Lune (Chapter update - May 23, 2006)

[Charizard04621]

Remember, nearly the entire story is told from Lune's point of view. Conclusions are yours to be drawn.

[Charizard04621]

Okay, last chapter until I get back from the holidays... I'm going skiing for the remaining month of December, starting Friday.

Chapter 51

Money Matters

“Lune, wake up. Damn, and you say I sleep too much.” Shockwave continued to shake the complaining Eevee. Lune groaned.

“Shockwave, what time is it?” he whined.

“Later than you usually get up. Now come on. We need to go check on how the General Tournament is progressing. I want to find out who I’m going to battle next.” The Pikachu tapped his foot impatiently.

Lune sprang up. “I’m late? What?” He checked the position of the sun. “Dang it, I am late. You go ahead and find out what’s been going on. I need to go to Announcer training again. As Head Announcer, Lady Naien’s supposed to be doing the training, but she hasn’t been doing it – busy, I suppose – so it’s up to me for now.” Lune was glad that Lady Naien had appointed him as Senior Announcer, because he got irritated when he wanted things done and wasn’t allowed to do them due to lack of rank. Most of the time he was certain that he was qualified enough to handle the tasks in question.

“Can’t you put off Announcer stuff a little?” Shockwave asked. “It’s just Announcer stuff.”

“No can do. See, I have this thing called a conscience that bothers me when I haven’t done my job.”

Shockwave crossed his arms. “Fine, then, make me go alone. I don’t care. Really.”

“Aww, come on, Shockwave, you know I’d rather find out about the tournament and stuff. I really gotta go train these pokémon, though. They’re… bad.”

“Go… just go.”

“Shockwave…”

“No, seriously.” The Pikachu grinned. “You’re so easy to tease. Now, go on.”

“You are so mean to me.”

“Only if you want me to be.”

“Whatever.”

“Have fun.” Shockwave winked.

***

“Any idea when we’ll get our paychecks?” asked a Medicham. Lune had encountered this psychic fighter various times in the past. He had received various complaints about the Medicham as an Announcer, and each time he had investigated the separate cases. Lune never found the guy guilty of the charges of bias. The problem, as Lune saw it, was his unorthodox methods. He didn’t step in the way when battlers were receiving brutal beatings, and sometimes he stopped matches in the middle of crucial plays. Lune had discovered in such instances that the Medicham understood whether or not blows would be fatal, and made his decisions accordingly.

The Medicham’s question bothered Lune. Lady Naien had promised to pay all the Announcers the day before. “Let me guess… Naien didn’t pay you?” Lune asked, concealing his irritation.

“Was she supposed to?”

Lune fell silent. It was one thing to avoid making guarantees, and completely another to say something and then not do it. This was the second time that Lady Naien had said she would pay the Announcers but didn’t. “Fine,” he sighed, “I’ll take care of your paychecks after this training session.”

“Thank you.”

Raising his voice so all the gathered pokémon could hear, Lune said, “All right. Let’s get going. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

***

Lune hated taking care of paychecks. It required him to hunt all over the kingdom for records of every single Announcer that reported to his training sessions during the period that the paychecks covered (In this case, three weeks). That’s why Naien doesn’t want to do it, he thought, but that doesn’t mean she can say she will and then back out on her statement. That’s the crucial difference between you and Naien. You don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Handing out paychecks required Lune to check whether the Announcers in question had done their jobs, how well they had done them, and how punctual they were. Several had a habit of arriving late to battles or not showing up at all, forcing battlers to wait for extended periods of time or find other Announcers who were willing to help them out. Such disregard for responsibility did not deserve payment.

The turnout for this group of paychecks was depressing. A couple of pokémon who had gone to training had made no attempt to supervise battles at all. Even worse, some had promised to act as Announcers for several battles and never showed up for any of them, or shown up and then left in the middle of the match. Ebannaw was, as always, one of the biggest offenders. And she wonders why you never promote her, thought Lune bitterly. She even blames you for jealousy of her skills, of all things. In – her – dreams. What a sorry wannabe. Stupid Spearow. She’s an insult to the bird species.

“Well,” muttered Lune, marking off the final paycheck, “That’s done. Now to send them in.”

***

“They did what?” Lune could not believe his ears.

Shockwave nodded. “I’m disqualified from the tournament. Apparently they held Round Four when I wasn’t around. Oh well.”

“ARGH! That’s just wrong!” Lune was outraged. “Damnit, Shockwave, you could have won that thing.”

“Calm down, Lune. I’m not too happy about it either, but there’s really nothing we can do about it now. Breathe.”

“Gah. Well, I guess we can both join another tournament now, at least.”

“Uh huh. Lune, have you been to the Treasury lately?”

“The Treasury? You mean that poor Ho-oh forsaken place that Ebannaw is supposed to be managing? Nah, why?”

“The Guardians got tired of Ebannaw doing nothing and held an election for a new Head of Treasury.”

“Ooooh. Maybe now pokémon won’t cheat and stuff. Who won? Do you know?”

“Élan, unanimously. He got, like, thirty votes.”

“Cool. We won’t be having Treasury problems, then. As for Élan’s sanity… The poor guy, that job is going to drive him nuts. I’ve been nominated for Head of Treasury once, but I turned it down. It’s crazy talk. That place is the one place in this kingdom I’m going to avoid at all costs.”

Shockwave nodded. “Élan’s going to feel the same way pretty soon.”

[Lady Vulpix]

Oh... That explains a lot.
As for Élan, I hope he can handle the job without any effects on his mental health...
Enjoy your vacation, Karin! See you when you get back!

[Charizard04621]

Lol, poor Élan is in for a rough ride. Btw thanks Gabi. ^_^ I have a cold, but I hope it wears off before I go to Colorado.

[Charizard04621]

I'm back! Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 52

The Gathering Storm

A week had passed since Élan’s election as Head of the Treasury. So far he had renovated the place, revising old systems and creating new rules to maximize efficiency. Winter had also progressed.

Pure white snow blanketed the kingdom grounds. Trees let fall their leaves. Their black, frozen frames remained towering over the land, shadows of sentinels that stood their firm, silent watch. The kingdom was covered with light.

Lune treaded the stone path lightly, wishing that Shockwave had been there to share the moment. The white scenery possessed its own pristine beauty, a world of delicate crystals and frost. But the Pikachu was elsewhere, off on his own. As Lune walked down the pavement alone he found the absolute silence about him almost eerie. Not even his chilled breaths made the slightest noise. The only sound he heard was the soft crunching of his paws as they gently pushed little indents into the snow.

And then, the shattering of silence.

“So when Mr. Smartypants here has a complaint an official comes to the rescue?” Ebannaw’s croaking voice was indignant.

“Excuse me?” The Medicham glared at her. “I don’t even care anymore. This battle is ridiculous. I’ve already resigned.”

Élan’s voice rang clearly through the still winter air. “I just stopped by to introduce some logic into the situation. I was walking past and I noticed the confusion, so I came to check it out. Vanguard was right to argue. The Announcer’s decisions were just plain wrong. Allowing Haldir to use his sword in the battle but threatening to disqualify Vanguard for trying to use his special ability? Whoa. The last time I checked, special abilities were legal and outside items were not.”

“Yeah, sure,” squawked Pukcus. “So says the guy who suspiciously became Head of the Treasury all of a sudden,” he accused. “You appeared out of nowhere. Wow, suck ups are on the rise these days.” The Murkrow snorted.

“We know how to use your sudden rise of power against you,” Haldir added.

Lune was struck. What the heck? Haldir was threatening Élan with Pukcus and Ebannaw? Élan had been UNANIMOUSLY VOTED into office! Lune hurried to the scene.

“Enough!” shouted the Eevee. “Can’t I even have my day off in peace? Must there always be fighting and trouble?” He frowned, looking sternly into every face, but most so at the Murkrow’s and the Spearow’s. What he wanted most was to bite the two birds’ heads off. Patience, Lune, he told himself. Subtlety. Accuse without directly accusing. Don’t make too many enemies yet. That was the mistake of Lord Yoruno and Lady Naien. Taking a deep breath, Lune spoke in a calmer voice, one that was not angry but slow and sad, which aimed to make his targets feel guilt for their actions rather than bitterness at his anger. “There is more than one side to a quarrel, and all are wrong. If conflict is prolonged, everyone is at fault for fueling the argument. The only way to prevent fighting is for all sides to agree to back down. Unfortunately, too many inhabitants of our world do not understand that simple concept. That is why we have war.” He closed his eyes. “I ask all of you to come to a truce. End this pointless conflict. There is room enough in this world for the absence of war.”

Lune knew that Élan and Vanguard would understand his true targets. He didn’t need to explain it to them later. “Oh, and Haldir,” he added, catching the Scizor’s gaze, with many questions swimming in his head, “May I speak to you for a moment? Alone?”

The Scizor shrugged. “Sure, why not.”

Pulling Haldir aside, Lune looked at him in confusion. “What was that?” he asked, bewildered. “I would have thought that you, of all pokémon, would never have resorted to dishonorable tactics.”

The tone of the Scizor’s voice was dangerous. Lune felt himself shiver. “Dishonorable tactics?”

“Blackmail! With the help of Pukcus and Ebannaw! What were you thinking?”

“Vanguard was complaining too much about the battle. Pukcus and Ebannaw were helping me to make him stop whining about every little thing. Gohyrolg was getting really pissed when that Medicham criticized every damn decision that he made.”

Gohyrolg. That explained everything. The irritating Jigglypuff that was so full of himself that he would continue talking just to hear his own voice. Lune never liked Gohyrolg. The balloon-like fairy with oversized saucers for eyes would talk, and talk, and never stop talking in a match. As an Announcer, he was all fluff and no sense, a complete bore. He made random decisions and seemed to have multiple standards for everything. Lune did not doubt for an instant that Gohyrolg was filled with nothing but hot air – literally. The Eevee shook his head. “Gohyrolg is a fool.”

“Watch it. Gohyrolg is my friend.”

You make odd choices of friends, Lune thought. Aloud, he said, “That doesn’t mean that he is a capable Announcer. He isn’t. He’s mad. Your sword was an outside weapon that could have killed your opponent with a single swipe. The sword Vanguard would have summoned with his special ability can’t inflict fatal damage. I made sure myself.”

“He still complained too much. Why are you bringing this up, anyway? The battle is over now.”

Lune frowned. Haldir was ignoring his logic. Fine, then, he would let that matter slide. Arguing was pointless. “I still need to know what you were doing with Ebannaw and Pukcus. You should know that those two are trouble.”

“Can I help it if they’re my friends?” Haldir snapped back.

Lune reeled. Haldir definitely lacked judgment. His statement also explained his animosity towards Élan. Pukcus has been spreading dirty rumors about Élan all along, Lune thought. That’s why Haldir didn’t trust him all the way to Karkas’s lair and beyond. Lune nodded and began to walk away.

“We’re still friends, right?” Haldir’s tone was urgent.

No one in the world would survive without second chances. “Sure,” Lune answered. “Why not?”

[Lady Vulpix]

Wow, now that's really weird!
I'm intrigued now... Again.

[Charizard04621]

Sorry for the delay. I took a detour from writing Lune to post a short story, Legacy. Dragonair rules.

Anyway, here it is...

Chapter 53

Trouble Brews

“No, I’m not a soul stealer… Leave me alone! I HAD NO CHOICE!”

Ah, but you did, nagged the voice. You should have tried escaping without hurting them first.

“I…” gasped the Eevee. “I didn’t want to destroy them! I had no choice!” Lune awoke with a start, drenched in sweat. The vivid images from his nightmare lingered in his mind. Slowly, his breathing evened, and he convinced himself that he was safe in the Sanctuary.

Shockwave stirred. “Lune… What time is it?”

“Late. Go back to sleep.”

“What were you yelling about? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah… Just a bad dream. Sorry, I talk in my sleep. I can’t help it.”

“I heard something about destroying souls. Are Karkas and Ytos still bothering you?”

Lune was silent. Shockwave groaned.

“Look, you have to stop acting like this. I’m trying to help, but I can’t do anything if you don’t give yourself a break. I mean, geez. The whole thing was not your fault. They tried to kill you first, remember? If you want to stop having nightmares like that, you’ve got to forgive yourself first. Come on, Lune, I don’t want to have to deal with this.”

“Hmm… Fine… Go back to sleep.”

“You should listen to the things I tell you.”

“Uh huh. Now sleep. It’s past midnight.”

***

Back in the Slith Territories, Karkas’s lair was restored to full working order. The computers had been upgraded, and several more showcases with additional weapons lay in the control room.

“I always knew that he was too soft,” chuckled Ytos. “He calls that a Dark type Hidden Power? Please.”

“That potential is such a waste on a pokémon like him,” Karkas commented. “But that’s the problem with giving power to goody-goodies. They tend to control it and use it responsibly. The problem with that is, he will never move beyond destroying a soul.”

“If I had his cursed power, I could destroy even the most black-hearted of pokémon,” Ytos hissed. “But he doesn’t want to hurt things. I like to hurt things. And they wouldn’t even need to have souls.”

“We were lucky that Lune is too honorable for his own good,” Karkas mused. “It is fortunate that we, as mass murderers, do not have souls. It is the only way we could be immune to a Dark type Hidden Power attack from a soft pokémon like him.”

“I have to admit, our acting was excellent,” gloated Ytos. “I must ask, though… Why didn’t we simply finish him then?”

“We were not ready. The whole self-destruct sequence was meant to buy us time so they would not think of coming back until too late. When we finally destroy Lune, I want to make sure that the Sacred Kingdom Guardians die as well. Without a capable leader, the place will plunge into chaos. Even the Savage Wilderness idiots won’t be able to mess up that takeover.”

Ytos snickered. “I like your thinking.”

***

Morning had arrived in the Sanctuary. Sunlight poured in through the clouds, and the waterfall greeted the day with its cheerful morning song.

Lune stretched luxuriantly. As he washed himself in the river, he wondered what he had to do today. He knew that he was free from Announcer training. He had recently quit his Adviser job, although he was beginning to feel guilty about it. He still helped to clarify things and answer questions once in a while, because Haldir was the only current Adviser doing any Advising. Shockwave had started off enthusiastically when he first got the job, but when he began to understand its demands, his activity in that area declined. And Lord Yoruno and Lady Naien weren’t doing anything, either. (They were the Head Advisers, by the way.) Lune felt selfish for quitting his job, although he hated it. Other than that, however, Lune didn’t think he had any other duties to tend to.

“Oh, wait… Announcer duties.” Lune had nearly forgotten. He had received three requests for the day; Lune would have to supervise each battle and hurry on to the next. It was lucky that he had done the proper scheduling. “Well, then, Shockwave,” he said to the sleeping Pikachu, “I’ll see you later.”

***

By evening Lune was in a bad mood. “Has the stupidity of some battlers ever annoyed you, Vanguard?”

“Idiots are annoying.”

“I sat for three hours watching a Misdreavus and a Tyrogue play Rest wars. Yes, you heard me, a Misdreavus kept going back to sleep instead of finishing her opponent off. A Ghost type with the capacity to crush her Fighting type opponent with effective Psychic type moves! And Tyrogue is basically incapable of touching anything that can phase!”

“I pity your soul.”

Lune sighed. “Oh, that’s not all. I was an Announcer for two more battles today.” He shook his head. “There was a Venusaur that randomly took off into the air without wings, without any kind of provocation! It was ridiculous seeing a giant Grass type flying. He made it so obvious. I could see the glowing power source he hid inside his flower bud. He had some sort of insanely powerful jet pack that he got from only Ho-oh knows where…”

“That’s… sad. Do I even want to know about the third match?”

Lune shook his head. “Worst match of the day. Elbuort versus Élan… Ugh, stupid Mankey. You have no idea how sick he made me of hearing ‘You should be above this’ and ‘Must you always resort to cheap tactics?’ along with all sorts of random, illogical arguments about how he was losing because Élan was cheating and I was being an incompetent Announcer. The idiot is full of crap.”

“...Ignore him.”

“I can’t do that.”

“I pity your soul.”

[Lady Vulpix]

One word: WOW!
I hadn't seen that one coming.

[mistysakura]

That took me A WHILE to read... </sarcasm> but it was worth it.

That last one was a cool plot twist. And it makes sense too, in a strange way. I was pretty surrised that Lune quit as adviser though; I knew he didn't like his job but I figured he'd feel too guilty about quitting. I guess it wasn't as much as I thought.

I really like your names for the idiots. Pukcus and Ebannaw fit their names so well.

I love your writing style; you manage to have the description and the interest at the same time. With some people, they've got enough description all right, but all the action and excitement seems to cease whenever they describe something. Your fic's cool in that way.

I'll keep reading.

[Charizard04621]

Lady Vulpix - I still have some tricks up my sleeve. ^_^

mistysakura - A new reader, cool. Thanks for the comments. And by the way, your feelings might not be as wrong as you think... Just wait and see.

To all readers - I'm really sorry that my next chapter isn't up yet. I've written it down but haven't found time to type it up. Junior year school stuff (I now have two research papers to deal with) and applications to a chemistry research scholarship have been slowing me down. I apologize.

[Charizard04621]

Here it is, after way too much time. Sorry, guys.

Chapter 54

Return to the Hidden Valley

The following weeks passed without incident. Something in the back of Lune’s mind told him that the peace would not last, that it was just the calm before the storm; but there was not much he could do except wait. Meanwhile, he had been relaxing somewhat, taking a break from work.

Two hours’ run south of the Sacred Kingdom lay the Sparkling Forest. Lune had, out of curiosity, decided to visit the place, and he discovered that he quite liked it. The State’s forests were beautiful, even more so than the lonely wilderness of the Forgotten Kingdom. There was peace in the Sparkling Forest; pokémon lived together as a community, and a sense of ease and prosperity lived in the hearts of the Sparkling Forest residents. It was a lovely place to be.

Today, Lune headed not for the Sparkling Forest, but instead for the Forgotten Kingdom. He had promised Sage and Blaze a visit, and it was a promise he intended to keep. This time, Lune traveled by the Hidden Valley. As he arrived at the golden gates under the rays of the resplendent sun, he inhaled deeply, savoring the fresh scent of new grass and sweet fragrant flowers. He burst into the paradise with the joy of one who has been away for a long time from something that he loves. His happy laughter rang through the air. Even his amulet glowed with light as he rolled ecstatically in the soft grass.

By and by, Lune decided to continue on his journey. As much as he wanted to shrink away into this glorious retreat forever, he had work to get back to in the Sacred Kingdom, and his vacation time was limited. After treating himself to some sweet, crisp Pecha Berries from a nearby tree, Lune continued to follow the river trail north. Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw next.

Under a large, ancient tree lay a sad sight. Dark green leaves weighed down the crooked boughs, and the thick, gnarled roots crept over the mound silently, as if to avoid waking the sleeper. No happy spots of sunlight danced under the shade; only sorrowful darkness. Even the branches of the old tree hung downwards, weeping. Cradled by the sympathizing roots, covered with bits of moss and pretty but mourning flowers, was the lifeless body of a noble Dragonair that Lune had once known.

“Senryu… No… Not you too…” Lune approached the still form slowly, hesitantly, hoping that any minute he would suddenly awaken and find out that this was all a dream. With the blood drained from his body, Senryu was completely white, like the winter outside the valley. Here it was summer for all but the serpentine dragon; his body was lifeless and cold. Yet, Lune could not say that Senryu had died in pain. The Dragonair’s face was peaceful, with his eyes closed lightly and a trace of the soft, caring smile that Lune had always admired him for. Perhaps he was even glad that he could finally depart into eternal peace, away from the world that had taken Ningai and Charisma before him. Lune wondered if, in another land, Senryu was now following them up the stream, like Élan had stared after their ashes many months ago. For a fleeting instant, a strange breeze blew, making fly the flowers that had covered Senryu in their sorrow. It had only lasted a moment, but Lune could have sworn that the floating petals had spelt a phrase, a final, magical request that Lune felt compelled to grant: Bury me with them.

Had Lune not as much faith in magical things, he still could not have ignored this powerful sign. At that same moment, his amulet had flashed with white fire, and a gentle warmth greater than the sun’s had filled his heart. Despite his sorrow, he felt uplifted; it was as if Senryu’s spirit had passed through to provide him with encouragement and hope. Without hope, he could not live. Lune wasted no time.

Senryu had requested a burial at sea. He wished for his ashes, like Ningai’s and Charisma’s, to travel slowly down the river and out into the vast beyond, finally coming to rest in a watery grave. Lune respected that wish, but he had no fire.

Gently, laboriously dragging the fallen dragon’s long, snakelike body closer to the river, Lune thought of how he could get a fire. He would build a pyre with wood and twigs. This he would place Senryu upon; or, if he was not strong enough, he would build the pyre under Senryu. Lune looked dolefully at the river so far ahead. He would have to pull Senryu a different way. Wrapping the Dragonair’s tail around himself, and placing the end in his mouth (being careful not to bite), Lune again tried to drag Senryu forward, this time with more success. By the time Lune managed to get Senryu beside the river, he was exhausted. The sun that had hung so brightly overhead now dipped behind the mountains, painting the sky with a brilliant sunset… But Lune saw none of it.

“Stone… A spark,” Lune whispered. Picking up a sturdy stick in his mouth and rolling a good stone forward with his paw, Lune made his way back to the pyre that he had built under the silent dragon. It was night now, but there were no stars, only a waning moon that was sickly and pale. Lune placed the stone beside the thin dried twigs and began to create friction with his stick. Several times he managed to provoke sparks, but they caught on the twigs, glowed red for a moment, and then subsided again. It was an hour before the embers did not die. Lune was feeling disheartened. Then, miraculously, the twigs began to burn, and a little flame began to spread!

Lune stepped back from the pyre and bowed his head with respect. Within minutes, a flare erupted and consumed the lifeless flesh. The rock layer that Lune had placed beneath the wood kept fire away from the grass. And so it was that night by the riverside that Senryu burned on his pyre. Even after the fire died down, his ashes continued to scatter, floating unconcerned up the river. Perhaps in later years they would join up with his departed soul; perhaps they would float onward for eternity; or maybe they would, as Lune hoped, find peace at the bottom of some distant ocean.

As Lune left the scene in silence, he failed to notice a small piece of skin that had fallen between the rocks beneath the pyre, and therefore had not ignited. On that ghostly remnant gleamed two distinct puncture holes the size of snake fangs.

[Charles Legend]

Nice fic, btw was Emperor Ryu based on me or not Ether way I am a bit Serprized that my name apeared in some ones fanfic..... ;o

and don't worry I like Ampharos.

and no I am not mad at you for portraying me as an idoitic Emperor, I rather take that as a comiment.

And yes I can be insane at times.

~Ryu

[mistysakura]

Ah, not much impact in the last sentence -- as if it wasn't obvious. But still good.

This was truly moving.

[Charizard04621]

Ryu Slayer X 2.0 - Dude, if you check the dates, you'll realize that I started this in 2002. Now it's the year 2004. I did not know you in 2002. Just because you share the same name as a character does not mean that you are somehow represented by that character. "Ryu" is not a name exclusive to you. Just thought I would clear that up...

mistysakura - Aren't all deaths? I love Dragonair, which might have influenced my writing on this one's funeral.

[Charizard04621]

Two words: Research papers. Goddamn, these past two weeks have been disgusting, and now I'm moving to a new house in the middle of my research paper due dates. Can you imagine it? $@!#(&$!^(!

In other words, sorry for the extended wait... I really hope this won't continue, but I can't make any promises.

Chapter 55

A Land Forgotten

When Lune arrived at midnight in his land of origin, he received no warm welcome or expression of gladness. In fact, he received no welcome at all. The Forgotten Kingdom was deserted.

Once a thriving land, the sylvan state now lay in a state of quiet and lonely peace. Wildflowers grew in stunning disarray; the countryside was a place of verdant, abandoned beauty. Life grew as it would here, unhindered by outside forces, so that there was no order to the free, yet lovely wilderness. But for all the vigor in the blossoming landscape, not a soul was in sight. For the hours that Lune had stared up into the flowering stars, waiting till night made way for dawn, he did not hear a sound that was not his own.

In the morning, as soon as the first feeble rays of light flickered hesitantly through the clouds, Lune began his search for answers. It was a cold winter, he thought, made lonelier by the absence of souls.

Sage, Lune found out, was no longer a Guardian here. He had faded away into a life of solitude, no longer visible to the outside world in his ghostly state of existence, like a gliding shadow under the shade of trees. Even Blaze, working alone, could not find enough work to fill his time, it seemed; he was off to explore the world, searching for a future elsewhere. Lune did not like to admit what he knew already as he observed his homeland’s lack of vibrancy. Aside from the flourishing plant life, the Forgotten Kingdom was dead.

***

“One by one everything will be taken from you,” cackled the voice. “Everything and everyone you care about will slowly disappear, until you’ll have no one and nothing left to live for. Then you will lead a lonely life, devoid of all happiness, your soul slowly ebbing away as all traces of hope leave your withering body…”

“Stop it!” screamed Lune, whose heart was racing. He could feel the monster’s despicable presence, but he could not see it in the deep, dark void. His vision was clouded in shadow, the blackness of his heart’s suffering. Because he could only hear, the voice pounded aggressively upon his ears; the words it spoke imposed themselves upon him with frightening urgency, forcing entry into his soul, to feast away slowly at their quarry like fiendish parasites on an unwilling host.

“Well, well… Who next?” it taunted. “Maybe Élan… Or… I know, Shockwave. Yes, him. That will cause you a lot of pain, yes?”

“Why are you doing this? Go away! Leave me al-” Lune stopped short when his sight abruptly returned to him. He was in the Hidden Valley. The mid-afternoon sun’s warm rays smiled down upon him. Suddenly memories came flooding back to him: Senryu, the empty kingdom, the decision to head back to the Sanctuary for some rest. Apparently he had fallen asleep on the return journey; staying up the whole night had taken its toll.

“So, Lune, remind me why we are doing this again,” he asked of himself.

“You know, it’s not my fault that the Forgotten Kingdom got so quiet,” Lune answered. “We were supposed to visit Sage and Blaze. I guess we came just a little bit too late.”

“Uh huh. Just a little.”

“Thank you for the sarcasm.”

This conversation continued for some time as Lune walked down the meadow trail, following the northbound river downstream. As his voice rose and fell, his glittering amulet flashed with varying shades of intensity. The fire inside flared black or white, depending upon his current mood. Most of the time the flaming sphere remained clouded in shadow, although it glowed noticeably lighter as he passed by a familiar mound, reduced to ashes now.

Evening fell, and then night. Progress was slow, for the Eevee was exhausted. He considered lying in the grass for the night. He could rest in a soft bed of flowers and gaze up into the majestic ebony sky, admiring the softly twinkling stars, showered warmly by gentle, silver moonlight. The thought seemed heavenly, and tempted him greatly; but he remembered his last few minutes of sleep, and decided to go on.

Sighing heavily, the weary traveler dragged himself to the river and slowly began to wash. A deep drink refreshed him; he could feel the cool water flow into his system, stimulating his mind, leaving a cold, tingling sensation as it traveled through his body. His revived senses told him that he should run if he wanted to avoid sleep, so run he did. It was no longer a question of thought; Lune had slept at most three hours in three days. What he did was done upon impulse.

***

“Damn! Lune, you look horrible,” scolded Shockwave. “It’s nearly morning. You look like you haven’t slept in three days.”

“Mmh… Almost.”

“That’s not very sensible,” answered the Pikachu. “Sleep is good, especially for you. You need lots of it.”

“But I don’t want to sleep.”

“Lune. It doesn’t matter whether you want to or not; you are going to get some sleep. When it comes down to it, you’ve got to take my word, because as things stand, you’re wrong, and I’m right. Now go to sleep, okay?”

“Fine… Wake me up as soon as the sun rises. I want to get an early start on some work. I’ve got lots of catching up to do.” Lune curled up quietly. Not long after he closed his eyes, his breathing evened, and he began to rest peacefully for the first time in days.

Watching the exhausted Eevee as he slept, Shockwave silently shook his head. Sometimes he thought that Lune had a death wish.

[mistysakura]

Whoa. Need I say more?

But to make this post less spammy, here goes: I really like how the name of the Forgotten Kingdom, when you look back, seems prophetic. And the voice was to be expected sooner or later, but it's still cool.

Yeah.

[Charizard04621]

Sorry about the delay. Connection's been down for a month and I've been distracted... Not sure when the next chapter will be up. Sorry for the wait...

[Lady Vulpix]

No problem. It's great to have you back!

[Charizard04621]

Sorry for the absurdly long delay. >_<

Chapter 56
Reign of Darkness

“You are questioning my ability to take down this Eevee?” stormed the shadow. “It is you two who have failed when the task was simple. You call yourselves true evil? True evil is not distracted by idiocy or greed. True evil does not make mistakes. You had the opportunity to destroy your target when he was weak, and you released him because you wanted to get rid of two other pathetic creatures at the same time.”

Darkness fell upon the room. Those inside might have heard a faint, helpless whimper that faded into the black void before the lights returned. Where once stood a strong bodyguard now lay crumpled on the floor an empty, smoking shell of a body drained of all life. It seemed as if it had melted into itself with a steaming hiss.

“Let me make this clear,” the wraith pronounced icily. “When you are on my terrain, you will question nothing I do. Remind yourself that our families are not related by blood, Karkas the Second, only ancient friendship. That friendship is over now. I will not hesitate to destroy you, should I feel like it.”

The Alakazam nodded timidly. “I… I… Thank you for your help,” he stumbled.

“I am not helping you,” snapped the voice. “I am merely fulfilling an old, unfortunate pledge.” Old fool, he thought, you were too generous for your own good. You would have brought this bloodline to ruin. That is why I killed you. It was nothing personal, father. Your death was swift and painless. No shame.

“I have one question,” said Ytos, breaking the tense silence. “If your Dark type Hidden Power is that strong, why don’t you just kill the Eevee and be done with it?”

The shadow’s eyes flashed. You are fortunate, foolish Seviper, he thought bitterly. You are fortunate that this idiot of an Alakazam treats you as a brother. It is a pity that my father swore that my bloodline would protect this family… Otherwise the both of you would have been dead the moment you came to my home to bother me. You test my patience. “Do you pay attention to nothing?” hissed the shade. “It is not a question of whether or not I can kill this Eevee. It is a question of whether or not I can do it right. In case you haven’t noticed, he has a lot of friends. Powerful friends.” And those two Silver Havens offspring can resist my darkness if they tried. Especially the psychic. He sighed.

“I will explain this one more time. Ask me again and I will turn you into mush. I have already initiated the plan, and so far it is working. The sleeping Dragonair that you killed was the first step. Slowly, one by one, the goal is to separate the Eevee from his more powerful friends. Once he is alone, you can finish him, if he hasn’t collapsed into himself by then already. Do you understand?”

Karkas nodded quickly. “An excellent plan… Yes…”

“Good, your tiny little brains managed to register my words. Now leave.”

Ytos stared blankly. “But…”

“The promise has been fulfilled. You asked for a plan. I gave you a plan to work with. I will do nothing more. I am not interested in your petty desire for revenge against this Eevee. Now leave before I suck the life out of both your bodies. Your very presence annoys me.”

***

Winter had come and gone, but cold, empty dread had not left Lune’s heart. His days were back to normal now; no more voices plagued his dreams; but still he remained wary, half expecting everything he cared about to vanish right before his eyes.

“You’re still bothered about that one nightmare, aren’t you?” Shockwave asked. Lune nodded. “Silly Eevee, preoccupying yourself with things like that. You really should learn to relax. It’s healthier.”

Lune groaned. “It’s easy for you, but impossible for me,” he said. “I was born like this. It’s not my fault.”

“Uh huh. You can say what you want, but deep inside, you have a nagging feeling that I’m right, because I am.”

“Er… okay. I’ll talk to you later.” Lune plunged into the river, crashed through the waterfall, and left the Sanctuary to finish the day’s work.

***

“Hi, Lune!” greeted Ana. “How are you doing?”

Lune smiled wearily. “Good,” he lied. “You?”

“Me too.”

Lately, Lune had been talking to Ana more often. Every time he walked past her day house (this was in the Sacred Kingdom, but her permanent residence was in the Sparkling Forest, as she was a Guardian there), the Meowth would greet him in a friendly manner, and Lune would stop for a few minutes to chat. It helped take his mind of the work-filled day to come. Today the subject was Ana’s flowers.

“I planted them last spring, and now they’ve all come out,” she said happily. “What do you think?”

“Your garden is a sea of rainbows. It’s nice,” Lune told her.

“Thanks. Sorry if I’m being a pain, but I was just so excited that they’re all blooming. I’m feeling pretty good today for some reason.”

Lune smiled to himself. Ana was always “feeling pretty good today for some reason”. It felt good to know that someone was. “You’re never a pain,” he answered. “I’m in no hurry to go to work. There’s plenty of time. I think your flowers look great in your garden. Thanks for showing me.”

***

Lune was annoyed. He had received three requests for Announcer paychecks within an hour. Lune was not the Head of the Announcers; Naien was, and she was supposed to pay them. Pokémon had also come to Lune with questions about their special abilities, although he had retired as an Adviser for some time now. He wondered why pokémon couldn’t just pay more attention to things. On the other hand, he still took care of whatever Haldir and Shockwave didn’t, so he only had himself to blame. Then came specific questions about Guardian-organized tournaments, what the Guardians planned to do about something or other, and more questions that Lune could not answer because he was not a Guardian. He grew tired and even irritable about explaining repeatedly to many different pokémon that he was not a Guardian of the Sacred Kingdom, and never had been.

What puzzled Lune was why pokémon always came to him for help anyway, even after he told them that he was not really a Guardian, or whatever it was that they thought him to be. It occurred to him that this was because currently he did his job as well as some of Naien’s and Yoruno’s. Naien was the Head of the Announcers. Naien and Yoruno were the Heads of the Advisers. They were also the two Guardians of the Sacred Kingdom. Yet nowadays pokémon rarely saw them come out of their palace.

Lune decided that he would do two things before he went to bed that day. Firstly, he would talk to Lady Naien about duty. Then, because he was urged by his conscience not to be a hypocrite, he would apply to become an Adviser again.

[mistysakura]

Yay, new chapter! A bit fillerish, but that's okay. I like where Lune complains of the Pokemon asking him for advice; shows that he's still respected, although no longer an advisor. Showing Lune, sitll bothered by the nightmare, was good too, reminding us of the darker side of Lune's thoughts.
Good stuff.

[Charizard04621]

God, I need to do this more often...

Chapter 57

Duty

What really aggravated Lune was that Naien used to do her work fine. Now that she didn't, however, Lune could not understand why he would be denied the power to help. He worked for Naien and Yoruno, covering up for them several times, and yet they saw it fit to exclude him. Their excuse? That Lune was already a Guardian of another State. It was not uncommon for a pokémon to be made Guardian of more than one State.

Lune's mind skipped back to what he had talked to Élan about earlier. Why else would Naien and Yoruno refuse assistance? Wasn't it reasonable to conclude that they wanted the kingdom to themselves?

As Lune had expected, Naien was in the palace. She was surprised to see him and welcomed him warmly, but when she saw his face, her expression changed.

"Is there something you want?"� she asked.

"Actually... yes. I'd like to apply to be an Adviser again, whenever another test comes up. I've noticed that a lot of work isn't being done."� He searched Naien's face for a light of understanding, but if she noticed his hint, she showed no sign.

"I'll see what I can do. Yoruno and I have been planning an Adviser test. I'll tell you when we're going to start taking applications."

"Good,"� Lune responded. "I'll make sure to be there."� He turned his back to look out of a glass panel and sighed. "So much work... For what cause?"

"Welcome to life."�

Lune started, as if to say something, but then he thought better of it. The momentary flash of anger vanished from his face. "I guess so,"� he said. "You know what bothers me most?"� Naien did not answer. "Pokémon expect too much of me," continued the Eevee. "They've gotten used to me doing so much for them that they have forgotten to appreciate my work. I wish I wasn't born wanting to help others. Now I'm taken for granted."

"I appreciate your work."

I'm sure you do, thought Lune bitterly. Because then you don't have to do it. "I'm tired of being taken for granted. I have feelings. I'm not around just to get the job done for someone else. Or maybe I am. That's what I end up doing, anyway."� He could not keep the sting out of his tone.

"Well, I'm sorry,"� answered the Houndoom, somewhat sympathetically. "Life's like that. You win some, you lose some."

At that point, Lune exploded. "Enough with your stupid talk about life!"� he stormed. "You think I'm sheltered? You think I'm naïve? I've been living life too! You've missed the point! You've missed every attempt at subtlety I've given you! I have to be direct now; you've left me no choice. Your job, Naien, your job! Who's doing your job? I am! I am doing your work for you! Do I hear thanks from you? No. All I get is your talk about how life sucks and I have to deal with it."� Lune stopped to breathe. "You know what?"� He spat. "Forget this. I'm sick of you, sick of Yoruno, sick of both your attitudes towards me. I hate you. You hear me? I HATE YOU!" Lune slammed his paw into the window, completely shattering the glass. He allowed the shards to fall around him, indifferent. Blood had begun to flow freely out of his clenched paw. He stared blindly at it, seeing nothing else. Naien watched in silence. Closing his eyes, Lune forced himself to inhale and exhale deeply, until finally his breathing became less frantic. "I'm sorry," he said, without turning around. "I don't hate you."

"Yeah, I figured I just needed to give you some time to cool off."

"Look, I can't be any more direct than this."� At that point, Lune turned around to face her. "All these things I've been saying... I've been trying to hint at something else."� Lune sighed. Asking for a Guardianship was almost a guarantee not to get one, but he saw no other way. I've sacrificed a lot for the both of you. I've covered up for you and now my name is tarnished. I've done your share of work and now I am tired. I am not happy with the fact that you are denying me the right to be a Guardian in this place simply because I am a Guardian of the Forgotten Kingdom, too. You should know better than that. Saying 'Your help is nice, but we would like to give someone new a chance,' does not cut it. I know you both have more to do than you can handle. Yoruno has told me that you are working on several secret projects that he would not reveal. I see no sense in preventing me from helping you to the fullest of my ability. Handicapped like this I cannot do all that I am capable of doing."� Lune wanted to add, What are you so afraid of? but he did not. The Eevee nodded. "That is all that I have to say. I know that I'll probably never be a Guardian here now, but I thought it best for you to know what was on my mind." He turned to leave. "By the way, if the palace needs a new glass panel, I can help to put it in place. I didn't mean to break it."

***

"Did I not tell you never to come back again?"� The wraith's voice was icy.

"We have something that might be of interest to you,"� explained Ytos.

"Oh?"� he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes,"� answered Karkas excitedly. "I managed to extract his picture from one of my old camera files... He activated his mini projector, and the image of a beaten adolescent Eevee appeared. His fur was a dirty gold; his tuft, thinned of hair and slightly ruffled. On his ear sparkled an earring, and around his neck an amulet hung. In the very center of the golden amulet piece was set a crystal sphere, in which fires light and dark burned, eternal unending flames. "He is of Silver Havens blood, Blackblade,"� Karkas claimed.

"Silence! I have told you never to mention my name. And do not lie to me, fool. This Eevee is not Silver Havens born; I can see it in his eyes. Silver Havens pokémon are not weary and desperate. They are a hardy kind. This one is already struggling within himself, even if he does not yet realize it."� He flashed a look of scorn. "But I recognize his artifact, and it is indeed from the Silver Havens."� His mouth twisted into a crooked smile. "I like collecting the heirlooms of the ones I kill. It is too bad his wife got away with the amulet and hid it well; but now it is found." He looked sharply at Karkas and Ytos, who could not meet his gaze. "Do not think I will help you on your foolish quest for revenge. You are not welcome here. Because you have revealed to me the location of the amulet, you are spared... for now. If you return to the Shadowlands, however, I will not be so generous."� I do not need Silver Havens scum treading on my territory, he thought. The legends are deceptive; there were two First States. And to this day, but to a few, they both remain hidden.

[Lady Vulpix]

Hmm! Interesting! I don't mind waiting for new chapters if they're all this good.
But I must admit I'm intrigued about what will happen next.

[mistysakura]

This just proves you don't need 11-page chapters to make something captivating. Lune's emotions were expressed really well... And this Blackblade's intriguing. Someone Karkas answers to? Whoa.

[Charizard04621]

I think I'm making up for all those times where I posted only one chapter a month... ^_^;;

Chapter 58

Moderates at Heart

"Well, I've gone and done it, Élan,"� Lune sighed. "I couldn't take it anymore and I told Naien exactly how I felt."

"So we have to resort to other means." The Sneasel stared out of the cave at the sparkling lake outside. The evening sun was sinking into its depths. "At least you tried."

"Yes, but failed. Now... We can't make this right the moderate way. The way I would prefer. I guess we'll have to do it your way, Élan. I admit I am not radical."

"Nor I,"� Élan corrected. "I just may seem that way because I try to stand out. To be noticed, you know."

"Yeah. You're right. I sometimes do that too."

"See, Lune? We're both moderates at heart. Maybe just not in practice. Yet."

Lune nodded grimly. Élan, I don't want to do this... But if we must... Is there no other way? Can't we wait until we get a less... revolutionary plan?"

"I'm not worried about Naien, but Yoruno won't budge. I know him. That Umbreon controls Naien. He does it to everyone that he's around."

"He's overbearing... It would make sense. Then... could we at least wait until we've garnered sufficient support? This job is too much to pull off alone. We can't do it with just the two of us."

"Yes, we'll wait. We're good, but not that good. We won't have problems bringing down Yoruno together. Heck, I would have beaten him myself in our first battle, if I didn't have a bad Announcer. It's the reaction I'm worried about. If we do it too soon, everyone will think we're a couple of lunatics and they'll lock us up together in an insane asylum."

Lune chuckled uneasily. "Maybe we are, Élan. Maybe we are."

"Maybe."� The Sneasel grinned. "Well, I'd better start cooking. Join me for dinner?"

"Nah,"� Lune said regretfully. "I mean, I love your cooking, but... I'm gonna go check if I forgot to do something. I have this nagging feeling...

Élan laughed. "You go do that, then."

***

Lune was bewildered. He had finished up his daily chores, then decided to take a rare break in the central square. This time of night, with the stars twinkling softly overhead, bright balls of fire burning far away in distant ends of the heavens, the square was usually quiet. Except today it was not.

For the third time in two minutes, as Lune walked towards the square to see what the commotion was about, someone he had never seen in his life walked up to congratulate him. What am I being congratulated for? he asked himself. There was only one solution that presented itself... and it was impossible. The Eevee shook his head and kept on walking.

Lune could not believe his eyes. The answer lay clearly suspended before him, but he remained doubtful. Hanging directly overhead was a black banner lettered in gold. It read: CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW GUARDIANS, LUNE AND ÉLAN.

"Well, well, well,"� said a familiar voice.

Lune turned around. Standing behind him was Élan. "I really didn't expect this."

"Me neither."

"Naien isn't so bad after all, if she convinced Yoruno to let us both in."

"Nope."

"Congrats, Lune, again."� The Quilava grinned. "You too, Élan. I'm sure you'll do a fine job."

"Blaze! Long time no see."

"Yup. I decided I would check this place out for a bit, since you're always here. There's gotta be something good about this place that makes you stay."

"Cool."

"Well, see ya around."

"See ya."

At that moment, the two Guardians found themselves surrounded by pokémon who wanted to congratulate them. To Lune's dismay, he saw Elbuort, Pukcus, and Ebannaw. The three pokémon on the top of his 'annoying'� list were all in the same place, and that place was right in front of him.

"Yeah, congrats, Lune,"� said the smelly Mankey. "I know I'm leaving someone out, and it's not on accident."

"Yup, you deserved it,"� added Pukcus, making it an obvious gesture not to acknowledge Élan. Ebannaw said nothing, refusing to talk to either of the new Guardians. Several others gave Élan the same treatment, ignoring him completely and only talking to Lune.

Only Luktam gave congratulations to Élan. He commented, "Lune was bound to happen sooner or later. I knew he would rise eventually. I don't like it, but it's inevitable."

When the crowd went away, Lune looked after them with distaste. "Whatever they say, Élan, we made it."� That bird's tongue is more poisonous than the fangs of a Seviper, thought the Eevee angrily.

A pink fluff balloon resembling a creampuff bounced onto the scene. "What is this?" asked the Jigglypuff, indignantly. "I think some pokémon need a little more maturity. It's not nice to single out others just because of jealousy." For the first time, Lune found himself listening with interest to what Gohyrolg had to say. "I mean, come on, guys. You're not being fair,"� he reprimanded the crowd. Gohyrolg walked over to Lune and Élan, and looked them both in the eyes. "Congratulations to the both of you," he said. "You both deserved this." Then he bounced away.

Lune was dumbfounded. "Wow, Gohyrolg isn't so bad after all,"� he said. "I learned something new today."� He turned to Élan. "So, it pays off to be moderates at heart, huh, Élan?"

The Sneasel smirked. "Yes. Yes it does."

[mistysakura]

Cool, new chapter. I snese something bad behind Lune and Elan's guardianship. I jsut think they got it too easily, and there must be something behind that. Gohyrolg's kindness and sensibility was surprising, but maybe not that surprising since he's such an attention seeker. The other's reactions were predictable, but added a nice thouch in reminding us that not everyone supports Elan and Lune.

Good chapter, and I just know something is going on...

[Charizard04621]

Oh my god! My chapters! The UBB code! Unicode settings don't work! Oh my god DIE!

...Anyway, I'm apologizing for the delay. I'm at writing camp. ^_^; I haven't really had time to set up another chapter though I'm hoping to get it done soon. Right now my focus is on my stories for my portfolio, though. We're getting graded on these things...

[EDIT]: Wait, nvm. I just have to set it to unicode every time I change or refresh the page. *sigh* Well, at least it works. Hehe.

[Charizard04621]

For some reason my computer died. Now I'm able to post again. Yay! Sorry about all these problems.

Chapter 59
The Price they Pay

“I know that you are the Head of Monetary Affairs, Yoruno, but I still must question your decision to raise the prices that high on everything.” Lune frowned, considering the consequences. He wondered why Naien had made no objections.

“The Treasury is running out of funds.”

“Yes, I know that. I am not disputing the need for taxes. They must be introduced, or eventually everyone here will starve.” Lune shuddered. “I propose leaving food prices alone and only requiring taxes on luxury items. We can explain why we’ve done it, and they can’t complain much if we’ve left the things they need easily affordable.”

“If we make one exception, there will be demands for more.”

“We’ll stand firm. We can deal with that later.”

“Why are you making this proposal in the absence of the other Guardians?”

Because when I talk to them they don’t assume that I’m wrong the moment I open my mouth to speak, Lune thought. He had learned the hard way that Yoruno had not changed one bit. There was something about Lune that urged the Umbreon to deign to him. Why Naien and before her that disgusting Ryu would gain Yoruno’s respect, while Lune couldn’t no matter how hard he tried, was truly a mystery. Am I at fault? Why did I use to worship you? he wondered, sighing. “I ask you because you are the Head of Monetary Affairs, and if you don’t like the idea to begin with they will have wasted their time listening to it.”

“We’ll see what the others think.”

***

“No, please don’t call me Lord Lune,” said the Eevee absentmindedly. He had been insisting for a week now, first with Ana, who had congratulated him privately, and then with many others as he met them. They were so used to calling Yoruno and Naien by their titles that they couldn’t help but add one to Lune’s name now, too. They were getting better, though. Still, Lune felt uncomfortable when that excess title slipped out of someone’s mouth; he had also declined his right to live in the Guardians’ Palace. Such fancy treatment… he didn’t want any.

Blaze chuckled and slapped Lune on the back. “I was just kidding,” he said with a smirk. “I know that makes you feel weird. That’s why I say it.”

“Thanks. Thanks a lot.”

“Aww, no need to be like that. Anyway, did you hear about the new taxes on some of the fruits? It’s outrageous. I like Chesto Berries.”

Lune’s mind exploded. Yoruno had gone ahead and done it anyway… He grimaced, trying hard to maintain his composure. Ah, what the heck, Blaze is trustworthy, who cares if I tell him, he thought dismissively. “I had an argument with Yoruno about that,” he said. “I strongly suggested that he leave food prices alone. But he’s the Head of Monetary Affairs, whatever.”

Blaze nodded. “So it’s like that, huh? Oh well, good luck anyway. I’m going to run and see if there’s any way I can get a discount on those Chesto Berries. I mean, really!” He left with a huff.

Lune sighed heavily. Not paying attention, he began to wander wherever his feet took him, lost in his thoughts. He remembered when he learned that Naien was the one who had recommended Élan, Yoruno being the main force behind the lack of Guardians in the first place. He was repeating that idiot Ryu’s words, Naien had told Lune earlier, except she hadn’t used the word idiot; that fool was her friend. Naien speculated that Yoruno was just tired and didn’t care anymore. “No good will come of this,” he muttered. “No good at all.”

[Charizard04621]

Chapter 60
Rebellion

It did not take long for Pukcus to learn the news and spread commotion everywhere. Acting like Lune was holy and a defender of the common good in a struggle against evil dictators. In a way Lune’s new Guardianship was a struggle – a fight for respect just as his attempts to gain the Guardianship were – but he saw it as no business of Pukcus’s and did not appreciate the sudden publicity, especially at the expense of his fellow Guardians.

Yoruno’s attitude might have been arrogant, but it was his confidence in his ability rather than a desire to cause harm that fueled his stubbornness; he was oblivious to the fact that his behavior was despicable. And, although Lune knew that the Umbreon’s character had serious flaws, he felt a need to defend Yoruno’s integrity in public. Naien, also, was under attack, accused for not doing her job, an offense that Lune could not deny. Then Élan was rumored to have gotten his position from brown-nosing Yoruno. That lie infuriated Lune most of all; who was Pukcus to say all those things? It only hurt Lune more that he himself was portrayed as an angel, for his crime was the greatest of all. I took two souls, he thought. Why can they see nothing but good in me?

Today there was an immense and very loud gathering at the central square. A third of the entire kingdom crowded there, arguing and shrieking about Ho-oh knew what. Lune felt a violent urge to put that intolerable Murkrow to a painful death filled with intense suffering. There was absolutely no purpose for demagogues in the world. All they did with their jealousy was create confusion, cause bloodshed, and try to usurp power. Lune wished that it could all end.

Unfortunately, it was not that simple. To secure the banishment from a State of anyone in this world, support had to be granted by the Head of the Council. And, sadly, Pig the Pichu preferred to issue or withdraw banishments by whim rather than logic. Lune had managed, after a long, grueling battle with the Head of the Council (the likes of which, described in full, would bore or frustrate anyone to death), to have Pukcus banished, only to find that by the end of three days, the pest was back again. It had something to do with an early birthday present from Pig to Ebannaw. Six months early.

“Ah, there you are, I was looking for you!” croaked the Murkrow loudly into Lune’s ear.

Breathe, Lune, breathe. Guardians don’t get away with murder. At least, the ones unfamiliar with Pig don’t. You’ve got a battle to fight, and you don’t want to lose it to foolish anger. “You were looking for me?” the Eevee asked in a strained voice. “May I help you with something?”

“I’d like your honest opinion of this protest here, as in, how did I do? I’m sure Yoruno will come shut it down pretty soon, or maybe he’d get Élan or Naien to do it for him if he’s lazy to do the dirty work. Like he got me banished last time, you know? But Pig understood, she let me come back. I bet they’ll try to get rid of me again, but that’s all right. I don’t mind sacrificing myself standing up for what I believe in. You’re the only decent Guardian of this State, and I just want to tell you that you’re not alone in this fight!”

What fight? What the heck do you want from me? And how dare you insult Élan like that? “That’s it, you’ve crossed the line.” Lune growled fiercely. “You think you can suck up to me, I keep quiet. You cause almost every day of my life to be filled with anxiety and displeasure, I tolerate it. You ruin any vacation time I might even dream of taking, I am patient. You evade banishment from my State because you are popular with the Head of the Council, I still wait. But insulting my friends, who have every shred of honor and integrity that you do not, that is not acceptable. You think I don’t realize that you just want something from me? You think that I have such little respect of myself that I’ll be blinded by your insincere unctuousness? THINK AGAIN! If that’s even possible with your nonexistent brains!” The crowd was silent now, all eyeing the fuming Eevee and waiting in suspense for him to go on. Some approved, others showed no emotion, and a certain few, or one, to whom Pukcus was endeared (Ebannaw) openly disagreed. “Enough with subtlety and weak warnings. You know who applied for your banishment the first time? I DID! It was a well-deserved punishment long overdue! Have you ever considered for one moment that the Guardians might dislike you, not because you disagree with them, but because of your continuous harassment, your idiocy, and your overall infuriating personality? No, you’re Pukcus, you must be perfect! A martyr! Oh, look, you’re so special now, a hero! Well, I’ll give you some advice, you poor excuse for a pokémon, if you want to be liked by anyone with a scrap of intelligence, you’ve got to do things for someone other than yourself. And if you want to be helpful now, I suggest you leave this place and never stick your oversized beak in our business again. Heck, scratch that; I don’t care what Pig says, you are leaving here now. On command, not suggestion. You have caused too much pain to the residents here, and you’ve fouled up these sacred grounds long enough. You’re banished, Pukcus, you hear me?” He stopped to stare the Murkrow directly in the eyes, and his voice faded into an ominous whisper. The amulet around his neck flashed and a dark cloud seemed to settle upon Pukcus’s chest. “If you come back here, I will make sure that you wish you hadn’t, and that is a threat.”

The victim of Lune’s vituperation stepped back in shock. This reaction had been completely unexpected. If he had more common sense Pukcus would have left in silence, but it was not like a Savage Wilderness pokémon to understand limits. “Well, to think I saw good in you,” the Murkrow answered. “I obviously misjudged you.” He snorted in disgust. “Well, I’ll be seeing you. Not really, actually, since now I’m banished and all, but at least I’ve been put down while fighting for a good cause.” Pukcus was lucky that he left before Lune lost all possible traces of self-control.

[Lady Vulpix]

Wow! At first I thought Puckus was getting what he deserved, but I'm not too sure about how this reaction will affect Lune. Well... We'll have to wait and see. Thanks for keeping this up.

[Charizard04621]

Ugh, please excuse the delay. I wrote a chapter, then decided that I wanted to put a different one before it... in effect making me write two chapters in order to post one.

Chapter 61

Injustice Rampant

“No, that is ridiculous,” growled Lune. He stared hatefully at Pig’s irritating face. “He’s only been away for a month. Those Savage Wilderness fools have been lurking around in my State, shirking their responsibilities, for far longer. Why are you singling out Élan?”

“I don’t appoint Guardians for them to be inactive.”

“Then why do you allow those parasites to roam around freely?”

“The Savage Wilderness basically runs itself. They don’t need to be there all the time. Anyway, I head Élan hasn’t been taking care of the Treasury.”

“Oh, I understand. Ebannaw can be absent for two years when she is Head of the Treasury, and Élan can’t even have a break for being gone for a month, is that it? I see so clearly now.”

The Pichu ignored him.

Blood boiled inside, but Lune restrained himself. He knew that he was helpless. As long as idiots held power, they would have a horde of idiots to follow under their rule. Politics was hell; the world, an immense breeding ground for wrong and corruption. Everywhere incompetence spread like an incessant swarm of mosquitoes or an infectious disease. The masses acted as one with a single mind divided over all. Intelligence suffered great diminishment.

“I hope one day you encounter someone as aggravating as yourself,” said Lune to the Head of the Council, and left.

***

“What is he doing here?” Lune asked softly with narrowed eyes. “He has been following me everywhere since I denied him a promotion.” The Eevee glared in the Mankey’s general direction, resenting his very presence. He wished that Elbuort would suddenly acquire a severe brain tumor and die… although that would require the presence of a brain. Some other way, perhaps.

“Can we start the battle?” asked Vanguard. “Normally I would wait, but I have an appointment today at the general stadium.”

“You have to supervise a battle? All right, then, let’s make this as quick as possible. Begin!”

The Medicham drew out his enchanted sword, and as his opponent spanned the grass field with multiple airborne copies, Vanguard sliced horizontally across the space before him. Arcs of energy tore through the mirror images in an instant, and the Fearow’s chest began to bleed.

“Whoa! That’s not fair!” Elbuort squealed, jumping up and down like a monkey with worms (which he probably was, and worse). “Is that the deal you made with Vanguard? Huh? You two must cheat to win?”

“Everyone’s special ability is legitimate in battle,” hissed Lune, his patience wearing thin. Elbuort’s accusations made no sense whatsoever. Lune could only guess as to where they came from. Lately, as he and Vanguard started talking more often, they discovered that they both liked each other’s styles. Neither trusted the Announcers who usually had sympathy towards the underdog and could make some balancing calls. Each was used to winning quickly and effortlessly, and disliked any bias towards the losing battler, because it got in the way. They had mutually agreed to supervise each other’s battles, and since then their victories came unhindered by unfair sympathy. Some pokémon won simply because they were good. Lune knew that Elbuort failed to see that; or perhaps the Mankey was simply jealous of their capability. Lune wouldn’t doubt either explanation.

“Continue the battle,” Lune signaled, ignoring the Mankey’s loud and annoying remarks. Within a few moments, the Fearow gave in and crawled away to recover from his miserable defeat with injured wings.

“I’m onto you, Lune,” cried Elbuort. “Don’t you dare believe that just because you’re a Guardian, and the Head Announcer, you can get away with cheating! I’m sorry to break it to you, but that’s not allowed, it’s dishonorable!”

You are not sorry, you enjoy plaguing my life, and you had better stop trying to give me lessons on integrity before I decide to eat you alive, Lune thought, fuming.

Vanguard shook his head. “Ignore him, he’s an idiot. Not worth your energy.”

“Elbuort, stop hiding behind your excessively active mouth and battle me, coward!”

“Nope, no thanks,” the Mankey said, grinning. “I’m not battling you when Vanguard is Announcing, you can’t lose that way. Ebannaw would be fair for both of us.”

You are going to die, fool… Lune sprang, only to be caught mid-air by Vanguard’s telekinesis.

“There are subtler ways to do things that are more rewarding in the end,” he said as he lowered the Eevee to the ground. And he was right.

***

Lune stood waiting outside Haldir’s door; he had already knocked three times. Lately, the Scizor had managed to skip his Announcer duties multiple times, and as much as Lune disliked doing it, he would have to inform Haldir of his demotion.

Finally, the door opened to reveal a Scizor who, although closely resembling Haldir, definitely wasn’t him. “Is Haldir here?” Lune asked.

“Haldir? Um… Oh, you must mean Zorr. Let me go get him.”

“Who is Zorr?”

At that moment, Haldir appeared in the doorway. “Uh… Lune, I’ve got something to tell you. Come inside.”

“What is going on?” Lune asked, as the Scizor led him to a couch.

“My name is Zorr,” he said. “This is my brother Scid.”

“So you were not born in the Silver Havens.”

“Nope. I was born in the Common Plains.”

“Where did that sword come from?”

Zorr answered matter-of-factly. “My grandmother came from the Silver Havens. She had my father in the Common Plains, and before she died, she passed it on to him. He never said whom he wanted to give the sword to before he passed away. Since I am the eldest, I naturally assumed that it was mine.”

“Give me a moment to digest this information.”

“You aren’t mad at me? I’m sorry, I don’t know why I lied. I had the sword, and other pokémon assumed I came from the Silver Havens, so I guess I just went along with it. Forgive me?”

“No one in the world would survive without second chances.” At that moment Lune was struck by a sense of déjà vu, a slight tingle in the spine as a word on the tip of a tongue, infinitely close but unplaceable. Then it was gone…

[Lady Vulpix]

Oh! What a twist! So Bill/Haldir/Zorr has 3 names now?
It was nice to see a (part of a) battle again. I was starting to miss that aspect of this fic. And I think you're showing a good portrait of how disgusting and frustrating politics are. Now I have one question... Where's Shockwave?

[Charizard04621]

Second chapter posted today... And Gabi, this'll answer your question. By the way, how many readers do I have? :/

Chapter 62

Farewells

You never said that you’d be gone, or for how long. You never told me why you were going away. I tried to reach you but you wouldn’t respond. I don’t even know if you’re alive.

Shockwave had been away for three months. Spring passed by, giving way to blazing summer heat. The dense humidity weighed down so heavily upon Lune that he thought he might choke. With Shockwave gone and the kingdom falling to pieces, Lune had had about more than he could bear.

“We always want what we can’t have,” he said to himself. “Lune, when you weren’t Guardian of this hellhole you felt angry and unappreciated. Now that you are, all you hope for is a moment of peace and a way out. Shockwave’s gone, and Élan is idle, and only now do you miss them both. It would have been better if the Forgotten Kingdom remained your domain forever.”

Élan had been removed from his Guardianship position, because like Naien, he seemed to fade into nonexistence once he was recognized as a leader. And Yoruno was someone whom, although respected, was thoroughly despised. Lune felt alone, and Shockwave’s absence only worsened his pain.

For the past three months, no sign of Pukcus bothered Lune, which was a relief, but he found out quickly that there was an even more awful pestilence. Elbuort, a Guardian of the Savage Wilderness, strangely enough never got fired for continual harassment and bad attitude. Then again, his State was the Savage Wilderness… There really was not much to choose from.

Apparently the rules of fair play only applied to the Sacred Kingdom, because if any of its Guardians slipped, Pig hovered over them like a vulture. Whereas, Lune realized bitterly, that horrible Mankey had never gotten off his back since he became Guardian of the Sacred Kingdom… and nothing had been done about it. It’s not fair, why can’t he get a disease that makes his mouth fall off or something? That would be awesome.

“You’re busy?”

“Huh?” The Eevee jumped, startled. “Oh, Vanguard. I didn’t see you there. No, I’m not really busy. Why do you ask?”

“You seemed lost in thought.”

“Yeah, just thinking of things that could happen to Elbuort that would make my life a whole lot easier. I promoted you for hard work and demoted him for being idle, and suddenly he’s the biggest headache in my entire Announcer career. Yes, I’m so sure doing my job is abusing my power as a Guardian, because he couldn’t possibly have not deserved a high position, could he? He’s Elbuort, so of course, automatically he’s the best thing in the world and I should give him everything he wants!”

“He’s an idiot, ignore him.”

“Oh, I wish I could! Anyway, enough ranting. You look like you want to tell me something.”

“If this is a bad time, it can wait. The news is not pleasant.”

“As good a time as any. It’s not like I’m excessively happy, anyway. Don’t worry, you won’t ruin a good mood. It currently does not exist.”

“In that case, let me show you something.”

Almost immediately the scenery changed, as Lune allowed Vanguard to send telepathic images to his mind. He stood outside a building in some foreign state that he could not recognize. There were no trees anywhere, just squat shrubs and grass stretching as far as he could see across the flat landscape. A sign outside the building read: Common Plains Bar. So this was the Common Plains, the State from which Pig the Head of the Council came.

A glance inside the plain white building revealed a noisy state of chaos. Pokémon were everywhere, grunting as they bumped into each other, clinking glasses together, spilling their alcohol all over the floor for grumpy waiters to clean. A peal of laughter thundered from an area covered by a dense burnt tobacco cloud.

“You’re kidding, right?” snickered a rotten-toothed Croconaw. “That guy? Badass? Come on, even I could take him one on one!”

Zorr stood nearby, grinning. “Well, I guess. But Fel and Pukcus dared me to nominate him this time, and I didn’t have anyone else.”

“Haha, what a loser,” jeered a Loudred. “He’s got to be the worst one anyone’s ever brought up for challenging!”

And as the scene faded, the portrait of a sadly smiling Eevee with an amulet around his neck became cast in shadow.

Lune growled. “Why was my picture in a bar in the Common Plains? What on earth were they talking about?”

“Apparently every month they nominate someone that they think is a good battler. One of them challenges the nominee. Whoever wins gets to be the next pokémon to make a nomination. That’s the best guess I can make.”

“How did Zorr get his claws on my portrait? Why would he try to humiliate me like that?”

“No idea. He’s Zorr.”

“I have half a mind to go there and challenge them all at once. I’d win easily just with…” As he stopped himself, his amulet seemed to glint with disappointment. “Vanguard, do I really look that pathetic?” he asked, frowning.

“No, not at all. They’re idiots.”

Lune hesitated before thanking the Medicham. “Excuse me, I’m going to settle something with Zorr for the final time.”

“Good luck.”

***

“Zorr, I need to talk to you.”

The red mantis’s face turned pale. “Uh oh, I know what this is about.”
“Oh, do you? Then you’ll kindly explain why you decided to do something so thoroughly insensitive.”

“I don’t know… I was stupid, I guess. I’m sorry.”

“You laughed at me with them. This is not the first time you’ve done something to me. Either you really are not sorry, or you are completely dense and incapable of understanding what feelings are and how not to injure them.”

“Sorry… I took away the picture. It’s just that I was dared to do it. I don’t know what I was doing. I won’t do it again.”

“Of course you won’t. Because from now on, you are on a restraining order. If I see you within fifty feet of me, I will personally remove you from my sight. I’ve given you too many chances; I’m afraid I’ve gone too soft. No more, Zorr. In fact I should probably thank you for betraying my trust so many times. You’ve shown me my major flaw. Kindness makes me weak. From now on, I won’t let anyone get to me. I’m done being nice.” He turned his back on the speechless Scizor, planning never to see or hear from him again.

[Lady Vulpix]

Oh, well. Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better, don't they? It doesn't really answer my question, unless I've missed some hints. But now I know Lune's wondering the same thing.

As for how many readers you have... Your guess is as good as mine. I can never tell who reads what I write either.

[Charizard04621]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAARRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRR

.................................................. .......


Sorry, a little frustrated, please bear with me... I've been falling behind on
my writing gradually, busy with courses and work during the summer, then
constantly malfunctioning computers and internet connections...

Now I have 7 essays due by a November 1 deadline, and I've got to send in
the applications 1 week in advance. *sigh* I hope to pick up on Lune after
the first half of my stuff has been mailed.

Really apologize for the delay.

[Charizard04621]

<--- dead

Chapter 63

Surprises

Gone… Forgotten, like the kingdom he had come from. The Pikachu, Lune knew, was alive. Several times at night, he’d captured glimpses of Shockwave in some unidentifiable land. In the dreams, Lune, the Scared Kingdom, the Forgotten Kingdom – all lay in the past, the shadowed background, the no-longer-important to Shockwave’s mind.

The Eevee stirred from his cold-sweat sleep. Comforting though the soft Sanctuary grass was, he could get no rest. “All right,” he sighed, “If this truly is goodbye…” He reached out to his friend, hoping in his heart that he’d not forgotten how. Lune wasn’t sure that Shockwave could hear him; yet, he began his song:

I took you for granted,
But now you’ve decided
To go away, where destiny calls,
From unexplored and lavish halls
For all that we’ve done together,
I thought you would be here forever,
And I can’t believe what you’ve chosen,
That I’d have to be forgotten,
But it’s true;
I’ll miss you;
And no matter what I try,
However much I cry,
You’re still gone;
You’ve moved on;
Goodbye…

***

Lune watched the Machoke’s movements carefully. He was a lot faster, but if he didn’t pay attention, his opponent might capture him and cause some serious injury. Such a muscular build did not scare the Eevee, but if he failed to escape the Fighting type’s grasp, he would suffer severe consequences.

A battle right now was what Lune really needed. He hadn’t had one in a long time, and it was necessary to work out all his frustrations and anguish. Shockwave hadn’t replied, but Lune thought that he could sense the Pikachu’s presence after he’d said goodbye. It was a feeling of annoyance, of confusion, of emotions that were, by their nature, puzzling. Lune didn’t know what to make of it; he thought it better not to dwell so much upon the subject.

Vanguard, acting as Announcer, stood with a few others to watch the battle. Of course Elbuort had to be there to bother Lune. The obsessive stalker couldn’t let him do anything in peace; no, that was not allowed.

“I thought we were battling. Did I tell you it would be a staring contest by mistake?” Lune grinned aggravatingly at the Machoke. His taunts had an immediate effect; the large pokémon charged towards him.

Too easy, Lune thought, waiting until his opponent came closer before jumping away. The Machoke promptly fell on his chest. What happened to the smart battlers?

In his overconfidence Lune failed to avoid the second phase of his opponent’s attack. The fighter swung his closer leg and landed a direct kick on Lune’s left side.

“Ohh… Bad move,” Lune groaned, rolling across the cement floor to avoid his aggressor’s Body Slam. With a burst of speed, he leapt upon his target’s shoulders and sank his teeth into the back of his victim’s neck. The Machoke roared and tried to grab his attacker with both arms, shuddering as he felt the Eevee inject something into his bloodstream… Successful with throwing Lune into the wall, he had failed to defend himself from something far worse. He would have to defeat the Eevee before the Toxic poison took over his entire body.

Lune had gotten to his feet. His body had several bruises now, and his bones might have suffered, but he had taken the lead. All he needed to do now was wait.

“Hey! Hey!” Elbuort protested. “That’s not fair, is it? Isn’t that too vicious?”

“You’re an idiot,” Vanguard informed the Mankey. “You’re distracting the battlers. If you don’t keep quiet you will be removed from the battlefield.” Vanguard acquainted Elbuort with his sword. Sniffling dejectedly, the Mankey took a seat and began to sulk.

Lune tried his best not to laugh or utter a cheer. He still had a battle to win… Type disadvantage or not, he was obviously the better strategist. It wouldn’t do to lose to an inferior.

The Machoke tried repeatedly to move swiftly and strike, but Lune, who had finally begun to concentrate solely on avoiding him, was too quick. Finally the suffering fighter realized that he could not win by attacking. He needed to last longer; there was only one way out: Rest. The Machoke closed his eyes… and that’s as far as he got. In that moment of weakness Lune had dashed towards him to land the final blow, sending him into unconsciousness.

I love it when they think Rest will solve anything, Lune thought. Even if he’d trapped me with an Encore first and then tried to Rest, he would have left himself open for the remaining time that he needed to stay asleep.

“You easily outclass most of the battlers out there.”

That voice… Lune turned around sharply. “Shockwave?! Where have you been?”

[Charizard04621]

OMFG a new chapter! Holy crap what is the world coming to?

Chapter 64

A Battle Unfought

“Lune, just because I’m away doesn’t mean that I’m not coming back.”

“But… Where’d you go? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I was with a group of pokémon that I’d met recently. They were, you can say, those of the theatric arts. It was a good experience. I managed to visit a lot of places where I got to perform, which isn’t such a bad deal when you think about it.”

“But why so suddenly? I thought… I thought you were–”

“Don’t worry about me, Lune; I can take care of myself. As a matter of fact, I had to leave right away. They told me that if there was any delay, they would go on without me. Of course, that’s no fun, so I opted to follow them immediately.”

“Ah. Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself.” Lune touched the river’s surface with his paw, expelling his reflected image into shivering ripples. He had a vague urge to get annoyed at Shockwave, but he was just glad to see the Pikachu alive. “It’s been hell back here. Even when I hide in the Sanctuary, that idiot Mankey’s face keeps intruding my thoughts.”

Shockwave cocked his head aside. “Elbuort’s been giving you trouble?”

“Yes,” seethed the Eevee. He felt a wild rage simmering to the surface, ready to erupt like a primed volcano. He’d been feeling that a lot lately; his amulet burned mostly with black flame. Lune breathed deeply and willed himself to calm down. Why am I becoming like this? he thought. Whatever happened to the Lune that lived to have fun?

“I don’t understand.” He shook his head. “I only want to do what is right. Naien keeps to herself in that palace, Pig stripped Élan of his Guardian powers, and Yoruno has vanished off the face of the earth. I’m doing my best to hold this kingdom together, and suddenly I find that Elbuort’s new hobby is to feed his long-lasting grudge against me (as if he needs feeding) by following me everywhere I go to criticize whatever I do. If I so much as pick up a piece of fruit for myself, I bet he’ll question my morality and begin ranting about pokémon in remote areas of the world who don’t have enough to eat! Although,” Lune continued, snarling, “He seems to feed himself quite generously. The fat bastard has gained a considerable amount of weight idling here in my kingdom.” What annoyed Lune the most was the fact that Pig didn’t care about Elbuort’s many-year absence from his own State now, while Élan, gone for far less than half the time, received such swift and unjust retribution. There had to be a double standard for Savage Wilderness Guardians. Perhaps they really were performing their duty by growing fat off other States, harassing those with good intentions, and leeching power from brainless Heads of the Council that shouldn’t even be trusted with managing the hair on their own bodies. Stupid pokémon in high places; that’s life, I guess.

Cold river water awakened Lune from his bitter reverie. “You’ve got to lighten up. Take it easy, ya know?” Shockwave winked; then his expression changed. “Seriously, though, don’t let them get to you. Don’t waste your time.”

Lune sighed, wiping away the last drop of water from his face. “I guess you’re right.”

“That’s right. Because, you know, I always am.” He smirked.

Something about the Pikachu’s tone brought a smile to Lune’s face. “I’d suggest we tag team Naien and Yoruno, but I haven’t seen either of them for a week. Want to challenge Ebannaw and Elbuort?”

The Pikachu snickered, raising an eyebrow. “Challenge? Pave the ground with, more likely.”

“Hahaha… Race you through the waterfall!”

“Lune, you should know better. The Pikachu always wins.”

“We’ll see about that.”

From above, one would witness a quaint sight: a flash of yellow followed by one of gold, and somewhere in between, the glow of white in the midst of a subdued blackness.

***

“What did I tell you? The Pikachu always wins.”

“Okay, fine,” Lune panted. “I guess I’m out of practice.”

“No, you’re just one of the unlucky fools that aren’t me.” He flashed a cheeky grin.

Rolling his eyes, Lune headed west, towards the setting sun. “Unless you want to wait till morning, we’d better stop arguing so we can battle them faster.”

“What’s wrong with a battle by nightfall? Afraid of the dark?” Shockwave teased.

“No,” corrected the Eevee, “But our opponents might be.”

“Okay.”

The path glowed red under the western sky. Up above, golden threads weaved themselves among pinkish hues. Shreds of color hidden behind pale cottony wisps gave the clouds a peaceful sheen. Lune’s heart filled with emotion: a sense of tranquility coupled with violent adrenaline rushes. An odd combination, surely, but he enjoyed the feeling. This battle would be good for him.

“You know,” Lune began,” I just realized that those two are going to have some pitiful synergy compared to ours.”

“The thought just occurred to you?” Shockwave asked, incredulous.

“Yeah, it should’ve come sooner.”

“No kidding.”

Elbuort had a history of advancing to females using pathetic sob stories, which made him all the more undesirable. Ebannaw once consented to him when he threatened suicide, and when she switched to Pukcus later he put on his heartbroken face for a good two days. Naien had to suffer similar confessions of love, but she handled herself fine. Lune chuckled as he recalled Naien’s summary: ‘How should I kill myself? Poison, drowning, cutting…’ ‘I recommend jumping into a volcano. It’ll be very painful.’ Two conclusions could be drawn from Elbuort’s behavior: firstly, being male was a good thing; and since Ebannaw hated easily, it didn’t take much for her to hate Elbuort. Ah, but she hates us more.

They arrived at the cave/dirt mound/hole in rock thing that Elbuort stayed in. It was a small place incapable, Lune would have thought, of hosting the stench and filth to the extent that he witnessed now. Learn something new every day. There’s no limit to how nasty a little place can get. “Doesn’t he clean this mess?” Lune wondered. Now he knew the source of the strange smell he sensed whenever the Mankey walked within ten feet of him.

“Why hello Lune, it’s an honor to meet you here.” The ape emerged from his dank hole and bowed. “What brings such nobility here today?”

This is bullshit. Forcing a smile, Lune willed himself to turn his head towards the nightmarish stink. Open your mouth, don’t take in air, it’s only for a few seconds… “Shockwave and I were wondering if you’d like to battle us with Ebannaw.”

“Hmm. Interesting. You have an Electric type that’s strong against her Flying type, and my Fighting type is good against your Normal type.” He grinned, as if this fact made him more powerful than Lune somehow. As if it had any relevance at all. Perhaps he had forgotten the Machoke’s quick and painful defeat… “Sure, why not?” he said. “I think we could make this a nice and friendly battle.”

Shockwave took Lune’s place, noticing a greenish tint in the Eevee’s face. Lune was grateful. “What about Ebannaw?”

“Oh, I’ll bring her along. She won’t resist a battle with me. Where should we meet?”

Lune was about to suggest a lava pit, but he didn’t want to imagine what Elbuort would smell like when his fur was burning, so he kept his mouth shut. Shockwave made the decision for him. “The Misty Lake should be interesting.”

“The Misty Lake?” Elbuort faltered. “You mean the one on top of that tall windy mountain?”

“That’s right.”

“Oh… Yeah! Yeah, that sounds good.” The Mankey’s face had begun to color red, a sign that it did not, after all, sound good. But he nodded. “I’ll get Ebannaw to come. You guys go ahead first and I’ll go find her.”

As if, Lune thought, watching Elbuort stagger back into his black hole.

***

“I guess they’re not coming,” Lune said while rolling onto his side on the soft, cold grass. “Either that or they had some trouble getting up the hill.”

“No kidding.”

“Is any of this déjà vu to you?” he asked the Pikachu, grimly remembering Naien’s broken promise. “What is it about the Misty Lake and battling that scares pokémon away?”

“It’s not the arena, Lune. Remember we’re talking about Ebannaw and Elbuort here. One, they’re too unfit to make it up the mountain. Two, we’re… well, scary. Our opponents in tag teams haven’t exactly won before.”

“And I was so proud of making it up here in record time, too. Before the moon came up, even! Now to find our way back down, then?”

Shockwave shook his head. “As long as we’re here…” He began eyeing the lake.

Lune, catching his meaning, refused firmly. “No. Heck no.”

“You’re going in whether you want to or not.”

“The hell I am. ” He dashed towards the distant end of the lake and for the first time ever, Shockwave thought that he might have trouble catching him.

[Charizard04621]

Oh, I am sooooo terrible...

Chapter 65
Internal Warfare

They were preparing for war. Not war in a physical sense, but their own private battles against an unseen enemy. Yoruno’s whereabouts had since been revealed, and Lune suffered deeply from the knowledge.

“I can’t believe I used to look up to him.” The annoyed Eevee thrust his paw into the Sanctuary’s cold waters, creating a big splash.

“He was really good at what he did.”

“What use is talent if you don’t use it? What good do you do if nobody can depend on you?”

Not a word had come, no news at all as to Yoruno’s safety. Lune had become increasingly worried that even the mighty Umbreon could have fallen, taken captive by the unknown to be hidden from reality forever. He prayed every night that Yoruno had not died. Even when Lune was busy with work, the result of his fellow Guardians’ absence, the Umbreon remained in his thoughts. Then months, no, close to a year after Yoruno had gone missing, a brief, unapologetic, matter-of-fact message had been passed on to Naien. This was verbal, so Lune didn’t even get it firsthand; the Houndoom had to relay it to him later. The essence of it was: Yoruno was safe, had never been in danger, and now would not come back. He had grown tired of ill-spirited attacks and criticism, and, since he had found a better life elsewhere, did not wish to return.

“You shouldn’t be worrying so much about these things,” Shockwave warned. “You may think I’m not being serious, but I know about this stuff, and continuing to dwell on it is not going to get you anywhere.”

Lune sighed. “I guess you’re right. Still, I can’t take my mind off of it – did he never respect me? I mean, if Naien hadn’t told me about what happened, I would never have known. It seems he wouldn’t mind at all if that were the case. Can I not be trusted? Am I unworthy of respect?” Lune’s ears flopped down along his neck as he placed his head between his paws on the soft grass. He spoke, softer now. “Is it because I asked to be a Guardian?”

Shockwave, despite his usual calm manner, couldn’t help but feel a little bit distressed. He never was the best at handling these kinds of situations. What could he do for a friend in such a state?

He placed a hand on the tormented Eevee’s shoulder and hoped that his solution was enough. Lune’s stiffness seemed to leave at his touch. “You know what you need right now? You’ve got to have something to take your mind away from these things. Believe me, they’re not healthy for you. I think you should come looking for a battle with me. It might do you good.”

“That sounds a lot better than what I’m doing now.” Lune sounded hopeful. “I bet a good battle will make me feel better; I can let out some of my frustrations and possibly have some fun.”

“There you go. Good Eevee.” He smiled a bit before disappearing behind the veil of water, beckoning for Lune to follow.

***

Lune’s heart felt surprisingly light. His amulet glowed with a cheerful brilliance, almost mischievous in nature. It was the anticipation of battle; no matter how exhausted Lune felt, the adrenaline of excitement ran through his blood every time a game was near. Battling was undoubtedly his favorite pastime, despite his usually peaceful nature, and even when he was overloaded with nothing but work.

He spotted a Flareon that seemed like a decent battler. That’s what he needed right now, more practice beating down flames. His entire career as a Guardian had been about quelling the fire of rage.

Shockwave gave him a nod, a signal that meant “Go for it!” Grinning, the Eevee approached his possible opponent.

“Care for a battle?” Lune asked. “You seem like the type that comes to the central square to search for opponents, not relax.”

“Eww, it’s you,” exclaimed the Flareon in disgust. He wrinkled his face and backed away. “You’re that dictator who allows death in battles. I heard that you’d let pokémon nearly kill their opponents before stepping in!”

A purple face, distorted by its ugliness, appeared from behind. His toothy grin and goggled eyes displayed his rampant stupidity. Beside him walked a Mankey, whose reeking stench only got worse as he opened the organ under his pig snout to make sound. “Yup, he should be banned from this kingdom forever, he and Vanguard. They cheat so much for each other in battles and he lets other pokémon nearly die before he even does anything.”

Lune, listening to all this, just stood in his place, dumbstruck. As Shockwave approached, the three turned their backs, and Elbuort, with a sneer, led them on their retreat. The Pikachu shook his head. “They’re not worth listening to. You’re not going to bother with them, are you?” But the amulet was already a brooding gray, the color of storms.

[Charizard04621]

Hey, my fic survived the forum shift.

Um, just so you guys know, I'm on vacation and I'm planning to post a chapter when I get home and all my stuff gets set up at college... Yeah... ^_^;; Sorry about the inexcusably long wait... I'm feeling like a hypocrite, completely irresponsible. :(

[EDIT]: Geez, stupid ugly smilie...

[Charizard04621]

Chapter 66
Searching

You have lost... Lost... You were too weak to give up your soul. Your chance has gone.

Even to an outsider, the tormented Eevee showed signs of his many sleepless nights. His eyes, uncomfortably shut, told of his unending tenseness, his inability to rest. In sleep he looked alert as much as if he were awake; an observer would question whether he was even asleep after all. From his face one could discern that he was internally troubled. It never stopped shifting; if his mouth was locked in a twisted grimace, an eye would close tighter or his ears would twitch while some other feature showed his obvious discomfort. At moments, he would scream and then lay still again; sometimes he kicked the air in furious and unexplained fits. Muttering was the scariest phase of all. The words that one would hear were not words to be recognized in this world. His face would have changed somehow; it gave an eerie feeling, as if one were being watched even though his eyes were closed. His consciousness seemed to be everywhere, from places unknown that could not be seen. Perhaps there were eyes where the voices came from, the strange sounds that found their way into his throat and came oozing out like a halting river of blood. Those who saw his fits could only come to one conclusion: insanity.

"Are you done playing?" The shade was not amused.

"Yes, Blackblade." There was a hint of contempt in the voice. Instantly the image on the large screen vanished, to be replaced with the cold sheen of glass in front of an empty display. The shrill whine of a microphone slowly died away as it shut down.

Karkas watched for the frown on the dark face when he said his name. He had been warned before not to put that word to voice, which prompted him to do so at every opportunity. There was a time when he feared the dark wraith and trembled at his words, but that time had passed for now. Blackblade would not kill him; not yet. Karkas was still useful.

Both the Alakazam and his accomplice Seviper, Ytos, despised Blackblade tremendously. He was one with power, the strength to control darkness to the fullest extent; he had the ability to take souls, and when there was no soul left to take, his victim would shrivel into nothing, fading out of present memory, never to survive within the stories of the past.

What use was power unabused? If Karkas had mastery over darkness, he would long ago have destroyed his enemies and conquered the world. Blackblade showed no interest of doing so. What, then, was the point?

Blackblade, observing the fools, smiled secretly within himself. Fear not, after the amulet is mine, I will bury your remains among the ruins of your territory... forever.

***

Drowning in his cold sweat, the spluttering Eevee awoke just inches from the swift-flowing Sanctuary river. I rolled that far? he though, looking at the shape of his body slightly embedded in the soft grass to form a path from the woods to the river.

Nightmarish words echoed in his mind: Lost... soul... gone. Only three words, yet so overwhelmingly frightening. What could they mean? Have I lost my soul?

Lune pushed himself to his feet and dropped into the river. Cold water brought him back to life as he pondered the meaning of the words... They must have been a warning. "I think... I understand now," he said to himself. He gazed at his sorry image in the water and frowned disgustedly. All this time, he had been feeling miserable, but that's all that he ever did; he hadn't taken any action to change the situation.

"Hmph. You know, it's funny... I'm the Guardian of the Sacred Kingdom and might as well be the Head of the Announcers. You'd think I'd be powerful enough to do simple things." Still, scum roamed his kingdom and all he could do was stay there and watch. His friends were the only reasons that he could cope without going nuts. And yet... Shockwave, why did you leave me?

Some time ago - it could've been a few hours or three months, but Lune had lost track of time - Shockwave had told him that he was leaving. It was another journey, he said, and again he did not invite Lune to join him. Perhaps it was meant to be, thought Lune. Shockwave's return from his long absence had made Lune very happy. It was nice to have somebody to share the Sanctuary with again, so that the voice of the waterfall would not be his only companion. Shockwave, however, did not stay for long. It was too soon after he came back when he'd announced his imminent departure again; Lune had just gotten over missing his company. Lune wondered what had happened to the old times when Shockwave was everywhere, lighting up his day with his teasing words or buoyant energy whenever so much as a frown would cross his face. Sadly, those days seemed to be over. Lune knew that oftentimes friends drifted apart, but he had not dreamed that this would be the case for him. He smiled, albeit a little bitterly. "Well, Shockwave, I hope you're having a good time."

At the moment, Lune felt the need to talk to someone; he was incredibly lonely, and he thought that hearing a familiar voice would comfort him.

"I think it's about time." Lune had been planning to carry out what he'd been thinking over for some time now. Conditions had only strengthened his view that this would be the right path, so he needed one final opinion on the matter. He immediately thought of Hana, whose advice it was that had made him conscious about how he lived his life. The Espeon had gifted him with a treasured heirloom, a mirror, she told him, into his soul. Lune glanced at his silver-chained amulet, paying particular attention to the flames in the middle, searching, rather frantically, for a glimmer of light in the darkness. To his surprise, he found a section of white flame without much effort. "Hear me, amulet, I am not gone yet."

The journey towards Hana's house was not unpleasant; a gentle breeze rustled the autumn leaves, sending them afloat in a silent dance within the fingers of the wind. It had rained too much lately - indeed, the ground now was perpetually damp - but today a wondrous thing happened: the sun had wrestled its way out from behind the gray clouds, spilling its warm rays almost indignantly across the wet land below. Lune found himself softly humming a tune, imagining himself dancing along to the same whispered song as the golden, crimson, orange leaves.

Why was he cheerful all of a sudden? Seeing the defiant white fire burning against the blackness gave him hope. It helped him to believe what he wanted to believe, that it was not too late to act and he was doing the right thing. When he reached Hana's dwelling, however, this feeling was challenged.

"Oh, Hana! No, it can't be. I'm so sorry..."

The house had been thrashed, everything upturned, nothing left unshattered - an unfruitful search, no doubt. In the middle of the chaos lay the body of an old, wise Espeon, who had been near the end of her time, but robbed of her peaceful sleep. She had died composedly with no schock on her face, but that did not lessen the horror of this atrocity. Shaking, with his head bowed, Lune placed his unsteady paw over the white face and silently closed her unseeing eyes. No more light of life would shine from them.

For the second time in his still unfinished life, Lune found himself burying a dear friend. He remembered gentle Senryu, and now, looking at Hana, he did not see that they were very different. They had both been kind souls, disposed to living in solitude, who led quiet but important lives. They were the type that friends would always remember lovingly, for throughout their lives they left not a single blemish on their blameless hearts. It was truly unfortunate for such saints, as Lune thought of them, to incur the wrath of madness, of murder. They had done nothing to deserve such a fate; nobody could, but these two, above all, should have been free of such indignities.

"You gave me your blessing," said Lune to Hana, placing her in the shallow grave he had dug behind her home. "Now you go, in your afterlife, to guide others as you did me, placing warmth in their hearts when they have no hope." Lune was about to push the unearthed soil back into Hana's resting place when he noticed her neck; dark purple rings formed near the back of her skull around two identical puncture marks.

With a sharp intake of breath, Lune flipped Hana's body to discover blackened scars, burnt into her skin with impossibly fine fire, the work of forbidden technology. They read: We're back.

***

What could they want with the amulet? How did they know she once had it? Why did they exact revenge on her when they knew that he was the one who held it now? Lune had only one answer: he had to put an end to their cruelty. What he did not know was how Karkas and Ytos had survived his wicked darkness. What had gone wrong? Was he missing an important fact?

Lune came to a stop outside Élan's cave. The Sneasel was not likely to be there, but he wanted to check anyway. During this season Élan made a pilgrimage along the entire length of the Hidden Valley's river until it washed out into sea. Lune wasn't even sure that this was when Ningai and Charisma had been borne into the ocean's waters by the swift river, but Élan had his reasons to choose the fall. It was this time of year that the leaves burst into color, burning brightly like spirited flames that seemed as if they would never stop dancing. It was also during this time that the leaves lost their lives, detached from their trees as the soul was from the world. Élan believed that his lost friends had flowered to their very last moments; though they had their differences, they had beautiful souls, unmistakably beautiful. Only, these had been stolen away from them as the wind whisks reluctant trees bare.

As Lune had suspected, Élan's home was empty. He closed his eyes, paying silent respects to the memory of Charisma and Ningai, then nodded at the empty cave and left.

Without Shockwave or Élan, Lune had only one more friend to go to. He had not been involved in the Slith Territories mess, as he had come to the Sacred Kingdom only later, but Lune trusted him, regardless. Lune would not ask him to follow him on his journey - no, it was useless to endanger the life of someone who had previously no part in the conflict - but the Medicham gave him sound advice, and Lune knew that he needed it before he could pursue his plan.

Vanguard lived in utter separation, atop dangerously steep mountains that overlooked a burning battlefield where Lune had once witnessed two Guardians fight long ago. Fissures were not uncommon, nor were constant landslides should the wanderer happen to place his foot in the wrong place. The earth here was an angry red that echoed the fire of the steaming white stones below, a forsaken land of which only the indifferent or insane could have no fear. Lune stepped carefully over the rocks, not wanting to join the others who had died due to lack of caution. Vanguard had done well in deterring unwanted visitors, he thought, hoping he would find the Medicham soon before he had a chance to make a mistake.

"Need something?"

Lune turned around, slightly startled. His expression changed to one of welcome; he had had nearly enough of these mountains. He was glad that he no longer had to move for the moment. "Vanguard! If you aren't busy, I was wondering if you'd mind giving me your opinion on something."

"No problem."

"What would you say if I told you that I was going to resign?"

"Any particular reason?"

Lune thought how bitterly his plans, which had nothing to do with death at first, would now allow him to pursue the cold-blooded murderers he had left alive. "To tell the truth, I don't think the Sacred Kingdom wants me anymore. I try to do my duty, but most of the time, it's not enough. There are so many pokémon around that hate me that I barely have a moment's peace to myself unless I stay where nobody can see me. It's following me, this feeling that the Sacred Kingdom no longer requires my services. I can't go anywhere without someone spitting at my feet or calling me a power-abusive tyrant. It's as if I'm harming them by just being alive."

"They're just idiots," Vanguard replied immediately. "They need you but they don't realize it. I'd like to see what they do when the entire kingdom falls apart after you leave."

"How did you know I was leaving?"

"You're obviously not going to stay here after enduring all this?" The psychic raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you're right... I'm getting out of this hellhole as soon as I announce my resignation."

"Good idea. I don't need to waste my time here, either."

"You too, huh?" Lune nodded quietly. "You know, it's sad what a few demagogues can do to poor guys stuck with politics." At this, he sighed. "I want an honest opinion. Do you believe the rumors?"

"That you're bloodthirsty and use your power as a Guardian to your own selfish advantage?" Vanguard shook his head adamantly no. "For all the time I've been here you've only tried to do your job. If you were hungry for power, you would have tried to get rid of Naien long before her refusal to work did the same thing. You wouldn't be here talking about resigning. You would have ordered the slaughter of anyone who dared to speak against you, and then you would have claimed absolute power."

Lune listened to Vanguard's words, wanting very much to believe them all. Still, he was not convinced; if this was true, why did so many others, who had not loathed him at first, now turned against him and joined the likes of Elbuort and Pukcus? "I once banished a Murkrow despite the orders of the Head of the Council."

"Pukcus should have been banished sooner and Pig is a rat that prefers to take the advice of her idiot friends instead of bothering to use her head."

"Ho-oh be praised!" Lune exclaimed in relief. "Someone agrees with me."

"There are many idiots in this world and you are not one of them."

"Thanks, Vanguard. Good luck to you... I've got some things to take care of before I go."

"Bye."

"I'll see you around, maybe."

***

Lune now faced a dilemma: if he left, Naien would be the only official Guardian that remained. He also knew that Naien, despite many promises, all of which Lune hopefully believed only to be disappointed when they went unfulfilled, had lost interest in her Guardianship too long ago. She wouldn't do anything for the kingdom without anyone around to persuade her; she'd be busy with whatever it was she claimed to be busy with in the luxurious palace. They needed another Guardian.

But whom? Lune's head ached considering the possibilities. There would be nobody, nobody who had any ability whatsoever to cope with this sadistic torture chamber. A few nice pokémon crossed his mind, but they wouldn't do; it wasn't enough just to be well-liked, or, in the case of the Sacred Kingdom, accepted graciously by a certain easily-unsatisfied group. Lune knew that Ana Lightfoot, the softspoken Meowth, would be a popular choice - she was, in fact, a beloved Guardian of the Sparkling Forest - but popularity did not get the job done. Not in this kingdom. Still, he needed someone that the kingdom would not immediately reject.

"I've only one idea, Naien."

"Try me."

"I was thinking about Kera Stardragon... I trust her ability to handle this job."

"I was considering her, too. Before we go to Pig, though, we have to ask Kera if she really wants to do this."

"I'll do so right away."

[Lady Vulpix]

Hmm... interesting and intriguing. Poor Lune, though... so troubled and so alone. Does Shockwave have any idea of what he's going through? Maybe I'm speculating too much, but I find it hard to believe that he's only out to have fun... it looks like he's up to something. Shockwave, I mean. Anyway, it's good to know Vanguard's still around.

Sorry for the late reply, I only noticed this chapter today. I was in Finland when you posted it.