Sojaveña Wilds Escarpa Clan Camp

[Ambyssin]

"That... checks out," Nova said, tapping a claw in the dirt, mulling over his options. Tap tap tap. He glanced skyward. The sun was intense as always, but he didn't mind.

"I bumped into him yesterday." He was quieter now. "You mentioned 'who watches the watchers' and... it sure sounds like he fits that description. He mentioned an Angel... overstepping in the distant past. With serious consequences."

Nova looked around, cheek bolts turning slowly. "Are there any tales passed through the clan... about the sun going out?"

 

[Jackie Cat]

Sierra shook her head, very slightly.

"Only in a manner of speaking," she said. "But I learned certain truths and histories when I was younger. I know of the events you mean."

Luz scratched her cheek fur, her claws flicking at her whiskers. Considering.

"...There's a story passed down from each Zeraora to their acolyte-ascendant. It matches with some of what the 'mon in Sunward will tell you, if you get in their favour. To tell it in a breath – long ago, two heroes fought a great threat to the land, and when the battle was done, the sky grew dark. Without the sun, the world grew cold and dark, and 'mon feared they would all perish. One of the heroes took the place of the sun 'til the darkness passed, and when at last her task was done, she passed into an endless sleep."

The Zeraora sniffed, and drew the back of her paw over her mouth.

"The part the Sunward fellas don't include, or don't know about t'begin with, is that the other hero – an angel – passed on his 'Light' to someone else, before makin' hisself scarce, never to be seen again. That someone else was a Zeraora."

 

[MintyMimix]

"They... 'took place' of the sun?" Ghaspius couldn't help but begin spinning in place — quite literally — in confusion. "Like, y'all are bein' literal 'bout that, or is there some spirit-y part of it I'm not gettin'?"

He slowed down and stopped after a few revolutions, but remained completely upside down as he floated along. "Suppose that's not easy to answer when it's just tales, but it makes a fella wonder."

The Mismagius let out a hum of intrigue at her last remark. "Do the tales talk anythin' more about that one in endless sleep?" It was, at this point, a random guess, but he still wondered aloud, "Could maybe they have somethin' to do with us? I mean, we ain't exactly here on procedure much either, right?"

 

[Ambyssin]

"I see..."

That was... different than what Powehi had told Nova, to say the least.

"Maybe his natural darkness biased his take on events." Nova clicked his tongue in thought. "He made it sound as though an offworlder used too much power and, as a consequence, some caldera erupted and filled the sky with ash for a decade." His crest tightened a bit. "It's part of why he's been watching us so intently. With so many of us brought here together — and Cipher and Alexander already eroding Forlas' fabric — he fears the longer we stay and the stronger we get, the closer Forlas gets to reaching another such breaking point."

He shifted nervously, expecting some teammates' eyes on him, "I, uh, kinda wanted to get more info before telling the team. But some of you are here now, so... surprise?"

He propped himself up on his hind legs and wriggled his chitinous forelegs in halfhearted celebration.

 

[Tetra]

"Restrained, but decisive." [...] This is as it should be. The lesser legends have a responsibility to step in when called for, and not otherwise. Perhaps some have imagined me leading my people as a warrior demigod, or using Sainthood to change the Soja's politics to my liking, but this is not how things should be. The Wandering Light must walk the west, leaving each place less dark than it was. That is all."

That seemed fair enough. Even legends on his world rarely interfered in human politics. His worlds Zeraora had only stepped in to protect wild pokemon after all. He offered Sierra a nod of understanding. At least one Saint would pass it on to a good succesor...

As Luz continued, he listened intently, eagerly absorbing her every word. There was so much. He wished, for a moment, he could stay much longer and learn more from her. One meeting seemed too short. He was glad Ghapius asked the question he'd had on his mind. How had someone taken the place of the sun?

Nova's announcement caught Koa by surprise. He shot him a curious look, then shook it off. In hindsight, he guessed that wasn't surprising. From what he knew of Nova he wasn't that surprised that he'd managed to contact Powehi.

"Is that how Zeraora came to wield Radiance? Because of that... angel?" Such a strange word.

 

[Shadow Serenity]

"Ha. Cheeky devil. Maybe. Let's see how the leaves land."

Kimiko nodded back with a grin, her only response. It was a more hopeful answer than she'd expected, and she wasn't going to push her personal problems, not when everyone else was discussing more important matters.

D'you know, fer a time there was a part-human outlaw in the Soja' who was a match fer me in battle? And he actually wanted power and wealth, and to hurt folks. Kill 'em, even.

At this, the servine tilted her head. She'd had an initial guess, but that second line made her toss it out the window. Who could be strong enough to match a saint like Luz in one-on-one combat? "For a time? That definitely sounds like someone who should be monitored... who were they? What happened to them?"

"If we caused problems I hope someone would stop us," he growled firmly. If they were able to. "There's supposed to be checks and balances. Power should be used to help, not for petty things or hurting pokemon who can't even protect themselves... I can't stand the idea that people use that kind of power for evil, offworlder or not."

Tryin' to do what they must, or stop some other bastard doin' somethin'. Why, I'd venture it'd be no different from mortals and their everyday conflicts. Sure hope you win, then, son. If you win, you get to decide all them shoulds and oughts and meant-to's."

Kimiko shifted uncomfortably and sent Koa a cautious glare. Ever since they arrived, people had been trying to stop them. Cipher. The mayor. Powehi. And what did the Wayfarers all do? Power their way through all of them. Because they thought their way was the right path forward. But so did the mayor. So did Cipher. Powehi actively told them that their very existence here was a problem. And they'd fought back against all of it, determined and confident in their belief that they were the ones in the right. But, at the very least, they did have the support and encouragement of some of the locals, both civilian and saint alike, so Kimiko hoped that was enough proof that they were on a different track.

Luz, thankfully, drew out the main point without pulling up all of the examples. But it was enough to get her thinking, and mercifully, Koa seemed to catch on, too.

"I, uh, kinda wanted to get more info before telling the team. But some of you are here now, so... surprise?"

Well, that part certainly was news to her. "Powehi thinks we're leading Forlas towards another era of darkness simply by being here?" They'd, of course, known that he considered their very presence to be a threat, but this was the first she was hearing of any specifics about how it might manifest... and if they could quantify it, perhaps they could counteract or repair it. Her attention shifted back to Luz, bouncing between him and Sierra. "And... who would it fall to to, uh... be the light that takes the place of the sun, should this happen again? Hypothetically speaking, of course..."

 

[Jackie Cat]

"For a time? That definitely sounds like someone who should be monitored... who were they?"

"I know this one," whispered Seth, in an aside, while the conversation moved on. "Chesnaught Tamuk. The Soja's most-wanted, about a century or so ago."

"What happened to them?"

Seth smiled darkly, his paws and shoulders tensing up.

"What d'you think?" he asked, in a hushed growl. He pointed subtly to Luz, presently talking about other legends. "She killed him."

---

"They... 'took place' of the sun? Like, y'all are bein' literal 'bout that, or is there some spirit-y part of it I'm not gettin'?"

Luz shook her head. "Nuh-uh, partner. Flew right up there an' burned bright fer a year or so. Fierce enough to warm and light the planet."

"Is that how Zeraora came to wield Radiance? Because of that... angel?"

The old feline nodded. "Yeah. Lotta Saints, heroes, wildren Nobles, an' the like can figure out a little Radiance of their own, but the last dozen or so Zeraora were 'specially touched by it on account a' that human fifty centuries back."

"Maybe his natural darkness biased his take on events. He made it sound as though an offworlder used too much power and, as a consequence, some caldera erupted and filled the sky with ash for a decade. It's part of why he's been watching us so intently. With so many of us brought here together [...] he fears the longer we stay and the stronger we get, the closer Forlas gets to reaching another such breaking point."

"Powehi thinks we're leading Forlas towards another era of darkness simply by being here? And... who would it fall to to, uh... be the light that takes the place of the sun, should this happen again? Hypothetically speaking, of course..."

"If you lot get real powerful and use yer power unwisely, there're any number of ways you could fuck up the planet. I doubt the old dog thinks you're specifically gonna cover up the goddamn sun, not 'less any of y'all are specialists in volcanism. That human's partner was a mighty-powerful Fire-type of some persuasion, and whatever happened in that final battle a' theirs, it apparently called fer an eruption powerful enough to change the midwest coastline. Y'all should go check out the black beaches along the lake coast if you're ever in the area. Just imagine, bein' so goddamn strong that you can just reach out and..."

The Zeraora gestured with a paw, and lightly clicked her fingers.

"...boom, new land, where the planet's burnin' blood meets water."

The faint wonder on the legendary's face faded back into dry sobriety.

"'Course, an eruption that world-shakin' only went and set off some kinda reaction across the entire fuckin' planet. It weren't 'some caldera' – that 'mon fifty centuries back wielded that eruption as some kinda attack, or somethin', only to watch in horrified awe as the planet discharged hot smog into the heavens fer weeks on end, not just here, but everywhere."

"Do the tales talk anythin' more about that one in endless sleep? Could maybe they have somethin' to do with us? I mean, we ain't exactly here on procedure much either, right?"

"You'd have to go bother those Sunward fellas about it, I reckon. Who knows? Maybe some alarm clock's finally gonna ring off next Faesday an' the Living Sun is gonna rise from the grave."

Luz' words were sarcastic, but there was a faint undercurrent of anxiety in there, too.

 

[Ambyssin]

"Living Sun..." Nova looked skyward again, closing his eyes because the sunlight was too intense. "Someone back home used to describe a 'mon as being like a sun. And not volcarona. Some big metal cat." He shook himself out, humming in thought. "Ahhh, what was it called again? Soleo? Solgar... something. Can't remember..."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Luz' ears perked in interest, but not recognition.

"Wish I could tell ya, partner – but the sorry truth is I don't know that 'mon's name or species or anythin'. Pretty hard to keep an oral tradition goin' fer thousands of years. But hey, maybe those Wardens kept written or visual records? They can get a mite protective, though."

She pawed at her chin, pensively.

"Never heard of a Soleo or a Solgar, at least. The black dog didn't tell ya?"

Powehi had not. Presumably he knew, but cautionary tales worked best if the listener felt it could just as well be them in the same position...

 

[Ambyssin]

"Didn't even mention the whole 'temporary living sun' thing." Nova sat down to scratch a cheek bolt with a hind leg. "His version was just focused on the 'ash in the skies' bit and all the bad things that stemmed from it."

 

[Shadow Serenity]

"I know this one. Chesnaught Tamuk. The Soja's most-wanted, about a century or so ago."

Kimiko nodded solemnly at Seth, both in appreciation for his answer as well as acknowledgement that Tamuk was... no longer a concern.

"'Course, an eruption that world-shakin' only went and set off some kinda reaction across the entire fuckin' planet. It weren't 'some caldera' – that 'mon fifty centuries back wielded that eruption as some kinda attack, or somethin', only to watch in horrified awe as the planet discharged hot smog into the heavens fer weeks on end, not just here, but everywhere."

"Well, I think it's safe to say we're not going to be attempting anything like that. Sounds like... another legend I know of from the stories back home. Big, ancient thing, able to wield powerful fire and create land. But I doubt it's the same legend, not if they were here paired with a human..."

"Ahhh, what was it called again? Soleo? Solgar... something. Can't remember..."

"If I were to hazard a guess, I believe the name you're looking for is 'Solgaleo'," Kimiko added with a shrug. "For all the good that does us here. I doubt anyone will know who we're talking about if we go around asking about them by that name. Living Sun, though..."

She turned back to Luz. "Do you know of a... counterpart to this Living Sun? Maybe someone to do with the moon?"

She wondered if perhaps the Rangers might also have any written records; if the Wardens were less than cooperative, it would be worth asking about, at least. She filed that away for later.

 

[Jackie Cat]

"What's that? Some... lunar hero? No, lass, that don't sound familiar. Pretty sure the Livin' Sun was a mortal 'mon burstin' at the seams with power, not a Saint of some kind... but it ain't like I could say fer absolute certain, I guess."

 

[Weazel]

This conversation was going in directions he did not like. Were it not for his fur, Archie would’ve begun noticeably paling when the topic turned to the sun going out, and some creature taking its place. What the hell was Nova getting at? What was the point on this whole tangent? The lion and the bat. The lion, the bat, and the black prism. Necrozma.

The Dewott folded his arms, digging his claws into his coat sleeves. He reminded himself to breathe deeply, and not to freak out again. He could feel it, the cloying darkness burning a hole in his stomach. He was fine. He could get through this. Just avoid drawing attention to himself and this topic would pass.

Arceus now Kimiko was getting in on it. Solgaleo. That was right, that was what they called the lion. And it’s counterpart, the lunar bat. That one was called…

“Lunala,” Archie said suddenly. “The name you are looking for is Lunala.”

Then he stood and made for the tent flap. He couldn’t be here right now, in this suffocating tent, surrounded by these people, seated next to the man that cut a gash into his stomach so bad, that every time he felt the cloying shadow building up inside, the area started to burn again even long after it healed. He needed some fresh air.

“Excuse me.”

 

[Jackie Cat]

Luz' ears flicked to follow Archie as he left. Her face remained neutral, and she took another sip of Ghaspius' water flask.

"It's a rare sunshine lad or lass who don't have some awful dread deep inside 'em," she growled, softly, once he left the tent. "Keep an eye on that young fella. That darkness is a nest fer Shadow."

She clicked her tongue, and sighed.

"Anyway... Never heard of Lunala, neither. Sure hope those Sunward fellas can help ya on that point."

 

[Ambyssin]

Recalling what had happened at the cabin, Nova thought to say something, but held his tongue. It wasn't his place to say what was troubling Archie. Maybe there was a lighter subject to steer things toward instead?

"So, uh..." He glanced between Luz and Sage. "Is there any specific reason you wanted them to come out here?" The answer probably had something to do with shadows, but it wouldn't hurt to hear it directly from the big zappy cat's mouth.

 

[Tetra]

As Luz continued to speak and the others chimed in, Koa fell silent, listening. The notion rubbed him the wrong way, like a burr under his jacket, that some long ago hero had done that much damage. All in the name of what? What had they been fighting? All the harm caused... But then, one of those same heroes had turned themselves into a sun.

Koa glanced worriedly at Archie as he started to leave, trying to catch his eye and give a sympathetic look. He hoped Archie was okay... He still remembered Archie's confession some time ago about the fate of his former home. For a moment, he considered following, then decided to give him some space.

"The legends don't tell why those heroes did that? What they were fighting?" Or who...

 

[Shadow Serenity]

“Lunala. The name you are looking for is Lunala.”

"Anyway... Never heard of Lunala, neither. Sure hope those Sunward fellas can help ya on that point."

As he spoke up, Kimiko made to nod in Archie's direction - she'd known the name, but figured, like the Living Sun, the folks of Forlas probably knew it by a different one - but there was a note in Archie's voice that gave her pause. And not a moment later, he quietly excused himself. They hadn't really talked a whole lot recently ('And who's fault was that?') and was beyond time for her to reconnect with her teammates in general, but now probably wasn't the time to check on him. He probably needed some space, never mind the importance of this meeting. She instead turned her nod to Luz.

"We'll follow up on that, thank you."

"The legends don't tell why those heroes did that? What they were fighting?"

"Surely there has to be some reason, or at least speculation," Kimiko noted. Whether or not Luz left it out intentionally - or simply didn't know - was another matter, but if they were going to find any answers in Sunward about the Living Sun, surely they'd have information about the battle, too... right?

Kimiko fell silent again as Nova changed the subject. She, too, was curious why the others had been sitting in. Seth, at least, could wield Radiance now too, so she assumed perhaps he was training with Luz and the Escarpa. And it made sense that the other shadowed lycanroc stayed by his side. But what of the other...? Kimiko hadn't seen them since the lab, and she was pretty sure Sage was not being sheltered by the clan since then...

 

[Jackie Cat]

"The legends don't tell why those heroes did that? What they were fighting?"

"Surely there has to be some reason, or at least speculation,"

Luz shrugged. "Every Crisis is different, but most are either some fucked-up natural or supernatural disaster, or some big shot throwin' their weight around in such a way as to hurt regular 'mon. I've heard it both ways about the Livin' Sun. Even heard a version of the story where the Livin' Sun was the Crisis herself, from some reclusive tribals way out in the northwest pines. Five thousand years is a long time fer stories t'shift an' change, y'know."

"So, uh..." He glanced between Luz and Sage. "Is there any specific reason you wanted them to come out here?"

The Zeraora grinned.

"They're kinda like you guys, ain't they? Sure can't imagine they'd be better off findin' a job with the postal service than fightin' the good fight alongside you lot. Better that they learn a thing or two about the world they're s'posed to give a shit about, yeah?"

Seth snorted. "I'm just here to beat the shit outta Cipher and go the fuck home."

"Sure, sure." Luz winked at the Lycanroc, and clicked her tongue.

 

[Ambyssin]

"You already gave Seth radiance." Nova looked down, torn between stating the next part outright. Then again, maybe Luz could already tell given her nature. In which case, he might as well say it.

"Sage is native to Forlas. And they were... originally built to be an artificial source of radiance before Cipher took them and made them a producer of shadows instead."

 

[MintyMimix]

Ghaspius adjusted his hat as his eyes moved from 'mon to 'mon. He let out a chuckle, admittedly getting a bit lost in all of the off-world and legend details he had little familiarity with.

"'ppreciate y'all takin' the time out here. I'll get in touch with them Sunward pals to see what they have to say on that sun guy," he said with a nod, "So, 'bout that mentorship offer of yours... whatcha got in mind? Masterin' Radiance is the big one for sure, but I'm just wonderin' if y'all had somethin' on top of that in mind."