The Eternal Blooming Flower

Chapter 16: Swanna Strikes Again

Towering stones shifted back-and-forth between dark gray to pitch black in the dream. Light was almost non-existent in this space with only the faintest yellow hue outlining the jagged rocks around her. The dry feeling in the back of her throat only abated a bit when she covered her face with her arm, the scent of ink lingering with each breath that she took. Still, Soni continued moving forward, keeping an ear out for anything in the vicinity. Her feet sank into the sand path, the soft earth unable to keep her weight.

"Never stay in a place that's unfamiliar. When you've identified the situation as well as your surroundings, don't let the danger lurking in the corners find you first. Be aware of what's happening at all times." That particular piece of wisdom from her father was useful during her Journey as an ordinary Trainer, against Team Flare, and into her years as the reigning Champion of Kalos. And it was that same piece of wisdom that guided her through this situation, her arms completely covered to hide the light that emanated from them.

"Ehehehe..."

"Ahahaha..."

"Huhuhu..."

Laughter echoed around her with the itch in the back of her throat growing.

Hidden in the shadows, Soni peeked into a large open space within the chasm. Skeletons of beasts she didn't know the name of littered the floor, but that did nothing to distract her from the sight right before her. The jagged rocks gave way to an entire horde of Mightyena-like beasts, their eyes focused on the highest spot where a large shadow stood. It was difficult to see the full physique of the creature hidden under the shadows, but she could make out the long tail that lazily swung around. Not even the darkness couldn't hide the roiling swirls that hung over the entire room with the feline green eyes glowing.

"We will kill him... And then I..." The shadowy figure raised their paw towards the Mightyena-like creatures, a growl of satisfaction rippled through the air as the shadow declared. "...will be king!"

"All hail the king!" Their paws clattered near the bones of the animals, the sound eerily similar to that of applause. "All hail the true king!"

"No stone will be left unturned for my– our ambitions to dominate the land." The jagged smile glinted in the shadows, the voice of the individual reverberating in the air, the deep baritone sending off another round of laughter. "Ahaha... be prepared for my coronation as the true ruler of the savanna!"

Among the crowd of cackling Mightyenas, a black haze passed over them. Their four-legged stance shifted them into being bi-pedal, their canine features blending into that of a human's, but some remained as Mightyenas. Their cackles never stopped, only growing louder and louder. Even the skeletons that surrounded them changed into the more familiar forms of Pokémon. The dull haze of warmth buzzed underneath her glove– a grim but tangible reminder.

But that wasn't all.

As the remaining flickers of golden light bled crimson, the urge to cough grew, the itch building up in the back of her throat. Each passing breath, the need to drink water grew more and more. It was a vicious cycle of needing to breathe and a need to remain quiet lest Soni attract the attention of the crowd before her. More than that, the smell of ink grew stronger. Standing above all of them, the shadowy creature's body morphed into a human's, tall and lanky. The fur on its body became a long, trailing cape that followed the stride of a confident man.

Finally stepping forward into the light, Soni froze.

He looked all too familiar.

This person wasn't wearing a black suit lined in red but the clothes that resembled the old robes of Kalosian royalty. But it was his face that had Soni standing at attention. He had the face of a man that she saw years ago, the same one that she knew was trapped down miles beneath the earth by the choices he made. That didn't stop Soni from reaching to her belt where her Pokémon would be. Not wanting to draw the attention of the group in front of her, she held her breath.