With Luffy seated on her back and Vli accompanying her, Gareda soared through the skies, her fins slicing the clouds apart. In front of her, a Dragonite carrying an Arcanine laid out the path ahead. They had begun their descent back to Eravate, and Gareda angled her fins to follow suit.

“Steady yourself, Luffy. We’re going groundwards.”

The Magmar stirred uncomfortably on the Garchomp’s back. “We’re… going down already? This soon?”

Gareda rolled her eyes as she angled her fins further down. “Why yes, we are. That’s the norm when you reach your destination, isn’t it?” she answered, her voice’s volume on the border of unintelligible over the wind. ‘Would she have heard that?’

“Oh, um. Naturally. It’s just that I thought Agate to Rustborough would take much longer than this,” Luffy answered, to which Gareda rolled her eyes.

‘Of course she would.’ “Weren’t you most reserved about flying in the first place? If anything, you should be thankful. Happy, rather.”

She then felt Luffy’s claws slide down her neck. “No, not at all. That was only at the beginning when I hadn’t flown before, you know. The entire concept seemed incredibly frightening to me. You know how it is, I’m not winged or finned, nothing of the sort. You had to have felt the same when you flew for the first time, right?”

“...Sort of?” Gareda replied, her voice timid. Inside her head however, she was silently screaming to herself. ‘That waw. years ago. And I wasn’t afraid! Never!’

“Yes, you’ve hit the nail straight on the head! Of course the first time is scary, but now that I’m up here, and we’ve been at it for a few hours… it’s just, it’s amazing…” Luffy said, her voice dreamy. “Getting to see the world like this, feeling my blood pumping as the wind rushes past me, exploring the world all on your back… All I can think of is ‘amazing’...”

“Hey!” Vli cawed, “Cerben’s almost under the clouds, we’ve got to hurry up already!”

“If you say so,” Gareda muttered. Her muscles stiffened the moment Luffy referred to her back. Something about the way she described flight managed to somehow be right yet very wrong at the same time. She bared her teeth for a moment, before straightening herself out. “Alright, get yourself ready. We are landing.”

“O-okay!”

Convinced Luffy was holding on tight enough, Gareda made a sharp bank after Cerben and the Dragonite he was riding on, boring straight through a thick cloud. She shut her eyes to prevent any moisture from coming true, and kept her sensors on alert for any sudden stress coming from her passenger. Either Luffy had remembered, or she’d be stammering from pain. Gareda wasn’t interested in whichever one happened. Luffy would learn the easy way or the painful way, and all that mattered is that she’d learned. Alas, based on the hints of stress she picked up on, it was the latter. Gareda shook her head, then opened her eyes just as she passed through the cloud.

A smile appeared on the Garchomp’s snout as the hilly landscape of the Ruby Province spanned over the horizon. From the rivers passing through the gorges and valleys, the forested hilltops with their orchards standing out amidst the reddish brown, the farmlands and other assorted agriculture along with their accompanying villages, it was what the Ruby Hills were known for.

But the joy wasn’t to last, for the rot behind the pretty surface was evident at a second glance. Valleys painted black, hilltops shrouded in mist, openings in the terrain leading to depths no Pokemon wished to tread. Cerben’s nightmare, laid bare for the world to see. He’d been struggling to contain the Mystery Dungeons for a long time now, and it was getting harder and harder to stop the truth from reaching Queen Patrina. He knew what the consequences would be. Gareda knew what the consequences would be. And neither wanted to see first hand.

And then, there was Rustborough.

In between all the hills stood a city of rock, with bright fires burning from braziers atop the tallest buildings throughout the city limits. Orange banners were hanging all across the city next to those of the Vined Crest, proclaiming that the festival season had begun to the farming communities on the outskirts. A river ran from a distant mountain into the city, several Pokemon-made inlets and canals delivering water to the growing crops.

“Finally…” Luffy said, “I’m finally home!”

To this, Gareda couldn’t help but to crack a smile. “Let’s not keep home waiting then, shall we?”

They descended through the great blue yonder and into the city, flying some thirty feet over the rooftops. Cerben and his Dragonite companion were headed straight for a tall keep at the centre of the city. Gareda craned her head up to have a look at the landing spot. Fortunately for her and Luffy, there was a small strip to run on. But it was just that: short. Nothing she was too comfortable with, and the traffic of mail carriers over the city made it hard to line herself up.

Still, she pressed on, following Cerben and the Dragonite to the landing strip atop the keep. This wasn’t her first rodeo. Nor would it be the last.

‘Put enough resistance in the legs… not too hard, don’t want the roof to pound the skull of some poor sod below.’

She touched down on the edge and ran along the length of the strip, her feet just quick enough to avoid a disaster. The Dragonite carrying Cerben had far better control, only needing half the strip. Vli meanwhile circled around the strip, before perching on the floor like it was his own nest.

“Ah… here we are. Not a moment too soon.”

Cerben’s voice was somewhat relieved as the Dragonite let him off his back, although his limbs still moved in a stiff manner that wouldn’t have come from a long flight, given Luffy not having the same problems when getting off Gareda. His tail curled a little, then he raised his head to sniff the air, which smelled like fresh vegetables. Gareda’s sensors felt him being on edge, however.

“Why yes, not a moment too soon,” the Dragonite answered with a smile, her voice and aura lacking any of the fear Cerben’s had. Gareda had been around her fellow dragons long enough to know every little detail by instinct. She shook her head.

‘Great. From the Smaugus. What an awful pick for an escort...’

“Indeed, Sefonia. Thanks again for being so reliable even when times get tough! You really are just as much of a prodigy as the dragons in your clan proclaim you to be!” Cerben said, to which the Dragonite blushed.

“Please, it’s nothing. I’m just doing my job, honest!”

“And you’re doing a great job of it,” Cerben responded. “Take some pride in being such a talented young Pokemon. Fully evolved at your age, capable of just about anything you put your mind to.”

Sefonia was getting a little nervous, and Gareda smiled a little because of it. “Please, don’t go overboard. I, erhm, I’m really not a hard worker. Nor that talented.”

Gareda rolled her eyes. ‘Smaugus. Pfft.’

“Right,” Cerben said with a nod. “In any case, a job well done. Now, if you excuse me, there’s… difficult things I must discuss with our guests here.”

“Understood!” Sefonia said, then turned to wave at Gareda, Luffy beside her and Vli fluttering over their heads. “Nice meeting you! Uhm, I’ve got to get going.”

“See you around!” Luffy said, returning the wave.

Vli made a slight bow. “Good day! Until we meet again, eh?”

While her escorts said their goodbyes, Gareda had but an acknowledging grunt to give. Life was too short to give proper kudos to rivals, least of all the Smaugus. Fafnir’s Tooth was anything but Smaugus territory.

Sefonia took off, and she took all the pleasantries with her. Cerben asked for Gareda to follow suit, and her escorts went along with her. They entered the stone keep through a door at the end of the runway, and were greeted by statues of spear wielding Kangaskhan, sword wielding Bisharp and axe wielding Slaking, the weapons all having small orange banners hanging off their pointy tips.

“Excuse me for the ruckus,” Cerben said.

“Worry about that later,” Gareda growled back.

“Of course.”

As Cerben took them further into the keep, Vli and Luffy were pacing about somewhat uneasily.

“So… who do you think that Dragonite lady was, eh?” the Toucannon said while hopping along with Luffy’s feet. The Magmar awkwardly tilted her head as she looked at him.

“Lady? She can’t be that old. Her voice sounds barely adolescent, and I’m pretty sure that’s only because she’s fully evolved.”

“Don’t Dragonite only evolve when they’re much older?” Vli asked, stroking the bottom of his beak with a wing. “Never seen one that… young before. And uh-”

“You’re absolutely right, it’s really weird. Didn’t Cerben say she was a prodigy, too?”

A growl rumbled right in front of them, and both Pokemon freezed as Gareda had turned her head to scowl at them.

“Why yes, she is a prodigy. And no, no one wants to hear your little debate on the matter. Is that clear, bird brain and duck face?”

“Yes, lord Gareda,” both Vli and Luffy replied at the same time, their heads lowered in defeat. It was as if they had practised this routine beforehand. Gareda’s growls continued even as she motioned Cerben to continue with her talons.

* * *

After a tour of the keep, Cerben took Gareda and her escorts to a large conference hall on one of the upper floors, which served as the Arcanine’s base of operations. The Crest’s banner hung over a hearth, and several aides were present, who quietly ran over to assist Cerben with anything he needed. At the heart of the keep, which was the heart of Rustborough, which was the heart of the Ruby Hills and its people.

Once arrived, Gareda’s attention was drawn to a map laying flat over a desk. It wasn’t just laying on the desk, it had been embedded into the desk. Gareda laid her talons on the edge and leaned over the map, on which Cerben’s entire command was pictured. From north to south, many spots on the map were colored purple, each spot sporting a small number. Other parts had been sketched over with a pattern. Combined, they covered some twenty percent of the entire map. The Garchomp leaned back, then shot a scowl at Cerben.

“So, this is what you’ve been staring at for the last few months?”

Cerben nodded. “Correction. This is what I have been staring at since I was appointed as lord of western Eravate. My entire command and the forces at my disposal.” The canine’s ears shifted backwards. “Or at least… that is what is pictured here, yes. And I would be entirely dishonest if I told you I didn’t have better times. This map… originally was a commission piece from a famed mapmaker here in Rustborough, who collaborated with a famed carpenter from here as well. It was nothing more than a fancy piece to decorate the room with. It looked so empty in here without it.”

Gareda tilted her head up in a way that made her teeth stand out. ‘Of course. What Arcanine doesn’t enjoy vanity? That giant mane isn’t fancy enough for them.’

“Lord Gareda? Is the situation not clear?” Vli asked. The Arcanine sat down with a nervous growl as Gareda shot Vli a snide look.

“Perfectly clear,” the Garchomp growled. “If it wasn’t, then I wouldn’t be a Lord anymore, would I?” Vli’s haphazard apology fell on deaf ears as Gareda turned back to the matter at hand, once again leaning over the table with her talons.

“I see you have quite the nuthouse clinging onto your paws here. Can’t trip without stumbling into a dungeon, for one. You sent your troops all over the place to plug the gaps, determined to solve the problem…”

“That’s right-”

“Desperate to solve the problem would be more accurate,” Gareda growled. A visible gulp went down Cerben’s throat. “You threw your Soldiers to contain dungeons, and who should show up to stab them in the back, except for our favourite Alliance? What else would these striped portions of the map be. Lord Cerben?”

Cerben let out a soft whine. “No. You’re right. This has been one big headache for me. Everytime I close a gap, another one opens elsewhere. I do not know why. We go after a Dungeon, Alliance activity shows up elsewhere. We push Alliance activity back underground where it belongs, a new Dungeon materialises.” He pawed at his chest. “Patrina demands excellence, but… I cannot give it to her any longer. I struggle to understand the situation here, and-”

“Let’s start back at the beginning, shall we?” Gareda stated. “My aides here would like to hear it as well.” She glanced over her shoulder. Luffy immediately saluted, her flames sparking with enthusiasm.

“Sure! We might not be lords, but we’ve got plenty of wisdom ourselves! We’ve certainly helped Gareda out a bunch by just being there!” the Magmar said, smiling. “We do our part to keep our lands safe! And I’m more than willing to help out in my own home! Once a Rubyfolk, always a Rubyfolk!” She held her claws up as if she were holding a guitar.

Vli’s reaction was more subdued. He bowed with one wing in front of his chest, and the other stuck out beside him. “Oh yes, we’re loyal subjects of the Crest, and we’ve got exactly what it takes to resolve any Dungeon crisis, or damnable treasonous activity. Both in the field, as in this room.”

“I… see,” Cerben replied.

Gareda had held a fin in front of her face while they explained, only removing it once they were finished. ‘How cute of them.’ “So yes, we’re going to the beginning. Your first problem is you thinking you’ve got two enemies to worry about. You don’t.”

“Do… we have more?”

Gareda held up a talon. “Of course not. You have one enemy. These dungeons… the Alliance, they’re the same. Even if it doesn’t look like it to you… they’re the same. Why else would one rise when the other falls? It’s time for you to see them as one enemy.”

Cerben nodded. “Understood,” he said, his eyes drawn to one of his aides, though he didn’t call for them. “But… you do not really mean they’re-”

“I mean exactly what I say,” Gareda said, her voice loud and monotone, much to Cerben’s surprise; he reeled back. “You keep holding onto old ideas that do not work. And we’re well past the point where you should have forgotten them.” She shook her head. “Here is my first suggestion. We keep most of your Soldiers around the dungeons, and we send your finest into the towns and cities to look for any trace of Alliance activity. The rot starts at the bottom, Cerben. Petty crimes can be connected. Messengers, even the fool at the corner who roars out the most insipid idiocy for the townsfolk to hear… they can all be connected.”

Cerben gritted his teeth. “This… is something we must debate thoroughly, Gareda. If we are not careful, the fine people of the Ruby Hills will be outraged!”

“Yes, he’s speaking the truth! We don’t like seeing people get brutal punishments if it can be avoided. Everyone deserves a second chance.” said Luffy before Gareda had the chance to respond, much to the Garchomp’s chagrin. Normally, she was quicker than that, yet times changed. Luffy must’ve been extra passionate here.

Nevertheless, Gareda stuck to her guns, angling the fins on her arms as if they were swords.

“Of course. You’ve told me plenty of times, and I know fulwell my methods aren’t… let’s say ‘pretty’. But we have to be realistic about the situation. Every step the fools in the Alliance make is a step closer to the Crest being forced out of the Ruby Hills, and a step closer to another piece of the Azure Flute falling into their hands. Another step closer to the Seal being broken. And I believe our… beloved Queen has explained perfectly well what the consequences of that would be. Not to mention, the Othersider is on his way here. He is a member of the Alliance. His arrival only spells doom for us.”

She suddenly raised her talon, then slammed the blunt end down on the edge of the table. “An iron grip… is what will be needed for the situation to develop in the way we want it to. Not as strong of a grip as I’m known for, but a grip regardless.” ‘A silver grip, if you will.’

Cerben squeezed his eyes shut, bothered by Gareda’s pitch. His teeth chattered as he began to pace the room up and down, like a Beartic in search of something to eat.

“This… is an awful risk we’re taking here, Gareda. I cannot just agree to it without you explaining this plan of yours more thoroughly, in a way that does not enrage my people. I’m more than a military head and someone the Queen trusts. The people of the Ruby Hills look up to me, and I do not want to let them down. No matter what it takes… even though I’ve lost my brothers, I will not let my people down. Never.”

Gareda’s posture slouched. “Can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.”

“It’s not that simple,” Cerben said.

“Be honest with yourself. Has your current approach worked?”

“...No.”

“You know full well that a change is necessary. The fruits of our harvest will be quite bountiful, wouldn’t you say?”

“...I suppose. But, we must soften the blow of your plans, Lord Gareda. If we do not, then…”

Gareda stood firm as a statue while Cerben looked away, his face one of visible shame. ‘Poor sod didn’t know what he’d be in for. Too bad there’s no dodging it. Either you endure the struggle, or you die trying. Mom’s words.’

“Harvest?”

There was a struggle to endure, alright. An obnoxious one. Vli suddenly flapped his wings as loud and obnoxious as possible, much to Gareda’s aggravation, which she was all too willing to voice in the form of a low growl. Vli didn’t stop, however.

“I’ve got an idea here. That festival that’s coming up here… the festival of the-”

“-Seven Crops!” Luffy finished. “Yeah! People would accept it more if it’s to protect the festival! It’s sacred!”

“...my words exactly,” Vli muttered while tapping his feet.

“Yes… yes, I can see that making a difference,” Cerben growled, then licked his lips. “Question is, will it be good enough?”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Gareda said, leaning back while pulling back on her green scarf. Behind her, Luffy did the same. “In any case, we need to debate this thoroughly. As I always do. Any authority who settles for ‘good enough’ is less than useless.”

Cerben got on his hindlegs, then raised a paw to his chin. “Fierce as any Dragonspine dragon, I see.”

Gareda bowed. “Were you expecting anything different?” Cerben shook his head.

”Of course not. I’ve heard plenty about you. That battle near Agate Township alone tells your story.” The Arcanine got back on all fours. “But we can talk this through after a meal. Usually I do not get straight to the business.”

To this, Gareda shrugged. “Times change. But whatever. There’s being strong, and then there’s denying yourself food after hours of flight.”

Cerben smiled. “Alright then! Aides! Have a meal prepared for the four of us,” he barked, to which his aides got to work without question.

The first true meeting between Gareda and Cerben ended right then and there, to the quiet celebration of Vli and Luffy. Over dinner, Gareda contemplated what had been discussed. Cerben was timid, and not willing to take risks… not initially, anyhow. But he would come around. Results have a habit of speaking for themselves, and she knew she could produce some results. By the end of dinner, a smile had appeared on her face.

The future was bright.