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DecibelCoatl — Scorched Symphony M2 - When It Rains (Part 1)
#pmd #pokemon #quicksilver #skye #swablu #tashi #valant #darumaka #indeedee #pmd_outlaws #scorchedsymphony #salandit
Published: 2022-11-16 15:02:02 +0000 UTC; Views: 3247; Favourites: 20; Downloads: 0
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Next: Scorched Symphony M2 - When It Rains (Part 2)
Word Count: 1652
“Are you sure you’re going to be alright?” Skye asked for what seemed like the umpteenth time, nervously eyeing the burn scar on Tashi’s right hip. Although it had healed up quite nicely in the days following the battle at the Sister Bridges, the Swablu leader couldn’t help but worry that her Darumaka teammate could keel over any minute now.
But Tashi only laughed as they casually skipped ahead. “Of course I am,” they replied. “I already told you before, Skye, a little blast isn’t going to stop me from being an Emerald Enforcer!”
The road to Ruin Town was long and harrowing, especially on foot. Even so, it didn’t deter any of the Enforcers from accompanying their Weavile leader, Kalina, down the winded path. Word had gotten out that the townsfolk were being harassed by the Rain Gang, a group of bandits that consisted primarily of Water and Normal-types and led by a Drizzile known as Luke.
Of course, Tashi had been the one to insist that Scorched Symphony go after the Rain Gang, a proposition that worried Skye to no end. After all, Tashi had been caught inside an exploding wagon (and by her old friend Isla, no less); who knew what would happen if they were badly injured a second time around.
Nonetheless, she relented and decided to accompany Kalina to Ruin Town. Although it would mean facing more Water-types, at least it would help take her mind off of Isla…if only for a little while.
“Alright, but if you run into any trouble, fall back,” Skye ordered. “I don’t want a repeat of what happened before.”
Tashi sighed and rolled their eyes skyward. “Fine,” they replied. “But I’m not going to make any guarantees that will happen.”
Skye smiled a little as she looked over her shoulder at her other teammates. One of them was the Delta Salandit named Quicksilver, who had her tail wrapped around her precious teapot. The other was the team’s latest addition, an Indeedee wearing a yellow magician’s cape who called himself Valant.
She recalled the day Valant had stumbled upon the trio while they were helping with the rebuilding of the Yewcrest Treasury in Elmheart, having left the local research institute for a personal reason. After learning that her father had been Valant’s mentor, Skye readily accepted him, knowing that his expertise on magic could be a valuable asset to them. Quicksilver was also eager to meet her new teammate. Tashi, on the other hand…not quite as much. Skye couldn’t exactly place a talon on this sudden behavioural change, but she hoped that it would all blow over and that they’d be back to their old self.
She looked up at the sky, noticing the difference between this morning and now. When she had woken up, it was bright blue, with only wisps of white. But now that they were on the path, she could see that bright blue giving way to a darker, less vibrant shade. The white wispy clouds from before were now beginning to look puffier, gradually changing to a dark blue-grey colouration. It was enough to let her know that it was bound to rain soon.
Well, if we’re quick, we can get those criminals apprehended before the first raindrops fall, she thought. And then, I can have a talk with Tashi and Valant, and see if I can help them get to know one another better.
That was what she wanted, right? For her teammates to get along with each other? It worked well when Quicksilver joined, so what harm was there in doing the same with Valant? Everything would be fine in the end.
…Right?
A hissing noise interrupted Skye’s thoughts, prompting the Swablu to turn her head back towards the commotion. It seemed that Quicksilver had accidentally tripped, and was struggling in Tashi’s grip. Meanwhile Valant had his hand raised to hold up the Delta Salandit’s teapot with his psychic powers, and appeared to be studying it closely.
Skye let out a sigh as she doubled back to fly over to them. “Sorry, Valant,” she told the Indeedee. “Quicksilver doesn’t take too kindly to others touching her teapot. At least, not until she’s fully warmed up to you.”
Valant’s expression remained unchanged as he gently gave the teapot back to Quick. “I see,” he said. He then took a bow. “Forgive me, Miss Quicksilver, I did not mean to alarm you.”
The only response he got was a grumble as Quick squirmed out of Tashi’s grip and onto solid ground once more. She inspected her precious cargo to make sure there was no chipping, before hugging it once more.
If Skye could bite her lower lip, she definitely would be doing so right now. She had gotten used to Quicksilver’s obsession with the teapot, but their encounter with that Meowstic outlaw…well, it definitely unlocked something terrifying in the little lizard. She wasn’t sure what it was, and Quicksilver wouldn’t explain it (not that she was able to anyway, given her broken speech pattern and all). Hopefully with Valant by their side now, she could get a chance to unlock more of Quick’s hazy memories and find out why she became the way she is now.
She landed on the ground and gave Quicksilver a pat on the back. “Come on, Quick,” she said. “Let’s try and catch up to Kalina.”
Quicksilver continued glaring at Valant, her tail lashing to and fro. But, she eventually let out a sigh as she followed her leader further up to Kalina’s position. Soon, Tashi and Valant were left alone by themselves.
Tashi took a deep breath and began walking down the path once again. But they didn’t get about a few feet when they heard Valant’s voice behind them.
“So, tell me, Tashi,” Valant began. “What is your relationship with Miss Skye?”
“… What are you talking about?” Tashi grumbled.
“What I mean is, how close are you two? Are you partners, or friends?”
“Not just friends – best friends! And also teammates. So, in other words, our relationship is pretty good, all things considered.”
Valant raised an eyebrow. “Somehow, I doubt that,” he sighed.
Tashi glanced at him with a confused expression on their face. “Excuse me?” they asked.
“In case your monkey brain forgot, I’m a Psychic-type capable of sensing other Pokémon’s emotions,” Valant pointed out, gesturing to his horns. “And right now, I am sensing a lot of negative emotions dwelling within the two of you.”
Tashi turned away, obviously uninterested in the conversation. But Valant wasn’t done just yet.
“Something seems to be troubling you both,” the Indeedee went on. “Miss Skye constantly puts on a mask to show that she’s fine, when in reality she’s hurting inside. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on in Miss Quicksilver’s mind, but she seems to be frightened about a recent event that happened. And as for you…well…you appear to be in some sort of emotional pain from a tragedy long ago.”
Tashi flinched at that last statement. Had Valant found out about their motivation in joining the Emerald Enforcers? How much did he know about their early life, or their friendship with Jayda? And what else did he know, just by reading their emotions alone?
Valant narrowed his eyes to lilac slits. “Well?” he asked. “Am I correct?”
The Darumaka shook their head and glared back at Valant. “Look, I don’t know how much you decided to know about me or the others,” they spoke in a low voice, each word laced with venom. “I couldn’t care less about whether or not you want to help Skye or Quicksilver, but I will tell you one thing: Stay out of my head!”
Valant remained unfazed by the sudden outburst. “So, in other words, I am correct,” he replied. “You are in some sort of emotional pain. A recent event must have traumatized you, and that’s why you—”
“That’s why I need to prove myself!” Tashi cut them off abruptly. “That I’m worthy of being an Emerald Enforcer!”
Before Valant could say any further, Tashi quickly stomped away to join the rest of the group. “Just…stay away from me,” they warned him.
Valant could only watch with hurtful eyes as Tashi disappeared into the crowd of Enforcers. He then sighed and shook his head, his foot coming upon a stray pebble. He idly kicked it away, watching it bounce on the dirt path before disappearing into the grass.
Out of all the possible outcomes, this wasn’t what he had expected. His leader was obviously hurting inside, but was trying to hide it by words of false reassurance and even more false hope. One of his teammates – a Delta, no less – had obviously been reliving a rather traumatic moment. And the other was emotionally scarred by a tragedy they witnessed from long ago.
His initial goal was to stop his friend from wreaking havoc upon Tremel. After all, he still had the notes she left behind. But now, he found out the hard way that this was not going to be an easy goal, especially with his teammates being troubled as they were now.
Skye was putting up a crumbling façade with false words of reassurance; Quicksilver was obviously reliving a traumatizing moment; and Tashi…well, they were emotionally scarred from a tragedy they witnessed long ago, but refused to elaborate any further about it.
He reached into a hidden pocket in his cape and pulled out a deck of cards. If he was truly going to be a team member, he would have to break the ice with them. But he would have to take it slowly, and with one mon at a time.
Yes, he thought. That would be my goal for now. Try to get along with my teammates, and see if there’s anything I can do to assist them. After all, that’s what being a teammate is about.
…Right?
Characters Featured:
(that's me) - Skye (Swablu) , Tashi (Darumaka) , Quicksilver (Delta Salandit) and Valant (Indeedee)
Pokémon © Nintendo/GAME FREAK
