Chapter 37: Frozen Dreams
by NikelWhat was it like to be “at ease?” Was it a state of mind, where anxieties and negative thoughts weren’t floating around at all? Or was it something more physical, where the heart beat so calm that someone could be mistaken for not having one? Could it be classified as both?
Litleo knew for a fact she felt neither recently. If she did, such moments never lasted long, and this was no exception.
“Litleo, get up! We have to go!”
She scrambled upwards, barely registering that as Ezera’s voice. “What? Where are we going?” Litleo asked as the axew rushed to her side.
He pointed to the door. “We’ve gotta get out! Eternatus is here!”
“HUH?” Litleo dashed outside, seeing a hazy, fiery sanguine suffocating their surroundings. Gigantic cracks ran along the side of the ravine, and smoke billowed from the other buildings in the vale, obscuring the sky entirely.
Ezera waited for her beside the doorway, holding onto their team’s bag tightly. The strap had been burned off, and several scrapes covered Ezera’s body. His eyes were bloodshot, but from lack of sleep or crying, she couldn’t tell.
“Where’s everyone else?” Litleo asked, facing him.
“They’re- they’re gone. He even got… Dewott…” Ezera whimpered, glancing down.
That information should’ve bothered Litleo, but it didn’t. She instead wondered why everymon was fighting without her. What in the world were they thinking? Pure rage fueled Litleo’s mane, but she stowed it at the sight of Ezera. Revenge would have to wait. She had to get him to safety first.
“Ezera, stay close. We’re going to get out of here, got it?” Litleo ordered, momentarily snapping him out of his despair.
“O- okay,” he replied, meekly making eye contact.
Litleo made Ezera walk ahead of her. She needed eyes on him if she wanted to protect him. That was the goal— keep him out of harm’s way. They hurried through the eerily quiet streets, sniffing for signs of Eternatus. If he attacked, where was he now?
A constant flame burned in her throat, ready to scorch anyone who dared show their face, the evil legendary included. The duo continued navigating the streets for a while. They had to be nearing some sort of exit soon-
A violent earthquake overtook the ravine, shaking the land like a bartender mixing up their cocktail. Fissures formed around where they stood and stone flew every which way. The groan from the earth assaulted her ears. Litleo had no choice but to close her eyes and wait for the event to be over.
“Hold on to me, Ezera!” Litleo commanded.
She didn’t hear a response, nor did she feel anything grab onto her. Her statement was lost to the shrieking land, and Litleo could only hope Ezera was safe. When the rumbling halted, she immediately opened her eyes and scanned for him. Except, the ravine was gone, replaced by a cave enshrouded in darkness.
Eternatus towered over her holding out both claws. The singular light source being his core cast a grim red glow on the two pokémon trapped in his grip.
In the right, Rockruff. In the left, Ezera.
This was a dream.
“Choose,” Eternatus’ scratchy voice echoed.
Choose what? Who to kill? Who to save? Litleo couldn’t.
“Choose.“
She couldn’t.
“Choose!“
“I-” Litleo stuttered.
“CHOOSE!“
“I can’t!” Litleo screamed.
“…”
Her heavy breathing filled the void of silence.
“Fine.” Eternatus’ booming voice almost dropped to a whisper. His claws lowered slightly. Was that it? Were they spared? Eternatus’ chest cavity opened, revealing his spinning core. “Since you can’t choose, I’ll pick.”
Not again- Litleo couldn’t do it again. She knew this was a dream. She could change it. She could do whatever she wanted. So why wasn’t the scene shifting?!
“You lose both!“
She stood powerless to stop the incoming beam of energy, tearing away the two she held onto closest.
Litleo practically leapt to her feet in silent terror. However, someone’s arm held her down to prevent that.
She gasped for air, wildly twisting her head to see Ezera on her right and Dewott kneeling in front of her. A feeling of wetness was present on her cheeks. Had she been… crying?
“Shhhh-shhh-shh. You’re okay,” Ezera soothed, gently stroking her back.
“Wh- what are you guys…?” Litleo uttered. Her tension immediately lessened at her teammates’ presence.
“You were making a lot of noise,” Ezera explained. “I thought rubbing your back would help like before.” He flashed a tiny, sheepish grin. “Guess not.”
“Nightmare?” Dewott signed, eyes full of sympathy.
What a pathetic way for them to see her. Sadly, she couldn’t erase it now that they witnessed it. “Yeah…” Litleo murmured.
Of course her mind would do that to her. Even in sleep she had no safety. At the very least, Litleo breathed a major sigh of relief seeing Ezera and Dewott intact. She took measured breaths, calming her racing heart.
“Was it about… Rockruff?” Ezera asked.
‘And you,‘ Litleo thought. “Pretty much.”
Hints of the rising dawn popped into the bedroom. Pale orange crept onto the dull gray stone, banishing the dark and bringing newfound warmth with it. Only, Litleo wasn’t sure she wanted it. It was a shame she couldn’t stay asleep. Minus the dream part, she enjoyed the nothingness it provided. But a new day was here, and she had to get up.
The sting in her chest wasn’t any less present, unfortunately.
‘What do I do now?‘ Every day her goal had been to find Rockruff, get him back, and resume their mission to reach Veteran. However… ‘There’s no more Team Ardor now,’ she realized. What was a team that had one pokémon in it? That mission for Veteran rank faded along with Rockruff.
The Cheri on top? With none of her memories as a human, she was just a grouchy litleo that did the work that needed to be done. She had no hobbies, no extra impressive skills— just a semi-permanent scowl and a demeanor pokémon tolerated.
Who was she without him? A pokémon, or a barely qualified human? Was she somemon worth saving?
‘It’s your fault he went back. You, of all pokémon.‘
Thinking about it made her pissed.
Screw Calyrex, Eternatus, and their posse. They caused her so much grief, and for what? Because she used to be a human? No one deserved the amount of strife she went through.
Worse still, deep inside, Litleo couldn’t shake the simmering anger toward her departed partner. If he simply-!
“Feeling better?” Ezera asked, interrupting her train of thought.
“I’m… whatever,” Litleo answered, tail twitching. Saying ‘fine’ wouldn’t get through Ezera’s built in lie detector. Saying she was crap would make him want her to elaborate, and she couldn’t voice any of it yet. By leaving it up to interpretation, everymon got the best of both worlds.
“Can’t put a word to it?”
“Don’t be a therapist, Ezera,” Litleo stated, exhaling as her mane’s heat cooled off. “If I wanted that I’d go to Indeedee.”
“Somehow I doubt you’d willingly waltz in and talk with her,” Ezera said, crossing his arms.
“You’d be right.”
Ezera’s face fell as he looked away. He withdrew his hands, placing them on his lap. ‘Don’t give me a hard time about this…‘ Litleo pleaded.
“Look, just… be my friend, okay?” Litleo resumed.
“What’s your definition of a friend right now?” Ezera responded, fidgeting.
“Acting normal.” Litleo sat up, drawing his gaze. “You don’t need to take pity on me, or go out of your way to be extra nice.”
“We just want to make sure you’re okay,” Dewott signed.
“Yeah, so the best thing you can do is give me some normalcy in the middle of all… this,” she said, waving her paw.
Nothing would be accomplished acting like the world stopped. They still had jobs to do, and she’d take any excuse not to get constantly reminded about what happened. ‘We’re criminals, what jobs do we have left?‘ she remembered. Hopefully Sirfetch’d had some sort of plan in store.
Ezera and Dewott’s hesitant faces were enough to tell her they didn’t approve of her approach.
“You can’t say I’m not being normal. This is basically how I act,” Ezera said matter of factly.
“Then… hold off on the ‘how you doing’ type questions,” Litleo amended. “I promise I’m not shutting down on either of you, I’d just rather talk about anything else.”
Ezera scrutinized her for a moment, debating on pressing the issue. “If that’s really what you want,” he relented.
“Thank you.” Now that Litleo was sitting straight, some lightheadedness was making itself known to her. She was tempted to lie down again so Ezera would rub her back. The act soothed her more than she cared to admit. Alas, she had an image to uphold, tarnished as it already was.
“Can I have an Apple?” Litleo said, putting a paw to her head. ‘This better be from being hungry and not an actual headache.‘ Ezera sifted through their bag and handed the fruit over to her.
“I spoke to Roca last night,” Dewott signed.
Ezera scooted to the edge of the stone bed. “You did? How’d that happen?”
Dewott made an X with his arms and put a paw to the side of his cheek. He then pressed both paws together. “Couldn’t sleep. I ran into her.“
Litleo had forgotten about Roca. More guilt piled inside her chest. Could she look the rock-type in the eyes? “I bet she had nothing nice to say about me,” she commented after swallowing a bite.
“Not exactly.” Dewott shrugged in response to them waiting for an elaboration. “You’ll have to hear the specifics from her, not me.“
Litleo frowned. On the off chance Roca didn’t hate her, where would Litleo begin in a conversation like that? ‘Want to be friends even if I was the reason your brother got killed?’ She might as well drink ten bottles of Toxic sludge.
“The important thing is she might talk to Duraludon for us.“
Ezera hopped to the floor. “Really?! She’ll tell Duraludon that Litleo didn’t do it?”
“Emphasis on might.“
“That’s still a lot better than never. Hopefully Duraludon follows through on what he said…”
Litleo doubted Duraludon would let the guild off based on Roca’s word. That councilmon had way too big of an ego, and after their stunt with the police, the chance probably rested somewhere in the negatives.
“Adventurers, I hope you’re awake! And if you aren’t, you are now!” Sirfetch’d shouted from somewhere outside, his voice ringing clearly across the space. “Meet out here in five minutes. We are discussing what happens next.”
“He’s certainly prompt,” Ezera said. “Should we just go?”
“Don’t see why not. Nothing’s happening in here,” Litleo replied.
Ezera slung the bag over his shoulder and exited. Litleo jumped down about to follow suit, but paused after Dewott tapped her shoulder.
“Can I speak with you sometime these next few days, one on one?” Dewott signed, his eyes briefly meeting hers. His entire stance shrunk after the question was made.
“Oh. Um, that’s fine,” Litleo replied, raising an eyebrow. ‘What could that be about?‘ she thought.
The water-type relaxed slightly, nodding. “Great.” He motioned to the door. “After you.“
They exited the stone home together, catching up to Ezera. His brow was raised, likely wanting to know what they were doing, but he kept to himself.
Litleo observed the clear sky, completely different from the suffocating red from her dream. If Eternatus did show up right now…
“Is everymon well rested?” Sirfetch’d asked, approaching their team.
‘How did he know where we were? We didn’t even say anything yet,” Litleo wondered. Another piece of evidence to doubt he was actually blind.
“Well enough,” Ezera answered, sharing glances with them.
“Good to hear. I have shared the news with the Vicemaster.”
“Is she going to pass that along to the rest of the members?”
“No. That will be an announcement I make when we’re all present in the guild again.”
Kubfu and Zande walked into their view, coming from down the street.
“Ay, what’s up guys?!” Kubfu hollered, waving. She jogged over and fist bumped Dewott. “How are you hanging from yesterday?”
‘If I have to constantly get asked how I’m doing I’m going to lose it.‘ Then again, Litleo had already lost it. Multiple times.
“We slept as best we could on those stone beds,” Ezera answered for them. It was moments like these that Litleo was glad he was a conversationalist.
“Niiice. I slept like an ursaring. Fighting that samurott really tired me out. Could go for another round-“
“Kubfu, mind of your manners,” Zande interrupted.
“Ah, my bad…”
Team Chase soon joined the assembling pokémon, then Team Piksqueak, and lastly Roca. The rockruff kept her distance at the edge of the group as usual. From where Litleo sat though, Roca’s messy fur said plenty about how she slept.
An awkward silence befell the area. It was sparsely broken up by the whispers of the separate teams, and their eyes occasionally passed over Litleo. While she didn’t mind it normally, this attention stemmed from a place of pity.
‘They’re probably thinking poor me, how awful for me.‘ Litleo may not know who she used to be, but it certainly wasn’t someone who needed sympathy. Roca was the only one not giving her that kind of look. Although, the rockruff avoided looking at her to begin with.
“Guildmaster, what’s the plan?” Purrloin asked as she leaned on Yamper.
“Your brilliant Vicemaster is devising one as we speak. Her coming battle lies in a war of words.” Sirfetch’d scratched his chin with his leek. “Not much we can help her with in that aspect. In the meantime, one thing she wants us to do is make the journey home. It will take a few days, and she will let us know what action must be taken next by then.”
“Home? Like the guild?” Pachirisu asked.
“Near it! We can take refuge in Mistii Valley until things have been sorted out. Any other questions?” The guild members stayed quiet. “If that’s all, move out, adventurers!”
Ezera spun to Zande and Kubfu. “Are you coming with us?”
The zarude’s brow scrunched together. “I had intended to start my own search for Calyrex. I have questions I need to ask.”
“Hold up, you didn’t say any of this to me,” Kubfu said, lightly slapping Zande’s arm.
“Aye, lass, I wanted to leave you out of it.”
“Again? I’m more than experienced enough to go with you.”
“These are two dangerous legendaries we’re talking about. No matter how much you think you’re ready, you’re not. Not yet.” Zande took in Kubfu’s slightly hurt expression. “I’m not leaving now, anyway. It would be good to learn what we can from the guild.”
Kubfu didn’t appear to be over his comment, but covered it up with a smile. “That gives me plenty of time to learn your technique, Dewott! Assuming you’re alright with showing me.”
Dewott pointed to himself in surprise. “You want to learn from me?“
“Heck yeah, dude! You’ve got some of the best form I’ve seen.”
“I could show you a little then,” he signed, hiding his face in his scarf.
“You have an admirer,” Ezera teased in a singsong voice, making Dewott pull his scarf up even more.
“Come on, leave him alone,” Litleo remarked, pushing Ezera. As they began filing out, she spotted Roca pulling aside Sirfetch’d into an alleyway between the houses. ‘What does she want with him?‘ A part of her wanted to stay and eavesdrop.
Litleo also wondered what Roca was truly thinking about her. Finding out was simple— she just needed to ask. Except, she was sure neither wanted to begin that painful discussion. The other thing was, what if it went south? Litleo didn’t want to feel worse than she already did.
Ultimately Litleo and her companions walked off, leaving Roca and Sirfetch’d to their private chat.
“Is something the matter, Rock?” Sirfetch’d queried.
“Roca,” she corrected.
He grinned. “Isn’t that what I said?”
Roca gave a blank stare. “…Do you think Rapidash will be able to come up with a plan that’ll help Litleo go free?”
“Hrmmm… It could go either way. The Vicemaster is smart, but Duraludon is equally stubborn. Why do you ask?”
“I’m only curious,” Roca replied, ears and tail drooping. Her forepaw listlessly swept at the ground. “If he’s not convinced, what’ll happen to Litleo?”
“She will have to live in hiding, until we find another way to resolve the issue,” he answered, regarding the rockruff curiously.
Roca froze.
“That bothers you,” Sirfetch’d observed.
“How…?” Roca waved her paws in front of Sirfetch’d’s face but got no reaction. She sighed. “She’s not meant for that kind of life. Especially after everything.”
“And what kind of life do you think she’s meant for? Behind bars?” Sirfetch’d held up his shield. “Or out there, continuing your sibling’s work?” he said, pointing his leek to the sky.
Roca gazed into the yellowing atmosphere. “That’s- that’s what I’m figuring out.”
“You hold the power to shape her future. If your brain fails you, go with your gut. That’s what I do.”
“What if I don’t know what my gut says either?”
“Nonsense, your gut always has a sure answer.”
“You’re not going to tell me what I should do? Or even advocate for Litleo?” Roca asked.
“Why would I? You’re not a guild member,” Sirfetch’d replied, cocking an eyebrow. “You dislike our organization too, don’t you?”
Roca opened her mouth but closed it quickly. A frown sat on her face. “Maybe not so much anymore… Ruffers might’ve been right about you guys.”
Inside Kaiyo’s Town Hall, a certain president’s private office was filled with the sounds of a heated debate. The two pokémon meeting the president— Escavalier and Pawmot— were trying their hardest not to raise their voices in the small room.
“Councilmon, understand, we’re swamped in the amount o’ traffic and requests from the general public,” Pawmot reported. “Sheriff Manectric wanted me to tell ya the desks are quite literally overflowing.”
Papers scattered into the air as Duraludon swiped his bulky hand across the desk. “What do you expect me to do about that?!”
“Rethink next time before you order an arrest in a major crowd,” Escavalier jabbed, narrowing her eyes.
“Minne was right there! Did you want me to not do anything so he could tell Calyrex and curse us?”
“The correct play would’ve been holding off on it! Because of you the jailbreak occurred, and now trust in the guild is at an all time low.”
“Maybe they deserve it.”
Pawmot took a sip from his coffee mug and set it down. “The sheriff suggested converting one o’ them warehouse buildings to a requests center, and hiring volunteers tah lessen the strain on the department.”
“You are basically asking me to set up a second guild,” Duraludon growled.
“Fer the interim until the guild’s reputation has stabilized again.”
“No, I will not. Do we have other options?”
A current of electricity ran up to Pawmot’s head as he held in a groan. He fixed the messy tuft of hair hanging on his forehead. “Ya could make an announcement ’bout the guild, reassure the public it’s still a place tah be trusted.”
Duraludon slammed both hands down on his desk. “Absolutely not! The last thing I want is to give that conniving Rapidash and leek brain guildmaster some praise.”
“Councilmon, with all due respect, I reckon you set aside your petty grievances and think about the repercussions this causes,” Escavalier sternly said.
“This is not petty, it is a matter of pride!” Duraludon eyed his award display case. He breathed in, admiring their luster. “Perhaps this is what we need in our moment of strife. Kaiyo Town can flourish with or without the damn guild. It will be a new future we forge!”
Escavalier smacked her lances together. “Whether you like it or not, the guild is an integral part of this town. Without it, we risk a major collapse in our way of life and structure.” She floated toward Duraludon’s desk and scowled at all the documents. “Not to mention, the dynamax threat. Those folks are our best bet at combating it, seeing as you do nothing but twiddle your thumbs on paperwork.”
The steel-type stuck a digit directly in her face. “Stay in your sector, Escavalier. You worry about public order, I’ll worry about potential threats.”
The pawmot idly watched the two council members go back and forth, gobbling every second of their quarrel. An abra teleported next to Duraludon, catching the three pokémon off guard. The psychic-type whispered something into his ear, then whisked away. Duraludon’s expression morphed into displeasure.
“This meeting is adjourned,” he ordered. “I have another ‘mon to see. Deputy, tell Manectric that the police will have to manage for the time being. Overtime wages can be discussed later.”
Pawmot did a half hearted salute. “Yessir…”
“Escavalier…” Duraludon began, “do your job.”
“I hope I can say the same about you,” she replied.
The door opened as Escavalier and Pawmot stepped out. Rapidash walked in, exchanging a quiet greeting with the former, before shutting the door.
“You…” Duraludon seethed. Red would’ve flushed his face were it not made out of steel.
“Calm yourself, councilmon. Is anger all the leader of Kaiyo Town can offer?” Rapidash stated, every part of her exuding neutralness.
“You dare say that after making a fool of me?”
“I merely showed you the facts. If you interpreted that as an attack on your character, I’m afraid I must tell you to get some thicker steel.”
Duraludon stood up in his chair about to yell, then thought better and quickly seated himself with an extended huff. “Tell me why you are here.”
“I come with a proposition.”
“Of what?”
“One that might elevate your position in next year’s elections.”
The anger in Duraludon’s face melted away. A hungriness entered his sharp eyes. “Go on.”
“The public views you as a ‘mon determined to steer Kaiyo Town toward a bright future, correct?” Rapidash said without missing a beat.
“I only have this town’s best interests in mind.”
“That must come at a cost. You’re so determined that it’s given you the reputation of not having a heart. I’ve read it in the papers. They write you are as ruthless and cold as your steel-typing suggests.”
“I suppose they are not wrong. A certain callousness is to be expected in a position like mine. You can’t get what you want being a chansey,” he agreed, absentmindedly tapping a quill on his desk.
Rapidash side-eyed his display case. “It’s garnered a heavy amount of scrutiny against you. Enough to make you worry about being re-elected, I imagine.”
The quill became slightly crushed in Duraludon’s hand. “What is your point?”
“If you showed the public that your nice side exists, it might sway the voters’ opinions of you.”
“Do enlighten me on how I would achieve this ‘showing’ of my nice side.”
“Let us use a recent example,” Rapidash said, leisurely pacing side to side. “Assume those guild members who attacked the police convoy came back. Would you pardon them?”
“Hmph, I see what you’re doing,” Duraludon said, chuckling dryly. “Planning for their triumphant return?”
“I’m preparing for a potential future,” she clarified. “It has benefits for us both, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Benefits I assume you’d rather not give to me. You must want them back desperately to suggest this.”
Rapidash narrowed her eyes, her mane humming with psychic energy. “‘Desperately’ is a harsh word.”
The councilmon’s mouth formed a slimy grin. “I’ll humor you. If they came back and apologized, I would give those guild members community service, except for that Litleo. She still goes to prison.”
“Even if they came back with evidence she was innocent?”
“Calyrex themself said-“
“Need I bring up the myriad number of instances Calyrex was wrong in their judgment?” Rapidash refuted. Her hoof clopped against the wooden floor. “I can have Watchog compile a log for you to read.”
“…That will not be necessary. But what other evidence could they possibly have, if not Rockruff himself?”
“Rockruff’s sister. You said it yourself you’d take her testimony.”
“I did, didn’t I…? I also said that she must come on her own accord. Not because you made her.”
“How will you ascertain that?”
“I’ll interrogate her myself.” Duraludon began penning something down, but paused. “What if she doesn’t come? What do you plan to do then?”
“Then I will see you at the full council’s debate, ready to make a case how it physically couldn’t be Litleo behind the murder,” she answered confidently with her head high. “Avoiding that altogether would be ideal for everymon.”
Duraludon set the quill aside, humming. He couldn’t argue with that. The process would be long and time consuming, not taking into account what that might do to his image… “One more thing. If these events do come to pass, I hope you know that a hefty fine will be placed on the guild, and taxes will be raised. The damaged equipment and hurt policemon is no trifle matter.”
“That is understandable. But I’d have to argue the injuries were minor at most,” Rapidash said. “High monetary compensation would be overkill.”
“There has to be a lesson somewhere. The guild is not invincible, and anymon else looking to try will be discouraged.”
Duraludon’s smile grew wider under Rapidash’s perturbed complexion. He held the cards, and was shameless enough to abuse it.
“That’s the deal, Rapidash. Don’t take it if you don’t like it,” he sneered.
With a curt turn to the door, Rapidash said, “I will take it.”
“Good. I’ll start working on the paperwork. This won’t ever happen again, will it?”
“Don’t arrest my dears again, and it won’t,” she stated, sending him a glare so sharp it could’ve cut his metal.
Duraludon scoffed. “Get out of my office.”
The long hike back to Kaiyo Town passed by in a few days that blurred together. Dewott could see Ezera tried his best to keep the morale of the team up, even if the axew’s own optimism slowly dwindled. Not much of note happened, aside from how Litleo’s sleep quality deteriorated with each passing day. At first it was waking up a tad early in the morning. Then she woke up a couple times at night the next. And now she constantly shifted around, barely able to sleep in the first place.
Keeping up this cycle of being so stressed wasn’t feasible in the long run. For the short run, however, there weren’t many available options to help Litleo.
‘I need to talk to her soon. I could calm some of those worries,‘ Dewott thought. Truthfully, he had ample opportunities during the journey to discuss what he wanted with Litleo. The problem was he second guessed himself each time it came up. ‘I don’t want to do more harm than good.‘
“Do you think the triangle sleep helped you at all?” Ezera asked as they traipsed through the hilly area before Mistii Valley.
“…Barely,” Litleo answered, fighting off a yawn. “Sorry if I kept you guys awake. My brain won’t shut up.”
“You’re okay,” Dewott signed.
“We aren’t sleeping much anyways. The floor is nice but uh, my inner h-side is screaming for something hygienic and civilized. I will take anything other than grass or dirt to lie on at this point,” Ezera remarked, sighing wistfully.
Dewott tilted his arms diagonally and curved his paw above his head. “Is that why you leaned so much on me last night?“
“I- I did?” Ezera said, his pitch going up. “My bad…”
“Don’t apologize. I’m cool with it.“
Ezera’s embarrassment faded slightly at the words. Only slightly. “Maybe I’ll lay on Litleo next.”
“Try it, and you won’t have to worry about lying on the dirt or grass, I can tell you that much,” Litleo deadpanned.
“Why’s that?”
“You’ll be in it.”
“Do I call that scary or possibly exciting?”
Litleo silently shook her head, signaling she didn’t want to talk anymore. The corners of Ezera’s mouth shifted downward.
Dewott briefly patted Ezera’s shoulder. He also missed being able to listen to them go back and forth. ‘All the more reason I should suck it up and talk to her…‘
The fog covering up the landscape thickened as they entered the outskirts of the valley. Despite it, Ezera could still make out a white and pink horse standing patiently among one of the knolls, taking in the weary crowd before her.
“Oh shoot, is that Rapidash?” Ezera mentioned.
“Hello, dears,” Rapidash greeted, strolling down to the group. “It’s good to see you all again.” She dipped her head to Zande and Kubfu in the back. “And meet some new faces.”
“Ramparados! Thank you for taking excellent care of the guild while I was gone,” Sirfetch’d responded, striding over with a wide smile.
“Perhaps it’s better to say, good to see everymon except you.” The quip elicited a few laughs, much to Sirfetch’d’s chagrin. “I’m sorry your journey didn’t end as optimistically as we’d hoped. We can rejoice in the fact that you all are safe, and this long-standing dilemma has been, for lack of a better term, put to rest.”
“We have to do something for Ruffy,” Pichu spoke up, lip quivering. “He deserves it.”
“Like a memorial?” Pachirisu said.
Rapidash nodded. “Something will be arranged, rest assured we aren’t going to pretend nothing happened. However, we must first get you situated into the guild again. To that end, I have struck a deal with Duraludon,” she stated. Distaste laced her words. “You must sign an agreement to working twenty hours of community service, and each pay a fine of one thousand five hundred Poké.”
Murmurs of surprise erupted from the guild members.
“But we’re broke as heck!” Morpeko claimed.
“I’m too precious for community service,” Purrloin griped.
“Well shit…” Ezera muttered, crossing his arms. “How are we gonna pay that?”
“Quiet, please.” A soft pulse of psychic energy swept over the group. Rapidash raised her voice. “The Guildmaster and I, in addition to a few others, can chip in to cover the costs as needed. It is still your responsibility to do the community service.”
“And me?” Litleo said, raising a paw and immediately yawning afterward.
Rapidash directed her attention to Roca. Several others followed suit. “That depends on Roca. Sorry to put you on the spot, dear.”
Roca squirmed at being the sudden focus. “Wh- what? Is this about talking to the councilmon?”
“So you are aware.”
The rockruff lowered her head, releasing a low whine. Dewott could’ve sworn half the group started holding their breath in anticipation.
Roca breathed in and out. Then, she stood straighter, declaring, “I slept on it for a few days, and Ruffers would want me to. I’ll talk to him, but that’s it.”
“Yes!” Ezera cheered under his breath. He excitedly shared a glance with Litleo and Dewott, doing his best to contain the bounce in his feet. “It’s a good thing you chatted.”
Some warmth spread through Dewott’s chest. Litleo didn’t emote much, simply letting her mouth hang open slightly. She was trying to make eye contact with Roca, but the rockruff still wouldn’t peer her general direction.
“That is excellent news,” Rapidash responded, her shoulders notably relaxing. “I will schedule a meeting for you and him right away. It should be able to happen tomorrow.”
“That soon?” Roca gulped. “‘Kay…”
“It may not be needed, but I’ll also help you straighten out the story of what happened if he asks for one. We’ll have to construe some events differently…”
“If all goes well, we could be staying in this valley for one night only,” Sirfetch’d added.
‘That’d be nice,‘ Dewott thought. Maybe better sleeping conditions would improve their mood too.
“In any case, I have scouted an area that would be suitable for camping. Follow me, dears,” Rapidash ordered, walking up the knoll.
While the group got a move on, Dewott lagged behind, deep in thought. Considering Litleo wasn’t chatty, Ezera matched the water-type’s pace.
“Something bugging you?” Ezera opened.
“Nothing major. I’ve been planning on talking to Litleo about something. Give some advice.” Dewott trembled his paws, then threw them out as if he was getting scared. “I’m nervous how she’ll react.“
Ezera couldn’t help smirking a little, watching the back of Litleo’s head. “I think you know Litleo and feelings don’t mix very well.” He turned to Dewott. “But you’ll be okay. She won’t blow you off.”
“You think so?“
“She could use someone else’s advice that isn’t mine, and an ear to relate to. You’re her friend too, you know.”
“That makes me feel a bit better,” Dewott signed.
Ezera’s hands went to his hips. “Plus, she should know that if she yells at you I’m gonna be yelling at her for yelling at you.”
“I don’t want you two getting into an argument because of me.”
“I think you forget how often we argue normally.”
Dewott grinned. “True. Thanks for reassuring me.“
“Anytime, buddy.”
On cue Dewott blushed upon hearing the word. He was glad Ezera seemed to be unaware of it. ‘I hope you’re right, Ezera. Because if you can’t reassure her and I can’t, no ‘mon can.‘
The next day came sooner than Roca would’ve liked. Why did she volunteer to speak to the councilmon? In her head the goal was simple enough: Go in and convince Duraludon Litleo was innocent. Turns out, nothing would prepare her for what she could only describe as stage fright. The preparation she had with Rapidash yesterday did nothing to quell the nerves riddling her.
The rockruff did her utmost to steady her shaking legs. Walking here was bad enough; waiting before the imposing door into the councilmon’s office took it to another level. Never in her life did she expect to be so deep in a town, much less the heart of one. Past Roca would’ve gagged at the thought.
Life had a funny way of pulling ‘mon into wildly different directions.
“You may enter,” the abra beside the door spoke. They psychically turned the handle and opened it.
Roca’s fur stood on end from the sudden scare, but she shook it off and walked through. Her fake composure threatened to crumble against the sterileness of Duraludon’s entire office. The air felt stagnant too. With his intimidating gaze and the cold environment, Roca wished badly for the familiarity of Salna’s cave.
“Rockruff, I expect this conversation to go by quickly,” Duraludon began, setting aside the clutter in the middle of his desk.
“My name is Roca,” Roca managed to say through her tightening throat. A hardwood chair had been set up in front of the desk for her to sit at. She clumsily hopped up and resisted making eye contact.
Duraludon glared at her. “Right, the wildmon way and your names. My mistake, Roca.”
A cuss almost slipped out of her mouth, but she held it in. She imagined Ruffers sternly watching her like Manda the mandibuzz on the lookout for trash, except for profanity in this case.
“Get on with it then,” he urged after a few seconds of silence. “What are you here to tell me?”
“…Litleo didn’t kill my brother. You arrested her for nothing,” Roca half muttered.
“Very convincing way of saying it.” Duraludon leaned forward, placing both arms on his desk. “How do I know that’s not a lie?”
“I don’t have any reason to lie about who killed my brother.”
“I believe you do. Just between us, you can admit Rapidash put you up to this.”
Roca’s ears angled outward. “W- what?”
“Is she paying you?”
“No…”
“Is she giving you some deal on commissions?” Duraludon went on, leaning forward even further.
Roca’s back pressed the back of the chair. “No- Why are you-“
The desk creaked from how much weight the councilmon was putting on it. “You truly came here on your own accord to defend Litleo?”
“I did, is that so hard to believe?!” she said, eyes wide open.
Roca knew townsmon were crazy, but not this crazy. Instead of thinking about how she lost a family member, Duraludon was concerned over it being some kind of ploy by the guild.
“How did your brother die, if not by Litleo’s paws?” Duraludon next said, returning to his original position.
“He faced off against a dynamaxed ‘mon and was killed. There’s… no body,” Roca choked.
“That’s convenient.”
“A slowking and orbeetle started it in Prosperity Vale. You’re welcome to go and see the scene for yourself.”
“No thanks. I’m not traveling that far to see a staged scene.”
It was then Roca realized one key point. Duraludon wasn’t interested in actual evidence. Even if she did present something tangible, he’d still find a way to claim it was fake. So why was she here? Did Duraludon agree just to entertain his twisted self?
Roca couldn’t believe Rockruff wanted to get along with these kinds of ‘mon. “If you looked at his scarf,” she snarled under her breath, “Litleo’s flames wouldn’t be able to do that kind of damage. They’d torch it black.”
“I can’t rule out she hired another ‘mon and did something-“
“What is wrong with you?!” Roca shouted, standing on all fours. Her nerves from the meeting disappeared, replaced by sheer incredulity. “My brother is dead! And I’m here to tell you the pokémon you’re accusing didn’t do it, but all you can think about is that this is some sort of set up?!”
A teensy amount of shock flashed across Duraludon’s eyes. “How can you expect me to beli-“
“Because it’s called trust, asshole,” Roca continued, getting on her hind legs to plant her forepaws on the desk. Her head was nowhere near Duraludon’s level, but she stared him down nonetheless. “Us wildmon may not look or sound like you towners, but our word is valuable, which is something you’ve apparently lost in your effort to be ‘better’ than us.”
“I’m telling you right here and right now, Litleo and Ruffers had a bond most of us can only wish we had. She wouldn’t ever. Fucking. Kill him. No matter what Calyrex says!” Roca finished, flecks of spittle flying out.
Duraludon’s mouth remained shut. Roca inwardly did a double take at the rush of fervor that overtook her. She did that to a townsmon. To the president, no less.
In immediate hindsight, it probably was the worst thing she could’ve done to secure Litleo’s freedom, but it sure felt good.
“Uncouth and disrespectful, as I expected,” Duraludon commented, pulling out a handkerchief from a drawer and throwing it over the spots of spittle. “Unfortunately, that display only means one thing. You are telling the truth.”
“Now you believe me?”
“If Rapidash coerced you, she would’ve surely told you to sweet talk me. We can also agree that wildmon are terrible liars.” Duraludon pushed out his chair and stood. “Let’s get one thing straight, townsmon do have trust. It just won’t ever be with your kind. The only reason I accept your word is because this outcome has benefits I could use, not because I believe everything that’s left your mouth.”
A growl rumbled in Roca’s throat.
“Abra!”
The psychic-type appeared at the councilmon’s call. “Yes?”
“Show rockruff the way out. And call my cleaner. My desk needs a thorough wash,” Duraludon brusquely said. “I can’t draft these contracts like this.”
“Will do, sir.” The abra looked at Roca, holding out his hands. “Your paw, miss.”
Roca gave Duraludon one last scowl before giving her paw. A second later, her surroundings disappeared and reappeared as the outside of town hall.
The natural sunlight provided relief as Roca shivered. Finally, freedom from that awful space and councilmon. She wanted to erase the encounter completely from her mind, but his words lingered.
Townsmon do have trust. It just won’t ever be with your kind.
Roca’s first instinct was to say good, wildmon didn’t want to have trust with towners either. The experience was enough to swear off going into towns forever. Yet, Ruffers wouldn’t let it deter him. If anything it’d make him try harder.
What path was she following?
Roca had some soul searching to do. It was time to go home soon… But first, breaking the news to the guild.
Litleo worried how Roca was faring in her trip to Kaiyo’s Town Council. Worry, worry, worry. That’s all it seemed she could do for the past few weeks- months, even.
She needed busywork, or any activity that didn’t involve sitting in a damp, foggy valley waiting for night to fall. Otherwise the same old thoughts started creeping up on her.
Like why did Rockruff act so stupid-
There it was again. She glanced around the mini clearing to engage her mind. The three teams stayed in the tents they pitched between the trees. Piksqueak passed a spark between each other, and Chase cuddled together in the shadows of their tent.
At Rapidash’s behest, Sirfetch’d departed for the guild earlier with Zande and Kubfu, since they had no reason to camp out on account of not being “criminals.” That left the Vicemaster to stay with the group, at least until Roca returned with an update. She’d been standing at the edge of the camp since Roca left.
Litleo hoped in the chance she wasn’t pardoned, she’d still be given an opportunity to work on the threat that was Calyrex and Eternatus. They had to be stopped, and no ‘mon was more ready than her.
“Hey, Litleo?” Ezera called. He stopped shuffling through their satchel.
“What?” Litleo said, blinking.
“Is it possible for you to hit me with a really soft Ember or something? I’m feeling kind of cold.”
“Um… I’m not doing that,” she answered after a second, realizing it wasn’t a joke. “We can try getting a fire going. Might be too damp but I need something to do.”
“That works too.”
Litleo padded out of their tent. “I’ll go get some branches.”
Dewott quickly rose too. “I’ll go with you.“
‘Is he going to use this time to speak to me? I suppose it works,‘ she mused. She jerked her head. “Let’s go.”
“Wait, here,” Ezera said, offering their bag. “You need to put them somewhere.”
“Oh, right.” She hesitantly slipped the strap over her neck. “Okay.”
The permanent fog made it difficult to see farther than five feet ahead of them. Luckily the types of trees growing in the area meant they didn’t need to walk far to start collecting the sticks. Litleo dropped the bag and started scooping a couple small ones with her paws.
“It’s funny, last time I was here I also collected sticks with Ezera,” Dewott signed.
“What for?” Litleo said, eyebrow raising.
“I wanted to clean up the Micle Berry spot and he helped me.“
“Huh.” Litleo knew a bland response like that wasn’t conducive for conversation, but there wasn’t much else to comment on. To her limited knowledge, at least. “You mentioned wanting to talk about something. What was it?”
Dewott fiddled with his scalchop, his other paw slowly rising. Either he was figuring out what exactly to sign or having severe doubts about talking to her. Litleo couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Dewott so tense. On second thought, had he ever been tense like this before? Awkward, sure. Tense? Did that day she brought Ezera to the guild count?
Litleo decided to be forward about it. “Do I make you nervous?”
Tellingly, Dewott flinched at the question as he kneeled to pick up something. He shook his paw horizontally. “Sometimes.“
“Does that include right now?”
Dewott shook his head.
“Good to know. Regardless… Sorry. I don’t mean to make you feel that way.” Damn, they spent this much time on a team together and still couldn’t be fully at ease with each other?
“It’s not your fault. You’re somemon I admire, it only makes sense to get nervous around them,” Dewott signed, pointing two digits to his eyes and flicking upward.
A scoff escaped her. “Me, admired? That’s a first. From Ezera I’d expect it, but you?”
“You’re a natural leader. I take mental notes.“
“There are better candidates,” Litleo said, her gaze drifting to the side. “Thanks, though.” She waited for him to say more, but the conversation seemed to end there. ‘Ugh, why is talking so complicated? Why are we both bad at this?‘ “I sidetracked you.”
Dewott waved his arms. “Not quite. The original thing I wanted to talk about was you.“
“That I make you nervous?”
“No, more about what you might be…” His paw swiped across his chest. He used both paws to motion upward and out. “Feeling towards what happened.“
So it was going to be that kind of discussion. “No offense, I told you and Ezera I wasn’t up for that kind of stuff.”
“I’m aware. I wanted to share something, you don’t have to say anything.“
“I’m listening,” she said, throwing a useless stick into the fog.
Dewott prepared himself by tugging at his scarf. “It wouldn’t be wrong of me to assume you’re feeling some guilt over what happened, right?“
Litleo immediately tilted her head down, biting her lip. She couldn’t find the words to say he was wrong.
“I know that look.” He motioned back and forth to their heads, then made an X with his arms and swiped over his chest again. “It’s not a good way to feel.“
“Hard to feel anything else,” she muttered.
“I get it. I carry my own around everyday.“
Litleo glanced upward. Now that he mentioned it, she supposed there was a… hint of solemness surrounding his features. A ‘mon had to be looking real hard to spot it, though. Did Ezera already see it?
“It’s lessened over time, but it’s here,” Dewott continued, his paw tapping his heart.”There’s a lot of what-ifs I play in my head.”
That sounded scarily close to what Litleo had been doing. What if she had acted colder to Rockruff? What if she didn’t agree to helping Furret in the first place? Would any of that have saved him?
“Do you know what would help you get rid of it?” Litleo asked, hoping a little too hard for an answer that would magically change her attitude.
“I’m not sure it’s something that can be erased completely.“
Her tail hit the floor. She should’ve expected that answer.
“But for me, being able to apologize would help a lot.“
“I can’t… apologize to him.” ‘He’s not around to hear it,‘ Litleo thought.
Dewott put his paws next to his ears and curled his digits to resemble a rockruff’s floppy ears. “You can apologize to the ‘mon second closest to him.“
“Roca?” Litleo distractedly pushed a stick toward the pile she was building. “What if she doesn’t accept it?”
“I’ve thought about that too. If that happened to me, I think I’d have some comfort knowing I said my piece.“
Dewott’s suggestion was good in theory, except Litleo couldn’t apologize in the state she was in now. It wasn’t in the right place. Too much clashed in the volatile tide of her emotions.
She was supposed to be feeling sad. That rang true initially, but the previous few days erased any sense of it. Guilt was there, but a lot became anger. Who wanted to admit that they were mad? Toward somemon who wasn’t even around anymore?
“I don’t have an opportunity to talk to the ‘mon whose life I’ve messed up. You do.” Dewott eyes widened and he rapidly signed, “Not that you did mess up anymon’s-“
“Relax, you can’t put it any other way. I appreciate the candidness,” Litleo assured.
Dewott rubbed his neck, still embarrassed by his choice of words. He resumed their fun activity of grabbing branches. Two minutes of relative silence went by as Litleo wondered if she should say what she was thinking.
“Hey, would you mind telling me… who’s life you messed up?”
Dewott had his back to her. He snapped the long twig he held and dropped it at his feet. She couldn’t see what he signed, but the message came out anyway. “A mudkip. I got him paralyzed.“
Litleo pretty much dropped the sticks she carried. “As in… permanently?”
He nodded, keeping his back turned.
“…Sorry that happened. Did he not want to see you anymore?”
“I wouldn’t know. I got banished shortly afterward.“
“Have you told Ezera any of this?”
Dewott shifted to face her, hanging his head. He moved a digit left to right from his mouth and pointed down. “No. I’d rather he didn’t know I’m a mess up, right now.“
“He wouldn’t think that,” Litleo said.
“Maybe not, but he’d see me differently.“
“And I wouldn’t?”
“You understand what it’s like, so you won’t change anything. Ezera would interpret it as-“
“Something to protect,” Litleo interrupted, understanding where he was going. ‘Ezera would act more like he is to me at the moment, trying hard to cheer us up.‘ “I get it.”
Dewott tossed the last of the branches he gathered into the bag. “Don’t wait to talk to Roca. You don’t want to be bumbling like me and end up doubting everything you do.“
“Hey, I may not be Ezera, but I don’t want to hear any more of that from you,” Litleo softly chided, closing the satchel. “You don’t get to self deprecate.”
“I don’t?“
“Not when I’m around. How else am I supposed to keep Ezera in line?”
“I’m around you quite often.“
“Looks like you won’t get to self deprecate. Simple.”
Dewott chuckled as Litleo kept a straight face. “Understood.“
“Also, I appreciate the advice,” Litleo said.
Dewott responded with a slight smile.
They began heading toward their encampment. Although the talk did give Litleo newfound respect for Dewott, it didn’t take away from the fact she was still angry. Speaking to Roca wouldn’t change that. There wouldn’t be guilt if Rockruff didn’t throw common sense to the wind and thought about himself for once.
Dealing with the mess he left behind was tiresome. She couldn’t see the scarves in the bag, but their presence nagged the corner of her thoughts. Litleo had half a mind to give them away. Holding onto the memories sounded like an invitation for only hurt. She couldn’t be faulted for not wanting to go through that.
Ezera was waiting for them when they got back. “I see everything was successful,” he said, glimpsing the bag full of sticks. He also shot Dewott a confirmational thumbs up, which the water-type reciprocated.
“I’d be concerned if we weren’t.” Litleo assembled a few sticks into a small pile, blowing a quick flame onto it, but nothing caught. She blew several more times until an orange glow erupted in front of them.
“So much better,” Ezera mumbled, putting his hands near the fire.
“Remember to keep it small, dears,” Rapidash called.
“Uh huh,” Litleo acknowledged. She saw the other teams enviously ogling them and rolled her eyes. “Do you guys want one?”
Piksqueak and Chase muttered a combination of “yes” and “thank you.” It was after she got both fires done that Roca happened to plod through the mist, shaking off her damp fur. Everymon present stood up.
“It’s done. I talked to him,” Roca announced.
“How did it go?” Rapidash asked.
“He’s a shitty, typical towner.”
‘The talk failed then,‘ Litleo assumed, sighing.
“…But he listened, surprisingly. You’ll probably hear something tomorrow.”
‘…Huh? I’ll be free?‘
“Finally! No more floor!” Ezera cheered, high fiving Dewott.
“We’re gonna have beds! BEDS!” Pichu exclaimed, falling to her knees.
“Settle down, watch the volume,” Rapidash requested. Her statement was ignored by the excited group. She resumed looking at Roca. “Thank you again for doing this, dear. What do you plan on doing now?”
“I’m going home. Salna… our pop, needs to know.”
“Are you leaving this instant?”
“Yeah.”
“Then safe travels. If you ever need something, we will be here.”
“Sure…” Roca took one brief glance at the clearing.
While those around celebrated, Litleo and Roca locked eyes for a second. That exchange felt longer than it had any right to be. There was a ton Litleo thought she should say. She drew near Roca, unsure how to begin.
“Thank you,” was what Litleo uttered in the end.
“Like I said, Ruffers would’ve wanted me to,” Roca awkwardly replied. “I realized speaking to Duraludon that… er, nevermind.” She stepped back, halfway turning to go. “Honor him well, ‘kay?”
Litleo’s tail curled. “…I will.”
Roca vanished into the mist. Litleo had her chance. She let it slip.
Joyous chatter filled the atmosphere, but she wasn’t absorbing any of it. Which didn’t make sense, not being under arrest was something to celebrate.
It circled around to the same point. Litleo shouldn’t be here. Rockruff was a fool for rescuing her.
‘Will I ever stop feeling this way?‘
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