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PoA M5: Part 1/2

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ERIKA AND COMPANY IN:

Name Games


Part 1: That Which We Call a Rose

Erika was a sucker for broiled Corphish dunked in layers of butter and salt. “Ohhhh, gosh, this is heavenly!” gasped the Furret in-between bites of the cooked lobster.

Derrick swallowed, pausing to lick his lips before replying. “Well, this grilled Lumineon is really good too. Want a bite?”

She nodded, and the Lucario speared a piece of the flaky meat on a fork then leaned across the table to offer it to her. He grinned as Erika moaned in delight, almost bouncing in her seat as she did a little happy dance. “That good, eh?”

“Wow! That’s A. Maze. ING!” Erika reached over with her own fork, grabbing another piece and jamming it in her mouth. “We’ve gotta have this on the menu,” she said around chews, and Derrick chuckled as he dabbed at her chin with a napkin.

“Alright, alright, don’t forget to swallow.” Derrick’s eyes focused on someone behind her. “We will add the Grilled Lumineon with Honeyed Payapa Slices along with the Corphish dish.”

“Very good choice,” a Swoobat purred, a menu displaying the label of the Phoenix Ash Tavern – a flared red-and-golden wing superimposed on a sun – tucked against his side. “I will make sure Chef Firetongue cooks it to perfection.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“And thanks again for agreeing to cater our wedding!” Erika cried, unable to hold back her excitement. “This food is delicious, and my fiancé and I are glad that you’re willing to host us on such short notice.”

“It would be our pleasure,” the waiter inclined his head in a polite bow. His portly chest puffed out as he added, “As his top Maitre ‘D, it is my duty to make sure that your special day goes smoothly~”

Erika and Derrick peered around the tavern; the Swoobat was the only waiter in the building. In fact, they were the only souls there, all of the tables covered in pristine tablecloths and decorated for the dinner rush. Everyone else had apparently already come and gone, but it was pretty late for lunch, even for the soon-to-be-married couple, making it the perfect time to taste-test.

“So, um” – Erika squinted at the nametag on the waiter’s black tie – “Jean, does the tavern have a ‘party room’ or something to hold a reception in?”

Jean laughed in a lilting tone. “Nothing quite as archaic as that, but there is a large space beyond this wall here that could host a number of Pokémon comfortably.”

“Including a dance floor?”

“A dance castle even!” Jean trilled, laughter echoing in enjoyment of his own joke. “That would be good for your purposes, yes? Perhaps I could show you the room before–”

“HELP!!”

All three Pokémon jumped at the frantic scream. There was a loud crash as the tavern door banged into the wall, and a Lillipup staggered into the restaurant, panting wildly. Tongue sagging from her mouth, she turned towards them, immediately scurrying forward, paws pulling the tablecloths and causing some of the dishes to fall to the floor.

Ah, miss!” Jean gasped, gliding towards the Lillipup and dropping the menu in his haste. He grabbed her as she collapsed to her knees, supporting her as she cried. “What’s the matter? Are you well?”

“H-He’s after me…” wheezed the canine. “Please… He’s crazy!”

“I take great offense to that accusation.”

Everyone’s heads turned. Towering in the doorway was Ako Safar, gripping both fists at his side. His eye glared around the tavern before locking onto his target – and the Lillipup shrank in Jean’s wings, burying her face in his chest.

“Y-You must be the one who has been chasing this poor girl,” Jean said as he twisted to hide her from Ako. “Well, I can say this, it hardly seems fair, s-so leave her alone this instant!”

The ghost hovered silently, head tilted to the side. “Your disguise is not very inspired,” he replied with an accusatory point. “I knew that she would run straight to you, but I never expected for you to be hiding like this.”

“Hiding like… what?”

“No amount of paint or feigned innocence will distract me.” The Dusknoir suddenly swooped forward, reappearing inches from Jean with a vicious glint in his eye. “I will fulfill my contract, and you are coming with me.”

“No!”
yelped the Lillipup. “Please! I-I won’t!

“And you don’t have to” – Erika jumped from her chair, frowning spectacularly – “so leave her alone, ya big bully!”

Ako ignored her, snapping his fingers so blue flames flickered at the tips. “I will not injure you, miss,” he said softly to the child, “but you, Swoobat, I can wound however I wish. A burn should persuade you come willingly.”

Jean paled three shades. “RAMSAY!” he bellowed, edging away from Ako. “ASSISTANCE!”

“ARRRRRGH!” came from the kitchen, howling about the tavern in deafening echoes. Purple-blue flames barreled from the service window, and Ako ducked as the torrent thrashed over his head. His gaze widened slightly as a blue draconic face appeared at the window, matching his glare evenly, and he jumped when the beast flipped him off with a quick twitch of a talon.

“LIST’N HERE, YA LIL’ SH*T, YA COME TO MY TAV’RN AGAIN, I’LL USE YOUR EYE AS GARNISH FOR A CHERI PIE AND SERVE IT TO YOUR MOTHER IN HELL, NOW GET OUTTA HERE, JACKss, BEFORE I HAVE TO COME OUT THERE AND MAKE YA!”

Ako went translucent. Erika’s jaw dropped, and Derrick fought to keep his food down. Jean continued to inch closer to the service window, cupping his wings firmly against the Lillipup’s ears: a very wise decision.

“WELL? ARE YA LEAVING, YA MOTHERF–?!”

Yes, yes, I’m leaving!” interrupted Ako, violently shaking himself free of his stupor. He began to fade out of existence, muttering under his breath; then the Dusknoir was gone, and Jean breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness that’s over,” Jean whistled, releasing the Lillipup and hovering by the service window. “I appreciate the help, Ramsay.”

“Anytime, lil’ friend,” murmured the Salamence. His glower simmered faintly as he turned towards the Lillipup, trying (but failing) to give her a gentle grin. “Ya alright there, missy?”

She nodded, her chest still heaving with fright. “Yes, sir, thank you.”

The dragon bobbed his head then ducked back into the kitchen. Heartbeat finally returning to normal, Erika knelt down beside the younger girl, her smile succeeding where the chef’s had not. “So, who are you and why was that ghost chasing you?”

“I’m Rose…” Her face crumpled. “And that ghost… H-He wants to capture me…”

“Capture?” Erika’s eyebrow lifted. “Why? Did you do something wrong?”

“No!” Rose shook her head vehemently. “I just want to leave Aether! But I c-can’t, not without my friend…”

Derrick crouched next to Erika, squeezing his fiancé’s paw tightly. “We could help you find your friend,” he offered. “That way, if that ghost tries to hurt you again, we can protect you.”

“You… you’d do that? For me?”

“Of course – we always stand up for the little guy. Don’t we, dear?”

Erika nodded, not trusting herself to speak… and Rose gasped in delight, eyes shining bright. “Oh, thank you so much! I know exactly where my friend is, so if you could just escort me there, he and I can leave Aether together.”

“Sounds fine to us. Jean, you know what foods we want on the menu: could you make sure everything is set for the 20th?”

“Yes, it will all be completed by then,” Jean hurried to scoop up the menu on the ground. “Two days should be more than enough time to arrange the menu.”

“Excellent” – Derrick extended a hand to Rose – “lead the way.”

Rose ducked her head bashfully, taking Derrick’s hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. She tugged him towards the entrance, and Erika called, “Go on ahead, I’ll catch up,” as they left the tavern. Now she was alone with Jean who politely excused himself, flapping deeper into the tavern, and Erika waited in the tense silence, eyes squinting into the shadows –

Just as a golden eye blinked at her. “The plan went smoothly, don’t you think?” Ako said, materializing with a quiet whoosh.

“Except for that part with Jean and the chef,” Erika whispered, scowling. “Did you have to threaten him with a burn?”

“I had to make it believable, did I not? You acted your part well.”

Too well… I don’t like doing this to her. She seems nice: why does Alaric want her captured?”

“It has something to do with avoiding a hostile takeover from an insane king. A good reason, I assure you – though I do suspect, like you, that there is more to this tale. However, this is the only way to find out, and besides, you did offer your help with my new occupation at any time.”

The Furret crossed her arms, looking down at her feet in annoyance. “I know,” she grumbled. “And at least I got a venue booked for the wedding reception…”

“That’s the spirit. Now hurry; Rose will be suspicious if you hesitate any longer.”

Ako vanished once more – and Erika kneaded the corners of her eyes before leaving the tavern to catch up to the others.

She didn’t like this plan one bit.

**

And she certainly didn’t like it later when they stopped in front of a half-demolished building in northern Aether.

“He’s in there,” Rose said softly, as if worried someone besides Erika and Derrick might hear. Not exactly an unfounded fear since Ako was nearby, concealed in the shadows.

“Why would he hide here?” Erika asked, eyeing the sagging roof cautiously. “It looks like it’s gonna come down any second!”

“It was damaged in the dragon invasion back during the Celestial Stone craziness.” Derrick pointed at the various charred sections on the walls. “Guess he believed no one would mess with it for that reason.”

Rose took a deep breath, paw pressed against her heart. “It doesn’t matter what his reasons were; I have to see him, get him to leave with me… Do you think he’ll listen?”

“If he’s really your friend,” Erika replied, “he will, no doubt.”

“Okay,” she beamed, curtseying swiftly like she’d done it her entire life. “In that case, thank you very much for accompanying me.”

Erika waved her off, about to shrug away her thanks – but the Lillipup abruptly hugged Erika, and she struggled to keep from shouting her betrayal to the heavens, ready to confess to this child that she was about to walk into a trap.

But she didn’t. For the good of the kingdom. For her future with Derrick. For everything.

“Go on,” Erika finally choked out, “we’ll be right here if you need us.”

With a joyful nod, Rose rushed into the building, bending over to stutter-step under the tipped doorjamb. She disappeared into the gloom… and Ako floated in after her, bleeding out of the ground and through the ruins.

“There’s nothing we can do to stop this, is there?” Erika murmured piteously.

“No,” sighed Derrick. “It has to be done. She’s a fugitive, at least for now, and Ako deserves this chance at an honest bounty.”

“But did it have to be like this?” the Furret groaned. “I just feel so… dirty. All this sneaking, and chasing, and lying: is some peace and quiet really worth all that?”

Derrick opened his mouth to reply – but his response was cut off by a high-pitched scream, long and drawn-out. It was a cry for help, terrifying and painful, and Erika just couldn’t help herself, running straight for the dilapidated building despite Derrick’s warnings.

“Hold on, Rose, I’m coming!” she cried, pushing past broken walls, dangling tiles, and cement shavings to make her way towards the back of the building where a noisy crack blared, like someone had just slammed into rubble.

In fact, someone had. “I… won’t let you… hurt him!” barked Rose. She struggled back to her feet, gingerly pressing a paw to her side with agonized gasps, and the Lillipup charged wildly at Ako who hovered impassively in the center of the room.

He avoided her aimless attack, barely tapping her with a slap of his back hand – and still she went flying, tossed into another pile of rubble. “I mean you no harm,” he said, turning away from her. “Don’t make this any harder than it need be.”

Rose got back up, blood staining her forehead in a thin line. “Just leave – us – ALONE!” she snarled, jumping in front of the ghost, arms spread wide to protect… something. Erika focused: a hooded figure perched on the floor, face shrouded.

“I cannot do that; I must do good for the people of Aether.”

“But I am a person of Aether! True, I’m not originally from here, but I consider this place more of a home than my homeland! Please, believe me!”

Ako gripped a fist. “You try my patience, girl – get out of the way, or I will drag you in by force!”

Rose stood her ground – and Ako grabbed her lightning quick, hefting her into the air like she was nothing. “Very well, you leave me no choice,” he growled. “I promise to not hit you too hard…”

“No!” Erika vaulted into action, smacking Ako’s gauntlet with an Iron Tail and catching Rose as he released her. “This wasn’t the plan!”

Ako rubbed feeling back into his hand, stroking the whacked gauntlet smoothly. “I am aware of this, Erika, but she was being difficult.”

“I don’t care, you’re always supposed to stick to the rules! Understand?”

The Dusknoir averted his eye… but Erika could feel Rose’s on her, and she turned to see the girl was fighting valiantly to hold back tears. “What is this?” she asked in horror. “Do you know this ghost?!”

“I do – and I’m working with him to take you to King Alaric for a fair trial.” Erika reached for Rose’s paw, not surprised to see her pull away. “Please, just come with us.”

“S-Stay away from me!” stammered Rose, backing up towards the hooded figure uncertainly. “Tulius, c’mon, we have to leave now!”

“You aren’t going anywhere” – Derrick abruptly appeared, dropping in from a hole in the ceiling behind Rose and Tulius, landing in a crouch – “we can’t let you.”

“It is no use,” Ako declared. “You’re surrounded.”

“I don’t CARE!” Rose sobbed big, ugly tears, trembling in heavy quakes. “I’ll fight you ALL!”

Erika stiffened; so it would come down to a battle. Why did peace always have to come through war?

But luckily for her (and Rose), no fight occurred. Suddenly, without any warning or hesitation, the hooded figure stood and lowered its covering, revealing a handsome golden Swoobat who clasped a gentle wing on Rose’s shoulder and pulled her behind him.

“Exspecta, nolite nocere ei,” he said in sonorous tones, almost singing the words. “Ecce ego sum quem quaeritis.”

Erika and Derrick exchanged glances, completely baffled – but Ako’s eye rounded in shock. “You speak Latin?” he said dumbly, gasping in delight when the Shiny Swoobat nodded.

“Is that significant?” asked Derrick with a curious look at the stranger.

“Only the noble born of Voluntas can speak such a tongue,” Ako answered in awe. “And with such eloquence! This Tulius fellow is of the highest class!”

“But that would make him…” Erika gawked, memories filling her head of the sands of a circus, figures in a crowd, including a shy sparkling bat sitting next to a stern-eyed bird of prey. “Oh my gosh, you’re Caesar Aetius’ son!!”

“You recognize me?” Tulius wondered, still hiding Rose behind him. “How?”

“I’ve been to Voluntas a few times,” Erika scoffed. “Seen you briefly both times, despite your dad’s best efforts to keep you hidden.”

Tulius’ shoulders loosened, and he pulled away from Rose with a soft chuckle. “Well said… but I must ask: now that you know who I am, are you still willing to take me in?”

An uneasy silence followed until Erika finally grunted, “We have no choice.”

“But I’m sure you can plead your case to Alaric!” Derrick interrupted, circling Tulius and Rose to join Erika’s side. “He is reasonable and will listen to whatever you have to say, no matter your reasons for being in Aether illegally.”

“I certainly hope so,” Tulius frowned tight, leaning against Rose with a caressing hug. “We only want pax in omnes.”

Erika’s ears perked. “Pax what now?”

“It means ‘peace for all’,” Rose explained quietly, anxiously meeting Erika’s gaze. “He and I are from nations at war with each other, he a prince of Voluntas, I a princess of Gailamir. All we want is to be together…”

That sounded familiar.

“We must have faith that their king is as open-minded as they claim,” Tulius chirruped, giving Rose one last squeeze before extending his wings towards Ako. “I surrender to you, good sir. Lead us to the castle to meet our fate.”

The Dusknoir nodded wordlessly, floating away with Tulius right behind him. As the Shiny ‘mon replaced his hood over his head, Erika stopped Rose from following him, toeing the ground bashfully. “Listen, Rose, I just want to say that I–”

“You had to do it. I know.” The Lillipup laughed drily. “Guess my escape plan was going to fail no matter what I did.”

“That doesn’t matter; you need to know that Derrick and I want to help you. For real.” She gave the girl a brave smile, reflexively reaching for her fiancé’s hand and feeling it slip into hers on instinct. “We understand how hard it can be to go against everything your culture stands for, and I want to do something to help you.”

“Anything for true peace and love,” finished Derrick, winking at Rose whose cheeks turned pink.

“Yes, well, thank you for believing us,” Rose stammered faintly. “I only hope the Serperior king is as accepting…”

To be continued...
For :iconpokemon-of-avalon:

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Oh gosh, I waited till the last minute for this! But yes, this is Mission 5 of PoA where Erika has to track down the fugitives Rose and Tulius before taking them to King Alaric. Obviously I knew about the second part as I was writing this so that will make the transition happen a lot smoother.

Also their wedding is tomorrow. Pretend this is happening yesterday. ^^;

(Ah, yes, about the language warning: Ramsay's quite the potty-mouth, right? I could have written it out but I figured I'd symbolize it instead, avoid having to tag it with mature content. Let me know if you guys think I should put the warning on instead.)

Characters:
Erika, Derrick, Ako, Jean, and Ramsay © by Me
Rose and Tulius © by LittleWhiteWolfAngel
King Alaric (mentioned) © by Pokemon-of-Avalon
© 2014 - 2024 Post-Lit
Comments1
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Mosshrooms's avatar
Haha, oh gosh, Ramsay killed me. I'm not usually a fan of excessive swearing like that, but something about the timing, just that sudden outburst from nowhere when everything had been so posh and proper moments before just sold it for me.