Thirty Move
Softspoken
Canterlot Castle
Victoria’s Suit
The Empress wasn’t looking forward for the next day on the summit. It wasn’t bad so far, but she wasn’t expecting things to move so slowly. She thought most of the rulers would be at least cooperative about regulating the new rules for the Pokemon and alike.
Instead, all they have been discussing so far was why the Pokemon arrived on the first place and why should they let them stay. Two of the dignitaries were very reluctant about even think of them as coexisting creatures, let alone see them as citizens.
“I knew Minotaurs were stubborn, but this is a new level of insolence!” said Victoria with exasperation. “And there is the whole ‘I can destroy the world’ speech Arceus so kindly give…”
“And the chaos which followed suit,” Grizelda kindly added, much to the Empress’ dismay.
Last time, all hell broke lose on the group between those pro-Pokemon and the few against them, to the point where Celestia had to step in and silence everyone, much to her personal shame.
“You are never letting that go, will you?” She said while hiding her face behind her claws.
“Nope!”
Victoria sighed.
“At least we are the majority. I only hope we don’t have to force our ideas into those against Pokemon. The last thing we need is yet another imposition regime like in the times of old.”
“We have come a long way since then, your Highness, no need to worry about the dark ages,” the clawmaided reassure her. “And how has lady Shredder been working with you?”
“Ok so far,” the Empress calmly replied as she looked at herself on a mirror. “She has been explaining to me some stuff from her world so I won’t stay behind. But I also been explaining to her just as much about our world. We should have done that before the meetings.”
“No gain from crying over the spilled milk, your Highness,” Grizelda said as she placed Victoria’s crown atop her head and fixed her robes. “What is not done, wasn’t done. All you can do is to work hard for the people of your Empire.”
Once all preparations were done, she made Victoria face her.
“Griffin or not.”
“Honestly, I am afraid to think on how my life would be without you Grizelda,” she thank her.
“Me too. How else would I be able to work as freely as this?” she joked.
After a wholehearted laugh, the Empress of Griffenhiem returned to her ruler and serious self.
“Alright then, here we go again.” And so they left the room.
San Palomino’s outskirts
Near Ghastly Gorge
“Just how large is this damn desert!?” asked Pancha to the four winds.
It has been days of walking non-stop on the coolness of night and living on weeds. The mercenaries were clearly beyond tired and bored.
“We are not even moving. Just waiting, ” Weiss pointed out, “ now will you please be a bit more patient?” The former human was so tired that he forgot the futility of said question, but at least had the sight to keep himself calm.
The group had been blessed that morning with the sight of a large forest at the distance, still too far for them to reach it with a dash, but close enough to keep their spirits up.
The group decided it was best for Edge to make a quick scouting and look for anything for them to eat. The last part of the desert would be easier to walk with a full stomach and proper hydration, much for Surskit’s annoyance.
“I only hope Miss Edge come back,” Valerie said. “I can really use something more nourishing than just weeds… No offence, Miss Rouge.”
“None taken,” the Bouquet Pokemon drily replied, as such apology grew old after the second day. “And it appears we won’t have to wait that much.”
Rouge pointed out as a familiar silhouette reappeared at the distance.
“I presume you found something of interest,” greeted Char as their flying comrade landed.
“I heard a lot of water, just behind the hill up ahead,” she pointed her blind gaze at said direction.
“That is way better indeed,” admitted Weiss as he stood back up. “Would you kindly guide us then?”
With a ‘do you have to ask?’ expression, Edge took back up to the sky once more with the group following after her.
It took them around another hour to reach their destination. A small oasis filled by some underground fountain large enough for a Wailord to swim freely on it shown clear enough to see the bottom with ease.
Various palm trees surrounded most of the calm waters while a rock formation protected all from the desert winds. The perfect place to wait in such a scorching heat.
Tossing everything they had to the side, the group jumped head first into the water, which was freezing in contrast with the hot air, a well received change for them.
“I don’t mind losing a day here,” said Weiss as he enjoyed the lower temperature while also wondering how was his heavy body been able to stay afloat.
“I agree,” replied Daring as she slowly propelled herself on around with her wings in a fin-like manner. “I doubt Tlaloque will be up to much right now…”
“What’s up boss?”
“... I don’t know why, but I have this urge to do this thing mortals call sneezing.”
Everyone enjoyed the water, on their own unique way.
“So, what is he doing again?” Asked Valerie near the shore as she looked at Simon digging at the edge of the water.
“Isn’t he going to join us?” Added Sylveon.
“He doesn’t come near large bodies of water,” replied Rouge. “He is af-whatch it!”
“My master prefers to keep his inner flame burning at all times, so he only uses water for hydration.” Cut in Chopper with his splashing tail.
“Ok… but then why is he digging?”
Having noticed the little commotion, Simon heard the last question and feel obliged to answer it himself.
“Why I am glad you ask!” He shouted louder than needed. “I am about to perform my secret technique when I am in desperate need of liquids!”
“Which is…?”
“You will see in an instant,” he replied as he let water pour into the hole he had digged, deep enough for him to submerge half of his body.
“Behold!” Simon shouted again once the hole was full. “My ultimate hydration technique!”
And with no warning nor elegance, Simon plopped into the sand, all limbs spread as his face sunk into the water.
No one said a thing.
“Do you see the greatness of my technique?” Simon asked as he let his head out. “With this ultimate move, I can drink as much as I want without fearing to fall into the treacherous currents, no matter what!”
And so he continued to drink, much to the onlookers’ disbelieve.
“A Staryu?” inquired Roa as she joined the group and looked at the star-like shape flat on the ground.
Capital City of Canterlot
Royal Palace
Despite being a bit slow, the summit ended smoothly, or as smoothly as possible with so many heads of state discussing such a delicate matter and each one having their own respective idea of how things should be done.
In the end, it was decided to acknowledge Pokemon as legitimate members of Equus and recognize those who wanted to as citizens of their respective new countries and homes.
The ruler of Minos agreed quite reluctantly though, so everyone should kept an eye out for the Minotaurs’ land and hopped they didn’t do anything hastily.
The results clearly wouldn't end the problems the massive exodus had caused all over the world, but at least made things a little more easier for the countries’ governments. If new problems where to arise, as it was bound to, they would be addressed on a new summit. Which was also bound to happen.
The world can’t be fixed on a single day, let alone three.
Victoria walked away the round table tired as expected, but she was long from done.
“I so don’t want to discuss with Halfpaw about mineral shippings and those rogues of his. The old Dog is too hard to talk with, ” Victoria said with a very tired tone.
She needed to made use of the visit to also deal with other issues, like trading contracts and alike, especially since most of the world rulers were in the same place. She left all things not intended for the summit for the moment she was done with that, which was now.
“I think is quite remarkable of you to keep going on despite how tired your mind is, your Highness,” admitted Shredder as she walked beside the Empress.
“Unlike popular belief, being a ruler has no glamour,” Victoria pointed out. “There are at least a dozen of things to do for each elegant banquet. Each political move we do can mean the wealth or starvation of our citizens.”
“I can sympathize with that,” Shredder replied with an honest tone. “I wasn’t able to rule my clan, but I was taught all needed for it and witnessed the feats my parents had to achieve in order to keep our kind alive and prosper. Of course, a small land as ours must be nothing compared to an empire.” She humbly added.
“A good leader is not decided by the amount of land and riches it hoarded, but by the smiles and happiness from their people. That must be a ruler’s treasure,” she solemnly instructed.
“Of course having a nice castle, good meals and a gold filled vault has made no one sad as far as I can remember,” added Grizelda as she joined the group.
“Appearances need to be held,” Victoria countered matter-o-factly. “That is why the submit ends with a gala.”
“Touche. Speaking of which: how was the summit?” The clawmaided asked.
“It ended properly.”
“I guess that is the best we can ask for, huh?”
“For the time being, is more than I expected after the first day,” Victoria admitted. “Well, I am off to meet Halfpaw before he borrows himself. I doubt I would be in need of your assistance for now, Lady Shredder. You can take the rest of the day.”
“Try not to spend it on training, would you?” added again the clawmaiden.
“I thank your Highness’ kindness, and I wasn’t thinking about training… in fact I was thinking about making up to Roll for the past three days. I been too focused on my duties to give her any proper attention.”
“A remarkable course of action. I wish you and your mate a good evening,” said Victoria as she left. “Now, if you excuse me. Have a nice date Miss Shredder.”
The Bisharp nodded in assent, a bit red by the Empress’ words.
“And I know just the perfect place!” added Grizelda. “I know of this part of the city the guards said is great for Pokemon! They even have a boutique aimed at them! You should totally give it a try.”
“Is that so? Then I should follow your advice and pay it a visit,” said Shredder with a smile. “Who knows, we may find something worth of interest in there.”
What happen after that, is in fact worth to another story.
San Palomino’s Oasis
Noon
Taking their contractor’s word to heart, the group decided to take the day off on the oasis. Having refreshed themselves enough, the Pokemon, plus one Pegasus, were now making a more proper and fulfilling meal.
A warm fire shone at the heart of the banquet while freshly catched fish roasted on its flames. A collection of fruits and berries, gathered by Edge and Sylveon, were served for those who prefered a less meaty nutrition.
“That hit the spot alright,” said Simon with a smile while a sonorous ‘dub’ came out of his belly as he slapped it.
“We can remove bath and food from our list of things to get once we reach a city or town,” said Daring while happily munching an apple.
“We still need to re-equip,” pointed Weiss out. “I am running out of knifes.”
As to prove his point, Weiss pulled out a couple of his remaining weapons, most of which were throwing needles and less than effective knifes with crooked edges and rusted metal.
“Good luck finding those in Equestria,” teased Daring between bites.
“I would conform with someone able to fix these,” he said, picking one of the rusty blades, “I doubt they have any sharpness left, not to mention they have zero aerodynamic.”
“I been curious by now,” cut Gold in. “Why knifes? Didn’t humans prefered firearms?”
“Too noisy.” Weiss replied casually, despite the grim indications of such a specific subject. “And even with suppressors, I found them too bulky and hard to handle unless I am too close or too far. Knifes on the other hand are easier to carry, harder to spot and can be used on close quarters far more efficiently. Not to mention they intimidate more than a stereotypical gun.”
“I think all sort of weapon are intimidating,” cut in Valerie with a matching tone of disgust.
“Hey, I am only answering to his question,” Weiss said, watching his hands over to Gold.
“Ja... weapons are all terrifying, aren’t they…?” Added Roa with shame.
“Oh, no! Roa, I didn’t mean it like that,” Valerie quickly apologized, “I meant those soulless things used to end the lives of others.”
The mercenaries made some uncomfortable expressions, as they knew how will Roa take those words.
“Ja... it is quite souless to took a life…”
Valerie was at a lost of words.
Then there was a very awkward silence.
Everyone tried to ignore the recent events on any means necessary.
Simon digged lazily on the ground, Chopper and Pancha filled their mouths with food, Xavier simply looked away, Weiss continued to look after his own gear, mumbling a thing or two about its quality.
“Useless, useless, probably salvageable, what would I give for something to lighten up the mood, useless-I can’t believe I still have this!” He said honestly surprised, and relieved, as he found a cylindric looking relic laying around the rest of his items.
“The Wand of Guidance!” Daring said also surprised, and relieved. “I can’t believe I forgot about it!”
“We had been through a lot of experiences,” pointed Xavier out with his monotone voice, perfectly covering how glad he also was about the new subject.
“That is an understatement,” said Rouge with a sarcastic tone.
The cheerful mood returned to the group, to most of them at least.
“So what is so special about this thing?” Inquired Weiss while looking at the item. “Besides being old, of course.”
Daring took a moment to recollect her memories, bringing back the old thomes she had read information regarding the three ancient relics.
“Well, it is said that as the name implied, the Wand guided spirits and alike. But that it's only usable through the concentrated power of its wielder.” She explained.
“Concentrated?” Asked Char.
“It said something like that. Other sources mention that only those able to focus themselves will be worthy of its use, thus it was as hard to use like the other three.” She then turned back to Weiss. “And that is what I…know...!”
She couldn't finish her words as the Bisharp hold the Wand of Guidance, which had one side open like a flower while small volts of lighting jumped around its ‘petals’ at blinding speeds.
“HOW THE HAY!?”
The shout made Weiss lose his concentration and the Wand closed instantly.
“WHAT!? NO!” The explorer roared. “Do that again!”
“Do what again?” Weiss asked.
“Don’t you buck with me!” Daring snapped at him. “How did you managed to do that?”
“You mean this?” Weiss asked again as the Wand ‘bloomed’ once more, the same electricity jumping around like before.
Daring looked marveled at the item. Once her eyes demanded her to blink, she faced Weiss once more and asked.
“How?” Or rather, she demanded.
“I am surprised too,” Weiss replied as the Wand closed once more. He then throw it to Xavier and added. “It’s Hidden Power.”
“What now?” Daring asked confused as a sound of crystals growing come from Xavier’s direction.
“Hidden Power,” Xavier repeated while big spikes of ice grew from the claw holding the Wand. “A move all Pokemon can learn, it uses an energy dormant in every one of us.” The ice then chattered as he gave the Wand back. “It’s typing variates depending on each individual. It’s impossible to use it any other way.”
“So you are saying you can use moves to open the Wand?” Asked Daring with an academic tone as she looked at the sparks once again jumping ot Weiss’ hands.
“More like is the move itself what allow us to do so,” suggested Char as he asked for the item, which sprout water as if were a small sprinkler. “This will be useful for our next walk on the desert.”
“Oh come on!” protested Surskit.
“It allows the user to ‘focus’ that dormant and unachievable power within us,” Char continued,” It kind of works as a shortcut for it.”
“That is so unfair…” finished Daring with a defeated tone, noticing she would be unable to made use of the Wand.
“Relax manta, is not like the end of the world or anything. “Added Pancha with a reassuring tone, then turned to Char and asked for the item. “Me toca, me toca, me toca!”
The Scizor obliged and had over the Wand, which made the flower bloom larger and spin on its own, releasing a fresh breeze.
“This could have been so useful on the way here!” She said a bit disappointed.
Simon was next, which made the Wand cover his claw on flames.
No one was surprised.
Chopper had a similar result but with steel instead of fire.
“Bring me some Fairy-types!” He shouted.
The only Fairy on the group didn't seemed to mind, in fact, she wasn’t even listening.
Greninja made a blade of water pour out of it, he then made another one with his regular water: larger and sharper. As implying it was a redundant result.
Then come Rouge’s turn.
“It is quite interesting it takes so many shapes and forms,” she pointed out as the Wand was handed over to her. “Almost as it fits the user.” And said, “Hidden Power.”
Boom.
The moment the energy dormant on her was released into the wand, an enormous pillar of energy emerged from it. Warm, pink light elevated into the sky, touching the clouds above.
“That is very unexpected,” pointed out Weiss. “Also, why is my skin tingling?”
Then three members of the group hit the ground.
Roa, Edge, and Chopper.
“I~I feel powerless…” the later said with a matching tone.
“Rogue, cut it.” Weiss said calmly but quickly.
The move was stopped and so was the pillar of light.
Once it disappeared, the fallen ones raise back up.
“Fairy-type,” Xavier pointed out.
“You don’t say!” Pointed out Edge with painful sarcasm.
“I could feel meine strength leaving my body.” Added Roa as Valerie tried to take a look at her. She gently but firmly blocked her.
“Forget about typing!” Daring shout. “How, why was the result so enormous in her bouquets!? That was some Alicorn stuff!” She exaggeratedly added.
“Hidden Power’s output depends of what human scientist denominated as ‘special attack.’ You know how Pokemon have two kind of strengths: one coming from physical body and another from the energy stored within them. That is the special attack. Some Pokemon has it on low levels, others on normal quantities and…”
“And then are those who can blow stuff up with a sneeze!” Added Chopper, still feeling dizzy.
“Needless to say that Roserade is of that last kind, not to mention that Rogue herself is an outstanding individual among them.”
“So the stronger one’s ‘chi,’ the stronger the Wand?” Daring concluded.
“In a sort of way.”
“... when will I be able to use the cool magical stuff?” she pouted.
The lively talk continued for a couple of hours, until the stars shine bright above alongside Luna’s moon telling every diurnal creatures that the time to sleep had come.
“Well, without booze to extend this banquet, we better made preparations for the night. You guys know the drill,” causally ordered Weiss.
Desert or not, a merc was a merc. Every time they had to sleep outdoors, the mercenaries made sure there was no one planning to ruin their night. A swift scout of the zone is mostly what they did, but experience had proven that such simple and rutinary task was efficient on numerous occasions.
Three teams of two left to explore the surroundings while the rest prepare a place to rest the night. Greninja and Gold inspected the lake, Edge and Valerie soared the sky and Simon and his student scout the lake’s surroundings.
Around half of an hour later, the first pair returned.
“There are lots of bugs and Bug-types up there, but nothing harmful besides mosquitoes,” reported Edge as she clean her face off the gooey mass that once was a swarm of insects.
The second pair show up right after.
“Nothing on the lake. In fact, I think we almost exterminate the fish population down there,” commented Gold as he swim out the lake while Greninja simply appeared besides everyone else.
“Good, all we need is Simon and Chopper to come back and we can call go to sleep,” said the leader with a slightly tired tone, obviously looking forward to hit the small patches of grass Rouge had grow for them.
Yet after another thirty minutes of waiting, the last group didn’t appeared.
“Come on guys,” said Weiss tired. “I really want to take a nap.”
At this point, some of them were already sleeping.
“Shouldn't we worry?” Inquired Daring. “It’s been some time by now.”
“Nah,” calmly replied Weiss. “Xavier has them in check, though I would be worry if I had felt some sort of commotion.”
“Felt?”
“Why do you think I choose those two?” Asked Weiss with a bit of sarcasm. “They cause such a ruckus for everything that is impossible to miss. They most likely got distracted with something.”
And there was some silence.
“You are quite strange for mercenaries.” Daring commented.
“I won’t deny that,” said Weiss with a chuckle. “But what made you say so?”
“Well, even for such a pacifist kind as ours, Pony mercs are mostly intimidating and mean looking. You all on the other hoof are a bunch of oddballs.”
“I am sure you have seen us be serious from time to time,” commented Weiss. “But I admit we tend to give a rather different vive. Since that is the idea.”
“You act like this on purpose?”
“Not entirely,” said Weiss, thinking over how to explain himself. “There was an… incident at some point of our guild which made us change. You see, we were the cold and heartless kind of mercs until that point, then we sort of stopped. You could say we went through some sort of phase.”
Daring wanted to ask about said ‘incident,’ but Weiss give her no chance for it.
“We began to be more real and honest about ourselves because of it, as a result, we discovered an unexpected perk out of it.”
“How so?”
“Without considering the feats you have seen us do, would you think of us as something dangerous?”
“I can hardly picture you all like that even with that into consideration.”
“Gee, thanks.” Said Char from his make-shift bed.
“Sill, that is how the world sees us.”
“So you deceive others?”
“Exactly. Deception is the point. Anyone can calculate the strength of others, especially King’s.” Weiss murmured the last part. “That is something everyone does, specially on this line of work.”
“But if you give them noting to calculate,” added Char.
“There is nothing they can know…” said Daring, coming to a realization.
“Thus fearing what they ignore.” finished Weiss calmly as he continued to look for his comrades.
Daring thought over what she was just told How simple yet effective it was. So simple and effective that even the natural world keep it as a norm. Yet what surprised her most of this train of thought was how such thing could be on two entirely different worlds.
“No matter how complex the universe, deception is the stronger card one can play, huh?”
“You said it,” replied Weiss as he stood up. “They took their sweet time.”
Then, a large silhouette emerged from the waters.
“And Simon?” greeted Weiss calmly once he took a look at Chopper’s face.
The Haxorus was calm, dripping wet, but calm.
“My master had something to look after.” Chopper replied while shaking off the water over his scales. “He didn’t told me what though, but he sound calm.”
“That is odd,” admitted Weiss, but trusting his friend, he simply went to sleep. Looking forward to know what had happened. “I want to hear his story for this.”
Somewhere else in Equestria
It turned out that Latias’ idea of blasting around the continent was the best course of action. It took them little time to find their friend, but when the time came for them... for him, to go and see her, the elder brother of the Eon duo froze at the sight.
They were invisible so she couldn’t notice them, yet she turned to them, as expecting them to come out of their stealth. She did grow knowing them all of her life after all. Latias was about to reveal herself but he stopped her, he was unable to face her just yet.
It wasn’t that he didn’t wanted to talk to her, to hug her after so long.
It was the look she was giving to the empty space what shock him. A large longing come out of her eyes. Despite her new body, she keep those large and honest eyes. In them, he could see how much she miss them, and he couldn’t stop to think how lonely she should have felt after the exodus, after his departure.
He was unable to make a move at all.
He knew Latias would eventually come out with some idea, but it was here that his sister surprised him the next day.
“You are leaving?” He asked in shock and terror, both emotions rarely seen on him.
“My part is done,” Latias cheerfully replied. “We found her. Whatever happens next is up to you. Besides, you need some time to figure out some things by your own.”
“As sure do I as well,” she whispered to herself.
“Bu-but you can’t leave me like this!” he replied.
“Watch me.” And so she flew away at mach two.
That was yesterday.
‘Sigh.’
Latios let out some of his stress up on the atmosphere, not wanting to be found by anyone.
“Come on… you can do it…” he repeated to himself again and again. “Just fly to her and talk.It’s not that hard… though I will have to explain how I am still alive, and why it took me so long to get here…”
He sighed once more.
“How am I supposed to do this alone?”
He had tried to look at her while invisible but she was always seemed to noticed him. He thought about disguising himself to grow easy around her, but she would look right through it.
He spent the following time trying to find a good way to approach her, which led to him wondering how she would feel, which led to how she would react, which somehow ended with him having to flee to another country and change his name out of shame and guilt and...
It was safe to say that the long-lived legendary’s imagination was beyond wild at that point, if not at the brink of hysteria.
It was good for him that the clouds of Equus were so comfortable, as even when he was unable to move them as Pegasi, he was somehow able to stay on them as fluffy pillows. He sat on his clouds and looked up into the sky.
Luna’s moon shone brightly. At his current height, it looked even bigger.
The sight remind him of Earth, one old memory of him contemplating the moon in a similar fashion.
Yet he wasn’t alone back then.
Nor was he accompanied by his Sister or any kind of Pokemon.
He remembered how she used to make him take her around in search of inspiration for her art. It was annoying at first, but with time...
He chuckled.
“That was how it started…” he said, still remembering their past. “You wanted to go as close to the moon as possible so you could sketch it.”
A large cloud passed by the moon at a slow pace, covering the place in a comfortable darkness. Allowing the sky to dance in privacy.
“I was worried you would fall. It’s cold up here after all,” He closed his eyes, basking in the memory. “Not to mention how focused you got once your muse had finally arrived to you.”
He opened his eyes again, the cloud was slowly letting the moonlight shone back over the world.
“But you insisted. You wanted to draw it so badly no matter what.” He smiled. “You said that ‘a picture of the moon basking the city on silver light was too beautiful to let it go’ and convinced me in the end, caring not of how dangerous I told you it was.”
“It took time for you to get ready, setting everything into place and finding the right inspiration to use the chalk on the canvas. But once you started, time become a blur. I was able to see it through your eyes. Your hand swiftly moving over as the image before you was immortalised on your work.”
Half of the moon shone as the cold wind pushed the cloud away, little by little. All the clouds moved closer or distant in an endless mess, yet only one seemed to have a proper destination.
“Then you finished it,” he continued. “A picture of the moon basking the city on silver light, just as you described it. I scolded you for making me take you to such a dangerous place but praised the result nonetheless.”
The moon shone whole once more.
“I then asked you ‘why would you risk yourself like that?’ And then, you replied..:”
“Because I know you would protect me.”
As the silver light of the moon rain over the sky, the silhouette of another Dragon-type was illuminated by it. Bird like in nature.
It was almost impossible to see it without the moonlight, as her wings mixed with the clouds while her cerulean body got lost on the night. A single white beret differenced this Altaira from the rest in this world.
She arrived silently, yet she didn’t seemed surprised nor mad, and definitely not sad.
She landed on Latios’ cloud. The Legendary didn’t seemed as worried as before, on the contrary, all the stress he had been building up until now was gone, he was at ease now.
“And so I did, until the very end,” he calmly said.
None said a word as she made herself comfortable besides him.
“You are terrible at hiding,” she then said.
“It helps that you have known me all of your life,” he replied.
“You’ve let me seen all of yours as well,” she remind him while looking at the moon.
Latios smiled, “I see I no longer need to worry about you getting cold.”
“These wings are comfortable.”
Again, there was silence between the two, but it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. To them, it felt normal. It felt natural. It felt right.
“You know I’ve been missing you,” the Altaira commented.
“I can only imagine,” he replied.
“I thought I would never see you again.”
“I can’t apologize enough for that.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I was afraid you would be mad for it.”
“There is no way I could.”
“All I was able to think was to protect both of you… to protect you.”
“And you did.”
The wind keep flowing, the clouds keep changing, the moon keep shining.
“It’s good to have you back, Latios.”
“I am back, Bianca.”
Yet that matter not for them.
Sn. Palomino’s Oasis
Earlier that night
“Come on, we can still make it before the rest!” shouted Simon as he and his apprentice made their scouting while also doing squats. Being as diligent towards his students as he was, it was obvious he wouldn’t let the chance for them to made some improvised exercise while at their job slip by.
“Yes, master!” shouted back said apprentice. “I am more than honored to be trained by you, but why the sudden interest?”
“You are sharp,” Simon replied with a bit of shame. “I couldn’t shake the thought of how you keep training despite the sudden change of world while I limited myself to walk around. It’s a terrible example as a teacher.”
“Then I am glad that I was a source of inspiration for you,” said Chopper proudly. “But isn’t the job of a student to surpass their masters?”
“You fool!” Simon shouted. “What is the point of being surpassed out of laziness!? If you are to overcome me, it will be when I am at my best!”
“Sorry for ever doubting you, Master!” Chopper shout back while kneeling to the ground.
“It is ok. As long you understand the importance of hard work…” and so they made silence.
“Ehm… master?” Mustered Chopper once the silence had overstayed its welcome. “Is everything alright?”
“Shh,” Simon silenced him.
The Haxorus was about to get into a defensive stance but was once again stopped by his mentor.
“There is someone near…” Simon said, not with a shout but a whisper, puzzling Chopper all the more.
The Excadrill then stabbed the ground with one of his claws, searching for the vibrations on the ground. He remained silent and stiff for a moment and then jolted toward a group of rocks near by.
Chopper tried to follow suit, he was about to climb the first rock when Simon stop him yet again.
“Is everything okay master?” The Dragon-type inquired from his lower position.
“It is okay, don’t worry,” Simon reassured him. “But I am going to stay here for some time. You go back and tell Weiss I am fine.”
As much as the curiosity burned him, Chopper wasn’t somemon to distrust his master, let alone challenge him without a good reason.
“As you wish then. Have a good night!” And with a militaristic salute, Chopper jumped into the water and swim away.
“Hey, hey,” Simon said as he saw his apprentice leave. “You forgot about our mission here.”
He chuckled and then returned at his discovery.
“So, would you mind me staying for the night?” He asked to a small cave made by the fallen rocks, from where a faint sobbing could be hear.
“It’s alright,” he said reassuringly. “I am not trying anything funny.”
He laid flat on the floor, just as he did when drinking water earlier. This way he was able to look directly into the small whole.
“I am simply laying on the ground, see?” He asked to the darkness from which the sobbing continued to emanate from, albeit less louder than before.
After ten minutes or so, the sobbing stopped, but Simon could clearly hear the breathing coming from the one inside, it was far from sleeping. If anything, it sound agitated.
“Did you know?” Simon then said, halting the breathing for a second. “An ounce of gold can be stretched out to 50 miles?”
He then awaited for any kind of response.
The breathing was still there, but it was no longer stressed.
Feeling confident about this development, Simon continued.
“Do you know that colored diamonds are actually less pure than white ones? That’s because the colorations are caused by impurities in them.”
He could hear the breathing getting a little bit closer, as if it's face was turned towards him.
“If the criteria is right, there are rocks able to move around. Do you know why?”
There was some noise of movement on the small cave as the breathing come closer.
“That’s because the moisture under the rock gots frozen on the night, which makes the rock slide ever so slightly with the wind.”
And so the breathing come yet another bit closer.
“Did you know…”
Simon continued like this for hours, making the breathing calmer and closer with every trivia he said. Always keeping the interest, always waiting for the one breathing to move before saying something, but above all else: always using a soft soothing tone whenever he give one of his bits of information.
Celestia’s sun shone on the horizon, waking Simon as soon as its light touch his eyes. He end sleeping with his back against the rock as he didn’t needed to keep a low profile anymore.
“You sure took your sweet time,” he said to the small creature soundly asleep on his belly.
A short bird Pokemon, yet not meant for flight. The blue feathers were made to give zero resistance when gliding under the water as well as to keep the warmth in on the cold. The down’s design was similar to a cape, as the darker down on the back almost turn into one while two white dots on the lighter down made up for bottoms of said cape.
At some point of the night, the Piplup had finally come out of the cave in order to hear Simon more properly. In time, he moved away from the trivia and into some personal info, like his name and alike. He didn’t wanted to pry on her just yet, but he was able to ask her one question.
Her name.
The Penguin Pokemon seemed to hear Simon’s voice, and slowly woke up as well.
“Oh, sorry for waking you,” he apologized. “Good morning, Penny.”
“Ith morning already?” Penny replied with a child-like tone as she rubbed her eyes with her flippers.
“Pretty much,” Simon replied as he stood up as soon as she did the same, taking his time to stretch out. “Boy, am I hungry! How about you?”
A rumbling stomach was her response.
“Thorry,” she apologized.
“Hey, nothing to be ashamed about,” Simon reassured her. “Are ready to meet my friends?” He softly asked while offering her a claw.
She fidget for a moment, but then took Simon’s invitation.
““Ith it really okay?” She asked. “I don’t want to be a bother.”
With a swift but gentle motion, Simone placed Penny over his head.
“Of course it’s okay. Everyone will be glad to meet you,” he reassured her again as he set out. “They will love you! You just wait and see it!”
Latter that morning.
“And that is what happen.” Simon finished his explanation.
“... you gotta be kidding me.” Weiss said as he massaged his temple. “Another one… really? Don’t we have enough straymons already?”
“Oh come on, it’s an defenseless little child! I couldn’t leave her just there!” Simon retorted.
“She is a Pokemon. I am more than sure she could take care on her own,” Weiss pointed out.
“It’s a Piplup in a desert. Don’t you think there is something wrong with that?” Simon asked back.
Weiss didn’t reply. He could, but he knew it was pointless, and that Simon was right.
“Besides, look at her, they love her!”
As soon as the mercenaries went to meet with their comrade, they discovered the one he was carrying along. She seemed shocked at first, as if she didn’t expected so many Pokemon (and a Pegasus) to be there. But as everyone introduce to her, she seemed to be more open towards others.
Surskit took a special liking to her, since she seemed to be close to her own age.
It was surprising to see that she wasn’t afraid of the more menacing looking members but rather the more noisy ones, as proven by how she seek refuge behind Roa, Xavier and Char while avoiding Pancha, Chopper and Sylveon, for some reason.
She didn’t dared to even look at Weiss though.
‘What a surprise,’ the leader though. Although Valerie’s husband was more shocked and depressed.
“So, who does she belongs to?” Weiss asked.
“Some Allen guy,” Simon replied.
Having some miles on the way back, Simon used the time to ask a bit more about Penny.
It wasn’t much to know though.
“She didn’t wake with him, so good luck knowing how he looks like now.”
Weiss sighed as he looked at Penny peck on some fish.
“It must have been hard on her until now… crap!” he said, knowing he had been bested.
“See, she warm up to you,” Simon teased. “And she sure have, I can only think it was thanks to this Allen’s training back on Earth that she was able to survive till now.”
“Well, enough with this moody talk,” Weiss said as he shout to everyone. “Ok, the fresh air won’t last guys, so we better get going!”
At the sound of his words, Penny whimpered and hide behind Daring, shivering under her wing.
Everyone else give him a cold look in return, even Xavier.
“Now look what you have done.”
“Inadequate.”
“Nice job.”
“How can someone make such a cute thing cry.”
“Don’t worry dear, sis here will make sure this brute doesn’t get near you.”
“Just ignore the mean gloomy Bisharp!”
And so on.
They, however start moving, leaving the oasis and heading towards the forest on the distance. All making sure Penny felt safe on the way, while Weiss stayed as far behind as possible.
“... you fucking people…”
Canterlot Castle
Grand Ballroom
Latter that day
With the summit finally over, now was the turn for celebration. Wars were avoided, a wedding had been held and the Pokemon around Equus where now officially citizens of their respective nations.
A good party was more than deserved for those involved and of course for everyone in general.
Like the party once hold at Ponyville, there was a large variety on the attendants, if not more than last time. Not only were there Ponies and Pokemon, but also Griffins, Diamond Dogs, Zebras, Changelings, Hippocampi, Buffalo, Deer and a single Minotaur who was there more as an act of duty than willingness.
Despite Golden Horn’s long face, the rest of the guest were enjoying themselves.
Everyone else danced, talked, feasted and smiled. But more importantly: everyone was at harmony. No matter the kind, type, race or age, everyone was having fun and cared not for their differences.
Than on itself was triumph for the summit, a victory for the rulers.
One of which was finally taking a well deserved break once the whole ordeal was finally done, plus the extra ‘errants’ she had to run while in the Pony capital.
Empress Victoria was enjoying a well earned glass of fermented Pony Cider as she looked at everyone laughing and smiling. She was by her own for a change, as she had let her clawmaiden the night to herself. She had earn it just as much as the Empress after all.
Victoria smiled at the scene before her eyes and feel proud of her work as her Empire’s ruler.
“Quite the week we had, haven’t we, Victoria?” A kind voice asked beside her.
The Empress chuckled a bit drilly, as there was only one individual who call her so freely beside Grizelda.
“I am sure it’s just another event for you, Princess Celestia,” Victoria replied as she turned to see the Pony ruler of the day. “Still, you know how to deceive, Princess. This is not at all what I have hear about the Grand Galloping Galla.”
“It’s an upgrade made by my student’s friends last year. They are far more lively this way, aren’t they?” Celestia cheerfully replied. “By the way, what happened with the rogue dogs who intended the coup?”
“Afraid I would mistreat citizens of another country? Even when they tried to overthrow me, I would never degrade myself to their level,” Victoria retorted in a slightly more serious tone. “Would you doubt of me in such way, Celestia?”
“I never said that,” Celestia pointed out with the same kind tone of before. “I am simply curious about their fate. Nothing else.”
Victoria couldn’t read the Alicorn on the slightest, which in turn make her feel inferior in some way.
“I talked with Halfpaw about them just recently, among other things,” Victoria explained, still remembering her long talk with the Dog king. “For now, they will remain under our custody, since most of them are still unable to do the long travel from Griffinheim to Canida. Not with those injuries anyway. They will be deported once their wounds heal.”
“There was a need for conflict then?” Celestia inquired a bit disappointed.
Not that she haven’t been through her own number of hustles and battles on her lifetime, but it saddened her to see that conflicts still remained on the world.
“A necessary ill, one I too regret, but I also thank at the same time, as it turned out for the best.” Victoria admitted in a similar tone. “Yet despite all odds, there were no casualties, as incredible as it sounds.”
“None?” Celestia asked with interest, yet not surprised. “How is that possible?”
“It would have been a bloodshed, I know that much, if it wasn’t for the arrival of the Pokemon.” Victoria explained, a bit ticked off by Celestia’s knowing expression. “Or more exactly, the mercenaries I now have under a contract.”
“The Checkmate guild you talk about,” Celestia ‘remembered’ as she invited Victoria to keep their talk as they walked. “So they are that capable?”
“Well, I was very surprised as well, even afraid of their power,” Victoria admitted as she walked besides the Equestrian ruler. “I could have end like Golden Horn if it wasn’t for their own intervention.”
“So they abdicated for their kind then? The mercenaries?” Celestia asked with what seemed to be genuine surprise.
“Inconceivable, right?” Victoria agreed. “As far as I know, conflict is what such individuals thrive for. Yet they seek for a bloodless solution, to the point of helping to achieve said end”
“So you genuinely trust them then?” Celestia asked.
“I had my reserves at first, but their actions have talked more than their words. As I stated on the submit: they have helped to the point Pokemon have already volunteered to work for the Empire. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a whole bunch of new faces once I return to the palace.”
“They are worthy of your trust then.” Celestia said as a fact.
“Something tells me you already knew about some of this,” Victoria suggested. “Was my trust the reason behind your facade?”
Celestia didn't seemed surprised about been caught, all she did was give Victoria a bright smile.
“I have to make sure they didn’t have any sort of ulterior motive,” she admitted shamelessly yet with the same knowing tone. “As I have heard a thing or two about them myself.”
“Oh, and what would you heard?” Victoria asked with curiosity.
“I heard they met with Arceus on arrival, and that they caused quite the impression on him. I haven’t heard what they said to him, but it wasn’t exactly nice.”
‘Not nice… what is this kindergarten?’ Victoria asked to herself while making a mental note to ask what did they talked with the Pokemon God.
“Then they cause a bit of a commotion on Manehattan, or at least so said the rumors. Someone as big and shiny as one of his members is hard to miss.”
‘So far so good,’ Victoria also thought, happy with the results of her mercenaries.
“They also payed me a visit,” Celestia added.
“Impressive. They sure move around. So how did it went?” Victoria asked, barely holding back her eagerness.
“Well…”
“THEY DID WHAT!!??”
“... it seems some poor soul is in trouble,” said Roll as a faintly familiar voice shouted from some unknown place. “It sure one heck of a screw up to reach a level like that.”
“I can only pity the fool who caused such amount of distress,” added Shredder. “There are insolent fiends no matter the world.”
The pair continued to enjoy the Gala while ignoring the string of shouts still been delivered somewhere else.
Since the location demand it, both mercenaries were more properly dressed than regularly: Shredder doned a more elegant skirt in red and black tones which was similar to her metallic one, with the difference been that it wasn’t metallic. A couple of long sleeve gloves added to the presentation while a dark mascada covered her neck. These also covered most of her blades.
Of course, the red cloth representing her guild was still wrapped around her left arm.
Her mate, in contrast, wear white and cream colors in a similar outfit tailored for her figure with matching gloves and mascada. The dress had a skirt made in a way which let her legs be seen with little problem while the dress fell like a waterfall on her rear.
“This has proven to be more than an exciting trip, wasn't it dear?” Roll asked as she make sure to keep close to her mate. "We definitely have to thank the little queen for these dresses."
Shredder, for once, wasn’t as shy as regularly when in public.
“Truth,” she replied with a smile. “Not only have we been able to know more of this world and its inhabitants, but also managed to meet another one of our comrades. Although it’s sad to hear how she would prefer to stay.”
“Come on, it’s Titania we are talking about,” Roll pointed out. “You know why she joined us. That guy must be more than enough of a reason for her to change her mind.”
“I only hope she can either end or fulfil her infatuation,” Shredder sternly wished. “He is a kind man, but I doubt he will give her what she desires.”
“You of all mons should know exactly how hard that is,” Roll pointed out. “But only time will tell dear. Only time will tell.” Then something caught the Lopunny’s attention. “So those are the fabled couple?”
Shredder then followed her mate’s gaze, quickly founding what she was seeing.
It was rather hard to miss.
Not so far from them, two Pokemon talked with the biggest of smiles: a Gardevoir and a Gallade. They would look like any other pair on that night if it wasn’t for their clothing: wedding garments and their respective vow rings.
“And that is the happy end of Gene Phillips’ story?” Shredder said as she contemplated the couple.
They knew about him because of their previous contract as well the report Weiss have delivered, but they also have heard about their wedding. It was hard to ignore with how quickly gossip moved around in Canterlot.
However, the mercenary couple decided to indulge themselves on avoiding the ceremony. Not that they didn’t wanted to, specially Roll, but they knew it would be strange for those contracted to kill him to appear on their ceremony.
But now that they could clearly see them, a hint of regret appeared on their hearts.
“They do make a good couple,” Shredder pointed out. “May whatever God reigning over this world’s fate have them on its providence.”
“That is rare,” Roll pointed out, “for you to be this emotional and religious.”
“I have my times,” Shredder said back while tightening his hold over her mate, “or it could be you are rubbing over me…”
She then steamed off as always.
“New record,” Roll joked while returning the hold. “And is good to know, it tells me I can still pull you out.”
“O-only time will tell…” Shredder stuttered while looking away.
Only to return her gaze to Roll’s and chuckle with her.
“Would you want to?” she offered.
“Lead the way, my knight in shining armor.”
With arms intertwined, both of them walked calmly but firmly towards the nuptial couple.
Belle and Gene noticed them once it was clear they were walking towards them, they give them a typical smile at first, then they noticed the red cloth tied around Shredder’s arm. They looked surprised for a brief moment and then give them a less typical smile.
“Checkmates, right?” asked Gene as he offered them a friendly hand, not sure who to exactly offer it to though.
“Mister Phillips,” replied Shredder as she took his hand with a strong grip, she then offered her hand to his wife. “Mistress Phillips. An honor to make your acquaintance. My name is Shredder, and this is my mate, Roll.”
Roll nodded at the mention of her name. “We are members of Checkmate, as handsome here kindly pointed out.”
Gene on the other hand seemed uncomfortable for a second, a single second, since the next second her wife was been hugged by the Lopunny who just greet them.
“Congratulations, girl!” Roll proclaimed. “You finally got your happy ending.”
Belle was surprised by the sudden show of appreciation, but she return it nevertheless.
“T-thanks, it's certainly has been like a dream come true,” she admitted while smiling to her husband, “but this is far from the end. We still have a long way ahead of us, right dear?”
“Yeah,” replied the once human with a matching smile, as full of hope as his wife’s. “This is but the beginning.”
Roll moved away from Belle, yet she didn’t let go of her.
“Mhmmm…”
She looked at Gene, then at Belle, then at Gene, then at Belle, then at Gene’s faint blush, then at Belle’s stomach. She smiled, deviously.
“So you already did the thing, huh?” She teased while placing her paws atop Bells’ womb. “When will it come?”
Gene and Belle were caught off guard, specially Gene, who was red as Shredder at the moment.
“I apologize for my mate,” she said with a matching tone.
“I-it’s okay. She is quite forward,” he replied.
However, Belle was quick to calm down. It was only natural for them after all.
“We are not entirely sure yet,” she replied while placing her hands alongside Roll’s. “But we can hardly wait.”
“I can see that,” Roll commented with a sincere smile, only to return to the devious one right away. “I mean, he clearly couldn’t wait to put the bun on the oven. Since when were you an item? From before the whole travel thing for sure!”
“Roll!” Shredder exclaimed. “It’s not kind to pry on their past life.”
“What about it?” Roll retorted. “Being offended by that would mean giving credit to those bigots back on Earth, right?” she asked the newlyweds.
They didn’t knew what to reply, for once Roll was quite rude, but at the same time she was quite right.
Gene then chuckled.
“You aren’t as one would imagine a group of mercenaries would be.”
“Hey, we were only trying to kill you, is not like we are inheritably evil or something,” Roll defended.
“Roll, please, just… stop,” Shredder asked as she facepalmed.
The couples laugh at the scene.
“You are nothing like the people usually after us,” added Belle. “They were always shouting how we were been immoral, brand us as criminals or down right put on the whole ally of justice act.”
“As if they were the Swords of Justice or something,” Roll joked.
The couple chuckled, a bit on the low though.
“Pretty much,” Belle said, “but I would be careful with that, there are a few of them in this very Gala.”
Then the mercenaries went silent.
“... oh boy…” Roll said as she looked at her mate whose face turn serious in less than a second.
“Is everything alright…?”
“Where?”
Gene was barely able to ask as he was suddenly interrogated by the female Bisharp.
“A-at the other side of the room, near the exit to the inner gardens,” he was about to add something else about a Minotaur when Shredder stormed out of the place.
“What just happen?” Gene asked more confused.
“You could say it's a feud of generations,” Roll said as she departed too. “But I think is more like fate working as it owns everyone something.”
Shredder left the grand ballroom as she tracked the one her family had some business to solve with.
On the garden, things were surprisingly less noisy. Perhaps a magic spell keep the sound from bothering those on other rooms. However the reason, it give the dimly lighted garden and sense of mystery fitting of novels of romance.
Yet not those of love and affairs, but the romance who made people's blood boil and inspire nations.
As if scripted by a superior being, the one Shredder found was resting right on the middle of a small bridge, contemplating the beauty of the garden and the shine of the stars reflecting on the small lake.
“You know, it's hard to enjoy the view with so much aggression looming around,” said the Pokmon Shredder was looking for.
Shredder didn’t said a thing at first, she simply stared at the member of the Fabled Swords of Justice, then she smiled. But if anything, her face didn’t show the slightest amount of joy.
“I thank whoever deity in charge of ruling over this world,” she said as she approached the Legendary. “I was looking for you. I would have settled with any of the swords in order to get your attention.”
She stopped a few steps from the other Pokemon.
He was a tad taller than Shredder, not counting the jagged horns that grow at both sides atop of his head. A patch of white fur shroud from his neck as if where a cravat, adding to his regal yet stern look. A quadruped of a solid aqua blue fur which contrasted with his yellow and calculative eyes, which analyzed the one who suddenly appeared before him.
Yet besides that, the Iron Will Pokemon made no show of either surprise or discomfort.
“So now you have found me,” Cobalion replied. “What will you do next?”
“This!” proclaimed Shredder as she took off one of her gloves and throw it to his hooves.
If Cobalion felt something, he did an excellent job hiding it, as he simply raised an eyebrow as he look at the garment laying at the ground.
“Lord Cobalion of the Swords of Justice,” continued Shredder with a demanding tone, “I challenge you to a duel!”