To Ruin, and a Red Dawn (Chapter 9)
I know Sera's wary of magic, but I also think she'd be one of the first people to REALLY like Pokemon. Funky lil guys
Also read on AO3
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The trail from the Friends of Red Jenny led you to some noble’s backyard that night, blocked by a tall gate. Varric handed you the ornate key that had been attached to the message’s arrow. It slid into the gate’s lock easily, the door slowly opening with a metallic creak. Leavanny’s Pokeball sat firmly in your other hand, ready to toss at a moment’s notice. Your companions followed, eyes sharp and weapons drawn.
A couple guards meandered around the yard, almost bored in how they paced. The moonlight glinted off of Cassandra’s armor as you all emerged. The guards stood to attention, immediately drawing weapons. You threw Leavanny’s ball with a command to set up a Swords Dance. Her leaves rattled threateningly as she swung her arms.
“Leaf Blade!” Leavanny trilled at your command, sharp arms glowing with power. She spat a sticky thread at a guard’s shield, jerking her head to yank it out of his hands. Leavanny sliced through his leather armor once he was exposed. Cassandra joined her side, finishing the man off.
Varric and Solas took care of the second guard with a quick 1-2 combo of an ice spell and a crossbow bolt. Leavanny shook the blood off of her limbs as she returned to your side. The sight made a heaviness settle in your chest. Leavanny should be stealing malasadas and enjoying Pokemon battles. Not going to war.
As if sensing your souring mood, your long-time partner pressed her cheek to yours with a click. You smiled slightly, giving her a quick scratch between the antennae. You two led the way up the stairs through the small courtyard to another set of doors. You pushed the massive doors open, seeing a man for a split second before he shot a ball of fire at you.
You shoved Leavanny out of the way, pressing your back to the door as the fire shot between you both. You heard Varric cuss as he ducked. Leavanny got back to her feet quickly as the man chuckled. His stance screamed of cocky confidence.
“Herald of Andraste!” he greeted, arms outstretched as if welcoming you. A couple of his cronies hid nearby, poorly. The masquerade mask obscured most of his face, but you could see the malicious grin hiding underneath.
“How much did you expend to discover me, hm? It must have weakened the Inquisition immeasurably!” He placed his hands on his hips, seemingly proud of himself. Your anger morphed into confusion. You looked back at your partner, who was equally confused. Varric shrugged, while Solas and Cassandra just looked exhausted with the past couple days’ bullshit. You didn’t blame them.
Before you could ask him what he was talking about, he reached for his belt. You supposed he planned to pull out a sword, but all he pulled off of his belt was a baguette. A body fell behind him as he scrambled with his bread.
“Just say “what”!” A blonde Elf woman stood above a now-dead guard, bow drawn and aimed at your attacker. Her red clothes and yellow plaid pants almost hurt your eyes. A floating keyring jingled behind the woman’s head, a rapier swinging from its ring alongside many different keys. Your eyes widened.
“What is the–?!” The arrow shot through his skull in an instant. The woman gagged at the squelch the arrow made, lowering her bow as she- and her Klefki- moved toward the body. You did the same, holding the key out toward the Klefki. It let out a happy cry, dropping the rapier in favor of returning the key to its ring. The Elf grinned, before nudging the body with a foot.
“You heard me, right? “Just say what”. Rich tits always try for more than they deserve,” she laughed, leaning down to yank the arrow out of his eye socket. You winced at the sick pop.
“Blah, blah, blah! Obey me! Arrow in my face!” She wiped the bloody arrow on the guy’s clothes before standing. She finally caught sight of you and your partner. Her head tilted, and her Klefki mimicked the movement.
“Well, you’re kinda plain, aren’t you? But you do got the big buggies people’ve said you got. So you must be… well, you, yeah?” Your head was reeling as she spoke. It took you a minute to put together what she was saying. She spoke a mile a minute, and didn’t really try to make her thoughts palatable to anyone but herself. No wonder a fairy type was drawn to her.
“I mean it’s all good, innit? The important thing is: you glow. You’re the… the Herald thingy?” She looked at you expectantly. Excitedly. You were happy someone was actually glad to see you for once.
“That’s… what people say, I guess. Who’re you and… who in Arceus’ name is this guy?” You also poked the dead man with a foot. The eccentric woman shrugged nonchalantly.
“No idea! I dunno this idiot from manners. My people just said the Inquisition should look into him.” She crouched back down to find the guy’s coin purse. Her large ears swiveled, and her Klefki jingled its keys in warning.
“Name’s Sera- and Jingles. That’s cover-” she stood and nodded to some crates- “get ‘round it.”
“For the reinforcements,” she continued. “Don’t worry. Someone tipped me their equipment shed.” She grinned as Jingles floated towards a gate. Its keys shook as it summoned Spikes to litter the ground. You heard people hurrying toward the gate as the Klefki zipped back to Sera’s side.
Several guards busted into the courtyard, yelling as the spikes poked through their boots. Not a single man had pants on, instead walking around in gaudy armor and white pantaloons. Sera and Klefki started giggling as she readied an arrow. Leavanny spat her Sticky Web onto the stairs, making the descending men trip and fall over themselves. Even you couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous sight. Leavanny, on the contrary, powered up an X-Scissor and advanced.
“Shock ‘em, Jingles!” Klefki let out a battlecry, electricity crackling between its keys. It sent out a Thunder Wave that hit multiple guards. A couple of them seized up, while others kept coming with uncoordinated, jerky attacks. You took your spot next to Varric as Sera lodged an arrow into a poor fool flailing on the floor.
Solas cast a barrier over your Leavanny just before a sword struck her. She used her limbs to block the attack, spitting threads into her attacker’s eyes. Cassandra came to her aid, bashing her shield into the man’s face before plunging a sword into his chest. Leavanny clicked appreciatively.
Varric aimed Bianca at an enemy approaching, but Klefki appeared in front of his face. He reeled back, clearly terrified, as it suddenly vanished. It reappeared quickly, now struggling to hold the sword he had in his hand. Bewhildered, the man looked down. A small bottle shook in his hand, full of a volatile liquid. It exploded in his hand as Klefki threw up a Protect to block the combustion from hitting it, or you two. The attacker screamed as he went up in flames. Klefki dropped the sword onto him.
Varric finished him off, and Sera shot the final guy that had finally got to his feet amidst the chaos. Sera tossed a piece of candy to her tiny companion, who crooned happily at the treat. She approached you all again with a grin.
“Friends really came through with that tip. No breeches!” she laughed. Her energy was infectious, and you felt your bad mood lifting a bit. It helped that the cute keyring was just as giggly as she was. Leavanny chittered in greeting as she stepped up to your side again. Klefki, no doubt having not seen another Pokemon in a while, let out a happy yell as it circled your Leavanny’s head. Sera watched the scene for a second, surprised.
“How’d you find a Klefki?” you finally asked now that there was no impending danger. Sera blinked, then realized you were talking about Jingles. She shrugged.
“Found me, yeah? Little bastard stole a key to a cache off my belt and wouldn’t give it back til I gave it candy. Wouldn’t stop following me, so I put him to work. He stole the key to the courtyard, and the shed.” You were thankful that Klefki actually got help, and wasn’t left stranded like Absol was. Jingles floated back over to Sera, dropping a key into her palm.
“Turns out he’s REAL good at stealing other things, too. So he’s my little prank buddy!” Jingles swayed happily, jingling its keys with glee. You smiled.
“With how fast it uses its moves, it probably has Prankster. Fitting.” You could tell Sera was confused, but Jingles cried out in confirmation. You laughed a little bit and promised you’d explain more to Sera later.
“You’re a strange one, miss Glowy-Herald. We’d like to join.” You looked between her and her Klefki.
“Uh… “we” as in you two or your… friends?” You couldn’t help but look around, wondering if any of said friends were hiding nearby. She seems to attract those types, if her trickster Klefki was any indication. Sera waved dismissively.
“No- Look, it’s like this-” she held her hands up like she was presenting something- “I sent you a note to look for hidden stuff by my friends. The Friends of Red Jenny. That’s me and Jingles.” She paused, fidgeting with the key Jingles had given her. Her head tilted to the side, gaze cast upward as she thought. You felt a pang in your chest, being reminded of Lillie.
“Well, there’s us- we’re two. So’s a fence in Montfort, some woman in Kirkwall… There were three in Starkhaven. Brothers or something,” she rambled, as if listing more members got her point across. Jingles nodded along with her, but he clearly had no idea what she was talking about either.
“It’s just a name, yeah? Lets the little people- “Friends”- be a part of somethin’ while they stick it to nobles they hate. So here, in your face, is Sera and Jingles. The “Friends of Red Jenny” are sorta… out there. I used them to help you. Plus arrows.” Despite her explanation being all over the place, that made a lot more sense. Kinda reminded you of Team Skull. A group of people looking to stick it to people who acted like they were better. But less antagonistic toward regular people. And bus stops. Guzma would like her a lot.
“Can’t really get anywhere if the regular people are left in the dust. Can’t say I’d want a cleaning lady selling me out and I get my pants stolen,” you laughed. Sera nodded approvingly, as did Jingles.
“You get it! Get in good before you’re too big to like. That’ll keep me away from your breeches. And get you extra ones, cause… You lot have merchants that’ll buy extra breeches, right? Gotta be worth somethin’.” Sera jogged over to a burlap sack full of extra pants. Varric couldn’t stop the surprised snort from escaping him. She slung the sack over her shoulder.
“Anyway, I assume that’s a yes. See you in Haven, Herald. This will be grand!” With that, Sera and Jingles made their way out from the way they came. You turned back towards your companions, recalling Leavanny to her Pokeball.
“We still have one more stop, right?” you asked as you pulled out the ornate invitation. A man had approached you after your Red Jenny scavenger hunt with the paper. It was from a Vivienne de Fer. Apparently a mage that works directly under the Empress. Her little party was nearby, so you all had agreed to check this out before her gathering. Cassandra said being late was normal for Orlesians. You didn’t know if looking like you just killed a guy was, however.
Reluctantly, Cassandra led the way to Duke Bastien’s chateau.
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“I am sorry, the invitation is for the Madam Herald only.” The guards at the door looked between all four of you with indifference. Cassandra started to protest, but you held hand up to her.
“Cassandra, I’ll be fine. Just wait here.” You didn’t really like the idea of going in alone, but you would never be taken seriously if you were too scared to meet with people alone. She didn’t like it either, but Varric gave you an encouraging thumbs up.
“We’ll bust in if you aren’t back after an hour,” he assured. You snickered a little as the guards pushed the ornate doors open for you. You stepped into the foyer, marveling at the intricate decor. A crystalline chandelier hung above your head, almost looking like it was made of pure ice crystals. A man holding a scroll introduced you via your last name, as well as your status as a representative of the Inquisition. You took a breath in and put on your Coordinator face. Orlesians loved a show, Josephine had informed you. Hopefully your practice during your contest days would help here.
A few people moved away as you walked further in, but two bold party-goers approached you directly. A man in a golden mask bowed politely. The woman next to him, in a similar mask and a high collared dress, gave you a curtsey in greeting. You gave a hybrid of both in return, since you had no skirt to flare for a proper curtsey. A few pairs of eyes glared down at you three, but you did your best to ignore them.
“A pleasure, my lady. We so rarely have a chance to meet someone new. It is always the same crowd at these parties.” He waved a hand around in, almost, slight disgust. Like he was tired of the other partygoers. You gave him a polite chuckle, suppressing the awkward urge to go hunt for this Vivienne instead of chat.
“You must be a guest of Madame de Fer. Or are you here for Duke Bastien?” You answered the man’s question, hoping maybe he’d just take you to Vivienne. The masked woman clapped eagerly.
“You must be here on business. Oh, I have heard the most curious tales of you, my lady. I cannot imagine half of them are true.” The Coordinator in you was more than excited to hear that people were actually excited to hear of you. The budding politician you were becoming, apparently, wanted to throw up. You couldn’t help but ask what she had heard.
“They say you command hoards of spirits gifted to you by Andraste, after she delivered you from the Fade. That these spirits can command the very sun.” Well. You have had Volcarona use Sunny Day in attempts to help grow crops during your time helping the refugees. You supposed that was… a fair conclusion, given your circumstances. You traced the Net Ball that Volcarna set in with a smile. You were happy the narrative wasn’t completely about your Pokemon being demons.
“I can’t say Andraste gifted them to me, they chose me instead. But, I guess that isn’t a complete lie.” You could tell she was excited to hear confirmation straight from the source.
“The Inquisition should attend more of these parties. I would love to hear more from you.” A man scoffed from the stairs above you three. He stood on a rise above the fountain, slowly making his way down to you. You could feel his disgust behind his gray mask.
“What a load of pig shit. Washed-up Sisters and crazed Seekers? No one can take the Inquisition seriously.Everyone knows it’s just an excuse for a bunch of political outcasts to grab power.” People quieted down as he spoke. Your smile dropped as he stood near toe-to-toe with you. His giant hat nearly toppled over as he moved, more akin to a bundled bedsheet than a fashion statement. The smell of wine on his breath was overpowering. Drunk and cocky. Just what you needed.
“I’m here to close the giant hole in the sky, not play politician. Or is that gaudy hat so big it’s blinding you to the real problems?” He reeled back at your insult, growing angry and flustered at the giggles that followed. Without hesitation, he reached for his rapier. You stepped back, grabbing Gardevoir’s Heal Ball.
“You dare mock me, you-!” The air grew cold quickly, before ice covered his limbs and up to his torso. He couldn’t even turn his head to see the woman descending the stairs.
“My dear Marquis,” she chided as if talking to a child throwing a tantrum. Cold magic emanated from the hand held delicately in the air. The light reflected off of her dark skin and the grand horns coming from her own headpiece. She had an air of elegance to her, and a stern look in her eye.
“How unkind of you to use such language in my house… to my guests.” Her tone was light, but you could sense the tenseness in her posture. She was angry. A very elegant angry. She would make a great Coordinator with how she commands attention just by existing.
“Madame Vivienne, I humbly… humbly beg your pardon,” the Marquis pleaded, teeth chattering from fear and impending frostbite. Vivienne circled him like a Weavile in the tundra.
“You should. Whatever am I going to do with you, my dear?” She stroked his cheek in mock affection. Then turned to you, brown eyes shining under the chandelier’s light behind her mask. She offered you a polite smile.
“My lady, you’re the wounded party in this unfortunate affair. What would you have me do with this foolish, foolish man?” You didn’t like the idea of killing a drunk asshole just because he didn’t like you. You shifted, uncomfortable.
“I… think the Marquis has learned his lesson. Both about fashion and picking random fights while drunk.” Your statement got a few laughs from people nearby. Vivienne hummed, both amused and in acceptance, as she snapped her fingers. The ice melted quickly, allowing the Marquis to stumble over his own feet.
“By the grace of Andraste, you have your life, my dear. Do be more careful with it.” He shuffled off, embarrassed and humiliated. Vivienne didn’t even give him a second glance as she turned to you, fully.
“I’m delighted you could attend this little gathering. I’ve so wanted to meet you.” She motioned for you to follow, grabbing two glasses of wine along the way. She passed one to you. You couldn’t say you were a huge alcohol person, but you didn’t want to appear rude. You took a sip and were thankful that it was actually pleasant. You two stopped by an open window, where you could see your companions waiting on the other side of the street. Solas nodded to you, which caught Vivienne’s attention.
“Oh, how dreadfully rude of me. I didn’t know your entourage was told to wait outside. My sincerest apologies,” she said, motioning a servant over. She sent him to the guards outside with instructions to invite the three in while you two talked. You were grateful, and expressed such feelings as you leaned against the low windowsill.
“Now, allow me to properly introduce myself: I am Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montsimmard and Enchantress to the Imperial Court. A pleasure,” she greeted with a pleasant smile. She still commanded respect, but she was much less intimidating now that no one was causing trouble. You gave her your name in return, before asking about the Marquis. You didn’t want another fight as soon as you’d leave the chateau.
“His aunt is the Vicomtesse of Mont-de-Glace,” she informed, as if you knew what that meant.
“Not a powerful family, but well-respected… and very devout. Alphonse will be disowned for this, perhaps even run off to the Dales to join the Empress’ war effort. It’s not the first time he’s brought his aunt disgrace, but I’m sure it’ll be the last.” She took a sip of her drink. You didn’t really feel bad for the guy. He made his bed, now he’s gotta deal with the Beedril nest he dropped into it.
“Well, he’s a grown man. I’m sure he’ll figure it out,” you huffed. Vivienne hummed in agreement, shifting her weight to her right leg. She swirled the wine in her glass for just a moment, making sure the topic of the Marquis was finished.
“Now, I didn’t invite you to the Chateau solely for pleasantries,” she started. You figured she wanted to speak with the Inquisition. Hopefully to help. You doubted you could move fast enough to throw a ball before she froze you solid. She continued, when you didn’t speak.
“With Divine Justinia dead, the Chantry is in shambles. Only the Inquisition might restore sanity and order to our frightened people. As the leader of the last loyal mages in Thedas, I feel it only right to lend my assistance to your cause,” she concluded. Your brow furrowed in confusion.
“Loyal mages? Loyal to who?” you didn’t know if asking such a thing would give you away. Vivienne gave you an odd stare, like she was looking for something, before she crossed her arms.
“To “whom”. And to the people of Thedas, of course. We have not forgotten the commandment, as some have, that magic exists to serve man. I support any effort to restore such order.” She was resolute in her decision. You didn’t know if you supported tearing children away from their families and locking up people just for having powers. You did know, actually. You didn’t. But you needed allies. And someone who has worked directly under a ruler would be invaluable. She could sense your hesitation, however. A delicate hand placed itself on your shoulder.
“I don’t want to wait for destruction, squirreled away in my drawing room. I want to meet my enemy head on. And you will not regret having me as an ally, both in the meeting room and on the battlefield.” She was determined and, while she had her own reasons, she ultimately wanted to help people. You’d just have to be on watch for any political bullshit. At least you had Leliana and Josephine.
“We’d be happy to have you, lady Vivienne,” you agreed. She smiled again as she let you go. You both grabbed your wine glasses, raising them in a toast.
“Great things are beginning, my dear,” she said after a sip. “I can promise you that.”
