[attr="class","dangertxt"]
''
Weren't you listening to this lass?''
John Sullivan 's question was answered with another question. His desire was to not be distracted for long.
Ruby Walker ,
Martín del Mar , and
chryssa glasgow continued the discussion just over his shoulder. That being said, Chryssa seemed to be stonewalling, deflecting from what she had said earlier.
[break][break]
Or that's how it looked to him.
[break][break]
Did she really see anything or is she fucking bonkers? Was he? Then she flipped the script back. While she did not share what her prophesy was, there was mention of a word. And for a moment a shiver fired up his spine only to be disappointed when he didn't hear the one he had suspected. So there
were differences?
[break][break]
Gathering darkness... Or darkness gathering. The thought of the word made him wince. How to reciprocate the kindness without being linked directly to anything? After all, if the League, or the Rockets, or
FERNANDO SILPH learned of what he, they all, knew, then any one of the organizations could whisk him away in the dead of night to grill him for his knowledge.
[break][break]
And none of those people were responsible enough to know in his eyes.
[break][break]
''
'Gathering', eh? I feel like this is some shit that should be looked into. Where can you typically be reached if I find out anything?'' An anonymous letter, or at least anonymous enough to carry a certain degree of plausible deniability would do nicely. He could just mail her the word and set up a drop box for her response, if any.
[break][break]
There isn't much time for stalling of his own as the meteor shower increasing in proximity and spectacle is starting to draw a lot of attention. Something sounds like it explodes outside. However there's no shattering glass, or hot debris. Dr. Holo started shouting about a mist, and sure enough, it's seeping into the ballroom.
[break][break]
They needed to get out of here.
[break][break]
''
Hideo, let's blow this popsicl-'' As turned to fetch the boy, he saw only the cloud. ''
Bloody hell.'' Turning, a step was almost made before he stopped himself. No, he may as well continue. Holding his breath, as if that would help, he vanished inside the mist and found himself robbed of vision. ''
Damn it. I can't see shit in here.'' Now he knew how
Hideo Kino felt.
[break][break]
''
Doug! Did you see where Hideo disappeared to?'' Turning to look back, he saw the gym leader smiling back in his direction, seemingly unbothered by the loss of their mutual friend. ''
While you look for him, I am going to speak to some of the others here about some serious investigations into the internal workings of the League.''
[break][break]
Tilting his head to the side slightly, Andy blinked.
[break][break]
''
I know I've brushed off a lot of your complaints, but I finally get what you're saying. If corruption spins out of control, not only is the organization meant to defend us slowly devolving into Rocket, they're also no better. I can't let that happen. It's my duty. I understand.'' Andy stood stone still with his mouth sagging open slightly.
[break][break]
''
R-Right.'' What exactly did this mist do again? Turning, the Galarian limped forwards and found that his leg no longer ached. Taking another step to confirm, and then another, the cane was discarded onto the floor as he continued forward. It wasn't questioned. ''
Hideo?'' Came the call again as he glanced around.
[break][break]
''
Unf!'' Stumbling back after bumping into someone, the youth looked up to find
FERNANDO SILPH . The man's passive expression remained on his face, but somehow seemed far less severe. ''
Blackadder. I am glad I ran into you. I have been considering our last encounter. On review, I could see you were trying to make light of a stressful situation and were frayed from your first combat experience.''
[break][break]
Andy took a step back.
[break][break]
''
You are too young to see it, but you performed admirably given the circumstances. The League thanks you for your service. While I think your criticisms are crass, I agree the League should really strive to live up to the ideals on which it was founded rather than langushing as a tool of convenience and control. I will encourage the rest of the Council to this end. I understand''
[break][break]
There was
no way. With another step, and then another, the trainer wheeled from the mountainous councilman and charged deeper through the pink world. All he could see was mist and he wanted to get out of it. Somehow the edge, the end, just couldn't be found. It hadn't seemed this dense before. The ballroom could only be so big, but there was nothing within to guide him, nothing to allow him to get his bearings.
[break][break]
It had all disappeared.
[break][break]
''
Going somewhere?'' Spinning in place to find the source of the voice, his eyes fell upon
Katherine Fairburne . Huffing, Blackadder didn't move. This was the last person he wanted to see right now. It wasn't the time for games. ''
I see you've got your feet back under you? I'm sure you remember our little bargain, hm?'' No answer came, as he was unsure what was even happening.
[break][break]
''
You know, maybe I wasn't being fair. I heard you talking to that church girl. I know about your little dream with the Azelf. No one will believe you, but I think Giratina and I might be able to help, if you beg him nicely. Maybe there's too many secrets floating about that all to well obscure the coming destruction of everything, me included. As much as they're worthless any other time, perhaps an open trade with other people can keep us all from being blasted into oblivion. I understand.''
[break][break]
While it was exactly what he desired, this was the last person he wanted to explain about the Darkest Day.
[break][break]
''
Andy?'' A familiar voice called. When he turned to find it and looked back, Fairburne was gone. ''
Andy Blackadder.'' Sauntering slowly in its direction, a door loomed out of the mist. Cautiously, as if whatever was on the other side might kill him, he twisted the knob and pushed it aside. ''
Edmund Andrew Blackadd- Oh. There you are.'' His apron clad mother turned from where something was sizzling on the stove.
[break][break]
The room before him was the kitchen in the Blackadder Estate back in Galar. Besides
Celia Auclair manning the stove, his older brother and his sister
Allison Hawthorne sat at fine wooden table nearby, along with a man obscured by the unfolded issue of Wyndon Today strung between each hand. Could it be...? Each step inside was methodical. Each had a plate of food in front of them, a full breakfast upon each. He could smell the eggs. The chill of the Wyndon morning make him shiver.
[break][break]
''
Arceus Andy, what took you so long? Your breakfast will get cold.'' Celia's hands rested on her hips. ''
Man can't start the day proper on a cold breakfast. Liable to spoil the whole rotten time of it.'' He didn't need to see the face. The voice was enough even though he hadn't heard it in years. The steps towards the table were the slowest he had ever taken in his life.
[break][break]
Celia only watched, his siblings ate at their own servings without notice. No one mentioned his fine evening wear. No one pointed out the brace peaking out on his right leg. Andy had forgotten about them. Tentatively his fingers grasped the back of the chair. The lacquered finish felt as real as anything. Pulling the chair out, he slumped into it. Another glance was cast around the room.
[break][break]
He couldn't believe it.
[break][break]
''
Don't sit there gawking at my hard work. Eat up.'' But all he could bring himself was stare at it. It looked delicious. It smelled delicious. He couldn't say anything. He couldn't move a muscle. Everything was concentrated on trying to swallow the lump in his throat. ''
You know son, I've been talking some things over with your mother.'' The page on the newspaper turned.
[break][break]
''
I know we've always been a, well, a historical minded family, with our pursuits and our studies on the past. Now I know you're into computer programming, Arceus knows why, and you've got your heart set on it. Now I've done some thinking and at the end of the day, a Blackadder branching out into other fields can only enhance our legacy, if you conduct yourself properly.'' The pages tuned again.
[break][break]
''
Please don't waste your talent on simple things like games. You could really bring us back into the spotlight and blindside the other families with something they never thought of. Really, we need you. Galar needs you. Now, don't get upset but Alison tells me you've been spoiling to run off to some disaster crazed region like Kanto or Hoenn to get your name noticed.'' The paper jostled and Andy could feel his eyes on him, yet he could not meet them.
[break][break]
''
Little B, you don't need to get yourself killed around a bunch of foreigners to get noticed. I notice you, and so does your mother, even if we're busy. You can carry the legacy into the future, right here at home. Now that everyone understands each other, why don't you just stay here, with your family?'' Andy buried his face in his hands. It was
all wrong. His lip quivered. But it felt
too good to let go.
[break][break]
With a singular sob it all came out and he couldn't hold back, bawling into his hands.
[break][break]
''
Yes.''
