Chapter 2, Part 2: Said the Spider to the Fly
New
Slayerofthewind
Chaos Gremlin
- Pronouns
- she/her
Said the Spider to the Fly
Chapter 2, Part 2
Chapter 2, Part 2
Chapter summary:
“Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
"'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to shew when you are there."
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
-OR-
By asking her to join the Z-A Royale, Quasartico had given her the keys to the kingdom and was inviting Serena to wreck their entire lives with open arms. And she’d do it with a smile on her face and a pep in her step.
Serena and Urbain arrived at the cemetery just after nightfall. Serena was immediately accosted by a horrible sight.
‘What… was… that?!?!’ Serena could hardly rationalize what she was seeing.
They turned the cemetery into a FUCKING WILD ZONE?!
No, this time Quasartico went too far! This was so fucked up on SO many levels! Not even because she loved the cemetery, but think of all the graves and people visiting their loved ones?! What then?!
Serena could imagine it clearly: “I’m so sorry sir, we packed way too many Pokemon in the cemetery, and well, a Pyroar dug up your father and chewed on his bones while tearing him apart. It then buried a fresh Pokemon kill in his grave while your father’s desecrated corpse baked in the sunlight. There was nothing we could do.”
Wild Zone 4. They thought they were being so clever with that numbering, huh? In many languages, “4” was the number of death and considered very bad luck. With Quasartico’s less than stellar track record at this point, Serena wouldn’t put it past them that they decided to make the cemetery into a wild zone in the first place just so they could make that joke later.
Arceus, when she meets that Jett woman, Serena was going to have a LOT to scream at her about!
Urbain didn’t seem to notice her complete mental breakdown. “Sooo, what do you think?”
“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response.” Serena wanted to go bang her head against the bordering wall.
“Ooh… My back…” a woman at the cemetery entrance muttered under her breath. She took notice of the two Trainers. “Oh, pardon me, dearies. Are you going in there?”
Urbain shuddered slightly. “Well, that’s the plan it seems.” He’d do it, but walking through a cemetery at night wasn’t really his idea of a good time to say the least.
“Do you think you could help me out with something?” the elderly lady asked, eyes light with hope. “My name is Moire. I lost my ring here in the cemetery, you see, and it’s very important that I get it back. Ooh… Gosh, my poor back…” She started hunching over, pawing at her back.
Before she collapsed, Serena quickly grabbed the woman, pulling her into a half-hug. “Here, let’s get you settled on this bench.” Serena carefully led the woman to a nearby bench. This woman had been so worried that she ignored her pain and seating areas, continuing to stand by the entrance so she could see inside. Her desperation was palpable.
“Thank you.” Moire leaned back on the bench, but a sharp pain ran through her when her back met the seat back.
“Take your time, madame,” Urbain cautioned her.
Moire eventually found a position that didn’t hurt her, and took a deep breath. “I was visiting a loved one’s grave when a wild Pokemon, of all things, jumped out of nowhere! Ooh, did it ever give me a fright! I took a tumble from the shock, and – my! What a mess it was! Wild Pokemon running all over Lumiose, the cemetery turning into a wild zone… Why, I would never have lost my ring if not for this nonsense!”
Serena nodded her head in solemn agreement. “Moire, I couldn’t agree more with you. This is the first time I’m learning that the cemetery was turned into a wild zone, and it’s utter insanity! This cemetery is special, and people should be able to convene with their loved ones in peace.” Her story was exactly the type of incident that’s doomed to repeat itself with this change.
Moire sighed. “Right you are, dear. It’s nice to see someone your age see the importance of a cemetery. Most of your generation doesn’t seem to respect the dead until after they’ve lost someone.” Moire eyed Serena knowingly. “At any rate, it was a Sableye that jumped out and gave me such an awful fright.”
“A Sableye?! Yes, for sure!!!” Realizing she was being way too excited about this woman’s problems, Serena coughed. “I mean, yes, I’d be happy to help you, madame.”
“I had to leave the cemetery before night fell. They’re so many Ghost Pokemon at night, and I’m no longer a trainer, but I’m too worried about my ring to leave yet. If the Sableye runs off, I’ll never be able to track it down!” Moire fretted. “I dropped my ring around the far end of the cemetery. I’d start searching there, dear.”
“We’ll get your ring back no problem, Moire!” Urbain chirped.
Serena noticed how much the woman was shivering. “Urbain, would you please leave your Tepig with Madame Moire here? Being with a Fire-type should warm her up.”
“Oh, that’s very kind of you, but I’m alright,” Moire politely assured. “You’ll need your Pokemon in the cemetery!”
“No, Serena’s right, I insist!” Urbain sent out his Tepig, who easily agreed to stay with her. He cuddled up next to Moire on the bench.
Serena sent out her Sylveon. “Gattaca, would you please stay with Moire here while we head into the cemetery?" Serena would prefer to leave one of her other Pokemon with Moire, but given this woman’s very fresh bad experience with a Ghost and Dark-type Pokemon, Serena really only had one choice. “I need you to protect her, you’re so big and strong so you’ll easily scare away any Pokemon that might try to approach! You’re the only one I trust with this job.”
“Vee!” Gattaca agreed. Yes, she was very strong and scary. All other Pokemon should tremble at her might!
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to give you another PokePuff if you do a very good job.” Serena knew exactly how to handle her Sylveon. Gattaca had been an Eevee with full dreams of becoming an Umbreon and a matching personality. Even after Gattaca decided to evolve into a Sylveon out of spite, she was still an Umbreon at heart, and very food motivated.
“Syl!” Gattaca gracefully jumped up onto the bench and beside Moire.
With Moire settled, the two Trainers entered the cemetery.
Z • ─── 𖡼.𖤣𖥧🪦🪦🪦𖡼.𖤣𖥧 ─── • A
A Honedge, who had been drawn to investigate the loud noises on his nightly patrol of the graveyard, discovered a fair lady being accosted by a foul Gastly. Hark! A damsel in distress!
Nay, not a damsel, with how sparkly she was, she must be a princess!
Before he could swoop in and rescue her from the hands of the uncouth Gastly, the princess sent out a mighty Greninja! My, she was a warrior princess! Such daring! Greninja must be the captain of her guard. A true knight! Honedge’s eyes shined admiringly. How marvelous!
The boy accompanying the princess must be her servant. Yes, Honedge affirmed, with how shabby he was dressed, there was nothing else he could be! Honedge had never seen a real princess before. He had to watch her closely!
Serena returned Sensei to his Pokeball.
“You really aren’t creeped out by this at all?” Urbain asked, struggling to not look back over his shoulder every time he felt a chill – which was all the time.
“Nope!” Serena took a few big steps in front and twirled on one foot. “This is wonderful! Dormez Bien Cemetery was the number one thing I missed about Lumiose!”
“Seriously?” He thought she looked beautiful in the moonlight, but the whole mood was kinda massively ruined by the “we’re actively being hunted by ghosts” thing. Urbain was more focused on trying to ignore everything around him right now. “Out of everything Lumiose has to offer, you missed this the most?”
“Absolutely! The atmosphere, the cold, the Pokemon, the architecture, the gravestones, the rousing ethical dilemmas, and contemplating the nature of life and death! It’s the best! The mausoleum really pushes it over the top.” Serena chorused. “This is the best graveyard in all of Kalos! I have a tier list.”
Urbain snorted. Serena was kind of a dork about this, it was adorable. “What’s the lowest on the tier list?”
“Geosenge Town!” she spat. Lysandre was buried under rubble there. She’d never step foot in that town ever again.
“I guess there’s not much left of it after whatever happened there five years ago.” Urbain grimaced. Most of the story was shrouded in mystery. Everyone knew Team Flare was responsible for the fate of Geosenge Town, but no one really knew exactly what happened or why. It was also public knowledge that Serena had been the one who finally put an end to Team Flare.
Urbain had questions about all of it. It would be nice to finally get the actual story, but he wouldn’t ask them now. Especially not after he saw how tense Serena got after his last comment.
Something blew sharp cold air on Urbain’s neck. His skin crawled and he shot up into the air, before he stumbled, tripping over his own feet, and fell on the ground. He hastily looked around, heart pounding out of his chest, trying to find the culprit, but none could be found. “Something just attacked me!”
“Good one, Gastly!” Serena laughed. Urbain snapped his head towards her. WHAT?! “I think he jumped at least two feet in the air! Wow!”
Bodiless cackles drifted around him, before a trio of Gastly finally became tangible. “Gasssss!”
“Oh, there’s three of you! Very well done working in a team!” Serena praised. The Gastly now looked a little bashful. “Which one of you is the lookout?”
“Gas!!” the right most Gastly, who had slightly more droopy eyes than the other two, piped up.
She smiled at him and pet the top of his head. “You did a wonderful job! I didn’t even notice you at all! You should be very proud.” Serena took three Oran Berries out of her bag. “Here, one for each of you! Keep up the good scare work, and you’ll become Haunters in no time!”
“Gastly! Gas!” The three gleefully ate their berries, and drifted off, inspired to go cause more problems.
Honedge watched admiringly from a distance. What a wonderful kind princess acknowledging her subjects' efforts and taking time to speak to the people!
Urbain stood up and did a full body shake, trying to get the feeling off of him. “You have a way with ghosts. I see that now.” He didn’t have anything against Ghost Pokemon, but this whole excursion was a little much for him.
Serena rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. “If you’re going to be a little scaredy Meowth, I’ll hold your hand to reassure you.”
Okay, scratch that. Yeah, Urbain would sign up for another midnight graveyard stroll if it meant this happening again.
Urbain cursed that time flew by so quickly, and before he knew it, they were at the back of the cemetery, a Sableye in their sights. Serena tugged him behind a tree with her before the Sableye could spot them. She let go of his hand. Darn.
Serena stuck her head around the corner, and observed the Sableye. Sableye sat against the base of a tree, kicking his legs up and down, holding his hand out in front of him and admiring the ring on his finger. It had to be Moire’s. He also wore a few necklaces and bracelets of various colors and designs. However, Serena approvingly noted that they were all very tasteful pieces that worked well together. Serena gestured for Urbain to stay where he was.
Oh no! Honedge fretted, realizing what she was about to do. The princess was heading right for Sableye, the scourge of the graveyard! Honedge was ready to protect her at the first sign of trouble! It would no doubt be a lofty battle, Sableye was a most formidable opponent, but Honedge was sure he’d emerge victorious! Honor demanded it!
“Wow!” Serena exclaimed as she approached. Sableye jolted and scrambled to get ready to attack. “That’s such a beautiful ring you have there! It really matches your eyes and brings out the blue in them.”
Oh, so she had taste. Sableye relaxed. “Sable, eye!” Yes, thank you for noticing. He flipped his hand around to show off the ring to her, cocking his wrist downwards.
Serena approached and dropped down to her knees beside him. “May I?”
“Say.” Sableye flicked his wrist slightly in an approving gesture. Serena lightly took hold of Sableye’s hand.
“Gosh, it’s even more radiant up close!” She brought his hand up to be parallel with his eyes. “You really did find a fantastically colored stone, and the setting is very elegant. The square cut really complements your eye shape.” Serena wasn’t acting or exaggerating to butter up this Sableye. She really did appreciate this little fashionista and his picks. They were going to get along fabulously!
“Say, say.” Sableye waved his other hand in a bashful dismissive way, though he was very much preening and wanted her to continue.
Serena released his hand. “I’m Serena, it’s nice to meet you!” She extended her hand. Sableye primly shook her hand.
“Sableye,” he returned the introduction.
“It’s wonderful to meet a Pokemon with good fashion taste! Honestly, I don’t understand why most couldn’t care less!” Serena huffed. “Appearances matter, you know!” None of the Pokemon on her team really appreciated fashion. They’d let her dress them up once and a while, or put a single small accessory on them, but it was always because she wanted to. They didn’t really care.
Serena needed this Sableye on her team! He would love going shopping with her and have loads of opinions on her outfits!
“Sable,” Sableye agreed, bobbing his head as he judgingly recalled his fellow Pokemon and their criminal lack of style.
From his hiding spot behind the tree, Urbain smacked his forehead with his hand. Of course Serena would bond over being fancy with a goblin.
Urbain had been very interested in watching a Champion’s Pokemon catching methods. He was both impressed and let down. Serena knew exactly how to approach that Pokemon and talked with him like they were old friends. Sableye, who was a criminal and prone to attack people, was completely at ease with her. It was stupidly incredible.
But on the other hand, there wasn’t really a replicable method here because of how hyper-specific her angle was and the fact that she really did have an affinity for Ghost and Dark-types. Their personalities just clicked in a very weird whackadoodle way.
“Actually, I just noticed something.” Serena grinned excitedly as she shifted to fully sitting on the ground. “We almost have the same color eyes!”
Sableye examined her eyes, and realized she was right. “Eye.” He eagerly raised his hand up to put the ring next to her eyes. He brought his other hand to his chin as he contemplated whether or not it would match her too. “Sable,” he declared resolutely, pulling back his hand. It also matched her very well.
“You just have to tell me where you found that ring!” Serena insisted. “I think I might have to get one myself.”
Sableye hesitated. He didn’t want to admit to his new friend that he stole it.
“You didn’t find that ring, did you?” Serena said softly.
“Able,” he confessed. “Sableye, say, say!” he regaled trying to shift the focus onto how epic of a heist it was. He launched into a long, full recounting of the story, using hand gestures and elaborate intonation to act out exactly what happened. “Sableye!”
“No way! Really?” Serena marveled. “You did all that?” Bless his little heart, he was theatrical too! Ah, they were meant to be!
“Say!” Sableye confirmed, positively gleeful Serena appreciated his work. Humans normally didn’t react well to stealing. Most humans were stupid though. And unfashionable. Luckily, his new friend was neither!
“That’s pretty impressive. But I think I can top your heist story,” Serena challenged with a smirk.
‘Um, WHAT?!’ Urbain could barely believe what he was seeing. Serena, the morally upstanding Champion of Kalos, was exchanging crime stories with a wild Pokemon thief?!
…Serena did crime?!
“Sableye,” Sableye commented belittlingly, crossing his arms and doubting she could do better. He welcomed her to try.
Serena stood with a flourish and took a few steps back. She turned her back to Sableye. Serena whipped back around to face him, her skirt flaring. Her palms and fingers were spread wide in front of her head. She slowly drew her hands away to the sides, revealing her face.
“After several days of searching, I had finally discovered the entrance to my mark’s top secret headquarters. It was hidden in an unassuming cafe behind a bookcase that required a secret password to open.” Serena set the stage and tipped the brim of her hat downwards to obscure her eyes. “Naturally, they were helpless when faced with my very advanced interrogation tactics. I easily got the minions to disclose the password to me, then knocked them out. The base wasn’t alerted to my arrival.” Serena raised her chin and suddenly pointed at Sableye. “I was in.”
Sableye gasped and sat down. He folded his legs up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, and leaned forward. He was enraptured. Sableye’s mouth remained open slightly like he’d forgotten to close it all the way after reacting.
“This organization’s headquarters was an unimaginable labyrinth designed specifically to keep intruders out. But that didn’t stop me.” Serena smirked and flipped her hair over her shoulder, looking very smug. “I crawled through the depths of their lair, teleporting every which way to navigate the maze, while sneakily using high-grade stealth tactics to avoid being spotted by the organization's roaming grunts or dealing with them ruthlessly when it couldn’t be helped.”
Serena continued to act alongside her narration and made sure to intone her voice just right as she delivered every line for maximum impact. If she was going to tell this story, she was going to do it right!
“Say…” Sableye unknowingly murmured under his breath, completely sucked into her story.
“After hours of subtle but epic infiltration, I finally found what I’d come to steal in the first place!” she announced.
“Sable!” What was it? Jewels, gold… super exclusive high-end fashion?! Sableye had to know!
“The elevator key card,” Serena declared, casting her arms out to the side and tilting her chin up.
“...Say?” Sableye tilted his head, confused. Huh?
“Oh, but this was no ordinary elevator key card, Sableye, oh, no,” Serena elaborated, drawing Sableye back in. “With it, I was able to descend into the ultra secret depths of their base and gain entry to their most closely guarded places. Which was where my true target lied. That’s right, the key card heist was only a part of my greater master plan: to save the world from this organization's nefarious plot and rescue the king imprisoned in their underground dungeons!” Serena revealed hauntingly.
“Ey!” Sableye yelped at the unexpected twist, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth. He was on the edge of his seat!
“This organization was evil,” Serena made sure to stress with great emphasis, glaring down at Sableye, “with a goal so terrible I won’t dare repeat it. I quickly freed the trapped king, but I couldn’t linger. Time was ticking! I went even further down into the bowels of their lair, and faced their boss directly. The battle that followed was brutal. He was no easy foe. But with the aid of my absolutely incredible Pokemon, we were able to win and stop his plans! The world was safe at last, and everyone celebrated my triumph with a glorious parade!” Serena finished, and gave a bow.
Sableye sprung to his feet and clapped frantically. “Say, Sableye!” he cheered. Not only did Serena have an amazing true heist story, but she appreciated proper storytelling!
‘Oh,’ Urbain realized. ‘She was telling part of the Team Flare takedown story.’ Urbain was sure that there were exaggerations, it was Serena after all, not to mention she probably left a lot of things out, but it was still incredibly enlightening. It wasn’t the whole story, there was a lot he still didn’t understand, but he had an inkling of an idea now.
Shit. The Team Flare situation and what happened five years ago was way worse than everyone assumed it was. They only knew the very tip of the iceberg. No wonder Serena was as paranoid as she was now.
“Thank you, thank you.” Serena continued to bow and curtsy.
Honedge, who had been listening intently from his hiding spot, was entranced. She was not a princess, nay, she was a queen anointed by her people! A queen who slayed evil!
“Sableye,” he conceded honestly, shaking his head in defeat. Serena had the better story by far.
Serena crossed her arms and nodded approvingly. “You have the grace to admit when you’re beat, Sableye. That’s very elegant.”
Sableye still had a lot to learn it seemed. He paused. Maybe he could learn it from her…? Yes! He could learn it from her! Sableye waddled up to Serena and gently tugged on her skirt. “Sable, say!” He made a circle with his hands, a throwing motion, and then pointed to himself.
Serena’s smile was radiant. “Of course you can come with me!! I was just about to ask you, actually! You’re absolutely magnificent!”
Sableye grinned toothily, showcasing his sharp teeth. He jumped, scrambling up her side, being very careful to not nick her clothing, and perched on her shoulder. Sableye nuzzled into her cheek with the side of his face. “Sable, eye!”
“Ah!” Serena exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement, nuzzling him back. “What do you think of the nickname Grimlin? It’s a combination of “grim” and “gremlin.” I think that fits you rather perfectly for such a sneaky Sableye as yourself.”
Sableye considered the name before nodding in agreement. “Eye!” He liked how it also sounded like it could be an old-money fancy elitist name.
She took out an empty Luxury Ball. She knew Sableye wanted to look the best he could, so she’d give him the flashiest Pokeball out there! Serena was getting a little ahead of herself though.
“Before we make this official, I do have to talk to you about one thing,” Serena sighed. She picked him up off her shoulder and placed him in front of her. She kneeled down to face him. “You left one thing out of your ring heist story earlier. I know because I just met the woman outside the cemetery. The person you stole it from ended up getting really hurt.”
“Sable?” Did she really? Oops. That hadn’t been the plan.
“You, mister, still have to apologize to the woman you scared. Scaring people is totally fine,” Serena relented, Urbain made a squawk of disagreement in the background, “but you can’t go around hurting frail old ladies. She got injured pretty badly.”
“Eye.” Grimlin looked down at his feet. It was only supposed to be an epic jewel heist! That’s all! He hadn’t meant to hurt her. “Sable.” He looked back up at Serena and nodded. He’d apologize.
“Good!” Serena praised. “And you need to give the ring back to her.”
“SABLE!” Grimlin protested furiously! No! This was HIS ring now! “Sableye!!” She didn’t have any problem with his grab before!
“The ring you stole was very sentimentally important to her,” Serena explained. “I also know how much you love that ring, and I agree, it does look fabulous on you. So how about a trade instead?” Serena reached around her neck and unclasped a very thin chain she had tucked under her shirt. On the chain was a stunning wedding ring that did look strikingly similar to the one on Sableye’s finger. “This ring was my grandmother’s wedding ring, it’s all I have left of her. I’ve worn it on this chain for years so I could keep her close to my heart.”
“Sableye!” Sableye tried to reject, pushing back on her hands. That was much too important to her!
“I want you to have it. She was just as kooky and glitzy as you are. Hell, I don’t at all put it past her to have come back from the dead as a Ghost Pokemon and is living it up scaring the crap out of people in a cemetery somewhere and stealing their jewels too.” Serena playfully rubbed his head. “She would have loved you. Just wear it proudly and keep it safe for me, okay? Guard your treasure trove better than a dragon!”
Urbain’s eyes watered at the touching moment. Serena was really something else. He couldn’t believe she was willing to give up such a prized possession to help a stranger in need. Urbain wondered if he’d be willing to do the same with his mother’s jacket. He didn’t know.
“Eye!” he agreed, determined. Grimlin would wear it grandly and treat it extra special! The more Sableye stared at it, he realized it was prettier than his current ring with a slightly bigger gem size.
He was upgrading, baby!
Sableye slipped the stolen ring off his finger and exchanged it with Serena’s ring. He looked at it reverently. Dopamine bubbled up inside him until he was gushing and cooing over it. What was happening again? OH YEAH! Ball please!!
Sableye surged forward and tapped his head on the Luxury Ball Serena still had out, catching himself. Serena chuckled, and immediately sent him out. Sableye continued to admire his new ring.
Honedge was moved to tears! The queen heroically rescued the ring from the dastardly Sableye to return it to a woman in need, an act of true nobility! She even willingly sacrificed her ancestral ring to make it happen! Her readiness to combat foes for the sake of the peasants was truly the mark of a worthy and excellent leader. Honedge would gladly pledge loyalty and swear the knight's oath to her. But first, she must face him in a duel!
“Honedge!” he finally revealed himself. He floated over to Serena. He bowed to her, dipping and folding his arm-like tassel across his front. He used his scabbard that was gripped in his tassel to raise Serena’s hand up to his body and kissed it. “Ho, ho, hone! Edge!” Honedge gallantly challenged her.
Urbain, who figured it was all clear to come out at this point, chuckled. “I think he saw everything and wants to join you too. Your dramatic powers were too much for him!” Now more than ever, the “Serena is a Ghost and Dark-type Trainer” thing was clicking for him. They were all dramatic little instigators who loved having fun at other people’s expenses.
Serena couldn’t believe her luck! A Honedge who acted like a LITTLE KNIGHT?! YES!! ABSOLUTELY YES! The Honedge whipped his scabbard around, indicating that it wanted to battle. Of course he would! He was very chivalrous after all. Oh she had the most perfect name picked out for him already!
Serena looked down to Grimlin who wasn’t at all paying attention and very wrapped up in his new ring. “Grimlin, want to battle?”
“Hone!” Honedge shook his body from side to side, rejecting that. Nay! He had no desire to face such a dubiously moral and dishonorable foe. He wanted to face the true knight! The captain of the queen’s guard, Greninja! If Honedge was to earn his rank amongst the knights, he must challenge the captain himself. Sableye was clearly the court jester. “Edge! Edge!” He tried his best to indicate just who he wanted to face.
Grimlin tilted his head to the side. Serena had a Greninja? Awesome! He must be super sneaky! He’d definitely help Sableye improve his slight of hand. Grimlin now also wanted to see the Greninja. Grimlin took one of his fingers and drew a sketch of Greninja in the dirt. “Sable!” He pointed down at his drawing.
Serena blinked. “You are surprisingly a great artist. Huh.” She made a mental note to get him a sketchbook. “I see now, thank you, Grimlin. Honedge, you want to fight Sensei, my Greninja? You must have seen him earlier.”
“Hone!” Honedge confirmed. Sableye played his part perfectly as the court entertainer by illustrating Honedge’s requests! What fun! The hobgoblin would indubitably provide much merriment at a feast. Marvelous!
Serena sent Sensei out. “Sensei, Honedge saw you defeat that Gastly earlier and wants to challenge you specifically to earn his spot on the team.”
The Greninja stared at Honedge curiously. Something touched his leg. Sensei looked down to see a medium-small sized Sableye covered in elaborate jewelry hugging his leg tightly, peering up at Sensei with sparkling glistening eyes like Greninja was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or rocks, in Sableye’s case.
Sensei looked back at Serena, who was unhelpfully recording this on her Rotom Phone. “Nin!”
“That’s Grimlin,” Serena snickered. “He’s our new team member.”
Sensei turned back to Grimlin, a bit overwhelmed. It looked like there was an actual cloud of glitter around Grimlin. Should he shake him off?
Wait. Wait a second.
The Sableye admired him. The Sableye ADMIRED HIM! He whipped his head to the Honedge, who looked equally as entranced by him.
Oh. OH!
These were to be his disciples. Sensei croaked, immensely pleased. Yes, they should look up to him. Sensei would show them how he was the gold standard of what a Pokemon should be and humbly accept them under his tutelage when they came begging for his wisdom. He was very wise.
“Sensei.” Serena caught his attention. “You handle this however you’d like.” She knew it was ending with Honedge on the team. She’d just step back and record this to show the rest of her Pokemon later.
That was all the go ahead Sensei needed!
Impassioned, Sensei approached Honedge, stiffly limping as the Sableye continued to cling to his leg. “Nin, ninja,” he addressed Grimlin, promising he’d spend much time with him later.
“Sable!!!” If it was possible, Grimlin sparkled even more. He finally detached himself from Sensei’s leg, and plopped down next to Serena. Seeing a new person, Grimlin waved at him, and then made sure to show off his new ring to the man. Urbain laughed jovially.
“Gre, greninja,” Sensei accepted Honedge's challenge with a fluid nod and a practiced pose.
“Hone!” Honedge prepared himself. He knew there was no way he’d win, but this wasn’t about winning. It was proving his potential as a knight and showing that he was worthy of training! "Honedge!" En garde!
Sensei formed a single Water Shuriken and fired it off much slower than usual. Honedge darted out of the way, proving to be surprisingly nimble for his species. Honege had a trick up his sleeve! Something Greninja would never expect!
Honedge quickly used Screech, which Greninja allowed to land. Ha ha! That’s what he’d been hoping for. He was being underestimated, which was all he needed! Honedge dodged another Water Shuriken by navigating around a tree. The shuriken made a thunk as it hit the tree trunk.
In the brief moment he was obscured, Honedge quickly used Shadow Sneak, then emerged. Greninja’s eyes tracked Honedge, not noticing the Shadow Sneak. The move made contact! He did it!
Honedge stopped moving, and bowed to Greninja. “Honedge.” Honedge knew when to throw in the towel. He’d done what he’d set out to accomplish – prove he had potential to this wizened master. If Greninja chose to fell him, so be it!
“Greninja,” Sensei nodded approvingly. He had been briefly caught off guard by the Honedge. He showed great promise. “Gre, re.”
Honedge lit up! Greninja was accepting him as his student! How stupendous!
Sensei inclined his head to his Trainer, beckoning her to catch the Pokemon. Serena scavenged around in her bag. She knew she had a Heavy Ball here somewhere… Oh there it was! She took it out. Honedge bowed before her like he was being knighted. Well, she couldn’t not give him what he wanted.
Serena cleared her throat. “Hear ye, hear ye! Today we have a new knight joining our ranks!” Honedge could practically melt from how happy he was! This was it! “Honedge, please approach and kneel.” Honedge floated closer, keeping his gaze downwards. “You have proven yourself to be worthy of the rank of knight. Do you vow to uphold the knight's oath?”
“Honedge,” he said resolutely.
“Then by the power invested in me as the Champion of Kalos,” which was actually a real thing, so this technically was a real knighthood, “I dub thee Engarde, and bestow upon you the rank of knight.” Serena tapped the bottom of the Heavy Ball on either side of Honedge in place of a sword. “You may rise, Sir Engarde.”
Sensei, Urbain, and Grimlin all clapped and cheered in congratulations.
Engarde straightened with sharp determination, eyes alight. He’d done it. He was a true knight now!
“When you’re ready,” Serena told him, gesturing to the Heavy Ball. Engarde reached out and pressed the button on the ball.
Ding!
Sensei nodded his head at Grimlin who looked stupidly thrilled at the acknowledgement. Serena returned Sensei to his ball. She kept Grimlin out for now, he still had to apologize after all.
Urbain nudged Serena with his elbow. “All three of you guys match perfectly,” he snickered, joking. That Honedge was a riot!
“Thank you!! Ah, I’m so glad you think so!” She beamed, taking it as a serious complement. They were precious!!
A chivalrous little knight and a fancy kleptomaniac chaos goblin.
Serena already loved them SO much!!
“Well, let’s get going and return this ring to Moire!” Urbain started walking off a pep in his step. Seeing how silly Ghost Pokemon could be made them a little less intimidating.
“Let’s go, Grimlin!” Serena hummed.
“Sable!” Grimlin followed after her.
Serena had only literally taken one step before a shiny Ekans popped its head out of a hole in the ground almost under her feet in a flurry of sparkles. On instinct, Serena threw a Pokeball at it. The ball bopped the Ekans on its green head, pulling it inside the ball.
Capture success!
Serena stared at the Pokeball in her hand. She saw a shiny and just reacted! Ugh, why did she catch it? Sparkles. Pretty sparkles. Curse her reaction to sparkles! Serena had no interest in raising this Ekans!!
Serena would give it to Urbain as a gift. He’d absolutely be the type to lose it over a shiny Pokemon. She jogged up to meet Urbain.
“Urbain! I just caught this, and thought of you. I want you to have it.” Serena placed a Pokeball in his hands.
“Oh, why?” Urbain really hoped it wasn’t a Ghost-type. Tonight had proven that he wasn’t cut out for training them.
Serena giggled and looked him in the eyes. “Because it's shiny, and you’re also 1 in 8,192.”
Let it be known that was the cheesiest line Urbain had ever heard and he’d be damned if he didn’t admit that it worked on him, big time. Maybe it was just because Serena was the one saying it, but it hit him like an arrow through the heart.
Serena continued, “So I figured you’d be perfect for each other.” Urbain’s heart fluttered. “And because you would be the type who’d discover a new Pokemon and just name it “snake” backwards.” Serena didn’t even hesitate, nor did she change her tone, or even laugh. She just casually started rummaging around in her bag. “What am I gonna do with an Ekans, anyways?” she mumbled.
The sheer absentmindedness of it all was enough for Urbain to realize she hadn’t been flirting with him. She had been making fun of him.
The wind rushed out of Urbain’s sails and the butterflies in his stomach crashed into the ground. ‘Yeah,’ Urbain moped, ‘getting that kind of compliment was too good to be true.’ He looked down at his new shiny Ekans’ Pokeball in dismay. ‘Guess you and me bud are in the same boat here.’
The “dismissed by Serena” boat, that is.
Z • ─── 👻 (´▽`ʃƪ)♡ ─── • A
Exiting the cemetery, Moire perked up upon seeing them. “Oh, there you two are. I was getting worried! Sylveon and Tepig were excellent company.” She absentmindedly pet Sylveon’s head, who leaned into her hand and nuzzled it. Gattaca liked this old lady. She gave her secret snacks!!
Serena cheered silently in her head that Gattaca hadn’t been a problem!
Serena kneeled down next to Moire and carefully presented the ring to her. “Madame, here is your ring back. I hope this brings you some peace of mind.”
Moire’s eyes watered. “Oh! That’s it – that’s my ring! Thank you, dearies. You’ve done a very kind thing.”
“We’d never let you stay out here in the cold all night worrying!” Urbain shook his head, and gave her a soft smile.
“Moire, someone has something to say to you.” Serena beckoned over the Sableye, who had ducked behind a pillar by the entrance of the cemetery as soon as Moire had first spoken earlier, too embarrassed to come closer. Grimlin reluctantly emerged from his hiding spot, and waddled over.
“Say, Sableye,” Grimlin apologized awkwardly, twirling his thumbs together. He reached out and patted her leg a few times. “Sable.”
“Well, aren’t you a very polite young man?” Moire chuckled. “Apology accepted.”
“Grimlin was wearing your ring around when I found him. He only stole it because he thought it was gorgeous,” Serena reported.
“What?” Moire’s eyes widened in surprise, flattered. “I didn’t think a wild Pokemon would have such good taste in jewelry."
Grimlin suddenly perked up and puffed out his chest. “Say, say!” He reached out his hand to show off the new ring he had to Moire.
“Oh, you most certainly have very good taste, Sableye,” she admired. “But now that I have it back, I won’t let go of this ring again anytime soon. It’s the wedding ring my wonderful husband gave me, after all. I was visiting him when you scared me.”
Grimlin looked distraught. “Sableye,” he apologized again, this time more firmly.
Moire regarded the Sableye with a smile. “Thank you, Sableye. You know, perhaps I’ll ask someone to place this ring atop my grave after I’ve passed on. Who knows? Maybe you will make off with it again. If so, I hope it brings brings you some happiness then. It’s the least I could do to reward your good taste.”
Grimlin’s ears perked up and his eyes shined at the idea. “Eye!” He nodded frantically in agreement to show his approval.
Moire turned to Serena and Urbain. “Thank you both too, dearies. Truly. And please, take this for your troubles.”
Serena pushed Moire’s outstretched hand holding a few items back, rejecting the offer. “Madame, I want to apologize sincerely for everything that happened to you tonight.” Serena bowed her head, voice wavering. This was the first story she’d heard since arriving here of Quasartico’s direct effect on the people, and it wasn’t good. Someone was seriously hurt and almost lost such an irreplaceable keep sake. This was on Serena’s shoulders.
“Dear,” Moire spoke, confused. “Why are you apologizing? None of this is your fault. You’re my hero.”
Those words mocked Serena, and the pit in her stomach grew.
“No.” Serena insisted, meeting Moire’s eyes. “This is my fault. Regardless of if you recognized me or not, let me introduce myself.” She took off her glasses. “I’m Serena, Champion of Kalos. This, what happened to you, what happened to this city, it’s all my fault because I didn’t do better. Because I was negligent. If I had been here, if I had cared more, none of this would have happened, and you would be able to visit your husband undisturbed. It was my job to ensure all of this insanity wouldn’t happen. I failed you, I failed Lumiose.”
Urbain clenched his fist by his side. Urbain had just figured she was just the “I work alone” type, not that Serena was carrying so much guilt. Serena was wrong. None of this was her fault! Every citizen of Lumiose had a responsibility to the city too. They had all allowed this to happen, and it was up to everyone to fix it! Serena absolutely had a stake in the region’s affairs, but it wasn’t her job to ensure every little thing in Kalos was perfect! No one should ever expect that of the Champion. Serena was human, she was allowed to make mistakes, and she didn’t deserve to have this unreasonable overbearing guilt weighing her down!
Moire’s eyes softened, and she reached out to rub Serena’s back. “I have lived a long time in Lumiose. I remember back when we were newlyweds, my husband stormed into our house one day and couldn’t stop complaining about how Pokemon Centers' new healing machines were going to destroy the potion market.” She laughed, fondly recalling the memory. “This city is always evolving. Change and discourse are a part of life, it’s what keeps things interesting and on our toes. Could you imagine how boring life would be if everything was stagnant?”
Moire couldn’t have known just how much saying that affected Serena. If Serena’s vision of Kalos remained exactly the same as before she left, Kalos would have been exactly like Lysandre’s little utopia, wouldn’t it? Forever frozen and eternally beautiful.
No, Moire was right, the fact that Kalos had changed was a good thing. Serena still shouldered that it hadn’t all been a good change and Quasartico was still a massive red flag problem, but Serena now accepted that even if she had been present as Champion, something would have found a way to have gone wrong.
Serena had to let go of the idea that she could have controlled it. She maybe could have guided it, but she couldn’t have stopped it. Change was fluid and rippled like the waves created by dropping a stone in a pond. Serena had dropped many stones into the pond five years ago and was still seeing the effects.
“Please don’t blame yourself for being unable to stop the natural progression of time,” Moire continued. “Things might not be perfect now, but sometimes we need to make mistakes before we see the path forward. And if nothing improves? Well, we Kalosians will do what we do best and bring out the barricades and guillotines.” Moire’s eyes were alight, and her smile vicious. “We are a people who demand change when faced with injustice and fix things with our own hands, after all.” She patted Serena’s back once more before pulling her hand back. “You of all people, Serena, should know that.”
Moire hadn’t recognized her at first, but she knew exactly who Serena was and what she did for Kalos five years ago. Serena hadn’t been Champion then but still acted. She’d been an ordinary girl who couldn’t sit by and watch her beloved region fall into chaos. Serena raised her flag and cut the rot off at its head.
Serena was an exemplary Kalosian.
Urbain could have done without Moire’s morbidly intense ending, seriously, cemetery lovers really were a different breed, but he strongly agreed with her. “It’s like I said before, Serena, it's all of Lumiose’s fight, not just yours,” he reiterated firmly.
Serena very carefully hugged the woman, cautious of her injury. “Thank you,” she murmured in her ear. Serena pulled back. “You wear your age well, Moire. Your style shines through more than just your clothes.”
“Well, I should certainly hope my clothes are shining too!” Moire huffed. “This coat is vintage Boutique Couture after all!”
Serena’s eyes sparkled as she giggled. “Oh, don’t think I didn’t notice! It’s practically glowing!”
Yes, Serena loved cemeteries. Nothing else could really compare.
End Notes
Nickname central:
Grimlin (Sableye) – grim + gremlin.
Engarde (Honedge) – aka En Garde, the call to make fencers prepare for a bout by readying their defense or attack. It’s also obviously a French term.
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OKAY – How did you guys like Grimlin and Engarde?? Because I am obsessed with them!! The antics the two of them are going to get up to omfg.
Giving Serena this specific Sableye was one of the first things I wrote for this fic! Grimlin’s going to be a menace! They match so well! I will unashamedly admit that Sableye is my favorite Pokemon hehe! But the sheer character potential that Sableye has?? Especially in Z-A specifically?? Insane. You guys are sleeping on the little goblin.
Shiny Ekans: This is based on something that happened to me in my play through. I was running around in the cemetery looking for a good IV Honedge, and then night turned to day, causing the spawn table to change, and literally at my feet a shiny Ekans spawned. I had to back away to even aim a Pokeball at it. I caught it, and boxed it. It was so weird. I also love that Serena just doesn’t care. She catches the shiny and immediately gives it away as nothing more than a device to make fun of Urbain lol.
Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! What are you enjoying the most so far? What are you excited to get to? Personally, I can’t wait to leave the tutorial and let Serena run wild LMAO!!!
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