55 – Blazing Battle
Cleo climbed out of the hole, stepping onto the flat ground. Reshiram loomed over her, a huge smile adorning his face, as he watched the other Pokemon scramble out after her. Faith turned to offer a paw to Tyrix, but he ignored it, wriggling through the narrow gap, the rough rock scraping his fur. He stood up on his hind legs and looked up at the dragon Pokemon. His eyes widened briefly, but he stifled a gasp and dusted down his fur.
"Well!" Reshiram boomed. "Cleo tells me you're ready to leave this island now?"
Tyrix grunted. "I certainly am! I think I've recovered enough."
"Are you sure?" Cleo asked. "It's only been two whole days."
The Typhlosion shot her a sideways glare. "That's enough, believe me. Especially since you've been throwing sitrus berries at me throughout all my waking hours."
"If that's the case, you've picked a good time," said Reshiram. "News has been travelling that the Wildfires are active."
"News?" Tyrix raised an eyebrow.
"The nice Munchlax I've been buying provisions off was quite talkative," Reshiram explained. "Once he understood I meant him no harm, he was relaying information left and right. News certainly travels quickly through the Guild."
"It needs to," said Cleo. "We have to be ready to act." She turned to the others. "Let's get a move on, before they destroy anything else."
Reshiram lowered himself to the ground and Cleo followed Faith onto his back, keeping Spark between them.
"Did the Munchlax say which areas have been struck down?" Cleo asked.
"Hmm... he didn't say exactly. But going off their pattern, he believes it won't be long until they reach where I found you."
Cleo's heart sank as she thought of Meredith and Mulch. "That means they might target the village by the lake."
Faith stared down at her paws buried inside Reshiram's thick feathers. War bothered the Mawile full stop, but the thought of Pokemon she'd met personally being ruthlessly attacked by a murderous pack of Houndour had clearly distressed her.
Cleo lightened the tone in her voice. "Hopefully we can head them off before they reach it."
"Of course!" said Reshiram. "We'll go at top speed! And we won't stop until we find them!"
A broad smile spread across Faith's face at Reshiram's encouraging words.
Cleo looked back at Tyrix, and he stood staring wordlessly at the dragon. "Are you climbing on?"
"I've never been in the air," he explained. "Are you sure it's safe?"
"Oh absolutely!" Reshiram grinned.
"It's how we got here," said Faith with a smile. "Besides... you get to see the world from the air! It's fantastic!"
Tyrix gave them a small smile and took hold of the dragon's feathers, dragging himself up behind Cleo.
"Hang on!" Reshiram told them. "The wind might not be in our favour this time around!"
"Wait!" Tyrix gasped. "What does he mean by that?"
Reshiram struck the air with his wings, shooting into the sky. The dragon's tail erupted and launched him forwards, and the Typhlosion screamed as the wind rushed past their ears.
"I'm going to get as high as I can," Reshiram explained. "A good surveillance of the land will hopefully help us track down the Wildfires."
"So we're looking for burning buildings?" Spark asked.
"Sadly, yes."
Burning buildings... Cleo watched the world go past below. Everything seemed normal... from this high up, it wasn't even evident that Pokemon outside the villages and towns were scarce. Yet the image of a burning forest filled her mind... observed by a pair of eyes standing amongst lumpy rocks and long grass. Screams filled the air as Meowstic and Dedenne scattered through the smoke, but none of them made it out as yet more flames erupted around them and dark shapes ran from the trees, snapping at the fleeing Pokemon with sharp fangs and throwing them back into the chaos. Branches snapped and fell as fire consumed the forest, and as she drew closer, one small, feeble cry reached her ears...
'Mum... dad...'
It had been her own voice... echoed in the grass by a tiny Dedenne.
Two small, frightened Pokemon brought together by a terrifying disaster.
Families ripped apart. Two species almost entirely wiped out.
And yet the world below looked so normal.
...
Angry screeching caws filled the canopy of the Border Woods as the Murkrow swooped at the Banette, raking their claws through his fur and beating him with their wings. Three shadow balls fired in quick succession struck home and brought down three of Yurlik's soldiers.
The Honchkrow watched the spectacle unfold from his perch in a large tree, ignoring the groan of the wood as it held his weight. He wouldn't be sat here for much longer anyway. Enigma was vastly outnumbered. There was no way he could win. With these numbers and their constant movements and aerial attacks he couldn't even use his trademark shadow sneak accurately.
"Don't go for the eyes!" he bellowed as one of the soldiers pecked at the ghost's face. "I want that pleasure myself."
Enigma's glare shot to the canopy, noticing Yurlik for the first time, and he pulled back his lips into a sneer. The distraction was enough to allow the Murkrow to swoop in from the back, taking Enigma by surprise and colliding with his head. He keeled forwards, the jingle from his bell ringing over the frantic, bloodthirsty cawing from the angry flock.
Enigma sneered and turned his eyes back onto Yurlik. "How about fighting your own battles, fatso?!"
He let out a blood curdling scream and fired another of his shadow balls through the crowd of Murkrow to Yurlik. The Honchcrow leapt from the tree as the attack struck where he'd been sitting, shattering the wood into splinters. The heavy branch struck the ground, scattering some of the straggling Murkrow.
The look in the Banette's eyes changed and Yurlik frowned as he took this in. He seemed more... maniacal. His attacks became physical and he lashed at the flapping birds with his claws, scattering feathers and blood into the air as they flew backwards from him, their bodies raining down onto the ground.
And wait... was that a laugh? Was he... laughing now?
Yurlik clicked his beak in frustration as he watched his flock decrease rapidly in numbers. No... this wasn't right. The tables shouldn't be turning! The battle was going in his favour!
"Fall back! Fall back, now!"
He flapped his large wings and rose higher into the canopy, the Murkrow retreating after him. Yet more fell to the Banette's claws and he gave a squeal of glee as he chased after them, throwing a shower of shadow balls.
Yurlik was ready to give up and fly back to the Shadow Lands. Gather more soldiers and hunt the Banette down once more. But, as he cast one more glance at Enigma, he faltered, letting himself hover in the air. Enigma was staggering, holding himself up against a tree. And then... he dropped. Dropped like a bag of bones onto the undergrowth.
Yurlik let out a small caw of surprise. He turned and swooped to the ground, stopping a few feet away from the ghost Pokemon. If this was a trap, he was putting himself in dangerous range of a shadow sneak. But the Banette didn't even seem to acknowledge him. He just lay there, out cold. The Honchcrow nodded to one of his Murkrow.
"Go on. Check to see if he's still alive."
"But... but boss..." The Murkrow looked from Enigma to Yurlik with sharp movements, trying to keep one eye focused on each of them. "What if it's a trap?"
"Since Lord Hydreigon wants him alive, it's a risk I'm willing to make. Now go over there and check!"
The Murkrow skittered across the ground and stopped at Enigma's side. He cautiously cast his eyes up and down his body then lurched forwards and struck him in the ribs with his beak. Enigma didn't so much as twitch.
The Murkrow looked back at Yurlik. "He's breathin'."
"Huh."
Yurlik inclined his head on one side, keeping his red eyes on the Banette. Well, this had worked out in his favour. What had caused him to collapse like that? Had he received too many wounds? He shrugged and marched over to him, grabbing the ghost Pokemon in the claws of his right foot.
"We're heading back," he told the Murkrow. "Keep an eye open for rebels."
He struck the air with his large wings and rose up into the canopy, doubling back to the Shadow Lands. Hopefully he'd get to play with Enigma for a bit once Hydreigon was finished with him.
...
Reshiram hadn't needed to sleep. He kept on flying despite how dark it became.
The sun reached Cleo's eyes and she ran a paw across them, rubbing the grogginess of sleep away while clutching the dragon's feathers with her free paw. She became aware of the warmth behind her contrasting drastically with the cold chill of the wind and she looked back to find Tyrix still sleeping, his body pressed up against hers. She gave the Typhlosion a gentle nudge and he snorted, blinking his eyes open. He jumped slightly, steadying himself as he gripped tightly to Reshiram's white feathers.
"Wait? We're still flying?"
Reshiram laughed. "Yes, we're still flying!"
"Anything new?" Faith asked.
"Yes. I have spotted a trail of smoke a little away from here. I'm lowering us to the ground now for a clearer view of the Pokemon below."
Smoke... Cleo squinted into the horizon. Sure enough, a thin trail of smoke rose into the air from beyond a forest's canopy. Which forest, she had no idea. From this distance, it didn't look familiar. But those rolling hills were long behind them now. They could be anywhere.
"Oh!"
Reshiram's wings jerked and they had to clutch on to save themselves from falling off.
"I am sorry!" the dragon gasped. "Just... look at that!"
Cleo followed the dragon's gaze. Not far below them, a fire had flared up, tongues of orange and red ripping through the green and spewing up a thick cloud of black smoke.
"That's them!" Spark squeaked. "It has to be!"
"Part of me hopes you're right," said Reshiram. "And part of me hopes you're wrong." He dipped his wings and streaked down towards the fire. "Because if you're wrong, that means this is nothing more than a slightly out of control camp fire, and the Pokemon beside it are likely safe."
The green came closer and closer to them, the fire consuming it like a hungry beast. Any trace of snow melted away, and the chaos beyond the flames was hidden by the smoke. The source of the fire was confirmed by the angry war cries of the Wildfires. A chilling, terrifying howl that cut through the air like a siren.
"It's them..." Cleo's voice cracked and she gulped. "It's really them..."
A heavy paw pressed down on her shoulder. "You don't have to do anything. This is my problem, not yours."
Cleo looked back at Tyrix. "But they destroyed my home. And Spark's."
He gave her a half smile. "But what are you gonna do? You're a psychic Pokemon. Two bites and you'll be done for. Let me handle it." He grinned. "At least I'm immune to their flames. All you have to do is sit back and wait for it all to be over."
Cleo stared at him, her eyes narrowing. Sit back? Take it all in? Hadn't she been trained to fight dark Pokemon?
"We were told to find a fire Pokemon to deal with them," said Faith. "The Wildfires can exploit our weaknesses. I can't handle a flamethrower, Cleo. And you can't stand up to their dark attacks."
"But I can zap them!" said Spark.
Faith smiled down at the Dedenne. "We'll let Tyrix deal with it. If we are needed, we can jump in."
"Sounds fantastic!" said Tyrix. "Now let me deal with those dogs."
Reshiram's claws struck the cold ground. As he came to a stop, Cleo took in their surroundings. She didn't recognise it. They were surrounded on either side by a flat plain, the surface obscured beneath a thick layer of snow. She could hear water flowing nearby, but all she could see of it was a tiny, frozen waterfall poking up behind a snowdrift. Howls erupted into the air and her eyes snapped to the cloud of black smoke rising up from the trees a good run away.
"I'll wait here," said Reshiram. "You run on ahead."
"But we're not fighting." Cleo looked over at the Typhlosion.
"No, they're not." Tyrix crossed his arms. "They'll just hold me back. You wait here with Reshiram."
Reshiram locked his eyes on Tyrix. "If they go with you, they'll know if you need help. I can't accompany them. I'll draw attention. They're small enough to hide. Go."
He nudged Cleo with his large nose and she leapt forwards.
Tyrix gave a flustered sigh and turned away, marching towards the trees. He paused and looked back at the dragon.
"Thanks... for helping me." He flashed a grin. "Maybe I'll see you again in the Fairy Garden."
Reshiram returned his smile. "Go on. Win this battle."
Tyrix vanished into the trees.
Cleo trotted after him, Spark nestling on her shoulder. Faith's heavy footsteps crunched over the snow behind her.
The forest was darker than they expected it to be, the light obscured by the thick cloud of smoke. Cleo clasped a paw over her nose as she ran through it, her eyes stinging as she squinted ahead. The trees parted, revealing a clearing and amongst it... the burnt remains of a wooden village. Treehouses crumbled to the ground and screams filled the air as the Pokemon fled for their lives.
She ducked behind a large tree and sought out Tyrix. She found him standing a few feet away, his back to them. And beyond him... was Howlinger.
...
Tyrix frowned as he surveyed the destroyed village. The Houndour chased down the fleeing Pokemon, snapping at their legs and tails and grabbing whatever they could to throw them back into the burning rubble. Small families were cornered by snarling, vicious fangs.
And there... standing in the middle of it all and barking commands... was a large, lean Houndoom.
Tyrix took a step forward, placing his large paw on a thin, brittle slab of wood. It cracked under his weight, drawing the eyes of the Houndoom to him.
Howlinger's lips pulled back from his canines and he let out a fierce snarl.
"You!"
Tyrix snickered. "Well... aren't you proud of yourself?" He waved a paw at the burning wreckage. "Does this make you feel big?"
"What? Purging the world of the weak?" Howlinger threw his head back and laughed, and his pack copied him, their voices giving the whole place a sinister air. "I know I'm stronger than this rabble! Burning it down proves it to them, not me!"
Tyrix flashed his canines. This Pokemon was repulsive. Not a single good bone in his body. He took a step forwards and the Houndoom's eyes snapped onto his.
"What are you planning to do about it?" Howlinger asked. "Or are you just here to give yourself up? Because if it's a fight you're after..." He looked Tyrix up and down and laughed. "Let's face it, you've seen better days."
Tyrix grinned. "Oh... I am here to fight you."
Howlinger snarled, and the pack of Houndour gathered around him, abandoning the trapped Pokemon. Seeing their chance, many of them fled as the pack of dogs' attention was drawn to the Typhlosion.
"You?" Howlinger spat. "In your condition? Don't make me laugh!"
The fire spread over the burning building beside the Houndoom, its roof falling to the floor in a blazing pile of rubble. The Houndoom leapt back from it, landing amongst his pack.
"Laugh all you want. You're forgetting one thing, Howlinger." Tyrix marched forwards, walking straight through the burning building. The flames on his shoulders flared to life, blazing with an intense heat that drew in the flames from the building like a magnet. "Fire gives me strength."
Howlinger bared his canines and snarled, lowering his head to the ground. The Houndour copied him, their paws clawing with uncertainty at the snow, but their eyes remained locked on the Typhlosion.
Tyrix gave a small chuckle. The fire on his back erupted and he roared, heat blazing out from his body and consuming the Wildfires. The Houndour yelped, leaping back from him as their fur simmered in the heat. Many dropped to the ground, their tongues lolling out from their jaws. What was left stood gasping several feet away.
Howlinger stood with them, his eyes locked on the Typhlosion. The intense attack had hit him, but he was in better shape than the rest of his pack. He barked at the remaining Houndour.
"Don't just stand there! Attack him!"
The Houndour howled and lurched towards the Typhlosion, their jaws snapping and saliva flying from their mouths. One of them launched a flamethrower and Tyrix laughed as it struck him, feeding the flames on his back.
"What are you doing?" Howlinger wailed. "Don't use fire!"
Before the Houndour could strike their target, another wave of heat consumed them. They fell to the ground like flies, yelping feebly as the life left their bodies.
A pawful of them scattered away from him, moving into the shadows cast by the blazing trees. Tyrix stood amongst the flames, watching their shadowy forms as they changed their tactics, racing around him and looking for a way in. Their red eyes reflected the fire, not leaving the Typhlosion.
Howlinger joined them, keeping his head low. His movements were slow at first, pacing back and forth as the Houndour circled him.
Brittle wood snapped behind him, and Tyrix span to meet two Houndour as they aimed for his back.
A stream of flames flew from his mouth, knocking back the two small dogs. His yelp joined theirs as pain seared through his shoulder. He twisted and shook his body, sending the offensive Houndour soaring through the air and crashing through the roof of one of the burning buildings.
Paws struck the floor as the rest of the pack flew at him, smouldering ash rising from the ground and fizzling away in the heat.
Tyrix roared, letting another heatwave expand from his body. The small number of Houndour fell to the ground before they hit him, gasping in the intense heat.
The only one left now was Howlinger, pawing at the ground as he surveyed his fallen pack.
All of them, dealt with by turning their own power against them.
As the heat haze faded, Tyrix stood staring at the remaining Houndoom. Howlinger leered at him, his eyes going from the fallen Houndour to Tyrix and back as he tried to fathom his situation.
Trapped.
The clearing was now surrounded by burning trees.
If Howlinger wanted to flee, he had to race through them, and he hadn't the defences to survive it.
"What are you going to do now, Howlinger?" Tyrix asked him.
The Houndoom tried to hide an anxious whine behind a snarl as he took a step back.
Nothing to throw at him. Fire would only strengthen Tyrix's heatwave, and trying to reach him with one of the close-range dark attacks would only be met with an assault of flames from the Typhlosion.
As he watched the Houndoom retreat, it became very clear what this dog really was.
A coward.
He knew he couldn't survive fire, yet he'd shocked fear into the hearts of innocent Pokemon everywhere. He led his pack, leaving behind a trail of flames. Those that ran in fear were snatched up and thrown back into the terrifying blaze.
A blaze the dogs were too scared to run back into themselves.
Using the fear of others to make them feel strong.
Bullies. Cowards.
A sneer spread across Tyrix's face. He didn't wait for Howlinger to make a move. He was pretty sure one wouldn't come. There was nothing the dog could do. He marched forwards through the burning debris, stepping over the Houndour as if they were nothing more than mere pebbles. Howlinger took several steps back until his tail met the wall of a burning house. His eyes went up to it and he yelped as a flaming beam crumbled free and struck him square across his back. He crumpled to the ground beneath its weight, an ear-splitting wail screaming from his mouth as he tried to drag himself free.
Tyrix stared down at him, his paw clenched into a fist.
"You've been fighting on the wrong side, Howlinger."
The Houndoom stared up at him, his red eyes wide as he watched the Typhlosion's blazing fist.
Tyrix brought his paw down onto the Houndoom's head. A crack split the air and the Pokemon fell limp, his struggles brought to a halt.
Tyrix stood back from him, looking over the burning remains of the village. It was now scattered with Houndour, joining the pawful of bodies of other Pokemon, but vastly outnumbering them. Hopefully the remaining Pokemon had made it out of the village to safety.
He'd done it. The Wildfires were gone. They were no longer a threat to innocent Pokemon. He laughed and a violent fit of coughs exploded from his chest in a thick cloud of black smoke.
He'd done it. Despite the odds, he'd done it.
He keeled forwards, all energy leaving his body. A large smile broke across his face and the world went black.
...
Enigma was thrown roughly through the double-doors, his body sliding across the tiled floor. He gave a grunt as he pushed himself up, looking into the red eyes of Hydreigon.
"Here he is, my lord," Yurlik half-growled. "He put up quite a fight the final stretch of the journey."
Enigma flashed the Honchkrow a glare. If it weren't for the foul Pokemon's type advantage, he could have slipped effortlessly through his claws, but the wretched Honchkrow had prepared a night slash, making it impossible for him to pass through.
"It took you long enough to bring him here!" Hydreigon roared. "Now... get out of here while I deal with him!"
"Yes, my lord." Yurlik backed quickly from the room, letting the doors close behind him.
Enigma turned his eyes back on the dragon Pokemon. All he needed to do now was vanish into the ground and slip away to safety.
"Explain this!"
Hydreigon dropped a book in front of him. The pages fluttered open as it struck the tile, landing at an image of a stag Pokemon addressing an army, each one of them submerged in a colouful light.
"This was found hidden in your room," Hydreigon told him. "A book about Xerneas overthrowing Yveltal. Why do you have such a book?"
Enigma chuckled and pushed himself to his feet. "I found it in your library."
"I burnt that library!"
"After I found it."
"You work for me!" Hydreigon bellowed. "Now explain why you hid this book!"
"Because it gave me hope!" Enigma growled.
"Hope?" Hydreigon spat. "You don't need hope!"
"Oh I do... we all do." Enigma glanced down at the book then locked his eyes on Hydreigon's. "Hope that one day you'll be destroyed."
Hydreigon hissed and lowered his head so he was almost nose to nose with Enigma. His red eyes were narrowed into slits and Enigma could feel his breath on his face.
"I'll give you one moment to remember who you work for, ghost."
"I don't need reminding." Enigma grinned. "I work for Xerneas."
A loud scream blared from Hydreigon's mouth and he brought his right head arcing down through the air, striking Enigma hard in the chest. Pain exploded through the right side of his ribs and he skidded across the floor, coughing violently. Every breath he took was met with a sharp stab, and he just knew the impact had splintered the newly healed bones. He removed his paw from his mouth, now coated with blood.
"Get him out of here!" Hydreigon roarded.
The doors flew open and Yurlik's wicked eyes locked onto Enigma.
"Get rid of him. I want this mess out of my sight."
Yurlik grinned. "Gladly."
He grabbed Enigma in his talons and threw him through the door, sending him flying down the hallway. Before Enigma could vanish through the ground, Yurlik was on him, raking his flesh with his claws as he opened the castle doors. In a flurry of feathers, he was dragged through the air, hanging awkwardly in the Honchkrow's grip. There was nothing he could do. He was exhausted, and blood flowed freely from a jagged wound in his chest. He closed his eyes. He couldn't look at it. Even breathing hurt.
His body struck the ground, and he had one small chance to glimpse a river beside him before Yurlik's grinning beak filled his vision.
"I've waited too long for this," the Honchkrow purred. "First, I want to find where you hide that annoying bell. I think I'll start with your eyes."
Enigma's heart was racing. He wasn't going to die like this. He wasn't going to give this foul bird the pleasure of finishing him off.
He'd rather let the river do that.
Besides... this idiot couldn't use two attacks at once. No Pokemon could. With what failing strength he had, he grinned as he let his body become translucent. Yurlik's beak struck nothing but earth as Enigma slipped away from his grip.
Cold water washed over him, clouding with blood as he sank beneath the current. Yurlik's screech of anger reached his ears, muffled by the gushing river.
Every river flowed away from the Shadow Lands.
It was like even the water itself didn't want to be there.
Enigma chuckled, bubbles rising from his mouth as his vision dulled. At least he'd die outside that awful place.
...
When Tyrix opened his eyes, the burning had stopped, and the ground was singed, but he didn't see the fallen Pokemon. Instead what surrounded him was a spray of colourful flowers.
He looked up, and standing over him was a vibrant stag-like Pokemon.
"Xerneas?"
Xerneas smiled. "You did well."
Tyrix laughed, and for the first time in years his chest felt clear. But he still had no energy. He was tired... exhausted.
"I only did... what needed to be done..."
He stared up at Xerneas, the smile not leaving the stag Pokemon's face.
Xerneas lowered his head and lifted Tyrix into the air, letting him fall across his back.
"Come on," he said softly. "Let's go home."
...
The howls had stopped.
Was it over?
Cleo took a small step away from the tree, looking out through the smoke. The fires were still burning, and spreading rapidly towards the forest. After the fight started, she'd ran back, wanting to get away from it all, not wanting to be seen. The sheer sight of Howlinger had chilled her to the bone, and she couldn't bare it. If he'd seen her... if he'd seen Spark... or Faith...
She moved back through the forest, heading towards the clearing. Faith and Spark had been silent the whole time. Faith hadn't even tried to talk her around.
Cleo even strongly doubted whether or not she'd have been able to help Tyrix if he needed it. She was kicking herself. She'd left him... just left him.
"Why did I do that?" she asked herself.
"You were scared," said Faith. "It's understandable."
"I'm a coward."
"You're not a coward!" Faith gasped. "Don't say such things!"
"I left him! And I let you follow me!" Cleo stopped turning to face Faith. "I am a coward."
Faith shook her head. "When I look at you, I don't see a coward."
Cleo clenched her paws and looked over her shoulder. "It's stopped. It must have. They've either moved on, or he did it."
The wood blazed ahead of them, the fire quickly consuming its branches.
"We need to put out the fire."
"But how do we do it?" Spark asked. "None of us are water types."
Cleo searched her brain for a solution, but she was coming up dry. All she knew that could put out fire was water, or dirt... or air...
"Reshiram!" She pulled the feather from her bag. "He can put it out by flapping his wings!"
Faith looked up at the fire. "It's certainly worth a shot!"
Cleo blew on the feather, and in no time, Reshiram's wings could be heard above them. He hovered above the canopy, peering down at them.
"If you want to climb on, you'll need to get into the trees!"
"We actually want to know if you can put out the fire!" Cleo called up to him.
"Put out the fire?" Reshiram looked out at the flames then back down at Cleo. "I can give it a try! If I blow it back into itself, it's got nothing left to burn!"
He flapped his wings, sending a strong air current at the blazing trees.
Cleo gave a sigh of relief as she watched the flames go out and retreat across the branches, now blackened from the heat.
"Come on. Let's find Tyrix."
She led the other two Pokemon through the woods, following the retreating fire. It wouldn't be long now... soon they would be back at the clearing. She'd be able to help Tyrix, to apologise for leaving him.
Snap!
"Cleo!"
Cleo screamed as her body was crushed into the ground, Faith's yell barely registering in her mind. Pain radiated through her leg and she forced her eyes open. There, lying across her left leg, was a heavy tree branch. She clenched her jaw and closed her eyes again, letting a long, pained groan slip out between her teeth.
"Oh, Cleo! Bare with me!" A flash came from Faith as she took on her mega form. "This is going to hurt. I need to lift it off you."
"No!" Cleo fell back onto the ground, her arm flopping over her eyes.
"Yes!"
Cleo howled as the heavy branch was lifted from her leg. A loud crunch met her ears and when she opened them, she saw the branch had been hefted into the clearing. The smoke was now subsiding. Reshiram's shadow appeared amongst it and he looked down at her.
"What ever happened?"
"A branch fell off and crushed Cleo's leg!" Spark screeched. "I think she's broken it!"
"Oh!" Reshiram looked over his shoulder at the village. "The fire is pretty much out. I'll beat out the rest of it as we fly though. Get her on my back, and we'll take her to the Guild."
Cleo moaned as Faith lifted her into her arms and carried her across the clearing. It hurt. Everything else was shut out. She didn't even know how Faith managed to get her onto the dragon's back.
The air rushed past them as Reshiram lifted them into the sky. Cleo opened her eyes long enough to take in the clearing below them. Where Reshiram had flown through it, the smoke had parted, giving her a clear view of the ruined village. Bodies lay scattered, but there was no sign of Tyrix. In one spot beside a wrecked house lay a spray of colourful flowers.
"He's gone..."
...
Harlequin stepped out from the bush, Flutterwick's soft snores muffled by the green leaves. Mischief sat in the snow a little away from her.
She cleared her throat and he looked back at her, his face sullen.
"It's my shift now."
He nodded and stood up slowly, moving past her to the bush. She took his spot, still warm from his body heat.
"Harlequin?"
She glanced back at him. He was stood with his back to her, one paw resting on the leaves.
"Have you ever been in love?"
Harlequin's eyes widened and she stared at him, before looking sharply away.
"Why are you asking me that?" she asked.
"I don't know." He paused. "I guess I was hoping for advice."
Harlequin stared at the ground, a lone blade of grass poking up from the surface of the white snow.
"This is about Cleo, isn't it?" she asked.
Mischief didn't answer. She glanced back to make sure he was still there, and he was. Still in that same position, but now he was running a paw over one of the broad leaves.
"Just tell her," she said. " Because the longer you leave it, the harder it will get." She paused and looked up at the stars poking through the clouds. "You'll just regret it if you don't."
There was a long pause, and Harlequin glanced back to check if Mischief was still stood there. He'd abandoned the leaf now but still had his back to her.
"But I left her," he said quietly.
Harlequin shrugged. "Then find her."
Mischief nodded and parted the leaves, climbing into the bush. When they fell back into place, she looked away, staring out at the mountains.
Since they'd left the little village, Harlequin had returned to her primary task of finding Harbinger. Flutterwick had stuck with them, since he had no where else to go, and his former home was too dangerous for him to stay in. As for Mischief... he was still looking for his cure.
Barely any time had passed when soft paw steps crunched over the snow. Harlequin looked round at the trees beside them. Three Pokemon moved through them – two Pawniard and an Absol.
A gasp escaped her lips and she stood up. She still wasn't sure how to deal with this. How long had he been lurking there? Had he been waiting for Mischief to leave so he could catch her alone? She was looking for him, but he'd tried to kill her. There was no saying he wouldn't try it again.
"Harbie?"
The Absol snorted and looked away from her. "So you still call me that?"
"If you remember, I was the one who gave you that name in the first place." She sat back down, keeping her blue eyes on the Absol. "I don't know if you're looking for a fight right now... but I'm not going to give you one."
Harbinger moved closer to her and her body tensed, but she refused to stand up or back away.
"I'm not going to fight you," he said.
She felt her eyes widen. "You're not?"
"No. I'm here to talk to you." He paused and glanced over at the bush before turning back to her. "I happened to run into a friend of yours."
He seemed to spit the last words.
"Who?" It was a silly question. She knew the answer.
"Enigma."
She nodded and glanced down at her paws. "Did he...?"
"What? Spare my life?" Harbinger snorted. "I'm stood here, aren't I? Anyway... he explained something to me."
"Oh?"
"Yes." He licked his lips and diverted his gaze. "He said you thought I was dead."
Harlequin's heart lurched in her chest and she took a step towards him. "I did! I went back to get you and you weren't there! Yurlik – a Honchkrow – told me you were dead. You'd been chased through the Border Woods and killed!"
"Funny." Harbinger looked up at the sky. "The same Pokemon told me you abandoned me to join Hydreigon's ranks."
Harlequin looked away. "I never joined them willingly."
"Well... unfortunately... I thought you had. And anyone who works for that monster is my enemy." He paused and they sat in silence for a while, staring out at the mountains. Soft snow had begun to fall again, and it clung to the dark fur on his horn and face. "I tried to kill you."
Harlequin stared down at her paw as she trailed it through the snow. "I know."
He looked at her. "You know?"
"I didn't know it was you at the time, but it was pretty clear the target was me. You used a Nidoking."
He nodded and looked away again. "And you're not angry with me?"
"Angry with you?" Her eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him. "I'm just relieved you're alive! You thought I'd betrayed you... and I'm upset you thought that, but... we're both here."
Harbinger let out a small laugh. "You're a fool."
"Maybe I am." She looked away again. "But like I said... I'm just glad you're alive."
She felt his eyes on her and her mind went to the orb around her neck. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off.
"I'm sorry."
She snapped her head round to look at him, trying to search for the words to respond, but none came out.
"I know it's not enough to apologise," he said. "I did try to take your life."
"It's okay." Tears stung her eyes. She looked back down at her paws. "I forgive you."
Whether or not he accepted her acceptance of his apology, she didn't find out. He was silent once more. She couldn't feel him watching her anymore, and for a small while she thought he'd got up and left, but his voice cleared any suspicion of that away.
"It wasn't just you."
She looked up at him again, but he wasn't looking at her any more.
"I've been living up to my name," he went on. "Pokemon believe Absol bring disasters and are quick to drive them away, so that's what I've been doing. I've caused landslides, fires, poisoned rivers."
She looked away sharply. So her guess had been right. It was him who poisoned the river in the Silent Mountains.
"I..." She stopped and cleared her throat. "I didn't want to believe it but... Cleo had told me about the Seviper remains."
He gave a bitter laugh and shook his head. "I don't think all those Pokemon affected would be so quick to forgive me."
"Then stop." She met his red eyes, but the look behind them was unreadable.
He looked away from her and a silence washed over them once more.
Disasters... he didn't need to bring them. She'd told him that before. Maybe a small, gentle reminder might spark that in him?
"You don't need to do this, Harbie." She stared down at her paws, her voice meek and small. "When we first met, I'd told you to become a harbinger of good things. Can't you live up to that?"
Again, he didn't say anything. Silence, broken by the occasional grating of metal as one of the Pawniard rubbed his claws together.
The image of a frightened Absol hatchling entered her mind, racing through the Border Woods as he desperately tried to get himself to safety. Curiosity had overtaken her, so she'd stopped him. Happy that she'd found a new friend, one who wanted to get away like she did, she'd hidden him away in her den with the promise they would escape together.
She'd just needed more time...
"So you've finally left the Shadow Lands?"
Harbinger's voice made her jump.
She looked up at him and nodded. "Yes. I'm never going back. This world is a mess, and it's all because of him."
He fixed his red eyes on her, but the look in his eyes wasn't one of surprise. He agreed with her.
"As soon as I heard you were alive," she said, "I wanted to look for you and return this."
She removed the mega stone and tossed it to him. It landed in the snow by his paw and his eyes widened slowly as he stared at it.
"You had this? I thought I'd lost it!"
"I found it in the den where I hid you. I couldn't just leave it there." He didn't look at her, his eyes fixed on the stone. "I know it meant a lot to you. Please take it back."
He looked up at her and placed a paw over the stone. "Thank you..."
"I found out what it is. It's a mega stone." His head jerked up at those words. "It allows a Pokemon to take a stronger form," she went on. "That one is for an Absol."
"Where did you find that out?"
"A place called the Fairy Garden."
He looked away from her and frowned. "I've never heard of it."
"Neither had I before I came across it. It's ruled by a Pokemon called Xerneas. A place of peace."
Harbinger grunted. "That sounds like something from a tale told to hatchlings."
"Believe me, it's not. He's the one who told me you were alive, and to return that stone. He asked me to send you to him so he can show you how to use it."
Harbinger picked up the mega stone and looped it back over his neck. "Fairy Garden eh? If it does exist then how do I get there?"
"It's in the Endless Woods."
Harbinger's body stiffened at her words.
"That's where we found it anyway," she went on. "You can only find it if you're seeking solitude. Any Pokemon that aren't will just find themselves in an empty clearing."
Harbinger's red eyes were as wide as saucers. He looked over at the two Pawniard who reflected his expression.
"I was tracking you back there... and I lost you." He looked back at her. "That's where you went?"
"You were tracking me? Back then?!"
He nodded and rose to his feet. "Yes."
Harlequin was aghast. She watched as he rejoined the two Pawniard.
"Harlequin... thank you for returning this stone to me."
"You're leaving?"
"You said you'd send me to the Fairy Garden to learn how to use it. So that's where I'm going. If it can make me stronger... strong enough to fight against the Darkness... then I want to learn how it works." He paused. "It'll be strange suddenly fighting alongside each other." He smiled and shook his head. "No longer causing disasters."
Harlequin grinned, blinking back the tears that were filling her eyes.
He smiled. "I'll see you when I get back." He turned and vanished through the trees, the two Pawniard running after him and leaving sharp prints in the snow.
Harlequin felt a weight lift from her and she looked back out at the mountains. What would be her next plan of action? To help Mischief find a cure to Pokerus? If she found that, she'd be able to save Enigma too, and many other Pokemon from that awful parasite.
A small caw cut through the air and her body froze. It became louder, until it was almost above her. She looked round to find two Murkrow perched in a tree, and beneath them were two Weavile and a Sneasel.
"Have you heard?" one of the Murkrow said. "Big news, I tell you!"
"Big news?" The larger Weavile crinkled his nose. "Spit it out, bird brain, and be off with you!"
The two Murkrow laughed.
"You'll be happy when we tell ya he's dead!"
"Who's dead?"
"Enigma!"
Harlequin felt her blood turn cold. She stared, transfixed, at the group of dark Pokemon.
"You can't be serious!" the Weavile gasped. "Dead?!"
"Yup! Rebelled against Hydreigon." The Murkrow ruffled his feathers. "Yurlik finished him off, watched him drown."
"He's gone," the other Murkrow said flatly.
"Great, so how many aces is that now?" the Weavile asked.
Harlequin didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She limped away from the bush, walking blindly towards the mountains.
Dead... he was dead...
It felt like someone had reached into her chest and yanked out her heart. Tears stung her eyes and she threw her head back, letting out a mournful, agonized scream.
The sound of wings beat against her eardrums and she looked round at the small group of dark Pokemon rushing at her.
"Leave me alone!"
As she screamed it, a flash of pink and purple light flew from her mouth, knocking the Murkrow from the air and sending the Weavile and Sneasel rolling backwards through the snow. The Weavile duo rose to their feet and looked down at the other three before scurrying away from her, vanishing into the night.
Harlequin's legs buckled beneath her and she fell to the snow, tears streaking from her eyes, sobs shaking her body. She barely even noticed when Harbinger burst back through the woods, or when Mischief and Flutterwick joined her side, begging her to speak to them.
Gone... he was gone...