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alloftimeandspacetosee · 1 year

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The Godfather

In which the Gang meet Giratina and the twins don't feel like they're trusted at all.

Yet another part of the roleplay that I brushed up a li'l, bc while it's going I don't always feel like I can do 'em justice, or. you know. edit in the moment I guess.

The clouds were thick and dark with the promise of rain when they walked into Veilstone once more. Bebe was dragging her feet, hanging back as they continued towards the Voake household.

Warren rested a hand on her shoulder, making her speed up. “Cheer up.”

“But I want to keep travelling with you.” Bebe sighed, reaching up to scratch Fetch, who was sitting on her shoulder. “I don’t want to go home.”

“I know, but you can train Fetch and Fog. When they get stronger, you could maybe travel by yourself, huh?”

Bebe shrugged, looking down at the ground below her feet.

“It has been fun though, the travelling we’ve done together, right?” Zlata smiled at Bebe.

“We’ll swing by every so often, see how you’re doing, if y’want?” Arlette offered.

“Maybe drag you off again.” Aurora shrugged. “Anywhere you like.”

Bebe nodded, scratching Hohenheim as the bird nibbled at her fingers. “That would be good. I did have fun, I’m glad I came with you.”

“Don’t worry,” Warren said, stepping up the path to their door. “Mum can’t keep you here forever, you’ll be able to travel.”

“I hope so.” Bebe smiled.

“You think your mother will be okay with Nyx? She seemed really disdainful of her last time,” Ryun asked, looking at Nyx. “I’m not sure if she needs that right now.”

“Just tell ‘er you hang out with pirates, that’ll take some of the heat off Nyx.” Aurora snorted, grinning.

Warren nodded, glancing to Nyx. “Maybe it’d be best if you waited for us.”

Nyx nodded. “Alright. It was nice hanging out with you Bebe.”

Bebe rushed over to hug Nyx. “You as well! I’ll miss you…”

“I’ll stick out here,” Arlette said. “Keep Nyx company and all.”

“That would be nice.” Nyx smiled. “We can talk about girl things, and Warren’s exboyfriend.”

Warren rolled his eyes. “Right, you got everything you need?”

Bebe nodded, running to hug Nyx and Arlette one last time.

“Mind if I come with you?” Ryun followed Warren.

Aurora followed them towards the house.

“Hey.” Arlette called her sister’s attention and threw her a small pouch.

“Thanks.” Aurora caught it.

“Not for you, idiot.”

Aurora smirked and followed them into the house.

“Mum?” Bebe ran in. “I’m back.”

Rowena stepped out of the kitchen and gathered Bebe up in a hug. “Bebe, honey! I missed y – what is that on your shoulder?”

“Fetch.” Bebe smiled. “Warren got him for me.”

“Warren should have asked me first.” Rowena shook her head at Warren, before glancing to Aurora. “Are you a friend of Warren’s as well?”

Ryun stepped out of the way, moving to Warren’s side of the hall.

Aurora nodded. “Pretty much. Aurora, please t’meet you.” She tossed the pouch from hand to hand.

“What’s in the pouch?” Warren asked.

“Gift for Bebe.”

“You got me a present?” Bebe smiled.

“Hopefully it’s not another pokémon,” Rowena sighed. “I hope that thing is clean, Bebe…”

Ryun looked up. “He is clean. Cleans himself every day.”

“Sort of.” Aurora shrugged, holding out the pouch. “Just a small thing to remember us by.”

“Wow!” Bebe rushed over, taking the pouch and lifting out a small ice made figurine of a fennekin. “Thank you so much!” She hugged Aurora. “It’s so pretty!”

“It is, beautifully made too.” Ryun glanced at the sculpture. “Where did you get that?”

“Get?” Aurora laughed, hugging Bebe back. “We made it. Took a while, though… ice sculpting really isn’t one of our skills.”

“It’s very pretty, I didn’t know you could sculpt ice like this,” Bebe said, stepping back.

“Even so, it does look good,” Ryun remarked. “I’m just surprised you could get ice this time of year to sculpt with.”

“Nevermeltice,” Aurora explained. “We always have some.” She pointed to the sculpture’s ears. “If you heat them slightly, they’ll glow. It’s better in the dark, it’s pretty faint.”

Bebe smiled. “Thank you so much Aurora, I love it.” She lifted it up to show Fetch, who licked it curiously and shivered at the cold.

“Are you staying in Veilstone?” Rowena asked.

“No, I think we’re heading north next.” Warren shrugged, stooping to hug Bebe. “I’ll come back on the return, if you like.”

“That’d be nice.” Bebe smiled.

“Where did you learn?”

“Our grandfather, he owns one of the sculptor shops in Snowpoint. We should head up there sometime.”

Warren started to motion them towards the door. “We’re going far, I don’t know when we’ll return.” He looked towards his mother. “I’ll drop in on the way back.”

“See that you do.” She nodded, taking Bebe by the shoulder.

Bebe waved to Warren as Aurora opened the door, looking a little sad.

Warren smiled and bent down to her level, handing her a pokéball. “Write to me, ok? Zuzu can find me wherever I am.” He looked around to Aurora and Ryun. “We good to go?”

Ryun nodded. “I think we are. If you’re ready, we can leave now.”

Aurora pulled open the door and stepped out, waving back to Bebe.

“Don’t worry, when I come back you’ll easily be able to beat me in a battle.”

“I hope!” Bebe laughed. “Bye!”

Warren closed the door and they rejoined the others.

“You’re not getting rid of us that easily,” Arlette was saying. “We’ll manage through it.”

“Manage through what now?” Aurora frowned.

“What’s going on?” Warren asked.

“Rem, she’s gone… and she’s – I think she’s at Turnback,” Nyx said. “We need to go and rescue her.”

Warren nodded. “Alright. How do we get there, though? I mean, I’ve read about it. Some people say it doesn’t exist, others say it changes its location. It’ll be a pain to find.”

“Not for me,” Nyx said, hitching her bag up. “I’ve sent Corvus, she’ll be above us any second, we just have to follow her.”

“So we need to get there fast.” Warren released Sammy and climbed onto her back, leaning down to offer Nyx a hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”

Zlata released Niagara, who lifted Hohenheim up before letting Zlata on.

Ryun frowned as he took in the information, and then stepped nearer Zlata. “Could I get a lift?”

“If you’re sure you want to come.”

Ryun nodded and climbed up onto Niagara’s back. She shifted about and growled, getting used to the weight on her back.

Aurora held out a hand for Crawn to land on, and transferred him onto her shoulder as she hitched her bag better across her back. “Lead the way, then.”

“Are you two planning on running?” Soise raised an eyebrow.

Arlette shrugged. “We don’t exactly have a pokémon between us that can carry us.”

Nyx fumbled in her pockets and released Xinch. “You can take Xinch if you like, he’s probably the fastest.”

The big galvantula clicked and scurried over to the twins’ sides.

“He’s fast though, you need to hang on around tight corners.” Nyx looked up as Corvus landed on a low wall near them. “Lead on, Corvus.”

The honchkrow took off again. Sammy followed, Niagara not far behind. The twins stepped carefully onto Xinch’s back and hold onto each other as Xinch races after the two water types. Soise bounded after them, sending illusions racing ahead of the group to get people out of their way.

Corvus led them south out of the city, towards a thick patch of fog.

“Stick together!” Nyx called. “We can’t let him split us up.”

“Sammy, careful!”

The samurott almost slammed into a tree, and they ran slower after that. Nyx leapt from Sammy’s back and became her black mightyena form, leading the way.

“It’s going to be fine,” Ryun said. “If we stay together, we’ll look out for each other.”

Aurora rested her head on Arlette’s back. “Stay strong.”

“I will,” Arlette murmured, jaw stiffening.

“Keep your heads,” Soise said, padding along beside them. “It’ll be fine.”

Nyx led them on a winding path through the fog until it cleared, leaving them standing on soft, emerald coloured grass beside a sparkling lake. “This… is Turnback?” She padded forward, looking around.

It was beautiful. Perfect as a view. It seemed a clearing in the woods, trees hanging back from the water to provide a calm, open space. But it was quiet. Far too silent – there were no pokémon around.

“I thought it was a cave.” Aurora frowned, stepping from Xinch’s back and looking around.

“Where is Rem?” Zlata pulled Hohen back onto Niagara. “I want to get away from this place. It feels dead.”

“Turnback is the entrance to the distortion realm, we aren’t going there unless we have to.” Nyx padded towards the water, stretching down to sniff the water. “Rem?” She stretched and became human again, looking back to the twins. “If the dragons start to get to you, then we should leave, alright?” I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” She looked back into the water, staring at something.

“If that happens, we’ll stay with you. You can’t be left here alone.” Zlata nudged Niagara closer to Nyx.

Arlette grunted and followed her sister from the galvantula’s back. “Soise – don’t go too far.”

Soise turned back to them. “How long’ve we got?”

“All the time in the world,” Arlette said, smirking. “And yet–”

“None of it,” Aurora completed. “We know.”

“Rem?” Nyx looked around again. Then she kicked a stone into the water, disturbing whatever she’d seen there. “How stupid do you think I am?” she hissed.

“Nyx?” Warren stepped towards her.

Nyx turned away from the water. “Rem.”

“It could be a trap,” Warren said, returning Sammy.

“No.” Nyx lifted up her bag again. “It’s definitely a trap. But… it’s Rem.” She hitched it up on her shoulder and moved along the lakeside, just edging into the mist.

“We can’t let her run off.” Ryun gritted his teeth.

“I know. Nothing good ever comes of it, especially not here.” Zlata climbed off Niagara.

Ryun looked back at her, frowning.

“I’d rather not have her running blindly in fog. Who knows what sort of things are around here?”

“Alright.” He unsheathed his sword. “What’s the plan?”

“Same as it was. We follow her.” Zlata moved into the mist after Nyx.

“Get Rem and get out.” Warren nodded.

Hohenheim coated himself in bright red fire, acting as a beacon.

“Well… at least we know we’re walking into a trap.” Arlette followed after them. “No need to waste time on being surprised.”

Aurora laughed and followed along, Soise at her side. Xenos whistled, pressing his hands into Arlette’s neck. She smiled at him and continued walking.

“It would be better if it wasn’t a trap in the first place,” Zlata murmured.

“There.” Ryun pointed with his sword.

“Oh no.” Zlata ran forward to join Nyx. “You got her, Nyx. Let’s go, now!”

The rest of the group clear the fog and stand arrayed out behind Nyx.

“He’s looking better than I expected,” Arlette remarked, folding her arms.

“A human form tends to help.” Aurora smiled thinly.

Soise glanced at them, frowning.

“I’m sure I’d say it’s nice to see you, but… yeah, we only lie when it’s important.”

Nyx was holding Rem, mumbling to her.

“I have a certain fondness for rats.” The man looked up, staring particularly at Arlette and Aurora. He moved towards them, smiling. “I’m sure my siblings will be annoying you, seeing as I’m outside my prison.”

“Giratina,” Nyx hissed, still trying to soothe Rem. “How can… how are you here?”

“Thin dimensional walls, or something.” He shrugged. “I can wander about the lakeside. It’s pretty, isn’t it?” He tilted his head, still watching the twins. “What a pleasure it is to meet the guardians.”

“Nyx, Arlette, Aurora, we should leave now. We have what we came for, we should not talk to him,” Zlata hissed.

Hohenheim’s flames grew brighter, turning golden as he rushed forward and tugged at Nyx’s clothes, trying to pull her away.

“It normally is a pleasure to meet us, we’re told.” The twins smirked and bowed.

“But – ah, as nice as I’m sure it’s been for you, meeting us and all, we should probably be going… you know, before your siblings twig you’re up and about.” Aurora gestured away. “Nyx, mind coming and showing us the way out?”

Giratina laughed. “Shame, I do like to annoy them as best I can… it’s hard when you are trapped in a different dimension.”

“We’d appreciate it if you didn’t do that via us, all the same.”

“Yes, we should go.” Nyx crossed her arms around Rem and turned her back on Giratina, only to find he had moved to stand in front of her.

“Nyx, I was hoping we’d have the chance to talk.”

“No, no talking. I came for Rem, so we should be going.” She turned again, but he was in front of her, this time in a wolf form bigger than hers, with gold markings under the eyes.

“All I want to do is talk.” He padded towards her, voice smooth and hypnotic. “I just want to talk.”

Nyx growled, in her own wolf form. “What do you want to talk about?” she snarled.

“I need your help.”

“Don’t listen to him! Whatever he wants help with, it is nothing good.” Zlata’s voice shook. “You have Rem now, she needs your help as well. Don’t let Giratina talk you into something you’ll regret.”

“Oh, we know, you always need her help, you want your freedom.” Aurora placed a hand on Nyx’s back, hiding the fact that her fist was clenched and trembling.

Giratina rolled his eyes and stepped in front of Nyx, whining submissively, with his ears down and tail between his legs. “I do want to escape, but wouldn’t you? I’ve been trapped in that place for so… so long.”

“You want to escape, and cause chaos and pain and misery, that’s your thing. Why would I help you?”

Giratina lifted his head. “Why do you think it would be bad if I escaped?” He sidled round, scales forming in his fur so he became more snake like. “Are you forgetting that my siblings are free? They have caused pain and misery themselves…”

Zlata glanced at the twins and stepped nearer Nyx, although not getting too close. “Soise, is there anything you can do to help the twins, to stop or delay the dragons? Nyx, don’t listen to him. He’s using you, garnering your sympathy, playing to your niceness. Have you forgotten what happened the last time somebody did that?”

“Yes, they’ve caused pain.” Arlette nodded, closing her eyes. “We’ve seen that. But – they’re also integral to the world. We need them around more than we need someone with your power and no duty.”

Soise shrugged, frowning. “They’re not there yet.”

“We’re doing fine on our own,” Arlette said, eyes flickering brighter blue for a moment.

“You are right. I intend to slaughter them if I get the chance.” Giratina smiled, looking down. “But you may have a place in my world, you bear their power. If space and time are… as integral as you say, then how about you govern them in their place?”

“But you want chaos,” Nyx said, before Aurora can retort.

“Yes. I don’t want to destroy space and time, I just want to… change them.” Giratina leapt away, taking the form of a black furred rattata. He moved away into the mist, and Nyx followed.

“How long can you keep fighting them?” Zlata started to move after Nyx. “Soise, if the dragons take control, can you delay them for a while, stop them getting to Nyx? I’ll leave Hohenheim to help you, tell him what to do.”

Ryun grabbed her by the shoulder. “If you’re going to do that, let me come with you. In case he attacks you, at least I can buy you time to get away,” he said, voice shaking.

“Yes. Thank you.” Zlata nodded.

“We can manage fine,” Arlette said, as Zlata and Ryun walked away. “A little more faith, please.”

“Where are you going?” Soise grabbed at her wrist.

Arlette glanced back, frowning. “To do my duty. What d’you think?”

Aurora stepped around them, tossing a juggling ball lightly between her hands. “Yeah, we can get them and get out, rather than them having to come back here to collect us first. Quicker, no?”

“Only if you’re sure you can keep in control.”

“Do you think we would suggest this if we couldn’t?” Arlette hissed, slapping Soise’s arm away.

Hohenheim’s head whipped around and his flames disappear. He jumped into the air, launching himself towards Arlette and knocking her to the ground.

Arlette cursed as she rolled across the ground. Xenos squealed, catapulted from her shoulder.

Aurora flexed crystalline wings and stepped towards Hohenheim, a growl rumbling in her throat. Soise intervened, slamming her face first into the ground.

“Get – off,” Arlette snarled, yanking at Hohenheim’s wing to pull him from her back. “We have to help.” Crawn pecked as Soise’s face and she pushed him away, shoving him into Aurora’s bag.

“Just – stay here. It’s better if you–”

“No it’s not.” Arlette rolled sharply and knocked Hohenheim from her back, getting to her feet. “Trust us.”

Hohenheim recovered and snapped at her, wings glowing with fire.

She glared at him. “We have a duty here, Hohen.”

He screeched and flared fire at her, surrounding her with it.

“What is he saying, Soise?” Arlette asked from inside the fire, closing her eyes to concentrate.

“If Giratina gets Nyx, if that’s the best option, we’ll let you go. Otherwise you could lose control and kill–” Soise was cut off, knocked backwards as something in Aurora’s bag exploded with light.

“Do you really trust us so little?” Arlette snapped, walking through the fire, shielding her face with metal coated hands.

Hohenheim screamed at her, but she ignored him to offer her sister a hand up. As Soise scrambled to her feet to help Hohenheim stop them, a gaunt and gangling bird ripped free of Aurora’s bag and flew at Soise’s face.

Soise cried out and stumbled backwards. Hohenheim attacked the bird, leaving the twins free to run into the mist towards the lake.

Arlette glanced to Aurora, who had wings shimmering behind her. She took Aurora’s hand and closed her eyes, grunting as the wings disappear.

“You shouldn’t–”

“I have.” Arlette flexed her hands, forcing away the armour. “They need to learn.”

Hohenheim appeared in the thinning mist before them, spreading his wings wide and hissing at them. He shook his head, glaring.

“Hohenheim. Don’t.” Arlette glanced at him as they split to walk around him.

“We just want to talk. Do our duty. And you are not helping.”

Hohenheim followed after them as they arrived by the others.

“We haven’t missed much, have we?” Arlette waved.

Nyx turned to see them. “No, nothing. We should probably go.”

Zlata turned as well, eyeing them up. “Not much. Just some talking.” She nodded. “That would be best. I’m glad you’re seeing sense, Nyx. We should really go before Giratina and his silver tongue get to you even more than it already has.” She turned towards Giratina. “The world is fine without you. There’s no reason for Nyx to listen to you.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that.” Aurora nodded. “People really don’t need your intervention to be happy.”

“Ah… we should probably have gone.” Arlette frowned. “And should go, and are going, and yes – which way’s the way out now?” She shook her head, silver and blue marks playing across her face.

“We need to go and rescue Soise from my manic bird, by the way.” Aurora shook her head. “Not exactly fond of what’s happened to him here, but I suppose we can live with it.”

Nyx stroked Rem and looked back up to Giratina. “We’re leaving. Don’t try and stop us.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not going to try and stop you, Nyx. I’m not going to force you to do anything you don’t want to. I just hope I have opened your eyes a little, to my side of things.”

Nyx scratched Rem around the ears, looking down.

“Go, but be sure to return, Nyx, it has been wonderful talking to you.” He smiled. “Maybe… come alone next time.”

“We’re going.” She turned her back on him. “Corvus?”

Zlata turned away. “We should have done a long time ago.”

The honchkrow swooped down from the sky and wheeled, showing them the way out. Giratina sighed, smiling as he looked up. Then he took a step to the side, vanishing instantly. The air rippled around the group, and they saw him in the lake in his true form, staring at them.

“What’s this about a manic bird?” Nyx asked.

“Oh, Crawn evolved… whatever this place is, it’s done something to him, I think.” Aurora frowned. “He’s weird.”

Arlette shuddered, armour flaking into scales and slowly fading back into skin. “SkyLord take the bugger.”

“Which one?”

“Both of them. All of them.” Arlette shrugged. “Bunch’f ice cursed cowards.”

Aurora snorted.

“You weren’t really going to accept his offer, were you?”

Nyx shook her head, moving into Warren’s arms. “Of course not.”

Warren released Sammy and helped her up onto the pokémon’s back.

“Well that’s good.” Zlata turned to the twins next. “He would need a dusk stone, right? Did you have one, by any chance?” She released Niagara and Hohenheim climbed up onto her back.

Ryun climbed up as well, and Zlata got on last.

“Thank you, by the way.”

“I didn’t do much.” Ryun shrugged. “I didn’t do anything, actually.”

“Still, I appreciate you coming with me.”

“Yeah, course I did.” Aurora rolled her eyes. “You’ll see.”

“Do you want to call him off yet?” Soise burst out of the fog, overtaking them.

“Crawn!” Aurora yelled, running towards him as the honchkrow spiralled after Soise, screeching. “Crawn, calm down!”

He twisted and landed in front of her, twitching his head. For a honchkrow, he’s a disappointment; all scrawny and dull feathers, almost serpentine in the way he moves. He’s at least as tall as Corvus, but it doesn’t look as though he could carry anyone but the lightest child.

“What the hell happened?” Aurora whispered, reaching a hand out to him.

“Maybe it was because he was so close to the distortion world when he evolved? It’s the only explanation I can think of.” Zlata watched Crawn.

“And here’s Xenos,” Soise said, circling back to Arlette’s side and pulling the ralts out of her mane.

Arlette took the pokémon and placed him on top of her bag.

Corvus screeched and dived down to land in front of Crawn, smacking him with a wing.

“Is it safe yet?” Warren asked, making Sammy stop.

Nyx turned around, looking. “I think so. At least, there’s not as much distortion in the air.”

“We should probably keep moving until we get out of this mist,” Zlata said. “Just to be completely sure. Even if Giratina did let us go, I don’t trust him, not after all that.”

Crawn tumbled backwards and hissed at Corvus.

Aurora slipped between them, blocking any attacks. “Stop that.” She touched Crawn gently, and when he doesn’t attack her, rubs a hand over his head and tilted it, checking him over. “Soise, did you get my stuff as well?”

“You had stuff?”

Corvus drew herself up and clucked at Crawn, evidently displeased with him.

“A whole bag, Soise.”

Crawn replied in kind, skulking behind Aurora.

“Is there anything there you needed, Aurora, that can’t be replaced? Only it is best if we get away from here as soon as possible, keep moving until we’re back on the road to Veilstone. I don’t trust Giratina not to change his mind.”

Aurora frowned, checking her pockets. “Well… most of it – clothes and juggling balls and the like – I can borrow from Arlette, but – oh shit.”

“What?”

“My team. And the box of spices from Ecruteak.”

“I could send Corvus back, or we could all go back together.” Nyx looked back into the mist.

“We should just leave–”

“Did you not hear?” Arlette snapped. “Her team. We can’t leave them.”

“We can’t go back, though,” Zlata said, urging Niagara. “It’s too risky.”

“If Nyx and I went, we wouldn’t take any time at all.” Arlette looked back. “He wouldn’t even have to know.”

“Nah, you’ve already been possessed once today, I don’t think any more is needed.”

“Soise. I – was – not – possessed.” Arlette glare at her. “I am strong enough, even if no one seems thinks so.”

“I think it’d be a bit too risky,” Nyx sighed. “Besides, Giratina’s probably snatched them back into the distortion realm by now… I’m sorry, Aurora.”

Warren moved an arm around Nyx as she tightened her hold on Rem.

“It’s not worth the risk having either of you run in, no matter how quick you are.”

A large rattata hopped awkwardly out of the mist, dragging something behind it. The tattered remains of Aurora’s bag, with most of the things still inside it. Hohenheim hopped from Niagara’s back and picked up the bag by one of the straps, helping the rattata with the weight.

“Right. Got it.” Arlette turned away, folding her arms. “Shall we get going quickly then, before we get properly possessed and kill you all?”

“Arlette, stop. Just forget about it. We are leaving now, and look – we have your bag, Aurora.”

Zlata climbed off Niagara and approached Arlette. “It isn’t that. There is a difference between not thinking you’re strong enough and not wanting you to take unnecessary risks. Today has already been eventful enough without having you struggle against Dialga again.” She smiled gently. “Let’s just leave. I doubt anybody wants to stay here longer than they have to.”

“So why the fuck did your guard dogs not let us help earlier? I came here to help Nyx, not get flattened by one sand scratching legendary.”

“Because we wanted to play it safe,” Soise replied, grabbing her arms. “I’m here to protect the three of you, even if that means from each other.”

Aurora crouched down to thank the rattata and carefully pick up her bag. “Wow, Crawn, you really did a number on this thing.”

“Arlette, it’s over. It’s behind us, alright? There’s no point in getting angry over it.” Nyx stood up, letting Rem sit on her shoulder. “We’re leaving, we can forget about this.

The new rattata hopped onto Aurora’s outstretched hand, sniffing at her.

“Rem says his name is Raphael.”

“Believe me, it was for the best that both of you were not there to see what Giratina was telling Nyx. There was not much you could have done, anyway. Keeping you away was the right thing to do, it was safer for all of you,” Zlata said, watching Arlette.

Hohenheim’s crest drooped and he lowered his head, giving a mournful little croon.

“And he apologises for knocking you down, but there was no other way he could think of in the heat of the moment to keep you away.”

Arlette stared around the group and shook her head, closing her eyes. “Fine. Because evidently you all know what’s best for us.”

Aurora smiled at Raphael, standing up with the remains of her bag clutched under her arm. “Thanks, Raphael.”

“If that’s how you feel, Arlette.” Zlata got back up onto Niagara’s back. “It’s been a rough day. As soon as we get out, let’s put this all behind us, forget this ever happened. It’s probably for the best. And maybe when we get to Veilstone, we should get you a new bag, Aurora?”

Crawn scrambled to his feet and darted back towards Aurora, away from Corvus.

“That might be an idea.” Aurora nodded, shifting her stuff so she could carry it better.

“Shall we get moving, then?” Soise looked around. “Only this fog is making my fur heavy.”

Corvus clucked, moving closer to Crawn as they walked on, tilting her head to examine him.

As the group moved on – with Arlette tailing near the back – the fog lifted away, leaving them on the country tracks outside of Veilstone. Despite the grey clouds in the air, it was beautiful. There was life around them, in the trees, on the ground and in the sky, and that made all the difference.

“And… back.” Nyx smiled, lifting up her arms.

Hohenheim spread his wings out, and the clouds parted to soak them in sunlight.

“It’s weird.” Warren looked back the way they had come. “You’d never think there was a place like that under the mist.”

“Weird dimensions.” Nyx shrugged and looked down, seeing Raphael still following them. “You staying with us?”

“Think you can handle two rats?” Warren asked, looking down.

“I think so.” Nyx smiled. “Arlette, are you alright?”

“Don’t,” Zlata said, glancing back to Arlette before turning to Nyx. “Give her a little time, hopefully she’ll recover.”

Arlette flicked a glance at Nyx. “Yeah, ‘m fine. Always am.”

“Are people ok with a shopping trip?” Aurora asked. “I can always catch you up after, it won’t take me too long.”

“Nah, we’ll come in. Or I will, anyway.” Soise shrugged. “I can help you carry some of that stuff as well, if you want.”

“I could go for a trip to Veilstone,” Warren said. “I need to get a better coat if we are heading northwards, it’ll be freezing up there.”

“Sure, it would be good to get some supplies.” Nyx nodded, sliding from Sammy’s back and slowing down to walk by Arlette.

“It would be nice to do something normal after that, and we do need some supplies if we’re going to continue travelling.” Zlata turned to Warren. “Even with spring upon us? In that case, I might need to get a jacket too.”

“It’s May. Should be warm enough, but I suppose, you lowlanders…” Aurora grinned. “’Specially if we head up Sowpoint way.”

“So shopping trip in Veilstone. Nice way to round off meeting the distortion lord, I suppose.”

“That makes sense. It would be good to have warmer clothes then.” Zlata smiled. “Do you have any better suggestions?”

“Well… yeah, can’t think of anything better to do after that.” Aurora shrugged, grinning. “Nice way to balance it out.”

“Not that I can think of.” Warren smirked. “Nothing better than a girly shopping trip to lift our spirits.”

“We’re just going for necessary things, Warren, that’s not a particularly girly shopping trip.” Zlata grinned. “You probably know Veilstone best out of all of us. Is there anywhere we can go to get what we need?”

Crawn stretched out his wings and broke into a shambling run, lifting into the sky.

“I’m sure we could make it girly, if you wanted it to be.” Aurora grinned. “I do need new clothes, after all.”

Corvus took off after Crawn, spiralling in the air.

“I just need a coat, not sure how girly I can get with just that.” Warren smirked. “But… if you really want to, we can go for shoes and bags and whatever it is girls like… there’s a good shopping centre, full of clothes shops, and a great art place as well.”

“Well, not unless you want to, Warren. I’d rather we just get what we need.” Zlata smiled wryly. “Though if you want to go on a girly shopping trip, you could take Ryun with you again, I suppose.”

“What?” Ryun looked up.

“Just wondering if you’d like to go on a girly shopping trip with Warren, like you did in Saffron,” Zlata explained, grinning.

“It wasn’t that girly, we just went to a clothes shop and a jewellery shop… alright, yes, perhaps it was. And I don’t need anything, but if you want company, Warren, I could come.”

“Yeah… it’s just a new bag and some clothes for me.” Aurora laughed. “I’m not going to drag you round all the latest sales and fashion stuff.”

“So we are all set then,” Warren said. “It’ll be fun, and since Nyx is rich after her birthday, she can buy everything for us.”

“Hell no,” Nyx called, looking up from her conversation with Arlette.

“It’s alright, I can buy my own things. So, will you show us where this place is, Warren?” Zlata smiled.

Aurora glanced around and dropped back to walk with her sisters. “What’s eatin’ you?”

“Just – thinking.” Arlette shrugged. “Nothing important.”

“Hm.”

“D’you want to put things in my bag?” Arlette pulled it off her shoulders, flipping it open.

“Might be an idea.” Aurora nodded, still frowning as she carefully placed her items into it.

#mainverse #2nd gen #pokemon #oc #sinnoh #veilstone #turnback cave #legendaries #arlette nightgale #aurora nightgale

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