ToT Chap3 - Purification Woes

Something.....feels different....

That thought courses through Sonya's mind as she seems to finally be able to think and get out of the darkness surrounding her. It's not a strange or scary darkness, but more like a peaceful one that she almost doesn't want to wake from.

Wait, wake? I'm asleep? She thinks and can feel her face scrunch up in concern by this. Trying to get her thoughts together.

What happened? What do I remember last? I was in the cavern with the Guild leaders..... We were trying to get water for the citizens of Ywaru. From the Don's reservoir who's holding it all for himself and charging others. I was with.... Nox.... as we fought a Seviper. We managed to knock it out, but then.... I heard a cry....

Sonya gasps as her eyes suddenly open wide and she wakes up sitting upright quickly. "Yang!" She cries out as what happened comes back to her and she looks around.

Only to groan and wince in pain as a headache comes rushing to her since she got up too fast. She holds her head as the throbbing pain gets to her for a second and she takes a moment to let it pass.

Once it's down to a dull ache, she opens her eyes again slowly but scans her area quickly. Seeing that she is in a room, or what looks like an infirmary, and is on a bed. She looks confused for a second, wondering how she got here then glances to one side and sees a stool that had some water in a cup waiting for her.

She looks to it eagerly and reaches out to grab it, the realization that she is parched making her thankful its there. Though as she reaches out, she pauses as she notices something is off. Her paw, and her arm, they're not the usual brownish color she's always been.

She looks wide eyed as she stares at her arm that is now a cream colored with the upper part being a lavender pink color. She stares for a minute, then looks over and raises her other arm to see it's the same pattern and color.

"W-Wha...." She mumbles confused then looks up to the side, noticing there's a mirror across the room on her right side. Staring right at it, she suddenly sees the form of a Sylveon staring back. She only stares confused seeing a Sylveon with long hair, the top bow below her bottom right ear, and the same Heal Bell earring she always has on her left ear.

Suddenly, the Sylveon staring back changes in a flash of red.

This Sylveon having shorter, curlier hair and her top bow on her top right ear. She stares back at Sonya with a sinister and superior look while the words echo in her head, Your useless!

Sonya gasps suddenly in fear, breaking the flashback as she breathes heavily and is shaking slightly. The reflection goes back to the original Sylveon form she was staring at before it changed.

That's when reality hits her and she brings up a paw to touch her face, the reflection copying her movement to confirm her suspicions.

"I-I..... evolved...." She mumbles to herself in shock, barely recalling what happened last time that caused it.

She recalls the assassin Oxnard, who was standing over Yang readying to strike her. She remembers feeling a strange energy take her over, and a bright light as she grabbed Oxnard and threw him away from Yang.

Then after that, not much. Just bits and pieces of what she recalls the assassins, Yang protecting her, and Nox.....

She gasps as her thoughts suddenly become clearer when she thinks about the male shiny Eevee.

And speaking of said male Eevee, as she continues to look around her surroundings she finally sees next to her on another bed is Nox. He is still the same except he no longer has his usual blue scarf and lies asleep on the bed.

She stares at him quietly for about a minute, a million thoughts going through her head as she does. Not all of them involving the male next to her, but he is in some of them.

She looks away from the male then back to the mirror to look at herself again. Noting that she still has her earring, but her hair is now loose instead of in the braid held by her amethyst hair gems.

Her eyes lower a bit sadly realizing that she might have lost them in the cavern, guessing they must of fell off in her rush to save Yang. She feels a small pain in her heart at that thought, before sighing in defeat that they're gone since no one would be able to return to the cavern after their little fiasco with the Don's water reservoir and his personal assassins.

She once more looks back at her reflection in the mirror, a part of her hoping that she is just dreaming and she's not staring at herself right now. Yet, she knows she's only kidding herself and glares at her reflection.

She turns her head away abruptly and throws the blanket off. Intending to get up and out to find her teammate who she now realizes isn't in the room with her and Nox.

Though she still feels exhausted and stands on wobbly legs, she holds her own and sighs softly. She gives one last lingering glance at Nox on the bed, then quietly walks forward and out of the room.

------

Yang looks almost in a daze as she stands before a barrel of the tainted water. Usually she'd be disgusted at seeing such a sight as her and other teams are present trying to help Menthe and Sinclair bring some of the tainted water to be purified and distributed out to the locals.

It had been about two almost three days since Nox and Sonya were admitted to the infirmary after their encounter with the assassins. Yang had stayed with her friends most of the time, but when she heard that the next task of helping to purify the water was happening today she decided to leave to help.

She was reluctant to leave her friends, especially after what she all witnessed with Nox that day at the cavern, yet she and Sonya still have a duty to help with the Guilds. Plus she knows they'll be fine since she figures Sonya was too out of it to even be aware of what happened that day.

Still, she can't help but find herself lost in her thoughts on what she all witnessed that day with Nox.

The sudden silver aura that enveloped him and the power it emanated, the orange aura that took control for a bit and spoke to her, and most of all, the fact that orange aura told her that Nox is actually, part witch and part witch hunter.

Yang's eyes lower in concern as she tries to decide what to make of it. Had Nox even known he was part witch? The witch Morgan had already called him a witch hunter like Sonya before but he denied it, not even knowing what a witch hunter was. And now suddenly she'd told he is part witch by an aura that looked like a Jolteon.

Either she's finally losing it, or this is all legit. She has no clue right now.

She makes a troubled face as she closes the lid to one of the containers filled with the polluted water. Then using her Hidden Power Psychic, she raises her paw and levitates it up.

Suddenly a hand on her shoulder makes her jump slightly, almost dropping the container, and look to the side. She sees her shiny friend Nodoka who looks to her worriedly, Yang visibly relaxing seeing its her.

"Are you ok Yang? You seem out of it?" Nodoka asks worriedly, wanting to ask Yang what happened that day in the cavern but she can see her shiny Mienfoo friend is a bit reluctant to say and doesn't want to bush her.

"I-I'm alright." Yang says but not in a very convincing tone. She does try to smile at Nodoka and starts to walk with the container she has. "D-Don't worry Nodoka. A-And thank you for your concern."

Nodoka doesn't look convinced as she takes her own container and starts to fill it up as Yang walks away.

------

Sonya walks with quick steps over to the location that she heard of where the next task her and Yang were going to do together. Quickly adjusting to her new form fairly well, even though she refuses to make eye contact with any kind of reflective surface that she can see herself in.

Even her new ribbon feelers she keeps close to herself so it doesn't touch or brush against others. She finds them kinda strange and something she'll have to get used to.

One good thing about this new form at least is she isn't has hot anymore as she was when she had her thicker neck fur as an Eevee. Finding the heat a little more tolerable as she treks over to the canyon where Yang and the other teams helping should be.

Finally coming up to the location, she looks down and out seeing the different teams trying to help get the tainted water and then another at a few tables appearing to be making the pills. Nearby she can see a few other teams talking to some locals who aren't giving them too much problems, but do seem skeptical to what they're doing.

Sonya lightly narrows her eyes at that, making a mental note to make sure no one is attacked by these locals who could mistake them for the Don instead of trying to help. Though her eyes scan first for her shiny Mienfoo teammate before most else.

She can see a few familiar faces helping out, like a female Pangoro with a young shiny Phantump. The Pangoro dropping a large container of water near the Phantump as he floats in the air and drops a pill inside it.

She even notices a Mudkip who is giving out a few containers of the purified water to some of the locals who were convinced they were trying to help.

She soon finally spots her Mienfoo partner as she observes the other teams, seeing Yang lowering a container she brought next to a table with Menthe close by.

She looks relieved seeing her teammate alright then quickly treks down the path to get to her.

------

"Oh Sonya!" Yang cries out in surprise as she was about to drop a tablet in to a container of the tainted water, only to see her newly evolved Sylveon teammate walk down towards her.

She sets the tablet down on the table real fast and meets her teammate halfway. Sonya smiling softly to her shiny friend, lightly grunting when Yang kneels down and hugs her closely.

"I-I'm so glad your ok. A-Are you sure you shouldn't rest more in the infirmary?" Yang says softly in relief.

Sonya chuckling as she pats her friends back. "I should be saying that. You scared me half to death. And don't worry, I'm fine now since I rested for so long." She leans Yang away from her and glares sternly. "Why did you do that Yang? You should of stayed with the other teams, not take on an assassin on your own."

Yang looks down, but then up with small determination, "I-I wasn't just going to let both my friends go by themselves. I-I'm tired of being the one who freezes up or is useless." She then looks down ashamed, "I-I'm still not strong enough. I-I almost gave in to what I thought was my fate to disappear because I'm so weak...."

Sonya's look softens as Yang speaks honestly. Feeling a bit bad now for scolding her, but before she can apologize to her Mienfoo friend, Yang speaks again in a surprising, confident tone.

"N-Not anymore." Yang looks back up and narrows her eyes while putting her paws nervously to her chest. "I-I may struggle and not do this right, b-but I'm going to get stronger so I can better protect my friends."

Sonya smiles softly to her friend, seeing a change in her as when she speaks she has a lot more conviction and confidence this time than past times she's said that. Sonya feels proud of her friend who is finally learning to be strong in her own way.

Yang's look then turns uncertain as she can't help but ask even if it might ruin her friends mood. "U-Umm.... h-how is Nox? W-Was he awake when you left the infirmary?"

As expected, Sonya's look drops as a frown comes to her face. Even evolved Sonya still has her usual signature frown when she's upset or mad.

Sonya walks up to the table and looks at the supplies as she responds, "He was still out when I woke up."

"O-Oh, ok." Yang says uncertain, knowing Sonya probably doesn't want to talk about him. She looks to her teammate wondering if she even recalls what happened that time. She knew Sonya was nearly unconscious and not completely aware that day, but she isn't sure how her friend will react if she tries to bring it up.

Sonya looks around real fast to get an idea of what's going on right now, then says, "He's ok though. He was dead asleep when I left. The doctors weren't too happy I left so suddenly, but they said they'd keep an eye out for Nox until you could go see him."

Yang relaxes as Sonya reassures her Nox is ok. She knows she isn't too happy on talking about him, but Sonya knows Nox is also her friend and like all her friends she wants to make sure they're ok. Especially since Yang witnessed everything that happened that day, including Nox being choked.

Yang flinches as she recalls the horrid memory of almost losing her new friend, which is why she's now gaining a stronger resolve to get stronger.

She looks to her Sylveon teammate who picks up one of the finished tablets and looks it over. Yang wants to so badly ask if she remembers anything from the cavern concerning Nox, but then realizes something else as she asks, "H-How are you adjusting to your new form Sonya?" Yang smiles trying to be positive, "Y-You look quite lovely as a Sylveon."

Suddenly Sonya flinches making a pained look as she lowers her head. Her face suddenly taking a dark negative look as she frowns. This surprises Yang as she thought her friend would be happy she evolved and got stronger, but that flinch told her Sonya actually isn't.

Sonya pauses for a second, then in a forced tone says, "T-Thanks... I-I'm going to have to adjust to it...."

Yang is about to ask what's wrong but suddenly Sonya turn away from her and walks towards the table where they're making the purification tablets. "I'm going to help too. Don't get close to the locals if they appear hostile."

Yang looks concerned, reaching towards her friend as she walks away. She does want to ask about Nox still, but for some reason something else seems to be bothering her.

She instead gives her friend some space for the moment as they focus on the task.

------

A few hours later, Sonya finishes up on the next set of tablets after Menthe explained the process on making them. They seemed easy enough and creating them did distract her from her thoughts.

She is one of the few who are making the tablets. Glancing around she notices a Pichu is handing her own set of tablets she made to a Minun who puts them all in a jar. Then the Minun walks to Menthe to hand her them while taking a few of them and walking to the tainted water containers.

She even sees a shiny Buizel is carrying a few tablets of her own and walks over to a Houndour to talk for a bit. The Houndour with a scarf eyeing the locals carefully since some don't look very convinced they're there to help.

Every often Sonya glances over as she'd watch her teammate continue to levitate containers of the tainted water, then lift and take the purified containers to the teams distributing it out to the locals.

Sonya sighs through her nose, then goes to grab her tablets. She gasps as when she is about to reach with her paws to grab them, her ribbon feelers act on her thoughts and reach out instead to grab them.

She makes a face as she leans back taking a few steps, her feelers once more acting on her thoughts as they pull back immediately to her bow on her chest. Though as she leaned back, she accidently bumps in to someone behind her as they give a startled yelp.

Sonya looks behind her quickly and sees she bumped in to a Fenniken with a lot of freckles on parts of her body. She had caused the Fenniken to drop her tablets on the ground as she looks nervous. Her ribbon feelers going back to the bow on her chest quickly as she turns to face the Fenniken and help her pick up her tablets.

"Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention." Sonya says as she picks up a few with her paws and holds them out for the Fenniken to take. Some ways away, Yang is watching her both curious and worried.

Said Fenniken looks nervously to her but smiles softly, "I-Its ok. T-Thanks." She reaches out to take the tablets from Sonya and as their paws touch, a sensation goes through Sonya making her gasp.

Her huntress instincts kicking in slightly to make her alert and she gasps softly. The Fenniken not noticing as she takes the tablets and giving one last smile in thanks then scurries off.

Sonya watches the Fenniken skeptical for a minute, then lets it slide. Having a small suspicion to why she felt her huntress instincts kick in a bit, but leaves it for now as her thoughts go back to her feelers that caused this problem.

She looks pained again staring down to her bow on her chest. Her feelers moving a bit at her uncertain feelings as they shrink in more in to her bow.

Sonya tsks angrily as she goes and grabs one of her tablets with her paw quickly and walks to one of the tainted waters. She drops the tablet inside the murky water then stares at it with an impatient frown for it to be purified.

After what felt like forever, the water finally becomes clear and purified. Sonya looks satisfied and is about to put the lid on the container so it can be transported, but stops as she once more sees her reflection in the water.

She can't help but stare at herself. The slight ripples in the water making her reflection distorted, but she still just stares.

Memories of her past once more coming to her as she does.

"Big sis!" A young looking Eevee cries out as she smiles brightly while running.

In front of her, a pink Sylveon turns around and then smiles softly to the young Eevee.

The little Eevee slides to a stop in front of the Sylveon and looks up to her excitedly, her tail wagging. "You look so pretty in your new form big sis!"

The Sylveon chuckles softly, "Thank you little sis. You actually helped me to evolve."

The little Eevee tilts her head to the side confused. "I did?"

The Sylveon giggles and reaches out to hug the little Eevee close to her form. "Yes. As father explained, Sylveon's only evolve based on how much love they have in their lives. Love for others, love for someone special, or love of a family." The Sylveon leans down and nuzzles the Eevee who giggles. "Which do you think helped me evolved?"

"Family!" The Eevee cries out happily hugging her sister back.

"Sonya?"

Sonya snaps out of her thoughts quickly as she turns seeing Yang staring at her concerned.

"I-I called your name a few times but you didn't answer. A-Are you ok?" Yang says with a concerned frown.

Sonya's eas lower on her head, "I'm fine." She tries to answer but her bell gives a broken ring out making her flinch. Yang noticing as she narrows her eyes.

"N-No, your not."

Sonya turns to look away with a pained expression. Yang knows her friend is hurting, but this time she's not going to let it slide this time.

"S-Sonya please, talk to me. Y-You haven't been yourself since you woke up and came here." Yang pleads to her friend. "I-Its scaring me."

Sonya's ears twitch a bit at what Yang said. The feeling of guilt building up in Sonya's chest at making her friend so worried.

Sonya gulps softly, appearing to be struggling to even speak. Yang notices and now feels guilty for pressuring her friend like this.

"O-Or if you don't wish to talk then I under--"

"My sister..... is a Sylveon...."

Yang gasps in shock as Sonya interrupts her and suddenly speaks.

"Y-Your sister?"

Sonya nods, keeping her face down and hidden from Yang but continues to speak. "We used to be close, my older sister and I. Our father was very strict and our mother passed away when I was young so I didn't know her well enough."

Yang puts her paws up to her chest as her friend basically opens up right in front of her. Neither liking to talk of their pasts yet Sonya is for the first time being open and speaking of her family she left behind.

"Because of that, I was practically raised by my sister. Father was always harsh and strict with us, but my sister was caring and kind. She looked out for me, and I looked up to her. When she evolved to a Sylveon, I was inspired to be just like her. Beautiful, strong, and proud."

She pauses for a second, making Yang worried, then continues, "As time went on and my sister grew stronger and stronger, the distance between us grew. She slowly became cold, distant, and uncaring. The influence of my father and being the elder child, as well as the corruption of a witch hunter that takes over, changed our relationship. The sister I once looked up to and came to for love and reassurance, became a killer who's shadow I was stuck in. She was the bright star destined to take over our family name after our father, and I was forgotten."

Yang looks sadden by all she said, never realizing just how close she and her sister were. Then to be suddenly left behind by your family you once were close with like that along with the fact Sonya is a Sylveon right now and that seeing her own reflection brings back memories in such a way, Yang can only imagine the struggle her friend is having right now.

"S-Sonya...."

Sonya remains silent for a second, then raises up her head and gives a pained smile to her friend. "I'll be fine. It'll take some adjustment, but whats done is done. Afer all, the reason why I evolved was because of my love for you as my friend."

Yang gasps in surprise at the information. Recalling Sylveon's do evolve by a strong sense of love or protectiveness for others. The fact Yang was in trouble and how much Sonya cares for her helped her evolved hits Yang.

Yet, a moment of hesistation goes come to Yang at this info. Was it her love for me as a friend the only influence that helped her evolved? She thinks as she can't help but feel there was more to it.

Yet before she can dwell on much else, Sonya sighs then stands up putting the lid on the container and walks back to the table. "That water is ready for drinking. Take it to the others whenever you can Yang. Don't push yourself though. Make sure you rest and drink water." She says going back to her usual self despite just saying some painful things.

"Y-Yes...." Yang says uncertain, she can feel in her friends aura she is slightly tormented yet also doesn't want to talk anymore than she already has.

Yang looks worried to her friend as she watches her keep busy and continue to make more tablets. Yang herself feeling torn as she wants so badly to comfort her friend and to also ask her about her thoughts on Nox, but right now she can see her friend needs space and time.

Yang can only watch and hope that perhaps somehow, she can help both her friends who appear to be struggling with their own individual problems now. And she hopes she can somehow help since she's stuck in the middle.