As it turned out, getting caught in a flash-fire did not go down well with Lilligant. The ballerina-like Pokémon was so enraged that it distorted her otherwise naturally serene expression. I found myself unable to even think about the possible Glaceon watching us as I was forced to immediately start reinforcing the others.

Bibi hung back and started working his magic with Protect, since his newly acquired water typing made him weak to Lilligant’s grass moves, whilst Edith immediately flew high to find openings for attacks. Ralts shot super-effective Psybeams from next to Bibi whilst Golett sent the basket it was holding flying through the air.

Lilligant screeched in rage and looked even more angry when a weaved basket collided with her face. Food pellets scattered everywhere but, as expected, she paid no mind to her favourite meal. Instead, she angrily turned to Golett, who’d disrespected her with that basket of its, and started charging towards it.

I watched with a sense of dread. Lilligant frolicked its way almost laughably towards Golett, but it had a certain jerkiness to its movements that belied its grace. Golett, meanwhile, had grown tall enough that he could actually start to run. I watched with bated breath as he collided with his Noble foe.

There was a terrible thud, but Golett hung true. The two were locked in an intense fight to overpower the other. Golett’s clay hands were wrapped around Lilligant’s bladed leaves and the Noble Pokémon roared with determination.

At that point, mind-controlled Pokémon flooded from the trees and made straight for us humans. Akari reacted fast and sent Dewott to help defend us whilst Mai’s Munchlax also started to help out. “Ralts!” I cried to my partner next to Bibarel. “Help the others with the wild Pokémon! Bibi- alternate your focus between Lilligant and your allies!”

Leafeon also joined in to help, wisely avoiding a confrontation against Lilligant, whilst Umbreon slinked into the shadows in a bid to creep up on Lilligant. The once shy Flareon had turned utterly feral in battle and his snarls and snaps eclipsed most other sounds while he tore through spore-infested Combee.

Lilligant cried out again and managed to wrench Golett’s arms to the side. A brutal Leaf Blade was blocked by Bibarel’s Protect, but Lilligant still had her second arm and caught Golett with another Leaf Blade to the chest. Golett’s internal furnace blinked in protest at the hard-hit and its eyes briefly winked out, but Edith swooped in and started harassing Lilligant with Peck and Wing Attack to distract her.

A sickeningly sweet scent accosted my nose and I caught everyone else cringing at the horrible sensation. Honey-like drops of dew gathered on my tongue and I had to breathe solely through my mouth to fend off the headache-inducing smell. Dewott saved me from a spore-infested Murkrow by taking a nasty Peck for me and I nodded my thanks to Akari before turning my focus back to Lilligant.

It was going well. Edith was constantly darting in and out and Umbreon had leapt onto Lilligant’s back and was tearing at her with Snarl and kicks. A powerful Shadow Punch knocked one of Lilligant’s legs from under her, forcing her to kneel and further sending her into distress. I felt hope surge into my heart. We could actually do this!

But then, Lilligant screeched loud and started thrashing around in place. Spores erupted from her skin like bullets and quickly started to fill the air. Golett wasn’t alive and therefore wasn’t affected by them, but Umbreon and Staravia were.

Edith thankfully had the sense to bolt upwards and away from the spore cloud, but Umbreon inhaled a lungful and fell to the floor where she started writhing in place. Then, to add to the disaster, Lilligant leapt up high in place and grabbed Edith’s wing before pulling her down into the cloud. I had to react fast and recalled Edith the instant I saw her start to drop, but I wasn’t sure if she had inhaled any of the spores.

This was bad. Golett was alone now and Umbreon would likely start to help Lilligant in a few moments. “Someone! Golett needs help!”

Adaman saw the spores and diverted Flareon to burn them away. The fire type bounded towards the fight where Lilligant lay forth an absolutely brutal Axe Kick to Golett’s head. I smiled in relief when the move simply rebounded harrowingly off of Golett and the clay-Pokémon used the opportunity to grab Lilligant’s leg and slam her onto the ground before it followed up with an elbow-pointed Heavy Slam onto her back. Flareon arrived and handily burnt all of the spores away with a Flamethrower. Golett was rescued from an infuriated counter-attack by Flareon’s Embers peppering Lilligant’s sides. It looked like we were regaining control.

Until Umbreon leapt onto her friend and started to ravage Flareon’s body.

The two Pokémon went down in a ball of snarls and growls and Lilligant turned her attention back to Golett. Once more, Bibi came in clutch when a Protect blocked her Leaf Blade, but Lilligant lashed out with a Mega Kick that, while not doing damage, had enough force to knock Golett back a few steps. A Leaf Blade tore through Golett’s body and it fell to one knee. My breath caught in my throat.

Thankfully, the rest of our team were almost done with the spore-infested Pokémon and Akari sent Dewott to aid Flareon against his partner. Leafeon joined in, leaving Munchlax and Ralts to fend off the last remaining stragglers. But Golett was still alone.

“Edith,” I released the flying/normal type and verified she was still of sound mind. “I need you again.”

She took flight and beelined it for Lilligant. Golett was still standing in all of this- but just barely. The super-effective Leaf Blades were quickly catching up to it and Lilligant’s speed was simply too staggering for the slower Pokémon to fight back against.

I glanced over at Umbreon. Annoyingly, Adaman didn’t have a Poké Ball to save her from the spores, so we had to deal with her first before we could start to focus down Lilligant. Thankfully, the three versus one was making quick work of her and Umbreon looked to be on the brink of fainting.

Lilligant, meanwhile, had just about enough of Staravia and released yet another set of spores before leaping up and trying to Axe Kick her down into the cloud, but Golett came through by grabbing Lilligant’s leg before she could properly gain height and used its dimming energy reserves to slam her into the ground. Umbreon had been taken down at this point, allowing Flareon to make quick work of the spore clouds again, but even among all of that fire- Lilligant had acted fast.

A final Leaf Blade ripped through Golett’s chest and I saw the light completely disappear from its core. I cursed loud and recalled the little guy. He was one tough Pokémon, but the Noble was far too strong for it.

Mercifully, Edith was still going strong and provided just enough of a distraction for the rest of us to rally-up. Ralts and Munchlax had dispatched the last of the attacking wild Pokémon and could now help against Lilligant whilst Flareon, Leafeon, and Dewott were able to focus her down.

There were Pecks, Wing Attacks, Embers, X-Scissors, Psybeams, and Fury Cutters all ravaging Lilligant at once. The Noble Pokémon writhed and screeched as she took attack after attack and, for a very brief moment of weakness, I saw the golden glow wafting from her flicker and the rage in her eyes was replaced by something entirely different.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

But then she regathered herself and an Axe Kick hit Leafeon hard before a Leaf Blade tore through Dewott. Flareon was then hit straight in the face by a Mega Kick that instantly caused the poor thing to faint and Bibarel was just barely able to Protect Dewott from a finishing blow. But then it got worse. With a strained cry that almost wrenched all of the strange light from her body, Lilligant exploded into spores and every single Pokémon was immediately blanketed by it. I watched in horror as Edith dropped from the sky and Leafeon started to convulse in place along with Dewott.

Akari and I recalled our Pokémon, but things were starting to look dire. All I had left was Bibarel and Ralts whilst we’d soon be facing down Adaman’s powerful Leafeon along with Lilligant. It immediately got far worse when Lilligant leapt from the spore cloud and frolicked its way past Akari, Adaman, and I, and straight into Laventon. Why him? I’ll never know. Maybe it was because of his white lab coat. But Bibi just barely saved him with a Protect before Lilligant changed targets and sent a Leaf Blade Mai’s way. The stoic woman’s face exploded into panic and she managed to dodge it just in time, but Lilligant pushed through with an Axe Kick that blew past another Protect but delayed it enough that Mai could dive out of the way. I started sprinting towards her. So did Adaman. But Lilligant sent a sharpened Leaf Blade straight for Mai’s stomach. It flew downwards and pierced-

“Wait!”

Lilligant stopped just shy of impaling Mai. Everybody froze. I remember trembling in place from all of the adrenaline. I was terrified a sudden movement would incite Lilligant to finish Mai off. But that miraculously didn’t happen. Instead, it turned to face the source of the cry.

It was Arezu. The Warden was sweat-slicked and panting heavily, but she had managed to slowly trudge her way up the hill during the fight. Her eyes were wide in terror and she was taking in trembling gasps of air, but she stood as tall as she could whilst leaning on her stick and faced Lilligant head on.

I had hoped, for one precious second, that we had exhausted the glow around Lilligant’s body enough for her to regain her own mind again. But when it leapt high into the air and landed next to Arezu, I knew we were done for. The impact of Lilligant’s landing sent her Warden tumbling hard onto her back. I watched energy wreathe its way through Lilligant’s left blade arm and clenched my fists as it raised the limb into the air above her.

This was it. We were so close. But our plan had failed. The Noble Pokémon was too strong.

Lilligant’s arm blurred.

“Stop, please!”

Arezu winced back and raised her arm in desperation, but Lilligant actually seemed to heed her words. I could only stand still as the redhead opened her eyes and looked shakily up at her old friend. There was a silent moment as the two stared into each other’s eyes. “Y-you can kill me,” Arezu smiled reassuringly up to the enraged Noble. “But please do it as yourself.”

Lilligant’s arm wavered. She was rigid in place as if someone had frozen her solid, but after a few moments, she let loose a pathetic whimpering noise and straightened. The light wafting from her body finally dispelled and the Noble searched around her as if suddenly aware of her new surroundings. I watched her eyes slide past me.

A deep cry wrenched its way out of Lilligant’s throat and she held her head in her arms. Before any of us could do anything, she leapt high into the air and disappeared behind a dense cluster of trees. I could hear her soft footfalls growing gradually quieter.

Arezu let her head fall back against the grass and she laughed in a mixture of relief and anguish. Vesper had her hands over her mouth and her eyes were wide as saucers. Mai was recovering herself and was largely uninjured, thank goodness, while the rest of us could only double over in relief and catch our breaths.

I thanked Bibi and Ralts before recalling them into my Poké Balls. I latched all four of my team members onto the belt before running over to Arezu. By the time I’d gotten to her, though, Adaman was already stood over her.

“Here,” the Diamond Clan leader helped Arezu up and retrieved her walking stick for her. He stepped back once she was able to stand without aid and my spirits fell when his eyes narrowed. “That was the most stupid thing you’ve ever done, Arezu!” he bellowed so loud that spittle flew from his mouth. "Just what were you even thinking?!"

“I… I’m sorry…” Arezu continued to mumble something unintelligible, eyes downcast.

“What on earth were you thinking?!” Adaman repeated. I noticed him shaking, be it in rage or after such a harrowing fight. "That was too reckless... again! When will you learn to think for your own safety?!”

I couldn't believe he was still criticizing Arezu after she had just saved all of our lives. He didn’t even wait for poor Arezu to recover after almost getting herself impaled.

Before I could speak up for her, however, a cold snap coursed through the air and I started to shiver as it sunk deep into my bones. This time, I wasn’t the only one who felt it. At once, everyone turned around towards the treeline to the east.

There. Just in the shadows. A lithe blonde with large blue eyes and a frigid Glaceon next to her legs.

Irida.

“You did it,” her face did not change at all while she spoke, though her eyes darted from each of us as if worried we’d attack. “You quelled the Noble.”

I took a deep breath against the chill that ran up my arms. She had just caught us in the act of helping the Diamond Clan. Goosebumps broke out on my skin and my teeth started to chatter from the cold. My mind raced. But I couldn’t think of a plan if she were to attack. Adaman’s Leafeon was likely free from Lilligant’s mind control now that she was back to herself, but he looked completely out of it lying as he was by the arena. All I had to my name was a tired Ralts and Bibarel whilst Akari’s Dewott was on the verge of fainting. Only Umbreon and Munchlax were capable of fighting. Not enough to deal with a Glaceon that was powerful enough to freeze its surroundings.

“Irida!” Adaman turned away from a stunned Arezu and stepped up to make himself as large as possible. “You trespass on Diamond Clan territory! I demand you leave immediately!”

The leaves around Irida started to glaciate and frost white. The demand was met by the Pearl Clan leader with an amused grin. “But I thought the lack of guards here was an invite? Don’t worry,” she let her sinister smirk grow into a full smile. “I don’t plan on staying for long.”

“Did you not hear me, infantile one?” Adaman quickly brushed past me and stepped up a distance away from the treeline. “I said now.”

Irida cocked her head as if perplexed by Adaman’s aggression. “Are you not happy to see me? I thought the reasonable Adaman of the Diamond Clan was all for mediating peace talks. Why, how surprising it is that you’re the one barking threats instead of me. It’s almost as if you’re not as golden as you want to be.”

“I have my faults, like everyone else in Hisui,” Adaman retorted with a fierce snarl. “It’s not my problem that you’re incapable of dealing with yours! Now, if you truly want peace, then make an official appointment! If not, then stop playing games and leave!”

Irida huffed and shot Adaman an annoyed look. “How disappointing,” she glanced down at her Glaceon and her features tightened. “So be it.”

“Look out!” Mai pointed upwards behind me, but it was far too late. With a loud caw, Braviary swooped down fast and landed with a blazing flap of its wings. The force of the dispelled air almost sent me crashing onto my face, but I barely managed to hold myself upright. I reached for my Poké Balls immediately, but I found my hand locked in place by ice. I panicked and wrenched my arm around to try and break it- too distressed at the time to realise it actually wasn’t hurting me.

Adaman snarled and charged, but a wall of ice blocked his path and he had to stop himself harsh to save himself running straight into it. Braviary cawed and flapped at the ground again. The force was so strong it was bending the tree trunks around it. Nobody could even keep their balance let alone fight back. “Stop!” Irida raised her voice for the first time. “Stop and nobody gets hurt!”

We were all on our butts and were too dazed to really put up a fight. Glaceon made quick work of forming solid ice around our feet, but interestingly opted to leave me alone. “You,” I raised my head to meet Irida’s cold eyes looking down at me. “You and that strange Pokémon of yours…”

To my surprise, she actually bent down and looped my arm around her ice-cold shoulders before lifting me to my feet. I staggered back from her and blinked. “I told you when we last met to watch for the skies,” Irida tilted her head slightly and her wide and unblinking eyes never wavered from mine. “I wonder if you thought I was referring to myself.”

I stayed silent. Truthfully, I was too scared to speak. It all flashed back to Spear Pillar when I was bound and helpless- waiting to die by Giratina. I was convinced I was going to be killed in that moment. And now? In that moment? There was nothing I could do.

“Turns out,” Irida nodded slightly at her Braviary behind me. “I was referring to you.”

With no time to even respond, I felt giant talons wrap around my biceps and I was lifted high into the air. I screamed on sheer instinct and thrashed and struggled as hard as I could. But I was hopeless. The only thing I could do was watch Irida gaze skywards towards me while Braviary carried me into the skies.