FSE

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By the morning, a new arrangement of teams were arranged by the four captains - with additional insight offered by Ernoul, gauging everyone's strengths against he most likely scenarios should the worst come to pass. In order to counter the hypnotist, it was agreed each group should have an attacker able to attack from above as well as from the ground, in case one was caught in their spell.

They gathered into their arranged groups, with Azrael, Breenelle and Aerendyl left to watch over the town. They departed promptly, knowing time was of the essence.

Val and Eagle Eye were one of the last to leave, but would surely be the first to their destination. With the Talonflame flying overhead, Val took to the river, diving into the icy waters only to surface again and speed downstream with speed to impress even the swift Talonflame. Plumes and frothing water trailed in his wake, behind whirling tails that propelled him forward, and his thick fur protected him from the chill of the river, which had not frozen over due to the salt content carried in from the ocean.

"So what's the plan when we get there, Speedy Gonzales?" The Talonflame squawked down to Val via his radio. "You got a way to convince the townsfolk to evac before they're brainwashed by our newest squiddy friend?"

"To be honest, I'm kind of more hoping the hypnotist will already be there so we can take him out and show them the danger," Val answered. "And if that doesn't work, well, I'm hoping to talk sense into them. Team Storm is pretty well known so I'm counting on that to at least get their ears."

"Let's hope so, cause I ain't no motivational speaker like my boss is." Eagle Eye answered. "And Valiant's Rep ain't as well known here, so I doubt anything I'd say would help much."

"You'd be surprised how well Team Valiant is known out here! One doesn't win Team Warmachine's tournament without recognition!"

"...Wait, seriously?" He asked, looking down to Val's direction. "You sayin' we're the talk of the town or something?"

"Maybe not as much now, but I do still hear stories told about you guys. After all, some of the rescue teams from this region competed there too, including Team Orochi down south-east."

Thinking back on it, Eagle Eye suddenly remembered watching a match that featured a team by the name of 'Orochi'. They hadn't fought Team Valiant, but they had squared off with Team Kama, who had managed a victory thanks to Sickle's cunning even against an opponent with a type advantage.

The Talonflame allowed himself a smirk, feeling a sense of pride washing over him for a moment and making him feel even more motivated than ever. 'Maybe this might work after all.' He thought to himself as he suddenly rocketed ahead with Flame Charge, not wanting to be outdone in the speed department by the Floatzel down below.

What would have taken hours for others took them less than one at their velocity. They soon arrived at the village at the mouth of the river, to find all was quiet - and not in the good way.

Val exited the river and jogged into the streets to find them completely deserted. Eagle Eye circled overead, seeing doors to houses having been left open, and once again all footprints seemed to lead towards the sea, as though the populace had walked out to open water or to the shore to be carried off, leaving no traces.

The truth of the situation did not take long for the two to discern. Val stamped his foot angrily, throwing snow into the wall of the house he stood nearest to. "Damn! Are we too late?!"

Eagle Eye landed behind the Floatzel, moving to stand beside him as he took in the bleakness of the scene around them. "They must've slipped in and taken this town either last night, or while we were trying to free up the roads," he said, scoffing in irritation. "Damnit, it's like they know what we're thinking before we do."

Val let out a sigh. "Better report in," he said, lifting his paw to the borrowed radio housed in his ear. "Val to teams..."

Elsewhere, Volcan skidded to a stop as he heard Val's voice over the radio, prompting Hageshi and Ernoul to pause and wait as he heard the Floatzel's report - there hadn't been enough radios to go around, so aside from Val and Eagle Eye, everyone else on the other teams had to take a designated comms receiver, deciding unanimously on the team leads to take them.

"Repeat, Val to teams."

"Here, Val," Volcan spoke.

"Reading you, Val," Luke's voice chimed in.

"Go ahead, speedy," Neilla's added.

"Eagle Eye and I just got to the town at the rivermouth -it's already been deserted," Val reported. "All of the people are gone without a trace; no damage, no struggle, nothing."

"Dammit! Just like the other towns." Luke cursed.

Volcan's face contorted with irritation, and he nearly threw the radio across the ground as he cursed loudly. "Shit!" He yelled, then turned to Hageshi and Ernoul, relaying the news to them.

"How could they return so quickly, if indeed they left to drop off their captives?" Ernoul asked, and Volcan repeated the question.

Neilla's voice came over the radio shortly. "Maybe there's more than one ship - perhaps the Oppression met the other and offloaded with them?" Volcan repeated her message to Ernoul and Hageshi.

"...A likely possibility." The Greninja admitted aloud. "Or perhaps their new base is much closer than we initially anticipated."

"Well, pondering the reason won't get us anywhere. If there is another ship working with them, we need to pick up the pace." Luke's voice chimed in. "Double time it to your objectives! We can't let them take another!"

"On our way!" Volcan returned, looking to the two again before cocking his head forward. "Let's move! Our town's the next closest -we have to get there first!"

Then he was off, a bound from his regular position before breaking into a run, practically tearing through the snow as he moved. It slowed him, but not enough to be a detriment. Least of all for Hageshi and Ernoul who were both so light of foot, they practically ran on top of the snow, easily keeping pace with the frantic Blaziken, who was pushed onward by the terrifying memories of the fate of his own home...

"What should Eagle Eye and I do?" Val asked, the question seeming to be for the others as Luke did not hear Volcan attempt to answer it.

"Val, move to the next town closest to you and assist the team that's evacuating the townsfolk." Luke answered. "Eagle Eye, you have your own radio; you're on patrol. Scour the entire area from the skies and let us know if you see anything out of the ordinary."

"Roger that, boss!" The Talonflame answered back quickly.

So the two left the town behind, Val once more taking to the water as Eagle Eye took to the skies, and they raced down the coast.

As Volcan's group arrived, they were relieved to find the town was untouched, with people still visible in the streets as they approached. But Volcan stopped dead in his tracks once more, so suddenly that he nearly pitched forward onto his face as he peered out towards the bay, a faraway look in his eyes.

Ernoul and Hageshi halted, looking back at the Blaziken, seeing the look on his face. "What is wrong?" Ernoul asked, but the Blaziken didn't reply, and so he looked to Hageshi with the same question, hoping the Greninja would know.

"...He's most likely having one of those relapses, much like when Val introduced himself..." Hageshi answered, rolling his eyes in irritation before his tongue flicked forward and slapped the Blaziken across the back of his head. "Wake up!" He firmly commanded.

Volcan immediately snapped out of his trance, shaking his head violently and looking at Hageshi without recognition for a moment, until he collected himself, and then sharply raised his arm, pointing ahead. "Look, out there!" He said, nearly panicked.

The two turned, and then saw the source of his terror. A huge, dark iron ship floated in the water outside of the town, a safe distance from it but well within view. They could make out few distinctive features about the ship from their current distance, but Volcan's recognition of the craft seemed to suggest he had seen it before, and in only one place if it sent him into a relapse. Arc Island...

The Oppression. It had made it to the town first, though had yet to make its move. They had arrived seemingly just in time, or barely too late? The ship wasn't likely to attack, but with it so nearby now, the situation had changed.

"...If the ship is here, then the controller has to be as well," Hageshi muttered, narrowing his eyes dangerously before he ran ahead without the others, heading for the nearest building and jumping up to the roof.

"Those people don't know what danger they're in," Volcan said, the edge of panic evident in his tone. "We have to get in there!" He started to run again, but felt a jolt of pain shooting up his arm as someone bit him, jerking him to a halt. "Ow!" He yelped, and spun on Ernoul, glowering at him. "What was that for?!"

Ernoul pulled his mouth off Volcan's hand before answering "You must calm yourself," He said firmly. "Think rationally; contact the others! If the ship is here, we may be in for a battle."

"Oh right. Sorry," said Volcan putting a finger to his ear. "Volcan to all teams - we got trouble! We found the Oppression - it's moored outside the second village, right in firing range! Hageshi's looking for the controller now, but we may need help up here!"

"We'll start heading your way as soon as we've cleared this village!" Luke replied over the radio. "Tell everyone to evacuate immediately!"

"I'll be there in a few minutes!" Val chimed in.

With the word spread, Volcan and Ernoul resumed their approach to the village, spotting Hageshi standing on the roof of the closest house, his eyes scanning the streets of the town below. Volcan sidled up to the house, moving as close to the Greninja as possible before he called up to him.

"See anything?"

"Not yet," the Greninja replied. "All seems quiet so far."

"Don't make a move just yet," Volcan said. "If he has time to send up an alert, there's nothing stopping that ship from bombarding the town." He peered around the corner cautiously. "We can't let that happen."

"Why are you hiding?" Ernoul asked the Blaziken. "These villagers have no reason to fear you."

"But the bastards on that ship do," Volcan replied. "I was one of the ones who led the attack on their fortress - if anyone who might recognize me is on there, they'll attack the instant they see me. We need to find the puppeteer; you have to address the townsfolk, I'll help Hageshi."

Ernoul swallowed, but nodded in affirmation to the Blaziken. With that, he started to venture into town, while Volcan quietly made his way over to the other side of the house, ducking under the windows so as not to alert the inhabitants to his intrusion in their yard. When he reached the corner, he darted for the next source of course, staying as inconspicuous as he could muster.

Hageshi continued his search from the rooftops, leaping from one to another with nary a sound to give away his position as he crossed the wood-tiled roofs to search around them. He saw Ernoul venturing into the town square, calling the villagers to attention as he stepped out and introducing himself as a member of team Storm.

Hageshi ignored the Ninetales, and continued his scouring. Overtime, he had searched around nearly three quarters of the buildings in the village, from the houses, to the general store, to the town hall upon which he now stood, standing on the ledge and peering into the square again.

"Tch...Either he's not here yet or he's doing very well to hide his presence..." Hageshi muttered in irritation. "The jackal's Aura Sense would be handy right about now."

Volcan poked his head up over the roofside behind him "Nothing?"

"Not so much as a tendril," he replied in a low tone.

Volcan hummed, wondering what could be keeping the hypnotist hidden. "You think we were wrong - maybe we're not looking for a Malamar?"

"That may well be the case," The Greninja replied, shaking his head slowly. "We need to widen our search pattern."

"Agreed," said Volcan. "Watch for any Pokémon that fit the others we discussed, even if they seem unlikely and watch what they do. At this point we can't leave anything out."

"Hmph... you don't need to tell me twice," he said in a begrudging tone, then stood up and leapt to another building to broaden his search and keeping an eye out for any other Pokémon that would fit the description of a possibly hypnotist.

Volcan kept the shadows as he resumed the search, being careful not to walk anywhere that might put him in line of sight with the ship or any of its lookouts. His radio then started acting up during his search, indicating one of the other teams was trying to raise him.

He was so on edge he nearly jumped when he heard his radio come alive in his ear, his lover's voice transmitting through it. "Volcan, it's Luke. We're about twenty minutes from your location. What's the situation so far?"

"We're still looking for the hypnotist," Volcan answered. "But we're not having much luck - we haven't seen a Malamar at all so we're widening our search patterns to the other Pokémon we considered. At this point, we can rule nothing out. Meanwhile, Ernoul's trying to talk the villagers into evacuating."

"And what of the Oppression? Has it made any moves yet?"

"Nothing yet. It's just sitting out there and the townsfolk have no idea what's coming." He shook his head. "We have to hurry... if these guys figure out they've been exposed, nothing will stop them from bombing this place."

"Just keep doing what you can. We'll be there soon." Luke replied quickly, then the feed went dead.

No sooner did Volcan lower his hand from his radio when an Ice Shuriken landed right at his feet, bringing him to an abrupt halt. He looked around until he caught sight of Hageshi motioning him to come over to his location. The Blaziken did not waste a second, bounding over to the Greninja's location, where he gestured with his tongue to the streets below, next to an enclosed alleyway.

"I saw what looked like a tendril sneaking into the shadows... he's exposed himself." Hageshi reported, his hand already on his blade.

"Wait, sneaking?" Volcan asked. "What does he have to hide-" The words caught in his throat as the realization struck him. "...He knows we're here." He said in a low tone, and then looked to Hageshi. "Do not let him send any kind of signal to that ship."

"He won't get the chance...he's already dug his own grave by sticking to the shadows." Hageshi muttered as he suddenly disappeared into his shadow, then it raced along the roof and down the wall toward street level, then he turned toward the shadows of the alley. After a few moments of silence, Volcan could hear the sound of someone crying out in pain and metal cutting into flesh as the Greninja began his attack.

Volcan started to leap out to go help Hageshi when he heard a voice on his radio. "Volcan, it's Val -I'm almost there! Just twelve more seconds!"

"Get to the square and help Ernoul!" Volcan urged him as he ran to where he heard Hageshi drop the hypnotist.

When he arrived, he was greeted with the sight of the Greninja with his sword run through his opponent's shoulder and a few Ice Shuriken along other parts of his body. Hageshi was leering dangerously at the Pokémon in question, his tongue scarf flicking about a little as he held him pinned to the wall.

"...Your hypnotic spree ends here, scum." He growled.

"So we were right the first time -it was a Malamar," Volcan remarked as he approached... and then froze, noticing a tattoo on the arm of the Malamar, near to where Hageshi's sword was imbedded into the boneless flesh, a spark of recognition filling him. "Wait a minute!" He exclaimed.

The Malamar looked over at him, eyes widening. "Wha- You?!" He shouted at the Blaziken, no longer focused on Hageshi.

Hageshi looked between the two of them for a moment. "...Seems you two have a history." He muttered, then glared back at the Malamar. "More on that later; you best start talking before I slide my blade closer to your heart." He warned.

"Hageshi, careful-!" Volcan started to say, before the Malamar threw his injured limb around the Greninja's neck, still responsive despite the blade imbedded in it.

The Greninja lost sight of his target as the suckers stuck to his face, the arm constricting him. He instinctively pulled back, freeing his sword, but the arm held fast, caught between his sword and his head it ensnared. He thrashed about for a moment until his sword tore through the boneless flesh. His blade was free, but the arm was still hanging from him, held on only by the suckers clinging to his head.

Hageshi used his free arm to tear off the limp tendril on his face, grunting as he felt it resist his pull thanks to the suckers on the tentacle still clinging to him. He looked to Volcan, seeing the Blaziken had been thrown into the wall - likely by a Psychic attack. He was recovering, but not fast enough. Hageshi then flashed a glare at the Malamar making his escape after abandoning his own tendril and quickly gave chase, already conjuring Ice Shuriken in his offhand.

"You won't escape!" He stated as he hurled the Shuriken at the fleeing squid Pokémon.

The Malamar turned, casting a Reflect to block the incoming Shuriken as he levitated away, gaining altitude slowly while keeping his shield between himself and the Greninja. As he ascended, his body crackled with electricity as he cast a Thunderbolt at Hageshi. The Greninja's eyes widened before the electricity nailed him, causing him to cry out as he was shocked by the attack... that is, until he suddenly went completely rigid, almost as if he were completely paralyzed, then in that same instant he exploded not in a cloud of smoke, but rather into thousands of small ice shards that quickly fell to the ground in a clattering heap.

"What the-?!" The Malamar demanded, not recognizing the move immediately. "Some form of sub-" The realization dawned on him then, and he whipped around, knowing the next attack was coming from outside his sight radius - the most obvious being from behind.

Sure enough, Hageshi was indeed behind him, but he was standing a fair distance away on the rooftops again. No sooner did he see Hageshi did he feel the air suddenly get colder, but when he realized the fact, it was too late.

"...You're mine." He whispered, then shot a glare at the Malamar. The cold mist around the squid suddenly solidified into a thick layer of ice, encasing all but his head.

The sudden cold snap broke the Malamar's focus, sending him dropping like a stone back to the ground. The ice shattered upon impact - as would certainly have any bones if the squid-like Pokémon possessed them. He lay there, dazed, as Hageshi stood over him, sword poised at his chest, and Volcan arrived on the scene as well, rubbing his head where a bump was forming.

"Nice work," he said. "I knew he was going to try something, but ditching his own arm." He looked at the Malamar. "I knew you were a scumbag, but not a desperate one."

The Malamar glared at the Blaziken harshly. "If there's anyone to blame for why I've been reduced to this, it's you." He growled, proving Hageshi's earlier revelation that Volcan and this Malamar knew one another. However, it seemed this was not someone from Volcan's past -he hadn't slipped away into memory upon seeing him. Rather, it seemed this was someone he met more recently.

"Regardless of your history with the Blaziken, if you wish to see the light of tomorrow, you'll start talking." The Greninja warned the Malamar. "Why are you hypnotizing Pokémon and taking them aboard your ship?" He questioned, his glare becoming more dangerous as he asked his question.

"Why, to minimize the casualties of course," returned the Malamar with a sarcastic tone and a grin to match. "After all, if we bombard the town, how many are left to come work for us?"

"Work on what?" Volcan demanded, glaring at the Malamar. "What does Calhoun want all these Pokémon for? He already has an army!"

"An army needs labour to keep the resources coming," the Malamar returned. "And as his numbers grow, so too does the upkeep. That much should be obvious for one of your tactical prowess, Volcan."

"That didn't stop you from carrying out your old Modus Operandi..." Hageshi retorted. "All the other places your kind had bombarded before you lost your precious fortress, and only now you decide to alter your tactics?" Hageshi scoffed. "You honestly think we're fools not to catch on to such a detail? An increase in forces can't be the only reason for your change in tactics."

"Let's just say the current captain of the Oppression is more open-minded than Master Calhoun," returned the Malamar. "And a little fonder of the more subtle approach."

"Master Calhoun?" Volcan echoed.

The Malamar ignored him. "She recognized the beauty behind absolute control, over the excessive force approach that Calhoun prefers. Hence, I was dispatched, to make all the people simply... vanish. Like a little magic trick. No trace that we had ever been there, while our men lock down the region and keep all information from getting.

"But knowing this meddling bird here," he glared at Volcan. "You and your friends likely already dealt with that as well?" He then leaned back his head and chuckled. "How glorious... you're out for a so-called just cause, but now you're going to be the sole cause of every death about to occur!"

Volcan's fists ignited, pitching forward and grabbing a handful of the tendrils on the Malamar's head, forcing Hageshi to pull his sword back at the Blaziken pulled him up, his eyes nearly aglow with rage. "Call them off, now!" He hollered the last word with such force, it made the Malamar clench his eyes shut. "Order them to leave!"

"Even if I did, they do not heed me!" Bialo retorted. "They obey only the commander, and by now she's already seen I've been compromised and is moving on to the contingency plan!"

"What contingency?!" Volcan demanded.

As if to answer his question, the sound of waves breaking on the shore stole their attention back towards the center of town as a huge form emerged from the waves, and a thunderous roar filled the air.

"Nendranos," returned the Malamar.

~~~~~

Aboard the Oppression, minutes before...

As she had been instructed, Jora stood at the bow of the ship, peering through the spyglass to watch the shore closely for any sign of a signal from the hypnotist that had been sent into the town. The nails of her foot claws clicked on the wooden deck, tapping impatiently as the hypnotist had missed his check-in time, and she began to dread what would happen if he did not do so soon.

The footfalls of clawed feet behind her nearly sent her pitching over the rail in fright as they came so suddenly. But she managed to hold herself in check, slowly looking behind her at the canid form standing only a few steps away, shrouded in the shadows of the ship's bridge, made darker by the crude, lusterless steel that the ship was build of.

"N-No word yet," she said nervously.

"Then he has been compromised," the canid said in a low, effeminate tone - a female, clearly, but behind that voice carried a deep intelligence marked by wickedness. "Someone has found him."

"I-I'm sure if we just give him more time, h-h-he will check in soon!" The Salazzle pleaded with the canid. "Please, we do not need to be hasty-"

The canid stepped out of the shadows - a red-furred, midnight Lycanroc, standing only inches from Jora now, their noses almost touching at the Lycanroc scowled at her. "You know that is not the case," she said, that tone lingering. "After all, the meddling of those rescue teams is why you are here and not at your post, is it not? This delay can only mean our quiet approach has been uncovered, despite our efforts."

She pulled away from Jora then, huffing. "I suppose it was only a matter of time. There are many within the guilds who are not without their own cunning," she said. "Still, the advantage remains ours."

She stepped around Jora, placing her paws upon the rail and staring towards the town in silence for a moment, her eyes narrowing, brooding and considering until she reached her decision. "Summon Nendranos," she said. "It is time we make our presence known, and he will be the vanguard of our strike. Order the dragons into position to prepare bombardance - no one leaves this town alive unless it is on this ship."

Jora wanted to protest, but her fear of the Lycanroc outweighed her conscience on the current situation, knowing that if she spoke out against her again, it would mean more than her own life, or those in the town... Without letting her sigh be heard, she compliantly left the Lycanroc and ventured towards the front of the ship to pass on the command.

"And Jora..." the Lycanroc spoke up, bringing the Salazzle to a halt. "Don't forget what you were sent here to do. When we are finished, go to Hadleigh, and carry out your mission."

"Yes... Asya..."

~~~~~

Ernoul and Val were in the square when the huge Gyarados emerged from the waves and unleashed his earth-shattering cry to the sky above. After Ernoul had been unsuccessful in convincing the townsfolk of the danger, the Floatzel had come to his aid, reminding the people of the destruction of Arc Island - word of which had to have reached this region by now, and that he was a survivor. His tone, the suppressed panic within his voice as he spoke, seemed to be getting through to them and they seemed ready to believe his words.

But it was already too late. The Gyarados emerged from the waters, and with his appearance came the first attack - a powerful stream of water that collapsed buildings as he swept it over the town, bringing them down upon anyone within. The Ninetales and Floatzel immediately made a beeline toward the Gyarados as people turned to run away. Ernoul fired an Ice Beam, Val a Water Pulse; the attacks were more intended to get the attention of the Gyarados than cause any real harm, to keep him focused on something other than the town.

They succeeded. Too well; the Gyarados whirled on them, and then surged forth from the water with another roar, hurling itself sidelong to sweep its tail toward the two; the massive limb covered too much ground for them to avoid, and both Val and Ernoul were sent hurtling through the air. Val crashed into an awning, caving underneath him to spill him into the market stall under it, and Ernoul flew into the open door of a house with an audible crash sounding from inside.

Only minutes away from town, Luke and his group could hear the roar. That terrifying roar that only a massive beast could unleash, and they knew that they were too late - the attack had already begun.

"...Thaaaat can't be a good sign." Doug piped up when the group heard the roar coming from the town ahead.

"Ya think?" Drogo asked, throwing out his arms as he turned to the Dugtrio.

Luke was momentarily stunned when he heard the all too familiar roar of a Gyarados, his mind hoping it wasn't who he thought it was, but his gut telling him otherwise. He quickly shook himself out of his trance and immediately rocketed toward the town as fast as he could.

"Let's go! We need to get the townsfolk to safety before that thing levels the whole village!!" He called back to his friends.

"Hey wait up!" Doug called after Luke before disappearing into the ground to give chase, Drogo dropping to all fours to run after him, slipping in the snow before regaining his balance.

Volcan and Hageshi stared toward the Gyarados, momentarily stunned by the appearance of the mighty Water-type beast. Volcan recognized this Gyarados almost immediately as he saw it, seeing the scars on its side, where it had seemingly been the victim of an explosion, leaving behind deformed tissue and cracked plates where once there was thick scales and flesh.

Volcan, in a fit of rage, kicked the Malamar across the ground, sending him hurtling into the nearby wall with a crash. "Forget him; let's go!" He yelled to Hageshi, running towards the square with haste.

The Greninja hastily followed after Volcan, sword still in hand as they dashed toward the town square to face against this new menace. He knew of the advantages and drawbacks of a Gyarados, so he felt confident his ice capabilities would prove sufficient in taking such a monster down.

As they rounded the corner, they saw the villagers running about, attempting to escape the great serpent as it dragged itself out of the water, crushing another structure beneath his mass. Their movement caught the attention of the Gyarados, his purple eyes fixing upon them - particularly on Volcan, narrowing in recognition of the Blaziken.

"So, it is you again," he growled deeply. "I had hoped to run into the Lucario who defeated me before, so that I might even the score. But I will settle with you."

"I figured it was you," Volcan returned, a deep scowl on his face. "Hard to forget with that big scar on your side, where Luke blasted you."

The Gyarados growled, not pleased with the reminder.

"If you two are done with your little banter," Hageshi stated before he suddenly weaved a sign with his hand and exhaled an Ice Beam from his mouth right into the Gyarados' face.

The Gyarados recoiled from the hit, ice accumulating on the side of his face from the strike. But with a toss of his head, he shattered the ice off, glaring at Hageshi. "Insect. Away with you!" He roared as he swung his tail overhead, bringing it down in a wide arc.

Volcan and Hageshi leapt clear of the impact zone of the tail as it struck the ground where they had been standing, but the moment they were airborne, the Gyarados fired another Hydro Pump, aiming mainly for Hageshi, but catching Volcan on the edge of it. Hageshi was pressed into a wall, the pressure of the water so great it forced the air from his lungs. Before long, the wall behind him collapsed, and he was sent hurtling through the building it belonged to, crashing on top of a table with bone-jarring force.

Volcan hit the ground hard, half-drenched by the Hydro Pump and feeling the sting of the water-type attack. He hastily collected himself, rising back to his feet and facing the Gyarados. He summoned a Thunderpunch to both fists, dodging the next Hydro Pump with a jump to the left, bounding forward before making a mighty leap towards him. The Gyarados, having learned from previous encounters with the Blaziken, braced himself, taking the hit and the jolt that followed, but managing not to recoil.

To Volcan's horror, the Gyarados then lunged, his massive mouth opening wide. Volcan put up his hands just in time to catch the top row of teeth as they came down, and braced his legs, barely managing to hold the creature's mouth open and stop the massive teeth from shearing him in half. He struggled to hold on, and realized too late he had left himself wide-open. His eyes widened as the fifth Hydro Pump erupted from the Gyarados' maw, this time the Blaziken taking the full hit and sent hurtling through the air like a rag doll, blackness overtaking him.

Luke's heart likely skipped a beat as he saw the unmistakable form of a Blaziken fall out of the air and land in his path, hitting the snow with an explosion of flakes and sleet thrown in all directions upon impact, and a plume to follow the path he slid before coming to a stop almost right at the Lucario's feet.

"VOLCAN!!" Luke cried in horror as he immediately fell to his knees and held the Blaziken in his arms.

"Holy shit!!" Doug cried out from the shock of the initial impact the Blaziken made in the snow before he moved over to see the kind of damage Volcan had sustained.

Luke was vigorously shaking the Blaziken in his arms, even slapping his face a few times to try and rouse him from his unconscious state. "Volcan, wake up!" He pleaded desperately. "Dammit Cmon! Don't you quit on me!"

The building ahead of them caved as a massive form plowed through it, following the path which the Blaziken had flown upon being hurled through the air. Luke and his team had to cover their faces to protect themselves from flying timber as the Gyarados brought himself to bear before them, glaring harshly down at the Lucario in swift recognition.

"So you are here," he said. "It seems fortune favours me after all."

"Not this time, bubba!" Drogo shouted, leaping forward and putting himself in front of Volcan and Luke. "You just met your worst nightmare!" He gloated as electrical sparks fell from the yellow cheeks on his face. "Take this!"

Drogo fired a powerful Thunderbolt at the Gyarados. The great beast narrowly ducked below the path of the first attack, but Drogo was quick to charge up a second, blasting the Gyarados full-force with this and sending him reeling in agony, hitting the ground behind a row of buildings where he fell from sight.

"Oh yeah! I'm the man!" Drogo barked.

A deep growl rumbled from behind the buildings, lasting until the Gyarados rose from the ground again, a murderous glare fixed upon the Raichu that had dared strike him. He opened his mouth wide, a glow appearing within it followed by a low hum.

"Hyper Beam!" Drogo screamed, his feet slipping as he realizing the danger and moved to get away. "Scatter!"

"YIPE!!" Doug hollered as he quickly dug underground to escape the incoming Hyper Beam, while Luke quickly hoisted Volcan in his arms and leapt clear of the path of the attack before it discharged.

The orange beam seemed to light up the whole area, brighter than even the light of the sun behind the clouds, bathing everything in a dim glow as it cut a swath through the ground, followed by a massive explosion along the path it made, sending clouds of dust hurtling into the sky to be seen for miles around. The three had run out of its path and were summarily half-buried under snow and dirt that it had thrown about, a Raichu's tail the only indication of where they were until they managed to crawl out from under it.

"Way... too close," Drogo said, dazed, then looked to Luke, lying protectively over the still unconscious Volcan. "You okay, bro?" He asked.

"Yea, I'm fine." Luke called back, then turned his attention to the enraged Gyarados recovering after using such a taxing attack. "We only have a few moments before he recovers. Drogo, take Volcan and get as far away from here as you can!" He stated firmly.

"Me?! I can't carry him - he's triple my size!" Drogo returned. "What do you want me to do, drag him back to Hadleigh?"

Dammit! He was right - Drogo didn't have the strength to carry one of Volcan's weight. Where had Hageshi or Ernoul gotten to? One of them could at the very least help the Raichu...

Hageshi awoke with his head feeling as though he had been stricken by the hammer of a giant, his entire body aching as he sat up from the wreck of the table which had served to break his fall. He found himself momentarily thankful for the lack of splinters -likely from the tablecloth that it had resting over it catching them when the table had broken. It took him a moment to remember what had hit him -a full force Hydro Pump. He knew from the devastation of the building -from the roof that had been removed in the attack, that were it not for his Water-typing, that attack might well have ended him...

An explosion outside started him, sending him leaping to his feet as he realized the battle was still ongoing. He ran for the door, throwing it open only to find it blocked by debris. After managing to squeeze his way through, he saw Val's body lying amidst the broken wood that had blocked him. He knelt down to check the Floatzel's pulse; alive, only stunned.

He heard a groan behind him, and turned to see Ernoul coming out of the house next door. His fur was a mess, but other than a few scrapes he seemed mostly unharmed. His gaze found the Greninja, but soon turned to the Floatzel, concerned.

"He lives," Hageshi commented dryly, turning his attention back to Val. He lifted his tongue, and sharply turned his head, slapping Val across the face with it as he practically commanded him to wake up.

Val awoke with a start, sitting up sharply, and swooning as a spell of lightheadedness fell over him. He caught himself on his paw before he could fall back again, resting the other against his head. "Ow... anyone get the registration on that tanker that just ran me over?" He asked groggily, attempting humour to make light of their situation, but clearly pained.

"Right over there," Hageshi replied, pointing to the Gyarados that had now turned its attention to Luke, Drogo and the unconscious Volcan. "If you can attempt humour, you can get to your feet and help take that thing down," he said abruptly before rising to his feet and taking off to rejoin the battle.

"Wait!" Ernoul called after him. "You cannot fight him now - we need to see to the people!"

"If he's not taken down, there will be no people to tend to." Hageshi replied plainly. "Take the biggest threat down first, then check for casualties..."

At that instant, the three were forced to silence as a Thunderbolt struck the Gyarados, sending it reeling momentarily before an Aura Sphere followed suite. The Gyarados growled and then lunged towards its attackers, sending it hurtling from sight, though the sounds of the battle still reached their ears.

Val scrambled to his feet, grabbing Hageshi's shoulder and turning him to face him, letting the Greninja see the sharpness in his eyes. "You weren't on Arc Island when it was hit, Hageshi -I was! Even if we take down that Gyarados, what do you think comes next?" He pointed out to the sea with his paw, towards the ship anchored off shore, which to Hageshi's eyes seemed to have moved closer to the town, and was angling its broadside toward the town.

"Soon as they see the fight is over, we get bombarded with Draco Meteors - nothing will be left standing after that! That Gyarados may be a threat but in a cruel irony, he's the only reason we aren't going up in smoke this very second!"

A nearby pile of rubble shifted, and the three could hear voices calling for help -survivors of the Gyarados' attack, buried beneath the homes meant to protect them now trapping them. Some were digging themselves out, and already moving to assist their neighbours, but they would never be clear in time. Hageshi knew this as well as his 'comrades' - if the ship did decide to bombard the town, the losses would be great -far greater than they were already.

"We must see to the people and tend our wounded," Ernoul stated, gesturing past the Lucario and Raichu to the unconscious Blaziken being guarded by Doug. "Let Luke and Drogo handle the Gyarados for now. They will buy us the time we need!"

Hageshi let out a long irritated sigh, realizing Val and Ernoul were right. He then looked to the two of them and gave them a small nod. "...So be it... we'll do it your way." He stated, then he looked to a nearby group of Pokémon struggling to free themselves from a pile of rubble half burying them and ran over to assist them in escaping the carnage.

"You go check further up the street," Val directed Ernoul. "I'm going to help Volcan and Doug - gotta make sure he's not in range when those meteors start coming down."

Ernoul nodded his agreement. "Hurry back - we'll need all the strength we can muster."

The Gyarados made another lunge for Luke as the Lucario struck him again with Aura Sphere to little effect, slamming the ground with his large head where the Lucario had been a moment before. Drogo was about to fire another Thunderbolt, when the Gyarados turned his direction and cast a Twister at him. A small tornado appeared from below the Raichu, picking him up along with snow and sleet and tossing him about in the whirlwind before he was thrown clear, screaming as he flew.

Seeing his moment of opportunity, Luke quickly tugged down his scarf and tapped his Lucarionite. He was quickly shrouded in the trademark Crystalline sphere before it burst outward in all directions, reappearing as a Mega Lucario, his aura surging visibly across his body as he faced his opponent. Luke, now empowered, charged toward the Gyarados full tilt, powering up a Dragon Pulse in both paws and discharged it right when he was in his face.

The Gyarados' eyes widened as he saw the attack too late, and was blown backward, head travelling a full arc before he impacted with the ground, sending a tremor rippling through the frozen soil.

Drogo scrambled to pick himself up again after being tossed like a ragdoll, throwing snow everywhere until he found his footing and stumbled his way over to Luke. "You had a mega stone too?" He asked, dizzily. "Thought it was just Neilla."

"Not just me. Volcan has one as well." Luke informed the Raichu as he came stumbling over, though his attention shifted back to the unconscious Blaziken being protected by Doug, feeling his heart twist in his chest just from seeing the state he was in. He then looked back to the Gyarados as he was stirring again, clenching his paws tightly as he readied himself for another round with the massive beast.

"Stay on your toes, Drogo. Just because I've mega evolved doesn't mean I'm invincible." He warned.

"Come on - we've got this," Drogo returned confidently, not seeming to recollect the attack that had sent him hurtling before.

The Gyarados rose, eyeing Luke in his mega evolved form with half-lidded eyes, as if contemplating the change in odds that, if going by their last encounter, were no longer in his favour. Yet, he did not appear concerned as he raised himself upon his tail, glaring down at him.

"You did not think I did not come prepared to face you in this form again, did you?" He asked, and then opened his mouth widely again.

Drogo tensed, thinking the Gyarados was about to fire another Hyper Beam, but a glint of something imbedded in the great sea monster's tongue caught his and Luke's eyes. A piercing at the tip of the large tongue, catching the light of the sun and reflecting its colours -yellow, with a twisting blue and red interior. Luke felt his heart skip a beat as it dawned on him what it was.

The Gyarados had a Mega Stone!

"...Oh no." Luke muttered as the gravity of the situation dawned on him. "Drogo you need to leave." He informed the Raichu as he shifted to his stance again.

"Say what?!" He demanded. "You're going to fight him by yourself - are you crazy?! Even if you're Mega Evolved he could pound you flat!"

"He's after me because I put that scar on his side." Luke returned firmly, trying to stay calm. "Anyone else fighting alongside me at this point would only be collateral damage, and I won't risk anymore casualties in this fight."

As he spoke, the Gyarados' stone began to glow, bathing him in light and engulfing him in the signature crystalline sphere of Mega Evolution, drowning any protest Drogo might've offered as he watched in stunned awe as the Gyarados ascended beyond his evolution to achieve ultimate power. When the sphere shattered, the Gyarados reappeared, transformed into a terrifying form. He was bulkier on his upper half, the four spiked fins once stretching across his back now replaced by huge sail-like fins that arched behind him, his barbels and crest on his forehead considerably larger than they were before, and the yellow scales that once dotted his sides had turned to a deep red.

Drogo stared, wide-eyed in horror at the behemoth of a sea monster. Luke held his ground, but he too was taken aback by the startling transformation, and the massive aura that the Gyarados now emitted.

Quickly, he looked back to Drogo once more. "I won't ask you again, Drogo! Get to somewhere safe now!" Luke practically bellowed at him, his aura flame bursting out from around him before burning in a frantic, yet somewhat controlled manner.

Drogo jumped back as though the Lucario had spontaneously combusted, staring unblinking at him for a long moment before scowling and letting out a groan. "Aaah dammit!" He cursed, and dropped to all fours as he turned to leave, running back to where Doug watched over Volcan.

The Gyarados watched the Raichu leave, but to Luke's relief, made no move to stop him. His only interest was on the Lucario -even the mission which he had been sent for no longer seemed important now. "So you intend to face me alone," he said, his tail shifting beneath him as he altered his posture -whether defensive or in preparation of an attack was hard to tell. "Brave, though I would not call it wise."

"You've injured enough Pokémon today, you beast!" Luke called back to him, tensing his body in preparation to move at any given notice. "Come on!!" He roared.

"Know the name of your death, Lucario," he growled in retort. "I am Nendranos, and today I take my vengeance!" These were his final words before his tail glowed a watery blue and swung towards the Lucario - an Aqua Tail.

Luke instinctively leapt into the air as the attack came his way, arcing over the tail and landing in a crouch on the opposite side of it. He kept his distance and began to strafe around Nendranos, discharging Aura Spheres at the beast as he searched for some sort of opening or weak spot on his opponent's body that he could exploit. Nendranos braced himself for the impact of the spheres, enduring the pain they caused him -which Luke didn't notice immediately just how significant they were, before Nendranos opened his mouth wide and fired a stream of steaming hot water from his great maw.

Not a Hydro Pump - surely he could not use that again after spending all of his energy on it before. Scald.

Luke's prompt reaction with Extreme Speed were all that saved him from being boiled alive. He appeared at the Mega Gyarados' left flank, this time creating a Focus Blast and hurling it as quickly as he can, counting on the fact that his foe was a much larger target. Sadly, the attack was too slow, and Nendranos dropped flat, letting it soar over him, before he swung himself about to attack with another Aqua Tail.

This time Luke didn't have enough time to dodge the attack. Instead he created his Bone Rush and held it in front of him as the Tail came charging at him, digging his feet into the ground and bracing for the impact as best he could. But the Gyarados was simply too powerful for him to keep his footing -he was launched clear off the ground, arcing through the air before hitting the ground again, thankfully into a snowdrift that broke his fall.

Dazed, but still able to fight, Luke quickly got back to his feet and held his weapon at the ready again, waving his paw in a taunting manner in an effort to entice Nendranos to take the first move once again. The Gyarados growled, but did not take the bait, his eyes meeting Luke's as the battle reached a temporary pause...

Drogo and Doug, with help from Val, managed to drag Volcan away from the battle between Luke and Nendranos, getting the comatose Blaziken to a rally point set up with the villagers who had gathered there safely to watch the ongoing clash. With a few sweeps of his tail, Val cleared away some of the snow, and one of the townsfolk offered him a blanket to put around the Blaziken to keep him as comfortable as possible.

"Damn, he took a big hit," said Val, touching Volcan's forehead and then neck, checking his pulse. "He's alive, but I don't think he'll be waking up soon..."

Doug heaved a sigh of relief. "Wheeew... Luke's gonna be relieved to hear that..." He muttered, before he looked back to the town once again. "...Providing he can hold off that Gyarados long enough."

"I should get back in there," said Drogo, though the words weren't as brave as he wanted them to sound. In truth, he was as intimidated by the Mega Evolved Gyarados as the rest of them...

"Focus on the townsfolk for now," Val urged. "Ernoul and Hageshi are doing a last sweep. Then we-"

Pwoof!

Snow showered the three from behind. The townsfolk nearby gasped in horror, some falling back as though they had seen a Gastly leap out at them. Thinking another shore party had come to pursue the evacuees, the three of them turned to face them, ready to protect Volcan and the townsfolk.

But it was not one of the invaders who stood, eyes upon the Blaziken lying behind Val. His dark eyes furrowed with anger as he regarded the three, and electricity coursed over his body as he asked a single question, brimming with intent as the words left his pointed beak.

"Who. Did that. To my brother?"

Nendranos' patience finally ran out as Luke refused to make the next move, and finally the Gyarados fired another Scald at him. Luke dashed out of the way via Extreme Speed, then closed the distance while discharging some more Aura Spheres to keep the Gyarados at bay as he cast aside his Bone and launched a potent Force Palm when he was within range.

The Gyarados recoiled from the hit, growling angrily. This time it was not lost on Luke just how much the attack had affected Nendranos -as a regular Gyarados, his sub-type had been Flying, which would have made him resistant to Fighting-type attacks. But it seemed his typing had changed -to what, Luke didn't know yet, but in that moment he saw he had an advantage, one it seemed even Nendranos hadn't factored into his rematch with Luke. The Gyarados did not fully understand his mega evolved form yet, nor its weaknesses.

Still, what he lacked in knowledge, he made up for in power, and that still made him dangerous.

Luke then jumped back from Nendranos, taking a moment to absorb this new information that he had just learned and starting to form a hypothesis. When he was a fair distance away, he began his little experiment, starting out with a Dragon Pulse attack from where he stood. The attack struck, the Gyarados reeled, but it did not seem to hurt as much as the Aura Spheres or Force Palm had.

'So he's not a Dragon Type...' Luke surmised quietly, then began to wrack his brain and try to think of attacks that were susceptible to his Fighting Type attacks. 'He doesn't look like he's gained any metal parts on him, so Steel is out of the question...Rock as well.'

Then it dawned on him as to what typing Nendranos could possibly be, and a small grin started to form on his lips as he got back into his stance again. "...It seems there's quite a crippling trade off with your Mega Evolution, Nendranos." He stated.

"And what would that be?" He asked, unconvinced.

At that, Luke dashed forward at breakneck speeds, appearing right in front of Nendranos' face and slamming another Force Palm into his cranium. "You lost your Flying subtype, and became a Dark type!" He exclaimed as he leapt away from the Gyarados, shooting more Aura Spheres at his foe. "What was once a resistance to my typing has now become your worst nightmare, Nendranos!"

From the pain he felt, it seemed the Gyarados was inclined to agree, for he voiced no protest, but his tenacity won out over the agony the attacks caused, and he batted Luke aside with a slam of his head. "Even if that is true, my power still eclipses your own!" He retorted. "I will destroy you!"

But as he moved to attack again, a lightning bolt fell from above, striking him. He threw back his head and roared in agony from the surprise attack until it ceased, collapsing to the ground in pain as Luke watched, startled. He looked around, expecting to see Drogo having come back to rejoin the fight, until a shadow passed over him.

Luke looked up, and his mouth fell agape as he realized who was circling overhead. "Lighris??" Luke demanded. "When the hell did you get here??"

"I came looking for my brother, after he ran off without me - again!" Lighris called back. "And given the size of the explosion that drew me over here, it seems it's a good thing I did!"

Luke turned his attention back to Nendranos again, his smirk now becoming wider and brimming with confidence as he powered up another Focus Blast in his paw. "You know, for once I'm actually glad you decided to tag along." He announced. "Keep him stunned, I need a few seconds!"

"On it!" Lighris called, circling around to attack the Gyarados again as the great beast lifted himself from the ground.

Nendanros' tenacity might have surprised Luke at another time, but spurred on by the tipping of the scales, he didn't miss a beat. He sucked in a deep breath, his dreadlocks trailing behind him as if caught in the wind, though the air was still. He brought his paws together, focusing all of his energy into them, and separated them as an orange glow shone from between them, its light reflecting in his furious red eyes.

Lighris cast another bolt at Nendranos - a miss. Nendanros fired a Scald at the Zapdos. Vapour caught Lighris' wing, but the Zapdos successfully maneuvered out of the path of the attack, managing to bear the searing pain the steaming hot droplets brought. He sent another Thunderbolt to strike Nendranos, this one hitting home, causing the Mega Gyarados to reel.

Nendranos shook off the pain again, opening his eyes intent to turn them back upon the Zapdos, but he saw another blur of motion to his left. He turned, and his eyes widened in horror as the Mega Lucario ran across a rooftop, gaining momentum with a pulsing sphere of pure, Fighting-type energy clutched between his paws.

Luke let out a furious roar as leapt from the roof, pure hatred in his eyes as he flew through the air. He thrust the Force Blast point blank into Nendranos' face, the explosion powerful enough to send both of them tumbling away from each other. Luke tumbled head-over-heels toward the snow, landing heavily in the white powder with a grunt and a cough, while Nendranos fell upon his side, crushing another house beneath his bulk as he fell.

A silence fell over the area following the fall of Nendranos, who lay on his side in the wreckage of the building. As the dust cleared from around him, he was revealed to have reverted back to his original form, his power spent and his body too broken to continue. Luke sat up, seeing his fallen opponent, and was finally able to relax himself as it became clear the battle was over - though he did not allow himself to devolve yet.

Lighris landed in the snow next to Luke, stepping closer to him. "You alright?" He asked.

"Yea... just a few bruises." Luke returned, his body shining briefly for a moment before he reverted back to his normal state as well. "Thanks for the assist, Lighris..."

"Hey, you're my future brother in law," he remarked with a wry smirk, leaning down and offering his shoulder to help Luke up. "So... I gotta protect you too."

Luke smiled and gently grasped Lighris' shoulder with his paw, pulling himself back to his feet and nodding to the Zapdos in gratitude. "Well in any case..." Luke looked around at the half ruined town around him. "...Seems like most, if not all, of the townsfolk managed to escape."

"Yeah," he nodded, looking towards the gathered villagers.

They heard Nendranos growl then, turning around in surprise and fearing the creature still had his will to fight, though try as he might, he couldn't lift himself from the ground, his mouth drawing in a great breath and exhaling to melt the snow in front of his face, trying to regain his strength.

The Lucario narrowed his eyes slightly at Nendranos as he tried to rise back up once more, slowly turning and taking a few steps toward the fallen Gyarados. "Don't bother getting up...You've lost this fight, Nendranos." Luke stated in a firm tone.

His eyes slowly rolled to look at Luke and the Zapdos standing next to him, a low growl escaping his throat as he tried to speak. "Even with power to rival the gods... I still could not best you," he said. "How... how is it I have been defeated again?"

"It's true that you attained greater power this time around." Luke concurred. "But you didn't bother to understand the drawbacks of your new form. In your case, you were unaware that your typing shifted in exchange for such a power boost." Luke further explained. "Your own ignorance and rage are what cost you this fight."

He let out another breath, this one more of a sigh than a growl as he answered the Lucario. "It appears there is power in knowledge, and not simply in one's own might after all," he spoke lowly, mostly to himself. Then, turned his attention back to Luke. "The attack will commence soon. You must get away from here, before the meteors fall, else you will not survive."

Luke shifted his gaze over to the Oppression, knowing that Nendranos was right. If he stayed, he would most likely be killed in the incoming bombardment. Yet despite that, his gaze fell back to the Gyarados once more, that burning desire to help others surfacing despite the fact this was an enemy before him.

"...What about you?" He asked in a softer tone. "I can't just leave you here to die, Nendranos."

The Gyarados shifted, until both of his eyes could see the Lucario, a look of genuine astonishment on his face. "Why do you fear for me?" He asked, puzzled. "I am your enemy... I may have even taken the life of one of your friends, yet you show compassion?"

"That's just how I am." Luke explained. "Yes, you may be an enemy, and you gravely injured the one Pokémon I hold dearest to my heart. But despite that, I can't just abandon you here." He said firmly. "Life is precious. No matter what path you've chosen, I feel that everyone deserves a second chance to redeem themselves."

Nendrandos watched Luke in silence for a moment, unable to find any words to refute the Lucario's claim. Eventually, he let out another sigh, turning his head to find the nearest shore. "...I will take care of myself," he assured. "If I can get into the water..." He tried to get up again, growling with the effort. "I can escape to the ocean floor... and rest there. Though I believe this will be the last failure Calhoun will tolerate."

"Then don't go back to him." Luke urged. "Stop living your life in servitude of another and make your own damn choices. For once in your life, be free to do what you want." He urged, then he turned to Lighris. "Go back to the others and see if they have any Sitrus Berries on them."

"You really want to help this guy?" He asked, incredulously. "What's stopping him from blasting you the moment those berries rejuvenate him?"

"I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt... now go!" Luke commanded the Zapdos firmly.

Reluctantly, Lighris turned and flew over to the gathered crowd, leaving Luke and the Gyarados alone to continue their talk.

"I was free before Calhoun appeared," he returned. "But the promise of power is a tempting trap indeed, and when I first lay eyes on him, I saw much power within him. You have seen him, yes?" He looked at Luke expectantly. "You have seen what he is?"

"I know exactly what he is..." Luke returned. "And needless to say, I do fear what he's capable of." He admitted soon afterward.

"Then you know the power he has - the corruption that he embodies," Nendranos went on, looking back at Luke with a half scowl. "Dark power even Yveltal himself would dare not wield. You must ensure, young warrior, that if the day comes you face him, you cannot show him the compassion you have shown me, else you will become just another of his puppets."

At that moment, Lighris returned, a Sitrus berry clenched in his talon, dropping into Luke's paw from above. "That's all there is," he said, and then frowned at Luke. "I really hope you know what you're doing."

Luke held the berry in his paw, clenching it for a moment before he turned to Nendranos again, stepping closer to the towering beast, no fear in his eyes or in his body's movements. "Here." He called to the towering beast, holding up the berry to him. "I give this to you with a promise, that I'll bring Calhoun down and end his tyranny on this world and its inhabitants. "

Slowly, Nendranos turned, angling himself closer to Luke. Lighris tensed, ready for an attack, but it didn't come, the Gyarados resting his head a few paces from Luke, and holding his mouth open for the Lucario to toss the berry in. He promptly swallowed it, raising his head again as he let its effects sink in. He rumbled loudly as some of his strength returned, and he was able to push himself towards the water.

He stopped only once, looking back at Luke again. "If ever we meet again, it will not be as enemies, this I vow. My days of hunting you or your friends end now, for better or worse."

With that, Nendranos summoned all the strength he could muster, hurling himself towards the water with a splash, and snaking his massive body into the deeper waters until the spikes atop his back disappeared beneath the waves. His tail emerged only once, splashing the water to propel himself onward, before he vanished into the cold sea, only ripples marking his passage.

"...You think it's really over?" Lighris asked. "With him, anyway?"

Luke let out a sigh, watching where Nendranos last disappeared into the depths before turning away and began walking past Lighris. "Time will tell." He answered plainly. "C'mon, let's go."

No sooner did he say that did a howling fill the air, followed by a thunderous crash as the first volley of Draco Meteors bombarded the town, startling both. They turned, to see the meteors cascading down upon the village just as the last of the townsfolk fled the buildings, Hageshi and Ernoul following close behind, columns of smoke, dust and fire rising in their wake.

"Time to leave!" Lighris said urgently, taking to the air hurriedly.

Luke wasted no time in making his escape, dashing away from the falling meteors as they bombarded the town. As he ran, he glimpsed back one more time at the town being utterly demolished, making his heart sting even more, but that sting was soon replaced with a burning rage and desire to bring the Oppression and its crew down...One way or another, they were going to pay for what they did to this town, its inhabitants, and all of the other civilizations they had destroyed prior to them arriving at Hadleigh.

They regrouped at the rally point, seeing the horrified expressions of the villagers as they watched the meteors descend from the sky as though hurled by Arceus himself, levelling their homes within moments. Children flung themselves into the arms of their parents, crying with them for the loss as the rescue team members struggled to keep the perimeter -many of the folk wanted to rush out to the Oppression to stop the attack, but their claims were more boisterous than brave, for none of them had a prayer of stopping it and they knew.

Val turned as he saw Hageshi and Ernoul returning. "Did you get everyone?" He asked.

"Nobody has turned up missing, according to the elders," replied Ernoul. "But we are not safe yet - the Oppression doesn't know the village has been evacuated but it will not take them long to find out."

"Then it's time for us to make tracks back to Hadleigh," Val replied. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luke and Lighris returning, pointing them out to the others. "Where's the Gyarados?" He asked as Luke ran into earshot over the deafening explosions behind him.

"He's gone." Luke answered quickly. "He won't be causing trouble any longer." He informed the rest before he quickly changed the subject. "Nevermind that. Where's Volcan? Please tell me he'll be okay."

"He'll live, boss." Doug answered as he crawled forward toward Luke. "Poor guy took a really bad hit though... I don't think he'll be wakin up fer a few days at least."

"Where is he?" He practically demanded.

Val pointed behind him. "Back there, wrapped in a blanket. A couple of townsfolk offered to carry him back," he turned to Luke. "I know you're worried, but we need to get out of here - the faster we get back to Hadleigh, the sooner we can get Volcan some help."

"Y-Yea, right." Luke concurred, sucking in a deep breath to calm himself down before he walked ahead of the group and began to address the townsfolk, explaining their situation as best he could and organizing them into a tightly knit group. He then began to assign each Rescue Team member a position around the group of villagers to better keep them safe as they made their trek back to Hadleigh.

All the while, the column of smoke where the village once stood could be seen even, and the fires of the burning village lit up the sky as the night fell over the region, warning all who could see it of the destruction that had taken place there...

~~~~~

"The Hydro Pump has put him into a coma," Aerendyl said as he finished his examination of Volcan, leaping down from the bed where the Blaziken and stepping over to Luke and Lighris, bearing a sympathetic look on his face. "He'll live, but for how long he'll be out I cannot say. We'll know more when the doctor gets here and has time to examine him."

"Damnit..." Luke muttered softly, clenching his eyes shut for a moment. "If only I were there... If I were just a little bit faster, I could have stopped this from happening!"

"Volc was only doing what he thought was right," Lighris assured him, his voice shaken. As pained as he was, he was showing that he had accepted Volcan's willingness to put his life on the line for others, though the Zapdos was clearly fighting back his own rage at what had happened to him this day.

"Be that as it may...the cost was too great." Luke answered back. "We're down one of our most capable tacticians and we can't afford to wait until he recovers... We need reinforcements."

"Let's worry about that later," Aerendyl insisted. "Neilla's team is due back any moment - we need a debriefing, and a proper plan on what to do next."

"I'll stay with Volcan," Lighris offered, stepping over to the Blaziken's bedside and laying down on the floor. "If you need me... you know where I am."

For a moment, Luke wanted to protest; wanted to say that he would stay with Volcan. But he held himself back, steadying himself with another breath before he looked at the Zapdos. "Thank you, Lighris." Luke returned, managing a small smile to the Zapdos before turning his back to him and heading out the bedroom door to regroup with the rest of the teams downstairs, Aerendyl following at his side.

They descended into the barroom area, where they found Val seated on the couch, talking with Azrael and Breenelle - likely updating them on the situation. Drogo and Ernoul sat at a booth on the other side, sharing a meal. Hageshi was standing by the door, deep in thought as he leaned against the wall. He tensed slightly as he heard footsteps approaching the door, but relaxed when it opened and Neilla stepped through, followed by Hank, a shivering Sarth -who made immediately for crackling fireplace - and Eagle Eye, perched on the Lopunny's outstretched arm..

Neilla saw Luke as he descended the stairs, and then peered about the room, as if something were missing. Eagle Eye left her then, jumping to stand on the back of the nearest couch, and nodded in greeting to his boss.

Neilla moved over to him, concern apparent in her pink eyes. "Where's Volcan?" She asked. "We lost contact on our radios after he reported seeing the Oppression - Eagle Eye met us on the road."

Luke let out a heavy sigh before he answered. "He's...upstairs." He said in a pained expression. "He was gravely injured when the town was attacked by a Gyarados."

"Whoa, WHAT?!" Eagle Eye squawked in surprise.

"Yer kidding me!" Hank exclaimed in disbelief. "Wait...a Gyarados?? The same guy that hit Azure all those months ago??"

Luke nodded softly. "Yeah , but he's been taken care of. He won't bother us again."

That did not offer them much comfort, though, he could see on their faces. Neilla stepped towards Luke, studying the look on his face. "Is he going to be alright?"

When Luke couldn't answer, Aerendyl stepped forward. "He's in a coma -alive, but he will be down for a while. How long, that's for the doctor to decide when he comes," he shook his head. "What of the mission - the towns? Did they agree to evacuate?"

"They were skeptical when we first showed up," the Lopunny explained. "When we saw the smoke on our way North, I sent Sarth and Eagle Eye back, and according to them they were more inclined to agree with us once they saw the smoke rising. As far as I know, the towns have evacuated - most are heading south, now that the road is clear."

"I told them Hadleigh would be safe, but they want to get as far away from all this as possible," Sarth added to the debriefing.

"Frankly I don't blame 'em...If I were just a citizen like them, I'd be wanting to scram myself." Hank admitted honestly.

"So what's the plan now?" Eagle Eye asked, tilting his head slightly. "The Oppression's still out there, we're down a teammate, and we still haven't a clue as to how we're gonna take that thing down."

"Hey, no sweat!" Drogo called. "That ship can't get to Hadleigh - we're inland!"

"Next to a big river Drogo," Neilla reminded, looking at the Raichu sternly. "It'd be tight, but the river can accommodate a ship that size."

Drogo's confident smile disappeared in an instant, the gravity of the situation dawned on him "Then..." the Raichu began. "Then they're going to come here?"

"Since we'd deprived them of their latest 'catch' it seems likely," replied the Lopunny. "This is the first place they're going to look next. The river doesn't freeze, but some ice comes downstream from its source; if the current is strong enough we should have some time to prepare. A day, maybe two depending on the speed of the current."

"Four, if they need to offload again," Ernoul added. "Knowing that a large haul awaits them they may drop off the prisoners they've already collected, or collect reinforcements. They will need a sizable force to secure a place as large as Hadleigh."

"Not exactly an inspirin' thought, snowball," Hank remarked.

"Even so, it's time we do not have to regroup properly..." Hageshi stated. "As it stands, we're a flock of sitting Farfetch'd lined up before the firing squad."

"Yea, thanks. Really helpin the morale here, kid." Hank commented with a scowl.

"He's not wrong. There isn't much we can do in four days without some help..." Luke pointed out, narrowing his eyes a little as he tried to come up with a solution to their problem. "...We may have to call the rest of Team Valiant and any other teams that are able to assist us."

"Word was sent out all over the place, but I don't know if anyone's coming," said Neilla. "Team Orochi in Daffodil Valley is closest but they probably can't travel in this weather, and the teams out east, we can't even get to them with that bridge still being guarded."

"Is Volcan not a leader of a team as well?" Ernoul asked suddenly. "Where are they?"

"They're stationed back in Azure." Luke answered. "I did consider sending word to them, but, one of their own is having...personal issues, to put it mildly."

"Well this is a fuckin crisis right now man! We need all the help we can get!" Eagle Eye squawked. "Just say the word boss, and I'll head back to Azure in record time!"

"Flyboy's got a point, man." Hank added in with a shrug. "Clearly we're lookin at a bigger threat than we bargained for, and personally, I'd welcome Lunkhead's or even Kats' raw power right about now."

Luke looked to each of his teammates, considering their words and weighing their options. They had a point. The group had earned themselves a small breather after evacuating the townsfolk from their homes before they could become enslaved...They ought to use this time to call for help.

The Lucario finally gave them a nod in agreement. "You're right." Luke answered, then looked to Eagle Eye. "Head back to Azure and get in contact with any of Team Phalanx, as fast as you can."

"Awwww HELL yea man! That's what I'm talkin about!" Hank exclaimed in excitement.

Eagle Eye squawked happily after being given the go ahead to depart for Azure. "I'll be back before ya know it!" He exclaimed before he hopped toward the front door as fast as he could.

A silence fell over the room following Eagle Eye's departure, until Neilla spoke again -more to break the uncomfortable still than to say much else. "I guess... now all we can do is wait," said Neilla, looking at Luke.

He nodded softly to Neilla. "We should probably all get some rest... It's been a long day today, and the worst is yet to come."

"No argument there." Hank agreed.

Neilla nodded in agreement, her gaze drifting over to the bar counter. "I think I'll hang around for a bit. I didn't get much to eat today," she said.

"...I think I'm just going to head upstairs." Luke said softly. "I need to be alone for a bit." He added, slowly turning and heading toward the stairs leading up to his room, practically dragging his feet behind him as he moved.

Hank watched his captain, a look of sympathy on his features. His heart went out to Luke, knowing the turmoil he must have been feeling with Volcan incapacitated. "Stay strong, boss," he whispered. No one heard him.

It would be the first time since Luke and Volcan had first confessed to one another that the Lucario would be sleeping in a bed alone, and it brought back feelings he wished could have remained lost. Already, he desperately missed the Blaziken's touch, his warm feathers lulling him into a deep sleep where he would enjoy pleasant dreams and awaken refreshed and happy. It seemed to take hours for him to fall asleep, every so often he'd wake up, his paws seeking his lover's body, but finding the spot next to him empty.

It was torturous, not having Volcan with him.

"...Damnit all..." Luke whimpered softly, tears already starting to well up in his eyes as he kept thinking about Volcan's condition and how he could have prevented him from falling into a coma. He craved his warmth, his protective embrace...It felt as though that if he were to fall asleep again, he'd begin suffering those recurring nightmares he used to be tormented with since his last break up...

Somehow, sleep found the distressed Lucario. He didn't know how long he had slept, or what awoke him. The room was as black as pitch as his eyes opened, his eyes rapidly adjusting the the lack of light, letting him make out the silhouettes of the bed, to the unoccupied spot he had stared at until he had drifted away, and the nightside table where an alarm clock - unset, ticked away the hours.

He lay there, motionless, staring at the window above the nightstand. As he regained his senses, he spotted movement in the window. He blinked, staring at the pane of glass; he saw it again, but realized it wasn't something outside the window; it was a reflection. He then became aware of a weight on the bed, coming from behind him; were he still waking up he might have thought it was Volcan, coming to join him, but his mind was clear, remembering that the Blaziken was in no state to come to his bed.

Someone was in there with him!

He spun onto his back and sat up, so sharply the bed shook with the movement. A pair of purple eyes with black slitted pupils jerked back in alarm, seemingly as surprised to find the Lucario awake as Luke was to find them watching him. The two came immediately to a standoff, eyes meeting eyes, neither one moving or making a sound.

As Luke's eyes came into focus, he could make out a reptilian form standing on the edge of the bed. A lithe, almost snake-like form stood poised on two legs, a tail twice the lengths of its body dragging behind them, and two thin arms ending in two clawed hands, thin and fully dextrous, clutched the blankets below. The figure was unmistakably feminine, and marked by two dark colours dominantly, but with bright pink and red markings on the underbelly that were visible even in the gloom of the unlit room.

Finally, after a long silence between the two of them, Luke finally spoke up. "Who are you?" He asked in a whisper - not even sure why he was keeping his voice down, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "...I feel like I've seen you before."

At first, the Reptilian said nothing, her tail swaying behind her as she regarded the Lucario. But as he started to shift, she finally spoke up, her voice equally hushed but also carrying an edge of fear in it.

"Please, don't call out. I am not here to hurt you," she said. "My name is Jora. We have met before, though you saw me only briefly." The voice was definitely female and carried no open hostility that he could sense.

Luke did not doubt the stranger's words as he took her in. Physically, she did not appear very threatening, her arms and legs far too thin to possess much strength. That did not mean she wasn't dangerous, though; he had seen enough Pokémon in his life to know that sometimes even the ones who were the least threatening had some secret ability that made them deadly opponents.

He eased himself enough, to give the hint that he did not intend to attack, but he was ready to react if Jora took any hostile action. "Alright then, Jora," Luke began in a slightly calmer tone. "What are you doing here in my room? And on that note, how'd you get in without any of the other teams knowing?"

"I... have ways," she answered, dodging the question. "But for why I am here, it is only to talk. I wish to make you an offer."

"...What kind of offer?" Luke asked warily.

"A chance to save yourself, and the lives of your friends," she answered. "I am in a position to offer you safety from any further action from the Oppression. "She crept slightly closer. "In return, you must leave. Leave this city, and return home."

Luke backed up a little as she crept closer until his head was against the headboard. "Leave Hadleigh?" He asked in disbelief. "You can't be serious; I can't abandon this city! When I took this job, I was committed to saving this town from the Oppression no matter what; I'm not leaving until the job's done."

"But you cannot save it," she said, urgency creeping into her voice as she stood before him, her gaze never leaving his. "Not from what's coming - you must believe me." She sounded desperate, he noted, not like one who feared the Lucario or whoever she answered to, but more that she feared for him, and those around him.

"If the city is empty when the Oppression comes, then it will have nowhere to go - the river will not take it further. Those who won't leave-" She paused, struggling to find the right words. "There is nothing you could do for them, but if you care for your team and the people of this city, you must convince them to abandon it. You could save them all."

"Jora, it's not that simple." Luke returned. "These Pokémon have grown up here; one can't just simply round them all up and force them out of their homes. That's not how we operate." He explained calmly. "I'm sorry, but I'm committed all the way until the end..."

She looked ready to say more, but paused, seeing that he was unmoveable in his decision. She lowered her gaze, sighing, and then raised her tail as a pink fire glowed from underneath it, and the markings on her underbelly shone with a similar colour.

"Hear my words, Luke," she said, her voice even and alluring as she spoke. "Hear me, and know the truth.

As she spoke, Luke began to feel a warmth filling his body as he took in a breath, and with each subsequent breath he took, the feeling intensified, filling his chest and causing his heart to race, barely registering Jora as she moved closer to him.

'W-What the hell...?' Luke thought to himself the more he felt the warmth in his chest continue to grow. He shook his head before looking at Jora again, feeling his chest warming as he saw her again.

She was... magnificent. All thoughts of the world around him were dashing from his mind as he took her the hypnotic sway of her body moving closer to him, weaving like water over the bedsheets as she climbed over his body that seemed to be betraying him.

"Hear me," she whispered again. "You know this is not your fight. You can leave; take everyone from here. Save thousands."

"I-I...won't..." Luke began to speak, but the rest of his sentence died in his throat, replaced only with heavy breaths as the creature continued to creep closer to him, the alien yet somehow familiar warmth coursing through him, his body yearning for Jora as his eyes met her alluring gaze; she loomed so close now, he could almost see his reflection in her eyes.

"You do not need to fight anymore," she said, resting atop him, never breaking her eye contact with him.

Through his blanket he could feel her lithe body pressing into his own, the warmth in him almost overpowering his will, commanding him to caress that perfect form presented to him. He wanted to, yet something in his subconscious held his paws at bay, yet he did not have the strength to look away from the reptilian laying atop him, the tip of her snout only millimeters from his own.

"You must take them from here. You must convince all the citizens to leave - I know it is difficult, but I can make it easier," she said, and he felt the blanket being pulled off his body, slowly being eased from over his belly all the way to his knees. She lifted her claws to clear the way as her tail uncovered him, leaving him exposed beneath her as she leaned in.

He felt her long tongue touch his neck, sending shivers over his body. "You know that this is better; the needs of the few cannot outweigh the many." Her claws were now on his shoulders, drawing closer still. "There need not be any guilt; you did everything you could."

To the Lucario's surprise, his paws began moving independently of his own will, resting on Jora's hips and idly sliding back and forth along her form as she neared him. 'W-What am I doing??' He practically screamed to himself, a moan escaping his throat as she flicked her tongue along his neck again. 'Stop! This isn't right!' His mind kept screaming at him, but his body was slowly but surely betraying him.

"I-I-" He whispered back softly, once again the words dying in his throat as the creature loomed over him, his head lowering back onto the pillow.

Jora was completely on top of him now. He could feel every curve of her body pressing upon him, her claws resting on either side of his face, still never breaking eye contact with him. Those alluring eyes of hers seemed to drain the willpower from him, his every breath causing an unbearable heat to stir in the depths of his body.

"You need only go," Jora continued, that lavish body promising him pleasure unending as she rubbed against him. "Hadleigh is lost, but its people need not be. You could save them all, and you don't need to be hurt." she was turning her head to the side, guiding herself closer to him. "Just say that you will go... and you will feel no guilt."

'P-Push her off! Do something!' Luke's sensible mind kept protesting, but his body ignored his instincts.

His body's actions were beyond his control as he slid a paw to rest on the back of Jora's neck, and before he could even try to stop himself, he kissed her, his lips locking with the reptilian's. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, a voice screamed in despair, but its cries fell upon deaf ears as he surrendered to desire.

Jora took him deeper into the kiss, her thin arms sliding around behind his neck as she rested her perfectly sculpted form atop him. He could smell her now; she smelled of the wilderness, various plants clinging to her almost seamless scaled form. Even with his eyes closed, his paws exploring her figure painted the perfection of her form in his mind, longing so much to make love to her, to let all of the pain of his dilemma melt away in the throes of passion that awaited him

This creature...she was so perfect...so caring and loving toward him...looking out for his safety and, judging from her words, the safety of others as well.

...Just like Volcan...

At the very thought of his name, everything surged back into the Lucario again. His eyes widened at the horror that gripped him, mind and body registering the betrayal that loomed so dangerously near.

" NO!" He roared with defiance, and pushed Jora off him with all his strength.

The reptilian let out a surprised shriek as she was hurled over the bed, tumbling over the foot of the bed to land heavily on the floor, the sheer unexpectedness of Luke's sudden turn leaving her no time to brace herself. She coughed, rubbing her side with a claw where she had landed on her hip, and looked up to see the Lucario, now up on his knees atop the bed.

Luke's eyes still carried the horror in them, but his body language was threatening as he stared down at Jora, taking in deep breaths to steady himself while he broke her spell.

"I won't! I won't!" He screamed. "I won't betray them! I won't betray Hadleigh, or Volcan!"

Jora rolled onto her front, and stood up on her hind legs. Luke became suddenly aware of just how tall the Salazzle was as she stood; even if he had been standing, she stood nearly as tall as Volcan. Suddenly, Luke remembered where he had seen her; it had only been her silhouette in the smog, but he knew it was her.

The Salandits, housed in Hadleigh's jail. They called out for her throughout the night like lost children from their mothers. He had seen her fighting to protect them the day they had battled on the road; the Matron. It was her!

"You are not betraying anyone," that alluring voice left her lips again, and she started to move closer to him again. "I only offer you an escape."

This time he remained steadfast, quickly jumping out of bed and stepping away from the reptilian creature, putting himself opposite the bed from her. Yet, even now, knowing what she was, he could not bring himself to ready an attack; some other force was holding him back.

He had control of his voice again, his brow furrowing as he glared at her. "Get out of my room, Jora." He commanded. "I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work. You won't turn me with your seduction!"

"I am only trying to help!" She pleaded, speaking louder than she had before. "Can you not see the danger you face -how outmatched you are? If you stay, everyone here will die or worse!" She shook her head. "How can you let that happen, be so stubborn and folly to think you can change what is to come?!"

"Because I'm fighting for what I feel is right!" He retorted. "I'd rather die doing my duty and protecting everyone than turn tail and flee like a coward!"

His words seemed to stir something in Jora, her face hardening into what he knew to be a scowl, her claws clenching into fists at her sides as she inhaled deeply.

"Is survival cowardice?!" She demanded. "Is it cowardly to flee when you are outmatched or surrender when you know you are defeated?!" Her tone suggested she spoke from experience, carrying with it a logic he couldn't refute right away.

Nor did he have to. The lock on his door broke as something struck it, smashing it open. He had not locked his door when he had gone to bed, and could only imagine Jora had done so when she had come in, making sure she would have been able to work Luke over without being discovered. But their heated argument had spoiled her plans, and her pupils narrowed to slits in the light spilling into the room as she spun to face the intruders.

Hank and Neilla stood in the doorway, the giving them a clear view of the reptilian, revealing the colour patterns of her body - dark purple from head to toe, all down the length of her back, with a light purple underbelly, covered in pink flame-like patterns, and a hot-pink running from between her legs along the underside of her tail, the same shade as the fire and glow she had emitted when Luke was under whatever spell of allure she had put on him.

Neilla's eyes widened at the sight of her. "A Salazzle!" She exclaimed. "Hank, get back - don't go near her!" She urged the Zoroark, stepping in front of him before she launched herself at the reptile.

Like the snap of a whip, Jora leaped out of the way of Neilla's kick, clinging to the wall like a spider as the Lopunny soared over Luke's bed, her outstretched leg colliding with the headboard. Neilla got her other foot under her before gravity took her, but the tenuous footing still threw off her balance, giving her no time to ready her next attack.

"Wait, Neilla stop!" Luke urged the Lopunny, moving to the foot of the bed and spreading his arms as if to block her. "She's not here to hurt me!"

"Sure looked like it from the way she was leering at ya!" Hank commented as he charged in, his claws trailing dark energy as he lunged at Jora, ignoring Neilla's earlier words of caution.

Once again, like a coiled spring, Jora launched herself from the wall, Hank's claws leaving three slash marks in the wood where she had been before, landing on the opposite wall above Luke's head before pitching herself toward the open door, landing on all fours and breaking into a run as she dashed into the hallway.

Jora bounded down the stairwell in a single leap, clearing the fourteen steps with nary a grunt as she hit the ground floor, alerting Aerendyl who was sleeping on the couch nearest to the stairs. The Espeon looked over, eyes widening as he saw the Salazzle making a beeline toward the door, nearly breaking it down as she threw herself into it and spilled out into the street.

Neilla and Hank came bounding down the stairs in hot pursuit, skipping several steps as they ran to the door. Neilla skidded to a halt in the snow as she went out into the street, Hank coming out behind her as they looked around. It had begun snowing through the night, and they couldn't see Jora through the curtain of white falling around them, only seeing the marks in the snow where she had run. However, the Salazzle herself was already gone, vanished into the darkness of the only partially lit street.

"Lost her," Neilla said, huffing as she and Hank went back into the inn, shutting the door behind them.

"What happened?" Aerendyl demanded. "What was that Salazzle doing here?"

"Hell if I know or care, but it looked like she was trying to go after Luke." Hank replied.

"She wasn't!" Luke exclaimed as he came down the stairs, out of breath - though he wasn't sure why. "She wasn't here to harm me in any way," he said, calmer this time. "She... she came to me with a warning, and an ultimatum."

Neilla turned to Luke quizzically. "What do you mean?" She asked. "What warning -what ultimatum?"

"She...was trying to convince me to take my team and the rest of the townsfolk here, and flee Hadleigh before the Oppression arrives." He explained. "She insisted it was the best way to survive...and the way she spoke, it was almost as if she spoke from experience."

"You can't tell me you agreed with her," Neilla said fiercely, her pink eyes flashing with anger.

"No! Of course not!" Luke quickly snapped back. "Look, I'm not sure what her story is, but what I'm trying to get at is she sounded like she was trying to help us. Although her approach was all... askew." He then blushed in embarrassment and shame as he thought back to what he had almost done while Jora was lying with him.

Hank caught onto his blush and his sudden change in demeanour. "Dude... she didn't... did she?"

Luke sighed heavily. "...She almost did..."

The Lucario almost expected Neilla to scold him, but much to his own surprise, she didn't, the look of understanding on her face seeming as though she knew what had really happened.

Further confirmed by Aerendyl. "It isn't your fault," he said. "It is likely she was trying to manipulate you using her pheromone powers."

"Pheromone powers?" Luke asked, looking up to Neilla and Aerendyl. "...Like what Bug type Pokémon use to attract prey?"

"More like those that they use to communicate or send out warnings - like a Beedrill's sting emits pheromones that indicate an attack," Aerendyl corrected. "Although given the powerful nature of a Salazzle's pheromones, she could use them a similar way..." He seemed intrigued by the thought.

Neilla stepped in. "Point is, she was trying to take advantage of you," she stated. "Tried to compel you to do what she asked. That's why I told Hank to stay away from her," she gestured to the Zoroark. "I knew they could emit pheromones that could entice males, even those of other species.

Luke shuddered with realization; he still remembered the feeling of Jora's body atop him. She had been so close... and he had been just seconds away from taking her. "And in doing so, she nearly made me..." He trailed off, unable to fully describe the egregious act he had come so close to committing as the man he had given his heart to lay bedridden and comatose not twenty feet away.

"Hey, hey." Hank said, moving to his captain and resting his claws on his shoulders. "She was using you man. Like the bookworm said, it ain't yer fault." He assured his Team Captain.

"Indeed. Very few can resist a Salazzle's allure," Aerendyl added.

"Be that as it may..." Luke replied, still wearing a regretful look in his eyes.

Hank sighed a bit and turned Luke around so he was facing the stairs once more. "Yer tired man. Go back up and get some rest, aight? We'll figure out what to do with little miss manipulative, and make sure she doesn't come back." Hank assured Luke as he guided him back up the stairs to his room, escorting his captain all the way to the door.

"Maybe I should hang around tonight after all," Neilla remarked, looking at Aerendyl. "Most of this group is male; she could target anyone."

"Perhaps so. Would you like me to remain as well?"

Neilla shook her head. "I'll manage. Her powers won't work on me," she said.

"Not the pheromones, but the fire and poison..." Aerendyl began to say, but let the sentence hang there, knowing she'd understand his meaning.

"Still... can't leave Luke like this," she said, shaking her head again and looking up the stairs as Hank led Luke back to his room. "He's so torn up about Volcan, I think that's how the Salazzle almost got him."

"You may be right," agreed Aerendyl, stretching like a cat and letting out a yawn. "I best be getting home myself, then - I doubt the innkeeper would appreciate my sleeping on his couch without consent."

Neilla nodded to him and saw the Espeon out the door before closing it. On a whim, she checked the lock, surprised to find it unbroken by the manner which the Salazzle had left. Had they left the door open? She shook her head at the thought - the door had certainly been locked.

Thinking back, Neilla realized she had fallen asleep on the bar counter -the Salazzle could have unlocked it then; Only the raised voices of Luke and the Salazzle's argument had roused her. But if she couldn't have gotten in from outside, where could she have entered through?

Her eyes trailed over to the fireplace, little more than crackling embers on a half-burnt log at this point. There, she noticed black clawed footprints in the ashes and on the floorboards; small prints, leading from the fireplace. Curious, she walked over and dropped to her hands and knees in front of the fireplace, looking up as far into the chimney as she could. It would've been a tight fit, even for herself, but she was certain a Salazzle could fit down the narrow passage if they moved carefully.

"So, this is how she came in, eh?" She asked aloud.

Hank had come back downstairs as Neilla stuck her head into the chimney, hearing her question from the bottom of the steps. He looked in her direction, and asked, "Ya find something?"

"Our seductress' entry point," Neilla answered, gesturing to the claw prints on the floor. "Skinny thing, isn't she? I found the door unlocked too, so either someone went out tonight or she did it herself when she came in, in case she needed a quick exit."

"Clever little lizard, ain't she?" Hank asked rhetorically. "Well, she's long gone now. We'll have to see if we can take her in tomorrow or something."

"Still, I wonder..." she began.

"What?" Hank asked with a tilt of his head.

"I was sound asleep, right over there at the bar counter," she said, pointing to the place in question. "And Aerendyl, right there on the couch. She snuck right past us, but if she was here to hurt any of us - namely Luke, like we thought, then why didn't she attack us when she had the chance?"

Hank shrugged. "Maybe she was worried she'd wake one of ya if she attacked?"

"Maybe... but she had Luke alone in that room," she pointed out. "There was nothing stopping her from doing him harm; sure, maybe he might've cried out and alerted us but it took you and I a few seconds to get up there. Instead, she was only trying to convince him to leave." She crossed her arms, eyes narrowed in suspicion and leaving the sentence there, knowing Hank would catch her meaning.

He did indeed, quickly in fact - it seemed like the perfect setup for a would-be assassin, yet she had not taken advantage of the scenario. "...Ya know? I'm startin to think Luke's right." Hank commented as he pieced the puzzle together himself. "Maybe she's not as evil as the fuckwits she's workin for."

"Begs the question, why's she even with them, then?" Neilla asked, puzzled.

"We'll have to ask her when we find her." Hank answered plainly. "Silver lining, it'll give us something to do while we wait for reinforcements."

Neilla chuckled. "Hunt down a poisonous lizard queen who probably has a small army of little lizards at her call?" She shrugged. "Sounds like fun."

Hank's lips curled into a devious smirk. "That's what I like to hear," he replied with a sinister chuckle.