Love in the Time of Trepidation

Chapter 17: An Iceland

I know there was a lot of surprise just how dark Akari was going last chapter, is going still. Because, yeah, Akari's really different from the typical Ancien protagonist. I wanted that something different. And you're going to see very soon where this road is leading to. For now, Chapter 17!

Chapter 17

An Iceland

The Alabaster Icelands were burning.

What should have been pure, white snow now seemed to be garroted with ash, curdling in the sky and covering an otherwise pristine field. From atop the very seat of Sinnoh's power, Akari could see it, all of its running rivers and icy sculptures, no longer glimmering with the sun, but instead reflecting the somber, smoky picture. She didn't know what had caused it, but a guess to it being related to the quakes, the rifts or some frenzied Noble seemed natural.

Hoping to get a better look, Akari stepped off the dais, leaving whatever dormant power there was there to get closer. She didn't feel a loss of anything, but with a squint through all of the smoke and ash, Akari thought she could spy something: a row of houses and buildings in the icy tundra, all set ablaze by some force.

The Pearl Settlement... Akari found her fist clenching tighter, her body quaking. Overhead, the rift crackled and stormed, reflecting how she felt inside. Her breaths tightened her chest, unable to conceive of why this was happening, how it could ever be allowed. The sight didn't lie, though; the houses were on fire, producing all of the smoke that covered the Icelands. For those parts not covered up by it, however, it was barren. Ice and trees dotted the landscape across cruel mountaintops, with a lake and larger building visible, but it looked a wholly uninhabitable land, save for the part that now burned.

In fact, the longer she looked, the more Akari could see spots wherein towns might have once tried to be established and flourished, only for the cold, merciless wilds to wipe them out. It made it utterly baffling, her eyes consistently going back to the Pearl Settlement. How could these people, living in these harsh lands, trying to eke out existence, approve of the Nobles and Legendary Pokémon who rendered them subservient to their wills? How they could remain and worship beings who brought them to such a meager, inhospitable life baffled the mind.

Even now, the evidence of how they could live and die was before them. Akari had to wonder how Irida felt about it.

That thought alone was enough to make Akari's body start to move, wrenching away from the burning settlement to instead find the shadow that was fleeing down the mountain. It was Sneasler, there was no doubt about it. Perhaps it was trying to escape her wrath, or maybe it was off to inflict more damage on the poor people of the Pearl Clan. Either way, she refused to allow it.

Her fist nearly cracked something as her body clenched, and at the edge of the mountain trailing northward, she finally realized what she had been holding to the entire time: the plate from Electrode. The very sight of it made her wish to retch, but also gave her purpose, and means; the very power they used to torment others, she would now use to track them down.

Just as she had before the Highlands, Akari dug deep into her satchel and pulled forth the flute, playing first one note, and then another. They echoed, sounding fuller and more complete than ever, especially as the newest plate danced on the air before joining with the flute. A repeated tone followed, causing Akari to turn towards the empty temple, responding to her playing. It was the only thing she heard.

"Weeeeer!" The cry of Wyrdeer answering her call drew her away, and she saw the radiant white fur appear upon the mountaintop, staring down at her. He took silent, cantering steps towards her, keeping his eyes upon her, as if to confirm her intentions. She glowered. There was no future in which Wyrdeer would tell her what needed to be done.