ToT Chapter 4-1 - The Rouge in allied Lines Part 1

Nox was sitting near a table, studying the map plan of the caverns while his thoughs were at the recent events that unfolded upon the arrival of the Tabiran Guilds in Fever Plants. His glare was casted downwards to the map, which made it hard to read his current mood *I still can't belive that Madeline, the former member of the schoolars, stole the totems and even harmed her own child Alice through that! It haves to be the corruption...* his right paw formed into a fist as he mumbles quietly "Unforgivable..."

Before he could dwell on the thoughs was a sudden weight on his back ripping him out of the thoughs, as he was greeted by a very cheerful, yet familair childish voice "Nocks! Gyuu~" Noxs head turned around to the source of the sound, then blinked rather surprised to see a familair male Sentret with hanging ears on his back, who was nuzzeling him. "Marco? What are you doing here?!" was Nox voice asking rather surprised while playfully ruffeling the youngsters head fur with his right paw, who was giggeling happily from that attention.

The male shiny Umbreon sighted calmly to see a familair female shiny Umbreon walking with fast steps towards him and the young Sentret "Marco! I did told you not to run off on your own, didn't I?" was she saying with a worried undertone, which caused the young child to jump down and hug onto the paw of hers. "Sowy Lu! Lu wovy ant Maco sowy...!" was the Sentret speaking up to her while she hugged the little boy back, then noticed Nox, who was smiling softly to see the opposite of what he heared today as he greeted with a soft "Hey Luna."

"Ah hey Da- I mean Nox. Glad to see you here!" was she speaking up to him, then looked down towards the child. "It's okay Marco, I forgive you because you went to Uncle Nox. But dont run off on your own again okay?" was Lunette asking with a gentle and relieved tone, which the young Sentret nodded it's head to. "I'm glad to see you here too Luna, but our small talk haves to wait right now. I've to study the map so we can trap a certain rouge scholar and get the totems back that she stole from this tribe, so the gas won't get to them."

"Do you think Madeline... knows?" was Lunette starting to speaking up slightly worried given that both Umbreons were looking after each other like they're a family and she knew about his secrets. Nox looked back towards her again and nodded softly "Properbly. But at the same time did Miss Holly said that Madeline isn't the one who's going to fight, unlike Morgan that is. I'm still rather shocked to that these two work with each other..." She nodded in return with determination, understanding what he ment with that phrase.

"Right, we've to work together with other teams to catch her alive!" By now did the young Sentret returned on the back of the male shiny Umbreon, hiding in his ringless tail because of the mass of Pokémon that were statrting to gather for the mission. Marco soon noticed a familair figure and called out for him "Osin Rif!" Nox ears twitched as he heared that, then looked to the side to see a Lucario wearing a brown, leather chestplate, a black cape and the Simitar on his left hip that was holded on a red sash walking in along with his friends.

At the same time did he looked a bit shyly away after seeing Yang and Sonya, which didn't got unnoticed by the female Umbreon, as a sly smirk formed on her face when she saw them too. "Could it be that one of the two females i-" before she could continue did the rather embarresed and nervous male Umbreon cutted her out "L-Luna! Y-you know that I want to deal with that t-topic on my o-own!" A small pout forms on her face, but it soon turned into a soft giggle, since she knew how he was ticking in that particular topic that she knows about.

"Reef! Over here!" was she then calling out for the Lucario while Marco waved with a big smile towards him. From the Noxs viewpoint was he capable to see how the Sylveon was looking away with an embarresed frown, but also seemed to be annexted... he might know why, given that he could feel quite the ammount of witch aura from others in this room. Seeing the shiny Mienfoo looking towards him worriedly made him sigh softly. At the same time could he feel how the Sentret jumped off his back towards the Lucario, who caught him.

"Ah hey Marco, you sure are energetic as ever!" was Reef greeting him with a smile as the two of them started to play ring around the rosie, given that they both were still young. Both Umbreons had a small laugh because of that, enjoying the moment of calmness before they would search for the stolen totems. Nox carefully looked over to Sonya when they wasn't looking at him, wondering if she's allright as he spots a familair Pachirisu walking towards her and Yang while wearing a new vest that had the same blue colors of his dog tag.

He seemed to say something towards the two of them, but ended up beeing shoved to the side by a familair looking Zorua that was rushing towards the entrance to greet a shiny Pichu that just entered the room with the Chikorita of their team. *Lucky for him that he got shoved by Ian, or he would have gotten a painful shotdown by Sonya... but why am I feeling very glad to see that he got shoved away like that?* A confused look formed on the shiny male Umbreon before he noticed the shiny Pichu Ian was talking to *That Pichu must be Faye then that he mentioned back in Yawaru... I'm glad that she's fully healed and doing better again.* "Nox? You're awefully quiet. Are you okay?"

The Lucario asked him that with a lightly worried tone, which caused his silver eyes to blink again as he shook his head softly as he spoked up apologeticly "Sorry Reef, I need a moment for myself if it's okay for you and Luna. I'll be right back." The female shiny Umbreon nodded to that and spoked in a soft tone "Okay Nox, we'll stay over here. Just talk to us if you need something." With a short "Thanks Luna and Reef, I appreciate it." did he started to move through the crowd that was getting ready for the upcoming task that they had to deal with.

He passed by a female Plusle with a black bandana on her head and black gloves to who was looking rather bored "Can't we go and beat up some of these minions?" to a rather annoyed male Minun with a red vest and glasses, who was trying to read a book in peace. "Please quiet down, after that can you beat up as many of the 'Marshoids' as you want." was he responding to her, which caused her to squeal a bit in happyness to hear that.

Nox soon passed by the female shiny Buneary and the male shiny Ralts while their eyes met for a moment. The hetrochromatic eyes of the male were looking rather pained towards the silver eyes of the shiny Umbreon, but none of the two spoke a word towards each other. The rather confused female looked between the two, only to flinch in surprise when the Bunary heared Nox saying "Good luck, and don't worry, I won't tell." Both were left rather confused when he continued to walk towards the edge of the room the group was in.

*He's a witch... but I didn't felt any negative energy from him besides fear and pain... despite beeing a good witch must it be hard to be one... I won't tell his secret, that's for sure.* was he thinking deeply for himself while he could feel another witch in the room he was in. Ever since his hetirage awakened inside his body is he capable to sense the auras of witches and witch-hunters, yet was he still beginning to develop this special skills.  For now was he only capable to sense them all in a certain radius of himself, which he didn't found out by himself yet.

"H-Hi Nox. I-I'm glad your here. M-Makes me less nervous seeing so many friends around." was Yangs voice speaking up to him, before she started to giggle softly for herself. Nox head turned around to face her with a soft smile on his face "Ah hey Yang, glad to see you too." However, his head tilted a bit to the right when he heared her mentioning friends "But umm... it does seem that we do share the same friends in some regards." With that did he mentioned Reef, who was still playing with young Marco near the location of Lunette.

"A-anyway... how're you?" was he asking first, before looking around incase someone was listening their conversation, but luckly there was no one near them who was eaversdropping. "I mean... there are quite some witches in this room Yang... I can feel them, but I haven't met the fith and last presence yet." The shiny Mienfoo looked interested first, then a alarmed when he mentioned one presence he wasn't sure about. She softly glanced over to where the freckled Fennekin was without him notecing it, then looked back to the shiny Umbreon.

"But more importantly... are you okay with this mission? I mean, you might enncounter Madeline there... the former scholer that's gone rouge and now is a corrupted witch." was Nox asking her while his face turned into a frown again. "I-Its ok. I-I am nervous but not all witches are evil. S-Some of them that are here are q-quite nice." was Yang trying to speak up with a reassuring voice and nod towards him. it caught him quite by the surprise how she was trying with all her might to grow out of her fear and help her two Eeveelution friends.

Despite that was while his left paw forming a fist, given that he was still very angered by the things that happened Alice, the shiny Zorua of the schoolars. "I swear to god that if I do find her will I haul some coals about the things she's doing. I mean who the hell leaves their child behind and then even steals the totems that ends up releasing a gas that harms your own child?!" Noxs anger was flaming even more then before, as Yang sighted from that. She then looked towards him as determinated as she could "I-I know what she did isn't right. B-But all Sonya and I are going to do is get the totems away from her. T-Then you and the others will be free to capture her and make her face her wrongdoings."

Just hearing that caused his ears to lower down a bit as a certain question crossed his mind, causing him to sigh and lowerhis head down for a moment while seeing how she closed her eyes as she placed her hand on her chest. Both of them were wearing the Proof of Willpower with them, Noxs beeing a dog tag on the starry dyed necklace while Yangs was a sash around her waist as she spoked out "I-I don't want to be held back or hold back others with my fear. M-Making all the friends I have wants me to be stronger for them. S-So I'm going to do my best."

He was smiling softly to hear that from her, but started to become worried as he asks a bit unsure "U-Um... Yang... are you sure you and Sonya want to do this mission? Especially Sonya that is... she's... you know, a former witch-hunters..." He looks up to her with a surprisingly worried look in his eyes as he speaks out what crossed through his mind "She might loose her control down there and that would be very bad for her." The shiny Mienfoo looked concerned to the side when she saw how worried he was for their Sylveon friend when he brought her up.

"I-I will admit, I am concerned for her. S-She's been on edge ever since we came here and talk of her and this Gilgamarsh is among her worried." She looked over to  him and tried to smile reassuringly, but it wasn't working that well. "M-Madeline wasn't always a corrupted witch, a-and perhaps she's not as corrupted as we think. S-So there's a chance I might not freeze e-either. J-Just long enough to get the totems and run a-at least." Her face showed how unconvinced and concerned she was about Sonya, who's known to be stubborn.

"S-Sonya claims she wouldn't know about well.... being what she was. S-She says because of that it'll be fine. All were focusing on is getting the totems. N-No fights this time." was she speaking up to him with a soft smile. Nox couldn't help but frown when Yang mentioned the words about Sonya. "Even if you two won't fight this time and only get the totems... Sonya should consider to sit this one out while you and me will be going into the mission together. That way will she know that you're safe and Sonya won't fall back to her old habits."

The male shiny Umbreon looked to the side with a soft sigh, not hinding his concerns towards the Sylveon at all. The shiny Mienfoo was rather surprised to see that, but smiled softly when she realised that he thinks of her as a friend. With that did she asked a bit concerned about him "W-What about you? I-I take it form your claim your going to help capture her. P-Please be careful as you do." "Me? I'll be fine. Miss Holly did claimed that Madeline actually works together with the evil witch Morgan, so I'm not sure if she knows about us witch-hunters."

Nox looked towards Yang with a reassuring smile to calm her down "If it  does turn worse will I be a target for Madeline despite that she usualy runs away. That way can I lure her into a trap where other members are and we'll catch her alive and then haul some coals with her!" That was the plan b the shiny Umbreon had in mind should the rogue scholar know about witch-hunters and hybrids from the old Vulpix hag. His head soon turned towards the shiny female Pichu as she, the male Zorua and the female Chikorita were walking past him and Yang.

"Ian, glad to see your partner healed up and in good shape again." Both the shiny Pichu and the Chikorita looked rather confused towards him as the former responded "Thanks, I guess?" Ian smiled softly from hearing that "Yeah, I'm also glad that she's allright again!" The Chikorita then talked to Nox in a rather scolding tone "You on the other hand got quite some guts walking out into a mission in a weakened state back in Yawaru!" He simply shrugged that scolding off "I'd important reasons to do so. Anyway, good luck in the mission, see you all in good shape again."

"You too." was the group responding to that as they headed off again, causing Nox to look at his shiny Mienfoo friend to continue the talk they had "Anyway... Reef can be with you, so can another friend of mine that I consider as a little sister. That way can Sonya take a break" His silver eyes looked to the side right towards the shiny female Umbreon Lunette that was laughing along with the young Sentret Marco and the mentioned Lucario, as the latter had a mustache drawn on his face. Yang sighted softly, then smiiled a bit sadly towards him.

"W-We tried to convince her to stay and assist in keeping the Marshoids away. Y-Yet her stubbornness is as tough as ever. S-She refuses to let us go after a witch without her. I-I'm sure she's afraid we might get hurt if we go without her and she won't forgive herself if that happens. T-There's no reasoning once she's made up her mind." Nox blinked a bit to hear that, causing him to chuckle a bit awkwardly after sighting a bit "That's Sonya for you I guess, not wanting to let you go on your own with Reef and me to such a possible dangerous mission..."

Yangs face showcased a bit of pain and worryness "A-Anytime a witch is involved she tries to avoid them. S-Same for me, b-but I insisted on trying to help with with this task because I want to get stronger like both of you and help out these poor, struggeling Pokémon." She rubbed her arm while glancing over to the Sonya "I-I know now, at least a bit, what corrupted witch-hunters can be like. A-After seeing what I saw during the Trial, I can only guess the struggle she has to keep that corruption in check. A-And her fear of giving in to be something she doesn't want to be."

It was at this moment when both Holly, who was currently an Espurr thanks to the encounter she had with Morgan, and Gemma entered the room. "Okay listen up everyone! The longer we're waiting, the more gas will enter the upper half of the caverns!" was Holly speaking out to the whole group, which quiet down the chatter of the others. "I know some of you are nervous, but you don't have to be. Mr. Garic provided us some protection against the gas inform of leaves that you have to wear for this mission." was Gemma speaking up shortly after her.

Some of the Pokémon sighted relieved that they won't breath in the gas as the Lucario of the Keepers Guild proceeded to hand out the said shamanic prepared leaves to other Pokémon. The schoolars Espurr on the other hand walked to the map on the table, only to blink a bit surprised to see that someone did already studied it. Two chockepoints were marked with red ink "That's ingenious... this way won't she be able to escape at all." She looked up before asking out aloud into the group "May the Pokémon that studied the map come to me please?"

Nox gulped when he heared that and looked over to Yang while the young Sentret suddently chirped out next to the Espurr "Nocks! Gyuu~" The female shiny Umbreon giggled a bit from his words, then told in a calm tone "It was Nox from Team Exulibus Miss Holly, but knowing him does he not want to be in the spotlight." Yang couldn't help but giggle towards him because of that. "Fair enough then." was Holly responding to that as she walked over to Gemma, who just finished distributing the protection to give her the map that was provided by the inhabitents.

"Huh? You want me to tell what the Teams should do?" was the Lucario asking her, which the Espurr nodded to. She cleared her throath to tell "Thanks to someone do we have a plan! We'll send in two different teams who have to reach to one of the two chockepoints that were marked at the map!" She pointed on the said circles that Nox had worked out "Occupying them both will cut off Madelines escape routes and lead her into our paws!" Holly soon took over "Remember, Madeline is able to transform her body, but won't be fighting a group, so stick together!"

Yang took a deep breathe to steady her nerves, then walked with Nox over the little group of their Sylveon friend, along with the caped Lucario, the female shiny Umbreon and the young Sentret. "S-Sounds simple enough. W-While we close in on the checkpoints, one team is bound to run in to her at some point." was the shiny Mienfoo pointing out, which made Sonya nod softly while looking both determinated and tense. "Hopefully. Yang and Reef, we'll be counting on both of you. The ability to see our auras will help us make sure we are who we are."

She continued with an argument that Nox had thought of too "It's probably best you go with teams that know well with each other, so Madeline can't trick us incase we get separated." Reef jumped forward and wrapped an arm around her with his usual, carefree grin on his face "No worries big sis! Yang and I can handle this together!" Despite having a soft smile did she pushed one of her feelers against the young Lucarios face to push him softly away from her "Remember to be easy on the space." Nox sighted very softly to see such an interaction between them.

"Aww. But you changed your ability didn't you? I don't have to worry of falling in love with you so I can hug you without any worries!" was the adolescent Lucario speaking up in both a happy and teasing voice, which caused the male shiny Umbreons ears to perk up a bit. *So Sonya trained another ability then Cute Charm... that's good to know...* . "Just because you can doesn't mean you should." was the Sylveon responding with a small humph. Seeing her smiling softly like that looked like she calmed down a bit, while Reef said with a soft pout "Meanie."

The group recived their shamanic enchanted leaves, as she continued to talk to them with a less tense body language "We also have to be careful of the gas. Let's try to avoid those areas first so we don't use these up too fast. Once we know the checkpoints are secured will we then we head deeper into the caves to smoke her out." The shiny Mienfoo raised her paw to the chest as she nodded softly, while the shiny female Umbreon nodded to them with anticipation. Both the male shiny Umbreon and the young Lucario were clenching their fists with determination.

Noxs and Sonyas eyes met each other for a moment as she looked a bit nervous for a second, then nodded towards him with determination while he nodded back to her. They both could count on each others support should things go horrible wrong for the group. "Those who feel to pressured for the task should sit it out and help in the other tasks that are avaible." was Gemma talking out in soft concern for the groups, giving the doubters a second though about the task. A moment passed, but it looked like no one was backing off from the search and capture mission.

Holly soon spoked out who would be in the two Teams that were going to be formed. It looked like Team Lancer, Team Electrophilic, Team StarStruck, Team FairyTail, Team Flowering Hearts and Team Squirrely Sparks will form a group and the rest the other group. The Pachirusu seemed to be less happy to hear that, while a Gastly with a large pink ribbon was actually comforting him "Don't worry so much, you'll just have to do your best in this mission." Her blue eyes soon met the violet ones of Sonya, which widened for a moment before they showed pain.

A soft smile forms on Nox face as he speaks to the other group that'll go for the smaller checkpoint. "So we're going to work with each other yet again, Yang and Sonya. It'll also be the first time we'll be working together, little sis and Reef!" "Right, I'll do my best big brother!" was Lunette responding with a smile to that. Reef did hugged the other two females to him with a big smile on his face  "I finally can go on a real task with you both since I evolved! This is gonna be great!" That hug caused Yang to squeak up soflty, while Sonya released an annoyed groan.

"Space little bro. And don't forget this is still a risky task. Can't let our guard down." was she responding to him as she pushed him away from her face, while the young Sentret had his childish smile on his face "Unce Nocks and Osin Rif both stwonw!" which caused the group to have a soft laugh, as it relaxed the rather tense situation for them all. "Right! I'll make sure to watch out for everyone." did the enthusiastic Lucario claimed as he hugged the shiny Mienfoo again, causing her to squeak out softly again from that.

The Sylveon sighted with a small smile on her face as she responds "We'll watch out for each other." Both shiny Umbreons nodded to that as they looked to each other for a moment as a freckled Fennekin joined the group with a rather annexted look on her face. Nox was looking towards her, beeing surprised to see such a unique looking female next to him as he finally realised who the last owner of the witch aura that he felt before was. The composure of hers instantly caused him to ask in a rather soft tone "Are you allright Miss?"

"H-Huh? Y-yeah, I-I'm o-okay." was her rather tensed up response to his question. He gave of a soft sigh, then looked over the group and spoked out "Allright, let's get this mission done. I'll take the lead if you won't mind." Lunette shook her head softly and instantly responded "I don't mind, but I'll be right behind you. Marco, you'll stay on my back, okay?" "Okay~" responded the young Sentret as he climbed onto the back of hers. Soon did the male shiny Umbreon looked over to the others of the small group.

The shiny Mienfoo had a small smile on her face to see that interaction, while the Sylveon looked rather worried. The ears of the freckled Fennekin were lowered down, which caused him to sigh very softly. He could recall that certain behavior and spoked up to her with a calm and reassuring voice "I'd like you to stay with Yang infront of Sonya and Reef, Miss. That way will you and her be in the safe middle of the group." Peachs head moved downward, but a small nod showcased the male shiny Umbreon that she accepted that suggestion.

"I-Its ok. T-This time we won't leave anyone behind on their own Miss Peach." could he hear Yang say as he looked over to Sonya  "Umm..." His ears lowered down a bit as he wanted to tell her that she really shouldn't push herself, but decided against it "Is it okay that you'll be at the rear?" She had a frown on her face, but sighted through her nose before nodding to him "I'm fine with that, Reef can watch it with me." Speaking of him was he grinning with a rather mocking salute "Ready for rear guard duty sir! Uh, ma'am!" Which caused Nox to roll his eyes a bit annoyed.

"Keep your senses on alert Yang. Your vital when we need to make sure we're who we say we are." was Sonya speaking up to her, who nodded rather nervously from that, given that the Lucario wasn't as good as her in that kind of ability. With one last overlook over the small team did the male shiny Umbreon talked out "Allright then, let's get going!" With that were the two Teams that were formed for different checkpoints heading out to their designated locations, all to return the stolen Totems back to the village and to catch Madeline alive.