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May 18

teshadraws

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Seekers of Soul

[Chapter 82]

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Nothing goes according to plan.

Tobias wakes to howling wind and the rattling of the leaf blind over their window. His eyes flutter open, and he squints into the darkness around him, looking over his shoulder at the blind as it settles back against the wall. Around its edges, the sliver of sky outside is a deep gray.

Tobias isn’t sure what time it is. He assumes it’s dusk at first, but judging by how quiet the Seeker floor is outside their door—none of the chatter or laughter heard through the walls that’s usually present around supper time—it must be just before dawn instead. They must’ve slept all day and then on through the night. Tobias isn’t too surprised by that considering he and Samir did pull an all-nighter rescuing Nia, and Nia herself was already exhausted from her imprisonment.

Nia. Tobias looks forward again, eyes adjusting to the low light to pick out his partner. She’s still fast asleep a few inches away on the bed, her face smushed into her arm and a bit of drool on her fur. She’s stolen half of his blanket in her sleep, curled up with it tangled around her limbs.

Tobias feels warm as he thinks about their talk last night. About how the painful amount of love he has for Nia, for his best friend in the world, was returned to him via her aura, blinding in its intensity.

He’s so lucky.

The leaf blind is hit by another howling gust of wind, bowing inwards before slamming back against the wall loudly.

Nia jolts. She blinks, eyes trying to adjust in her disoriented state, and Tobias flicks the blanket off his tail to offer a bit of firelight.

The riolu relaxes when she sees Tobias’ face, smiling sleepily as she flops back onto the mattress. “M’rning.”

Tobias snorts. “I see you’re wide awake.”

Nia mumbles something unintelligible, rubbing her face into the bed. “Cut me some slack, I spent days sleeping in the least comfortable prison cell.”

Tobias’ smile falters. He swallows a lick of angry flames in the back of his throat. “You feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” Nia yawns. A paw drifts up to scratch absentmindedly at her cheek, where the gash there has started to scab over. “Wish this didn’t itch, though. It’s—”

Nia freezes, her eyes opening fully as something comes to mind.

“What?” Tobias asks.

Nia focuses on Tobias, and her ears pin back.

Tobias props himself up on an elbow. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing—well, not nothing, but…” Nia chews on her lip for a moment. “I…I feel like I should tell you something, but I’m worried it’ll just upset you.”

That sounds promising. “Well, now I’m gonna be worried either way, so you might as well.”

“I guess it would be good to know, just in case he gets captured or something,” Nia murmurs to herself.

Tobias’ throat goes dry as he sits up fully. “What?”

Nia looks at him almost guiltily, before slowly pushing herself up, too, careful not to disrupt Samir still sleeping behind her. She takes Tobias’ hands.

“I, uh. Ran into someone at Will’s. When I first tried to escape. I didn’t see him after that, but he was working with Will so he’s probably still around, and—”

“Nia,” Tobias says.

Her eyes lock onto his face again. “I met Sulien.”

The arcanine’s scarred face flashes through Tobias’ mind. His breath catches and his stomach turns. Nia’s paws squeeze his own, and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath. Then another.

“Did he hurt you?”

Nia’s paw starts lifting to her cheek before she catches herself, and her mouth opens and closes.

“Your face. He did that?”

Nia’s fingers trace the healing gash on her cheek, the scab still visible through her short fur. “Not…on purpose?”

Tobias growls, low and wordless.

“He’s the one who caught me when I tried to escape,” Nia admits, looking away. “I just hit my face on a rock on the way down.”

Tobias takes another breath, and this time a few embers and a wisp of smoke sneaks through his teeth.

“I’m okay, Tobias,” Nia soothes. “Really. He threw me in jail and I haven’t seen him since. I just…I thought you should know, just in case.”

Just in case Sulien is captured by August and the ‘mon on the mountain in their plan to intervene and stop Will. Just in case Tobias has the chance to see the outlaw for himself.

Tobias only gives that a few seconds of thought before his mind circles back to Nia, at the mercy of Sulien, of all ‘mon. She was a literal breath away from death, face-to-face with the same arcanine who killed Tobias’ family.

…The universe has a terrible sense of humor, huh?

Tobias dips to rest his forehead on the back of Nia’s paw. He squeezes it, trying to quell his shaking, whether from rage or fear.

“I’m sorry,” Nia says, hesitantly petting the top of his head with her free paw. “Should I not have told you?”

“No,” Tobias says. His voice breaks, so he clears his throat. “No, I’m glad you did. I’m just…trying to calm down.”

Nia hums, either giving him space or just not sure what to say. Tobias takes the moment of quiet to gather himself, listening to Samir’s snoring, barely audible over the wind outside.

It feels like the world itself is swaying, and Tobias thinks he’s just getting dizzy until Nia gasps. Then he realizes that the world is actually swaying, pitching like a ship on rough waters.

An earthquake?

Samir’s head jerks up, the skiddo looking around wildly as they’re suddenly yanked from sleep. Somewhere near the foot of the bed, he hears a familiar voice cry out. Junie? Are she and Bo in the room, too?

Tobias grips Nia with one hand and the bed with the other, holding his breath as the world shakes and shakes before slowly shuddering to a stop. For a minute, Tobias isn’t sure that the movement has actually stopped. He stares at Nia, his heart pounding. Her eyes are equally wide, round with fear.

“W-Was that an earthquake?” Junie’s voice asks. Everyone’s eyes go to the little rookidee clinging to Bo’s back. The skarmory’s metallic feathers gleam in the light of Tobias’ flame just past the edge of the bed, where he must’ve been sleeping on the floor.

“I think so,” Nia says. Her paw drifts to her chest as her eyes flick back and forth. They aren’t looking at Tobias, though, but through him, tracking something he can’t see.

“What is it?” Tobias asks.

“The barrier,” Nia breathes, fear flashing across her face. “It had another ripple. The threads have loosened even more.”

“What does that mean?” Tobias asks, dread rolling through his gut. “August and the others should’ve sent Seekers to the mountains already, so if they stopped Will, then…shouldn’t the world be getting better? Not worse?”

Nia’s ear swivels towards the door, and she looks over at it a moment later. The riolu pulls away and clambers out of bed, stumbling on stiff legs to the door to open it. A quiet, hushed clamor of voices drifts into the room from the hallway. The other Seekers on the floor must be checking on their neighbors and talking about what’s happening.

Tobias exchanges a worried look with Samir, Bo, and Junie, and slips out of bed himself, following Nia to the door.

“Something’s wrong,” Nia says, almost to herself.

Before Tobias can answer, Nia hurries out the door. She’s nearly running as she makes her way down the hallway towards the stairs, pushing past other Seekers without checking on their wellbeing or apologizing. That, more than anything, puts Tobias on edge.

“Nia!” He charges after her, even more uncaring of how he barges past other ‘mon in his haste to keep his partner in sight.

“Where is she going?!” Junie asks, swooping down from overhead to land on Tobias’ shoulder.

“Maybe to check on Xander’s team?” Tobias says, unsure.

But Nia rushes right past Team Shellshock’s door, picking up speed as she runs to the staircase and heads up the tree. Tobias’ heart races as he struggles to keep up, Junie’s little claws digging into his shoulder. As they leave the Seeker floor, Tobias hears Samir’s hooves thunking against the wooden floor just behind him, as well as the unfamiliar clanking of Bo’s claws.

Nia doesn’t wait for any of them, rushing up the stairs, and Tobias’ stomach churns as he follows her. He doesn’t know what she knows, or what she senses, but…it can’t be good.

The riolu turns onto the medical floor. Tobias follows her, stopping on the landing as the scent of herbs and blood hits his nose. The wing is busy, unfamiliar medical ‘mon who must’ve been called in to help running back and forth with supplies and water, Fen and Sage’s voices calling out from somewhere to direct them.

Nia’s ears perk and her head snaps in the direction of a specific room. A moment later, Tobias hears Maggie’s voice, raised with emotion.

“August, sit down before you bleed out or so help me I will knock you out myself!”

Tobias feels himself pale, darting after Nia to follow his mom’s voice to one of the medical rooms. Once he reaches it, stumbling to a stop by Nia’s side, a chill runs up his spine.

August is sitting on the ground, cross-legged. The rillaboom’s leafy mane is charred, and his dark fur is matted black with patches of dried blood. Here and there, angry red skin is visible where his fur was burned clean off. He has a hand pressed tightly to his side, and Maggie is using her vines to try to hold him still and wrap his torso with bandages. August’s tense posture says that he’s a moment away from pushing himself to his feet regardless.

The injuries are alarming enough, but it’s August’s expression that make Tobias’ blood go cold. The rillaboom’s jaw is gritted in pain, his sharp fangs on display, but even more striking is how haggard he looks, regretful and angry. Like he can’t stop trying to get up and fight to right an impossible wrong, no matter how much he needs to rest.

“What happened?” Tobias whispers.

August and Maggie finally notice them in the doorway. Maggie has a wild light in her eyes that Tobias has never seen before, and August growls under his breath.

“Tobias,” Maggie starts. Her voice shakes. “W-We…”

“We failed,” a new voice says, bitter.

Tobias suddenly realizes that there are other injured ‘mon in the room with them: high-ranking Seekers from the Lexym Guild, as well as some powerful-looking strangers he doesn’t recognize. Tobias is shocked to realize the owner of the voice is Andyn’s mother.

The sawsbuck is folded into a nest. Blood coats her pretty brown pelt and face, even if her injuries seem minor in comparison to some of the other Pokemon. Her expression is distant and angry as she stares down at her bedmate.

At her side, Andyn’s father is unconscious. His middle is wrapped in bloodied bandages, rising in quick, shallow breaths that make Tobias worry they’re about to stop entirely.

“W-What?” Nia asks, her voice warbling. “But…”

“We sent the absolute strongest Seekers to the mountain to intercept Will,” Tobias says, in disbelief. “I know Will had Pokemon stationed there already, but…but you had the ‘mon from the village and the lucario, too!”

“That’s how they gained the advantage,” August says quietly, clearly frustrated with himself. “The outlaws attacked the village and lured the lucario and enough of our own forces away to divide us.”

“But—even then—"

“We had an army of grass, steel and ice types,” Andyn’s mother interrupts, her dark eyes locking onto Tobias. “We were no match for fire.”

Tobias takes an unconscious step back, his stomach rolling.

“Will expected us after your escape, Nia,” August says. “He sent backup to the mountains. Outlaws, to overwhelm us.”

“An arcanine took out a third of the guild and the lucario on his own,” Andyn’s mother murmurs, looking again at her mate with a tight expression. “He didn’t care if he killed, as long as we were out of his way.”

Tobias distantly feels his team’s eyes land on him. In turn, he stares at the pair of injured sawsbuck.

An arcanine. That…that has to be Sulien.

“S-Someone died?” Junie whispers.

“The dead are still with the village, atop the mountain,” August says quietly. Tobias can see the guilt lining his face as he shuts his eyes and rubs at the bridge of his nose. “The Matriarch’s medics had enough to care for amongst their own, so we teleported the guildmembers here to be treated.”

Oh, Arceus. It hits Tobias all at once that Pokemon he knows could’ve been killed during all this. What if they lost someone? Azami? Val? Eira or Carnelian? The Matriarch? Soren? Rora? He doesn’t want to ask. Doesn’t want to know.

Tobias feels panic press into his lungs, threatening to unmoor him completely. A hand finds his own, intertwining their fingers and squeezing. Tentatively, Nia’s aura wraps around his like a protective cocoon, gently prodding at him to keep him present. Tobias latches onto the sensation, realizing after a moment that Nia is murmuring for him to breathe. He does his best to follow her instructions.

For a moment, Tobias thinks he’s about to faint as the world sways, until he sees everyone around him crouch down and cry out in alarm. Another earthquake.

Nia pulls Tobias down with her, and a bubble of protect forms around them, larger than Tobias has ever seen it. It’s big enough to encompass not only the two of them, but also Samir, Bo and Junie, August, and Maggie. The noise of the rest of the medical floor muffles behind the blue of Nia’s aura.

Is this it? Did Will break through and now the world is falling apart? Is this where they die?

Tobias buries his face in Nia’s shoulder, taking shallow breaths and still trying to ward off a panic attack.

The rocking of the world feels endless, rattling Tobias’ brain around inside his skull. Then, slowly, it stops. Tobias is only convinced it’s over when Nia lets her aura drop.

The air is still. Everyone looks around, taking in the damage. Some of the room’s supplies have fallen to the floor and scattered, but otherwise the tree is still in one piece. Andyn’s father hasn’t stirred, but his mate has her neck craned over him, as if trying to protect him. The other occupants of the room seem equally shaken, but unhurt.

“Is everyone all right?” August asks.

There’s a quiet murmur of assent.

The rillaboom nods and tries to push himself to his feet, only for Maggie to shove him back down. “Sit. You are going to stay here until I’m sure your insides won’t become your outsides.”

August looks like he wants to argue, but he settles again for now.

“The barrier is growing more unstable,” Nia says, her eyes distant again as she looks at the aura of the world around them. “But…it hasn’t broken yet. I don’t think so, at least.”

“Will didn’t wake Yveltal in the mountains,” August says, surprising them. “I didn’t even see him. The outlaws took Yveltal with them.”

There’s a stunned moment of silence.

“Uh. That thing was the size of a bus,” Junie says, bordering on hysterical. “How could they just take it with them?”

“And why?” Nia asks, flabbergasted.

“That’s the question of the hour, isn’t it?” A familiar voice asks from behind them. The serene tone is a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

Tobias turns, and he’s somehow shocked by the sight of Rosalind standing in the doorway, despite the fact that he’s the one who brought her here. Zag the zigzagoon is close at her heels, and plops down at her side.

The hatterene’s dark eyes skim over August and the others before landing on Tobias and Nia. She smiles pleasantly. “Hello again, Team Scarlet.”

“Okay, did I die?” Junie squeaks after a long moment. “Are we dead? ‘Cause this is a weird afterlife.”

Rosalind giggles. “I’m surprised you’re so surprised, dear. After all, I was invited here by our favorite little charmander.”

“Invited by..?” Junie squawks, whipping around to stare at Tobias. “Your letter was to Rosalind?!”

Tobias shrugs. “Told you it was crazy.”

But it worked.

Tobias looks back at the hatterene, her presence a beacon of calm amidst the quiet chaos of the medical floor. “And if you’re here, that means you want to help.”

“Well of course, dear,” Rosalind says. Her voice takes on an edge as she adds, “I have a little unfinished business with our mutual friend Will, after all.”

Oh, she is mad mad.

“You…aren’t going to the human world with him?” Nia asks, hesitant, as if afraid that Rosalind will do just that if she’s reminded of the option.

“Putting aside the fact that Will is a lunatic and his plan can’t be trusted,” Rosalind says sweetly, “I would rather stay in this world than move to another. I have…assets here that I can’t recreate.”

Tobias has no idea what to make of that, but he knows better than to ask.

Rosalind’s eyes flick past Team Scarlet to focus on August, who’s watching the psychic type with careful neutrality. “Hello, Guildmaster. I apologize for intruding, but Tobias thought I may be of assistance and requested my presence.”

“Is that so.” August’s gaze moves to Tobias, and he has to resist the urge to hide. August clearly doesn’t know Rosalind, but the rillaboom isn’t stupid. Tobias bets the experienced guildmaster can practically feel the dangerous intent rolling off the hatterene in waves.

“And I’m so very grateful for the invitation!” Rosalind chirps. “Now, on to more important matters. How exactly was Yveltal removed from the mountainside?”

Ah. She must’ve caught the end of their conversation. Tobias’ stomach sinks as he remembers what they were discussing.

“Teleport, most likely,” August grunts, moving back into business mode. “So we have no idea where they would’ve taken him.”

“Isn’t Yveltal a dark type?” Junie pipes up. “I thought there was something weird about dark types and psychic energy.”

Nia’s head whips up, her eyes going wide with realization. “Ring targets.”

Tobias frowns at her. “What?”

“Ring targets!” Nia repeats, groaning as she plants her head in her hands. “That little disk thing that Ezra had. Dark types need them to teleport, and Will had a bunch of them at the settlement and was, like, taking them apart or something.”

“Figuring out how they work,” Bo guesses.

Nia nods, lifting her head and visibly fighting off regret for not catching on sooner. “Probably.”

“That answers the how, but not the why or the where,” August says as Rosalind steps fully into the room, Zag her ever-present shadow. “If Will plans to use Yveltal’s power to destroy the barrier of this world, doing it then and there in the mountains would’ve been the best way to avoid risking capture or delay.”

“You think he was worried about being interrupted?” Tobias asks.

“Possibly,” August says, a hand going to his chin in thought. “But if he was already looking into ring targets and planning to teleport Yveltal before Nia broke free, then it was likely always the plan to move him.”

Rosalind hums. When she speaks, her usual saccharine tone is gone. “Then location must matter. Will must be under the assumption that his plan will have a higher chance of success in a particular area—perhaps where his target is weakest. I wouldn’t be surprised if the barrier was more vulnerable in particular locations.”

Once again, Nia straightens with realization. “A gate. Will mentioned a gate, when he talked about meeting Giratina.” She looks at Tobias. “Edme mentioned something about it too, right? In Shivergleam. That Giratina has a…a shrine or something. Somewhere where the border between worlds is weakest.”

“And do we know where this gate is?” August asks.

Nia hesitates, her tail and ears drooping, and Tobias shakes his head.

“Couldn’t you just ask Giratina?” Junie asks.

There’s a moment of stunned silence in the room as the ‘mon not in the know digest the rookidee’s casual question. Right. Legendary. Not the usual chatting buddy.

“He was growing pretty weak last time I saw him, but…” Nia bites her lip, then looks around. “I need something reflective.”

“I have the perfect human ware for that.” Rosalind reaches into her…hair? Coat? Body? And pulls out a small pink disk with a line along its outer edge.

To Tobias’ surprise, Nia seems to know what it is immediately as her shoulders fall slack with relief. She takes the object with a murmur of thanks and a delicate touch, popping it open to reveal a polished reflection inside. Huh.

“Giratina?” Nia asks, hesitant. Then, louder, “Giratina! Are you there? It’s important.”

For a long, long moment, there’s no answer. Fresh fear rises up in Tobias’ chest as Nia grips the item harder, so hard that Tobias is afraid she’ll break it and they’ll owe Rosalind thousands.

Has Giratina fallen dormant since they last spoke to him?

Just as Nia opens her mouth to say something, there’s a flicker in the reflection, and then the faintest glow of Giratina’s eyes, barely visible even in the darkness of the dimensional rift.

“Giratina,” Nia breathes. “We know what’s causing the break in the rift. It’s Will, a yamask who’s trying to go back to the human world with Yveltal’s power. He’s trying to take Yveltal to a place Edme mentioned—a dimensional gate, I think? Wherever the border between worlds is thinnest.”

Giratina’s narrowed eyes widen at this sudden drop of information. He looks away, as if to dash off to the spot and guard the barrier himself.

“Wait! We need to know where the gate is,” Nia says quickly. “We’re going to try to stop Will too, but we don’t know the location.”

Giratina looks at Nia with irritation. He opens his mouth, mandibles moving with words, but Tobias hears nothing.

Nia’s ears pin as she realizes the problem. “We can’t hear him. The connection is too weak.”

For a moment, there’s a renewed surge of despair before Tobias remembers something.

“Nia, when you were…” Tobias trails off, trying to figure out how to word this. “When you talked to Giratina in the river the other day, you connected to him for a moment, didn’t you? You did something and I could suddenly hear him.”

Nia blinks at Tobias, clearly confused, and then surprised. “You’re right. I-I…I forgot I did that. I was just so angry and I needed to talk to him. How did I..?”

Nia looks down at her paw.

“Was it aura?” Tobias asks. He doesn’t know exactly how that would work, but he can’t think of any other reason Nia would be able to do that.

“Yeah,” Nia murmurs, looking into the mirror, and then through it, as if seeing something in the distance. “Giratina is the one with the ability to make a portal through reflections, but it looks like he does so by forming a sort of temporary bridge between the fabric of this reality and the distortion world. Like…sewing a tunnel between the two with those threads of aura.”

Nia touches a fingertip to the glass of the mirror, the blue glow of her aura lining her body and shining in her eyes. “Giratina still has enough power to connect, but not enough to stabilize that connection for travel, or even sound. But if I can stabilize those threads with aura…”

Around Tobias, the others are silent. Deathly so.

Nia closes her eyes, her aura glowing brighter. Tobias startles and takes a step back as the floor beneath him seems to…warp. The wood cracks, flaking, drier suddenly than it was before, as if the liquid is seeping right out of it.

Tobias looks up at Nia in awe, understanding what’s happening as he sees the patch of dry, almost dead wood spread around Nia’s feet. She’s…taking life energy from the Lexym Tree and siphoning it into the connection.

His partner is incredible.

Nia’s eyes open, still glowing with energy. “Giratina?”

“Riolu.”

Nia’s mouth twitches with a smile. “I hear you. Where’s the gate?”

For a moment, Tobias thinks Giratina is going to ignore her and zip away, probably thinking of how little they’ll be able to do. But after a beat, he relents. “It’s south of Shivergleam. Follow the river and consult Edme if need be.”

“South of Shivergleam. Got it.”

Giratina nods, and Tobias sees him turn to go—probably straight for the gate—before the connection flickers out. Nia closes the item with a click and hands it back to Rosalind.

“August, don’t—”

August pushes himself to his feet, strongarming past Maggie’s attempts to keep him seated. “I’ll put out an alert and arrange for travel to Shivergleam. Send any medical ‘mon you can spare to the flight floor.”

“You are not going to fight in this condition!” Maggie says, running to block the door and glaring at her old friend. “You’re going to get yourself killed, August.”

August’s eyes darken. “Our guildmembers already have, Maggie. I will not sit back and send the rest to their deaths alone.”

“Verene—”

“Is at death’s door on the other end of the hall,” August snaps.

Tobias’ heart skips a beat, and at his side, Nia’ paws lift to cover her mouth.

Maggie flinches. Her golden eyes are glossy with tears. “August, I…I can’t lose you, too.”

August’s face softens, but he doesn’t back down. “I’ll do my best to come back, Mags. You know I will.”

It’s not a promise. Tobias feels fear and preemptive grief kick up in his throat.

A few tears roll down Maggie’s face. Wordlessly, she steps aside, wilting like a dying flower.

August gives her one last look before pushing out the door, limping and still holding his side, only half-bandaged. Rosalind and Zag follow him out.

“He acts like we’re going to war,” Junie murmurs.

“Aren’t we?” Tobias responds. “Will has an army of outlaws ready to fight off any attempts to stop him.” Even if that means killing their opponents.

Maggie sniffles, biting back sobs and trying to calm herself down. Tobias moves to her side and puts a cautious hand on her leg, unsure of what to do. He’s not used to seeing her break like this.

Maggie uses a vine to pull Tobias into a tight hug, the petals around her neck jumping and shivering with quiet, hiccupping cries. Tobias presses himself further into her embrace, wishing he was bigger so he could enfold her for once.

In what seems like only seconds, a yell from the hallway makes Maggie reluctantly pull away. Her eyes are red and wet, and she can’t even seem to muster a smile. Instead, she lowers her head to brush her snout over Tobias’ cheek before hurrying off to help. Tobias watches her go with a lump in his throat.

The rest of them are suddenly left aimless. Through the walls of the tree, the wind howls.

“What do we do now?” Junie asks, her voice small.

“Wait until August puts out an announcement,” Tobias says.

He glances around the room at the larger, stronger, more experienced Seekers who are laid up in nests, some so injured that Tobias has trouble picking out whether or not they’re still breathing. He doesn’t know how the guild is going to fight back if Will’s outlaws tore through their most powerful fighters like this, even if they were at a type disadvantage. Tobias is sure that August won’t want to bring along younger, lower-ranked recruits, but…

That might be all he has left. No guild is close enough to summon an army of fighters in an instant. It would take hours to notify, inform, organize, and transport them. Hours they don’t have if Will is planning on pushing his plan through immediately.

Nia crouching down pulls Tobias from his bleak thoughts. She’s frowning at the spot on the floor where she’d drained the tree of its life energy, leaving behind a dark patch like a bruise.

“What’re you thinking?” Tobias asks.

Nia’s mouth twists. “I was wondering if it would be possible to strengthen Giratina’s portals enough with aura for us to go through ourselves and get to Shivergleam faster, but…”

“But?”

“That would take a lot of aura. Especially if we need to bring a lot of Pokemon. Between that and Giratina’s weakened state, I think we’d be at serious risk of the connection destabilizing in the middle of everything and trapping us in the distortion world.”

Junie shudders at the thought, and Tobias agrees with the rookidee. “Let’s not risk it.”

Nia sighs. Then she gives the floor a little pat. “Sorry for taking your energy, tree. If we figure out how to fix this, you should be able to heal up in no time.”

Tobias snorts as his partner rises, endeared despite the turmoil of the moment.

Before they can decide what to do next, telepathy snakes through Tobias’ brain, echoing in his thoughts: Attention, all Seekers. All teams B-rank and above come to the flight floor immediately. Be prepared for battle.

Tobias looks at his teammates once the grim announcement is finished. “Are we going?”

“You’re not B-rank,” Junie points out.

“No,” Nia says, softly. “But…I feel responsible for this, in a way.”

Tobias nods. “And August needs all the help he can get. Samir?”

As one, Tobias and Nia look at Samir. The skiddo’s expression is conflicted, clearly worried about how dangerous this could be, so Tobias expects them to put up a fight. Instead, he’s surprised when the grass type just nods and whistles, Yes. Mission.

“Really?” Nia asks, clearly as surprised as Tobias feels.

Samir doesn’t look happy about it, but they nod. Danger, they whistle. Help.

Right. The stakes are too high and their forces too sparse for even the most cautious member of Team Scarlet to try and bow out.

Samir locks eyes first with Nia, and then Tobias. They whistle, Caution.

“Right,” Tobias nods, “we’ll be careful, and we’ll watch each others’ backs.”

“We’ve been taking on B-rank level enemies anyways, right?” Nia says with a weak smile. “We’ve practically been preparing for this.”

“I’m coming, too.”

All attention goes to Junie, standing next to Bo’s foot.

Bo is the first to speak, “What? No, you—”

“You’re going, aren’t you?” Junie challenges, glaring up at the much larger flying type.

“Yes, but I can fight if need be,” Bo argues.

“And I can get a bird’s-eye view and direct people where to go next,” Junie says. “I’m coming along.”

“Junie—” Nia and Tobias start at the same time.

“No!” Junie stomps her foot, her feathers fluffing up. “You’re all putting your lives on the line to help save the world, and I’m not just gonna sit back where it’s safe like I always do. I’m tired of being deadweight. I’m gonna help!”

Everyone falls silent, exchanging wary looks. Tobias already feels sick thinking about Nia and Samir facing outlaws like this, let alone a tiny thing like Junie. But…he knows Junie. And he can’t imagine being able to convince her to stay behind now that she’s made up her mind. They could knock her out, maybe?

Junie must be able to sense Tobias’ thoughts, because she hops back a step with a furious look. “And if one of you traps me here or something, I will literally never forgive you. Ever.”

Tobias has a feeling she means it, too. Still, if it means keeping her alive…

To Tobias’ surprise, it’s Bo who speaks up, quiet and sharp. “You stay with me at all times. I mean it. Right by my side.”

Junie perks up, nodding.

Nia and Samir both look at the skarmory with something like betrayal for putting his charge in danger.

“I am not risking her following us and getting caught up in the fight with no one around for backup,” Bo explains. “I’ll watch her. We’ll be scouts—give you all some direction.”

Junie nods, fluttering atop Bo’s head. “Right. I’ll find Will and lead you right to him so you can punch him in his stupid face.”

The joke doesn’t land, all of them too unhappy with this turn of events for humor.

Nia speaks up again, her paws wringing together nervously. “Junie, are you sure—”

“Yes. Don’t try to convince me, Nia.”

A small crowd of Pokemon moving past the doorway and down the hall distracts them from their conversation. Tobias spots some familiar S-rank Seekers among them, injured but well enough to move. To fight. Heading back into the fray.

Off to the side of the room, movement draws Tobias’ eye. It’s Andyn’s mother, getting to her hooves. The sawsbuck lowers her head to brush her nose over her mate’s cheek, and Tobias realizes for the first time that a large tine on one of her antlers has been broken off. The sawsbuck also has burned patches marring her sleek fur, and bandages wrapped around a leg, but she steps past their group without hesitation to join the crowd in the hall.

Tobias takes a deep breath. “We’d better go, too.”

No one answers, so Tobias leads the way. Their group slips in amongst the crowd like a school of magikarp heading downstream.

It feels like they climb the staircase and reach the flight floor faster than usual. The space is already packed with teams, murmuring to one another anxiously and all geared up for a fight. The teams stare at the injured S-rank Seekers with wide eyes, hushed voices picking up as everyone tries to figure out why they’ve been called here. Cold, unnaturally harsh winds blow into the room and ruffle fur and feathers and cloth, despite the clear pre-dawn sky outside.

The pounding of August’s drum catches everyone’s attention, and all heads swivel to focus on the rillaboom. If Tobias tiptoes, he can see the guildmaster on one side of the room, looking out over the crowd and waiting for them to settle. At August’s side, Tobias is relieved to see Azami the tsareena. She too is all bandaged up and her expression is unusually serious, but she’s alive. Val is resting against the wall in her shadow, the medicham’s arms crossed over her chest.

When it’s quiet enough, August speaks, his voice ringing through the morning air. “Thank you for your quick response, Seekers. I’m afraid time is of the essence, so I won’t delay in explaining the situation.”

Tobias sees a few of the Pokemon around him exchange nervous looks.

“A mission was carried out last night by our S-rank Seekers, to intercept a Pokemon and his followers who are aiming for the destruction of our world. Unfortunately, we failed.”

The crowd’s whispers increase tenfold, ears pinning back and faces tightening with fear and confusion. Some Pokemon glance at the visibly ragged S-rank Seekers scattered throughout the crowd. A few call out in alarm, asking August what he means.

August’s expression is pained. He closes his eyes for a moment to gather himself, a cloud of steam puffing from his mouth as he holds up a hand to silence the crowd. Slowly, they do.

“I contacted the nearest guilds before our departure last night to inform them of the situation, but I do not know if backup will arrive in time, or if they even have the ‘mon to spare amidst the world’s decay. But this Pokemon and his followers must be stopped for our world to remain safe, and we must move out immediately to have even a chance at success. A battle likely lies ahead.”

More panicked questions. August tries to answer the first few, and then tries to wait them out so he can be heard, but they seem endless, a wave of noise and fear crashing over the room.

Finally, it’s Azami at August’s side who acts, rearing her leg up and slamming it into the floor with a resounding BANG. Grass type energy spreads throughout the room in grassy terrain, sending shoots of leaves and moss sprouting underfoot in a shimmer of green light. Tobias and the others jump, lifting their feet to look at the soft plant life that has sprung up through the wood. The move catches everyone off-guard enough for August to be heard again.

“Thank you, Azami.” August lifts his head, looking both noble and exhausted. “We are not fully alone in this. We have with us the members of the lucario tribe who are well enough to fight.”

Tobias follows the rillaboom’s gesture to the side, and Nia tiptoes to see better, too. Tobias spots Soren standing near the rillaboom, with ten or so other lucario at his back, all of them already injured and hastily bandaged. Soren’s face is dark with rage, but he jerks his head in a nod. His dad must be holding down the fort in the mountains.

Tobias is just relieved to see him alive.

“Additionally,” August adds, looking at Rosalind on his other side. The hatterene smiles out at the crowd, a silky white scarf tied stylishly around her neck. “If you see anyone unfamiliar wearing white scarves during the battle, do not attack them. These are allies—reinforcements from Ghatha.”

Tobias’ jaw drops. Reinforcements from Rosalind? He knows he’s the one who asked her for help, but he didn’t really specify aside from letting her know that Will was on the move and putting his plan into action, and that they might have a fight on their hands. Who could she have possibly brought on such short notice?

Nia nudges Tobias’ arm. “Look! Over there, behind Rosalind.”

Tobias follows her lead, and finally spots what caught her eye: a vaguely familiar zangoose, with a white scarf tied around his neck. That’s…Keiko the pachirisu’s father. The outlaw whose daughter they escorted back in Ghatha, when they had to fight off those seviper.

Well, guess that answers that. Rosalind brought her own network of connections with her—or at least the ones that she could call in immediately for a favor or to blackmail into following her orders. Tobias isn’t sure whether to feel relieved or not that a good chunk of their allies are probably criminals themselves. He’s sure they’re strong, but…

“Rosalind brought outlaws as allies?” Junie whispers, echoing his thoughts. “That’s insane!”

At her side, Samir nods, looking troubled.

“I don’t know,” Nia says, her brow furrowed. “I mean…they are strong, and surely they don’t want this world to die either, right? I’m not sure it’s such a bad decision, actually.”

She…has a point. Tobias notes the intensity in the outlaws’ eyes as they listen to August speak. It seems like something is driving them, more than just following Rosalind’s orders. They’re outlaws, sure, but they’re still Pokemon. They also have homes and loved ones they don’t want to lose, just as much as the guild members do. Keiko might even be here at the guild as they speak, stashed away in the nursery.

“Even then, we’re still in a guild! That’s like a wanted criminal waltzing into a police station and breakdancing right under the chief’s nose!”

Tobias glances at August, and shakes his head. “I don’t think August cares right now, quite frankly. This is more important than the law. We have to take any help we can get.”

Junie makes a thoughtful sound at that, and she and Samir begrudgingly stop arguing the point. The end of the world is a bit of a special circumstance.

“Even with their assistance, however,” August continues, “I expect a difficult fight. We will do our best to neutralize the threat without starting an all-out battle, but…”

The guildmaster trails off, forcibly lifting his gaze to meet the crowd’s eyes. “I will not lie to you, and I will not force you into this fight, Seeker or not. This is a bigger threat than you should have to face at your current rank. A potentially fatal threat. S-rank Seekers can and already have been killed by the group of outlaws we are facing.”

The crowd is suddenly deathly silent. The wind rattles the boards of the flight docks outside.

“But if our initial attack fails, then it is a fight that must be had. If you are able and willing, I call upon you now to protect our world. If not, please return to your quarters and put your energy into protecting those here at the guild. You will not be penalized in any way for this decision.”

The Pokemon in the crowd look at each other, quiet conversations breaking out anew between teammates. A handful of teams do eventually squeeze their way past everyone to reach the staircase, their heads lowered in shame as they flee. Tobias doesn’t blame them for leaving, though. Part of him wishes he could do the same.

Slowly, the crowd settles again, tense and fearful, but listening.

August looks out over the remaining Seekers with a pained sort of pride. Tobias has no doubt he wishes he could send them all back to their rooms, where they’d be safe and sound. “Thank you for your bravery, Seekers.”

August takes a breath and stands taller. “Now. Logistics. We have called in every flight ‘mon available, and there are more on the way. The psychics are ready and waiting as well. Your teams will be assigned to a flight ‘mon or two, and will then be teleported by our psychics to the southern boundary.”

As August speaks, he gestures towards the flight ports, where Tobias sees most of the guild psychics already waiting, including Alistair the gardevoir. Past that group, flight Pokemon are arriving in spades, fluttering in to crowd along the edges of the room. Tobias doesn’t spot Fliss, but he bets she’s around here somewhere.

“After teleportation, the flight ‘mon will continue the journey south and carry us to our destination, following the guidance of our scouts. When we land, we will make the final leg on foot, where we will attempt to neutralize the threat. If that is unsuccessful, I expect Will’s forces to attack, and we will be ready to meet them. Any questions?”

In stark contrast to the crowd’s previous responses, no one speaks.

August nods. “We will move out immediately. Do not go lightly on your opponents, and stay safe.”

It sounds more like a prayer than an order. As if August already knows it won’t be entirely possible, and is instead hoping that they’ll just stay alive. Tobias’ stomach twists.

As August and some of the upper-rank ‘mon begin organizing teams to funnel out onto the flight docks, Tobias feels a terrible sense of déjà vu, remembering a very similar gathering on the night of Bethoc Bluffs. If it’s possible, the tension in the room is even worse this time around.

Nia takes Tobias’ hand again, startling him out of his thoughts. She’s watching him with concern, and leans close to whisper. “Will you be okay? If we…if we see Sulien out there?”

Oh. He wasn’t thinking about that before, but now he is. Tobias takes a calming breath as his heart rate spikes even higher.

“Y-Yeah. Yeah. I’m…I’ll be fine.”

Nia doesn’t look like she believes him and Tobias can’t blame her, considering he doesn’t really believe himself, either. Maybe they won’t see Sulien at all, and some other ‘mon will take him down. Even if he did rip through the S-rank Seekers like it was nothing.

Tobias squeezes Nia’s paw tighter.

“Nia? Tobias?”

Tobias looks over his shoulder and locks eyes with a worried Xander, Felix at his side. Behind the luxio and wartortle, Kry is standing on her toes to search for someone in the crowd.

“You aren’t B-rank,” Xander accuses, his voice low. Tobias hears the second meaning, scared for their safety: You shouldn’t be here.

“The pipsqueak isn’t even a Seeker,” Kry grumbles, still not looking their way. Junie scowls.

“Yeah,” Nia admits, her ears slanting back. Still, she meets her friend’s eyes. “But…we’re at the center of all of this. We’re going.”

Xander doesn’t look happy about that, his tail lashing once and the fur along his spine bristling, but he must know he won’t be able to talk them down from this. He glances at August, as if wondering if he could have the guildmaster make them stay here, and anger sparks in Tobias’ chest. He suddenly understands what Junie felt earlier, about being left behind.

“We’re going,” Tobias says firmly. “We’re low enough on numbers as is.”

“He’s right, Xan,” Felix says, running a hand over his friend’s back to smooth down his fur.

Xander closes his eyes, his shoulders falling with resignation. “I should’ve guessed as much, honestly. Just…be careful. Please.”

“We will,” Nia promises, pulling the luxio into a hug. He holds her tightly with a foreleg, burying his muzzle into her collar for a moment. When they part, Nia’s eyes are watery. “You all be careful too, okay?”

Xander and Felix nod. Kry doesn’t answer, still looking out over the crowd, towards the psychics. She flicks Xander’s heel with her tail. “Avery’s done talking to their dad. Let’s go.”

Oh. Now that Tobias is looking for them, he spots the kirlia threading back through the crowd towards the rest of Team Shellshock, their cheeks wet and their eyes downcast. Behind them, Alistair watches his child for a long moment before tearing himself away to talk with the other psychics.

Tobias looks away, too, his throat closing up.

Xander and Felix give Team Scarlet one last bid to be safe before following their fraxure partner into the crowd to meet Avery halfway.

“Nia! Tobias!”

Another familiar voice. Andyn?

The deerling pushes her way through the crowd to reach their side, panting. Her eyes are wide. “You’re going with them?”

Tobias really hopes the deerling isn’t about to pick a fight about this.

“Yeah,” Nia murmurs.

Andyn’s ears fall. She swallows hard, looking down at her hooves. For a moment, she doesn’t speak, before finally choking out, “Be careful. Please.”

Nia’s anxious expression melts into something much softer. She pulls Andyn into a hug too, and the deerling sniffs and hooks her neck around Nia’s shoulder to reciprocate.

“I want to go too,” Andyn admits, her voice trembling. “I want to help. But…the guild needs me here. Ezra and Jaz need me here, in case something happens.”

Nia nods, pulling away. “If something happens, but the guild is still here…they’ll need Seekers like you guys to keep it safe.”

Andyn’s lip trembles. “Don’t say it like that, like something is gonna happen.”

Nia smiles through her tears. “Sorry.”

Andyn bumps her head to Nia’s cheek once more before pulling away and gathering herself. Her eyes jump from one member of Team Scarlet to the next. “Ezra and Jaz told me to tell you good luck. All of you. Come back safe, okay?”

They nod.

Before Andyn can run off, Nia reaches out a paw. “Oh! Andyn, y-your mom, she—”

“I know.” Andyn doesn’t look at them, visibly trying to keep her emotions under control. “That’s why I came up here in the first place. I-I…I already talked to her.”

The deerling doesn’t elaborate. None of them ask her to.

“Be careful,” Andyn says one last time, before slipping away through the crowd of Pokemon.

Nia stares after her friend. Tobias gently takes her paw to move their group forward in the queue of teams. Ahead of them, nervous Seekers board flight ‘mon before being teleported away by the guild psychics to the edge of the Haven’s territory.

It feels like no time at all before it’s their team’s turn. Tobias is disappointed that their flight ‘mon isn’t Fliss, but the noivern assigned to them looks capable, standing strong despite the winds blowing against his sail-like wings and large ears. He nods to them in greeting and crouches to let them aboard his back, swinging his long tail out of the way.

Bo, seeing that they have a reliable ride, says, “I’m going to see if a small team needs me as a flyer. Junebug, you going with them or with me?”

Junie shuffles nervously on her feet. “Will you come find us when we get there?”

“Of course.”

Junie still seems unsure, but glances at Nia and Tobias and Samir before nodding. “I-I’m gonna go with Nia and the others, then. See you soon?”

Bo smiles and leans down to bump his beak against her entire body. “See you soon. Be careful.”

“You too.”

The skarmory gives them all an encouraging nod before moving towards one of the guild organizers to ask where he’s needed, the clinking of his metallic feathers getting lost to the din.

Team Scarlet climbs onto the noivern’s back. Samir settles at the front, nestling into the dragon-type’s fluffy mane with Junie tucked close against their side. Nia sits behind the skiddo, with Tobias at her back.

When they confirm that they’re ready to go, the noivern plants his winged arms wide, as if ready to pounce forward. The two psychics standing on either side of the dock lift their arms—an abra and a duosion.

“Good luck,” the duosion says quietly.

That’s the only warning they get before psychic energy envelops them. The world swims and turns for a moment, and then they’re in open air, the muffled cold of the flight floor swapped for the roar of biting wind.

The noivern’s leathery wings snap out, flapping frantically for a few seconds to regain balance. When they’re steady again—or as steady as they’re going to get—Tobias squints open an eye, tears bubbling up from the wind. The sky around them is a deep gray, dawn still an hour or so away, but Tobias spots other flyers nearby, all heading in the same direction like a fleet of ships sailing across a stormy sea.

They must’ve been teleported to the very edge of the psychics’ range, because below them, the forest is already shifting from the bare branches of the Haven’s more deciduous trees to the temperate trees of the south. Cutting between them is a large river reflecting the sky, and Tobias realizes after a moment that it must be the same river they took to return from Shivergleam with Cordelia’s crew. That feels like it was so long ago now.

Tobias pulls his focus away from their surroundings to check on his teammates instead. Junie is sitting up, pressed against Samir’s leg and watching the other flyers. Nia and Samir aren’t looking around much, still uneasy about heights thanks to their typing, and Nia’s petting Samir’s leafy mane in a gesture probably soothing for both of them. Tobias leans forward to wrap an arm around the riolu’s middle, hoping to ground her and keep her warm. Nia gives Tobias a grateful, nervous smile over her shoulder, and Tobias tries to return it, even as fear rolls through his gut.

Tobias knows August will try to stop Will before resorting to an all-out battle, but a fight is still very possible. What if Tobias loses someone today? What if he loses all of them today? If they fail to stop Will, they’ll lose everything.

Tobias takes a deep breath and rests his head on Nia’s shoulder, trying to stay sane. He can’t think like that, or he’s going to drive himself crazy.

They’re going to stop Will and save the world, and they’re all going to make it back home safely. He won’t let today turn out any other way.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s when dawn is just starting to lighten the sky on the horizon that Tobias notices the noivern’s flight pattern change. Tobias lifts his head, and sees that the flight ‘mon is slowly descending in altitude, heading towards the trees below. The other flight ‘mon that Tobias can spot are doing the same thing, probably following the guidance of a psychic ‘mon’s telepathy.

The noivern descends over a stretch of swampy water that’s relatively clear of trees, touching down where a group of ‘mon are already gathered along the edge of the water. Behind them, wetland trees climb into the gray sky, vines and lichen hanging between them to blot out the already dim light. At their base, swampy water threads between patches of solid ground.

Tobias’ muzzle wrinkles as he slips off the noivern’s back and lands on cold, wet mud. Great. He helps Nia and Samir off as well, and the group of them thank their ride before the noivern nods and takes back to the air.

Their little group joins the crowd of Seekers, lucario, and outlaws nervously milling about the trees. Tobias guesstimates there are maybe 60 or so here already, but he could’ve sworn there had been more who had left the guild before them.

A ‘mon joining the group from between the thin, scattered trees catches Tobias’ eye. It’s a servine from the guild who Tobias had seen directing Pokemon before, during emergencies. They say something to another ‘mon who Tobias doesn’t recognize: a grumpig, the psychic type wearing a white scarf around their neck to mark them as one of Rosalind’s crew.

“Nia?”

That’s another voice Tobias knows. All of Team Scarlet turns, and Nia perks up.

“Fidel!”

The zoroark squeezes between the crowd to reach them. “I suppose I should’ve known you all would refuse to stay out of this.”

“You know us,” Junie jokes. “Trouble magnets. We just can’t resist it.”

“Are you going to be okay, Fidel?” Nia blurts. “If…if you have to face Will?”

Fidel’s eyes darken for a moment. He shakes his head, then his whole body, as if to rid himself of the melancholy thoughts clinging to him like spiderwebs. “I’ll be fine, Nia. Thank you for your concern, but…I’ll do what has to be done to protect this world. I just wish you didn’t have put yourselves into harm’s way as well.”

“Join the club,” Junie mutters, before perking up as she spots someone else in the crowd. “Bo!”

The rookidee flutters off Nia’s shoulder to meet the skarmory walking their way, his talons sinking into the mud with every step. His irritated expression lightens when Junie reaches his side, immediately chattering away.

Tobias is startled when telepathy rings through his head, a little less…smooth than it usually is. More abrupt, like someone suddenly talking in his ear without any warning.

This group is moving out soon. Get in a line, get ready, and be quiet. You’re following the servine to the gate.

The Pokemon around Tobias look equally caught off-guard by the gruff tone of the message. Tobias notices the purple glow of psychic energy receding from the grumpig he’d spotted earlier, specifically around the black gems on its head and belly. Ah. Well, that explains the clunkier tone. The outlaw probably isn’t used to smoothing out his telepathy, especially for such a large group.

The crowd slowly fumbles its way into some semblance of a line, with the S-rank Seekers leading the charge. Team Scarlet slots itself into the mix, Fidel and Bo at their backs.

It’s not long before the grumpig sends out the signal for them to move out, and the servine leads them through the trees, following a path that the first scouts must’ve mapped out for him. Slowly, in anxious quiet, everyone follows.

Nia takes Tobias’ hand again as they start moving, her expression grave as she looks ahead. Tobias keeps an eye on the terrain underfoot, trying to avoid any large puddles.

It’s difficult to see the full extent of the area they travel through in the pre-dawn gloom. It’s damp, the ground underfoot muddy and threaded with roots that threaten to trip them up, and they pass by long stretches of placid, swampy ponds where fog sits low over the surface. Trees grow right out of the water like silent sentinels, their boughs draping like a delicate veil.

The tension in the air is palpable. The crowd of Pokemon are quiet as they duck under branches and vines, stumbling through mud and over fallen trees. Tobias is grateful for the small bubble of light his tail flame offers, cutting through the darkness and giving them a bit more visibility.

Tobias isn’t sure how long it takes before a new telepathic voice snakes through his thoughts, smoother than the grumpig’s.

Stay quiet, go where you’re stationed, and brace for battle. Our target is just ahead.

Tobias’ heart pounds in his ears. He watches as the Pokemon in front of them get divided up, team by team, to split along a body of water at the discretion of a simisage who Tobias recognizes from the guild. The simisage is an S-rank Seeker, so she too is bandaged up and injured from the previous battle, but she holds herself tall as she directs Team Scarlet to go to the right.

Fidel is directed to the left, so he gives Team Scarlet a reluctant bid to be careful before following the simisage’s order.

Tobias follows the team ahead of him, trudging quietly through the swamp’s weeds. They must be circling the gate where Will’s forces are, surrounding the yamask from all sides.

Nia gasps quietly somewhere behind Tobias. When he looks back at her, she’s staring in the direction of the water they’re skirting around, seeing through the foliage blocking their vision.

“I found Yveltal,” Nia explains, her voice shaky. “And the barrier here is…thin. Really thin.”

Tobias’ stomach flips. Well, sounds like they’re in the right place.

“Will’s here too,” Nia adds, “he has…a lot of Pokemon with him.”

Tobias doesn’t know what to say to that. Any comforting platitudes will sound empty right now, so he decides not to say anything. Instead, he tries to stay calm as they reach their stopping point and are urged to quietly, carefully move closer to the water’s edge through the tall grass. Tobias does, until he can finally see what their forces have surrounded.

It’s a vast, open stretch of water reflecting the morning sky. Stone ruins from a long-gone temple are scattered throughout the shallows, half-dilapidated walls and columns broken into piles of rubble. The structures that are still upright look alarmingly unstable, like they’re about to tip over at any moment. Between the ruins, a stone walkway extends from one end of the water to the other like a great bridge, and in the middle of the walkway, stone steps lead up to a giant altar. Atop the altar sits a structure of stone built into a ring, broken away at the top.

The dimensional gate.

In front of the gate sits the shape of Yveltal’s cocoon, dark and unnervingly still, like a bomb waiting to detonate. Around the legendary, a massive crowd of Pokemon mills about—easily a couple hundred, which makes Tobias’ chest tighten. They don’t have nearly that many fighters with them, even if Tobias doesn’t know their exact numbers. How many of the ‘mon up there are outlaws, experienced fighters ready to kill?

Tobias squints, glad that his sharp eyes can at least pick out some of the details even if they’re hundreds of feet away. Some of the Pokemon on the altar look excited, some are standing guard, and some just look…nervous. Tobias’ breath catches as he realizes that one of the more uneasy groups isn’t just composed of small species of Pokemon. No, those are children.

“There are kids here,” Tobias whispers.

Nia and Samir look at Tobias, horrified.

“What?!” Nia asks. “Why would—” She stops, her eyes going wide as she looks back at the crowd in the distance herself. “The humans. The ones from the settlement who weren’t in on Will’s plan. Th-They must be here too, but they don’t know. They don’t know what’s happening.” Her head whips around. “Junie!”

The rookidee flaps forward, landing on Nia’s shoulder expectantly.

Nia glances back at Bo. “Can you find a psychic ‘mon real quick? Tell them to send out an announcement to our crew that there are innocents in the crowd who don’t know what's happening. Kids too. If someone doesn’t want to fight and tries to run, don’t pursue them.”

Junie nods and salutes with a wing. “Will do.”

“Be quick, stay low, and come right back,” Bo orders.

Junie gives a “Yessir!” before darting into the crowd of Pokemon still stationing themselves around the body of water. The rookidee skims right through a pair of horns and vanishes, swallowed up by the other Pokemon.

Tobias tears his eyes away and looks back at the ruins ahead of them, his body tense.

The wind is unearthly still here. As dawn finally breaks on the horizon, spilling rays of orange light over the fog-cloaked ruins, the image reflects across the swamp’s clear waters like a grand mirror. The crumbling stone gate is framed by the brightening sky, Yveltal’s cocoon at its epicenter.

This is it. This is where they decide the fate of the world.

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