Chapter 9 – Day 4, Part 3: Germination

Chapter 9 – Day 4, Part 3: Germination

The moon shined brilliantly above the ocean as waves crashed gently on the shore. The glorious lunar object was in a state of a waning crescent. Within another 20 or so days it would reach its full glory and light up the night in its dazzling glow.

A lone Malamar watched the waves with a tranquil stillness, his tentacles flowing lazily through the air. Larkspur took in the beauty of the sight, hovering idly above the sand as he admired how divorced the view was from the rest of the world’s problems.

His body floated inches from the ground, his fins conjoined to a point. Larkspur hated the sand. Hated how difficult it was to get rid of it, and how much of it there was. Given the opportunity, Larkspur would eliminate all traces of sand from the world and create a land of expansive oceans with no sand for the waves to crash upon.

He smiled. That would be one of his goals on his very, very long list of objectives after his plan would be complete.

Tonight, Larkspur decided to give his mind the chance to relax and enjoy the scenery. The waves always served to calm him at his weakest moments; now was no different. Besides, he was feeling nostalgic.

32 years had passed since the wars of the psychics raged on and changed Pamtre forever. 32 years since Larkspur had died.

And yet, a Malamar named Larkspur still lived. How curious.

It won’t be long now, Larkspur thought. Soon enough, I will have my throne. That horrid wench will be dead and I will finally have the control I was so rightly owed.

He looked up at the moon in contemplation. And soon, I will see you again, as well. We will rule this place. Together.

“There you are, Lark. I was looking for you.”

Larkspur turned on the sound of a voice to his left, his head tentacles sporadic and at the ready. A dark imp covered in jewels fazed through the sand, the gems in its eyes sparkling in the moonlight. His necklace swayed with the ocean breeze.

Crane.

“I would have assumed you would be nursing your orb again,” Crane said jokingly. “But I suppose I was wrong.” One of his eyes shimmered. “You were just ogling your eternal love instead.”

The Malamar furrowed his eyebrows and scowled. “What did I tell you about approaching me unannounced, imp?”

Crane threw up his claws and shrugged. “You should know my voice by now, Lark. Would you prefer me to send a preemptive letter first and organize a meeting?”

“What do you want?”

The Sableye crossed his arms, his expression more serious than before. “Your ‘subjects’ are getting restless,” Crane answered. “They want results.”

Larkspur looked back to the sea. “Mm, as do I,” he stated. “I am afraid they will have to honor my request if they want their revolution.”

Crane frowned. “They keep telling me about the ‘change’ you promised them. ‘A better world?’ ‘No more suffering?’ Quite the story you’re feeding these poor souls, Lark.”

Larkspur turned back to face Crane. “Why, of course! How else am I expected to garner a following? Deliver on my promises and give them what they want?” He scoffed. “Oh please, Crane. The fools have no sense of purpose outside of their struggle. They say they want change, but they will very soon realize that the perfect future they want already exists. They are just not a part of it.”

“That is positively cruel of you, King Lark,” Crane laughed. “I can see why you have so many enemies.

The Malamar narrowed his eyes. “I fail to see why you care. I recall you referring to the criminals we employed as ‘wastes of skin with no meaningful ambition.'”

Crane shrugged once again and flashed a wide, toothy grin. “You’re right, I don’t care. I just want to be second in command when you take over Kebia.

“These soldiers of yours,” Crane continued, “they believe in something you tell them you can give them, but we both know you won’t do that if everything goes right for you. Those are the kinds of pokemon that’ll stick with you if you tell them what they want to hear and will tear you apart when they realize that you lied.”

“That will not be an issue,” Larkspur declared. “Any unfaithful underlings will be eliminated at the apex of my rule. We will not have to worry about deserters or traitors—only how we decide to drink our wine.”

The shifty Sableye rubbed his claws together. “Hehe..oh, I know, Lark. I cannot wait for the feasts we will have. I just thought I should inform you about the possible results of failure.” He laughed deviously. “Which won’t happen, of course.”

Suddenly, two figures appeared in the sand in between Crane and Larkspur in a flash of light. The tentacles on Larkspur’s head flailed momentarily in response.

A Gothitelle and a Beheeyem faced Larkspur. The Gothitelle held a silver, rectangular case in her hand at her side as she addressed him respectfully. “Lord Larkspur.”

“Ms. Jasmine,” he acknowledged back with a nod.

The Gothitelle turned to her Beheeyem compatriot and waved her hand. “Leave us now,” she told him. “I will call you when I am ready.” The Beheeyem nodded wordlessly and disappeared in a blip of light.

“Jasmine,” Larkspur said once he was gone. “I presume the restoration was a success?”

Jasmine nodded and lifted the small metal box up for Larkspur to see. “Every piece is accounted for, Lord Larkspur. The greatest minds I could find were able to reconstruct it with astounding precision.” She opened the box as though it were a Clamperl. The inside was fit with a smooth, reflective screen on its upper half and four empty rhombus shaped divots and a button on its lower half. Small squares were arranged just above them, an Unknown letter on each one.

“They believe in our cause,” Jasmine continued. “I believe we have the capability to guarantee the takeover of Kebia Castle in less than a month.”

Larkspur smiled devilishly. “Excellent.” He used his telekinetic psychic powers to pull the device from Jasmine’s hands into his own tentacles. “We are one step closer to meaningful change. Your contribution will not go unrewarded in the future.”

Jasmine bowed proudly.

If Crane had actual eyes, they would’ve rolled out of his skull.

“We are continuing our search for the human, Lord Larkspur,” Jasmine said.

Larkspur nodded. “Ah, yes. The human. How goes the search?”

“No dice!” called out Crane from nearby. “Turns out using unpaid criminals to look for something so unspecific doesn’t come up with much.”

The Malamar frowned. “This is taking longer than I would like.”

“Perhaps we are looking for the wrong pokemon?” Jasmine told Larkspur. “With how long it’s been, the human would have had the chance to integrate into our society.

Crane crossed his arms, one of his eyes sparkling. “Or maybe they’re dead. Who knows?”

Larkspur glared at Crane. “They are alive,” he grumbled. “The orb still shines.” He looked at Jasmine. “Continue the search, interrogate any suspicious pokemon, and bring me the results as soon as you can.”

The Gothitelle nodded. “Yes, of course Lord Larkspur.” She turned to leave before Larkspur stopped her.

“There is one more matter I would like to discuss with you, Ms. Jasmine.” He narrowed his eyes. “Alone.”

Crane, who was busy picking his teeth with a claw, snapped to attention. “That my cue, Lark?”

Larkspur gave Crane the harshest glare he could muster. “Yes,” he growled. “Please leave. Go back to searching for the human.”

The Sableye phased through the sand and promptly left, giggling to himself as he disappeared.

Larkspur turned his attention back to Jasmine. “You have done well to secure the device.” He eyed the silver box. “But now I must ask you to complete one more task.”

Jasmine listened intently.

“The four keys,” Larkspur started. “Find and acquire them and the human and our plan will be complete. Can I trust that you will be successful?”

The Gothitelle smiled knowingly. “Of course, Lord Larkspur. In fact, I am already aware of the locations of each key for the device.”

Larkspur raised his eyebrows. “You are?” He chuckled. “Oh, Ms. Jasmine…you never fail to impress.”

“Anything for you, my lord.”

Tentacles writhing in excitement, Larkspur hovered back and forth as if to pace in midair. “Then I am sure you are aware of how I expect you to obtain them. Spread out your assault and utilize every pawn at your disposal. Do it too quickly and we force their hand. Do it too slowly and they will grow impatient.”

Jasmine nodded along.

“Anemone is a faulty strategist,” he continued. “Play to her weaknesses and she will crumble under the pressure, surely. And if not,” Larkspur smirked, “then I will make it certain that she will.”

“It will be done,” Jasmine declared. “Is that all, my lord?”

Larkspur nodded. “Yes, thank you, Jasmine. We will bask in the spoils of a new world yet.”

And with that, Jasmine called to her compatriot. “Lotus!”

The Beheeyem from before appeared at her side and the two of them locked arms. Jasmine said something under her breath and the two of them disappeared within a second. Larkspur was left alone once again.

Now by himself, Larkspur finally had the chance to admire his prize. He spun the silver object in the air with his telekinesis. Not a single scratch plagued it’s surface; it was brand new.

A smile appeared on his beak as he opened it up and examined its contents. He stared back at his own reflection and ran a tentacle over the single button on the center of the lower half.

“It is so close…I can feel it,” Larkspur whispered. “I will have my kingdom and rule this world.” He laughed. “It will all be mine.”

He gazed up at the moon. “And you…my guiding moonlight…

“We shall meet again…”