Chapter 35
"WE'RE HERE!"
At Zahira's announcement, Char's pleasant trancelike state was broken and he found himself back in reality, positioned on the Dragonite's back as she shot across the sky in formation with her clan. A shiver ran through him as the formation angled themselves into a shallow dive to prepare for landing, causing the opaque, fluffy clouds below to rise up slowly and threaten to swallow him alive. Char cringed as they grew closer. He really dreaded flying through clouds; they sent the strangest sensations through the tip of his tail.
The previous night's rest had not been a very long or satisfying one after all. Between the haunting, inescapable presence of the Watchers, the storytelling session, and Ray's unexpected summoning of a lightning bolt, Char figured he might have accomplished only about two solid hours of unconsciousness. The Dragonite didn't care, though; as soon as the sun poked its nose over the edge of the earth and vanquished the ghosts of the night, they insisted in their typical overly-polite-and-irritating way upon waking the party, throwing together their supplies, and taking flight without delay. After exchanging some nods with Saura, Ray, and Scythe, as there wasn't really much to say at the time, Char climbed onto Zahira's back and let himself go limp as she carried him along his journey.
Just as Char hoped and expected, the second day's flight was infinitely better than the first. For once, his stomach did not protest at the rapid changes in altitude; he still felt the Golden Apple dwelling deep inside, appeasing any groans and aches his belly would have otherwise made. Never once did it threaten to be heaved out; it was as if his body appreciated its presence and intended to keep it there at all costs. Char smiled contently as he realized, if an entire Golden Apple was enough to feed a Pokémon for a month, he would not fear the pang of hunger or the throb of a sour stomach for at least another week after eating the one-fourth.
The sky itself, as well, seemed much more welcoming the second time around. Char didn't know how to place it, but there was something about the temperature, or the air pressure, or the absence of any storm fronts, which made the sky seem like a beloved home he yearned to return to and relax within. With the air clear of such obtrusions as bad weather or opposing wind currents, Zahira and her clanmates seemed to double their speed and rise to a much greater altitude than before, so high that once he gazed in marvel down at an inexplicable landscape formation he simply could not believe, only to realize that he was looking at the puffs of the cloud tops.
For the first few hours, Char had enjoyed the simple exhilaration of the ride, watching as the clouds reeled past below and beside him like a majestic snow-drenched valley. After that, when the scenery did not change for a while, Char began to grow bored, but it was that happy, pleasant type of boredom where you know you have nothing to do, yet you don't want to have anything to do. He blinked in and out of consciousness as his mind fluttered between pleasant daydreams and making up for the sleep he had lost the previous evening. He wished and pretended that the flight would never end, that there was no Master to worry about, that he wouldn't have to trudge through a mountain of snow to answer the summons of a legendary dragon, that his trainer wasn't slowly driving himself to insanity from weariness, that Saura could be with his family, that Ray could earn the respect he wanted from his superiors, and that he had come to the world of Pokémon as some sort of reward from the gods, that his purpose there was nothing more than to enjoy his life and soar through the sky upon Charizard wings, that nothing of urgency sat upon his shoulders.
It was during one of these daydreams that Zahira had announced their arrival to their destination, the Emerald Division.
Char had the strange urge to hold his breath just before Zahira plunged him down through the layer of clouds. He closed his eyes just before it hit, and soon, his heart raced as he expected the tickling, stabbing feels of the partially-condensed vapor colliding against his flame. But this time, it surprisingly did not come; this cloud was not a storm cloud. It was only foggy, not wet with pockets of condensation ready to be dispersed as raindrops. Relieved, he blinked his eyes back open just in time to emerge from the cloud blanket and watch the landscape of northern Ambera open up before him.
It was dark.
That was the first thing he noticed about the land: the darkness. It genuinely shocked him; it was, after all, the dead center of the winter season in this part of the world, as it had been summer down south at the Plateau and the surrounding lands. He figured, this far north, snowdrifts would have accumulated across the ground as far as the eye could see… and that wasn't even to mention that it was only about three hours past midday, the sun still prominent in the sky…
Instead, the earth depicted a landscape of gray and brown, cast into shadow by the thick blanket of clouds which he had flown through. There were not even any forests or grassy plains to give the world the green tint he had seen in it for the portions of the trip the earth had been visible. It looked as though the land was leeched of its vitality, sucked dry by some monstrous predator or wilted by some unstoppable poison.
The second thing he noticed was that it was cold.
The whole trip had been rather chilly with the frigid winds of the upper atmosphere constantly whipping past his face, but Zahira's body had emanated a great warmth, and she flew in such a way that shielded her rider from the worst brunt of the wind. Whenever the temperature bothered him, he would only need to lay belly-down upon her back and all would be well…
But as they descended toward the surface, the tingle of vertigo nipping at the top of his head, Char suddenly found he could not escape the cold.
"It's… a bit chilly!" Char commented to the Dragonite, who had reduced her speed enough that the wind would not overpower his speech.
"It always is up here," Zahira answered. "Welcome to the high latitudes!"
To Char, the cold was certainly not something to welcome. In fact, it was quite new to him; the climate around the Plateau was always temperate and pleasant, even on the windiest or stormiest of days. The coldest feelings Char had ever experienced were on a mission to the core of a dungeon called Windswept Ditch, where he actually felt parts of his face starting to go numb as he led the team through the lower levels. It was not a warm memory—in fact, it was the cold that caused him to lose his focus, which ultimately cost Team Ember the success of the mission. Char hated the cold. He hated how it surrounded him, how it permeated his skin, how it stung and made him lose feeling, how it stifled his fire, and how it would just not go away. Dread filled his heart as he imagined, if this was the normal climate which northern Ambera expected, just how cold it would get during a winter storm…
…and how cold the notorious land of Zerferia would prove to be…
Far below, Char spotted a cluster of structures which the Dragonite clan seemed to be honing in on. From so high up in the air, it looked only like a little pile of blocks, no bigger than half a village. Surely, this tiny little settlement wasn't the renowned Emerald Division… was it?
Emerald Outskirts
The Dragonite clan shouted a merry cheer, a celebration of a task well-completed, as they touched down upon the stiff clay road which connected to the arrangement of uninteresting buildings Char had seen from above. Without much eagerness, Char clambered down from his comfortable position upon Zahira, feeling, as he had the previous night in the desert, the strange way his mind reacted to being anchored on solid ground after experiencing flight for hours on end. He remembered how it had taken him a whole six minutes before he was able to even command his legs to take him in a comprehensible direction, and even then, his stomach lurched at every step. Though he had been thankful for it, in the end; it had given him the opportunity to hang back and talk with Scythe, who had been experiencing similar troubles, while the rest of the party continued onward. Though Char now felt the blessed apple still inside of him squelching the unpleasant feelings of motion sickness, it still felt as though the entire mass of land sat upon a rushing stream which he could not see, carrying him in some direction at a high speed.
Having difficulty even aiming his feet at the ground, Char dropped to all fours and waited for his sense of balance to recover. It brought back faint memories of waking up as a Charmander and not understanding how to command his new legs. A sudden blast of cold wind rivaling the temperatures up in the stratosphere struck his face, causing him to close his eyes and bite down upon his lower lip as he endured it. Clouds of white erupted from his nostrils on every breath.
"Hey, are you alright?" Saura asked, already rushing to Char's side.
"I'm fine," Char assured him, gritting his teeth and trying, but failing, to stand himself up. "Just a little dizzy. And cold."
"Yeah, it's really freezing out here," Saura agreed, pressing his forehead against Char's stomach to help him up. "Let's hope the division is a nice warm place, huh?"
As Char righted himself, shuddering in relief as the wind died down, he caught ear of Scythe speaking at the other end of the Dragonite group.
"Better, yes," he heard Scythe say. He sounded groggy, as if he'd also taken the flight as an opportunity to recover lost sleep. "The apple didn't hurt much, either… I would have fed it to you on the first day, but I convinced myself that flying wasn't as bad as I had remembered. I regret having been so hopeful."
"Aw, don't worry about it," he heard Ray say. "It was nothing. I got through it, and that's all that matters."
Finally feeling some semblance of balance, Char stood and glanced about his new surroundings. Indeed, it was just as he had seen before from the air: the sky was blanketed with clouds, or perhaps one large cloud, hiding the dimmed sun and casting the land into a dusk-like darkness. The land was desolate, barren; only a few stray rocks and leafless trees jutted from the hardened dirt which surrounded the road. The only thing of note, he saw, was the place he was assuming was the Emerald Division: enclosed within a decorative stone wall stood five brick structures, the central one dwarfing the size of all the others by at least fourfold. He expected that, like the Gold Division, this resistance force lived underground, and these buildings were only a front for one of their many entrances. Still, he had a hard time believing it; there were no other Pokémon around except for the group; their only company was the howl of the cold wind through the tiny settlement.
"From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you," Scythe said to Arshall, offering a polite bow as he addressed her. "You have accomplished your task as well as anyone could have asked."
"It has been a pleasure, Scyther, to serve you by doing what we do best," Arshall responded. "And an honor, as well. My clan and I have ferried many important Pokémon around Ambera… but not so many as famous as you."
"The pleasure is all mine, of course," Scythe replied. "Saved us the trouble of walking. I hope Alakazam has paid you handsomely for your effort."
"Oh, ho, not yet, he hasn't," Arshall laughed. "We are not finished with you yet, after all!"
Scythe blinked, the statement catching him off-guard.
"Of course, what I mean is, we still have the return trip to take," Arshall quickly added when she spotted the unexpected look across Scythe's face. "Alakazam arranged the whole trip. Though, he didn't really make it clear how long you'd be staying."
A visible wince shot through the Scyther's form, as though he had just realized something terrible.
"Scyther, is something the matter?" Arshall asked concernedly. Behind her eyes, she looked terrified, as if she'd just offended her guest in a way she didn't understand. Some of the other dragons seemed to share her sentiment, not to mention Char, who had held his breath at Scythe's reaction, wondering what had gone wrong with his plans…
"Return trip," Scythe mouthed, just barely muttering the words under his breath. "Return trip. Return trip… Return trip…"
"You… may stay as long as you'd like, if that's what worries you…?" Arshall added, her face bewildered. "There will always be at least one of us here, it will not be difficult to rally us when you need…"
"No." Scythe suddenly said, straightening up. "No, forgive me. Nothing's the matter. I just had a thought stuck in place for a second. But yes, thank you for all your help. We will alert you when we are prepared to leave."
"In that case, then, since Alakazam made it clear how urgent this trip has been, Zahira here will guide you to Lucario's den at once," Arshall said, looking relieved. "Zahira, fine flying with you! Send our regards to Lucario!"
"I will," Zahira promised. "Well, Scyther, Charmander, let's not waste any time. Come with me. Lucario should be pleasantly surprised to see that we've arrived a little ahead of schedule."
It struck Char then, judging by the actions of the Dragonite clan, that this was not the Emerald Division after all. Rather, as he watched the dragons line up into some lazy formation and prepare to depart down the road and into the settlement, he determined it to be their team headquarters. After they had returned the luggage for Scythe and Zahira to carry, they waved their cheery goodbyes and set off for home. Char wondered why they hadn't flown the rest of the way to the division, but figured it was close enough that it would not have mattered.
A minute later, Zahira walked with them off the road to guide them into the barren brown landscape beyond. Ray walked at Scythe's side, while Saura and Char helped each other bring up the rear.
"Wow," Saura sighed loudly. "It feels so weird, being so far away from home! It's like, my mind is always drifting back to the Gold Division and the Tiny Plains, but I have to keep telling it that there's no way back right now…"
"Ah, hah, homesickness already?" Zahira chuckled. "Careful, homesickness has been known to eat Pokémon alive!"
"You're telling me," Saura said back. "That was the hardest part about joining the resistance. I kept thinking of my family back at home. But at least the Gold Division was in the same county as my home. This place feels like a whole new world! I feel like such a fish out of water."
"You feel like a fish out of water," Zahira said, holding back a long, hearty laugh. "You have no idea what it's like to be a fish out of water. Be thankful for that. Let me tell you, it shatters your whole sense of being when you find there's such a new dimension to life as the world above the surface…"
Char glanced to Scythe, expecting a reply from him. Scythe would always comment in these circumstances, offering his keen perspective on the issue or prescribing a remedy, but not this time. He kept his gaze averted, a frown covering his face, as if intent upon ignoring everything but his own thoughts.
"Aww, homesickness isn't too hard to beat," Ray said, glancing back at Char. "You just have to pretend that you have a new home for the time being. Like, hey! Team Ember's all here. Scythe is here. Anywhere you guys go is home to me!"
Another chilly breeze engulfed the group, sweeping across Char's face and taking his breath away. He felt as his flame flickered beneath the wind's weight, and he realized that his teeth were beginning to chatter involuntarily. Curiously, his heated breath continued to manifest itself as little clouds of steam as he exhaled it.
This is almost worse than being caught in the rain, Char told himself, clenching his fists and trying to hide his discomfort from the others. Saura's right… the Division better be warm…
"So… how far until we get there?" Char asked of the Dragonite. "Does the division live underground like we do?"
"The Emerald Division does things a little differently than you're used to, little dragon," Zahira explained. "We don't have the resources to build a big underground base like you have. You wouldn't have either, I think, but Xatu's ancestor who started the Gold Division found it like that, already built. Am I correct, Scyther?"
"Hmm, yes," Scythe barely managed to respond, still lost in his own thoughts.
"We don't live all in the same place," Zahira continued. "Our base of operations is in Fort Emerald, which is the place we're heading now. Our resistance teams live all over the place across these lands we call the Emerald Outskirts. For the sake of organization, Lucario considers them divided into a number of districts, but really, we just live wherever we managed to build or find a home at the time. To the outsider, we wouldn't look threatening. A hermit's dwelling here, a reclusive neighborhood there…"
"Hmm, Dragonite?" Scythe said thoughtfully, suddenly speaking up and cutting off Zahira's explanation. "If you don't mind, could you lead us from afar? I'd like to share some privacy with my team."
"…Oh. That's… fine," Zahira answered, looking a bit surprised and saddened at Scythe's request. "Whatever you want. Let me know if you need anything…"
Zahira gave Scythe a look of concern, acting much like Arshall had a few moments before when Scythe had reacted unexpectedly. Casting several last, questioning glances at him, almost as if she expected him to clarify or change his mind, her form rose a few inches into the air and she drifted off ahead of the group. Char also found himself wordlessly disappointed, as he was enjoying Zahira's company as well as her account of the Emerald Division, but he decided not to argue with Scythe.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Scythe spoke. "Alright, all three of you. Listen," he grunted. "We need to lay down some rules about your conduct here at the Emerald Division. The first rule, while we're here: do not speak. And on the occasions you find that you can speak, don't ask questions. Char, I'm talking to you. Given the chance, you're the one who can suffocate another Pokémon with nothing but your curiosity."
Char scowled. "But why?" he demanded. "Zahira had no problem with—"
"See? Already, you don't get it," Scythe interrupted him. "No questions. That includes 'why'. Especially 'why'. Of the six types of questions, that's the hardest one to answer. Do I make myself clear? I have spoiled you. I have let you treat me like a family member and ask whatever you wish. But you are not to treat any of Lucario's Pokémon in this manner. You are not to be rude. You are not to be nosy. Do not speak unless you are spoken to. Understand?"
"Fine," Char sighed.
Saura and Ray nodded their obedience as well.
"Due to certain circumstances, I forgot to reprimand you about your behavior toward Alakazam on the night he summoned you," Scythe said. "I'll tell you what, I almost died right then and there when you interrupted him to ask him about Arceus. And besides… and probably most importantly… the Emerald Division has a history that… they aren't completely proud of. Bringing it to the mind of any of the Pokémon you meet… you should consider an offense of the highest degree."
"I'm sorry," Char spoke sincerely, his voice breaking as his body continued to shiver. "I won't embarrass you again. And I won't ask any questions."
"Good," Scythe said. "Second rule: don't touch anything. Third: don't go anywhere unsupervised. Fourth: Lucario's word is law. You will do whatever he tells you. His lineage is responsible for the existence of the whole resistance, he demands your utmost respect. If he orders you to murder me, you are to obey him. Understand?"
"Wow," Saura responded, look of astonishment plastered across his face. "Whatever you say, Scythe!"
"Ah, but hopefully it won't come to that," Scythe said, wearing a tiny grin. "But yes, try not to step out of line, let me do all the talking, and I promise I'll make our stay here as painless as possible. After that, though… I don't know what else I can promise…"
Having said that, Scythe resumed his quiet brooding, leading Char to realize just why he had called off Zahira: he needed silence, and badly. There was something he had to think about, without the distraction of Zahira's dissertations to all the young and curious Pokémon eager to carry on a chat with her.
Squinting at Scythe's face, Char could just barely make out the motion of his mouth as he repeated two words silently to himself, over and over. "Return trip," Scythe whispered, glancing toward the eastern horizon. "Return… trip…"
The look in Scythe's eyes, the waver in his form, which bespoke of a horrible inner turmoil… even the flight had done nothing to expel it. Char thought he could almost see the threads of thought as they twisted and turned beneath Scythe's reddened eyes.
Just what was wrong with the return trip?
Char felt the question balancing on the tip of his tongue, but he managed to hold it back. After all, he had made a promise. No matter how pained he looked, he would leave Scythe to his own devices and not plead to know his secrets. This much respect he knew the Scyther deserved from him, and he intended to keep his promise.
Besides, Char thought. I've got to get in the habit of not asking questions.
"This is going to be so weird," Saura said to his friends, obviously relieved to be able to talk to them again. "Daniel told me all about Lucario. He sounds harsh! Heh, think he would really order us to kill Scythe?"
"I hope not," Ray laughed. "If he did, we'd be the ones going down!"
"Maybe," Saura added with an evil grin. "You could probably beat him with your lightning bolts if you tried hard enough. He wouldn't be safe in the air."
"You're joking, right?" Ray gasped. "Have you seen how fast he can move? Lightning or not, I'm no match for his agility. Isn't that right, Scythe? Hey, Scythe! If you and I battled, who would win?"
"I would," Scythe said absentmindedly, not even glancing back.
"See? Told 'ya," Ray said with a smirk. "Not a chance! I bet there aren't very many Pokémon who could fight Scythe and win, anyway…"
"Um, hey, guys?" Char spoke carefully, "I think we should stop bothering Scythe for a while. Give him some room…"
"… Oh," Ray said, interrupted in mid-thought. "Alright… Sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother… I'm just happy to be on the ground again, I guess!"
After glancing once at Scythe, Ray hung back and joined Char and Saura, allowing Scythe several yards' worth of solitude. He made a visible effort to act more polite and restrained. Char continued to watch Scythe; he did not appear to realize he was now alone, his searing gaze locked on some faraway point…
"Uh-oh," Saura said, radiating concern. "I know that look of yours. Is something wrong?"
"Yeah," Char answered, speaking under his voice. "Something is wrong."
Tearing his gaze from Scythe, Char glanced at his friends. Saura's expression had turned grave and serious, just as he always seemed ready to discuss important matters at a moment's notice, and Ray looked surprised.
"It's our return trip," Char explained, ever-so-quietly. "Something's wrong with our return trip. Didn't you see what happened to Scythe when Arshall said that? He looked scared. Honestly scared."
"Could be nothing," Saura shrugged. "The flight probably just stressed him out. I can tell he really hated it. If I were him, having the flight home mentioned so soon after the first one's over would give me some chills, too."
"It's hard to tell," Ray muttered. "Scythe is really stressed. But if he needs to tell us something, he'll tell us. Hopefully he still has everything under control."
"I'm… starting… to not be so sure," Char confessed, practically having to choke out the words as if he couldn't believe he was saying them. "I know we need to trust him… I know it… but… I'm starting to get really worried about him. Really worried. It's like… every time the light gleams in his eye… it looks like… he's… losing his sanity or something."
There was an unnerving silence as his friends failed to respond to his thoughts right away, still trying to swallow the possibility.
"He's keeping a secret," Char growled. "I just wish I knew what it was. It's a really bad one. It's something… that…"
Char froze dead in his tracks.
Realizing at almost the same time, Saura and Ray halted their paces and glanced back at him, wordless expressions across their faces, expecting him to explain whatever sudden horrific epiphany he had realized.
But Char did not see either of them.
Several steps ahead, Scythe had also stopped dead in his tracks. Glancing over his shoulder, he sent Char the most deathly gaze he had ever seen. It was a malicious, hateful gaze… For a split second, Char saw Scythe in a way he never had before, in a new, darker light; it seemed to him for just one point in time that he and Scythe were actually bitter enemies, something that Char wanted with all of his being to never be true. He could feel his face growing pale, locked in disbelief and shame and fear, as the gaze lasted for one second… and then two… and three… He could feel himself growing dizzy, as his lungs refused to breathe air, his fire growing intense in reaction…
And that's when he realized: there was only one thing in the world which would anger Scythe to his breaking point. Someone had broken a grave promise. Someone had broken his trust. And it was him.
"You must promise me something in return…"
"…that, for the duration of this trip…"
"… you will stop bringing up this subject."
As the words echoed in Char's mind, he knew now what they meant. Scythe had not just requested Char to stop bringing up the subject to him, but to anyone… As he had made so clear the previous evening, it broke his heart just as badly whenever Char went behind his back…
"Char… what is it?" Saura begged. "Do you… know something?"
"I… I can't… I can't talk about it," Char muttered solemnly. "Not even to you."
"W-why's that?" Saura asked, confused.
"I promised," Char simply said. "I promised I wouldn't."
Finally, Scythe averted his gaze and continued following Zahira forward as if nothing had happened.
It was a long, silent, cold walk into civilization.
Though Char had been stuck in a body that was not his own for a long time now, this was the first time he truly felt trapped. Trapped in a cold and barren land which could not, in any sense of the word, be called home.
For once, he had no say in the matter. There was no other option. The only way was forward. Forward to Dialga.
Again, Char started to wonder why they hadn't flown. But, again, that was a question. And there would be no more of those.
Fort Emerald
It was an understatement to say that the Emerald Division was nothing like Char had expected.
The group had re-united for their entrance into Fort Emerald, a stronghold city surrounded by a tall steel wall, the place which housed the Emerald Division. Though the road was paved differently, and the buildings had a clear air of strictness and uniformity to them, and it was a small settlement in comparison, the whole place reminded Char of Iron Town. Huge metallic structures, spacious avenues, paths leading into complex neighborhoods in every direction…
There was one major exception, though: the whole place was silent. Dead.
Char was honestly surprised to see a single Flareon pass by on their commute. It said nothing and seemed content to ignore them. Aside from that, it would have appeared to him, if he hadn't known better, that Fort Emerald was an uninhabited place. Though he took the chance to peer into any window, alley, and open door he spotted along the way, nothing helped to debunk his image of Fort Emerald as a ghost town. No teams huddling in buildings around a cozy fire. No bustling shops like Kecleon's emporium, filled with Pokémon eager to stuff their bags with valuable utilities for their missions. No friendly townsfolk stepping outside to enjoy their day.
...Well, it's not like this is enjoyable weather, anyway, Char said to himself, squinting to see well under the cloudy sky and cringing as he realized he had lost all feeling in his nose and the tips of his fingers. But there have got to be some Pokémon who would enjoy this weather, right? Snover? Glaceon? Sneasel? There have got to be a lot of those Ice Pokémon working here at the division, right? Where… are they?
"I bet everyone's out on missions," Saura commented, reading Char's observations. "That's usually how it is around this time of day back at the base. Or they could be in some sort of a meeting. Or, heh, a welcoming committee, maybe? That would sure be nice."
"It's because all the Pokémon live around in the districts," Ray noted. "That's what Zahira said. So if all the teams are home, just like Arshall's team, then none of them are here-"
Ray paused in mid-thought, and a charged silence suddenly overcame the group. Char glanced around, wondering what had provoked it, when he realized that Scythe had hesitated. He had stopped in mid-stride, as if something had just gone wrong.
Char followed the direction of Scythe's squinting glance.
Light. There was a bright fire among the shadows of the city, contrasting the surrounding gloom caused by the tall buildings and overcast sky. Char found it difficult to focus his sight, and had to wait until his eyes adjusted to the new light source…
And when they did, he realized that, like his own, this fire was coming from a Pokémon.
It stood near an alleyway, watching the group from afar: a tall, muscular figure, hunched over in concentration or perhaps weariness, the top of his head ablaze with a long fiery mane.
Char knew this Pokémon. An Infernape.
Scythe stared at the Infernape for a few moments, and the Infernape returned the gaze. No words were spoken, not even by Zahira, who only took notice of the onlooker for a few moments before returning her attention to the road ahead. Scythe's gaze lingered for a few moments longer, as if exchanging messages of telepathy with the Pokémon.
"Hey, who's that?" Ray whispered in awe.
Both Scythe and Zahira ignored his question.
The more Char stared at the Infernape, the more of an impression it had on him. The way the Pokémon held itself, the expression in its face… it was unusual, somehow. Imposing, but not in a way he understood. It did not betray pride, or humility, but something else… something he just couldn't place his finger on, but something he knew he just couldn't ignore. It was as if the Infernape stood for something.
"Prince," Char answered quietly, knowing in his heart the answer to Ray's question. "It's Prince. From Daniel's story. He leads Team Flamewheel. He's the one who saved the Emerald Division."
"Really think it could be?" Saura whispered to him.
"Come," Scythe suddenly ordered, disregarding the Infernape and gesturing to Char and his friends. "And you two. Remember what I told you not to do."
"Oh… right. No questions," Saura grumbled, scowling and biting his lip. "Sorry…"
Char could tell that Saura was already a bit annoyed, but nothing could be done.
"He was waiting for us," Scythe mumbled disconcertedly, turning to Zahira. Char had the impression he wasn't meant to hear the words.
"Figures he'd know," Zahira quietly answered. "He knew about the tower before most of anyone else."
"I knew he would show his face," Scythe said, "I was hoping it would be later rather than sooner. Just as long as he stays away from my Charmander…"
Though the group continued forward down the deserted city road, the Infernape didn't move. Char gave him one last look as they passed by, only to find that the Infernape's eyes were suddenly locked with his. Startled, he quickly averted his gaze.
Stay away from my Charmander? Char repeated quietly to himself. W-why? What's wrong with Prince? Is he a threat to me?
He turned to his friends, and found that both of them were just as weirded-out as him. They'd heard it, too. They nodded oddly to one another, saying nothing in fear of making known that they'd heard it, and silently agreeing that they would, for whatever reason it was necessary, keep a wary eye out for the Infernape.
After crossing nearly a mile of the practically uninhabited city streets, the city opened up into a relatively spacious area spotted with concrete platforms and small monuments. In the very center stood the ornate entrance of a very large rectangular building, its four front doors opened wide atop a respectable flight of stairs…
"Here we are, at last," Zahira announced. "Welcome to Rayquaza's Clutch!"
Rayquaza's Clutch
Keeping everything but his curious gaze to himself, Char followed his companions toward the compound. The exterior of the building was easily more ornate than any of the other structures in the whole fortress. Along the front wall at both sides of the entryway sat eight tall, riveted, gray pillars which didn't hold anything up. The walls of the building were made from huge bricks many times bigger than Char's body, some sparkling white like they were made of sandstone, others a blinding, reflective silver, as if they were made of metal. The two types of bricks formed "X" patterns all the way down the sides of the wall. The front doors were made of plain polished wood, but they were so huge that Char figured they must have been carved out from some thousand-year-old redwood trees.
But the most curious decoration Char noticed, and the most interesting, was a giant stone statue depicting the legendary dragon Rayquaza, the end of its tail coiled up like a resting serpent. The figure sat within the dead space off the path near the bottom of the staircase, the whole thing laying on its side as if the monument had been knocked off its pedestal but could not be discarded, the Pokémon of the division yet to get around to repairing it. It was clear that Rayquaza had taken serious damage: aside from the numerous chips and gouges everywhere, a couple of its head-fins were missing, both its arms were disconnected, and a giant crack ran straight down the dragon's forehead. Through it all, it still managed to imbue Char with a sense of respect for its figure, its wise yet ferocious gaze and its opened mouth reminding Char very much of the statues back within the Gold Division's meeting hall…
Rayquaza must be the division's guardian figure, Char determined, once again holding back a question. It has to be called the 'Emerald Division' for a reason…
Char and his companions followed the Dragonite and the Scyther up to the doorway, leaping up the stairs with the professional ease of someone who was used to climbing hundreds of them every day. With each step, he grew more and more eager to get inside and out of the cold.
At the top of the stairs, Zahira paused to introduce the setting.
"Rayquaza's Clutch is the core of the Emerald Division," Zahira explained. "Team Regret settles in here. This is where all of our resistance teams come to have meetings, receive assignments, and congregate. It's the backbone of all our operations. So, as we enter, you may see a lot of Pokémon in a hurry. Try not to get in their way."
"I can assure you, Dragonite, my companions will not cause any trouble," Scythe said abruptly, cutting her off. "Will they, Char?"
Char gulped and shook his head, eager to agree with anything just to thaw out his frostbitten parts somewhere where it was above twelve degrees and the wind didn't blow.
Zahira waited for a few moments, as if expecting questions or comments from her guests. When she realized none were coming, she gestured for everyone to follow her inside. Char happily obliged.
Once again, Char was faced with the last sight he was expecting.
Stone. Cold, dark stone. Cold, dark, dead stone. Hallways and corridors of it, as far as the eye could see. And that wasn't very far, because there were no lighting fixtures within Rayquaza's Clutch. No ghost-torches. No real torches, even. It was the most dull, monotonous building interior Char had ever witnessed.
Though, there was light. Char could see past the sunlit lobby and farther down the hall, so he realized there had to have been some light source… though it took him a moment to realize what it was. When he did, he emitted a gasp. A gasp of rage.
It was sunlight! A large rectangle had been cut out of the center of the ceiling, letting in the muffled sunlight. The whole room was open to the elements! The wind continued to blow in, aiming right for Char and sweeping past him and out the doors behind. A new shudder overtook him.
This is not how a resistance base should be! Char growled as he told himself, clenching his fists. This is… this is a dungeon! A giant dungeon! How can any team bear to live in this? Do they have a cafeteria? A meeting hall? Do they have sentries to keep out the intruders? Do they have a password, like the Creed? Do they have comfortable rooms to live in? Rooms that aren't just habitats for ice Pokémon?!
Char was on the verge of demanding answers. So far, he had felt very disillusioned and disappointed with the Emerald Division. We didn't have the resources, he remembered Zahira saying. We do things differently around here, she had also said.
Pah, Char thought. How are teams even expected to operate in here?
"Char… your tail," Ray whispered to him, noting the rapidly inflating light source at the end of his tail.
"It's the cold," Char said. "The cold is making me angry."
"Then let it," Saura said simply. "Remember what you learned in the Windswept Ditch…"
Char smiled as he realized that Saura was right. Though the cold had enraged him, his rage was fueling his fire, which was already giving him a measure of relief and comfort. He felt as his inner ember licked the boundaries of its confines, spreading some warmth through his form and bringing blessed feeling back to his numbed skin. It wasn't perfect, but it would let him survive for just a little while longer…
And then, when he followed Zahira around the corner and into one of the main halls of the building, Char found something else to smile about: Pokémon. Rayquaza's Clutch was not so deserted after all. Char counted at least three teams, or at least groups of division residents, traversing the hall. Though none raised a voice, it really gave Char a reassuring feeling that the place was a functioning and active resistance base.
A resistance team exited a dark corridor just ahead, filing quickly into the main hall just ahead of Char and his group. Char balked when he saw them: a Medicham, two Aggron, which were fully grown versions of the annoying steel rodents Char remembered from several dungeons, and a Camerupt bringing up the back and moving itself with surprising speed. The thing was, these Pokémon looked powerful. They were at least one-and-a-half times the size Char expected the respective species to be. They all reminded Char of Gebbit, a notorious Machamp from Team Impact back at his base, who dedicated himself to training and growing the biggest muscles any Pokémon would ever see. Likewise, this team had spent many years hardening themselves, honing their strength and endurance, and it really showed. Char's jaw dropped as he watched the Aggron. Their plating was inches thick. Their claws and horns were massive, looking as though they could smash diamonds if they wanted. The ground shook as they lumbered near.
"Hey, look, that must be Team Earthmovers," Ray joked nervously. "W-wow."
As the intimidating Pokémon crossed paths with Char's group, they gave a nod of acknowledgement to Zahira. Next, upon noticing Scythe, they gave him a much more surprised and respectful nod, practically bowing before him. Scythe politely gestured back to them, shrugging them off.
As they passed Char, they gave him a look of pathetic disgust. Char suddenly felt very small.
Hah, Char wished he could shout in their faces. I'll take you on. I'll take you all on. Just watch. I have The Call, don't you know? I can call upon Rayquaza and he'll swallow you whole! You don't scowl at me!
It helped to keep him warm.
Another group passed by, this one consisting of two Weavile and one Sneasel. They were in a real hurry, dashing hastily down the hall and taking no notice of Scythe or the rest of the group.
"Yeah, and there's Team Cutthroat," Saura commented.
Though it was just a joke, Char couldn't help but agree. Weasel Pokémon were not nice creatures. He remembered Team Dread back at the Gold Division, a team which employed three Sneasel and one Weavile, Vazidor, as their leader. Vazidor was level-headed and respectable enough, but the others, to put it lightly, did not make good teammates on the cooperative missions.
The halls continued on a bit, and aside from the occasional group of Pokémon he'd get to see, they didn't look all too different from one another. Occasionally, the ceiling would open and let the light in, or an entire wall would be missing, with only a row of thick pillars separating them from the streets of Fort Emerald, but the interior of Rayquaza's Clutch didn't look too interesting with or without the sunlight. It was as if someone had been given the biggest boulder in the history of the world and they carved out a living space inside of it. There were no swinging doors, burning torches, furniture, carpeting, or anything else to liven the mood. Everything was the same color. Gray.
Another team approached, this one noisily chatting amongst each other, pleasantly breaking the dreadful silence. Among them was a Houndoom which looked even bulkier and stronger than Daemon, a Glaceon, perfectly at home up here in the cold climate, a very serious-looking Lucario, an exceptionally long Arbok, a Typhlosion, a—
Wait… a Lucario?
Char blinked. Could it possibly be… the Lucario?
"Ahrgl-!"
Blinded by his sudden tension at being in the presence of the Emerald Division's leader, Char stubbed his toe into an unexpected crack in the floor and toppled over onto his face.
With a little help from Saura, who had tried to catch him, Char scrambled back to his feet before Lucario could catch him making a fool of himself.
"It's him!" Char gasped to Saura. "Lucario. I can't believe we just ran into him in the hall… I thought we were going to meet him in his room or something…"
"You sure that's him?" Saura wondered. "He doesn't look very… I dunno… leader-like."
Char took a closer look at the blue canine-like Pokémon, and saw what Saura had meant. The Lucario was rather short and diminutive compared to the Pokémon which surrounded him. He didn't appear bulky, muscular, battle-hardened like the other teams he'd seen; in fact, he looked a little scrawny. His facial expression betrayed discomfort and uncertainty, not the pride and sturdiness of a commander. Though his teammates rambled on to him, he made no comment, he only listened, as if he couldn't understand half of what they were saying. Char began to seriously wonder if this was actually another Lucario which worked at the division, and not the Lucario everyone else was talking about.
However, sure enough, when the Lucario glanced up and noticed Zahira, he spoke.
"Zahira," the Aura Pokémon grunted very gruffly, as if he was trying to shout but was unable to raise his voice. "You're early. And by about four and a third hours."
"Indeed, Your Excellency," Zahira spoke very respectfully. "And I have delivered Scythe, the renowned hero from the Gold Division, and… the Charmander, who is called Char. And his friends."
"Hey…" Saura quipped quietly into Char's ear, "isn't Zahira on Team Regret? And she's calling him 'Your Excellency'? Why's she treating him like that?"
"He's the leader of the division," Char guessed. "I guess you treat him with respect no matter where you stand."
"Yeah, but… I would think you would treat your team leader a little more personally than that, even if he is also your commander," Saura wondered. "These Pokémon sure must have a lot of respect for one another…"
"Hah, watch. I bet Scythe doesn't have to treat him special at all," Ray guessed. "Scythe's famous. He could probably say whatever he wants and get away with it."
"Since when does being famous mean you have less responsibility?" Scythe hissed back, surprising the three of them. "In my experience, it means you get more. Now… quiet! It is vital you remain silent now. Unless Lucario speaks directly to you, not a word. Understand?"
Char straightened and stiffened himself, anticipating the deep, cold stare the Emerald Division leader would give him, wondering how it would feel to have his aura probed by the Lucario's mind. But Lucario didn't yet seem interested in Char…
Lucario made a very strange gesture, shaking his head and batting his paws at the air, as if his head were covered in flies and he was trying to shoo them all away. "Well, this is an inconvenience. I'm scheduled to visit District Four this hour, but now I'm going to have to stay here," he grumbled in his low, gravelly voice. "I would not want to keep our guests waiting, even if they have inconvenienced me. Well, in this case… Excalibur, you travel to District Four in my stead. Zahira, you go with them. Team Cornerstone needs to discuss the situation with the trenches that block off the road to the civilian city, I don't know, they'll tell you all about it when you get there."
"It shall be done," the Houndoom answered in a deep and powerful voice, making Char wonder if it was really a legendary Pokémon in disguise.
Zahira frowned slightly. "Your Excellency, if you ever again require… supervision for the guests, do not hesitate to call on me. It has been my honor and pleasure to mingle with them."
"I understand, but I can take them from here, Zahira," Lucario answered, a tiny hint of displeasure in his voice. "Thank you for getting them here in one piece, but now I need you elsewhere. Do not forget the Terra Town campaign."
"Of course, Your Excellency," Zahira responded in almost a sigh. "Scythe, Char, Ray, Saura… it looks like this is where we part. It's been a fun ride. See you again sometime, hopefully."
Char nodded to her, but said nothing per Scythe's request. She smiled and waved as she followed rest of the group he presumed to be Team Regret as they marched down the hall, leaving Lucario standing alone with the newcomers.
The leader stood there in the center of the dark hall, his face cast toward the floor. His eyes were closed, or simply downturned, Char couldn't tell, his hands folded as his back. Char clasped his claws together and wrenched them tightly in nervous anticipation, his breath long since caught in the back of his throat.
It was Scythe who broke the silence.
"Hmm, those Houndoom make excellent partners, do they not?" Scythe spoke. His tone attempted a measure of casual friendliness, but Char could tell that he had spoken it very carefully.
"Hmmmmm," Lucario sighed, finally lending his gaze to Scythe, as if he had not yet realized he was standing in his company the entire time. "Scythe. Well met. You are well known around these parts. I have heard many great things about you. On behalf of all Rayquaza's Clutch, welcome to Fort Emerald. I shall try to make your stay here as comfortable as possible."
Char blinked. Lucario was speaking in a very unnatural manner, or at least one he was not expecting of such a powerful leader. He spoke as if he had spent the fortnight just trying to memorize those lines.
"I'm sure it will be fine," Scythe responded, offering a small bow. "This is not my first visit here, after all. I was on the Dark Excursion project, the Ocean's Levee, White Haven, and I was here for the Lapras gathering andTeam Flamewheel's barricade incident… I know my way around the place well enough."
And, at long last, Lucario's eyes rested upon Char. Char straightened his form one last time, making himself look as respectable and receptive as he possibly could. Though, moments later, Lucario's gaze shifted to Saura and Ray as well.
"And you have brought…"
"The one whom we believe to be responsible for the appearance of the tower," Scythe spoke, completing Lucario's sentence. "We intend to visit the tower as soon as we can. We were instructed to visit you for additional information before our journey into Zerferia."
"Hmmmm… so The Call has surfaced once more," Lucario spoke, staring at the floor again. "A Charmander this time, you say… I can show you the path we have plotted to the tower. Though, first… I think I would like to speak with the Charmander."
… … …
Char had felt terror before, and plenty of times. He had felt terror when he found himself trapped in the deepest, darkest dungeons and staring down the monstrous forms of wild, undefeatable Pokémon. He had felt terror whenever Adiel had appeared, especially on that dark day when the base was locked down. He was quite familiar with that feeling; it felt each time like someone had taken a knife and sliced his heart open, letting this lifeblood spill across the floor and weakening him, draining will to keep standing and fighting. In fact, he had experienced it enough times that he was starting to grow used to it and learning how to counter it, finding that he could always trust his Ember to rise to his cause and give him the strength and sense of focus he needed to pull through.
This, however, was not the same kind of terror. It was something else. It was like shame, embarrassment, uncertainty, awkwardness. And it was strong, strong enough to reduce him to a quivering fool, and as he felt his head swimming in the surreal-ness of it all, he hadn't the slightest idea how to counter it. Lucario had a different air about him than Alakazam ever did. He had an aura that demanded respect, but some sort of respect that was completely unfamiliar to him. He hadn't the slightest idea how he would be expected to act.
Or maybe it was his good old terror instinct kicking in, but with the Golden Apple shielding the pit of his stomach from the feeling of sickness. That seemed possible as well.
Char held his breath and let his fire grow, but it did nothing to stop his uneasiness. He was, after all, face-to-face with the most important Pokémon he'd met yet. He knew that saying the wrong word, insulting either Lucario or mis-portraying himself, would have disastrous effects.
The Aura Pokémon did not stand tall and proud like many others he had met. Visibly, he was quite short and weak, not even twice his height, looking like he couldn't even lift a rock the size of Char. Though, some little part of Char's mind told him that was wrong; something about him was respectable. As if his appearance wasn't something he had control over. As if, yes, he had won wars and witnessed firsthand the burdens of the resistance, but they were hidden from his form through no fault of his own. He could tell this by his focused gaze, or by the way he held himself. Though after a few moments, his expression started looking less like a knowledgeable warlord and more like the simple frustration of someone who had just spent ten hours trying unsuccessfully to find a dropped key.
After ordering Scythe to "wait here," Lucario had lead Char into his private den, which was not a very far walk from that hallway. Upon seeing the interior of his room, he found himself disappointed yet again. Surely, he thought, of all the places in the Emerald Division, Lucario's personal lair would be a sight to behold, much on the same level as Alakazam's hall… but no. It was a rectangular chamber, and a rather cramped one. An empty wooden table sat at one side of the room, and a haphazard pile of possessions rested in an opposite corner. A red, scratchy carpet spanned the floor, and a blue one covered the ceiling. There was no light source, yet the room was visible as if by magic. Char wondered if the blue carpet actually produced light.
"You're early," Lucario spoke, walking past him and positioning himself in front of his table.
Char fumbled with his tongue when he realized he was supposed to respond. "Yeah. I mean. It was smooth flying on the way here. The air—"
"Not what I meant, Charmander," Lucario barked, his arms supporting his weight upon the table and his eyes following the wooden grains within it. "You are early. The Call was not meant to appear for another few years."
Char held his mouth open, not sure of what to say. His ability wasn't exactly something he had control over.
"Tell me something, Charmander," Lucario spoke a little softer. "Do you understand your power?"
"I don't," Char answered honestly.
"Do you understand the implications of your power?" Lucario questioned.
"I—uh… uh… I can use it… to beat the Master…" Char struggled to say.
"As many say," Lucario said. "But I believe that the Call has as much of a chance to vanquish the Master as it would if I stood on the wall of Fort Emerald and hurled a javelin into the sky. Perhaps it would be a lucky shot. Perhaps, if the winds blew right, the Master would step out of his fortress one fine day only to have my javelin come down and impale him through the skull."
Char's body locked in place.
"What many don't understand is that I was there the last time we had the Call," Lucario spoke, force mounting behind his voice. "We tried to harness it, as we have always done in the past. Do you know what we accomplished in the end? We summoned a legion of the Master's soldiers which nearly trampled us out of existence."
Lucario turned and stared Char in the eye.
"Tell me. What makes you any different?" He muttered in a seething calmness.
Char could not say a word. He knew he had something to say in his defense. He knew it. It bit at his mind, but he just couldn't grasp it.
"Tell me," Lucario spoke again, his voice unchanging. "What makes you any different?"
"T—th—," Char tried. "I… Dialga. Dialga. He… gave me dreams… I called him! I called directly to him! My call is greater… than ever before!"
"Dialga," Lucario spat. "And what good will Dialga do for us, do you think? Do you, Charmander, have the power to wrangle a god into doing your will? You who refer to the god of time as male, do you think it would hold enough respect for you to obey your command? Or mine?"
Before Char could respond, Lucario crossed the room straight for him. Frozen in fear, he watched as Lucario actually picked him up by the arms and held him to eye level. He hung in the air, suspended by the Aura Pokémon's grasp, and stared into his scowl.
"You are perhaps the weakest Pokémon I have ever met," Lucario mumbled. "Do you think a god would respect you? I cannot even bring myself to respect you. So, you have caused the Temporal Tower to materialize. Would you travel to its summit? Would you hope that Dialga would descend upon the Master's domain and rend out his heart? Would you hope that Dialga would not see fit to disobey you and instead rend the whole of Ambera into five thousand time-shifted pieces?"
Suddenly, Lucario twisted his body, and before Char knew it, he had been hurled into the far corner of the room. Pain shot through his head as it rebounded off both stone walls and he fell, a pathetic tangled mess, onto his side. The wind was knocked out of him before he even had a chance to yelp in surprise.
"What a joke," Lucario spewed, "for the gods to imbue the Call into the weakest of Pokémon. What a joke that it gives us all such hope."
Alarmed and breathless, Char scrambled to his feet. As he righted himself, he felt a tickle upon his ankle… and looked down to find that his tail had set the carpet on fire in two places. He stomped them out as quickly as he could, leaving only a couple ash-colored smudges upon the red cloth.
"Rayquaza's Clutch has little to offer you," Lucario said, turning his attention back to his desk. "We have nothing. Everything we own, the Master has taken away from us. This is why we fight. But if you want a night's rest in our fortress, and some intel on the path to Zerferia, and perhaps a meal or two… that, I can offer you. But do not expect us to support you."
"No meal," Char choked out, hoping it would help the situation. "We have… Golden Apples... We won't be hungry…"
"Fine, then!" Lucario yelled. "Now go. Leave. Cast your javelin into the sky. Pray that it does not land in your own chest."
Char didn't have to be told twice. He ran out of the chamber on all fours.
… … …
His heart beating a thousand times a minute, and his fire beautifully lighting the hall with a bluish hue, Char scurried back in the direction he remembered being taken like a dog eager to return home. Only, he couldn't. Home was hundreds of miles away.
Char could now understand the emotion he had seen in the division's leader, yet couldn't place: bitterness. Lucario was a very bitter soul. It was something he hadn't seen in very many Pokémon, if at all. In comparison, the Gold Division was always so full of… hope. Pride. A willingness to go on. The Emerald Division was devoid of that. He knew now what kind of a character that Lucario was. He had been broken. The pain, the stress, the weight of his experiences as a commander… they had destroyed him. Taken everything he had held dear. And he resented it. He wanted the Master to pay for his deeds.
The Gold Division, he determined, was motivated by hope, and the Emerald Division by vengeance. And unlike hope, vengeance did not require luxury. Vengeance did not require comfort. Vengeance was hard and cold, like a piercing sword. Vengeance did not feel.
Char stopped to catch his breath, only to realize that he had taken a wrong turn. He was lost among the empty gray halls. If there was one thing he did not want, it was to be separated from his friends any longer than necessary.
Calming his racing mind, he began to consider his options. He could call for help. He could hail the next passing Pokémon in the hall and ask for directions. He could run around until he found one of those openings in the wall, where he could jump outside and circle the building back to the front door, where he could surely find his way from.
A red firelight appeared in the corridor before him, and Char realized he was not alone.
Prince.
The Infernape approached him quickly. Char shifted, wondering if he should run. The fiery Pokémon didn't appear malicious at all, but he knew that looks were often deceiving.
Still, he had to wonder about the way Scythe spoke the primate's name with distaste. As far as Char was concerned, Prince was a hero if the Emerald Division. Surely, he could not be evil, or bad enough to bolt away from at first sight.
Scythe and Prince are probably rivals, or something, Char wondered. Maybe they just dislike each other… I'll talk to him. If he walked all the way here, he probably knows where Scythe is. I'll ask him for directions.
Even then, Char braced himself for anything as Prince drew near. Prince looked amused, like he'd found a bird who had fallen out of the nest.
"So," Prince spoke. "What did you think of Lucario?"
"He's not so nice. He threw me at the wall!" Char answered, rubbing the side of his head for emphasis. "Is he always like that?"
"A lot of the time, unfortunately," Prince spoke, in a much gentler voice than Char was anticipating. "Lucario… is handicapped. He was born, or hatched, if you don't prefer the human expressions, without the power to use aura. Every day, the fact of the matter bothers him."
"Wow! Really?!" Char gasped. "I never even guessed!"
"Yes," Prince said, gesturing kindly to Char to walk by his side. "His mother before him, who headed Team Regret in the previous dynasty, she used all sorts of powers when raising him. Telekinesis. Telepathy. Even the ability to sense a subject's intentions. And devastating attack powers. Now, Lucario is here in his seat of power, and he is unable wield any of it. Only the strength of his muscle serves him. That, and the strength of every Pokémon under his command."
"That's horrible," Char gasped again. "I guess that explains a lot. I can't imagine what that would feel like. It would feel like… being born without your fire, wouldn't it? I can't imagine that. My fire is who I am. It's my soul."
"Ah, so you do prefer the human expressions," Prince said with a smile. "Do you know a lot about humans?"
"Yeah, a little," Char confessed. "They… well… I grew up with them."
"I did, as well," Prince said. "Humans raised me. I was happy with them. I never wanted to leave."
"So… then why did you come to Ambera?" Char questioned. "Why didn't you stay with them?"
"I was banished," Prince said simply.
"Wow… I'm sorry!" Char said.
"Trust me, little Char, if I hadn't gotten over it by now, I wouldn't be alive," Prince chuckled. "That's all in the past. The far past. But anyway… My name is Prince, of Team Flamewheel. Nice to meet you."
Char was delightfully floored to see Prince hold out his left hand to welcome a handshake. He happily obliged.
"I know," Char said with a smirk as he shook his hand, a measure of glee filling his heart to see another Pokémon understand human customs. "I'm Char, Team Ember."
"I know," Prince told him. "I've heard of you. I heard you made the tower appear. Out in Articuno's domain."
"That's what they say," Char nervously laughed. "Now I have to go out there. I'm not looking forward to it. It's going to be so cold."
"Yes, Articuno can be a harsh spirit at times," Prince said oddly, "But you are a fire-type. Fire-types don't get cold."
"Uh… yeah, they do!" Char insisted. "I get cold all the time! I hate it!"
"Then you haven't learned everything there is to know about your fire," Prince told him. "Did a fire-type train you at all?"
"Uh… no… yes…" Char answered. "It's… complicated."
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a shrill cry echoed through the corridor! Char was startled out of his wits. He was on the verge of panic, when a sudden recognition clicked into place.
He'd know that voice anywhere.
"DON'T! MESS! WITH! CHAR!" The voice cried. "AAAAAAH!"
The room flashed with white light as a giant bolt of electricity caught Prince off-guard and engulfed him. His warm smile turned into a ferocious scowl, and he spun around, only to be bashed in the stomach by Ray's forehead.
"CHARR!" Ray yelled. "RUN AWAY!"
"Ray…" Char tried to respond. "Stop! He's not—"
But it was too late. Prince began to demonstrate his mastery of the martial arts. Not hesitating for a moment, the Infernape performed a flip, capturing Ray between his two legs as they sailed over his head, and flung him far away. Saura, who wasn't far behind, unleashed the powerful move the TM had taught him: a giant glob of poisonous substance sprouted from his back and shot at the ape's face. In one deft move, Prince lifted himself by one hand and spun around, the poison attack sailing harmlessly under his arm, and his foot coming in for a brutal impact with Saura's body. Saura tumbled away.
"Char! Get out of here!" Saura cried. "Go! Now!"
"No!" Char yelled back. "Stop it! He's not bad!"
His friends wouldn't listen. Char watched in speechlessness as they came back for another round.
Ray was up and running again, and attempted to tackle Prince from behind. After one glance backward, Prince launched himself at the wall, then propelled himself from it, knocking Ray right out of the air with the full force of his body. Ray cried out in pain.
Saura, having hoped that the opponent would have been distracted, had charged up a sun-beam and loosed it straight at Prince's form. In an impossible maneuver, Prince dropped to the ground and ducked under it, then swung his front foot around to knock Saura off-balance and put a stop to his attack.
Now Char was panicked. He screamed out to his friends, but they were dead set on the battle, convinced that Prince was a threat…
Until another voice, one much more powerful and authoritative than his own, spoke out.
"STOP!"
Everyone froze at the sound of the voice, though Prince was hesitant to drop his battle stance. Scythe stood at the corner of the hallway, looking extremely displeased.
"Prince," he said angrily. "Leave them alone."
"Scythe, I did nothing," Prince returned. "They attacked me all on their own."
"They attacked because you stole my Charmander," Scythe growled at him. "Return him."
"He has a name, you know," Prince grunted a little bitterly, straightening up into a normal posture. "I'd think you of all people would have known that."
"Char," Scythe commanded, ignoring the pointed remark. "Come with me."
Char did as he was told without question, casting a confused glance back at Prince as he rushed over to Scythe's side. Ray and Saura gathered themselves off the floor and followed suit.
"Hey, sorry about that," Saura whispered to Char. "Ray and I decided to attack first and ask questions later. Scythe has something against him, and we didn't want anything bad to happen to you."
"I'm fine," Char insisted. "Are you alright? You just tried to take down someone they tell stories about. I'm sorry, but what were you thinking? He wasn't even attacking me! Are you hurt?"
"I'm a little dazed, but yeah, I'll survive," Ray said, rubbing his side where Prince's body slam had connected. "He hits hard…"
"Good day to you, Scythe," Prince said sincerely as he approached, though Scythe still did not look amused. "It has been a while."
"Indeed," Scythe growled. "Is your team well nowadays?"
"Yes, it is," Prince replied. "Sixteen members now, in fact. And yours?"
"We are what we are," Scythe said. "Not much has changed at our end."
"Oh! I heard stories that you would be getting back the canyon sometime last month," Prince said, trying to lighten the mood. "How did that work out?"
"Postponed," Scythe said, his face contorting in a strange way, as if to ask, "how would you know about that?"
"Aww, a shame," Prince sighed. "I thought it could be cause for celebration. Oh, but there is already cause for celebration, isn't there? The call! And the Tower!"
Prince cheered heartily, nodding at Char as he did so. "To think we could witness the great victory in just a week's time!" he said. "I don't think we could ever ask for anything more."
"Indeed," Scythe spoke. "Now, Prince, if you will excuse us, we must consult with Lucario. Time is of the essence."
"I'm coming with you."
Scythe bit his jaws down so hard, Char thought he had severed his own tongue.
"You can't," Scythe growled, true hostility arising in his tone. "Though I appreciate the concern."
"I can, and I will," Prince insisted. "I have already decided. You have no say in the matter."
"Prince, you do not understand," Scythe suddenly snapped, raising his voice and lifting his blades in frustration. "Under normal circumstances… yes. I would welcome it. But… I cannot let you. It's… not possible."
"I think you're the one who doesn't understand, Scythe," Prince said gravely, challenging him. "Though. There are not very many people I respect more than you. And I'm sure you are all great friends to little Char. I have to applaud you, Bulbasaur, Raichu, whatever your names are, for standing up for him. These are true friends you have."
"Prince!" Scythe shot, trying to silence him. But it would not work.
"Little Char is a fire-type!" Prince cried, now raising his own voice. "I'm sure you're great at looking out for him. But do you know what it is like to be a fire-type? Do you? Do you understand what he goes through at the core? Do you know what it will take for him to survive in Zerferia? Have you ever been there yourself? And if… if his fire were to go out, would you be able to re-ignite it?"
The silence for the next few seconds was deathly.
"Prince…" Scythe seethed, his tone now gentle yet downright malicious. "I'm not going to need to fight with you again, am I?"
"If that's what it comes to, yes," Prince growled in reply. "Besides, we both know who won the last time…"
Scythe watched in rage as Prince turned and bowed to Char. "I'm sorry you had to watch that," he said. "Scythe can be stubborn sometimes…"
And with that, he simply walked off.
"GIIIIIIIAAAAAAA!"
Scythe emitted a sound that Char had never heard him make before. He cried at the top of his lungs, like a crazed banshee sounding a battle call. He lunged forward and struck both his blades, in rapid succession, against the corner of the wall. Small dents appeared in them, and in his own blades as well.
He stood, panting, and gazing in disbelief at the damage he had done to himself. He then looked past his blades, at the three shocked Pokémon who had just watched everything take place.
A Vigoroth turned the hall corner. Paying no heed to the awkward congregation on the other side of the wall, it lumbered away on its arms and legs.
"Let's go," Scythe finally said, dropping both his blades to his sides. "We have things to do."