The Patron Quadrilogy: The Legend Begins

Chapter 2

Wednesday, October 11th, 5:30 pm. 2018
Shoal Island
"Don't worry, Skar," Brendan said, jumping off of his Skarmory. "I'll be back out shortly. In the meantime, why don't you explore? I'll whistle for you when I'm done."
"Skar," Skarmory agreed. With an affectionate nudge from the Steel-Flying types beak, Skarmory took off.
Brendan stood at the mouth of Shoal Cave.
"Well, let's see if she's home," he muttered. "I've got a few more hours until the tide comes rolling in." He entered the cave, and snapped his fingers. A small, but bright flame erupted from his fingertips. He navigated his way through the cave, eventually finding the main chamber. It was covered in ice, and was probably around 9°F (-12°C). The cold didn't bother him; he'd risen his core temperature by a few degrees to warm himself, and the air around him. He stood there for a few minutes, before two twins appeared, one male and one female. They were both wearing black sweatshirts, with a silver snowflake on the front. The boy, who looked to be fifteen years old, had a beanie on his head, covering most of his ginger hair. The girl, also fifteen, wore a ushanka, covering her short, ginger hair. Their names were Jess and Kyle Landis, but Brendan knew them as the Frozen Twins, two Lieutenants of Team Permafrost. He was waiting for them.
"What do you want, Fireboy?" Kyle demanded.
"You're trespassing on our territory," Jess hissed, frost forming on her fingertips.
"Simmer down," Brendan retorted. "I'm here to talk to April."
"And what makes you think that she'll want to see you?" Kyle asked.
"That's for her ears only, Icicle."
"You think you're funny, Torchlight?" Jess growled.
"Ha, good one," he laughed. "I'm guessing you couldn't wait to call me that, Snowflake?"
"Are you just looking for a fight?" Kyle demanded.
"Look, just take me to see April. I need to ask her something, and I don't have the time or patience to deal with either of you."
"Feeling's mutual," Jess muttered. "Wait here. She doesn't allow anyone into her private chamber. Kyle, keep an eye on him. You're more tolerant of him." She raced off, leaving Brendan and Kyle behind.
"This place is..... homely, isn't it?" Brendan asked.
"Well, unlike you Brimstone pyromaniacs, a bar is too inviting for us. April prefers to stay in the cold, paying homage to her Chooser. Which you should've done, instead of setting up a bar."
"That's too boring for me," he retorted. "I pay my homage my own way. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter where a Patron chooses to live."
"That's rather bold of you to say, Fireboy," Kyle growled. "You break most of the rules that we have. It's no secret that you are infatuated with the Patron of Kyogre, who should be your sworn enemy."
"I heard enough of that shit today," Brendan growled, steam rising from his shoulders. "And I don't need a Permafrost Lieutenant who's barely fifteen telling me what I should and should not do."
"Keep your temper in check, Fireboy. You know attacking me here would mean war."
"Honestly, seems like you're hoping I attack you. Only idiots mess with fire," His hand was engulfed in flames. "And they get burned." A wall of ice appeared in between both of them.
"Enough! Both of you! Now's not the time to settle scores."
"Apologies, milady," Brendan heard Kyle say.
"Leave us, you two."
The twins nodded, with Kyle shooting one last glare back at Brendan. After they disappeared, Brendan looked at April. She was still as stoic as ever. Her blue hair, gray eyes, and pale skin. She was shrouded in a snowflake patterned robe, and had white snow boots on. She had a pearl circlet, with a snowflake encased in quartz She fixed Brendan with an icy stare.
"Nice to see you too, April Winters, Patron of Articuno."
"Must you aggravate my Lieutenants, Brendan Birch, Patron of Groudon?" She sighed. Of all of the Patrons Brendan had met, he had the most regard and respect for Red and April.
"I wasn't trying to," Brendan objected.
"Regardless, I trust you're here for a reason?" She asked.
"Yes, Steven sent me. He gave me the job of tracking down whoever's been killing Patrons. I was hoping you'd know something."
"And I presume this is has something to do with a certain someone, namely another Patron?" April asked, a rare teasing glint in her eye.
"Yes, this has something to do with May" Brendan said, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why does it seem like everyone has a problem with that?"
"I don't," she pointed out. "And anyways, even if I did, it's not like you'd listen to anyone. You're fiercely independent, Brendan, and that is what makes you an interesting Patron."
"Thanks," he sighed. "I just wish that others saw it that way sometimes."
"Anyways, we're getting off topic," she continued. Snapping her fingers, two chairs formed from the ice on the ground."Take a seat."
Wednesday, October 11th, 6:00 pm, 2018
Shoal Cave
Brendan sat down, surprised by how warm the chair was. It wasn't really warm, but it was warmer than he expected a chair made of ice to be.
"So, what do you and Steven know already?"
"We know that the killer has to be a fellow Patron, but apart from that, we don't know anything else. I feel there could be more than one killer. Perhaps even a whole organized group, similar to ours."
"It could be likely, but without evidence, none of our "allies" are going willingly volunteer to find out."
"Speaking of," Brendan said. "Who can we still consider allies? I only ever knew of Erika, Silver, Ethan, Lyra, and Red."
"How are they?" She asked. "It's been a long time."
"I just found out Erika's dead," Brendan said sadly. He was never truly a favorite of Erika, and of course the feeling was mutual. But, there was just something about her he respected. Perhaps it was her devotion to her Gym and followers. Perhaps it was her fearless personality. For a type that couldn't stand against fire normally, she certainly caught Brendan off-guard when they first met. He'd miss his former rival. "Hopefully, her successor will be worthy of the legacy she left behind."
"Indeed," April said, sadness dampening her tone. "It pains me to see a friend pass away under such circumstances."
"Well, we'll see her successor at the Winter Solstice meet," Brendan said. "Wonder which of her Lieutenants she chose, or if they destroyed her Plant Ring. On a happier note, Red is still alive, I saw him earlier today, at Brimstone Pub. But, I don't know about any of the others. I haven't been able to reach them. Hopefully, that just means they're busy with... whatever it is they do."
"Well, I'm afraid I don't have anything helpful to say. All I can say is that whoever's killing Patrons is targeting the weaker ones. But I have no idea why."
"Perhaps another Patron will have something that we can use. But, I think it might be better to wait until the Winter Solstice meeting." Brendan stood, and bowed to April. "I should be getting back to Brimstone, now. Until the Solstice, I bid you farewell, April."
"May your fires be bright and your mind clear, Brendan."
"And may your ice be cold, and your mind sound, April."
Wednesday, October 11th, 11:30 pm. 2018
Littleroot Town, Brimstone Pub
"So, you're back at last, huh, Brendan? Where were you?"
"I paid Steven a visit, and then went to say hi to April. Did you send people out on patrol, Wally?"
Wally nodded, "Yep. Giri volunteered, and he took a few of his lads with him. Damian just went out to the store, he's picking up some vermouth."
"Seriously? Why vermouth? This is a pub. We serve scotch, whiskey, beer, and the occasional cheap wine. Nothing fancy."
"And it isn't cheap, let me tell ya, boss."
"Well, who ordered it?"
"Steven. He dropped by."
"He'd better be paying for it. We just got a shipment of drinks. I don't want us to deal with any more fees for the week. Or for the rest of the month, honestly."
"It all depends on how quick the taps run dry. And judging by how business has been booming, we could run out over the next couple of weeks."
"Hopefully, things'll die down," Brendan sighed. "Anyways, where is everyone else?"
"Claire's sleeping in her room, and the Twins are probably playing video games in their rooms."
"Well, I'm probably going to go upstairs soon."
"You're actually sleeping in the pub for once?"
"It started to rain while I was flying back."
"Oh. Well, do you want a drink before you turn in?"
Brendan thought for a second, then nodded. "Sure. Fire-and-Brand, my friend."
Wally handed him a shot glass, and Brendan drank it down. Placing the empty cup down, Brendan stood up. "Thanks for the drink, Wally. See ya in the morning."
Thursday, October 12th, 6:45, 2018
Littleroot Town Harbor
"You leaving already Brendan? Her ship might not get here until ten o'clock."
"Who knows? Better safe than sorry. And while I'm at it, I'll handle patrolling the harbor today. Tell the Lieutenants that, okay?"
"Got it, boss."
"I hate it when you call me that, Wally."
"You are the boss though," he smirked.
"Well, see ya."
How's everyone liking the story so far?
I hope it's pretty good. It's kind of a stark contrast to the other content on this profile, which details the violent murder of criminals from a show.
And like I said, I will make stories that aren't just Anime Fanfictions or crossovers. I just don't want to overload myself here.
So, I just want to complete some stories before I add anymore.
Also, it occurred to me that the rules of this world could be a little confusing. So, I'm going to take a quick break from the story next chapter to explain the rules of the Patrons. The chapter after that will continue picking up the story.
Sorry for that slight inconvenience.
-Myst out