ToT Chap3 - Moonlight Reflections Pt1

A day passed after Team Pathfinders helped out with purifying and distributing clean water.

Nothing bad happened during that time much to both of their reliefs, especially since Sonya was still out of it the entire time they helped.

Something Yang noticed the whole time.

Even now as nighttime comes and the sun begins to set over the horizon of Ywaru Canyon, Yang can still feel conflicted emotions from her teammate as they walk up a hill to meet up with the others on their next task.

Yang had suggested they try to take it easy tonight and not do the task so Sonya could rest, or at least talk to her more on what's going on but she refused.

Ever since Sonya opened up to her a bit on her older sister and part of her past, Yang would be lying if she said she wasn't interested in learning more. Perhaps talking more on it could help Sonya feel better and yang understand why she seems so lost or upset every time she's complimented on her evolution.

Sonya getting some decent amount of attention now for being a Sylveon since it's not often other teams see one around.

And recently, they found out by accident that Sonya gained a new ability with her evolution and that was Cute Charm.

As they headed out to come To the hill for the meetup, Sonya accidently bumped in to a local from Ywaru who was a male Krokorok. When she did, the Krokorok was about to yell at her to watch it but suddenly became in a daze and tried to hug and even kiss Sonya.

Sonya almost threw the Krokorok halfway across the street and in to a building before stomping off with Yang scurrying behind her.

Reason for why Sonya has a deep, unhappy frown right now as they walk up the hill as the sky grows darker and the stars appear.

They finally make it up the hill and see there are already a few others present along with the Guild leaders and the Voice Stone.

"Of all the abilities I get in this form, why did it have to be Cute Charm." Sonya mumbles as she and Yang find a spot to wait with the other teams. "As if I don't have enough to deal with...."

Yang overhears her as she taps her paws together nervously. For once not sure what to do to help her friend who looks so unhappy and even more irritated than usual right now. She wants to talk or reassure her friend so badly, yet doesn't know what to say to ease her anger or irritation.

Usually she knows just what to say or do to help her short tempered friend, but this time she can't think of anything.

She looks up when she and Sonya hear a small commotion and sees some teams looking at a familiar shiny male Eevee in surprise. And she sees its her other friend Nox who's finally awake.

He had been in bed the whole time after the incident with the assassins and Yang had visited him before they started to prepare for tonight and he was still out. To see him out and about now surprises her but also makes her concerned if he's ok.

She wants to go over to talk to him, yet she can see his gaze is down casted and he doesn't appear to want to talk to anyone. She can even feel it in his aura that he too is conflicted just like Sonya.

Speaking of, Yang looks back to her teammate who's still frowning. She doesn't know what to do to help her two friends, but for now tries to help Sonya as she smiles nervously while saying, "I-It's not all bad Sonya, having that ability."

Sonya groans in irritation making Yang flinch. "Yes it is. I don't want the unwanted attention on me. Now I can't even properly fight a male opponent with my strongest move without risk of them falling in love with me due to the contact." She says referring to her Iron Tail.

Yang taps her paws again tryin to sound reassuring. "Y-You're still strong even without using that move. A-And you do know a ranged attack that's pretty strong. T-Try to look at the bright side."

Sonya scoffs angrily with a scowl making Yang flinch again. "Yeah right. If any male touches me they'll be forced to like me. I don't need that false emotion bearing down on me. Nor is it fair to the others, criminal or not, to be forced to like or love someone just because of my ability. It's not real feelings and it's not fair to them or to me."

Yang gasps then looks down sadly. Understanding what Sonya means, but also feels upset now because she seemed to only make things worse.

Sonya noticed her friend’s defeated and sad posture. Lowering her ears as she now feels bad for disregarding her friend trying to reassure her and sighs softly.

"Yang, I'm sorry." Sonya's voice sounds a little normal again as Yang looks to her. "I'm taking my frustration out on you and that's not right. You’re just trying to help me and I appreciate it."

Sonya the looks down to her bow and let's her feelers come out a bit so she can look at them, a conflicted look again on her face. "It's just gunna be harder than I expected to get used to this form. It makes me, remember my family. And I hate that...."

Yang looks sadly to her friend, about to open her mouth to ask when suddenly Chandra's voice rings out interrupting her.

"Ok everyone it's the start of the night. Well now begin our task of finding a spot for the Voice Stone." The Lanturne with the cape announces getting everyone's attention.

Yang deflates with a sad frown, wanting to talk to her teammate and eevee friend to try to help, but she realizes now it won't be as easy to do when they are all doing a task right now.

Sonya tries to remain focused, but deep down she knows it won't be easy.

"Nox, I appreciate that you want to help but you have to rest in the hospital!"

Both Sonya and Yang’s head raise up as they look forward when the Scholars leader Chandra’s voice rings out in a scolding tone. They see she is facing Nox and is speaking in a firm tone that holds some authority.

The grey furred shook his head and responded surprisingly in the same tone as hers but not as authoritive. "I refuse your order Lady Chandra! I want to help scouting ahead and finding a good spot for the Voice Stone then staying in bed and doing nothing at all!"

His black eyes showcased his determination despite his current condition. The Lanturn was taken back when he responded in a proper military response, seeing a surprising resemblance with her younger self when she serving in the military.

It was Lydia who then asked Nox "Are you sure Nox? You still look like you need some rest..."

"I'll be fine! As long as I don't have to fight that is!" He responded in the same determined tone.

Darius frowned concerned but sighs. "Welp... if he ain't backing down then we have to send him off with another Pokemon to scout ahead."

The Noibat nodded to the Krokoroks idea. "As long as he's not scouting ahead on his own in such a condition."

"It takes a lot more to take me out." Nox responded quickly to that.

"Alright, but if you see suspicious looking Pokemon will you immediately return to us, do you understand Nox?!" Chandra said in a commanding military tone that also held concern.

He nodded in agreement and then responded loud and clearly with, "Yes ma'am!"

Yang and Sonya watch the interaction silently. Sonya just watching with a passive and unemotional face while Yang looks concerned. Holding the same concern as the others that Nox should rest, yet now that they’re friends she knows he can be stubborn when he’s made up his mind.

"Alright then, I need a Pokemon who will partner up with Nox to scout the north east because I won't let him go on his own!" Scholars Leader spoke up to the group looking around.

Looking up to her teammate, Sonya can see how concerned she is for him and already knows her teammate will want to go with him out of worry. Yet she herself worries about sending Yang with him as in his state, he'll be unable to protect Yang should they find trouble.

After being in this area a while, Sonya knows there's other things to worry about than just hired thugs and that's the environment. They don't have to worry about it being below temperatures that could be dangerous to their health, but it can be pretty cold to distract them or affect those who are sensitive to cold weather at night.

Sonya can tell that Nox is in no shape to go on his own or even attempt to suggest Yang go with him by herself.

She soon raises up her paw and says, "Well go with him."

Yang jumps in surprise looking to Sonya who shows no emotion as she volunteers them to go with the male eevee. Nox eyes widened when he heared Sonya saying that their team will go with him, which caused his ears to go limp.

Chandra looks skeptical for a second but before she can voice it Sonya stands up on two legs and crosses her arms over her chest to speak.

"We've worked with Nox before on other tasks so we know how he'll think or act pretty well. We’re the best choice to go with him to ensure he's safe for the task." Sonya says in a slight impatient but serious tone. She wants to get started already so gives Chandra a look that said they could handle it and to get started already.

Though Yang is also concerned at how rushed her friend is being, she can't deny it be best they both go just incase. Yang looks apologetic to Nox but speaks up timidly as well, "Y-Yes. M-Me and my partner can watch over him while looking around for a place and transporting the stone."

Lydia nods calmly as she accepted that "Alright, I know that both Team Pathfinders and Nox did worked with each other back in Darkhowl Forest not too long ago. "

Darius gives in with a nod. "M'kay then, Lin Lin and Margret will help me with the Voice Stone once they scouted the place for us."

The Pangoro nods calmly as the Chikorita nods too.

Chandra now responded to Sonya after having enough time to think about it "Very well, but you all won't engage hostiles, got it? Nox isn't in condition to fight after all, and you just evolved not long ago Sonya. You both should have stayed in bed.”

Sonya's eyes lightly narrow at Chandra. Not in anger but irritation at the mention of her evolution.

"I'm fine. It's been a few days since then so I'm in a lot better shape than him right now." Sonya says motioning to Nox since he just got out of the infirmary. "All the more reason for us to be with him. So let's get started."

Yang nods to Chandra as Sonya goes back to all fours. "W-We'll be careful Madam Chandra. A-A fight is what we'd like to avoid."

Yang looks to Sonya quickly after saying that. Expecting her teammate to make a snippy remark like she usually does about no promises or how she wouldn't mind fighting if they're threatened.

Yet all she gets is silence as Sonya stares out to the area they'll be scouting. Yang looks worried now as she can see her friend is acting different than she usually is and this unsettles Yang greatly.

Chandra sighs in defeat. “Very well. I can’t stop you, but don’t say that I didn’t warn you. Now head out north-east of the desert and make sure not to lose sight of each other.”

Nox flinched but nods, “Y-Yes ma’am.”

Yang feels conflicted. She really wants to say something to both her friends and express her feelings to them on both their conflicts they’re going through right now. Sonya with her evolution and Nox with suddenly finding out he’s part witch, but the feeling they give off makes her keep it to herself.

For now, she looks to Nox hesitantly but smiles softly. "J-Just relax Nox. W-We'll watch out for each other."

Nox wasn't looking towards the females at all, but does nod weakly to Yang.

"You really should have stayed one more day in bed Nox. Fighting is one thing, you know taking on dangerous terrain at night is a danger on its own." Sonya says looking to him sternly. Then goes back to unemotional as she goes ahead of them. "Stay close to Yang. I'll lead this time."

Nox turns to frown and Sonya and glare in irritation. "Said the one who got out of the bed a day before me. Besides, I've learned to deal with deserts like this when I..." he stopped abruptly and released an annoyed grunt before growing quiet and walking towards the shiny Mienfoo, letting the Sylveon lead the group.

Yang rubs her arm nervously, not sure what to say. She just sighs softly and looks down useless. "L-Lets get doing Nox."

“Whatever….” Nox responds quietly.