Plains of Valkaria
Zane walked in the front of the Gold Tribe group. He didn't speak to the others at first. He had a lot on his mind he wanted to ponder over. Things kept flooding in, and he wasn't sure what to make of them. So much had happened since four Gold Tribe members left Liberty Town. But besides that, so much more was piled up in the last week. Zane wasn't sure what to make of all of it. He understood what he was supposed to do, but no matter how clear certain things became, it still left questions about the new answers. The crystals have been revealed, but now so many questions came up about its origins, and the extent of its power. The Silver Crystal was pretty straight forward. It acted as a sealing for whatever this 'Dark God' was. The original Pokemon of Valkaria fought him, and they used the power to seal him. But it still raised the question: where did they find the power to create something like this in the first place? Where did it come from? The Gold Crystal was a bit more complex to Zane. From what he read, its main function upon creation was to secure the Silver Crystal should anything happen. But it had many additional function as well.
He recalled in the back of his mind at the words he read in the catacombs. The Gold Crystal had inside it the sealed memories of all who encountered it, including the original Gold Tribe members of ancient times. It had the ability to repel the mind control affect of the Silver Crystal. It had the capability to absorb large amounts of energy inside of it, but also to release energy into other objects as well. Zane pondered on that last ability for a moment. He looked back at the old Alakazam in the back of the group, thinking on why an ability like that should exist. The Alakazam caught his eye, and smiled at Zane, who quickly turned back forward and continued walking. Before anymore could be thought on this, TrueStriker came from the side of him an spoke quietly.
"What would you say the chances are that this trip is free of...incidents?"
Zane looked forward, the peaks of the Korhal Mountains stretched in front of him on one side, and the vast sea of smoke coming from the Thieves Forest on the other. There was certainly a situation going on there. Zane was sure the Silver Tribe was involved in some way. The question was, would they be able to pass without drawing attention? Without any, as TrueStriker put it, incidents?
"Well, we're a relatively small group, but I suppose that remains to be see-"
Zane stopped himself mid-sentence, also stopping in his tracks as he repeated in his mind Hanso's words, and then aloud to himself. "...Incidents." He muttered under his breath.
"That was it!" He said aloud. "That was the reason the original Gold Tribe made the Gold Crystal's power able to be released into other objects!". Zane concluded Zane smiled and proceeded to walk forward, proud of himself for solving one riddle, but still accepting that there would be many more abound. He turned back to Hanso, trying to justify why he just did what he did.
"I just figured something about the Gold Crystal. You remember how one of the scrolls said something about energy transfer with the Gold Crystal? I figure out why it would do that. Just in case anything were ever to happen to the Gold Crystal, the power would remain in something else. If there were any
incidents, it would act as a failsafe."
Sword and Shield, who overheard Zane and TrueStriker, spoke up from behind. "I guess that's good to know. If ever anything were to happen to it, we could try and transfer that power. Except...we probably don't know how..."
"We don't." Zane answered still with a smile. He then gestured to the Alakazam. "He does." The Alakazam hung in the back of the group, looking at something that supposedly buzzed near his head, trying to concentrate on it to clasp it with his hands. Zane shrugged. "Just something useful to know, I guess. We outta be prepared."
He turned back to Hanso again, remember his original question. "Either way, I think we'll be alright. If we do run into something, we are more than capable of handling it. I mean, it's not like anyone is actually expected a group of Gold Tribe across this path, right? So the most we'll likely run into is patrols." Zane gave Hanso a smile, proceeding to walk due north-east.
The Gold Tribe traveled for a while. Thus far, nothing interrupted their journey during the first leg of it, as they passed through the narrow pass between the Korhal Mountains and the Thieves Forest. Throughout that part of their journey, Zane constantly looked towards the forest, expecting something to happen. The smoke came to Zane as an indication of armies or war or battle just around the corner, and they were about to step right into it. But so far, nothing came.
They had been traveling for a while now, until finally they came upon the leg of the journey that was familiar to most of them. Zane looked around the pass. Even as night quickly approach, he recognized it immediately. He looked towards the mountains above, and the forest to the side, noticing the leaves and trees positions much as they were before. Char from flames and holes in the ground were still noticeable.
Earlier that week, this was where the ambush took place. This was where Dark Lightning fell.
Zane looked up into the sky. Darkness covered it, expanding across the horizon and engulfing it. Zane hesitated. As much as he'd like to continue on, it wasn't the best idea to travel by dark. Ancients patrol more fiercely. Besides, they needed to rest, especially with the old Alakazam with him. Although Zane didn't get a single complaint from him so far. Either way, this was as good a place as any to stop. Hopefully, their presence will go unnoticed.
"We should camp here. We'll set up closer to the mountain side to attract less attention from anything in the Thieves Forest. Wildfire, mind getting a fire going?"
Wildfire nodded and head to find a better spot further away from the forest, as the rest followed, and as they found a spot, they began taking off their gear, and relaxing. For now.
***
Thieves Village
Scar got up off his seat when Genevieve mentioned that she had been contacting someone in the Gold Tribe. He had never thought it possible to coerce or otherwise convince in any way one of them to cooperate. They held their standards and morals very highly. Well, apparently not as high as he thought. He was impressed. As much as she was known for her ability with words, to see it in action at this extent was quite amazing.
"I see." Scar began, unsure how to respond to her. He wasn't in the habit of giving compliments, even when one deserved them. Still, he wanted to acknowledge in some way without the appearance of it. "This is good news. We have an even stronger lead. Perhaps for a long time, should this...mystery member choose to continue to cooperate."
The stomping of large feet was felt below Scar. The soft rumble of the dirt below his feet made him realize who was on approach, and by the turn of his head, Scar saw Sovereign, carrying the body of the King of Thieves. A grin of satisfaction rained down upon his face, seeing the illusive 'king's' lifeless body.
"Another victory for the Silver Tribe," he said as he held up the corpse with a grin on his face. He threw the body on the ground. "Should we make an example of him? Tie up his body outside the forest? A sign of what will happen if you cross the Silver Tribe?" Sovereign thought for a moment. "And maybe just scare the masses a little."
"Hmm, not a bad idea. It would serve as an example to those who try to rise up against us. Instilling fear is a powerful tool. Roswell was heralded as one who was supposedly untouchable, even among Alpha Alliance citizens. It would surely serve a purpose."
Scar's eyes wandered up, as he saw the familiar sight of the Aerodactyl he sent to Auron in Silver City swoop down below, a note clutched between his claws.
"Ah! But first...our orders." He said, clearly delighted by the progress of everything that had happened so far. He unrolled the rolled up note, and began to read. Slowly, his expression began to change.
The Sentinels are not to engage the Gold Tribe directly. Patrols may be increased across the south and southwestern borders of Cape City and the surrounding villages, but direct intervention by the Sentinels is, at the moment, not allowed.
The Sentinels involved in the Thieves Village raid are to report to Cape City and help in securing its borders, as well as ensure the city is prepared for an attack, should it come.
-Auron
Scar flipped the note over, wondering if that was all of the message. He read it one more time, then passed it on to the other Sentinels. A sour expression was across Scar's face, as he crossed his arms. Once the note had hit all of them, Scar eyed them and spoke.
"I don't understand it...we have them. We have them now! We can
end them! Why? Why does he act so?" Scar questioned. The Inferno didn't bother with an answer to him, but instead turned his attention to the Aerodactyl messenger.
"Inform the army to mobilize at once. We make for Cape City."
Scar shook his head in disbelief, looking down at the body of Roswell. "Well, we might as well take this trash with us as well. Set his corpse up in Cape City. More of a view anyways." He said, a displeased tone could be heard in his voice. Scar didn't understand it. Auron had the perfect opportunity to crush the Gold Tribe right then and now. He knew where they were. He knew where they were going. He wouldn't let this go so easily.
Scar looked back at the other Sentinels as grin on his face. "Lord Auron said we couldn't get involved directly. Well, let's see just how
indirectly we can get involved."