The Golden Throne

Chapter 47: The Shield and the Sword

Hilbert's eyes fluttered open. The beeping of his Xtransceiver's alarm had woken him. He had his hands under his head as he waited for his vision to adjust to the light in the bedroom. He sat up and looked at the time: 12:05 pm.

He rubbed his eyes and got up, yawning. He only had three hours of sleep, but it would have to suffice. Today's mission was critical and he had no time to lose. He got dressed. All he had on him was his black shirt, Xtransceiver, dark-green trousers, and Pokebelt. He made sure to be as light as possible for what was to come. Just as he was about to leave the room, he glimpsed a stranger staring back at him. His breath stifled and he snatched a Pokeball. And paused. A sigh escaped his lips. It was just his reflection.

"Damn," he muttered, approaching the mirror. The past couple of months had changed him. He no longer saw a trace of the naive, guileless boy who was hungry for adventure. The face staring back at him in the mirror had sunken, bloodshot-eyes from lack of sleep, messy, greasy hair, bruises, scars and a mouth that was too used to grimacing. He had seen more than someone his age should. He was experienced- for better or for worse.

He left the room and proceeded to make his way to the lobby of the abandoned facility they took shelter in. There, Red, Hilda, Looker and Zeno were waiting for him. No Kye, he noticed. He hadn't seen him since their confrontation a few hours earlier. Hilbert was not proud of himself.

Red was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "All set?" he asked. Wordlessly, Hilbert nodded. With Zultan's help, they now knew where the Emperor's children and Zekrom were being kept. Red was to retrieve the royal children from Quirinus Manor, Ripley's ancestral holiday home, while Hilbert's mission was a more personal one. He was going to reunite with Zekrom. And with Zekrom's power, he would bring the Kaiserin to her knees.

"Are the coordinates in your Xtransceiver?" Red asked.

"Yes," Hilbert said. "We've no time to lose."

"Good luck, Hilbert. I wish I could come along," Looker said.

"You can handle yourself well in battle, I'll give you that," Red said. "But protecting Hilda is a priority. She'll need all of you in case the enemy launches a surprise attack."

"Rightly so. It is my duty to protect." Looker nodded.

Zeno glanced at Hilbert and Red. "May luck be with you. And Arceus keep you safe."

"Thank you," Hilbert and Red said. "Where's Kye?" Hilbert asked.

"Oh... He hasn't left his room. And he refuses to let me in. He wants to be left alone, but I shall try to cheer him up," Zeno said.

"I see," Hilbert muttered, guilt washing over him. He made it a point to himself to patch things up with Kye afterwards. If there was an afterwards.

"Hil," Hilbert heard a familiar, gentle voice say. He glanced at Hilda who came running to him. The two embraced and shared a kiss.

"You don't have to go," Hilda murmured, breaking away from his kiss. "It's too dangerous. Red can get the kids. And then we'll show the Emperor Ripley's guilty. A-And... And then we can go get Zekrom after-"

"Hilda," Hilbert murmured. "I have to do this," he said, tightening his hand around hers. "I miss Zekrom beyond words. And he'll keep us safe from anything they throw at us."

In a corner, Red silently watched Hilbert and Hilda, twiddling a silver coin in his hand.

"Come back to me. In one piece," Hilda said placing a hand on his cheek.

"I will," he pecked her on the forehead. And then, she broke away.

And with that, the two young men departed for their daunting mission.