Episode 14: A Threat of Conflict
“Okay, Azu I appreciate the enthusiasm, but…” Lucca gurgled. The Brionne was sat back against a bush with a belly so full he resembled a Munchlax.
“But…?” Azu replied as she stirred a pot of curry. The group were given three rooms to rest and relax in, and at their request, Lucca, Azu, and Mimia had free reign over cooking equipment.in their room.
This place almost felt like they were camping outside. It was a room for sure, with glass walls and a ceiling on all sides, but there was so much greenery it gave the feel of the outdoors. Bushes surrounded the glass walls, while the ground was exactly like the gardens or fields outside. To top it all off, the glass was so clean that the clouds and sun were clear as ever. The only way one could tell they were in a room in the palace was the fact that the other rooms and hallways were visible, and there was no wind.
“Um, er, maybe Mimia would like to try some of your cooking?” Lucca suggested.
“Nonsense, you’ve got plenty of room for more. I know you like your food,” Azu said happily as she poured him another bowl of curry. “We still haven’t tried the Bluk wine seasoning yet. You’ve got four curry dishes to go mister, and then we can get to their banana bread recipes.”
“If I eat anymore, I’m going to explode,” Lucca sunk to the floor. Mimia giggled beside him, and then sung something in feral language. “Aww help me out here buddy. I never knew Azu’d be so enthusiastic about cooking…”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so content! Is my cooking really that good?” Azu asked as she handed him yet another bowl. Despite his complaints, he snaked over and happily began to wolf it down.
“It’s so good I’d keep eating if I had room,” gurgled the Brionne.
“… There’s a lie here. Does it really taste good? You’re not just saying that to try and keep me happy, are you?” she replied.
Her serious tone made him look up, and he swallowed. “No, seriously. I was worried Shelly would be the only good cook and we’d overwork him, but with you around too, we’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Azu leaned to the side in bother.
“I-I mean that as in, I really appreciate your help and er—”
“Maybe that is all I’m good for after all,” Azu sighed. “At least I’m useful for something on this journey.”
“What? No, where did that come from? You’ve been an immense help to us so far,” Lucca objected. He tried to sit as he normally did, but his belly made him uncomfortable, so he leaned back against the bush with a grumble. “And even if you weren’t, everyone likes you here. You came to learn about the warriors, and you’re learning a lot, I hope.”
Azu hesitated to respond as she cooked. “It isn’t worth it if I can’t actually help you, though. Sure, you like my cooking now, but that just seems a bit…”
“I like your passion!” Lucca stated. That got her to look straight at him and his proud grin. “Maybe I’m a bit of a fool, but when we met, I could tell you were very passionate about researching legends, myths, and all other sorts of adventurous discoveries. You weren’t lying about that, were you?”
“No! Not at all! I’ve spent years learning all I can about the Shining Warriors and the legends of Heroica. I dedicated myself to learning about that so that I could find a way that we don’t have to rely on the legend or the warriors anymore,” Azu raised her voice.
“See? That alone is why you should stick with us. Honestly, you know more than we do in some respects,” Lucca snickered. “If what you just said is true, then it’s a wonder that you weren’t chosen as a warrior, too. Your heart’s in the right place, you’ve got passion and experience, and fighting by your side feels like second nature already. You’re one of us – even if you wanted to kick back the rest of the journey, I’d be fine with it.”
“That’s… Lucca, do you hear yourself sometimes?” Azu turned away. She blushed a bit, and rubbed her face to get rid of it.
“I mean it, though,” he assured. “Wait, did I say something stupid or offensive?”
“No, you didn’t. Just a little more affectionate than I was expecting. I don’t want to be in the way, that’s all,” she admitted. “Here, another bowl. This one’s got a drizzle of wine in it, so don’t scarf it.”
Lucca jerked. “M-more? E-er, how much more curry do they have?”
Azu glanced at the storage they had been given. There were at least a dozen different ingredients she hadn’t touched yet. “We’re a little less than halfway through the taste test. Did you want a bigger bowl?”
“I’m definitely gonna explode,” Lucca shrivelled to the floor as he accepted the next bowl anyway. His struggle to eat more was saved as the door knocked.
“Hello? Mister Lucca, Miss Azu? It’s Shelly, I’m coming in,” the Oshawott shyly called from beyond. Azu gave him a happy wave as he entered, but changed when she saw the concern on his face. “Oh, Mister Mimia, too. U-um, hello.”
“Don’t mind us. The grass types weren’t sure what to cook and we knew you’d be busy, so I begged them to let me try my hand at cooking,” Azu said, and rubbed the back of her head. “Ruby and Crystal were here earlier, but they went back to their rooms after a bowl or two. No idea where Brine is.”
“Oh. That’s okay, it was you I was looking for, anyway. I could use an opinion, if that’s okay,” Shelly began. The trio came forward for him. “I… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Mama- I mean Queen Gladys, is up to something.”
“Is this room secure?” Lucca replied. Shelly nodded unsurely. “That’s fine, because so do I.”
Mimia yipped in agreement, while Azu nodded.
“You three as well?” Shelly’s eyes widened. “I don’t know why I don’t trust her. Everything she said and did is so fine and noble, yet still I can’t think straight or relax.”
“Go ahead. Tell me exactly what you’re feeling,” Lucca replied. He smiled proudly again, but forgot his belly and leaned back.
“It-it’s not that important. I just… I don’t know, my heart tells me something’s wrong?” Shelly cocked his head, and his leaf turned blue. He began to relay his conversation with Gladys earlier, about the failed warriors and how she executed them. Not long after he started, Lucca and Azu put their flipper and hands to their chins and looked down, while Mimia closed his eyes and swayed in thought.
“She’s not lying about one thing. The past generations of warriors all failed,” Azu stated. “To think that they never made it very far, and one of those generations was executed right here.”
“It’s pretty sound, right? Her will to expand this kingdom and be kind to us lines up airtight,” Lucca stated. He smirked cockily, and came out of his thought pose. “But you can’t trust the mind of royalty. They’ve always got an ulterior motive and are a hundred steps ahead. So, what’s on your mind?”
“Why can’t royalty be trusted? They’re the rulers of a country. They have to be the most trustworthy Pokémon ever,” Shelly wondered, and raised an eyebrow.
“That’s also true, that’s the thing. You don’t get to be royalty by being the brightest and most heroic Pokémon ever, though. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have war, or battles, right?” Lucca replied. Azu snuck a look at him, but didn’t say anything. “The obvious thing of note is the ore she wants us to mine. Gladys refrained from telling us exactly what it was, or maybe she’s waiting until it’s convenient to.”
“That’s what I was wondering about, too. Shelly, do you have any idea what it is she wants us to mine?” Azu asked.
“It’s called Derris Ore. It’s what wonder orbs are made of,” Shelly answered, and took out his Treasure Orb. As he spoke, his leaf turned green. “We have plenty of it on the island already, and we experiment with creating new orbs. It’s really cool stuff.”
“Wow, they can do that?” Azu remarked. She kept rubbing her chin. “If she’s planning on expanding back to Heroica, having orbs would make a good trade deal. Orbs don’t require Bestia energy, so their demand skyrocketed. Knowing they’re made right here is huge.”
“And you have that custom made one that can bring items from anywhere in your storage, right? Their scientists are really something,” Lucca added.
“They are! I wish I could show you, i-if you’re interested. They make all kinds of orbs, like stuff for exploration, or stuff to power machines, too,” Shelly got even happier. That last bit made Azu freeze. “Me and Kusha had to borrow an air bike or something, but we crashed it, so they don’t let me go to the lab anymore.”
“An… air bike?” Azu repeated.
“Oh, it was a vehicle. It goes really fast, but it doesn’t have wheels or anything – it flies over the ground! I guess it’s like a caravan, but way smaller and way faster? It went fast by turning the handles. I can’t really explain it,” Shelly recalled.
“And it’s powered by an orb? Did they have anything else like that in the lab?” Azu asked.
“Lots of stuff. I-I’ve never seen it all before and I wasn’t allowed to touch it,” Shelly answered. “The last time I saw it all was with Kusha. There were a lot of machines.”
There was a pause, and then Azu smiled and nodded. “Well that explains why you were so handy around my lab. That’s where all that experience came from huh?”
“I don’t think I was that helpful,” Shelly started playing with his paws.
“Nonsense, you know how useful having an extra pair of paws around the lab was? Especially someone who actually knew their way around tech stuff? I could walk a hundred miles and wouldn’t come across another Pokémon anywhere near as helpful as you,” Azu praised, making him blush. “It sounds like we need to talk to Kusha, though. Do you mind fetching her, please?”
“She’s probably patrolling or guarding Elise. I’ll try and find her,” Shelly nodded, and made his way out. Not long after he left, Azu promptly put out the fire and started to put away the cooking tools, to Lucca’s surprise. Mimia made a sound, too.
“That’s a look I’m starting to like, too. You’re onto something,” Lucca said with a smirk.
“This is going to sound expected coming from me, but we need to see this lab. Depending on what they’re developing, we could either be in danger, or in the midst of something very special,” Azu stated.
“Vehicles for easy traversing of difficult terrain, and tools that can nullify the use of conventional weapons,” a familiar voice called to them. The group gasped and searched around, but didn’t spot their spy right away. Mimia was the first to look up, and set off barking. Kusha floated amongst some greenery high up. She quickly deflated and leisurely floated down to them.
“Kusha. How long were you there?” Lucca gasped.
“As long as I needed to be. You have an advantage in that Queen Gladys still thinks I’m on her side. She ordered me to spy on the three of you,” the Wigglytuff informed. “She doesn’t seem to realise that I’m a spy of my own.”
“A twist within a twist? I like it. What do you have for us?” Lucca inquired. Kusha walked between them as she spoke, and seemed to intentionally brush herself against Lucca.
“Shelly hasn’t seen beyond the vehicles, but it’s exactly as you fear. The Van Akens have been researching Derris Ore to create vehicles that will help them cross the ocean, alongside weaponry that can help them fight without attacks of abilities,” Kusha explained. She stopped in front of the whole group, and tapped her axe straight on the ground. “Based on my recent investigation, I would say they’re about eighty percent ready to launch a full-scale attack on Heroica.”
“Of course it’s the worst scenario. If we go to the cave and get that ore, it’s only a matter of time before we have a war on our paws,” Azu sighed and shook her head. “Lucca, what do we do?”
“If we don’t do exactly as she says, it’s only going to mean more trouble in our stay here. We’re extremely lucky we got fed with the way living conditions here are,” Lucca stated. His flipper returned to his chin, and his face became intense. “This could make us seem worse than the previous Shining Warriors, but I think we need to confront her. If we can shut that whole operation down at the source—”
“Lucca!” Azu hissed. He took a moment to face her. “Didn’t you promise we wouldn’t have a Vergrace situation again?”
Mimia chimed in with his own round of aggressive growls and howls. Lucca made a sound which prompted him to say more. Mimia was calmer as he carried on talking, to which Lucca folded his flippers.
“It might not be necessary to kill her, but I know how royalty are. If we can prove its conquest Gladys is after, then it’s likely she’s dedicated her entire being to it. You have to trust me,” Lucca replied.
“What would you know about the way royalty think?” Azu raised an eyebrow. Lucca gasped to stop himself from answering. “Lucca?”
“I just… It’s something they would do, alright? You can’t rule out it’s a possibility,” Lucca argued.
“But to act rashly on that could sever what little trust we have right now. Is that worth the risk for our own lives?” Azu reasoned, and laid a hand on her chest. “Think of the others, Lucca.”
Mimia joined in with another round of noises, to which Lucca nodded.
“I’m not opposed to asking everyone. We’ll do a vote and see what the others think. The only thing I ask is that we somehow keep Shelly out of it. He’s going through enough as it is,” Lucca sat back and turned away.
“That one’s a given. Why do you think I waited until he left?” Kusha replied.
“And, well,” Lucca started playing with his flippers.
“And?” Azu raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve… kind of got to sleep this off,” Lucca snickered and pointed to his belly.
“You’re such a drama queen sometimes,” Azu giggled and rolled her eyes.
…
Meanwhile, Shelly spent a while wandering the halls of the palace in search of Kusha. Of course, he found nothing but patrols, visitors, and more patrols. As he gave up his search to return to Lucca and the others, he happened to pass by the room Ruby was given, and decided to peek in.
She had another guest quarters just like his room. She’d shoved furniture and shrubs all the way to the ends of the room to make space in the centre, where she put out her sleeping bag. Right now, she had her Parashelter out and seemed to be swinging it around at an invisible opponent.
I really should get back to the others, but… Shelly realised as he watched her for a while.
Ruby didn’t fight the way he was taught to. There was little to no finesse in her movements, and there clearly wasn’t a stance, either. Not that a Cyndaquil was well suited for a heavy, two-handed weapon like an armoured umbrella, after all. Yet still, she swung it with force he could hear from beyond the glass walls. She would hold the weapon high with both hands wrapped around the handle, and then twirl her whole body on one leg to swing at her enemy with bludgeoning force. There was a heavy woosh with each swing, and little grunts and huffs from her.
Just for a little while, Shelly decided to himself, and knocked. The moment he did, she flinched and scrambled to put away her weapon.
“U-um, hello? It’s open, you can come in,” she called out and sat cutely. She reached for her bag as he came in and pretended to sort her belongings.
“You didn’t have to stop,” Shelly said. It didn’t take her long to put two and two together.
“You really need to stop doing that, y’know. It’s creepy no matter what,” Ruby complained, and readied her weapon again. “I know this place has glass walls and stuff, but you’ve gotta know what privacy is, right?”
“I was interested. The only fighting styles I’ve seen are with swords, lances, and whips. And that’s by bipedal Pokémon,” he replied. “I got intrigued by your weapon again.”
Ruby glanced at it, and then gave him a frown. “I look stupid, don’t I? You find this funny.”
“No, not at all! Honestly lass, I’m impressed. I don’t think I could swing a weapon that heavy around, yet you do it without tripping all over. You’re way stronger than you look. I-I should know that already, but I continue to be surprised by how much,” Shelly remarked.
“Don’t you know how to use a sword? That’s kinda an Oshawott thing, ain’t it?” Ruby quizzed him. “Think you could get me one?”
“I do know how to use a sword, but that doesn’t mean I can actually use a sword. There’s a reason I have this knife instead,” he replied. He took off his scalchop to reveal it, and then put it away in the Treasure Orb. “As for getting you a sword, do you really want to give up the Parashelter? You’d lose your Fire Spin.”
“Small price to pay for a deadlier weapon, if ya ask me,” she reasoned. She went back to practice, and this time opened up the canopy. “If you wanna help out, then come at me with that knife of yours.”
“Huh?” he jerked.
“Hurry up before I pound ya with it! Try and cut me with your knife, and I’ll block it with this shield,” Ruby instructed. She peeked from behind it with a smirk. “That’s why ya came in here, right? Can’t start slacking on our training, ever.”
“What if I actually hurt you?” he cried.
“Pah, like you could actually cut me. You won’t even get close!” she bragged.
“Ruby, I’m serious! Anything but the—”
“Bashing your head in five, four,” Ruby replied.
“Ruby stop, please!” Shelly cried and held a paw out. She went quiet, and made sure to look him in the eyes.
“You’re right, I do want to continue training. But I…” Shelly trailed off. Ruby put the Parashelter aside to show she was listening, so he took a deep breath. “I think I need your help one more time.”
“The only thing I can help you with is fighting. I’m not good for anything else, but go on,” she replied.
She said that so stern and certainly, like it’s something she actually believes, Shelly hesitated, and put his paws together. “It’s about… Queen Gladys.”
“She’s got you going to that underwater cave, right? Please don’t tell me you wanna bring me with you. An underwater trip like that is too hard for me,” Ruby raised an eyebrow.
“Darn it lass, stop jumping to assumptions!” Shelly snapped.
“Then hurry up and be blunt and stop beatin’ around the bush. You know I hate that stuff,” Ruby started tapping her foot. He took a deep breath again.
“I think we’re all going to fight Mama- I mean Queen Gladys soon,” Shelly stated, and she instantly stopped. “I can’t get this feeling out of my head that she’s up to something. But if we do, I don’t know if I can.”
“You can barely fight stuff as it is,” Ruby replied. He looked up at her in surprise. “You’re docile like Crystal. But I can’t change who you are. I can’t help you with this.”
“Yes you can,” he said hesitantly. “When I attacked the Wishiwashi in the Shadow Palace, it was nothing like anything I’d ever felt before. I didn’t think what I normally thought. I was scared, but not because the monster was a giant, or I could get hurt. I was scared because we were about to lose Crystal. If I didn’t do anything, or I let anything stop me, we could have lost Crystal forever. That was all I could think about, and I just did everything I needed to do.”
Ruby stared at him and didn’t respond, but her eyes opened. She almost appeared angry with him, yet he slid a foot in front of the other and didn’t back down from her. “If something happens and we do have to fight Gladys, I want to be able to do it without being scared. O-or any enemy we have to fight.”
Ruby still didn’t reply.
“You can go into any fight without being scared all the time and do everything perfectly. Please teach me how to!” he cried.
“You spoilt little shit,” Ruby spat and turned away. Shelly gasped and froze.
“How… how does that make me spoiled?” Shelly challenged.
“I’m only like this because I have to be. I’m a freaking weirdo of a Cyndaquil, and everyone treats like crap because of it. If I don’t be strong, Pokémon will bully me, and my Mum’s murderer will get away with what they did,” Ruby explained. She pointed at him fiercely. “Don’t you get it? This ain’t some glamorous skill you can just learn so you can look after some girl you like. You do what you have to do or you suffer.”
Shelly hesitated again, and faced the floor. “H-how bad is it?”
“It’s not important, forget it. I don’t wanna ramble about it. Now pick up your stupid knife and let’s get training, or buzz off. You’re wasting my time,” she complained.
There was a long pause this time. Shelly eventually drew his knife and held it how he was taught to wield a sword. His left foot slid back and his right arm aimed forward to point the blade straight at his enemy. He shuddered like this, but his eyes focused.
“Ruby. When we’re done with this journey and you’ve gotten revenge on your murderer, what are you going to do?” he asked.
Her face contorted, and then she opened the Parashelter again. “You’re think you’re being smart, don’t you? The answer to that’s none of your business!”
That night…
It made perfect sense, yet it was a surprise how much the palace winded down once the sun began to set. Visitors were made to leave the castle, while the guards took up stationed positions or returned to rooms for designated respite. Vileplume guards replaced Lilligant, Shiinotic began to glow, and the palace felt like a forest with all the greenery in the darkness.
It was almost like a dungeon. Humid hallways patrolled by formidable grass types, where the only things one could see were the thick forestation between the walls, and the eerie glow of distant nocturnal creatures. The rhythmic marching of footsteps echoed down the hallways, as well as the occasional mumble, too.
This isn’t going to be easy, Lucca realised as he peeked out of his room. He slipped back in, where everyone besides Shelly was gathered. “We’re all okay with doing this?”
“Not okay, but we’ve gotta do what we’ve gotta do, right?” Ruby replied. “Just to make sure, we’re not going in with attacks blazing, right?”
“Please for the love of the gods, do not do that,” Crystal groaned and slumped.
“We’re confronting her. Confronting doesn’t always mean fighting,” Azu clarified. “We find out what she’s really after, and if she fights, we fight back.”
“Negotiation isn’t my strong suit, but something tells me it isn’t you guys, either,” Brine said, and shook her head. “Doing this at night only makes us look even more suspicious, you know.”
“We don’t have a choice, though. It’s the only time Shelly would be asleep with Elise,” Kusha replied.
“I know but… look, I just don’t want to end up in a prison again,” Brine grumbled and turned away.
“It’s game over for all of us if that happens again, to be fair,” Azu agreed.
“Let’s go. Shelly and Elise are unlikely to come after us, but we shouldn’t waste any time,” Lucca said. Mimia barked with him, and they were off.
“I still feel really bad about this,” Crystal rubbed a flipper.
It didn’t take long for the dangerous dungeon atmosphere to take over. Lucca scouted the hallway as the group poured out of the room. He took note of where the glowing Shiinotic were, and where to go to reach the throne room.
“Is something the matter, Shining Warriors?” a guard asked, making him jump. He didn’t notice the duo of Roserade and Vileplume stood beside the doorway. He didn’t answer, but everyone looked to him for one. “Er, I got hungry again so I thought I’d look around for some fruit.”
“Leaving this silly billy to look for that is asking for trouble, so we’re coming with,” Azu lied with him.
“With your weapons?” Roserade asked with a sneer.
“No point in leavin’ ‘em behind either, is there?” Ruby replied. Mimia yipped in response.
“We can fetch everything we need for you. In case you didn’t notice, it’s very impolite to wander around noisily at night,” Roserade informed.
“No no, don’t trouble yourself. I don’t even know what you have or what I want, so let me take a walk around. I promise I won’t bother anyone,” Lucca assured.
“Shining Warriors, we’ve been ordered to ensure you stay safe. It would be best if you remained in your quarters, please,” Vileplume ordered.
“Ugh, I hate beatin’ around the bush with stuff like this,” Brine groaned hoarsely. As she did, Mimia slowly tiptoed around the commotion. “You’re threatening us to stay in our rooms, why?”
“To prevent any and all commotion. Please, bear with us,” Vileplume became desperate.
Lucca glanced at his group, and then glared at the guards seriously. “We need to speak to Queen Gladys. Can that be arranged right now?”
“Her Highness stopped taking visitors hours ago. If you had more you wished to know, you should have asked earlier,” Roserade complained.
“When she booted us out to spend time with her family? That would be fairly rude of us,” Lucca folded his flippers and closed his eyes.
“And in the interests of keeping her safe, we would ask that you leave your weapons behind. Remember that you are in our custody, male!” Roserade hissed. A loud thump sounded out and she fell to the floor suddenly.
“Huh? What did you—” Vileplume gasped before she met the same fate. Mimia was behind their collapsed bodies and dusted his paws off.
“He knocked them out, right? They’re just… sleeping?” Crystal whispered.
“I promise you,” Kusha said, and Mimia yipped in agreement.
“We need to be quick. The moment they wake up, they’re going to cause a ruckus,” Lucca warned. Brine ignored him to pull the grass types back into the bedroom, however. “Brine!”
“I heard you, gimme a minute,” she grunted as she pulled their bodies up to the wall. She began to twirl her kendama around, and after a few seconds, a string of water trailed behind the ball. The water spiralled around the grass guards like a rope and tied them up. “This should keep them for a while, too.”
“Huh. This is convenient,” Azu commented. “Not the time to ask how it works, is it?”
“They’re just my powers. To tell the truth, I don’t really know how they work, either,” Brine admitted with a shrug. “If you’re worried, they’ll be fine. The water weakens over time, but it’ll hold them like a rope.”
“It’s not that I’m worried about. It’s what comes afterwards,” Azu said with a sigh.
“It’ll be fine. It has to be,” Lucca tried to sooth her.
Even as he said that, he couldn’t help but be on edge from here on out. All he had to do was go to the throne room, but the anticipation of the encounter drove him wild. Exploring a dark palace filled with guards that were likely to attack him and his friends sounded just like their most recent exploration. The Greenhouse Palace was the dungeon, and Queen Gladys was the boss. The wary taps of his friends’ footsteps implied they felt the same, and was the only sound for miles.
If a war breaks out in Heroica, Pokémon won’t hesitate to use Bestia. My mission will fail instantly, Lucca told himself after a deep breath. We need Pokémon to see us as heroes, and we need relations to be as stable as possible when the Aska return. We just can’t have the Van Akens attacking, but I know for sure it’s what Gladys is after. Shelly and Elise’s marriage, the obstruction of the Shining Warriors, us getting her a chunk of Derris Ore, and the development of weapons and vehicles… It all adds up too perfectly.
Mimia perked up and yipped after a while, making him stop. Lucca didn’t say anything as the Stufful started to sniff around, and then turned to Lucca worriedly. “Something is afoot. There are more guards than there should be.”
“So they don’t trust us after all,” Lucca said.
“No, it isn’t that. It’s more like… please take a look,” Mimia replied.
Lucca slid around the corner to spy for himself – this was the only section of the palace not to have transparent walls. The throne room was mere metres away, but was guarded by eight soldiers; four Whimsicott and four Shiinotic. His eyes narrowed, and he turned to his team. “Fighting them seems like a bad idea.”
“Y’know, I could just burn this place to the ground,” Ruby suggested.
“If you did, all of us would be in trouble, too. You’re prohibited from using your fire, here,” Azu ordered.
“Whaddya mean? Brine can just put it out no biggie. You saw those water powers,” Ruby objected.
“They are limited, y’know. I dunno if I could put out an entire island fire,” Brine complained. Before they could actually argue, Lucca slid out into the open and waved to the guards, who immediately shifted in offense. “Grk, Lucca! What’re you doing?”
“You’re not gonna fight them, are you?” Crystal hissed.
“Who goes there?” One of the Whimsicott snapped at him.
“Calm down, it’s just me. Lucca, one of the Shining Warriors,” he introduced, and bowed at them. “We need to see Queen Gladys. It’s important.”
“They’re with me, so you know it’s approved. Apologies for the inconvenience,” Kusha bowed as well.
“Her Highness doesn’t see visitors this late,” Whimsicott replied.
“This again,” Ruby groaned and rolled her eyes.
”The entire palace goes on lockdown when the sun sets. Begone back to your quarters. You will have better luck if you rise early,” Whimsicott added. Just then, the throne room doors opened with a loud clang, and the guards spun around.
“Don’t bother wasting their time. They’re not going to buy it,” the Queen’s voice came through before the room fully opened.
“Your Highness!” Shiinotic gasped.
“You can fight if you wish, but you’re no match for them. You’ll just slow them down,” Gladys warned. Lucca mouthed a response, while the guards growled and leered at the group. “Don’t just stand there. You came to see me, didn’t you? Come forward and stand before the throne.”
There was hesitation in everyone’s moves, but they obeyed and entered. The guards came with them. The throne room was well lit by candle lamps on the walls and a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling. Lucca hadn’t noticed them before, but now that he did, he noted that not a flame was in sight. Every candle was powered by an orb which gave off a clean white light. This room didn’t have the vibes of night time at all.
“Impressed? Our developers are some of the best in the world, I would like to think. This room is so bright that it is as if it is daytime, despite it being the middle of the night,” Gladys remarked.
“I’m a scientist too. I have to admit, I’m quite curious and excited about it,” Azu agreed, and rubbed her back.
“Please don’t get nerdy on us,” Ruby replied.
“I imagine that is not why you’re here. I brushed you off rather abruptly earlier. What can I help you with?” Gladys asked. The group turned to Lucca, who warily slid forward.
“It’s related to the technology, actually. This ore you wanted us to mine, what do you plan on using it for?” he began.
“I imagine Shelly or Kusha may have told you already. The ore can be used to create wonder orbs. With Shelly gone, we lose our best method of mining it. It would help us if you could get a lot of it so that we don’t have to completely halt research and development,” Gladys explained. “Why, if you are content with waiting around for a few days, we could even supply you with a fair few orbs. You are doing us a grand favour, after all.”
“You couldn’t build a vehicle to mine underwater yourselves?” Lucca challenged. Gladys’ eyes narrowed.
“We tried twice. Both times, that Wishiwashi monster destroyed our machine, and… Pokémon perished,” Gladys answered. Lucca and the group shifted back a bit. “I suppose it is worth another shot now that you’ve dealt with it in the Shadow Palace, however. I must admit that I’m afraid to try.”
“I’m just concerned about what you plan to use it all for. I can’t think why an island as content as this would need terrain vehicles and the like. You’re at peace here,” Lucca reasoned.
“Your Bestia levels are good, climate is keeping you all healthy, there doesn’t seem to be any civil unrest,” Azu added. “Were you planning to trade goods with Heroica?”
Gladys shut her eyes and gave a great big sigh. “Your perception is frustratingly accurate. I seems I shouldn’t underestimate another woman, be they from another species or land.”
Lucca shifted forward again.
“Let’s hear it. How much did you figure out? How much did Kusha tell you?” Gladys opened her eyes. For an instant, it appeared her eyes were glowing red.
“I didn’t make sense to me why you gave us this task without saying right away what the ore was for. Also there’s the unanswered question of why you raised Shelly, despite your entire race having it out for male Pokémon,” Lucca put a flipper to his forehead. “You married a water type Pokémon into your family and raised them to be as loyal to you as possible so that you could dedicate them to mining Derris Ore for you, didn’t you? Ore which you could use to build weapons and vehicles with. Enough to begin conquest of Heroica!”
“Wait I didn’t mention that, why do you know about—” Kusha cut herself off. “That would explain why you were so adamant about Shelly never leaving, even after he became a Shining Warrior. Is all this true, Queen Gladys?”
There was a long pause, during which the guards tensed up and pointed their weapons at the group. Gladys sighed, sat down in her throne, and signalled them to stand down with a few hand movements. The guards reluctantly obeyed, but gave the group the dirtiest stares ever.
“I became queen after much arduous struggles to overcome the challenges left by my parents. To prove I had unflinching courage, determination, and godly wit, and yet, in the slightest of errors, it could all come crashing down,” Gladys said.
“Your Highness?” one of the guards gasped.
The Tsareena stood up and slowly walked to the back of her throne. “All throughout my time as ruler, I have worked tirelessly to better the lives of our suffering species. I prayed day in and out that one day the Shining Warriors would reach us and bring about salvation. This is the second time in my lifetime that I have ever met them, and once again I am faced with the difficult decision that they are my enemy.”
“You can’t be serious! Do you actually want to use orbs to rage war on Heroica?” Crystal cried and stepped forward.
“Van Aken is sinking. Our crops are failing. Rain is becoming scarce. And the sea is rotting into black water, so we can’t even filter it. My Pokémon are dying, warriors,” Gladys stated. She retrieved a weapon from the back of her throne and finally came back around. “If I don’t do something, we grass types will grow extinct. And I refuse to be below the disgusting species of mainland Heroica. I can’t expect you bairns to understand my position.”
“Conquest can’t be the only answer. The only thing Heroicans want right now is salvation, just like you!” Lucca cried.
“And what you did is wrong. Shelly’s not your lapdog, he’s just a kid!” Ruby chimed in. “You took away that boy’s childhood just so you could start a war? Is that supposed to be justice?”
“As a queen, I have to bear the burden of my Pokémon, even if it means committing an unforgiveable sin. It is all for the sake of our future!” Gladys argued, and took up a fighting stance. Her weapon was a huge boomerang with sharp blades on both ends. An orb was imbued in the centre. “We will not see eye to eye to this. If you can’t obey, then I will be forced to silence the lot of ye.”
“So you’re going to kill the Shining Warriors, and then rage war on Heroica. Then what? You need us to restore Bestia!” Brine argued. Gladys’ eyes narrowed as if she was smirking, making her nervous.
“You don’t get to be queen without covering for every possibility,” Gladys bragged. “Stand down, guards. This will be a duel. If I win, you will do as I say and mine as much ore as I desire. If you win, I will stand down.”
“So basically, fight or die,” Lucca drew his swords.
“Wa-wait, we don’t really have to do this, do we?” Crystal cried as the others did the same. “Angel hasn’t recovered from earlier yet; it hasn’t been a day! I-I-I think…”
“There’s one thing I don’t get,” Kusha spoke up. “Why hire me? You were so certain Pokémon outside of Van Aken are below you.”
“I hired you because you were a spy,” Gladys stated. Kusha’s eyes widened. “Did you really think I hadn’t figured it out? I knew from the moment you first came to me. You’re a Wigglytuff. A sound-based lass like yourself must know more than anyone else about doing as you will to survive.”
“You’re… you’re bluffing,” Kusha replied in shock.
“Kusha Brunelle. Despite being just eighteen years of age, you have plenty of years’ experience as a spy in the forms of seduction, infiltration, and combat. Your family subjected you to premature evolution in order to ensure your survival, and now you serve Mother Bun as a government agent for Vilé,” Gladys recalled. Every word made the Wigglytuff shudder harder. “But she sent you on this mission to infiltrate us for more reasons than you think. If you want to know about doing whatever it takes to survive in this accursed world, then I suggest you go back home.”
A Flamethrower attack interrupted Gladys, but she blocked the attack with her bladed boomerang. The group hadn’t noticed Ruby start the fight, but Gladys didn’t seem to flip out. She dusted herself off once Ruby’s fire stopped, and then tapped her weapon on her back.
“R-Ruby! What is wrong with you?” Crystal shrieked. Ruby ignored her and snarled at Gladys, who barely reacted.
“You also don’t get to be queen without being the strongest this land has to offer. I hope you didn’t think fire would defeat me that easily,” Gladys bragged. “You can come at me all at once. I will bury you, so-called heroes of Heroica!”
Ruby growled at that, and then tried her Flamethrower again. This time, Gladys spun to throw her boomerang. The weapon tore right through the fire at wicked speed, and just about missed Ruby’s head as she ducked at the last second. The group had to flinch out of the way as the weapon curled toward them before it returned to Gladys, who caught it effortlessly.
Lucca and Mimia were next with their usual round of aggression. The duo dove toward the Tsareena and came at her from the left and right. Lucca twirled around her as he attempted to slash her, while Mimia leapt up high to hammer her head in. Gladys rose one leg high up to kick Lucca, while a free arm thrust against Mimia’s paws. There was a grunt from both parties, but they all froze there.
“What?” Lucca gasped. Both of his swords ground against Gladys’ armoured leg, while her arm was rigid against Mimia’s paws. Gladys snickered cockily, but then Mimia suddenly cut her arm with his knife.
“Get off me you bassa!” Gladys yelled. She sent Mimia skidding across the ground, and then promptly kicked Lucca in the stomach so hard he coughed and stumbled back. Ruby’s Fire Spin struck her a moment later, and trapped her in the centre of a swirling flame. “Tsk. Do ye really believe this will stop me?”
“It doesn’t have to!” Kusha shouted, high in the air above the queen. She floated around the Tsareena with an unexpected speed. She breathed in and out carefully to pull her body in various directions, and spun at the same time. Like this, it was as if she was dancing through the air, and could swing her axe with great momentum.
Gladys backed up her confidence and blocked every attack, however. Even though she was stuck in the Fire Spin, she swung her boomerang against Kusha’s axe with enough force that sparks flew with every collision. Kusha was knocked around like the balloon she was, and eventually fell back to Lucca’s side, who was just standing back up. Once free, Gladys yelled at the top of her voice and spun in the opposite direction to the Fire Spin to erase it completely.
“She’s right. She knows exactly what she’s doing,” Azu growled. “That Boomerang gives her crazy range, but her natural leg strength helps even if she’s weapon-less.”
“Even Ruby’s fire isn’t working. Like this, her defence seems impenetrable,” Lucca added. He glanced at his group for a solution. Everyone was ready for the next attack, even Crystal who had an arrow drawn. Brine was close by with an orb of water on the end of a paw.
Water’s not very effective, but in this instance… that’s it! Lucca had revelation. “Ruby! Aim your fire at the ground!”
“What?” she replied.
“I’ve got a plan!” he shouted.
Gladys looked like she was going to attack again, but hesitated as Ruby began to spread flames across the floor. Only the carpet burned, forcing the group to spread out. She didn’t say anything. Her eyes merely narrowed.
“Now Brine, put it out! Ruby, keep burning. Crystal, Mimia, you’re with me,” Lucca instructed, and leapt forward.
“Yer off yer head. What is putting out your own fire going to achieve?” Gladys mocked as she defended the trio’s attacks again. No matter how fast he was, Lucca’s blades bounced right off her legs, while Mimia was slapped away. Gladys eventually spun to kick them both away, and then threw her boomerang straight at Crystal to stop her from shooting an arrow. The Piplup could only squeak and crouch to avoid it, but her flippers were cut and she was knocked down.
“Crystal!” Azu came to her aid.
There was a pause for a moment as Gladys realised Lucca’s plan was coming to fruition. With Ruby’s fire constantly being put out by brine, the room began to get steamy. Lucca snickered at her as he vanished from her view and slipped into the mist. He hadn’t damaged her yet, but now was his chance to change that.
“Clever dobber,” Gladys growled.
Now I’m in my element, Lucca thought confidently. He slipped and slid silently around the room, and then charged when he was behind her. To his surprise, Gladys spun and countered his slash with a swing of her weapon, but Lucca bounced off right back into the mist.
He knew where she was because he could hear her breath and growls of annoyance. What he didn’t count on was her reactions being fast enough to keep up with him. He would slide around until he could attack from behind, but every time he flew at her, she twisted to swing her boomerang or kick him back into the mist.
What’s going on? Why can’t I hit? Lucca cursed himself as he bounced back from yet another attack. He tried to stab her, slash her, even feint an attack – each and every time, Gladys stopped him with ease. Am I too slow? Or is there some way she’s detecting me?
He continued to sneak around as he thought, and then lunged for her from behind. This time, Gladys spun around him with a leg raised high. Not only did Lucca miss his attack, but that leg came down and slammed him into the ground. Lucca coughed on impact, and before he could move, a sharp pain crushed his back.
“Lucca!” Azu cried at his shriek. The mist began to clear, revealing Gladys had him right where she wanted him. He was crushed below her foot.
“You are just like all other males. A cocky Tepig. Ye think of yourself as better than the common Pokémon, but you’re just a petty dobber!” Gladys mocked him as she dug her foot deeper into his back. Lucca writhed and choked on his breath as pain surged through him. He felt like a drill was digging into him and melting his insides. “A disgusting, big-headed Tepig in the body of a spoiled pretty-boy. Do you understand who you really are?”
“Let him go!” Crystal cried, aiming an arrow at her. Mimia barked viciously, but Gladys paid them no heed.
“You are a peasant!” Gladys stated, and stomped on him with her speech. “A weakling. A pathetic, weak, snobby waste of time. Whatever gave you the idea you could speak to me in the manner you have? I’ll make sure face the roughest punishment!”
“Mama!” a feminine voice squealed, making everyone glance at the door. Gladys had to do a double take to realise who it was, but the moment she did, she froze and her eyes widened.
“Sh-Shelly?” Ruby gasped. Shelly and Elise were stood in the doorway, jaw-dropped
“What’s going on?” Shelly said in disbelief. There was a long pause as both parties stared at one another.
“This isn’t—” Gladys eventually staggered. Lucca managed to roll away from her foot just then, but the best he could do was lunge back to his friends and cringe as he rubbed his back.
“Not a place I want to end up again,” he coughed.
“Not the time for this humour, either,” Azu hissed at him.
“Se-seriously… Mama, what’s going on?” Elise gasped with a shiver. Shelly dared to step forward, but stopped at Lucca’s side.
Gladys’ eyes narrowed, and she glared at the group. “We had a disagreement, and a duel started. But how and why are you two here?”
“This bastard wants to start a war with Heroica using the orbs she’s been making. She was gonna use you to mine ore for rest of your life. That’s why she married you into her family!” Ruby explained.
“What?” Shelly whispered.
“Is that really true, Mama?” Elise gasped. Gladys growled and tightened her pose. “Answer me!”
“Whether it is or it isn’t is irrelevant!” Gladys snapped. “They are male! They cannot be trusted. And we of Van Aken are on the verge of a breakthrough that will save our Pokémon!”
“By beating up the Shining Warriors? Mama, what does that help with?” Elise cried.
“Elise, you must trust me. This battle is not what you think it is,” Gladys staggered.
“Then end it, Mama!” Elise demanded. Gladys gasped. “Stop fighting and being so mean to the Shining Warriors. Help them out!”
The Tsareena struggled to respond, and then stiffened. She finally composed herself, and shut her eyes. “No.”
“But why?” Elise shivered.
“Perhaps someday you will understand the difficult position you are putting me in. But I cannot do that,” Gladys stated. “The Shining Warriors will die by my blade or obey me. That is the only way for us to move forward now.”
“Mama, don’t do this. I-I won’t let you hurt my friends,” Shelly slowly shook his head.
“Then you will suffer with them,” Gladys warned, and the duo gasped. “Do not test me. Daughter or not, you will be punished for disobeying me. Shelly! You are delusional if you believe you can defeat me as you are now.”
“Lucca, Kusha, are you two alright?” Shelly asked, keeping his eyes on Gladys.
“Halfway there, but I’m not down and out,” Lucca replied.
“Healthy, here,” Kusha said.
“R-Ruby, I know what this sounds like. But please let me use your fire one more time,” Shelly requested.
“Sure, but I hope you have a proper plan. She’s been blocking my fire this whole time,” Ruby informed. Shelly held up his Treasure Orb, and that seemed to signal to the others what he was about to try.
I don’t know what he’s planning, but this boy’s got enough miracles in that orb to last us a lifetime. If anyone can turn this around, it’s him, Lucca told himself, and posed with his swords. “You just need us to keep her busy right? Okay, let’s go for it!”
Crystal finally shot a few arrows at Gladys, who blocked them with her boomerang. Brine fired spheres of water right behind, which Gladys also slashed through to shield herself. Lucca, Mimia, and Kusha took her on again, but just like before, were at the mercy of her mighty kicks.
Shelly had their back this time, however. After a quick rummage through his treasure orb, he held two orbs up high to cast them. One was a dark, cloudy orb, while the other was patterned with grey stars.
“Apathy and Nullify!” Shelly cheered, and a smoky burst came from each orb as they vanished.
“What?” Gladys coughed. All of a sudden, energy crackled around the orb in her boomerang and her hand where she held the weapon. It sizzled and crackled up her arm until she was forced to drop it, and she fell on one knee as she cringed from irritation. At the same time, the lamps in the room dimmed, and the natural night took over.
Gladys looked up to see Lucca, Mimia, and Kusha high above her with weapons raised, and shot right back to her feet to confront them. This time however, Lucca’s blades managed to slash her legs, and she yelled and recoiled as plant-like skin tore off. She stumbled away from Kusha’s attack, but Mimia managed to tackle her to the floor. Before she could get up, ropes of water appeared below her and locked her legs to the floor.
“Do it Ruby! Finish her!” Brine growled, tensed up as she worked her magic.
“Shelly!” Ruby shouted. She was puffed up and primed for his favourite attack. Shelly didn’t hesitate. He squeezed her stomach as hard as he could, and out came her Fire Burp as a massive star made of flames. Gladys had an instant to widen her eyes and cross her arms over her front, and then she vanished into a massive, fiery explosion that knocked the party back,
Everyone shielded their faces as a heat wave blew against them. They waited impatiently for the smoke to clear, only to gasp when it turned out Gladys was still standing. She brushed off a little fire that lingered on her elbow, and then she stood straight. Her front and arms were blackened.
There’s no way! Lucca screamed in his mind as he tightened his pose. However, Gladys could only take two slow, struggled steps before she collapsed onto one knee, and hung her head.
“Your Highness!” the guards all cried.
“N-no… I can’t… th-this can’t be,” Gladys. growled.
“It’s over, Queen Gladys,” Lucca announced. The others stood straight and gathered around, but Lucca kept his swords out. “You lose.”
“Sh-shut up! I can’t lose here,” Gladys growled. She could barely lift her head, but once she saw Elise’s terrified stare, she stopped struggling.
“Mama, just stop,” Shelly begged.
“I can’t. You don’t understand. Our Pokémon are dying. Our island is on the verge of collapse!” Gladys argued.
“That’s because of you!” Shelly cried. He picked up her bladed boomerang and pushed the embedded orb out of it. Azu examined it, but was promptly confused.
“It’s another custom-made Wonder Orb. Are you going to tell us what it does?” Azu asked. Gladys growled a response.
“It draws in Bestia to let the wielder use their natural powers,” Shelly answered for her.
“That’s why she was so strong? She was using her actual abilities as a Pokémon?” Lucca remarked.
Shelly nodded. “But it’s imperfect, of course. It made her super strong compared to everyone else, but she used up Bestia whenever she battled.”
“That’s why you picked an Apathy and a Nullify orb. You sealed both her weapon and her Pokémon powers, allowing us to damage her,” Azu mumbled.
“I don’t get it. Why mama, why?” Elise cried. Gladys hesitated. “Just tell me! I’m not a kid anymore!”
“Telling you all will only bring more pain,” Gladys warned.
“As if we ain’t had enough pain walking in on this!” Elise squealed. Hearing that, Gladys sat back and laid an arm on her leg.
“You there, Brionne. Your second name is Aska, isn’t it?” Gladys began. Lucca’s eyes widened, but he refrained from answering. “I thought so. I recognise your eyes. The gods truly do give us royalty the worst of fates and burdens.”
“What’re you talking about?” Elise cocked her head.
“The last set of Shining Warriors who made it here… there was a mother. An Azumarill called Nebilim Aska. She was the strongest woman I have ever met. Wise, burdened, and powerful. Truly, the noble figure fit for a Shining Warrior,” Gladys began. “She gave me a premonition and an egg. She told me of the three worlds and the three races, and how war would come between them all.”
“Three races?” Azu asked.
“We, the scions of natural law: the Pokémon. The water type children of the ocean: the Undine. And then the messengers of the gods themselves: the Angels. All three of our races require Bestia to live, yet Heroica is the only realm in our world that produces Bestia, and so it is fate that we will war for conquest of Heroica,” Gladys explained. She struggled to sit up, but couldn’t get beyond her knees. “I believed if I began an early conquest, we Pokémon could seal our victory. But first, I had to rule Heroica. How fitting that the Shining Warriors – the very next generation at that – would be the bairns to stop me. I gave everything, and yet it wasn’t enough.”
“We all just want to bring Bestia back, though. I’m sure we can all share,” Crystal said.
“And I’m working on a way that we don’t have to rely on the Shining Warriors for Bestia anymore. If they can succeed and my research moves forward, I’m sure we can work on a way to provide for all,” Azu informed. “But war and conquest is not the answer. That’ll only set us back!”
“What’s this about an egg, though?” Lucca asked.
“I do not know what an Azumarill was doing with the egg of an Oshawott, but she assured to me it was her child. She left the egg with me because she knew she could not keep it during her journey. After she defeated me in a duel, I made the promise to raise the child,” Gladys explained. She turned to Shelly, who perked up in surprise. “Your real name is Chico Aska. That is the name she gave you. I renamed you to hide that fact until you were older.”
“But you said you executed them. You killed my real mother and father?” Shelly gasped in horror.
Gladys hesitated again, but tensed up. “No. I am certain that three of the old Shining Warriors are still alive.”
The group shifted forward.
“Yes, they attempted to claim Van Aken as their own, forcing me to execute them. But Nebilim Aska defeated me, and then escaped with her husband and his loyal partner. I believe their names were Varra and Alver,” Gladys finished.
“There’s no way!” Lucca yelled and flew backward. Everyone turned to him in shock, and he struggled to close his mouth.
“Lucca? What’s up with you?” Azu commented.
“N-nothing. Sorry, I just… no, I’m wrong. I thought I just… eheh, sorry,” he snickered and rubbed his back.
“Heh, weirdo,” Ruby snickered. “So that clears that up, right? One more thing left to declare.”
“Your means to leave the island. Do not worry. I am a woman of my word,” Gladys finally managed to stand up. “I’ll see to it that you have a means to travel back to Heroica as soon as possible.”
“Heck yeah, but there’s somethin’ else more important. We won that duel, so we get to make a demand,” Ruby stated. Gladys growled. “Shelly! Don’t make me have to do anymore than this. It’s your show!”
“Shelly?” Gladys asked. The Oshawott slowly came forward, and then looked up sternly.
“I… I want a divorce.”
