Sojaveña Wilds Silver Riverside

[Tetra]

"Okay... okay so we just need to keep training then," he began uncertainly. His thoughts flitted back to Alex's advice, and then to fighting Seth. "And you can work on staying calm in battle and stuff." He felt like he was grasping at nothing. It didn't sound like what happened to Ridley was the same as what the rest of them had to go through. But at least it was curable, right?

"You won't become a shadow pokemon, we'll get a handle on things before then." He glanced at Steven, hoping to get... he wasn't sure. Maybe affirmation. Why should he? This is because of you. "I mean, Powehi said it can be undone, so we'll undo it."

 

[Hap]

"I'm sorry," said Steven. "If I had known... I shouldn't have put you in that situation with the training match. I'd offered to help with your confidence in battle, and I just threw you into it with no instruction."

What?

"What?" Ridley said. No, he'd been wrong actually, the only thing worse than endangering people through his own carelessness was doing that and then having those people blame themselves for it. "You don't have anything to apologise for. It was a sparring match, not a life-or-death situation. Anything which went wrong was my fault for not warning you."

Like, yeah, okay, maybe in the parallel universe where Ridley hadn't fucked himself over via poor impulse control a little more instruction from Steven might have been nice, but he'd figured the guy wanted to see what Ridley did when left to his own devices so he'd know what sort of advice to give. Also, again, Ridley had been in multiple serious battles by the point! Throwing Ridley into a casual training match was nowhere near what Ridley had done by neglecting to mention that oops, by the way, he was possibly some sort of weird partial shadow pokemon now.

And now Steven was blaming himself because Ridley had selfishly wanted to avoid talking about the consequences of his own idiocy. "Seriously, you did nothing wrong," he insisted.

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven looked back and forth between Koa and Ridley, between their expressions of expectancy and incredulity, and was left wondering why it felt like he had done something wrong, despite their words saying otherwise.

Because the person he truly needed to apologize to was already gone. Because calling his track record with making good decisions 'poor' would be an understatement. Because it wasn't him who paid the price of his terrible judgement every time--

It was becoming too much. He wanted to get away. Away from Ridley telling him it was fine. Away from Koa saying they'd fix things. He couldn't tell them they were wrong. It wasn't fine. Whenever he tried fixing things, he invariably made them worse.

His eye darted back towards the direction of town. "It's alright. It, ah, it seems I have my work cut out for me before the next training session. I should-- Ah, I should go. Work on that. Now."

He gave a curt bow to both Ridley and Koa. "I'm sorry, I'll do better next time."

And before either of them could say anything else, he beat a hasty retreat across the desert scrub.

 

[Tetra]

"Steven wait-" He was far too late. A tumult of emotions surged in him. Come back! Please! He wanted to call Steven back, try to talk about it, but the words died on his tongue. Frustration simmered under his pelt. This was supposed to have just been a simply training match and even that couldn't go right.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I guess we should call it a day." He hesistated, suddenly uncertain. This was his responsibility. His fault. He stared in the direction Steven had gone, desperately wishing he'd come back. How was he supposed to handle this alone? "I guess just try to be careful for now until whatever went wrong is fixed." 'Be careful'. Brilliant advice.

 

[Hap]

Well, this had been an absolute shitshow of a fiasco.

"Yeah, I'll. Get going," Ridley agreed. Be careful. The same advice Powehi had given him, and Ridley had immediately fucked that one up. "Sorry," he added, and hurried off as fast as he could without looking like he was running away.

<><><><><><>

 

[Weazel]

As a Water Type – really, as an otter – swimming was something that was hard wired into Archie’s psyche. Strictly speaking, he could survive just fine without, he wasn’t a fish after all! But, going too long without made him irritable, short tempered, depressed, all sorts of nasty things, really. He had trouble focusing, he couldn’t sleep as well, he started feeling uncomfortable in his own skin.

So, suffice to say, Silver River was a real godsend. He tried to come out a few times a week, to a point where the water was deep and wide enough to accommodate him. He’d find a decent enough piece of driftwood to jam vertically into the soft riverbank soil, drape his hat and coat on it, and dive in. He didn’t really have a set routine. Sometimes he did laps, sometimes he dove under and worked on holding his breath, sometimes he chased fish around, and sometimes he just floated lazily on his back, holding on to a river plant to prevent the current from dragging him away.

He was doing the latter activity when a flash of metallic blue out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. He spun, untangling himself from the reeds he’d nestled into, and was able to get a good look at the color’s source. Steven, headed in the direction of Silver Ravine, by the looks of it? What was he doing going out that way? He’d never taken Steven for much of a dungeon delver. Seemed like he was in a hurry, too!

“Hey, Steven!” the Oshawott called, paddling towards shore. Actually, this was maybe a good opportunity to follow up with the Beldum on all things Shadow. He’d been mauled pretty bad by the Drapion, and even though his physical injuries appeared to have healed nicely, the mental ones were likely still fresh, especially after the back to back experiences of Seth and Powehi. How to breech the subject, though? “Is… Everything alright?”

Not the most elegant, maybe, but it got to the point.

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven had made good time, getting out beyond the outskirts of town without running into anyone. All for the better, he didn't need to run into anyone. Not when the whole point was leaving without telling anyone.

Which was why when he heard someone call his name, he almost, almost didn't stop. But when he saw who had called out to him, he knew if he didn't, the Oshawott was bound to follow anyway. Archie was a kind soul, but that was the last thing Steven wanted right now, so he would do the polite thing and humor Archie for long enough to avoid any suspicion, and then get back on his way.

"Archie, hello," he greeted, trying not to sound terse. He certainly didn't want to have to explain himself, or even worse, for Archie to realize how out of sorts he currently was. No, he just needed some alone time to sort through, well, everything.

But apparently he'd done an abysmal job at all of that (just like everything else) because Archie's next words were exactly what he didn't want to hear. So he donned the best fake smile he could muster and answered.

"Everything's fine," he said, maybe a bit too cheerfully. "Everything's... fine."

Gods, he was a terrible liar.

 

[Weazel]

By the time Steven called back to him, Archie was already shaking water from his fur. He grabbed his coat and hat, and hustled up the riverbank to where the Beldum had stopped. Something in the Beldum’s voice made him hesitate briefly, though, and he slowed long enough to properly dress himself, before walking the rest of the way to Steven. It was likely obvious by his expression that he didn’t fully believe Steven’s assurances that all was well.

“Are… You sure?” He asked, before shaking his head, “Sorry, uh… What brings you out this way? Got a minute to talk?”

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

'No, and no.' Those were the real answers, but Steven wasn't going to say as much. So he smiled again ignoring the first question, and bobbed slightly to make the satchel at his side shift its contents. "Just going to look for some interesting rocks."

That was weird enough that Archie wouldn't want to accompany him, right? Just to be sure, he followed it with, "That and wanted to take a small breather. Get out of town for a minute. Sort of like what you're doing, right?"

His eye swept down the Oshawott's damp form to emphasize his point before getting to his own. The sooner this conversation was over, the sooner he could be on his way. "Sure, what's on your mind?"

 

[Weazel]

Interesting rocks? The Oshawott supposed he didn’t know all that much about Steven’s hobbies. Which, actually, seemed kind of rude, now? Well, if it was rocks that interested the Beldum, and he was headed this way along the river, Silver Ravine seemed the obvious option… Which, could be a dangerous place to an unprepared traveler. Archie had never taken Steven for much of a fighter. Plus, wasn’t that where Seth was possibly hiding out? What if someone came looking for him and ran into the Beldum? At the same time, though, Steven didn’t look like he’d appreciate the offer of an escort. Maybe if he worded it differently?

“Oh, have you seen how the silver in the Mystery Dungeon seems to naturally clump into coins? They call it ‘uncanny’ here, but back in my world we just call it Poké,” he said, “There’s usually a few good veins if you know where to look. I can show you, if you like?”

Steven’s next question made him hesitate a bit, but, he figured honesty was the best policy here. “Well, I wanted to see how you were doing after, you know, everything. I guess you heard Koa’s message over the network? So, you know, if you had any questions or anything about what happened with Alex, I can answer them. Or, if you wanted to yell at me for anything.”

He shot the Beldum a smile, intended to imply that he was joking, though it still came off as more than a little nervous. Everyone else he’d spoken to had mostly been understanding, though, and it honestly was hard to imagine Steven wanting to bite his head off the way Dave had. At the same time, if anyone deserved to be mad at him, it was the Beldum. Archie had ended up riling them both up pretty bad about Shadow Corruption, only to immediately go and fall victim to it...

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

"No, that's quite alright," he said hastily to the Oshawott's offer of company. Too hastily. Gods above he was just making this worse, wasn't he. "I'm not going far, or looking for coins, really."

He fidgeted with his claw notch, making a small click. Involuntarily his eye flicked past Archie's shoulder, towards where he wanted to be going. But then, what did Archie just say?

"Wait, why would I want to yell at you?" Steven blinked, looking at Archie with genuine puzzlement. Admittedly he'd had a lot on his mind beyond teammate chatter. Maybe he should have been paying more attention... "Something about a Zweilous Alex working for Powehi? I'm not sure what that's got to do with you. We've met Powehi, and the only one who should probably be yelled at is Ridley, but I'm not sure that's going to fix anything."

Steven's gaze fell, and he suddenly didn't feel like elaborating on that particular subject anymore.

 

[Weazel]

His expression faltered somewhat, at Steven’s quick response. Had the Beldum seen through his attempt? Did he just want to be alone? … Or maybe he was furious, after all?

Or maybe not? The Steel Type seemed honestly confused as to what Archie was getting at.

“Uh, well, you know,” he muttered, looking away from the Beldum. This was actually kind of awkward. He was trying to do better about not coming across like he was blaming himself for everything. “It was my idea to meet with Alex at Silver Ravine. That was where he corrupted Koa and I. And then that corruption jumped to Betel, and from Betel to you and everyone else. So, ultimately, I’m at least partially responsible.”

He shrugged, a little awkwardly. Speaking of Ridley though, how was that crazy little Mimikyu doing? Archie hadn’t seen him since the dream. And it honestly didn't seem like Steven was all that keen on discussing what it was he was doing, so maybe if he tried taking the conversation in a new direction...

“Have you seen Ridley?” He asked, “I hope he’s doing okay...”

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven still watched Archie with a look of mixed perplexity. "Alex corrupted you and Koa? But Powehi said shadows are a natural part of everyone in this world. It... didn't seem like there was any way to avoid Shadow, the way he put it."

An image of Jade's horrified expression flashed through Steven's mind. He turned his head sharply, as if he could look away from it and forget. Just like he tried to forget that night where Seth poured his Shadows into Wes. The time he spent wedged in that hole, drowning in his own terror. The Shadow Skorupi, pumping its venom into his heart--

His claws snapped together with a sharp click, snapping him back to the present. He hoped Archie didn't notice his lapse. "Maybe this Alex person hastened things along but... I certainly wouldn't put any blame on you for it. We all stuck our noses into this shadow business, some literally--"

Ridley. Steven stopped himself short, breaking eye contact with Archie. "It might be better if you ask Ridley about it himself," he said curtly.

 

[Weazel]

“Everyone naturally generates Shadow, but for most people it’s trace amounts, and it dissipates harmlessly,” Archie nodded. Or, at least, he thought that was how it was explained? To be honest he hadn’t been in the greatest headspace during that whole dream sequence, so it wasn’t like he was working off of a perfect recall or anything. “But, the amount that makes you a Shadow Pokemon, the amount that we have to call on, that probably came from Alex.”

He folded his arms, and briefly glanced out over the river, “No one really blames me. To be honest, part of me wishes people did. Even if it was going to happen eventually, I still feel like I’m getting away with making a huge mistake. At least if I felt like I had to win back peoples’ trust, it’d give me something to work towards...”

The Oshawott shook his head again, and sighed. He couldn’t keep thinking like that. Actually, he didn’t have much time to think at all. Something in Steven’s tone caused Archie’s gaze to snap back to the Beldum. There was an iciness there that he didn’t associate with the Steel Type, brought up at the mention of Ridley.

“Steven, you know, if something happened, you can always talk to me, right?” He asked, cautiously. “I know we haven’t known each other extremely long, but I consider you a friend and comrade. So, if something’s bothering you...”

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

"We're not going to become Shadow pokemon," Steven said sharply, and then looked away. Why was Archie so determined to make this his fault? What did he know about making mistakes?

No, not here. Not in front of Archie. Steven's eye slid shut and he bobbed up and down as if he was taking a steadying breath. "Nothing happened," he said. "I consider you as friend as well, so please trust me when I say there's nothing to be solved by talking right now. I just need some time to myself, alright?"

He hated how desperate he sounded. But a conversation with Archie about how big of a screw-up he was wasn't going to help, no matter how insistent the Oshawott was.

 

[Weazel]

“Well, no, but that’s not what I…” The Oshawott trailed off. Powehi had said that he would protect them from that eventuality, at least. Hopefully, they could take the shadow entity at its word for that, if only because them losing their minds to the corruption would ultimately just create more work for Powehi. But, he didn’t think that was what Steven needed to hear right now. Especially since he could hear the beginning creeps of shadow in the Beldum’s mentally projected voice. Even though it wasn’t traditionally audible, the distortion still caused his ears to flick, and momentarily brought a grim frown to his muzzle.

“It doesn’t sound like nothing,” he said, folding his arms. Still, his expression softened to one of more obvious concern. “Well, I won’t force you to talk if you’re not comfortable, but… Don’t be a stranger, okay? I’ve always got time for my friends.”

Still, he hated to leave it at that. Maybe if he tried to come at it from a different angle, made Steven feel like he wasn’t being interrogated? Maybe a little self-deprecation? He shot the Beldum a wry smile, as he leaned back on his heels.

“You know, recently I remembered that I was a Ranger, back when I was a human,” he said. “Maybe that’s why I always feel like I have to stick my nose in when I see a Pokemon in trouble?”

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven couldn't stop the frown from forming. He didn't need a lecture right now. He didn't need a Ranger either. What he needed was a cave deep enough for no one to find him in, and Archie stood between him and what he needed.

"I'll be sure to let you know if I see a pokemon in trouble, then," said Steven, trying (and most likely failing) to mimic a dry smile back at Archie.

What was he doing? This was no way to treat a friend, but the incessant loathing wouldn't leave him alone. He tried shaking his head, like he could clear the shadows like they were some old cobwebs, but they clung to his heart like a plague, clawing and tugging and dragging--

He began to back away from Archie in the direction of Silver Ravine. The direction his heart wanted to go. If the Oshawott wanted to follow him, he could certainly try. If there was one thing Steven was good at, it was being extremely difficult to be found when he didn't want to be. He had lots of practice at that...

 

[Weazel]

If Spencer were here, he probably would be more insistent. The Treecko was never very good at letting things go, and he hated feeling like things were left unsaid. Spencer always preferred to get everything out in the open as quickly as possible, suffer the consequences that resulted, and move on. Better that than let things fester and worsen over time. It got him in trouble a lot, but a little trouble now was preferable to a lot of trouble later.

But Archie wasn’t Spencer. And watching Steven both physically and emotionally start to pull away from the Oshawott, Archie lost his nerve. He reached out a paw halfheartedly, thought better of it, and let it drop back to his side. He broke eye contact again, gazing back out over Silver River, and mumbled out an “Uh, yeah, sure.”

Then, louder, he added, “Well, good luck on the rock hunt. You’ll have to tell me about it sometime.”

<><><><><><><>​

 

[Jackie Cat]

Seth had said he'd hang around the area near the Silver Ravine rift shallows. Just enough that if the Wayfarers wanted to meet with him, he'd find them and be there. The human-turned-Lycanroc clearly had enough confidence in his recon abilities...

In the end it was Wes who found Seth first. Perhaps by chance... Perhaps because Seth took an interest in his own alternate self.

Either way, when Wes prowled his way along the Silver one evening, it wasn't long before he found he had a second shadow.

"What brings you here, knockoff?" asked the shadow, as the other Lycas stood up on his hind legs and crossed his forelimbs. "If you're here to have it out, I'll have to disappoint you – I'm in too good a mood today to spoil it throwing down."

Seth grinned, all bravado and implicit threat, but his eyes were those of a 'mon who hardly slept. At least his voice wasn't tinged with Shadow. Yet.

 

[HelloYellow17]

Wes nearly jumped out of skin at Seth’s voice, and immediately felt a rush of embarrassment and frustration. How in the hell had this guy managed sneak up on him when Wes’s guard had been up?

He forced his face into a neutral expression; he wasn’t about to give Seth the pleasure of knowing he’d successfully startled him. “Nah. Not here for a fight.” He looked Seth up and down and gave him a good-natured grin. “Which is a shame, because I could probably take you right now.” He found himself feeling far less intimidated by the other Lycanroc now that he’d evolved.

In truth, it was a relief to find him unharmed and even in good spirits, even if the weariness in Seth’s eyes indicated some strain. “Told you I’d come looking for you sooner rather than later, didn’t I? I’ve got some good news for you—I’ve found a place where you can stay. It’s safer and cozier than what you’ve got here, plus it’s quiet and not too crowded. Best part is it’s even got free food.”

Wes watched for Seth’s reaction with bated breath; he’d hoped that by pitching the Sanctum as a lucky find rather than some kind of charity case might make the other Lycanroc more willing to accept, but he had no idea if it would work. Not when Seth himself was so damn stubborn and proud…