it. We all saw it. And moreover, why is your partner saying you never gave him a chance? Do you not trust him? If you can't, then should we?"

Hein drifted backwards as Morticia applied pressure. He perceived himself as trapped in a battle, and the Garchomp's glare boring through him reaffirmed that. Not to mention her tense body language, from the muscles to the way her tail swayed. His own ectoplasm steeled itself in anticipation. Alas, this was a battle of words. What good was a fist against the tongue?

"Don't judge George for this," he grumbled, ectoplasm flickering. "These are my decisions we are speaking of, not his. And yes, I do trust him. If I did not, I wouldn't be here. End of story."

Morticia bared her teeth yet again. "Answer the questions. All of them."

Hein's eye narrowed. "He walked out, because he felt sidelined. I have seen this happen before, yes. My partner is telling the truth. And we believe him, don't we?"

All eyes fell on Terez; she sighed, and flicked a lock of hair away from her face before speaking. "Your faith in us must be shaken by all of this. I understand, and I sincerely apologise for… all of it," she said, walking back and forth while desperately trying to not give Hein the side-eye. "Whether or not you will trust George is up to you. Nothing we say can truly convince you, I believe."

The Garchomp folded her arms. "Oh, I have my own conclusions, believe me," she said. "But enough on this matter. Pray tell, why are you with the Swords? And why have they waited until now to show their faces? When the whole world is rotting in some filthy urban sewer? Actually, they haven't shown their faces at all, have they?"

The Dusknoir shook his antenna. "It's a long story. But they have been watching over Eravate as silent guardians. They did not interfere, preferring the common folk to have the chance to resolve the crisis themselves. But they did prepare for the calamity at hand. An entire community has formed on the Isle of Swords… Pokemon hand picked to save Eravate when the time comes. And that time is now."

"Hm, that's odd, then," Solhynin remarked. "See, you say community, but I've only seen the three of you. Where are the others?"

Hein rolled his eye. "Still on the island, biding their time. The point is that we are not alone, and neither are you. Everything will become clear in due time. Even this. I can bring you to the Swords myself if need be."

Morticia raised a talon. "Ah, that will not be necessary. We will decide these things on our own, yes? I know my opinion won't be based on one man's promises. And moreover-"

Out of the blue, the Garchomp leaned her head forwards, tilting it ever so slightly. She shuffled one foot forward, tail swinging to keep balance, her earholes and sensory organs tuning into something. Her attention fell upon the room's entrance, the guards stationed there fiddling around searching for something. Though they hadn't noticed the ruckus themselves, Hein and Terez nevertheless became on edge as well.

Only a few seconds passed before a shout echoed from afar. Shrill, cold and desperate, it resembled someone trying to fight off a knifeman. A second shout came into the room right after. It belonged to a male, and sported a dialect thicker than tar. But even those unfamiliar heard the name 'Gareda' loud and clear. In an instant, Morticia bared her teeth in a scowl.

"Son of a… Solhynin, come with me. Quick."

"Oh dear, is it that-"

"It's worse than that, hurry! And you two fools, follow us as well! Don't stand around!"

Hein and Terez traded glances with each other before doing as was asked. The former looked on the verge of bursting a spectral blood vessel, the latter's eyes were glowing.

'Go to hell, all of you…'

George's frustrations didn't evaporate into thin air when he walked out of the room. If anything, they exploded inside of his head, his blood boiling as it flowed through his veins. The dragon guards helped matters little, what with the way they grinned and gossiped as he passed them by. His ears flicked back after walking out, and he began dragging his tail over the floor. They needed not to worry about him, of course. Unless Morticia kicked them in the rear, they would have the last laugh.

'Can't even say anything, literally anything. Not to them, not to anyone.'

He half-scowled, half-pouted upon reaching the barricades. The day's rays faded in the distance, giving way to a moonless night. No one was catching him dead outside, he'd decided, so he spun on his heel. In doing this, healmost tripped over a Heliolisk's leg, then stomped his way past whoever else slept here, right below the atrium.

What a mess all of this was. They were talking back there about god knows what now that he's gone. What plans was Hein referring to, and to what extent was he involved? Wouldn't it be fun if that old bastard actually spilled the beans on it? Oh, sure George had all the opportunities to ask him. Maybe Hein and Terez had actually told him, and it had gotten lost on the way here. Only so much you can remember when you're being hunted down, sleeping in the rain, hiding behind trees. And having the wind in your ears all the time, no less.

This was no place to grovel, however. All the guardians watching and sharpening their claws put those plans to rest, let alone the civilians trying to sleep. For a moment, he had the urge to ask one what they felt like. But the dreary looks on their faces told the story. No one his age was around, nor was anyone younger. Were they all deeper inside?

George made way for one of the side passages. Alas, someone stood guard at both; he just so happened to pick the one guarded by a Scovillain. The green head snapped at him as he tried to enter. He jumped back, gasping.

"Oi! You're not with us, kid. No gettin' in here for ya!"

The Scovillain yapped at him with his red head, while the green did all the menacing work. George frowned, clenching a fist right over his scalchop. Half bark, half bite, it didn't stay funny for long.

"Hey, don't give me attitude. I'm just trying to look around, is that so bad-"

"Is that so bad? Is that sooo baaad?" Scovillain mock sang, the green head rubbing it in with a vocal harmony. "Uh, what do you think, kid? You like stickin' your nose in others' business? You think that's normal?"

George scowled. "Of course not!"

"Then why do it here, boy? How's about gettin' some manners? Now scram!"

And with all the grace of a falling anvil, the green head resumed snapping at George, nipping at the air by his forehead. The Dewott's whiskers stood straight u, as he turned around. No permission, no chance.

'Why don't you go to hell too, you overgrown chili pepper! Sounds like you'd feel right at home there!

'Cursing to himself in his head, George went right back to the center of the atrium. No exploring, no blowing off steam, just stewing in his frustrations while he waited for the others to finish. And then what? Would they have a place to sleep for the night, or be thrown out into the cold? Hein seemed hellbent on the latter. What was he thinking? The Dewott shook his head. It probably was personal.

But the wait didn't stay quiet for long. After pacing up and down a few times, George overheard some commotion coming from the Scovillain's door. Both his heads gasped as a slender figure thrice his size walked out, her talons gleaming in the torchlight. A Garchomp whose scales looked as smooth as Morticia's, without the vast amounts of scars… and yet, her eyes were bloodshot and broken. They locked eyes.

This time, his instincts weren't lying.

"Of all the times and places… Now, of all times?!" The Garchomp snarled, teeth remaining bared as she spread her talons. "Why are you here?! WHY?"

George's heart skipped several beats, his blood cooling with each pulse missed. He shuffled backwards without looking, drawing both scalchops as fast as his fingers permitted. The room was not big enough for the both of them, let alone anyone who dared to interfere. Most watched, waiting for someone to dare and swallow their pride.

"Ms. Gareda?" called the last voice George expected to hear. "Please, let 'im go to his people. Your mo-"

The Scovillain's voice ended with a dent in his throat. Gareda winded up her fin before swiping it down at the guard, the blunt side of her talon striking him in the red head's neck. The air was forced out of his throat as he toppled over.

"QUIET! Leave me be!" the Garchomp growled, the pupils in her eyes dilated and bloodshot.

"I'll give that little twerp a piece of my mind, whether you like it OR NOT!"

Everso pleasant the diplomat, George thought, as he watched Scovillain hack and sputter on the floor. What little relief seeing him knocked out brought didn't last long. He was lucky to walk away with a beating. George grimaced, his psychic powers asserting themselves.

"You still want my head on a platter? Even now? Look up, you!" He held his head up for a second, just as Gareda stood under the illusion. Dark as the night sky was, she would've seen something worse. Her eyesight should've been strong enough. But she stomped on past, civilians scurrying away from her.

"Your head?! Nah, I'd just like to rip your teeth out of your mouth, pig!" The Garchomp growled, her pace slowing as she closed in. She cast a shadow over George, eyes bearing a reflection of nearby torchlight. "Rip your teeth out, then forcefeed 'em back to you! How do you like that, twerp? Little son of a-"

She hissed, lunged out to the barricades beside her, then yanked a piece of plywood loose. She flung it at the Dewott in a wide arc. George put a hand out; the wood stopped midair, then George slammed and slid it over the ground, back to the palisades.

"GRAAAAHH!"

"OI! Gareda, stop this!"

Several of the Pokemon manning the defenses jumped in, hopping onto her back and trying to swoop her legs out from under her. She spun wildly, smacking one Ampharos on the chin while knocking a Druddigon off her back. George used his chance to run past her, back to the other side of the atrium. By the time he made it across, the Druddigon had the air pushed out of his lungs, Gareda stomping him straight in the chest.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

The Dewott sparsely had time to breathe before she was back on him, sprinting his way with her talons stretched out beside her. She was faster than him. Running forever was nigh impossible. That's what he'd done for far too long. A freezing cold dried out his throat.

'Smile, you!'

With a deep gasp, George launched a spear of ice from his mouth. It soared and grazed the side of Gareda's neck, eliciting a scream from a nearby civilian as it struck above the tunnel entrance. The Garchomp went down on a knee, hissing, the cold sizzling into her scales as she got up.

"...You're scum, you know that?"

"Feeling's mutual…"

As fast as George had knocked her off one foot, Gareda rose with renewed vigor. It happened in a blur. First, she growled. Then she stood, ready to sprint. Next, she had closed the half the gap between her and George, civilians and guards running about. Finally, she had a talon raised over George's head, his scalchops bouncing off her skin as he flung them at her. He gasped, crossing his arms over his head.

"OI!"

A second dragon's roar cut through the chaos, and for a moment, George swore he heard everyone's heads turn. Talon collided with talon, scraping against each other before someone was struck in the gut. A thud, followed by a groan, followed by an even larger thud as the victim fell over. George removed his arms. A Garchomp was in front of him, but with her back turned. And between her legs, he saw Gareda squirming on the ground.

"Missy. Are you out of your damn mind? Who do you think you are, harassing my guests?"

"But-"

"NO. Miss me with that 'but' garbage. Get to your room, now, or else. Did I make myself clear?"

Morticia stood over Gareda, both her arms spread. She wasn't as fast, but she swayed around much less. A dignified pose, one could say; George bit his tongue watching her. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Morticia's husband, as well as Hein and Terez coming out of the conference room.'What is happening?'

"Listen-"

"Did. I. Make myself clear, Gareda?"

"...Yes."

"Then buzz off. Now."

Gareda sucked in a breath through her teeth, shooting a glare at George for a brief moment. Painful as it was, George didn't have to endure for too long; she got up, eyes locked with her mother's, before turning and walking away, head held low.
George watched from the safety of Morticia's legs how she just up and left, as if it was nothing. His jaw hung half open.

'Am I seeing this right? Did I just see Gareda get bossed around? By her own mother, no less?'

Once her daughter had left, Morticia's posture slouched. She breathed in deep, then exhaled, her legs back on a horizontal line, her tail straightened. Everyone in the room was looking her way; some less enthusiastic than others, if Hein's folded arms were any indication.

"I will handle this matter privately. Do not gossip and ramble among yourselves about what you've seen. No one wants to be the victim of hasty conclusions… and you all have better things to do. Get to it! As for my guests… the night is young, and we aren't getting younger ourselves. We will speak again tomorrow. I will take you somewhere private for the night."

Her authority appeared to be a given, until the Scovillain piped up with both heads. "Aw, don't tell me you're givin' 'em a-"

Morticia stomped the ground before him. "What was that?"

"N-nothing!" Scovillain rapidly backed away, shivering, holding his claws up. "Nothing, chief."

A snarl left Morticia's throat. "Tsk. Good answer. Now, get lost. Guests!"

Those present resumed what they'd been doing, whether that be sleeping against the wall or keeping watch over the gate. While Solhynin disappeared back into the conference room, Hein and Terez came floating over. For now, Morticia's word was their command. George breathed uneasily, his pulse rapid and far too vibrant. Whatever he'd expected walking in, this wasn't it. Morticia had given him space, but what would she give him now?

As it turns out, he needed not wait long. A second later, she looked over her shoulder towards him. She smirked, and gave a slight nod. That provoked a similar smirk from George, too.

'You know, this might not be so bad, after all.'